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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine 135th year No. 257 (New Series 124th year No. 248) ________________________________________________________________________

Vol 122

September 2019 The Magazine is published under the auspices of The Former Pupils’ Club each year General Editor & Editor of Notes etc.

Brian K. Crookshanks, TD, MA, LL.B 99 Fountainhall Road Aberdeen AB15 4EB

Secretary of the FP Club

John F. Hendry, LL.B 36 Albyn Place Aberdeen AB10 1YF

Treasurer of the FP Club

John C.A. Michie, 391 Union Street Aberdeen AB11 6BX

Membership Secretary

John C.A. Michie, 391 Union Street Aberdeen AB11 6BX

The General Editor is happy to receive contributions for the next issue of the Magazine at any time before 31 May 2019 Former Pupils are encouraged to provide details about themselves or others for inclusion in the Notes Section of the Magazine Information may be sent by E-mail to editor@agsfp.com In order to assist in the distribution of the Magazine, members of the Former Pupils’ Club are requested to advise the Membership Secretary promptly of any changes of address

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine Contents page

School Section  Head Teacher’s Report School Office-Bearers School Prizes 2018-19 Extra-Curricular Activities Aberdeen Grammar Games School Activities Face the Music F1 in Schools World Challenge The Phil Love Trophy General Section Andy Nisbet – Fine Mountaineer The Sabbath Big Hill Days Lower School Reunion 1963-70 1962-68 Reunion Reunion of Class of ‘59 Former Pupils’ Club Section Club Office-Bearers 2019-20 Club Consuls Annual General Meeting President’s Report New School Science Laboratory Presidential Profile Centre Reports Club Centre Canada Edinburgh Glasgow London Yorkshire Sports Section Reports Social Events – Annual Dinner 1st Scout Group Club Membership Subscriptions Long Service Members Notes about Former Pupils Obituaries Abstracts of Accounts

7 10 10 14 15 17 23 24 26 27 32 32 34 36 39 40 42 43 45 46 49 50 51 51 52 53 54 55 70 71 74 76 78 82 107

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

OUR ADVERTISERS As a Club we are most grateful to all our under-noted advertisers who have supported the production of this Magazine by taking advertising space. Club members are encouraged, in turn, please to patronise our advertisers who would value our members’ custom every bit as much as we value theirs. Aberdeen Solicitors’ Property Centre Aberdeen Standard Investments Anderson, Anderson & Brown North East Scotland College Atholl Hotel

Bain Henry Reid

Blackadders

Bower & Smith

Brewin Dolphin

F.G. Burnett

Campbell Connon

Country Ways

D.M. Hall

Inchmarlo Retirement Homes

Jamieson & Carry

Kenway Tyres

Langstane Press

MTM Construction

Marcliffe at Pitfodels

Michies the Chemist

School Section

Senior Pupils 2018-19

Rory Ferguson, Angus HoggHogg, Lewis MacIver, Catherine Denison, Deirdre O’Riordan, Jennifer Herrera

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Head Teacher’s Report The following is the text of the Speech made by Miss Murison at the Prize-giving Ceremonies on 6 and 7 June 2019. I have three sources of inspiration for my address which I have entitled “The thrill of learning, the best week of my life and I love chemistry!” I will explain! The first source is Mrs Bell, Depute Head Teacher and Head of Byron House, who, whilst leading recent staff training on approaches to learning, said “we have the will, the skill and the thrill of learning.” I liked it. I thought this is what we should be about. The second source is a boy just back from the France Water Sports trip. When asked how activities week went, his face lit up as he talked about sailing, kayaking, paddle boarding and windsurfing. He said “I even liked the high ropes - it was the best week of my life and I thought it would be the worst.” The third is a boy who has just moved into S3. I was in Dr Gibson’s chemistry class and I was asking said boy to explain what he was working on. I had also observed him asking some fantastic questions throughout the lesson. I asked him about the subject and he said “I love chemistry.” These examples sum up for me what an excellent school is all about. Inspirational and outstanding learning and teaching. New and exciting learning experiences. Fun. This, of course, is built on strong teamwork summed up in our vision statement “working together, learning together, achieving together.” Only then can we deliver the vast number of opportunities we do for our young people. Our key goal is to ensure that all of our young people leave school with a fantastic set of skills and qualifications - but also with happy memories and a love of learning. These are attributes which will serve them well in life, particularly in a changing society where it is unlikely they will experience just one career path. As an extended senior management team, myself, the depute head teachers and the principal teachers are visiting classrooms as part of our quality improvement procedures. Throughout these visits we are seeing young people engaged in their learning and achieving well. We have had external verification of this in our recent whole school inspection. In their Report, the school inspectors said: “There are examples of outstanding teaching evident. Classroom dialogue promotes learning. Young people are challenged to demonstrate higher order thinking skills. Young people understand what is expected and how to achieve success. Through the work of the Teacher Learning Community and the many working groups, staff are modelling a culture of continuous learning, which young people recognise and value.”

School Section On reading this, I felt a great sense of pride in our school, our teachers and our pupils. I inspect schools across the country and I very rarely write or read the term “outstanding teaching.” I am very pleased that the inspectors made the link between all of the opportunities we provide and the role this plays in ensuring we remain as one of the highest attaining secondary schools in Scotland. Strong attainment does not just happen. It takes a lot of planning and hard work from everyone – our young people, ourselves as staff and you, as parents. This was noted as a key strength in the letter to parents, where inspectors noted “The high quality of attainment and achievement, which is supported well through an extensive range of learning opportunities. As a result, very high numbers of young people are developing the skills and attributes to succeed in life and work.” We are a dedicated team and we have a strong work ethic. I would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank our staff for supporting our young people so well. I mentioned the France Water Sports trip earlier which was one of the trips on offer during Activities and Skills Week. There are too many to list but I will mention a few others to give you a sense of our constant wish to extend the opportunities we offer. Some of our S3 pupils benefited from an Outdoor Learning Experience, with one group at Fort William and another in the Lake District. The course was run by the Outward Bound Trust and our young people completed a leadership and team-building course. The centre was so impressed by our pupils that many of them have been invited back for a partially-funded summer programme. You may have read in the local press about our Battlefields Trip to Belgium. Many of our young people were visibly moved when laying wreaths on the graves of former AGS pupils who served in the first World War and lost their lives. As you know much learning takes place outwith the classroom in our extracurricular programme where all curricular areas contribute. We are known for a high level of performance and participation in performing arts and sports. We are now venturing into the world of golf. I will share with you a new project upon which we are working. Recently, we received a substantial bequest from a Former Pupil, Luther Kitson Smith. Mr Smith set very specific terms in relation to the use of the funding. He asked that consideration be given to training and mentoring young people in golf. To begin with we thought it was going to be a struggle to fulfil the terms of the bequest. However, it is looking set to be a very positive initiative and we have an exciting new School of Golf project about to get underway. Working in partnership with the Paul Lawrie Foundation we are looking to identify young people in P7, S1 and S2 who would benefit from this opportunity. 7

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine They will receive coaching and the end goal is for them to play in the Luther and Muriel Smith competition. There is much to look forward to in the new session. I would like to thank Former Pupil Brian Crookshanks for supporting the funding of a new science lab. Given our uptake in the sciences, we are converting a classroom into a lab over the summer holidays and Brian is supporting this work. In June 2020, we are scheduled to have some new pupil toilets, new swimming pool changing rooms and a new kitchen. As a school we are always looking to constantly evolve and improve with true excellence being our driver. Our School Improvement Plan for 2019/20 is ambitious, I will share a few key projects:     

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We have developed a research toolkit for young people to use to support them in the completion of research and assignment tasks. This will be launched next session. Similarly we have new guidance for parents on approaches to home learning with subject specific advice. Young people will gain accreditation for their work in supporting the wider life of the school with leadership qualifications. We are continuing to extend our curriculum and individual learner pathways and qualifications. We will be building in bespoke work experience for young people at a point which suits them in S4, S5 or S6. We are also looking to work with parents on the important area of emotional wellbeing. We will be running an evening event for parents using an external provider. Pupils will also have inserts in the PSE programme. Remembering the fun and skills aspect of learning, we will be developing further our Activities/Skills Week and consulting with our young people on the types of experiences they would like built into this.

I would like to touch on parental engagement and give my thanks. I have a supportive Parent Council chaired by Margaret Davidson and the support which parents give the school and their children is crucial. Our PTA continues to support our work with their fundraising activities. As I have often said before, we will not settle for mediocrity - excellence is the only standard worth striving for and the only one in which we at Aberdeen Grammar School are interested. Aberdeen Grammar School, June, 2019

Alison Murison Head Teacher

School Section School Office-Bearers - Session 2018-2019 Senior Prefects CATHERINE DENISON DEIRDRE O’RIORDAN JENNIFER HERRARA

LEWIS MacIVER ANGUS HOGG RORY FERGUSON

S6 Prefects: Martin Aasterud, Katie Affleck, Cassie Alexander, Anoop Babu, Andrew Barlow, Fiona Bender, Taylor Birrell, Elias Bokedal, Tyler Brand, Becky Carstens, Amy Cowan, Eilidh Crofton, Amy Cukrowski, Job Dersken, Matthew Duncan, Sarah Dunnett, Fiona Ewen, Lucas Findlay, Josh Fleming, Cara Gardiner, Ailsa Gault, Alessandra Gentilucci, Isabella Gimona, Lewis Hardy, Charlotte Hume, Catriona Imperiale, Praise Iriele, James Johnston, Alex King, Fraser Lambert, Rebecca Low, Stephanie Low, Annabel Lunney, Nicolas McCormack, Erin Macdonald, Jenna McDonald, Kirsty McKendrick, Zoe Maunder, Caitlin Melvin, Faraj Monnnapillai, Louise Morris, Struan Morrison, Lewa Olaosebikan, Karolina Omenzetter, Aidan O’Riordan, Matthew Oxley, Zuzanna Prusik, Lea Quantrell, Liza Salo, Reem Satar, Ben Schmitz, Theo Sharp, Sushrut Subedi, Megan Taylor, Catherine Watson, Kerris Wilson, Rebecca Wilson and Femi Yusuf. S5 Prefects: Isobel Anderson, Aaron Babu, Shanon Boyle, Yusef Butt, Mairi Christie, Abigail Coles, Zalva Djayapertapa, Lya-Solange Doidge-Harrison, Maisy Fan, Quasim Farhan, Neal Fleming, Ahmed Husain, Alex Irvine, Hannah Jarret, Mook Jaruwattanapradid, Nicole Johnstone, Sanjana Joshi, Markus Kan, Ailsa Kennedy, Miko Kiestrzyn, Charlie MacDougall, Ben Manclark, Poppy Marlow, Anna McPhail, Hannah Menezes, Arthur Morgan, Calum Muldon, Eilidh Munro, Nafha Murssith, Madeline Oxley, Maria Pinheiro, Elizabeth Poobalan, Aadhya Regmi, Lauren Reid, Kate Renforth, Adam Robertson, Hanock Saji, Ayra Sherjil, Meg Stanger, Patrick Stenhouse, Georgia Tawse, Sandra Tijo, Fraser Wilson, Karolina Wroblewska, Heather Young.

School Prizes 2018-2019 The Joyce Tease Award for excellence in Modern Languages The Former Pupils’ Club Prize in Modern Studies The Former Pupils’ Club Prize in Physical Education The Hamish Adams Greig Prize in Biology The Former Pupils’ Club Prize in Spanish The Former Pupils’ Club Prize in Drama The Former Pupils’ Club Prize in Home Economics The Samuel Pope Prize & Donald Paton Prizes for Art & Design The John Muir Robertson Prize in Accounting & Finance The ALBA Trophy for Business Management The Gordon McMinn Prize in Computing Studies The Masson Bain Prize in English The William Brebner Prize in French The Charles Alexander Walker Prize in History The Campbell Connon Prize for Geography

Peter Hamond Shannon Boyle Deirdre O’Riordan Matthew Elliot Gaia Alcaras Luke McKenzie Catriona Imperiale Struan Morrison Ben Schmitz Jordan Dutch Allan Player Finlay Waddell Hafren Vaughan Alyssa Hose Charlie MacDougall

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine The J. Mortimer McBain & George G. Whyte Prizes in Mathematics & The Alexander Thomson Prize in Mathematics Finlay Waddell The Gavin Falconer Memorial Prize in Music Millicent McKenzie The CNR International Prize for Physics Jason Mathie The CNR International Prize for Graphic Communication Jason Mathie The CNR International Prize for Chemistry Matthew Elliot The Science Ambassador Gold Award Lucas Findlay The University of Aberdeen Principal’s Awards For Excellence at National 5 Rebecca Dargie For Excellence at Higher Finlay Waddell The Caritas Cup for Contribution to Charities Group Activities Lewis MacIver The AGS Dramatic Society Award for Drama Lewis MacIver The AGS “Face the Music” Award for an outstanding Performance in the School’s Musical Production Angus Hogg The Concert Band Player of the Year Theo Sharp The Concert Band Award for Outstanding Contribution Martha Forbes, & Finlay Waddell Prefect of the Year Fiona Bender & Martin Aasterud The Rector’s Shield for outstanding contribution to Debating Praise Iriele & Stephanie Low The Montgomery Trophy Kerris Wilson The Philip Love Trophy Deirdre O’Riordan The Jamie Blair Fiddes Award Nathan Woodside The Brian Robertson Prize for commitment to the School Lewis MacIver Sports Awards The David Swanson Junior Golf Trophy The Fowlie Cup for Swimming The Dr Morland Simpson Cup for Swimming The Rector’s Medal for Swimming The S1-S6 Isobel O. Anderson Trophy for Swimming The Damien Reidy Rugby Trophy The Ronald MacKinnon Trophy for Athletics Volleyball Player of the Year Inter-House Competition Awards The Inter-House Hockey Cup The Inter-House Basketball (Senior) The Inter-House Basketball (Junior) The Inter-House Challenge Cup (Senior) The Inter-House Challenge Cup (Junior) The Inter-House Table Tennis Trophy The Inter-House Quiz Cup (Literacy) The Inter-House Badminton Shield

Rory Adair Gaia Alcaras Charlie MacDougall Tom Robertson Archie Smith Mason Moir Nathan Tosh Karolina Wroblewska Byron Byron Melvin Melvin Melvin Melvin Melvin Keith & Dun

All-Round Awards The Dr Alexander Cormack Award to the best all-round pupil in S1 Charlotte Arthur The David Alexander Irvine-Fortescue Prize – S2 Josephine Law The Norman Mackie Memorial Prize Esther Thomas Jamieson The Edith & David Ritchie Bishop Prize Rebecca Dargie The Former Pupils’ Club All-Round Award in S5 Mathew Elliot The Former Pupils’ Club 1965 Prize Kerris Wilson & Charlotte Hume The Runner-up to the Former Pupils’ Club All-Round Trophy Louise Morris & Deirdre O’Riordan The Agnes Durward McDonald Prize (Runner-up) Struan Morrison

School Section The Former Pupils’ Club All-Round Trophy for Girls The Former Pupils’ Club All-Round Trophy & the John Ivo Dawson Prize

Catherine Denison Matthew Oxley

Dux Award

Oisin Lyons

Colours Awards

All Round Trophy Winners Deirdre O’Riordan, Louise Morris, Catherine Denison, Matthew Oxley and Sruan Morrison Alison Murison, Iain Hopkin

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Sport Athletics Badminton Cross Country Football

Full Colours Half Colours Junior Colours Half Colours Junior Colours

Ailsa Gault Nathan Tosh Rowan Gillies, Am Griffin Sanjana Joshi, Jason Mathie Sam Armour

Junior Colours Full Colours Junior Colours

Patrick Lang Ben Schmitz Ewan Fleming, Alan Forbes, Luke Renforth, Shehu Usman Mourad Ahmanache, Joseph Hartley, Blair McGinigal, Arthur Morgan Matthew McGinigal, Finlay White, Jonathan Wiseman

Half Colours Golf Gym Hockey

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

Netball

Full Colours Half Colours Junior Colours

Ailsa Gault, Hannah Jarret, Anna McPhail Lauren Dempster, Winnie Kwan, Lucas Findlay, Ali Gentilucci, Alex King, Nicolas McCormack, Louise Morris, Deirdre O’Riordan, Kerris Wilson Isabel Blackburn, Shanon Boyle, Amber Deady, Neal Fleming, Louis Fraser, James Johnston, Maisy Fan, Cameron Ogilvie, Madeleine Oxley Nyall Angus, Morgan Daniel, Iona Laidlaw, Alex Lawrence, Eva Low, Maxine Rabouille, Chrystal Saji, Una Taylor, Keira Wood-Nicol Louise Morris Bella MacRae, Eilidh Munro, Kate Renforth, Georgia Tawse Hannah Allan, Hayleigh Ironside, Neave Kelly, Ava Kennedy, Jean Kongprasoet, Molly McLeod, Rebecca Seatter, Katie Thom Ross Brown, Mason Moir

Rugby

Junior Colours

Rowing Swimming

Junior Colours Full Colours Half Colours

Stephanie Low

Full Colours Junior Colours Junior Colours

Elias Bokedal Josef Bokedal Jason Mathie Alex Grant, James Williams Catherine Denison, Deirdre O’Riordan Yusef Butt, Haydon Campbell, Adam Sebai, Patrick Stenhouse, Karolina Wroblewska Anusua Bohara, Bianca Buhaciuc, Deidra Dias Alberto Grace Campbell, Andrew Lyon, Leah McAllister, Donniue Scott, Irena Statescu

T/Tennis Tennis Volleyball

Full Colours Half Colours Junior Colours

Gaia Alcaras, Fiona Ewen, Charliie MacDougall, Jade Madden

School Section

Arts & Culture Concert Band

Full Colours Half Colours Junior Colours

Debating Full Colours Engineering Junior Colours Club Face the Music Full Colours Half Colours Junior Colours Face the Music Full Colours Band Half Colours Choir Full Colours Half Colours Junior Colours Choir & Show Full Colours Choir Junior Colours Junior Choir

