AGS Magazine September 1996

THE

ABERDEEN GRAMMAR SCHML MAGAZINE

Volume 99

September 1996

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine 1 12th year No. 234 (New Series 101st year No. 225)

-

Vol 99

August 1996

The Magazine is published under the auspices of The Former Pupils' Club each year

General Editor

David K. Yule, M.A., 86 Queen's Road, Aberdeen AB1 6YQ

Editor of Notes, Obituaries and Marriages

Brian K. Crookshanks, M.A., LL.B., 99 Fountainhall Road, Aberdeen A82 4EB

Secretary of the FP Club

John F. Hendry, LL.B. 36 Albyn Place, Aberdeen AB9 1YU

Treasurer of the FP Club

John D. Murray, LL.B., C.A., 78 Forbesfield Road, Aberdeen AB1 6PA

The General Editor and Notes Editor are happy to receive contributions for the next issue of the Magazine at any time before mid-May 1997

In order to assist the distribution of the Magazine, members of the Former Pupils' Club are requested to advise the Secretary promptly of any change of address.

CONTENTS School Section — Rector's Report

page 0,

4

School Prizes

-

7

Prefects

5

Colour Awards

"

10

Extra-Curricular Activities (Clubs & Societies)

-

11

Parent Teacher Association

,,

26

School Board

,,

27

The Phil Love Trophy

,,

27

,,

28

The Centenary Plaque

General Section — Where is it, What is it - Whatever happened to .. ?

Part Two - The Lower School

29

Project Trust

33

Manager of the Lions

37

Aberdeen and the North-East in the Jacobite Rising of 1745

38

Principal of the University of Aberdeen

41

FP Section —

Club Office-Bearers Annual General Meeting

„ "

Centre Reports

" .

53

63

Annual Dinner "

66 75

Obituaries

88

Marriages Abstract of Accounts

50

58

Section Reports

Notes about Former Pupils

47 48

President's Report Presidential Profile

44

"

89

4

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

School Section Rector's Report I appreciate once again the annual opportunity to reflect on the past year and to touch on current and future initiatives.

Starting with that which is most tangible, I can confirm with both relief and delight that the Language Block refurbishment was completed just under a year ago and we were able to move the History, Modern Studies and Modern Languages departments back into much improved accommodation, some of which is illustrated later in the Magazine. At last, after years of rebuilding and refurbishment, we are (nearly) operating on a single site, the exception being the lack of a Games Hall. Other than this continuing gap in provision, teaching areas are of a consistently high standard and the learning environment built by teachers is very positive. We have continued to improve other areas such as corridor space for social areas, the purchase and installation of basketball rings in the playground (screened off by bollards for safety reasons), and the planting of trees to improve our surroundings.

Several simple measures have also been taken to improve security, such as reducing the number of entrances and clearly sign-posting those which should be used, as well as a safety barrier being installed at the front gate which has reduced casual parking and the danger of vehicular traffic in playgrounds.

Inside School, implementation of the 5-14 programme has continued with a pattern of meetings for groups of staff with colleagues in associated primary schools to plan continuity of teaching and assessment. As is almost endemic in these days of financial cuts in public services, time availability is a considerable constraint but we are involved in every practicable link. Our S1 reporting format has been revised this year and the new format was presented to parents at a PTA sponsored evening earlier in the session. That revision will now continue into 52.

Our S3 and S4 provision of Standard Grade courses continues with refinement rather than any radical change. The Higher Still development programme for the age range 16+ has been discussed, largely through subject groups, and amended in the light of consultation and comment. This hugely important rationalisation is currently planned for implementation in 1998 and will clearly take up a major part of in-service time to ensure staff familiarisation and readiness as well as pupil and parental understanding of its effects.

On the extra-curricular scene, the range of opportunities remains not only high but has widened, particularly in design, technological and computing clubs and I am very grateful to staff for the commitment on which such activity is built. The following pages will convey at least an impression of the range and quality of activities. One particularly enlightened initiative is the scheme devised and supported by senior pupils to offer a lunchtime advice and counselling service for younger pupils who may be experiencing bullying in any of its forms.

Throughout all subjects, the process of profiling has been supported by both the previous and present education authority by an allocation of some staff time to develop the methods involved. Essentially, profiling is nothing more than trying to ensure that every pupil has a clear set of targets, can monitor progress towards them and is encouraged at all times to meet them successfully. At best, this ensures pupils are much clearer about what to learn, what is available to help them and where it is taking them, all of which should stimulate

School Section

5

motivation and clear planning. The culmination of this process is the production of an individual Record of Achievement for each person, and we are fast approaching the stage when all school leavers should be able to present a detailed and informative Record of Achievement for the next stage of education or employment.

All that we do, of course, is built upon the professionalism and dedication of staff.

Compared with the years when the pupil roll was being reduced, our staffing position is relatively stable. There have been changes in the Mathematics department following the success of Mr Cranna and Mrs Stirton in obtaining promoted posts in other schools, as did Miss Adams of the Drama department. Mr Scott, Principal Teacher of Spanish, retired at Christmas after 23 years of very loyal service to Aberdeen Grammar School. Their work and contribution has already been recognised but I would like to mark our gratitude to them and indeed all staff through this particular channel of communication which effectively constitutes something of a historical record describing the School.

Prefects Head Boy: STEFAN J Col.LING Depute Head Boy: STEWART H Fowl IF

Head Girl: ANNA ROACH Depute Head Girl: Lucy N

S6 Prefects LEIGH-ANNE ADAMS

SARI A JOHNSON

JUDITH C BALLANTYNE

EILIDH MACDONALD

DOUGLAS N CARNEGIE

ANDREW J MCLAUCHLAN

GARETH C CLIFFORD

NEIL L MASSON

CATHERINE COUTTS

ANGELA MATTHEW

PAUL M CRAIG

JENNIFER E MILTON

KEVIN F CROMBIE

JEMMA E RICHMOND

RUPERT D DE B DALY

DARREN K ROSE

SHONAGH M DUNBAR

CATHERINE M

ROBERT J DUNCAN

ALASDAIR C RUTHERFORD

L ROSSITER

EMILY A FITZGERLAD

EMMA J STILL

ROSLYN M FOOTE

LOUISA M STRATTON

ANDREW FROST

NEIL J WATTS

ANNA GISBY

THOMAS M W YOUNG

55 Prefects FIONA E CAMERON

PAMELA J MCKAY

RYAN S CUMMING

DOMINIC W MILNE

FRANCESCA E GRAHAM

PATRICK J O'DRISCOLL

GILLIAN E GRAHAM

STEVEN J PATERSON

JAMES GILCHRIST

KEITH S REID

LOUISE HARRIMAN

NICOLA K SINCLAIR

SOPHIE L HOBDEN

HANNAH SMITH

PAUL M JONES

LEWIS D A THOMSON

GARETH S K KLOSE

JENNIFER YOUNGER

NINA E KORUTH

PARSLOW

6

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Head Girl and Head Boy 1995-96

Anna Roach and Stefan Coiling

School Section

7

School Prizes 1995-96 Ruth Cowell The Former Pupils' Club Prize in Biology Michael J E Neil The Former Pupils' Club Prize in Chemistry Gareth S K Klose The Former Pupils' Club Prize in Computer Studies Alan Jackson The Former Pupils' Club Prize in Geography Louisa M Stratton The Former Pupils' Club Prize in German Nina E Koruth The Former Pupils' Club Prize in Modern Studies Lewis D A Thomson The Former Pupils' Club Prize in Physics - (Equal Award) Keith S Reid - (Equal Award) Jake M Duthie - (Equal Award) Ian Jackson The Former Pupils' Club Prize in Religious Studies Mitchell R Cordero The Former Pupils' Club Prize in Spanish Stefan P Wurwal The Former Pupils' Club Prize in Technical Subjects Joanne E Smithers The Samuel Pope Prize in Art Susan E Thomson The Donald Paton Prize for Painting Robert J Duncan The Arthur L McCombie Prize in Art History Jemma E Richmond The John Moir Robertson Memorial Prize in Business Studies Gareth S K Klose The Gordon McMinn Prize in Computer Studies - Runner-up Alan Jackson The Masson Bain Prize in English Fiona M Reid - Winner Louisa M Stratton The Brebner Award in French Malte U P Woweries The Charles Alexander Walker Prize in History Kelly E Edwards The Jenny C Archibald Prize in Home Economics in S4 Kirsty L Selway - (Equal Award) The Campbell Connon Prize for Neil Stirton - (Equal Award) Local Studies Donald J Millar The Derek Stewart Memorial Prize in Mathematics Andrew J Smail The Alexander Thomson Prize in Mathematics Jake M Duthie The Hamish Adams Greig Prize in Mathematics and Science in S5 The J Mortimer McBain Prize to the best Mathematical Scholar in 55 or 56 lake M Duthie Michael J E Neil The George G Whyte Prize in Mathematics in S6 The Gavin Falconer Memorial and Former Pupils' Club Prize in Music Antonia V S Baxter Sarah E Church The Alastair G Simon Memorial Prize in Spanish in S3 The Aberdeen Grammar School Dramatic Society - (Special Merit) Catriona A Webster - (Special Merit) Lindsey K Leven Award for outstanding contribution - (Special Merit) Hamish R Walker to Drama - (Special Merit) Ross C Cummings Sarah R Blwyddin - Winner The Rector's Shield for outstanding contribution Kevin F Crombie to the running of the Literary and Debating Society The Edith & David Ritchie Bishop Prize for Public Speaking Nina E Koruth - Third Neil I Watts - Second - First Amanda D Browell-Hook

8

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

The Sir J J Robertson Award for outstanding - (Equal Award) Alasdair C Rutherford contribution to the School Magazine - (Equal Award) Robert J Duncan The Sir J J Robertson Award for outstanding - (Equal Award) Ian Jackson contribution to the School Newspaper - (Equal Award) Alan Jackson The Dr A A Cormack Prize Andrew J Innes The English Speaking Board Awards Senior Grade One Senior Grade Two Senior Grade Two Senior Grade Three Senior Proficiency Drama Shields Playmaking

.

-

- Senior 1 (Class Prize) - Senior 2 (Class Prize)

(Credit) (Credit) (Credit) (Credit) (Distinction)

Alistair Allan S1/7 Sarah J Chilton S2/6 - (Equal Award) - (Equal Award) Derek L Macleod S2/4

The Aberdeen Grammar School "Face the Music" Award for an outstanding performance - (Equal Award) in the School's musical production (Equal Award) (Equal Award) Badminton Awards Junior Champion Senior Champion

Hannah A B McIntosh Kathryn E Flint Samantha C Fyfe Gemma J Cody Kerrie Bavidge

- Runner-up - Winner

Chess Awards School Chess Champion 1996 Sports Awards The Isobel 0 Anderson Medley for Swimming The Rector's Medal for Swimming The Girls' Cup for Swimming The Dr Morland Simpson Cup for Swimming The Aberdeen Grammar School Former Pupils' Club Rugby Football Section Trophy The School Colours Committee School Cap The Philip Love Trophy All-Round Awards The David Alexander Irvine-Fortesque All-Round Award in S2 The Norman Mackie Memorial Award in S3 The Former Pupils' All-Round Award in S3 - (Equal Award) - (Equal Award)

Stewart H Fowlie Thomas M W Young Eirin L Scott

Allan D Bain David M Mitchell John G Mitchell

Christopher Ogboke

Kevin G McPherson Kevin G McPherson Sophie L Hobden Sophie L Hobden Stefan J Coiling Andrew Frost Andrew Frost

Ross Wattle Simon J Smail Katrina D Thornton Kate M Hurman

School Section The Aberdeen Grammar School Former Pupils' Club Certificate of Merit

9

Kevin F Crombie Emily A Fitzgerald Angela Matthew Andrew J McLauchlan Louisa M Stratton Peter M Williams

The Former Pupils' Club "1965" Award for the greatest contribution to the life of the School

The Runner-up to The Former Pupils' Club All-Round Trophy for Girls The Runner-up to The Former Pupils' Club All-Round Trophy and the Agnes Durward McDonald Prize The Former Pupils' Club All-Round Trophy for Girls The Former Pupils' Club All-Round Trophy and the John Ivo Dawson Prize

Kevin F Crombie Stewart Fowlie Anna C Roach Louisa M Stratton Lucy N Parslow Stefan I Coiling Anna C Roach Stewart Fowlie

The All Round Trophy and Merit Certificate Winners Back Row: Stefan J Coiling, Stewart Fowlie, Andrew J McLaughlan, Peter M Williams, Kevin F Crombie.

Front Row. Angela Matthew, Lucy N Parslow, Anna C Roach, Louisa M Stratton, Emily A Fitzgerald.

10

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Colour Awards Rugby

School Cap : Full Colour: Half Colour:

Junior Colour : Hockey

Full Colour:

Half Colour:

Junior Colour:

Peter Williams, Angela Matthews, Emma Kidd, Sari Johnston Jillian Bain, Anna Roach, Jenny McFadyen Niall Pirie, Michael Neil, Andrew Terry, Paul Craig, Steven Murphy, Rupert Daly, Douglas Carnegie, Emily Fitzgerald, Judith Ballantyne, Catherine Rossiter, Fiona Cameron, Gary Porter, Scott Mooney Katrina Thornton, Olivia Roach, Sara Church, Mark Calderwood

Junior Colour:

Stewart Fowlie, Steven Gilfeather, Patrick O'Driscoll, Andrew McCraw Gary Sutherland, Stuart Findlay

Swimming

Full Colour : Junior Colour :

Kevin McPherson Katie Hurman

Athletics

Full Colour :

Hannah Smith

Extra-Curricular Music

Full Colour : Half Colour :

Anna Gisby, David Mogendorff Jillian Bain, Malcolm Booth, Rosalyn Foote, Yong Woo Kim, Hannah Lemon, Keith Reid

Face the Music

Full Colour : Half Colour :

Kevin Crombie, Keith Reid Diane Martin, Eirin Scott, Diane Smith, Lynsay Wilson

Football

Full Colour:

Andrew Frost Stewart Fowlie, Stefan Colling, John Mitchell James Gilchrist, Paul Jones, Neil Watts, Peter Williams, Rupert Daly, Andrew McLaughlan, Andrew Clouston, Ryan Cumming Simon Smail

School Section DramSoc

Full Colour : Half Colour : Junior Colour :

School Newspaper

Junior Colour:

11

Catriona Webster Sarah Blwyddin, Lian Devanna, Lindsey Leven, Fiona Mckichan Ross Cummings, Hamish Walker Kerrie Bavidge, Alan Martin, John Wheeler

Extra-Curricular Activities Basketball At the end of another season for the Grammar Grey Wolves, the girls' basketball team, the Club must be well pleased that it has developed greatly in terms of numbers as well as achievements in the course of the year.

Last season, our greatest achievement was winning the Grampian Schoolgirls Cup. We beat Aboyne and St Margaret's in the qualifying rounds to go on and win the final against Bankhead Academy in March.

In order to play more games and gain more experience, many players enjoy taking part in the Women's FP fixtures. This season, once again, they earned the titles, Grampian Women's League Champions (19th in a row) and Grampian Women's Cup Winners (17th, time in a row).

The Girls Team also entered the Under-16 National League for the first time last year and came back winning three games, a noble effort considering the extreme lack of tall players!

Finally, three teams were entered in the Scottish National 3 v 3 basketball championships and all three qualified for the final rounds held in Meadowbank Sports Centre in Edinburgh. The Under-14 team came fourth in their age group while the Under-16 teams finished in third and fifth places. Individual members, however, should also he congratulated on their own personal successes, with Joanna Ratcliffe being selected for the Under-16 Scotland Squad, and Mhairi Neyedli, Mairi McNeil and Lynne lnkson selected for the Under-15 Scotland development squads.

As if all this wasn't enough to keep the team busy, many players, with Mr McLeod as co-ordinator, helped to organise and run the basketball 3 v 3 section of the UK and Ireland Corporate Games in Aberdeen in mid-June. Needless to say it ran very smoothly and was a great success.

Next season, we are planning to enter the Scottish Schools Cup, Grampian Schools Cup and Tournaments, Grampian Women's Basketball League and Cup, and the Under-16s Girls' Scottish National League.

Until then, we will have to be content with playing against the boys on the outdoor courts. That is, of course, if they are up to the challenge ....

12

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Football The team has enjoyed mixed fortunes throughout this year's campaign. The boys from 55 and 56 did well to progress to the Regional Cup Final, where they were ably assisted by Stuart Findlay of S4 between the uprights. Unfortunately, despite good performances by many of the players and a goal which may just have been a cross by Fowlie, the changed team didn't manage to gel quite well enough and Oldmachar ran out 4-2 winners. Perhaps we might have won if we hadn't spent our half-time break getting our photo taken.

Stuart was only one of three goalies who were brave enough to steal Kris Petty's slot during the season. Stefan Coiling stood in well twice against Kincorth. Hopefully Stefan's view of schools football will not be tarnished forever - not all our games were that rough honest! The captain also did his duty on more than one occasion against our arch-rivals, the Grammar Rovers - including a three penalty extravaganza with Mr Adey refereeing at Rubislaw.

Other changes also had to be made during the season, as injuries, suspensions and holidays all played their part in making it very difficult to field the same team twice. Despite this, the boys can be proud of some good performances this year.

As ever, the league was a closely contested affair this season. At times the team played good enough football to beat anyone but it proved difficult turning this play into points, as the boys in blue and white struggled to tied matches against St Machar, Oldmachar and Cults. Any or all of these games could have gone our way on the day but apparently it was not to be.

On a similarly sorrowful note, Aberdeen Grammar School's success in the Scottish Cup last year could not be relived this season, as Oldmachar brought the lads back down to earth with a bump - in the first round. Fowlie and Gilfeather, who linked well in midfield this year were both absent and two late goals saw the side go down 5-2 in what was essentially a very close game.

Although the team came out of the season without any silverware, there were a number of individual successes from within the team ranks. Patrick O'Driscoll, Andrew McCraw and Stewart Fowlie all represented Aberdeen Schools U-18s in their Scottish Cup campaign. Paddy, who was also eligible for under-16s football, progressed to national level and has since won his first cap. In addition to this, Paddy has enjoyed close links with Celtic Park and may be playing alongside his idols, such as Paul McStay, in the not too distant future. Steven Gilfeather, not involved in the schools set-up, has continued to do well on the club scene and has played in the Scottish Juvenile team, as well as signing S-forms with Dundee football club. This means that in the near future there may be three AGSFPs in the Premier League. Hopefully it won't be too long before there are some Grammar boys playing at Hampden once again! For their efforts this season and in previous years, Andrew, Stewart, Paddy and Steven were all awarded Full Colours.

Closer to home, there have been some notable performances this year by some of the less serious footballers in the team. The rugby lads, namely, Thomas and Andy McLauchlan, both played well throughout the year although Tom has yet to learn the difference between a rugby tackle and a football one. It was also a good year for Alan Thornton who seemed to get better in every game. He was probably aiming to peak in the President's Cup final although after the semi against Kincorth, he may not have been fit anyway!

School Section

13

Of course, behind every great team there is a great coach, and this Grammar side is no exception. Mr McLeod was an inspiration this year as he has been in the past. He will always be remembered, not only for such phrases as "Offence sells tickets, defence wins games" and "I want white paint on your boots", but especially for his hard work, his refreshing coaching style and his friendly character which made playing school football so much fun.

The only way that the team has been able to repay their faithful coach is by maintaining his record of never having lost three games in a row during his long and illustrious coaching career. Some of the credit for this achievement should go to the Grammar Rovers who were prepared to play us regularly this season!

Girls' Hockey Girls' hockey continues to flourish, with over one hundred girls turning out to play most Saturdays. Despite losing several fixtures because of poor weather, the 1st XI enjoyed several extra matches, namely - participating in Glasgow Academy's special invitation tournament to celebrate their new artificial pitch; playing the Belfast Model School at Rubislaw; and linking up with the boys' Scottish Cup rugby fixtures to play St Columba's at Kilmacolm and Peebles High School at Rubislaw. With a team consisting mainly of Sixth Year, the girls enjoyed the diversity of the hockey programme, and with some firmish prodding from Mrs Welsh in early March to keep them focused, they went on to win the North Schoolgirls' Knockout Cup by beating Mintlaw 1-0 in the final on the artificial pitch at ElIon. The 2nd XI and junior teams competed well in their various tournaments, but a skeleton 1st XI with eight missing, including young Sarah Church in goal, and with several 3rd XI players, produced a determined and steady enough performance to reach the North Senior tournament final. They beat Albyn after extra time in a penalty shoot-out to capture the second major trophy for the School. North District honours went to Emma Kidd, Sari Johnson and Angela Matthew at Under-18 level, and to Jillian Bain and Lesley Fraser at Under-16 level. Jilliam Bain was selected to play for the Scottish Schoolgirls Under-16 squad, becoming the third goalkeeper from Aberdeen Grammar School in a 10-year period to be capped for Scottish Schoolgirls. We at School would like to congratulate the Ladies FP Hockey Section for having had such a successful hockey season, and for making school players so welcome into the Hockey Club.

Next year will be a time of rebuilding as many seniors have left, but Mrs Welsh and her invaluable band of FP helpers look forward to helping the girls meet their challenge.

Hockey We started the season with an almost entirely new 1st XI. The first two games were as usual against MBC. Although we suffered two defeats, we did show an ability to score, which had been lacking from previous Grammar teams. A more encouraging feature was highlighted in these games - team spirit and the never-say-die attitude of the boys. Victories soon followed with wins over Portlethen and Westhill. The most disappointing results of the season were the two defeats to the old enemy, Gordon's. However, the team did qualify for

14

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

the Scottish Cup this season - a first since the cup allowed clubs to play. We faced a team from Motherwell and despite losing we did gain a lot from the game.

The second half of the season saw the usual fixtures against the private schools.

These always tend to be a bit more physical and the team were looking forward to the challenge. However, after long journeys to Gordonstoun and Strathallan, we suffered defeats at the hands of fitter sides. Back in Aberdeen at Rubislaw, we notched up one of our biggest wins over Fettes, 5-0.

The goal scoring of Niall Pirie was ever present. Other individuals who stood out were G Porter, who improved greatly throughout the season, A Terry, the tiger in defence, and our captain P Williams, the playmaker.

Rugby 1995/6 has been the most successful Scottish Schools Cup campaign for the 1st XV in recent memory. A resounding 60 point victory over a combined Mintlaw and ElIon Academy side, meant that the team qualified for the final of the North Schools Cup and therefore the first round of the Scottish Cup. The School had never progressed beyond the first round of the Scottish Cup before but thanks to good leadership from the senior players, who were falling over themselves in determination to win the game, and some supreme individual performances, St Columba's, Glasgow, were defeated 24-22. The match was won in the last minute by Stewart Fowlie converting his own try - which was made possible by an inspiring 50 yard gallop by second row, Peter Williams. The wingers, Stewart Fowlie and Patrick O'Driscoll, took 2 tries each.

Andrew Mclauchlan's superb tackling around the scrum typified the team's determination on the day.

This victory earned us a quarter-final fixture against Peebles High School, who were ultimately defeated by 1 point in the final. This match drew a below average performance from the team leaving everyone wondering what might have been. The performance can only be summed up by the fact that centres, Andrew Clouston and Thomas Young, ran into each other, flooring each other and losing the ball. This match was eventually lost 14-6.

The North Cup final was played against Nairn Academy who were soundly defeated 33-7, for AGS to retain the trophy. The most notable tries of this game were a mazy run by James Royall taking him right across the pitch twice before scoring, and the ability of Stefan Coiling and Stewart Fowlie to transfer the ball from our try-line to theirs without anyone else touching it.

All of the successes of the season were made possible by the squad largely training and disciplining themselves. Mr Adey assisted with coaching sessions but training was generally led by Andrew Frost (Captain) and Stefan Coiling (Vice-Captain). Congratulations to Andrew Frost for gaining the Captaincy of the North Schools Under-18 side and to Stefan Coiling, John Mitchell and Stewart Fowlie, who also played for this team, and to Ryan Cumming who represented North Schools at U-16 level.

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Tennis Despite the short and fragmented summer term season, we managed to enter a girls' and boys' team in the North East School Tennis League and to enjoy several matches. We usually manage a friendly game for the Juniors, using both boys and girls against St Margaret's School and are always invited to play Gordonstoun where, this year, two teams travelled north for a match in May. Charities Group The School Charities Group continues to work actively in the pursuit of fund raising so that donations can be made to worthy causes, both locally and much further afield. A lot of time and effort goes into this and all staff and pupils involved are to be congratulated on the very positive outcome. The school community at large is also to be thanked for the very important and creditable response they make, both directly and indirectly, in bringing about a large collection of money which has allowed the following donations to be made during 1995-96. £826 f330 f330 f427 £266

to to to to to

£669 £50

to to

Children First Help the Aged Aberdeen Old Peoples Welfare Council Shelter Donna/Ashleigh Meningitis Appeal World Vision AGS Year Book

Chess Club A relatively inexperienced team has represented the school this session. After a win over Nairn Academy we were knocked out of the Scottish Championship by Perth High School.

In the Regional League our only loss was to a very strong Gordon's College team.

Our team thus'finished runners-up in that local competition.

The Grammar School Champion for 1995-96 is Chris Ogboke, S3.

Computing Club The Computing Club has recently purchased two new games from money kindly supplied by FPs. Global Effect is a game where the user is a world leader who has to make decisions to try to control the balance of nature and civilisation. The second game, Dune 2 on CD ROM, is a trading and strategy simulation, where progressive levels require the user to learn ever more complicated strategies.

The Computing Club is mainly made up of S1 and S2 although we have 55 and S6 pupils who occasionally share their expertise with the younger pupils.

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Craft Club The Club started up in February 1996 and runs on Mondays after school. The Club is open to pupils from all year groups and at present has a steady following of 12 pupils mainly from S1 and S2.

The members of the Club are currently working on pyrography, the art of burning patterns and designs onto wood using a soldering iron type of tool. The past few meetings have been devoted to practising technique and experimenting with designs in readiness for a clock making project. The members have been provided with blank clock-faces and mechanisms and, after careful planning and preparation, they will use their pyrography skills to apply designs and numerals to the clock-face. The members have also been experimenting with using coloured inks applied to the wood prior to varnishing. This has created some bright and interesting effects.

The Craft Club has also experimented with embossing. Designs are imprinted onto card using a rubber stamp, embossing powder is then applied onto the wet print and the powder is then heated. The powder forms a liquid which when cooled creates a raised effect on the card. Some of the pupils designed and made Mother's Day cards with motifs applied using this technique.

In the future we hope to cover many more creative techniques such as enamelling, jewellery making, engraving and fret saw work to name but a few.

Dungeons and Dragons The Dungeons and Dragons Lunchtime Activity continues to flourish. In March a team gained entry to the second round of the National Schools Role-play Tournament. The Monday meetings are well attended and thanks are due to Mr R Aitken, Senior Technician at the School, for all his encouragement, supervision and direction of this activity. Thanks also to Miss Sinclair for putting up with our occupation of her classroom, which allows the group to continue in operation.

