AGS Magazine June 1987

THE

ABERDEEN GRAMMAR SCHODL MAGAZINE

ABERDEEN

prirtaxl for -The Former Pupils' Club atilie Unkversily Press Volume 90

June 1987

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine 103rd year No. 225 (New Series 92nd year No. 216)

Vol. 90

JUNE 1987

The Magazine is published under the auspices of The Former Pupils' Club in June each year General Editor

David K. Yule, M.A., 11 Kinkell Road, Aberdeen AB1 8HQ

Editor of Notes, Obituaries and Marriages

Derek A. Harley, M.A., 57 Mile End Avenue, Aberdeen AB2 4PU

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 1988.

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

CONTENTS General Section— . .

Editorial Notes . . . .

The New Rector . . . .

Message from the Rector . . . .

President's Report . . . .

School Prize Giving 8 July 1986 . . .

Mr. Robert D. Gill: Rector 1972-87 . . . .

Aberdeen Harbour and Royalty .

AIDS—A Professional Experience The Oval Ball Game in Aberdeen . . . American Style . . . . .

The Notes Editorship . . .

The London Centre Plays Host

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3 5 5 7 8 10 11 I5 18 21 23

School Section— . .

School Office Bearers . . .

Prefects' Notes . .

Literary and Debating Society • Combined Cadet Force. .

• • Boys' Hockey 1st XI .

• Rugby 1st XV . . . . . .

Badminton .

Extra-Curricular Scientific Activities

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Former Pupils' Club Section— Club Office-Bearers. 1987-88 Annual General Meeting . .

Annual Dinner. 1986 .

Our President . . .

FP Hockey-75 Years On Classical V, 1935 . .

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Sporting Sections. . .

Centre Reports .

Notes about Former Pupils . . .

Marriages .

Obituaries . .

Accounts . . .

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Illustrations— . . . . .

School Fire . . . . .

The New Rector . .

Royal Visit to Aberdeen Harbour . . . .

Granite City Oilers in Action. . . . . .

Head Boy and Head Girl Biennial Inspection of Aberdeen Grammar School CCF .

British Association Young Scientists Finalists . .

Shell Motor Mileage Marathon Team .

75th Annivarsary of the Hockey Section . . . . . .

Classical V 1935 . .

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Editorial Notes SCHOOL FIRE For many readers of the Magazine outwith the Aberdeen area, the first news of the devastating fire, which afflicted the main block of the School, would have been conveyed by the label fixed to the envelope containing the 1986 issue of the Magazine. Since then, of course, the FP Club's Executive Committee has informed members of the Club and others interested by the despatch of the newsletter "Back to Business" in October 1986.

In that newsletter the Chairman of the Executive Committee of the FP Club promised to "inform members of further developments either through the Magazine in June 1987, or, if necessary, in a further newletter before that time". Readers of this Magazine will find almost throughout the issue evidence of the responses of the School and the Club to the fire, but, in respect of definite "further developments", there is still nothing to report. Having succeeded in reopening at the start of session 1986-87, the School continues to function well, thanks to the temporary teaching accommodation, which continues to prove well-suited to its purpose, and which, it is understood, is the envy of staff and pupils accommodated in some of the older classrooms, which survived the fire.

The Executive Committee of the Club, of course, will maintain its pledge to inform members of any significant change in the situation, but, until there is anything definite to report, there is no intention to mount a formal appeal for subscriptions. Nevertheless, it is evident from the offers of help that have been received by the School and the Club from all over the world, that members of the Club and others who hold the School in affection are eager to do something for the School, and they can be assured, that any donations sent to the Club Secretary will be banked in a special account along with donations already received. Donations of books, works of art and objects of interest to the School will also be gratefully received, if the donors would first approach the Club Secretary to discuss their intentions.

Readers will find elsewhere in this issue a record of the retiral of Mr. Robert D. Gill as Rector of the School, but it is worthy of mention here that, on the occasion of his retiral, the FP Club presented Mr. Gill with his portrait (by photographic process) at the Annual Ball on 29 December 1986. Mr. Gill kindly donated his portrait to the School, where ultimately it will take its place beside similar portraits of former Rectors and others distinguished by their contribution to the history of the School. Though so many of these fine portraits were lost in the fire, it is hoped that some may be replaced in view of the existence of copies elsewhere.

1

FUTURE FORMAT OF THE MAGAZINE In the introduction to the 1985 (100th Anniversary) issue of the Magazine, regret was expressed at the reduced size of the School Section of the issue deriving from the teachers' dispute, but intimation was given that there was an intention to limit the amount of School material in future issues. It was reported that discussions were proceeding within the Club and with the School, in order to reassess the future of the Magazine in the light of both its relatively low level of attractiveness to the modern School pupil, and of the aspirations within the School to produce an approved but genuinely "pupils' " magazine.

Because of the continuation of the industrial action, and then the imminent change in Rectorship, no further such discussions have taken place, and it will be seen, that in this issue a modest reintroduction of School Section material has occurred.

3 2

School Fire

I The alarming scene at midday on Wednesday 2 July 1986. (Photograph reproduced by permission of Aberdeen Journals.)

Message from the Rector

5

It remains the Editor's intention, however, to explore with Mr Johnston, the new Rector, the extent to which the Magazine is serving the interests of the current School pupil, and to try to bring forward proposals for reform. The first possibility that will be explored, is that the size (but not the scope) of the School Section should be reduced, and that the Club should give whatever assistance it can to the establishment of a separate pupils' magazine, with each publication to some extent contributing to the other.

Readers were invited to comment on this proposal in 1985, but, as no observation was received, and, as the proposal is now being taken up afresh, readers are being given a second opportunity to express their views on the future of the Magazine to the Editor.

The New Rector On 30 March 1987, Mr. William J. Johnston took up appointment as Rector of Aberdeen Grammar School. On the evening of the same day Mr. Johnston attended the Annual General Meeting of the FP Club, and this generous token of his commitment to all events associated with the School is typical of the manner in which he has plunged himself into the life of the School since his arrival in Aberdeen. Reports from all quarters speak of his interest in, and personal appearance at, a whole range of School activities, and of his willingness to be approached on all matters concerning the School.

Mr. Johnston is aged 39 and received his school education at Spier's School, Beith. He proceeded to Glasgow University, where he graduated with the degree of B.Sc. with upper-second class honours in Chemistry, before completing the postgraduate secondary teaching qualification at Jordanhill College. Thereafter, he acquired a year's commercial experience by working in marketing with ICI, but in 1971 he took up his first teaching appointment at Cranhill Secondary School, Glasgow. He moved to Perth High School in 1973, and, as Assistant Principal Teacher, to Glenrothes High School in 1975. In 1978 he was appointed to a Principal Teacher's post at Millburn Academy, Inverness, and in 1981 he moved to Kingussie High School as Assistant Rector, returning to Inverness to the post of Depute Rector at Culloden Academy in 1984.

Mr. Johnston has taken a particular interest in the use of computers and video technology in the curriculum, and in 1986 he was awarded the Diploma in Educational Technology by Dundee College of Education. His extracurricular interests include debating, soccer and skiing.

There is a fine balance of progress and tradition in Mr. Johnston's background, which, when allied with his comparative youth and his obvious commitment to the welfare of the School, augurs favourably for a long and fruitful era for the School under his Rectorship. The School and Club are glad to welcome him, and to undertake to support him in all his endeavours on the School's behalf.

Message from the Rector There is much I could say about my views, experience and philosophy of education, but I believe these are better expressed later in the context of the School and the community it serves. As your magazines clearly confirm, the widespread loyalty and commitment to the School provide a secure foundation on which current physical problems can surely be overcome. The rebuilding of attitudes and relationships in the wake of a long, bitter dispute may well prove to be a more difficult challenge in the longer term.

From my personal point of view, it is an honour and a privilege to accept responsibility for such a prestigious school with its proud heritage. In terms of

The New Rector

Mr. William J. Johnston photographed on the day he took up his appointment as Rector, 30 March 1987.

(Reproduced by permission of Aberdeen journals)

President's Report

7

a professional challenge, I am committed to steering the school from a period of great strain in the nation's education system through a time likely to involve relatively rapid innovation. This, of course, can only be achieved by a concerted approach, not least on the part of staff, pupils, parents and former pupils, to realise the full potential of our most important resource—people.

I look forward to meeting you soon, and I trust that we can look towards a future which promises even more success than the past.

W. J. JOHNSTON

President's Report When Jock Hendry telephoned me early in 1986 to ask if I would accept nomination as President of the Club I needed no second thoughts even if he had not assured me, as befitted a wily Scots lawyer, that the task was not an arduous one for an "away" President. To be chosen at all is a great honour, to be chosen from afar even greater.

The President's year starts with almost total inactivity except in making diary dates for the last quarter of the year which seems comfortingly distant.

The composing of that perfect after-dinner speech can wait a while! However, since it was Bert Gill's last year my wife and I were delighted to accept his invitation to the prize-giving set for 8 July—a rather earlier commitment than usual.

Little did we imagine what that date would bring. On Wednesday 2 July I was called out of a meeting in the City to hear that the School had suffered a severe fire with grievous loss of many treasures.

So it was that my first duties as President were to visit the School with the Rector and then to attend an emergency meeting of the Executive in the Club Centre on Monday 7 July. There I had a first-hand introduction to the splendid group of officers who do so much for the Club—Keith Campbell, Jock Hendry, Colin Allan and the rest. Throughout this crisis in the School's history they have been steadfast, responsible and appropriately active. We owe them our gratitude.

The prize-giving itself was for me a time of memories and emotion even though it was in the Rosemount Annexe. But in addition it was a time of admiration for the present pupils of the School of whom we can be rightly proud, not only the award winners but everyone. They came in their uniforms with their parents to fill the hall to overflowing when attendance was purely voluntary and when rumours were rife of the School's closure. Then I knew that the future of School and Club were secure.

I pay tribute too to Bert Gill and Arthur McCombie for everything they did during a very difficult time. Bert Gill has proved himself to be a Rector of the School to stand with the greatest. It was a particular pleasure for me to present him with his portrait and to make a gift to Isabel at the Ball in Aberdeen on 29 December.

Between July and December came most of the Centre dinners and the Aberdeen dinner, all well attended and supremely enjoyable. They are reported elsewhere, but my warm thanks are due to all Club members for their welcome and hospitality to me.

The Edinburgh dinner came as usual at the end of March on the eve of a splendid Scottish win against Wales at Murrayfield. There I was delighted to meet more of my near contemporaries than anywhere else—Sam Rennie, Donald Stephen, Ron McPherson, David Kilgour, Gordon Coutts, Denys Henderson.

8

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

As if six functions were not enough (incidentally 'Twinkletoes' was present at every dinner) there was one other dinner of note on 8 November—the 75th Anniversary Dinner of the FP Hockey Section. Although I never lifted a hockey stick at School it was marvellous to find so many old friends present including my former piping instructors, the Cromar brothers.

My recurring theme at every dinner was "the Club is its people" and splendid people we have. That is why it is so important for present Club members to do everything possible to encourage young men and women recently left School to join and participate. Only by that means can the Club continue to flourish and give support to the new Grammar School soon to rise from the ashes of the old. My year as President tells me that it will.

ANDREW S. NOBLE (1939-52)

School Prize-Giving—8 July 1986 Address of the President of the Club Rector, Board of Studies, Members of Staff. Ladies and Gentlemen and above all boys and girls of Aberdeen Grammar School.

When I was invited to become President of the FP Club and then when my wife and I were invited by Mr. Gill to be present today I regarded both invitations as tremendous honours which I never imagined would come my way. Today, what was to be a most joyful occasion is darkened somewhat by the ravages of the fire of last week but it cannot take away the very real pleasure I feel in being able to speak to you now. You will be relieved to know that the Rector has told me to be brief and naturally he is to be obeyed.

Scots people and perhaps especially Aberdonians arc a peculiar mixture of hardheadedness and romanticism which makes them such a potent force in the world. For decades, even centuries people have gone out from Scottish schools like this one and made their marks in all sorts of different careers. You yourselves will all go out from here and do the same in ways and in countries that do not enter your thoughts this afternoon.

Will you, therefore, allow me today to give free range to my own Scottish romanticism and in doing that I ask you to consider what makes a great school—a school like Aberdeen Grammar.

It is easy to say immediately—well, a School is a group of buildings. We draw from our own experience of the place which we have attended in our own school days. The fine central building so suddenly, but I am sure only temporarily, lost to us last week has housed the Grammar School for well over a hundred years—a not insignificant part of its seven hundred year life. It gave us all a sense of belonging, it acted as the focus for the community of the School.

For within the building lies the heart of the School—a group of people joined together in the pursuit of learning and fellowship bound by a disciplined and ordered framework without which no society can function properly. This group, of course, comprises the teachers and the learners, the staff and the pupils.

Since I started with the building, before I continue my theme I must say a word to you about the present situation after the fire.

First and most importantly the School is not destroyed. The central building housed library, TV, computer and art rooms, grievous losses all, but only a comparatively small number of general teaching rooms. At minimal cost these can be replaced by temporary accommodation on site so that the pupils of the School can remain together in their own community. This above all is the over-ridingly important requirement at this stage.

Second, it is worth saying what is not always realised, that the Grammar School is a comprehensive school in the true sense. It draws pupils from many different backgrounds, from a wide area encompassing the whole city. It is Aberdeen's school and has been for centuries. A little fire does not alter that and I am sure that the citizens of Aberdeen recognise it.

As President of the Former Pupils' Club I wish to take this opportunity to say that the Club, as always, is fully in support of the School. We realise that rebuilding will be a lengthy process. It also offers great opportunities. The Club stands ready to help to overcome the interim problems in any way which may be appropriate.

Let me return now to my theme of what makes a great school.

School Prize Giving

9

No school can fulfil its proper functions without a dedicated band of teachers. They provide the continuity. the experience. the caring for standards and achievement. They form the strong link between different generations of pupils. In this respect the Grammar School has been peculiarly fortunate in having a long succession of teachers who really did and do care for the School and its pupils. Not all were brilliant teachers, not all were necessarily always lovable, but most gave unstintingly and many were great characters to be remembered long after schooldays. I know that for all teachers the last two years have not been happy times. This arises from a failure over many years on the part of our society at large to recognise the vital importance to the nation of having an adequate number of highly qualified and highly rewarded teaching staff. Surely the light will dawn again soon.

I was able to do what unfortunately none can do now. I entered the School at the age of five in 1939 and stayed there until the age of eighteen in 1952. So my memories stretch further than is possible today. I will not bore you with too many of them since the names may mean little to you. but a selection is the Misses Brown, Tough, Gracie, Duff, Ethel Mary Stewart and Bobo Wilson, Tom McRae, Happy Harry, Pasy Walker and Forky Tail Falconer—the list is almost endless.

But two names you do know and they link you and me in a very real way. They are Tarzan McLeod and Twinkletocs Stephen. Both of them epitomise what I have been saying about the quality and devotion of Grammar School teachers. You will know others and I hope remember them with as great affection.

It is appropriate here too for me to pay a special tribute to the present Rector, Mr. Gill.

Although he came to the School well after I left, I have since come to know him well. He has guided the School through some difficult times and many changes with great sureness of touch and a shining belief in the enduring worth of Aberdeen Grammar School. He has shown just that devotion to the School of which I have been speaking.

The School owes him an enormous debt of gratitude which I can express only inadequately by saying a heartfelt 'thank you'.

Now I come to you, the pupils, the other vital ingredient. Surely the School is its pupils? Yes it is, but they come and go in endless succession and time is much shorter now for them to become ingrained in the place. Yet, I know that you have. The London Centre of the FP Club now entertains each year two senior pupils for a week in London.

This is just to show them, as someone said, that the metropolis is actually run by Aberdonians and Grammarians at that. I had the pleasure this year of meeting Judith Miller and Richard Adams. As your representatives they did you proud and, I believe, enjoyed themselves as well. From meeting them I know that the pupils, the products of the Grammar School, are just as good as they always were—in some ways better since nowadays the School offers wider opportunities and experiences than ever in the past. I hope that in your time at the School you have enjoyed what I called the fellowship, the fellowship in learning, the fellowship in social activities, the fellowship in sports of all kinds. All these things are necessary ingredients if school is to prepare you for adult life.

The Grammar School provides them.

And the School is the parents of its pupils. One of the great disasters in national education is the falling away of parental support for teachers and for the achievement and maintenance of scholastic standards and social behaviour. Not so here, and long may that continue. I know that the Parent-Teacher Association is most active and also the School Council. Above all ladies and gentlemen the School needs your support now—I know that it will be forthcoming.

And the School is all its former pupils wherever they arc and whatever they do. In London at our meetings FPs of eighty rub shoulders with newcomers of twenty. This is not just a sentimental thing but a recognition of the history, tradition and ideals which make a School a living continuity over the years and bind us all together. Nor is it an association of the elite. The FP Club is not a club of only the great and the famous—it embraces people of all kinds from all walks of life and does so with case and comfort.

So as you leave this place, cherish the idea of our famous and ancient School. Be proud but not overweening to be Aberdeen Grammarians following in the footsteps of pupils of past centuries. Whatever you now do in professions, in business, in public service, in Scotland, in Britain or overseas be grateful for what the School has done for you and pause to consider what you might still do for it. Congratulations to you all on your achievements, You have my warmest good wishes for your future careers.

Mr Robert D. Gill: Rector 1972-87 Early in January 1987, after fourteen years in office, Mr. Robert D. Gill retired from the post of Rector of Aberdeen Grammar School.

For over a century it is safe to say that a variety of events and situations had ensured that the position of Rector of the School was no sinecure and Mr. Gill's period in office proved to be no exception to the rule. In fact, looking back over these fourteen years one has to conclude that probably never before has the School experienced such a sustained period of frantic pressures for change.

Many people will have forgotten that Mr. Gill did not come as Rector but as Headmaster of Rubislaw Academy (Aberdeen Grammar School). His first task was to guide the School through the early stages of comprehensive education, in particular, to arrange the smooth transition from a boys' school into a coeducational schools. Today everyone accepts this as a fait accompli. Although older former pupils returning to the town admit that the sight of a girl in the Grammar blazer rather startles them, they are soon reassured and made to recognise how much the girls have contributed to the good reputation the School still enjoys.

From the beginning Mr. Gill made it clear that he was not one for educational gimmicks, but that he wished the School to retain its uniform and to pursue its traditional aims of high standards of work and behaviour. Such views were not always popular in certain quarters, but Mr. Gill's consistent advocacy of these objectives allowed him to steer a remarkably steady course through all the storms which raged round the School both locally and nationally.

Demands for new curricula, new assessments and exams, new disciplinary procedures, new internal organisation (like Guidance teachers, and Assistant Rectors), rained down on schools nationally. Parent Teachers Associations and School Councils had to be accommodated in the scheme of things. The more particular problems of absorbing Rosemount annexe, of changing the name of the School again, of accepting the challenges and opportunities of new subjects and new educational technology involved a much more complex timetable than ever before. But Mr. Gill coped with all the educational difficulties in a spirit of cautious welcome for change but only if change meant advance and improvement.

One of the biggest problems of Mr. Gill's rectorship was how to deal with a comletely new phenomenon, the growing militancy of the teaching profession in the face of growing demands on its commitment and incommensurate rewards for its labour. Strikes, working to rule, the particular problem of being a targeted school with maximum disruption of the school week (because it was classed as one of the most prestigious schools in Scotland), all presented different problems, but by tact and diplomacy Mr. Gill safeguarded the welfare of the pupils and the unity and harmony of the staff.

Public recognition of Mr. Gill's success in dealing with the problems was shown when the Parents' Charter brought pupils flooding into the School to take advantage of the new-found freedom of choice. The roll of 1250 when Mr. Gill took over in 1973, rocketed to over 1700, and while this justified Mr. Gill's policies and stewardship, it in turn brought major problems to administration and organisation.

When it seemed that calmer times were just ahead, and the prospect of a well-deserved retirement beckoned, then came the disastrous fires. Once again the whole School, staff and pupils rallied to the challenge and under Mr. Gill's leadership the school re-opened more or less on time in August.

Mr. Gill sought to widen educational opportunities for all the pupils. He 10

Aberdeen Harbour and Royalty

11

encouraged the extending of interests outside the class room. Many pupils and members of staff have reason to remember with gratitude Mr. Gill's role as a guide and counsellor, in both personal and professional capacities, sharing with great compassion in grief and disappointment, but also sharing with great joy and satisfaction in triumph and success.

One must not forget the great support that Mrs. Gill offered throughout these years. Her ever cheerful presence brought a sense of pleasure to so many different School occasions.

All will wish to join in thanking them for all that they did for the school over these years, and in wishing them both a long and happy retirement.

A. L. McC.

Aberdeen Harbour and Royalty 1986 was a significant year in the long history of the harbour at Aberdeen.

850 years before, in 1136. King David I of Scotland granted a Charter to Bishop Nectan of Aberdeen conferring certain rights to the bishop in respect of the harbour, in particular to raise levies or dues on visiting ships. This was the earliest written record of Aberdeen harbour, though there is evidence of a harbour long before then. The Aberdeen Harbour Board decided to make 1986 a year of celebration and I was privileged to be Chairman of the Board at that time.

For the last 85 of the harbour's 850 year history, my family has given continuous service to the harbour. My grandfather, Sir John Irvin, served as a Commissioner for 50 years from 1901-52 and was Convener of the Finance Committee for 41 of those years. This post had similar responsibilities to the present Chairmanship, as before reconstitution in 1961 the Lord Provost was official Chairman. My uncle, Richard Irvin (1914-18). followed him as a commissioner in 1952 and later as a board member until 1972 and was the first Chairman of the Aberdeen Harbour Board from 1961- 66. I joined the board in 1972 and became Chairman in 1984. A similar situation has arisen in the family business, Richard Irvin & Sons Ltd, which has been established in Aberdeen and the North East for over 100 years and which until recent times was wholly involved in the fishing industry. I am the present Chairman of that company having succeeded my uncle in 1980, who had succeeded on my grandfather's death in 1952. My brother Richard (1940-41, 1944-51) is Managing Director of the company, responsible for the fishing division.

In my role as Chairman of the Harbour Board I have been fortunate to meet and get to know many important and interesting people in public and private life—business executives, government ministers, civil servants and senior naval officers—but my greatest thrill was in August 1986, when my wife and I escorted her Majesty the Queen and their Royal Highnesses, the Duke and Duchess of York, on an official visit to our harbour.

Prior to this visit we had celebrated in March with a special dinner-dance for all staff past and present. In May Lord Gray of Contin opened our new deep water berth and forest products terminal at Regent Quay. This facility is especially geared to meet the requirements of the paper industry. Like farming and fishing, the paper industry has been of great importance to the economy of the North East. After a period of recession in that industry, there has been something of a revival and considerable capital investment particularly by Thomas Tait & Sons Ltd, Inverurie. The raw products for these mills come principally from Scandinavia and, in order to attract more and larger ships to

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Aberdeen instead of Peterhead and Montrose, it was decided to modernise Regent Quay, deepen the berths alongside and build two large transit sheds.

In addition modern heavy lift cranes are available on the quayside. In the early days, the harbour was subject to frequent and unwelcome raids by Vikings bent on "pillage and rape" etc., but we now hope to attract and welcome their descendants on much more peaceful missions bringing their ships and cargoes to this new facility. My earlier encounters with Hamish Gray (now Lord Gray of Contin) were also of a less peaceful nature, as he played hooker for Highland at the time, when I was a member of the FP pack. On this occasion, however, we were both on the same side!

During the summer we had official visits from a number of naval vessels and the magnificent Northern Lighthouse Commissioners ship Pharos. The most notable was the visit of HMS Exeter under the command of Admiral George Yallings who received his knighthood during the visit. Exeter served with distinction during the Falklands campaign. The visit concluded with a memorable "Beating of Retreat" on the quay by the Royal Marines band.

All these occasions, however, paled into insignificance in comparison with the Queen's visit on Saturday 16 August.

The work that went into preparing for this visit was considerable. All arrangements and timings had to be precise; management and staff of the Board did a marvellous job and the security precautions, taken by police and special squad were quite extraordinary. I, as "principal supporting actor", took almost no part in these arrangements but received most of the plaudits!

On the Friday before the visit disaster with a capital D struck—the weather was dreadful—pouring with rain—and the forecast was not encouraging. The Queen Mother was rushed to hospital, and Fergic had severely damaged her ankle—would the visit go ahead?

Saturday came and all was well—the 8 o'clock news told us that the Queen Mother had recovered and would be leaving hospital; at 9.15 we heard that Fergie was going to hobble round at all costs and at 10 o'clock, when the Royal Party came ashore from the Royal Yacht, the sun shone and it remained sunny for the remainder of the visit.

The Queen and the Duke and Duchess of York were first met by Lord Provost Henry Rae. (Incidentally, it was the first official engagement for the Duke and Duchess after their marriage.) They were firstly introduced to various local dignitaries and then to myself. For the rest of the visit my wife and I accompanied the Queen, and John Turner, general manager to the board, who wrote and published an excellent history of the harbour during celebration year, accompanied their Royal Highnesses. We then proceeded to the harbour tugs for a half hour's inspection of the harbour. On our way my little granddaughter Catherine, daughter of Alan (1962-75) presented the Queen with a posy of flowers.

It must be appreciated that I am unable to reveal our discussions for fear of being incarcerated in the Tower, but the Queen was obviously interested in the harbour and its quays and buildings, and particularly in the varieties of craft berthed therein. After disembarking from the tug at Pocra Quay we walked through the crowds to the Navigation Centre, better known as the Roundhouse (the Queen receiving armfuls of flowers on the way). During the walk about, the Royal Party spoke to many in the crowd, cadets lining the route, to the pipe band and lifeboat crew, and genuinely seemed to enjoy themselves. The steps of the Roundhouse were suitably platformed and canopied and there I gave a speech of welcome to the Royal party and presented them with mementoes of the occasion, the principal gift being an old granite bollard made into a fountain for the garden at Balmoral; I have not yet been invited to tea to see it! The Queen unveiled a plaque commemorating

The Queen and the Duchess of York are escorted on their visit to Aberdeen Harbour by John Cradock. (Photograph reproduced by permission of Aberdeen Journals.)

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the occasion and then climbed to the top of the Roundhouse, where she inaugurated the new harbour surveillance system and signed the visitors book and two portraits before finally making her departure for Balmoral.

In all the visit lasted an hour and a half and was probably the most momentous hour and a half of my and my wife's lives, so that I am now an even more devout Royalist than ever. The Queen made us feel at ease, and conversation was not difficult. She appeared most interested in everything. I think, however, that it was probably Fergie who was the star of the show.

That was not the end of my duties for that day, however, as the Board hosted a large gathering at a commemorative luncheon at Elphinstone Hall, where I had to make my second speech of the day. I was invited to travel to the Hall in the Provost's car and on arrival downed the largest and most welcome gin and tonic of my life. Needless to say the luncheon was also a great success.

This year I am only having lunch and tea with the Queen (along with thousands of others) but that is another story.

The Royal Family have a particular rapport with Aberdeen and its people and delight in carrying out official visits to the city and its surrounds, and of course, their annual visits to Balmoral. The Queen has visited Aberdeen harbour many times. She must have noticed during her recent tour vast changes, particularly in the last 20 years since the advent of "oil" in the North Sea. It was fortunate for Aberdeen that discoveries were made off our shores, but it was the foresight and persuasion and commitment of previous boards and management which ensured that the majority of sea-going activity would be based at Aberdeen. The most notable changes have been the removal of the lock gates at Victoria dock and the necessary rebuilding of all quays therein enabling the whole of the port to become non-tidal with access 24 hours per day, and the removal of the Regent Swing bridge.

Over the past 20 years the harbour has been almost completely rebuilt at a cost in excess of f25 million. Concrete and steel quays especially strengthened take the place of timbered constructions; warehousing and other accommodation have been either added, rebuilt or refurbished; quays have been converted into oil bases with tanks and silos for various offshore requirements; the fish market has been entirely rebuilt and is almost completely enclosed, thus reducing heat in summer, cold drying winds and the ravages of gulls, and is now the largest and most modern market in the U.K. In addition to all this, cranes and other equipment have been modernised, greatly increasing capacity, and the port therefore now includes 9 oil bases, 2 ro ro terminals, a new fish market and 5 deep water berths plus new warehousing, modern craneage and many other facilities. The earlier developments were financed by government loans but the majority of expenditure has been financed out of funds generated by the harbour's increased activities, of which now more than 50 per cent is oil-related. The temporary downturn in offshore activity has not altered the board's plans to spend another £25 million on further improvements over the next 10 years. I hope, that I will continue to be involved with some of these plans.

JOHN W. CRADOCK (1941-46)

AIDS—A Professional Experience In a multidisciplinary profession such as medicine, it is not unusual for the newly qualified graduate, clutching his hard won degree parchment in his hands, to have little idea of what direction to follow. The pre-registration year is relatively straightforward—hard work, long hours and little time for career planning. Thereafter, opportunity may offer an avenue for career development and so it happened in my own case that, in 1973, I was appointed Senior House Officer in General Medicine at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and Woodend Hospital where I pursued a training in gastrointestinal medicine. Having entered the maw of digestive disorders, I spent the next five years gaining invaluable experience and some expertise in this speciality. However, the dizzy heights of consultative gastroenterology practice were not to be mine when, in 1978, I moved sideways into the speciality of communicable diseases. But surely there can be no future in communicable diseases and infection, my peers retorted: we've had Penicillin since 1940 and what about the third generation of Cephalosporins—the medical equivalent of Domestos. Silently, I shared some of the misgivings but I had crossed my Rubicon. The chance to join Professor Alasdair Geddes in the Regional Infectious Diseases Unit at East Birmingham Hospital saw me crossing the River Dee in a southerly direction in 1979 after which I knew my decision to change specialities was correct. The spectrum of disease seen in a large infectious diseases unit was wide and challenging; I saw the banal, the tragic, the exotic. My training was completed in the Microbiology Department of St. Thomas's Hospital where the rougher edges of my Celtic upbringing were smoothed but not completely erased. Later, in 1981, I was appointed Consultant Physician and Specialist in Communicable and Tropical Diseases based at Ham Green Hospital, Pill, Bristol. 1981 was a signal year in infectious disease circles for it was in that year that the first cases of Kaposi's Sarcoma in previously fit, young American males was described. This was the beginning of the AIDS pandemic.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) had arrived, although the exact aetiology of this unusually aggressive disease remained unclear until 1984, when Luke Montagnier and his colleagues isolated a virus from patients with this disease. This virus is now known as Human Immunodeficiency Virus of which there will probably be several types.

From those few, apparently isolated cases in the USA in 1981, the numbers have risen exponentially to exceed 30,000 cases of AIDS by the end of 1986.

The disease has been identified in most developed countries and is a major health problem in wide tracts of the underdeveloped world, in particular in Central and Eastern Africa. The disease was first seen in the United Kingdom in 1982 and by the end of March 1987, there had been 734 cases of AIDS identified, 18 of them in Scotland.

At this juncture, it would be useful to summarise the salient features of AIDS. It is a syndrome, i.e. a characteristic group of specified diseases which occur only in patients whose immune system has been severely damaged by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). The diseases which occur are either rare or opportunistic infections and unusual cancers such as Kaposi's Sarcoma and lymphoma of the central nervous system. The HIV is believed to be transmitted by close and intimate contact with blood and blood containing body fluids. When compared with many other human viral pathogens, HIV is not very infectious: it is 'difficult to catch'. Yet, once it has entered the human body and, in particular, once it has integrated its genetic material into the 15

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genetic material of a variety of human cells, it is indelibly part of the cells so infected. The events occurring subsequent to infection with HIV are very unpredictable. The vast majority of infected people know nothing of their infection or potential infectiousness until months or even years later when they experience a sequence of initially inconveniencing infections and then more severe disorders.

Death follows within six to twenty-four months after the development of these severe opportunistic diseases. Some patients appear to remain well for long periods without any disease at all, but suffer greatly from the psychological pressures of knowing that this virus is sitting dormant within them. Such patients arc facetiously referred to as the 'worried well', and their needs are often as great as those who are overtly ill.

Who is at risk of- cleveloping this infection? Homosexual and bisexual men account for 87 per cent of the British cases: Haemophiliacs account for 4 per cent: Intravenous drug abusers make up 1.5 per cent. The remainder is made up of 13 patients who received a blood transfusion with infected blood, 25 thought to have been infected by heterosexual contact of whom 20 were infected overseas, and 7 paediatric cases.