Junior Colours

Senior Choir

Full Colours Half Colours

String Orchestra

Full Colours Half Colours Junior Colours

Louise Morris, Lewa Olaosebikan, Matthew Oxley, Theo Sharp Isobel Anderson, Abigail Coles, Neal Fleming, Stephanie Gibson, Patrick Stenhouse, Georgia Tawse, Finlay Waddell, Fraser Wilson Thomas Coutts, Alan Forbes, Rory Halliday, Troy Hayton, Halcyon Morgan, Una Taylor, Sasha Valcov Praise Iriele Fergus Gault, Donnie Scott Eilidh Crofton, Catherine Denison, Angus Hogg, Annabel Lunney, Lewis MacIver, Zoe Maunder, Lewa Olaosebikan, Zuzanna Prtusik Weronika Polec, Meg Stanger Holly Stuart, Esther Jamieson Struan Morrison Elias Bokedal Eilidh Crofton, Catherine Denison, Catriona Rahela Akter, Catriona Imperiale, Mook Jaruwattanapradid, Poppy Marlow, Calum Muldoon, Prusik Zuzanna Heather Reid, Esther Jamieson Eilidh Crofton, Lewa Olaosebikan, Zuzanna Prusik Lewa Olaosebikau Grace Campbell, Mia Coman, Christopher Davidson, Rianon Duncan, Sophie Fleming Hayleigh Ironside, Charlotte Irvine, Leah McAllister Jordan Lee, Ailsa Kennedy, Maria Pinheiro, Aadhya Regmi, Sandra Tijo Annabel Lunney Zalva Djayapertapa, Namisha Jayasinghe, Josef Bokedal, Esther Jamieson, Cameron Vargesson, Hafren Vaughan

Extra-Curricular Activities Aberdeen Grammar Games

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine Thursday 27th June saw pupils from the School experiencing the rare summer weather of Aberdeen at the Rubislaw Playing Field for their annual sports day. It was a very eventful and successful day with everyone taking part to commemorate the strong school spirit. Many pupils made their way to the Field early in the morning, dressed in their school PE kit, eager to compete in the heats and finals as well as in the House team events taking place later that day. Weeks of preparation led up to this day and the expectation for everything to run smoothly was felt in the air. During the heats, inexhaustible pressure was appreciated by the competitors as they jumped into the sand, threw a heavy ball or ran on a course a certain distance. All triumphed and many victorious individuals went on to compete in the finals. Times were beaten and new records were made under the warm sun. At the same time, while heats and finals went on at the Field, some pupils were at school getting ready to cheer on their classmates. The whole school reunited at the field in the early afternoon to allow pupils and members of staff to cheer on the resilient competitors during the last of the finals and for the long awaited House team relay and tug of war. Pupils from each year group represented their Houses in a relay race and a team of around seven, consisting of pupils and teachers, represented their House in the tug of war. Preparations for relay and tug of war teams were made by the school’s House Captains throughout the week leading up to this momentous day. As pupils ran for their House, the rest of the school cheered them on covered in face paints, glitter and hairspray in the colours of their House – Melvin glimmered in green, Byron bubbled in blue and Keith and Dun done it in red. It was a spectacular sight to see with immensely proficient runners being encouraged by colour covered peers and staff. As the relays ended, with Byron House in the lead, cheer upon cheer was received by the runners as the crowd went wild. Within just minutes after the relays, the crowd of pupils and staff gathered to face a rope which laid on the ground ready to be put under immense pressure in a few moments. Two House teams, Melvin and Byron, were up first. A strong battle was fought and Melvin got the first win. Next up was Byron and Keith and Dun, which was a tough one but Byron pulled through and won the round. Finally it was Melvin again with Keith and Dun and tensions rose from the crowd as they stood there nervously contemplating which house would win. Melvin was once again victorious in the tug of war and everyone cheered. Thus, the tug of war concluded yet another fabulous Grammar Games. Nadha Murssith S6

Music The Music Department held its first concert of the session on 10th October. The concert included a variety of groups and musical genres, which made for an interesting and enjoyable evening. The School’s award-winning Concert Band, under its director Alan MacDonald, opened the concert with three pieces – ‘Kinesis’ by M. Sweeney, an arrangement of ‘Loch Lomond’ and ‘Shaker Dance’ by J. Zdechlik. This was followed by the Junior Choir, directed by Miss Johnston, performing ‘Feel it Still’ arranged by M. Brymer.

School Section Third year pupil Josef Bokedal, accompanied by Ms Cromar, then performed what is possibly the most famous piece for cello, ‘The Swan’ by Saint-Saens. The Jazz Band then got feet tapping with their rendition of Hawaii Five-O. The Percussion Group, directed by Miss Graham, performed an arrangement of the upbeat ‘Get Lucky’ by Daft Punk before the senior choir sang ‘Human’ arranged by Mac Huff. The second half opened with the String Orchestra, conducted by Ms Cromar performing ‘Ashokan Farewell’ and ‘Viola Hero’. The latter piece offered the Orchestra’s two advanced Year 6 viola players, Annabel Lunney and Oisin Lyons the chance to take centre stage. This was followed by the Show Choir singing Bacharach’s ‘I Say a Little Prayer’. The Brass Ensemble performed the well-known ‘Colonel Bogey’ followed by Grieg’s menacing ‘In the Hall of the Mountain King’. Oisin Lyons then performed ‘La Chapelle de Guillaume Tell’ by Liszt on the School’s impressive Bosendorf piano to great effect. The concert closed with the cast and band of the Face the Music group performing ‘Under Pressure’ which gave the audience a flavour of the upcoming School show ‘We Will Rock You’. As the audience dispersed much favourable comment was heard about the astonishing range of musical talent in the School.

School Concert Band The Concert Band has had a busy and productive 2019 to date. In addition to the Band’s regular performance in the Performing Arts Faculty Concert in March, a Wind Ensemble of band members participated in the Final of the Scottish Concert Band Festival in Perth Concert Hall and were successful in gaining a Gold Award. In the summer term the full band participated in the Aberdeen & N.E Scotland Music Festival, gaining an Outstanding Performance Award and winning the 18 & Under Concert Band class. From within the group two brass quintets and a trumpet trio also participated in the Festival. The Byron Brass Quintet and Trumpet Trio gained Outstanding Performance Awards winning both the 18 & Under Brass Ensemble and 15 & Under Duets & Trios Classes. Individual band members have been busy sitting Grade Exams in the Summer term. A total of 23 brass and woodwind players from within the Band sat performance exams ranging from Grade 3 to Grade 8. All passed successfully with many achieving Distinction and Merit. Following their participation in both School Prize-givings the Band completed the term by giving a concert with the aim of raising funds towards the purchase of new percussion equipment. Also taking part were the Brass Ensembles from Ashley Road & Mile End Primary Schools, both of whom had recently gained Outstanding Performance Awards at the Music Festival. A sum of £880 was raised on what was a thoroughly enjoyable and successful evening. As we move into the new school year the band continues to go from strength to strength with no fewer than 53 band members in place to begin rehearsing next term. The Band’s next major festival performance will be the Scottish Concert Band Regional Festival. This year this performance will be at the RSNO Centre in Glasgow on the weekend of 30th November - 1st December. The opportunity to perform at this venue

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine is one to which everyone is looking forward and which will surely inspire a performance to match!

Face the Music Those Were the Days of Our Lives With the school show “We Will Rock You” having been performed on 13 th to 15th November, there was a distinct buzz around School. People whistling Queen songs down the corridors or listening to them on their phones on the way home was certainly not uncommon at Aberdeen Grammar School. Since revealing the choice of show in January, the staff in the music and drama departments had been working hard to produce a high standard and a thoroughly enjoyable show. After the audition process, the Face the Music team got to work immediately. Cast had two 2-hour rehearsals every week from May through to November, which covered singing, dancing and movement. Despite being a huge commitment of time and effort, anyone involved would agree that this paid off not only in the show week itself but also in the opportunities it gave us to meet new friends and improve our performance skills as well as learning new ones. As we progressed, the cast became a closer family and there was certainly no distinction between principals and chorus members as we worked together to achieve our highest potential. With our two incredible principals, Angus Hogg as Galileo and Zuzanna Prusik as Scaramouche, the cast were easily able to bounce off their enthusiasm and talent and provide support in chorus numbers and scenes. Our two antagonists in the show were the talented Holly Stuart as evil Killer Queen, and Oscar Thorpe as Khashoggi who provided much of the comedy as well as smashing renditions of Play the Game, Seven Seas of Rhye and of course Holly’s very own version of Killer Queen. Eilidh Crofton also garnered many laughs from the audience, portraying her mad hippie character, Yoko, with a wonderful cockney lilt. Britney and Meatloaf, played by Samuel Anderson and Annabel Lunney respectively, supported Angus and Zuzanna as their bohemian mentors and together sang some Queen favourites from I Want It All to Crazy Little Thing Called Love. The technical aspects of the show were a cause of great excitement for the cast as much as for the audience. Our talented technical crew ensured that the massive video screens which we rented for the show made the biggest impact and created the atmosphere of a live concert, whilst our backstage crew helped with costume and props, perhaps the most exciting costume piece being our colourful wigs! Our version of Radio Ga Ga for our opening number was just that little bit different, with each cast member kitted out in a wonderfully bright wig as they sang and danced their hearts out. The cast were certainly not the only ones who contributed to ensuring the amazing visual and audio impact our show had on the audience. All the music was produced by our impressive live school band who played on-stage led by Miss Johnstone. They had rehearsed together for months before getting to play with the vocalists, which they said really brought each song together. For us cast members, to finally sing alongside a live band rather than a backing track at our first band call brought great satisfaction and really

School Section

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine got us into the spirit of a (perhaps oversized) “band.” With Brian May performing such incredible guitar solos in the original soundtracks, our show wouldn’t have been complete without our own rock and roll guitarist, Struan Morrison. Struan rehearsed tirelessly, perfecting the numerous and seemingly impossible guitar solos featured throughout the show, his particular favourite being Bohemian Rhapsody. Kitted out in snakeskin boots and wearing his favourite band tee, Struan got his spotlight with this hit song as well as Crazy Little Thing Called Love. Overall the week was a great success, with both our Wednesday and Thursday nights sold out, much to the delight of the cast and crew. Every pupil involved would agree that it was most definitely a worthwhile and satisfying experience which has helped them gain confidence and given them the opportunity to develop their stage presence and dramatic skills. Despite all the hard work we put in, we couldn’t have done it without the help and guidance of the department staff who took the time out of their day to ensure the best experience for Face The Music, so for that we would like to thank them all!

S1 Science Club Aberdeen Grammar School’s S1 Science Club is not only a place where S1s of all abilities and backgrounds can have fun, but it’s also a place where children can see the true magic of science. The activities cancel out the stereotype of science being boring and introduce the S1s to a whole opportunity for a new career pathway from a young age. Not only has it benefited the youngsters at the club, but also the Senior Pupil mentors who have learned many skills like leadership, building relationships and communication. The school has also recognised the club as an important extra-curricular activity, even so much as allowing the senior helpers to get citizenship colours for their time and effort spent planning for science club. One of the major events that S1 science club planned was the S1 Science Fair. This allowed the S1s to use the knowledge and skills they had developed throughout the year, and plan an experiment in groups of one or two, under teacher supervision. The Fair not only surprised the Senior Helpers but also amazed the teachers; the S1s had a large variety of experiment ideas and were given the chance to research, plan and demonstrate their projects over the course of four weeks. On the afternoon of the Fair there was a buzz of excitement between the S1 pupils who were well-prepared to show off their skills and science knowledge to visitors. When the hordes of teachers came in and asked complex scientific questions, the S1s replied with confidence while teaching the teachers about science! This impressed the visiting teachers and they gave brilliant feedback to the pupils. One of the Senior helpers said “their work was outstanding”. At the end of the teachers’ visit, they were all given a card to vote on who had the best and most original idea. The winner was Karanika with the “Science of Sparklers” but not to worry because the other kids were rewarded for their outstanding effort in their projects. Abdelrahmen Ghanduri (S5)

School Section

A History Trip to Poland During the September long weekend, ten other pupils and I went on a History trip to Poland. We flew from Edinburgh to Kraków and on our first day there we visited Kazimierz, which is the Jewish quarter. We visited the Remus synagogue where almost all of the grave stones had been destroyed when Germany invaded Poland in 1939. The Rabbi’s gravestone had not been destroyed as the Germans who were ordered to destroy it refused as they thought it would bring them bad luck and misfortune. After the war all the gravestones which had been destroyed were made into a wall around the cemetery. As we continued our walk around the Jewish Quarter we were taken to a lane where we were told that fifteen children had been shot. The children were lined up in three rows of five and shot in the head. The bullet holes are still visible in the side of the building. Whilst we were standing in the lane comprehending what we had just been told we were informed that the square beside the lane was where Jews were lined up to be taken to death camps and labour camps. The square was also turned into a blood bath as the Nazis would often shoot hundreds of Jews at a time there. Next, we went on a guided tour of Schindler’s Factory which is now a museum which tells the story of Schindler and the Jewish prisoners of Plaszow. The museum led us through all the events that happened during the extermination of Jews. Schindler’s factory was far bigger than any of us expected and the photos on the wall of all the Jews he saved really put it into perspective. After a very long day touring the Jewish quarter and ghetto, we had pizza before bowling. We then checked into the hotel where we would be staying for two nights. For our second day we started with a walking tour around the Plaszow concentration camp. The story of the Nazi concentration camp at Plaszow, which is located in the Podgorze district, ten kilometres outside the city centre, highlighted that there was no way of escaping as it was so big and there was nowhere to hide. During our walk we saw many memorials throughout the Camp. One which stood out was on the top of a hill and represented the Jews who had been killed during the holocaust. The memorial can be interpreted in many ways but I thought the different hands on the memorial represent the different attitudes of the Jews. Some Jews tried to fight back and that is represented by the clenched fist. Others didn’t do anything as they felt they were helpless, and this is represented with the flat hand that looks lifeless. After visiting Plaszow we started to drive to Auschwitz I. The scale of this left me speechless. I wasn’t able to comprehend that humans were able to do such unspeakable things to other humans. We had a guided tour around Auschwitz and we were able to see the possessions of the prisoners such as shoes, pots, pans and the other normal things that someone would have. One display that really affected our group was of human hair; this was cut off soon after a prisoner’s arrival at the camp and was used to make blankets and stuff mattresses. After Auschwitz I we walked over to Auschwitz II, Birkenau. Birkenau was unforgettable. As we toured one of the only buildings still intact, we were taken into a room filled with pictures found in the suitcases of the prisoners after the camp was liberated. These photographs showed all the victims of the holocaust and how they were just normal people. They are normally only talked about using statistics instead of actual human beings. These photos were family portraits, sport team photos and photos that were

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Remus Synagogue Cemetery taken on a daily basis. After looking around at all the photos we were taken to a shallow pool of water about 200m away. At first it looked normal but we were told that many of the Jews we had just seen in the photos were gassed and cremated and their ashes were thrown into the pool. On our last day we visited Galicia Museum. At the museum we had a talk from an Auschwitz Birkenau survivor. Her name was Lydia Maxsymowicz and she was brought to the Camp at the age of four in 1942 and stayed there until the camp was liberated. During her time there she was experimented on by Doctor Yosef Mengele. A large number of children there were used for medical testing and many didn’t survive; Lydia was considered one of the lucky ones. When Lydia arrived at the camp she was separated from her mother and grandparents, her mother was taken to the women’s barrack and her grandparents were sent straight to the gas chambers as they were deemed unfit for manual labour. Lydia’s mother would sneak into her barrack and provide her with the little rations she got so that she could survive as long as possible. Once the camp was liberated, Lydia and her mother were unable to find each other and Lydia was sent to live with a new family. When she was 16 she was contacted by the Soviet Authorities and told where her mother was and they were able to reunite and be a family again. One part of her talk that stood out for me the most was when she stood up to show us the number that she had tattooed on her when she arrived at the camp. This has been with her for her whole life and has been a constant reminder of the devastating events of the holocaust that affected her and millions of others. After Lydia’s talk, we were able to ask her questions to help us

School Section process and comprehend her story. Lydia struggles to tell her story but feels that she has to. She knows that history can repeat itself but is using her story in the hope that this will never happen again. Lydia’s story shows that in times of darkness there will always be a glimmer of hope. After the Galicia Museum we went to the Weiliczka salt mines. These were lots of fun and were much bigger than any of us expected. As we went around the mines a few people even licked the walls! Eilidh Munro

WW1 Battlefields Experience The WW1 Battlefields trip to Flanders and the Somme in France, was a very powerful and moving experience for the whole Aberdeen Grammar School group. On our arrival, the experience began with a visit to Hill 60 in the south of the Ypres Salient where we realised how close combat was. Following this, at Sanctuary Wood, we explored a British trench and one of the many underground tunnels used by both sides. We drove through Messines, where the Famous Christmas Football Truce Memorial lies. Then we moved on to the Pool of Peace, a most tranquil spot. The following day we visited Newfoundland Park, where 91% of the Canadian Newfoundland Regiment lost their lives. This is commemorated by a stunning monument of a Caribou which looks over the battlefield mourning for her lost soldiers. We laid crosses for two former AGS pupils, William Stephen and Roderick Ferguson, and laid a wreath at the 51st Highland Division memorial. At the Thiepval Memorial, we commemorated seventeen more former AGS pupils, included among whom was maths teacher George Dawson. Dartmoor cemetery holds the grave of the oldest soldier to die, Henry Webber, who was 67 when he died. At the Vimy memorial, four more AGS soldiers were remembered, including Robert G Combe who was the only AGS pupil to be awarded the Victoria Cross during the 1914-18 War. At Essex Farm, we explored a casualty clearing station where surgeon John McCrae wrote ‘In Flanders Field’, one of the most moving poems of the First World War. We also saw one of the soldier’s graves, Valentine Joe Strudwick, who died aged fifteen. This shocked us as many of our group are also fifteen. The least visited of many of the cemeteries is at Poelcappelle where over 80% of the graves are unknown soldiers. The largest cemetery on the Western Front is Tyne Cot, where we commemorated eleven of the Grammar’s former pupils. The highlight of the trip was the Menin Gate ceremony where Euan McCready and Rowan Gillies laid a wreath on behalf of Aberdeen Football Club where three of their players were commemorated. This was followed by Victoria Scott and Cameron Vargesson laying a wreath for the AGS First World War fallen. The group held a private ceremony at Poelcappelle cemetery where Georgina Stewart read the poem ‘for the fallen’, and we had a minute’s silence. Overall, this school trip was not the usual activity-filled excursion that many of our school friends are used to. We came back more informed and aware of what these soldiers, no different from us and many only a year or two older than us, had gone through. Our guide, Andrew Byrne, impressed upon the group the terrible sadness and despair their families endured. It is only when you see the hundreds and hundreds of beautifully kept headstones that you understand the futility and the waste of the war.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine Cameron Vargesson, Coby Keith, Zachary Rist.