Juggling The Juggling Club is one of the newest and perhaps one of the more unusual of AGS clubs.

More than twenty members have joined since the Club began in September, attending halfhour Club sessions on Thursday lunch times.

With the help of a f50 donation from the Amenities Fund and the members' own subscriptions of f 1 per month, equipment, including bean bags, balls, hoops and devil sticks have been provided. Members practise their juggling at the Club meetings and at home by borrowing equipment on a weekly loan. Some members have also brought unicycles to Club meetings for the benefit of other members.

Literary and Debating Society The Literary and Debating Society continues to give pupils the chance to voice their opinions on a variety of subjects and a number of successful debates have taken place this year.

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The Public Speaking competition took place just before the Christmas holidays and competitors turned out in an impressive array of fancy dress outfits. Mince pies were on hand and the speeches, especially those by the young first year competitors, were entertaining and informative.

Amanda Browell-Hook won the senior prize while Sarah Chilton won the junior prize as well as the fancy dress prize for her fantastic Christmas pudding costume.

In S1 there was an impressive showing of rookie competitors. Alistair Allan won the prize, but all those who took part deserve praise.

The Debating Society is also grateful to the brave members of staff who hotly debated issues side by side with pupils.

The Schools' Public Speaking team once again took part in the very competitive ESU Competition where they won through to the third round. Their speeches ranged from the increased pressures and insecurities faced by boys and men to the changing nature of Christmas.

Special mention should go to Club President Kevin Crombie, who has supported the Club over a number of years and who departs the School after this session with our thanks.

We hope that both the pupils and staff will continue to support future debates, which promise to be both lively and informative.

Music Music continues to thrive at the Grammar School. The October concert involved a large number of pupils including the string orchestra, concert band, jazz orchestra, junior and senior choirs and various excellent soloists.

The carol concert at St Machar's Cathedral also saw the return of the Gaelic Choir.

In the spring term there was a successful production of Cole Porter's Anything Goes and during the summer term various choirs and chamber music groups have been preparing for the music festival, to be held in June.

We have been lucky to have held on to our excellent instrumental instructors, in the face of severe cuts which have had drastic results elsewhere in the North East.

Face the Music For seven months this year, a tirelessly dedicated cast and crew of over a hundred people worked together towards a common goal: the production of a musical combining crime, sex and religion into a spellbinding tale of life on board the SS American. That musical was Anything Goes, and the resulting production was to surpass anything attempted in previous years. However, the show was very nearly a disaster!

A review of progress one month before Anything Goes was due to be performed would have had very negative conclusions. Indeed, as we neared the final week, it was hard to imagine what else could go wrong. But we were soon to find out! As Keith Reid, who played Billy Crocker, the lead male, contracted laryngitis and Shonagh Dunbar, who played Hope Harcourt and was also choreographer and a main dancer, injured her leg, things began to look bleak. Miraculously though, thanks to several last minute alterations

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to the script, we were able to continue as planned, and both were able to perform to a very high standard!

There were many other highly rated performances especially Eirin Scott as the dazzling night-club singer, Reno Sweeney, Stewart Fowl ie as the remarkable Sir Evelyn Oakleigh and Thomas Young as Moonface Martin, the notorious public enemy number 13. Thomas managed to deliver every shout of "Calling all pants!" with a startling enthusiasm each night and after his rendition of the 'Birdie Song', several young ladies in the audience would have gladly answered his call!

Superb acting also came from Vikki Stewart who delivered a stunning performance as Bonnie, Moonface's lively sidekick. Emily Fitzgerald utilised her acting skills to the fullest in portraying the loud-mouthed and arrogant Mrs Harcourt. At the same time, Kevin Crombie fitted convincingly into the role of the drunken, overbearing Elisha J Whitney although he vehemently condemns suggestions that he had been practising for months!

Unfortunately, much of the sex and bad language was deemed unsuitable for a school production and had to be cut, but some of it survived and was epitomised by the four Angels.

These were Chastity, played by the vivacious Louisa Stratton, Charity, played by the genial Eilidh MacDonald, Purity, played by the effervescent Hannah Lemon, and Virtue, played by the rapturous Jenni Milton. Congratulations also to Stefan Colling, the Captain, who on the Friday night managed to remain calm and say his lines having just been handed an unsavoury telegram of an explicit nature!

Andrew McLauchlan's vanishing Bishop act on the Thursday night left the entire cast panicking in the silence which engulfed the stage. This resulted in a degree of ad-libbing never before witnessed in a school show as a search ensued on stage, heroically led by the Purser, Neil Watts and Steward, Peter Williams. Keith and Thomas, jealous of the effect this had, tried a similar disappearing act later in the same show and the judges are still trying to decide who made the latest entry.

Obviously there were slip-ups but whether turning to your neighbour and saying "thank you" or having difficulty with a beard, somehow, in stressful moments, we pulled together, having learnt from the many examples set us in the months leading up to the show, in particular, by the two choreographers, Diane Smith and Shonagh Dunbar who went through hell trying to teach the less co-ordinated among us to dance!

There were many other people whose patience and dedication helped make the show a success. From the technical skills of Mr Hutton and Mr Gordon to the props of Mrs Cromar and costumes of Mrs Belford, not to mention the business skills of Miss Allard and the administrative and organisational skills of Miss Tomlinson! Supplying the music, although sadly missing the French Horn we had come to know and love the previous year, there was the band, a collection of talented musicians led by the Musical Director, Mr Jon Hall, which seems to grow both in size and volume each year! Finally, thank you to the person who guided, yelled, inspired and screamed at us to work together as a team in creating Anything Goes, Miss Janet Adams, whose commitment and constant support was an example to us all!

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Face the Music's full cast and chorus in the finale of Anything Goes.

Pride and Prejudice Once again Mrs Wood chose a classic play to be performed by this year's senior dramsoc. Her task was a hard one with an extremely young cast performing a very demanding play, but the natural talent of the actors took over and the play was a complete success.

Initial rehearsals of the play showed that a lot of work was required if the beauty of Pride and Prejudice was to be adequately expressed. Accents were hard to pick up and the language of the play was extremely difficult.

David McCurrach, playing Mr Collins, had one huge speech with which even the most experienced of actors would have found difficulty. The spirit of the cast, however, remained high and plenty of banter too place.

The dress and technical rehearsals went well, but with everybody getting tired and annoyed it was once again left to Mrs Wood to keep the team together. Two days before the first performance, because of the illness of one of the cast, Dermot Cameron was obliged to take on the part of Wall, the footman. This was to prove to be a very interesting change.

Although Pride and Prejudice is meant to be an amusing play, one of the biggest laughs was achieved on the Thursday night when Dermot, on forgetting his line, turned round to the prompter and asked for a prompt. Failing to hear the prompter he shouted out "What?". This was all much to the amusement of the back stage crew who were in constant conversation through their special microphones. Another amusing incident was when Ryan "flasher" Hewitt playing a colonel wearing a kilt revealed all when trying to sit down.

Exceptional performances came from Sarah Blwyddin playing Mrs Bennet, Lynsey Leven playing Elizabeth Bennet, Catriona Webster playing Lady Catherine De Bourgh, Ross

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Cummings playing Darcy and Hamish Walker playing Mr Bennet. The only disappointing aspect of the play was the fact that the young third year boys were unwilling to kiss the fifth year girls as required by the stage directions.

All credit must once again go to Mrs Wood who shaped a dedicated cast into a very professional outfit.

Overall this play was extremely successful and produced much enjoyment both to the cast and the crew.

Members of the cast of Dramsoc's production of Pride and Prejudice Back Row Hamish Walker, David McCurragh, Catriona Webster, Katie Hurman, John Donaldson.

Fron Row•. Sarah Blwyddin, Ross Cummings, Lyndsey Leven.

Paper and Can Recycling Initiative Recently this year a paper and can recycling project has been set-up. Laura Juroszek and Sarah Chilton (both 52) have worked very hard to get the project off the ground.

The paper recycling has been very successful. Initially, "Clean and Green" (a department of Aberdeen Council) gave us a large, vandal-proof bin to store all of the paper we collect. Now we have a wide network of paper being collected from almost all the classrooms on a regular basis. Many pupils are voluntarily collecting paper for us and all of the teachers and non-teaching staff have been extremely enthusiastic.

Can recycling is in its early stages. Collections are now in place at all major school

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social events and receptacles have been placed in some corridor locations. Magnets have been donated to check the cans and janitorial staff have been extremely co-operative in providing storage.

Once around 30 bags (!) have been collected we can cash in on our efforts and raise some money for deserving causes.

Pupils at work crushing aluminium cans ready for their collection for recycling.

Radio and Electronics Club The Aberdeen Grammar School Radio and Electronics Club was established recently to allow pupils to develop an interest in this subject area.

Currently the Club members are building selected electronic/radio kits and learning to use Morse code. This is combined with very informal teaching of the basic concepts involved.

It is envisaged that the Club will shortly start to do some SWL and thereafter attempt some SSTV and Packet. It is hoped that later this year training for the RSGB Novice B (or possibly A) licence will begin.

If there are any F Ps reading this who are already hams please get in touch. We need your expertise!

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Science Magazine 1996 1996 saw the production of the first Aberdeen Grammar School Science Magazine in over 10 years. The objective of the magazine was to produce a publication that would be interesting and educational to anyone of any age and to raise funds for the British Association Youth Section (Science Club) and perhaps to buy new equipment.

The idea of producing a Science Magazine was initially suggested by Mr May to the CSYS Chemistry class way back in June of the previous year. An enthusiastic team of prospective scientists was established and we all cast off our lab coats for summer, not to spend our holiday sunbathing in parks all day, but to gather sponsors for the magazine and to start writing articles.

When we arrived back at school for the new term we realised that we were well on the way to producing a quality magazine. We had found many willing sponsors and there were already some finished pieces. Special thanks must go to Total Oil Marine who agreed to print the magazine free. A group of fourth year pupils also became involved with magazine sales.

The Science Magazine was finally completed before the end of the year and released in early 1996. It was an immediate success, selling so well that it had to be reprinted, and raising over f800 for BAYS. The project also established new links with companies, and provided the team with a very enjoyable and worthwhile experience.

Our thanks go to all our sponsors and to Mr May for his enthusiasm and support.

What in the World?!

"What in the World?!" is an informal and friendly society centred on current and world issues. We have studied several areas in a variety of different formats. On National UN Day, we presented information by video and talks followed up by relaxed discussions.

Other examples of areas we looked at were Chinese orphanages, animal testing and war. We also had guest speakers on "Zero Tolerance" and the relationship between the developed and developing world. A large collage was created illustrating the differences between Africa and Britain, entitled "I understand how, but I do not understand why".

The atmosphere during the first year of What in the World?! has ranged from intense and heated discussions to simply browsing through the CD ROM collection.

Pupil involvement and initiative are at the heart of the running, with Amanda BrowellHook and Nina Koruth of S5 the guiding lights!

Young Engineers Club In September 1995 Land Rover, Town and County dealership contacted the School with details of a national competition which would involve the building of a go-cart. Town and County explained that they would supply a go-cart in kit form, supply technical support and any other resources required to build the cart. Once this has been completed the pupils must then use their imagination and technical knowledge in designing modifications to the cart. In June a team of selected pupils will have presented the modified cart to a panel of judges. The Young Engineers Club was set up to recruit pupils in S3 - S6 who showed an interest in taking up this challenge.

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At present there are seventeen members of the Club who meet every Tuesday after school. The members organised themselves extremely well and quickly assembled the cart from the given parts. It was quite an adventure trying to follow the assembly instructions.

Land Rover Town and County were kind enough to supply each Club member with rather smart overalls which had the Land Rover logo and the pupil's name embroidered on the front.

Once the cart had been fully assembled the Young Engineers put their heads together and came up with several ideas for modification projects. These ideas ranged from lighting systems to body shell creations. The group eventually opted for two modifications. The first, to design, build and attach a speedometer to the cart, and the second, to design, build and attach a roll cage for safety. Because two projects were chosen the group split themselves into two with one group working on the speedometer (the electrical engineers) and the other group working on the roll cage (the mechanical engineers). Town and County has offered to help out with materials for these projects and the pupils are currently working towards their solutions. After the judging in June, the cart will be stripped down, so that the Young Engineers in the next school year can start all over again!

Through involvement with the go-cart project, and with the help of Land Rover Town and County, the Young Engineers Club has given pupils the opportunity to develop or further an interest in the field of automotive engineering, design and marketing.

Young Enterprise As in the previous year, there were two AGS Young Enterprise companies in 1995-96. Reports on the two enterprises from their respective boards follow below.

Heavenly Productions was formed with twelve members from S5 and S6. We were a very enthusiastic company in the early days of our existence. We all worked well together but deciding on a product was our main problem. We had many ideas ranging from a joke book to Christmas cards. We finally decided on clocks. Our plan was to make them out of CDs but when the parts arrived we decided that making the clocks out of records would be more attractive and original.

The clocks were fairly expensive to make, and we went to the first parents evening quite apprehensive as to whether we would be on to a winner or not. We attended all the remaining parents evenings with great success.

We felt that it would be appropriate for us to attend the Young Enterprise Trades Fair at the beginning of December in Inverurie. The Trades Fair of 95 is one I am sure none of us will forget. The infamous cow shed in which we sold our clocks with the sub-zero temperatures and resident cows could not impair the attractiveness of our product, which went down well with both our customers and the judges.

Throughout the year we have sold more than 100 clocks and every member of the company deserves to be congratulated on this achievement.

Although we lost two members during the year, we all pulled together and formed a very successful team. We learned a great deal about teamwork, co-operation and communication. Five achievers sat the Strathclyde Business School Young Enterprise Exam all passing, four with credit. We are at present closing the company and drawing up final accounts.

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Lightning Productions consisted of eleven members, ten coming from 6th Year and one from 5th Year.

The company started off well with a relaxed atmosphere at meetings and everyone taking an active role in the discussion. With hindsight, perhaps we took too long over discussion and should initially have been more decisive in choosing a product to work on.

Due to this lack of decisiveness we did not choose a single product but instead began work on a few ideas. This left us with no finished product, which we were able to sell.

As we neared the Christmas holidays it was realised we needed to produce something quickly. It was then decided to produce a Christmas Message Booklet, as this sort of idea had been successful in the past. it sold reasonably well and we did make some money.

Coming back after the holidays we needed to make a fresh start. It was decided that a change in roles would be a good idea, as it would also give everyone the chance to gain more experience by working from a different angle. However, by this time most members were losing interest in the company and no other products were sold.

Although our company was not a financial success I think we have all gained from our experiences. We have learned from our mistakes and hope that future companies avoid making the same ones. We wish next year's companies every success.

British Association Youth Section Science Fair 1996 The school was lucky enough to have two teams selected to attend the annual British Association Youth Science Fair this year. The two teams were flown down to Manchester to compete against twenty seven other Science and Technology Projects from the rest of Great Britain. The two teams were Andrew Frost with Jonathan Hem and Neil Watts with Anna Roach.

Andrew and Johnathan's project investigated how Chitin and other similar polysaccharides bound to various fluorescent dyes, such as Calcofluor, and affected their fluorescence. Similar investigations are carried out by washing powder companies to obtain powders that make whites "whiter than white". This project was carried out at Marishcal College. Neil and Anna's project looked at how near infra-red spectroscopy could be used to measure glucose and cholesterol in blood. This project hoped to offer a fast, accurate method for replacing regular blood testing for diabetics. This project was carried out at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. Both projects were part of the Sixth Year Studies Chemistry course.

Unfortunately, neither project was able to overcome the very stiff opposition and win the event. However, it was a credit to the teams and the School to be there at all.

Our thanks go to staff at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, University of Aberdeen and at School for their guidance and support.

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Northsound Hydro Electric Challenge At the time of writing, the School is being represented in the Hydro Electric Schools' Quiz by four pupils: Stewart Fowlie, S6, Stewart King, S4, Kathryn Davies, S3, and Sarah Wattie, Si, and have reached the final to be held at The Lemon Tree.

The actual quiz involves team rounds and individual rounds. The questions are made up of general knowledge, sport, geography, current events around the world and music.

Substantial cash prizes will be received by the winners, part of which will be used for School equipment and part to a local charity of their choice.

The team thanks Mr May for attending to all arrangements.

Leavers' Ball 1996 The AGS annual Leavers' Ball was held on 27 March 1996 in the school hall and was, as expected, an outstanding success.

The evening was organised by the evergreen Mr May (Chemistry) with the assistance of the dance committee consisting of Stefan Colling, Anna Roach, Stewart Fowlie, Lucy Parslow, Peter Williams, Claire Beaton, Keith Reid and Sophie Hobden.

The evening officially began with grace which was given by Anna Roach. No time was wasted as Anna obviously was hungry, and looking forward to getting her beef. Mr May quashed any fears caused by the BSE scare when he announced that the beef on the menu had been imported from Holland. Thankfully the meal was far from offal.

The after dinner speech was expertly written and delivered by Stewart Fowlie and was obviously the result of many weeks of hard work. Based on the theme of memories of school life, Stewart's cleverly amusing tour de force was highly enjoyed, and will itself remain one of the good memories of AGS for all who heard it.

After Stewart's speech, Lucy Parslow presented Mrs Thorpe, Mrs Shand, Mrs Moncur and the caterers with gifts to thank them for all their hard work. In fact Mrs Moncur had made such a contribution that Lucy decided to thank her twice.

The Dance Committee then continued their duties by leading off the dancing with the Gay Gordons. There were many dancing performances worthy of comment but unfortunately we can only include a few of them. The dancing of Thomas Young was outstanding and would have put Pierce Brosnan to shame. In contrast to this, Andrew Frost adopted more of a Mel Gibson approach (Braveheart).

The whole event was captured on film by Mr McLeod and Mr McLean. These photographs may have been necessary to trigger the memory of pupils and staff alike. Thanks for the memories gents.

The only other interruption to the dancing was the raffle prize draw which was organised by Stefan Coiling and drawn by the committee members. Everyone in the room had one raffle ticket each as it came with their ball ticket. Despite this, Lucy Parslow's number managed to come out twice, once drawn by Lucy herself - very suspicious. Peter Williams also managed to draw the ticket of the French student whom he had been watching all night. The prizes included theatre tickets, cinema tickets and CD players but Rupert Daly won the start prize of a "Bugapack".

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After the dance finished at the school everyone went their own way with activities ranging from the sinful to the soulful, culminating in a gathering of colossal proportions at the Mogendorff residence.

A special congratulatory mention must go to James MacAulay who managed to pass his driving test early the next morning despite the merriment of the night before.

All in all everyone had a very memorable evening.

The School Magazine This year saw a major upheaval in the School magazine, as the Computing Department took over the organisation of this daunting task. With a new name and new staff, Automatic for the Pupils was undoubtedly a success.

Under the combined reigns of Mrs Weatherley and Mr Wright, the new team produced a very impressive first issue. With a new design team led by Robbie Duncan, with his obligatory artistic temperament (violent), the resources were in place to provide a lavish design and quality production.

Alasdair Rutherford proved to be a capable and decisive editor; when confronted with a problem, he would always have an answer, or at least know somebody who did.

Meanwhile, Gareth Klose was burdened with the myriad of computer problems that occurred on a near daily basis.

Of course, the magazine would have been nothing without the contributions provided by our budding journalists. This issue was complimented as having content of a mature and diverse nature. We were also lucky in that one of our Former Pupils, Richard Morrell, wrote a piece on life after Aberdeen Grammar School.

Next year, we have high hopes for Automatic for the Pupils. With luck, we will maintain or even improve on the high standard of our School magazine.

Parent Teacher Association In 1995-96 the PTA has enjoyed another interesting and active year with involvement, along with staff and pupils, in many of the school events.

The main social occasion was a repeat of last year's very successful Ceilidh. Again, parents and teachers enjoyed a real Scottish night, dancing to a lively Ceilidh band, "Hallyracket", eating stovies and oatcakes. Of course the bar and raffle also helped to make it a successful fund raising venture.

Apart from fund raising, the PTA was active on other fronts. An Educational Evening for parents was promoted by the PTA in association with the School Board. It was entitled "51 Reporting Explained" and helped parents understand the mysteries of the new style report cards. Guidance teachers were also in attendance and parents were able to experience for themselves some personal and social development activities. A second School Uniform Sale was held in June and arrangements for next year's Careers Guidance Evening are well in hand.

The "200" Club continues to generate a flow of cash and this year saw the first draws with top prizes of f 100.

PTA funds this year have again contributed towards insurance costs for school activities, the maintenance of the hand driers and, following the provision of furniture for

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the school grounds last year, a further contribution has been made for the installation of this furniture.

Finally, the PTA Committee would like to thank all parents, staff and pupils who have assisted and supported us during the past year.

School Board This year, the Board has maintained an active interest in all areas of the School. The main issues which have been addressed include the arrangements for pupils' safety and security both in and outwith the School grounds; the provision of learning support in the School; and the implementation of "Higher Still", which is likely to form the basis of curricular development in the future. All issues are tackled openly and, where necessary, through the official channels and we have been fortunate to have had representatives from the Education Department present at some of our meetings to explain the policies which are currently in place.

The Board remains an important link between the School and the Club.

The election of new Board members this year inevitably has brought a renewed enthusiasm, which will ensure the continuation of the Board's effectiveness.

Thanks are due to the outgoing Convener, Fred Coutts, who is most ably succeeded

by Mrs Linda Gauld, and once again a debt of gratitude is due to the Rector for his continued wise guidance and his strong support of the links between the School and the FP Club.

The Phil Love Trophy The award of the Phil Love Trophy recognises achievement beyond what would normally be expected of an individual in pursuit of his or her particular activity. It seeks to highlight a level of skill combined with dedication and devotion which culminates in recognition both within the School and, significantly, in a much wider arena. The young man who fits the bill this year is Andrew Frost.

Andrew has brought considerable credit to the School through his achievements in rugby. From the less than glamorous position of loose head prop he has been Captain of the North Schools' Team and played youth rugby for North and Midlands Under-18 and Under-19, reaching the Scottish Youth Squad. He has also played consistently throughout the season for the FP First XV and helped them gain promotion to National League Division 1, a most unusual achievement for a schoolboy.

Very deservedly, therefore, Andrew joins the unique ranks of the Phil Love Trophy winners and can feel justly proud of his accomplishments, especially since no regular competitive rugby fixtures are now organised within the School beyond third year.

Readers may remember that in last year's Magazine Andrew was pictured alongside no less a rugby legend than former Scottish Rugby Captain, David Sole, autographing the plaster cast surrounding Andrew's broken ankle.

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The Centenary Plaque

The accompanying photograph shows the magnificent granite plaque in the shape of the School badge which was presented to the School by the Former Pupils' Club from the proceeds of the Centenary Fund. It is located in the Library Resource Centre at the entrance into the sanctum.

Measuring 3 feet 3 inches by 2 feet, it is truly a unique work of art, which has already been much admired, and its naturally solid and everlasting construction reflects the same character of the bond between the School and the Club.

The School is deeply indebted to the Former Pupils' Club for this gift and also for the continued interest it shows in the life of the School, and the generosity it bestows in so many tangible ways to encourage activities. Staff, pupils and parents all appreciate it.

General Section

Where is it, What is it - Whatever happened to Part Two - The Lower School

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z

As promised in the article in the 1995 Magazine, which showed the new face of the Main Building of the School, we can now supply a glimpse of the refurbished Language Block or the Lower School Building as it will have been known to many.

That the building was in need of repair and renovation was unquestioned. Many Ft's who have taken the opportunity to tour the School during reunions have noted how nothing had changed in that building since their days in the Lower School and, for many, those memories were long cherished! Hence, it was with a great sense of relief that, at the beginning of session 1995-96, staff were at last able to occupy, as the Rector stated in his report in the last Magazine, "A much better physical environment for teaching and learning."

Perhaps the title "Language Block" may need explanation. That title was adopted, because from the 1970s onwards all the language staff have been housed there. There have been other users of the building over the years including Economics, Mathematics, English, Geography, Modern Studies, History and others, but the permanent main occupants have been languages - hence the title. Latterly some language rooms were upstairs and others downstairs, but with refurbishment came reorganisation and now the three language departments - French, German and Spanish - have all moved upstairs and the ground floor has three History rooms, two Modern Studies rooms and one room used jointly by Modern Studies and Geography.

As the Rector also stated in his report last year, there has been no reduction to the grandeur of the building and, as the first photograph shows, it remains untouched in its immediately identifiable external appearance. The roof and windows had been upgraded a few years ago, but otherwise it is still the old Lower School. One new feature, however, in the adjacent playground area is the installation of two basketball courts, one of which can be seen in the foreground. These have proved extremely popular and are put to good use during non-class time, either for informal practice or on occasions for organised matches at lunchtimes.

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Step inside. Do you remember that walk down the narrow dark corridor to the Lower School Headmaster's Office? This is that corridor. Already it can be noted that gone are the wooden floor and dark panelling and the whole inside of the building has a much brighter atmosphere. One of the five Guidance Teachers now occupies the former Headmaster's room, although until last session it had been assigned to one of the three Assistant Rectors. The corridor immediately behind where this photograph was taken has now gone and has been incorporated into a classroom, hence providing an enlarged teaching area. In fact, those with an acute memory and a mathematical motivation will realise from what was said earlier that there is one room fewer now downstairs. That is because the three rooms to the left as you enter from the front of the building have been reconfigured into two rooms, with a central resource base for the History Department, by the movement of walls and the removal of the corridor which allowed you to walk through and out one of the hack doors.

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This is another example of enlargement. This is one of the Modern Studies classrooms and shows the new suspended ceiling level which all rooms now have, not to mention carpets which mean an end to getting splinters from what had become very rough wooden tiling! But can you recognise which room this is? Well, if you go back to the 1960s (and earlier) it was

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the Lower School Music Room. The former cloakroom area - remember your pegs? - which was latterly a bookstore has been added in to form a very useful size of room. Behind the teacher's desk, which is in the foreground, there is an area with computers which allows access to all the benefits of multi-media technology.

Once upstairs, as can be seen in this view of the top corridor, the scene continues to be modern. Gone are the cases on the walls containing birds' eggs and other educational artefacts. Added are swing doors at each end as required by Health and Safety regulations.

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This room shows an example of something which has been incorporated into most departments throughout the School since the rebuild, namely staff bases. This is the Language Staff Base, an area in which staff can work away from the classroom preparing resources and lesson materials - note computers and other technology in evidence. Again, can you figure out which room this was in the past? In fact, it was the Staff Room with the adjacent medical room where visits from the doctor and dentist maybe conjure up less happy memories.

As can be appreciated from this small selection of snapshots, the Language Block has been brought up to a similar standard to the Main Building. There are other features of

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the Language Block which could have been shown - for example, views of the peripheral listening equipment which is found round the walls in each language classroom, but what has been shown, it is hoped, provides something of a flavour of "the new Lower School".

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As a footnote, it may be necessary to correct the misconception that we had replat.ed the Language Block with a completely new building, as this last photograph might suggest.