There can be little doubt that the major high risk group in the UK is the homosexual/bisexual male. However, in the USA, 25 per cent of all AIDS cases have intravenous drug abuse as a major risk factor and, although there have only been 10 cases of AIDS in intravenous drug abusers in the UK, the underlying trends suggest that these numbers are set to rise. Let me explain. A total of 4471 people have been identified in England, Wales and Northern Ireland as being HIV antibody positive, i.e. incontrovertible evidence of infection with HIV but no evidence of disease. The corresponding figure for Scotland is 1100. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, 280 of the 4471 (6 per cent) arc IV drug abusers, while in Scotland 659 of the 1100, (60 per cent) are IV drug abusers.

The role of IV drug abuse in the spread of HIV in Scotland is obvious. It is all the more pernicious since the IV drug abuser can transmit his or her viral infection heterosexually to contacts and the pregnant female intravenous drug abuser stands a 50 per cent chance of transmitting the virus to her unborn child. Already there are 44 children in Scotland with evidence of maternally transferred HIV infection. The vast majority of these children arc expected to develop full blown AIDS within the next 1-3 years.

Given the fact that what we see now in terms of cases of full blown AIDS reflects behaviour and infection risks pertaining 3-5 years ago (the time from HIV infection to development of disease), we must expect a steady increase in numbers of cases over the next 3-5 years. The efficacy of the Government campaign of December 1986 can only by assessed in the light of what happens to the prevalence of this disease 3-5 years hence.

How did I become involved in the management of AIDS patients in Bristol?

I suspect it was inevitable that a physician whose expertise includes the management and investigation of 'infectious patients' should he involved in this new infection. Remember that in 1982, when I was referred my first case, and indeed today, the public's and indeed some professionals' perception of the communicability of HIV was unclear. These patients were regarded as pariahs and so they were referred to the Regional Infectious Diseases Unit, a Unit with nurses trained to handle highly infectious conditions such as typhoid fever and Lassa fever. I began with no experience of AIDS. Much reading and talking with colleagues in London followed. A local education programme for all members of staff was set up and over the months and years, my supporting staff have developed an extremely professional, sympathetic and understanding approach to this group of patients. We have fought to preserve

AIDS—A Professional Experience

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patients' anonymity: we have learned to have a regard for the quality as well as the quantity of life, expecially when dealing with patients in the terminal phases of AIDS. The resources available in the Bristol area for the management of HIV infection include: (i) The Department of Genito-Urinary Medicine: they deal with the vast majority of enquiries from the general public and manage the routine sexually acquired diseases. Patients requiring either in-patient assessment or more general assessment are referred to my Unit at Ham Green Hospital. (ii) Ham Green Hospital, where the South Western Regional Infectious Diseases Unit is sited with 19 beds. I also run an out-patient clinic where patients both at high risk and low risk are counselled before their blood is assessed for HIV antibodies. (iii) Departments of Immunology, Haematology and Pathology which perform the various investigations required when assessing patients with HIV infection. (iv) The Bristol Public Health Laboratory where, in conjunction with two virology colleagues, the antibody to HIV tests are done and research into the various antibodies formed to HIV is being pursued.

The future of HIV infection in the UK is a little difficult to predict with accuracy. We know that there are 5500 HIV antibody positive people already identified in Britain. Experts estimate that there are already 50,000 people already infected, i.e. HIV antibody positive but clinically well. The pessimists (some would say realists) forecast that 70% or more of these HIV positive people will progress to develop clinical diseases and AIDS. Such numbers of ill patients with their attendant physical, social and psychological needs will overwhelm the resources of the NHS, unless new initiatives are found. Already central Government has realised this and is exploring ideas such as hospice care, home care and expansion of hospital units already experienced in looking after these patients. We have seen this happening with the opening of the Unit at the Central Middlesex Hospital by the Princess of Wales. However, resources will be required in the 'provinces', in Bristol and Aberdeen in years to come if the above prognostications are accurate.

In the meantime we are faced with some difficult decisions pertaining to our personal lives. This viral infection has no cure despite the press statements about the anit-viral drug, AZT: this disease cannot be controlled by vaccination. In contradiction to Voltaire's aphorism, 'The efficient physician amuses his patient, while nature effects a cure', this disease has a 100 per cent mortality. Our only immediate means of reducing the spread of this disease is to alter the behaviour which promotes its spread. Sexual intercourse, be it heterosexual or homosexual, must be made 'safer' by barrier contraception (celibacy is an unacceptable option for the vast majority of adults) and positive steps must be taken to reduce the spread of IV drug abuse. The setting up of 'needle exchanges' is one such positive but controversial option. These are the current imperatives facing the population of the UK. They must be faced and tackled effectively: AIDS is the most important public health issue of the twentieth century.

STUART C. GLOVER (1960-66)

The Oval Ball game in Aberdeen . . . American Style Aberdeen's sporting fans have long been accustomed to debating the relative merits of rugby football, hockey and soccer, and each camp has stoutly upheld the virtues of their favourites at Pittodrie, Rubislaw or Seafield.

Recently, however, a new team arida new game have entered the lists as rivals for the affections of Aberdeen sports followers. The Granite City Oilers are in their first season in the Premier Division of Scotland's American Football League. and hopes are high that they will perform creditably.

Dave McDonald (1961-67), the past President of Granite City Oilers, and. to a large extent, the inspiration behind the club's establishment, provides below an account of the inception and early development of American Football in Aberdeen.

Whether you like the game or not, American Football is here to stay! Mainly because of the extensive TV coverage on Channel 4, the game has reached a great many people who would not otherwise have followed the sport. With the large numbers of Americans living and working in Aberdeen over the past ten years, it is only surprising that the game had not developed in the City much earlier, but American Football, or Gridiron, is now well established in Aberdeen in the shape of the "Granite City Oilers", and we are now on the verge of our first season in the National Budweiser League Premier Division!

I got the American Football "bug" while living in Shetland where a local American Coastguard Base received films of the big games each week.

Watching the matches, and having the benefit of many "expert" commentators, I was able to grasp the rules of the game very quickly, and when we threw a ball around, the differences between Gridiron and Rugby became very apparent. The ball is thinner and more pointed, enabling the torpedo pass to be used effectively. As I had introduced Rugby to the Coasties in the shape of the "Sullom Voe Wanderers" (known locally as the Oil Blacks!) the Americans were only too pleased to reciprocate by teaching me the intricacies of their game.

On my return to Aberdeen, I was amazed that Gridiron had not been developed although there were teams in other parts of Scotland, including Shetland's "Red Eyes". Interest in the game was certainly booming and it was in late 1985, that I was discussing the game with a couple of friends over a small lemonade(!!!) and the thought of forming an American Football team in Aberdeen became more of a reality. We met up with two Americans, Mike Gray and Leo Waldinger, who were willing to help set up a team, and, more importantly, coach us in the finer details of the game.

Mike, who was actually an ardent soccer fan and season ticket holder at Pittodrie, was keen to give the idea a try and Leo, standing at 6 ft 8 in and weighing around 270 lb was a most impressive assistant!

We used Super Bowl XX (January 1986) as a publicity springboard, and thanks to excellent press and radio coverge, we arranged a public meeting of all those interested in the Gridiron game. Mike and Leo thought that a couple of dozen might show up, and I had hoped for around fifty, but we were all completely taken aback when around 400 people attended the meeting! The meeting had to be held in two "sittings" as the function room could not accommodate everyone at once.

This showed us that the interest in the City was far greater than any of us had realised, and, after a useful discussion, a Working Party was set up to prepare for the formal establishment of an Association. Another American, Steve Nye, approached me after the meeting for more details of the proposed set-up, but, before he realised what was happening, I had added him to our 18

Granite City Oilers in Action

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(Lest there be any misunderstanding, the Editor would like to make it clear that the Magazine is not introducing a Fix-the-Ball competition.)

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

list of coaches! Two weeks later, at another meeting, a Committee was formed and a Constitution agreed upon; thus the Aberdeen American Football Association was born with the aim of developing the game in the Aberdeen area, and the Granite City Oilers were off and running.

The following week, around 300 lads turned up for the first training session at Seaton Park, and these sessions continued throughout the worst of the weather for several weeks, much to the amazement of our American coaches!

Numbers gradually dropped, until there were four squads of about twentyfive players in each. The next stage in the development was to try to kit out the players, but, as it costs around f300 for only one set of kit, we realised this would be a very difficult task, although the Club was involved in fund raising activities. It was also at this time that the worst effects of the oil recession hit the Oilers. Numbers at training were down to about three dozen stalwarts and Mike Gray was forced to return to the States. Leo and Steve also had offshore commitments, and another American, who had joined the coaching staff, Mike Norvell, could not always guarantee attendance at training. At this stage, morale was low, but a dramatic change took place in early summer.

Two Americans, Ralph Shirley and John Maher, appeared and quickly displayed their skill, knowledge and willingness to coach the Oilers. Better still, they were excited at the prospect of taking a group of keen but inexperienced rookies and converting them into a well organised and skilful team that would be a credit to the game and to Aberdeen. We realised that kit would have to be purchased, but, as no sponsorship was forthcoming, a loan was obtained and fifty sets of kit were purchased. This money had to be recouped fairly quickly, and it was felt that the best way to achieve this would be to organise a game before the end of the season. (American Football is played from Easter to Autumn in Britain.)

The Oilers' first game, the "Granite Bowl" was arranged for 10 August against the Shetland Red Eyes, the most northerly team in the UK. The Red Eyes had been playing for about a year and a half, and the Oilers had five weeks to train with, and become accustomed to, the full playing kit. The team trained hard under the excellent guidance of the coaches, and every effort was also made off the pitch to promote the game with the Aberdeen public at large. This latter effort bore fruit, and, thanks to superb media coverage, 2500 people turned up to watch the Granite City Oilers' first game, which was played on a beautiful sunny afternoon. The Oilers played very well indeed, and it became clear that the lads had learned a great deal in a fairly short space of time. It was extremely heartening, that the Oilers were the winners with a 58-0 score line, and that, due to the very large crowd who attended, a substantial part of our financial outlay had been recovered.

To assess the quality of the Oilers realistically, a team with more playing experience had to be sought, and our next opposition came in the shape of the Clydesdale Colts from Carluke, who had been playing in the British American Football League for over a year. Around 4000 people turned out to support the Oilers, and another glorious day made the occasion. Grandstand seating had been brought in by the Oilers, and once again a family atmosphere was fostered by a number of off-the-field activities.

Although the Colts were far more experienced, the Oilers ran in as 48-12 winners and showed a great deal more commitment and dedication. It was hoped that the Oilers would be accepted into the BAFL, and the Management Committee was very disappointed when the Club was informed that the League had folded. After a short time in limbo, it appeared that the team would not be able to play league football for another year, but soon we were accepted into the Budweiser Division One League, and we were delighted when a vacancy occurred in the higher Premier Division.

The Notes Editorship

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On the brink of our first season in the National League, the Oilers are all set to give some of the other teams a surprise and, if all goes well, the team may reach the play-offs later on in the season.

So, if you are at a loose end on Sunday afternoons, and you fancy sampling the Gridiron atmosphere, come along to support the Oilers at the Nelson Street Playing Fields and enjoy a family day out watching the Oilers and their cheerleaders (the "Baby Oilers") as Aberdeen's own American Football Team does battle in the Premier Division . . . because the Granite City Oilers are THE Team to support!

DAVID MCDONALD (1961-67)

The Notes Editorship Fourteen years after his appointment in 1972, Alan G. Campbell (1959- 65), LL.B., resigned from the office of Notes Editor of the Magazine after the completion of the 1986 issue. In recognition of his service to the Magazine, he was presented with a quaich by the Chairman of the Executive Committee at a meeting in March 1987. Those who read the Magazine over the last fourteen years, but who did not know Alan personally, may have formed the understandable, but quite erroneous impression, that Alan was no more than a diligent researcher and chronicler of his more illustrious fellow FPs' biographies, for Alan's natural diffidence has almost always defended him from the Editor's pressing invitations to include a little autobiography in the Notes from time to time. It is to be expected, however, that Alan's sympathy for his fellow man will overcome any embarrassment he may experience in reading in the Magazine an account of at least some of his many distinctions—he, of all people, has good cause to know how helpful it is to a Notes Editor to find in the Magazine periodic records of an FP's career, when it comes to compiling an obituary!

Alan's career in local government administration has been one of rapid promotion, from his apprenticeship in 1968 to the then Aberdeen County Council to his current appointment as Depute Chief Executive and Director of Law and Administration for Grampian Regional Council. Beyond Grampian, his responsibilities in local government include the chairmanship of the Committee on Office Technology of the Society of Directors of Administration, and an appointment as Adviser on Regional Policy to COSLA. The University of Aberdeen has also recognised Alan's expertise in public administration as well as his personal and communicative skills by appointing him as the Seminar Leader for the Public Administration course of the University's Diploma in Legal Practice.

With all these responsibilities and the Notes to occupy the odd spare hour that might occur throughout the year, it might seem that Alan would have no time for anything else. On the contrary, he has consistently maintained a longstanding and exceptionally active interest in cycling. In pursuit of this interest, he has not only competed creditably and for many years in local and national competitions, but he has also engaged in (to the non-cyclist) lunatic endurance runs, such as the first attempt on Aberdeen to Ardnamurchan and back (42 hours), and the British Cycling Federation centenary run from Cambridge to Inverurie (48 hours). He seems to take particular satisfaction, however, from the Paris to Roubaix race, in which he first competed some years ago, and in which, at the time that this report is written, he is eagerly preparing to participate for a second time.

But the world will not allow people of Alan's administrative ability and selflessness to remain mere cyclists. He is currently Chairman of Deeside

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Thistle, the largest cycling club in Scotland, and holds the office of a senior commissaire (or judge) with the Scottish Cyclists Union. He is the organiser of Aberdeen's first city centre cycle race on the day of the 1987 Festival Parade, five years after Alan first promoted the venture, and he has ambitions, with the financial aid that he is seeking from the Scottish Sports Council, to introduce a movable indoor cycling track that would be laid each winter in the Exhibition Centre. If this ambition is achieved, it would give Aberdeen the only Scottish indoor track of quality outside Edinburgh.

Surely that is enough. But no, Alan's own enjoyment of cycling has compelled him towards sharing that enjoyment with others, who, but for the time that Alan makes available, could not participate in the sport. For many years Alan has been actively involved with Tandems for the Blind, and currently, in addition to his regular runs with a blind cyclist, he is the organiser of the three tandems operated in the Aberdeen area for blind people.

It is well-known, of course, that Alan is a member of the Executive Committee of the FP Club, and it need hardly be added, in the light of the foregoing, that he is a most valuable member of the Committee, whose advice (particularly on matters affecting local government!) is eagerly sought. In former years, Alan also served as a member of the Club Centre Management Committee, and, in the very early days of the Club Centre, he was one of the doughty band of "lockers-up" and assistant unpaid barmen, who endured so much from fellow members around closing time.

In fact, Alan was one of a group of "young Turks", who left School in 1965, and who shared a commitment to the Club, but a reluctance to accept that it could not be improved. The narrow failure to "take over" the Rugby Section at the AGM of the end of season 1965-66 did not entirely dishearten them, and various members of the group continued to cherish their revolutionary hopes and dreams. Some of these have come to fulfilment (or partial fulfilment), but most have perished. Alan's contribution to the Magazine, however, is an enduring memorial to the extravagantly youthful aspirations of the mid-sixties. He began his Notes Editorship when the Magazine still appeared bi-annually and mustered about fifty brief notes in total between the two issues each year, and by 1985 he was in a position to produce 163 very substantial notes for the 100th Anniversary issue. But it was not the simple quantity of notes that mattered; it was the quality of information that Alan was able to include, to some extent by painstaking clerical work on past Magazines and other records, but more particularly because of the excellent relationships, which he developed with FPs of all ages and all backgrounds. It was Alan's constant aim to re-establish the quality of coverage in the Notes that the Magazine enjoyed in the halcyon days of Theodore Watt's editorship, and, bearing in mind the vast growth and dispersal of the FP population since those days, it can readily be asserted that he succeeded.

It is not surprising, that Alan gave "pressure of work" as a reason for demitting office as Notes Editor, but it may be hazarded, that one other factor in his mind was the advantage (both in relation to maintaining contact with new FPs and from a willingness to try new approaches) that accrues to a Notes Editor of relative youth. Alan certainly used that advantage to good effect, and readers of this year's issue may judge for themselves how well Derek Harley (1974-80), M.A., has employed it.

Derek graduated from Aberdeen University with honours in French and German in 1985, having collected prizes and scholarships on the way, and last year he completed his postgraduate certificate in secondary education at Aberdeen College of Education. He is already active on the Executive Committee of the Club (as representative of the Cricket Section, of which he is currently the Secretary) and on the Club Centre Management Committee. At

The Notes Editorship

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School he was Deputy Head Boy, and won the All-Round Trophy in 1980, having been captain of the Cricket 1st XI and the senior chess team for his last two years. He was also awarded colours for hockey and for badminton, and, perhaps most significantly, he was chairman of the School Magazine Committee. It seems a pity that such obvious ability should find a professional outlet in teaching at Robert Gordon's College! Despite that unfortunate association, Derek's zeal for the School and the Club remains unquenched, and it may be predicted with confidence, that he will make a fruitful contribution to the Magazine for many years.

The London Centre Plays Host From 15 to 20 June 1986, the London Centre of the FP Club acted as host to two sixth year pupils from the School, Judith Miller and Richard Adams. This was the third year that such a visit had been organised and for 1987, a similar venture is planned.

The objective is to take the pupils "behind the scenes" of the vocations of former pupils, who are working in London. On these visits, the pupils are guests of the FPs, and with no inhibitions or pressures, searching questions result. The challenge is for the FPs to be able to answer them!

After the School has selected the candidates, the London Centre collaborates with the Parent Club on the details. On the more recent visits, a generous donation from an FP has allowed the participants to enjoy return air travel. For their stay in 1986, our London Centre President, Ian Duguid (1938- 43), kindly acted as host and provided home accommodation.

In 1986, the first morning of the five day visit was held by Robert Falconer (1944-58), a director of Communication Research Ltd. Throughout the morning, Judith and Richard watched work in progress on market research presentations, including sampling techniques. The UK executive team, particularly the younger members, had more informal talks with our two visitors on the wider implications of their profession, providing a fascinating visit. The afternoon found our two in the imposing surroundings of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in King Charles Street, where they were welcomed by Donald Lamont (1951-65), assistant head of the United Nations department. A lively session followed to give an introduction to the work of the Diplomatic Service, which drew on Donald's tours of duty in Moscow and Vienna. Some topical issues and the department's approach were covered, including the "AIDS" problem.

The following day, James Reid (1953-65) put his "day job" to one side, and, in his role as an Inspector in the Special Constabulary, arranged a tour of the Metropolitan Police Training Centre at Hendon. The full training facilities were displayed including the physical and driving schools. Judith and Richard sat in on classes for new recruits and observed how they handled the theoretical and practical aspects of a range of selected incidents. Unfortunately for our intrepid two, lunch was preceded by an experience of the horrors of the Black Museum! Our afternoon itinerary allowed no respite as the No. 1 Court at the Old Bailey was the scene chosen by Ernie Cohen (1949-62), solicitor in his own practice. A full trial for a serious case was in progress and after an attentive hour, there followed a tour of this historic building. We are pleased to report that no one was detained (but remain convinced that we now have two law abiding citizens for the future!). In the evening the Barbican Centre provided an escape where the London Symphony Orchestra was involved in a national competition for young string players and the sub-leader. Lennox Mackenzie (1965-71) took time off before the performance, in the interval and at the end, to explain the workings of this world-renowned orchestra. Other

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

members were introduced and an enjoyable evening was provided by the competitors.

On the third day, the Secretary of the London Centre, Lain Reid (1951-63), acted as host in the Berkeley Square head office of Richard Ellis, chartered surveyors and property consultants. As a partner and head of research, lain was able to put forward the importance of property in commercial terms. Through the discussion and subsequent video presentation, Judith and Richard could appreciate the diversity of major letting projects in hand.

After a splendid lunch at the Oriental Club with the Parent Club President, Andrew Noble (1939-51), the next port of call was Stanford House, head office of the supermarket group, Sainsburys. The company secretary, Nigel Matthews (1958-61) was on hand. After they had spent some time with the graduate recruitment officer, Judy attended a meeting with the market research and statistics department while Richard talked with the marketing and sales manager. Thereafter, a visit was arranged to a new supermarket in Islington to view the use of the formidable in-house computer on all aspects of store operation including the laser checkout. Our guests were reluctant to leave but eventually the management had to shut up shop!

Thus far, our guests had coped admirably with the challenges of moving round a large city but their ultimate solution was found on Thursday. In his capacity as service manager, Sandy Nicol (1962-71) conducted a tour of the action at the Rolls Royce coach built car manufacturing plant in Hammersmith. Such was the interest in the tour, that time again ran out and our pair were unable to emulate the run in a car experienced by previous years' participants but they still arrived at the outwardly serene surroundings of Harley Street. After lunch at the Royal Society of Medicine, our London Centre President, Ian Duguid set out the day of a top ophthalmic surgeon covering the private and national health services. During the week, one of the leading private hospitals, the Wellington, was visited. In the evening some "out of town" sightseeing in Cambridge was laid on by Robert Mennie (1924-36) taking in several historic areas of the city. Sadly, Richard had to leave us at this point for Scotland due to a family bereavement.

A visit to the Stock Exchange trading floor signified the final day of the programme. After a presentation, there followed a tour of Kleinwort Grieveson Investment Management by Ian Carry (1960-73), a manager in the private client department. In the afternoon, the end was in sight and shopping in the West End was a welcome break!

The success of the project each year is due to the significant thought and time put in by all the participants. One year, we were concerned at the very full schedule, only to be reassured by a subsequent letter from one of the pupils stating that it was "the best holiday I have ever had"!

School Section School Office-Bearers Prefects Head Boy: MICHAEL SUTHERLAND Head Girl: TRACEY ROBB Deputy Head Boy: IAIN RALSTON Deputy Head Girl: RHONA MACLENNAN KENNETH MCBREARTY LAIN MCCOMBIE BRIDLE MCGLASHAN DAVID MCINTOSH WILLIAM MAIN KATHRYN MATITIEWS PHILIP MATTHEWS EMILY MAXFIELD GRANT MII.NE LOUISE MOWATT ADAM Mov JOHN REID KARL SCHMITZ JEREMY SEAGER CAROLE SMITH DAVID STEWART SHARON SUTHERLAND CLARE SWEET HELEN WALLIS ANDREW WATT

MEI-LIN AH-SEE MARK ANDERSON LINDA ANGUS FIONA BENNET MICHAEL BISSETT JUDITH BLASDALE COLIN CALDER ELAINE CRAIG SARAH DRUMMOND DEBORAH EAVES GARTH EDWARD NICHOLAS EDWARDS LESLEY FALCONER DUNCAN FLEMING EWAN GEDDES MAURA GRANT MORVEN HADDEN PETER HENDERSON SUZANNE LEIPER LYNDA LILUE BRUCE. WILLOX

Rugby: MICHAEL Bissrt Hockey (boys): GRANT MILNE

Sports Captains Hockey (girls): KERRY SMITH

Literary & Debating Society President: ADAM B. Mov Secretary: ME1-LIN AH-SEE Vice-President: FIONA BENNETT Treasurer: MORVEN HADDL•N

Staff Fit. Sgt.: EWAN J. FASKIN

Combined Cadet Force Fit. Sgt.: MALCOLM CAMERON

Prefects' Notes Tracey J. Robb (Head Girl). Keeps goal for Scotland even though she's barely out of nappies. Has acquired a liking for Croft Original, but no more tea-parties for Tracey this year!

Michael Sutherland (Head Boy). This rare species of Sutherland has been sighted three times in the Skene Street area this year. Another hockey goalie—for the boys' 1st XI. 25

Head boy and Head girl

Michael Sutherland. Traceyi. Robb

Prefects' Notes

27

Rhona MacLennan (Deputy Head Girl). Yet another hockey buff. Hobbies are hockey, hockey and hockey. Resident nag and future mathematician. Plays golf with the blue rinse brigade. Eat your heart out Mrs. Mop! lain L. Ralston (Deputy Head Boy). Who needs Rambo when we have this psycho in our midst? Hobbies include buying furry dice, driving his "Thinking man's Robin Reliant" (Skoda, minus 2nd gear). He loves Space 1999 pullovers, and spinning on his head.

Mei-Lin W. Ah-See. Keen Literary and Debater. Favourite people include Pythagoras, Einstein and Mrs. Greig. Quote of the year: "I must have failed that exam—I missed out at least five marks worth."

Mark). Anderson. Known to his friends as Marie. A broken hand . . . but did he fall—or was he pushed? Pat Bennettar fan—the only person who still listens to Northsound!

Linda J. Angus. Likes the odd "ole" with Mr. Scott—resides in Language Block with particular interest in Room 38. A keen equestrian follower.

Fiona Bennett. When Mark said "Gordon Bennett" we knew he meant Fiona. Vice-president of Lit. and Deb. she comes into frequent contact with Mr. Caie, but not so often in the English classroom! Keep singing Vogel!

Michael G. Bisset. Mr. Adey's protégé. Has a "great attitude"! Lives for rugby and SSSHH. . .! Say no more!!

Judith Blasdale. Another (pretend) quiet one. Keen biologist—well into human samples . . . but can she tell the difference between them and gin?

Colin J. Calder. Gets relief on first floors or was it just a leak? Finds himself a flanker but would rather find a hooker! (Oops, sorry Lesley!)

Elaine M. Craig. What are A.M.s?? Our future Oxford student. Only 300 dissertations to finish before Friday.

Sally L. Drummond. Sally is the resident 'Coke' supplier. Enjoys speaking gibberish, but has a great love of the outdoors, especially after closing time.

Vice-captain of the 1st XI—or is she?

Debbie J. Eaves. Our 5"h" tyrant of Rosemount Girls Toilets. Enjoys geometry, Mr. Anderson, and the bagpipes.

Garth C. Edward. Literary and Debating heckler. Scrums half, poses the

other half.

Nicholas Edwards. The only quiet person in the Howff. Can be found either in a lab or in a book. Enjoys bee-keeping.

Lesley J. Falconer. Enjoys sexing fruitflics in her spare time and can easily be found in Biology labs. Also plays hockey for 1st XL Duncan K. Fleming. Our little cripple fae Bunkory. Keen skier but keeps to the nursery slopes. Has an aversion to school dinners as he can't reach the serving hatch!

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Ewan Geddes. First of the Famous Five. Enjoys rugby of the female kind.

Another one who has lost the Howff this year.

Maura T. Grant. "Innocent" little Maura enjoys skiing and "beating" about the bush. Keen to 'Venture' into the unkown. . . .

Morven M. M. Hadden. Has an aversion to Latin classes. Collects reptiles.

Hobbies include leap-frog, swimming and Lit. and Deb. This angel of mercy enjoys nothing better than looking after unfortunate souls with physical deformities. . . .

Peter W. Henderson. Resides in the sixth year Common Room. Occasionally surfaces to meet the man with the gravitating hair.

Suzanne Leiper. Martini girl of the Howff. Will she be seen with her tray and glasses on 5th Avenue this summer?

Lynda E. Lillie. 5 down, 10 to go (Does she wash their kit as well?) Personal secretary to Mr. May and Mr. Will. Hobbies are cycling and squash.

Kenny McBrearty. Idol of the first years and keen entrepreneur. Likes money, money and money. Hobbies include making money, going to the bank and receiving Valentines. lain A. D. McCombie. Enjoys away trips—especially Glasgow. . . But don't worry—we won't tell anyone!

Bridie D. McGlashan. Enjoys listening to gossip in Accounting. Plays the odd game of netball and runs all the way!

David R. McIntosh. Good friend of Henry J, though if they have a tiff David isn't allowed to visit.

William Main: Billy only has one brain cell but we don't hold it against him! Likes dressing up in women's clothing only if it's Helen's. . . .

Kathryn J. Matthews. Our extra loud "Hair-Bear" Fan. Hobbies include hassling Mr. Jones and Mr. Guthrie. Knows everything about the stage or is it just the hands?

Philip J. Matthews. Our resident communist is rarely seen in the Howff as he's too usy visiting Stonehaven. Something of a womaniser??

Emily Maxfield. Crystal Tipps look-alike. Enjoys wearing a hard hat and sitting on the back of a horse—another equestrian fan.

Grant G. Milne. Grant is the resident stud (we don't think). Disappointing reaction to Valentine's Day—only two this year. "Hopalong ' is still investigating who "tripped" him at basketball. . . .

Louise E. Mowatt. (Louise "actually" Mowatt). A "casual" admirer of John Hewitt. She is also a keen poseure at Glenshee. Keep up the "bailey' but forget about the singing and the wing mirror. . . .

Literary and Debating Society

29

Adam B. Moy. President of the Lit and Deb. A future lawyer. Lodges in Osborne Place—but can he afford the rent?

John M. Reid. Seems to have mislaid the Howff this year. Sixth Year music fan—likes to have "Men about the House".

Karl A. L. Schmitz. What can we say about this perfect physical specimen—he nose what we're speaking about. Will try for nine Highers if he has the time.

Jeremy G. Seager. 'ear 'ear has a certain "ring" to it. Sometimes takes "Pits" in the morning to revive himself before playing hockey and badminton for the school. Favourite expressions include "Wot no licence".

Carole M. L. Smith: An Honours student at Kaimhill Dry Ski-slope. Has recently experienced the delights of Glenshee.

David W. A. Stewart. "Excuse me. .. . Can I have an Ovaltine please. . . . Oh, and a Ribena Chaser please?" Plays hockey for 1st Xl when he's not in hospital.

Sharon L. Sutherland. Does Sharon give dirty phone calls or is she just hyperventilating? Captained the Under-16 North Hockey Team as well as the odd game of netball.

Tamsin C. Sweet. Never known to frequent Harlaw Playing Fields, and can regularly be seen chased by a certain hockey teacher. . . . Is she really what her surname makes her out to be?

Helen C. Wallis: The only person in the 1st XI hockey team that can be sarcastic to a certain PE teacher—and get way with it. She's not called ''Motormouth" for nothing!

Andrew). Watt. Yet another member of Mr. Adey's "Elite Squad" which seldom wins. Hobbies include drinking, womanising, and then consoling himself with another pint. Resembles a bleached Mike Tyson.

Bruce Willox. Plays 1st Xl hockey and can regularly be seen on the slopes—side profile resembles the Cairngorms! Don't get in a car with this boy if you value your life! "I've got a Nuclear Volkswagen Passat with Episoidal Headlamps." Nickname—Schnorman Fontainebleu.

Literary and Debating Society The sad decline of the Literary and Debating Society during the session 85/86 has fortunately not been repeated this year. Although the Society's activities were limited by Problems of communication and accommodation following the loss of the Library, much hard work took place to restore the Society's former prestige. It is after all the oldest society in the School with a great tradition and it deserves strong support.

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

This year's debates have had a mixed response, ranging from an attendance of about 30 on such topics as religion and terrorism ("the old faithfuls') to an astounding figure of over one hundred on issues like abortion and South Africa. It was clear that controversial topics were the real crowd pullers—something of which next year's committee, we hope, will take note.

These controversial debates were carried out in the most professional and mature manner; reasonable arguments were put forward and a whole range of diverse questions were debated.

Two teams were involved in competitions this year. One got through the first round of the English Speaking Union. The other team entered the Bank of Scotland Debate and also completed one round.

The society also enjoyed much humour in the form of a Hat Night and inter-school debates. The pinnacle of this year's comedy, however, was the Staff v Pupils Quiz! About 150 people turned out to see the two teams quizzing furiously over Blockbusters, Call My Bluff and Trivial Pursuit questions. Sui-Yen Ah-See, the headgirl of 1983, kindly acted as Chairperson.

Thus the Literary and Debating Society has survived a difficult year.

ADAM B. MOY (President)

Combined Cadet Force We are very pleased to report that the Joint Cadet Executive has approved our application to restore the Army Section of the School's Combined Cadet Force. With effect from 1 May 1987, the Establishment of the School's Contingent became 35 Army Section Cadets and 75 RAF Section Cadets. Due to this increase in numbers, the Contingent Commander was promoted to the Acting Paid Rank of Squadron Leader and the Officer Commanding the RAF Section was promoted to the Acting Paid Rank of Flight Lieutenant.

On 20 June 1986 the School's CCF Contingent was inspected by Air Vice Marshal D. Brook, Air Officer Commanding Scotland & Northern Ireland.

The Inspecting Officer arrived at the School in a Wessex Helicopter, which landed on the front lawn of the school. The Contingent, which consisted of 55 cadets of the RAF Section, put on a fine show of many of the training activities and we received a creditable Inspection Report. On the same day, Major R. Gray stepped down as Contingent Commander and resigned his Commission.

He was succeeded by Flight Lieutenant R. J. Nugent. Flying Officer G. Morrison became RAF Section Commander.