F1 Challenge in Schools Success for A G S Team Overdrive F1 in Schools is a non-profit organisation set up to educate secondary school students on the possibilities with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths). F1 relies solely on support and contributions from various industries to be able to operate and deliver a World-Class competition. F1 aim to engage with millions of students, like us, across the globe to provide us with the opportunity to develop key skills such as leadership, organisation and time management which will form the foundation of our future, whichever career path we choose. Team Overdrive are a group of five senior pupils from Aberdeen Grammar School, with various project management roles ranging from Design Engineer to Finance Manager. We are participating in the F1 in Schools challenge as Team Overdrive and are representing our school and country in the World finals to be held in Abu Dhabi. To be able to represent Scotland at the World finals, we had to achieve a top-3 place at Scottish Regional and UK National finals. Team Overdrive went through with a first-place award at the Regionals held in Livingston and, as Scottish Champions, at the Nationals held at the Airbus UK factory in Broughton. Our team were granted two further awards for the engineering design of our car. We achieved the “Fastest F1 Car” award and the “Best Engineered Car” award. To be able to participate in the F1 competition we had to raise circa £5,000 funding to help us achieve our goal of participating in the World finals. Team Overdrive contacted large engineering-based companies to explain what the sponsorship money they provided us would be used for and what Return of Investment each company would receive via car logos, our YouTube interviews and extensive social media coverage. Cara Gardiner Finance and Sponsorship Manager

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Team Overdrive

World Challenge – Sub-Saharan Africa June 2018 In June 2018, two groups of thirty-six pupils and four teachers from Aberdeen Grammar School embarked on a month-long World Challenge expedition to SubSaharan Africa. The expedition began as soon as our plane touched down in Durban, South Africa, where we boarded a bus which brought us to the border of the kingdom of Lesotho. For our acclimatisation phase, we horse trekked through the breath-taking mountains of Lesotho into the rural village of Sehlabathebe, where Group 1 set up camp for the next six days and Group 2 headed back out to the border to travel to Swaziland for their first trek. Both groups completed two treks during their month away. The first was the Giant’s Cup Trail in South Africa, a five-day, self-sufficient trek through the Drakensberg Mountains. Walking around 50 km in total, the trail was home to some of the most amazing scenery we saw during our stay in South Africa. Each night we stayed in mountain huts with basic facilities and cooked all our own meals with the food we carried in our back-packs. The second trek of the trip was through the Ngwempisi Gorge in Swaziland. This time we were led by two local porters. This presented us a great opportunity to learn more about the country we were visiting as they told us all about their life in Swaziland. The trekking phase 23

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine was definitely one of the most challenging parts of the trip as we were tested by the steep terrain, temperatures dropping to below minus eight degrees at night, and the task of having to cook all our meals on an open fire. However, the sense of achievement of completing the treks outweighed the challenges and was one of the best parts of the month. One of the main reasons for the trip were the projects. There were two different projects undertaken by the teams, one of which was in a local community in Swaziland. Currently, children receive a cooked meal from local volunteers, otherwise they go without food. We arrived to find a grass field and two fire shelters which came as a surprise to us to see how difficult it was for these volunteers. It was also a shock to find out that this field would be our home for the next six days. Everyone worked hard during this time to make a surrounding fence and dig the foundations for the new kitchen. During our project, we also engaged with the local community by going to church and visiting the pre-school. This was very rewarding as we could see how much the project meant to the community, and that they appreciated that we came to help them. The other project took place in a small rural community in the mountains of Lesotho where we spent our time in a local school. We painted classrooms, created a mural on one of the walls, and built a new fence around the school to keep out wild animals. Being able to physically see the contribution we had made to the village was extremely rewarding. Again, we got to interact with the locals and in particular the children, with whom we spent our evenings playing. On the last day of the project, we came together to play a football match against the local team and the whole community came out to watch which made for a memorable end to a fulfilling project. The last part of our trip was the rest and relaxation phase. After our trek in Swaziland we participated in a zip-wire tour before heading back into South Africa to go to Kruger National Park. Here we saw rhinos, leopards, lions, elephants and buffalo along with many other incredible animals. One of the highlights of our trip was doing a night drive around the Park. It was amazing to see the nocturnal animals we hadn’t seen during the day and we all got a scare when a lion came up against the side of our truck. After three days of safari, we continued on to our final country, Mozambique, to enjoy a great end to the trip, relaxing and experiencing local culture before heading home. Spending a cultural day trying traditional food, getting dressed up and dancing with locals, along with an ocean safari where we swam with whale, sharks and dolphins were among some of the activities we had the chance to do. On the last night of the trip we were fortunate enough to have a dinner with both teams where we shared experiences and stories about the past thirty days, before heading to Maputo to fly back home. 24

School Section Everyone found the World Challenge expedition to be an incredible experience and one from which we gained so much. From organising fundraisers and raising money for two years prior to the trip, to developing life skills when we were away like working together in a team and persevering even when faced with challenges, the trip was a once in a lifetime opportunity.

The Phil Love Trophy The Phil Love Trophy was awarded this year to Deirdre O’Riordan who has brought credit to the School through sporting excellence. She has played football and volleyball at National level and also plays hockey at District level. She has been selected for U-15, U-16 and U-17 Scottish training camps for football and has played internationally for the U-17 Scottish team. Deirdre was also selected for the U-19 Scottish Volleyball squad and represented Scotland in the Small Nations European Championships.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Andy Nisbet: One of Scotland’s Finest Mountaineers Andy Nisbet (1958 -71), who had devoted his life to climbing and had become one of Scotland’s finest and best known mountaineers, died in February 2019 as the result of a tragic climbing accident on Ben Hope, Scotland’s most northerly Munro. The news of Andy’s death was received with great sadness by his family and friends and by the whole of the Scottish mountaineering community. A factual account of Andy’s life appears in the Obituary Section of this Magazine. In this article, three former pupils of the School who had climbed with Andy pay tribute to him as a mountaineer, mountain guide and personal friend. Firstly Greg Strange (196366), a well-known North East climber, guidebook writer and climbing historian, describes the outstanding contribution which Andy made to Scottish climbing and to the Scottish Mountaineering Club. Then Robin Grant (1955-68), who became the 90th Munroist in 1969 after climbing all the Munros, pays tribute to Andy as a mountain guide and describes some classic rock climbs which he did in his company. Finally Alfie Robertson (1961-70), who was one of Andy’s first climbing partners and had walked and climbed with Andy for very nearly fifty years, recalls some early memories of times spent with Andy and pays tribute to him both as a climber and as a close personal friend. Greg Strange writes: Andy was six years younger than me and would have been in primary seven when I left school. We actually first met in the early seventies when he was at University and climbing with the Lairig Club. He had found my wrist watch at Souter Head and handed it in to the police at Lodge Walk. Already he had formed a strong partnership (the first of many) with his friend Alfie Robertson and they were beginning to make their mark on the North-east climbing scene. At first there was a degree of rivalry with established activists (mainly from the Etchachan Club) but as usual in these situations, actions speak louder than words and the quiet lad with the red beard soon demonstrated he had a steely determination. Andy and Alfie soon mastered the recently developed technique of ‘front pointing’ steep ice and frozen vegetation using two curved axes and sharp front pointed crampons. They became particularly keen winter climbers, going out every weekend in all weathers, working their way through the classic winter routes on Lochnagar including the famous Eagle Ridge. The year 1977 was an important milestone in what Andy later described as his ‘irreversible process of addiction’. Early in that very snowy year they made the first winter ascent of The Dagger in Coire Etchachan. Then, in the dark days of the following December, they climbed Vertigo Wall on the great cliff of Creag an Dubh-loch at the head of Glen Muick. It took two days, including an 18- hour bitterly cold bivouac on the wall. Climbing these well-known difficult mountain rock routes under snow and ice conditions brought the young Aberdonians to the forefront of Scottish mountaineering. In that same year Andy joined the Scottish Mountaineering Club (SMC). He had been encouraged to do so by Bill Brooker (1938-50), who had just finished his stint as Club President and was now editor of the Club Journal. Andy went on to become a Club Stalwart, writing many articles for the Journal, usually recounting his recent cutting-edge activities. Since its formation in 1889 the SMC has maintained publication of walking and climbing guides for the whole of Scotland. It also keeps a national database of all recorded

General Section Scottish climbs and publishes new route descriptions each year in its Journal. In 1985 Andy co-authored his first climbing guide The Cairngorms with Allen Fyffe and thus commenced his continuous involvement with Scottish guidebook writing right up until his death. His great knowledge of the hills and rock faces, gleaned over years of sustained hillwalking and climbing made him an obvious choice as New Routes Editor. He took on this important time-consuming role and continued enthusiastically for over 30 years. He was President of the Club from 2010 to 2012. Not long after Vertigo Wall Alfie gave up front line winter climbing but Andy continued with his phenomenal output of new winter ascents across the length and breadth of the Scottish Highlands. Two climbs in the Cairngorms particularly stand out. In January 1980 he did all the leading on a very icy Goliath, a classic 1960s rock climb at Creag an Dubh-loch. Then, at his peak in February 1985, he and Colin MacLean climbed the 800foot Needle on the Shelter Stone Crag of Ben Macdui over two days. Some say the ascent of this long, sustained extreme rock climb was probably the most difficult mixed climb in the world at that time. The word ‘mixed’ in a mountaineering context implies climbing on rock covered with snow, thin ice or hoar frost in sub-zero temperatures. It is for promoting the skills and having the tenacity required to make numerous ascents of hard mixed winter climbs that Andy will be especially remembered. Although his undoubted forte was winter climbing, Andy was an all-round mountaineer. He tended to underplay his ability on rock, but he was no slouch, having a penchant for bold friction climbing on smooth slabs. His output of new rock climbs throughout the country almost matches his list of winter routes, both being without comparison to any other Scottish pioneer past or present. Even before becoming a professional guide in the mid-80s he had climbed in the Alps and the Himalayas. The North Face of the Eiger and a winter ascent of the North Face of the Matterhorn are included in his alpine tally. In 1985 he took part in an expedition which attempted the then unclimbed North-East Ridge of Mount Everest. I climbed with Andy a number of times in the early years before he left Aberdeen for Glenmore Lodge. He certainly impressed me on a new winter route we did together on Beinn a’ Bhuird. One of my best memories of being with him was on a weekend to Reiff, on the Rubha Mor peninsula north of Ullapool, in May 1982. It was at the time when the now popular Reiff sea cliffs were first being explored. On the Sunday, four of us made the fine coastal walk out to the far point of Rubha Coigeach to investigate the distant golden coloured cliffs. Unfortunately, a heavy drizzle had set in by the time we reached the crags and the immaculate walls of perfect sandstone were dripping wet. We spent some time checking other cliffs farther round the headland then set off to walk back to Reiff. “I think it’s going to clear up” says Andy with his usual optimism. The other two were not convinced and continued south. We went back to the Golden Walls. Soon a warm wind got up and the clouds began to disperse. Within an hour the sun was out and the rock was drying. Late afternoon in that beautiful west coast setting we did four climbs. Andy had run in the inaugural London marathon the previous weekend and had still not fully regained his strength. Nevertheless, he was determined to lead an enticing crack which had caught his eye. He did eventually succeed and it was later named Andrew’s Crack. As we walked back that glorious evening, I knew we would both return to the Golden Walls. I also knew he would be back long before me, and so it turned out. Robin Grant writes:

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine It must have been on one of the school hillwalks that I first encountered Andy. Although he was three years younger than me, his red hair and obvious enthusiasm for the hills made him stand out from the other younger boys. I do remember sharing a tent with him on a walk through Knoydart with teachers Donald Hawksworth and Patrick Scott, an expedition which gave Andy and myself the chance to make our first ascents of the magnificent Ladhar Bheinn. After leaving school I lost touch with Andy for many years, though I enjoyed reading about some of his climbing achievements in magazines and guidebooks. It was in 2005 that I got in touch with him again when I came across his website and found that he did some private guiding. Although I have always been mainly a hillwalker I did a little rock climbing in my student days, mainly at the lower grades, and I was keen to do some of the classic rock climbs in the Scottish mountains before I got too much older. Tower Ridge on Ben Nevis was my first choice, a climb which is relatively easy in rock climbing terms but highly regarded, and Andy said he would be delighted to guide me up this fine route. When our agreed date arrived towards the end of June it promised to be one of the best days of the summer so far, with warm sunshine and clear blue skies. Andy clearly had friends in high places! I picked him up from his home in Boat of Garten and we headed west, whiling away the miles reminiscing about the old days at the Grammar School. The walk up the Allt a’ Mhuilinn path to the foot of the climb was delightful, with stunning views of the North Face of Ben Nevis ahead. At my request Andy pointed out on the cliffs above some of the much harder climbs which I had read about. We lunched in the hut at the foot of the North Face which had provided a base for so many famous climbers in the past before heading upwards to the start of our route. On the climb itself Andy was the perfect guide in every way – it had been more than twenty years since I had done any rock climbing, and I found both his reassuring presence and the huge handholds at crucial points of the ascent very comforting. We crossed Tower Gap, the sensational cleft in the ridge which bars access to the summit plateau, and soon reached the top of The Ben. It had been a wonderful experience for me climbing with Andy on such a superb classic route, and I hoped to have the chance to climb with him again . The following summer I got back in touch with Andy and suggested we tried Crowberry Ridge on Buachaille Etive Mor. Andy warned me this would be a bit harder than Tower Ridge, but thought I should manage it OK. After the long drive to Glencoe we set off for the short walk to the foot of the mountain on a day which was initially cloudy but showed promise of improving. The crux pitch of Crowberry Ridge is the famous left traverse from Abraham’s Ledge (named after the Abraham brothers who made the first ascent of this route in 1900), where an exposed traverse gives access to the upper part of the ridge. When we reached the rather precarious ledge in question I took one look at the yawning gulf below our feet, the lack of sizeable handholds and footholds on the traverse, and timidly suggested to Andy that perhaps we should keep to the more devious easier route which avoids the crux. But Andy was a very experienced guide who had no doubt dealt with nervous clients before, and recognised that I just needed some gentle encouragement. He assured me that I would be absolutely fine, and his confidence was infectious. He checked my belay was secure before setting off on the traverse, helpfully pointing out some crucial handholds for my benefit. He climbed the pitch with the ease and elegance which befitted a climber of his expertise, and his two ropes snaked steadily upwards. When my turn came to climb I followed nervously, but managed to stay in contact with the rock. The rest of the route was more straightforward, and after a short

General Section abseil from Crowberry Tower we were soon sitting at the summit of the mountain enjoying the glorious views over Rannoch Moor and towards Ben Nevis, the weather having improved dramatically by this time as if to reward our efforts on the climb. The last climb I did with Andy was in 2009, when he guided me up East Buttress in Coire Mhic Fhearchair on Beinn Eighe. I was hugely impressed by the alpine atmosphere of this route with its interesting variety of quartzite pitches dominated by the imposing Central Buttress nearby, and I was very grateful to Andy for recommending it to me as one of the best lower grade climbs in Scotland. Climbers often do not take the time to visit mountain summits when they complete a route, but when we reached the top of East Buttress Andy kindly agreed to my request to make the diversion to the summit of Beinn Eighe, in spite of the fact that this meant he would be about an hour later getting back home. The classic routes I did with Andy have given me some of the best days I have ever enjoyed in the Scottish mountains, and it was an honour and a privilege for me to climb with someone who has become a legend of Scottish mountaineering. Of course I am only one of many clients over the years who have benefited from Andy’s expertise and reassuring presence in the mountains, and all of us feel the loss after his tragic death. He will be much missed by all whose lives he touched, but his legacy will live on as mountaineers continue to climb the routes he pioneered and refer to the guidebooks he authored. He will certainly not be forgotten. Alfie Robertson writes: My very first memory of Andy was of a little carrot haired second-year whinging on a pass beneath Ben Narnain because he was compelled to descend bereft of his fourth Munro of a very long day. The fact it was misty, raining steadily, almost dark and the rest of the party were exhausted had little impact on him. It was a foretaste of the unflinching enthusiasm, dedication, determination and obliviousness to discomfort which led Andy to make an enormous impact later not just on my life but that of Scottish mountaineering in general. However our half century of hills together really started a couple of years later when I was invited to join him with a couple of other enthusiastic 'Munro Baggers' for a Christmas trip to Killin. We spent a week slithering around on snowy peaks sans axes, crampons or any particular idea of what we were doing. I particularly remember sliding down Meall nan Tarmachan in a state of blank terror. However we survived not just Tarmachan but Andy's subsequent detour into a snowy ditch with his Dad's old mini on the way home and spent the next few years scrambling up 3000ft summits with all the energy of youth. The core team solidified into a trio of Andy, me and future doctor Kenny Maclean (1964-70). The ensuing three years I remember as an intoxicatingly happy blur of sun, rain, mist, hills, youth hostels, getting lost and all the finest joys Scotland has to offer. And jelly. We ate lots of it and not much else in my memory. I have never quite worked out why we chose jelly as I can think of nothing else with less food value, but there it was. Strawberry jelly, orange jelly, raspberry jelly...... We summited Munros to them all. Happiness was measured in the number of summits conquered during each rigorously planned expedition. The planner was Andy, and Kenny and I followed contentedly in his wake. It was in those years more than any when Andy built up that remarkable hill sense and experience which later made him such a splendid guide and climbing companion.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine By 1972 we had run out of Munros and needed a new purpose to life. Kenny sensibly left the team to pursue a distinguished medical career, while Andy and I drifted into climbing, which like many others we had encountered via the mandatory ascent of the dreaded 'In-Pin' (Inaccessible Pinnacle) in Skye. The most notable feature of our early climbing was a complete absence of talent. I well remember an embarrassingly inept failure on the summer route of The Needle on Shelter Stone crag in front of a benignly amused Clive Rowland (a famous climber) who queued patiently behind. (If you had told Clive that within a few years one of these hopeless bumblies would complete the first winter ascent of this route I think he would have fallen off his stance with disbelief!) Neither of us had any great gymnastic ability on rocks. But Andy soon found that his remarkable determination and organisation could compensate for that and after a few years we had made ourselves into a reasonably respectable rock climbing team. But it was in winter that the real revelation came as Andy discovered that his talents were perfectly suited to the Scottish cliffs wreathed in snow. A handily subsidised winter course at Glenmore Lodge gave us a boost as beginners and we progressed relatively quickly as a winter team. By the late seventies we had progressed from our clumsy beginnings to competent ascents of reputed routes like Eagle Ridge and Parallel Buttress on Lochnagar. Though we climbed as equals at the time the real push came from Andy who was hugely ambitious and inventive even then and had already started his remarkable new routing career. Occasionally our ambitions outran us, and our final big ascent together of the fine Vertigo Wall on Creag an Dubh-loch was an outrageous botched ascent far beyond our safe capabilities at the time! No one was happier than me when Andy righted the outrage a few years later by a competent ascent with a more experienced and stronger companion. What followed over the next three decades of Andy's glory days as one of Scotland's most remarkable climbers does not need to be re-hashed here as you can read it in a plethora of guide-books. And these remarkable routes were ascended with far stronger partners than me. But if the winter climbing team broke up, the friendship certainly did not. Andy proved himself my kindest and most loyal friend over decades. We continued to climb as friends long after his ability and dedication outstripped mine. This summer would have been our 50th anniversary as climbing and walking companions. We already had climbing plans for Scotland, Spain and Greece later in the year. But our last climb was destined to be a glorious peak in the Pyrenees last autumn when with typical kindness and patience Andy guided a keen young Australian lass up her first ever multi-pitch climb. His enthusiasm for all aspects of climbing and the outdoors was unquenchable and he loved to share it with everyone else. It was an energy undimmed even by injury and bereavement in his later years. Despite everything he was a wonderfully happy person to share time with and hundreds of colleagues, rope mates and clients will remember that as consolation for our sense of loss. And for me there was much more than climbing. I remember Andy fondly in so many other ways - as a competitive hockey opponent, a patient bridge partner, a student flat mate, a dogged grouse beater, a gently loving partner to his wife Gill, a quietly remarkable woman, and as a distinguished son to exceptional parents. John and Brenda may have been initially disconcerted when their academically brilliant son devoted his life to climbing but they were active outdoor people themselves and accepted his choice benignly. And John happily lived long enough to fully appreciate the unique and astonishing achievements of

General Section his offspring. Tower Ridge on Ben Nevis and Half Dome in Yosemite with his Dad were not Andy's most significant ascents but they certainly counted among his happiest.