This was built in the former Lower School playground on the corner of Whitehall Place and Esslemont Avenue. It is an extension to the old Westfield Block in which, over the years, everything from Technical Subjects to Mathematics had been taught. But, alas, it is not new accommodation for AGS. Instead, it is the building which is leased to what is known as the French School by the former Grampian Region Council. It is called the French School because it is occupied by the families of French employees of the Total Oil Company along with their own native staff. They are self-contained, but wear the Grammar School uniform and over the years there has been some integration of their pupils in certain activities of our School.

Very kindly, the French School acts as host every year to two senior pupils and a member of staff from the School to visit Paris for a week. This is greatly appreciated and has been a wonderful experience for all those who have been privileged to participate. By the way, did you notice that the old playground shelter has gone and in its place the French School also has a basketball court? Another "feature" which no longer exists are the outside rootless toilets which were in the corner near Whitehall Place and adjacent to the large tree which also was a casualty of the new layout.

Well, that's it for part two of the pictorial update of Aberdeen Grammar School.

Watch this space for part three, which will show the new Games Hall. Unfortunately, we cannot put a date on this publication as, despite plans for the Games Hall having been on the go since the 1970s, and despite not having adequate physical education facilities on the main site for one thousand pupils, and despite many other schools having Games Halls built over the last twenty years, we still await any formal commitment to such a necessary facility.

With budget cutbacks, one wonders when part three may ever may written.

Finally, a very special word of thanks to Mike McLeod of the Physical Education Department for taking the photographs last year and this. His very professional skill has provided all FPs with a truly memorable picture of AGS as it approaches the millennium.

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Project Trust Over the years, both the School and the Club have been proud to provide some modest support for a succession of committed pupils who have undertaken work overseas under the auspices of the Project Trust.

The following two letters from current Grammar participants in Project Trust, Anne Duffty and Andrew Wilson, were sent to their "mentor", Mr Alan Smith, Principal leacher, Religious andMoral Education, andprovide a good impression of the challenges, opportunities and sheer enjoyment which the volunteers encounter.

Cairo February 1996 Dear Mr Smith S'alaam. I have now been in Egypt for almost six months, and am still having a wonderful time. I feel very settled and comfortable in Cairo, and it is really beginning to feel like home.

I am greatly enjoying my project, which has undergone quite a few changes. The lead up to Christmas was very hectic for me with almost every organisation in Cairo having some sort of bazaar. Many of these were at weekends so I had a couple of seven-day working weeks. Hence, December was a very productive month for the programme, with one worker earning f100 which was a tremendous effort. The month before was quite difficult, as Frazer (my boss) had to go to England for three weeks for an operation, and left me in charge.

Generally, things went well but I got a bit of hassle from two of the workers, who thought that I was an easier target than Frazer. Occasionally this led to a strained atmosphere in the workshop. Things are now better, due to a reallocation of jobs. When I have finished my jobs for the day, I greatly enjoy sitting down and having a chat with everyone. We have finally moved to a German Church, with double the previous amount of space, and have painted all the cupboards and shelves bright yellow - my friend Leykun wanted pink but we thought that that was pushing it a bit too far! We have now begun training in embroidery, art and Appropriate Paper Technology where furniture is made out of cardboard, which I plan to learn.

My teaching in the Children's English Programme is also going well. The programme now has as many teachers as pupils but, since many teachers are often away, my class size ranges from 1 to 5. At the end of term party in December each pupil was given a certificate and a book, and then we played lots of games. Unfortunately, due to my competitive nature, I ended up winning 'Musical Chairs' and 'Simon Says', and received a colouring book as a prize! However, I did give the book to one of the pupils, which eased my conscience.

Earlier this month, we took the children to see the pyramids and the Sphinx. There was a sand storm that day, so the air was very dusty, giving the sites a very eerie appearance. The children thoroughly enjoyed the day out, and some of them had never seen the pyramids before. I have started playing football with the children at breaktime and get on very well with them, as I do with the other teachers.

I am writing this towards the end of Ramadan, a four week period when Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset. Hence, it is quite dodgy buying lunch, as very few fast food places

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are open, and people give disapproving looks if you do buy anything. So I try to get through the day without eating, or only eat when I am in the church. Actually I am eating very little just now, due to my first attack of diarrhoea since arriving in Cairo. I am very annoyed about this, as one of the Project Trust desk officers promised me f50 if I went a year without having diarrhoea, and I had made it halfway there! During Ramadan, Muslims have two meals a day, at 5.30 pm and 3 am. So at 5.30 pm, the usually crowded streets are totally deserted, as everyone is inside eating. Things take even longer to get done during Ramadan, as most people only have to work half-days, and transport is even more irregular than usual. Last week, it took me nearly 3 hours to get home, after the Metro stopped working, and all buses and taxis were jam packed. Only when the Metro breaks down do I realise how much I and many others depend on it. Getting to sleep is also a bit of a problem, as hordes of people are on Road 9 until well after 3 am.

I had an excellent Christmas holiday in the Sinai, meeting up with the other nine Project volunteers from Egypt and Jordan. After Christmas Day in Sharm El Sheikh (including turkey) I set off with the other volunteers for Dahab. Dahab is a very leisurely, mellow place full of cheap restaurants, small shops and camps, where you can sleep for f1 a night. I had an excellent time there, catching up with everyone's news, as I had not seen many of them for six months. One night we went up Mount Sinai. After a pretty tough two hour climb we reached the top at 4 am. It was absolutely freezing, but the trip was made worthwhile by a fantastic sunrise. On the way back down, we passed St Catherine's Monastery, where the 'burning' bush is kept. We returned to Sharm El Sheikh (a major tourist driving area and very expensive) on the 31st and played an Egypt v Jordan football match, which Egypt duly won 14-7. Later on, we went to a New Year's party, which was quite fun. We did not know many people there, and I think all of us volunteers were missing friends and family. However, we made the most of it Everyone went their separate ways on the 2nd, but four volunteers came back to Cairo with me, where I showed them some of the sights. This included a camel ride from the Giza pyramids to the Saqqarah pyramids, three hours away, which I had never seen before. To say that it was uncomfortable would be an understatement. However, it was good fun and definitely worth doing.

Burns Night has just passed, of course, and people out here got into it in a big way, with four Bums Suppers in total. I went to three, of which two were in houses. The other was in the British Embassy, where tickets were f20. As a poor volunteer, I was given a free ticket . . . on condition that I sang! At first I was quite happy to do so, as there would be four of us singing, and it would only be pre-dinner, when everyone was arriving. However, the four singers quickly dropped to two, and I turned up on the night to be met with "Sorry, but Mora's ill, so you're on your own. By the way, would you mind singing after dinner as well?"

Always one for a challenge, I agreed, but singing Scottish songs in front of 100 expats is very different from singing in a cathedral. Surprisingly, it went quite well, and I received rapturous applause after my post-dinner stint - I think this was partly due to the fact that many people had had one too many whiskies by that stage!

On the sporting side of things, I am continuing to enjoy both playing and coaching football. I am now coach to 24 pupils, including 3 girls, which can cause some problems.

About a month ago I started playing cricket for the British Council, which is good fun. There is actually a league, including a Pakistani and a South African team. In our last game, we played Pakistan and lost on the second last ball. It was a bizarre game, as we didn't have a break for lunch or tea, but a break for prayers! This was so that the Pakistan team and a

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couple of our players could go to the main service of the week. When Pakistan came back with a new player, there were some good-natured jokes from our team about Allah answering their prayers by creating a new player. When he proceeded to take 3 wickets in as many overs, the comments muttered were not quite so good-natured!

On the musical side of things, I practise piano weekly in the church, and am still singing in the two choirs. I sang in two concerts before Christmas with the Choral Society, and we were singing Verdi's Requiem at the end of March. I have been asked to join a chamber choir that will start when they get enough people. I have been to the impressive and modern Cairo Opera House, to hear Mendelssohn's 'Scottish' symphony, and plan to go back to see 'Swan Lake'.

Generally, things are going well. I have made many friends and acquaintances, and am having a fantastic time. My main worry here is how quickly the time is going! I hope that things are fine with you, and that you are well.

Andrew Wilson Gaborone Botswana November 1995 Dear Mr Smith It was eleven o'clock on Tuesday 5 September when my partner, Suzi, and I arrived in Botswana after twenty-one hours of travelling. After having been introduced to the leaders of SOS Botswana, we were taken to the SOS village, where we were introduced to so many people that soon the faces all got mixed into one big blur and most of the names were forgotten before I even heard them. We made our way round the village and stopped outside a shabby looking portacabin that we were told was to be our home for the next twelve months.

I don't remember the rest of that day very clearly, but needless to say it was a rather daunting day! Now almost three months later I am sitting at the table in our little house which actually turned out to be very nice thankfully!

That first day now seems so long ago and the faces have all become names (although with 140 children I think that I'm allowed to get a couple wrong every now and then!) and those names have all become people. Everything that seemed so strange initially has become part of my everyday life, and although I am still conscious of the different culture here, I am slowly adapting to the Botswana way of life and am now quite settled.

I sleep on the bottom bunk of the bed that I share with Suzi. The two other rooms are Bonno and Esther's, two Botswana girls who are doing their national service working in the SOS kindergarten. Our house is within the confines of the SOS village right next to the Girls' Youth house where twelve 14-18 year old girls live. Most of the girls were quite shy of us at first, but slowly we have been accepted as part of the community and have become friends with them. There are ten family houses in the village each with two housemothers and a maximum of 12 children. The houses are all built exactly the same but they all have their own character and over time I have realised that they are all quite individual. The Boys' Youth house is situated just outside the main gate of the village and is doing so well that

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plans have started to build a second one along the road. Bigman lives with the boys in their Youth house as their youth leader and as a role model. Mr and Mrs Mbudi live in the village with their family and are responsible for the day to day running of the village. Also living in the village is Mrs Mbetsi who is the nurse, Anna and Brian who are the drivers for the children and Starfish who is the village electrician, mechanic, carpenter and general lifesaver!

As Suzi and I are the first ever Project Trust volunteers to come to this SOS village, there was nothing set up for us to do on arrival, we were told that our job was to occupy and stimulate the children once they got home from school each day at 2 pm and on the weekends and holidays. The thought of just the two of us trying to keep 140 children busy was more than a little bit intimidating. However, once we had settled in a bit and found our feet we soon started to achieve this. We both work in the kindergarten from 8 am to 4 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. We have set three English groups for standard (primary) 4-6 where we encourage the children to read aloud and to try to improve their comprehension; we play games, do word searches and crosswords to try and make it as much fun as possible. For half an hour each day we open a small library in the village. We have Maths groups twice a week for the standards 4 and 5 children. We have started an art group with fifteen children, where we make small things like puppets and porn-porn spiders using scrap material such as toilet rolls and cardboard boxes - I'd make a first class Blue Peter presenter now! We take about ten of the youth boys and girls for swimming lessons at a local pool on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

As Botswana is landlocked and two-thirds of it is desert, most people aren't used to water and very few of the Botswana can swim. On Sunday afternoons we play two games of rounders with the children. They all play for their houses and we added the youth boys and girls to the house teams so as to include everyone and even out the teams, creating a small league in the village. Unfortunately team 7, for which I play, is doing very badly. I think that I will have to use my power as umpire to set this small problem right! We have taken the children on weekend trips to the Mokoldi Game Reserve, where we saw lots of ostriches and their babies, warthogs, antelopes, vultures and lots of other colourful birds, to the museum, the cinema, and for picnics at the Gaborone Dam and the Lion Park. We also help in head office in the morning, while the children are at school, with the sponsorship mail.

The school holidays are starting in the next couple of weeks, and we are going to be very busy keeping them all occupied. We are going to start netball and aerobics and we have started an art group for the older children. For the mornings we are planning activity groups, where they will draw, colour, play games and sing songs. What I am most looking forward to is teaching Scottish Country Dancing. Some time in the future we may be able to have a proper Ceilidh! Some of the children are going away on music and nature camps for a week or so over the holiday which all sound like fun and which should make our job easier. There is to be a fun day at the beginning of December which is to be held in the Mall in Gaborone and which will hopefully raise funds for SOS. The main event is Santa Claus coming in a helicopter and giving all the children stockings full of sweets. It all sounds great but guess who has got the job of filling 140 stockings!!

For Christmas we have two weeks holiday and we are going down to CapeTown to meet up with all the other Project Trust volunteers from South Africa, Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe. I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone and to visiting CapeTown, as it is supposed to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It will be strange celebrating

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Christmas on the beach in the brilliant sunshine, but somehow I think that I shall be able to cope.

Coming from Aberdeen I never thought that I would get sick of sunshine but, when it is 44§C and your house is like an oven, the thought of Scottish weather is really quite appealing!

So when it started to pour down last Friday evening and carried on until Sunday evening virtually non-stop, Suzi and I were in absolute heaven that was only slighted blighted by our house flooding! The flooding has been quite incredible with bridges, that usually go over dry waterbeds several feet deep, being flooded so badly that everyone had to turn back, even those with 4-wheel drive vehicles.

That is all my news for now. I would like to thank you all again for sponsoring me and giving me such a great opportunity. I have really enjoyed my first few months here and I am looking forward to the rest of the year.

Anne Duffty

Manager of the Lions In 1971, Dr D W C Smith (1930-41), one of the School's greatest ever sportsmen, managed the British Lions touring party to New Zealand, the first (and still the only) Lions team to win a Test series against the All Blacks. To mark the twenty-fifth anniversary of this extraordinary event, and especially to celebrate Doug's part in it, Gordon Brown, former Scotland and Lions second-row forward, has kindly contributed the following appreciation of Doug's leadership of the legendary Lions of 1971.

"Well done, Brown, you played very well," boomed the loud gruff voice. The owner of the voice was a burly man with a big smile and a bone-crunching handshake. I'd just played in a rugby match in Aberdeen to celebrate Aberdeen University's umpteenth centenary and I turned to our full-back that day, Ken Scotland, and asked him if he knew who that guy was. His reply hit me like a sledgehammer "Dr Doug Smith, Manager and chief selector for next year's British Lions tour to New Zealand".

I am delighted to say that I was to meet Doug again - as a member of his team! And I know that my performance in that game in Aberdeen helped me get my foot in the door.

Doug very quickly impressed me as a no-nonsense manager. His expectations of all team members were honesty, application, pride and enjoyment.

The previous Lions tour (to South Africa in 1968) had acquired a terrible reputation for off-field bad behaviour and Doug very quickly laid down the law, "You will be sent home immediately," he firmly told us - and he meant it!

His diplomacy was evident immediately after the first match of the tour, in Queensland, Australia. We had just lost to what was then just an ordinary provincial rugby team. We were supposedly the creme de la creme of British Rugby. The referee, a local guy, had been poor and heavily biased in favour of the home team. We had played badly. However, at the post-match press conference Doug praised the referee for his efforts and blamed our performance on what he called "circadian disrhythmia" - jet-lag to you and me!

We certainly did feel really dreadful in the second half of the game, but I suppose we hadn't done ourselves much good by parading around Hong Kong's bright lights all night long only three days earlier.

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Arriving in New Zealand off the back of that defeat, Doug immediately shook New Zealand to its roots. "We will win the Test Series. We will beat you", his voice boomed.

"Oh yeh?" enquired one of the pressmen, "and what will the series result be then?" "Twoone to us, and one drawn," was the immediate reply. He said it with great conviction too!

Doug's assistant manager was the great Welsh coach, Carwyn James, and Doug was quite superb in ensuring that Carwyn was rarely hindered by the press and public demands on his time. Theirs was probably the best ever management team to leave our shores.

Our team was full of superstars like Gareth Edwards, Barry John, Mike Gibson, Gerald Davies, Willie John McBride and J P R Williams, but Doug treated us all the same.

Our captain, John Dawes, was also given no special favours. One day during a very heavy training session, John was left without a partner for some piggy-back exercises. Doug promptly jumped on his back shouting, "Hio Silver - away!"

Doug had a very individual way of threatening possible mischief makers. "You'll get a bloody merry Christmas from me," he'd bellow. Bloody effective it was too!

Despite the demands made on Doug as team manager, he still found the time to visit hospitals and Rotary Clubs in every locality we found ourselves.

His soothsaying on our arrival in New Zealand was spot on. We did win the Test Series 2-1, with one drawn. We are the only touring team ever to have won a series against the All Blacks, in New Zealand.

This four month long tour shaped my life thereafter, and I'll never forget the father figure Doug represented for me. But proof of how we all felt was evident in May this year when Dr Doug Smith, in ailing health, called on the 32 players who made up the Lions team 25 years ago to attend his reunion - 32 answered his call.

Of course, none of us wanted "a bloody Merry Christmas!"

What a party we had, and all thanks to Dr Doug Smith.

Gordon Brown

Aberdeen and the North-East in the Jacobite Rising of 1745 In the course of the various events andmedia coverage marking the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Culloden, the number ofparticipants associated with Aberdeen and with the Grammar School was especially noteworthy. In particular, two FPs, Professor Bruce Lenman (1946-56) of St Andrews University, and Professor Murray Pittock (1973-78) of Strathclyde University, made signal contributions to the range of scholarly publications marking the anniversary. Professor Pittock, whose book, The Myth of the Jacobite Clans (FLIP), has been described in one review as a "brilliant polemical essay" displaying Professor Pittock's "formidable talents as a cultural historian", kindly agreed to contribute the following article on the often neglected role of Aberdeen and the North-East of Scotland in the 1745 Rising.

Readers, no doubt, will be impressed to note that Aberdonians were even more in evidence during the Rising itself than they were in the 200th anniversary events.

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When Bonnie Prince Charlie's adherents raised the Stuart standard at Glenfinnan in August 1745, Aberdeen was, as it had been ever since 1688, a key centre for Jacobite urban recruitment. The city itself, with a population of over 10,000, was one of the twenty largest settlements in Britain; both it and its hinterland had strong historic links with the Episcopal Church, largely outlawed for its adherence to the exiled dynasty. At the time of the Union with England (which the Episcopalians opposed), more than half of the inhabitants of Aberdeenshire had been Episcopalian, and if persecution meant there were fewer in 1745, the north-east was nonetheless a Jacobite heartland. Aberdeen had been the only burgh which had not opposed the 1637 Prayer Book, and in the Covenanting era which followed, it had strongly resisted providing troops. In 1650, the Committee of Estates in Scotland suggested that 310 men could be levied from Aberdeen and Banffshire; in 1745, the Jacobites were to raise almost four times as many. As one Presbyterian minister gloomily put it, 'the seat of the rebellion ... is like to be in Perth, Angus, Merns, Aberdeen, and Banff shires'. This illuminating remark reveals that which is often forgotten: that the majority of Jacobite troops, in 1745 as in 1715, did not come from beyond the Highland Line. Instead it was what the late Historiographer Royal, Gordon Donaldson, termed the 'conservative north' of Scotland which was most enthusiastic for the native dynasty. And Aberdeen was, of course, the biggest city in this area.

Two units in the Jacobite army were mainly raised in the city, and a number more from its shire. The Aberdeen Battalion was commanded by Lt Col James Moir of Stoneywood, who first appeared in the town 'supported by a couple of broken merchants and York street Cadys', but soon had 'found enough about the town of Aberdeen and places adjacent without force' to form a battalion of 200 or so, as a grudging hostile witness records. Nor were these all the poor and desperate of the town: Stoneywood found over a dozen officers, and among his other ranks were many tradesmen and professionals. The masters at Aberdeen Grammar School for a time stopped praying for King George, but they did not join: both the School and King's College had been too badly affected by the government purges of Jacobite sympathisers following the 1715 Rising.

Lt Col James Crichton, who held the Jacobite title of Viscount Frendraught, raised a company as part of a battalion recruited from Aberdeenshire, while a regiment was levied by Major-General Gordon of Glenbucket. Further afield, the Monaltrie and Balmoral battalions were raised on Deeside, and the Episcopalian mystic Lord Forbes of Pitsligo recruited a troop of horse and two companies of Banffshire infantry as part of the force he led to join Charles at Edinburgh. In the Mearns, Sir Alexander Bannerman of Elsick, the Jacobite Lord Lieutenant, raised another battalion, while at Huntly, Major David Tulloch of Dunbennan gathered together 60-80 men; at Lumphanan, Patrick Duguid raised a company of 30-40.

Most of this extensive recruitment took place after the battle of Prestonpans on 21 September, before which Aberdeen had served as one of General Cope's bases: Cope camped on the Dove Cot Brae, by where Union Terrace now is, on 11 September. After his defeat, Jacobites began to gather openly in the city. By early October, the north-east as a whole was largely in arms for the Prince: on the 7th, French supplies began to be landed at Montrose, and on 14 October the French Ambassador, the Marquis d'Eguilles, landed there. 250 carts were sent with artillery overland to Alloa. On 17/18 October, 9 guns and 1,800 cannonballs were landed at Stonehaven (where the local fishing fleet screened one landing from the Royal Navy), and on 21 October Lord Lewis Gordon, Lord Lieutenant of Aberdeen and Banff shires, requested Lt Col Stoneywood to provide 600 stand of arms, 1001bs of powder and 6,000

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balls. By the end of October, further ships had landed at Montrose and Stonehaven with artillery and 200 engineers, and at Peterhead with arms and money. Lord Lewis Gordon went to Huntly: on 7 November he commented that 'I have come pretty well off as to raising men'.

After some hesitation and reluctance, William Moir of Lonmay was appointed Deputy Lieutenant and Governor of Aberdeen; on 22 November, the critical moment so far of the Rising in the north-east occurred when Lt Gen Lord John Drummond came into Montrose with the Royal Scots from France, and became effectively Jacobite GOC Scotland since the Prince's army had now left for England.

Aberdeen now became a major headquarters for the often forgotten northern army of Jacobites who remained in Scotland while Charles was on the march to Derby. Despite some recruitment difficulties as the massive push to raise men encountered resistance from the many Presbyterian Hanoverians in the area (indeed, Jacobite recruiting officers remarked on the greater sectarianism compared with the 1715 Rising, when many more Presbyterians seem to have fought for the Stuarts), Aberdeen continued to receive ►acobite soldiers and supplies. On 4 December, the Earl Marischal, who was of course still in exile in France, requested Lord John Drummond to raise Aberdeenshire and the Mearns, and by 13 December government intelligence suggested that there were forces of 150 Jacobites at Banff, 300 in Aberdeen, 300 at Stonehaven, 200 at Brechin and 300 at Montrose, though the bulk of the northern army were at Perth and Dundee. Shortly afterwards, Loudon's forces under Norman Macleod and Grant of Grant advanced on the city, confident of victory and reportedly believing that several hundred government sympathisers would rise for King George in Aberdeen once friendly troops were in sight: in this they were sadly mistaken. The Jacobites mustered at Aberdeen to repel attack: some 1,000 troops, stiffened by Forfarshire and Irish soldiers come up through Angus. On 22 December, they left the city to confront Loudon, being joined by French soldiers and local recruits at Bucksburn. The battle of Inverurie was fought the next day, and Lord Lewis Gordon drove the government troops back over the Spey, largely Lowland Jacobite forces defeating the Highland army which faced them: 59 Highland Hanoverians were held prisoner at Aberdeen on Christmas Day, by which time the city had been furthered reinforced by 150 men under French officers. Heavily defended over Christmas, on 6 January 1746 two battalions left Aberdeen for the south to reinforce the army returned from England: only 50 men remained to garrison the town. Within days, these too had gone: but Aberdeen remained largely Jacobite. There were pro-Stuart crowds on 20 January, Prince Frederick's birthday, and the next day the bells rang for Charles's victory at Falkirk. As the main army fell back, Jacobite soldiers returned to Aberdeen, while munitions continued to be landed on the east coast. On 22 February, 130 of Fitzjames's Horse, from the Irish Brigades in the service of France, landed at Aberdeen; the next day more French and Irish soldiers broke through the Royal Navy blockade to land on the east coast.

But the Duke of Cumberland was close behind, the van of his army reaching Aberdeen on the 25th and himself on 27 February, only just after the last Jacobite soldiers had left. He was forced to remain there for some time, prior to the last advance to Culloden, as his refusal to negotiate a cartel for prisoners with the Jacobites (he would not treat with 'rebels', as his later conduct proved) led his ally, the Prince of Hesse, to hold back his support: indeed, the soft-hearted Hessian held balls for Jacobite ladies in Edinburgh while Cumberland gathered further strength at Aberdeen. The Jacobites themselves, although unable to advance on the city, still carried out operations in its hinterland: on 12 and 13 March, the 2nd battalion of the Forfarshire Regiment were reported patrolling the Cullen and Keith roads, while on 21

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March a British advance guard was surprised and defeated at Keith. This was the last success, and when Cumberland set out from Aberdeen on 8 April in good earnest, the sad epilogue to the Rising was about to begin.

In this the city itself did not suffer much, for despite the savaging of Episcopal chapels and the more isolated Jacobite heartland towns such as lohnshaven, it was the Highlands which bore the brunt of government hostility. In Edinburgh and Aberdeen, it was reported as late as 3 July 1746 that the Jacobites 'continue prodigious insolent', while on 1 August, the windows and inhabitants of the city were stoned by the occupying troops, the Earl of Ancrum describing it as 'this infamous town', while another government sympathiser suggested that Aberdeenshire and Banffshire had 'done more harm Ito the Hanoveriansj than all the Highlanders put together' in north-east Scotland. Nonetheless, they suffered less.

Thus ended the part played by Aberdeen and its shire in the Rising of 1745. There is not space here to detail all the figures of note who were involved in this last Scottish attempt to restore the Stuarts, but a few names can at least indicate the breadth of talent in the northeast at the time. There was Hugh Mercer, student at Marischal 1740-44 arid a surgeon's mate in the Jacobite forces, who subsequently became Brigadier-General under George Washington; the Rev John Maitland of Careston, who reputedly gave the Last Sacrament under the elements of oatmeal and whisky to Viscount Strathallan on Culloden Moor; Mrs Anne Leith, 'the Florence Nightingale of the Rising'; William Sharp, great-grandson of Archbishop Sharp and subsequently a Portuguese major-general; James Petrie, the procurator-fiscal in Aberdeen from 1743-44; the Rev John Witherspoon DD, the only Jacobite to sign the US Declaration of Independence, and the Presbyterian Andrew Wood, who en route to the scaffold was refused 'the last consolations of religion' unless he abjured the Stuarts, and so converted to Episcopalianism. Jonathan Forbes, second son of the 10th Laird of Brux, was no Episcopalian, but a Quaker. Despite this, he used to relate in later years (he died in 1801) that before he left the field of Culloden he 'let daylicht into three of the English deevils'. Such inconsistency is part and parcel of the study of Jacobitism, its sympathisers and their careers in its heartland of north-east Scotland. In 1748, James Petrie had returned to the Hanoverian fold and was again a lawyer in Aberdeen, while as late as 1832, when standing for Parliament in an atmosphere of Reform, Alexander Bannerman described the election of his great-grandfather Patrick, as Jacobite Provost in 1715-16, as one which reflected the wishes of 'his fellowcitizens' and not 'the self-elected Corporation'. Perhaps Aberdeen was still pleased to he complimented for its Jacobitism.

