THE
ABERDEEN GRAMMAR SCHGDL MAGAZINE
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June 1979
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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine 95th year No. 217 (New Series 84th year No., 208)
Vol. 82
JUNE 1979
The Magazine is published under the auspices of The Former Pupils' Club in June each year General Editor
David K. Yule, M.A.. 11 Kinkel! Road, Aberdeen AB1 8HQ
Editor of the School Section
William D. Hall, M.A.. 45 Hamilton Place, Aberdeen AB2 4AX
Editor of Notes, Obituaries and Marriages
Alan G. Campbell, LL.B., 22 Rosebery Street, Aberdeen AB2 4U
Secretary of the F.P. Club
John F. Hendry, LL.B., 36 Albyn Place, Aberdeen AB9 1YU
The General Editor and Notes Editor are happy to receive contributions for the next issue of the Magazine at any time before mid•April 1980.
Printed for The Former Pupils' Club at The University Press Aberdeen
CONTENTS General Section—
page 3
Rector's Report . President's Report . "Down with Paddy Evans" . The James F. Walker Collection . Personal Imprints of the Big Country A. J. M. (Freddie) Edwards . .
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School Section— School Office Bearers . . Random Notes . . . . Prefects' Notes . . . . School Sporting Activities . . Music Notes . Combined Cadet Force Clubs and Societies . Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme Easter Trips '79 . . Staff Changes . M. Roger Hervier . Awards and Scholarships
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Former Pupils' Section— Club Office•Bearers . Annual General Meeting . Our President . Life Membership. . Centre Reports . . Club Consuls . . Section Reports . . Club Centre . . Annual Dinner . . 9th Scout Group . . Notes About Old Boys. Marriages Obituaries . . Miss Beatrice R. Brown MA Accounts . .
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James F. Walker Collection . . Girls Hockey XI . Netball Team . . . Chess Club The School at Germantown . William Lewis Connon
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Rector's Report The following report by the Rector is taken from the account which members of the Club were privileged to receive at the Annual Dinner on 27 October 1978. The Publication of the Munn and Dunning Reports has focused attention yet again on the '0' Grade examinations taken for the most part in SIV and criticised by many, especially since the extension of the award to a 5 point scale of passes. It is hardly surprising that attention is now being focused as well on the traditional Scottish 'Higher' and the Certificate of Sixth Year Studies (C.S.Y.S) examinations. For decades the 'Higher' has been accepted as the national Scottish examination, fulfilling approximately the same role in Scotland as the Baccalaureat in France, the Abitur in Germany and 'A' Levels in England, that is to say the passport to tertiary education. More recently the C.S.Y.S. was introduced to provide greater incentive in SVI, to provide post Higher studies that would bridge the gap between formal school instruction and the more individual study required of post-school students. Many Headmasters would genuinely regret the disappearance of the Higher without strong evidence that what was to replace it was more in keeping with present day requirements. but there is less unanimity of opinion about the C.S.Y.S. The atm behind C.S.Y.S. is sound: to provide senior pupils with an opportunity to develop greater maturity through individual study and thus make them more able to compete favourably with the 'A' Level student who had done at least two years post '0' Level study. How long schools—and particularly the smaller ones—can cater for C.S.Y.S. is another matter. Such classes tend to be numerically small and in times of rigid control of staffing ratios and staffing shortages, the temptation is great to discontinue C.S.Y.S. classes in favour of reducing the class sizes lower down the school. As far as Aberdeen Grammar School is concerned, however, I am glad to say that all our Sixth Formers are still able to pursue the C.S.Y.S. studies of their choice. There is. however, another even more urgent problem emerging in SV/VI—a problem which is only now beginning to be fully appreciated and which may well force radical changes in our thinking about the structure and range of the senior classes in our schools. This is the problem of devising meaningful courses for the increasing numbers of sixteen to eighteen year old boys and girls who arc seeking to remain at school, not because they are able or wishing to follow full academic courses, but because of lack of jobs (not so noticeable in our city of course) and it is a matter of growing concern that the SV/VI programmes of the traditional academic type are still very largely the basis of what can be offered to this increasing number of non-academic pupils who are staying on. In April 1977, a Five-Year Project, "Education for the Industrial Society" was launched, and the report of its first year of activity puts the question—can an effective curriculum be evolved for all pupils which serves both their interests and the needs of a rapidly and unpredictably changing society? If we arc to have these pupils in school, we must seek to create courses of study for them which are not based on examinations, but are nevertheless sufficiently worthwhile to motivate interest and at the same time help the young people to play a positive role in society. Two notable events occurring in the Grammar School during the past year deserve mention. Firstly, instead of waiting for the new session to begin in August, after the summer holidays, we began the new session on 5 June. thus providing greater motivation for study during the last month of the third term. 3
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Secondly our Sixth Form pupils now have a Common Room. It has opened with only spartan furnishings, but improvements are planned. A number of outstanding achievements during the past year by individual pupils brought credit not only to themselves but also to the School. Barbara Moore's first prize in the B.P. Schools Essay Competition, our girls' Scottish hockey caps and the rigorous pursuit and capture of Duke of Edinburgh awards are recorded in more detail elsewhere. In addition, however, Robert Hunter was placed high among the few young people selected from thousands of applicants to take part in Operation Drake, Rade Gvozdanovic won himself a #'100 camera, and the School .4'100, in the competition in Physics run by AMOCO, and Gillian Allsopp won first prize in the National Bible Society Competition in which there were 10,000 entries. It should be remembered that such achievements arc possible very largely because of the enthusiasm, the loyalty and the professional competence of the staff. Sometimes this is forgotten, and I welcome this opportunity to thank them publicly for all they are doing for the School.
President's Report I am now undertaking the most onerous duty of the Presidential year trying to compile a report on my year in office. As the function of your President is purely social and entirely pleasurable I did not have to worry about making any shattering decisions and this report will no doubt reflect that happy estate. I will write a lot, yet tell you little. Now that sounds as though a little of Yorkshire had rubbed off on me: Hear all see all say nowt Eat all sup all pay nowt, And if tha does owt for nowt Tha mun do it for tha sen. I will be hardly original when I say that it does not seem a year since Jock Hendry, our energetic Secretary, rang me up and asked if 1 would be prepared to accept the office of President. Pretending modesty I asked for time to think it over, knowing full well I couldn't refuse the offer, and because I did accept I have had a great deal of fun and pleasure during the past twelve months. My year did not start too well, for although I managed to attend all four Centre dinners, I fell down on my first official commitment, that of presenting the prizes at the School prize giving. I had been looking forward to this event, hoping to combine it with a short convalescence among my ain folk. However it was not to be. On the way north by car I had to spend a night in Perth Infirmary to have a defect in my personal plumbing attended to. I was discharged the following day but only on condition that my return home was not delayed and that 1 went to see my specialist as soon as possible. Luckily my wife is a competent driver and we got back to Bingley in good order. Now my good Yorkshire friends take great delight in chivvying me about the lengths an Aberdonian will go to get free bed and breakfast. But what really hurt was the disappointment of missing a once in a lifetime chance of presenting the prizes at my old school. So my first official engagement was on my own home ground at Knaresborough with the faithfuls of the Yorkshire Centre. That is really a misnomer for our catchment area covers the north of England and from wherever else F.P.s care to travel. It proved a good pipe opener for me in the presence of a good contingent from Aberdeen and our usual faithful Yorkshire members. We received news of the parent Club and the usual report on school affairs
"Down with Paddy Evans"
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from the Rector, Mr. Gill. A happy informal get together ended with our traditional 'Birse Tea'. My visit to Aberdeen to attend the Club dinner made me feel I was really into the Presidential collar. I made my first visit to the school since I left in 1930. I was treated to coffee with the Rector in his room and then escorted round the buildings by Mr. Gill himself. Changes there are but that is to be expected, and yet it is still the same old place and many happy memories were stirred. The next move was up to the Club Centre where I was treated to a very fine lunch. On the Sunday I was accorded the honour of opening a new extension and bar, pull the first pint and sample the goods. Those members who fostered the idea of a Club Centre arc to be commended and all members are to be congratulated on being presented with these luxurious premises. But the main event of course, was the dinner at the Royal Darroch Hotel. This was a happy light-hearted affair which was made all the more enjoyable for me by meeting old friends whom I had not seen for so long. A truly memorable week-end. The London Centre dinner followed in December, and again I was accorded the V.I.P. treatment, to which I was becoming quite addicted. This dinner was made notable by the presence of the ladies. Finally, the Edinburgh Centre. Coming back to Edinburgh was almost a return home for me as after leaving school I had spent four very happy years at the Veterinary College and the University. The welcome we received at Edinburgh was not very warm for we arrived in a blizzard. This was fully compensated, however, by the welcome from Nigel Watt, Secretary of the Centre. He had arranged accommodation for us, drove us there, and took me to and from the dinner in the evening. Needless to say this was another happy affair very nicely rounded off by a night-cap at the home of Bellamy Cay. It was a great idea to arrange the dinner for the night before the Welsh Rugby International at Murrayfield. I found myself the proud owner of a stand ticket with a seat next to Bert Gill. A perfect weekend ended with a spring-like day on Sunday in Edinburgh and a return to arctic conditions in Yorkshire. What are my impressions of the Club and its various off-spring? Everyone seems to be in fine fettle, with enthusiastic and efficient officers in charge. But above all what struck me most is the love and pride the ex-Grammar schoolboy still has for his old school. The School, although no longer as we knew it, is in the very capable hands of Mr. Gill, the Rector, who is determined that the close harmony which has always existed between school and F.P. club should continue. It is to our mutual advantage to see that it does. In conclusion I must say a very sincere 'Thank You' to all concerned for the very great honour accorded me in electing me your President and for the very friendly reception I was given wherever I went. It was such that I began to wonder if I might not really deserve it. I have filled various chairs in the past but without a doubt this one has given me more pleasure and satisfaction than any that have gone before.
ARTHUR J. ADAMS (1919-30)
"Down with Paddy Evans" Grafitti are nothing new in schools. If the old school building in Schoolhill still existed, the above inscription would have been found carved just inside the main door. Similar sentiments like "Damn Paddy Evans" and "Paddy Evans is an ass" were carved on the senior classroom desks. Those details are all to be found in the printed evidence, produced before a tribunal in Aberdeen Town House in 1859. This tribunal was charged with establishing the
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incompetence of the then Rector of Aberdeen Grammar School and providing the grounds for dismissing him from that post. The tenure of Rectorship by Thomas Walker Eyrc Evans was short, lasting from February 1856 to the end of 1859 but it was steeped in controversy throughout its whole duration. There is little personal information about Evans, who was a graduate of Trinity College Dublin and Senior Classical Master of Belfast's Royal Academical Institution, before he came to Aberdeen fortified by thirty-two sets of testimonials. The local writer, William Carnie, with whom Evans shared a great love of music, described him as "a gifted eloquent Irishman. . . in certain respects what might be called eccentric". He was very short-sighted, and this proved to be a great handicap in maintaining discipline. He was widely read and had a sense of humour which was neither appreciated nor understood by his pupils and their parents. Yet he was not meek and under provocation, of which he had plenty, he showed he had a quick tongue and a fiery temper. Nevertheless, at no time was any doubt cast on his qualities and virtues as a gentleman even by his most bitter adult critics. In all he seems to have been a not untypical Irishman. No picture of him seems to exist. The post of Rector became vacant in 1855 when William Geddes left to become Professor of Greek at Kings College, Aberdeen. At that time there was already considerable public discussion about the present state and future of the school. The cry had gone up that there was a need for a wider curriculum more relevant to the needs of the day than undiluted classics could offer, and Geddes had already submitted a report in 1854 which conceded the case. Furthermore it was argued that the dingy dilapidated building in Schoolhill, despite its historic associations would soon have to be replaced by something more in keeping with its great traditions and reputation. The procedure for appointing a Rector was based on the will of Patrick Dun. This seventeenth century benefactor had left for the school the potentially valuable lands of Ferryhill, and he also laid down that preference for the Rectorship be given to suitably qualified candidates of the surname Dun or the sons of tenants of Ferryhill. In the absence of such candidates, a panel of academic dignitaries was to submit other candidates to a test of classical scholarship, with the best being appointed Rector. In practice, the Rector or Master had, since the end of the seventeenth century, been an "internal" appointment from one of the existing three assistants. In 1855, there were no Duns or Ferryhill "loons" as applicants and so seven candidates were tested by written examinations over three days in December. Among them there were two masters of the school, Beverly and Brebner, another, Martin, who later did become Rector, and Donaldson, a Former Pupil, already Rector of Stirling Academy, and later to be Rector of the Royal High School, Professor of Humanity at Aberdeen and eventually Principal of St. Andrews University. But to the consternation, astonishment and lasting bitter resentment of the Aberdeen public the examiners named not one of Aberdeen's favourite sons but a rank outsider and foreigner to boot, Evans. It was not a unanimous decision, a minority report recommended that Donaldson should have been appointed but his Free Church links were a liability to him. Evans became Rector in February 1856 and right from the start things went wrong. On his being introduced by the Lord Provost as the new Rector, it was announced that there would not be the anticipated holiday and the platform party left amid uproar from the pupils. Later it was claimed that this had been all Evans' fault and a sad omen of what was to follow. There can be no doubt that Evans was a failure as Rector. There were no outstanding Bursary Competition successes and the sorry statistics of the school
"Down with Paddy Evans"
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roll spoke for themselves. Figures were available to show that under Melvin the Rector's classes between 1849 and 1852 had averaged between 140 and 160 and under Geddes the numbers had varied from 144 to 171. In Evans' time the corresponding numbers had declined from 80 in October 1856 to 16 in April 1859. There were also stories of wild indiscipline in the class room and of abuse being hurled at the Rector and his wife in the streets. Finally there was growing concern about the state of affairs expressed in the Visitation reports in October, 1856, 1857 and 1858. Such was the public concern that in 1859 the Town Council decided to act. Formal warnings were issued to Evans that there was likely to be drastic action in the near future. An advocate, Mr. Morice, was appointed to hold a preliminary investigation and to consult with learned counsel in Edinburgh and London about the procedures to be followed. Then it was decided to hold a tribunal in the Town House in August. Mr. Morice represented the Council and Mr. Cattanach represented Evans. The Lord Provost, several Baillies and Councillors came to hear the evidence and ask questions of the twenty witnesses who appeared. The proceedings lasted for three days but Evans, who was present, took no part in them. Five grounds were offered to show the Rector was "defective in his duty". 1. He is in the practice of inflicting on his pupils undeserved capricious and improper punishments. 2. He does not take due means to insure the regular attendance of his scholars and to enforce their obedience. 3. He does not maintain proper order and discipline in his classes and conducts himself in such a manner and with such a want of discretion and temper as to forfeit the respect of his pupils. 4. He has on various occasions, intimated to the scholars that their attendance and proficiency are, to him, matters of indifference and he would prefer his office to be a sinecure. 5. His mode of teaching is unsatisfactory and not calculated to advance his pupils in acquiring those branches of learning which it is his business to teach. Looking back, much of the evidence offered seems trivial in content and unreliable and unconvincing in presentation. Hearsay and opinion are as common as fact but there was some substance in all the allegations. He did lose his temper because of the incessant unruliness of many of the pupils He was criticised for punishing about sixteen boys because he could not identify the culprits guilty of "ruffing" (shuffling feet on the floor to annoy him). He did not call the register every day. He called the boys, "scamps, rascals, whelps, bullies and Latinless pedants", terms which hardly seem calculated to offend the delicate sensibilities of the hooligans who sat before him. His methods were different from what had gone before but it is questionable whether that made them wrong. He did not deal harshly with badly prepared work, he did not hold pupils up to public ridicule but corrected their work privately, and this was seen as weakness and ineffectiveness. His suggestions that Melvin's Grammar, which he would not use, was very similar to a Spaniard's work and his jocular remarks that Melvin was not an authority like Cicero did not endear him to the generations of Aberdonians who had sat at Melvin's feet. Any comment or action was liable to be produced to blacken Evans' character or criticise his methods. Much was made of an incident when, no doubt well wined at the High Court judge's breakfast, Evans returned late to school and, shocked by the behaviour of the pupils, he had given them the rough edge of his tongue saying that, just as he had beaten his rivals for his post, he would beat them too! On another occasion he had said that in England some Rectors had no pupils and this was taken to mean that he did not want any pupils either, as long as he was paid. Everything was seized on
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and maliciously retained and misconstrued for a suitable occasion, and the tribunal was just that. But when all was said and done had the grounds for dismissal been established? After intense debate, the Council reluctantly agreed that the evidence offered would not support a dismissal without fear of an expensive claim by Evans for wrongful dismissal. But, determined that Evans must go, the Council arranged that he would give up the Rectorship in return for a financial settlement of five years salary (f 1500) plus .1200 still due him. This was a very considerable sum and in modern times would he f60,000 at least. The sum was found from the Council's building fund! The Town Council resolved that such a situation should never occur again and decided to change the system of appointment. so that the Council should select a suitable candidate, and thus allow the Examiners to ensure that his scholarship measured up to his other qualities. Evans was the last Rector appointed under the old system. As a verdict on the whole sad story it is worth recalling what was said by Sir James Westland, in "Bon Record". He had been a pupil of Evans and his father gave evidence to the tribunal. "Looking back now, I think it must be admitted that Mr. Evans never had a fair chance. It would have been difficult for anyone to have followed such teachers as Dr. Melvin and Mr. Geddes . . . But Mr. Evans came from Ireland and we took it as an insult to us that any Irishman should be thought capable of teaching those who had sat at the feet of the Rectors I have named. . . he offended, unwittingly perhaps, the sense of the school by showing that he was capable of questioning their dicta ...In short his failure arose less from incapacity in respect of scholarship than from want of knowledge of the Aberdeen Schoolboy.". It is perhaps interesting too to reflect that ten years after Evans arrived, outside observers came who were also aghast at the unruly behaviour of the boys of Aberdeen Grammar School, and remarked that it was still about the worst behaved school that they had visited in Scotland. Perhaps Paddy Evans was largely the victim of the parochial prejudice of Aberdeen citizens, young and old. ARTHUR L. McComBIE
The above article, contributed by the School's Depute Rector, is the result of more detailed research into a part of the School's history, which was mentioned only in passing in Mr. McCombie's wider review of the School's past, "Who Shall Tell the Story?", which appeared in last year's issue.
The James F. Walker Collection As reported in the last issue of the Magazine, Mr. _James F. Walker, who was connected with the school for forty-nine years as pupil, master and latterly as Head of the History Department, bequeathed his collection of books and prints to the school library. The Library Committee was pleased to accept such a generous gift, and through the good offices of Mr. M. W. Paton, Regional Schools Librarian, suitable shelving was provided in the cast gallery of the library. To mark the Committee's appreciation more clearly, Miss K. A. Walker. a sister of Mr. Walker, was invited to open the Collection officially at an informal gathering on the evening of Wednesday 21 March. By the calendar it may have been the first day of Spring, but the snowy and stormy evening forbade one to believe so, and regrettably some who had earlier indicated their wish to attend were precluded from doing so by the inclemency of the weather.
AMES F. WALKER 4 COLLECTION Pupil of deen Grammar School 1908 -14 Master from 1924 Principal Master of History om 1946 — 61 Plaque commemorating the service given by Mr. Walker to the School, which has been placed next to the James F. Walker Collection in the east gallery o£ the library.
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The Rector welcomed Miss Walker and introduced her to Committee members and to Mr. Hendry and Mr. Georgeson, who represented the F.P. Club, and Miss Cowper who was deputising for Mr. Paton. Convener of the Committee, Mr. W. D. Hall, then expressed the School's appreciation of the bequest. The books showed the wide range of Mr. Walker's interests and his catholic taste in reading: the Collection was particularly rich in local history, whilst the prints, some examples of which had already been framed and hung in the library bore witness to their intrinsic interest and value. He thanked Miss Walker for her presence there that evening, and invited her to declare the collection officially "open". After doing so, Miss Walker added that she was sure it would have given particular pleasure to her brother to know that some of the books had already been used by VI Year pupils. To conclude this more formal part of the evening, the Head Girl, Ruth Hutchison, presented a bouquet to Miss Walker. Thereafter, over sociable cups of tea, those present passed the rest of the evening in pleasant conversation and in admiration at the entertaining recollections and reminiscences of our honoured guest, Miss Walker.