The Sabbath Whilst wading in a river, for fishing is my craft, When a voice from nearby road declared “Man, are ye daft?” I know that I’m in Scotland, so people could be right, To declare if you’re sane or not and yell with all their might. But really I’m only fishing and I’m sure I am quite sane, And doing nothing to attach any blame, So I continued on my way, but no fish, and a bit down crest, When approached by a young man, all smart in his Sunday best. “Now look you” he said sternly and with a furrow on his brow, “You’re not allowed to fish, it’s the Sabbath don’t you know?” Well, I had completely forgotten this Scottish law in force, So in my best Aussie accent said “Sorry, mate, of course”, So, if to Scotland you should go, remember the Sabbath Day. George W. Warder (1935-46) George and his twin brother Harry are two of the Club’s Nonagenarians and live in Australia. The poem is based on a true story of fishing on the River Don at Kintore during a holiday in Scotland in 1991.

Big Hill Days Meeting up with Robin Grant (1955-68) at our School-Leavers 50th Anniversary last November reminded me of an unsuccessful, but very enjoyable, Big Hill Day with a younger Grammarian, Phil Kammer (1967-72). Here, as well as recounting some adventures with Phil and others, I offer some ideas which I hope may inspire younger FPs (and even older pupils doing their Duke of Edinburgh Awards) to go off road in Scotland. Robin is a very keen hill-walker and it is thought that he became the first teenager to climb all 277 Munros when he climbed the Inaccessible Pinnacle in the Cuillins of Skye as his last Munro with Ian “Twinks” Stephen in July 1969 to become Munroist No. 90. Twinks was No. 89. (Twinks, Archie Baxter and Jim Flett were the core of the School’s Maths Department for many years). When in 1973 Robin’s father finished his Munros and became Munroist 124 it is thought that they became the first father and son completion team. Of course no-one climbs all the Munros in one day but circuits such as the Pentland Skyline (Edinburgh), the Glen Affric Munros, the North Laggan Munros and Tranters Round offer suitable challenges. In 1987, wanting to raise money for Oxfam, Robin went for a solo weekend walk from his home in Ballater. Over two days, with an overnight in the Shielin of Mark bothy, he completed the traverse of Morven, Mount Keen and Lochnagar - a roughly triangular

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine journey around Ballater with a start and finish at the church in the centre of Ballater raising some £2,500 for the Oxfam Mozambique Appeal. (That £2,500 equates to some £6,830 now - a truly excellent effort). He wrote an article about his Ballater Mountain Circuit for the Cairngorm Club Journal Vol.101 (p 51-55) which I subsequently came across and which is now available online. Having moved back to Aberdeen in 1989, after fifteen years in Yorkshire, I met Phil through our joint love of off-road running and we became two of the founding members of Cosmic Hillbashers. Just before leaving England I had successfully completed a Bob Graham Round (forty-two peaks in 24 hours around the Lake District - BG No.556) and Phil and I began to consider the harder Scottish equivalent - the Charlie Ramsay Round twenty-four Munros in 24 hours, starting and finishing at Glen Nevis Youth Hostel. Phil certainly had the pedigree for such an attempt. In July 1985 he was one of three Aberdeen Athletic Club runners, Mel Edwards (1947-1960), David Armitage (an English immigrant) and Phil. They set off from Glenmore Lodge, ascending Ben Avon first and ending with Braeriach as the final summit for a Six Cairngorm Munro circuit. The 40 miles, with 12,500 feet of ascent and descent, was completed in 11 hours and 39 minutes, with a finish line back at Glenmore Lodge. Earlier in 1979 Mel had set a record for Braeriach, Cairn Toul, Ben MacDui and Cairngorm of 4 hours 34 minutes with the start and finish at Glenmore Lodge. In 1994, with me having being hospitalised for four days, Phil made three solo attempts on an extended CR Round (the Martin Stone Round) although I had recovered sufficiently to back him up for various sections. This was in the days before mobile phones and on one occasion, having ducked out of work early and driven across, I found myself waiting at Mamore Lodge (actually a bothy) on a summer’s evening waiting for Phil to appear not knowing even whether he had set off on schedule. Fortunately he had, and was making good progress, but having negotiated the Mamores during the hours of darkness we were unable to find the quickest route off Mullach nan Coirean down to the Glen Nevis road. Phil eventually finished some seventy minutes outside the time limit. On another occasion the weather forced him to abandon just at the point where I was due to join him for the last section! Determined not to waste the whole year, on the last day of the summer holidays I teamed up with Brian Lawrie, another Cosmic Hillbasher founder, for the inaugural Deeside Skyline run. Leaving one car at the base of Clachnaben we drove to the head of Glen Muick before jogging up Mount Keen. Thereafter it was basically a ridge run via Hill of Cat to Clachnaben - some 28 miles and 6700 feet of climb in under seven hours. After a good winter Phil and I were up for a simple Ramsay Round in 1995. Our first attempt in June happened to coincide with the hottest day of the year forcing me to drop out and Phil to run out of time at the top of Ben Nevis. Late July saw us try again, only to be defeated by the weather again - this time rain and strong winds! Time to scale down my ambitions! In 1996 I teamed up again with Phil for an attempt on Robin’s Ballater Mountain Circuit. Parking at the church, we traversed the showground hoping for a gate or some form of exit at the far end. Fortunately we were in luck and across the Pass of Ballater we pick the right path and touch the cairn on Morven summit after 1h38m. My experience of orienteering in the wood comes in useful and we cross the main road for a jog along the old railway line to the Cambus o’May bridge for a total elapsed time of 2h52m. Crossing

General Section over into Glen Tanar we pick up the Mounth and summit Mount Keen after just over five hours of running. So far our lack of reconnoitering the route has not been a handicap but now we got severely burnt. The peat hags down to Glen Muick take us over two and half hours and ahead Lochnagar is shrouded in heavy cloud. Faced with the prospect of 3000 feet of climb, getting soaked and having to navigate in mist round dangerous cliffs we chicken out. It’s the road down Glen Muick and then on to Ballater church - some 35 miles down in just under nine hours. If we’d done Lochnagar we’d probably have finished inside twelve hours - ah well there’s always another day (or not as it proved). Ewen Rennie (1955-68)

Lower School Reunion 1963-70 A reunion of pupils who attended the Aberdeen Grammar Lower (Primary) School from 1963 to 1970 took place on 5 and 6 October 2018. The intake of primary school pupils to the Grammar School in 1963 was the second last one. The reunion took one year to plan and arose out of a chance suggestion made by Callum McDonald to myself, both solicitors in Aberdeen, at the opening of the Silver Fin building in Union Street in September 2017. This suggestion developed into a full blown reunion plan quite quickly. Alistair Marshall, another solicitor in town, an FP although he did not attend the Lower School, was brought in to the organising Committee at an early stage to exploit his undoubted social media skills and set up a Facebook page. The driving force behind the reunion was that we were all to reach the age of 60 during 2018. The Lower School pupils were divided by age into two groups – the As and the Bs – and it would be fair to say that each group had a mutual suspicion of the other. As Calum and I were both Bs we were aware that we desperately needed an A on the Committee to redress the balance. With the help of Cammy Munro from the year below us and some detective work we located one of the As, Eric Bain, who was delighted to join the Committee. A further bonus was Eric’s experience in the hospitality sector where he had spent his whole working life. The Committee sought advice from Andy Martin, who had been involved in the organisation of a similar reunion for the final year of the Lower school in 2014. It was decided to follow the format of that reunion. The Committee then set about finding their class mates. Class lists cannot be obtained now due to data protection laws but through old photographs and the knowledge of the Committee members we compiled our own list. The Facebook page was quickly getting hits. Those with contact details on the internet were emailed and others were sent letters. Before long it became obvious that there was sufficient interest to proceed with the reunion. The Committee also undertook a research trip to the School where we met Janet Adams, Deputy Head. Janet had arranged for FP Magazines for the relevant 33

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine years to be available for inspection which provided some interesting information on the teachers at the time in “Lower School Notes”. The big day arrived on Friday afternoon 5 October 2018 when the first event of the reunion, a tour of the School, was scheduled. I walked up the school drive from Skene Street wondering if anyone would actually turn up. I need not have worried because there was already a knot of middle aged men in front of the Byron statue. On meeting, some of them were recognised instantly but others not. It was a strange, perhaps even surreal, experience to meet all at one time numerous people you had not seen for over forty years. Attendees had come from far and wide, from places such as Budapest, Oman, Canada and Malaysia. The school tour was led by Kirsty Stanger, an S5 prefect and daughter of school PE teacher Iain Stanger. She soon found that taking a group of 60-year old men on a tour is similar to herding cats. The tour was very comprehensive and firstly took in the Bennum building where the old Lower School was situated. Crossing the playground we were given the chance to reminisce about playing football with a sock ball, playing slides in the winter and getting fine pieces from the baker through the bars of the playground, activities no doubt now banned due to health and safety. The group followed on to the Hall, then the Gym Hall and the impressive Games Hall. Then on to the office corridor, passing the site of that den of iniquity, the old Prefects’ room (the Howff) and to the splendid library which was new to all, given that we attended the school before the old library was destroyed by the fire in 1986. Kirsty was presented with a well-deserved Amazon voucher for her efforts. The evening was spent in a convivial atmosphere in a private room at the Grammar FP Club arranged with Dave Leighton, the FP Club Centre Chairman. Dave had organised a barrel of lager which ran out, a sure indication that things were going well. Although there was a competing function on we were predictably last out of the bar. The next day at high noon the company assembled yet again at the Byron statue for a recreation of the class photographs which were taken in the 1960s on the grass at the front of the school. Alan Cowie made a grand entrance on his Harley Davidson. There was a special guest appearance by Eric Bain’s mother. Photographs were taken by Stuart McKay, another FP, drafted in as a late replacement as a professional photographer we had organised had a conflicting appointment. No-one knew what to expect from Stuart but everyone relaxed when he produced a tripod and long lens camera - an indication that he knew what he was doing. Then it was off to Rubislaw via the Club Centre once again, to see AGS take on Marr in a rugby match. Unfortunately AGS were defeated but at least one member of the party was happy – Bob Diament who we discovered was a Marr supporter, complete with Marr scarf which he waved about joyously. On the Saturday evening, 6 October, the main event took place being dinner at the Atholl Hotel. We knew that one of our former teachers, Hamish Paterson, was 34

General Section a regular attendee at the FP Club and could be easily found. He accepted an invitation to the dinner by return. Through a circuitous route we managed to locate another Primary Teacher, Phyllis MacKay, who had taught both the As and the Bs. She not only accepted her invitation but also provided us with more photographs and information. We also asked Doug Marr CBE, prominent educationalist and FP, who had taught some of us History in Secondary at the Grammar to give a speech which he agreed to do. Dinner went very well and there was a surprise as Hamish Paterson and then Phyllis Mackay made impromptu speeches to let us know how much they enjoyed teaching at the Lower School. After a few more drinks everyone went their separate ways with a promise to repeat the experience again. However, the reunion was not quite finished. One of the B class, Alistair Gall, had greatly wanted to attend but could not leave work commitments in Vietnam. Chris Morrison and Alistair Marshall made up for this by both meeting Alistair in Vietnam shortly after the reunion. Our thanks go to all those who attended, Doug Marr, Hamish Paterson, Phyllis MacKay, the staff at the Atholl Hotel, the tolerant late night barman at the Club Centre, Iain and Kirsty Stanger, Dave Leighton, Cammy Munro, Andy Martin and finally Janet Adams, Deputy Head at AGS. Those attending the reunion were:- Gary Allan, Eric Bain, Tim Blaxter, Stuart Brown, Neil Coutts, Alan Cowie, Clark Cruickshank, Bob Diament, Leslie Forsyth, Dave Gellatly, John Hunter, Dave Lennie, Lewis Laird, Derek Lynch, Alistair Marshall, Alan Morrice, Chris Morrison, Callum McDonald, Forbes McLennan, Alan Niven, Jim Rickaby, James Rust, Alan Soutter, Richard Steele, Arthur Stewart, Dave Stewart, Mike Stobbie and Ian Strachan. Apologies for inability to attend were received from Xavier Abrioux, Steve Brady, Norman Crichton, Derek Farquhar, Alistair Gall, Ian Hendry, Mike Henry, John Kay, Dave Mitchell and Roddy Scott. Forbes McLennan

Was it really 50 years ago? 1962 – 68 Reunion Friday 2nd November 2018 was the date when thirty-nine Former Pupils of the School gathered once again to walk through the doors of the School after a fiftyyear absence. In the intervening years our year group had drifted to all parts of the world fulfilling their aims and dreams after leaving School for the last time, so it took some time to get back in contact. Thanks to the internet and some

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine sleuthing by many, we managed to make contact with eighty of our year and it is hoped that this will be the first of many reunions to come. The School visit was a great success, with an interesting and informative reintroduction to the School by Janet Adams, the Deputy Head Teacher. We then set off in two groups to walk, once again, through some familiar areas and some completely new ones. We were expertly led around with Catherine and Fiona leading one group and Deirdre and Cara leading the other. It was great to be shown around the School after so long. The main changes were in the area affected by the fire in 1986 but many other areas were immediately recognisable. The School had just finished an Inspectors’ visit a few hours earlier and, at the end of the tour, we were able to visit the staff room where we were rewarded with some platters of sandwiches. Whilst in the staff room, a small collection was made by us to help to contribute to school life and a cheque for £483 was delivered to the School shortly after our reunion weekend. After the school visit, the group split up and disappeared in different directions to continue renewing old friendships. The reunion dinner was held in the Great Western Hotel on the Saturday evening with a ‘dry’ run held by a number of us on the Friday night. During Saturday, a number of events took place including a run along the beach, a wee walk in the country and a visit to Rubislaw to see the FP rugby team play Cartha Park. In the evening, it was all hands to the Hotel and a meal with some refreshment! As part of the reunion, we were delighted to have two of our teachers in attendance – Patrick Scott and Bill Williams. Bill May was also invited but was unfortunately a late call off due to family reasons. A first class meal was served and there was quite a bit of banter as the evening progressed. Our MC was Rory McKay who was our Head Prefect and he ensured the evening got off to a good start by explaining how lucky we all were to have attended such a good school and then by thoroughly embarrassing the writer in presenting him with a Quaich with the School badge engraved. Much appreciated but far too much for sending out a few emails. Despite it being fifty years since we left school, we were all pretty recognisable despite a few hairs missing on top, a few hairs grown on chins and slightly larger waist sizes – apart from the three who were wearing their school blazers at the dinner! It was great to see so many making the effort to get back to Aberdeen for our first reunion. We had attendees from Canada, USA, Italy, Holland, Germany, the rest of Scotland and that wee place just south of Scotland. Here’s hoping for more reunions to come and if they are as good as this one then it will be thoroughly worthwhile. Thanks to all who contributed to the reunion by attending, chasing contact details, arranging the school visit, supplying memorabilia and making it such a memorable occasion. Attendees: Bill Alexander, Gordon Anderson, Kerr Anderson, Neil Andrew, Ray Binner, Alan Buck, Jim Cooper, Robert Cranston, Ron Davidson, Derek Dey, Sandy

General Section Donald, Lyall Farquhar, Royan Fettes, Pat Findlay, Sandy Gauld, Ron Gauld, Graham Good, Robin Grant, Tony Holman, Iain Hopkin, Mike Hulse, Gordon Hutcheon, Dave Jaffray, Albert Lumsden, Rory MacKay, J Lachlan MacKenzie, David Norbrook, Grant Mathison, David McDonald, Ken McEwen, Robert Muir, Ewen Rennie, John Shearer, Ali Smith, Forbes Stuart, Fred Swaffield, Donald Thomson, Ian Urquhart and Bill Urquhart.