Murray G H Pittock (1973-78)

Principal of the University of Aberdeen It was with great pleasure and pride that FPs learned in April that C Duncan Rice (1949-60) had been appointed as Principal of the University of Aberdeen. This is a particular distinction for the School because, surprisingly, it seems that Professor Rice is the first FP to hold this appointment since the fusion of King's and Marischal Colleges in 1860. In recent years, of course, FPs have been entrusted with the leadership of universities elsewhere and, for example, when he attends his first meeting of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals, Duncan Rice will be welcomed by near School contemporaries, Phil Love

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(Liverpool) and Neil Buxton (Hertfordshire). Nevertheless, it is especially pleasing that an FP has been appointed Principal of the University of Aberdeen, the university with which the School has had the closest of links throughout each institution's respective long history.

On leaving School in 1960, Duncan Rice studied History at the University of Aberdeen, graduating MA with first class honours in 1964. He subsequently graduated PhD from the University of Edinburgh and worked as a Lecturer in Aberdeen's Department of History from 1966 to 1969. He then crossed the Atlantic to take up a succession of academic posts at Yale University (Assistant and subsequently Associate Professor of History, 1970-79), Hamilton College (Professor of History, 1979-85) and New York University (Professor of History 1985-96), while publishing on his special interests of black slavery and the role of Scots in the abolitionist movement. At Yale, he also served as Dean of one of the University's Colleges and as special assistant to the President, and he went to Hamilton as Dean of the College (Hamilton's chief academic officer).

Duncan Rice joined New York University at an especially auspicious moment in that institution's history. Founded in 1831 as a private university for immigrants in the New York area, the University was on the brink of financial ruin throughout the 1970s, and in 1984 an ambitious strategy was devised to attract $1 billion in fifteen years, and to raise the quality of the University's teaching, research and student body to bring NYU into the top tier of US universities.

Professor Rice was recruited in the early days of the new strategy and, firstly as Dean of the Faculty of Arts & Science, and, from 1991, as Vice-Chancellor of the University, he was at the forefront of the transformation which did indeed bring NYU into the top rank of American universities, attracting high quality academic staff and students alike. The parallel achievement of fund-raising, in which Duncan Rice was also a leading player, was equally successful with the passing of the $1 billion target in only ten of the originally projected fifteen years.

The successful achievement of the $1 billion target was measured without taking any account of the largest single gift to an American university, the late Sir Harold Acton's estate in Florence, valued in the range of $300 - 500 million. Duncan Rice was also instrumental in the development of La Pietra (the gifted estate) as the NYU campus in Florence.

In a statement to the NYU community on Professor Rice's Aberdeen appointment, the President of the University said, "Duncan led the Arts and Sciences into an unprecedented period of growth and development, and built upon this success by creating a network of cross-school initiatives from which the entire University has benefited. As University ViceChancellor, he has spearheaded our emergence as a truly and uniquely global institution."

Duncan Rice is a man of wide-ranging interests (as befits a Grammarian), extending from literature and opera to hillwalking and the environment. His interest in the environment (and his continuing link with Scotland over the years) has been sustained, in particular, by his membership of a family trust which supports a Hebridean nature reserve for the study of seals and birds.

As an Aberdeen graduate, Professor Rice has been warmly welcomed back to the University and, as a distinguished former pupil returning to the city, he represents a signal adornment to the reputation of the School and the Club.

General Section

Club President 1996-97

James C. Lyon (1953-59)

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Former Pupils' Club Club Founded 11 September 1893 Club Office-Bearers, 1996-97 Honorary President: WILLIAM JOHNSTON, B.s&., (Rector) Honorary Vice-Presidents: IAN G. MCPHERSON (1910-17) (President, 1965-1966) EDWARD J. WOOD (1908-1921), M.A. (President, 1966-67) ERIC Ros BIRKETT (1920-22), C.A. (President, 1968-69) JOHN V. SKINNER, M.A., M.LITT., DIP.ED., I.P. (Rector, 1959-72) 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) JOHN W. CRADOCK (1941-46), C.A. (President, 1977-78) WILLIAM L. CoNNoN (1930-40), B.L. (President, 1979-80) T. GORDON COUTTS (1938-49, 1950-51), Q.C., M.A., LL.B. (President, 1980-81) 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 CRAMS (1916-29), M.A., LL.B., LLD. ALAN J. PETERS (1920-30), C.A. IAN LEWIS SMITH (1918-30), B.K., A.M.I.C.E., DOUGLAS N. GEORGESON (1929-40) (President, 1985-86) ROBERT D. GILL, M.A. (Rector, 1972-86) (President, 1986-87) ANDREW S. NOBLE (1939-52), M.A., F.C.M.A., PROF. PHILIP N. LOVE (1952-58), C.B.E., M.A., LL.B. (President, 1987-89) W. MORRISON BROWN (1933-46) (President, 1988-89) ERIC CRAIG (1934-46) (President, 1989-90) THOMAS I. MORRISON (1934-47), T.D., B.SC., M.SC., C.CHEM., F.R.S.C. (President, 1990-91) ARTHUR L. McComeiF, m.s., F.s.A.(Scot) (Deputy Rector, 1973-90) DR. ►. R. S. INNES (1923-35), M.B., CH.B. (President, 1991-92) A. KEITH CAMPBELL (1944-53), T.ENG.(C.E.I.), M.INST.A.E.A. (President, 1992-93) IAN M. DUGUID (1938-43), O. du M., M.D., Ph.D., F.R.C.S., F.c.ophth., LL.D., D.O. (President, 199394) MELVILLE F. WATSON (1943-56), M.A., LL.B. (President, 1994-95) ANDREW M. MCLAREN (1926-39), (President, 1995-96)

President: JAMES C. LYON (1953-59), R.t.H.A., F.R.I.A.S. Vice-President of Club and Chairman of Executive: IAN H. Mcl.Foo (1951-55)

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Secretary: JOHN F. HENDRY (1951-65), I.L.B.

Treasurer:

JOHN D. MURRAY (1961-74), LL.B., C.A. General Editor of Magazine: DAVID K. Yuit (1951-651, M.A.

Secretaries of Centres Club Centre - STEVEN J. C. EssoN(1951-64), c.A., 86 Queen's Road, Aberdeen AB1 6YQ. Canada - I. PETER JEFFREY (1944-59), 615 Willoughby Cres SE, Calgary, Alberta, T2J 1Z9, Canada.

Edinburgh - NIGEL G. M. WATT (1963-69), w.s., 21 Stafford Street, Edinburgh EH3 7BJ.

Glasgow - BASIL D. D. EMSLIE (1929-35), Flat 8, Westerton of Mugdock, Milngavie, Glasgow G62 8LQ. London - SANDY NICOL (1922-31), 4 Avenue Gardens, Acton, London W3 BHA. Yorkshire - Douci AS SKENE (1959-64), 87 Main Street, Fulford, York, North Yorkshire YO1 4DN. Secretaries of Sections Cricket — NEIL INNES-SMITH, 57 Esslemont Avenue, Aberdeen AB2 4SS. Curling - BRUCE S. ALLAN (1953-58), 55 Carden Place, Aberdeen AB1 1UN. Football - MICHAEL H. CHEYNE (1976-81), 72 Irvine Place, Aberdeen AB1 6HB. Golf - PETER M. ROBERTSON (1967-73), LL.B., 10 Anderson Drive, Aberdeen AB] 6TY. Hockey - INNES WALKER (1979-85), 5 Rosebank Place, Aberdeen AB1 2 XN. Petanque - STEVEN J. C. EssoN (1951-64), 'Fairfield', 9 Angusfield Avenue, Aberdeen

AB15 6AR. Rugby - DOUGLAS M. WATSON (1980-85), 40 Westholme Avenue, Aberdeen ABI5 6AB. Swimming - PETER Mutvu' (1952-62), 26 Mile-End Avenue, Aberdeen AB2 4LR. Women's Hockey — EMMA A. HENoizy (1985-91), 25 Gladstone Place, Aberdeen AB1 6UX.

Executive Committee

The Vice-President of the Club, Chairman JAMES M. CLARK (1947-59), Vice-Chairman The Secretary, the Treasurer and the General Editor of the Magazine, ex officiis The Rector of the School, ex officio YVONNE MCALLISTER (1984-90) BRUCE S. ALLAN (1953-58) HARVEY E. MORRISON (1951-65) ALAN G. CAMPBELL (1959-65) JOHN B. RENNIE (1947-53) MELDRUM B. EDWARDS (1947-60) JOHN A. SMITH (1966-72) NEIL K. G. FALCONER (1973-79) ALEXANDER STUART (1932-45) H. ALAN S. HAMILTON (1943-56) G. FRASER WEBSTER (1949-62) GORDON M. INKSON (1986-92)

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Section Representatives

A. KEITH CAMPBELL (1944-53) Cricket - IAN P. SOUTER (1947-61) Curling - BRUCE S. ALLAN (1953-58) Football - MICHAEL H. CHEYNE (1976-81) Golf - GORDON M. INKSON (1986-92) Hockey - JAMES WILLIAMS (1986-92) Petanque - RONALD R. COMBER (1947-52) Rugby - DOUGLAS M. WATSON (1980-85) Staff - RUSSELL GRAY (1951-65) Swimming- PETER M. ROBERTSON (1967-73) Women's Hockey - RHONA MACLENNAN (1981-87) Club Centre -

Auditors Messrs BOWER & SMITH, C.A.

Club Centre Committee A. Keith Campbell Chairman Steven J. C. Esson Secretary Harvey E. Morrison Treasurer Bruce S. Allan House Convener B. Cockburn, R. R. Comber, B. K. Crookshanks, N. Falconer, G. Gordon, H. A. S. Hamilton, J. F. Hendry, N. Hendry, D. McDonald, I. H. McLeod, J. D. Moir, A. Ritchie, F. Robertson, A. Stuart, G. Tawse, J. Williams, D. Younger.

Club Consuls Australia - JAMES W. HOWISON (1937-50), 100 Curtin Avenue, Wahroonga, New South Wales

2076, Australia. Tel. 02-4873164.

Australia - DR. FORBES SMITH (1945-57), 8 Narrung Road, Mount Eliza 3930, Victoria, Australia.

G. DOUGLAS MENZIES (1934-44), 15414 74th Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T5R 2Y4. Tel. 403-487-2566.

Canada - GORDON B. SINGER (1949-50), 103 Lake Mead Drive, Calgary, Canada T2P 3Z7. Tel. 403-278-6716.

Canada - IAN McG. MARR (1954-58), 4 Milne Crescent, Kanata, Ontario, Canada K2K 1H6.

Canada -

Tel. 613-592-2730.

Canada - SANDY WATT (1937-50), RR1 Site 31A, C57, Summerland, British Columbia, Canada

VOH 1ZO. Young, 15F Hutchison House, 10 Hardcourt Road, Central Hong Kong. Tel. 010 852 846 9888. Fax 010 852 868 4432.

Ireland - ANDREW M. M. STEVEN (1936-50), M.A., LL.B., DIP.ED., 5 Beech Hill Avenue, Saintfield Road, Belfast BT8 4NS. New Zealand - MICHAEL B. THOMSON (1938-51), 39 Jubilee Road, Khandallah, Wellington 4, Hong Kong — MARSHALL BYRES, Messrs Ernst &

New Zealand.

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South Africa — JOSEPH FARQUIIARSON (1929-43), Business Mount Nelson Hotel, P.O. Box 2608, CapeTown 8000. Tel. 23-1000 Ext. 153; Home402 Clarepark, Brook Street, Claremont 7700, Cape Town. Tel. 611436.

Thailand - PROF, ALAS1AIR NORTH (1937-41, 1942-50), Asian Institute of Technology, GPO Box 2754, Bangkok 10501, Thailand. Tel. Business 516-2117; Home 373-2818.

U.S.A. — MI( HAIL G. KING (1951-60), 4720 Fortuna Way, Salt Lake City, Utah 84124, U.S.A. Annual General Meeting The ninety-fourth Annual General Meeting of Aberdeen Grammar School Former Pupils' Club was held at the Club Centre, 86 Queen's Road, Aberdeen on Monday, 25 March 1996 at 7.30 pm.

Chairman's Report The Chairman confirmed in his report that the usual activities of the Club had been successfully carried out in the course of the year including, for example, the address to school-leavers, the presidential attendance at the School Prizegiving, and the visit of two sixth year pupils to the London Centre. He made particular mention of the following.

Rubislaw Field A consultant's brief had been prepared and issued. Part of the pump-priming for the proposed development could be contributed from Centenary funds, and a meeting with consultants was scheduled for the day following the AGM. School The strong links between the School and Club continued to be highly valued on both sides. Tangible evidence of this was readily identifiable in the disbursement in 1995-96 of more than £1740 from the Amenities Fund for the support of School Clubs and Societies.

In addition, the Club had supported two young former pupils taking part in Project Trust placements.

Entertainments Although attendances at both the Dinner and the Ball continued to decrease, the quality of both events in 1995 had been high, and Fraser Webster was to be warmly congratulated on his organisation of two very successful and thoroughly enjoyable evenings.

Finance Club and Club Centre officials were in continuing discussion on the overall finances of the Club and the Club Centre, with particular attention to the future financial prospects of both organisations.

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Section Reports Section Reports were requested by the Chairman. A full statement of Section Reports is contained elsewhere in this Magazine.

Accounts and Treasurer's Report for 1995 The 1995 Accounts (reproduced at the end of this Magazine) were submitted and approved.

The Treasurer expressed his disappointment with the deficit for the year, caused to a large extent by underfunding for the Magazine. Steps were being taken to rectify this for the future and, more generally, the Executive Committee would be invited to address the financial performance of the Club with a view to reversing the trend of the past two years. Despite this further deficit, the balance sheet remained healthy.

Election of Office Bearers Officials of the Club were elected in accordance with the list published elsewhere in this Magazine.

Auditors Messrs Bower & Smith, CA, were unanimously reappointed Auditors of the Club and Section Accounts for the coming year.

President's Report When I was approached by the Executive to accept the presidency of Aberdeen Grammar School Former Pupils Club, I felt highly honoured to have my name appended to the illustrious list of my predecessors. Although I have experienced a number of presidencies during my business and social career, I will always regard this appointment as the highest accolade I have ever been awarded. Alas, as has been experienced by all Presidents, the term of office has passed only too quickly.

Melville Watson spoke the truth when, handing over the chain, he warned me that it would be a busy year. Suffice to say that I was able to attend fourteen functions with every one producing its own interests and charms. The first was the Rugby Dinner in May which was very well organised and chaired by the President of the Section, Dave McDonald. It was pleasing to see that the Rugby fraternity is just as boisterous and full of fun as it was forty years ago. During the past year I have been able to attend five 1st XV matches, at four of which we were victorious. Although my location has prevented me from attending other 'Sports Sections' events I know of their many successes. In the same month I was a guest at the Aberdeen Watsonians Dinner, a very enjoyable evening.

Also in May I found great pleasure in assisting at the School Prizegiving, which must be a highlight in every President's term of office, an occasion which is conducted with decorum and grace. To witness the academic achievements of pupils is very rewarding, and , for me, to experience the outstanding contribution made by the girls makes it even more interesting.

Prior to the prizegiving my wife and I were treated to a tour of the School by the Rector. We FPs can be proud of the manner in which our old School is administered by Mr Johnston and

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his enthusiastic staff. In addition, we must be grateful for the keen interest Mr Johnston takes in the Former Pupils Club, attending so many of our functions and invariably giving an outstanding report of the School's activities and successes, with the ever delightful touch of fine humour.

Every year in Glasgow there is a joint function with AGSFPs, Gordonians and High School FPs, and in September we had an entertaining evening in the Kings Theatre when we had a complement of over two hundred, occupying the whole of the Grand Circle to enjoy the final appearance in Glasgow of Scotland the What. Afterwards we were joined by the cast for supper in The Royal Scottish Automobile Club.

In the same month I had the pleasure of enjoying that great little function at Knaresborough of the Yorkshire Section Dinner, a function which I would thoroughly recommend to all FPs as a worthwhile visit. It was the usual evening of real friendship and joy, especially this year for me when I found myself sitting opposite one of my old classmates and social friends, Dr Norman Nicol, whom I had not seen for almost forty years. Dick Tyson was installed in the chair that evening, and I very much appreciate the support and friendship I have had from Dick, who has attended every FP Dinner throughout my term of office. A special bonus at Knaresborough is the fact that the ladies also make the pilgrimage to this lovely little Yorkshire town and they all go off together to have their own function before rejoining the revelling Ft's for a further drink and chat.

Now came the time for the main event, the Annual Dinner in Aberdeen, with an excellent venue at the Marcliffe Hotel. The guest speaker was Jack Webster with his delightful North East tales and humour. Incidentally, Jack has been given the "Speaker of the Year Award for 1996". The supporting speakers were of the same high quality. In spite of the inclement weather we made our way up to the Annual Ball, a superb evening at the Beach Ballroom. I would take this opportunity of congratulating Fraser Webster, who made an outstanding success of these two events in his first year in office.

As a guest at Hazlehead Academy, Gordonians and Stewart Melv iIles I was extended, as is usual, a very warm welcome. The London Dinner was very successfully chaired by Sir Alan Donald who had come off a plane from Hong Kong only a few hours before the function.

A very entertaining evening was enjoyed, rekindling old friendships and making new ones.

The Edinburgh Dinner, on the eve of the disaster with the "Auld Enemy" was the usual Nigel Watt success and ably administered by David Kilgour whom I have also to thank for his continual support at the various dinners.

This year, as FP Club President, I was prevailed upon to propose the toast to "The Auld Noose and The Gordonian Association" at their West of Scotland Centre, at which I felt quite at home, having been a guest on more than twenty occasions at their annual event.

Finally I had the pleasure of attending my own Centre Dinner in Glasgow, which was ably conducted by our Glasgow President, Garry Allan, and as usual organised by that great and untiring stalwart, Basil D P Emslie. My only regret was that it was not until my return from holiday in Victoria, Vancouver Island, that I had a letter of invitation from Peter Jeffrey of our Canadian Centre to their Dinner, which was to be held on the following week in Victoria aboard the Princess Mary floating restaurant. I was sorely tempted to return, having enjoyed Victoria so much.

During my tour of duty, which has been both joyful and rewarding, I cannot but observe that we are experiencing difficulty at the various Centres as well as at home, and I feel that we must organise some system of recruiting new and young members. Our Club is quite unique and has much to offer, and it is these young members who will have to set it in

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the right direction for the next 102 years. We are extremely lucky, because of the foresight of earlier FPs, to have an establishment like the Club Centre in Queens Road, and this also requires more active support. I found it refreshing to be adamantly advised by the Head Boy "I'm going to be a member of the FP Club". We need more like this, and I feel that with a recruiting committee in each Section, working with diligence and determination we can secure our own future.

Finally, may I thank the Executive for their support and all members of Aberdeen Grammar School Former Pupils Club for the honour bestowed on me. A very special thanks to Jock Hendry, the pivot of our Club, for all his help and guidance.

I am delighted to leave the Club in the capable hands of Jim Lyon who has been such an enthusiastic and active member for so many years. I look forward to seeing the Club thriving under his leadership.

Andrew M McLaren (1926-39)

Presidential Profile James C Lyon (1953-59) President 1996-97 Our new President has been around the Club for a long time, with hardly a year passing when he has not had some involvement in participation in, or administration of, one or more of the Club's many components. Jim will be deeply conscious of the high honour which the FP Club has bestowed on him, and there is little doubt that he will wear the badge of office with pride. At the same time, he will regard his Presidency as just one more element in his continuous interest and involvement with the Club, and will approach his duties in his customary workmanlike way.

Jim arrived at Aberdeen Grammar School in 1952 from Woodside Primary. Woodside had a strong footballing tradition and it was obvious that sporting activities were to form an important part of Jim's time at Grammar. From fiercely competitive playground football and a brief flirtation with rugby, he progressed to hockey under the tutelage of Masters John Flett, Bill Williams and Bob Mc Nay. About that time Eric Watt, one of Jim's predecessors as Club President, was awarded his first international Scottish cap while still a schoolboy. This was an inspiration to many to work to emulate his success. Since then Jim has played in just about every position available and, at six feet four inches, it would be unusual if he had not made an impression. As a hockey goal keeper, his large frame covered the relatively small goal, presenting a daunting challenge to any opposition forward; outfield, having acquired a great sense of positional play with football, Jim adapted this to the hockey field making him a difficult opponent to beat.

For many years Jim has been an active member of the Hockey Section and, having captained a number of the elevens, he was made Club Captain, and along with two others donated and presented the Club Captain's Insignia to the Section. His hockey career included various representative games and also membership of the North Veterans Hockey Club, of which he was also a past Captain and Club President. One of his great achievements during his Captaincy was to win the International Invitation Veterans Tournament in Kortrijk, Belgium.

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Jim's education at Grammar was followed by his spell at the Scott Sutherland School of Architecture which in those days incorporated an apprenticeship, in Jim's case, with a well known Aberdeen firm of Allan Ross & Allan. He subsequently joined the firm of Mackie Ramsay & Taylor in 1966 and thereafter in 1969 joined Leo Durn in Minto & Strachan. For the past twenty years he has been self-employed initially in his own name and subsequently with the firm of Lyon & McPherson.

Jim's enthusiasm for everything he became involved with has been his hallmark.

Any task he undertakes is thoroughly performed with scrupulous attention to even the smallest detail. In this he displays both his innate ability to organise and control as well as the benefits of his training and experience as an architect. He was a member of the Aberdeen Society of Architects Committee between 1976 and 1988, becoming a Convener of its Education Committee, Junior and Senior Vice-President and ultimately President of the Society.

Not confining himself to the local Society, he proceeded to become a Fellow of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland as well as a member of the Royal Institute of British Architects. Undoubtedly his knowledge and his commitment were appreciated by the Incorporation in Scotland with membership of various committees including the President's Policy Committee, the Education Committee, the Awards Sub-Committee and, indeed, he was Convener of the General Purposes Committee. This was recognised by his appointment as a Senior Vice-President of the RIAS and by the award of a Fellowship for his contribution to the furtherance of architecture in Scotland. Never far from the scene of his old School of Architecture, he became an External Assessor for the final Part Three Student Examinations between 1976 and 1988.

The commitment made to his various interests would normally have prevented a lesser person from seeking to become involved with his old School and, apart from the involvement in the administration of Hockey, Jim also found time to become a member of the FP Executive. He was Entertainments Convener at an especially difficult time when the Beach Ballroom was closed for renovation, and alternative arrangements had to be made for the Annual Ball to be held in the Music Hall. His commitment and organisational skills were recognised when he became Vice-President of the Club and Chairman of the Executive. His talents have not gone unnoticed and, as well as serving as a member of the FP Club Centre Committee, Jim also deployed his professional skills to assist the Rugby Section in the construction of the Centenary Stand at Rubislaw. Other FP interests include the Golf Section, of which he is also a past Captain and, more recently, the Centenary Committee in 1993. He also took a keen interest in the School itself and became a member of the Aberdeen Grammar School Board between 1991 and 1993.

As if all that has been written before was not enough, just wait - Jim's activities extended well beyond FP Hockey and Golf. Many years ago he was invited to join the Aberdeen Speaker's Club and he is still an active member. In characteristic style, Jim made a committed contribution in this sphere also. Such is his dedication to public speaking, that he has been the principal Speaker at many important functions where his clarity of presentation, humour, wit and delivery have been widely acclaimed. Those who have attended various FP Dinners, both at home and outwith Aberdeen, will be able to relate immediately to his competence as a speaker. Over the past sixteen years he has had to speak at the Aberdeen Society of Advocates, the Speakers Club, the Society of Architects, Stepps Hockey Club 75th Anniversary, the Society of Chartered Surveyors in Aberdeen, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland Dinner, the Institute of Bankers, the Insurance Institute, Banff Round Table 25th Anniversary, the

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Hammerman Incorporation, the Wrights & Coopers Incorporation and the Shoemakers Incorporation all at Trinity Hall in Aberdeen. This is, of course, apart from any attendances at the FP Dinner where he has been asked to sing for his supper.

Preparation for these speaking engagements has involved hours of painstaking research, and, indeed, Jim is very widely read with a vast knowledge on a range of subjects from Egyptology to Natural History. Apart from his great ability to retain and store the knowledge of what he has read, Jim can turn his hand to verse with a strongly Doric flavour, and many of his close friends and associates have benefited from his poetic writings. Many of us would aspire to some poetic talent but, when we meet and hear a master of the art, our own aspirations pale into insignificance. His inspiration to others, his encouragement and support often brings out the best in us, yet his down to earth humility endears him to many.

Members of his Thursday night training group at the FP Club Centre will often have walked the hills with Jim and shared his experiences over a fine malt whisky or a pint at the end of the journey. Time passes quickly when you are in the company of our new President and his wife Sheila, son Alistair and daughter Wendy. Jim and Sheila are most amiable hosts and I am sure that all who meet with them during his Presidential Year will endorse this sentiment.

By the time many of you read this profile Jim will have retired from active participation in the business of Lyon 8, McPherson. There is no truth in the rumour that he retired in order to devote his time to the FP Club. Such is Jim's commitment to the Club that he has already engaged himself to attend the Canadian Centre Dinner in Ottawa in September, before rushing back to the UK in order to attend the Yorkshire Dinner at the end of the month. Jim Lyon will be a great ambassador for the Club in performing the various duties to which he will be called during his year of office. We wish him well and at the same time hope that he has an enjoyable year as our President. Those of us who have the opportunity of spending a few minutes in his company on any of the FP occasions during the year will be the better for that experience.

AKC

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Centre Reports Club Centre Membership of the Centre at 31 December 1995 was 684, and while this shows a decline on the previous year, it has to be said that our membership has been relatively constant over the last five years. What really matters is the numbers using the Club, and there continues to be scope for more intensive use of the Club Centre facilities.

Future developments at Rubislaw are under very active consideration by the Executive of the parent FP Club, and the Centre Management Committee recognises, as does the Executive, that in a very real sense the future of the Centre is bound up with Rubislaw. If plans for Rubislaw can be brought to fruition, increased FE' usage would be expected and with that there is every reason to believe that the use, and therefore the viability, of the Centre would be enhanced.

During the past year we have been fortunate that no major repairs have been required, so that maintenance costs have been halved. There have been significant alterations to the premises, however, which have been very obvious. The Lounge Bar has been opened through to the former dining room to provide a new TV Lounge, which is proving popular, especially for the various sporting events broadcast on specialist sports channels.

The other change, again to the Lounge Bar, is the abandonment of the Snug, to provide a kitchen facility so that snack meals can be provided for the convenience of members.

This has been welcomed by our hungry members.

Both these alterations have been carried out by our Steward at a considerable saving to us against the cost of engaging contractors and, in this context, mention should also be made of the further improvement of the Sports Bar by the installation of new fixed seating.

This was obtained through the good offices of a member at no cost, and the fitting was done by the Steward. This greatly enhances the bar, which is used a good deal for functions.