Personal Imprints of the Big Country The visit outlined below by Drew Tulloch, who taught at Germantown Friends School, Philadelphia, during the 1976- 77 session, was clearly something special, for the Grammar School and also for the pupils and staff who were involved. Four pupils were invited to set down some of the impressions that have stayed with them since. Aberdeen Grammar to Philadelphia, Germantown Mention was made in last year's magazine of the visit to Aberdeen of a school choir from Philadelphia, and that some members of the Grammar Choir hoped to pay a reciprocal visit in October, 1978. I was enthusiastic about it, but there were many problems, and I wondered at the time if the trip would materialise. It did, and the whole venture was most successful. Twenty-five choir members (twenty-four girls and one brave boy) and five teachers volunteered to go on this first-ever Grammar School Trans-Atlantic trip, which took us to Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington D.C. and New York. Each member of the party paid his/her own air-fare, but there were some fund-raising events to finance our bus transport in America. During September, toffee was made daily at Mrs. Brown's home and sold in the Music Department along with other goodies which were kindly donated. A sponsored walk also boosted the funds as did a "teddy" whose name had to be guessed! Our "aide" on the other side of the Atlantic was Allen Clayton, who taught in the Music Department at the Grammar School during the 1976 77 session. He arranged our visit to his school, Germantown Friends, Philadelphia, and to two other private schools—Sidwell Friends, Washington, and The Park School, Baltimore. Apart from spending two nights in a Youth Hostel in Washington, we were given hospitality by families from these schools. Without the kindness and goodwill of Mr. Clayton and his colleagues, the trip could never have taken place. We discovered that there was considerable talent among our twenty-five choir members. Not only could they sing, but some could play the violin and cello, others could dance, and one played the bagpipes. Mrs. Brown took her
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clarsach (despite a broken wrist) and Miss Main her violin. So we were able to offer an interesting and varied Scottish programme, and our concerts at the various schools were greatly appreciated. Mr. Hawksworth was "artist in residence''' at Germantown Friends. He gave an organ lecture/recital, took some classes and conducted choral and orchestral rehearsals at the school. Our journeys were uneventful except for the last lap when our bus driver from Philadelphia—New York cheerfully announced that it was his first trip to Kennedy Airport! After an anxious hour or two of meandering through New York, we ultimately arrived at the airport (late) only to discover that our flight had been delayed fiv e hours! The thirty weary travellers arrived home nineteen hours later, tired, but thrilled that the two-week trip had been a great success. I hope that links with these American schools will be strengthened further by similar visits in years to come. A.T. New York "New York, New York! It's a wonderful town!" or so the song tells us. and to be honest it's right. Almost everything you ever heard about New York is true. Parts of it arc tumbledown, rotten and overcrowded—the original slum; other parts are clean and tidy. The famous yellow taxis are all over the place, some of them virtual wrecks, others as if they were new that day. And of course there are the skyscrapers, towering above
you, some of them over a hundred storeys high. The highest of them all is the World Trade Centre, with 110 floors; its windows hold more than 600,000 square feet of glass. The World Trade Centre is in "Downtown Manhattan", as it is called, and is on Manhattan Island. To get onto the island we took the Staten Island Ferry, one of the many ferries operating in New York, which took us past the Statue of Liberty. Leaving the ferry, we went to the World Trade Centre and then on to see the U.N. Headquarters. Finally we went to the Opera House. I think the thing which impressed us most about New York was the immensity of it. All the buildings get higher and higher, and the cars arc large too: some have eight doors. The best way to sum up New York City is to say, "It's big!" ALASTAIR HOWIE (II) Night Out in Washington On our arrival in Washington D.C., we were met at Sidwell Friends School by our hosts among the pupils, with whom we were to spend two days. Fiona McCombie and I were staying with a family who lived in an enormous house in the Georgetown area of the city and who knew the (Presidential) Carters well. On our first night they took us out to dinner in a small Vietnamese restaurant, where we enjoyed deliciously exotic dishes. Also in our party that evening was Richard Kershaw, the B.B.C. correspondent, who was in Washington for the Mid-Term elections. The next clay was spent giving a concert during the morning at Sidwell Friends, and in going shopping and visiting the as-yet-unfinished Washington Cathedral. Then we all moved to Franklin Park Hotel, a youth hostel near the centre of the city. During that day and the following two, we visited many places of interest, including the F.B.I. Headquarters, where we were taken on a very informative tour; the Air and Space Museum to see the moon rock; the National Museum of Natural History: the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden; and the very splendid National Gallery of Art. We also went on a tour of the Mall by bus, and in the evening went up the 555 feet high
Washington Monument, from the top of which we got an enchanting view of the city lights and, most notably, those of Washington National Airport. The experience I remember as the highlight of my visit was going, on our last evening in Washington, to hear the world-famous Russian concert pianist, Emil Gilds, play at
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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine
the John F. Kennedy Center for the. Performing Arts. Only six of our party chose to go. and so, after a meal at one of the many Roy Rogers restaurants we patronised, we decided to spare no expense and "take a cab". It was tremendous fun being whisked through the centre of Washington in the dark, even if the car was a little small for all of us. We arrived with time to spare, which we spent just being amazed by the quantities of red carpet and crystal by which we found ourselves surrounded. We also braved an icy wind to step outside and admire the fountains. The Kennedy Center is a modern building, comprising a theatre, an opera house and the concert hall, which alone has a seating capacity of 2,750. Our seats were in the highest of the three balconies which run along three sides of the hall. but although we were such a long way from the platform. we heard every note perfectly. The programme consisted of Schumann's Vier Klavierstiicke, Schubert's Moments Musicaux, two Etudes and Five Preludes by Scriabin. and three works by Ravel: Pavane pour une Infante defunte. Jeux d'eau and Alborada del gracioso. After a very beautiful and inspiring performance, Gilds added, by way of an encore, music by Rachmaninoff and also a piece which none of us could identify. I was extremely sad when the recital was over it had all been so grand. magical and quite unlike anything I had known before. Our attempts to catch a cab outside were quite exciting, and back at the hostel there was the somewhat terrifying thrill of climbing the five flights of narrow, steep and dark stairs, never knowing whom one might meet just around the next corner. All in all it was a quite unique experience and one which I am sure I shall remember clearly all my life.
MELANIE FLORENCE (tV)
School in the States If I had been told, twelve months ago, that before a year had passed. I would have visited America, I would never have believed it. However, thanks to the trip organised by the Music Department, that's just what I was able to do. The trip was a wonderful experience which I'll never forget, but perhaps the one thing I enjoyed most, was going to school in America. I attended classes in all three schools which gave us hospitality during our stay: Germantown Friends School in Philadelphia. Sidwell Friends in Washington, and the Park School in Baltimore. All three are private, co-educational schools, and the first two arc run by Quakers, although many non-Quaker pupils attend them. The subjects taught in the schools were very similar to those in Scotland. but the atmosphere in all the schools was very informal and pupils were not required to wear uniform. Although we spent less than two days in Baltimore, the pupils, staff and parents of the Park School made us extremely welcome. The school itself is situated just outside Baltimore. and the grounds include an assault course, and horses which arc looked after by the pupils. The day we arrived, we toured Baltimore and then were met at the school by our hosts, who had prepared a lovely buffet supper for our benefit. The next morning, we went to the school assembly, and then to classes with our hosts. before giving a concert. I attended an English class which was studying literature about Jewish persecution by the Nazis, and I was most surprised when, in the middle of the lesson. some pupils got up and walked out, without asking permission from the teacher. "It saves disturbing the class", was the answer I got when I asked about this. My host told me that anyone could just walk out of the class if they wanted to. but of course they would suffer by missing out on what the rest of the class were doing. In contrast to the peaceful, rural setting of the Park School, Sidwell Friends School in Washington was in the city itself, very near the National Cathedral, which we visited during our stay. I went to a Physics class at Sidwell Friends, and also English Grammar. where the girl sitting next to me ignored the teacher the whole time, and talked to me instead. She chatted to me about the problem of drugs among young people in America, as she had done a survey of the problem for her History lesson. I was horrified when she pointed out the number of people, in the class in which we were sitting, who
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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine
handling of the food and his deft movements with a large, formidable knife, he interspersed his "performance" with a spectacular plate-and-cutlery juggling display. Apart from visits to Chinese, Mexican, Japanese and Italian restaurants, we also visited a small Jewish snack bar, where we had "brunch". Of course, after all these foreign foods, it was necessary for me to taste real American food, and I did—plenty of it. Brunch included blueberry pancakes drenched in maple syrup, waffles, freshly cut peaches with maple syrup. accompanied by fresh orange juice. Some of our other meals included beetroot soup, Virginia honeyed ham, pecan pie, pumpkin pie, sweet potatoes, "hoagies", egg plant and, naturally, maple syrup mousse and chocolate chip cookies. "Super Sunday" also brought its share of "goodies" with almost every stall offering funnel cakes, doughnuts, chocolate brownies, pretzels, and hundreds of varieties of cakes. Although the range and quality of food and drink available to us was certainly a contributory factor to the success of the trip, it was only a very minor factor in comparison to the friendship and hospitality offered to us all. All in all, the trip was a resounding success, musically, socially and gastronomically! AGI PUMA! (1/0
A. J. M. (Freddie) Edwards (1908-21) On 30 November 1978 a lone-awaited opportunity presented itself to members of the Executive Committee, who had struggled in vain for many years to pay tribute to one whose extreme modesty had successfully warded off all previous attempts to burden him with Club honours; for Freddie Edwards, with his customary diligence in serving others, had undertaken, in the run up to the North-Midlands v. All Blacks game, to show in the Club Centre an historic film of a similar encounter in the early 1950s. At the conclusion of the showing, to Freddie's great surprise and to the company's delight, he was presented with a silver salver in recognition of his long and outstanding service to the Club. In making the presentation, Neil Meldrum said that Freddie was the last of the great all-rounders in the North-East. At Aberdeen University he had been awarded four blues in athletics, cricket, soccer and swimming, while at Cambridge he had added a fifth gaining a blue in water polo. He had played cricket for Aberdeenshire, run the marathon and sprinted. It was only in 1934, when he became head of the junior school that he took up rugby, but in 1966, at an age, which in all probability is a world record for senior rugby, he performed with credit for an Aberdeen Wednesday Club side, when its youthful members had failed to turn out in sufficient numbers. During the Second World War he had been assistant head of the boarding house and was responsible for school games and for running many F.P. Club activities. Ever since that time Freddie had continued to serve school sport and the F.P. Club devotedly and effectively. He transcended the current trend for the mediocre. Not only in his long coverage of sporting events for the press, but in his everyday life Freddie was not known to have said a bad word about anyone. Perhaps it was by the example that he set in that way and by his other gentlemanly qualities that Freddie had made his greatest contribution to the life of the School and the Club.
The Annual General Meeting of the Club in 1979 unanimously applauded the Chairman's recommendation that Freddie be elected an Honorary VicePresident of the Club. In awarding this unusual distinction (for Freddie has never been President of the Club) the meeting noted that, although many had deemed it appropriate, Freddie had never been able to accept appointment to the Club's highest office.
School Office Bearers Prefects
Head Boy: Head Girl: Deputy Head Girl Prefect:
G. Rum HUTCHISON )t:nrrH LOGAN
NORMAN). BAIN BARBARA A. BLACKLAWS SARAH E. BRIIXiES
ANDREW J. LYNCH CALUM J. MCDONALD STUART C. MACDONALD
ALASDAIR C. BRYCE PETER J. CLARK MAIRI DONALDSON LORNA H. DUNBAR NEIL K. G. FALCONER JILL FRASER
SHONAGH MURRAY SALLY JANE MULCH
DAVID A. MCLEOD
MARY J. SHARP AMY J. SHEARER SUSAN E. SMITH CAMERON C. STEELE IAN R. SWAN
LESLEY D. FRASER DEREK A. HARLE.Y
CHARLES I. WATSON SANDRA M. WEBSTER
NEILL T. KELLY
ALAN) KINGHORN
Sports Captains
Rugby: SMART MACDONALD Soccer: Ross DONALD
Hockey (Boys): ANDREW LYNCH Hockey (Girls): Rum HUTCHISON
Netball: LORNA DUNBAR Literary and Debating Society President: NEIL FALCONER
Vice-President: FIONA MCCOMBIE Secretary: STUART MACDONALD Treasurer: DAVID MCLEOD Dramatic Society
President: NIGEL YOUNG Cadet Force
Colour Sergeant: COLIN CUSITF.R Editor of School Section DAVID MCLEOD
15
Random Notes Social Dances (an unwieldy name) could catch on: both this session's ventures proved to be popular and well-supported. Where from here, then? The the dansant? The café dansant? Come back, Victor Sylvester. all is as it used to be! The Beatles never happened! •
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Not everyone thought the catering at the Easter Dance matched up to expectations. Hence a number of damaged dishes? Otherwise, verdicts were very favourable: a "social" dance it was, and it was pleasing to see Ruth and a certain large Glaswegian son-of-the-manse in close colloquy. About Presbyterial matters? Well, maybe. •
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And finally on Dances: overheard in the Rosemount Hall, on a Wednesday afternoon before Christmas, a certain games mistress, "I, 2. 3, sachet—or is it chassk?" •
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An unsympathetic view was taken when a pupil was immersed, clothes and all, on the day of his leaving school. The impressive turn-out of prefects at Detention that evening was an ironic reversal of the normal disciplinary situation. "Quin custodiet ipsos custodes?" as Juvenal had it. •
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Still on Swimming: what explains the strange shouts of "Whale" that echo round the pool on a Wednesday afternoon?
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Surely there never was such a Winter: the proverbial feast and famine, with unbroken clement weather rill early December, and then—the Deluge, and other variants of climatic malevolence. •
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Lapel badges are still on and "in": observation shows that most badges bear the names of favoured pop groups and nothing more sinister. But the weight of all the tin must have an adverse effect on the wearer's posture: hunched shoulders and spinal curvature could be their long-term legacy. •
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"Red Tape", this year's Sixth Year magazine, appeared punctually and impressed favourably. Administered by a group of volunteer masochists. the magazine comprises contributions from all years. Maybe the end-product is too much of a miscellany. but the variety has appeal. The question posed by "S.E.B." needs an answer: "He (Byron) stands, impassively, as we wander into school, or is there a smile on his face?" Must check on that! •
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"Buzz", the Third Year's counterpart to "Red Tape", is still in the Xerox machine at the time of writing. Both magazines sell well, and there's consumer demand for this kind of review, easygoing and wideranging. •
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Finally, there is no truth in the rumour that the School is considering a "mixed" First XV next session; despite our Amazonian talents, male chauvinism still fights the good fight. Leave us our pride! 16
Prefects' Notes David A. McLeod. The curly-topped "Bimmy Poo" maintains an odd tradition of head boys with strange coiffures. He pausesses the dyoobcus honer of being the wurst spelar in the Howff. Well suited to the front row of the First XV. Fit, muscular, fat. G. Ruth Hutchison. Eighteen now, and believes she enjoyed her birthday party. "Roothic Baby", since her trials for Scottish Schoolgirls, has acquired a new tooth and a new radiance to her smile. Despite attraction to a new Physics teacher, Ruth is still a metalwork girl at heart. "What birthday cake?" "1 love everybody, but I don't like her!" Judith Logan. Rumoured to be still living off the Xmas Dance, "Big Jud" denies everything. Her bruised limbs seem to show that she brings out the beast in men. Her interests arc many: another metalworker (!), an integral part of the Orchestra, and still Amy's friend. Norman). Bain. A tireless, if clumsy, stalwart in "Storky's— team, in the best family tradition, this gentle giant runs the tuckshop, but loses control at the dinner queue (not to mention after the School dance?). Said to have received plastic surgery on his face after a rugby match, but no improvement is detectable. Barbara A. Blacklaws. Very much the mystery woman of the Howff: how did such a powerbrain become one of us? Neil says that she "stays almost behind me", thought to be a reference to her place of domicile rather than a personal attachment! Barbara is said to he creating the third test-tube baby for her C.S.Y.S. Biology project: worth an "A" plus a part-share in the Nobel Prize. Sarah E. Bridges. On the quiet, more or less, Sarah bassoons for the Orchestra, as well as "doing" the Sixth Year Mag. virtually single-handed and striving to attain her (considerable) maximum potential in C.S.Y.S. English. A full life, but she still manages to attend to her prefect's duties. and provide an intellectual counterfoil for B.B.! Alasdair C. Bryce. Shy, introverted, extremely generous. Alasdair as a prefect is conscientious to a fault. His intense aversion to all forms of training for games has led to inevitable conflicts. "Ali" was addicted to the "bons mots" of one of our band, recently departed. "Going for a few 'jaars' with the laads'?" A.B., courtesy of C.C.S. Peter J. Clark. There have been some very strange prefects this year; Peter is one of them. Rarely seen without a motoring magazine, he has the ability to retain vast amounts of useless knowledge re motor-racing. The Physics Labs might be expanded next year so that P.J. can knock together a few Formula One jobs. Not a hobby. really; more an obsession. Mairi Donaldson. Another of the group who'd prefer to stay anonymous most of the time; but "Bimbo" claims to know her well. Mairi has contacts in the disco world, but only lip-readers can comprehend the information she offers in that discreetly silent voice. We've run out of things to say about her, but she does exist. Honest! Lorna H. Dunbar. Possessor of an ever-changing wardrobe, and a well-established nickname: "Pids." Nobody is sure of the origin, but the O.E.D. should be consulted. Still shaken by that car crash, Lorna manages to inspire the netball squad, usually from the touchline. 17
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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine
Neil K. G. Falconer. Of good family, Neil maintains a life-style of elegance and distinction. Interested in Social Life, Sport, and Debating (in diminishing order), the Rubber Band Man's drawbacks comprise an odd lack of bones in his torso, and an inexplicable infatuation with Glasgow Rangers F.C. Jill Fraser. Because of her fast-moving social contacts, Jill can often be seen reading motorcycle magazines with avidity. She also finds time for her geography homework and aspires to separate Scotland from the U.K., bur nobody has a big enough shovel. Fond of debating, but seemingly cast as a loser—till the Presidential stakes: a distinct visual improvement on her predecessor! Lesley D. Fraser. Cheerful little Lesley spends much of her time on skis and in skiboots. These help her to put her foot in it, much to the ire of a certain senior prefect. A certain teacher (clue: big, Irish, healthy) frequently detains her, but typically she always emerges with a smile on that pretty face. Derek A. Harley. Many prefects don't know who Derek is. as most of his infrequent visits to the Howff are very brief and very silent. But he is quite a sociable chap when (if?) you do get to know him, playing hockey and taking an active pan in the School Choir. He also sings a bit. And he likes German; or at least he likes going to R. 34. Neill T. Kelly. A physical phenomenon, this chap could well be the smallest person ever to get full colours at AGS. Although slightly little, Neill, a rowing man, is said to be an outstanding cox, an assessment which intrigued many until he explained where he sits in the boat. Quiet, but will wax passionate about Aberdeen F.C., his other love. Alan Kinghorn. A great terpsichorean prospect, if ahead of his time, Alan's profile is even more sleek after an impromptu shave from our fun-loving (male) prefects, jealous of the man's facial growth. Animal imitations are all pan of his charm. Prone to attack innocent young girls with ice•cubes, and so qualifies as one of the wild men of the hockey XI. Andrew J. Lynch. "Kiwi's" delicate constitution won him the hockey captaincy on compassionate grounds, though he says otherwise. His devotion to The Damned (and other punk groups) explains the vertical hair-style, and he also tickles the ivories for his own aspiring group, The Robots (remember the name!). Calum J. MacDonald. When not sharing his literary insights with whomsoever he can pin in a corner, Calum is in the constant company of his good friend in IV. Not a retiring fellow, Calum dives around the A.G.S. goal-area—and plays "tigers": not at the same time. "Stop your sookin', Calum!" D. Duncan. Stuart C. MacDonald. Not everybody's most popular prefect! "Storky" has driven himself too hard in driving the First XV: Thursday afternoons have ceased to exist for him, possibly as a consequence. The manly image is shattered by an unhealthy fondness for cosmetics. "That hair's not quite right at the back."—S.C.M. "I'll probably be engaged this time next year."—S.C.M. Shonagh Murray. A late arrival in prefectdom. Shonagh has discharged her duties scrupulously. Her unstable contact lenses have been known to cause a stir, but her relationship with Ian is very steady. Failed her driving test; greatly enjoyed the Xmas dance (don't look for a link: there isn't one).
School Sporting Activities
19
Sally Jane Mutch. Another disciple of "The Leprechaun", this blonde bombshell is always engaged on (chemistry) experiments when not ski-ing, dancing—or playing with ice-cubes. And be it noted, she does not dye her hair! Mary). Sharp. Not many know of her remarkably high I.Q., her passport, it would seem, into the Students' Union. Her friendly Maths teacher lacks faith in her ability, but Dram. Soc. audiences are in no doubt. "The chances of your passing are a million to one, and there aren't as many as that sitting the exam.''—R.D. (Maths) Amy). Shearer, Despite a generous credit policy to certain privileged customers, Amy keeps the tuckshop a going concern. Age does not subdue her talent for noise! Our intended comment on Amy is likely to be unprintable. (Confirmed: Ed) Susan E. Smith. Another diligent wench, Susan has represented the School at various levels of hockey. A happy, indeed "Joy-ful" girl. Susan's only problem is her voice, which functions at aural frequency levels usually detectable only by sheepdogs. "Kate Bush, no; Susan Smith, yes!"—Anon. Cameron C. Steele. Sadly left us on his eighteenth birthday to take up employment as a managing director or something. "Steely" initiated innumerable sayings that have stayed on after him. Now a retired rugby "star", he has given himself, body and soul to Cricket. "Here! You choclit!"—C.C.S. Ian R. Swan. One of the elite band who actually enjoy their X-Country running and don't view it merely as an escape from Mr. Falconer and rugby! He appears to "suffer" persistent dental problems, and, to "cap" it all, recently underwent surgery on his appendix. For a fortnight his lung condition improved notably. Charles I. Watson. Strange even for an Englishman, "Big Charlie" (offence not intended) is addicted to Easter eggs and the study of military strategy in roughly equal measure. This Napoleon of The Howff could yet launch a Final Attack, and must be watched. An ex-milkman, Charlie is fondly remembered by some of his more impressionable customers. Sandra M. Webster. The comely "Sandy" comes in for frequent mocking because of her Statistics (check with the Maths Dept). An unknown and unwelcome admirer stole her clothes last summer when en route to Spain. Her perfumes he left with her: fragrance-wise, she resembles "Stork" -1,01 the margarine! (cf. above).