Iain Hopkin

Reunion of Class of ‘59 In May this year, the Class of ’59 held a reunion to mark sixty years since leaving school. The organizing committee - David Henderson, Peter Jeffrey, Ian Logan and Michael Wood - decided that this reunion would consist of lunch at the Deeside Golf Club and a coffee get-together the next day at the Mariner Hotel. On Monday, May 20th twenty-nine members of the Class gathered for lunch at Deeside Golf Club, and the organizers were delighted with the turnout. We were fortunate to be able to hold our reunion in such a lovely location, and everyone enjoyed not only the excellent meal but also the beautiful view over the Dee Valley. Ian Logan welcomed everyone to the reunion, and David Henderson recited a grace specially composed for the Reunion of “the 29 of ’59”. During the meal there was a warm atmosphere of friendship and many conversations recalling our schooldays of long ago. At the end of the meal, Peter Jeffrey proposed a toast to the Class of ’59 and read interesting extracts from letters sent by Michael Hardie in Canada and Bill Anderson in Brazil. Peter added to the event by handing out a copy of the very first class photo of each attendee, without names and dates. The challenge was for each person to identify themselves and claim their photograph - it took some people a very long time! Coffee at the Mariner Hotel the next morning was for the Class of ’59 and wives/partners, and this was another lively, enjoyable event. We were delighted to welcome Sheila Lyon as our special guest; her late husband Jim, who helped organize all the previous reunions, was sadly missed. Our 60th class reunion was a memorable occasion, and we look forward (optimistically!) to the next one. The organizing committee would like to thank the Class of ’59 for attending the reunions whenever possible, and for keeping in touch. There is still a wonderful link after all these years! Those present: David Birkbeck (Fortrose, Ross-shire), Ivor Douglas (Alveston, Bristol), Nick Ducat (Inverbervie), Doug Fettes, (Dalkeith), Charlie Flynn (Tadcaster), David Henderson (Aberdeen), John Hutcheson (Aberdeen), Peter Jeffrey (Vancouver Island, Canada), Stephen Kinnaird (Aberdeen), Dick Kitson (Henley), Bob Lamb (Aberdeen), George Lawrence (Aberdeen), Joe Leiper (Aberdeen), Ian Logan (Aberdeen), Bill Milne (Aberdeen), John Murray (Anstruther), David Murray-Smith, (Glasgow), David Parkinson (Aberdeen), Kenneth Pirie (Vancouver Island, Canada), Alastair Robertson, (Pitlochry), Mike Rollo-Stuart (Aberdeen), John Sinclair (Bedford), Ian Spiby (Livingston), Peter Stevenson (Banchory), Clem Stewart (Stonehaven), Andrew Walker (Aberdeen), Bob Whyte (Aberdeen), Michael Wood (Aberdeen) and Ian Yeats (London).

J. Peter Jeffrey 37

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine Former Pupils’ Club Founded 11 September 1893 Club Office-Bearers, 2019-2020 Honorary President: ALISON MURISON MA (Head Teacher) Honorary Vice-Presidents: T. GORDON COUTTS (1938-49), QC, MA, LL.B (President, 1980-81) BRIAN K. CROOKSHANKS (1934-46), TD, MA, LL.B (President, 1983-84) Prof. PHILIP N. LOVE (1952-58), CBE, DL, MA, LL.B, LL.D (President, 1987-88) A. KEITH CAMPBELL (1944-53), TEng (CEI), FInst AEA (President, 1992-93) J. EDWARD FRASER (1936-49), CB, MA, BA, FSA(Scot) (President, 1997-98) DOUGLAS G. FOWLIE (1950-64) MB,ChB, FRCPsych. (President, 2002-03)) IAN H. McLEOD (1951-55) (President, 2004-05) GORDON G. MILNE (1950-61) MB.ChB (President, 2005-06) DAVID L. ALLAN (1945-58) QPM, LL.B, MPhil, FCMI (President 2006-07) GARY J.G. ALLAN (1963-76) QC, LL.B (President 2007-08) JAMES M. CLARK (1947-59) (President 2008-09) NEIL BORTHWICK (1952-65) BSc, PhD (President 2009-10) DONALD A. LAMONT (1952-65) MA (President 2010-11) TRACEY J.H. MENZIES (1981-87) MBE, DCH, LL.B (President 2011-12) NIGEL G.M. WATT (1963-69) LL.B, WS (President 2012-13) J. MARTIN JEFFREY (1942-57) BSc (President 2013-14) MARGERY G. TAYLOR (1975-81) (President 2014-15) MELDRUM B. EDWARDS (1947-60) MBE, BSc, MICE (President 2015-16) DOUGLAS R. HARPER (1944-58) MB,ChB, MD, FRCSE, FRCS (President 2016-17) GILLIAN A. THOMAS (1975-80) (President 2017-19) (Specially Elected) ALISTAIR M. NORTH (1937-50) OBE, BSc, DSc, PhD, FRSE, FRIC (Elected 2004) J. PETER JEFFREY (1944-59) MSc (Eng) (Elected 2010) H. ALAN S. HAMILTON (1943-56) (Elected 2012) GRAHAM LEGGE BEd, MEd, (Rector 2004-15) (Elected 2016) President: IAIN S. HOPKIN (1962-68) President-Elect: ALAN W. MARR (1969-75) Vice-President of Club and Chairman of Executive: ALAN G. CAMPBELL (1959-65) CBE, LL.D, LL.B, Secretary: JOHN F. HENDRY (1951-65) LL.B Treasurer: JOHN C.A. MICHIE (1944-58) General & Notes Editor of Magazine: BRIAN K. CROOKSHANKS (1934-46) TD, MA, LL.B

Former Pupils’ Section Regional Centres Edinburgh:

President –NIGEL G.M. WATT (1963-69) Secretary – JAMES H. RUST (1963-71) james@jjrust.co.uk Glasgow: President – MALCOLM GAULD (1947-61) Secretary – MARGERY TAYLOR (1975-81) marg7ery@ntlworld.com London: President – SANDY NICOL (1962-71) Secretary – GRAHAM THOMSON (1979-83) grahamsally501@btinternet.com Yorkshire: President – Secretary – DAVID GALLOWAY (1976-82) davegalloway1964@hotmail.com Canada: President – WILLIAM GUTHRIE (1939-51) Secretary – GILLIAN A. THOMAS (1975-80) gillianthomas@shaw.ca

Secretaries of Sections Cricket – RICHARD S.T. FERRO Curling – NORMAN PATERSON (1947-61) Football – MALCOLM ROBERTSON Men’s Hockey – DUNCAN HARRIS (1985-91) Women’s Hockey – EMMA MAIR (1985-91) Pétanque – KATIE McDONALD

theferrofamily@lineone.net nwp21tp@outlook.com grammarfps@gmail.com dharris@technip.com emma.mair@gmail.com katiebarnett126@gmail.com

Executive Committee ALAN G. CAMPBELL (1959-65) Chairman DOUGLAS MARR (1959-65) Vice-Chairman The Secretary, the Treasurer and the General Editor of the Magazine, ex officiis The Rector of the School, ex officio RICHARD L.C. DARGIE (1964-73) RUSSELL GRAY (1951-65) GRANT A. HAMILTON (1988-94) J. MARTIN JEFFREY (1942-57) JOHN LAWSON (1959-61) NEIL J.G. LAWRIE (1961-74) EMMA A. MAIR (1985-91) JOHN C.A. MICHIE (1944-58) GEOFFREY E. MORRISON (1992-98) HARVEY E. MORRISON (1951-65) BARRY J. SHEPHERD (1988-94) ANGUS J. THOMPSON (1969-75) DAVID R.D. WALLIS (1979-85)

Section Representatives Club Centre – DAVID LEIGHTON (1959-62) Cricket – SAM KNUDSON (2004-10) Curling – COLIN R. SUTHERLAND (1947-60) Football – Golf – DALLAS G. MOIR (1969-75) Men’s Hockey – Pétanque – Women’s Hockey – EMMA MAIR (1985-91) Staff – JANET C. ADAMS (1980-86)

Auditors

Messrs. BOWER & SMITH, C.A.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Club Centre Committee DAVID LEIGHTON – Chairman CHRIS CLELLAND – Secretary COLIN BROWN – Treasurer BEN JOHNSON – Membership Secretary S.A.C. ESSON, J. LAWSON, K. McDONALD, J.C.A. MICHIE, D.G. MOIR, G. MORRISON, H.E. MORRISON, H. SMITH, G. THOMSON, L. TOMKINS

Club Consuls Australia – JIM W. HOWISON (1937-50), 98A Hull Road, West Pennant Hills, New South Wales 2125, Australia, E-mail: howison@tech2u.com.au Tel. 00 61-2-9875-1296 Australia – Dr. FORBES J. SMITH (1945-57), 242 Main Creek Road, Main Ridge, Victoria, 3928, Australia E-mail: forbessmith@alphalink.com.au Tel. 0061-3-5989-6234 Canada – GORDON B. SINGER (1949-50), 2421 Erlton Street SW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2S 2V9 E-mail: singsing@shaw.ca ; Tel. 00 1-403-266-6448 Canada – DAVID R. AULD (1947-61), 2187 Lafayette Street, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, V8S 2P2 E-mail: davidauld@shaw.ca ; Tel. 001-250-595-0616 Corsica – IAIN WARES (1941-52), Via G.M. Angioy 34, Cagliari 09124, Sardinia, Italy. Tel. 0039-070-652508 Hong Kong – MARSHALL H. BYRES (1960-69), 2A Hatton House, 15 Kotewall Road, Hong Kong E-mail: marshall.byres@hk.ev.com ; Tel. 00852-2846-9878 Ireland – ANDREW M.M. STEVEN (1936-50), 5 Beechhill Avenue, Saintfield Road, Belfast, Northern Ireland BT8 6NS. Tel. 028-9070-2315. Thailand – Prof. ALASTAIR M. NORTH (1937-50), 79/78 Soi 7/1 Mooban Tararom, Ramkhamhaeng Road Soi 150, Saphan Soong, Bangkok 10240, Thailand E-mail: amnorth@ksc.th.com ; Tel. 0066-2-373-2818 United States – MICHAEL G. KING (1951-60), 806 Northpointe Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah 84103-3346 USA E-mail: michaelking806@comcast.net Tel. 1-801-363-3097

Annual General Meeting

Former Pupils’ Section The One-hundred and sixteenth Annual General Meeting of the Club was held at the Club Centre in Aberdeen on Monday 25 March 2019, with Mr Alan Campbell, the Vice-President, in the Chair. The Chairman reported as follows: The past year saw the unusual occurrence of a Special General Meeting on 2 July 2018. A proposition from the Executive Committee was put to the membership at that meeting that a conditional offer to purchase the Club Centre property at 86 Queen's Road and 1 Bayview Road be accepted. As previously reported this step had been taken with great regret as the Club Centre had been a focus for Club and Sports sections for nearly half a century but changing circumstances had made its continuing operation financially unviable. It was noted that the financial position of the FP Club and Club Centre was only being sustained at the present time through the generosity of individual FPs who had made interest-free loans available. The essence of the offer to purchase was that the developers obtain planning permission for a care home with 55 residential units in terms acceptable to the developers. It was reported that discussions were on-going with the planning department of Aberdeen City Council but that no conclusion had been arrived at although the developers had until the end of August 2019 to submit a detailed planning application. It was also reported that the costs incurred for maintaining 1 Bayview Road were extremely high and steps would require to be taken to reduce costs compatible with a proposed sale. The Sub Committee of The Executive had identified The Sportsmans Club as a possible and acceptable alternative venue for Club and Sports activities. Productive discussions with that Club had taken place but nothing would be triggered re membership transferring etc until the Club Centre was no longer trading. In relation to the Luther Smith Bequest a sum of £514,000 was in a separate account in the FP bank. Discussions were taking place with the School about how best to organise a new way of introducing golf in school such that the objective and ethos of the legacy were met. The School had received a truly outstanding report from the inspectorate and were the envy of secondary schools the length and breadth of the land. Special commendation had gone to Alison Murison and her senior team for leadership, culture and enthusiasm. The Chairman offered the Club's appreciation to Gillian Thomas who had just served an unprecedented two year term as President during which time, in pursuit of FP Club business, she had travelled something of the order of 100,000km from her base in Calgary entirely at her own expense. She was presented with the traditional Quaich with the Club's gratitude and affection.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine The experimental scheme to have a President Elect had worked very satisfactorily and Iain Hopkin had fulfilled that role with commitment in a number of different ways. The Chairman then moved to the constitutional changes on the agenda as contained in a circulated report which had been made available to the entire membership. The proposal, which permits voting on propositions at Special Meetings to be open to club members who are not present, was passed unanimously following discussion. General Business Section Reports Reports were submitted by representatives of various Sections and of the Club Centre, and similar Reports appear elsewhere in this Magazine. Accounts and Treasurer’s Report The Treasurer reported that submission of the Accounts for 2018 for audit had been unavoidably delayed. The meeting authorised the Executive to approve them once audited. They appear at page 107 below and show a loss of £10,824. The Treasurer stressed how dependent the Club remained on the generosity of members who had responded positively to the 2017 Appeal. Attention was once again drawn to the consequences of supporting the Club Centre while it is under pressure. 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 re-appointed Auditors of the Club and Section Accounts for the coming year. In closing the Meeting the Chairman extended warm appreciation to those who were supporting the Club in these challenging times including John Michie, Treasurer, and members of The Executive as well as the Chairman, officials and staff of the Club Centre. Neil Lawrie, Dinner Secretary and Brian Crookshanks, Editor of Magazine, had stepped up to the mark once again and deserved our continuing gratitude. Annual General Meeting 2020 The next Annual General Meeting will be held on Monday 24th March 2020, time and place to be advised in terms of the up-dated Constitution.

Former Pupils’ Section

President’s Report I felt very honoured to be nominated as President of the Former Pupils’ Club two years ago. After presiding over the 2017 Annual Dinner, which I had believed to be my final duty as President, I was surprised but even more honoured to be elected to serve for a second year. The significance of my being the first person to serve two consecutive terms is not lost on me. I have much enjoyed my several contacts with the Head Teacher and the School, and the interviews for the All Round Trophy in April were an inspiring revelation of the quality of pupils currently in the School – not only were all the candidates well equipped academically but all gave back in volunteer hours in both School and community and also had sporting and musical talents which left me wondering how they had time to sleep. I was disappointed in April when, having returned from Canada to attend the Edinburgh Centre dinner, I found that it had been cancelled for lack of numbers. This is a major problem in Club life as our membership ages and numbers decline. I am pleased that this is a matter which is being addressed as a matter of urgency. Planned surgery, from which I took longer to recover than had been foreseen, prevented me from attending the Yorkshire and Glasgow dinners and the School Christmas Service at St Machar’s Cathedral as well as other local dinners in Aberdeen, which I much regret. I am most grateful to those others who deputised for me at these various events. I am proud to have been associated with the updating of the Club Constitution resulting from the proposal advanced by my own Canadian Centre which brings the proceedings of the Club into the 21st Century and the technological age. When I returned home following the AGM I had travelled over 100,000 kilometers as President which, while taxing, has been my great pleasure to do. One of my key interests as President has been the establishment of links between School Leavers and the Club, which have rather fallen by the wayside in recent years, and also planning a renewal of contacts between FPs and the Club. I have made contact with people who were in my year at The Grammar and now have details of over 60 classmates, some of whom were at this year’s Dinner. Each has been asked to reach out to all their school friends and this has grown arms and legs. I hope that this may be taken on board by other years and help to revitalize the Club. This is an ongoing project in which I will continue to be involved. May I say, as I did in my Report in last year’s Magazine, how grateful I am for the support which I have enjoyed from my Aberdeen ‘team’ - Alan Campbell, John Michie and my father, Brian Crookshanks. 43

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

New School Science Laboratory On the sunny afternoon of 26 June 2019 a remarkable ceremony took place in the familiar surroundings of the Head Teacher's room at School. Brian K. Crookshanks who was Club President in 1983-84, and who first entered the School 85 years ago, made a gift of £10,000 to the School for the provision of an additional science laboratory. Brian was responding personally to a plea made by Head Teacher Alison Murison at a meeting of the FP Club Executive in the School Library in 2018 which had highlighted the issue of providing a further laboratory to cope with the pressure on science facilities, given the increasing demand for science subjects. In the photo Alison Murison is receiving the donation and expressing her heartfelt gratitude for Brian’s generosity and on-going support. Brian's daughter Gillian Thomas, immediate past President of the Club and Secretary of the Canada Centre, is on his left. Also in the picture is Mark Stage, Head of Science at the School, who spoke passionately about the expansion of science teaching at School to cope with demand and the important addition to facilities which would be available for the new term after the summer holidays as a result of the gift. Current Club President Iain Hopkin said, 'In my 50 plus years as a Former Pupil of Aberdeen Grammar School I can think of many stalwarts of the FP Club but I struggle to think of any Former Pupil who has put as much in to both the Former Pupils’ Club and the Club Centre as Brian. Even before my time as a Former Pupil arrived, Brian was heavily involved in the Club and held every post available on both the Club Executive and Club Centre Committee. Brian's work on the Magazine over many years is rightly acknowledged as being outstanding. But now, looking forward, Brian is making another very important contribution to Aberdeen Grammar School in the field of science and technology by donating a significant sum to the conversion of a classroom to a science laboratory at the school. This is a tremendous gesture and one that will greatly benefit the School and pupils for many years to come.'