Our Civilian Instructor, Mr. G. Rolfe, has continued to assist our RAF Section over the past Session. He has recently gained a Commission in the RAFVR/T and will shortly take up flying duties, on a part-time basis, with the Air Experience Flying Unit No. 12 at RAF Turnhouse, Edinburgh. We certainly hope that he will find sufficient time to continue to help us in the future. Flight Sergeant J. Clarkson, the RAF Liaison NCO, has also given the RAF Section invaluable assistance over the past year. He will soon be posted to RAF Lossiemouth and we wish him every success in his new duties.

On the subject of Air Experience Flying, we are pleased to state that all our eligible cadets have been given at least 25 minutes AEF in Chipmunks this Session. Many cadets have obtained more than 1 hour AEF when Summer/Easter Camp Flying is included in the total. Later this year, we hope to supplement our AEF Programme with Helicopter Flights at 22 Squadron, RAF Leuchars and 202 Squadron, RAF Lossiemouth (Air/Sea Rescue).

As Flying Officer Morrison is a Gliding Instructor at 663 Gliding School, RAF Kinloss, he has been able to arrange some Familiarisation Gliding for our RAF Section Cadets during weekends. The gliders operated from RAF Kinloss have recently been upgraded to Ventures which have an on-board engine. At

Biennial Inspection of Aberdeen Grammar School CCF20 June 1987

Left to Right: Flt. Sgt. A. Clark, Flt.Lt. R. J. Nugent, AVM D. Brook (Inspecting Officer), Mt. R. D Gill (Rector), Cpl. I. Ralston, Cdt. S. Garland. (Photograph reproduced by permission of Aberdeen Journals.)

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

least 12 cadets have been given Familiarisation Gliding this Session and we hope to provide further opportunities later this year. Unfortunately, our Primary Sailplane Glider, stored and operated from Rubislaw Playing Fields, will soon be withdrawn from service. Engineers discovered defects in the structural fabric of some Sailplanes in the fleet and, in the interests of safety, Headquarters Air Cadets issued a directive which grounded all Sailplane Gliders. It seems very likely that these machines will never be seen in the air again, which is a pity, as they have no near equivalent as a replacement.

Flight Sergeant Ewan Faskin and Sergeant Michael Rhind were each awarded a Flying Scholarship by the RAF this year, and Corporal Paul Mellor was awarded a Sixth Form Scholarship. Furthermore, Flight Sergeant Malcolm Cameron, Flight Sergeants Ewan Faskin and lain Ralston gained their Gliding Wings last summer. We should like to congratulate all these cadets on their success.

This year, Flight Sergeant E. Faskin became our first RAF Section cadet to be taken on as a Staff Cadet with No. 662 Venture Gliding School at RM Condor, Arbroath. On 8 March 1987 he was awarded his Grade 1 Pilot Award, which allows him to fly as captain of a glider, flying passenger cadets on Familiarisation trips. His first passenger carrying trip lasted over one hour and the glider attained a maximum height of 3000 ft. He is to be congratulated on his considerable achievement.

The teaching of the CCF/RAF Section Syllabus has continued this year. By December 1986 ten cadets passed Part 1 of the Proficiency Syllabus, thirteen cadets passed Part 2, and three cadets passed at the Advanced Level.

As in previous years, the Rector of the School inspected the Contingent and presented Proficiency Certificates at a Special Parade in December 1986. A number of cadets were promoted in rank: Sergeants E. Faskin and M. Cameron were promoted to Flight Sergeant; Corporals M. Rhind, K. Ramsay and G. Milne were promoted to Sergeant; Junior Corporals M. Bruce, P. Main, C. Fraser and J. Davidson were promoted to Corporal. Eight Junior Corporals were appointed. This was Mr. Gill's last Inspection Parade as Rector of the School and the Contingent presented him with a crystal glass goblet engraved with the CCF Crest. We would like to express our appreciation for the support which Mr. Gill has shown to the CCF Contingent during his Rectorship.

Last year, twenty-five cadets attended Summer Camp at RAF Swanton Morley, where they spent an enjoyable week. This year ten cadets will attend Easter Camp at RAF Binbrook; twenty cadets will also attend Summer Camp in July. In addition, two cadets travelled to RAF Gibraltar last year during the Easter Holidays. This year, four cadets will be given the opportunity to go to RAF Gibraltar.

We are pleased to report that the RAF Section won the Wings Appeal Trophy for the third year in succession. Around thirty cadets collected the sum of (1280 for the RAFA Benevolent Fund. Sixteen cadets attended a Presentation Parade at Douneside House, Tarland, in October where they were inspected by the Administrator of the MacRobert Trust, Lieutenant General Sir Robert Richardson.

Boys' Hockey 1st XI The 1986/87 season proved to be one of the most successful seasons for many years.

The following pool of players contributed to this 1st XI success: .

G. Milne Captain, B. Willox Vice-captain, M. Sutherland, M. Parsons, D. Fleming, R. Munro, R. Squair, J. Seager, D. Stewart. A. Simpson, S. Tennant and M. Mitchell. The following players were also involved: R. Bradbury, C. Howie, E. Willox, D. Lumsden and F. Milne.

Badminton

33

The season started well with a 12-0 win over Robert Gordon's 'C' at Rubislaw and victory in the North District Sixes tournament the following week. This was the first of three competitions which we were to win in the course of the year. Our first defeat of the season was at the hands of Cults F.P.s but this did not affect our future performance. The team went on to win the two kg cup final against Robert Gordon's 3-0 at Rubislaw (agg. 4-1). The latter part of the season was one of mixed fortune as the team was plagued by injury with five regular players out including the captain. Our other three defeats of the season came against Gordonstoun, Fettes and Robert Gordon's 'B' which were all away matches. The team spirit was lifted with a victory over Strathallan. This was the first time in a number of years that the Strathallan team had been defeated at home. The season was rounded off with the league being won at Rubislaw over Robert Gordon's.

The members of the team would like to thank Mr. D. Swanson for his unfailing help and all-round hockey knowledge, and also Mr. H. Millar and Mr. W. Cran for their help at Rubislaw.

Rugby 1st XV The Aberdeen Grammar School rugby squad this season consisted of the following players: A. Watt, N. Begg, M. Bisset Captain, C. Sinclair, W. Main, C. Calder, G. Herrera, I. Ralston, S. Matthews, I. Rawlinson, G. Edward, I. McCombie Vice-captain, S. Rolfe, D. Mitchell, K. Jamieson, C. Anderson, E. Geddes, M. Coulter, K. Ramsay and C. Kelty.

The 1986-87 season began well. We won three out of our first four matches with good performances against Madras Colts (28-15) and Moray Colts (42-0).

The team continued to persevere throughout the season often playing high quality opposition with respectable, if not winning, results. The most notable feature came near the end of the season, when with a lifting of spirit and morale we defeated Hutcheson's Academy from Glasgow, 12 points to 8, a feat not accomplished in recent years.

The team would like to thank Mr. B. Adey for his time and effort this season, and Mr. H. Millar for the quality of the rugby pitches this season.

The team's playing record was: F A W L D P 313 — 341 22 7 15

Badminton The School Badminton Club has over forty members and plays every Sunday in Hazlehead Academy games hall. This season the senior team won the Royal Bank Shield for school teams in South Grampian.

Grammar School players won four titles at the inter-schools tournament in January— Ann Falconer Under-16 Girls Singles: Arlene Bruce, Lindsey Pont Under-16 Girls Doubles: Under-16 Mixed Doubles: Andrew Fearnley, Arlene Bruce Pamela Robertson, Ann Under-19 Girls Doubles: Falconer These players will now compete in the Scottish Championships in Edinburgh.

The school junior champion is Christopher Gray with Christopher Brown runner-up.

The school senior boys' champion (for the 4th time!) is Jeremy Seager, SVI. Winner of the senior girls' championship is Pamela Robertson, SVI. The club would welcome any help from interested parents.

Extra-Curricular Scientific Activities British Association Science and Technology Awards, 1987 Grammar Pupils to compete in U.K. Finals in London

Two sixth year Grammar pupils, Nicholas Edwards and Michael Cooper, have reached the U.K. finals at BAYSDAY, an annual event for young people interested in science, for their work with bees. BAYSDAY (British Association Young Scientists Day), organised by the British Association for the Advancement of Science and sponsored by Philips Electronics, is to be held in London Zoo on Saturday 28 March this year. From there, Nicholas' and Michael's combined projects could lead them to represent Great Britain in Science Finals in Paris at the European Philips Young Scientists and Inventors Contest or in San Juan, Puerto Rico at the International Science and Engineering Fair.

The projects are being supervised by the Grammar School Chemistry Department with help from Caleb Brett commercial laboratories at Dyce. The Caleb Brett staff involved are FP Mr. Raymond Pink. Mr. A. McLaughlan, Mr. R. Graham and Mr. P. McRonald. Both projects involve analysing the chemical content of honey. Nicholas is using the level of a chemical compound called HMF to determine whether or not a honey sample has been adulterated by adding a sugar solution. Michael is measuring the small quantities of lead in local honeys as an indicator of environmental pollution.

Mr. William May, Head of the Chemistry Department, had been thinking for a while about a project involving the school bees and wrote to Professor Witold Zalewski of the Agricultural and Teacher University of Siedlce, Poland last year after reading about some of his research with bees. The outcome of their correspondence led to the start of the present projects. The research was soon underway as the Biology Department keeps bees in the school grounds.

Mr. May could not believe his luck when later he found that Dr. Paul Atkinson, who joined the department almost two years ago, keeps bees and is a member of the British Beekeepers Association. Dr. Atkinson 's knowledge and keen interest in bees and his research experience have been invaluable over the past few months.

The pupils are currently buzzing around preparing the combined project report and display material. They will be accompanied to London by Mr. May and Mr. Pirie. Unfortunately, Dr. Atkinson is unable to attend this event.

Nicholas and Michael are short of time to do everything they would like for their entry and are being assisted by Adam Moy and Matthew Nimmo of Class VI in the preparation of a video display. Mr. May's experience of the 1975, 1976 and 1977 British and European Young Scientists Finals where his teams gained awards and when the School was known as Rubislaw Academy, is speeding up the preparations. The participation in BAYSDAY is an excellent start for the BAYS Club which has just been formed in school.

British Association Young Scientists (BAYS) Aberdeen Grammar School Branch

A new science society has recently been established in the School, affiliated to the national organisation, BAYS. It is the junior section of the British Association for the Advancement of Science (BAAS) and is the country's largest youth science organisation.

BAYS organise many national activities, including an annual conference and competition for which Nicholas Edwards and Michael Cooper (sixth form) with their amalgamated chemistry projects. have been entered to contend for this year's award.

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Shell Motor Mileage Marathon

35

BAYS members also receive the Society's quarterly magazine, Scope, which we hope will be supplemented by our own branch newsletter. Discount to national scientific establishments is also offered, and the club will be organising visits to local institutions.

So far, over 100 pupils have applied to join our branch. The first lecture was on Forensic Science by Inspector David Jensen of Grampian Police. The club aims to organise further lectures, films, visits, competitions and inevitably, fund raising events!

The club is fortunate, however, in that the TSB have offered it sponsorship.

Mrs. Burnett, Manageress of the TSB in Rosemount Place, presented a cheque to Paul Mellor, the branch chairman at a meeting of the Club on Monday 16 March 1987. The club is grateful for the donation to its funds.

We currently need people prepared to talk at meetings on any aspect of science or technology in this or the coming academic year. If readers can assist the club in this matter or offer advice, it will be gratefully accepted.

Finally, I would like to thank all the advisers, Mr. May, Mr. K. Murray, Mr. Nugent and Mr. Leishman for their work, suggestions and support and the Science Technicians for their kind help.

PAUL MELLOR, SVI

Shell Motor Mileage Marathon Under the guidance of Mr. William May, Principal Teacher of Chemistry, and Mr. Trevor Jones, Assistant Principal Teacher of Science, a group of four fifth year pupils, Ian C. Smith, Christopher Dubbels, Michael Greig and Fraser Mitchell along with two younger pupils, Stephanie Coopes and Robin Forsyth, has entered the Shell Motor Mileage Marathon. This is proving to be a most stimulating venture for them.

The task to be undertaken is the designing and construction of a vehicle that will achieve an optimum mileage on one gallon of petrol.

In order to make this financially possible various sponsors were sought. The responses by local concerns have been most generous. These are as follows: Harper Motor Company Limited Principal sponsors: Grampian Motor Training Limited Barclay Ross, Home Garden Centres Shirlaws Motor Cycles, (The Service Manager, Mr. Other sponsors: Alan Cowie, is an FP) Halfords Limited Encouraged by such support, the production team, led by Ian C. Smith, team manager, has designed, and is constructing the vehicle using a 16cc hedge trimmer engine, and various lightweight bicycle parts. The assembly has been taking place at the Grampian Motor Training Centre, Aberdeen, where help and advice has been generously given by Mr. Dominy, Manager of the Centre, and Mr. Ross, Managing Director of the Harper Motor Company Limited.

This venture is proving to be both a stimulating and a valuable experience for the boys concerned. Not only has it enabled them to work together for their School but it has also provided them with experience of interviewing and communicating with people in the business world.

It is the hope of the team that future groups from Aberdeen Grammar School will continue to accept the challenge posed by this competition in the years to come.

British Association Young Scientists Finalists

Nicholas Edwards, Michael Cooper

Shell Motor Mileage Marathon Team

Back row: Mr. W. May. Middle row: Christopher Dubbels, Michael Greig, Fraser Mitchell, Ian Smith. Front row: Stephanie Coopes (S1), Robin Forsyth (52), the team's "drivers".

Amoco Educational Award, 1986

37

Meanwhile the 1987 team are enthusiastically looking forward to July when they hope to enjoy success with their vehicle when it performs at the Silverstone Racing Circuit.

Amoco Educational Award, 1986 The Amoco Educational Award Scheme, sponsored by Amoco (UK) Exploration Company. in conjunction with the Department of Education of Grampian Regional Council, is open to all sixth year science students in secondary schools, who are carrying out project work within the syllabus for the Certificate of Sixth Year Studies. Last year, Sallyanne Hutchison, Head Girl, gained third prize with her CSYS Chemistry project on "Analysis of Dolomite". The prize consisted of a camera valued at over £100 to Sallyanne and f250 to the School. The money is being used to buy science equipment.

Sallyanne is now studying Medical Science at St. Andrew's University and hopes to specialise in Forensic Science, when her course is completed.

Former Pupils' Club Section (Club Founded 11 September 1893) Club Office-Bearers, 1987-88 Honorary President: WILLIAM J. JOHNSTON B.SC. DIP.ED. (Rector) Honorary Vice-Presidents: IAN G. MCPHERSON (1910-17). (President, 1965-66) EDWARD J. WOOD (1908-21), M.A. (President, 1966-67) JOSEPH R. CARRY (1918-30), M.B.E.. T.D.. D.C., F.B.C.O. (President, 1967-68) ERIC Ros Bituarr (1920-22), C.A. (President, 1968-69) AUAN C. FRAZER (1925-30), M.A.. LLB.. w.s. (President, 1970-71) JOHN V. SKINNER, M.A., M.LITT., DIP.EM.J.P. (Rector, 1959-72) AIR MARSHAL SIR LESLIE MAYOR (1923-33), K.C.B.. A.F.C., D.L., F.R AF S . R.A.F. (President 1972-73) GEORGE E. C. BARTON (1923-26), M.A. (President, 1973-74) THE VERY REVD. J. FRASER MCLUSKEY (1920-31), M.C.. D.D. (President, 1974-75) ALAN C. R. WArr (1925-37), M.A., LL.B (President, 1975-76) RosEar A. E. MENNIE (1924-36), M.A.. F.INST. PET. (President, 1976-77) JOHN W. CRADOCK (1941-46), C.A. (President, 1977-78) WILLIAM L. CONNON (1930-40), B.L. (President, 1979-80) T. GORDON Colors (1938-49, 1950-51), Q.C.. M.A., LLB. (President, 1980-81) NEIL I. W. MEIDRUM (1925-37), M.A.. LL.B. (President, 1981-82) JAMES A. N. WATT (1927-39), C.A. (President, 1982- 83) BRIAN K. CROOKSHANKS (1934-46), T.D.. M.A.. LL.B. (President, 1983-84) ERIC D. WATT (1937-50), B.ED. (President, 1984-85) MAURICE CRAMB (1916-29), M.A.. u. B.. U.D. ALAN). PETERS (1920-30), C.A. IAN LEWIS Smrrm (1918-30) DOUGLAS N. GEORGESON (1929-40) (President, 1985-86) ROBERT D. GILL, M.A. (Rector, 1972-86) ANDREW S. NOBLE (1939-52), M.A.. F.C.m.A.. F.I.M.A. (President 1986-87)

President: PROF. PHILIP N. LOVE (1952-58), C.B E.. M.A.. LL.B.

Vice-President of Club and Chairman of Executive: A. KEITH CAMPBELL (1944- 53), T.ENG.(CEI), M.INST. A .E.A Secretary: JOHN F. HENDRY (1951-65), U..B. 36 Albyn Place, Aberdeen AB9 IYU

Treasurer: COUN C. AU.AN (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 ABI 8HQ 38

Former Pupils' Club Section

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Secretaries of Centres Club Centre—JoHN A. MACRAE. AGSFP Club Centre, 86 Queen's Road, Aberdeen AB1 6YQ. Edinburgh—NIGEL G. M. WATT (1963-69), w.S., 11 Atholl Crescent, Edinburgh EH3 8HE. Glasgow—J. PETER CAIRNS (1943-57), Dellglenan, 3 John Street Lane, Helensburgh, G84 9NA. London—IAIN A. REID (1951-63), do Richard Ellis plc, Berkeley Square House, Berkeley Square, London W1X 6AN. Tel. 01-629 6290.

Yorkshire—DAVID R. CORMACK (1963-67), 12 Castle Drive, South Cave, Brough, North Humberside HU15 2ES. Ireland—ANDREW M. M. STEVEN (1936-50), M.A., LL.B., DIP.ED.. 5 Beechill Avenue, Saintfield Road, Belfast BT8 4NS. Secretaries of Sections Cricket—DEREK A. HARLEY (1974-80), M.A., 57 Mile End Avenue, Aberdeen AB2 4PU. Curling—BRUCE S. ALLAN (1953-58), A.R.I.A.S., 55 Carden Place, Aberdeen AB1 1UN. Golf-PETER M. ROBERTSON (1967-73), U.S.. 33 Northburn Avenue, Aberdeen AB2 6AH. Hockey—DENts N. YULE (1960-66), LL.B., 14 Lochside Road, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen AB2 8AE. Photographic—NEIL J. G. LAWRIE (1961-74), 9 Braeside Terrace, Aberdeen AB1 7TS. Rugby—MICHAEL G. H. GIBB (1942-46), 25 Viewfield Road, Aberdeen AB1 7XL. Swumning—ROGER D. HOUGHTON (1959-63), LL.B., 19 Richmondhill Gardens, Aberdeen AB2 4LW. Women's Hockey—LESLEY S. CARSON (1981-85), 116 Ashgrove Road West, Aberdeen AB2 5BD. Executive Committee The Vice-President of the Club, Chairman MELVILLE F. WATsoN (1943-56), Vice-Chairman The Secretary, the Treasurer and the General Editor of the Magazine. ex officiis The Rector of the School, ex officio ALAN G. CAMPBELL (1959-65) RONALD W. GRANT (1948-61) ANDREW M. CAMPBELL (1916-27) CALUM J. MCDONALD (1973-79) LESLEY S. CARSON (1981-85) ROBERT H. R. MACKIE (1970) JAMES M. CLARK (1947-59) JEREMY D. MOIR (1969-75) HARVEY E. MORRISON (1951-65) JOHN P. DRUMMOND (1947-58) DOUGLAS G. FOWLIE (1950-64) AMANDA E. TAYLOR (1974-80) LESLEY D. FRASER (1974-80) M. STUART WATSON (1977-83) JOHN GARVIE (1976-81) G. FRASER WEBSTER (1949-62) Section Representatives Club Centre—H. ALAN S. HAMILTON (1943-56) Cricket—DEREK A. HARLEY (1974-80) Curling—BRUCE S. ALLAN (1953-58) Golf-GEORGE M. THOMSON (1943-44) Hockey—BRIAN COCKBURN (1965-71) Rugby—IAN H. MCLEOD (1951-55) Staff—RUSSELL GRAY (1951-65) Swimming—PETER M. ROBERTSON (1967-73) Auditors Messrs. BOWER & SMITH, C.A. Club Consuls Australia—DR. FORBES SMITH (1945-57), 8 Narrung Road, Mount Eliza 3930, Victoria, Australia.

Canada—G. DOUGLAS MENZIES (1934-44), 15414 74th Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T5R 2Y4.

Canada—GORDON B. SINGER (1949-50), 103 Lake Mead Drive, Calgary, Canada 72P 327.

Malawi—ALASDAIR H, McLEOD (1938-61), PO Box 30045, Lilongwe 3, Republic of Malawi, Central Africa.

New Zealand—MICHAEL B. THOMSON (1938-51), 39 Jubilee Road, Khandallah, Wellington 4, New Zealand.

United States—MICHAEL G. KING (1951-60), 4720 Fortuna Way, Salt Lake City, Utah 84124.

West Africa—BRIAN S. GRAY (1943-49), World Bank, Abidjan, Ivory Coast, West Africa.

Annual General Meeting The Eighty-fifth Annual General Meeting of the Club was held at the Club Centre, 86 Queen's Road, Aberdeen on Monday 30 March 1987.

On behalf of the Club, the Chairman expressed appreciation of the extraordinary courtesy shown to the Club by the attendance of Mr. William J. Johnston, the new Rector, who had taken up his appointment only earlier that day. In welcoming the Rector, the Chairman wished him a long and happy association with both the School and the Club. In reply, Mr. Johnston referred to his appointment as a pinnacle of his career, and expressed the intention to foster the welfare of both School and Club.

Executive Report The following is a summary of the Executive Report submitted by the Chairman, Mr. A. Keith Campbell.

Deaths of Members The Executive had noted with sadness the deaths of two prominent FPs, Sir lain Sutherland and Major-General R. A. Smart. In addition, the School itself had suffered a loss by the sudden death of Mr. Ian Galloway, and the death of a well-known former member of staff. Miss Mary Matheson. had also saddened her former pupils.

Membership In the course of the year membership had declined by 45.

School The School's year, of course had been traumatic. The retirement of the Rector, Mr. Gill, had been overshadowed by the disastrous fire at the end of session 1985-86. It was only through the most strenuous and highly commendable efforts of all concerned with the School, that classes had been resumed virtually on time after the summer holidays with part of the teaching accommodated in temporary structures on the front lawn.

During the year more than £1000 had been disbursed from the Amenities Fund for the benefit of School pupils.

The London Centre had again acted as hosts to two selected School visitors to the capital.

The Club owed a debt of gratitude to both Mr. Gill and Mr. Russell Gray (the staff representative on the Executive Committee) for the commitment they had demonstrated in the task of strengthening the continuing bond between the School and the Club.

Magazine In recording its satisfaction with the 1986 issue of the Magazine, the Executive wished to express its appreciation in particular of the excellent service devoted to the Magazine

by Mr. Alan G. Campbell, the Notes Editor for fourteen years. With effect from the 1987 issue, the Notes Editor would be Mr. Derek A. Harley.

Honours to FPs In June 1986 Dr. D. W. C. Smith had taken up the office of President of the Scottish Rugby Union with Mr. W. L. Connon as his Senior Vice-President, an extraordinary achievement for a School so distant geographically from the conventionally assumed rugby playing centres of Scotland. Mr. Denys Henderson. Chairman Designate of ICI, and Mr. Andrew Noble, the President of the Club, were shortly to receive the degree of a D of the University of Aberdeen. Professor Philip Love had been appointed VicePrincipal of the University of Aberdeen.

Social Both the Annual Dinner and the Annual Ball had been well attended in 1986, and it was particularly pleasing to report the growth in support of younger members for these two functions.

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Annual Dinner 1985

41

The Centres of the Club had maintained their traditional activities, and the Club President and the Chairman had been privileged to attend the Annual Dinners in Edinburgh. Glasgow, London and Yorkshire.

General Business Reports on the year's activities were submitted by representatives of the Club's Sections and the Club Centre. Similar reports appear later in this Magazine.

Office-bearers for the year 1987-88 were elected in accordance with the lists contained earlier in this Magazine.

The Club's accounts for the year were submitted and approved. An abstract of the accounts is printed at the end of this Magazine. and the full Statement of Account may be obtained on request to the Secretary.

Annual Dinner 1986 The 1986 Annual Dinner, held on 31 October 1986 in the New Marcliffe Hotel, will be remembered by all present as an occasion of determined, but justified, optimism in the face of adversity. Not only had the devastation of the central building of the School by the recent fire raised awkward guestions in the minds of even the most committed former pupils, but the intended principal speaker, Mr J. V. Skinner, the former Rector held in great affection by the pupils of his administration, had been prevented from attending the dinner by a severe stroke sustained some weeks before. On the face of it, these were not the most auspicious conditions for an evening's celebration of the School and Club.

It is particularly satisfying, therefore, to record that the company attending numbered 174 in all (a further increase of 41 on last year's total), and that all attending left the New Marcliffe amply reassured in spirit as to the future of the School.

The Entertainments Committee is particularly gratified to note the continuing growth in the attendance of younger FPs-45 of those present in 1986 had left School within the previous five years—and this promises much, of course, not only for the future of the Dinner itself, but also for the future development of the tradition of the Club.

Another encouraging feature was the continuing active participation of lady members in the Dinner, this year in the person of Amanda Taylor, who was the second lady in successive years to propose the toast to the guests. She discharged her responsibility in a manner, which further enhanced the reputation of her sex and her generation within the Club.

But it is probably the message of resilience and renaissance so confidently and forcefully delivered by the principal speakers, that will remain in the hearts and minds of the company at the 1986 Dinner.

Before introducing the principal speaker (and after securing the company's enthusiastic agreement to the despatch on their behalf of very best wishes for a speedy recovery to Mr. Skinner), Andrew Noble, the Club President, drew attention to the presence of two couples at the Dinner. The first was Michael Sutherland and Tracey Robb, who, as Head Boy and Head Girl, were the guests of the Club in continuation of the "tradition" begun in 1985. The second was Tim McKay and Fiona McKay (n& McCombie), who were not only the first Head Boy and Girl to marry, but also the first married couple to attend the Dinner in their own right.

Rev. Professor Alan Main was the hapless Gordonian, who had been selected to save the Dinner by plugging the gap left by Mr. Skinner's illness. In view of the short notice, that he had been given, the Entertainments

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Committee was relying upon him for no more than a few polished platitudes, pleasantly and not too impolitely delivered. The expectations of all were hugely exceeded by a speech of genuine wit, erudition and historically argued confidence in the future.

He confessed, that, until his recent reading of the Magazine, he had not realised "what a distinguished lot" the current cadre of F.P.s were, and commended the lists of honours recorded in the Magazine as an encouragement to successive generations of Grammar School pupils. He queried however, the phraseology of Magazine reports, which, as he said, "quaintly" described sporting encounters with Gordon's College as "friendlies".

The core of Professor Main's speech, however, displayed more wide-ranging research sources that the Magazine, and instructed the company in both the ancient and modern history of their own School. Drawing parallels with the contemporary School, he spoke of not merely the School, but the whole city of Aberdeen burning down in 1244 and 1326, he alluded to riots and civil disturbances, if not instigated by, at least enthusiastically supported by Grammar School pupils of the past, and he reminded us, that, while modern education might be seen by many as a political football, even in its earliest days, the School had become accustomed to being kicked about by the opposing teams of the Town Council and the Church. Reviewing briefly the current economic, political and curricular upheaval in all tiers of education, and returning to the two fires which the School had suffered in the past year, Professor Main said that major conflagrations encouraged speculation as to supernatural judgement or intention, and cited as an example the pronouncements by some, that the fire at York Minster was a divine demonstration of the "heresy" of the recently appointed Bishop. He preferred, he said, the Old Testament story of Moses and the burning bush which was not consumed. This image, and the teaching ofiesus, demanded an affirmation of life and a readiness to take responsibility for life even in adversity. The School and the Club had consistently responded with vigour and forward-looking optimism to the setbacks the School had sustained, and he urged the maintenance and nurturing of a glad and open acceptance of responsibility for life in the hearts of pupils and former pupils. The watchword, he said, was Nec tamen consumebatur (the motto of the Church of Scotland drawn from the story of the burning bush), and, with this watchword, "the days of glory are yet to be".

The 1986 Annual Dinner was the last occasion at which Mr. Gill replied to the toast to the School before his retirement as Rector. He said, that he considered it a great honour to have been Rector of "this famous old School", and that, as someone who had always firmly believed in tradition, in discipline, in hard work and the rewarding of success, he had immensely enjoyed the challenge of maintaining the embodiment of these values in the Grammar School.

The success achieved had been due in no small measure to the loyal support of staff and the very close liaison the Rector enjoyed with the Club, both in Aberdeen and in its Centres throughout the country. He gave a detailed account of the tragic fire on 2 July 1986, and of the subsequent success in reopening the School in August. "Looking back, it is really nothing short of a miracle, that we were not only able to receive back 1600 pupils, but also to provide their normal courses. Just as was the case in wartime, all concerned—staff, senior pupils, janitorial staff and all the contractors' employees—carried out a magnificent combined exercise, which ended literally as the pupils were arriving."

Referring to a recent memorandum submitted to the Education Committee

Annual Dinner 1985

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on the fall in school rolls in the Region, Mr. Gill said that he found it inconceivable, that consideration could even be given to the closure of the Grammar School. "Aberdeen Grammar School is part of the heritage of the city, but, apart from that, it is currently the largest school in Aberdeen as a result of its reputation as perceived by many parents in all parts of the city."

Far from being "elitist' , the Grammar School was probably the most comprehensive school in Aberdeen, and its continuing existence was entirely consistent with present educational needs and with the wishes of the local electorate. He firmly believed that the School would continue to flourish.

Andrew Noble, in his reply to Professor Main's toast to the School and Club, first congratulated Mr. Gill on his contribution of the School's history in the fourteen years of his Rectorship. The School could not have been more fortunate in attracting such an able educationalist in "these dark days", and owed Mr. Gill a debt of gratitude for the fortitude and foresight he had shown in seeing the School through difficult times.

He then introduced himself as "a true away President", who had left Aberdeen immediately after his school education to attend St. Andrew's University, and had rarely returned to Aberdeen since 1952. He found it particularly gratifying, therefore, to see for himself the abundant evidence of support for the School at events such as the School Prize-Giving and the Annual Dinner in Aberdeen as well as at the Dinners of the Club's Centres furth of Aberdeen. It was pleasing to see the Club's officials (both from the Aberdeen base and from the various Centres) in attendance at each other's Dinners. The Parent Club officials represented a tower of strength, and it was fitting to make particular mention of Alan Campbell, who was resigning as Notes Editor after fourteen years' excellent service. The Notes he had recorded in the Magazine were a memorial to his highly valued achievements.

The health of the Club could be clearly demonstrated by the elevated positions of Dr. Doug Smith and Mr. Bill Connon and of Mr. "Tim" Morrison at the very head of the national game in rugby and hockey respectively. Success in the field of commerce was equally clearly seen in the appointment of Mr. Denys Henderson as Chairman of I.C.I. The spirit of the School, however, was to be seen before him in the persons of "Tarzan" and "Twinkletoes" and other long-standing members of staff, whose interest in their pupils and former pupils was exemplified by their attendance at the Dinner.

He thanked Professor Main for his toast, and echoed his message — Nec tamen consumebatur.

Amanda Taylor, as intimated above, proposed the toast to the guests with grace and humour. Referring to two rival publications (of some age) on etiquette, she quoted the conflicting advice— "Sensible girls don't drink at mixed parties"—and, "A girl should remember, that if a girl sips too fast of her cocktail, her glass will be refilled." She and most of her contemporaries, she hinted broadly, preferred the second version.

John Macrae amused the company with a reply on behalf of the guests, which displayed an encyclopaedic knowledge of jokes and humorous stories, most of which would lose something (or would have to lose something!) if committed to print.

Keith Campbell, the Chairman of the Executive Committee, brought the proceedings to a close with a well-presented and well-deserved tribute to Andrew Noble, not only in respect of his able chairmanship of the Dinner, but also in relation to his sterling service as Club President and, earlier, as Secretary and as President of the London Centre.

The 1986 Dinner, it can be predicted, will be recognised as a turning point by future historians of the School and Club. The breakthrough in attracting younger F.P.s in substantial numbers was finally achieved, but more

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importantly, the Club had its own opportunity to affirm the renewal of the School, which the School itself had so amply declared at the Prize Giving only days after the fire.