School Sporting Activities Weather Report The most consistent winner of games this year has been the weather. From
mid-December right on through the Spring term, all outdoor games froze, waded, slid and finally spluttered to a halt. The talcs of woe in all the team reports serve only to show that no amount of ability and hard work can beat that rapacious opponent. Indeed there was a great deal of frustrated and enthusiastic talent throughout the school which was often prepared to take impossible risks with limbs and pitches to get some sort of a game played. The sale of prayer wheels and joss sucks rocketed, but all to no avail.
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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine
But frustration was not confined to Saturday games. Films of uncertain vintage were yet again dusted down and hand-cranked into life. Tournaments of unmentionable games played by teams of even less mentionable names grew as an indoor defiance to the weather. The groundsmen became hermits who could sometimes be seen meditating in the middle of the wastelands. In an attempt to defy the weather gods, they would charge about when it was "only" frosty and mark pitches. We became the only school with lines four inches high! The serious side to all this, quite apart from the frustration and disappointment of not playing, will really become apparent next season when the lack of coaching and practice will begin to show. But no doubt the effort, determination and unsinkability of a new season's teams will put this right, and at the same time, not too obviously, they will put their thumbs to their noses to this past spiteful winter.
Rugby The 1st XV of this year had only two players who had played in the previous year's senior side, and consequently this year's team largely comprised younger players. It was obvious from the start that our lack of weight and height in the pack would give us problems, but it was hoped this could be compensated by using our speed and mobility to the greatest effect. In our first school game, against Dundee H.S. at Rubislaw we failed to stamp any authority on the game, and this, coupled with our lack of match practice, resulted in a 0-14 defeat. Our next two games were narrowly lost to Glasgow Academy and Gordonstoun. After the October break, we returned to two very hard games against Dollar and Stewart's-Melville. Our light pack was subjected to heavy punishment and although our backs' tackling and covering was good near our line, the opposing teams were never stopped early enough in their movements and we were well beaten in both games. With morale low we then met Gordon's College at a windy Rubislaw and in a rough game we found ourselves 0-16 down at halftime. Playing with the wind in the second half, we could exert more pressure and were rewarded with a try, the final score being 6-23. Then came our first win when we travelled to Abbey School. It was unfortunate in some ways that we scored very early in the game as we failed to press home our early advantage and were pinned hack in our own half for long periods in the second half. Our defence held out, however, and we won 10.7. On a very wet afternoon at Rubislaw we played an unusually strong and fast Wednesday Club team. Yet with some fine covering and harassing we scored 14 points in a 14-32 defeat. At last there were the beginnings of some team play developing, and in the next fixture against Perth we produced the points in the second half and won 22.14. At Myreside we faced a George Watson's side eager for revenge after last year's unexpected defeat: a team of older, stronger, and heavier players proved to be too much for us. It could also be said that the size of the stadium affected one or two of the younger players in the side. In our next game, although being beaten by St. Aloysius 6-10, we produced our best form by forcing a team into numerous errors, and we were unlucky to lose two scores in the last ten minutes of the match. The weather then began to make itself felt and we managed only one game, a 21-12 victory against Banff Academy, from 9 December to 3 March. It was a
School Sporting Activities
21
pity that the weather intervened at such a point as the team had been steadily improving. We returned on 3 March with an emphatic 31-0 win over Elgin, in which our backs, receiving more ball than usual, showed enterprise and flair, scoring some excellent tries. The second game against Gordon's followed, and the 0-17 score did not reflect an excellent team performance. We were desperately unlucky not to score, putting a supposedly superior team under intense pressure with extremely good use of the ball. Our last game, which was against Morrison's, was a sad note to end on, as we surrendered 51-9 to a team which can be described as no better than competent. On reflection, this year's team was potentially skilful but not sufficiently consistent to get good results. On a brighter note the prospects for next year's team look good with only four players leaving. Many of the younger players have shown the capability and skill to make amends for this season. The usual thanks are extended to Mr. Allan and his staff for keeping the Rubislaw pitches in their impeccable condition. A special thanks must also go to Mr. Falconer for his untiring enthusiasm and hard work, with sometimes little reward. His encouragement is greatly appreciated by the older pupils and not just by the Rugby team. Hockey 1st XI 2nd XI 3rd XI
Played
Won
Drawn
Lost
For
Against
7 4 3
4 2 1
1 0 1
2 2 1
13 18 3
8 12 7
The results table above shows most of what can be said about the past season. The poor weather and wet pitches necessitated cancellation of fixture after fixture, so much so that after the Christmas vacation the only hockey played was a game at Rubislaw Field against Stewart's-Melville and that had to be abandoned five minutes after the interval because of a sudden, severe squall of snow which obliterated the pitch markings, camouflaged the ball and reduced visibility to a hazardous level. In the autumn term half a dozen games were played with more enthusiasm than skill. With so few games, the team had no opportunity to develop into a settled side as players were moved around from one position to another to try to find out where they could make most contribution to the team. This earlyseason disruption is normal practice, with the expected benefits to be reaped after Christmas when it is expected that the same team will be fielded week after week. Of the games played it need be recorded only that School were rather fortunate to draw with Robert Gordon's College, and even more fortunate to be beaten just by two goals by Linksfield Academy, whose team contained a number of very strong players but who, like Gordon's, tended to be rather at a loss inside our circle. As so few games were played the boys never really were afforded a proper opportunity to demonstrate their individual talents, but a number of the players should have their contributions noted. Innes Taylor continued the fine line of Grammar goalkeepers, performing many good saves although his inexperience allowed him to forget where his posts were once or twice; Lindsay Kessack was often required to tidy up sticky situations in defence; Allan Duthie and Kenneth Stephen worked hard in the middle of the field and could be very much more effective once they learn to work together; Barry
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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine
Scott worked very hard at centre forward, showing increasing skill as the season progressed; and Andrew Lynch captained the team well, providing an excellent example in attitude to the game and in his hard work on the field. The following players turned out for the first eleven: Andrew J. Lynch (captain), Allan S. Duthie, Brian I. Fitzpatrick, Gordon G. D. Fraser, Derek A. Harley, Lindsay G. Kcssack, Alan J. Kinghorn, Patrick A. Melling, Robert Mitchell, Michael C. Reid, Barry Scott, Kenneth A. Stephen, Graham Stuart, Innes Taylor. Full colours were awarded to Lindsay G. Kessack and Andrew J. Lynch and half colours to Allan S. Duthie, Barry Scott, Kenneth A. Stephen and Innes Taylor. Barry Scott and Michael Aitken were members of the North District Senior Schoolboys Team which won the Hancock Trophy in inter-district competition. The 2nd XI and the 3rd year X.1 both played very few games, which is a tremendous pity as the well-being of these teams is essential for fostering an interest in hockey in school and for providing players with some experience for the first eleven. School hockey is indebted to Graeme Duthie, who turned up to Wednesday afternoon practices conscientiously, and who was always prepared to assist with umpiring on Saturdays when called upon. Girls' Hockey Despite the terrible weather this year, which caused the cancellation of many games, Girls' Hockey has again proved very successful. All teams improved throughout the season, although there was not much opportunity for regular team practice. This year, the school was strongly represented in the North Schoolgirls teams, and although this meant a drain of 1st XI players, there were still some good results from the matches that were played. Both the 2nd XI and the 3rd XI (League team) improved greatly, the senior team players coming from IV, V and VI. Perhaps the outstanding event for the 1st XI this year was the St. Leonard's Tournament held in St. Andrew's. We met some tough opposition, but did not disgrace ourselves by coming second in our section. It might be argued, however, that the favourite fixture this year for the 1st XI and 2nd XI was the mini-tournament with Dunfermline High School and St. Margaret's. The match against Dunfermline is fast becoming an annual event and this year we were very pleased to have players from Dunfermline High School as our guests. As could have been predicted, Dunfermline played to a very high standard and all teams enjoyed the matches greatly. Here arc the results of the few games played by the Senior teams this season. Played Won Drawn Lost For Against 1st XI 6 4 2 — 16 12 2nd X1 7 2 2 3 10 18 3rd XI (League) 6 — 5 1 29 9 The cancellation of the Senior Tournament robbed us of our chance to show our true strength, which was a great disappointment to all the players. The III Year teams have set a high standard of play throughout the season and both the III Year 'A' team and the III Year League team did very well this year, although their matches too, were severely hampered by the weather. The
Girls 1st XI Hockey 1978-1979
' iI
DPI -
11
H
!
rI oproiriv..------fr„ _t
-
t
r
17
1
I ri
-
Back Row (left to right) Amanda Taylor, Fiona McCombie, Rhona Farquhar, Anne Duffy, Linda Wallace, Wendy Hutchison, Carole Fiddes, Aiken kbsson. Front row (left to right) Gillian McCready, Ruth Hutchison (capt.), Susan Smith (vice-capt), Margery Coutts.
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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine
III Year 'A' team shared the Grampian Region III Ycar Cup with Cults Academy. The III Year 'B' team played well to come second in the league. These players will be joining the senior teams next year, and we anticipate a good season. The II Year teams have continued to improve with four teams all playing matches and tournaments. The II Year 'A' team proved the Year's hockey strength by winning the Grampian Region II Year hockey tournament. A very large group of keen 1st Year players have enthusiastically attended practices, but they were given few chances by our climate to play matches, and indeed their tournament was regrettably cancelled. We hope that this will not discourage them from returning to play next year to help show the Grammar School's increasing strength in schoolgirl hockey. In conclusion we should like to thank Mrs. Webster and the other ladies of the P.E. staff for their continued enthusiasm and help at all times, and for the great deal of time they have spent on the telephone informing players of match cancellations. Representative Girls' Hockey This year the school has been strongly represented at district level hockey. There have been six pupils in the two North District Pools, captained by Ruth Hutchison. It was a great achievement to have so many of our first eleven in this North Squad. The girls are Margery Coutts (IV), Rhona Farquhar (IV), Ruth Hutchison (VI), Fiona McCombie (IV), Aileen Masson (IV) and Susan Smith (V). The 1st North XI reached the final of the Schoolgirls Inter-District Tournament, but when the match was finally played after two postponements, the North XI did not manage to find their usual form, losing 3-0 to Midlands. The 2nd North XI also had a very good season, winning one of the 2nd XI tournaments. Both Margery Coutts and Ruth Hutchison were given Scottish Trials this year and were chosen for the Squad. Margery Coutts played in her first international match against Wales at Ayr, which Scotland lost 1-0; but there will be a chance for revenge at the Home Countries' Tournament in Edinburgh at Easter. This year's International Tournament is to be held in Dusseldorf, West Germany, where the Scottish Schoolgirl Team will meet teams from West Germany, Holland and Belgium. Both Margery and Ruth arc in the Scottish squad. Next year it is hoped that the school will be able to maintain its strong representation at both district and national level. R.H. , S.S. Soccer 1st XI Unfortunately this season was marred by the cancellation of many fixtures brought about by the atrocious weather. Nevertheless, we had a reasonably successful season playing well in most of the matches, but regrettably not winning as many as we should have. Nevertheless, the spirit of the team never faltered, and we have all enjoyed the games played despite the inconsistency of the results. We would like to express our gratitude to Mr. Falconer for arranging our fuctures, to Mr. Allan for the maintenance of the pitch, and finally to Mr. Traill, whose constant enthusiasm, encouragement and guidance were much appreciated. Half colours were awarded to R. Donald (captain), M. Aitken, C. MacDonald and C. Smith.
School Sporting Activities
25
Rowing The past year has certainly been an eventful if not a particularly successful one in the history of the Rowing Club. The primary aim of all concerned with the club was to try to repeat the achievement of the Junior VIII of the year before in representing Scotland in the Home Countries International. Six members of that squad still remained in the club and so the prospects looked good for another successful campaign on the regatta circuit, but, alas, it was not to be. The story began, however, in March 1978 when three members of the club rowed in a composite VIII with Aberdeen Boat Club in the Tideway "Head" Race on the Thames, one of the highlights of the British rowing calendar, attracting not only British but much foreign opposition. Out of a world recordbreaking entry of 419 crews, the Aberdeen composite finished in 254th place over the testing 7000 m course. Unfortunately, the club did not attend as many regattas around Scotland in the April June period as in previous years, basically because of a lack of serious regular training. The rather apathetic attitude of the VIth year crew was disappointing, especially as with harder work they would have had an excellent chance of success. The reasons for their apathy arc hard to determine, but their thirst for success may have been quenched by the particularly successful year before. Nevertheless, there were some bright spots during the year and our first win came at Castle Semple on 20 May. The circumstances of this win were rather odd, as the VI year crew won the Junior under-18 IVs by default. Their opponents were disqualified for using a finer boat which was not permitted in that particular event. This was followed by a convincing victory an the Junior under-18 VIIIs at Strathclyde Park; this, the VIII's first appearance of the season, augured well for the Scottish Championships a fortnight later. When the championships finally arrived, things started to go terribly wrong. Firstly, the regatta was cancelled on the Saturday because of atrocious weather conditions, and then again on the Sunday. after only a handful of events had been completed. In one of these, our younger Junior under-16 VIII was well beaten. The rearranged date was the following weekend, but to add to the misery, our senior VIII no longer had access to the University's Italian-made boat, which, undoubtedly, had been a key factor in their success. The result was that the crew was unable to train the whole week and had to borrow a boat at Strathclyde Park. Inevitably, they were beaten, and there ended all dreams of the Championship and international selection, Now, with the departure of many members of the club, it has been left to newer and younger oarsmen to prove that the club is still thriving, and certainly, so far, they have done just that. We have two crews at the moment: the first is a composite with Hazlehcad Academy, and the second comprises IV year pupils. In the annual Aberdeen Interclub Regatta, in November, the two crews finished second and third in the final, our first crew being narrowly beaten by the University. We went a step better in the Aberdeen "Head" in March, the first crew winning the "restricted" division and the second crew winning the "novice" division. The club played a significant part in a joint fund raising venture by the three Aberdeen rowing clubs in September in unofficially beating the world record for non-stop rowing over a period of 24 hours. Of the total distance of 340 km. the two schools crews covered over 50 km. This year girls have infiltrated school rowing with great fervour and enthusiasm best exemplified in the cold spell during January when they regularly appeared down at the boathouse when there was ice on the river and a biting easterly wind!
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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine
Unfortunately, this year has also seen the departure of Mr. Newton from Aberdeen Grammar School. He ran the club for many years, and all credit for our numerous successes over the years is due to him. When possible, he still helps us in administration and coaching, but his duties have now been passed to Mr. Steel of Hazlehead Academy. Mr. Newton's full-time hard work and dedication to the club will be missed, but at present, there are no signs of a decline and all in the club are training hard and looking forward expectantly to the coming season. Hopefully more of the success to which we have all grown accustomed over the years awaits us in the not too distant future! Club members over the past year were: Boys: Brian Bain, Robert Bramley, Andrew Peterson, Ian Thomson, Duncan Wood, Robert Hunter, Keith Mitchell, Jan van Baaren, George Dunbar, Neill Kelly, Martin Cormack, Timothy Hunter, James Mackie, Michael Nicholson. Girls: Fiona McGhee, Rosalind Wilson, Nicola Brunt, Karen Greig, Angela Kidd, Rhona Farquhar.
Table Tennis The Table Tennis Club really came of age this season as it can now boast two Scottish Champions. In the Scottish Championships played in Grangemouth on 1 April, the girls of our club really made "April fools" of their opponents as Denise Torrance (IV) won the "senior girls" title for Scottish schoolgirls, and Eunice Alexander (III) won the intermediate competition for III and IV year girls. These successes at national level followed success in the Aberdeen Championships, where the Grammar School won every girls' title for both singles and doubles. In the local senior schools' league, our "A" team finished runners-up to Linksfield Academy, despite tying on points with them. As we had lost 8-7 to Linksfield the title was allocated to them, thus ending our three-year-long reign at the top. Our final position owed much to the performances of Michael Aitken, who had not played for the previous two seasons, and Gordon Fraser, a vastly improved player after a week's coaching at Inverclyde under the supervision of the national coach. Senior "A" team: Michael Aitken, Gordon Angus, Gordon Fraser, Charles Andrew, David Galloway and Peter Smith. In the senior "B" league, our second senior team also finished second, pipped at the post by Kincorth Academy. One noteworthy result was achieved against Robert Gordon's College "A" team, when a 13-2 win was recorded in our first-ever encounter with 'the auld enemy'. The new league format meant that the junior leagues did not start until after Christmas—allowing time for Ist and 'Ind year boys to prepare thoroughly. Our second year team suffered from a lack of "depth", but by the end of the season several new faces had emerged, notably those of David Hutchinson and Derek Wilson. However, it was left to Ernest Andrew and Andrew Watt to record most of the points in the early part of the season. Undoubtedly our great hope for the future lies with the squad of first year youngsters. Competition for team places was white hot, and it might well prove necessary to run two second year teams next session. 1st year squad: Finlay Ross, Kenneth Allsop, Graeme McCready, James Macdonald, John McKell, Diane Jeffrey, Douglas Moore, Keith Mackie and Richard Haywood.
School Sporting Activities
27
Aberdeen Schools' Championship Successes Senior Boys: beaten finalist, Michael Aitken; beaten semi-finalists, Kenneth Stephen and Gordon Fraser.
Senior Girls: Winner, Denise Torrance; Runner-up, Eunice Alexander. Senior Girls Doubles: Winners, Denise Torrance and Janice McPherson; Runners-up, Gillian McCready and Carole Fiddes.
Junior Girls: Winner, Elaine Ritchie; Runner-up, Diane Jeffrey. Tennis This year the School Tennis Club really established itself, entering many competitions and making its mark in the IVth year Aberdeen Schools Tennis League. We were the highest placed "all girls" team, coming fifth out of the eight competing teams and beating such teams as Albyn and St. Margaret's. Unfortunately our success was not continued in the Scottish Cup in which we were beaten in the early stages, mainly because of the inexperience of our players. There was a much higher number of entries for the Ladder tournament this year. As a result of this, competitors were forced to play in four ladders instead of the previous one, which resulted in an amazing total of 113 matches being played in spite of the atrocious weather conditions. The winners who finally emerged in the senior section were Gillian McCready and Carol Sargent, while Wendy Nicoll and Elaine Ritchie were the eventual winners in the junior section. In this year's Aberdeen Schools Tournament held in June, Eunice Alexander was runner-up in the Junior section of the tournament, while Gillian McCready won both the Senior section of the tournament and the North-East Schools Under-16 Tournament. In our own school tournaments this year, Margery Coutts won the Senior Girls singles title, while Carol Sargent and Sarah Jane Reid took the doubles title. The Junior girls singles title was won by Wendy Nicoll who went on to share the Doubles title with Gillian Mutch. Our congratulations to all of them. This year has seen an increase in the number of younger pupils who have joined the club. The enthusiasm they bring to the game leaves little doubt as to the future success of the Tennis Club. With the help of Miss Shepherd and the enthusiasm of the club members, the School Tennis Club can only go from strength to strength. Netball This year the Netball Club has enjoyed several successes. The league structure was changed this year, with home and away matches being played against every team. This was a successful exercise resulting in an undefeated season for the Senior League team. The Junior League team had only one defeat, but after a play-off against Bankhead they too won their league trophy. There was a revival this year of first and second year tournaments, and our Ist year team did very well to win. Our llnd year team, although not winners, were very keen competitors. We had several individual successes, with Susan Oliphant (I) playing for the East District side. Anne Oliphant, Carol Fiddes, Fiona Gillanders, Jacqueline Laing, Carol Sargent, Anne Watt, Susan Oliphant and Judith Calder all played for Aberdeen Select teams.
School Netball Teams
Back row: Jacqueline Laing. Gillian Hay, Vivienne Sharp. Middle row: Susan Oliphant, Anne Wart. Ailsa Webster. Ann Oliphant, Ruth Hutchison, Judith Calder. Front row: Carol Sargent, Fiona Gillanders (Junior Team Captain), Marie Milne, Lorna Dunbar (Netball Captain). Aileen Masson. Margery Coutts. Foreground: Margaret Hogg.