Functions held during the year included a Fireworks night, Quiz night, and a Burns Lunch, as well as various Discos and Barbecues throughout the year. An attempt to have a 3 am "Breakfast special" viewing of the Scotland v All Blacks rugby international was unfortunately stymied by the Licensing Board.

The Management Committee is always on the look out for ways in which to improve the facilities which are available for members. Refurbishment of the snooker table has been carried out and approval has recently been given for a scheme to revamp the rear wing of the Club Centre over the kitchen premises by re-locating the ladies toilet on that floor, opening up the whole area, and providing a mini-gym with ancillary shower facilities.

Christmas cards bearing a drawing of the Club Centre were made available for purchase by members and will again be on sale this coming Christmas. A new item is now on sale - a special blend of Scotch Whisky with labels bearing the Club's regalia. These are bound to become collectors items in the future.

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Our whole operation depends on use of the Centre, which means expanding our membership and exploring ways to make the Centre and its facilities more attractive to all its members.

As in previous years, thanks are due to George and the staff for their efforts in the past year, and in particular to George for work done in conversion of the snug and work on the fitness room. Thanks should also be recorded on this occasion to Brian Crookshanks, who has served as Chairman of the Club Centre Management Committee for the past six years.

Brian, of course, has been a key figure in the Centre's development from its foundation and early years, when he held the appointment of Secretary of the Club Centre, through years of service as a Management Committee member, to his most recent stint as Chairman. Brian's commitment to the Club Centre, as to all aspects of FP life, has been exemplary, and his surefooted chairmanship of the Management Committee give the Club one more cause to be grateful to him.

The Centre is fortunate that Brian has been succeeded by a similarly committed FP, Keith Campbell.

Canada The Canadian Centre held its Annual Dinner on Saturday 21 October 1995 in Victoria, British Columbia. The event took place "on board" S S Princess Mary - one of the old steamships which plied the Victoria-Vancouver-Seattle route until 25 years ago, and is now a restaurant.

The evening opened with an informal gathering centred round old school photographs and brief notes on those present. Our Canadian Centre President, Ian McDougall, presided most graciously over the evening and gave a most interesting speech on the subject of two FPs who emigrated to Canada in the 19th century, both of whom were very influential in the field of education in Canada. They were John Strachan (1788-92), who became the first Lord Bishop of Toronto, and Robert Mackay (1846-47), the first Primate of All Canada.

The following FPs attended the dinner: I A McDougall (1915-26) Victoria, British Columbia, D L McDougall (1922-28) Victoria, British Columbia, G C Warrack (1924-37) Comox, British Columbia, G D Menzies (1934-44) Edmonton, Alberta, F F Gauld (1938-44) Vancouver, British Columbia, W D Jenkins (1939-44) Edmonton, Alberta, J P Jeffrey (194459) Calgary, Alberta, G B Singer (1948-49) Calgary, Alberta, A D Thomson (1951-64)Victoria, British Columbia, ) G Muir (1958-71) Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Geographical distances are a major consideration in Canada when planning an event such as this. It was therefore most encouraging to see such a good turn out of FPs, spouses and guests. Perhaps special credit should be given to John Muir who travelled 5,000 km (and four time zones!) from Halifax to Victoria for the dinner. The following morning, everyone gathered for brunch. David Auld (1947-61) joined us en route from the airport. Afterwards Ian McDougall invited everyone to his home, where a most pleasant and memorable afternoon was spent reminiscing over old school photographs and many stories.

It is with great sadness that I have to report the death of Ian A McDougall in March of this year. He will be a great loss to the FP Club in Canada, but we feel privileged to have had him as our President for the 1995 dinner.

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This year's Canadian Centre dinner (organised by Peter Green) is to be held on Saturday 14 September 1996 in Ottawa, Ontario, with a brunch on the following day. All FPs and their spouses, whether resident in Canada or visiting, are most cordially invited to attend.

Please contact J Peter Jeffrey (Secretary AGSFPC Canadian Centre), 615 Willoughby Crescent SE, Calgary, Alberta T21 1Z9. Tel: 403-271-0704, Fax: 403-278-7240.

Edinburgh The Edinburgh Centre held its Annual Dinner on Friday 1 March 1996 in the Carlton Highland Hotel, Edinburgh. President David Kilgour welcomed the company of fifty-five members and guests who included Andrew McLaren, President of the Parent Club, the Rector, Robin Macpherson, President of Edinburgh Gordonians, Gary Allan and Dick Tyson, Presidents respectively of the Glasgow and Yorkshire Centres, Anna Roach, Head Girl and Andrew Frost (deputising for the Head Boy).

The principal guest was John Htet-Khin who proposed the toast of "The School and the Club" in most humorous fashion. Replies were made by the Rector and the Parent Club President. At the end of the evening the Centre Vice President Brian Gray thanked David Kilgour for the excellent way in which he had chaired the proceedings.

During the course of the Dinner the Centre held its Annual General Meeting. Brian Gray and Morrison Brown were elected as the new President and Vice President, Nigel Watt was re-elected as Hon. Secretary and Treasurer and the other committee members are Peter Millar and Keith Masson.

As has become the custom, the annual golf match with the Glasgow Centre was played within the Centre's Annual Outing at Bruntsfield in August - as usual the Edinburgh Centre triumphed and thus retained the trophy. The Outing itself was won by lain MacLeod with an excellent Stableford score of thirty-eight points. He thus won the Mor Brown trophy for the second time. Ex-Presidents Jimmy McGregor and Ronnie Smith were in second and third places respectively, both with scores of thirty-six points. The company enjoyed excellent fellowship and a good high tea was partaken in the Clubhouse afterwards. The Club President David Kilgour presented the prizes.

This year's outing will be held at Bruntsfield on Wednesday 28 August 1996 and again will incorporate the match with the Glasgow Centre.

Next year's Dinner will be held on Friday 17 January 1997, the eve of the Scotland/ Wales Rugby International at Murrayfield. Any reader who has recently come to the Edinburgh area and who has not received any communication from the Centre is invited to contact Nigel Watt at his business address of 21 Stafford Street, Edinburgh - Tel: 0131 225 8884.

The following FPs attended the Dinner: G1 G Allan (1963-76), A M Beattie (194457), D A Brittain (1943-49), W M Brown (1933-46), A H Cairns (1943-56), 1 P Cairns (194557), A K Campbell (1944-53), J MT Cheyne (1939-52), T G Coutts (1938-49, 1950-51), D L Cowie (1942-44), I M Duguid (1938-43), B D D Emslie (1929-3)5, SIC Esson (1951-64), Dr D J Fettes (1953-59), J E Fraser (1936-49), Dr B S Gray (1943-49), J Heath (1950-63), S A Howard (1947-58), I M Jeffrey, W I Johnston (Rector), D G Kilgour (1938-50), Rev Dr I F Kirk (1937-47), J C Lyon (1953-59), Dr J A McGregor (1935-44), A M McLaren (1926-39), Al K Monro (1933-46), W A Morrison-Gill (1923-26), W M Murray (1945-54), Dr A E Philip

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(1943-56), R S Rilley (1947-55), S A C Robertson (1939-51), D P Smith (1945-47), R G C Smith (1926-37), R F Tyson (1944-49), N G M Watt (1963-69), R A Williamson (1928-36).

Glasgow Gordonians organised our annual joint function with High School FPs and ourselves on 18 September 1995. They deserve full marks for a most successful occasion.

Scotland the What were presenting their swan song at the Kings Theatre, Glasgow.

We took over the dress circle enjoying Buff, Steve and George who kindly joined us at a buffet supper after the show in The Royal Scottish Automobile Club.

The Club Centre's Annual Dinner was held on Friday 15 March 1996 in the Swallow Hotel, Glasgow, with an attendance of fifty-two including the ladies. Gary Allan presided.

The Principal Guest for the first time was a lady, Roselea Morrison, deputy sheriff, who, in spite of a very bad cold, entertained the company with her clever proposal of the School and the Club.

In his reply on behalf of the School the Rector, as always, entertained us while informing and updating us on the School. President Andrew McLaren, of whom we are all proud in his election as the first Parent Club President from the Glasgow Centre, replied on behalf of the Club in his pawky style with anecdotes of his busy year as President.

Stefan Coiling, the Head Boy, kept up the high standard of his predecessors with an excellent speech. Basil Emslie gave a composite vote of thanks.

Finally Gary expressed the Glasgow Centre FPs' appreciation to Andrew by presenting him with a quaich appropriately engraved.

A short AGM took place immediately after dinner. The following were elected as office bearers for 1996-97: President Gary Allan, Secretary Basil Emslie, Treasurer Peter Cairns, Committee Andrew McLaren, Ian Ferguson, David Allan.

The following FPs attended the Annual Dinner: Willie Gow (1918-19, 1925-28), Rev Gibb Pennie (1923-39), Andrew McLaren (1926-39), Basil Emslie (1929-35), Sandy Mcllwain (1945-51), David Allan (1945-58), Peter Cairns (1945-57), Gary Allan (1963-76), Willie Woods (1970-76), Stephen Lamb (1972-77), Bill Johnston (Rector), Anna Roach (Head Girl), Stefan Coiling (Head Boy).

Forthcoming events are: Wednesday 28 August 1996 - Golf v Edinburgh FPs at Bruntsfield Golf Club; Saturday 14 September 1996 - Joint Function with Gordonians, High School FPs; Friday 21 March 1997 - Glasgow Centre Dinner, Swallow Hotel.

It would be appreciated if any FPs resident even temporarily in the West of Scotland would contact the Secretary, Basil Emslie on 0141 956 4299, 8 Western of Mugdock, Milngavie, Glasgow G62 8LQ.

London Our first significant event in 1995 was the AGM held on Wednesday 31 May in our traditional venue of the Caledonian Club. Sir Alan Donald, KCMG, was re-elected as President, Sandy Nicol elected as Secretary and Ron Caie elected as Treasurer. Hamish Norbrook was elected to the Executive Committee. The remaining vacancy on the Executive Committee was to be filled later in the year by Ian Duguid. After completion of the formalities of the AGM, the

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assembled company retired to the Caledonian Club's Members' Dining Room for a very enjoyable dinner.

The traditional Sixth Form London Visit took place from Sunday 11 June to Saturday 17 June. Deputy Head Girl, Anita Koruth, and Deputy Head Boy, Theo Trayhurn, were the participants. Accommodation during the visit was provided by Sandy Nicol and his wife.

The programme included visits to I Sainsbury plc, The Big Issue, Canary Wharf Tower, London Underground Engineering, the BBC World Service, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Kleinwort Benson Private Bank. Time was also found for a Harrods Round London Sightseeing Tour, a concert at the Barbican Centre and a visit to the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, not to mention the obligatory shopping trip.

On Friday 17 November our President, Sir Alan Donald, hosted the Annual Dinner in the Caledonian Club. As our principal guest, we were very pleased to welcome Aberdeen Councillor, Michael Hastie. Councillor Hastie (an FP) very ably toasted "The School and the Club". Replies were made by the Parent Club President, Andrew McLaren, and the Depute Rector, Athol Garden, incidentally making his first visit to a London Centre Dinner.

The Edinburgh and Yorkshire Centres were represented at the Dinner by David Kilgour and Dick Tyson respectively. Ian Wilson represented the London Gordonians. A surprise, but very welcome guest, was Jock Hendry.

The following FPs attended the Dinner: R Allan (1985-91), S Allan (1983-89), J G C Brown (1930-42), J B Davidson (1947-60), Sir Alan Donald (1942-44), I M Duguid (193843), A Garden, I Grant (1984-90), M C Hastie, I F Hendry (1951-65), D Hopkin (1955-61), J G W Jones (1937-47), D G Kilgour (1938-50), R Kitson (1946-58), M Lyall (1935-48), C McIntosh (1952-58), A McLaren (1926-39), A Nicol (1962-71), A S Noble (1930-52), I Reid (1951-63), I D Reid (1954-65), D Robbie (1936-48), B Shirriffs (1979-84), G Shirriffs (194757), J Sinclair (1947-59), J L S Thomson (1920-27), I Tosh (1947-48), R Tyson (1944-49), M Wagrel (1943-49) and H M R Watt (1926-38).

Yorkshire Our Annual Dinner was held at the Dower House, Knaresborough on 29 September 1995 with a total of 17 members, visiting Presidents and guests attending.

We were pleased to welcome two enterprising young visitors - Gordon Inkson and James Wilson - who had travelled from Aberdeen for this particular dinner. The dinner also provided an opportunity for our President, Wilson McIntosh, to reflect on his term in office before handing over to Dick Tyson.

Wilson had fond recollections of the dinners he had attended at all the Club Centres, of the new friendships made and the old ones reaffirmed. His enjoyment of his time in office was clearly obvious and his moving words on the values of the Club, combined with the depth of his appreciation of the support and friendship of all members was warmly applauded.

Wilson was confident that Dick Tyson would equally enjoy his time as President.

Yorkshire Centre members wished to record their appreciation of Wilson's three years in office, for his consistent good humour and his calm dignity at our more formal events.

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Those present at the dinner were: W Johnston (Rector), Andrew McLaren (President, Parent Club), David Kilgour (President, Edinburgh), Sir Alan Donald (President, London), J F Hendry (1951-65), Dr A W McIntosh (1932-45), W J Alexander (1931-43), R F Tyson (194449), W S Gilchrist (1929-36), Dr NT Nicol (1926-39), I N Reid (1954-63, 65-67), W Johnstone (1940-44), D P Smith (1945-47), G lnkson (1986-92), J Wilson, R Abel (1951-64), S Duthie (1964-69), I A Fraser (1962-68), D Skene (1959-64).

Section Reports Curling The season has been dogged, it would seem, by the doubtful future of the Curling Rink, which has been constantly troubled by financial problems. Of this more later.

Towards the end of the first half of the season the illness of both John Drummond and Roy Nudd made it necessary to reduce the number of rinks in our internal leagues from five to four for the second half of the season. At present we have very few spare curlers.

The Autumn League was won from the original five rinks by the Geddie Hay rink with Kathleen Cruickshank, Lorraine Hay and Ian Souter. From the turn of the year George Cruickshank's Rink with Peter Burnet, Crosby Chisholm and Gail Tawse won the Knock Out Cup. The John Paterson rink with Bruce Allan, Barton Brown and Pat Fiddes won both the Pairs Competition and the Spring League to round off the internal competitions.

The Annual Gordonian contest was peeled this year with the usual social atmosphere, and our Annual Dinner in the Atholl Hotel was a great success.

Thanks to the efforts of a small number of very hard working curlers, Curling in Aberdeen has survived its financial crisis and now has a sound future, with an easy way to try out the game for any prospective curler. I hope that this will encourage the new blood which is much needed in the FP Section. Anyone interested should contact the Secretary, Bruce Allan, Tel: 642557.

Football After a successful 1994-95 season in which we won the League Cup and gained promotion, expectations were high for 1995-96. We strengthened the squad by bringing in a couple of players from higher leagues and this proved a real bonus in terms of experience and "age". Age and not experience, proved to be a significant factor when K Davidson and Martin both had to take lengthy sabbaticals during the season due to injury, but by then they had served their purpose.

A sturdy defence, an agile midfield and a penetrating forward line led us to second in the league very quickly where we remained for most of the season. In defence, players such as Mann, Houston, R Cheyne, P Davidson and Riddoch, were so formidable that opposing forward lines seemed to cringe at the sight of this class act.

In midfield Hendry, R Davidson, Smith, McPherson, Nicholson and Hislop combined like a piece of machinery - unfortunately, the wheel occasionally came off and the whole thing had to be sent for a service. Servicing normally took place in the Granary and Oh

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Henry's, and not until this slick unit was well oiled was the night considered a success. Our frontline consisted of a bunch of footballing nomads who between them had more clubs than Seve. With charisma oozing every time Seager, Simpson and Sinclair got the ball you can understand how this trio kept the fans happy or (laughing) with their deadly finishing.

Away games to Auchnagatt, Insch, Stonehaven, Rothienorman, Potterton and Inverurie enhanced the team's reputation as we realised the true meaning of amateurs, with the opposition realising the meaning of enigma.

As always we are grateful for the excellent facilities provided by Hughie and George at Rubislaw and the Club Centre.

Special mention should be made of Ian Corsie who manages, coaches and trains the team and also Richard Nicholson who undertakes all the Section's administrative tasks, and last but not least Ray Riddoch who convenes and organises many of the entertainments (and on the pitch is the entertainment). We welcome on to the Committee Steve Trail, who will thoroughly enjoy our occasional Thursday night soirees. Congratulations also to Paul Davidson for winning the Player of the Year award and for his all round contribution to the Football Section, and to Rupert Seager for being top goalscorer with 40 goals.

Finally, thanks to Gerry Muldoon for securing sponsorship for 1996-97 from Absign, which is very much appreciated by everyone at the Club. This has enabled us to purchase a kit in the old Grammar School colours. (Unfortunately, most of our squad remember these colours, especially Mr Mann and Mr Trail.)

Golf The Golf Section had a successful season, although not a lot of golf was played.

Gordonians forgot about the Challenge Trophy and then failed to turn up when we invited them to play for the HAR Trophy.

Two Outings were held at Braemar and, for the first time in several years, we returned to Ballater having dinner at Potarch. Angus MacCuish was last year's Captain. A non FP, since Benbecula is outwith the Grammar catchment, Angus has been a staunch patron of the FP Club Centre for many years.

The weekend Outing to Taymouth was the highlight of the year. Vast quantities of Lebanese red wine were consumed by all but, surprisingly, this did not impair the scoring.

Significant handicap reductions were the order of the weekend with, for example, Donald Michie being cut from 28 to 14 and Harry Kinghorn from 6 to scratch. Norman Garden's graceful swing withstood the considerable pressure best of all to win the Carry Cup in a closely contested competition.

Old Carthusians beat us narrowly in the second round of The Queen Elizabeth Schools Tournament at Barnton. Doug and Andrew Fowlie won their match easily and with Doug Mitchell and Gordon Inkson losing, the match depended on Ian Cresswell holing, or rather not holing, a three foot putt on the 18th green. He should have done a "Norman Garden" assume the opponents had conceded the putt and march off to the bar for refreshment.

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Hockey This season the Hockey Section has not produced many satisfactory performances and in general is not maintaining the standards set by its predecessors. Over the last five seasons those Clubs who regularly train and play on artificial pitches have held an advantage over FP teams and, to address this matter, the Section continues with its endeavours to procure such a surface at Rubislaw, of which more later.

This season was overshadowed by the tragic loss of Craig Clark. Craig was a talented young man both on and off the field of play and had justifiably achieved a first team place which he would surely have held for many years. Having played on Saturday afternoon he became ill in the early hours of Sunday morning succumbing to a rare form of meningitis. The first team were beaten that afternoon in their Scotsman Cup match in Edinburgh and subsequent results in the National League show how much the team has been affected. Craig will be missed but we will not forget him.

The first team after the December-January break were still in a mid-table position despite five narrow defeats. A radical, new training system was adopted and the team showed a major improvement towards the end of the season. Dan Wright was appointed Club coach and has introduced team members to the way hockey should be played on an artificial surface.

Next season we hope FPs will return to a level at which promotion to Division One is an achievable objective.

The second team had a very poor season overall and just managed to avoid relegation to Division Two by winning their final game. There were too many winning opportunities squandered. Next season the team will have learned to be more positive and not to relax until after the final whistle.

The third team finished third in League Division Two but with a regular keeper they should be capable of gaining promotion next season.

The fourth team started the season poorly and these early losses counted at the end of the season, when they failed in their bid to be promoted to Division Two. As usual, they had to suffer the consequence of playing with a changed team every week. In excess of forty club members turned out for them over the season. Many young players from the School showed promise and they contributed to a run of seven wins, which promises well for next season.

The Grammarians were unfortunately relegated to Division Three. They struggled through the season and lack of fitness was a contributory factor. Nevertheless, they finished the season with an exceptional win, having been 1-6 down at half-time, they ran out 7-6 winners at the final whistle.

The indoor squad will continue next season in Division Two of the National League and will certainly use the experience from this season to good effect. They were narrowly beaten in the semi-final of the indoor shield competition which they had won last year.

It was confirmed at the AGM that the Club is capable of maintaining our predecessors' standards with improvements to be made in fitness, ruthlessness in front of goal and in the application of the necessary techniques for playing on artificial surfaces. This brings us back to the development project at Rubislaw.

For a number of years now, the Section has had a desire to have an artificial surface laid at Rubislaw Playing Field. This year we have applied to the Scottish Sports Council Lottery Sports Fund and to the Foundation for Sport and the Arts and, if successful, the likelihood

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is that by Spring 1997 construction work may commence. The Section will still have to contribute 25% of the costs and at present the committee are preparing several ways of ensuring this can achieved. Next season could be one of the most important in the Section's history and, with maximum effort from members, we shall realise our ambitions.

I would like to thank the Rector, Mr W Johnston, and PE Department Head, Mr D Swanson, for their assistance with the development project and continued support of the Section, the Club Centre Steward and his staff, the Groundsman at Rubislaw and the other sports Sections who are also supporting the project.

After four years of sponsorship by Stronachs the Section thanks Mr J Merson, Mr D Allan and the other partners for their welcome contributions. It is possible that in the future they may once again associate with the Section.

Petanque The Section is still in good heart and despite an excellent, well-watered, dinner at the Athol! Hotel, the Treasurer assures us we are still solvent.

Most of our play is on Saturday and Sunday and all aspiring players (young and old) are most cordially invited to come along and join us.

We intend to encourage family participation by providing barbecue facilities (already lit) so that visitors can bring their own food and perhaps chuck a boule on the piste while their food is cooking.

Last year's competition results were as follows: Summer Solstice Singles (Peter Tawse Memorial Cup), Ron Comber, Club Open Championships - Singles, Vera Bullock, Doubles, Ayron and Ron Comber, Triples, Gail Tawse, Dick Cradock, David Earp.

Both above events were accompanied by very successful barbecues.

Rugby This year has been one of the most successful seasons for a long time with the Section gaining promotion to the First Division of the National Leagues. This has been achieved against a background of a particularly harsh winter which saw little competitive rugby for almost eight weeks, and a string of injuries to key players. Off the field, the administration has seen changes with the appointment of Steve Coward from Western Australia as our new Youth Development Officer and Senior Coach.

Complementing the first XV's promotion, the second XV once again brought distinction to the Section, winning the North Second XV League. It remains a priority for the Club to ensure strong second XV league opposition without which the strength in depth which is now required would not be available.

The third XV fared well in both the Aberdeen and District League and Cup, but did not recapture any silverware. The Club also took part in the inaugural Tennent's 1556 SRU Cup competition, performing well against quality opposition as well as featuring prominently in the McEwan's Try Competition, having scored 53 League tries in the season.

The Section continues to support an active youth policy with frequently more than 100 youngsters turning out for Mini and Midi Rugby, and also strong Under-16 and 18 sides.

It remains the hope and wish of the Section that the links between the School and the Section are strengthened through the Youth side as a feeder to the Senior teams.

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The introduction of professionalism will doubtless see a change in the way rugby is administered and played. The continued support of all our members, both playing and nonplaying, is vital to the success of the Section and we look forward to that support at both home and away games next season. Catering for all ages from 5, the Section looks forward to the exciting developments ahead and to leading the way for Rugby in the North.

Swimming The Section continues to thrive in the recently refurbished pool facilities, and the earlier entry time of 6 pm, which has been adopted for the Family Session, has proved popular with members.

As always, new members are welcome for any of the Club sessions and further information can be obtained from the Secretary.

Session times (on Tuesday evenings during school terms) are as follows and members are reminded that children must be accompanied at all times by an adult and must vacate the pool at the end of the Family Session: Family Session, 6.00 - 7.30 pm, Adult Members Session, 7.30 - 8.30 pm, Free Swimming Session, 8.30 - 9.30 pm.

Club Officials for the 1996-97 period were re-elected as follows: Mr R Houghton, President, Mr N Marr, Treasurer, Mr P Mulvey, Secretary.

Women's Hockey The 1995-96 season has been our best ever. The most exciting news for this season was our 1st XI finishing the season as North District Division One Champions for the first time in our history. This achievement is our proudest to date. Many groups and individuals made key contributions to our success, too many to thank individually, but they do know who they are.

Our 2nd XI have also been in excellent form. They were promoted to Division One this year and have managed to stay there. All too often, teams promoted one year are relegated the next, but not our 2nd XI, who battled very well and thoroughly deserved to stay up.

Due to work commitments, Murray Bisset, our coach in more recent seasons, has been unavailable for much of the season. One of our players, Rhona MacLennan, has taken the training sessions on most occasions and, to her credit, she has done an excellent job.

Another special mention should be noted for our sponsors, Stronachs, for their financial help. They are not continuing their sponsorship, so that we will have a slight name change for 1996-97.

Mr Richard Wallis is another individual to whom we are greatly indebted. He has umpired a large percentage of our matches this season in some appalling weather conditions, for which we are more than grateful. We would also like to thank all the other umpires for their assistance over the year.

On top of everything else this year, eighteen of our Section went on tour to Dublin for the Easter Hockey Festival in April. We had a superb weekend and we achieved our main goal which was to return to Scotland with the same eighteen girls who had left Glasgow on Friday! Most of the goings on in between were a little hazy!

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The following is a list of the Section's achievements in 1995-96: North District Division One Champions; Indoor Challenge Shield Winners; North District 11-A-Side Tournament Winners; Bell Baxter 7-A-Side Tournament Runners-Up; Stronachs Cup Winners; third in the National District Champions Tournament; quarter-finalists in the Scottish Confined Cup (lost to eventual winners); two sides in North District Division One; two Scottish Schoolgirl representatives; representatives for North District at various levels (coaches and players).

Although 1995-96 will be very hard to beat, next year is our tenth season and we hope to celebrate this with even better performances. Any new players are always very welcome. Simply contact one of the officials for details.

Finally both elevens would like to thank all those who have come along to watch the matches. It is very encouraging to have an audience giving, sometimes much needed, support.

Section officials for 1996-97 are: Rhona MacLennan, President (Tel: 644162), Karen Hay, Treasurer (Tel: 641650), Emma Hendry, Secretary/lst XI Captain (Tel: 322845), Fiona Robertson, 2nd Xl Captain (Tel: 643472).

Annual Dinner The 1995 Annual Dinner, held at the Marcliffe at Pitfodels on 22 October 19%, was the defining event of the Club's current status. It was an absolutely superb occasion (and the writer has no qualms about hyperbole), during which the mission and importance of the Club were eloquently reinforced, and it was attended by 90 members and guests, in all probability, the smallest number ever to attend an Annual Dinner. The meal was excellent and the whole ambience was a cause for the highest congratulations to Fraser Webster, the Entertainments Secretary, and to the staff of the Marcliffe at Pitfodels. Where were you?

An entirely unprepared theme ran through all the speeches - the ethos of the Grammar School and its importance in the world today.

Jack Webster was the principal speaker, a special friend of the President, Andrew McLaren, and selected on that qualification and neither despite nor because of his excellent performance in the same role only three years earlier. In his hugely appreciated toast of the School and the Club, he repeated his 1992 performance only slightly - and some of us particularly missed the reaffirmation of the North-East wisdom that, "it's airses that coont" but he assertively and highly amusingly reaffirmed his north-east roots and the importance of his upbringing in the north-east (albeit including education at Robert Gordon's College) in his approach to life and the development of his career.