Nec tamen consumebatur.

The following F.P.s were present at the 1986 Annual Dinner: Miss J. Adams (1980-86), R. Adams (1980-86), A. Aitken. R. J. Aitken (1934-44), B. S. Allan (1953-58), C. C. Allan (1936-45). S. Alsop (1930-40), L. Anderson (1979-85), W. Anderson (1940-51), D. N. Annand (1938-51), M. A. Batchelor (1959-65), J. Blacklaws (1979-84), N. M. Borthwick (1952-65), R. S. Brown (1946-55), W. M. Brown (1933-46), A. H. Cairns (1943-56). A. G. Campbell (1959-65). A. K. Campbell (1943-53), J. R. Carry (1918-1930), Miss L. S. Carson (1981-85), Miss C. Christie (1979-85). J. M. Clark (1947-59), P. J. Clark (1974-80), Miss C. Cormack (1978-83), D. R. Cormack (1963-67). J. W. Cradock (1940-46), R. H. Cradock (1940-41, 1945-51), E. Craig (1934-46), B. K. Crookshanks (1934-46), G. Crookshanks (1979-85). 1. Davidson (1980-85). J. P. Drummond (1947-58), F. Dunphy (1975-80), B. D. D. Emslic (1929-35), Miss A. Findlay (1979-85). Miss K. B. Foote (1978-84), Miss F. Forrest (1978- 83), Dr. D. G. Fowlic (1950-64). Dr. Lesley S. Fraser (1974-80), P. W. Garioch (1946-57), M. G. H. Gibb (1942-46), R. D. Gill (Rector), Miss C. Gordon (1979-85), D. G. Grant (1950-55), R. Gray (1951-65), Miss P. Gunn (1979-85), H. A. S. Hamilton (1943-56). J. F. Hendry (1951-65). A. Herrera (1979-85), D. Hutchison (1977-83), Miss J. Ingram (1978-83). A. Johnstone (1980-86), K. G. Jones (1957-66), D. Kelly (1940-49). A. Kcnnaway (1950-62), A. J. Kinghorn (1974-79), Prof. P. N. Love (1952-58), J. C. Lyon (1953-59). Miss M. Macdonald (1980-86), Miss S. Macdonald (1980-86). R. Mackie (1970). Miss M. Macrae-Gibson (1977-82), Mrs. S. Marshall (1979-82), G. C. Massie (1926-38). W. May (Staff), Dr. D. McAllister (1961-74). A. McCombic (Stan Dr. Fiona McKay (McCombic) (1975-81), R. McKay (1950-57), T. McKay (1976-81), A. M. McLaren (1926-39), R. McLeod (Staff), Miss). C. Miller (1980-86). W. D. Mitchell (1946-61), J. D. Moir (1969-75), H. E. Morrison (1951-65). Miss M. J. Moser (1975-80), S. Munro (1980-86). Miss L. Murray (1979-85). Miss S. J. Mutch (1974-79), A. S. Noble (1939-52), R. Nugent (Staff), M. J. Ord (1957-63). Miss T. Paterson (1980-86). R. Philips (1958-71), T. Philport (1980- 86), Miss K. Pont (1980-86), I. A. Reid (1951-63), Miss P. Reid (1980-86), Miss). Robb (1980-86), Miss T. Robb (Head Girl), T. Rolfe (1980-86), G. Ross (1958-71), Miss A. M. Ruxton (1977-82), Miss E. Ruxton (1980-86), J. C. Sellar (1924-34), I. G. Shinnie (1918-28), Miss S. Simon (1980-86), C. Smith (1978- 83). Miss K. Smith (1978-85), R. Smith (1978-83), Miss S. E. Smith (1974-80), A. I. Soppitt (1954-60), I. Stephen (Staff), Dr. G. V. Stone (1957-63). G. Strachan (1968-74), Miss M. Sutherland (1977-83), M. Sutherland (Head Boy), Miss A. E. Taylor (1974-80), D. Thompson (1979-85), I. Wallace (1978-83), D. Wallis (1979-85), D. M. Watson (1979-85), M. F. Watson (1943-56), M. S. Watson (1979-83), A. C. R. Watt (1925-37), J. A. N. Watt (1927-39), G. F. Webster (1949-62), D. Wetherick (1977-83), D. C. Whyte (1962-68), A. Wight (1979-85), J. Will (Staff), Miss J. Wilson (1980-86), W. S. Wilson (1942-55), M. Wolkoff (1947-59). D. M. Wood (1958-71), D. K. Yule (1951-65), D. N. Yule (1960-66).

Our President

In search of the real Philip Love (Professor Philip Noel Love, C.B.E., M.A., LL.B.) by someone older but not wiser, who has been doing some homework to get to know him better Even for those of us at the jealous age, when everybody else is younger including even heroic figures like Phil Love, it is good to see that he is the new President of the Club. It is also surprising. I'm sure I was not alone in thinking he had done the job already; after all, he's had every other honour worth speaking about in his chosen field. No need to list them for the regular readers of the Magazine, our own variant of life's great scoreboard—not an issue goes past without the attainment of some fresh goal being triumphantly flagged—but, if you happen to have lost touch, exiled in Mongolia perhaps or, even more barbarous, the outback of Belgravia or the steaming jungles of Wimbledon, you might just possibly not know that the glittering prizes include the Presidency of the Law Society of Scotland, Vice-Principalship of Aberdeen University, and membership not only of the Law Commision for Scotland but also the Aberdeen Strollers' expedition to the Golden Oldies Rugby Festival (played 3, won 3, points for 88, points against 26, players shattered, blitzed or mislaid 19). And all of this when he's still just pushing forty-five, gently backwards maybe, but for all that looking disgracefully boyish. Therein, I thought, lies the secret. No, I'm not suggesting he's an overgrown schoolboy—although one of his sons once did, an opinion gravely vouchsafed to me in his Hogmanay cups with all the kindly understanding reserved by wise youth for ancient folly. The point is, that, as hinted earlier, he has the air of the school hero, the kind of natural authority you get from the bonding of high achievement and handsome presence; oh yes, and that occasional faraway look in the eye, which so beguiles the legal bajanellas in his lecture room, but which has less to do with the romance of hidden depths than wondering what's for lunch. Pragmatic too, you see; school heroes always are.

They're also difficult to write about, particularly in this instance when they're younger. I scurried to the scoreboard again to see if he really had been cast in the mould thirty years ago. Suspicions confirmed; once a school hero 45

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

alway a school hero—the child is father of the man. He had been Senior Prefect, captain of this and that, winner of the All-Round Trophy. What a pain. I'd have to write something worthy and noble. At times like these a book of quotations is sometimes a useful beginning. By chance the first page at which it fell open contained the eternal truth, 'God is Love'. Well, that was maybe just a wee bit too noble, an exaggeration frankly, even for a school hero. I liked the next one, 'Love is blind', but thought that, like justice, it was a bit rough even for the occasionally blinkered Philip. 'Love conquers all' was tiresomely near the mark, but the one which was most relevant was 'Love has never known a law'. I liked the subtlety of that, but the quote to which I responded most keenly as I struggled with the subject matter was '. . . I am sick of Love'. I felt much inclined to agree with some other envious scribbler of yesteryear, that every hero becomes a bore.

I went back to the Magazine to see if it would yield some further clue about him. What was this? The Film Society? In my day that would have been called the epidiascope in the geography room. And just to digress from our hero for a moment for the enlightenment of our younger readers, this was a primitive instrument, which showed exciting slides of grain-elevators and weather maps and aboriginal persons (the first time most of us had seen a picture of the female bosom), and which was worked by old Pizzie Hendry, even then in his dotage but a delightful old pedagogue nonetheless, deaf as a post, who had the endearing habit of dangling the thicker pupils by their braces over the banisters; it was about this time that belts became all the rage at school.

Anyway, there was a piece in the 1957 Magazine about the Film Society, and there also was the name P. N. Love smiling up off the page. Was he a film star as well as a hero? Or did this interest in the art of motion pictures hint at stolen afternoons in the back row of the one and nines? Whatever, the possibility suddenly existed that the idol was flawed, that there was more to him than just being a boring hero. Then another couple of items caught the eye. It said of him in the Rugby Notes, '. . . line-out expert . . . unable to get the ball back'.

That was better, hardly the stuff of heroes at all. And then, among all the witty remarks in the section about the prefects, there were references to the enjoyment of puns and of female company, and to the use of Brylcreem and sitting on the fence. That settled it. A puerile sense of humour, pimply spooniness and self-doubt were reassuring confirmation that the lad was human after all and clearly had a lot going for him. In other words he seemed a good sort.

I got so involved in reading these 'Who's Who's' with all the in-jokes, that I had the notion of writing the profile of the man after the same fashion, and actually started to do so: 'The appointment of Phil as President of the Club shows that the time of the good guy has come round again at last after the long cult of the anti-hero. For how else did Doug Georgeson get the job? Or Neil Meldrum, Bill Connon or John Cradock, to name but a raffi sh few in recent years?' I got no further. You can't put adolescent impertinence like that into the grown-up part of the Magazine.

Of course, once you start thumbing through the back numbers of the damn thing, you're lost—or at least the next few hours are. Amazing the items you come across which you'd completely forgotten, like the date of your own wedding and the names of some of your friends' first wives. As I got gradually nearer the present, I remembered that I was supposed to be doing an appreciation of Phil Love. Here was the 100th anniversary edition dated June 1985, and it proclaimed that his distinction that year was President of the FRS Club—elected by his own mates, 'Fellows of the Right Sort', in their fiftieth anniversary year. Superficially that sounded trivial, but, when you thought about it for a moment, it was really quite something. By definition a fellow of

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the right sort, particularly a presidential one, has all the best human qualities which require no enumeration. Phil's public distinctions were prodigious, but here was testimony to the man within. That was what gave him that special grace and dignity.

Suddenly I didn't need to do any more homework. I had a feeling of completion because the circle was complete. 1 also felt pretty smug in my judgement. The child is father of the man. Once a school hero always a school hero. But much more important, not only in this variant, but on life's great scoreboard itself, once a good sort always a good sort; the right sort.

S.A.C.R. (1939-51)

FP Hockey-75 Years On An article in the Magazine of February 1912 entitled "FP Hockey Club" by "a Member" records the formation of the Hockey Section and outlines the difficulties experienced in those days in finding players to fill the positions on a regular basis and to practise, and the impossibility of getting pitches in the public parks rented by the District Association. Seventy-five years later the theme is much the same but with five teams being run the player situation is somewhat improved.

The Magazine records the first championship game played against Gordon's College FPs at the Duthie Park on 11 November 1911 which resulted in a victory for Grammar FPs by 4-1. To commemorate this event the Section decided to hold a series of matches over the weekend of 8-9 November 1986 with as many members asssible participating.

Unfortunately, the Gordonian team who were to be represented in the first game withdrew at the last minute upsetting the match programme, but by no means inhibiting the enjoyment of the weekend. A substitute game, over 30s versus under 30s was held, followed by a Scottish Brewers National Division 2 Match between FPs and Hazlehead. Both these matches were drawn as was the following game between two Old Tyme Select teams dressed in the garb of the day—i.e. 1911. A number of spectators turned up suitably attired in the fashion of that era, adding to the occasion. After the game all retired to the pavilion to partake of tea and cucumber sandwiches—a fitting conclusion to the day's activities before the 75th Anniversary Dinner held in the Tree Tops Hotel on Saturday evening.

Denis Yule, Hockey Club captain, chaired the proceedings in his usual accomplished manner. Among the many highlights of the evening was the toast to the Club and the Section proposed by Hamish MacDonald of the Abbey School. Fort Augustus, known to many schoolboys and FPs over many years and many hard fought games. His sincere toast was greatly appreciated.

The Section was honoured by the presence of the FP Club President Andrew Noble, who replied to the toast on behalf of the Club with distinction. Denis Yule replied on behalf of the Section.

As the whole purpose of the celebration was to enable those attending to socialise, the speeches were kept to a minimum, but the occasion could not pass without reference to one former pupil who has shown a great example by continuing to be involved in the game at the highest possible level—T. 1.

Morrison, Chairman of the Great Britain Men's Hockey Board and also President of the Scottish Hockey Association. Until `Tim' arrived at the Dinner he did not know that his 'address' was to take the form of a reply to a presentation of a Silver Rosebowl suitably inscribed in recognition of his services to Scottish hockey. The presentation was made by one of the young FPs, Christopher Howie, who also served on the organising committee.

75th Anniversary of the Hockey Section

A souvenir photograph of members and former members of the FP Hockey Section on the occasion of the Section's 75th Anniversary celebrations on the weekend of 8-9 November 1986.

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"Tim" is never usually at a loss for words and after the initial shock he gave us an inspiring response, and, as is his manner, turned the tables on us by presenting to the Section a hockey stick (one of very few), which had been autographed by the British Olympic H'ckey Team in the Los Angeles Olympics. Eric Watt accepted this suck on behalf of the Club and the prized possession now rests in the trophy cabinet at the FP Club Centre.

The formal part of the evening was concluded by a very humorous vote of thanks from former Club Captain, John Drummond.

A list of former pupils who attended is given at the conclusion of this article.

Sunday saw a continuation of the match programme with the 3rd/4th XI combining to play the School team—again a diplomatic draw, and the afternoon game completed the weekend's activities with FPs fielding a team against a Scottish Hockey Association Select. Needless to say the SHA won that game.

The whole purpose of the anniversary celebration was to try to bring together as many former Section members as possible to renew old acquaintanceships, and to make new friends. Worthy of note is the fact that Alan Peters (who first played for FPs in 1928) was present at the Dinner and that we had apologies from one of his contemporaries, Mr. David Wood, from Jersey. Apologies were received from as far away as Australia, Abu Dhabi and USA as well as throughout the UK thereby consolidating the support, which the Section has had not only from its former players but from the Parent Club itself.

The Section is grateful to all who contributed and helped towards what was an enjoyable weekend, in particular, Mr. R. D. Gill, Rector, Mr. D. Swanson, P.E. Staff, Mr. H. Millar, Groundsman, and the ladies who added a touch of colour to the occasion. Thanks are also due to the Organising Committe of Denis Yule, Barry Scott, Bob Dickson. Keith Lawrie, Keith Campbell and Chris Howie, This article is contributed, as in 1911/12, by A. MEMBER The following FPs attended the anniversary dinner: Murray Bisset (1974-78), Douglas Campbell (1958-64), Keith Campbell (1944-53), Alan Christie (1964-70), Brian Cockburn (1965-71). Tom Craig (1945-51), Bob Cromar (1944-49), Sandy Cromar (1944-50), Graham Cruickshank (1944-54), William Dewar (1959-65), Peter Donald (1944-48), John Drummond (1947-58), Stewart Forbes (1960-66), Leslie Forbes (1938-51), Gavin Fraser (1968-70), Tommy Fraser (1972-77), William Gatt (1944-48), R. D. Gill Rector. Paul Gogolinski (1972-78), Russell Gray (1951-65). Gordon Hay (1951-65). J. F. Hendry (19051-65) FP Club Secretary, Maxwell Innes (1932-45), Adam Johnstone (1980-86), Norman Johnstone (1950-54), Fred Lawson (1948-61), Dave Leighton (1959-72), Joseph Leiper (1953-59), Charles Levitt (1939-54), James Lyon (1953-59), Kenneth Mackie (1950-64), I. McLeod (1951-55) Rugby Section President, Tony Miller (1961-67), Alan Milne (1950-58), Grant Milne (1981-87), James C. Milne (1944-50), I. Morrison (1934-47), Mike Murray (1945-54), Andrew Noble (1939-52) FP Club President, Alan Peters (1920-30), Alastair Philip (1944-56), Mike Reid (1974-80), Jeremy Seager (1981-87), Murdoch Shirreffs (1951-64), Barry Smith (1974-80), Charles Smith (1978-84), John Smith (1966-72), Ron Smith (1978-84), Graham Stewart (1974-80), Innes Taylor (1974-80), Sandy Thomson, William Urquhart (1967-71), Eric D. Watt (1937-50), Malcolm Webster (1949-57), Gordon Williams (1933-46), Bruce Willox (1981-87), James Wright (1950-55), Denis Yule (1960-66) F. P. Hockey Section Captain.

Classical V 1935 Perhaps it was the recollection of former classmates prompted by the notes about some of them in the 1985 Magazine, or perhaps it was the fiftieth anniversary (1986) of their leaving School, that prompted Robert Mennie to send the Editor his copy of the photograph of Classical V in 1935, but, whatever the reason, it was a happy thought, because, unlike so many other correspondents, Robert could positively identify everyone in the picture, and could also provide some biographical details about most of them.

Further research has been carried out in past Magazines to try to fill out the biographies, but, inevitably, gaps still remain. Readers are encouraged to contact the Notes Editor (perhaps by using the 'pink slip') if they can add any information that might be published about the current lives of those who are only inadequately covered by Robert Mennie's recollections and the Editor's clerical research. Despite the assertion of one of the class (who, for his safety's sake will remain nameless), that it was 'a very ordinary class', it is clear that the members of Classical V in 1935, however unremarkable they may have been as a School class, have distinguished themselves and their School by their subsequent achievements. Surely it is no small matter, that, from a class of twenty, already reduced by tragic early. deaths, two Presidents of the FP Club should emerge. It is perhaps worth noting that the average age of the class was lower than the norm for a Grammar fifth year, as a result of the policy at the time of accelerating the progress of the more able Lower School pupils by two years. The result was that some found themselves sitting Highcrs long before they reached the age of sixteen, and as far as can be recalled nearly all succeeded.

The members of the class are listed below in the order in which they appear in the photograph.

Man G. Gibb (1926-36), known at School as 'Tootie', is described by Robert Mennie as 'the protagonist of school milk', bringing his own to school each day for consumption at the 11 o'clock break. This may have been a reflection of his medical upbringing (both his parents were doctors), and he joined them in the profession of medicine, graduating M.B.. Ch.B., from Aberdeen University in 1941. He added the Diploma in Laryngology and Otology in 1945 and F.R.C.S.E. in 1948. After military service as a captain in the RAMC including a spell as ENT specialist in West African Command at the end of the War, he became a consultant in ENT at Dundee in 1950 and also held a clinical teaching appointment there.

He won the Cullen Open Amateur Golf Tournament in 1950, and at one time was President of Dundee Wanderers Hockey Club.

He has recently retired from full-time work, but has undertaken clinical teaching duties in the Far East in his retirement.

Malcolm R. Milne (1926-35) is the younger son of the late 'Happy Harry', one of the teachers remembered with the greatest affection by the elder generation of FPs. He achieved the remarkable feat of sitting and passing five Highers at the age of 15 years 2 weeks. Not long after his graduation in Medicine he went to practise in Australia, and for a time was part of the flying doctor service. In 1950 the Perth (Australia) Daily News and the Magazine published a story about how Dr. Milne saved a patient by setting up a blood transfusion using two pints of his own blood.

He is now living in retirement in Perth, Australia.

Victor W. Jaffray (1930-36) was the School Dux in 1936 (his elder brother had been Dux at Gordon's College), and served in the Fleet Air Arm during the War. According to Robert Mennie, he practised as a solicitor in Galashiels for a time, but died some years ago. He was a fine cricketer.

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Classical V 1935

Back row (left to right) Alan G. Gibb, Malcolm R. Milne, Victor W. Jaffray. John A. M. Doig, William McD. Menzies. Douglas Reich.

Second row (left to right) George I. Griffiths, George Hay, A. J. (Brown) Youngson, John A. L. Harrow, T. M. Allan, Neil I. W. Melcfrum, John M. Stewart.

Front row (left to right) Derek Kellas, A. Maxwell Scott, Robert A. E. Mennie, William G. Hendry, R. Arthur Spark, Antony Morrison, W. Leslie Richards.

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John A. M. Doig (1930-36) like Victor Jaffray, came to School from Kittybrewster, and is first mentioned as a former pupil in the Magazine as having attained the rank of Lance-Sergeant in the Royal Artillery in 1940. He rose to become Battery Sergeant-Major with the Scottish Horse and was mentioned in despatches in August 1945 for his service in Italy.

Before the War, he had been employed by Aberdeen Savings Bank, and after the War he rejoined the Bank at their Bucksburn branch, it is believed, as Manager.

William McD. Menzies (1933-35) was killed in air operations in the Middle East in September 1942 at the age of 24. He was a Pilot Officer, RAFVR. Before the War, he had been employed at the head office of Aberdeen Savings Bank. He was an accomplished violinist, and at School he adapted so well and quickly to the new game of rugby, that after only two years he was full back for the School 1st XV. Douglas Reith (1924-35) has received recent attention in the Notes Section of the 1985 and 1986 Magazines, in which his fine singing voice while a schoolboy is recalled. From June 1940 until the end of the War, he was imprisoned in a number of POW camps in Germany and Poland, but managed by some means to tackle his final subject for his Law degree in a POW camp. He was called to the Scottish Bar in 1946, and since 1960 he has served as a Social Security Commissioner.

George I. Griffiths (1924-35) was also mentioned in the 1985 Magazine. He retired from the ministry of the Church of Scotland, to live in St. Andrews.

After holding charges in Bonhill, Wishaw and Melrose. Regrettably, it has come to attention only after the prepkation of the Magazine that he died on 30 October 1986. An obituary notice will appear in the 1988 issue.

George Hay left School in 1935, and otherwise would have been a competitor for the place of Dux in 1936. According to Robert Mennie, he joined the British Tanker Company on leaving school. He was assistant harbour master in Bandar Mashur, and then held the same post in Aberdeen.

He died some years ago.

Alexander J. (Brown) Youngson (1923-36) is another of the class group. who appeared in the Notes Section of the 1985 Magazine. After war service as a pilot in the Fleet Air Arm, he embarked on a highly successful academic career, holding chairs of economics at Edinburgh and Hong Kong. Between these appointments, he was Director of the Research School of Social Sciences of the Australian National University. From 1971 to 1974 he was also VicePrincipal of the University of Edinburgh, and he was appointed Chairman of the Royal Fine Arts Commission for Scotland in 1983. A separate note about his receiving the award of 0 B E appears in the Notes Section of this Magazine.

John A. L. Harrow (1925-36) graduated in Medicine from Aberdeen University in 1941, and the Magazine records, that in 1952 he was in general practice in Keswick. He is now retired and continuing to live in Keswick.

T. M. (Tim) Allan (1930-36) was captain of the first FP cricket team to win the Strathmore Union (in 1948), and contributed an article to the 1985 Magazine about this remarkable side.

After graduating in Medicine, he held a Garden Research Fellowship for two years at the University of Aberdeen and continued his career in medical research and service work in the Blood Transfusion Service in Aberdeen until his retirement.

Neil I. W. Meldrum (1925-37) is a former Chairman of the Executive and President of the FP Club, and continues to give distinguished service to the FP Rugby Section, to which he has contributed so much over the years, but most particularly by enhancing the fixture list in the post-War years (following his early return from the War after being wounded at Alamein), and by the introduction and the nurturing of the 'Kyle in Style' fund raising venture.

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He is now retired from legal practice in Aberdeen, but his enthusiasm for the Club remains quite irrepressible, and, with the exception of his occasional absences on ocean cruises, which are obviously a source of great delight and endless stories, he is constantly in evidence at the Club Centre.

John M. Stewart (1925-36) graduated from the University of Cambridge in 1939 (after one year at Aberdeen University). He joined the RAF as an air gunner, but after a year in Bomber Command, he served as an instructor in gunnery, and was awarded the Air Force Medal for his work. He was commissioned in 1942 and returned to operations in 1943, but in April 1943 he did not return from a raid over Essen, and was presumed to have been killed in action. His elder brother, Robert A. Stewart (1922-34) was killed in action (also with the RAF) only two months earlier.

Derek Kellas, according to Robert Mennie, graduated in Forestry and emigrated to West Africa. During the War he was awarded the Military Cross for his action in the East African campaign.

In the early 1950s he returned to Scotland, working for the National Trust for Scotland, and retired to Ballater (where he died) to pusue his hobby of clock and watchmaking.

A. Maxwell Scott (1925-36) graduated from Aberdeen University in 1939 with a degree in mechanical engineering. The Magazine records that in 1948 he was in charge of the Rolls Royce test sheds in Glasgow, and that in 1959 he was appointed Chief Engineer of Rolls Royce, Canada, in Montreal.

Robert A. E. Mennie (1924-36), like many of his classmates, had his University studies disrupted by the War, but still managed to graduate NI A . with first class honours, picking up the Jenkyns Prize in Classical Philology on the way. He served with the Royal Artillery during the War, attaining the rank of Major, but was discharged on grounds of ill health in 1943.

In 1943 he began a highly successful career in the oil industry by joining Anglo Iranian Oil, and in 1948 he moved to Zurich with BP. While in Zurich, he served as FP Club Consul, and he remained in Europe until 1968 when he returned to this country with BP, but still with an interest in certain European operations.

He has served as President and as Secretary of the London Centre of the Club, and in 1976 he was appointed President of the FP Club. As will have become apparent, he maintains an active interest in the Club and in his former schoolmates.

William Gordon Hendry (1924-36) graduated in Arts and Law and practised as a solicitor in Dunfermline.

R. Arthur Spark (1926-35) is in Robert Mennie's words 'a member of the famous Spark clan', noted for their sporting prowess and all-round ability. He was a little older than his classmates, and might be described as the personality of the class. He graduated in Medicine from Aberdeen University, and, while he was a medical student, he played rugby for the University 1st XV. He was also Secretary of the University Rugby tour of London in 1948, the first occasion on which an Aberdeen rugby club had played in England. He is believed to have died some years ago.

Anthony M. Morrison (1928.35) is the member of the class on whom least information is available. Robert Mennie says that he used to commute to school with his twin brother from Logierieve each day, and that his parents moved to Kent about the beginning of the War. The Magazine has not recorded any details of his career.

W. Leslie Richards (1924-35) graduated in Arts and Law from Aberdeen University. Despite a knee injury, which, for example, prevented his full involvement in sport, he served in the Artillery during the War. He was assumed a partner in the firm of Messrs. A. C. Morrison and Richards and in February 1949 was appointed Clerk of the Peace for Aberdeenshire, but in the 1950s he emigrated to Africa, it is thought for health reasons.

Sporting Sections Cricket In the Strathmore Union, 16 games were played of which 9 were won, 3 were drawn and 4 were lost. This placed us fifth in the league with a 70 per cent average.

Our performances were characterised by inconsistency. This was partly a consequence of the frequent changes in personnel: twenty-eight different players performed in the sixteen games. A clear indication of our frustrating inconsistency is that only one of our four defeats was inflicted by a team that finished above us in the league.

The batting was usually sound. It was marred by only two lemming-like displays, the first of these being largely motivated by a collective wish to be finished early enough to see Scotland against West Germany on TV, and the second (against Gordonians) being subsequently almost blotted from memory by the opposition batting even more suicidally than we did. The "average runs per wicket" over the season was an impressive 23.7, and four players (Peter Redhead, Alistair Soppitt, Jeremy Moir and John Eagles) scored in excess of 290 runs. John Dixon, cleverly nurturing his "not outs", sprinted past Alistair Soppitt to the top of the batting averages on the final day of the season. It is said that this did not influence the latter's decision to leave Aberdeen and return to work in Inverness. Alistair Soppitt also had the misfortune to see the overs run out on him at Forthill, when his score stood on 99. Another batting highlight of the season was the occasion when I. P. "Blind" Souter smashed professional Clarence Parfitt over the pavilion at Arbroath. When the story is recounted to his grandchildren, he may possibly omit to mention that the ball first bounced on the concrete step in front of the said pavilion.

With the ball, a sleeker, fitter Jerry Moir had a very good season, taking 46 wickets at an average of 12.6. The lack of another "strike" fast bowler perhaps reduced his effectiveness and resulted in his being used as something of a "stock" bowler at times: he bowled more than twice as many overs as anyone else, and so, even if he hadn't been sleek and fit when the season started. . . .

John Eagles had a reasonable season, taking 32 wickets at an average of 14.3, but his colleagues sometimes failed to capitalise on his hard work. Of the rest Richard Ferro with 12 was the most prolific wicket taker.

The fielding varied between reasonable and poor. The catching cup was collected by Peter Redhead, and the way he juggled with some of his catches suggested that he hoped one catch could be counted three or four times. John Gorringe, in his first relatively full season as wicket keeper, had good days and bad, but finished with an average of only 6 or 7 byes per innings, and collected 8 catches and 7 stumpings.

The team had an exciting run in the Three Counties Cup. After defeating Mannofield in the first round, the next two matches, amazingly, were decided on the last ball of the game. The first match against Gordonians went our way, but in the semi-final against Dundee High School FPs, Don Hitchen's heroic knock finished in virtual darkness when his shot was caught by mid-on, the fielder first sighting the ball when it rebounded from his chest.

The players were grateful to Sam Rennie and Harvey Morrison for frequently undertaking umpiring duties. These hardened campaigners found it easier to keep their finger down in the face of opposition appeals than did the current players when they were pressed into service as umpires. No doubt, the compulsive honesty and fairness of our player-umpires does great things for the good name of the School, but the hardnosed umpiring of the Strathmore teams seems likely to frustrate the publicising of the School's name by its appearance on many cricket trophies.

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The captain enjoyed an interesting first season at the helm. It was instructive if rather ageing, to learn that advice such as "play for a draw" and "get your head down" tended to result in one's experienced players (such as P. M. 1.

"Hacker" Hart) attempting to demoralise the opposition with a flurry of ambitious swipes. Naturally, when such games are ultimately drawn, the tactics are proven to have been the correct ones! Another interesting aspect of the team's tactical awareness was the working of the analytical cricket brain of J. B. Rennie: it is not widely known that his role with our team acted as the prototype for the appointment of Micky Stewart as England team manager.

As for 1987, there is an attitude of optimism despite the loss of Alistair Soppitt and Roland Knudson for the forthcoming season. New recruits, and especially young recruits, would be exceedingly welcome: the one resemblance of the current squad to the West Indies test team is that several of its members are past the first flushes of their youth.

Grade XI The Grade XI played eighteen games winning seven, losing nine, drawing two, and finishing sixth our of ten teams in Grade II. The most satisfactory moments of the season were undoubtedly the seven games which we won as follows: Kintore (2). Anchorians, Lads Club, Academy. Balmoral and Crescent. However, the game that will remain in the memory of all of the players as long as they play cricket was the one against Turriff at Turriff Showground. Turriff won the toss and invited FPs to bat on a hot and sunny day.

Unfortunately, we didn't. The final score FPs 22 all out Turriff 24-3. The game was over in an hour and three quarters and the elderly tea lady was totally flumoxed by the players requiring tea so early—the water hadn't even boiled! A pat on the back to the licensing laws of Scotland.

Leading performers with the bat were John Fraser, lain Hopkin, Peter Redhead, Patrick Begg, Dave Robertson and Chris Howie. Bowlers to greatest effect were Brian Proctor, John Fraser, Chris Brandon and Chris Howie.

The Grade XI cups for 1986 were won by the following players: Proctor Batting Cup—J. G. N. Fraser Hopkin Bowling Cup—C. B. Proctor All Round Trophy—J. G. N. Fraser

Reserve Grade XI

In contrast to the "summer that never was" the 1986 season was memorable for its fine weather and the grand total of fourteen league fixtures played. Of those, five were won, one was drawn and one tied, and seven resulted in defeat, with FPs finishing the season in fifth position in Reserve Grade 2.

Top run-scorer was skipper Ian Davidson (109 in total), but veteran wicket-keeper Richard Wallis headed the averages with 105 runs at 15.00 apiece.

The bowling attack relied heavily on the efforts of Vice-Captain Scott Munro. whose haul of twenty victims included several crucial wickets. Patrick Begg (13 wickets at 3.38) and Grant Milne (11 wickets at 4.00) topped the averages, while Peter Fleming made useful contributions with both bat and ball.

Fielding was generally satisfactory, although several dropped catches had a bearing on the outcome of at least three matches.

At the Section's Annual General Meeting in March, Ian Davidson was awarded the Reserve Grade Trophy for his all-round efforts on the field of play.

The following officials have been elected for 1987: 1st XI Captain]. M. Eagles; 1st XI Vice-Captain P. A. Redhead; 2nd XI Captain I. P. Souter; 2nd XI Vice-Captain D. A. Harley; 3rd XI Captain S. Munro; 3rd XI Vice-Captain D. Wallis; Fixtures Secretary J. D. Moir; Team Secretary P. A. Redhead; Secretary D. A. Harley; Treasurer j. D. Moir.

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Curling The season has been fraught with rumours concerning the future of the Aberdeen Curling Rink, which is struggling with financial problems.

Discussions have been under way during most of the season and have resulted at last in demands for money.