Music Notes
29
We reached the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup, before being narrowly defeated by St. Margaret Mary's from Glasgow. On the whole, this has been the most successful year to date for the club, and it is hoped that it will continue to do well. In conclusion, I would like to thank Miss Ramsay for her great help and support throughout the year, and also Miss Shepherd and Mrs. Webster who helped with the Junior years. Athletics! Swimming Pupils competed successfully in the South Grampian Schools Championships in both athletics and swimming. In both sports our relay teams were especially strong, particularly at the junior stages. The Scottish Schools Athletics Championships presented a much higher standard of competition, however, and underlined the room for improvement. Nowadays talent and competitive effort are not enough at the top level, but need to be reinforced by training.
Music Notes Life in the Music Department has been quite eventful this past year. Since last Easter, plans were being made for the trans-Atlantic trip (described fully elsewhere in individual reports) in the Autumn, and preparations were under way for the Annual Concert, which took place on 1 June in the Music Hall. The theme of the concert was distinctly nationalistic, with tributes to Wales, Ireland, and England and excursions to other countries such as Hungary, France, South America and Australia. The platform was filled with the eager, shining faces of choirs from our feeder Primary schools; and our own pupils—and the Concert got off to a lively start with the Brass Ensemble's "Fanfares" by Janacek, in which our timpanist, Eric Stoddart, excelled, indeed nearly exhausted, himself on an array of timpani. We travelled far musically in the course of the evening, but the concert ended fittingly with the "Burns Fantasia", conducted by its composer, Mr. Donald Hawksworth, which culminated with 250 voices raised in "Auld Lang Syne". On our return to school in August, we looked out our suitcases and passports, and applied for visas, hoping we would be regarded as desirable visitors to the U.S.A. Off we flew anyway, with bagpipes, clarsach, violins—and one heavily-plastered wrist! It was a very successful visit: new friends were made, and our happy association with the Clayton family was renewed. After that, it was a case of off with the reels and strathspeys, and on with the Christmas carols. This year the format of the Christmas Concert in St. Machar's Cathedral was altered to that of Nine Lessons and Carols. The congregation and Choir joined in many traditional carols, while the Choir and the Madrigal Choir gave us carols that were less familiar. It was a happy evening for all. The lunchtime recitals in the Easter term were notable for the variety of musical talent among the pupils who provided the bulk of the programmes: cello, trumpets, tuba, violin, piano, clarinet and flute, ending with a performance comprising the Madrigal Choir and a quartet of cellos. Preparations are now in hand for this session's Annual Concert. Such a range of activities underlines the efforts made throughout the session by instrumental teachers and the staff of the Music Department.
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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine
Combined Cadet Force The contingent has had another successful and enjoyable year. After the camps, recorded in the Section Reports, we returned to school ready for the new term and recruiting. The response received was good and it is encouraging to have the type of recruits we enrolled this year—the kind who come along regularly, show enthusiasm, accept discipline, and enjoy the various activities which they attempt. It makes the instructors' job much easier, when new recruits turn up regularly like this, and it can only mean that there is a firm foundation for future years. Nevertheless we have had our share of disruptions with some training halfway through the year becoming a little disjointed, and some having to be cancelled altogether. Another disappointment arose over a planned extension to our headquarters, which was going to include washing and toilet facilities. This had to be cancelled when the most acceptable tender turned out to be over twice the original estimate, and the M.O.D. budget proved unable to cope with such inflation. One definite new addition this year, however, has been Raymond Nugent of the Physics Department, who was commissioned into the RAF Section and to whom a warm welcome is given. Already Raymond has devised some interesting training schemes. The two section commanders also received promotion: Lieutenant Lawrence to Captain, and Pilot Officer Scott to Flying Officer—congratulations to both! This year, because of a new system, we have no formal inspection, and so we can spend the rest of this session finishing the various training syllabi, taking part in the various inter-unit summer competitions, and preparing again for annual camps. Army Section The Army Section continues to flourish, with a large and enthusiastic junior intake this year, which augurs well for the future. Since last year's report, we have had our Annual Summer Camp in the Isle of Man, which was extremely successful and thoroughly enjoyed by a crosssection of cadets from the Army and RAF Sections. Activities included seacanoeing, abseiling, modern weapons firing, and a visit to the T.T. races, which provided some spectacular spills. The Contingent was later warmly congratulated by the Training Officer for their spirit and enthusiasm throughout the camp period. Thursday afternoon training this winter has not been unduly affected by the severe weather, although it has meant we have been unable to get "out and about" as much as usual, and a weekend patrol exercise had to be cancelled. The new recruits are working well towards the first part of the A.P.C. (mapreading, shooting and safety), and the seniors have been involved in ski-ing, an Advanced Training activity. We look forward to Easter Camp at Glenshee, where a group comprising seniors and juniors will be ski-ing, hill-walking and map-reading for a week. RAF Section This session the nominal roll has been 35. Several very worthwhile outdoor exercises have taken place. Last September an orienteering exercise was held in the Kirkhill Forest, while in January a night exercise took place near Newburgh. More recently an initiative exercise was held at Collieston, during which Mr. Graeme Morrison demonstrated some mountain rescue techniques, using ropes and a stretcher.
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Chess Club 1st & 2nd Year Teams
left to right: David King (I), Alan Plotka (I), Murray Hall (II), Ross Parsons (II),
Malcolm White (11), Mr. Ian C. R. Calloway, Paul Cowie (I), Kevin Watson (I), Alastair Naughton (I), Stuart Nimmo (I), Absent: Duncan McIntosh (II), David Bisset (II), Donald Wetherick (II). The School in Germantown
A group of School Choir members photographed at Germantown Friends School, Philadelphia.
Clubs and Societies
33
be well represented. One of the highlights of this session was the challenge from Scottish Internationalist Chris Morrison to play our senior team and a reserve simultaneously. This match was great experience for us, and a chance to receive some expert tips, but the result had best be forgotten, as far as the team is concerned! This year's senior team pool was Derek Harley (V), Philip Brown (IV), Donald McLean (III), Dominic Midgely (V), and David Galloway (III). Although one of our team members is leaving school, his place will be readily filled by one of the players in the lower years, where there is great potential. The Club meets on Monday and Tuesday at 4.05 p.m. in Room 10, and new members are always welcome, whatever their standard of play. Finally, a word of thanks to Mr. Galloway for his invaluable help in running the Club, and to Mr. Hall and Mr. Montgomery for driving us to away matches.
Dance Club If you ask someone "What is modern dance?" they would probably tell you "Legs and Co" or something to the same tune. The fact is that modern dance is a way of expressing yourself, individually or as a group. to music in the form of dance or movements. In school our "Dance Club" is run by Miss Shepherd of the P.E. department. Two groups meet through the week: the juniors (I and II) meet on Monday and Tuesday lunchtimes; the seniors (Ill and upwards) on Wednesday after school. Miss Shepherd choreographs most of the dances. The juniors perform two dances: one is "Ground Bound", concerned with our struggles with gravity, as the title suggests, and the other one is "Anything You Can Do", which is an effort study and is about two human beings trying to outdo and outwit each other. The senior dance is called "People", and shows some of the different types of relationships between people. The highlight of any North-East school dance club is the day of dance at the College of Education. Many different schools come and share their dances, and altogether it is always a day to look forward to. We were also delighted this year to have an opportunity to perform, with the Gymnastics Club, to I, II and Ill year pupils. After two years, the Dance Club is well established, and we hope sometime to invite parents and friends to see some of our dances.
Dramatic Society
A Midsummer Night's Dream The ever-increasing absence of bright-eyed pupils from classes, the emanation of strange lunchtime sounds from the drama room, and the mysterious manifestation of "Star Wars" Force Guns in the main staffroom culminated in this year's Dramatic Society presentation of "Midsummer Night's Dream"—produced by Mrs. Pat Wood. I must confess I went along to see the play with some feelings of trepidation. Shakespeare with Force Guns? My mind boggled. Would the pupil part of the audience sit quietly through Shakespearian speeches? I had my doubts. However, I need not have had any fears. The production was a spectacular and original one, which kept the audience spellbound. Against a dignified Grecian backdrop, dynamically lit, the tangled loves of four young Athenians were enacted. The parts of Lysander and Demetrius were portrayed very creditably by Nigel Young and Alistair Grant—although the two on occasions did seem to be at a loss as to what to do with their hands! But Mary Sharp and Gillian Allsopp were suitably distraught, passionate and attractive as Helena and Hermia. Moreover Titania (Sarah Stankler) and Oberon (Grahame Whyte) were impressively regal in their beating and Sarah Stankler, in particular gave a suitably majestic
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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine
performance: being surrounded by their wingless. other-worldly attendants made them seem all the more outstanding! George Tweedie (Puck) seemed made for his part as he sped on and off the stage. One did feel he could indeed "put a girdle round about the Earth in forty minutes". But I think even this distinguished pair and their mysterious entourage were eclipsed by the artisans. In fact acting honours were stolen by the Athenian craftsmen, who had the audience in hysterics with their "tragical" rendition of the love of Pyramus and Thisbe. While each acted well, special mention must be made of Ross Parsons, who was magnificent and totally convincing as Bottom. Nevertheless, while giving all credit to the Thespians, no review of the play could be complete without acknowledging the contribution made by the special effects. The beauty of the Athenian maidens was greatly enhanced by their graceful, draped costumes and stylish headgear; the skilful artistic hand of Mr. Norman Constable was clearly visible in the props which were carried by the artisans, and the comic atmosphere of the "tragedy" was underlined by the magnificent tresses sported by Thisbe and her "subtle" make-up. However, probably the dominant visual impression created by this production came from the lighting: the multi-coloured sequence of lights that sparkled and reflected off the dazzling costumes worn by the Fairy King and Queen, convincing us that they were not of this world; the subtle, subdued lighting that suggested the shadowy wood; and finally the stabbing lights of the Force Guns wielded by the fairies that underlined Mrs. Wood's original interpretation of this classic comedy. Finally—the verdict of the audience. To keep a school audience enthralled in a Shakespearian production is quite a feat, and those involved in the presentation of the play should congratulate themselves. The thunderous applause given to the cast and the production crew confirmed that the hard work and months of toiling had been worth it. The Dramatic Society had a well-deserved success on their hands. Electronics Club The Electronics Club had around fifteen members throughout the session. The club attracts pupils mainly in first year, and this session the club had its first girl members. The aim of the club is to help its members in the construction and the repairing of electronic equipment. In the past, members have been quite satisfied with fairly simple projects such as crystal radio sets and amplifiers, but with the growing use of integrated circuits, members now find more satisfaction in constructing sophisticated electronic gadgets. At times it is difficult to find the correct components required to construct various projects and inevitably this can lead to frustrating delays in construction. Members of the electronics club need and have a lot of patience! Gym Club This year the Gym Club has risen to greater heights, with a large following of new members. A large part of club time was given over to the B.A.G.A. award scheme. However, the year's greatest challenge was to be a demonstration of the gym club's activities. Although a large amount of after-school preparation was necessary, the members attended enthusiastically. The effort proved worthwhile, as a fine display of gymnastic ability was shown to years I, II and III. Thanks to the help of Mr. Lobban and Miss Shepherd, the gym club has proved to be a great success and everyone involved has great hopes for the future. Hill-Walking Club This year has seen the end of an era in the history of the club. After twenty years of involvement in the leading of the club, Mr. Will and Mr. Stephen are both deemed by recent Grampian Region Education Committee regulations to lack the necessary quali• fications for leadership! A change is not necessarily a bad thing for a club, however, and
Clubs and Societies
35
Mr. Montgomery and Miss Durrand have taken over with efficiency and enthusiasm. The club goes from strength to strength, with numbers steadily increasing, and we can only conjecture to what extent Mr. Montgomery is responsible for the notable increase in the number of senior girls who have become regular members! The past year's activities have been well supported. The senior weekend mini-bus trips to Glen Etive and Glencoe in June and September met with indifferent weather, but excellent camaraderie mitigated the adverse overhead conditions. The junior May weekend at Aviemore Youth Hostel is now in its twelfth year, the 1978 trip being marked by an ascent of Cairngorm and thence to Bynack Mor in somewhat snowy conditions. On the following day the trip up Cam Ban Mor provided a salutary lesson on the rapid changes of hill weather. A few of the girls were tempted by hot sunshine halfway up the hill to change into shorts. One girl with a full pack persuaded a member of staff to stow her trousers in his haversack. Half an hour later the early arrivals at the summit observed with amusement the arrival of the same young lady in a blinding snowstorm (and very short shorts), exclaiming, "Mr S—, Mr. S—, you never gave me back my trousers!" The day trips have been very well attended with an encouraging response from Year I: so far this session has seen autumn trips to Lochnagar and Glenshee, and winter ones to the Hill of Fare and the Kerloch-to-Durris traverse as well as the introductory trip for younger pupils last September—a traverse of Bennachie from Mill of Keig over Oxen Craig and Mither Tap to Pittodrie (not the King Street one!). Future plans include the thirteenth Aviemore weekend and a possible senior trip to Crianlarich in June. The club is grateful to its many leaders, official and unofficial, who do so much towards the success of the excursions.
Literary and Debating Society Last summer saw this ancient society much reduced in debating talent by the departures of a group of experienced and able debaters, who had done much for the Debater, but who by their forcefulness had inadvertently rather inhibited the involvement in the Society of their immediate successors. With their departure from the scene, there was a palpable lack of rhetorical talent, and this year's Debater committee was appointed with the clear mandate of conducting a holding operation and keeping the Society alive and active. With no older, experienced speakers, it was decided to leave the arena of competitive debating for a year, and to concentrate instead on a programme of domestic debates, visiting speakers, with the usual inter-school fixtures for diversity. With Neil Falconer in the President's chair, most of the programme went ahead despite the distinctly adverse winter weather; attendances were very healthy and junior members were gratifyingly present and participant. As the year progressed, our younger members came to the fore, perhaps encouraged by the opportunities available this year rather more than previously. A good Staff Debate ("That the female is more vain than the male") enlivened the second term, and there were two welcome guest speakers, one per term. Mr. Alastair Macdonald, Sports Editor of the Press andJournal. recalled his first-hand reactions to "Argentina, 1978" (the World Cup, as if one could forget it); and Mr. Bill Brooker, of the University ExtraMural Studies Department and himself an F.P., gave a most informative illustrated lecture on "The Tombs of the Pharaohs". The Bishop Greig Prize for Public Speaking was keenly contested, the topic of "Patriotism" being chosen to suit the day of the competition: the Friday of the Devolution referendum result. Amanda Taylor, V, was a popular choice as winner. The year then will not rank as an "annus mirabilis" in the Debater's annals, but the Society is still for many the School's major club and is still hale and hearty. Next year, with Jill Fraser as President and Amanda Taylor as Secretary, should be a year of consolidation and progress on various fronts.
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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine
Thanks arc due to various members of staff who encourage us by dropping in on meetings and by contributing to the talk, and to Mr. Hall for his enthusiasm (and tolerance of the Committee!).
Scientific Society In recognition of the fact that the majority of members of the society arc pupils of schools outwith Aberdeen city, it was decided to change the name of the society from "Aberdeen Schools' Scientific Society" to the more general title of "Schools' Scientific Society". The programme of lectures for the past session was as varied and as interesting as in previous years. The first lecture took place in October in the Zoology Building of Aberdeen University, where Dr. Ralph gave a well-illustrated lecture on "Marine Biology in Antarctica", showing not only part of the scientific research that goes on there but also the problems that the scientists face in actually living there. The lecture held in November was entitled "A Decade of Pumped Storage" and was given by Mr. Robbie, senior lecturer in Engineering at Aberdeen University. This lecture dealt with the development of Electrical Pumped Storage Schemes, such as the one at Ben Cruachan. The last lecture of the year was held in conjunction with the Aberdeen University Chemical Society at the Chemistry Department. Dr. G. Cameron gave an interesting lecture on "Polymers—Muckle Molecules", which was illustrated with numerous and well-chosen experiments. After the Christmas break, there was an excellent talk on the subject of "Memory", given by Dr. N. Wetherick. His lecture was supplemented by some audience participation. Those attending the lecture were asked to memorise lists of associated words. The results were plotted on graphs and compared with the expected results. The lecture in February was given by Dr. H. Ellington in Robert Gordon's Institute of Technology. The lecture started out from our own "backyard" in space, the Solar System, to the most distant galaxies at the edge of the observable universe. As last year, the final lecture for the session was presented by Dr. Mitchell of the Medical Physics Department, Foresterhill. His lecture dealt with the uses of ionising radiation in medicine and included four short films, one of them being from the television programme, "Tomorrow's World".
Scripture Union This year has seen a steady increase in numbers at our weekly S.U. meetings, especially among the younger years, from about half a dozen members in September to the present figure of over twenty regulars and many more who give tacit support. Over the year we have had a lively and varied programme. Besides periodical bible studies, we have had several very interesting outside speakers with topics ranging from spreading the gospel in South America to the work of the Christian Mission To the Communist World in Eastern Europe, as well as discussions, singing and films. Yet again the Christmas party was a big success, as was the end of term outing (mentioned in last year's report) which turned out to be an evening of praise, fun and burnt sausages on Balmedic Beach. In March we took the decision to adopt a child through the T.E.A.R Fund organisation. This means that we have contracted to pay an agreed amount every month to give a child in the Third World the chance to have a better standard of living and a better education than would otherwise be possible. A sponsored walk has been planned to raise money for this project. We would like to thank all those who have taken part in the organisation and running of activities throughout the session.
Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme
37
Wargaming Society After a lapse of several months, the Wargaming Society resumed for the session, "under new management". Although we knew a lot about wargaming we were not too sure about running a club. However, with the invaluable help of Mr. Murray. Mr. Morrison, and Mr. Will, we soon got over our teething troubles and embarked on a successful session. Thank You! We have all learned much during the meetings about our own particular specialities and about those of others, and the wargames provide a valuable test bed for the rules, which are continually modified and, we hope, improved. The battles we have recreated have produced some most instructive results, for although Wellington did triumph at Waterloo, we reckon that, if the Second World War were fought three times, Germany would win twice. Thank goodness it's only a game!
Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme Approximately 170 Grammar School pupils, assisted and encouraged by around 40 staff, are currently working towards the various medals awarded under the Duke of Edinburgh scheme. Through activities classified under four sections, the scheme aims to develop a wide range of interests and abilities. The Service section of the scheme involves a study and some practical work related to organisations which serve the public, such as the Police, Fire Service, W.R.V.S. or Home Nursing. The Design for Living/Physical Activity section seeks to develop the individual in such fields as home maintenance, handling money, personal relationships and physical fitness. For the Interest section entrants must demonstrate a sustained interest in a field of their own choice, while the Expedition section challenges the individual to orientate and fend for himself in unknown country away from civilisation. At Gold Level an additional Residential section tests the individual's capacity to adapt to a community which is strange to him. As members of staff, we find that the scheme broadens our pupils' range of interests, increases their self-confidence, and develops a greater sense of responsibility in their relationships with others. On 10 November 1978 Brian Bain became the first pupil to receive the Gold Award as a result of School training and presentation. He describes here his impressions of the ceremony at Holyrood Palace, and reflects on the Award Scheme in general. For myself, the 10th of November last year was the final part in a three and a half year involvement in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. It was on that day that I was one of more than 400 who received Gold Award certificates in a ceremony at Holyrood Palace, Edinburgh. The ceremony, although attended by Prince Philip, was actually somewhat disappointing in many respects, because of the lack of time that was available. However, the actual presentation is unimportant in comparison to the Award Scheme as a whole Almost everyone has heard of the scheme, but relatively few arc fully aware of its aim or its significance. It is not, as many people think, a means of segregating people who arc particularly talented, either intellectually, physically or creatively. Nor is it an endurance test of the individual's tolerance of physical punishment. The scheme is primarily designed to educate young people into being able to look after themselves, to develop their talents, or help them find new ones, and to encourage them to help others. Participants need not be especially academically or athletically talented. The course is demanding in terms of time, but anyone prepared to persevere should he successful.
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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine
The School's participation in the Scheme has been growing for some years now, and although I was the first Grammar pupil presented by the School to receive the Gold Award, many have already reached the bronze and silver standards, and of those a large proportion will go on to attain the gold award in the next few years. I wish them good fortune in their efforts. Easter Trips, '79 While the Music Department's outing to the U.S.A. must hold the top of the bill spot in this session's programme of international activities, pupils have also enjoyed themselves abroad in more conventional, but still glamorous, visits. The School excursion to Switzerland continues to be well supported by our pupils, thirty-one of whom this year made what has become an annual "pilgrimage" to the land of mountain and lake. Moreover, this year the party flew from Dyce Airport to Zurich via London, a far cry from days when the journey involved an overnight train to London (no sleepers), a cross-Channel ferry voyage, and a further overnight train journey to the desired destination. Lugano, that delightful lakeside resort near the Italian border, was once again the chosen centre. In addition, eight pupils this year participated in a combined ski trip from South Grampian /Moray and Nairn schools to Cerler in the Spanish Pyrenees, a resort chosen for its high altitude. The ski-ing fully matched expectations. By the end of the week those in their first year of ski-ing were able to ski from the highest point (7,800 ft) to the village at 5,000 ft, a run of several miles; and the more seasoned skiers were able to ski on unpisted black runs and in the mornings could enjoy powder snow ski-ing in near perfect conditions. Not even a twelve-hour delay in Toulouse on the return journey could fray the tempers of a well-pleased party.