Former Pupils’ Section

Miss Alison Murison, Mark Stage, Brian Crookshanks, Gillian Thomas

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Iain S. Hopkin (1962-68)

President 2019-20

Former Pupils’ Section

Presidential Profile Iain S. Hopkin MA (1962-68) Iain Hopkin, to many better known as Hoppy, was born in York, moved to Aberdeen aged three, attended Ashley Road Primary School and then Aberdeen Grammar School from 1962 until 1968. At school he played for the first teams at both rugby and cricket. Having gained an MA degree at Aberdeen University and then qualified as an accountant (FCCA), Iain worked for the then John Wood Group (1973-75), W Lockhart Marshall and Marnox Properties (1975-79), Gardner Cryogenics (1979-89) and Halliburton (1989-2011). Iain retired in 2011. Iain married Ann in 1974. Ann, like Iain, is very involved with her school former pupils’ club and is currently President of the Aberdeen High School/Harlaw Academy FP Club. Since Iain retired, Ann and Iain have been able to focus on their love of travelling, especially cruising. Recent cruises comprise Sydney to San Francisco, around the Med, Hong Kong to Dubai, Sydney to Hong Kong via Japan and Southampton to St Petersburg. However, cutting to the chase, the real theme of this profile is Iain’s involvement in and around the FP Club which has been prodigious. Iain was a member of the Club Executive and the Club Centre Committee for many years. He was also very active in both the rugby and cricket sections. He played rugby for FPs from 1968 to 1993 and is rightly proud that he has made at least one appearance for the 1st XV in each decade from the 60s right through to the 90s. He even managed to sneak into Ron Comber’s Golden Oldies at the age of 24 – it must have been that bushy beard which disguised his age. Extending beyond FPs he played rugby for Aberdeen Strollers, the geriatric rugby team, in World Festival events in Toronto, Dublin, Christchurch, Vancouver and Toulouse as well as playing in other events in Wales and Hong Kong. He is a former Secretary and President of Aberdeen Exiles RFC. Iain and Ann are enthusiastic followers of the Scottish Rugby team and are frequent visitors to all the 6 Nations locations. He was also very involved in the FP cricket section playing from 1963 through to 2005 with occasional appearances since. He played in the Scottish Cup run in 1988, which took the team right through to the final. Successes with FP cricket included winning three Strathmore Union titles and three Press & Journal sevens events. Iain was awarded ‘Clubman of the year’ for both FP rugby and cricket sections in 1981-82 - a unique achievement. Moving back to service and support to the Club and the Centre, Iain created and compered the monthly quizzes in the Club Centre for ten years in the early 47

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine 2000s. It is typical of Iain that he quietly and behind the scenes sifted through old documents and materials which were stored in the Club Centre and has pulled together much historical Club material which is now accessible to all. Of more direct relevance to the year of 1968, Iain almost single handedly organised a year reunion to celebrate 50 years since we left school. Year reunions have been talked about on and off but it took Iain’s energy and time to organise the event which all who attended will agree was a great success. Iain will say he merely coordinated the efforts of others but the reality is this event only happened because of Iain. Iain’s initial ‘hail fellow well met’ impression belies a very interested, caring and selfless guy. This piece is intended to set out the extent to which Iain has been a supporter of, and directly involved in, the FP Club and the Club Centre for more than 50 years. Iain rightly views the role of President as an honour and I for one cannot think of anyone more deserving. I am sure all FPs will wish our President well and hope that Iain and Ann thoroughly enjoy his year in office. Bob Hutcheson (1962-68)

Centre Reports Club Centre The Centre’s trading deficit in 2018 of approaching £10,000 had to be addressed quickly and it is pleasing to advise that this challenge has been overcome, with the Centre showing an increase in trade to the end of June 2019 and provisionally recording a modest surplus. Membership numbers remain constant, however attracting new members is more difficult given the continued uncertainty regarding the future of 86 Queens Road. In September 2018 our Centre Manager, Mike Tasker, requested a voluntary redundancy package and this was agreed by the Centre committee. Elson Silva has been elevated to the position of full time bar operative and has performed admirably, often working long hours to maintain the bar and clubhouse in an ambient and presentable manner. The overhead saving from not employing a club manager, plus additional fiscal savings introduced, will allow the Centre to continue to trade for as long as it takes for the sale of our premises to be fully determined. The Centre, in keeping with almost all other licensed premises, is reliant on functions to provide additional trade. Race nights, gin tasting nights, themed food nights, school reunions and, in the summer season, BBQs are all hosted at the Centre and the committee would encourage all members to take advantage of our facilities when a works function or fundraiser or the like has to be arranged as part of their own social calendars. 48

Former Pupils’ Section Sadly, the last year has seen the passing of some outstanding and lifelong members. Jim Lyon passed away in September 2018, Nigel Parker in October 2018, Norman Garden in February 2019, Ally Ritchie in March 2019 and Graham Barron and Dick Cradock in May 2019. These gentlemen will be sadly missed, not just for their loyalty and enduring commitment to the club, but even more so for their decency, good humour and camaraderie. The Centre endures as the home and hive of all Aberdeen Grammar Sport activities. It is a great credit to the officials of the Sports Sections that their support of the Centre is unwavering as is their desire that all sporting activities that represent Aberdeen Grammar stick together and remain united. The name of Aberdeen Grammar is highly respected throughout Scottish Sport and we are regularly complimented by visiting officials on how much they enjoy their annual visit and the hospitality received in a facility much admired and envied by other clubs. The Centre is very indebted to the sports sections for the trade, atmosphere and ambience that they bring to the Centre, with the Centre reciprocating by making itself a more competitively priced and more welcoming environment than other licensed premises. The party at the Centre following the return of our Rugby players after their cup final success was a joy to attend with much merry making and good humoured exuberance in evidence and in bucket loads. D S Leighton Club Centre Chairman

Canada As the current Magazine is issued members of the Canadian Centre are preparing for this year’s Reunion weekend to be held in Calgary from Friday 6 to Sunday 8 October. We look forward to welcoming President Iain Hopkin and his wife Anne who are visiting us. It will be recalled that two Reunions were reported a year ago as the 2017 weekend was brought forward to coincide with the celebration of the life of Peter Green. Looking ahead to next year, for anyone planning a holiday in Canada, the Reunion will be on the weekend Friday 11 to Sunday 13 September and will be held in the East – location to be advised nearer the time.

Edinburgh Following last year’s late cancellation of the Edinburgh Centre’s Annual Dinner owing to lack of numbers the current Edinburgh centre President, Nigel Watt and the local committee have been considering options for alternative approaches to the provision of an Edinburgh based function or functions for local FPs and their guests, ranging from a black tie dinner to ad hoc informal lunches. 49

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine There is a willingness within the committee to facilitate social gatherings of FPs which will command sufficient support from the local membership and, to this end, FPs are respectfully invited to be in touch with the Hon. Secretary (contact details below) with views on what type of gathering might be of interest to them, or indeed to indicate that they have no interest in such. In the absence of a formal AGM, which is traditionally held during the Annual Dinner, Nigel Watt continues as the Edinburgh Centre President and James Rust continues as Honorary Secretary and Treasurer. At present, there is no Annual Dinner of the Edinburgh Centre planned for 2019. Any F.P. who is in the Edinburgh area or has recently arrived there and has not received any communication from the Centre is invited to get in touch with James Rust, 19 Denham Green Terrace, Edinburgh, EH5 3PE. Tel. 0131 552 6603 or email: james@jjrust.co.uk.

Glasgow Our Annual Dinner was held on Friday 2nd November 2018 at the exciting new venue of The Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons in Glasgow City Centre, with Glasgow President, Malcolm Gauld, welcoming twenty-two members and guests, including Nigel Watt, representing the Edinburgh Centre, and Myrtle McGregor, the Glasgow President of the local Centre of the Aberdeen High School for the Daughters of the Landed Gentry and Upstanding Citizens of the Silver City with the Golden Sands. After an excellent meal, the A.G.M. of the Centre was held, with the accounts, confirming that we were still solvent, approved, and the committee, yet again, unanimously re-elected. In welcoming our own Gary Allan Q.C., Malcolm reminded the meeting that he had been Head Boy in 1975, winner of the F P Club All Round Trophy in 1976, President of the Glasgow Centre from 1994-96, President of the Parent Club in 2007-08 and tonight's Dinner Organiser. Gary proposed a very interesting, amusing and informative Toast to the School and the Club, with memories of his school days and professional career and with words of encouragement for the younger members of the audience. We were delighted to be joined, for her first visit, by Deputy Head Teacher, (responsible for learning, teaching and assessment in the school) Anne Bell who, very ably assisted by Jennifer Herrera (Deputy Head Girl)) and Rory Ferguson (Deputy Head Boy) giving the pupils' perspective, replied to Gary's Toast on behalf of the School. They updated us on all that was happening within its hallowed grounds, highlighting its many successes both academically and in the vast range of extra-curricular activities. Yet again we were all impressed by the calm self-assurance of these excellent young representatives of our school. In the sad absence of Gillian Thomas, the President of the Parent Club, due to medical reasons, Malcolm was 'fair chuffed' to re-call Margery Taylor to reply to 50

Former Pupils’ Section the toast for the third time - once when she was President of the Parent Club in 2014-15, once as deputy for Meldrum Edwards and tonight for Gillian. Margery, as always, gave a very entertaining reply and highlighted the concerns of all involved at the heart of the Club in building and sustaining links with all members, especially the younger FPs. Past Head Boy (1995-96) Stefan Colling proposed a most witty and appropriate Vote of Thanks and the assembled company gradually disappeared into the night, well fed and very well entertained. The Committee have arranged our next dinner for Friday 1st November 2019, again at the Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons in the City. Hopefully our existing membership will come along and support our efforts and any FPs new to the area, or those interested in ascertaining more, should please get in touch as indicated below. This season, for the 15th year, our curling team took part in the 6-team Wanderers League. The valiant efforts of our squad of Gary Allan, Stefan Colling, Malcolm Gauld, Alistair Fyall, Jim Leask, Margery Taylor and the occasional guest, took us off the bottom of the table to 5th place. Yet again we hope to continue this improvement into next season. New players, even ‘ice virgins’, are always most welcome, so contact Malcolm on 01355 237039 or mwrg@hotmail.com. Again the 'annual' golf match against Edinburgh did not take place as we could not raise a team of three. So far we have been unable to find enough players for a match in 2019. Where are all our golfers? We would be delighted to hear from any FPs interested in becoming involved in any of our activities or even just going onto our mailing list to be informed of future events. Please contact our Secretary, Margery Taylor on 0141 562 9638 or at marg7ery@ntlworld.com Thanks, as always, to our local committee Gary Allan, Peter Cairns (Treasurer), Stefan Colling, Malcolm Gauld, Jim Leask, David McNay and Margery Taylor. The following FPs attended the 2018 dinner (in order of entry into school):Malcolm Gauld (1947-61), Jim Leask (1960-66), Nigel Watt (1963-69), Robert Diament (1963-70), David Mitchell (1963-76), Gary Allan (1963-76), Judith Anderson (1975-80), Alison Nicolson (1975-80), Margery Taylor (1975-81), John Stevenson (1975-81), Malcolm Daniel (1975-81) and Stefan Colling (199096).

London For a change, some positive and very encouraging news from the London Centre! After my appeal in the Magazine last year, Graham Thomson (1979-83) stepped forward and offered his assistance. Through Graham’s efforts we have laid out the basis for setting the Centre on a secure future footing. 51

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine The first fruit of our plans was a convivial gathering at Davy’s Wine Bar, just off London’s St James’s Street, on 20th March. Fifteen FPs attended, including many familiar faces as well as some very welcome newcomers: John Sinclair (1947-59), Ian Reid (1951-63), David Anderson (1954-58), Duncan Hopkin (1955-61), Philip Edwards (1956-67), Ian Mair (1956-69), Hamish Norbrook (1959-65), Peter Elliot (1962-75), Sandy Nicol (1962-71), Nick Clarke (1963-74), Mike Stobbie (1963-69), Graham Thomson (1979-83), Lori Houlihan (1981-86), Angus Duguid (1987-93) and Ross Methven (1987-93). Our next venture will be a theatre visit in late July to watch the acclaimed play Shackleton’s Carpenter, performed by FP Malcolm Rennie (1952-65). Future events are likely to include a lunch and further informal wine bar gatherings. This is my valedictory report for the London Centre. With effect from 1st June, Graham Thomson will take over as Secretary. Also stepping down will be our longstanding President, Donald Lamont, who has given such sterling support during these past few difficult years. For the next year I shall assume the office of Centre President, the President thereafter being elected on an annual basis. Sandy Nicol

Yorkshire The 60th dinner of the Yorkshire Centre was held on Friday 28 September 2018 at the Principal Hotel in York, presided over with his usual charm by the Yorkshire President, Doug Skene, who was accompanied by his charming wife Gina. This was a new venue, where we were very well looked after, although a return to the splendid surroundings of the Grange Hotel will happen for the 2019 dinner. Sadly, there was no school representation, but we were delighted to welcome the President-elect of the Club, Iain Hopkin and his wife, Ann, to their first Yorkshire dinner. Iain presented a short video from the school, as well as updating members on the current situation regarding the Club and the Club Centre in Aberdeen. Iain gave us much to think about, much has happened since and there was plenty well-meaning discussion on the plans for the future. Once again we were very pleased to welcome guests from other Centres and a variety of localities throughout the North of England and further afield, with the now regular addition of a German guest with David Galloway! The evening always provides a chance for good conversation, good dining and, most importantly, good company, and a chance to catch up with old friends, hear news of Aberdeen and the Grammar, and share tales of when we were there! If there are any FPs in the North of England, who have not yet managed to attend one of our dinners, please do get in touch and come along. Former Pupils attending the Dinner, listed in order of entry into the School were: Wilson McIntosh (1932-45), Robert Cromar (1944-49), Brian Bruce (194652

Former Pupils’ Section 51), Michael Walker (1946-57), Neil Borthwick (1952-65), Ivor Douglas (195257), Douglas Skene (1959-64), Iain Hopkin (1962-68), Nigel Watt (1963-69), James Rust (1963-71), David Galloway (1976-82) and Martin Coulter (1983-89) The 2019 Yorkshire Centre dinner is being organised by David Galloway and Martin Coulter following the sad death of Doug Skene, as highlighted elsewhere in the Magazine. It will be held as a tribute to him, and to Wilson McIntosh and Dick Tyson, who also sadly passed away this year.

Section Reports Cricket 1st XI 2018 saw FPs take another leap forward in not only skill but competitiveness on the field. After the success of the previous season as 1st XI skipper, Rob Swiergon was aware that everyone would be gunning for FPs to knock them off the top. In the league we finished second to Bon Accord who now know they have a fierce adversary in FPs. Our success through the season was down to our team effort, something which has helped the team stand out from many of our competitors. Naturally within the team we had some stand out performers; Karan Anand our prolific all-rounder finished the season with an average over 80 and rightly picked up the League Batting trophy for his efforts. He scored 731 runs at an average of 81.2 and this included two centuries, one a blistering 177 not out against Grampian in the Cup and another fine 103 not out against Crescent. He also made a scarcely believable 99 not out to single handedly defeat Knightriders, when all had looked completely lost. Having expertly farmed the bowling in adding 33 for the 9th wicket with Roland Knudson, he then combined with John Thomson to add 35 for the last wicket, Thomson facing one ball for 0 not out. It was a masterful innings and incredibly timed but with 25 needed off the last two overs, the game appeared to be slipping away. It mattered not as Anand smashed a tile off the pavilion roof with an enormous six, hammered a one bounce four over mid-wicket and pushed a single off the last ball to get back on strike for the final over. 14 were needed from the last over but that was destroyed in just 3 balls, a huge maximum over mid-wicket, a pull over square leg for 4, before the coup-degrace, an monstrous six straight back over the bowler’s head to seal an incredible win. Earlier he had claimed 4 for 23 in a true man of the match effort. As well as being top batsman, he was also top bowler with 34 wickets at 13.4. Experienced opener Alex Keith also rolled back the years guiding FPs to some very good starts averaging 41 for the club through the year. He finally made a century for the club with 122 not out in a 20/20 game against Montrose as we 53

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine amassed 247 for 3, and made a league century rattling up an unbeaten 112 against Mannofield. Eddie Steinson also made regular runs, scoring 514 at 34, and he will be missed having moved back down south. His replacement Fraser Proud, recruited from Mannofield, will hopefully fill the void. As skipper, Rob Swiergon led the side well and made 364 at 24 and unbelievably picked up 11 wickets with his golden arm. There were also strong contributions from newcomer Connor McKinney, Geoff Morrison, Arul Senthil and Harry Mapplebeck with the bat. With the ball Harry Mapplebeck showed his true prowess and that six months of military training can really make you fitter! His efforts opening the bowling made sure that teams were restricted at the start and he regularly returned to clean up the tail. He took 30 wickets overall at 13.6. He was ably supported by Prashanth Poosappadi, a new comer to the club. Bowling medium/fast away swingers, he took just 16 wickets but promised much more and became a very popular member of the team. Stalwarts John Thomson and Roland Knudson weighed in with 30 and 24 wickets respectively and showed that accurate bowling has huge merits in Grade cricket. Behind the stumps Chris Clelland had a fantastic season, and proved to be the best around. His keeping to spin bowlers Roland Knudson and Callum Herd was particularly impressive. Throughout the season we faced some tough matches home and away and I was impressed by our resilience. At home against Knightriders was one of those games where we had it lost until some fireworks by Karan. We were heavy scorers in many games which allowed us to take control of a lot of matches. In the Aberdeenshire Cup we made it all the way final against Inverurie at Methlick but unfortunately we were on the wrong end of the result and, yes, it does give me nightmares but it was a great experience for my team who haven’t been to many finals and I know next time we will be better prepared to triumph. In the Scottish Cup we once again came unstuck against the professional and overseas amateur, this time defeated by St Michaels but we acquitted ourselves well. Going forward, having University captain Conner McKinney in the side will add some real quality with the bat and he is an exceptional fielder. We hope to attract more players of this calibre as we look to try and claim more silverware going forward. Of course none of our success would be possible without the hard work of the committee who continue to play an active part at the club. 2nd XI AGSFPs Cricket Section 2nd XI began their season with a sense of optimism having been promoted back to Grade 2. It wasn’t to last. 54