It is to be hoped that, despite these extra costs, we will retain a good core of keen curlers in the Section for next season, when we expect to play many more games outwith the FP Section.

The internal Section league has been split into a spring and an autumn league this season. Jim Andrews, in his first season as a Skip with the Section has won both the Spring league and the Knock-out Cup supported by his rink of Roy Nudd, John Cradock, John Halliday, George Thomson and John Parslow. The Fraser Webster rink won the autumn league and the play off between the two halves of the league to become League 'Supremo' this season.

Our match against the 'Auld Enemy' this year resulted in a defeat for Gordonians, despite which we were royally entertained by the opposition at the Seafield Club after the game.

Our annual dinner, again at the Cults Hotel, took a slightly different form this year by introducing a volunteer cabaret ably performed by Alastair Matheson—an entertainment which we hope may be repeated in future years with further revelation in song, verse and comic story.

Perhaps a leaner Section than previously, we look forward to next season with great enthusiasm.

Golf Last year's fixture list was curtailed by the wet summer, but this year the Section had a full season with outings at Braemar (2), Newburgh, Huntly, Brechin and Turriff. There is a strong nucleus of regular attenders (from Bucksburn to Brussels) and numbers average 30, although not all play! There was much good scoring during the year with some drastic handicap reductions, e.g. Dallas Moir, 12 to 4. Colin Allan claimed the shot of the year with a holein-one at the 6th at Braemar.

Gordonians retained the HAR Trophy at Turriff, pipping the FP team of Harry Kinghorn, Peter Robertson and Dick Cradock by 2 shots. We entered the Queen Elizabeth Coronation Schools Tournament at Barnton and our team ofJohn Cradock, Doug Mitchell, Jerry and Dallas Moir, Harry Kinghorn and Peter Robertson lost 2-1 to a very accomplished side from Kelvinside which included one Walker Cup player and three Scottish Internationalists.

The annual Dinner was again held at the Athol' Hotel (without TV cameras this time), and the speakers were Ian Creswell, Keith Campbell and Brian Deighton. This year's Captain is Keith Campbell with John Drummond as Vice-Captain. Peter Robertson continues as Secretary/Treasurer.

Hockey The 1st XI, under the captaincy of Barry Scott, were relegated to Division 2 of the National League at the end of last season but a young, keen and determined squad started pre-season summer training with a view to being promoted again to their rightful place in Division 1. They started the season well by reaching the final of the Ayr Tournament and by Christmas were sitting in second place in the league. Unfortunately injuries to key players struck in the second half of the season and they failed to fulfil their early promise, finishing about the middle of Division 2. They did however distinguish themselves later in the season by winning the Forbes Trophy in a closely fought final against arch rivals Gordonians. Chris Howie is to be

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congratulated on his selection for the Scottish Under-21 side and Grant Milne for winning the Graham Fraser Trophy.

The 2nd XI, captained by the not-so-youthful Billy Urquhart, had a successful season, ending in second place in the local league Division 1. The 3rds, under Ally Maclean, although only relatively successful in league terms, were the only Section team to make prosress to the final stages in the National Cup competitions, reaching the semi-finals of the Reserve Cup. The 4th Xl had an unfortunate start to the season, being unable to field a settled team, and losing their captain Charlie Dingwall. Graham Duncan took over the captaincy and with the importation of a few 'old heads' this relatively young and inexperienced team was able to regain some lost ground and look forward hopefully to a more settled season next year.

Grammarians were this year under the captaincy of Stewart Forbes, who incidentally has also achieved the distinction of being President of the North District of the Scottish Hockey Association. After a few seasons in which they have swept all before them in the league since entering it in 1982, Grammarians did rather run out of steam this season and produced their least successful results for some time. Enjoyment is however the keynote of Grammarian hockey, and it remains unimpaired.

This season saw the Section celebrate its 75th Anniversary during the weekend 8th and 9th November 1986 (about which you will be able to read more elsewhere in the Magazine). We were honoured to have among our guests at the dinner on the Saturday evening not only the President, Andrew Noble, the Rector, Hamish Macdonald of Abbey School, Fort Augustus, and Tim Morrison, Chairman of the Great Britain Hockey Board, but, in addition, some sterling detective work by Keith Campbell in his few spare moments (when he isn't busy performing his duties as Vice President of the Club and Chairman of the Executive) had brought together an impressive company of former players from the distant and not so distant past.

Our biennial Easter Tournament was less successful than in past years owing to the late withdrawal of three visiting teams, but those who participated had an enjoyable weekend in glorious weather, our own 1st XI ending up narrow victors over Perthshire.

The finances of the Section remain on a firm footing thanks mainly to the continued sponsorship from L. & C. Estates, for which the Section remains extremely grateful. Fund raising, however, is still necessary, and the Section was able to arrange, through the good offices of Peter Donald, a theatre nightout to the world premiere of Scotland the What? and a follow up visit organised by the 1st XI to see 'Alto, 'Alto. As a result of the great success of these ventures a further night-out has been arranged for Evita later this year.

As always, the Section is indebted to its officials, team captains, and those prepared to umpire, who collectively ensure that the Section remains in good order and in good heart looking forward with optimism to the next 75 years.

Rugby In this year's report, it is important, before reviewing the season, to inform all readers of the Magazine of the change that will take place in the Section's responsibilities from the beginning of season 1987-88.

The School has let it be known, that, from the start of next season it will not have the staff resources to field Saturday, teams except for the fast three years.

Thereafter, although the senior boys will still have rugby on their games day, no senior side will be fielded by the School. Instead the FP Rugby Section will field an under-18 side, which will take part in the youth league and cup competitions as well as playing friendly matches. This outcome is very sad after

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

nearly a century of School senior rugby, but unfortunately it appears inevitable that staff involvement with school sport will decline. Many other clubs have already been faced with similar situations and have been successful. There is no point in longing for the past. In the changed circumstances of limited staff participation in sports activities the challenge must be faced and overcome.

The Section has already appointed an organiser to be in charge of the Colts, but it cannot be emphasised sufficiently strongly, that much help will be needed and all former office bearers and players are urged to rally round to

give what assistance they can.

The season just past has been unremarkable. The 1st XV made a very good start to their league programme, winning the first four games, two of them away to Greenock and Cambuslang. Thereafter, there were four defeats, three regrettably very heavy.

As last year, the team finished in the middle of Division 3 with six wins out of thirteen matches played. Division 3 is highly competitive and in fact one more win would have seen the Section in fourth place. Last season very few tries were scored, but the defence was superb. This season the opposite was the case. Although twenty-four tries were scored, the opposition scored twentyseven. The best wins were those against Clarkston and Highland at home and Dalzicl away.

Once again the 2nd XV had a good season coming third on points difference in the Midland 2nd XV league. They actually beat the league winners, Dundee High, on two occasions, once in a friendly match and once in the league, but lost by a last minute penalty to Perth away, and rather sadly lost a game against Morgan at Rubislaw, a result, which, if it had gone the other way, would have seen them again league leaders. Gordonians were defeated.

Despite the numerous changes which are inevitable in the lower sides, the 3rd XV won the Aberdeen and District League for the second year in succession and reached the Cup semi-final. Great praise is due to many members of this team, especially in their vital game against Moray 2nd XV at Elgin, when a very weak side brought off a narrow victory to clinch the League.

At the start of the season a seven entered for the Morgan Sevens in Dundee and won the cup.

It is only fitting that this report should include mention of the sterling service rendered to the Section by the President, Ian McLeod. Ian has just completed his third year of office, and his enthusiasm continues unabated. He has been an outstanding president. It is also worthy of mention that the Section has had permanent training floodlighting fittings installed at Rubislaw at a cost of f2000. Naturally these are also available for the School's use.

Lastly comes the usual note concerning the Kyle excursion. Last year was advertised as the final trip, but, as it produced record takings, the committee means to repeat it this year. Much will depend on the charges made by BR and also the availability of stock. If the trip goes ahead, it will be on Saturday 22 August. The train normally runs full, but it has been a little disappointing that so few FPs support the enterprise. Let us hope, that this ear, if the trip goes ahead, the position will change. The extra liability for the costs of running the youth side will be a heavy burden on the Section's finances.

The 1986-87 team records were as follows: 1st XV 2nd XV 3rd XV

P 23 18 17

W 11 13 16

L 11 5 1

D 1 0 0

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59

Swimming Membership of the Section is still healthy and active and acounts for the 1986 / 1987 show a surplus of more than f140. Unfortunately the pool was closed for structural repairs during the summer term, and was only available for use from August. The Section is continuing discussions with the Regional Council about the annual rent (and consequently the level of membership subscriptions) in the context of a request by the Section for reimbursement of rent for the period of closure on the one hand, and a proposal by the Region for an increase in the annual rent on the other.

The pool is well utilised but we are encountering problems with unsupervised children, who are attending without their parents. This is potentially disastrous as there is no provision for such attendance on these nights and parents must take the responsibility of supervising their children.

Children may not attend the pool unless they are accompanied by adults.

The session times continue to be observed and this is of benefit to all members utilising the facility. To remind members, these are as follows: 6.15- 7.30pm: family session 7.30- 8.30pm: recreational /training swimming 8.30- 9.15pm: "free" session Women's Hockey Our first year has involved much time-consuming administration in order for the Women's Hockey Section to become a fully established and recognised club.

The Section commenced training in September 1986 on a regular basis, two evenings per week at Rubislaw playing field, until the lengthening winter nights and lack of indoor facilities prevented this. We would like to thank several members of the Men's Hockey Section for their assistance during these sessions. Regretfully, Section activities declined due to difficulty in maintaining interest during the winter period, mainly because of lack of a permanent coach and playing/training facilities and the constraints on regular fixtures.

It is a prerequisite for any hockey club to be recognised by affiliation to the Scottish Women's Hockey Association before playing any match. For this reason we were unable to arrange many fixtures with other local clubs during 1986 and since our affiliation has been approved, their commitments to the District League have proved to be a further obstacle. Nevertheless, prior to affiliation the Section played two (illegal!) friendly matches against Mackie Ladies and Nomads. A match also took place against the School 1st XI and this will become a regular fixture.

The Women's Hockey Section is very grateful for generous financial support received from the FP Club Executive and Centre Management Committees and individual donations. This, together with monies from Section fund raising activities, has enabled us to become affiliated to SWHA and to enter North District League in season 1987-88. We have also been able to purchase a set of team shirts in the FP Club colours of magenta and green. Unfortunately attempts to secure sponsorship from various large companies and city businesses have been unsuccessful so far.

Having encountered numerous initial difficulties, we look forward to the forthcoming year. In addition to our participation in the local league (commencing in August), the Section will compete in a 7-a-side tournament in May, and we have applied to Aberdeen City Council to hire indoor facilities for winter 1987.

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The Women's Hockey Section would greatly appreciate assistance of any nature at any level of involvement. We would welcome (desperately need!) players of any standard, umpires, coaches—even supporters, indeed anybody interested in or keen to further our sport. To everyone who has helped us in our first year the Section extends thanks for their continued encouragement.

Centre Reports Club Centre As the Accounts for the year to December 1986 show, the Centre incurred an overall loss in 1986, but members will be encouraged that the figures for the first quarter of 1987 show an improvement. The Management Committee is keeping a very close watch on all aspects of income and expenditure. That having been said, the figures for wages, bar turnover and gaming machines are all a far cry from those projections which were done when the Centre was at the contemplation stage back in the late 1960s.

All the usual functions have taken place celebrating Bums, Guy Fawkes and others. Innovation of the year was the roll-up raffle on a Saturday night. All members are eligible to win each week's handsome cash prize but must be personally present when the main and other prizes are being drawn. The draw has produced increased numbers on a Saturday evening but the Committee is concerned to encourage greater use of the premises and facilities and, in particular, would urge all members to endeavour to introduce at least one new member during the year.

The Committee is currently examining ways and means of making the Club Centre more attractive to younger members and hope shortly to implement some of these, commencing with the introduction of background music in the rear area of the lounge bar at selected times.

The Centre owes a continuing debt of gratitude to the staff and, in particular, CO Bill Mackie and his son, Richard, the Steward and Assistant Steward respectively. Members will be aware of Mrs. Mackie's lengthy wait for hip replacement surgery and it is pleasing to record that the operation has been successfully carried out and that Mrs. Mackie has made an excellent recovery. We wish her well.

The Centre continues to offer excellent facilities to the various sporting sections of the Club and to visiting opponents for pre- and post-match gatherings.

The premises arc, of course, also available for private functions, birthday parties, discos and the like.

The level of subscription rate is felt to be modest for what is on offer, e.g.

Ordinary FP Annual Subscription is #14.95 including V.A.T. = 28p per week—must be a bargain—with Juniors even cheaper. Members who arc not already Centre supporters are encouraged to join. All enquiries regarding the use and activities of the Centre should be directed to the Club Centre Secretary, John A. MacRae, 86 Queen's Road, Aberdeen. (Telephone number during normal business hours—0224-639037).

As always, the Committee would welcome constructive comments or suggestions for the improvement or expansion of your Club facilities.

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Edinburgh The Centre held its Annual Dinner on Friday 20 March 1987 in the Carlton Highland Hotel, Edinburgh, when President W. Morrison Brown welcomed a healthy attendance of ninety-one members and guests including Denys H. Henderson, then the Chairman designate of Imperial Chemical Industries plc, and an FP, Andrew S. Noble, President of the Parent Club, Robert D. Gill, the recently retired Rector, Arthur L. McCombie, Acting Rector, Keith Campbell, Chairman of the Parent Club Executive, Alistair Burnett, representing Edinburgh Gordonians and Andrew McLaren and lain Duguid, respective Presidents of the Glasgow and London Centres. As usual the Annual General Meeting of the Centre was held during the Dinner and in record time our President was re-elected for his eighth year in office and David L. Cowie and Nigel G. M. Watt were re-elected Vice-President and Honorary Secretary respectively. The other Committee members are again to be David G. Kilgour and Ronald G. C. Smith.

Mr. Henderson proposed the principal toast of "The School and The Club" in most excellent fashion and replies were made by the Acting Rector and the Parent Club President. The toast of "The Guests" was proposed by Keith Campbell and Alexander R. McCowan replied. The highlight of the Dinner was the unique Chairmanship of our President, whose enthusiasm for the task ensures a lively and entertaining evening.

During the course of the evening Mor Brown presented Robert Gill with a decanter and glasses and a paper-weight for Mrs. Gill all in Edinburgh crystal.

In response Mr. Gill thanked the Centre and said how much he enjoyed the Annual Centre Dinner and the welcome he received.

Unfortunately, the Annual Golf Match with the Glasgow Centre had to be cancelled due to inclement weather. This year's match will take place at Bruntsfield in May. The Annual Golf Outing was again held at Bruntsfield in August and the Trophy was won by Richard Jones with a Stableford score of thirty-five points. Fourteen members participated and an excellent high tea was taken in the Clubhouse afterwards.

The usual Cheese and Wine party was held in the Caledonian Club in December with twenty-five FPs, wives and guests attending.

Next year's Dinner will be held in the Carlton Highland Hotel on Friday 4 March 1988, the eve of the Scotland v England Rugby International at Murrayfield.

Any reader, who has recently come to the Edinburgh area and has not received any communication from the Secretary, is invited to contact him at 11 Athol! Crescent, Edinburgh (031-229-8851).

The following FPs attended the Annual Dinner.

C. C. Allan (1936-45), E. R. Birkett (1920-22), F. C. B. Black (1914-17), Dr. N. M. Borthwick (1952-65), D. A. Brittain (1943-49), W. M. Brown (1933-46), A. H. Cairns (1943-56), J. P. Cairns (1943-57), A. K. Campbell (1944-53). F. C. Connon (1932-44), T. G. Coutts (1938-51), D. L. Cowie (1942-44), B. K. Crookshanks (1934-46), G. K. Crookshanks (1980-85), I. M. Duguid (1938-43), D. J. Fertes (1953-59), N. A. Fiddes (1965-71), Miss K. Foote (1978-84), J. S. Fowlie (1935-42), G. W. Fraser (1956-62). ►. E. Fraser (1936-49). A. C. Frazer (1925-30), R. D. Gill (Retired Rector), H. A. S. Hamilton (1943-56), D. H. Henderson (1938-50), 1. F. Hendry (1951-65), R. B. M. Howie (1972-78), H. D. Jamieson (1921-34), D. G. Kilgour (1938-50), Rev. Dr. J. F. Kirk (1937-47), Prof. P. N. Love (1952-58), D. McAllister (1961-74), A. L. McC,ombie (Acting Rector), A. M. McLaren (1926-39). J. H. McLaren (1945-59), D. I. K. MacLeod (1952-54), R. McPherson (1946-52), K. I. Masson (1959-72), J. D. Moir (1969-75), A. J. K. Monro (1933-38, 40-46), H. E.

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Morrison (1951-65), Miss M. J. Moser (1976-80), Miss S. A. Mutch (1974-79), A. S. Noble (1939-52), Dr. A. E. Philip (1943-56), J. B. Rennie (1947-53), R. S. Rilley (1947-55). Rev. G. B. C. Sangster (1928-37), D. P. Smith (1945-47), R. G. C. Smith (1926-37). Miss S. E. Smith (1974-80). W. A. Steele (1945-51), D. J. Stephen (1946-52), I. T. Stephen (Staff), Dr. D. Stuart (1931-43), Dr. I. Stuart (1933-46), Miss A. E. Taylor (1974-80), D. M. Watson (1979-85), M. F. Watson (1942-56), M. S. Watson (1978-83), J. A. N. Watt (1927-39). N. G. M. Watt (1963-69), D. K. Yule (1951-65).

Glasgow In view of the inclement weather the golf match against Edinburgh was cancelled. Glasgow claimed a moral victory.

The Ross Priory barbecue held with the Glasgow Centre Gordonians and High School FPs in June was a great success.

The Third Annual General Meeting and Dinner of the revived Centre was held in the Royal Scottish Automible Club on 7 November with due ceremony. Andrew McLaren was re-elected President and David Allen VicePresident. The Committee of Basil Emslie, Garry Allan, lain Fergusson were re-elected, as was the Secretary and Treasurer, Peter Cairns.

The principal speaker at the Dinner was Ian McPherson, with replies from the Rector and the Club President, Andrew Noble. The toast to the guests was proposed by Ronnie McLeod (Tarzan) with a reply horn David Newton of the Glasgow High School.

During the dinner the opportunity was taken to recognise Bert Gill's retirement with the presentation of a quaich. The Centre recorded its appreciation of his hard work for the School and of his interest in the FP Club.

The 1987 dinner will be held on 6 November at a venue to be announced later.

The FPs attending the Glasgow Centre Dinner were as follows: David Allen, Eric Archibald, D. W. Buchan, J. P. Cairns, A. K. Campbell, Dr. A. I. Cheyne. Basil D. D. Emslie. lain Fergusson, Mike Gauld, W. G. Gow, Rev. D. Grieve, John L. Harper, R. M. Howie, A. Kinghorn, T. D. Laing, R. I. Malcolm, H. Munro, Andrew McLaren, Gibb Penny. C. R. Sutherland, W. G. Uren.

London This year has again been an active one for the London Centre. A number of new members are making contact and becoming involved in the life of the Centre, but we would particularly like to encourage a higher female representation.

The Annual Dinner held at the Caledonian Club on 14 November 1986 was attended by some sixty members and guests, while many other members intimated their regret at being unable to attend.

The evening was greatly enjoyed by those present and was an occasion of considerable style. Professor Norman Ashton proposed the toast to the School and the Club with great erudition and wit, and Andrew Noble, in his capacity as President of the Parent Club, and Bert Gill, replied on behalf of the Club and School respectively. Andrew's fine reputation as a speaker is well known to the London Centre but our expectations were exceeded. Bert Gill again struck just the right note in bringing us up to date with the life of the School, particularly in view of the trauma caused by the fire in his final months before retirement. Our President, Ian Duguid, again chaired the proceedings in his inimitable style!

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63

Arrangement arc well in hand for the Dinner in 1987, which is to be held on Friday 13 November at the usual venue.

Ian Carry again organised a highly successful visit by two sixth formers from Aberdeen. Numerous FPs have now offered to participate in this activity, which has become established as a major Club event. Sandy Nicol has agreed to take over the organisation for this year's visit, which will take place as usual in June. A full report of last year's visit appears elsewhere in the Magazine.

Yorkshire The thirtieth annual reunion dinner of the Centre was held on 26th September 1986 at the Dower House Hotel, Knaresborough.

The Centre President, John Alexander, gave a warm welcome to the President of the Parent Club, Andrew Noble, to the Rector, Mr. Robert Gill, to Morrison Brown and President of the Edinburgh FP Centre and to Keith Campbell, Chairman of the Executive Committee.

Our members greatly appreciate the support they get from Aberdeen and the presence of our guests added to the enjoyment of the evening for all. It is always a great pleasure to see FPs from other centres.

After hearing from the Rector about the School's activities and the disastrous fire and its aftermath, Andrew Noble gave a fitting farewell tribute to Mr. Gill, who has not missed a dinner in Yorkshire. Keith Campbell was on hand to comment in general terms on the Club's attention to the future of the school.

Unfortunately, Alastair Miller had to give up the job of secretary after a number of years of sterling work for the Section. David Cormack was appointed as his successor.

The spirits which had been dampened slightly because of the news of the School were lifted somewhat, when the usual rounds of Birse Tea were dispensed under the watchful eye of Dr. Ian Reid.

Others present at the dinner were: D. McAllister (1961-74), M. Murray (1942-55), W. S. Gilchrist (1929- 36), Sir Leslie Mayor (1922- 33), S. Middleton (1945-54). W. Johnstone (1940-44), R. F. Tyson (1944-49).

The 1987 Dinner is to be held at the Dower House, Knaresborough on Friday 2 October 1987. All members of the Club are very welcome to attend and should contact Mr. David R. Cormack, 12 Castle Drive, South Cave, Brough, N. Humberside HU15 2ES, Telephone 04302 3353.

Michael K. Aitken (1973-79), B.Ed.. is one of only two full-time tennis • professionals in the North East.

On leaving school, he completed a B.Ed. honours degree in Physical Education at Jordanhill College of Education, Glasgow, graduating in 1983. In 1985-86 he took a year-long training course at the Adrian Stonebridge Tennis School in Wimbledon and has now set up a new coaches' association in Aberdeen. Between November 1986 and March of the following year he taught at the American School in Cults, near Aberdeen.

He has played regularly for the Hockey Section's 1st XI in the National League and was for two seasons Vice-Captain of the team.

His sister, Gillian M. Aitken (1976-82), also attended the School.

Gillian E. H. Allsopp (1976-82) and Neil Macpherson (1976-82) graduated in July 1986 with honours degrees in Political Studies at Aberdeen University.

Stephanie H. Bowling (1977-83) and Lindsay A. Steele (1977- 83) graduated with Master of Arts degrees of Aberdeen University in July 1986.

Ch.B., a former captain of the School Philip M. Brown (1975-81), senior chess team, graduated in Medicine from Aberdeen University in July 1986.

Professor Neil Keith Buxton (1948-58), M.A.. Ph.D., is to become Director of the Hatfield Polytechnic in September 1987.

A former Aberdeen University graduate and lecturer, he is currently Depute Director of Glasgow College of Technology.

Colin D. Campbell (1961-74) became Managing Director of Aberdeen company Langstane Press in May 1987. He took over the position from his father, who continues as Chairman of the firm, one of Britain's ten largest independent office stationery suppliers.

A note of his marriage to Pamela G. Murray (1975-81) appears elsewhere in this issue.

Lesley S. Carson (1981- 85), a former Head Girl and winner of the All-round Trophy, was elected to the Club Executive Committee at the Annual General Meeting in March.

Currently studying medicine at Aberdeen University, she is a member of the FP Swimming Section and a leading figure in the Women's Hockey Section.

At School she was Secretary of the Literary and Debating Society and was selected to go on the annual Total Oil visit to Paris, while in her sixth year.

George L. Chalmers (1945-51), M.B.. Ch.B.. F.R.C.P. Ed. F.R.C.P. Glasg.. is Consultant in administrative charge of the Geriatrics' Service in the East District of Glasgow, having moved there from a consultant post in the West District at the beginning of December 1985.

Since graduating in Medicine at Aberdeen University in 1957 he worked in Inverness, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Dundee, before returning to Glasgow. In 1980 he had a text book published, entitled Caring for the Elderly Sick. He has been active in Christian Medical Fellowship as West of Scotland Member Representative and was on the editorial board of the Rutherford House publication Ethics and Medicine.

Janice Elizabeth Clark (1979-82), M.A., graduated with honours in Sociology at Aberdeen University in July 1986.

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Notes About Former Pupils

65

Michael D. Clark (1974- 75), one of Britain's leading young choreographers, has made several appearances on British television recently.

In August 1986 Channel 4 screened a ninety-minute "docufantasy" on the life and times of the dancer, entitled Hail the New Puritan.

The following year in January, The Need to Dance was shown on BBC 1 at peak viewing time. In March of the same year a programme on one of his productions, the ballet No Fire Escape in Hell, was screened on BBC 2. This BBC film followed the rehearsals and showed highlights from the production.

The ballet received a fifteen-minute ovation when it had its stage premiere in September 1986.

Michael started going to dance classes when he was four, and at thirteen he went on to the Royal Ballet School in London. At the age of seventeen he was recruited by Ballet Rambert and, two years later, he left to set up his own company.

He hopes to hold a performance—featuring the premiere of one of his works—at the 1987 Edinburgh Festival.

His brother, William Clark (1974-78), also attended the School.

W. L. (Bill) Connon (1930-40), B.L., an Aberdeen lawyer, has been one of the leading sports administrators in the region over the past thirty years. In July 1986 he was honoured by the North-East District of the Scottish Golf Union at a presentation to mark his long service to golf in the area, particularly his contribution to the development of the boys' game.

Bill Connon has also had a long record of administrative service to the game of rugby, and in July last year he became senior vice-president of the Scottish Rugby Union for season 1986-87. Another FP, Dr. D. W. C. (Doug) Smith (1930-41), O.B.E., M.B., Ch.B., a former internationalist and British Lions manager, was elected president of the Union for 1986-87. It is believed to be the first time Aberdeen has been doubly honoured in this way. Aberdeen has produced two former S.R.U. presidents, Robert G. Ledingham (1912-19) in 1961-62 and Dr. J. R. S. (Donnie) limes (1923-35), M.B.. Ch.B.. in season 1973-74.

Ian Hamish Cooper (1923-33) is living in retirement in Auckland, New Zealand after some forty-four years at sea.

In 1933 he became a cadet with the British India Steam Navigation Company, Ltd, sailing from London to Calcutta on the S.S. Australia. He obtained his Second Mate's foreign going certificate in Leith, and later served on the T.S.S. Devon for a time.

In 1939, he became 3rd Officer of the S.S. Chakdina, which traded in the West Indies for over three years. During the war he was a ship's officer in the Merchant Service and Sub-Lieutenant, R.N.R.1-le subsequently passed for First Mate in 1943 and Master in February 1947—both in Sydney, NSW. In late 1944 he accepted a sea appointment from the Australian Government at Melbourne.

He maintains a keen interest in the affairs of the School.

Carol Anne Cormack (1977-83), the driving force behind the setting up of the Women's Hockey Section in February 1986, is currently Section Captain.

She is also a member of the Club Centre Management Committee.

Charles M. G. Cormack (1957-63), who has worked in the Civil Service for twenty-three years, has been appointed manager of the Department of Health and Social Security in Orkney.

His retirement after twenty-five years from umpiring senior cricket matches was recorded in the 1986 issue of the Magazine.

First FP Cap for Women's Hockey Margery Coutts (1975-81) won her first full cap for Scotland in the women's hockey international against Ireland in Dublin in March 1987.

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

She is the first FP to win a full international cap for women's hockey, and she was also the first Grammar girl to captain the Scottish Schoolgirls' Xl. Margery is currently a teacher of Physical Education at Bridge of Don Academy in Aberdeen. She has been capped with the Scottish indoor squad in the last two home countries tournaments, and has been in the Scotland 'B' team for five seasons, three of them as captain. It only remains for her to captain the full international team, and she will have led her country at every level in the outdoor game!

A regular member of local hockey side Merlins, she also finds time to play volleyball for Bon-Accord in the South Grampian District League.

Gordon Strachan Cowie (1938-49 and 1950-51), M.A., LL.B . who was formerly senior lecturer in Public Law at the University of Glasgow and the first occupant of the Chair of Public Law in that University, is now a minister near Elgin. In November 1986 he was inducted to the joint charge of Birnie and Pluscarden Parish Churches.

He was Gold Medallist at the School in 1951.

Elaine Craig (1981-87), has gained a place at Oxford University to study English. She begins a three-year course at Hertford College in October 1987.

William CriOton (1955-61), secretary of the Aberdeen and District Referees' Association since 1978, was appointed as linesman at the Scottish Cup final at Hampden Park, Glasgow in May 1987.

He started refereeing seventeen years ago and ran the line in the 1980 Scottish League Cup final and the Scottish Qualifying Cup final the following year. He has been an executive member of the Aberdeen association for thirteen years and was a linesman in a U.E.F.A. Cup-tie in 1975.

A member of the organising committee of the Aberdeen International Football Festival, he has also refereed a number of Highland League fixtures.

Professor Eric K. Cruickshank (1920-32), O.B.E.. M.D.. F.R.C.P., F.R.C.P.G.. is currently University Dean. Professor of Medicine and Director and Coordinator of medical programmes at St. George's University School of Medicine in Grenada, the West Indies.

He was previously Dean of Postgraduate Medicine of the University of Glasgow, and a more detailed note of his interesting and distinguished career appeared in the 1985 Magazine.

Brian J. Daniel (1977-82), graduated M.A. (Hons) in Economics with Accountancy at Aberdeen University in July 1986. In his second year at university he was awarded second place in the Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co. Prize.

In September 1986 he joined the above firm of Chartered Accountants as a trainee C.A. in their Aberdeen office. In April 1987 the firm merged with KMG Thomson McLintock and Brian now works for Peat, Marwick, McLintock, the largest firm of accountants and management consultants in the U.K. Malcolm K. Daniel (1975 81), M.B.. Ch.B . brother of B. J. Daniel (above), graduated in Medicine at Aberdeen University in July 1986. As part of his final year he spent two months in London, Ontario, Canada attached to Neil McKenzie's (1948-62) heart transplant team.

During his pre-registration year he worked on the Professorial General Medical Ward at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and at Raigmore Hospital, Inverness. From August 1987 he will be on the Aberdeen General Medical Rotation.

Ian William Davidson (1964-70) and Paul Thomson (1960-73), both firemen in the Aberdeen area, helped to extinguish the fire which reduced the historic main building of the School to a charred granite shell on 2 July 1987.

Graham J. Davie (1976-82), B.Sc. Eng.. who was Deputy Head Boy in session

Notes About Former Pupils

67

1981-82, graduated in July 1986 with an honours degree in Engineering at Aberdeen University.

In his final year at School he captained the Hockey 1st XI and was capped for Scottish Schoolboys. He has played for both the Hockey Section and Cricket Section 1st Xis. He is currently working as an engineer with the Central Electricity Generating Board in Gloucester.

J. Gordon Dawson (1921-34), C.B.E.. B.Sc. (Eng.), F Eng., F.I.Mech.E., F.S.A.E., was inducted as an Honorary Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers in December 1986, in recognition of "his distinguished career in the engineering industry and his long and notable service to the Institution".

He is the 44th person to have been awarded this distinction. Among those who have received Honorary Fellowships within the last decade have been The Prince of Wales, Sir Michael Edwardes, Sir Denis Rooke and Viscount Caldecote.

A former president of the Institute, he graduated B.Sc. (Eng.) from Aberden University in 1937 with first-class honours in mechanical and electrical engineering.

He joined Rolls-Royce as an engineering pupil in 1938 and subsequently became their aero-engine development test engineer, being concerned with such famous engines as the Griffon and the Merlin.

From 1946 to 1955 he worked with Shell, latterly as chief engineer at their Thornton Research Centre. In 1959, four years after joining diesel engine manufacturers F. Perkins of Peterborough, he became their engineering director. He was a director of the Dowty Group from 1966 to 1969 and then joined the Zenith Carburetter Co. as managing director, becoming chairman and managing director in 1977.

He retired to become an engineering consultant in 1980 and he still works at this part-time from his home near Peterborough.

He has been a member of the Institute since 1943 and as chairman of their qualifications board was responsible for the publication in 1978 of a major report "Towards a Qualifications Policy for the Future", known as the Dawson Report. He was made a Commander of the British Empire in 1981.

His brother Philip Dawson (1925-37), M.A.. u.B . retired as senior partner in the firm of James and George Collie, Advocates in Aberdeen in December 1986. He has continued to be associated with the firm as a consultant.