Staff Changes It is gratifying to report fewer changes in the Staff this session than in 1977-78, but changes there have inevitably been, as is so markedly the modern trend, in teaching as in other professions. No especially long-serving member of staff has moved elsewhere, but perhaps early mention might be made of the impending retirement, at the end of the current session, of Mr. James D. Murray, who has given the School twenty years' service: he was Principal Teacher of Technical Subjects from 1959 till 1973, when he became an Assistant Rector. A fuller appreciation of Mr. Murray and his contribution to the Grammar School in these years will appear in the next Magazine; but meantime all will join in wishing him a long and happy retirement. To all who have left the School this past year, we send our good wishes; and we thank them for all that they have done for the School and its pupils during their stay here. Mr. A. Lowe, Principal Teacher of Physics, was appointed Assistant Rector at Peebles High School. Mr. B. G. Anderson, Principal Teacher of Physics at Portrcc High School, succeeded Mr. Lowe. Mr. R. Newton left the Physics Department to take up an oil-related post. Mr. J. Thomson from St. Modan's H. S. Stirling. succeeded Mr. Newton Mr. A. L. Matr, Principal Teacher of Religious Education, was appointed Principal Teacher of Religious Education at Inverurie Academy. Mr. A. P. Smith from Gordon Schools, Huntly, succeeded Mr. Mart
Staff Changes
39
Sister Margaret Pope joined the staff of the Religious Education Department to replace Mr. Kincaid, now Principal Teacher at Linksfield Academy. Mr. G. Traill, Assistant Principal Teacher of Geography, was appointed Principal Teacher of Geography at Bankhead Academy. Miss. S. Emslie from Perth High School succeeded Mr. Traill. Mr. W. R. I. Scott became Head of the Spanish Department in succession to Mr. D. McClean. Mrs. J. Massie left the Art Department. Miss F. McKenzie succeeded Mrs. Massie. Mrs. A. F. Reid from Hazlehead Academy succeeded Miss C. Clark as Principal Teacher of Home Economics. Mr. D. Lobban, Assistant Principal Teacher of Physical Education, was appointed Principal Teacher of Physical Education at Westhill Academy. (An appointment of a somewhat historic nature was made in the course of the 1978-79 session when the School acquired its first woman janitor: Mrs. Reid has already proved most helpful).
M. Roger Hervier This summer secs the return to France, and indeed the professional retiral, of M. Roger Hervier, first headmaster of the Total Oil Marine School, which since its inception in 1973 has been situated in the old Chalmers Endowed School building at the corner of Whitehall Place and Esslemont Avenue (which became part of Westfield School, and later was absorbed into the Grammar School). M. Nervier retires in July to his home area of Tours in the favoured valley of the Loire. He has found Aberdeen a very pleasant posting, but after 28 years working overseas in countries as warm as Algeria, Madagascar, and Australia (M. Hervier came here from Brisbane), it is hardly surprising that he finds North-East weather rather off-putting. In this he is not alone! He has seen his school grow from an initial roll of 24 pupils and staff of three, to a roll of 52 with eight teachers. Intensely interested in ecology, he hopes to spend much of his retirement in environmentalist activity—as well as tending his garden, in the best tradition of Candide! Before their homecoming, however, he and his wife will spend a month on a "farewell" tour of Scotland, a tour which, we sincerely hope, will merely whet their appetites for other visits in the future. We shall miss a buoyant personality around and about the Grammar School. M. Hervier's successor will be M. Jean Gallion, currently a teacher in the Total School, and we wish him well.
Awards and Scholarships Scottish Youth Theatre Two Third Year pupils, Gillian Allsopp and Katie Macdonald, won two of six places in the Scottish Youth Theatre writers' course in Edinburgh at Easter. The course took the form of a workshop for young playwrights, and competition for places was open to all Scottish secondary pupils aged between 15 and 19. Instruction was given on aspects of the playwright's craft, and the successful texts were to be acted by a professional group. Furthermore, the pick of the plays were to be presented on BBC Radio in the Spring and at the Traverse Theatre in 1980; Wheaton/Pergamon Press have also expressed an interest. Katie's play, "Storm in a Wine Glass", is a comedy/thriller set in France, while
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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine
Gillian's entry, a reflection on Nuclear War, bears the impressive title, "If God Doesn't Exist It is Necessary to Invent Him." Both girls arc keen readers, and both would like to continue writing as a serious activity.
Oil Company Scholarships Three of our pupils have benefited from the generosity of oil firms active in the area. Kristin Brunt (V) has gained a Mobil Scholarship to spend three weeks in the U.S.A. this summer term on an English-Speaking Union exchange programme; ten such awards were made in the Grampian Region. Jennifer Dron (VI) and Ruth Hutchison (VI) are the recipients of this year's Total Oil awards, whereby annually two pupils from Grammar School visit Paris and the Total plant. Miss Carter of the French Department will accompany the girls to France in the summer term.
BP Schools Essay, 1978 The competition, run in aswiation with the annual BP Schools Lecture, is open to school pupils in the 14-15 age range throughout the North of Scotland and is organised jointly by RGIT and BP. This year the subject chosen was a very topical one: "Will the inventiveness of Man continue to solve his ever-increasing demand for energy?" For the fourth successive year Grammar School pupils have appeared on the prizelists, Lindsay Dron of Class IV gaining a minor award this year.
Former Pupils' Club Section (Club Founded 11 September 1893)
Club Office-Bearers, 197St-80 Honorary President: ROBERT DOUGLAS GILL, M A
(Rector)
Honorary Vice-presidents: ARTHUR). ADAMS (1919-30), B.Sc.. (yr"
M R C.V.5
GEORGE E. C. BARTON (1923-26), M.A ERIC Ros BIRKETr (1920-22), C.A. JOSEPH R. CARRY (1918-30), M.B.E.. T.D. DOUGLAS P. COCHRAN (1906-15),
A.A.I.B
JOHN W. CRADOCK (1941-46), C.A. ALFRED J. M. EDWARDS (1908-21). M.A. ALLAN C. FRASER (1925-30), M.A., U..B.. W.S. ALEXANDER GRAY (1910-22), M.A.. U. B. THE HON. LORD JOHNSTON (1913-26). JOHN A. LILLIE (1893-1903), LL.D., M.A., LL.B.. Q.C. J. FRASER MCLUSKEY (1920-31) M.C.. D.D.
I AN G. MCPHERSON (1910-17). SIR LESUE D. MAYOR (1923-33), K.C.B . A.F.C., R.A.F. ROBERT A. E. MENNIE (1924-36), M.A. THE RT. HON. LORD MESTON (1901-02). JAMES S. G. MUNRO (1922-28), M.R.F.., I D.. B.I.. J. LENNOX RIDDEU (1907-16). JOHN V. SKINNER, M.A . M.LITT . DIP ED . ) P (Rector, 1959-72). ALAN C. R. WArr (1925-37), m A.. 11.8. EDWARD). WOOD (1908-21), MA
President: WILLIAM LEWIS CONNON (1930-40), B.1
Vice-President of Club and Chairman of Executive: BRIAN K. CROOKSHANKS (1934-46), T.D.. M.A.. LL.B
Secretary: JOHN F. HENDRY (1951-65), LLB
36 Albyn Place, Aberdeen AB9 !YU
Treasurer: COON C. ALLAN (1936- 45), c A
63 Gray Street, Aberdeen AB1 6JD
General Editor of Magazine: DAVID K. YULE (1951-65), M.A 11 Kinkell Road, Aberdeen, AB1 8HQ.
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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine
Secretaries of Centres Edinburgh—NIGEL G. WArr (1963-69), W s . 10 Atholl Crescent. Edinburgh EH3 8HE. Glasgow—DR AusTeN J. S. GARDINER (1939-51), Farringford, St. Margaret's Drive, Dunblane, Perthshire. London—ANDREW S. NOBLE (1939-52), Ni A . F C.M.A . 62 Woodside, Wimbledon. London SW19. Yorkshire—JAmes A. N. WATT (1927-39), 50 Southella Way. Kirkella, Hull HU10 7LS. Ireland—ANDREW M. M. STEVEN (1936-50), M . A . . LLB. DIP.ED . 5 Beechill Avenue. Saintfield Road, Belfast BT8 4NS. Secretaries of Sections Cricket—DR W. AUSTAIR STEWART (1939-47). 56 Forbesfield Road, Aberdeen AB1 6PA. Curling—ALAsTAIR C. MAITLAND (1943-52), 1 Harlaw Terrace. Aberdeen AB1 6YU. Golf—ALEXANDER J. SIMPSON (1954-60), 426 Clifton Road, Aberdeen AB2 2EJ. Hockey—DENTS N. YULE (1960-66), a.B , 14 Lochside Road, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen AB2 8AE. Photographic—HUNTER Will (1948-62), 132 S. Anderson Drive, Aberdeen AB1 6LU. Rugby—JAMES A. LEASK (1960-66), 6B Queen's Road, Aberdeen ABI 6YE. Swimming—MELVILLE F. WATSON (1942-56), B L
2 Bon-Accord Crescent, Aberdeen
ABI 2DH. Executive Committee The Vice-President of the Club, Chairman Vice-Chairman—PROF. PHILIP N. LOVE (1952-58) The Secretary, the Treasurer and the General Editor of the Magazine, ex officals' The Rector of the School, ex officio ALLAN A. Boum (1970-76) DALLAS G. MOIR (1969-75) ALAN G. CAMPBELL (1959-65) JEREMY D. MOIR (1969-75) RONALD R. COMBER (1947-53) HARVEY E. MORRISON (1951-65) JOHN P. DRUMMOND (1947-58) CHARLES RITCHIE (1945-51) HARRY A. FORBES (1943-56) GEORGE A. ROBB (1946-60) JAMES C. LYON (1953- 59) DR W. A. STEWART (1939-47) KENNETH G. MACKIE (1950-64) G. FRASER WEBSTER (1949-62) DENTS N. YULE (1960 -66) Section Representatives Club Centre—RICHARD H. W. CRADOCK (1940-41, 44-51) Cricket—IAN P. SourER (1947-61) Curling—AL/STAIR C. MAITLAND (1943-52) GolfJAMES M. CLARK (1947-59) Hockey JOHN A. SMITH (1966-72) Rugby—JAMES A. LEASK (1960-66) Staff—Roy S. FALCONER Swimming—H. A. BARRIE HARPER (1950 -57) Auditors MESSRS BOWER & SMITH C A
Annual General Meeting The Seventy-seventh Annual General Meeting of the Club was held in the Club Centre, 86 Queen's Road, Aberdeen on Monday 26 March 1979. Executive Report
The following are extracts from the Executive Report submitted to the meeting by the Chairman. Finance As in the preceding year, the past twelve months had been fairly uneventful, and the Executive's principal concern had been rising costs, particularly those arising from the production of the Magazine. To offset additional Club expenditure subscriptions had been raised, and a second raffle had been held at the Annual Ball, the latter having proved both financially successful and socially acceptable. School and Amenities Fund The close liaison between School and Club had been maintained and the Rector was to be congratulated on his individual contribution to the fostering of that relationship. Grants totalling approximately £600 had been awarded from the Amenities Fund to a number of the very varied but uniformly active and enthusiastic School Clubs and Societies. Social The success of the Annual Dinner and the Annual Ball was a credit to the efforts and abilities of the Entertainments Secretary, Mr. James Lyon.
General Business Brief reports on the year's activities were submitted by representatives of the Sections and of the Club Centre. Full reports may be read elsewhere in this Magazine. The accounts for the year, duly audited and certified, were submitted and approved. An abstract of the accounts is published at the end of this Magazine, and the full statement of accounts is available from the Secretary. Office bearers for the year 1979--80 were elected in accordance with the list immediately preceding this report. The meeting particularly welcomed the Chairman's proposal that Mr. A. J. M. Edwards be elected an Honorary Vice-President of the Club. Although Mr. Edwards had never been able to accept election as President of the Club, he had served on the Executive Committee for a number of years from time to time, and had long been a loyal and respected member of the Club, and was recognised as one of the Club's best ambassadors. The meeting noted with sorrow the recent and tragic death of Miss Beattie Brown. The large numbers of F.P.s of widely differing ages who had attended Miss Brown's funeral had been indicative of the high esteem in which Miss Brown had been held as a loyal servant of the School and as a member of the F.P. Club. The Club's gratitude was expressed to Mr. D. N. Georgeson for his efficient chairmanship in the direction of Club affairs during his two years of office as Chairman of the Executive Committee. The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the new Chairman, Mr. B. K. Crookshanks, who presided over the latter part of the meeting.
Our President William Lewis Connon (1930- 40), B.L. Ckib Presidents come in various ages, shapes and sizes and sometimes not to the taste of everyone. Nevertheless, I am certain that the choice of the Club this year, William Lewis Connon, Advocate in Aberdeen, will be one that will receive the unanimous approval of all. 43
F.P. Club President 1979—80 William Lewis Connon (1930-40), B.L.
Our President
45
Bill Connon attended the School from 1930 to 1940 and was one of that vast tribe of Connons who proliferated as pupils during the 1930s and early 1940s, a tribe whose relational complexities are such that the unravelling of them would bemuse the Court of the Lord Lyon King at Arms. He was scrum half in the School XV of 1939/40 and took an active interest in swimming and athletics, as also scouting and the literary and debating society. On leaving school he attended University for a short time before volunteering for the Royal Air Force in which he served as a Wireless/Radar Mechanic in sundry stations at home and overseas. On returning from service our President entered the Law Faculty at Aberdeen University and in 1949 graduated B.L. He served his apprenticeship with the firm of Mackenzie & Wilson and thereafter has continued with that firm first of all as an assistant and for the last many years as a partner. By his diligence and sound common sense and with his ability to give good and helpful advice to all he has built up a large and grateful circle of clients and friends in the profession. Immediately on his return to Aberdeen, Bill took an active interest in Grammar F.P. affairs. He joined the Rugby Section and, although having been scrum half as a schoolboy, as a result of a fit of puckish lunacy by the Selection Committee, he suddenly found himself playing as a prop forward in the front row where he performed with great satisfaction for the outstanding sides that the Section fielded during the late 1940s. He also played for several years in the very successful seven-a-side teams of that period. Always a keen golfer be became one of the founder members of the Golf Section and has served his term of office as captain of that section. He was elected to the Executive Committee in 1948, served for a term as Entertainments Secretary and after lengthy committee experience was ViceChairman of the Club and Chairman of the Executive in the years 1965-67. His years as Chairman of the Executive were arduous as he was involved in the lengthy and difficult discussions prior to the introduction of comprehensive education. Reference has already been made to Bill's interest in golf, and his fellow golfers soon realised his administrative efficiency. He was secretary of Murcar Golf Club and of the Northern Open Golf Championship, President of the North East District of the Scottish Golf Union and finally a member of the executive committee of the Scottish Golf Union. Not content with these offices he also took a great interest in boys golf, of which he has been North East District Convener since 1968. In 1959 he turned his interest back to his first love, namely rugby football, when he was appointed Secretary of the North District Rugby Union and in 1968 was elected as the North District Representative on the Scottish Rugby Union. He served in this office until 1973 when he became a special representative and senior member of the Scottish Rugby Union Committee. He has carried more than his share of the extra work in which the Union has become involved in recent years arising out of sponsorship, advertising, coaching and numerous other innovations. His biggest contribution to the game, however, has been his convenership of the Championship Committee which was responsible for the planning, introduction and successful running of the new Scottish Rugby Union Championship. Although these activities would appear sufficient for any normal person in addition to the heavy and time consuming work of a busy practising solicitor (!) our President has been able to devote time to other various activities. In the canine world he was secretary of the Bon-Accord Kennel Association for some time, which duty, probably for his own good, confined him to the Music Hall on New Year's Day along with several hundred dogs. In the ecclesiastic world
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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine
he was Clerk to the board of St. Ninian's Church and in the Social and Bibulous world he served for five years as secretary of the Constitutional Club. In all these activities he brought to his work the same diligence and concentration that has been a by-word at every activity which he has undertaken. From this encomium it would appear that Bill Connon is a diligent dry as dust individual who spends his life enclosed by the four walls of his musty writing chambers giving sound advice to his clients; closeted in the Committee room attempting the impossible task of persuading the sundry committees on which he serves to come to some form of reasonable answer to their problems; eternally writing out a record of the lengthy irrelevant ramblings and nodecision making of the said committees. Nothing could be further from the truth. He is a man who finds the greatest enjoyment in life and is full of fun; who takes the greatest pleasure in the company of his fellow men and women be it in Club, pub, coffee room or playing field; who takes it gravely amiss should pressure of work force him to miss his daily coffee, and who, when there, carries on a warfare of attrition in badinage—not always successfully—with the waitress; who adds sparkle to any social occasion which he attends and whose attitude to life, once work is over and business is done, is summed up in the words of Charles Murray— "Aye faur there's fun at Pase or Yeel Gin I be livin' I'll be there." Our President is a worthy successor to the many illustrious men who held this position and the Club wishes him well in his year of office. N.I.W.M.
Life Membership Members will observe from the Abstract of Accounts printed elsewhere in the Magazine that the cost of printing and postage of the Magazine accounts for nearly one third of the expenditure of the Club. Each copy of the Magazine costs nearly £1, a figure which will undoubtedly increase in the future. Your Executive are very conscious of the expense of producing the Magazine, which in many cases is the only link members have with the School and the Club, and are constantly seeking ways to contain this ever-increasing cost. Over the years the rates of Subscriptions have been raised to keep the finances of the Club in balance as under: Full Ordinary Membership £0.25 1.00 2.00 4.00
Life Membership £5.00 15.00 25.00 50.00
1939 1954 1976 1979 The income from a Life Membership produces a sum, at today's rates of interest, roughly equivalent to an Annual Subscription, which has not always been the case in the past. At one time the Life Subscription was much lower than the pre-war £5 quoted above, and in 1955 many Life Members responded to a Special Appeal to make up some of the difference between what they had originally paid and the rate then in force. It is thought that some may wish to do so now. Any contribution will be gratefully acknowledged by the Treasurer.
Centre Reports Edinburgh The Annual Dinner was held in the Carlton Hotel, on the eve of the Scotland—Wales International at Murrayfield with fifty-two F.P.s and guests attending. The Very Rev. George T. H. Reid, M C.. B D . D.D. proposed the Toast "The School and the Club" and suitable replies were made by the Rector, Robert D. Gill and the President of the Parent Club, Arthur J. Adams. Considering the atrocious weather the attendance was very encouraging and a successful evening was assured under the Chairmanship of the Rev. John F. Kirk, the President of the Centre. Next year's dinner will again be held in the Carlton Hotel on 14 March 1980, the eve of the Scotland—England International, under the Chairmanship of our new President, George A. MacNab, F R.1.B.A., F.R.T.P.I Any member wishing to attend this function should contact the Secretary at the beginning of 1980. In December another successful Cheese and Wine Party was held in the Caledonian Club, Abercromby Place and was attended by twenty-five F.P.s and guests who enjoyed an informal evening. This function is now to be held on an annual basis and again any F.P.s in the Edinburgh area are very welcome to attend at minimal cost. A Golf Outing has been arranged at Bruntsfield on Wednesday 4 July 1979 and any F.P.s interested should contact the Secretary. Any non-golfers will be made most welcome at the High Tea to be held in the Clubhouse afterwards. The following attended the 1979 dinner: Robert D. Gill (Rector), Arthur). Adams, C. C. Allan, D. A. Brittain, W. M. Brown, D. R. B. Cay, R. R. Comber, T. G. Courts, E. Craig, J. W. Cradock, R. H. Cradock, J. Craig, B. K. Crookshanks, Dr..). Dow, B. M. Drummond, H. Duncan, J. E. Fraser, D. N. Georgeson, G. F. Hendry, J. F. Hendry, D. G. Kilgour, John F. Kirk, Sheriff J. A. Lillie. D. I. K. McLeod, George A. MacNab, H. E. Morrison. J. B. Rennie, G. B. C. Sangster, A. Stewart, W. D. D. Wallace, A. C. R. Watt. N. G. M. Watt, R. A. Williamson. London This has been a year of change for the London Centre—a change which has
come late to the bastions of male dominance in the South although it came to the School several years ago. The Executive Committee decided to invite ladies, whether F.P.s in their own right or guests, to the Annual Dinner. Through the good offices of Robert Steven, this was held at the Institute of Directors in Pall Mall on 1 December—another change since, most regrettably, the Caledonian Club seems to have abandoned its long-held policy of nurturing the clubs of Scottish schools. Forty seven members and guests enjoyed a happy evening. The guest of honour, Kcn Peters, delighted us with his quite amazing toast in rhyme to "the School and the Club". The Rector and the Club President, Mr. Arthur Adams, replied and we had a word of greeting both from and for Doug Georgeson. John Jones continues to preside benignly over our affairs as President of the London Centre. Earlier in the year the Spring Supper and Annual General Meeting was held at the Caledonian Club on Friday 19 May. Twenty-three members were present and this gradual increase in numbers is encouraging. We continue to follow the policy of subsidising "first attenders" and hope to see a few more in 1979. The Committee of the London Centre continues to debate the question of other social activities for members. Dr. Stuart Mitchell hopes to introduce new activities as an experiment this summer, but this is a difficult task for a club 47
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whose members are geographically scattered and of widely differing ages. The Secretary would be glad to hear from any member of the Centre who has ideas on this subject. As always, he hopes that any F.P. new to London will contact him on arrival. Those attending the annual dinner were: J. W. Baird, John W. Benzie, R. D. Bruce, J. R. W. Catto, W. T. Stephen, John Clark, Mrs. Clark, Kenneth Coutts, G. S. Denny, J. B. Davidson, Ian Duguid, Ian Clubb, Norman Garden, Mrs. M. Garden, W. W. Georgeson, Mrs. A. Georgeson, David R. Gordon, Kenneth Gorrod, John G. W. Jones, Mrs. H. A. Jones, Malcolm Lyall, Mrs. Lyall, Peter MacPhee, J. McLuskey, Stuart J. Mitchell, Mrs. S. J. Mitchell. A. S. Noble, Mrs. M. B. Noble, D. S. Robbie, Mrs Terry Robbie, Norman Robson, Robert Steven, Mrs. J. C. Steven. A. Y. Stirrat, Ian B. Taylor, J. L. S. Thomson, Mrs. J. Thomson, Alfred Walker, James Paterson. Special Guests: Mr. R. A. E. Mennic, Mr. A. J. Adams and Mrs. Adams, Mr. D. Georgeson, Mr. K. J. Peters and Mrs. Peters, Mr. R. D. Gill, Mr. Yule, Mr. Fulton Patterson (London Gordonians) Mr. A. W. Martin (London Heriot Club). Yorkshire The reunion dinner was held on 29 September 1978. The traditional informality was tinged both with sadness, at the death earlier that year of Ian Innes, a founder-member and loyal supporter of the Centre, and with pride, in the appointment of our local president, Arthur Adams, as president of the parent club. We were delighted to have with us a strong representation from Aberdeen, who bring us recognition, and welcome news of School and Club. Those present were: L. G. Boyd (1918-29), A. J. Adams (1920-30), J. A. N. West (1927-39), W. J. Alexander (1931-43), D. G. Joss (1947-54), A. J. Miller (1942-55), M. A. Batchelor (1954-65) and our guests: R. D. Gill (Rector), D. N. Georgeson (1929-40), D. K. Yule (1951-65). We hope to hold the 1979 dinner on Friday 5 October in Knaresborough. Any member of the parent club who will be within reach of Knaresborough on that day will be most welcome and should contact the Centre Secretary, J. A. N. Watt, telephone 0482-650144. In the spring of 1979 members and wives enjoyed an informal theatre evening and supper, in York, organised by Martyn Batchelor.