When the company had almost exhausted itself in laughing at his locally apt stories, Mr Webster concluded by drawing all the tales together as exemplars of the truth that his generation of north-eastern Scots had grown up with demanding standards, had been instructed to make the most of themselves, while treating each other decently, and that Grammar School Former Pupils had been instrumental in disseminating this ethos at home and abroad.

The Rector, relpying on behalf of the School, and referring to Jack Webster's stories of his home town, began by acknowledging with surprise, that "ethos" was obviously a word coined in Maud before the Greeks got hold of it! His own address was largely informed, he

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told the company, by a two year survey of sixteen schools investigating schools' ethos. He was concerned, he said, to report on the tangible effects of the School's ethos.

He referred, in particular, to the extraordinary achievement of the School in winning the oldest national schoool football trophy (established in 1903). This was the first in 1995 occasion on which the Scottish trophy had ever been won by a north-east school (though Grammar had reached the semi-finals twice in the last five years), and he attributed the team's success against the favourites in the quarter-finals to a mixture of character and tradition.

This was the true Corinthian spirit, of which the School and the Club could be proud.

Another prime example of success was the achievement of the School's chess team in winning the Scottish championship three years out of four. This too, was an achievement based on a combination of ability and commitment.

In all sorts of other extra-curricular activities, the ethos of the School was characterised, partly by success, but predominantly by the high level of participation and commitment. The enormous participation in girls' hockey, with eight active teams, supported

by FPs and one member of staff, also stood to the credit of the ethos of the School and Club.

The extent of the School's extra-curricular activities stood favourable comparison with any state school in Scotland, and it was on its extra-curricular activities that the School was judged. As for academic success, however, it was gratifying to note that Sarah Clarke had come top in CSYS Modern Studies for the whole of Scotland.

The atmosphere of the School, he assured FPs, was productive and relaxed, the links with the Club were strong, and all would be well if - and how many times will this appear in the Magazine? - a modern Games Hall was in place.

The President, Andrew McLaren, continued the theme of the north-eastern (and Grammar School) ethos of high standards, by affirming the advantage he had found in his dealings throughout the world from his Grammar School education and, particularly, from the higher quality of engineering training which was supplied and demanded in Aberdeen.

While entertaining the company with amusing Glasgow stories from the area of his adopted home, he emphasised the strong support for the Club both in Glasgow and in Aberdeen.

Alan Campbell's toast to the guests was a genuine tour de force and continued the theme of the ethos of the School and Club by identifying some of the Club's noteworthy servants - notably Jock Hendry - who exemplified the spirit of unselfish commitment on which the Club relied. Unfortunately, for those who were absent, the style of eulogy (consistent with Aberdonian back-handed compliments), which Alan adopted, was not consistent with reproduction in print. Those of us who were present, however, will take care, when visiting Finzean, not to "wear the fox hat".

True to the ethos of the School and Club, it was assigned to George Allan, the Headmaster of Gordon's College, to respond to Alan's toast, which had left the company impatient of anything not approaching the highest comic standard. Mr Allan rose to the challenge manfully - as well he might, having attended seventeen previous dinners and having been asked to speak only at this dinner, on the occasion of his retirement. He amused the company with one or two teachers' anecdotes, but also confirmed Mr Johnston's own statement (in his reply on behalf of the School) that, as changes in school education continued, Robert Gordon's College (in the independent sector) and Aberdeen Grammar School (in the

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state sector) had become different types of school and were no longer directly comparable.

- Shades of ethos again! He thanked the Club for its hospitality over the years, and wished the Club every success in the years ahead.

Douglas Fowlie graciously proposed a well deserved vote of thanks to Andrew McLaren for his sympathetic chairmanship of proceedings, and the evening concluded, as always, with convivial comradeship at the bar.

The Dinner is a metaphor for the Club: an entirely praiseworthy, thoroughly enjoyable, and consistently successful institution, which does not enjoy the support it deserves.

Please participate in 1996. Despite the writer's best efforts, you don't know what you're missing.

Ei(,

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Honours and Awards Privy Counsellor Robin Finlayson Cook (1950-60), who has been Labour Member of Parliament for Livingston since 1983, was made a member of the Privy Council in this year's Birthday Honours List. He is currently Shadow Foreign Secretary.

Commander of the Order of the British Empire Neil Mackie (1963-66), °St), was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 1996 New Year Honours List in recognition of his services to music. He was elected to membership of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (FRS) in March 1996. His career is founded on the concert platform where, with an extensive repertoire, he is equally at home, and has achieved equal distinction, with his interpretation of the works of the great classical composers and the compositions of modern masters, many of them his own contemporaries.

On the occasion of his debut in 1992 at the Vienna Musikverein in the St Matthew Passion, the chief music critic of that city said of him, "Neil Mackie is probably the Evangelist of our time". In addition to his heavy concert commitments, he is Professor of Vocal Studies at the Royal College of Music, London, of which he is himself a graduate.

Order of Gorkha Dakshina Bahu (2nd Class) Alastiar Macarthur North (1937-50), OBE, BSc, PhD, DSc, FRSE, FRIC, was honoured in lune 1995 with the Royal decoration Prasiddha Prabal Gorkha Dakshina Bahu (Second Class) by the King of Nepal for services rendered to promote the technological education and development of Nepal. The Order is the highest Royal decoration awarded by the King to foreigners other than prime ministers and heads of state. The decoration attests to the continued expansion of collaboration between the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), of which Prof North has been President since 1983, and Nepal. HRH the Crown Prince has attended introductory courses at the Institute in information technology and its application in the development and management of the country's environmental, energy and water resources. AIT had up to April 1995 produced a total of 368 graduates from Nepal.

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Prof North's work has been previously recognised by the award of Commandeur dans l'Ordre de Palmes Academiques (France), Commander in the Order of King Leopold II (Belgium), and Officer of the Order of the British Empire.

Sui Yen Ah-See (1978-84), MBChB, whose marriage is reported elsewhere in this Magazine graduated in Medicine at Aberdeen University in 1989. She is now in general practice in Cambridge. She was Head Girl in 1983-84. Her younger sister Mei Lin Wong Ah-See (1981-87) BA, MBChB, is a graduate of Cambridge University and is now a Senior House Officer at St Mary's Hospital, Paddington.

George Gordon Allan (1939-51) has had his third book published. Not All Mud and Scrums: Rugby Union before Professionalism (Alpha Press, Brighton) chronicles his lifelong involvement in the game as player, spectator and journalist, and touches, in word and photograph, on Grammar personalities including Daily Allardice, Donnie Innes, Ernie Michie, Ron Comber and Freddie Edwards. The author wrote on rugby for The Times for 25 years.

His other books, as mentioned in the Magazine in the last two issues, are Bowling Enchanted Woods and A Sporting Wanderer. He shares the bowls coverage for The Times with David Rhys Jones, a former playing partner of David Bryant and now a television commentator.

Since training with Aberdeen Journals, Allan has lived in London for over 30 years.

Robert Walker Allan (1985-91) graduated as a Bachelor of Science from Heriot-Watt University in 1995 with first class honours in Actuarial Mathematics and Statistics. While there he was awarded a 'Blue' for Hockey. he is now working with Price Waterhouse in London as part of their new actuarial department. Over the next three years, while working there, he will be studying for a fellowship of the Faculty of Actuaries.

Heather Louise Armstrong (1975-79) has been working in international banking in London since 1981. She is studying for a BA degree in Banking and Finance. She has also been involved in the management of an international motorcycle racing team.

Hilary Susan Bowling (1975-80), whose wedding is reported elsewhere in this Magazine, has recently obtained a Diploma in Business Administration. For the past six years she has been working in the Zoology Department of Aberdeen University.

Michael Alexander David Brands (1975-81), BSc (Eng), worked offshore after graduating until 1991, when he set up his own limited company, currently providing engineering support for several oil companies through Brown & Root Engineering. He is married to Lynn Hutchison (1975-79) who qualified as a nursery nurse in 1981, and having now two children of her own, set up the Step by Step Private Nursery in Aberdeen in 1994.

Alexander Bryan Broomfield (1945-55) has retired as chairman of Aberdeen Royal Hospitals NHS Trust. He had held the part-time post since the formation of the Trust in 1992, the first teaching hospital trust in the country. In addition to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, the Trust also runs Aberdeen Maternity Hospital and Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital. During his tenure of office the annual number of patients rose by 5,600 and out-patients by 7,300.

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Former President's Career Change William Morrison Brown (1933-46) has been accepted for a three-year BA course in accountancy at Napier University, Edinburgh next autumn. "Morr", who was President of the FP Club in 1988-89, spent most of his working life with Equity & Law insurance until illhealth forced his retirement in 1983. For the last few years he has been treasurer of St Cuthbert's Church, Edinburgh, where he has successfully computerised the congregational accounts, and his interest in accounting has resulted from this. Morr has had a long history of hip problems resulting in seven replacements and finally the removal of his right hip. He comments on his university acceptance that "they have had mature students up to 45 or so before, but never somebody coming up at 69 and with my disabilities". His many FP friends will wish him success.

Sarah Ruth Clarke (1989-95) has received the David Graham memorial award for gaining the highest marks in CSYS Modern Studies. She is now in her first year at Edinburgh University studying politics.

Graeme Forbes Coutts (1971-76) has been appointed to the board of the Expro Group, Britain's leading oilfield services company, as director of marketing and development. He will be responsible for driving the company's dynamic technology programme forward. He joined the Group six years ago and has been involved in the company's rapid and successful growth through technological and commercial initiatives. A fellow director is Ian McMaster Clubb (1953-58).

David Craig (1937-50), MA, PhD, retired recently as Professor of Creative Writing at Lancaster University. After graduating at Aberdeen University with first class honours in English and winning a Fullerton Scholarship he did research work at Downing College, Cambridge for three years and at Edinburgh for a year before obtaining his PhD from Cambridge with a thesis on "Scottish Literature and its Public". He lectured in Ceylon for two years, was organising secretary of the Workers' Educational Association in North Yorkshire from 196164 and joined the then new University of Lancaster as a lecturer in 1964. He held various appointments there, culminating in the Chair form which he has now retired. He now lives at Burton-in-Kendal, Lancashire, and continues to write. His latest book is Landmarks: An exploration ofgreat rocks, published by Cape in 1995. His rock-climbing is now mainly in Cumbria, although his interest was first kindled in the Cairngorms. His early writing career included appointment as one of the School editors of the Magazine in 1949-50.

Journalist of the Year Jeremy Wynne Cresswell (1962-65), who is energy correspondent for the Press & Journal newspaper in Aberdeen has won the Energy Journalist of the Year category in the 1995 Industrial Society/Texaco Industrial Journalism Awards, and has also been named Business Journalist of the Year in the BT Scottish Press and Broadcast Awards in 1995. In the latter, the judges said of him, "He has the ability to interpret business news for his readers without overwhelming them - and ultimately allowing them to form their own opinion".

Educated in New Zealand and Wales as well as at the Grammar, he originally planned to be a solicitor, but opted instead for oyster farming. He then spent ten years in commercial

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fishing and marine contracting, mostly in Argyll but also in Saudi Arabia. He had some involvement with journalism in the 19705 and in 1985 became editor of the management monthly World Fishing, followed by Scottish Fishing Weekly. He joined Aberdeen Journals in 1989, since when he has travelled extensively in quest of stories as far afield as Calgary and Houston in the west and the oilfield of Siberia and the Caspian in the east.

Susan Jane Cunningham (1975-81), MA, MSc, followed her honours degree in English at Aberdeen University with a diploma for graduate secretaries. She worked as a personal secretary at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary for a year and then was appointed to set up and run the constituency office for Frank Doran, then MP for Aberdeen South. In 1990 she left to take her MSc in Public Relations at Stirling University and then worked for eighteen months as an assistant to Gordon Brown MP, both in his Fife constituency and in London. In 1993 she became a press officer with Tayside Regional Council.

Bryan Alfred Dargie (1953-59), who has been well-known in music circles in Aberdeen for many years, this year celebrates with two colleagues the silver jubilee of the Aberdeen Trio. He is the only Scot in the trio, but one of the others can lay claim to a connection with the School - Donald Hawksworth was for many years head of the School's Music Department before moving on to be Music Adviser first to Aberdeen and later Grampian education authorities. The ensemble was formed to serve the needs of music clubs in Scotland, and engagements have taken them all over the country, but favourite venues have been the University and Art Gallery in Aberdeen at which they have built up a loyal local following. A series of celebratory concerts takes place this year.

Grego► Euan Deans (1984-90), BSc (Eng), graduated Master of Science in Offshore Engineering at Robert Gordon University in July 1995, and is now a software design engineer with Kvaerner FSSL at Dyce, Aberdeen.

Paul Michael Drew (1975-79) has worked in the Haematology Department at Foresterhill since leaving School. In 1988 he gained his Fellowship in Haematology and is now a Chief Biomedical Scientist within that department of Aberdeen Royal Hospitals NHS Trust.

David Gordon Dunne (1967-73) has been appointed manager of the Dyce branch of the Royal Bank of Scotland. After leaving school he joined the Royal Bank's St Nicholas branch in Aberdeen and worked in various other branches in the area before moving to Lerwick in 1977. He returned to Aberdeen ten years later as Advances Manager at Dyce.

Since 1989 he has been in various managerial roles at Aberdeen Central branch.

Janet Catherine Dutch (1975-81), BSc (For), PhD, whose marriage is reported elsewhere in this Magazine, is now working in the research branch of the Forestry Commission, living in Peebles. She gained both her degrees from Aberdeen University, her PhD being in Soil Science.

Basil Duncan Dean Emslie (1929-35) reports that he fully retired, aged 76, in 1993 having served as director for Scotland of the Engineering Industries Association for fourteen years. He finds, like so many others, that he is just as busy in retirement as when he was working, being Secretary & Treasurer of the Strathblane Bowling Club and Secretary of the Club's Glasgow Centre for the second time. Basil played a large part in the revival of the Centre in 1983, and has twice served as its President. He still enjoys golf, curling, bowling (both outdoor and indoor) and bridge.

Derek John Falconer (1975-81), BSc, worked as a laboratory technician at the Rowett Research Institute before going to Aberdeen University where he graduated in 1988 with

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honours in Biochemistry. Since then he has worked in the research division of an Americanowned pharmaceutical company in Kent.

Karen Olive Fraser (née McLennan) (1975-80), MA, DipEd, is now assistant principal teacher of English at Hazlehead Academy.

Alan Whyte Gillies (1954-59), after a career in insurance including location in Glasgow and Elgin, has now been resident in Inverness for twenty-one years. Four years ago he set up his own insurance broking business, Gillies & Campbell Insurance Brokers, which is now well established in the north. In his spare time he works as a freelance sports journalist on Moray Firth Radio (of which he is a director) and also presents a late-night music programme.

He is heavily involved with youth football and the local sports council.

Hazel Ruth Gordon (1983-87), BSc, whose marriage is reported elsewhere in this Magazine, is now a Computer Analyst with Co-Flex ic Stenna, working at Westhill, Aberdeen.

She is a graduate in computing science of the Robert Gordon University.

Peter Mitchell Gordon (1939-48), MA, BD, retired in 1995 from the West Parish Church, Airdrie, where he had been minister since 1985. He now lives in Cupar, Fife. After graduating MA with honours in History at Aberdeen in 1952 he was called up for National Service and was commissioned in the Royal Artillery on the same parade as his contemporary William David Michie (1935-48). After service in the Canal Zone and Tripolitania, he returned to Aberdeen to study for the ministry, graduating BD in 1957. He was for two years an assistant in the then new Castlemilk housing scheme in Glasgow before being called as first minister of the Camperdown housing scheme in Dundee. In 1965 he was called to Brechin Cathedral, where he spent twenty very happy years before moving in 1985 to Airdrie, where he has been involved in various community activities. He comments that media attention to Monklands has presented Airdrie and Coatbridge in an undeserved unfavourable light, because North Lanarkshire, despite various social problems prevalent in many parts of the west of Scotland, is home to a very warm-hearted and very caring folk, with a great sense of humour.

Maura Telford Grant (1982-88) graduated from the University of East Anglia in 1993 with first class honours in French, German and Finnish. She now works at the Government Communication Headquarters (GCHQ) in Cheltenham. She is to be married at the end of August. Her brother Innes (1984-90) graduated from Heriot-Watt University in 1994 with first class honours in optoelectronics. After swanning around Australia for some months he went to Chicago to train for his present post with Anderson Consulting, and is now based in London. 'Little sister' Susan (1988-94) is completing her second year of a five-year honours course in Fine Arts at Edinburgh University. She sold her first painting earlier this year.

Father, Ronald William Grant (1948-61), MBChB, TD, considers that the arrival of three such talented progeny must be linked to his unfortunate exposure to ionizing radiation from a faulty microwave oven.

Fiona Jane Hamilton (1986-90) graduated with honours in Geography at the University of Glasgow in July 1995. She is currently studying for the degree of Master of Science in Rural and Regional Resources Planning at Aberdeen University.

FP Professor puts Shakespeare on Disc Harry Joseph Charles Hill (1948-59), MA, who went to Canada immediately after his graduation at Aberdeen in 1963, is now Professor of English at Concordia University,

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Duncan Collie (1869-75) and grandson of James Collie (1827-32) he graduated in Law at Aberdeen University in 1933. He was apprenticed to James & George Collie, advocates, Aberdeen, of which firm his grandfather had been one of the founders, and also with Wilson, Caldwell & Tait, writers, Glasgow. After a year as an assistant with Robertson, Chalmers & Auld, writers, Glasgow he returned to Aberdeen and became a partner in the family firm in 1934. As a Territorial, he was mobilised in 1939 and went to France as a Captain with 51 (Highland) Division RASC. He was severely wounded at St Valery and taken prisoner. His injuries required difficult and extensive treatment in the Centre Maxillo-Facial in Paris and, while technically a prisoner in the hospital, he did for a time have remarkable freedom to move about Paris. In April 1942, along with an RE sergeant and an RASC driver who were fellow-patients, he escaped from the hospital, and the three men crossed France, entered Spain via the Pyrenees, crossed to Barcelona and then returned to Britain by way of Madrid and Gibraltar in August of that year. The gripping account of their adventures is contained in the book Nor Iron Bars a Cage written by Sergeant W H Aston with a Foreword by Capt Collie and makes fascinating reading. The two men jointly wrote Hitler Divided France under the noms de plume G & W Fortune, the 'G' standing for G F Collie and the 'W' for W H Aston. On his return Mr Collie was heavily involved as local chairman of the Returned Prisoners of War Association. He resumed practice with James & George Collie almost immediately, and after twenty years as senior partner he retired in 1981.

Known to everyone as 'Genf' from the habitual abbreviation 'Geo F' Collie, he took a leading role in the public life of Aberdeen. He was Vice-Chairman of the Board of Management of Aberdeen Special Hospitals from 1951-60 and Chairman from 1960-68. He was a director and then Chairman of Aberdeen University Press from 1953. Along with his wife, Marjorie, he had a lifelong involvement with the South Aberdeen Unionist Association, serving first as Chairman of its Political Committee and later becoming President and then Honorary President.

Having already been awarded the MBE (Military) in 1942 in recognition of assistance which he was able to provide for the War Office on his return from captivity, he was made a CBE in 1964 in recognition of his public and political services. After the war he had resumed his connection with the RASC and was Honorary Colonel of 51 (Highland) Division (TA) and then of 153 (Highland) Regiment RCT(V) from 1964-71. He was President of the Society of Advocates in Aberdeen from 1974-76.

Mr Collie is survived by his wife and two sons. His younger brother James Michael Vernon Collie (1918-29) lives in the south of England.

Derek John Alexander Craig (1934-42) died in hospital at Aberdeen on 7 August 1995. He married in 1948, but sadly was predeceased by both his wife and their only son.

Frederick Alastair Forbes, MB ChB, MBE, died in hospital in Aberdeen on 21 December 1995 after a short illness, aged 80. He was predeceased by his wife by only four months, and he is survived by his son and daughter. His former partner William Alan Wilson (1946-60), MB ChB, writes: "A large gathering attended Alastair's funeral, representative of his erstwhile patients, friends and colleagues, for whom he could be identified as a man of their time. He evoked values of a seemingly bygone era, and the man and his values will be sadly missed. Although born an Aberdonian, his parents were of farming stock. By 1933 he had become a typical Aberdeen Grammarian with a well-rounded education and catholic in his interests. His further educational aspirations were English or Medicine and he chose the latter. After graduating from Aberdeen University in 1939 he worked in a hospital in the

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North of England before enlisting in the RAF in 1940. After several postings in England he arrived in Singapore in 1941.

Following the Japanese invasion of Malaya in 1942 his unit moved to the Dutch East Indies where he became a prisoner of war. He suffered indignities and injustices at the hands of his captors without personal rancour, but never forgave the Japanese military culture itself. It is known that he risked his own life by his insistence that a fellow-prisoner was unfit for labouring and Alastair was punished by a severe beating. He concealed medical notes at not inconsiderable personal risk and after the War his jottings were utilised by Lord Russell of Liverpool in his definitive book on the Japanese atrocities. For his wartime efforts Alastair was awarded the MBE. He entered general practice in 1946 and marriage in 1947. He served on the Special Hospitals Board and as secretary to the local branch of the BMA. In 1959 he secured the first Health Service Visitor attachment to a general practice. He was instrumental in the establishment of Aberdeen's first purpose-built general practice premises at 7 Rubislaw Place in 1962. He was one of the last GPs in Aberdeen to provide complete obstetric care to his patients, including domiciliary confinements. A coronary thrombosis enforced his premature retirement in 1978, by which time the practice had grown from two partners to seven. For his professional competence and his humility he was held in considerable regard and affection by patients and colleagues. He was a true paternalist, exhibiting integrity, fairness, guidance and honesty without imposition. He was consistently good-humoured with a keen sense of humour. Retirement permitted more intensive pursuit of his various interests - literature, art, golf, fishing and hill-walking. He and his wife travelled to Russia and North America. Their home in Torphins permitted easy access to his beloved upper Donside. He maintained his appetite for life and his interest in his fellow human beings until shortly before his death."

Former Club President Allan Cameron Frazer (1925-30), MA, LLB, WS, died in hospital in Edinburgh on 1 December 1995 aged 84. A son of the manse, his father being the celebrated Highland preacher Frazer of Tain, he graduated at Aberdeen University in Arts (with first class honours in English Language and Literature) in 1934 and Law in 1937. He served his apprenticeship as a solicitor in Aberdeen but spent the rest of his professional career in Edinburgh. After a short spell with Buchan & Buchan, SSC, he entered war service in 1939, eventually being commissioned in the RAOC. In 1948 he was admitted as a Writer to the Signet and became a partner in Hagart & Burn-Murdoch WS, of which firm he was senior partner for some years before his retiral in 1984. In addition to his busy legal practice, he served with distinction in many public spheres, notably as honorary consul for the Netherlands from 1965, Dean of the Consular Corps in Edinburgh and Leith in 1976-77, Secretary for many years of the (Sir Walter) Scott Club, of which he was President in 1975, and Rector's Assessor on the Court of Edinburgh University during the short but stormy Rectorship of Malcolm Muggeridge, with whom he had become friendly through the Scott Club. It is interesting to note that he was the third former President of the FP Club to be so honoured, the others being Lord Alness in 1921 and Eric Linklater in 1952. Allan was made a Chevalier in the Order of Orange Nassau in 1972 in recognition of this consular work.

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At University Allan was awarded the Calder Prize for Poetry, and was the coauthor, with the late Royston John Milne (1918-30), of the music and lyrics for the Student Charities Show of 1936. In June of last year he attended a Show Reunion at King's College as part of the University Quincentenary celebrations, and he passed on precious recordings of those early performances to his comic heirs, Scotland the What. His literary talents were frequently in evidence in articles published in this Magazine over the years, as also in The Scotsman and in the Journal of the Law Society of Scotland. In all of these he displayed a highly personal style, a genius for the well-turned phrase, an acute perception and a warm humour, all demonstrating his unique talent as a word-smith.

Allan's election as President of the FP Club in 1970-71 crowned a lifetime of loyal and enthusiastic service to the Club and in particular to its Edinburgh Centre. He became Secretary of the Centre in 1937 and when he resigned in 1967 it was remarked by his successor that what Allan did not know about the affairs of the Centre was not known to mortal man.

He steered the Centre, which had been founded in 1932, through its fledgling days and had the quiet satisfaction of seeing it mature like a good malt. He went on to become its President in 1969-70, but in the quarter of a century that has elapsed since then his enthusiasm for the Centre and for all things Grammarian remained undiminished.

Speaking to the large attendance at Allan's funeral service in Edinburgh, the Rev William Storrar said: "If his many friends have a memory of the public Allan Frazer, the lawyer and the literary man, it is of him sitting in the drawing room of his welcoming home on the edge of Edinburgh's New Town, surrounded by the complete works of his beloved Walter Scott and, behind him, the whisky decanter presented to him by the Scott Club, with the delicate engraving of his favourite character in all of Scott's novels, Jeannie Deans. He was drawn to the heroine in The Heart of Midlothian because she embodied all that he believed in as a Scots lawyer and a true son of the manse - honesty and integrity of character that knew no compromise and yet which mixed justice with mercy. He was a university poetry prizeman with a deep love of the arts and literature, above all for the literary and spiritual genius of the King James version of the Bible. He was a man of sparkling wit and kindly humour, whether making the always well-prepared after-dinner speech in one of his several Edinburgh clubs, or enriching the conversation of his wide circle of friends, not least while out fishing on some Borders loch in the company of a distinguished former Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland."

Allan is survived by his wife, Charlotte, to whom he had been married for fifty-two years; sadly their only son, Michael, died in 1976.

David Tarras Gauld (1928-34), BSc, PhD, after a long and valiant fight against Parkinson's disease, died peacefully at his home in Aberdeen on 17 March 1996 aged 75.

He completed his early education at Fettes College and went on to graduate from Edinburgh University in 1943 with first class honours in Zoology. He was awarded the Ramsay Wright Scholarship in Zoology and the William Turner Prize in Biology. From 1943-46 he was a research assistant in Edinburgh University Zoology Department, engaged in fish farming experiments at Loch Sween Research Station in Argyll. He graduated PhD from Edinburgh in 1946 and spent the next four years as a scientific officer at the Scottish Marine Biological Association Station at Millport. From 1953-60 he was a senior lecturer at the University College of Ghana in Accra. He then joined the Zoology Department of Aberdeen University as a lecturer and then senior lecturer until 1981, when ill-health compelled him to retire. He is survived by his wife and three children, one of whom is Ronald Adrian Gauld (1962-68) who is in practice as an architect in Aberdeen.

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Dr Gauld was the second son of the Rev William Wallace Gauld (1893-98), MA, DD, one-time minister of Queen's Cross Church, Aberdeen. His elder brother is William Wallace Gauld (1928-32), MA, while one of his sisters was Mrs Isobel Thomson, better known to Kindergarten pupils of the late 1940s as Miss Isobel Gauld, who died on 19 September 1995.