As reported in the 1985 issue of the Magazine, he is currently President of the International Curling Federation, and is active in the arrangements for the reintroduction of curling (as a demonstration sport) with a view to its subsequent formal recognition at the Winter Olympics in Calgary next year.

James Mitchell Dent (1963-67) was co-opted on to the board of the Northern Co-operative Society as a director in October 1986. He joined Norco at the age of 16 as an office boy in the counting house of their old Loch Street premises in Aberdeen. He progressed to being a clerk before leaving in 1970 to become a clerical officer with the Department of Health and Social Security in Aberdeen. He is now an executive officer with the D.H.S.S. A. (Andy) Dornan (1973-77), formerly full-back with Aberdeen Football Club, was transferred from Motherwell F.C. to English Third Division club Walsall in August 1986.

One of the highlights of his career was his appearance as left back for Aberdeen in their European Cup second round second-leg tie against Liverpool at Anfield in November 1980.

Anne M. Douglas (1978-79) is in the first year of a three-year teaching appointment with the Church of Scotland in Israel. She teaches English and history at Tabeetha School in Jaffa, near Tel Aviv.

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Her brothers, Alexander R. Douglas (1970-72) and Craig Douglas (1978), and her sister, Fiona Douglas (1978-81), also attended the Grammar.

Gillian Drysdale (1980-82), M.A., graduated with an honours degree in English from Aberdeen University in July 1986.

Lorna Dunbar(1973-79), M.A., graduated with a Master of Arts degree from Aberdeen University in 1982 and completed the Certificate in Secondary Education at Aberdeen College of Education the following year. She is presently a teacher of mathematics and computing at Hazlehead Academy and has maintained her sporting interests as a keen netball player and coach in senior and school circles.

R. Graeme Dunphy (1975 - 79), B.A., who graduated with first-class honours in German from Stirling University in 1984, completed his degree in Old Testament Studies at St. Andrews University this year. This concluded his formal training for the Church of Scotland ministry and he was licensed at a service in Skene Parish Church, near Aberdeen, in early July.

In August he takes up a post as assistant minister in Muirhouse, Edinburgh.

David F. Ewen (1972-78), B.Sc., M.Sc., who graduated with first-class honours in Geology from Aberdeen University in 1982, was awarded the degree of Master of Science by the University in July 1986. lain S. Fergusson (1959-64), D.A.(Dun.). R.I.B.A.. A.R.I.A.S.. reports that after leaving the School he completed his secondary education at Perth Academy, before going on to further education at Duncan ofJordanstone College of Art, Dundee, where he gained a Diploma in Architecture in the early 1970s.

He then came to Glasgow and worked in the offices of Baxter, Clark & Paul for a short period of time and in 1974 (when he got married) joined the practice of McAlister, Armstrong & Partners, who were then opening an office in Glasgow to add to their bases in London, Belfast and Darlington. He stayed with that practice and in 1979 was assumed a partner. In 1981 the practice was reconstructed in respect of its North of England and Scottish offices, into the style of Armstrong, Douglas, Fergusson. The firm has remained that way ever since with offices in Glasgow and Darlington and sub-offices in Blackburn and Keswick.

Paul Furneaux (1974-80) graduated B.A. (Hons) in Painting from HeriotWatt University in July 1986.

Fiona M. A. Gillanders (1975-81), B.Sc.. a former captain of the School senior netball team, graduated with honours in Psychology from Aberdeen University in July 1986.

Michael David Grieve (1972-78), B.Sc. Eng.. was awarded a Ph.D. at Aberdeen University in July 1986 with a thesis entitled "Self-Adaptive Methods for the Computer-Aided Design of Electromagnetic Systems". He and his younger brother Peter Grieve (1974-80), B.Sc. Eng., both work for Shell International Petroleum in the Netherlands.

Gillian M. Hay (1976-82) graduated with a Bachelor of Education degree from Aberdeen University in July 1986.

Denys Hartley Henderson (1938-50), M.A.. LL.B., Chairman and Chief Executive-designate of I.C.I., is being awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree by the University of Aberdeen in July 1987.

A graduate of Aberdeen University, he joined I.C.I. in 1957 and has held a succession of posts in the company.

Christopher Alan Howie (1979-85), a regular in the Hockey Section 1st XI, is a member of the Scotland under-21 men's hockey squad.

At school he played for the 1st XI for two years and was selected for the Scottish Schoolboys' under-16 and under-18 squads. Runner-up to the Allround Trophy winner in 1985, he played cricket for local Grade 1 side Westburn, before joining FPs at the start of the 1986 season. In his final year

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he was one of two pupils invited to spend a week in London as guests of the FP Centre there.

He is currently studying for a degree in Engineering at Aberdeen University.

Robert B. McN. Howie (1972-78), LL.B., a graduate of Aberdeen University, was admitted to the Faculty of Advocates in July 1986.

At school he was a regular member of the Hockey 1st XI and was Secretary of the Literary and Debating Society. In 1978 he was awarded the Bishop Greig Prize for Public Speaking; he was also one of the editors of X5WD, the unofficial pupils' magazine of session 1977-78.

His sister, Christina G. Howie (1975-81), and brother Alastair G. McN. Howie (1977-83), also attended the School.

Sallyanne Hutchison (1980-86), gained third place in an annual educational competition for sixth-year science pupils in Grampian schools, sponsored by the region's Education Department and the oil company Amoco (U.K.).

She was Head Girl and winner of the All-round Trophy in session 1985-86 and took an active interest in chess, drama, debating and hockey while at school.

She aims to pursue a career in Forensic Medicine or in another area of medicine.

Jeffrey Hyland (1946-58), who was previously manager of the Clydesdale Bank at Rhynie, was appointed manager at the Bank's Aberlour and Tomintoul branches in June 1986.

He is an active member of the FP Curling Section.

Dr. John L. Kilgour (1936-41), M.B., Ch.B., M.R.C.G.P., F.F.C.M., C.S., who has been Director of Prison Medical Services at the Home Office since 1983, was made a Companion of the Bath in the 1987 New Year's Honours List.

He is married with two sons and lives in Buckinghamshire.

Angela M. Kydd (1975-81) took part in an Operation Raleigh expedition to New Zealand between December 1986 and February 1987.

A Zoology graduate of Aberdeen University, she spent her time on scientific and community projects in Fiordland on the South Island.

To raise the £2000 she needed to finance her trip, she performed a fundraising triathlon. She cycled from Braemar to Maryculter Bridge, snorkelled from there to Bridge of 1Dee, and ran from there to the breakwater.

Susan E. Leith (1976-82), M.A., Head Girl in session 1981-82 and a former President of the School Dramatic Society, graduated with first-class honours in Psychology from Aberdeen University in July 1986.

Lt. Geoffrey R. Lewis (1967-70 and 1972) earned a commendation in July 1986 for his part in an air rescue mission in appalling weather conditions. He is currently stationed at Prestwick.

Gillian Claire Lowit (1975-80), M.A., graduated with honours in Psychology from Aberdeen University in July 1986.

Callum A. McDonald (1963-76), LL.B. has been assumed a partner in the Aberdeen legal firm of Raeburn, Christie & Co. A regular member of the Rugby Section's 1st XV, he has played a major role in organising the Section's successful trips to Houston, Texas.

Inns James Macdonald (1974-79) rejoined Scottish First Division side Montrose in July 1986.

A key player in Highland League side Keith's championship win of season 1984-85, he was one of Aberdeen's most promising young players when he joined Sheffield United as an apprentice professional.

He returned to Scotland with Montrose before being released to join Keith.

David L. McDougall (1922-28), C.A., reported in the 1983 issue of the Magazine as having retired in 1981 as Secretary-Treasurer of A.E.I.

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Telecommunication (Canada) Ltd. in Winnipeg, moved in 1986 to Canada's "Lotus Land"—Victoria—on Vancouver Island, where his brother Charles Ivan Rees McDougall (1925-28) and cousin Ian Anderson McDougall (1915-26) also reside.

Mark Thomas McFadyen (1978-83) played the leading role of Count Dracula in the musical "The Dracula Spectacula", which was presented by Giz Giz Garlik, a theatre project for young people, at Aberdeen Arts Centre in July 1986 as part of the city's Arts Carnival. He has been in many shows with the Attic Theatre and Lyric Theatre companies and has sung lead tenor with Aberdeen Opera Company.

He is currently an assistant scientific officer at the Rowett Research Institute in Aberdeen.

Roy McGregor (1952-1957) was appointed in May 1986 by TSB Scotland to the new post of assistant general manager (retail banking). He joined the Trustees' Savings Bank at Perth in 1965 and for the three years prior to his latest appointment he was assistant general manager (marketing) at TSB Scotland.

Andrew Fraser McIntosh (1976-82), a final-year medical student at Aberdeen University, returned in March 1987 from a ten-week project studying leprosy in India.

The trip was funded by LEPRA, the British Leprosy Relief Association, and Andrew studied the records of one leprosy clinic population—more than two hundred people—looking closely at drug treatment and compliance.

His brother Brian James McIntosh (1972-78) and sister Fiona Jane McIntosh (1974-79) also attended the School.

Fiona M. A. McKay (nee McCombie) (1975-81), M.B., Ch.B., graduated in Medicine from Aberdeen University in July 1986. A former Head Girl and winner of the All-round Trophy, she is currently House Officer at Woodend General Hospital in Aberdeen. She is a former member of the Club Executive Committee. A note of her marriage to T. E. McKay (1976-81) appears in this

Magazine.

James F. McKay (1959-68), M.A., LL.B., and Agnes Pusztai (1973-79), LL.B.. recently joined the Fiscal Service in Aberdeen. This brings to five the number of FPs currently working for the Fiscal Service, the others being Brian K. Crookshanks (1934-46), T.D., M.A., LL.B., Alan James Macrae (1968-73), LL.B., and John Watt (1958-71), LL.B. Timothy E. McKay (1976-81), a former Head Boy and All-round Trophy winner, graduated B.Ed. (Hoes) at Jordanhill College of Education, Glasgow in June 1985.

He is currently a teacher of Physical Education at Hazlehead, Torry and Northfield Academies in Aberdeen and intends to study for a Master of Education degree at Aberdeen University commencing in September 1987.

At school he was captain of the 1st XV and has continued to take an interest in the sport as a regional rugby referee. He is also a District and National League hockey umpire.

Alistair L. McKenzie (1954-61), who is Principal Teacher of History at Grantown High School, is currently Secretary of Grantown Golf Club. In his spare time he plays in a popular band of musicians called "Cat Melodian".

Ian MacKenzie (1962-75), B.Sc. Eng., an honours graduate of Aberdeen University, was awarded a postgraduate Diploma in Offshore Engineering (with Distinction) at R.G.I.T. in 1981, taking the Institute of Petroleum Award for top student. He then joined Loffland Brothers North Sea in Aberdeen (the U.K. division of one of the world's largest drilling contractors) as a drilling engineer, spending the majority of his first year working offshore from roughneck to driller. In 1985 he was promoted to Engineering

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Supervisor, responsible for the engineering and maintenance of the company's five U.K. sector platform rigs.

Susan Jane Mackenzie (1975-81), B.Sc.. graduated with honours in Computing from Aberdeen University in July 1985, and is currently working for the Morgan Bank Company of New York in London as a computer analyst.

Kenneth G. Mackie (1950-64). a former member of the Club Executive Committee, is General Manager in charge of Highland Health Board's Raigmore Unit.

He qualified as a chartered accountant in Aberdeen in 1969, and from 1974 to 1983 was Area Management Accountant for Grampian Health Board. He then moved to Glasgow, where he was Director of Financial Services for one of the units of the Greater Glasgow Health Board, prior to his present appointment.

He has been an active member of the Hockey Section for a number of years.

John H. McLaren (1945-59), a Director of J. & F. Johnston and Partners, Chartered Architects, Town Planners, Structural Engineers, is currently responsible for establishing a joint venture consultancy practice in Accra, Ghana.

During a visit to Abidjan, Ivory Coast in September and October 1986, he met the Club Consul, Brian S. Gray (1943-49) who is with the Agricultural Division of the World Bank in Abidjan.

In a letter to the Notes Editor, John records that although not designated as an official FP dinner, a most enjoyable evening was spent as Brian's guest at dinner. This meeting followed the discovery that both had sons in the same class and rugby team at Edinburgh Academy.

Very Rev. Dr. J. Fraser McLuskey (1920-31).

D.D . who was Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland from 1983 to 1984 (and, as far as is known, the only FP to hold that office), retired last year after twentysix years as minister of St. Columba's Church, Pont Street, London.

Ian Desmond MacNay (1949-63) was appointed a board member of Aberdeen advertising agency Clifton Collier in December 1986 as part of an expansion programme. He was previously the firm's accountant and is now Finance Director. A graduate of Aberdeen University. he has twenty years' experience in manufacturing and retailing.

Ian Angus Shaw MacPhail (1933-40) was presented with a major Dutch conservation honour in October 1986. Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands invested him into the Most Excellent Order of the Golden Ark, the order having been instituted by the Prince in 1971 to honour special services given to "the conservation of flora and fauna in the world".

Ian has been a leading member of the conservation movement for over thirty years, and in recognition of his work in this field he was awarded in 1985 the Order of the Sun—Peru's highest honour—by the country's President.

He is currently European co-ordinator of the International Fund for Animal Welfare and has had a lifelong love of nature. He was one of the founders of the World Wildlife Fund in 1961 when he was appointed its campaign director. Since then he has campaigned on many conservation issues, including stopping the seal culls.

Alexander N. Main (1954-60), M.A., Ph.D.. F.1.T.D.. E.R.S.A., left his post as Adviser on Educational Methods to the University of Strathclyde at the end of November 1986, in order to take up the appointment of Director of Educational Services at Murdoch University, Western Australia.

Douglas Mart (1959-65), NI A , Dip. Ed.. was appointed to the post of Head Teacher at Hilton Academy, Aberdeen in December 1986.

An Honours graduate of Aberdeen University, he began his teaching career at Hilton Academy in 1970. He was promoted to Assistant Principal Teacher of

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History at the Grammar the following year and in 1976 returned to Hilton Academy as Principal Teacher of history.

In 1981 he became Assistant Headmaster at Kemnay Academy and in October 1983 was appointed Deputy Rector for the Gordon Schools, Huntly.

For five months he was Acting Rector at the Gordon Schools.

Shona Marshall (née Milne) (1979-82) retained her place in the Scottish Ladies Down-the-Line Clay Pigeon team for the international meeting in Northumberland in July 1986. In the same year she won two major competitions in the space of ten days, coming first in the women's section of the Scottish open down-the-line championship at Inverness and following this up with victory in the English open championship at Sywell, Northumberland.

Her brother, Gavin J. Milne (1979-84), is a member of the Cricket Section and is an undergraduate student at Edinburgh University.

Aileen Masson (1975-81), M.A., captained Esson Properties Netball Club, which won the Aberdeen and District Netball League Division One title in 1986.

Neil A. Mathieson (1973-75) completed a Ph.D. in Geology at Sheffield University in late 1986 and is currently working as a freelance consulting geologist. A B.Sc. graduate of Aberdeen University, he studied for three years in Canada and gained a Master of Science degree in geology in 1982.

Robert Thomas Megginson (1952-55), who left the city more than twenty years ago to seek fame in the film industry, now lives in New York and travels the world as a successful freelance writer.

The film FX—Murder by Illusion, which was co-written by Robert, was shown at the Odeon Cinema in Aberdeen in September 1986. The film, the co-writer's first, deals with the American government's attempts to stamp out the activities of the Mafia.

He previously worked in London with a film processing firm before travelling to America to work in the film industry and eventually starting to write scripts. He now travels all over America, and his work has also taken him to Sweden and Hong Kong.

Gilbert Douglas Menzies (1934-44), F.R.A.I.C.. A.R.I.B.A.. retired in August 1985, after 31 years in a variety of capacities with the Public Works Department of Alberta, Canada. He reports enjoying one whole month "out to pasture" before being asked to return as a part-time consultant. He has established his own project management practice, but does not expect to be very active with the current economic downturn in the Province; the world energy pricing situation has made a severe impact upon oil exploration and production and upon local business in general, especially construction. He is a past President of the Alberta Association of Architects and served for six years on its Council and one year on the Council of the R.A.I.C. He is the younger son of the late Major-General Thomas Menzies (1905-10), C.B.. O.B.E., and Ch.B., F.R.C.S. (Ed.), F.R.C.S. Eng., brother of Thomas Menzies (1931-40), F.R.C.S.. R.C.P.S. Glasg.

Andrew C. Milne (1953-61), LL.B.. a former policeman, is a lecturer in Law at Aberdeen College of Commerce.

He continues to take an active interest in bowling, squash, tennis and swimming and is a faithful supporter of the Hockey Section's 1st Xl. His daughter Marie J. Milne (1978-85), was promoted to the post of accounting assistant with Chevron Petroleum Ltd, Aberdeen in February 1987.

She is a past captain of the School netball team and in session 1983-84 became only the second Grammar pupil to gain an Under-18 Scottish Schoolgirls' Netball cap, and the first to captain the Scottish team.

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She continues to take an active interest in the sport as a member of the Wood Group team, which won the Aberdeen arid District Netball League Division One title in 1987. She is also Secretary of the Wood Group club.

Dr. Gmeme I. Murray (1972-78), M.B.. Ch.B.. graduated in Medicine from Aberdeen University in July 1983. He spent his pre-registration year at Foresterhill Hospital, before joining the hospital's Pathology Department, where he has worked since.

He has had several research papers published, and his work has taken him to London and Dublin.

His sister, Morag J. Christie (née Murray) (1974- 79), completed a medical secretary's course at Aberdeen College of Commerce in June 1981 and commenced work at Glenburn Wing, Woodend Hospital, Aberdeen. a post she held until December 1984.

She is now living in Dundee and works at the city's Ninewells Hospital as a supervisor of secretaries.

Pamela G. Campbell (née Murray) (1975-81), B.Sc.. sister of G. I. Murray and M. J. Christie (née Murray) above, graduated from Aberdeen University in July 1984 with a degree in Geography.

In November of that year she joined Gyrodata Ltd, a directional survey company at Bridge of Don, Aberdeen, as a technical services assistant.

Between 1982 and 1984 she played double-bass with the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland, touring Scandinavia and then playing at the Usher Hall, Edinburgh, under conductor Sir Alexander Gibson in the 1983 Festival.

In that year she also performed seven shows on Grampian Television and has taken part in a number of radio broadcasts with Graham Geddes and his Band.

A note of her marriage to Colin F. Campbell (1961-74) appears elsewhere in this Magazine.

Robert Garden Murray (1933- 36), M.B., Ch.B., M.F.C.M., D.P.H.. retired from the appointment of Area Medical Officer, Stockport Area Health Authority, in January 1979 and has settled down to live in retirement in Cheshire.

He makes an annual visit to Aberdeen and last summer climbed Ben Macdhui, an event which marked the sixtieth anniversary of his first ascent of the mountain on 1 August 1926.

Alexander Nicol (1962-71), B.Sc.. has joined Ruislip-based E. & O. Motors, a BMW dealership, as Service Manager. For the past eleven years he was with Rolls-Royce Motors Ltd, serving in various capacities at their plants in Crewe and London.

Andrew S. Noble (1939-52), M.A., F.C.M.A., F.I.M.A., LL.D.. was awarded the honorary degree of LL.D. by the University of Aberdeen at the special graduation ceremony on the occasion of the installation of the University's new Chancellor, Sir Kenneth Alexander, on 24 April 1987. Dr. Noble was presented for the award of the degree by Vice-Principal, Professor Philip N. Love (1952-58), who, despite his academic audience, seems to have kept the Notes Section of the Magazine very much in mind, when composing his address, all of which is reproduced below: Chancellor, I have the honour and privilege to present to you for the award of the Degree of Doctor of Laws. honoris causa. Andrew Stephen Noble.

Andrew Noble was educated at Aberdeen Grammar School, where, in his final year, he was School Captain—the "high priest of the Hierarchy", as he was described in the 1952 School Magazine. He was also captain of both the Rugby 1st XV and the Cricket 1st Xl. His rugby XV was probably the most successful Aberden Grammar School team ever. The team won all of its matches, arid conceded only six points all season. The only blot on the Noble rugby escutcheon is that three of these six points were scored by arch rivals, 'the other place', Robert Gordon's College. Andrew Noble's talents were not, however, confined to the sporting arena—he was the 1952 School Dux. I arrived at the

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Grammar School just after Andrew had left, but I heard so much about Andrew's outstanding qualities as a leader, scholar and sportsman. More than twenty-five years were to pass before I was to meet the great 'god' I had heard so much about as a wideeyed newcomer to the Grammar School. and I was not disappointed when I met him.

After leaving School, Andrew studied at St. Andrew's University, where he was a Harkness Scholar. In 1956, he was awarded a first class Honours Degree in Mathematics and Applied Mathematics. He did more than study Mathematics, however, at St. Andrew's University. He was President of the Students' Union. He played for the Rugby XV, and was capped by Scottish Universities. He also found time to court a young arts undergraduate who later became his wife. Margaret and Andrew Noble have three children, a daughter, Alison, and two sons. Michael and Peter. After St. Andrew's, it was on to St. John's College, Cambridge. where, in 1958, he graduated B A . having taken Part II of the Economic Tripos. In 1959, he was awarded the Diploma in Mathematical Statistics.

It was hardly surprising that his academic career was so distinguished. Taught at Aberdeen Grammar School. and, on top of that, the son of a distinguished academic, Professor Sir Peter Noble, who was Regius Professor of Humanity at this University from 1938 until 1952. when he left to become Principal of King's College, University of London. Sir Peter was also a member of the University Grants Committee and ViceChancellor of the University of London. Sir Peter sat more or less where his son now sits, when he was awarded an honorary LL.D. thirty-two years ago.

After Cambridge Andrew Noble embarked upon a career in industry. In 1959 he was snapped up by Imperial Chemical Industries, and between 1959 and 1973 he held a variety of posts with ICI. What I am now about to say is mere conjecture but I have concluded, that, because he did not wish to impede the upward progress of another former pupil of Aberdeen Grammar School within the ICI empire, Andrew Noble left ICI in 1973. That other former pupil, Denys Henderson, has done rather well—in addition to the honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws which he will receive from this University in July of this year. he has recently acquired the chairmanship of ICI! Andrew Noble joined Debenhams plc in 1973 where he had a most impressive business career until 1986 when it all "went for a Burton", as it were. In 1976 Andrew was appointed to Debenhams' main Board. Between 1979 and 1981 he was the Managing Director responsible for Administrative Services and Development. From 1981 until his resignation in 1986-following the Burton Group take-over—he was the Managing Director responsible for Store Operations and Services. He was also Chairman of several Debenhams' subsidiary companies.

Since he left Debenhams last year he has been able to spend a little more time on his favourite leisure activities of golf and squash. He is a former Captain of Wimbledon Park Golf Club.

Andrew Noble is now Chairman of Specialeyes plc, a new venture in optical retailing, and he is also a Director of Bentalls plc. a Department Store Group.

Andrew Noble has held many important posts related to the retail trade—he is a past Chairman of the Association of Retail Distributors, a past Chairman of Oxford Street Association, a past Chairman, and now Vice-President, of the British Retailers Association, and a past Director of the National Retail Members Association of the USA. He is currently chairing a Working Party on the Future Pattern of Retailing in Scotland.

He has also held many other appointments, far too numerous to mention in the short time available to me, but, there are a few which merit special mention before an academic gathering such as this. He was for a time a member of the Mathematics SubCommittee of the University Grants Committee, and he is currently a member of the Council of the Economic and Social Research Council and of the Council of Manchester Business School. He is also Vice-President of the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications.

But, for a former pupil of Aberdeen Grammar School, Andrew Noble's achievements prior to March 1986 pale into insignificance when compared with the honour which was conferred upon him that month. On 31 March 1986 he was installed as President of the Aberdeen Grammar School Former Pupils' Club, the greatest honour which that Club can confer upon one of its members. Andrew Noble was an outstanding. dedicated President, and his qualities of leadership were never more in evidence than when he made his stirring speech at the School Prize-Giving held not long after the School was so tragically devastated by fire last summer. It gives me special pleasure to be Andrew

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Noble's promotor today, because, at the end of March of this year, I succeeded him as President of the Aberdeen Grammar School Former Pupils' Club. This is a quite unique and rather special occasion for both of us.

Chancellor, I now invite you to confer upon Andrew Stephen Noble the Degree of Doctor of Laws, bonoris caula.

Cohn T. Noble (1979-82), B.Sc., graduated in July 1986 with honours in Geology from Aberdeen University.

Professor Derek Ogston (1937-39, 1946-47), M.A., M.D., Ph.D.. D.Sc..

D.T.M.&H.. F.R.C.P.,F.R.C.P.E.. F.R.S.E.. takes up appointment as Vice-Principal of the University of Aberdeen on 1 October 1987. As a new member of the team of three Vice-Principals, he will replace Professor Roy D. Weir (1932- 44), O.B.E., M.D., D.P.H., F.F.C.M.. F.R.C.P.. to whom separate reference is made in these Notes, and he will join Professor Philip N. Love (1952-58), C.B.E..

U.S.. the Club President, who was appointed Vice-Principal last year.

Professor Ogston has been Dean of the Faculty of Medicine since 1984, and in this capacity, of course, he has already been active in the chief planning bodies of the University. Both he and Professor Love will be called upon to contribute substantially to the guidance of the University through the financial and academic challenges, which face the University in the immediate future.

Professor Ogston has held a personal Chair in the Department of Medicine since 1983, but was previously Regius Professor of Physiology at Aberdeen University from 1977 following a succession of clinical teaching and research appointments in the Department of Medicine.

Gordon Robert Palmer (1972-75) was ordained and inducted to the congregation of Ruchazie Parish Church, Glasgow in October 1986.

On leaving school, he went to Edinburgh University to study economics and accountancy. After graduating in those subjects, he decided to enter the ministry and took a degree in theology.

In 1984 he left university and became assistant minister at South Leith Parish Church in Edinburgh. He spent a year prior to his current appointment at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, Pennsylvania, where he was awarded a postgraduate degree.

Hugh S. Pixie (1949-55) was elected in April 1987 as Chairman of the Aberdeen centre of the Institute of Transport Administration. He is an accountant with concrete and granite firm John Fyfe, Ltd. Graham G. Prout (1953-66), B.A., has "semi-retired" to the peace of the Hertfordshire countryside by buying the "Darby and Joan" pub and restaurant at Abington Pigotts near Royston. Graham previously spent fourteen years in the tobacco industry, and was particularly involved with overseas marketing in Europe, U.S.A., the Far and Middle East, and Africa.

He assures FPs that they will be warmly welcomed at "the Darby", if they happen to be in the area.

One FP, who has already enjoyed such a warm welcome, is Ian S. Colvin (1953-66), Graham's former classmate. Ian left England in 1975 to journey to Australia, and finally settled in Tasmania, where he works as a quantity surveyor.

Katherine E. Rawles (1979-80), M.A.. graduated with first-class honours in Mental Philosophy from Aberden University in July 1986. In her final year she was awarded the Bain Medal and the Hutton Prize in Mental Philosophy, and the John Laird Memorial Prize in Moral Philosophy.

Karolyn Reece (1978-82), a student at the London College of Fashion, was one of twelve talented designers who took part in a special show at the Royal Albert Hall in November 1986.

Some thirty-six students from the London college submitted sketches of their ideas—with a budget limit of 1300. Their remit was to design and create

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an original couture dress or outfit to be worn by a professional model at the show in London.

Karolyn was one of the dozen young designers, whose work was chosen and went on show at the prestigious venue.

Malcolm Forbes Rennie (1952-56), the first member of the Children's Theatre to "go on the boards" professionally in the late 1960s, played Claudius in Hamlet at Kronberg Castle, Denmark in September 1986.

The Oxford Playhouse production went on to the Assembly Hall in Edinburgh where, coincidentally, Malcolm last appeared on stage in Scotland eighteen years ago—in Hamlet.

Jennifer Robb (1980-86) is one of only ten British pupils to receive a new bursary award from paper manufacturer Wiggins Teape, Ltd. The firm has selected the School as one of ten in the United Kingdom to receive an annual scholarship of f500 to be awarded to a pupil entering a university or polytechnic to study engineering, science, business or European languages. The award is made on the basis of an interview and of the candidate's general school performance.

Jennifer will commence her studies in geology and chemistry at Durham University in October 1987.

Graham R. Sangster (1972-76) appeared at the Sherman Theatre, Cardiff in the musical adventure The Amazing Mr. Toad in December 1986 and January 1987. The show ran for five weeks and was a sell-out before it opened.

After completing a Diploma in Speech and Drama at Aberdeen College of Education, he taught for a year before taking a postgraduate course in theatre studies at Cardiff. He then set up a touring theatre company with a friend, who wrote Mr. Toad.

Carol Ann Sargent (1976- 82), B.Sc., graduated with honours in Biochemistry from Aberdeen University in July 1986.

At school she was Deputy Head Girl and captain of the Hockey 1st Xl. In session 1981-82 she played for the North District hockey team and was capped for Scottish Schoolgirls.

She was also a member of the Grammar Tennis 1st VI and won a number of domestic School tournaments.

In session 1983-84 she was awarded a full blue in hockey by the Aberdeen University Athletic Association.

Michael J. Smith (1978- 84) was a regular member of the Aberdeenshire cricket team which won the 1986 "double" of Scottish Counties' Championship and Scottish Cup. He finished sixth in the Championship batting table with an average of 26.50, with a highest score of 91 not out, but in all matches he topped the batting with 37.06 and a highest score of 116.

He had a very successful run in the Scottish Cup with successive centuries, and his aggregate of 593 runs was easily the highest.

At the beginning of the 1987 season he got off to a spectacular start against Hillhead in Aberdeen, scoring an unbeaten century for Mannofield XI in only ten overs and 34 scoring shots in 41 minutes.

His brother, Roderick C. Smith (1980-86), was top run scorer in the counties with 329 at an average of 27.42 and 23.62 overall.

A former captain of the School 1st XI, Roddy has also gained representative honours at under-16, under-17 and under-19 levels. He was also Vice-Captain of the School 1st XV. He is currently taking a four-year course at the West London Institute of Physical Education.

Another FP, Dallas G. Moir (1969-75), featured prominently in Aberdeenshire's successful 1986 campaign. He returned the best batting

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average in counties matches at 60.50 (24.57 when all matches are taken into consideration) and produced consistently good bowling figures, with an average of 7.67 in the counties and 7.59 overall, topping the lists on both counts.

Dallas was selected for Scotland's 1987 Benson and Hedges squad for their matches against Warwickshire, Lancashire, Worcestershire and Yorkshire in May. He was a member of the team which defeated Lancashire in the 1986 competition—the Scots' first success.

Alistair I. Soppitt (1954-60) is the new general manager of Highland Health Board's Southern Unit.

A graduate of Aberdeen University, he worked previously with the former North-Eastern Regional Hospital Board, and with the Highland Health Board as Southern District Administrator and Raigmore Unit Administrator. He then returned to Aberdeen where he was administrator responsible for planning and development with Grampian Health Board, prior to his current appointment.

In his spare time he plays hockey and cricket. He enjoyed a successful 1986 season as opening batsman for the Cricket Section's Strathmore XI, including a sterling 99 not out against Forthill in Dundee.

Sarah E. Stanlder (1976-82), D.S D., graduated with a Diploma in Speech and Drama at Aberdeen College of Education in June 1986. She was also awarded a Merit in Academic Subjects.

She is currently employed as a translator for Air France, who recently commenced operations at Dyce Airport, Aberdeen.

At school, she was a leading member of the Dramatic Society.

John M. Steele (1976-82), M.A., winner of the All-round Trophy in session 1981-82, graduated with honours in Geography from Aberdeen University in July 1986.

Rev. Charles Ian Graham Stobie (1924- 27), M.A. (St. Andrews), retired from the ministry of Fyvie Parish Church in September 1986 (mandatory ruling at seventy years of age) after Church of Scotland parish ministries at Uyeasound (Unst, Shetland) from 1942 to 1947, Whalsay (Shetland) 1947-50. Mossvale (Paisley) 1950-56 and Auchtergaven (Perthshire) between 1956 and 1960.

These appointments were followed by ministry at St.Andrew's Presbyterian Church in St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada (1960-68), lectureship in English at the Memorial University of Newfoundland and subsequent service as a Reference Librarian with the Newfoundland Public Libraries Board at the Arts and Culture Centre in St. John's, Newfoundland.

On his return to Scotland in May 1974 he acted for some months as locum tenens in the West Parish Church of East Kilbride until called to the charge of Fyvie in February 1975.