Club Consuls The present Executive Committee have had it in mind to revive the Consul System which operated within the Club for a number of years. It is hoped that any F.P.s living outwith the U.K. might contact the Secretary indicating a willingness to act as Consul or even as "Contact-man" in their part of the world. It is envisaged that the functions of a Consul would be only as onerous as the individual Consul wished to make it, and the system, if revived, would provide at least initial contact for F.P.s visiting or even settling in parts of the world with which they were unfamiliar. The names and addresses of the two Consuls already approved by the Executive arc as follows: Malawi United States
—Alasdair H. McLeod (1947-61), P.O. Box 30045, Lilongwe 3. Republic of Malawi, Central Africa. —Brian S. Gray (1943-49), 8113 Fenway Road, Bethesda, Maryland 20034.
Section Reports
49
Section Reports Cricket As mentioned in last year's Magazine, the cricket section suffered a sad blow through the untimely death of Sandy Davidson in his first year as president of the section. His cheery presence and wry humour will be sadly missed. To those who played with him, he will be remembered as one of the most successful bowlers the section has ever had and someone who constantly encouraged young players. Sandy's widow has kindly donated a splendid trophy to the club, "The Sandy Davidson Memorial Trophy", to be awarded to the individual who has done most for the section in any year. It is fitting that John (Sam) Rennie was the first recipient. The 1978 season was memorable for its dampness, soft wickets and generally unpleasant weather. The Strathmore side ended fifth in the league, the top Aberdeen Club. Richard Ferro won the section batting cup, his highest scores being 96 n.o. and 88. The section bowling cup was retained by John Pickard taking 48 wickets at an average of 12.06. Pride of place this year must go to the Grade XI which showed a marked improvement in 1978 and enjoyed an extremely successful season, finishing top of Grade III by the convincing margin of 16 points and thus gaining promotion. Only the first match of the season and, against all the odds, the Cup Final were lost, the team's full league record reading: Played 18, Won 13, Drawn 4, Lost 1. While much of the XI's success was due to teamwork, mention must be made of the exceptional batting performance of David Robertson, who accumulated 403 runs at an average of just over 100. an achievement which (not surprisingly) earned him the Grade ill Batting Cup. The other major rungetters were Ray Binner, with 378 runs at over 29 each, and David Leiper, with 294 runs at around 25 each. The latter's century in 50 minutes against St. Ronald at Duthie Park was a memorable innings, and his undefeated partnership of 132 with David Robertson (who scored 98 not out on that occasion) against Boddam at Rubislaw was another highlight. The captain also made some valuable contributions, often at considerable length. The main wicket-takers were John Hobbs and Peter Tees. John's 31 wickets, which included an outstanding 6 for 6 at Banchory, were obtained at under 7 runs apiece. and he finished a very close second in the Grade III averages; his departure for Botswana is a great loss. Peter took 33 wickets at 9 apiece and often bowled extremely well without a lot of luck. In his few appearances for the Grade XI Oily Will was a prolific wicket-raker, and David Stewart also had his moments of glory. A feature of the season was the excellent fielding, with some splendid catches being taken, notably by the younger members of the side. Indeed the most encouraging aspect was the number of schoolboys who turned out, sometimes as many as 6 in the same side; of these, Gordon Fraser and David Mitchell showed particular promise, in addition of course to David Leiper who is assured of a great future in the game. Curling
The Curling Section has now been established for the best part of two seasons and during the current year the F.P. Club Executive Committee kindly accepted our Constitution, so that the members now feel that the Section "has arrived". This season started with an unfortunate accident to one of our new members, Bob Stewart, who slipped and fell, breaking his thigh bone while
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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine
sweeping for a team mate. He has made a fairly good recovery and we hope that he will want to curl again soon. A system of leagues was established within the Section at the start of the season. Arthur Sinclair's rink claims to be the champions but this is in dispute as the Secretary has not received any result cards. It has proved to be difficult to find rinks to play in local sponsored bonspiels because they usually include a midweek session during working hours. Rinks, however, have played with great enjoyment but with little success in four of these events. The Secretary is indebted to those who "skived" off work to play. The highlight of this season for the whole Scottish curling fraternity was the actual staging of the Grand Match. This took place on the Lake of Menteith which achieved the necessary six inches plus of ice for the first time in sixteen years. F.P.s were invited to send a rink (one of 300) to represent the North against the South. There was feverish activity in the office of a well-known Aberdeen Trawl Owners trying to find sufficient players to form a rink along with curling stones and other equipment required, all at one day's notice. The rink, chosen by availability only, Eric Craig (Skip), Joe Craig, Richard Cradock and Donald Mackie, left Aberdeen by bus at 6 a.m. and joined the 2,400 other curlers at the loch. By all accounts they had a "very enjoyable" outing, although it is rumoured that they lost more than their individual match. By the time of publication it is hoped that a successful dinner will have taken place under the chairmanship of our president, John Cradock.
Golf The Section had a very enjoyable and successful season with outings at Turriff, Ballater, Huntly and Braemar, the last-mentioned being a joint outing with the Petroleum Club. Attendances averaged around 40 and some excellent scores were recorded. The H.A.R. Trophy was won by the Section from Gordonians, while the Challenge Cup was retained without a ball being hit in anger as Gordonians could not raise a team. In the Queen Elizabeth Tournament at Barnton, F.P.s progressed to the second round with a win over Old Sedberghians but were then defeated by Dollar Accies. G. F. Webster was elected Captain for the Season 1978/79 with J. M. Clark as his deputy. At the 1978 Dinner, our retiring Captain R. H. Cradock, presented the Section with a chain of office. To mark the retirement of C. C. Allan as Secretary/Treasurer, members of the Section presented him with a whisky decanter and glasses as a token of appreciation for his many years of sterling work. Mr. Allan donated a Trophy to the Section to be awarded to the runnerup to the Scratch Prize. The Annual Dinner has been arranged for Friday 16 November 1979 in the Crescent Hotel. Trophy Winners for 1977/78 were: Russell Henderson Cup Walker Cup Jeffrey Mug Gibb Thow Trophy
R. H. Cradock B. J. Hadden A. C. Maitland J. F. Hendry
Alison Fowlie Trophy Carry Cup Maitland Bowl Craig Spoon
M. J. G. Henderson A. J. Simpson D. G. Dempster R. H. R. Mackie
Section Reports
51
Hockey Recently the loss of many established players has created unprecedented problems for the management and selection committees, but, after an extended period of rebuilding, the youngsters have gradually replaced the talent of yesteryear. At the beginning of the 1978/79 season we struggled to field four Xls, but, as the season progressed, new members filled the vacancies. Throughout the season we were also greatly afflicted by the weather with more matches cancelled than played. The long lay-off hindered the development of team cohesion, and laid a heavy burden of rearranging fixtures on our match secretary. Under the able leadership of Fred Lawson and his vice-captain, Alan Prosser, our "new look" 1st Xl has been developing and maturing gradually. There being no demotion from the 1st Division this season, owing to a reorganisation of the league structure, the opportunity was taken to experiment with tactics and personnel for the benefit of future seasons. We were narrowly defeated by most teams in our section (usually by the odd goal) but as the team matured, wins over Waverley and Dundee Wanderers and a fighting draw with local rivals Ruthrieston gave the side much needed confidence in themselves. The 2nd and 3rd XIs have also suffered as a consequence of low numbers and through the promotion of players to the 1st XI, but on the whole have played well, maintaining their positions in both leagues. Grammarians continue to enjoy their games and some new faces have replaced a number of our recently retired and injured members. Our indoor hockey team guided and encouraged by Fred Lawson, had a very successful season, finishing a creditable third in the league. Ian Middleton has been missed this season owing to a back injury, but fortunately he is now fully recovered and rejoins John Drummond, Neil Buxton and Martin Campbell as "whistlers" at the highest levels of the game. One of the highlights of the season was a very enjoyable weekend in Cork, the only disappointment of which was the poor response from the younger members. Our social activities included a successful dinner dance in the Lang Stracht Hotel and a well-attended disco/supper held jointly with Aberdeen Wanderers Ladies Hockey Club in the Club Centre. At the former function Bill Gatt was presented with a silver salver in recognition of his long and faithful service to the Club both on and off the field. The Graham Fraser Trophy was awarded to Murray Bisset by Mr. Tom Fraser, who honoured us with a moving speech. Our elected officials for next season arc: James C. Lyon, (Club captain), Alan J. Prosser (1st XI captain), Fred K. S. Lawson (Vice captain), Ken Mackie (2nd XI captain) Kevan Pixie (Vice captain), Tom Fraser (3rd XI captain) Graham Duthie (Vice captain) and Mike Murray (Grammarian XI captain). Photographic The Photographic Section has had a good first year. Our dark room in the Club Centre is now fully operational and is in regular use. The Section has a membership of around 15 which is an increase over last year, but new members would still be most welcome. Our first Annual General Meeting was held on the 14 March. The draft Constitution with comments from the F.P. Executive Committee was approved with some minor amendments. At the same meeting it was decided to spend a substantial proportion of our capital to buy a good quality enlarger
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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine
capable initially of black and white enlargement but readily adaptable to colour enlarging in the future. This year we hope to organise lectures for beginners and some competitions in which all members can compete. Details of these will be displayed in the Club Centre with a view to making our activities widely known. Rugby The 1st XV had a poor start to the 1978/79 season, winning just one game out of the seven played in September, but had some success in the early Division Four League games and at one time appeared to be serious promotion contenders until successive defeats by Kirkcaldy and Dalziel halted a run of success. A very bad winter led to only one game being played during January and February and it was almost like the start of a new season when March arrived and grounds became playable. We then suffered a bad defeat at the hands of Aberdeen University which was reminiscent of our start of season performances, although in our last game against Musselburgh, the Division Four leaders, we were unfortunate to lose by 9-7. We had a full sevens programme in April, the highlight of which was winning the Garioch Sevens Tournament at Inverurie, some small reward to Bill Davidson for his season's efforts as captain. The 2nd XV met stiff competition in the Midlands District League and (hopefully) have avoided relegation to Division Two by a magnificent 42 -0 victory with a very makeshift team over Perthshire in a midweek rearranged game. It is a pity that the spirit and determination shown in this game had not been shown consistently throughout the season. The 3rd XV also met with stiff opposition in the Aberdeen and District League and found no game an easy encounter. Points were hard won and a good standard of rugby was achieved. The fact that a 4th XV was fielded on five successive Saturdays reflects favourably on the numbers of playing members prepared to turn out on a Saturday, and on the enthusiasm for the game that is still shown by some of our more mature members. The playing record of the section was:
1st XV 2nd XV 3rd XV 4th XV
Played 24 22 15 5
Won 9 7 7 4
Lost 14 13 8 1
Drawn 1 2 0 0
For 317 224 204 104
Points Against 418 263 231 28
Representative selection was achieved by George Bowie, who played for the North and Midlands under 23 team against Glasgow and in the North under 21 Select against London Scottish. Dallas Moir and Gordon Innes also played in the latter game, while Blair Georgeson was selected but was unavailable to play. Full colours for 1978/79 were awarded to George Bowie and Half Colours to Bill Davidson, Arthur McCulloch (who was appointed vice-captain prior to the start of the playing season), Benny Elrick, Chris Gallon, Phil Howe and Ray Young. The "Young Player of the Year" trophy was awarded to George Bowie and the Georgeson Trophy for the "Clubman of the Year" was awarded to Jim Leask. The section acknowledges with thanks the efforts of the Ladies Committee, Bill Allan the groundsman, Alan Duncan for coaching and those involved in the fund raising and management of the Section.
Section Reports
53
The officials elected for season 1979180 arc Dick Cradock (President), Ian Gilbert (Captain), Ray Young (Vice-captain), Jim Leask (Secretary), Mike Gibb (Fixtures Secretary), Geddie Hay (Treasurer) and Al Smith (Team Secretary). The preparation for the new season will begin towards the end of July 1979, and school leavers interested in playing senior rugby arc encouraged to come along to our Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday sessions at Rubislaw, where they will b,e most welcome. Swimming This Session, unfortunately, began badly for the Section since we were deprived of some of our time in the Pool on Tuesday evenings by the intervention of other organisations. As time went on, however, one of these groups fell by the wayside and we are now almost fully restored to the position which we have enjoyed over the past fifteen years. It is hoped that next Session things will have returned to normal. As in the past, we still enjoy our "Family Session" from 6.30 to 7.30 p.m. and thereafter there is free swimming for members and guests. New members are always welcome.
Club Centre The Club Centre continues to fulfil its functions very adequately as a focal point for Former Pupils both in Aberdeen and elsewhere and as a social centre for the various Club sections. The Membership at the end of 1978 stood at 1046, very slightly down on the previous year, but this year should see the first big influx of female members which it is hoped will give a major impetus to applications for membership from both sexes. Since the last edition of the Magazine two major development projects have been completed. The Sports Bar in the basement has been doubled in size, redecorated and refurnished to provide greatly improved facilities for aftermatch entertainment and for Club Centre and private functions. The bar is now capable of being divided if required by a sliding partition, and improved toilet facilities have also been installed. On the first floor the Committee Room has been completely redecorated and refurnished to a high standard, and now provides the ideal setting for meetings and the more sedate functions. At the Annual General Meeting Eric Craig intimated his intention to demit office after five years as Chairman of the Management Committee. During that period Eric has been responsible for overseeing major projects at the Club Centre, including the creation of the present Lounge Bar and the development of the Sports Bar and the Committee Room mentioned above. In connection with these and all Club Centre affairs he has willingly given a large amount of personal time and effort, and the Club Centre has been most fortunate in having him at the helm during a very significant period in its development. He is to be succeeded as Chairman by Richard H. Cradock. Once again we have to thank Bill and Mrs. Mackie and their staff for their work during the year. Their efficient and willing performance of their duties more than anything continues to make the Club Centre the agreeable place it is. For those F.P.s who are not yet Members there is an application form elsewhere in this Magazine, and it may be pointed out that for those who live more than fifty miles from the Club Centre the subscription is reduced by one half.
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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine
Annual Dinner The Annual Dinner of the Club was held in the Royal Darroch Hotel, Cults on 27 October 1978. and was attended by 124 members and guests. Although the Executive Committee has heard suggestions that it may be time to consider a change in style for the Dinner (particularly in view of the disappointingly low attendance of recent schoolleavers reported in last year's Magazine), and is prepared to consider the question further, the 1978 Dinner was held according to the long-established traditional format. and was greatly enjoyed by the many F.P.s who supported the function. The principal toast, "The School and the Club", was proposed by Dr. H. G. Smylie, Senior Lecturer and Honorary Consultant in Bacteriology, who professed himself greatly honoured to have been invited to do so, and in a wittily inventive speech exhorted the company to maintain the principles of a Grammar School education in the face of changes in society which did not always seem to favour such principles. Those sympathetic sentiments were particularly gratifying from a man whose tribe of rugbyplaying sons has proved more than slightly troublesome to F.P. sides in their encounters with both Gordonians and Aberdeen University. The Rector and the President, Arthur Adams (whose couthy chairmanship of the whole proceedings was greatly appreciated), made suitable and well-received replies, and Robert Ewen, Deputy Secretary of the University of Aberdeen, spoke entertainingly on behalf of the guests. Although all the speeches were greeted with enthusiastic applause. it is reasonable to mention that Ron "Tarzan" McLeod's toast to the guests was accorded a particularly hearty response. While many of the company could remember how his wit could lighten the weary minutes of a Latin period, flushed with the after-dinner glow of his excellently presented and sometimes bawdy stories, they only remembered the greatly dreaded combination of Mr. McLeod and the "Approach to Latin Writing" as vying in levity with "The Two Ronnics".
Needless to report, the Entertainments Committee is already preparing for next year's functions, but found itself diverted temporarily from its proper business at its last meeting, when it considered whether it should apply on behalf of the Club for an entry in the Guinness Book of Records as the tallest recorded committee at an average height of 6 feet 4 inches. Members present (in ascending order of height) were John Drummond (6' 1"), Fraser Webster (6' 2"), Jim Lyon (6' 4"), David Yule (6' 5') and Jeremy Moir (6' 8').
9th Scout Group In last year's Magazine the 9th Scout Group announced that a Reunion Dinner would be held to celebrate our 70th Anniversary, and requested replies from former members of the Group. The response was very good and it is a pleasure to report that a Reunion Dinner was held on 30 September at the Treetops Hotel attended by around 40 members covering some 65 years of the 70 years life of the Group. Many old members met for the first time in years and, with a good meal and good speeches, an enjoyable evening was had by all. All present suggested that our 75th Anniversary should be marked by another Reunion Dinner. Watch this space for details in 1983.