William Robertson Gauld (1923-30), MB ChB, MD, FRCP, TD, died suddenly in hospital in Aberdeen on 29 August 1995, aged 82. After graduating in medicine at Aberdeen University in 1935 he held a number of hospital posts in Aberdeen before being appointed medical registrar at Foresterhill in 1938, in which year he graduated MD. As a member of the Territorial Army he was mobilised in 1939 and served as a medical specialist in the RAMC throughout the war, mainly in the Middle East, and it was while serving in the 15th Scottish General Hospital in Cairo that he met and married his wife in 1942. After the war he returned to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, where the rest of his career was spent, first as a senior medical registrar and, from 1947, as a consultant physician. In 1975 he became a Clinical Reader in the Department of Medicine at Aberdeen University, and three days after his retiral in 1977 he became medical director at Roxburghe House, a post which he held for nine years. His aims there of relieving pain and encouraging a return to home surroundings, where at all possible, were much valued by the families of his patients. He was elected to the Royal College of Physicians of London in 1962, was a former President of the Aberdeen Medico-Chirurgical Society, and was for fifteen years until 1993 editor of the Aberdeen Postgraduate Medical Bulletin. His key contribution to medicine and to the University, continuing long after his retirement, together with the esteem in which he was held by colleagues and patients alike, led the University to award him an honorary degree which was to have been conferred on him a few weeks after his death, and warm tribute was paid to him at the November graduation ceremony.

Dr Gauld is survived by his wife and three sons, Malcolm William Robertson Gauld (1947-61), David Anthony Robertson Gauld )1954-64) and Ranald Stuart Robertson Gauld (1961-74).

George Gorrod (1924-28) died in hospital in Aberdeen on 26 September 1995 following a short illness. He was aged 83. On leaving School he was apprenticed in the cooperage business founded by his grandfather, and later joined his father and uncle in the management of the firm. After his father's death in 1947 he became sole proprietor, and later managing director when the business was incorporated. He retired in 1977. He became a member of the Wrights & Coopers Incorporation of the Seven Incorporated Trades of Aberdeen in 1933 and, having held office in that trade in the immediate post-war years, he was elected Master of Trades Hospital in 1964-66 and Deacon Convener in 1966-68. His term of office coincided with critical decision-making by the Incorporated Trades related to the disposal of their former premises in Union Street and the building of their handsome new premises on the corner of Holburn Street and Great Western Road. Keenly interested in the history of the Trades and in the maintenance of their traditions, he continued to be actively involved in the affairs of Trinity Hall until shortly before his death. Mr Gorrod had long service as a Burgess of Guild and as an elder of Rubislaw Church. He was predeceased by his wife a year to the day earlier, but is survived by his daughter Elizabeth and by his son Kenneth Michael Gorrod (1947-61), BSc, CA, who lives and works in London.

Richard Irvin (1914-18), CBE, died at his home in Woking, Surrey, on 28 November 1995 just three days before his ninetieth birthday. He completed his education at Merchiston

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Castle School, and on leaving in 1924 he joined his father in the family firm of Richard Irvin & Sons Ltd, where he remained for over 55 years. He became in turn managing director, chairman and, on his retiral in 1980, president of the company. He was predeceased by his wife, but is survived by two daughters. His nephew John Whitby Cradock (1940-46) writes: "Dick Irvin's life's work was devoted to the fishing industry and he was awarded the CBE for his services to it. As head of Irvin's he was a leading light in the modernisation of the Scottish and North East of England trawler fleets in the 1950s and 1960s. During his career he was the first President of the Scottish Trawlers' Federation, Chairman of the Aberdeen Fishing Vessel Owners' Association, Chairman of Aberdeen Harbour Board, and a director of many businesses in and around the harbour area. He was also actively involved in many charitable organisations connected with the sea. Outside business in his younger days Dick played rugby for Grammar FPs and, as a keen golfer, became captain, and was later made an honorary member, of Royal Aberdeen Golf Club. But his greatest love was without doubt skiing at which he was an expert, and he was a life member of the famous Kandahar Club. He was a most successful businessman and leader, despite his friendly manner and a certain shyness, but a man of integrity, and Irvin's continues to be held in the highest esteem because of that.

He had a long, happy, healthy and successful life, enriching the lives of the many who knew him, and we will always remember a real gentleman."

Alexander Clarke Irvine (1932-35) died peacefully in hospital in Dunfermline on 29 July 1994 aged 74. After leaving School he was employed by Seggie & Co and thereafter

by Archibald McKenzie in Aberdeen. In May 1939 he enlisted in the Royal Artillery as a Territorial, and on the outbreak of war went to France. He served there and in Belgium as a sergeant surveyor, and was evacuated at Dunkirk. He was later involved in the invasion of Europe at the Normandy landings, where he was serving with Lord Lovat's Commandos. He was mentioned in despatches, and later saw action in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany.

From 1946 to 1983 he served in employment exchanges at Huntly, Aberdeen, Glasgow, Lerwick and Dunfermline. He finished his career as manager of the West Fife offices at Dunfermline and Inverkeithing. After retiral he continued to live in Dunfermline. He is survived by his wife and a son and daughter.

John Macdonald 11919-22), MA, died at St Andrews in February 1996 aged 91.

Born in 1904 in Methlick, where his father was headmaster, he came to the School in Classical IV at the age of 15. He went on to Aberdeen University where he graduated with first class honours in Classics in 1926. After a year of teacher training he was one of two Scottish students chosen by the National Committee for the Training of Teachers to be awarded a scholarship to study at McGill University, Montreal. In addition to continuing his studies in Classics he made a study of Canadian and American educational systems and methods.

After teaching posts at Leith Academy and Morgan Academy, he was appointed an Inspector of Schools in 1933. At the beginning of the war in 1939 he was seconded to the Department of Health for Scotland, working in London on the evacuation scheme. He returned to Edinburgh in 1941 as assistant secretary to the Scottish Education Department. In 1950 he was transferred to the National Coal Board, working at national headquarters in London until he was appointed staff director and a member of the North-West Divisional Board at Manchester in 1955. He was later an inspector for planning application appeals.

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Oldest Canadian FP Ian Anderson McDougall (1915-26) died in hospital in Victoria, British Columbia on 22 March 1996 aged 88. Shortly after leaving School he went to Canada where he initially worked in the insurance business, first in Winnipeg and then in 1930 moving to Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. In 1936 he joined United Grain Growers Ltd as superintendent for the province of Saskatchewan based in Saskatoon. He remained in their employment until his retiral in 1973, after which he moved to Victoria, on Vancouver Island. While at School he was an enthusiastic rugby player and was a member of the 1st XV in 1925-26. He played briefly for FPs before emigrating, but in Canada he played for a time for the Province of Manitoba XV. He maintained his interest in the sport and in the FP Club all his life, and could claim the distinction of being the oldest surviving FP in Canada. He liked to recall being one of a group of Scouts from School, under the leadership of the late W Douglas Simpson (or 'Fossil' as he was fondly known) who excavated the ruins of Kindrochit Castle, Braemar, and found the Kindrochit Brooch, which is now in the British Museum. He was predeceased by his wife, whom he married in 1938, at Easter 1995. His cousin, David Lome McDougall (1922-28), CA, also lives in retirement in Victoria, as did another cousin Charles Ivan Rees McDougall (1925-28) who died in 1994. Duncan Herdmann McDougall (192134), CA, is also a cousin and is now retired from business in Aberdeen.

George Lamb McEwan (1929-35), MB ChB, FRCS(Edin), died on 7 February 1996 at his home at Port Charlotte, Isle of Islay, to which he had retired after a long and successful career in medical practice. He was aged 78. From School he attended Aberdeen University, graduating in medicine in 1940. He was a resident house officer at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and senior casualty officer at Woolmanhill, Aberdeen before taking up an appointment as an assistant surgical officer at Crumpsall Hospital, Manchester. From there he joined the RAMC and served in the Middle East from 1945-48. On returning to civilian life he specialised in orthopaedic surgery. He was admitted to the Edinburgh Royal College in 1949 and thereafter was employed as Senior Registrar in orthopaedic surgery at Coventry and Warwickshire Hospital until in 1953 he entered general practice in Coventry in partnership with James Rankine Wilson Catto (1923-36), MB ChB. He was able to continue his special interest in orthopaedics at the hospital. He is survived by his wife Marie, with whom he celebrated their Golden wedding last year, and by three daughters, one of whom is working at the recently established Institute of Medical Sciences at Foresterhill.

Sir Maitland Mackie (1926-28), CBE, BSc, FEIS, LLD, died suddenly at his home at Westerton, Rothienorman on 18 June 1996, just as this issue of the Magazine was going to press. A full Obituary will be published in the 1997 issue.

Alastair Selbie Milne (1940-44) died in hospital at Aberdeen after a long illness on 9 February 1996, aged 67. On leaving School he was apprenticed as a painter and decorator in his father's business and, apart from a period of National Service, he spent his entire working life in that trade. He succeeded his father as sole proprietor of Robert Milne & Son in Holburn Street, now in Hardgate, Aberdeen. He is survived by his wife, with whom he celebrated their Ruby wedding last October, and by two sons and a daughter.

Arthur John George Notholt (1937-47), BSc, FGS, MIMM, died on 19 May 1995, aged 65. At School he was a member of the Hockey 1st XI in 1945-46 and 1946-47. After

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graduating from Aberdeen University in 1951 with honours in Geology he was for a few years a lecturer in Geology at Wigan & District Mining & Technical College. He was elected a Fellow of the Geological Society in 1954 and a Member of the Institute of Mining & Metallurgy in 1963. From 1956 he was employed in the mineral resources division of the Overseas Geological Surveys of the Institute of Geological Sciences in London.

Alexander Matheson Robertson (1926-30), CEng, FICE, MIStructE, died in hospital at Gosford, New South Wales, Australia on 25 November 1995, aged 82. As a young man he played rugby for a time for FPs. He served as a trainee and later as a resident engineer with the Aberdeen firm of Henderson & Nicol, engaged in marine works in the Moray Firth, Stornoway, Grimsby, Hull, Fleetwood and Peterhead. In 1938 he joined the Admiralty at Rosyth as Deputy Resident Engineer on the bomb-proofing of vast fuel oil reservoirs covering seven acres with a roof twenty-two feet thick. After other work at the Lathalmond Naval Stores depot in Fife he was appointed Divisional Engineer responsible for civil engineering and building works from the south side of the Forth Estuary to the Borders. After seven years with the Admiralty he spent a time in charge of the engineering department of Greenock Harbour Trust before taking up the post of Marine Works Engineer with Argyll County Council, a local authority responsible for 2000 miles of coastline. From 1951 until his retirement in 1983 he practised on his own account as a consulting civil engineer, specialising in marine works, and was responsible for the design and construction of many of the major marine structures built on mainland Scotland and the Islands. He was predeceased by his first wife, who died in 1985, but is survived by his second wife and by the two sons of his first marriage.

Thomas Robertson (1913-19), FIAC, died at the Garioch Nursing Home, Inverurie on 23 January 1996, aged 89. He spent the greater part of his working life in London, where he was at one time chief clerk to the Royal Scottish Corporation. He saw war service as a Company Sergeant-Major with the London Scottish Regiment. He was a rugby stalwart and was for many years one of a number of FPs who were members of the London Scottish Football Club. He played in the first annual Aberdeen Exiles v Select match which took place at Rubislaw in 1929. He was for many years a member of the London Centre. He is survived by his wife and by a daughter who lives in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Distinguished Pathologist & Musician Andrew Armitage Shivas (1927-39), MB ChB, MD, DPH, FRCSE, FRCPath, TD, died at his Edinburgh home on 9 April 1996 after a long illness. After graduating in medicine at Aberdeen University in 1944 he served as a ship's surgeon in the Merchant Navy in 194546 and took pride in being a Cape Homer (both ways) in the days of steam. He then undertook research into animal tumours at the Rowett Research Institute and simultaneously obtained his Diploma in Public Health, before taking up a post in the Department of Pathology at Aberdeen University, first as an assistant and then as a lecturer. He obtained an MD with Honours from Aberdeen in 1955 for his thesis on breast cancer. After a year as an Associate Professor of Pathology at Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, he received an appointment to a new post in Edinburgh University's Department of Pathology and its flourishing postgraduate Medical School, where he undertook important research into the vascularity of tumours and the intrinsic mechanism of their dissemination. He was a

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recognised expert in frozen section biopsy interpretation. He became a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh in 1970 and a Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists in 1971. He contributed numerous papers on breast cancer. He was commanding officer of 205 General Hospital (TA) and later of Edinburgh University OTC. He became Conservator of the Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh in 1974, and while ill-health compelled him to retire in 1984 he continued his research into breast cancer and the phenomenon of elastosis as a consultant pathologist to Ethicon Ltd. Medicine was not Dr Shivas' only interest. He had a rare musical talent which was inherited. He was a stalwart on the big drum with the University OTC, but more significantly he formed the Aberdeen University Dance Orchestra in 1942 which was also one of the ingredients of the University Symphony Orchestra formed in 1944. The undergraduate band took many forms, supplementing the Gordon Highlanders military band, performing in the pit at His Majesty's for Student Shows, and entertaining all over the Northeast. Dr Shivas excelled on xylophone and tymps, and was widely known as a tympanologist.

In 1957 he published a book, The Art of Tympanist and Drummer in The Student's Music Library which was very favourably received. In the foreword Dr Willan Swainson wrote, "during his undergraduate days, it was generally understood that when Andrew Shivas was not engaged in the study of medicine he would almost certainly be found playing some instrument." He continued this musical activity in Edinburgh, forming with surgeons the Aesculapian Ragtime Band, later re-named as 'Alternative Medicine'. He was also a keen sailor, spending holidays cruising the Moray Firth in his converted lifeboat. In 1970, with the help of two divers and with his family as crew, he located the wreck of an Armada galleon, the Santa Katerina, off Collieston and recovered a cannon and other material from it.

Dr Shivas is survived by his wife, his son and his two daughters.

John Hood Simon (1937-49), MA, LLB, died in hospital in Aberdeen on 22 October 1995, aged 63. After graduating at Aberdeen University in Arts in 1952 and Law in 1956, he completed National Service before taking up an appointment as an assistant solicitor in Aberdeen. In 1961 he moved to a similar post in Inverness before returning to Aberdeen to be an assistant secretary (legal) in the University. He retired some years ago. His elder brother Alastair George Simon (1932-45) died in Johore, Malaya, in 1962.

Richard Derek Lewis Smart (1934-47) died in hospital at Macclesfield on 31 August 1995, aged 66. He had suffered a severe stroke while golfing with his three sons. He was a member of the School 1st XV in 1945-46 and 1946-47. As a prelude to his future career he was a Platoon Sergeant in the School Company of the ACF. He enlisted in the Gordon Highlanders and was stationed for some time at the former Bridge of Don Barracks. His rubgy prowess at School paid dividends in that, while stationed in Scotland, he was selected to play for Scottish Command on a number of occasions. He served n various parts of the world as the Cordons moved, including Malaya, Cyprus, Germany and Kenya. He returned from a detached tour with the Aden Protectorate Levies to become Adjutant of the 1st Battalion in Germany and then in Kenya. He was again away from the Regiment in 1962-67, first at HQ 51 Division in Perth, then as Training Major/Adjutant to the London Scottish in London, and finally back to Perth to a Staff appointment at HQ Highland Brigade. In late 1967 he returned to the 1st Battalion at Minden as Second-in-Command. His appointments before retiral included various staff posts at the Ministry of Defence and at HQ South East District. For a number of years after retiral he was Recruiting Officer at Brighton Recruiting Office. He made his home

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in Seaford, East Sussex, and became involved in various local activities, especially relating to young people. He took an active role with the Army Cadet Force, became a District Councillor, a School Governor, and Chairman of the Seaford Conservative Association.

He is survived by his three sons. His wife Audrey, daughter of the late William George Thow (1911-22), died in 1991.

Archibald Steele (1928-30), MA, died suddenly in hospital in Aberdeen on 1 December 1995, aged 72. He spent only the first two years of his education at the School, moving thereafter to Robert Gordon's College. He served with the RAF during World War II, and after training in Canada he flew as a second pilot and flight engineer on Lancaster bombers with 106 Squadron. Missions included the bombing of Wesel, which limited the casualties suffered by the Allies in their crossing of the Rhine. After the war he attended Aberdeen University, graduating in Arts in 1950. After teaching at Inverbervie Junior Secondary School for six years he was appointed to Northfield Academy in Aberdeen in 1957. He moved to Ruthrieston in 1965 as principal teacher of English, became deputy head teacher in 1971, and from 1973 until his retiral in 1984 he was assistant headmaster of Harlaw Academy. At the time of his death he was Session Clerk of Ferryhill Parish Church. He was predeceased by his wife in 1994, but is survived by a daughter and two sons, one of whom is Richard Archibald Steele (1963-76) who now lives in Kirkcaldy and works in Edinburgh.

Douglas Chalmers Hutchison Sutherland 11935-36), MC, died in South Queensferry on 28 August 1995, aged 75. Born in Appleby, Westmoreland, his family moved to Orkney within a year and later to Oldmeldrum. He entered School in Upper V. In 1938 he enlisted in the King's Own Scottish Borderers as a private, being later commissioned in the King's (Liverpool) Regiment. He was on active service throughout World War II, being awarded the Military Cross and twice mentioned in dispatches. In 1945 he was posted to Field Marshal Montgomery's 21 Army Group HQ where he joined the Allied Liaison Branch and was an observer at the Nuremberg trials. On his return to civilian life he became a journalist for the Evening Standard and then the Daily Express. He was a prolific writer, publishing more than 35 books. His Portrait of a Decade describes in wonderful detail his life in London in the Fifties and the colourful personalities with whom he met and socialised. His best-selling series starting with The English Gentleman was a collection of splendid commentaries on contemporary life as he observed it. In 1963 he co-wrote Burgess and Maclean, and identified at that time that the fourth man was Sir Anthony Blunt, but was prevented from publishing anything which would have pointed to him. When Blunt was exposed in the early 1980s, Sutherland at once released The Fourth Man, the first full account of the spy scandal. In the course of a richly varied life, he played Bridge for England and stood as a Tory candidate for West Dundee. In a tribute in The Scotsman he was described as "a larger than life personality, a lovable and sometime irascible man who enhanced the lives of all who came in contact with him; every dinner party was dominated by his spontaneous wit and sense of fun; he had a compulsive zest for life, and loved the company of all age groups."

Married three tmes, and pre-deceased in 1991 by his third wife, he is survived by three sons and three daughters.

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Distinguished Man of Letters Sir James Runcieman Sutherland (1907-17), MA, BLitt, FBA, LLD, died peacefully in Oxford on 24 February 1996, aged 95. The son of a stockbroker, he went on to graduate in arts at Aberdeen University with first class honours in English in 1921. After further study at Oxford he spent two years as a lecturer in English at the University of Saskatchewan before returning to Merton College, Oxford as a lecturer. While there he won the Chancellor's English Essay Prize. Lectureships followed at Southampton and Glasgow before he became a senior lecturer at University College, London in 1930. In 1936 he was appointed to the chair of English Literature at Birkbeck College, University of London. From 1944 to 1951 he was Professor of English Language and Literature at Queen Mary College, London and in 1951 he returned to UCL as Northcliffe Professor of English, in which post he continued until his retiral in 1967. He delivered the Warton Lectures on English Poetry to the British Academy in 1944, and later the Sir Walter Scott Lectures at Edinburgh, the Clark Lectures at Cambridge and the Alexander Lectures at Toronto. He was visiting Professor at Harvard, Indiana, California, Pittsburgh and New York. He received the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws from Aberdeen University in 1955, as well as many other academic honours. He was knighted in 1992.

Sir James Sutherland was a prolific writer and was a world authority on late 17th and early 18th century literature. He was the author of the Oxford Book of English Talk and the Oxford Book ofLiterary Anecdotes. As a scholar he achieved probably greatest recognition for his biography of Defoe, published in 1937, and his 1943 edition of The Dunciad. He wrote the volume covering 1660-1700 for the Oxford History of English Literature. He was an assiduous researcher with a wide-ranging academic curiosity. His many writings demonstrated a clear and direct prose style, making them eminently readable. It is interesting to note that one of his early forays in writing was as editor of the Random Notes for the Magazine 80 years ago.

On 8 May 1940 a letter from Professor Sutherland appeared in The Times in large type on its main page. It was highly critical of the lack of leadership of Neville Chamberlain, and ended with the words, "Those of us who have criticised Mr Chamberlain in the past may be suspect; but to The Times even the Prime Minister must listen. Will The Times not speak?" Chamberlain resigned two days later.

Professor Sutherland was predeceased by his first wife in 1975. He is survived by his second wife and his stepson.

Thomas Yirrell Watson (1919-25), BScAgri, CMG, MBE, died at Pencaitland, East Lothian on 16 February 1996, aged 89. Born in Bedfordshire, where his father was a farm manager, he moved with his family to Oldmeldrum at the age of 10 when his father became manager of the Edcote Shorthorn Company's farms in that area. He proceeded to Aberdeen University to study agricultural sciences, graduating in 1929. He spent a year in Cambridge studying tropical agriculture, and after further studies in the Transvaal and in India he joined the Overseas Civil Service in 1931. He served first in Kenya as an Agricultural Officer and later as Deputy Director of Agriculture. In 1948 he moved to Uganda where he was appointed Director of Agriculture in 1951, Secretary of Agriculture and Natural Resources in 1954 and Minister of Natural Resources in 1955. He served as a member of both the Executive and Legislative Councils from 1951 to 1956. During this time he made a significant contribution to the economic development of Uganda in the lead-up to independence, and in recognition

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of this he was awarded the CMG in 1953. He had previously been awarded the MBE in 1943 for his work in Kenya during the war years. He retired in 1956 and settled in Bournemouth.

He was no less busy thereafter, maintaining an active interest in tropical agriculture. He served on several commissions of inquiry in overseas territories on agricultural and economic development including those into land and population problems in Fiji, 1959-60, economic development in Zanzibar, 1960, and the cotton ginning industry in Uganda, 1962. He was also an active member of his local community, as chairman of the Bournemouth Conservative Association and secretary of the parochial church council of All Saints, Southboume. He also had a lifelong interest in gardening which continued up to the summer of 1995. His first wife died in 1978, but he is survived by his second wife, with whom he moved to East Lothian about eleven years ago, and by a daughter of his first marriage.

Former Members of Staff Annie Strathdee Boyd '1947-72) died in Nazareth House, Aberdeen on 1 September 1995 following a long illness. Ron McLeod writes: "Nan, as she was affectionately known by staff and pupils alike, was Librarian in the School for quarter of a century. Highly recommended, she came to us from Aberdeen Public Library, accepting a lesser salary because she felt that the more regular hours and longer holidays of a school post would be eminently more suitable for a daughter with elderly parents. In fact, her mother was already in indifferent health. Her father was a retired watchmaker of consummate skill and many ailing watches and clocks of the staff were restored by his rare work and the interest of a fine craftsman. If we leave out the office, the Grammar School was then a maledominated society, but Nan Boyd soon adapted herself to her new environment and quickly became established as a popular pillar of the School, aided by an almost inexhaustible supply of sweets which she distributed generously to all and sundry. She was comprehensively tutored by her great friend, Mary Matheson, a stalwart of the Geography Department from the days of the war. These two formed a sine qua non duo who were in demand every time a tea party was forthcoming when any School society had occasion for a special function with tea and sticky buns etc, and so well loved was Nan that she had no problem recruiting teams of helpers from the eager boys. She, on the other hand, was deeply grateful for any support or guidance she received from members of staff and appreciated their friendship. She had a soft spot for the bachelor boys, particularly Charles Hemingway, Ronald Henson and James Will - not with any ulterior motive, for she was a confirmed spinster devoted to her family and her dog, and a regular church-goer till her latter days of infirmity - but the great love of her life was the Grammar School. When sweeping changes seemed imminent, one might have expected her to suffer a grievous disenchantment, but she soldiered on until her father's deteriorating health forced her to retire earlier than she was required to do.

Soon after her father's death she began to miss the company she loved in her working days. She rallied eventually, changed house and moved into different surroundings, making new friends, but her thoughts seldom wandered far from the School and she was ever keen to glean information about how it was and anything of interest that was happening there. She wept inconsolably when she heard of the fire and the roaring flames that devoured

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her beloved library. The thought of Rector Robert Gill sitting like Marius amid the ruins of Carthage was too awful to contemplate.

For those of us who gathered at Ruthrieston South Church for the funeral, the Rev H E Kerr's service and tribute were strikingly beautiful as he portrayed the life of this simple and uncomplicated woman who, as a colleague, had affected all of us with her personality that was 'not harsh nor grating but of ample power to chasten and subdue'. As we left the Church, sadder but wiser, I wondered if Nan had a pandrop for the Ferryman."

John Alexander Flett (Staff 1960-80), MA, died peacefully in hospital in Aberdeen on 5 November 1995, aged 75. Ian T Stephen writes: "John Flett was educated at Fordyce Academy and at Aberdeen University, from which he graduated in Arts in 1946 with honours in Mathematics and Natural Philosophy.

After a few years teaching at Fraserburgh Academy he joined the Mathematics staff of Aberdeen Grammar School in 1960.

A strict disciplinarian, John soon showed that he was an excellent teacher of Mathematics who took a keen interest in his pupils' progress. Though most of his pupils started out somewhat in awe of him, they soon learned to appreciate his efficiency and his concern for them. Not a few of his old pupils are grateful for his drive and skill which got them through their Higher Maths and so eased their entry to University. Later, John became one of the first Principal Teachers of Guidance at the School, an appointment which enlarged the number of ways in which he could help his pupils, while still allowing him to continue his Maths teaching for most of his time.

Pupils who knew him only in his later years of ill-health may be interested to learn that for some years he assisted in hockey coaching. They will be less surprised to learn that he had a strong right arm which enabled him to effect some mighty clearances for the staff hockey team.

In his later years John suffered from considerable ill-health but continued to teach vigorously and efficiently until his retirement in 1980. He maintained a great interest in the School, in his old pupils, and in the FP Club and its functions. When last year's Magazine came out John's eyesight had begun to fail and the salient features had to be read to him. He was particularly interested to learn of Fenella Fraser's excellent sketch of the Club Centre.

When told of her comment that she was "rather naughty" at School, he said, "Well, I had no trouble with her," a remark which almost all his old pupils will recognise as being equally applicable to all of them!

A pleasant colleague, an excellent teacher and a good friend of the Grammar School, John Flett will be greatly missed.

First Lady of the Upper School FPs of 50 years ago will he saddened to learn of the death on 21 November 1995 of Mrs Isabella Jean Robertson Park (née Mackintosh), better known to them as "Maggie Mac". A former pupil of Aberdeen High School for Girls, she graduated MA, BSc, from Aberdeen University in 1935. She taught at Mile End Primary School from 1936 and then joined the Mathematics & Science department of the School in 1940 as one of the early replacements of male staff on war service. For a time, she had the distinction of being the sole lady member of staff in the Upper School. She left in 1947 to teach science in her own old school until 1952 when she married. She will be remembered as a most effective teacher

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with a warm personality, who entered into the life of the School with great enthusiasm and made a noteworthy contribution to it.