He has spent his retirement in St. Andrews with his wife Margaret and continues to do some occasional work as supply preacher or organist.

Charles James Strachan (1917-21), who was a tea and rubber planter on Ceylon's Low and Upcountry Estates between 1927 and 1945, is now resident in Liphook, Hampshire.

From 1945 to 1960 he was General Manager in Ceylon for Anglo-Ceylon and General Estates Co. Ltd. He returned from Ceylon in 1960 but revisited Ceylon Estates as a Board Director. As a member of Tea Delegations he also visited Mauritius, Malawi, Swaziland and Kenya between 1962 and 1972.

He was Club Consul in Ceylon for over twenty years.

Graham Stuart (1974-79), B.sc, Dip. Arch., completed a course in Architecture at Robert Gordon's Institute of Technology in June 1986 and is currently working for the firm of Thomson, Craig and Donald, Architects in Aberdeen.

He is a regular member of the Hockey Section's 2nd Xl.

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Margaret A. Sutherland (1977-83) graduated Master of Arts from Aberdeen University in July 1986, and has joined the firm of Ernst and Whinney, Chartered Accountants, as a trainee C.A. At school she was Deputy Head Girl and Vice-captain of the indoor hockey team. She has continued to take an active interest in hockey since leaving school and is currently team captain of the recently established Women's Hockey Section.

Gillian M. Taylor (1975-81), winner of the Mary D. Adams scholarship to the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in 1981, graduated with a B.A. degree in Music Education and a diploma in solo performance in 1985.

She has sung with music societies throughout Scotland, including a performance of Vivaldi's Gloria, conducted by Anthony Hopkins, during the 1983 Aberdeen International Youth Festival. In July 1985 she joined the Scottish Opera chorus and currently teaches singing in a school in Glasgow.

Barrie S. Urquhart (1950-63), L.t. B . was appointed in April 1987 as Depute Director of Law and Administration for Aberdeen City Council.

He worked previously with Hamilton Town Council and Greenock Corporation and joined Aberdeen Corporation in 1970. A former Principal Solicitor in Aberdeen City Council's Department of Law and Administration, he was employed immediately prior to his current appointment as Clerk to the Council's two main housing committees—Housing (Management) and Housing (Building and General Purposes).

He is a member of the Hockey Section and has played for the 1st XI in the National League.

David A. C. Walker (1950-55), B A . MPhil„ recently published a biography of the Aberdeen-born Rhodesian artist and educationalist Edward Paterson, whose work as a teacher produced such a flowering of original sculpture and art.

On leaving Lincoln College, Oxford, David went as Research Fellow in Fine Art to St. Andrews, and from there to Salisbury. Rhodesia as Educational Officer at the National Gallery. At the change of government he was called upon to undertake a wider range of duties, and while still keeping his interest in the Gallery, has been training and examining teachers and inspecting schools in Zimbabwe.

David is the son of Ralph S. Walker (1910-22), M A . Emeritus Professor, McGill University, Montreal.

Melville F. Watson (1943-56) was re-elected Vice-Chairman of the Club Executive Committee at its Annual General Meeting in March 1987.

He is the only living former pupil to have had two sons as Head Boy at the School.

His elder son, M. Stuart Watson (1977-83), is currently in his fourth year of Medicine at Aberdeen University. He was President of the A.U. Medical Society in 1986-87 and B.M.A. representative on the Associate Members Group Committee. At school he was (joint) winner of the All-round Trophy in session 1982-83 and President of the Literary and Debating Society.

Melville's younger son, Douglas M. Watson (1979-85), is about to enter his third year of Law at Aberdeen University. At school he was President of the Literary and Debating Society and represented Grammar in a number of interschool competitions. Winner of the All-round Trophy in 1985, he was also Captain of the 1st XV. He has continued to take an interest in rugby as an Aberdeen District referee.

Nigel G. M. Watt (1963-69), 11B .W.S . is currently the Vice-Captain of the Scottish Universities Golfing Society, having retired as Secretary after a period of ten years in office. He is also Captain of the Rotary Club of Edinburgh Golf Club. One of Nigel's wishes is to see more of his contemporaries involved in the activities of the Club.

Notes About Former Pupils

79

G. Fraser Webster (1949-62), a former member of both the Rugby Section and Cricket Section first teams, is currently Vice-Captain of Royal Aberdeen Golf Club. It is an appointment which will lead automatically to the captaincy of the Club.

He is an active member of the FP Club Executive Committee and currently works for Collins, Halden and Burnett, Insurance advisers in Aberdeen.

Professor Roy D. Weir (1932-44), O.B.E., M.D.. D.P.H., F.F.C.M., F.R.C.P., Senior Vice-Principal of the University of Aberdeen and Vice-Chairman of Grampian Health Board, was made an O.B.E. in the 1987 New Year's Honours List.

In April he took up the post of Chief Scientist in the Scottish Home and Health Department, in succession to Sir Patrick Forrest, Regius Professor in the Department of Clinical Surgery, Edinburgh University. Professor Weir is to operate part-time continuing to hold the Chair of Community Medicine at the University of Aberdeen.

The post of Chief Scientist involves the management and development of research and scientific programmes being supported by the Home and Health Department. The Chief Scientist's committee is the main research policy committee within the Department.

Malcolm Frederick White (1977-82), B.Sc., graduated with honours in Biochemistry from Aberdeen University in July 1986.

Caroline M. Wilkie (1976-82), M.A., graduated with an honours degree in Geography from Aberdeen University in July 1986.

Graeme J. Wilson (1938-40, 1944-48) was elected President of the Royal Warrant Holders Association in March 1987 and will hold office for a year.

He is the head of his family firm, William Wilson and Co. (Aberdeen), who have held a Royal Warrant since 1962 as suppliers of plumbing, electrical and building materials.

He has represented the Aberdeen Association of Royal Warrant Holders on the national council since 1974, and is now the first member of the Aberdeen Association to hold the national presidency.

Shirelle Young (1977-82) graduated B.A. with honours from Gray's School of Art Aberdeen in July 1986. She received the 1986 award as artist in residence at His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen for six weeks during July and August. The annual award is made by the School of Art in conjunction with Grampian Television and gives the winner the opportunity to use theatre facilities, a f400 subsistence allowance, and the guarantee o(an exhibition.

Professor Alexander J. (Brown) Youngson (1923-36), M.A., D.Litt., C.B.E., Chairman of the Royal Fine Arts Commission for Scotland, was made a C.B.E. in the 1987 New Year's Honours List.

He resides currently in Nothumberland.

A more detailed note of his career appeared in the 1985 Magazine.

Colin J. Youngson (1960-66), M.A.. won Scotland's toughest hill race, the 28-mile course through the Lairig Ghru from Braemar to Aviemore in 3 hours 43 minutes and 28 seconds. He also came second in the 1987 Aberdeen Milk Marathon.

He is currently Principal Teacher of English at Inverurie Academy.

Another FP, Grahame S. Whyte (1975-81), D.S.D., Dip.Ed.. teaches Drama and Media Studies at the Academy. He recently completed the Diploma in Education at Aberdeen University.

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William C. Fordyce, B.Sc.. M.Ed., a former science teacher at the School, was appointed Director of Education for Dumfries and Galloway Regional Council in February 1987.

He previously taught at Albyn School for Girls before going to Dumfries and Galloway as an Assistant Director of Education for a year. In 1969 he became an Assistant Director in the former Aberdeenshire County Council and, on regionalisation in 1975, became a Depute Director for the region. His responsibility prior to his current appointment was for schools, and, prior to his departure from Grampian, he served on the working party. which submitted the report "Opportunities for Learning" recommending radical changes in the provision for 16 + education, by the proposed creation of a single "continuing education service" which would operate through a network of area learning units.

Eric E. Morrison, M.A., a former teacher of mathematics at the School and a retired senior lecturer at Aberdeen University, is being awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree by the University of Aberdeen at a ceremony in July.

His son, Harvey E. Morrison (1951-65), LL.B., C.A., is a past Treasurer of the Club Centre and currently Hon. President of the Cricket Section.

Mr. John V. Skinner Readers will be pleased to learn, that the former Rector, Mr. John V. Skinner, M.A., M.Litt.. Dip.Ed..J.P.. who suffered a stroke last year only some weeks before he was due to propose the toast to the School and Club at the Annual Dinner of the FP Club, is making a good recovery.

After a spell in Aberdeen Royal Infirmary he was finally able to return home in January 1987, where his progress is continuing.

Marriages The 1980 Magazine records the first known marriage between two former pupils of the School. This year the Marriages section of the Magazine chronicles another significant event in the School's long history. Recorded immediately below is the first marriage between a former Head Boy and a former Head Girl ofthe School. Our best wishes are extended to Timothy and Fiona McKay and, ofcourse, to all the other couples whose marriages are listed below.

McKay (1976-81) and McCombie (1975-81).—At Mannoficld Church, Aberdeen on 14 July 1986, Timothy Euan McKay, only son of Mr. Derek McKay, 8 Vininhill Road, Aberdeen and the late Mrs. Aileen McKay to Fiona Margaret Anne McCombie, only daughter of Mr. Arthur L. McCombie, 87 Ashley Road, Aberdeen and the late Mrs. Vaila McCombie.

Alexander (1976-80).-At St. Mary's Episcopal Church, Aberdeen on 28 June 1986, Graeme Robert Mackay, elder son of Mr. and Mrs. Ian Mackay, 30 Balmoral Road, Aberdeen to Kathryn Jane Alexander, youngest daughter of Rev. Canon and Mrs. J. D. Alexander, St. Mary's Rectory, 28 Stanley Street, Aberdeen.

Allan (1977-82).—At Mannofield Church, Aberdeen on 2 July 1986, Nigel Cattanach, son of Mr. and Mrs. R. Cattanach, 12 Gordon Road, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen to Morag Allan, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Norman Allan, 7 Oakdale Terrace, Aberdeen.

Anderson (1971-77).—At Auchterarder House, Perthshire on 6 September 1986, Edward Shepherd Anderson, younger son of Mr. and Mrs. E. Anderson, 70 Gilcomstoun Land, Aberdeen to Hazel Susannah Swan, younger daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. Swan, 13 Thistle Drive, Portlethen.

Matriages

81

Barber (1974-80).—At King's College Chapel, Old Aberdeen on 18 October 1986, Duncan junor, 35 Claremont Place, Aberdeen to Louise Mary Barber, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Barber, 92 Raeden Crescent, Aberdeen.

Bowling (1977-83).—At Gilcomston South Church, Aberdeen on 14 July 1986, Kenneth Macleod, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. K. Macleod, 16 Chapel Drive, Larbert, Stirlingshire to Stephanie H. Bowling, second daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Dudley J. F. Bowling, 28 Grove Crescent, Aberdeen.

Brands (1975-81) and Hutchison (1975-79).—At Langstane Kirk, Aberdeen on 12 July 1986, Michael Alexander David Brands, son of Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Brands, 19 Fairview Walk, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen to Lynn Hutchison, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert H. Hutchison, 81 Anderson Drive, Aberdeen.

Campbell (1974-79) and Davidson (1977-83).—At Mannofield Church, Aberdeen on 6 June 1986, Bruce Dewar Campbell, only son of Mr. and Mrs. D. M. Campbell, 21 Braeside Avenue, Aberdeen to Jennifer Doreen Davidson, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Davidson, 14 Burns Road, Aberdeen.

Campbell (1961-74) and Murray (1975-81).-At Beechgrove Church, Aberdeen on 7 November 1986, Cohn David Campbell, elder son of Mr. and Mrs. C. F. Campbell, 12 Westfield Terrace, Aberdeen to Pamela G. Murray, younger daughter of Mr. and Mrs.). Murray, 29 Woodhill Road, Aberdeen.

Chalmers (1972-78) and Gregor (1976-78).—At Holburn West Church, Aberdeen on 20 September 1986, Alexander Blair Chalmers, son of Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Chalmers, 72 Rubislaw Den North, Aberdeen to Sheena Heather Gregor, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R. Gregor, 1 Oldtown Terrace, Aberdeen.

Clark (1975-81) and Johnstone (1978-82).-At Beechgrove Church, Aberdeen on 31 August, 1985, Alan McD. Clark, son of Mr. and Mrs. George Clark, 36 North Anderson Drive, Aberdeen to Fiona A. Johnstone, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Keith S. A. Johnstone, 106 Brighton Place, Aberdeen.

Courts (1974-78).—At St. Ninian's Church, Aberdeen on 30 August 1985, Michael J. Angus, 62 Elmbank Terrace, Aberdeen to Mhairi E. D. Courts, elder daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alister Courts, 34 Raeden Crescent, Aberdeen.

Donaldson (1955-68).—At Aberdeen Airport Skean Dhu Hotel, Dyce, Aberdeen on 24 June 1986, John Murray Russell Donaldson, son of Mr. and Mrs. James A. F. Donaldson, 96 Forest Avenue, Aberdeen to Marlene Hepburn, 7 Tollohill Place, Aberdeen.

Dorricot (1971-74).—At Carnoustie Parish Church on 10 May, 1986, lain Martin Dorricot, son of Mr. and Mrs. Norman Dorricot, 65 Rossie Avenue, Broughty Ferry to Pamela Duncan, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. Duncan, 46 Primrose Street, Carnoustie.

Drew (1975-79).—At St. Ninian's Church, Aberdeen on 4 April 1987, Paul Michael Drew, younger son of Mr. and Mrs. George Drew, 84 Aulton Court, Aberdeen to Karen Whitehead, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Whitehead, 24 Raeden Avenue, Aberdeen.

Dron (1973-79).—At King's College Chapel, Old Aberdeen on 17 September 1986, Alan West, 256 Union Grove, Aberdeen to Jennifer Angela Dron, elder daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert S. Dron, 11 Harcourt Road, Aberdeen.

Dron (1975-80).—At King's College Chapel, Old Aberdeen on 9 May 1986, Jeremy Tyrie, youngest son of Mrs. Jean lyric, 50 Esslemont Avenue, Aberdeen to Lindsay Diane Dron, younger daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert S. Dron, 11 Harcourt Road, Aberdeen.

Duguid (1975-81).—At King's College Chapel, Old Aberdeen on 10

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January 1987, Steven Jones, 55 Short Loanings, Aberdeen to Jennifer Duguid, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Duguid, 32 Balmanno Gardens, Bridge of Earn.

Durham (1977-82).-At St. Machar's Cathedral, Old Aberdeen on 4 April 1987, James Knowles, son of Mr. and Mrs. B. Knowles, 32 Valley Crescent, Aberdeen to Tracey Margaret Durham, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Durham, 4 Anderson Drive, Aberdeen.

Duthie (1974-80).—At King's College Chapel, Old Aberdeen on 25 July 1986, Allan Stewart Duthie, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Stewart Duthie, 68 Stanley Street, Aberdeen to Susan Smith, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. F. Smith, 105 Heathryfold Circle, Aberdeen.

Fitzpatrick (1973-78).—At St. Machar's Cathedral, Abcrdccn on 20 December 1986, Alan Whyte, Island Bank Road, Inverness to Claire Rosetta Fitzpatrick, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Ewart A. Fitzpatrick, 44 Gladstone Place, Aberdeen.

Flecher (1977-82).—At Blairs College Chapel, Aberdeen on 31 May 1986, Stuart Neil Herd, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ian Herd, 22 Rosehill Place, Aberdeen to Michelle Gabrielle Becher, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gerard Flecher, 245 Queen's Road, Aberdeen.

Fordyce (1958-71).—At Greyfriars Church, Aberdeen on 14 October 1986, Ranald James Fordyce, son of Mr. and Mrs. James Fordyce, 128 Airyhall Drive, Aberdeen to Pauline Cowling, 22 Moir Avenue, Aberdeen.

Goodall (1974-78).—At Ferryhill North Church, Aberdeen on 28 June 1986, Derrick Edwin Goodall, son of Mr. and Mrs. Edwin D. Goodall, 159 Bon-Accord Street, Aberdeen to Barbara Louisa Smith, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Smith, 61 Springbank Terrace, Aberdeen.

Gordon (1955-60).—At Bakewell Registry Office on 29 November 1986.

Alistair William Gordon, only son of Mr. and Mrs. William Gordon, 104 Union Grove, Aberdeen to Ruth Poirrette, 7 Sugworth Crescent, Ridley, Oxford.

Gordon (1975-81).—At Queen's Cross Church, Aberdeen on 29 December 1986, Roland Waddell, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Waddell, Redtilcs, West Barns, Dunbar to Margaret F. Gordon, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ian Gordon, 1 Harlaw Place, Aberdeen.

Gregor (1976-80).—At Newhills Church, Bucksburn, Aberdeen on 30 August 1986, Euan Alexander Gregor, son of Mr. and Mrs. R. Gregor, 1 Oldtown Terrace, Aberdeen to Shona Morgan, 28 Sunnybrae, Bucksburn, Aberdeen.

Hall (1979-82).—At Holburn West Church, Aberdeen on 25 July 1985, Russell A. Streether, 208 Lee Crescent North, Aberdeen to Lesley A. C. Hall, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Hall, 21 Albert Terrace, Aberdeen.

Hart (1973-79).—At Aberdeen Registrar's Office on 13 February 1987.

Timothy A. Andrewes, only son of Mr. Peter Andrewes and the late Mrs. Moira Andrewes, Northampton to Katherine Elizabeth Hart, second daughter of Dr. and Mrs. D. Drummond Hart, 31 Woodend Place, Aberdeen.

Hislop (1971-77).—At the Tree Tops Hotel, Aberdeen on 12 July 1986, Dale Stewart Hislop, son of Mr. and Mrs. James T. Hislop, 150 Forest Avenue, Aberdeen to Jane Ann Davidson, elder daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R. M. Davidson, 30 Davidson House, Hazlehead, Aberdeen.

Irvine (1965-70).—At Viewforth Church, Edinburgh on 11 October 1986, Robert Neil Irvine, only son of Mr. and Mrs. Neil C. Irvine, 162 Great Western Road, Aberdeen to Jennifer Hess, of Edinburgh.

King (1974-79).—At Dunnottar Church, near Stonehaven on 18 October 1986 Ian James King, younger son of Mr. and Mrs. George King, Forestcrhill College, Westburn Road, Aberdeen to Kay Forbes, Melville Cottages, Stonehaven.

Marriages

83

Laing (1974-79).—At Holburn West Church, Aberdeen on 8 August 1986, Keith Farquharson, only son of Mr. and Mrs. P. Farquharson, Wellwood Mill House, Dunfermline to Alice S. D. Laing, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. K. S. D. Laing, 38 Forest Avenue, Aberdeen.

Macleod (1975-79).—At Valley Stream, New York, U.S.A. on 11 March 1987, fain Charlton Macleod, second son of Mrs. Shirley Macleod and the late Donald B. Macleod, 69 Beechgrove Terrace. Aberdeen to Susan Chesley, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Leon Chesley, New York.

Macdonald (1973-79).—At Glasgow University Chapel on 28 February 1987, Calum James Macdonald, son of Mr. and Mrs. Alastair Macdonald, 80 Forbesfield Road, Aberdeen to Christine Anne Jardine, eldest daughter of Mrs. Nessie Jardine and the late Mr. William Jardine, 26 Mirren Drive, Hardgate, Dunbartonshire.

MacKenzie (1974-78).—At Aberdeen Registrar's Office on 24 October 1986, George Chisholm, 26 North Murchison Street, Wick to )acqueline MacKenzie, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick MacKenzie, 48 Gilcomstoun Land, Aberdeen.

Marnoch (1974-78).—At Rosemount Parish Church, Aberdeen on 30 August 1986, Ewen John Marnoch, elder son of Mrs. I. Marnoch and the late Mr. Ian W. Marnoch, 30 West Mount Street. Aberdeen to Lynette Poison, 6a Mount Street, Aberdeen.

McKay (1976-80).-At Simpson's. Aberdeen on 12 July 1986, Robert John Scott, only son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Scott, 306 North Anderson Drive, Aberdeen to Nicola Eleanore McKay, only daughter of Mr. Derek McKay and the late Mrs. Aileen McKay, 8 Whinhill Road, Aberdeen.

McRobb (1979-83).—At St. Mark's Church, Aberdeen on 20 December 1986, Robert Black, Clifton Road, Aberdeen to Zandra McRobb, daughter of Mrs. R. Rennie, 36 Union Terrace, Aberdeen.

Middleton (1978-79).—At Greyfriars Church, Aberdeen on 4 October 1986, Ralph David Middleton, son of Mr. and Mrs. R. Middleton, 9 Hosefield Avenue, Aberdeen to Susan M. Ross, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. S. Ross. 1 Matthews Road, Kincorth, Aberdeen.

Mitchell (1972-76).—At St. Mark's Church, Aberdeen on 9 August 1986, Michael George Mitchell, son of Mr. and Mrs. M. Mitchell, 58 Whitehouse Street, Aberdeen to Lesley Watt, 52 Gairsay Square, Aberdeen.

Mollison (1972-78).—At Dunbar Parish Church on 26 July 1986, Neil Albert Morrison, younger son of Mr. and Mrs. Derek Mollison, 6 Burns Road, Aberdeen to Gillian Laird, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Laird, Dunbar, East Lothian.

Montague (1974-78) and Cruickshank (1975-80).-At Beechgrove Church, Aberdeen on 7 June 1986. John Montague, only son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Montague, 296 Clifton Road, Aberdeen to Ann Clark Cruickshank, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Cruickshank, 187 Westburn Road, Aberdeen.

Mortice (1973-77).—At Ferryhill South Church, Aberdeen on 24 May 1986, Michael Robert Morrice, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Mortice, 29 Chattan Place, Aberdeen to Ann Carolyn Sainsbury, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. Sainsbury, 53 Gairn Crescent, Aberdeen.

Murray (1961-74).—At King's College Chapel, Old Aberdeen on 23 August 1986, John Dawson Murray, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Murray, 69 Long Walk Road, Aberdeen to Moira Duthie, Wallfield Crescent, Aberdeen.

Rannie (1975-80).—At Aberdeen Registrar's Office on 2 August 1986, John Johnston, Abbey Street, Old Deer to Pamela Rannie, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Peter A. J. Rannie, 51 Watson Street, Aberdeen.

Reith (1974-78).—At Nigg Parish Church on 20 November 1986, John G.

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Henderson, only son of Mr. and Mrs. Ian Henderson, 71 Burns Road, Aberdeen to Linda Caroline Reith, elder daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Reith, Douglas Arms Hotel, High Street, Banchory.

Robertson (1976-81).—At Mannofield Church, Aberdeen on 10 May 1986, David John Seaton, younger son of Mr. and Mrs. James Seaton, 7 Angus Avenue, Bishopbriggs to Susan Park Robertson, younger daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Robertson, 79 Forest Avenue, Aberdeen.

Ross (1974-78) and Carle (1974-79).—At High Hilton Church, Aberdeen on 25 June 1986, David Douglas Ross, son of Mr. and Mrs William A. Ross, 20 Camperdown Road, Aberdeen to Lesley Margaret Carle, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry A. Carle, 1 Gilcomstoun Court, Aberdeen.

Ross (1978-82).—At Rosemount Church, Aberdeen on 4 April 1987, David G. Duthie, son of Mr. and Mrs. T. Duthie, 13 Montgomery Road, Aberdeen to Karen Yvonne Ross, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James W. Ross, 1 Richmond Terrace, Aberdeen.

Scott (1974-80).—At Mannofield Church, Aberdeen on 9 August 1986, Barry Scott, younger son of Mr. and Mrs. Ian M. Scott, Woodhill House, Ashgrove Road West, Aberdeen to Vivien Parsons, second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ronnie Parsons, 37 Woodend Crescent, Aberdeen.

Simpson (1972-77).—At Melville-Carden Place Church. Aberdeen on 17 May 1986, George Henry Simpson, son of Mr. and Mrs. G. A. Simpson, 28 Ashgrove Road West, Aberdeen to Brenda Rodger, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. Rodger, 23 Ballinard Road, Broughty Ferry.

Smith (1977-82).—At Holburn West Church, Aberdeen on 7 March 1987, Philip J. Masson, only son of Mr. and Mrs R. Masson, 114 Birkhall Parade, Aberdeen to Annette Kathleen Smith, second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hugh B. Smith, 66 Annfield Terrace, Aberdeen.

Smith (1978-83).—At Aberdeen Registrar's Office. Aberdeen on 22 November 1986, Marshall Rea, 64 Middleton Circle, Aberdeen to Michelle Ross Smith, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Archibald Smith, 83 Beaconsfield Place, Aberdeen.

Stephen (1974-76).—At Mannofield Church, Aberdeen on 6 September 1986, Graeme Stephen, son of Mr. and Mrs. Alastair Stephen. 26 Stanley Street. Aberdeen to Susan Cameron, 12 Auchlea Road, Aberdeen.

Sweet (1977-82).—At St. Mary's Church, Carden Place, Aberdeen on 11 September 1986, Simon Muir, Greensway, Newtonmore to Sally Anne Sweet, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. M. A. S. Sweet, 22 Desswood Place, Aberdeen.

Urquhart (1974-78).—At Ardoe House Hotel, Aberdeen on 2 August 1986, Eric Schwelm, Ventura, California to Jayne Lorraine Urquhart, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Urquhart, 25 Belvidere Street. Aberdeen.

Williams (1963-76).—At King's College Chapel, Old Aberdeen on 18 October 1986, Stephen George Pearson Williams, younger son of Mr. and Mrs. William G. Williams, 25 Binghill Road, Milltimber, Aberdeen to Shona D. Leith, younger daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Walker F. Leith, 4 Gladstone Place, Aberdeen.

Wood (1972-78).—At Greyfriars Church, Aberdeen on 9 August 1986, Duncan E. D. Wood, son of Mr. and Mrs. Alastair J. Wood. 4 Cairnaquheen Gardens, Aberdeen to Ann Stephen, Albert Street, Aberdeen.

Obituaries Allan Cunningham Anderson (1907-12), former Canadian Ambassador to Cuba, died in hospital in Calgary, Canada, on 16 April 1986. He was 89.

On leaving the School, Allan Anderson went with his family to Canada and obtained a situation almost on arrival with the Dominion Bridge Company, Winnipeg.

He served in World War I as a stretcher-bearer with the 10th Field Ambulance of Winnipeg in France until early 1918, when he transferred to the R.A.F. He was in training at the time of the armistice.

After some years in banking, including seven years at the Royal Bank of Canada in Havana, Cuba, he joined the Winnipeg Tribune in 1932 as a reporter, before rising to the position of sub-editor and city editor.

Fluent in Spanish, he was appointed special correspondent of Southern Newspapers of Canada, travelling throughout South America between 1941 and 1943.

He entered Canadian Government Services in 1943 as an information officer in Ottawa and in 1947 joined the Department of External Affairs as a Latin American specialist. From 1952 to 1955 he worked at the Canadian Embassy in Mexico, and in 1959 he was appointed Ambassador to Cuba and concurrently Ambassador to Haiti. He retired two years later, living in Ottawa until 1982, when he moved to Calgary.

Allan Anderson was a keen curler and golfer, and a life member of St. Andrew's Society, Mexico City. The March, 1926 issue of the Magazine records his appointment as Club Consul for Cuba.

He was predeceased by his brother, Laurence Milne Anderson (1911-12), who was in the service of the Union Bank of Canada in Winnipeg, and is survived by his brother, James G. Anderson.

Dr. James Clark Bell (1918-24), M.B.. Ch.B.. died in London on 19 February 1985, aged 78. After graduating at Aberdeen University in Medicine, he moved to London and commenced general practice.

He was mobilised in the RAMC on 3 September 1939, saw service in France and was evacuated from Dunkirk. Later he served in West Africa and Burma, attaining the rank of Major.

On demobilisation he resumed his practice in East Ham and became Medical Officer for West Ham. He gave lectures to the St. John's Ambulance and was made a Serving Brother, receiving two medals and a bar.

In November 1959 he was appointed club doctor to West Ham United Football Club, a position he held for over 25 years, retiring at the start of season 1977-78. During that period he travelled with the team to Europe many times. He attended home games regularly until shortly before his death.

His other favourite team was Aberdeen.

He was the brother of the late W. S. Bell who donated the Russell Bell Memorial Library to the School, so sadly destroyed in the recent School fire.

Dr. Kenneth Mackenzie Bell (1928-34), M.B., Ch.B.. M.R. G.C.P.. died in Taunton, Somerset on 26 February 1987. He was 69.

He graduated in Medicine from Aberdeen University in July 1939 and from September 1946 was a general practitioner in Harrow.

During the war he served in the R.A.M.C. for over six years in France and Belgium (1939-40), Syria, North Africa, Italy and France (after D-Day). He rose to the rank of Major, was twice "mentioned", and was wounded in August 1944 during the battle at Falaise. For five years less seventeen days he served as medical officer with the same unit, 14th Ind. Corps Field Ambulance (later 14th Light Field Ambulance).

He was an interested member of the FP Club.

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George Gordon Bulmer (1912-16), M.A.. died on 7 April 1986, at the age of 87.

Born in Inverness, he came to live in Aberdeen in 1912, where he entered the School. He then went on to Aberdeen University, graduating with a Master of Arts degree. Subsequently, he studied at St. Catherine's College, Oxford.

He spent most of his working life teaching in independent schools, where his kindness and consideration for others won him much respect and affection.

Mr. Bulmer leaves no family.

Notification has been received of the death on 7 September 1977 of Edward Strachan Burness Bruce (1921-30). He was then 61 years of age.

He started in business in the fish trade in 1937 with his twin brother, Alexander, who died in April 1967. He served in the R.A.F. during the war.; spending the greater part of his time in Egypt. He returned to the family business E. & A. Bruce, Ltd, which he continued to run until his death.

Alastair Stewart Durno (1922-30) died in Aberdeen on 16 January 1987 at the age of 70.

Known to many as "The Bishop", he served as a Petty Officer on H.M.S. Coventry during World War II,.later co-writing a book on the ship.

In 1971 he attended a unique ceremony in Coventry Cathedral, when the Victoria Cross was awarded posthumously to a Petty Officer of H.M.S. Coventry, mortally wounded during the evacuation of Crete. The medal was presented to the Cathedral to be kept in perpetuity.

A dedicated Royal Navy man, he was for some years a Sea Scout instructor and used his own boat for the purpose. About three years ago, he was instrumental in forming a Royal Naval Association Branch in Aberdeen.

His career, some of it with agricultural companies, took him to London, the Middle East and India. In Aberdeen he worked for a time with a city-based oil magazine.

A close friend spoke of him in the following way: "Alastair was one of the great characters of Aberdeen. He loved people and was well loved."

His father, the late Alexander James Durno (1881-86), also attended the School.

Dr. John Alexander Simpson Fanslie (1907-17), Nt.B.. Ch.B.. formerly a general practitioner, died at Eastbourne, Sussex on 29 April 1986, aged 86.

After graduating in Medicine at Aberdeen University in 1922, he entered general practice immediately, being an assistant first at Buckie and later in Huddersfield. Thereafter he purchased a practice in Banchory, Aberdeenshire, where he remained as a single-handed practitioner for twenty-one years. While practising in Banchory he was elected Provost of that community.

Shortly after the end of World War II, he moved to Eastbourne, where he practised for some thirty years both in the N.H.S. and as a private practitioner.

He is survived by his wife Irene, his son Michael, who is also a doctor, and his daughter Maureen.

Andrew Scott Finnic (1924-35), M.A.. C.A.. died at his home in Bieldside on 24 February 1987 at the age of 68.

He grew up in Cults and at School he gave early evidence of his high academic calibre. A former classmate writes, "The memories of Bill Stewart's Maths class when Andrew, George and I competed with our three teams for top of the class arc still very vivid."

On leaving school he went to Aberdeen University and graduated in Arts in 1938. While a student he served on the S.R.C. and gained a Blue for golf as a member of a very successful team.

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His chartered accountancy apprenticeship with Williamson and Dunn was interrupted by war service with the Royal Corps of Signals. He attained the rank of Major and latterly was based at Accra, training African troops for service in the East.

In 1948 he qualified with distinction as a Chartered Accountant and the next year became a partner with Williamson and Dunn with whom he remained until 1975. That year he joined the Aberdeen office of Whinney Murray—now Ernst and Whinney—where he was partner in charge of the office until he retired in 1982.

During his career he served on several committees of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland and attended a number of European and International Congresses for accountants. He also helped to set up and acted as head of the accountancy department at Aberdeen University until a Chair was established in 1974.

He became a member of Deeside Golf Club in 1931 and won the NorthEast boys' golf championship at Balgownie in 1936. Before World War II he continued to win a number of tournaments in the North East including at Peterhead and Elgin. He was a member of the first Deeside Golf Club team to win the Maitland Shield in 1947. He was also a member of the Royal Aberdeen Golf Club.