William Francis Anderson (1958-64) has been appointed Manager of Contract and Self Drive Hire by Cordiners Cars and Trucks at Inverness. After leaving School he worked in the motor insurance department of General Accident Insurance and thereafter joined a car and van hire company in Aberdeen. Keith G. Andrews (1968-74), M.A., graduated in 1978 from the University of Aberdeen with honours in English Literature and Language. He also gained distinction in being awarded the Seafield Medal which is presented annually, one for the best Latin Scholar and one for the best English scholar. He has been awarded a major Scottish Scholarship and will be undertaking postgraduate research in Scottish Literature at Edinburgh University. Gordon Grant Benton (1946-50) has been appointed an officer of the Order of the British Empire in the Overseas list of the New Year Honours. An architect, he was honoured for his work for the British Community in Jakarta where he has lived for the past ten years. He takes an interest in all facets of relationships between East and West and has researched into the culture and history of Indonesia. He is well known for his work on the Executive Committee which organises the Jakarta Highland Games which attracts ex-patriot Scots from as far away as Hong Kong and Australia. He is also involved with the Java St. Andrew's Society and in 1974 was its Chieftain. Frank Charles Briscoe Black (1914-17) recently celebrated his 72nd birthday by playing 72 holes of golf in one day to raise money for the Linburn Home for War Blinded. He was sponsored for the number of holes he completed over the Luffness course and he completed his target after teeing off for the first time at 6.30 a.m. Prior to his retirement he served with the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank in Hong Kong. Donald Charles Blair (1960-65) has been appointed Middle East Manager of the American Oilfield Equipment Company, Sweco Inc., part of the giant U.S. Emerson Electric Group. He joined D. C. Thomson & Co., Ltd. in Dundee as a trainee journalist on leaving school, and in 1969 returned to Aberdeen to represent the Glasgow Herald where he was closely involved in reporting and commenting on the development of the North Sea oil industry. He participated in the formation of a communications company in Aberdeen offering a range of services to the oil industry and subsequently left journalism to join Air Call Ltd., who acquired the Aberdeen company. He was their North of Scotland Manager for four years and was responsible for the introduction of the now familiar pocket "bleeper" service in Aberdeen. Now living in Athens, he travels extensively to the U.S.A., Europe, Africa and the Middle East. 55
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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine
Colin Glynn Frederick Brockie (1955-60), B.sc.. B.D . was inducted to his second charge of Grange Church, Kilmarnock in 1978 having served for nine and a half years in St. Martin's Parish Church, Edinburgh. W. Barton Brown (1943-57), B.Sc. (Eng.). M.I.C.E. (C. Eng), who is employed by Messrs. Fairhurst Partners, Glasgow is at present Resident Engineer at Argyle Street Railway Station which is undergoing extensive reconstruction. Alan G. Campbell (1959-65), LLB . cycled, in August 1978, from Trinity College, Cambridge to Keith Hall, Inverurie in just under two days as part of the British Cycling Federation's celebration of the centenary of organised cycling in Britain. (It is believed to be the record for a Notes Editor). The event retraced a 500 mile journey undertaken by the first British cycling champion exactly one hundred years previously. Andrew M. Campbell (1942 -53) has taken up an appointment with the Newcastle Area Health Authority as Linen Service Manager at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle. He previously held a similar post with the Grampian Health Board. Alan John Chalmers (1959-62), who is an Instrumental Teacher in West Lothian, had the first public performance of his composition "Five Western Scenes" in the Music Hall, Aberdeen recently. On leaving school he entered an apprenticeship in photographic art at Davidsons Paper Mills and joined amateur orchestras as a woodwind player enjoying music to such an extent that he took the opportunity of becoming a Woodwind Instructor in West Lothian where he has now been for seven years. His piece "Five Western Scenes" is strongly influenced by Elmer Bernstein with whom he studied in California in 1976 and was scored for a traditional concert band of about sixty players. Martin James Craib (1961-74) is the youngest Air Traffic Controller on the staff at Aberdeen Airport. He trained in Bournemouth where as part of the course he was required to learn to fly and is now the holder of a private pilot's licence. John Martin Dalby (1946-60), B Mus.. who is Head of Music for BBC Scotland has been appointed to the Governing Council of the new Scottish National Youth Orchestra. James Gordon Dawson (1921- 34), B.Sc (Eng ). has been elected the new President of the 72,000—member Institution of Mechanical Engineers. After graduating at Aberdeen University he started his career with Rolls Royce Limited, Derby in 1938. He is currently Chairman and Managing Director of the Zenith Carburetter Co., Stanmore, Middlesex. Thomas Scott Davidson (1958-71), LL. B, has been assumed a partner in the Aberdeen Legal Firm of Messrs. Esslemont & Cameron and John Stott (1964-70) Li. B , has been assumed a partner in the firm of Messrs. Wilsone & Duffus. Alan Ewen Donald (1942 44), M A . who is British Ambassador to Zaire in Central Africa was created a Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George in the New Year's Honours List. Appointed to the post in Kinshasa at the end of 1977 his responsibilities have increased with the recent war in Zaire. Leo Durnin (1914-17), A.R.1.B.A.. F R I.A.S.. retired from the firm of Leo Durnin, Minto & Strachan, Architects, Aberdeen at the end of September 1978. He started the firm in 1945 having previously served as Deputy City Architect in Aberdeen for a number of years. Neil McCallum Fraser (1953-60) completed his schooling at George Heriot's School, Kingston Grammar School and Nottingham High School which he left in 1963 to take up a career in accountancy with British Gypsum Ltd. In 1969 he changed to the world of radio. TV and domestic appliance
Notes About Old Boys
57
retailing and after spells with the Greater Nottingham Co-operative Society as Group Merchandise Manager, and Baskill's Ltd. of Chesterfield as Sales Director, has joined Fortress Trading, the retail subsidiary of the Hong Kong Electric Company, in Hong Kong, as Sales and Marketing Manager. His father, Henry James Fraser (1918-22), following his retirement as Sales Director of Boots the Chemist spent eight years on Nottingham City Council from which he retired in 1975. He remains fit and well and continues to spend his retirement in Nottingham. Robert G. Gauld (1959--65), Dip. Arch Dip. U.D.. R.I.B.A.. A.R.I.A.S., became an associate in the firm of Baxter, Clark and Paul, Chartered Architects, Town Planning Consultants and Landscape Architects in April 1978. He is based at their Glasgow office. Alan Whyte Gullies (1954-59), after eighteen years with The Phoenix Insurance Group in Glasgow, Elgin and Inverness has now joined Fraser Tennent Insurance Brokers Ltd. as Manager of their recently opened Inverness office. Charles Ronald Gray (1956-61) was appointed in January 1979 to the post of Area Officer at Elgin for the North-East of Scotland Development Authority (NESDA). His duties will involve the promotion of industrial development in Moray and the Banff and Buchan Districts. Prior to his appointment he was a lecturer in marketing, accountancy and economics at the Moray College of Further Education and previously had a spell as a Circulation representative with Aberdeen Journals Limited and in the Internal Audit Department of Grampian Regional Council. Michael C. Hastie (1961-64) and Forbes McCallum (1959-65), M.A., represent the Wards of Seafield and Kaimhill in the City of Aberdeen District Council. They stand as Conservative and Liberal candidates respectively. Robert Middleton (1944-48) represents the Electoral Division of Cairncry (Aberdeen) on Grampian Regional Council where he is the leader of the Labour Group. Henry Charles Hopkins (1963-65) has gone to Mombasa, Kenya to take up an appointment as Chaplain in Charge with the Missions to Seamen, a world wide organisation for the physical and spiritual welfare of seamen of all nations. After studying theology at Coates Hall, Edinburgh he served as a Priest and later as a Curate at St. Martin's and St. Salvador's Churches in Dundee and, in 1974, was ordained the Rector of Holy Trinity Church, Monifieth. John Reid Inglis (1957-66), B.Sc.. is now an Assistant Editor of The Lancet in London having previously been engaged in post-graduate research in Edinburgh. Robert Alexander Inns (1928-31), B.Sc (For.). was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 1978 New Year's Honours List. Prior to his retirement at the end of 1977 he was Conservator of Forests for the North (Scotland) Conservancy of the Forestry Commission. Allan, Jermieson (1959-65) took up a teaching post in Kalulushi, Zambia, at the beginning of 1979 having previously taught in Dumbarton. In a note to the Editor he advises that whisky there costs £16 a bottle. His hobby is writing and, to date, he has had one book published. Douglas Harold Johnston (1913-26). The Queen has accepted the resignation of the Hon. Lord Johnston as a Senator of the College of Justice. Lord Johnston was called to the English Bar in 1931, to the Scottish Bar in 1932 and took silk in 1947. He was Solicitor General for Scotland from 1947 to 1951 and represented Paisley in Parliament from 1948 until his appointment in 1961 as a Senator of the College of Justice. He is a former President of the Club and of the Edinburgh Centre.
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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine
Michael George King (1951-60), B.Sc., Ph. D., after completing his doctorate at Aberdeen became a Research Fellow at the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission Laboratory in Ames, Iowa, followed by a lectureship in chem►stry at Fourah Bay College, Sierra Leone. He is now Senior Research Chemist with ASARCO, a major U.S. non-ferrous metal manufacturer and is based in Edison, New Jersey. A. Alexander Lawrence (1940-46), M B., Ch B . who is in General Practice in Buckic, has been appointed President of the North of Scotland Cricket Association for the next two years. Joseph Leiper (1953-59), M.A., Dip.Ed.. A.C.1.1., is now Assistant .Head Teacher at Bankhead Academy, Aberdeen. He was previously Principal Teacher of English at that school from 1974 to 1978. In February of this year he spent one month in Gujerat State in India on a study visit to Third World Developments in that area. Much of this visit took place in remote areas among tribal peoples. It was sponsored by the Overseas Development Ministry and was assisted by Oxfam representatives in India. Until recently he was an active playing member of the F.P. Hockey Section and, although he no longer plays league hockey, he remains involved with hockey through coaching schoolboy teams. James Lewis McAllan (1931-34), MA. LLB. who retired from the post of Director of Law and Administration with Grampian Regional Council in 1976 has been appointed a part-time Assistant to the Commissioner for Local Administration in Scotland (Local Authority Omsbudsman) and, as such, carries out investigations into complaints of maladministration by Local Government Departments. George Yule Mackie (1933-35), D.S.O., B.Sc., who sits in the House of Lords as Baron Mackie of Benshie of Kirriemuir, Angus has been adopted as prospective Liberal candidate for the European Elections in the North-East Scotland constituency. Liberal spokesman on Scotland, Agriculture and Industry in the House of Lords, and a member of the House's Scrutiny Committee on EEC Legislation, he is a former M.P. for Caithness and Sutherland. John McLeod (1946-50) is the 1979 winner of the Guinness Prize for musical composition. His work "Lieder der Jugend" for tenor and orchestra was the unanimous choice of the judges, headed by the conductor, Norman del Mar. He is Director of Music at Merchiston Castle School, Edinburgh and recently conducted the Scottish National Orchestra in a concert for school children in Aberdeen. Hector McNab (1929-41) was awarded the MBE in the 1978 Queen's Birthday Honours List for his work with H.M. Customs & Excise in the setting up of a new concept in whisky warehousing at the Distillers Company complex at Leven, Fife. This complex is one of the newest and largest operational whisky maturing, blending and bottling plants in the country. He has been with H.M. Customs & Excise since 1948 and after serving in various parts of the country has been working in Fife since 1958, being in charge of the Port of Methil before transferring to Leven in 1972. Ian Angus Shaw MacPhail (1933 40) has been appointed European Coordinator of the International Fund for Animal Welfare. He made a most important contribution to wildlife conservation in 1961 when he accepted an invitation from Sir Peter Scott and Guy Montford to join them in setting up the World Wildlife Fund. Among the positions he holds are Public Relations Adviser to the Fauna Preservation Society, Executive Committee member of the League against Cruel Sports, and member of the
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slog P10 moqv t2'0N
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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine
exhibition in California in a "Hall of Fame" which has been designed to provide inspiration for photographers in the future. He is the only Scot invited to contribute to the exhibition. Douglas James Stewart (1953-63), M.B.. Ch.B., had the degree of Master of Surgery conferred on him at Aberdeen University in February 1979. Douglas Lunan Stewart (1944-55), B.Sc.. who is a Structural Engineer employed by Grampian Regional Council, has solved the problem of impaired visibility of drivers resulting from roadside pedestrian safety barriers by designing a barrier which consists of panels of slender steel rods set at an angle on slim posts. The invention is called Visirail and the new barriers arc the only ones to meet the transparency ideal of British Standard 3049. A Glasgow firm, Hugh Logan Plant and Engineering Services Ltd., is the first private company to take out a UK licence to make Visirail and the first rails have been installed already in danger spots in Glasgow. Douglas C. H. Sutherland (1935-36), M.C., who is a prolific author living in Perthshire, had his latest work "The English Gentleman's Wife" published recently. He is a well-known shot and salmon fisherman. William Eddie Spalding Thomson (1920-32), B.sc.. retired at Easter 1979 from Blackies Publishers, Glasgow where he has held the post of Scientific and Technical Editor since 1946. During those years he has also been Secretary of the Glasgow branch of the Aberdeen Graduates Association. His brother James Laing Spalding Thomson (1920-27), M B.. Ch.B.. who has been a G.P. in the London area for many years now practises part-time. Their father, the late Rev. James Laing Thomson (1894-96), M A . B 1) , who died in 1964 was called to Peterculter in 1905 where he ministered for fortythree years until retiring in 1948. His father, also the Rev. James Laing Thomson, taught at the School for a time when it was still in its buildings in Schoolhill. David A. C. Walker (1950-55), B.A.. B Phil.. formerly Education Officer of the National Gallery of Rhodesia, has accepted a post at Mkoba Teachers College near Gwelo. The residential College has 430 African students and a multi-racial staff. Roderick Bruce Watson (1955-61), M.A . Ph D , who graduated with First Class Honours in English Language and Literature at Aberdeen University in 1965 is now a member of the Department of English Studies at Stirling University where he lectures on modern literature. He spent a year teaching in Canada before going to Peterhouse, Cambridge where he gained a doctorate. In 1970 he returned to Scotland, and an Arts Council Bursary allowed him to stay in Edinburgh and write full-time. Recent publications include a collection of poems entitled "True History on the Walls" and a critical introduction, "Hugh MacDiarmid". In the last year he has had published "The Penguin Book of the Bicycle" of which he is the coauthor. An informed commentator has written that "this book is the most comprehensive, best-researched and literary publication on the subject of cycling currently available in English. It treats with insight the fluctuating social fortunes of cycling and reminds us that a man on the humble bicycle has the highest efficiency rating among all moving animals and machines." Nigel George Morley Watt (1963-69), W.S . the Secretary of the Edinburgh Centre, was a member of the Scottish Universities Golfing Society Team of Four who won the coveted Edinburgh Evening Dispatch Golf Challenge Trophy after seven gruelling rounds over the Braid Hills Golf Course. Thomas Watt (1968-74), graduated M.A. at Aberdeen University in 1977 and while at Teacher Training College enjoyed teaching practice at his old School and assisting the choir in the 1978 annual concert. He is now an Assistant Mathematics Teacher at Dunoon Grammar School. His twin brother
Marriages
61
Ian Watt (1968-73), joined the Clydesdale Bank on leaving school and after completing banking examinations was transferred from Aberdeen to the City of London branch in Lombard Street. Their elder brother Robert Watt (1967-72), B Sc.. Dip Ed . is a teacher of mathematics in Greenock. has been promoted from Associate John Haldane Wilson (1945-58), to Partner in the Aberdeen & Glasgow Civil Engineers Arch. Henderson, James Williamson partnership. Medical Reunion The Aberdeen University Class of 1953 held a 25 year Reunion in September 1978, and among those attending were several F.P.s: Graham Findlay (1940-43) in General Practice in Chigwell, Alexander). Gray (1931-44) (son of Alexander H. Gray a former Head Mathematics teacher at the School and Keith Housemaster) in General Practice in Evandale, Tasmania, A. Alexander Lawrence (1940-46) in General Practice in Buckic, William C. M. Lawrence (1940-43) Community Physician in Stirling, Robert Lynch (1935 47) (son of John Lynch, former Deputy Rector who taught at the school from 1927 to 1964) in General Practice in Kilwinning, Ian C. McLean (1930 43) in General Practice in Brisbane, Queensland, Malcolm ,James Mitchell (1935-47) in General Practice in Crieff, Peter E. G. Mitchell (1937-47), in Chemical Pathology at Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, Alan W. Simpson (1940-47) an Anaesthetist in Waterloo, Ontario. Also present accompanying their wives were Graham McKay (1940 46), General Practitioner in Cumbria and Clifford Gillan (1934 -46). Other F.P.s in the Class of 1953, not present at the Reunion, are James D. Garden (1935-41), in General Practice in Timaru, New Zealand, James McNab (1945-47), in General Practice in Halifax, Nova Scotia, John Douglas Robson (1931-43), in General Practice in Potton, Bedfordshire and Ronald W. Strachan (1942-47), Physician at Dumfries Royal Infirmary.
Marriages Duncan (1963-69).—At Kings College Chapel, Old Aberdeen on 2 June 1978, Richard William Duncan, only son of Mrs. Clarice Duncan and the late Mr. Douglas Duncan, 51 Hammerfield Avenue, Aberdeen to Beryl Mary, younger daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Walter S. Stevenson 72 South Drumlanrig Street, Thornhill, Dumfries-shire. Gilbert (1969-72).—At Free Church, Stornoway on 14 July 1978, Ian Murray Gilbert, younger son of the late Mr. P. Gilbert and Mrs. H. Gilbert, 42 Airyhall Crescent, Aberdeen to Catherine, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R. Martin, 31 Portrona Drive, Stornoway. Hamilton (1954-67).—At Newport Registry Office, Gwent on 17 March 1979, Richard James Monro Hamilton, younger son of the late Dr. Gilbert Hamilton and Mrs. Hamilton, 10 Gladstone Place, Aberdeen to Jacqueline Joyce, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Cyril Coy, Blaeny Pant Crescent, Gwent. Lawrie (1961-74).—At Kings College Chapel, Old Aberdeen on 18 August 1978, Neil John George Lawrie, only son of Mr. and Mrs. George P. Lawrie, 40 Mortimer Drive, Aberdeen to Carol Ann, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. Beaton, 20 Gaitside Terrace, Aberdeen. Letts (1952-62).—At Kings College Chapel, Old Aberdeen on 1 September 1978, George Christopher Letts, son of Mrs. Ellen H. Letts, and the late Mr. George A. Letts, 42 Garthdee Road, Aberdeen to Suzanne, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Byron S. Bellamy, Devenick Heights, Ardoe. Maitland (1943-52).—At Rubislaw Parish Church, Aberdeen on 7 April
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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine
1979, Alastair Cooper Maitland, son of Robert J. Maitland and the late Mrs. Joyce Maitland, Linden Lea, Pitfodels to Judith Ann, younger daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George F. Young, 23 Carnegie Crescent, Aberdeen. Montgomery (1969-73).—At Melville -Carden Place Church, Aberdeen on 19 August 1978, John Thomas Montgomery, eldest son of Rev, and Mrs. R. W. Montgomery, 60 Forest Road, Aberdeen to Una Morrison, younger daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Archibald G. Campbell, 178 Mid Stocket Road, Aberdeen. Paterson (1959-72).—At Brechin Cathedral on 7 April 1979, Campbell Ross Fordyce Paterson, son of Mr. and Mrs. F. R. Paterson, 26 Osborne Place, Aberdeen to Doreen. daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. Melvin, 49 Dovewells Drive, Brechin. Rae (1960- 65).—At Stirling on 4 December 1978, Colin Kennedy Rae, younger son of Dr. and Mrs. D. B. Rae, 31 Kingshill Avenue, Aberdeen to Alison, younger daughter of Dr. and Mrs. A. M. Knox, 23 Forestfield Road, Kelso. Slater (1935 40 and 1945-47).—At the Registrar's Office, Aberdeen on 5 July 1978, George Moray McAdie Slater, only son of the late Mr. W. J. Slater and Mrs. Jean Slater, 12 Bayvicw Road, Aberdeen to Catherine, elder daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E. Standbridge, 2 Smithyhaugh Road, Aberdeen. Smith (1968-74).-At St. Columba's Church, Boat of Garten on 11 April 1979, Douglas Harkess Smith, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Smith, 103 Cromwell Road, Aberdeen to Susan Ann, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. MacGillivray. East Croftmore, Boat of Garten.
Obituaries Edward Fothergill Anderson (1922-29) died on 5 February, 1978 in Ninewells Hospital, Dundee at the age of 66. He was born in Aberdeen, and after leaving School he joined the Liverpool, London & Globe Insurance Co. As an Inspector with the company he travelled extensively in the cast and north of Scotland including the Orkney and Shetland Islands. In 1956 with his appointment as Agency Superintendent he moved to Dundee and continued in this capacity after the "Globe" amalgamated with the Royal Insurance Company until his recital in 1971. He was a founder member and first President of the now discontinued F.P. Club's Dundee Centre. He is survived by his wife and daughter and two sons who are also former pupils: EDWARD ANDERSON (1945 57), a Dentist residing in Canada, and JOHN DEREK ANDERSON (1948-56), a Quantity Surveyor working in the Middle East. Gordon William Angus (1949-52) died in April 1979 at his home in Westhill, Aberdeen after a long illness. He was 41. On leaving school he trained as a compositor with James Blair Ltd. and then completed his national service with the RAF as a teleprint operator. On returning to civilian life he worked for the University Press, the Langstane Press and the Central Press as a compositor before joining Aberdeen Journals in 1965. He is survived by his wife and three children. Basil Ernest Brocks (1927-36), m B . Ch B . died on 14 January 1979 at his home in Brentwood, Essex at the age of 60. The son of the late Lt. Col. Arthur Brocks of Aberdeen, he was born in New Zealand and moved to Aberdeen at the age of nine.