Marriages Ah-See (1978-84) - At St Mary's Chapel, Blair's, Aberdeen on 27 August 1994, Dr Michael Allison, son of Dr & Mrs John Allison, Chichester to Sui Yen Ah-See, MBChB, elder daughter of Dr & Mrs Anthony Ah-See, St Ronan's House, St Ronan's Circle, Peterculter.

Bowling (1975-80) - At Gilcomston South Church, Aberdeen on 25 March 1996, Nicholas Sorrie, son of Mrs M Sorrie and the late Mr Sorrie, Kilsyth to Hilary Susan Bowling, elder daughter of Dr & Mrs Dudley Bowling, 28 Grove Crescent, Aberdeen.

Dutch (1975-81) - At Norwood Hall Hotel, Aberdeen on 28 April 1995, Steven John Lee, son of Mr & Mrs Alan Lee, 94 Regent's Road, Bolton to Janet Catherine Dutch, BSc, PhD, daughter of Mr Ralph D Dutch and of the late Mrs Mary Dutch, 39 Fountainhall Road, Aberdeen.

Duthie (1983-89) - At Beechgrove Church, Aberdeen on 21 July 1995, Stewart Maciver, son of Mr & Mrs Donald Maciver, Isle of Lewis to Moira Elizabeth Duthie, daughter of Mr & Mrs Alan Duthie, 58 Desswood Place, Aberdeen.

Gordon (1983-87) - At Pittodrie House, Pitcaple, on 18 August 1995, Andrew Matthews, son of Mr & Mrs Douglas Matthews, 174 Victoria Street, Dyce to Hazel Ruth Gordon, daughter of Mr & Mrs Crawford Gordon, 9 Carlton Place, Aberdeen.

Gordon (1979-85) - At Norwood Hall Hotel, Aberdeen on 27 August 1995, David Bateman, son of Mrs Leonora Bateman, Blackpool to Valerie Ann Gordon, daughter of Mr & Mrs Walter Gordon, 8 Raeden Avenue, Aberdeen.

Hutcheon (1979-83) - At King's College Chapel, Aberdeen on 15 July 1995, George Therapondos, MBChB, son of Mr & Mrs Panyotis Therapondos, Cyprus to Louise Gray Hutcheon, BSc, daughter of Dr & Mrs Andrew W Hutcheon, 159 Midstocket Road, Aberdeen.

Minty (1980-85) - At Ruthrieston West Church, Aberdeen on 9 September 1995, Mark McCombie, son of Mr & Mrs Neil McCombie, Aberdeen to Shirley Ann Minty, daughter of Mr & Mrs Harold Minty, 14 Raeburn Place, Aberdeen.

Moir (1978-84) - At Christ Church, East Sheen, London on 24 July 1995, Alistair J K Moir, son of Mr & Mrs W Finlay Moir, 11 Beechgrove Avenue, Aberdeen to Louise Rogers, daughter of Mr & Mrs Michael Rogers, 51 Richmond Park Road, East Sheen.

Morgan (1952-65) - At Mannofield Church, Aberdeen on 3 April 1996, Brian Robert Morgan, MA, son of the late Mr & Mrs Alexander C Morgan, Aberdeen to Diane Sim, daughter of the late Mr William Runcie and Mrs Roberta Runcie, 69 Seafield Road, Aberdeen.

Wilson (1981-86) - At Beechgrove Church, Aberdeen on 23 March 1996, Craig Ronald Wilson, son of Mr & Mrs Ronald 13 Wilson, 58 Mile End Avenue, Aberdeen to Yvonne Livingstone, daughter of Mr & Mrs George Livingstone, 7 Jesmond Avenue North, Aberdeen.

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Abstract of Accounts for year ended 31 December 1995 FP Club

income and Expenditure Account 1995 £

1994 £

2,072 819 3,500 711 1,470 364 1,920 56 1,759 492 74

1,644 834 3,500 22 1,470 3,660 2,025 33

13,237

13,188

9,249 759 3,500 1,086 600 425 454 450 528 367 56

6,037 442 3,875 1,156 700 565 415 484 450 512 367 135 -

17,474

15,138

(4,237)

(1,950)

INCOME

Subscriptions Transfer from life members' account Donations - Club Centre Donations - other Dividends Gain on maturity of investments Magazine - advertising Magazine - donations Magazine - Beyond 500 Entertainments - surplus Miscellaneous

EXPENDITURE

Printing, stationery and postage - magazine Printing, stationery and postage - other Honoraria Travel and accommodation Grants - capitation Presentations School - prizegiving School - London trip School - Amenities Fund Audit fee Corporation tax Entertainments - deficit Miscellaneous

SURPLUSADEFICIT) FOR THE YEAR

91)

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine Balance Sheet

HERITABLE PROPER11 INVESTMENTS

1995 f

1994 £

107,906

107,906

10,602

18,238

984 11,975 11,984

918 8,516 11,357

24,943

20,791

88,000 220 11,595

88,000 260 7,848

99,815

96,108

(74,872)

(75,317)

43,636

50,827

15,552 1,733 1,000

15,846 1,733 1,000

18,285

18,579

632 632 2,326 5,704 16,057

653 546 2,458 8,297 20,294

25,351

32,248

43,636

50,827

CURRENT ASSETS

Stock Debtors Bank accounts

CURRENT LIABILITIES

Club Centre loan Subscriptions in advance Creditors

NET CURRENT LIABILITIES

CAPITAL ACCOUNTS

Life members Robert G Wilson bequest Miss Isabella Grant bequest

REVENUE ACCOUNTS

Robert G Wilson bequest Miss Isabella Grant bequest Beyond 500 Centenary General

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Accounts for year ended 31 December 1995 FP Club Centre Income and Expenditure Account 1994 £

f

£

BAR ACCOUNT 122,198

BAR SALES

120,693

66,290

COST OF SALES Stock in Hand at 31 December 1994 Bar Purchases

66,081

70,033 4,414

Less: Stock in Hand at 31 December 1995

70,495 4,616

3,743

4,414

65,879

65,619 56,579

54,814

GROSS PROFIT MISCELLANEOUS INCOME

12,176 22,764 51

Annual Subscriptions Gaming Machine Revenue (Net)

11,636 15,299

Snooker and Pool

1,866 462

Miscellaneous Income Interest Received (Net)

(166) 1,216 515 83,314

93,898 OVERHEAD EXPENSES Wages and National Insurance Rates and Insurance Heating and Lighting

33,861 16,918 11,278

Telephone (Net) Repairs and Maintenance Donation to Former Pupils' Club

4,564 3,500

Other Donations Administration Expenses

1,505

5,862

Steward's Pension Scheme Cleaning

1,278 6,010

4,500 4,737

Honoraria

5,000

Miscellaneous Expenses

3,501 897

32,634 15,845 11,008 363 9,042 3,500 630 1,434 1,200

870

Depreciation

630

89,342

91,625 2,273

400

(DEFICIT)/SURPLUS FOR YEAR

(6,028)

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

92

Balance Sheet 1994

FIXED ASSETS

f

Per last Balance Sheet £

Added During year f

Depcn f

f

2,335

Furniture and Fittings

2,355

372

407

2,300

3,275

Equipment

3,275

-

490

2,785

5,610

372

897

5,085

5,610 CURRENT ASSETS 88,000

Loan Account - AGSFP Club

88,000

4,414

Stock in Hand

4,616

3,210

Sundry Debtors

3,034

21,100

Cash in Bank

17,757

390

Cash in Hand

250

117,114

113,657

23,361

CURRENT LIABILITIES Sundry Creditors

28,012

6,910

Subscriptions in Advance

6.905 34,917

30.271 86,843

78 740

92,453

83,825 Lew LOANS

6,300

AGSFP Rugby Section

6,300

13,050

Scottish and Newcastle

10,150

Breweries plc 16,450

19.350 73,103

67,375

NET ASSETS Represented by:CAPITAL ACCOUNT

13,195

13,495

Appeal Fund and other Donations SURPLUSES Amount per last Balance Sheet :

59,908

Surplus for year per foregoing Income and Expenditure Account

(6.028)

59,908

53,880

73,103

67,375

When you deal with Gilcomston.

You'll have access to the most

you're dealing with a partner who's

advanced technology, helping you

committed to your business. You'll

achieve higher quality more cost

be talking to sales staff experienced

effectively. When it comes to

in our particular industry.

working together, Gilcomston

You'll have the support of key

means business. As you'll discover

Senior Management.

when you call us.

Oaccrasiou Limo Ro.o CARNIVO. 8914455Cemet, tan, Twos 1.45u946u ESTATE, MERMEN, A812 38N Ta 01221 899222 f44 01221 898853 ISDN 01224 878422

JAMES&co MILNE CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS FOR A PERSONAL AND COMPREHENSIVE SERVICE

*

ACCOUNTANCY AND AUDIT

*

BUSINESS AND PERSONAL TAXATION

*

CASH FLOW FORECASTS

*

FINANCIAL PLANNING

*

BUSINESS PLANS

*

COMPUTERISED SERVICES

5 BON-ACCORD SQUARE ABERDEEN AB11 6XZ ears

TELEPHONE 584458

FAX 583998 /

‘

1E EDWARDSA Sports

Consultancy

FOR_Clitin A_INIAVIDUAS ENDURANCE TRAINING ADVICE FOR SPORT,/ CONDITIONING AND MATCH PREPARATIONS/ GOAL SETTINGS/

BALANCING OF TRAINING*,

PERSONALISED TRAINING PROGRAMMES FOR SPORT AND GENERAL FITNESSI/ For Further Information On The Above And On Seminars To Clubs And Advice To Individuals, Contact S.A.F. Coach And Former Marathon And Cross Country Running International Mel Edwards

TELEPHONE: 01224 633609

26 Carnperdown Road Aberdeen AB2 4Nal

MOBILE: 0378 910139

PROUD TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY

.7v

the

Chemis

91 UNION STREET ABERDEEN

e

7 ROSEMOUNT F) ABERDEEN

(24 MARKET SO. ) STONEHAVEN

17 HIGH ST. LAURENCEKIRK

57 KINGS ST. ) INVERBERVIE

(BRUNTLAND RD. PORTLETHEN

(

EST 1933

Eddie & Drummond

OPHTHALMIC OPTICIANS OPTOMETRISTS 411.0

LOOKING AFTER YOUR EYES...

• experienced independent family practice • latest technology incl. glaucoma screening • extensive selection of frames, lenses and contact lenses • industrial and sports glasses

... AND PROVIDING A HIGH STANDARD OF SERVICE • open until 7 p.m. Thurs and Sat. a.m.

• home visits available • bus routes to the door

185 George Street, Aberdeen AB25 1HX Tel. 01224 585774

O OOOO • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • OOOOOOOOOO •

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • OOOOOOOOOO

• •

• • • • 111 . • 0 • 9 • 0 • • • • • 9 • 6 • S. 0 9 •

G MACHINES e l,

116 Cornhill Road Aberdeen AB2 5DH Tel: 483331

'I. • I•

pI0 0 • S. 0 • • • • 6 • S. 0 9 • * • S. 0 • 0 • • OOOOOO • • • • •

Suppliers of all types of Gaming Machines ••

• •

• • I•

• • • • •

• • • • •

• • I. •• • .

•• •.

• •

•

•

•• •.

• • • • •.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

STEVEN J C ESSON CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT Professional accountancy and taxation services

"FAIRFIELD" 9 ANGUSFIELD AVENUE, ABERDEEN AB15 6AR TELEPHONE: 01224 209690 OR 0468 176647

YOU CAN HAVE QUICK AND EFFECTIVE TREATMENT AT

Albyn Hospital Private Healthcare Helpline

(01224)585606 Care Individual Want I t When You

1'1 Albyn Hospital 21-24 Albyn Place, Aberdeen ABIO 1RW Telephone (01224) 595993 Fax (01224) 584797

Park & MacRae SOLICITORS Conveyancing (Commercial and Residential) Estate Agency, Corporate work, Tax Planning, Wills, Trusts and Executories, Factoring and Leases, Civil and Criminal Court Work, Matrimonial, Legal Aid.

26 Carden Place, Aberdeen AB1 lUQ Telephone: 01224 639037 Document Exchange No. AB39 (Aberdeen) Partner: John Alexander MacRae, LL.B.. N.Y. Legal and Public Capacities:

Advocates, Solicitors, Notaries Public and Estate Agents.

/

fair446t and ASSOCIATES

ARCHITECTS INTERIOR DESIGNERS

72 Carden Place Aberdeen AB10 1UL Tel: (01224) 633375 Fax: (01224) 638520 Directors: Robert Fitzgerald RIBA ARIAS Michael S. Bibby

Aberdeen's • 142 Union Street, Aberdeen, AB9 1GF Scotland Telephone 01224 641219

I

G=17-41

Construction Limited MTM House, Blackburn Industrial Estate Blackburn, Aberdeen AB2 ORX

4 BUILDING INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL BUILDING DESIGN & BUILD/TURNKEY PACKAGES FREEHOLD INDUSTRIAL SITES AVAILABLE PROPERTY & HOUSING DEVELOPMENT

A.!

\kb QUI

aarir

CIVIL ENGINEERING ROADWORKS & CAR PARK CONSTRUCTION SITE SERVICING & DRAINAGE BITMAC CONCRETE & PAVING SURFACES SPORTS & RECREATIONAL PROJECTS

N:-IBC

For quality Industrial, Commercial and Residential Developments

(0 1 2 24)

790888

FAX: (01224)

790922

THE COMPLETE WORKS.

CAMPBELL CONNON Solicitors and Estate Agents 36 ALBYN PLACE, ABERDEEN AB9 1YU We are an efficient go-ahead, modern firm of experienced solicitors who believe in putting our clients' interests first always and who will happily deal with Estate Agency, Conveyancing, Trusts and Executives, Civil and Criminal Court Work, Company, Commercial and Licensing Law, Debt Collection, Estate and Property Factoring and Wills.

If you require any of these services (or other legal assistance), please contact any of John Hendry, David Morrison, Hamish Mitchell, Alan Smith (Partners), Frank Connon, Rae Barton and Margaret Ross (Consultants) who will be happy to assist you.

CAMPBELL CONNON Also at THE HALL, CHARLESTON ROAD, ABOYNE, ABERDEENSHIRE, AB34 SEJ Telephone 03398-86732 Fax 03398-87303

STELLA'S HAIR & BEAUTY CENTRE 116 ROSEMOUNT VIADUCT ABERDEEN AB25 1NX

HAIRDRESSING OF THE HIGHEST STANDARD QUALIFIED STAFF AT ALL TIMES CLINICAL AROMATHERAPY •

Stella M. Crocker S.R.H. M.G.P.B.T. •

CHIROPODY A.I.H. McKenzie L.V.Ch.C. •

REFLEXOLOGY James M.. Clark G.S.S.R. •

BEAUTY TREATMENTS:ESTEE LAUDER DEAD SEA DISCOVERY NEAL'S YARD REMEDIES `SUMMER THYME' ESSENTIAL OILS A FULL RANGE OF ESSENTIAL OILS A ND CARRIER OILS CREAMS AND LOTIONS FOR RETAIL FREE CONSULTATION ON OILS AND THEIR USES TEL: 01224 631969

Johnstone w te (Abdn )LtS. Insurance Brokers All Commercial and Industrial Insurances • Shops, offices and industrial units, etc.

• Liabilities — on-shore and off-shore • Car • House • Travel • Personal Accident Insurance • Investment Bonds • Unit Trusts • PEPS • Life Assurance • Pensions • Personal and Corporate Finance Contact: Bob Johnstone, 109 Holborn Street, Aberdeen AB1 6BQ. S REO4s.

FOR

•

IN

si,Lss

Member of THE BRITISH INSURANCE BROKERS'

Telephone: 01224 592421 Fax: 01224 574519

g RLGVI ' 4, A FLU , 3

ASSOCIATION

FLOWER VOGUE I Interflora, A LOVELY NEW IDEA .

DIALA'BEAR

sown.

SEND A BEAR ANYWHERE AN l.Nt'SUAL GIFT IDEAL FOR ANY OCCASION

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VISA

AME RI

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11A ROSE STREET, ABERDEEN • TEL: 01224 643344 34 SCHOOLHILL, ABERDEEN • TEL 01224 624634

It's the service, reliability and choice that counts value in Car, Truck and Van Hire

where people come first 35 CHAPEL STREET, ABERDEEN Tel. 642642

De Oldc frigatc ?Bar 57 Netherkirkgate Aberdeen Telephone: 01224 640505

An Oasis in the City Centre We are just off St. Nicholas Street beside Marks & Spencers.

OPEN ALL DAY FOR A GREAT PINT

STOR I E CRUDEN&SIMPSON SOLICITORS & ESTATE AGENTS Established 1876 NEED LEGAL ADVICE CALL US NOW FOR A PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL LEGAL SERVICE

r4

PROPERTY

SERVICES

u

FAMILY

LAW

Estate Agency, House Purchase,

Wills, Executries,Trusts, Investments

Conveyancing, Leasing,Agricultural Law.

and Financial Advise.

u

r4

COMMERCIAL

LAW

Company Work, Partnership, Commercial Leasing, Contracts Law.

CITY OFFICE

COURT

WORK

Civil Litigation, Criminal, Accident Claims, Divorce, Separation, Employment, Debt, Recovery and Bankruptcy.

BRANCH OFFICE

2 BON-ACCORD CRESCENT ABERDEEN

UNIT 22 WESTHILL SHOPPING CENTRE

Tel: (01224) 587261

Tel: (01224) 740718

Fax: (01224) 580850

Fax: (01224) 743986

William L. Gorrod (Aberdeen) Ltd. PLUMBING & ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS

34 Duthie Terrace, Aberdeen Tel: 01224 313076 PLUMBING WORK

From a washer to a new bathroom suite

ELECTRICAL WORK From a fuse to a complete rewire

Members of klmnIttr 0 ••• Elninco• Lowl.cla, • 1111..,1411 9 St,04IPI

. .•

;40"'"'s1

1

;

ANOTHER SLEEPLESS NIGHT? Wake up and buy beds direct and buy better

gag

Northsleep Limited, Cothal Mills 19-21 St. Clair Street, Aberdeen AB9 2TA Tel: 01224 632334 (3 lines)

-

RICHARD IRVIN /RICHARD IRVIN!

Building Services Division

RICHARD IRVIN Building Services Division offer the full range of building services:

Heating • Ventilation Air Conditioning • Electrical Plumbing • Fire Protection • Boiler Servicing • Service & Maintenance • Gas Inspection 24hr EMERGENCY CALL OUT SERVICE For all your Building Services requirements contact Richard Irvin where quality and reliability come first Head Office: Irvin Group Complex, Albert Quay, Aberdeen AB11 5ES Tel: (01224) 576280 Fax: (01224) 582758 Also Glasgow, Inverness & Elgin ej&

HVCA

a A Disnsicn of Richard Irmn 8 Sons Unred

• 11

Eon

1

0

(aces thr

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00,4

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Valuation

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Shepherd's don't only look after sheep perhaps you've heard of us/

Commercial Estate Agency

o

Compulsory Purchase

5

• :a = a

Building Surveying Development Investment

o

SHEPHERD W MIONIM

,

IS, ALWYN PLACE,

Estate Management Rating

ABERDEEN

01224-640557

1

26.38 UNION STREET

FOUR floors

Ocsnsoo bean Broke

-_

10Na avadebte arty what stocks last)

ABERDEEN

TEL 01224 647331

411E -

-

INTEREST FREE CREDIT ON PURCHASES OVER f1000 •

FUNtlit

The store with Style

0 NI ISSIIMMif&NIACKMM

' , 1on

Ti -1 11

!

i •ii

3 i•

'

-

OVER

1 -I!

20% OFF

EXCLUSIVE STOCK PURCHASE

-

. i I

Mimes quality in Sofas and Chairs SANTIAGO together with Stressless Plus Captain Chairs and Stools in a choice of hunter green or ivory leather with teak frames. cg 3-seat Sofa with Armchair and Stressless Plus Captain Chair mid Stool.

Normal Price £3542 AUTUMN OFFER PRICE

£ 2 7 9 7

TILNEY & CO

An Education in Investment With client funds under management or advice of over £4.8 billion we are one the UK's largest fund managers and stockbrokers. Our portfolio services include designated nominee service, half yearly valuations and annual tax schedules.

•

Discretionary Portfolio Management

•

Trust and Charitable Funds Management

•

Pension Fund Management

•

Investment Trust Portfolio

•

Self Select PEPs

•

UK and Overseas Research

For more information please call:Barry Scott, 56 Queen's Road, Aberdeen, AB1 6YE Tel: 01224 311100 Fax: 01224 311124

Also at: Birmingham Edinburgh Glasgow Isle of Man Liverpool London Manchester Peterborough and Shrewsbury Tilney & Co is a member of the London Stock Exchange and regulated by The Securities and Futures Authority for the conduct of investment business in the U.K. Licensed by the Isle of Man Government Financial Supervision Commission to conduct investment business in the Isle of Man.

THOMSON CRAIG & DONALD 4 CARDEN TERRACE ABERDEEN AB10 1US TEL: (01224) 644461 FAX: (01224) 646435

4 HERIOT ROW EDINBURGH EH3 6HU TEL: (0131) 558 9726 FAX: (0131) 558 9727

ARCHITECTS AND MANNING CONSULTANTS INTERIOR DESIGN AND SPACE PLANNERS PROJECT MANAGERS ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES PLANNING SUPERVISORS Partners: Alistair W. Hay RIBA ARIAS Charles E. Simpson RIBA ARIAS Frank Robertson RIBA ARIAS W. Donald Coutts RIBA ARIAS MAPM

• Corporate Taxation Initiatives • Personal Tax Planning • Computerisation of Accounting Systems

• Business Acquisitions • Company Disposals • Raising Finance • Management Buy-Outs • Management Buy-Ins

• Preparing and Advising on Management Accounts

• Advising on Business Strategy

• Efficient Statutory Audits

RMD CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS CONTACT: COUN I WELSH, 2 QUEEN'S TERRACE, ABERDEEN, TEL (01224) 625888

If you're counting the cost...

,

/ /

We'll lend you something much more valuable than money. '

/

-

• Whether you're moving home or you require legal assistance, there's a firm of lawyers in town who would be delighted to hear from you.

They'll offer you a free initial consultation and some very sound advice.

BUYING & SELLING PROPERTY • RESIDENTIAL LEASING INDEPENDENT MORTGAGE ADVICE WILLS & EXECUTRIES • PERSONAL FINANCIAL PLANNING

LEDINGHAM CHALMERS WHEN YOU TALK, WE LISTEN 17 GOLDEN SQUARE ABERDEEN (01224) 408408 220 UNION STREET, ABERDEEN (0 1224) 632500

THE PRINCE -

REGENT HOTEL

Privately owned city centre hotel with large car park Ideally situated in the heart of the west end business community within minutes walk of Union Street, The Albert Bar - a comfortable meeting place to relax and unwind over a coffee or fine malt or real ale. The Waverley Room serving food to suit all budgets. The Regent Room - a meeting or seminar room - competitive delegate packages available. Bedrooms all fully furnished and equipped - substantially discounted room rates on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights A warm welcome awaits you 20/22 Waverley Place, (Off Albyn Place) Aberdeen AB1 1XP Tel. (01224) 645071 Fax. (01224) 648157

r

-

Michael C. Hastie CHARTERED QUANTITY SURVEYORS, CONSTRUCTION COST CONSULTANTS

567A Great Western Road Aberdeen AB1 7PA Telephone: 01224 325000 Fax: 01224 312596

HAB HARPER

H.A. Barrie Harper M.A., LL.B. CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT

99 BON-ACCORD STREET ABERDEEN ABIl 6ED TELEPHONE (01224) 574030 FAX NO: (01224) 574030

FOR ALL YOUR ACCOUNTING NEEDS

WILLIAMSON & DUNN CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS

Providing a Personal and Comprehensive Audit, Accountancy and Taxation Service I.C. TAYLOR, H.E. M0RRISON, A.J. GARDINER, G.S. FLETT. K.S. TAIT, G.R. PYLE

3 WEST CRAIRSTONE STREET, BON ACCORD SQUARE, ABERDEEN AB11 6WY

TEL. 01224 581288 • FAX. 01224 583948

HALL & TAWSE "Quality Construction Backed by Over a Century of Experience" Design & Build Partnership Construction Manufactured Joinery Specialist Works Hall & Tawse Scotland Ltd.

a 41 (9) • No: FS 21840

Granitehill Road, Northfield, Aberdeen. AB16 7AW. Tel: (01224) 693155 Fax: (01224) 698262

CALL FREE ON o8Oo I2I I2I

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SCOTTISH BREWERS

Alterations Extensions New Buildings Large (Sc Small

Lyon • . cPherson %41

•ty•

Tel 01224-313080 Fax 01224-312022 Ruthrie House 5 Ruthrleston Road Aberdeen AB10 7JR

Architects & Planning Supervisors .rattir,

For a secure professional approach, and personal - — contact attention rqr

"G:iS''?tiX;'~Sjj~y4,•3i"!;is}sr2ififi

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Three Piece

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Bathroom

Suites from ...

-

I

Our large showroom has a wide choice of bathroom suites, showers, shower enclosures, tiles and accessories to suit all tastes and budgets, so you're bound to find what you're looking for.

110-

c299 PLUS VAT

IOW

0 Wilson William We're big in bathrooms Hareness Road, Altens Industrial Estate, Aberdeen AB12 3QA

Tel. 01224 877522 We are open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm Saturday 9.30am to 4pm

"A Company which supports the development of today's Grammar School pupils through the Rover Careers Challenge and Former Pupils through their long term sponsorship of Aberdeen Grammar School FP's Rugby Club?"

Who Else?

Town & County Land Rover Greenwell Road, East Tullos, Aberdeen AB12 3AT Telephone: (01224) 817219

ADVERTISING

"If you have an Advertising, Public Relations, or Design & Print requirement, let Mearns & Gill work for you."

Press • Television • Industrial Radio • Posters • Direct Mail

RECRUITMENT Recruitment Advertising Confidential Reply Service Personnel Documentation Introduction and Training Material Recruitment Information Packs Staff Communications

DESIGN & PRINT Corporate House Styling Company Reports Industrial and Consumer Brochures Exhibition • Packaging • Advertising Design Typography • General Illustration

PUBLIC RELATIONS #

BARKER MEARNS & GiLI PUBLIC RELATIONS LTD MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC RELATIONS CONSULTANTS ASSOCIATION

MEARNS 8GILL ADVERTISING

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Advertising • Design • Corporate Communications 7 CARDEN PLACE, ABERDEEN AB9 I PP TELEPHONE: (01224) 646311 FACSIMILE: (01224) 631882 Member of the Ins-mute of Praarboners Jr) Adwrosing