Former Pupils’ Section Remarkably, however, the season began with a match going the full length at Gordonians, but dropped catches and the loss of key wickets at vital times were to cost us the game whilst setting the tone for the season. The following weeks (and months) brought similar heartache despite valiant batting and bowling performances from some of the team, as losses against Methlick (where skipper Mike Nattrass scored the first 50 of the season for the club) and then 2nd KnightRiders (where Sam Knudson avoided a century - 98) were close run things. This was then followed by a defeat by Ellon (who scored a Grades record total but were then frustrated by Tom Murray’s resolute batting) and a frustrating loss to Super Kings (who suddenly found a couple of star players, Ben Frizzel scoring a 50 in his only game of the season). The game against Siyapa promised much, Aman Sood scoring an aggressive 88, but FPs could not find a victory and the same outcome occurred again against Aberdeen Super Kings where Mike Nattrass somehow took a 5 for. At the this point of the season FPs looked be at serious risk of relegation back to Grade 3, but with four games to play against teams we had run close all season, there was still confidence a couple of wins would come and a miracle would be in reach. This would have been enough to keep us up due to the quirk of only one team being relegated. Unfortunately, the away trip to Fraserburgh did not make the start of the much desired and required change of result. Ian Johnston having transport and communication issues meant that the 2s travelled hoping he’d picked up Rajaa Monnapillai, and was on the way only to be told on arrival that they’d broken down and, eventually, that they wouldn’t be joining their comrades at all, leaving FPs heavily under strength. 2nd Knights at home was again a close run affair, but no one seemed able to hang around to add the runs required to make it a challenge beyond their batsmen and relegation was all but confirmed. However, with that pressure off, the team found a new lease of life. With an away trip to Stonehaven (last year’s runaway Grade 3 winners) FPs batted first and amassed a decent total of 202. After a steady start in reply, skipper Nattrass kept faith with opening bowler Farhan, which was repaid by him taking a couple of quick wickets. Sean Harrower came on for Rajaa Monnapillai and had an early impact, working in tandem with John Eagles, having three batsmen caught by Nattrass (2 x Harrower, 1 x Eagles) and another caught by Rajaa (off Eagles). Agha Haider was brought on to mix things up again, taking 1 for 14 from his seven overs, and was followed by Mike Nattrass, clean bowling a schoolboy to reduce Stonehaven to 80-odd for 8. What followed neatly summed up the 2nd XI season – as the destructive number 10 threw caution to the wind (and bat at ball) striking a series of mighty blows to swing the momentum back their way, as suddenly more and more wides were given to assist the two set batsmen. Eventually, after Harrower came back into the attack, the number 10 was caught at cow corner and was followed by 55

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine number 11 caught and bowled by Harrower. The 2nds had won their first game of the season, if only by 7 runs. Hungry for more, and wishing to leave Grade 2 on a high, the team set themselves on a roll on their visit to Siyapa where almost all the catches were taken, and messrs Gary Stuart and Sood took three wickets apiece leaving certain players wondering where such a bowling and fielding performance had been all season. Senthil, on loan from the Firsts to get some time at the crease, was in particularly destructive mood, with 63 as FPs won by 7 wickets in 20 overs. All in all, the season was a slight disappointment, with the team hampered for numbers and consistency throughout the season resulting in a return to Grade 3 from where they had been rightly promoted. That being said, thanks go to all of those who turned out and gave their efforts this past season; it would have been far tougher without them and especially those expecting to play more occasional and/or Grade 3 cricket. Mentions also go to the schoolboys/juniors who turned out and stepped up to Grade 2 standard through taking wickets and scoring runs in their valuable efforts. With Kemnay pulling out of the Grades, ironically 2nds will once again be in Grade 2, where we shall look to return to form, challenge for promotion and continue to develop the younger club members at a standard which is another step towards Grade 1 and 1st XI cricket. 3rd XI The 3rd XI had another very disappointing season as only four matches were played, winning one, losing three and unfortunately scratching a total of nine matches due to a lack of players. This was ironic as 2018 was the best summer for cricket, weather-wise, for many years. The 3rds first game of the season was against Portcullis at the Duthie Park. FPs batted first and scored an impressive 223 all out in 44.5 overs. Top scorers were Aman Sood with 65, Elia Gubbala with 61 and John Eagles 32. Portcullis lost their first wicket on 9 and their second wicket on 210. O. Thorpe scored an excellent 108 and C. Steward finished 76 not out as FPs struggled to take wickets. Sood 10 – 2 – 34 - 1 and Gubbala 12 – 0 – 50 – 1 were the pick of the seven bowlers used. Two months later 3rds played their second game of the season, a Sunday match at Rubislaw against 2nd Grampian. Sood made 42, again top scoring in a total of 144, but a collapse saw the last five wickets fall for 14 runs. 2nd Grampian batted positively throughout their innings and won by 7 wickets in 33.4 overs. Wicket takers for FPs were Gary Stuart 6 – 1 – 13 – 1, Aman Sood 6 – 1 – 19 – 1 and Arif Ali 4 – 0 – 23 – 1. 56

Former Pupils’ Section A trip to play Crathie at Balmoral is always one of the highlights of the season, usually with no shortage of volunteers to play. This time, however, FPs struggled to round up a team for this Sunday match, Crathie having generously agreed to postpone the Saturday fixture when we could not raise a team. FP's 'batted' first and looked to be heading home before the famous Crathie pies were even warm in the oven at 21 for 7 off 10.5 overs. Then came a remarkable turnaround as 1st XI stalwart Karan Anand, originally making the trip as the team tourist, was promoted from sightseer to number 11 and then to number 8 and took over the recovery. A stand of 77 with Pete Macklin saw Macklin contribute a staunch defence as Anand scored all 77. Then Sean Harrower nearly stole Anand’s thunder hitting a 6 in a stand of 37, but Anand responded by reaching his hundred, hitting 12 x 6 and 6 x 4 in a display of controlled, selective hitting. Crathes were not too pleased at Anand playing, but a score of 21 – 7 with two inexperienced players to come would have meant a long drive and wasted afternoon for most players, but not bowler J. Thomas who took 6 – 21 in his seven overs. Following tea, enjoyed by FP players more than Crathie players, a very even and exciting contest saw Crathie need 15 off the 40th and final over, and 6 off the last ball. Crathie top scorer P. Cunningham just failed to win the match, being caught off Rajaa Monnapillai for 67. Best bowling for FPs, Monnapillai 10 – 1 – 31 – 4, Sood 6 – 0 – 21 – 3, Faraj Monnapillai 3 – 1 – 12 – 1, Farhan 6 – 1 – 19 – 1, Callum Herd 7 – 1 – 23 – 1, with 1st XI top wicket-taker Anand electing not to bowl to keep the game interesting. This was a match not to be forgotten by the two schoolboys and three players playing their first ever season of cricket. The fourth and last game of the season was played at Sheddocksley against promotion seeking 2nd Grampian. FPs had to play three guest players and Chetan Karmilla, 8-year old son of Vinod Karmilla. This Heinz variety side batted first and were all out for 57, young Karmilla frustrating the Grampian bowlers for seven overs, the second longest spell without a wicket. 2nd Grampian took 12 overs to win the match by 8 wickets, Ranald Wilkie taking 1-4 and Faraj Monnapillai taking 1 – 21. The lack of players during the season was quite a shock and with only three schoolboys playing and cricket seemingly no longer an option at the Grammar, the future for the 3rd XI looks bleak and the decision was taken during the winter to disband it and to hope that the Sunday Development XI could be a path for young players. Sunday Development XI The Rubislaw Development XI managed only three matches during 2018, winning two and losing one. 57

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine The first match in early May was an easy victory for a strong Rubislaw team against Portcullis, with Sam Knudson hitting an entertaining 44 not out, Mike Nattrass also scoring 44, Doug Russell 42 and Gary Stuart 39, as Rubislaw rattled up 220 for 7. In reply Portcullis were dismissed for 72, schoolboy Qasim Farhan bowling an excellent spell taking 4 - 9 and Shoab Alvi 2 - 8. The next match was another victory against Mannofield, who scored 146 - 7, Ranald Wilkie taking 3 - 34. Wilkie then blasted a quick 72 not out and Aman Sood 27 not out to see Rubislaw home by four wickets. The final game was in September at Mannofield, the format a 20/20 match. Mannofield scored 161 - 4, Rajaa Monnapillai taking 2 - 24. Rubislaw fell a little short scoring 136 - 9 with Farhan scoring an impressive 19 not out but Sean Harrower showed the top order how to bat, hitting an aggressive 45.

Football Grammar FPs entered into their thirty-first season in Amateur football with only a handful of players left over from the previous season and a real worry that we would not be able to field a team for the new season. Our funds were also very low and we came close to folding. Frantic attempts were made via all channels to get players “in” so that we could continue to play. After a successful appeal we managed to sign up additional players and started with a squad of around twenty players. Sadly again there were no FPs or any players from the school. We had a slow start to Division 2 East and spent most of the season in the bottom half of the league. Our manager decided to leave us mid-season. One of the team stepped up and took on the role of player/manager and we continued on. Our form improved as the season progressed and we finished in 7th place which meant a disappointing season again for us but better than expected. Our committee met late April and decided that the club required a major overhaul and that we needed a plan to try and get back on a better footing both financially and on the playing side. We advertised for a new manager and were delighted to bring on board for next season someone who is well connected in local football circles and has a good vision of how he wanted to take the club forward. The first part of the rejuvenation started with the club having a race night at the end of May at the RUA Club in Aberdeen, which brought in a good 4-figure sum to our coffers. We have also managed to secure a couple of sponsorship deals with some local businesses which will also benefit. On the recruitment side, we have managed to sign up some quality players from a higher level and we have more in the pipeline who have verbally committed for the season ahead. The mood is now one of optimism. 58

Former Pupils’ Section A tough pre-season training plan will start on the 17th June, to ensure that the players are fully fit and ready for the start of the 2019/20 in August. Any FPs or school leavers interested in joining us at preseason training should get in touch with Malcolm Robertson via email grammarfps@gmail.com for further details.

Men’s Hockey 1st XI The 1st XI went into the 2018/19 season on the back of a convincing promotion from National 3 but with a tough task ahead of them, National League 2 posing a significant challenge for a Grammar team with an average age of 21. The team was bolstered with welcome additions in the form of Kieran Friel, Andrew Crowe and Joe Bruce, filling the positions of Right Wing, Centre Back and FWD respectively. Despite the new recruits, the club as a whole continued to witness a significant decrease in senior club members. A smaller pool of players ultimately had a severe impact on all three teams and an ever increasing reliance was placed upon the School pupils stepping up to play for the FPs. The lack of squad availability was sadly a recurring theme throughout the season for the 1st XI and was the primary factor hamstringing further progression up the league table. This lack of availability was nowhere more apparent than in the two corresponding fixtures against the established Inverleith Hockey Club. A weakened squad of eleven travelled down to the capital and, despite a commendable effort from the team (including a number of the old guard and younger AGS pupils) we were on the end of a thumping defeat. Contrast this with the home fixture at Rubislaw, a full squad of sixteen first choice players in tow. The outcome of this was the result of the season for the 1st XI. Finding themselves 2-4 down with ten minutes to play, Grammar staged an unlikely comeback, with goals from Jack Stuart and John Dargie recording a historic win. This would prove to be a crucial three points in a hotly contested NL2. Another notable result was an excellent away performance against disciplined St. Andrews University. A closely contested match ended 1-2 Grammar, a brilliantly executed short corner goal from Patrick Van Diggelen added to an excellent earlier reverse finish from Joe Bruce. A strong performance against Perthshire at Rubislaw also awarded the FPs an important three points. Ultimately, the season came to a head in the penultimate fixture against local rivals, Granite City Wanderers. With the winner effectively sealing NL2 survival and the loser relegation, this was the most important fixture the 1st XI had faced in a number of seasons. A cagey game, the teams went into the 2nd half all square at 1-1. Grammar dominated play, but both teams were unable to put away a number of gilt-edged chances. It was, once again, our Dutch talisman, Patrick van Digellen, who stepped up to a short corner ten minutes from time and slotted a perfect drag flick into the bottom right corner. 2-1 the result, the final whistle 59

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine ringing in elated celebrations from the 1st XI. A historic victory for FPs which secured NL2 status for next season. Lastly, a regular staple of the 1st XI were a number of AGS school pupils who impressed and developed throughout the season. Cameron Ogilvie, Gregor Morrison, Fin Renton, and Lucas Findlay all played a significant part in the 1st XI success, whilst Neal Fleming also stepped up for a couple of memorable performances between the sticks. Thanks also to Stephen Molloy and Jack Bushfield for stepping up to coach and manage the 1st XI this season. We would have found ourselves in a much worse position without their ongoing support and commitment. 3rd XI The FP Men’s Hockey Section now only has three teams, with the 3rds made up of Grammarians, (including several members in their seventies), some younger teenage schoolboys, their fathers and an assortment of young adults who can play on Sundays. They compete in the North District Second Division and finished very respectably in mid-table. John Chalmers was our Captain and did a splendid job of getting teams organised. The senior section are constant supporters of the club after their games. Grammarians continue to supply both AGS and the feeder primary schools with coaches, umpires, managers and drivers. Amongst the stalwarts are Emma Mair, Andy Deady, Tony Duguid, Malcolm Ewen, Alastair (Fluff) Freeman, Fred Lawson, Ben Johnson, Howard Smith and James Williams. AGS 1st team were runners-up to Strathallan in the Scottish Senior Schools Plate, having beaten Gordonstoun in the semis. Fin Renton and Gregor Morrison are currently training with Scotland U16/U18 squads while Neil Fleming, Lewis Fraser, Nicholas McCormack and Cameron Ogilvie also represented North District. A large crowd in early December braved some bracing conditions and were rewarded with a closely fought contest for the John Drummond Trophy. Grammarians made the most of their early chances and took the lead through Murray Bissett. As the first half went on the School 1st team came into the game and deservedly equalised just before half time. The second half was closely fought with both teams scoring from short corners, and with Grammarians’ goal being credited to James Williams. Cameron Ogilvie scored for the School and was widely acclaimed as the “man of the match”. The final score was 3-3. David Wallis and Kevin Pope umpired with their customary mix of sound judgement and humour, making sure the rules were correctly adhered to. Warming soup and lunch revived the spectators and the annual social event, involving the schoolboys, parents, Grammarians and guests was an enjoyable event and a good fundraiser for youth hockey. Individual awards went to Cameron Ogilvie (Duncan Jeffrey Award), Nicholas McCormack (AGS Player of the Year), and 60

Former Pupils’ Section Morgan Daniel (AGS S3 Grammarians Medal for S3 boys). As always, Dianne Drummond kindly presented the trophy and individual awards. Glasses were raised to the memory of Jim Lyon. The Grammarians Cup, played between AGS S1-S3 boys and Senior Grammarians (Over 50s) was another close contest, with both sides spurning chances and defending doggedly. The deadlock was broken with only a minute to go during a goalmouth scramble involving virtually every player from both teams. Ben Johnson forced the ball over the line, and afterwards in the clubhouse most Senior Grammarians claimed an assist. The old men were delighted that a mixture of experience, treachery and bad breath had triumphed over speed and the modern technical skills employed by the boys. The youngsters came back to the Club Centre for pizza and soft drinks and appeared to enjoy the banter.

Pétanque The 2018 season commenced with our Annual General Meeting in April and the new Committee was put in place. We had approximately thirty members for the season with some more enthusiastic than others about joining us in our competitions. There was also a loss of membership due to the lack of information in regard to the continuation of the Club Property. The season began in May with our now annual event of the Round Robin where some twenty of us enjoy evenings on the Piste playing and supporting the Club. The weather on the odd occasion during the season was not always kind to us, but we persevered and got most of our competitions completed on time other than that our Triples which will be completed at the beginning of the 2019 season. As usual we kept the Piste in a good condition, dealing with whatever repairs were required and we are again grateful to our members for their dedication and help. In July we had our Annual Competition with the Collieston Club, which was held at Collieston this year. It was a great day, and they laid on a superb repast. Unfortunately, we came second this year so we are looking forward to our next match to redeem ourselves. The Season ended in September, however on Boxing Day we opened up the Piste, after the usual Exiles Rugby Match, this year without the snow, and twenty of us had a few hours on the Piste and enjoyed Gluwein and Nibbles. It was with a sad heart that we learned on 1st March 2019, that a stalwart of the Club in Alastair Ritchie (Big Al) had died. He had braved a short illness and will be a great loss as a staunch supporter of the Petanque Section as well as the Club Centre where he enjoyed a pint or two, especially on a Sunday. The 2019 AGM was held on 14th April and the following were elected as the new Executive Committee. 61

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine Captain - Derek Young: Secretary - Katie McDonald: Treasurer – Keith Douglas Ordinary Members: David McDonald; Karen Vass; David Stuart; Liz Chrystall. The Pétanque Section is always looking for new members at all levels and ages and anyone interested in joining us should make contact with any of the above officials for further information. We are looking forward to another season and, hopefully, we will be here for 2020. The following are the results of the 2018 competitions: Singles Championship Winner: Peter Hendeson Runner up: Ken Pritchard . Doubles Championship Winners: Peter Henderson & Philip Henderson Runners-up: Elizabeth Chrystall & David Stuart Alastair Ritchie Plate Winners: Derek Young & Patrick Buik Peter Tawse Memorial Trophy (Summer Solstice) Winner: Peter Henderson Runner-up: Donald Murray Ronnie Comber Trophy Winner: Richard Cradock Runner-up: Barbara Bucket Plate: Ken Pritchard Round Robin. Winner: Runner-up

Derek Young Richard Cradock

Office Bearers: Captain Barbara Buckett

Secretary Treasurer

Katie McDonald Karen Vass

Former Pupils’ Section

Rugby A Return to the Top Season 2018-19 has been one to celebrate for the players, coaches, officials, sponsors and supporters of Aberdeen Grammar Rugby. Since demotion to National League 1 a few seasons ago, the Club has consolidated its tenure and been steadily improving performances. The past season is a testament to the hard work of all currently actively involved in and around Rubislaw. Having adopted an ethos of “total amateurism”, the spirit of camaraderie and fellowship has been growing and has brought notable success, under the direction of Club Chairman, Gordon Thomson and Head Coach, Ali O’ Connor. 1st XV Ably captained on the field by FP, Sam Knudson (2004-10) at stand-off, the “Firsts” had a good season in Tennent’s National League Division 1, finally achieving a 4th-place finish and promotion to the newly-structured Premiership, the top level of club rugby in Scotland, next season. The record speaks for itself Place P 4th 22

W 13

L D 8 1

For 725

Ag’st 523

TB 17

LB 2

Total 71

Aberdeen Grammar Rugby were the only team to take points, home and away, from Jed-Forest (2nd), including a spectacular 68-22 win at Rubislaw on the opening day of the season and a hard-fought draw at Riverside Park, where an understrength and unfamiliar line-up fought back from 24-3 down, with 18 minutes to go, to finally snatch a brave draw with a try in extra time from 2nd XV Captain, Jackie Burnett, converted from the touchline by Bryn Perrott. What a display of skill, spirit and tenacity! Notable wins included against Kelso away (33-46) and home (66-7); Musselburgh (47-28) and GHA (42-19), both at home; and Selkirk (30-17) at Rubislaw, this being revenge for “one that got away” at Philiphaugh, where the Souters grabbed a 28-26 win through a try and conversion in the very last minute of play. There have been some disappointments and “what-ifs” too. The 24-37 loss at home to Cartha Queen’s Park was a nightmare for those who played in it, when so many of the familiar faces were posted missing attending a local wedding. What could go wrong, did go wrong. Not only have the team gained promotion, they have played with élan and a much admired attacking, open style of 15-man rugby which saw them amass 17 try-bonus points, a feat only equalled by eventual league winners, Marr RFC. On the whole they have been a pleasure to watch. 63