Scott Finnic was a gifted pianist of great natural ability and it was to this talent that he gave the major part of his time during his short retirement and through his convalescence after the heart attack which left him as he said "with no fushion".

Garnet Robertson Fraser (1907-08) died in Aberdeen on 3 December 1986 at the age of 93.

On leaving school he began his working life as a compositor in his father's firm, G. and W. Fraser, based in Belmont Street, Aberdeen. He was Managing Director between 1934 and 1966, and then started up a new firm, trading as G. R. Fraser and Co. from the same site.

During World War I he was an ambulance driver in Aberdeen and later spent twenty-five years as a special constable. He was also on the board of governors of the institution which is now the Royal Aberdeen Workshops for the Blind.

An elder of Denburn Parish Church and a Boys' Brigade officer, Garnet Fraser was also a member of Aberdeen Rotary Club and the local branch of the British Red Cross.

He retired in 1976 aged 83 after some sixty-eight years in the printing trade.

He is survived by a daughter, Doreen.

Denis Scott Garvie (1919-29), B.Sc. Eng., O.B.E., died suddenly but peacefully at Roxburghe House, Milltimber, near Aberdeen on 18 November 1986. He was seventy two years of age.

He was educated at the School and at Robert Gordon's College, before graduating B.Sc. in engineering from Aberdeen University in July 1935.

In 1961 he was made an O.B.E. while working for the Sierra Leone government on land reclamation schemes in Africa.

His son John Scott Garvie (1976-81) and daughter Nora Elizabeth Garvie (1979-85) also attended the School.

Dr. Edgar Norman Gauld (1923-32), M.B., Ch.B., M.R.C.P.. F.R.C.P., F.R.C.P. (C), F.C.C.P., died suddenly at his home in Hamilton, Ontario on 19 September 1986. He was seventy-one years of age. Although he had coronary bypass surgery carried out in the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio in 1968, he was only semi-retired at the time of his death.

After graduating in Medicine at the University of Aberdeen in 1937, he held hospital appointments at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Hackney Hospital,

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London and Bolingbroke Hospital, London. He held a post at the latter hospital during the 1940 blitz. He joined the R.A.F.V.R. shortly after this and rose to the rank of Squadron Leader, serving in this country and overseas, for a time in an Air Force Hospital in the Bahamas.

Returning to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary following demobilisation as a postservices registrar for further training in general medicine, he took the London membership and like so many of his contemporaries emigrated to Canada at the beginning of January 1953. He took up a post as a specialist in Internal Medicine at a hospital in Hamilton, Ontario.

By 1956 he was a consulting physician in the Hamilton Civic Hospital with attachments to other hospitals in that area, including teaching duties at McMaster. He became a Fellow of the College of Chest Physicians in 1955. and was elected to the Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians of Canada in 1972 and of the London College in 1984.

His interests were in cardiology, but he was a very sound general physician whose opinion was highly valued. A man of intcrgrity, his standards never varied, and he earned the respect of all with whom he worked. He was kind and considerate to patients, with whom his rapport, enhanced no doubt by his own health problems, was excellent.

He enjoyed work and he enjoyed life. He was a good conversationalist and a gifted raconteur: a story lost nothing when he was in full flight and he seemed to have the right riposte for most occasions. He was blessed with a good eye for ball games and at School and University he excelled at cricket and tennis.

Subsequently he took to golf and quickly reduced his handicap to single figures, which he maintained into his sixties.

Dr. Gauld's wife, Frances, the daughter of an eminent family physician in Hamilton, died suddenly at home on 5 October 1986, some two weeks after his cremation service.

His elder brother, Dr. William Robertson Gauld (1923-30), T.D., M.D., F.R.C P , also attended the School.

Alan Stirling Hall (1937-40 and 1943-50), M.A.. Senior Lecturer in Classics at Keele University, died on 12 December 1986. He was 55.

Dux of 1950 and a life member of the FP Club, he graduated with first-class honours in Classics from Aberdeen University in July 1954. He had a distinguished University career: in 1951 he was awarded the Dc Gurbs Prize in Greek, and two years later he shared with another the Jenkyns Prize in Classical Philology. In his final year at Aberdeen he was elected to a Domus Exhibition in Classics at Balliol College, Oxford.

Even at that stage in his career, he was well on the way to establishing himself as an authority on the archaeology and epigraphy of south-western Anatolia. this was a field in which he continued to work throughout his career. and in which he rapidly built a considerable reputation.

He travelled widely in southern Turkey, recording Greek and Latin inscriptions, and became a leading authority on the history of Isauria and Pisidia, mountainous areas where he made many topographical discoveries.

In 1959 he was appointed an assistant lecturer in Classics, specialising in ancient history and Greek drama.

In 1970 he resumed his work in Pisidia and the following year became Honorary Secretary of the British Institute of Archaeology in Ankara, helping to guide it over a transitional period when the nature of foreign archaeological work in Turkey changed radically. He held this post until 1985. His outstanding success in this office was the result, not simply of his excellence and repute in scholarship, but also of the exercise of considerable administrative and diplomatic skills in handling the complex business of negotiating excavation permits with the Turkish government. He was himself

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the director of a very productive archaeological survey of Oenoanda in Lycria and conducted an epigraphical survey of neighbouring Cibyratis.

A fluent Turkish speaker, Alan Hall was a key figure in Turco-British cultural relations. As Honorary Secretary of the Turco-British Mixed Cultural Commission, he worked with several famous Ottoman scholars. In the two years prior to his untimely death he lectured in Turkey, Germany and the U .S. A .

In the academic world, he was best known as a careful and energetic fieldworker, who collected a quantity of valuable epigraphic material and interpreted it with an exemplary combination of scholarship and imagination.

Mr. Richard Wallace, head of Keele University's Classics Department said of Mr. Hall: Not only was he a distinguished scholar, he was a talented and inspiring teacher with broad interests and a real dedication to his students and his subject, who will be very much missed.

He is survived by his wife Jill, son Alexander and daughter Isobel.

John Hannel Irvin (1925-34) died on 14 June 1986 at the age of 67.

The June, 1940 issue of the Magazine records his name in the Roll of FP War Service (First Instalment). He was on active service as a Private in the R.A.O.C. He was in France in 1940 and, as he said "just got out by the skin of my teeth quite some time after Dunkirk." In early 1941 he went to Iraq, via South Africa and India, and spent nineteen months there in the heat sometimes of 128 degrees in the shade. Next he went to Palestine and Egypt and took part in the invasion of Sicily and Italy, where he continued in R.E.M.E. He was a member of the FP Club and spent the last years of his life in Cults, Aberdeen.

Notification has been received of the death on 20 February 1980 of William Grenville Irvine-Fortescue (1905-16), M.C. .

He passed out from the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, and served in the Royal Engineers in Nonhern Greece during the First World War. Subsequently he joined the British military expedition to North Russia and later acted as Territorial Adjutant in Aberdeen.

Most of his army career, however, was spent in India and Iran, followed by a posting to West Germany after World War II. He retired with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel and was decorated with the Military Cross and bar.

During his retirement he lived successively in Durris, Bieldside and Edinburgh, pursuing his many interests, which included chess.

He died at his home in Edinburgh at the age of 82.

His elder brothers, Colonel Archer Irvine-Fortescue (1892-97), D.S.O..

M.B. , Ch.B., B.Com., D.L.. and John Irvine-Fortescue (1896-1901), also attended the School, as did his nephews James William Irvine-Fortescue (1928-30), J.P., K.L.J., and David Alexander Irvine-Fortescue (1928-30).

M.A.. C.A., J. A. (Jack) Lewis (1914- 20) died suddenly at Aboyne on 27 August 1986.

He was 83 years old.

In 1948 he succeeded his father, Sir Andrew Lewis, on the Aberdeen Harbour Board. He was a director of the firms of John Lewis Ltd, coal merchants, and John Lewis & Sons Ltd, shipbuilders and marine engineers, Aberdeen.

In 1954 Jack Lewis was appointed Deacon Convener of the Seven Incorporated Trades of Aberdeen.

He is survived by four daughters.

Dr. Alfred (Freddy) William Clark Lobban (1924-35), M.B., Ch.B., M.F.C.M., D.P.H.. died at his home in Aboyne on 27 May 1986 at the age of 69.

He had a distinguished career both academically and as an athlete while at

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School, at Aberdeen University, and in his professional life. At School he was the Modern Dux in 1935 and champion runner over one mile.

At University he gained Full Blues for athletics and cross-country running, breaking the records for one mile and three miles, and representing Scottish Universities at the International Universities' Games in Monaco in 1939.

On graduating in Medicine in July 1940, he served as House Physician and House Surgeon at Aberdeen's City and Woodend hospitals, before joining the R.A.M.C. in April 1941. He served in the U.K. and in North-West Europe until June 1946.

He was a principal in General Practice in Cambridgeshire from October 1946 to January 1965. He then transferred to the Public Health Service in 1965, taking the Diploma in Public Health two years later. Most of his service was in Bedfordshire, where he was successively Assistant County Medical Officer and Second Deputy County Medical Officer. He became Medical Officer of Health for Luton in April 1972, a post he held until March 1974. On the reorganisation of the National Health Service in 1974, he became District Community Physician for North Bedfordshire District until his retirement in 1982.

He moved to live in Aboyne in November 1984, where his activities were limited by ill-health and his stay there was much shorter than he might have expected.

A School contemporary, Dr. Robert (Bob) G. Murray (1933-36). paid the following tribute to Dr. Lobban: As well as being an outstanding athlete and scholar, Freddy was a great character and will be long and warmly remembered by a wide circle of friends and colleagues amongst whom I consider myself privileged to have been numbered.

He is survived by his second wife, Margaret, and by his daughter, Rosemary.

Robert James Maitland (1912-18), O.B.E.. T D.. died at St. John's Nursing Home, Aberdeen on 16 January 1987. He was 81 years old.

The son of a former Lord Provost of Aberdeen, he had a long connection with the Aberdeen Association of Social Services, now Voluntary Services Aberdeen, and was Chairman in their centenary year, 1970, when the Queen as Patron visited their headquarters. He was also a former Chairman of the Aberdeen Lads' Club and of the Victoria Hostel.

During World War II he had a distinguished Army career and commanded the Aberdeen T.A. Unit, 239 Field Park Co. R.E. in the 51st Highland Division, from 1941 to 1945. His company played an important part in the Battle of El Alamein.

Before the war he started his own business in Glasgow as a builder's merchant and in 1946 opened a branch in Aberdeen as Nu-Style Products.

For an unbroken period of thiry-seven years, he was joint session clerk of the former Bon-Accord Church through the unions with St. Paul's and Gilcomston and latterly with Denburn Parish Church.

In 1965 he was elected first Vice-President of Aberdeen Rotary Club and the following year he became President.

His son, the late Alastair C. Maitland (1943-52), also attended the School.

Dr. Keith Ronald Thompson Matthew (1912-24), M.B.. Ch.B.. died at the Western Infirmary, Glasgow on 21 January 1986. He was eighty years of age.

All-round Trophy winner of 1924, he graduated in Medicine from Aberdeen University in July 1929. Later that year he took up a hospital appointment in Glasgow, and in 1932 he became a partner in a general practice in North Kelvinside, Glasgow.

The December 1948 issue of the Magazine records Dr. Matthew's election to the Management Committee of the Glasgow Centre.

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Hallcrow McHattie (1900-02), M B.E., died in Edinburgh on 1 June 1986 at the age of ninety-one.

A member of the FP Club, he used to work at the Scottish Education Department, Whitehall, London, serving under Mr. John Mackay Thomson, formerly Rector of the School.

John Middleton (1919-23) died at Broughty Ferry on 11 July 1986.

He was the son of an eminent general practitioner in Peterhead and came to the School in 1919 after his father's death. He quickly established himself on the track, winning several open awards in 1922 and 1923. He was awarded his Rugby Cap in 1922 as a wing three-quarter and played for FPs after leaving school. He was an active member of the Cairngorm Club.

He joined the Royal Insurance Company in Aberdeen in 1923 and was quickly promoted to Agency Superintendent in Aberdeen, and then to Manager of the Dundee Branch. He retired in 1966. During his time in Dundee he was a committee member of the Dundee Business Club, a Director of the Chamber of Commerce and President of the Insurance Institute Council.

During retirement he pursued his enthusiasm for antiques, gardening, shooting, fishing and other countryside pursuits.

His attendance at the Centenary Dinner of the Club in the old School hall reinforced in him his lasting pride in the School and his interest in the people, literature and speech of the North East.

Gardiner Mitchell (1919- 26), M.B.. Ch.B.. F.R.C.S.E., F.R.C.O.G , died on 3 May 1986 at the age of 72.

Mr. Mitchell completed his school education at King Edward's Aston, and proceeded to study Medicine at Birmingham University and the Queen's Hospital. He continued to live and work in the Birmingham area, joining the staff of the Dudley Road Hospital and rising to the top of his profession in gynaecological surgery. He had a reputation not only for a high degree of technical skill in his surgical work, but also for exceptional pastoral care of both patients and colleagues.

The Rector of Mr. Mitchell's parish church (St. Mary's Handsworth) acknowledged in his church magazine the profound debt that the parish owed to Gardiner Mitchell—"He was, for many years, the Vice-Chairman of the P.C.C., and was actively engaged in its many responsibilities. We honoured him for his discernment and discrimination; but, above all things, we loved him for his goodness, his humility and his grace of personality."

Though so long absent from Aberdeen, Mr. Mitchell became a life member of the FP Club in 1949, and kept in touch with the affairs of the School and Club through the Magazine.

The rector of his parish church concludes his tribute as follows: "His humility and modesty were such that few casual observers would have guessed his eminence and distinction; but they were such as to provoke total admiration and love in those who knew him or worked with him."

James Hunter Ritchie (1921-27), B.Sc. (For.), died at Keith on 7 February 1986. He was 77 years old.

He graduated with a degree in Forestry from Aberdeen University in July 1932 and in December of the following year he went out to India as Assistant Manager of the Nagaisuree Tea Estate, Matelli, Dooars. He then moved to the Kukicherra Tea Estate, Cachar, Assam in the late thirties. In 1940 he was transferred to another estate in Jalpaiguri, Bengal.

During the war he was a Second Lieutenant with the K.E.O. Gurkha Rifles.

Thomas Falconer Robson (1918-31), M.A., C.A.. died in hospital near Aberdeen on 2 February 1987. He was seventy-three years old.

After graduating with a Master of Arts degree from Aberdeen University in

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July 1934, he joined Messrs. Williamson and Dunn, chartered accountants, Aberdeen, with whom he served his apprenticeship. In January 1940 he passed the final examination of the Chartered Accountants of Scotland, and was admitted as a member of the Aberdeen Chartered Accountants' Society.

He was assumed as a partner in the firm of Williamson and Dunn in 1947 and became a senior partner eighteen years later. He retired to live at Potterton in 1983.

In 1976 he was made a Knight of Sr. John for his long service as treasurer of the Order of St. John and the St. John Nursing Home in Aberdeen.

A keen sportsman, he played rugby for the School and the FP Section. He was also a member of the Golf Section, winning the Allison Fowlie Stableford trophy in 1962. He was an active and loyal servant of the Cricket Section and was until the time of his death an Honorary Vice-President.

A long-term member of the Cruden Bay Golf Club, his active involvement and commitment to the club is remembered by his friends with much affection. He also belonged to Royal Aberdeen Golf Club.

He is survived by his wife Kay, his son Jim and his daughter Alison.

Dr. David Forbes Ross (1924-35), M B., Ch B., D.M R.D. (Edin ). died at his home in Bexhill on 21 October 1986. He was 67.

He graduated in Medicine at Aberdeen University in 1940 and, after house appointments, joined the Royal Army Medical Corps, rising to the rank of Major.

He took part in the Normandy landings and served in north-west Europe.

On leaving the army he trained as a radiologist, first in Edinburgh and then in Aberdeen and King's College Hospital. In March 1949 he passed the final examination for the Diploma in Medical Radiodiagnosis. In 1952 he was appointed Consultant Radiologist to the Hastings group of hospitals, where for many years he was one of two radiologists with no supporting medical staff.

His principal responsibilities were at Buchanan and Bexhill hospitals.

Dr. Ross was for a number of years Chairman of the Medical and Surgical Requisitions Committee, and his wide understanding of medicine and surgery made his opinion particularly sought after by his colleagues.

His main hobby was music, and he used to spend many an evening sitting at his grand piano playing works by Chopin, about whom he had an encyclopaedic knowledge.

Having played golf from the age of 6. he was captain of East Sussex Medical and Dental Golfing Society, and was a member of the committee of Cooden Beach Golf Club. In his youth he loved climbing and was captain of Aberdeen University Climbing Club.

David Ross retired in 1984. His last years were clouded by illness and family tragedy, which he endured courageously.

His father, the late David Main Ross (1884-88 and 1893-?) attended the School.

John Bruce Rust (1919- 29) died at his home in New Zealand on 30 May 1986 at the age of 74. His father, John Rust (1883-90), grandfather, brother Robert Rannie Rust (1919) and son, John Robert Garnet Rust (1948-51) all attended the School.

On leaving School he spent two years on a farm before going to the North of Scotland College of Agriculture, Aberdeen University. After that he had his own pig and poultry farm at Benholm. On the outbreak of war he joined the Forestry Commission and was involved in the cutting down of the forests at Birkhall, Benholm and the adjoining estate at Brotherton. He emigrated to New Zealand in 1965, where he continued in forestry until he retired.

While at University he played rugby, and in later years concentrated on his other hobby, shooting.

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F.R.C.P., Major-General R. A. (Robin) Smart (1919-31), C.B.E., M.B., who served in the Royal Army Medical Corps until 1972 and on retirement from the army was Medical Officer to the Tower of London and Chief Medical Officer of Esso Petroleum, died in hospital in Aberdeen on 6 November 1986. He was 72.

Robert Arthur Smart graduated in Medicine from Aberdeen University in 1936 and, after house appointments at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, he joined the Royal Army Medical Corps. During World War II he served in Palestine, North Africa, France and Germany, first as a regimental medical officer and later with medical units and in medical staff appointments. He was mentioned in dispatches on three occasions.

Having decided to specialise in preventive medicine, in 1948, for the dissertation then required by the D.P.H. examination, he elected to study medical problems encountered when living and working in extremes of cold.

This choice of subject was to have considerable influence on his subsequent career: during 1948-51, while on the staff of the then Army School of Health, he was appointed to a winter warfare study team and spent several months at Fort Churchill, Canada. On return he made good use of this experience in his teaching, and many medical officers learned at the school for the first time in any detail about hypothermia, frostbite, and snow blindness.

From 1951 to 1955 he was Assistant Director of Army Health in East Africa, and in November 1956 he was seconded to the Royal Society to be leader of its International Geophysical Year expedition to Antarctica and spent a year at Halley Bay. There he was responsible for erecting huts and installing equipment, enabling the station to become fully operational by the beginning of the International Geophysical Year on 1 July 1957. On his return to Britain in January 1958, he was awarded the British Polar Medal and became a C.B.E. In 1960 he was posted to Supreme Headquarters, Allied Powers Europe in Paris as Deputy Chief Medical Officer and while there was awarded the silver medal of honour of the French Military Medical Services. Subsequently, and until his retirement in 1972, he was successively Deputy Director of Army Health, Rhine Army; Director of Army Health at the Ministry of Defence; Director of Medical Services, Rhine Army; Director of Medical Services, Far East Land Forces; and Director of Medical Services, Headquarters Army Strategic Command. He was an Honorary Surgeon to the Queen from 1968 to 1972.

On leaving the army Major-General Smart took up the post of Medical Officer at the Tower of London and became Senior and later Chief Medical Officer of Esso Petroleum, before finally retiring to Aberdeen in 1979.

Robin Smart had wide interests and was an avid reader. He was also fond of music and an able pianist and much enjoyed hill walking and skiing. Soon after his retirement, however, his social life and outdoor pursuits were to be limited by progressive ill health.

In 1947 he married Josephine von Oepen, and is survived by her, a daughter, and three grandchildren.

Sir lain Sutherland (1933-41), K.C.M.G., M.A., B.A., LL.D., who was British Ambassador to the Soviet Union from 1982 to 1985, died in hospital in London on 1 July 1986. He was 61.

Born in Edinburgh, lain )ohnstone Macbeath Sutherland was regarded as one of Aberdeen University's most distinguished graduates in the British diplomatic service, which he joined in 1950.

During the war he served with the Royal Indian Artillery, and on being demobilised in 1947 he went to Balliol College, Oxford, and read the Honours School of Modern Greats. He passed the Civil Service entrance examinations for Branch "A" of the Foreign Service in the summer of 1949.

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After studying Russian at the School of Slavonic Studies, he received his first posting in 1951 as Third Secretary in Moscow, a city with which he was to become familiar in his subsequent diplomatic career, returning twice more as Minister (1974-76) and Ambassador at the British Embassy. He returned to the Foreign Office in London in 1953 as a Second Secretary.

He also served in Belgrade for three and a half years and was Club Consul there, before taking up the appointment of Head of Chancery and First Secretary (Commercial) in the British Embassy at Havana, in the late fifties. In 1962 he left Cuba, and in June of that year he joined the British Embassy in Washington as First Secretary in Chancery, a post he held until 1965. He was to return to London for a rime before going to Indonesia in 1967, and following that he spent a year as Head of the South Asia section of the Foreign Office in London in 1969. He had a sabbatical year in 1973 at Harvard University as a British Fellow at the Centre for International Affairs.

In the 1974 New Year's Honours List, he was awarded the C.m G . and that year he took up the appointment of Minister at the British Embassy in Moscow. In 1976 he returned to the Foreign Office in London as an Assistant Under Secretary of State responsible for European matters. lain Sutherland's first ambassadorial appointment was in 1978 to Greece, where he spent four highly successful years. One of his first acts on arriving in Athens was to reassure the Greek government of British support for the Greek application for membership of the EEC. In the 1982 New Year's Honours List, he was made a Knight Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George. In September of that year, he was appointed Ambassador in Moscow, and devoted much of his energy to trying to improve links between Britain and the Soviet Union. But, although the period ultimately saw the germ of an improvement in BritishSoviet relations in general, his term was made difficult by a series of expulsions of Soviet diplomats from Britain, which drew retaliatory action, putting the British Embassy in Moscow under certain strains.

In February 1984 Sir lain represented Her Majesty the Queen at the funeral of President Yuri Andropov in the Red Square in Moscow. Mrs. Thatcher and the Foreign Secretary, Sir Geoffrey Howe, who stayed with the Sutherlands in the British Embassy across the Moskva river opposite the Kremlin, represented the British Government.

Sixteen months previously, Sir lain had represented the Queen at Mr. Brezhnev's funeral, and as a junior secretary at the Embassy, he was also in Moscow for Stalin's funeral in March 1953.

In June 1985, Sir lain retired from the post of Ambassador to the Soviet Union, after thirty-five years in the diplomatic service, and the following month he received the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws from Aberdeen University.

Sir lain is survived by his wife, Jeanne, and a son and two daughters.

Alexander (Sandy) J. Wilson (1959-65), M.A.. died very suddenly at his home in Broadstone, near Poole in Dorset on 2 April 1987. He was 40.

A school contemporary writes—Sandy's sudden death as the result of a cerebral haemorrhage came as a devastating blow to his wife and two young children, friends and colleagues. He appeared in good health until the day he died and at forty, well established in his home and career, seemed to have a secure and happy future.

While at School he built up a fine collection of late 1950s and early 60s pop records, many 78s, and through the School photographic society developed his interest in photography which resulted in holiday and part-time work while a student. Of much more significance was his membership of the Boys' Brigade and the church: starting as a boy in the Brigade, who gained the Queen's

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Badge and Duke of Edinburgh's Award, as a Boys' Brigade Officer, later as an elder of the church and recently as church secretary.

Sandy graduated M. A. at Aberdeen University in 1969 and started work in the Marley Tile Company's office in Aberdeen. He moved to their depot in Bishopbriggs after a short time and while there met and married Sheena. Ten years ago he was promoted to Administration Manager with the company at their depot in Poole, Dorset.

He and his family had established their home in Broadstone, near Poole, where he took an active part in the community and particularly the United Reform Church which he served as church secretary. He had settled in Poole and enjoyed Dorset, where he regarded the distance from Pittodrie as the only deprivation and even this had been overcome, to an extent, by video tapes of the Dons' matches sent from friends in Scotland.

The congregation at the service heard tribute to one who was highly regarded as a husband, father, elder and colleague. His faith, concern for others, integrity and attention to detail were the qualities for which he would be remembered.

At Sandy's request, his kidneys were transplanted to a patient suffering from renal kidney failure.

While at School he was a contemporary of, and often confused with his namesake, Alexander (Alec) G. Wilson (1959-65), M.A., the violinist and academic musician, who died tragically in Norway in 1975.

James W. Barron died in hospital in Aberdeen on 13 August 1986.

He joined the staff of the Grammar School in 1947 as an assistant in the then expanding Technical Department. He had previously taught in Stonehaven and served in the R.A.F. as a radar operator during the war.

A keen swimmer, he spent much time imparting some of his skill to young Grammarians.

Ian C. R. Galloway, Principal Teacher of Russian and Classics, died on 29 July 1986. He had been on the staff of the School for nearly thirty years, initially as a teacher of Classics, but for the latter half of his career also as the School's teacher of Russian.

Like so many of his generation of Grammar staff, he involved himself enthusiastically in the extra-curricular life of the School, particularly in the CCF and his beloved Chess Club, but also in the School's musical activities, staff pantomimes and "guest appearances" at mock trials and similar ventures of the Debating Society.

His singing ability and his talent for mimicry also found an outlet in local amateur productions with, for example, the Opera Company and the Lyric Society, to which he devoted himself wholeheartedly. He also offered the same (if not greater) commitment to the sports of tennis, table-tennis, badminton and golf, in all of which his unorthodox approach and dogged determination made him a difficult opponent.

Miss Mary H. Matheson, M A . died on 23 January 1987. As the first woman to receive a permanent appointment to the secondary staff of the Grammar School, Mary Matheson will live long in the memory of two generation of FPs This distinction in the history of the School is well-deserved- in the light of her great service to the School during the war years (when male teachers were in short supply) and her indefatigable commitment to the good of the School right up to her retirement in 1973.

A product of Aberdeen Central School, Mary Matheson graduated M.A. at Aberdeen University in 1931, a considerable achievement for one who struggled against ill health throughout her early years. Fortunately she remained reasonably fit for most of her time at A.G.S.—fortunately indeed for the School, as the calls on her for extra-curricular activities were

96

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

multifarious. She was in great demand to organise the all important catering at many School functions, while she had to become a make-up expert, vital to the success of many school plays. This latter expertise was particularly useful in the days when all the female parts had to be played by boys of the Grammar School. The appearance and performance of some of these "females" was indeed excellent.

Nor was life without some dangers for the few females in an otherwise all male school. More than 200 boys were present in the old School hall nearly forty years ago, when Miss Matheson and her friend Miss Morrison were brought to trial charged with "mental cruelty and illegal captivity". Despite an impassioned defence by Mr. D. S. Robbie "KC". the cold logic of Mr. D. S. Craig prevailed and the accused were pronounced guilty by "Mr. Justice" Cuthbertson—long before the days of Sutherland's Law. The sentence for this grave offence was to sing a popular ditty before the Court, the ladies performance being received with thunderous applause.

As befitted the daughter of a Police Inspector, Miss Matheson stood no nonsense in the classroom, yet took a keen and friendly interest in her pupils.

This interest continued during her final years, alas years of ill health. Nothing pleased her more than a visit from an old pupil or an old colleague to chat about the School in the old days or to give news of its present welfare. The recent disastrous fire at the School distressed her deeply, especially the knowledge of how many priceless relics had been lost. She was delighted to learn how well staff and pupils had reacted to adversity and combined to allow the work of the School to carry on almost as before.

Though, as the first lady to hold a permanent appointment in the Middle and Upper School, Miss Matheson proved to be not the first of the few but the first of the many, to hundreds, no thousands, of FPs she was unique, and will always be remembered as an effective teacher, not short on discipline, but warm in her abiding interest in all her pupils, and strong in her love for the School itself.

Mrs. Mary K. Dutch, M.A.. died in hospital in Aberdeen on 5 April 1987 after a long illness. She was in her fifty-sixth year.

She came to the School in February 1974 as a year teacher and teacher of English and later became a member of the Guidance Department. In April 1982 she took early retirement, and was honoured by her colleagues at a dinner in the School.

Mrs. Dutch previously taught at Park School for Girls in Glasgow between 1957 and 1960, followed by temporary posts at Aberdeen's College of Commerce and College of Education in the late sixties and early seventies. She also taught at Banchory Academy from 1972 to 1973.

Her daughter, Janet C. Dutch (1975-81) attended the School.

Abstract of Accounts for year ended 31 December 1986 Club Centre INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT 1985 138.415 9.384 19.933 1.748 69.480 119.863 14,185 8,696 293 5.399 3.000 2.124 1,396 1.196 3.000 7,259 775 167.186 12.294

£ 4,400 1'89.408 7.580 2.817 250 1100,055 126.431 3.945 10,861 141.237 158.818 .163,218 6.300 156.918 £10,557 46,361 156.918

Gross Profit on Bar (Saks £93.965(1985—(98,152)) Annual Subscriptions Gaming Machine Revenue (Net) Other Income Wages and National Insurance Rates and Insurance Heating and Lighting Telephone Repairs and Maintenance Donation to FP Club Other Donations and Interest Administration Expenses Stewards Pension Scheme Honoraria Miscellaneous Expenses, Cleaning. etc.

Depreciation

(36,443 9.128 13,628 2,480 f61.679 £20,137 14,850 7,751 410 2,885 3,500 2.149 1,168 1,196 3,000 6,883 1,054

SURPLUS1(DEFICIT) FOR YEAR

64,983 ((3.304)

BALANCE SHEET FIXED ASSETS Furniture, Fittings and Equipment—At cost Less: depreciation

(5.974

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

(89.408 6.752 3.273 1,381 f100.814

CURRENT LIABILITIES Sundry Creditors Subscriptions in Advance Bank Overdraft

(28.964 5.391 12.519 £46.874

LESS: LONG TERMS LOANS

53.940 (59.914 6,300

NET ASSETS

(53,614

Repre.reroted by: CAPITAL ACCOUNT—Appeal Fund and Other Donations SURPLUSES

97

£10.557 43,057 £53,614

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

98

F.P. Club INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT 1985 £2.220 1.507 744 1.873 3.000 409 283 (10.036 3.97.3 235 450 832 4.226 — 330

£10.046 f( 10)

(2,229 1.612 724 1,683 3.500 555 252

Subscriptions Revenue from Investments (Gross) Transfer from Life Member Capital Fund at 5% Magazine Sales and Advertising Revenue Donation from Club Centre Entertainments Account Surplus Miscellaneous Income

(10.555 Working Expenses. including Honoria School and Trophy Medals Capitation Grants Expenses of Visits to other Centres Magazine—Cost of Printing and Postages Back in Business Newsletter Corporation Tax

(3,757 168 500 1,255 3,794 1.511 501

(DEFICIT) FOR YEAR TRANSFERRED TO CAPITAL ACCOUNT

11.486 1( 931)

BALANCE SHEET (16.123 14.470 1,860 1.013 4.846 2.565

HERITABLE PROPERTY—At cost less loans INVESTMENTS—At cost ROBERT G. WILSON BEQUEST MRS. ISABELLA GRANT BEQUEST SUNDRY DEBTORS CASH AT BANK AND IN HAND

116.123 14,470 2,054 1,021 5.122 2.811 £41,601

40.877 £3.298

1.105 £4.403 £36,474 £14.140 17.761 1.860 1,013 1.700

Len: SUNDRY CREDITORS ORDINARY SUBSCRIPTIONS PAID IN ADVANCE

(4,119 1.302 5.421 36,180

Represented by: LIFE MEMBER CAPITAL FUND CAPITAL ACCOUNT ROBERT G. WILSON BEQUEST MRS. ISABELLA GRANT BEQUEST OTHER FUNDS

113.751 16.830 2.054 1,021 2.524 136.180

36.474

Amenities Fund INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT 1985 £736 200 85

(746 200 —

Interest from Investments (Gross) Donation Grant Refunded

1946

1.021 £800 25

Grants made Honorarium to Treasurer

1.097 1(151)

£825 (196

£6,609 286

BALANCE SHEET INVESTMENTS—At Cost CASH AT BANK

6.895 £6,609 286

(6.895

11.072 25

Represented by CAPITAL ACCOUNT REVENUE ACCOUNT

(6,609 135 (6.744 16.609 135 16.744

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