Obituaries
63
A keen sportsman, he was President of the University Athletic Club and won a half Blue for swimming. He served as a Major in the Royal Army Medical Corps during World War II, and after the war was a Senior Registrar in Kings College Hospital, London. In 1958 he moved to the Leytonshire and Romford Hospital Group as a Consultant in Rheumatology and Rehabilitation. Despite two serious bouts of ill health he worked at Oldcross Hospital in Romford until his death. He was an active member of the Rotary Club and enjoyed photography and golf. Gordon John Dorward (1949-63), B.Sc.. M.B.A . A.C.M.A.. Ph.D.. died on 27 January, 1979 as the result of a flying accident in California. He was 33 years of age. He graduated at Aberdeen University in 1967 with first class honours in chemistry and then went on a one year exchange scholarship to the University of Kansas where he studied photography and business management in addition to his own subject. On his return to Aberdeen he gained a Ph.D. under a Carnegie Scholarship. He went to the U.S.A. in 1974 and at the beginning of 1978 joined the Carnation Company in Los Angeles as Director of Planning (Overseas Division). An enthusiast in everything he tackled, he had a passionate interest, from the time he was a member of the School air cadet force, in flying and aircraft. He was a founder member of the Aberdeen University Gliding Club, the holder of a solo flying certificate and the possessor of an extensive collection of photographs and slides of miltary aircraft. He was married with one son. His brother STEWART G. DORWARD (1960-66), is serving in the Royal Air Force. Andrew Ducat (1902-06) died on 16 June 1977 in Aberdeen at the age of 85. On leaving school he joined the North of Scotland Town and County Bank Limited at their Mile End Branch in Aberdeen and remained in banking until his retirement in 1952. His career was spent entirely in Aberdeen and largely with the Clydesdale & North of Scotland Bank Ltd. managing various branches in the city from 1929 until 1952. William Ogilivie Fiddes (1904-15), B.Com., died in Glasgow on 8 May 1978. He was in his eighty-second year. During World War I he served as a Lieutenant in the Highland Brigade in Palestine and Mesopotamia. After the War he graduated at Aberdeen University in 1923. The son of James Fiddes of William Fiddes & Son Limited, Timber Merchants and Box Manufacturers, he entered his father's business and became their representative in Glasgow. He was a member of the Committee of the F.P. Centre in Glasgow. While at Aberdeen University in 1922 he established a record of 10.2 seconds for the 100 yards which remained a University record for many years. He was the eldest of three brothers who attended the school, JOHN LAW FIDDES (1906-16), who died in 1954, and JAMES FIDDES (1904-11; Simon Burgess Fraser (1972-78) died on 15 September 1978 as the result of a road accident. He was 18 years old. At school he was a keen skier and his love of the outdoors found further outlet in scouting. On leaving school in May 1978 he joined an oil company in Aberdeen as a Stock Controller. Asbjorn Harald Gudim (1958-65), B.A., died on 6 September 1978 as a result of a road accident. He was 30 ,years old and married with two children. The quantity and variety of his experience since leaving school was
64
Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine
prodigious. His first summer was spent as a deckhand on an Atlantic cargo ship and in 1966, although he had no knowledge of the language of his forefathers, he volunteered for national service in the Norwegian Army. An excellent account of his year's Arctic training appeared in the June 1969 issue of the Magazine. On his return to Scotland he entered Strathclyde University and graduated with upper-second class honours in 1971. For the next year he observed and reported on the life of tanker crews for the Work Psychology Institute in Oslo, but from 1972 1973 he resumed post graduate studies at Strathclyde and was awarded a diploma in personnel management. Then followed management appointments with Rolls Royce and Safeway Food Stores until, in 1975, he began working as a self-employed shipping consultant in London acting for Sealife, who had admired his earlier work on tanker crews. In 1976, however, he gave up that lucrative service in favour of a return to Glasgow, where he worked as a training consultant with the Industrial Training Service until his death. From 1968 until his death he maintained a keen interest in wrestling, achieving success as West of Scotland freestyle champion at middleweight and taking second and third places in the national championship in freestyle, Greco—Roman and Cumberland style. He was also involved in the organisation of the sport in Glasgow. A fellow wrestler writes of him, "Harry was always a fine sportsman as well as an accomplished athlete. He was one of the most popular men in the wrestling fraternity and will be long remembered for his outstanding qualities of cheerfulness, dynamism and reliability." A former schoolmate has written: A simple account of Harald Gudim's career, though indicative of a man of action and energy, fails to convey his talent for adventure, his extraordinary vitality, his justification of the conventional epithet "larger than life". It is that quality which makes his death seem incomprehensible, almost unacceptable. His qualities of good humour, loyalty and courage secured his continuing involvement in the essence of life. I valued the joyful vitality of Harald's friendship. Perhaps the paradox of his early death teaches us to value our own part in the life of the world and to promote our involvement in it. Charles Ross Irvine (1922-26), M.A., A.S.C., died in Hampshire on 21 January 1979. He was 70 years of age. The School Gold Medallist and Dux of 1926 he graduated in Arts and Science at Aberdeen University and started his teaching career at the Central School, Aberdeen and was subsequently appointed to be Headmaster of Plockton School, Ross-shire from 1937 to 1944. He then spent almost 30 years as Second Master in Lord Wandsworth College in Long Sutton in Hampshire. He was a keen golfer and while in Aberdeen played hockey for the F.P. Club. Thomas Marshall Knox (1932-35), C.A., died in hospital in Aberdeen on 15 August 1978. He was 62 years of age. Born in Glasgow he spent the early part of his life in Evanton, Ross-shire and came to Aberdeen and entered Modern IV A in 1932. He qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1948 and was for 20 years Company Director with the firm of W. Lockhart Marshall Limited, Aberdeen who ran laundrette and dry cleaning Services throughout Aberdeen. For five years he worked as a consultant with a building firm in Southern Rhodesia and, while there, took part in F.P. reunions. In 1948 he was the Treasurer of the F.P. Hockey Section and a member of the First Xl. Walter Grieve Mackinnon (1905 -8), B.Sc., M.B.. Ch.B.. died at his home in Derby on 17 April 1978 at the age of 86. On leaving school he served as an apprentice with a firm of wholesale
Obituaries
65
chemists in Aberdeen and during the First World War served with the Highland Division in France. He graduated B Sc at Aberdeen University in 1923 and subsequently worked at that University as a Geology Assistant. Seven years after graduating in Science he took up the study of medicine and qualified as a Doctor in 1935. James Milne McLeod (1912-25) died in early 1978 in Dundee at the age of 70. The All-round Trophy Winner of 1925, he was the son of the late Dr. Charles McLeod who was Head of the School Mathematics Department. He completed his engineering apprenticeship with Messrs. Tawse & Allan, Civil Engineers, Aberdeen and thereafter was an Assistant Engineer on the Burgh Surveyor's staff. He then went to the City Engineers Department in Oxford and became an Assistant Civil Engineer in H.M. Office of Works. He later took up an appointment in the Burgh Surveyor's Office in Dundee and settled in that city. William Johnston Mortimer (1905-11), B Com . died on 23 February 1979 in Edinburgh. He was 84 years of age and had been unwell for some time. The modern Dux of the school in 1911, he entered the Civil Service and later graduated at Edinburgh University. He remained on the staff of th,! Department of Agriculture for Scotland in Edinburgh for 44 years. He retired in 1958 and spent his retirement in Edinburgh. Just before his death he donated to the School both a collection of books and several medals for scholastic achievement presented to him while at the School. Kenneth Harvey Park (1943-54) died after a short illness in Manchester on 18 July 1978 at the age of 39. On leaving school he joined the Clydesdale Bank in Aberdeen and thereafter took up an appointment with the Standard Bank in South Africa and served in Uganda and Kenya. He returned to the United Kingdom about ten years ago and had been working for the Inland Revenue as a Tax Officer based in Manchester. He is survived by his wife and son. John Louis Riddoch (1906--9), M.M . C B.E . has died at the age of 82. He was the last surviving member of his generation of the Riddochs of Tarryblake. He was also educated at Keith Grammar School and Aberdeen University. During the First World War he began as a Private in the Fourth Gordon Highlanders and after being transferred to the Machine Gun Corps won the Military Medal in France in 1917 and was commissioned. He emigrated to Kenya in 1919 under the Government Soldier—Settler Scheme but when this failed he set up his own business in Kisumu and later at Kakemega, the centre of the Kenya gold mining area. Shortly before World War II his business was acquired by the United Africa Company, a subsidiary of Unilever Limited and he was appointed as a Director of the U.A.C. East African interests which included the engineering firm of Gailey and Roberts, of which he became Chairman. At the same time he was appointed to various boards including the Standard Bank and the Plateau Wattle Co. In 1942 he was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire for public services in Kenya. During the War he was appointed Main Ford agent for Tanganyika while holding a sub-agency for the same company in Kisumu. In the years before independence he was a member of the Kenya Legislative Council and the Council of State and for this work was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire. Latterly he concentrated on the Homa Lima Company which he had owned and developed since its inception.
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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine
His brother WILLIAM JOSEPH RIDDOCH (1906-9), who died some years ago, was largely instrumental in the expansion of the well known timber firm, Riddoch of Rothicmay, Ltd. George (Alistair) Alexander Robertson (1922-34), B.Com . died in a mountaineering accident in South Africa at the end of 1978. He was 62 years of age. After graduating at Edinburgh University he joined the Royal Artillery and was evacuated from France in 1940. He went to India the following year and served in the North-west frontier province in a mountain battery before securing a posting to North Burma in 1942. Thereafter he saw continuous service in Burma with Indian Mountain Artillery and latterly in General Wingate's Forces until they were disbanded in 1945. He completed a parachute training course in Malaya with Special Service Troops before the Japanese surrender. He was mentioned in dispatches. Shortly after the War he completed his training as a Chartered Accountant and went to settle in Johannesburg where he worked as a C.A. He had been climbing with his son when he fell to his death. His brother JAMES CAMPBELL ROBERTSON (1924 -34) also attended the School. M.B , Ch.B., died in Woodend Hospital, John Tower Sorley (1904 -17), Aberdeen at the end of March 1979 at the age of 79. The All-round trophy winner of 1917, he was the son of the late John Tower Sorley (1871-74), City Chamberlain, and was the father of the late John Tower Sorley (1936-45), who died in 1965 at the ape of 34. During the First World War he served as a pilot with the Royal Flying Corps in France and was taken prisoner by the Germans. After the war he graduated in Arts and Medicine at Aberdeen University and made his career in the Colonial Medical Service serving in Lagos, Nigeria for many years. In 1949 he returned to Aberdeen College of Commerce where he was Medical Officer and Principal Lecturer in Hygiene until his retirement in 1965. An all round sportsman he was a member of the Aberdeenshire Cricket side which won the Scottish Counties Championship in 1921 and in the 1919/20 season he captained the F.P. First XV. His brothers, HERBERT TOWER SORLEY (1899-1909), who died in Rhodesia on 7 August 1968, and ERNEST ROBERT SORLEY (1906-18) who was killed by enemy action when H.M.S. Barham was lost on 25 November 1941, also attended the School. Peter James Neilson Stewart (1952-63), M A.. died in Hong Kong on 26 May 1978 at the age of 33. An accomplished President of the School Dramatic Society he went on to Aberdeen University where he edited the student newspaper "Gaudie". After graduation he worked with the Inverness-based Highland News Group and was Editor of the "Caithness Courier" in Thurso before working for a spell on a Hertfordshire evening paper. He then moved to Hong Kong where he first worked on the "China Mail" before moving to the "Hong Kong Standard" as News Editor and Business Editor. In 1977 he was appointed Chief Editor of Rediffusion Television in Hong Kong. The following tribute was broadcast on Hong Kong radio by a colleague, Jack Spackman— One thing I want to do today before we finish this programme, and that is to pay tribute to a mate of mine, Peter Stewart, who died last week. Peter was the Chief Editor of RTV News and if you'd watched television news over the last year or so, you would have noticed a major improvement in RTV's news. He took it by the scruff of the neck and he made it the best television news in Hong Kong, as tar as I'm concerned. He did ii in the face of a lot of opposition because, well it's hard to make changes in an organisation. Peter did it! I've known him for many years. We worked together on the
Obituaries
67
"China Mail". He worked on the "Standard" with distinction as Financial Editor, came in cold, didn't really know a lot about the subject but got down and learned it, and as I say, performed with distinction. He performed extremely well as an Editor, as a Sub-Editor and as a Features Editor. The job he did with "people" at RTV showed that he knew just what was needed in a news organisation. We're all very sad that Peter has died, we don't want to be maudlin about it, because these things happen. I know! I'll tell you something else Peter knew he didn't have long to live. He knew his health was a mess. He knew he'd only a few years to go. He talked about it to me and to others. If I had the same knowledge I think I'd disappear to a beach on Bali or somewhere. Peter Stewart chose to do it differently. He chose to stay on the job and produce, you know, what journalism is about. He knew his health was not good enough to take the long hard slog that was necessary to do it, but he did. He was a gutsy little bloke and we're going to miss him.
He was buried in the Happy Valley cemetery at Hong Kong where his greatgrandfather and maternal grandmother are already interred. James Ross Tocher (1920-32), M.B.. Ch.B., died on 15 January 1979 as the result of a fire in his home at Arbroath. He was 63. He graduated at Aberdeen University in 1938, and during the War served with the Royal Army Medical Corps in North Africa. After the War he joined his father in practice in Arbroath and until 1965 was in joint practice with his sister. He continued on his own from then until he retired in 1977. He was also Police Surgeon for Arbroath. A keen cricketer, he captained Arbroath United Cricket Club in the Strathmore Union, and the Magazine of 1948 records that he had the distinction of captaining the Arbroath side to a narrow victory over the F.P. Cricket team. Cyril George Walker (1914 .22), M.B., died in late 1978 at the age of 74. He graduated at Aberdeen University and went into general practice in Oxted, Surrey where he remained for 31 years. On retirement he went to Bexhill-on-Sea, Sussex. He was a stalwart of the London Centre for many years. George Tod Wright (1901 6), M.A., B.D., died on 29 December 1978 at the age of 86. He graduated at Aberdeen University in both Arts and Divinity, served in France during World War I and was an Army Chaplain in both World Wars. During his ministry he served at Dryfesdale (Lockerbie); St. Serf's, Edinburgh; Carnock, Dunfermline and Hoddam. Disabled by an accident 25 years ago which caused his early retirement, he continued to preach in many of the churches around Castle Douglas. A deeply spiritual man he was greatly beloved by all who knew him, and especially by the invalids and lonely people whom he visited regularly in recent years. His great interest was church music and he continued composing songs, psalm settings and anthems up to the last days of his life. He also wrote a Bible Class Handbook. He was a son of the late Rev. M. J. Wright, the first minister of St. Ninian's Church, Aberdeen, and one of four brothers who attended the School: JAMES CAMPBELL GRAHAM WRIGHT (1906-17), who is retired from the shipping business and lives in Whitstable, NINIAN BLUNDELL WRIGHT (1910-23), who has retired from the ministry in Kingussie and now lives in Comrie and the late DR MAXWELL CAMPBELL WRIGHT (1902- 14), m c . and bar, who was killed in an accident in the 1930s. James Montgomery (Monty) McRoberts, M A.. died at his home in Aberdeen on 8 September 1978 at the age of 67. Born in Northern Ireland he had lived for 24 years in Aberdeen and taught throughout the 1960s in the Lower School.
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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine
During World War II he was Executive Food Officer for the County of Argyll and after the War he was Manager for the National Services Hostels Corporation. At the age of 47 he went to Aberdeen University and after graduating his entire teaching career was spent at the School. He was one of the first men in the North-east to be given an electronic larynx to enable him to speak after having a laryngectomy. He was unable to speak for three years after this operation but was given an artificial voice box in 1973 which he became so adept at using that he was often asked to demonstrate to others who were to have the operation. He was greatly liked and appreciated by many of his pupils, and for a time was a kenspeckle figure at the Club Centre, where he was often to be found entertaining and instructing the same young lads whom he had taught in a more formal setting many years earlier.
Miss Beatrice R. Brown, M.A. Stranded as I was in London through lack of petrol, the news of Miss Brown's sudden, untimely and tragic death on Saturday, 6 January 1979 came as a tremendous shock to me as it must have done to her wide circle of friends. I need not repeat what I wrote in the June 1962, issue of the Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine when marking her retirement after a period of some thirty-eight years of service to the school. There is no one, I'm sure, who came in contact with the bright-eyed and vivacious Miss Brown in her capacity as Rector's Secretary or Kindergarten assistant teacher who is liable to forget her; and how better could her unique contribution to the life of our school have been recognised than by her being made the first Honorary Lady Member of the Former Pupils' Club. We all recognise that life may be, and ought to be, bright, interesting and happy; and according to the Italian proverb, "If all cannot live on the piazza, everyone may yct feel the sun." This was Miss Brown's outlook and philosophy. At all times she gave of her best—generously. At no time did she magnify trifling troubles out of proportion as many people (particularly teachers!) are prone to do. She had that enviable capacity too, to look resolutely, perhaps not at the brightest side of things, but at matters as they really were—practically, realistically and above all jovially. Few of us truly appreciate the many blessings which surround us in the way of health and strength. Few of us indeed realise the wonderful privilege of living; the beauties of the world around us; the fortune of our inheritance. To none of these was Miss Brown ever oblivious. In her last few months of life I'm sure that she badly missed the comforting presence of her much loved sister, but again by her inherent courage and cheerfulness, triumphed over this sadness. And what better tribute could there be to this sometime colleague and dear friend than to say in the words of Carlyle: "In this world, where there is so much sorrow and so much unnecessary grief, of fret and worry, how grateful ought we to be that God sends along, here and there, a natural heart-singer, who by her very carriage and spontaneous actions, calms, cheers, and helps her fellows. God bless the goodnatured for they bless everybody else." J.D.M.
Abstracts of Accounts
69
Abstract of Accounts for Year ended 31st December 1978 F.P. Club Income and Expenditure Account 1977 £702 Subscriptions 582 Revenue from Investments (Gross) 665 Transfer from Life Member Capital Fund at 5% 28 Magazine Sales and Advertising Revenue 3,875 Donation from Club Centre 296 Entertainments Account Surplus 17 Miscellaneous Income
£830 582 683 392 3.650 413 21
£6,165
£6,571
£1,912 1,763 114 263 247 1,919
Working Expenses, including Honoraria Loan Interest School amd Trophy Medals Capitation Grants Expense of Visits to Other Centres Magazine—Cost of Printing and Postages
f 1,967 1,650 31 225 377 2,157
£6.220
6,407
(DEFICIT)/ SURPLUS FOR YEAR TRANSFERRED TO CAPITAL £(55) ACCOUNT
£164
BALANCE SHEET £8,390 5,142 1,155 6,462 4,617 2,587
HERITABLE PROPERTY—At cost less loans INVESTMENTTS—At cost ROBERT G. WILSON BEQUEST LIFE ASSURANCE POLICY—Premiums paid SUNDRY DEBTORS CASH AT BANK AND IN HAND
f7,807 5,142 1.268 7,270 4,644 4,476 £30,607
£28,353 Less: f2,665 SUNDRY CREDITORS 423 ORDINARY SUBSCRIPTIONS PAID IN ADVANCE
f2,951 787
£3,088
3,738
£25,265
£26,869
£12,624 11,251 1,190 200 £25,265
Represented by: LIFE MEMBER CAPITAL FUND CAPITAL ACCOUNT ROBERT G. WILSON BEQUEST OTHER FUNDS
£12,986 11,415 1,268 1,200 £26,869
70
Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine Club Centre Income and Expenditure Account
1977 £20,249 Gross Profit on Bar (Sales £54,671 (1977—£52,396)) 5,818 Annual Subscriptions 10,059 Gaming Machine Revenue (Net) 1.313 Other Income
£19,620 5,698 12,874 1,338
#37,439
£39,530
£11,629 Wages and National Insurance 2,913 Rates, Insurance and Feuduty 3.172 Heating and Lighting 309 Telephone 2,118 Repairs and Maintenance 3.875 Donations to F.P. Club 1,133 Other Donations and Interest 648 Administration Expenses 300 Stewards Pension Scheme 1,200 Honoraria 1,399 Miscellaneous Expenses. Cleaning, etc. 826 Depreciation
£14,230 4,478 3,409 320 2.003 3,650 1,280 799 729 1,400 1,881 934
£29,722
35,113
£7,717 SURPLUS FOR YEAR
£4,417 BALANCE SHEET
FIXED ASSETS £4.680 Furniture, Fittings and Equipment—At cost less depreciation CURRENT ASSETS £53,371 Loan Account—A,G.S.F.P. Club 3.548 Stock in Hand 1.959 Sundry Debtors 313 Cash in Hand
£74,479 3,582 2,391 367
£59,191
£80,819
CURRENT LIABILITIES £14,429 Sundry Creditors 3,293 Subscriptions in Advance 3,160 Bank Overdraft
£17,351 3,733 11,534
£20,882
£32,618
£5,380
38,309
48.201
£42.989 7,525 Less: LONG TERM LOANS £35.464
£53,581 13,400 £40,181
Represented by: £7,322 CAPITAL ACCOUNT—Appeal Fund and Other Donations 28,142 SURPLUSES
£7,622 32,559
£35,464
£40,181
71
Abstracts of Accounts Amenities Fund Income and Expenditure Account 1977
£426 Interest from Investments (Net)
£445 220
227 Income Tax Recoverable
£665
£653
£396 Grants made 24 Honorarium and Administration Expenses
£605 25
£620
630
£33 Surplus carried to Balance Sheet
f35
BALANCE SHEET £3,627 INVESTMENTS—At cost 175 SUNDRY DEBTORS 112 CASH AT BANK
£5,627 170 152
£5,914
£5,949
Represented by: £5,997 CAPITAL ACCOUNT (108) REVENUE ACCOUNT 25 SUNDRY CREDITOR
£5,997 ( 73) 25
£5,914
£5,949
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