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine In 2003, then Aberdeen GSFPs (captained by Australian semi-pro, Rob Seib, and coached by professional, Damien Reidy), won the Integrated Trophy, beating Glasgow Hawks 43-27 at Rubislaw. This year, Aberdeen Grammar Rugby emulated this winning of a national trophy by securing the National League Cup at a sunny Bridgehaugh Ground, Stirling, where the team were presented with the trophy by SRU President, Dee Bradbury. The Cup run began on 25 August away to Ardrossan Academicals (7-60), followed by Stewart’s Melville (h: 31-14); Falkirk (a: 0-62); and, Kelso (a: 13-34), climaxing with a really hard-fought Final on 20 April against local Caledonian North rivals, Highland RFC, the large partisan support of Aberdeen Grammar Rugby enjoying a 10-26 win and a few refreshments thereafter. Thanks to all who travelled on the day – it was super to hear the cheers away from home. 2ndXV Managed by club stalwart Duncan Massey, our “Seconds”, lacking sufficient senior players throughout the campaign, experienced mixed fortunes in their regional league, Tennent’s Caledonian North 2, eventually finishing in a midtable 5th place, in a season peppered with notable wins and dramatic losses, depending on the availability of largely young student players and the necessary call-ups to the “Firsts”. Their record Place P 5th 16

W 8

L 8

D 0

For 452

Ag’st 366

TB 8

LB 2

Total 39

Despite their mercurial results, the same wider squad spirit and high morale were also evident, no more so than in the “double-header” fixture against runaway league winners, Highland, played in advance of the Cup Final at Stirling, where a rousing game ended in a controversial last-minute loss 15-10. If we could put that team out every week it would be a big step forward. Particular mention should be made of the 71-36 home win against Ross Sutherland and the hard-fought 29-35 away win against North Scotland Police. Team continuity was not helped by elongated fallow periods of some weeks in the season when fixtures were not available. Dallas Allardice Trophy This season we have regained and retained this prestigious trophy which is played for every time we visit Morgan Academy in Dundee. The Trophy was presented by the Allardice family in memory of the late Dallas ‘Dally’ Allardyce (1934 -39) who was a goal-kicking scrum half and 8-times Scottish Cap in 1947-49 who captained both FPs and North Midlands. He became a PE teacher at the Grammar and then taught for 25 years at the High School of Dundee. A solid 13-33 victory at Morgan Academy FP’s ground at Dundee in November was surpassed by an 64

Former Pupils’ Section impressive 50-25 home win at Rubislaw in April. Sadly, we will not play in the same league next season, but moves are in hand to try and arrange a suitable “friendly” fixture for the Trophy against our old and much valued rivals. Off the Field On Friday, 17 May 2019, incidentally another Byron House FP, Club Captain, Doug Russell (2004-10), organised a splendid evening of end-of-season entertainment and high jinks at the Double Tree by Hilton Aberdeen City Hotel at the beach, drawing an excellent attendance. Guest Speaker was 17-capped Scottish International second-row, Stewart Campbell, who gave a superb oration on International and Borders rugby. Guests from Aberdeenshire RFC and Gordonians RFC were also welcomed. Amongst trophy winners were Chris Jollands (Players’ Player and Top Try Scorer); Ewan Stewart (Young Player of the Year); Yaseen Ahmanache (2nd Team Player of the Year); and Duncan Massey (Clubman of the Year). In an unprecedented move, Press Player of the Year (selected by Jack Nixon of the Press & Journal), was shared by the league’s outstanding back row of the season - Jollands, Dravitski and Ryan. On a sadder note, during this season three club stalwarts have died. Honorary Vice President, Norman Garden (1960-66) and Past Presidents Dick Cradock (1940-51) and Graham Barron (aka “G-bear”) (1943-54). All at the Club are saddened by their passing. These three made significant contributions both on and off the field and were tremendously enthusiastic supporters, even during their last months with us. The dressing room has just not been the same without the growl of the G’bear. Next Season Without doubt, the coming season will be a real challenge for our young squads and the coaching team. We are pleased to report that through an initiative partfunded by the SRU and supported by the teaching staff of the school, we will be re-introducing rugby coaching to S1 to S6 pupils with the aim in the future of yet again being able to present age-group teams under the Aberdeen Grammar Rugby name and reintegrate the Junior Section again into the overall Club structure, rather than have our young players representing Granite City Colts, our current collaboration, by necessity, with Aberdeen Wanderers. Financial support for this initiative and sponsorship of the full gambit of Club activities is still a pressing priority and we would implore regular supporters and Former Pupils to consider funding and making contributions in kind to our efforts to keep the Aberdeen Grammar Rugby name to the fore in Scottish club rugby and represent the City far and wide. This is particularly necessary with the inevitable increase in costs as we move to the Premiership and will be competing for resources with the ‘Super 6’ franchises newly granted by the SRU in the overall Scottish Rugby culture and context. 65

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine Although morale is presently high, we face the loss of our gym and social hub with the imminent sale and eventual closure of the FP Club Centre. Every effort is being made to source alternative facilities in the proximity of Rubislaw. However, we are bound to suffer disruption during the transition period. Again, offers of support and funding to assist during this period could be of great value in maintaining the Club’s current positive momentum. Finally, a big thank you to all those individuals, companies and organisations that have contributed to our most successful season in some years.

Women’s Hockey The 2018-2019 season began with the tough task of deciding to drop down to one team. The decision was not taken lightly and was the hardest decision the club has taken in the last thirty years. In short, there were twelve players missing from the starting line up from the 1st XI at the start of 2018/2019 season in comparison to the start of the 2017/2018 season. The club lost players to injury, players heading away to University and indeed players relocating. It felt like the club had hit the ‘perfect storm’. Rather than let their heads go down the girls rose to the occasion and made some tough calls. Having looked at the available players at the start of the season the difficult decision was taken to remove the Club from the North District Division One and instead play in Division Two. Captain Emma Williams approached her challenge with her usual enthusiasm and in spite of the unusual situation the team got off to a great start in their Division Two campaign. Emma relied on a mixture of experience and youth to get the club through to Christmas and went into the indoor break at the top of the league. By February a couple of the long term injury players had returned to action and the team took the North District Division Two title having conceded less than ten goals all season. The Club was delighted to have blended a combination of experience, youth and returners. Well done to Emma and her team for a hugely successful season. 2018-2019 1st XI results: P W D L 18

For

Against

Points Deducte d 0

Points 54

The Club is forever indebted to Martin Fraser, Peter Goldie, Andy Deady, Murray Bisset and others for their help with schoolgirl coaching at Aberdeen Grammar School. It is hoped the future is even brighter as there are a super group of primary school players beginning their hockey careers with FP’s own 66

Former Pupils’ Section Emma Mair, Tony Duguid, Ben Johnson, Howard Smith, Lisa Tomkins, James Williams and Fred Lawson guiding them. This season Emma Mair and Kieran Friel have also targeted the U-14 age group and successfully coached a weekly group consisting of regulars and new starts. The AGSFP’s women’s section has also directly benefitted from a very supportive set of parents and Active Schools working with us and the children across all the age groups. Long may these relationships be strong. It has been another busy year for the Hockey Club Committee who have ensured that the players are all insured and registered appropriately as well as attending all the other meetings associated with running the Hockey Club. Thanks to all. Indoor Update The 1st VI had a super indoor season and finished as runners up in the Indoor League. This was quite an achievement for the Club given how tough the season was. Captain Emma McKelvey did a fantastic job and the team loved their indoor season. ND Indoor Div 1 st

AGSFP 1 VI

P 12

Pts 21

The 2nd VI really enjoyed their indoor season. Again, the team spirit was commendable. Many thanks in particular to Claire Drummond for getting a team out every week and an umpire too. Well done to all those who played this season, another great year for indoor. ND Indoor Div 2 AGSFP 2nd VI

P 10

Pts

Three of our players, Helen Bruce, Norma Brownie and Sheila Reid were again selected to play for Scotland in Masters Teams in Four Nations events this summer in England. This year they are all going on to play in the European event in The Netherlands in July as well. Well done to them all. Finally, many thanks are due Murray Bissett, the girls’ long suffering coach. Thanks too are due to Helen Bruce for stepping in to take training when Murray was unavailable. Sincere thanks also to all this season’s umpires, in particular, to Gillian Graham and Andy Deady among many others for all their efforts in this regard; the teams are very, very grateful. As ever, if you are keen to take up hockey again, or have never played before, you are very welcome to come along to training to see how you get on. Training 67

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine is on Tuesday evenings at Rubislaw from 7.00pm – 8.30pm and starts on the third Tuesday in August. This coming season we are again delighted to be offering P7/S1 and S2 the chance to play in another weekly session from 6-7pm on Tuesdays before senior training time. For further information, contact: Emma Mair, Secretary - emma.mair14@gmail.com

Annual Dinner The Annual Dinner was once again held in the grand atmosphere of the Royal Northern & University Club on Friday 22 March 2019. As customary, there were representatives from other Former Pupils’ Clubs both local and from further afield. Our own Edinburgh and Glasgow Centres were represented by their Presidents and a special welcome was extended to Bill Guthrie, the President of our Canadian Centre. We were pleased to welcome once again Alison Murison, the Head Teacher, who was accompanied by Catherine Denison, the Head Girl and Lewis MacIver, the Head Boy. Also present were seven of our Honorary Vice-Presidents. The President, Gillian Thomas, was in the chair and conducted the proceedings in her own delightful style, contriving to adhere to the timetable without undue rush. A most enjoyable meal was served in keeping with the RNUC standards which we have come to appreciate. We especially enjoyed the choice of wines available from the Club’s cellar. Following the meal raffle prizes were distributed to the fortunate winners. The traditional toast to “The School and the Club” was proposed by Professor Jamie Grieve, emeritus Professor of Forensic Pathology at Aberdeen University who in a speech spiced with gems of humour congratulated the School on the high standards which it clearly maintains and on its recent Inspection Report. He was appreciative of the value of the Former Pupils’ Club and its efforts to keep to these standards in the changing circumstances of the digital media age. Replying for the School Miss Murison laid stress on the highly successful result of the inspection carried out towards the end of 2018 and emphasised how much was owed to a dedicated staff delivering a high standard of education. The two senior pupils each gave their account of their experiences of their time in the School and gave an insight into the School’s extramural activities, both sporting and cultural. Once again stress was laid on the multi-award winning Concert Band. Replying on behalf of the Club the President singled out some of the highlights of her past year, her second in office. She had again been impressed by the extent of the activities of the candidates for the Club’s All Round Trophy awards and in particular the mentoring work done by senior pupils with the 68

Former Pupils’ Section younger pupils in the School. She spoke encouragingly of the possible developments for the Club’s sports sections following the regretted but inevitable disposal of the Club Centre. The President-Elect, Iain Hopkin, expressed a comprehensive vote of thanks to all responsible for the evening’s arrangements and thanked the staff of the RNUC for their careful attention to our requirements. The following FPs attended the Dinner (in order of entering School): B.K. Crookshanks (1934-46), W. Guthrie (1939-51), D.R. Harper (1944-58), J.A.C. Michie (1944-58), D.B. Galloway (1944-58), D.L. Allan (1945-58), G.G. Benton (1946-50), P.N. Love (1952-58), J.G. Davidson (1947-60), M. Gauld (1947-61), M. Wolkoff (1947-61), H.A.B. Will (1947-61), A.D. Milne (1950-58), I.H. McLeod (1951-55), M.S. Davidson (1952-56), I.W. Douglas (1952-57), W. Hutcheon (1952-58), D. Hopkin (1955-61), A.G. Campbell (1959-65), N.J.G. Lawrie (1961-74), I. S. Hopkin (1962-68), N.G.M. Watt (1963-69), G. Boyne (1964-73), K. McHardy (1964-73), J. Rae (1964-71), D.G. Moir (1969-75), A. J. Thompson (1969-75), A. Martin (1970-81), M. Daniel (1975-81), D. Dargie (1975-79), C.M. Walker (1975-80), P.J. Fleming, (1975-81), G.A. Thomas (197580), T.J.H. Menzies (1975-81), M. Appleton, (1976-81), G.K. Crookshanks (1979-85), D.R.D. Wallis (1979-85), T.J. Rolfe (1982-86), W. Bradford (198490), G.M.E. Graham (1991-97), S. Knudson (2004-10) Next year’s Dinner will be held at the Royal Northern & University Club on Friday 20 March 2020.

1st City of Aberdeen (Grammar School) Scout Group: Request for Contacts with Former Members This note is for the attention of Grammarians who were members of the 1 st Aberdeen Group as Scouts and/or Rovers. It is intended primarily to interest former Scouts who were members in the period 1955-1965, but this is not exclusive. We would also welcome involvement by anyone associated with the Group earlier or later than that decade. Recently, a number of us who were members at that time have got together to establish an embryonic network of former Scouts. The core group involved is Hunter Cairns, Garth Glentworth, Peter Jeffrey, Harry Millar, Ron Smith and Diana Stevenson (née Edwards).Hopefully some of these names will be known to Magazine readers. We currently have details of about fifty potential participants. The main purpose of this note is to encourage others to sign up. All that is involved is to send your email address and any other contact details you wish to include to Harry Millar – email henryculter@gmail.com and copy these to each 69

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine of Peter Jeffrey email – peter.jeffrey@gmail.com and Garth Glentworth g.glentworth@btinternet.com.The plan is that Harry will have overall responsibility for the master list and serve as the primary contact for members in Scotland and Ireland; Peter will play the same role for North America, Australasia and anywhere else outside the UK; and Garth will do the same for members in England and Wales. The most important question is obviously why create this network? What would venerable former Scouts get out of it and equally what would they be interested in contributing and hearing about? The first answer is simply to encourage contact between individuals who were fellow Scouts and friends many years ago and might wish to renew contact, share experiences or merely reminisce. This could be through direct person to person contacts or in small or large reunion groups .The initiatives would come voluntarily from Network Members, rather than by requests from the core group. The second should be the contents of a Newsletter which we hope to circulate to Network Members by e-mail. We will send fuller information via the Network suggesting possible contents, but in summary:  Reminiscences of members’ Scouting experiences and impact on their future lives. We have a preliminary list of possible themed subjects. Examples are “Clinterty”, Summer and Easter camps, foreign travel, winter expeditions, and memories of Ian Macgregor’s impact on 1 st Scouting.  Noteworthy events in subsequent lives that were influenced by Scouting or may just be of general interest. (These could include career choices, travel or relationships).  Longer notes or articles/books produced by Network members relating to personal achievements, subjects of study/expertise or life events. Publications - or at least references to publications - which members just think are worthy of interest would also be included. Longer items could be attached to Newsletters as annexes We should be able to produce a trial Newsletter in the latter months of 2019.The issue will not be very long, but we hope it will confirm future interest. The key factor in its future continuation will be the response of Network Members and their willingness to contribute where they feel they have something to share and to suggest future topics for inclusion. Hopefully, this will begin to broaden but not necessarily lengthen the range of subject matter. Garth Glentworth will put together the first edition, working primarily with Diana Stevenson and Ron Lewis-Smith. Any contributions or suggestions in advance will be very welcome. We have not yet decided on limits on contributions, but these initially should be in the hundreds rather than thousands of words. 70

Former Pupils’ Section

General Data Protection Regulation The attention of Club members is drawn to the following Privacy Statement in compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation which came into force on 25 May 2018. About us The Aberdeen Grammar School F.P. Club is a small not-for-profit organization. No officials receive a salary. Any reimbursement is on a receipt only basis. The information we collect The only information held about you will be names, postal and e-mail addresses, telephone numbers and years at school if you have provided this information. The basis on which we hold this information is “Legitimate interests”. Information about you will only be held for the following reasons: 1. To communicate with you regarding membership and subscriptions; 2. To communicate with you about FP Club or School events; 3. To enable FP Club Magazine distribution. Telephone calls You may be contacted from time to time for the purpose of informing you of Club and School events or for maintaining your membership subscription. Your Data Your postal details only will be sent to the printer to enable Magazine distribution. Requesting your Data You may request details of personal data which we hold about you. Any have the right to request that your personal data is erased from the records if you are no longer a member of the FP Club. Amendments to our Policy Any information found to be incorrect will be corrected as soon as possible. You amendments necessary will be intimated at the AGM or in future communications to you.

F.P. Club Membership Subscription Rates 71

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine The current policy of the Executive is to review Subscription rates annually, but in normal circumstances we would hope that it will only be necessary to amend them every 5 years. The Life Member “Top up” scheme – which has been hugely successful – involves a payment of £20 to cover a five-year period. Topups are now due for the period 2015 to 2019 inclusive. A number of members’ Top Ups from prior periods remain unpaid. The Life Fund is stronger than it was, but still requires further “topping up”. The £20 “Top up” works out at just £4 per year for the 5-year period and greatly helps to offset the ever-increasing cost of producing this Magazine. We also draw down 5% of the Life Fund each year which works out at roughly £1 per Life Member, so that, when this is added to the £4 from the “Top up”, the Club receives £5 per Life Member in total each year. This doesn’t yet match the £10 or so we receive from Annual Members, but is moving in the right direction and we are certainly much better off than we were before the “Top up” scheme was introduced in 2000. We had a tremendous response to the introduction of the scheme, which is voluntary, and the vast majority of Life Members have responded very positively. These payments are a vital part of the Club’s income. Subscription rates for 2019 are as follows:Life Membership: New Life Members: £100 plus a £20 “Top up” every 5 years, the first “Top up” being payable 5 years after Life Membership is taken out. Existing Life members: £20 “Top up” every 5 years Annual Membership: Ordinary Members: £12.50 by cheque or £10 if paid by Standing Order School Leavers: Free up to five years from leaving Note: School Leavers may also become Members of the Club Centre when they reach the age of 18 on application to the Club Centre Secretary. Special Notes for Members over 75: Historically, all members of the FP Club become “Long Service” Members from 1st January in the year following the year in which they reach the age of 75. Thereafter Life Members are no longer expected to make “Top up” Payments and Ordinary (Annual) Members no longer have to pay Subscriptions. However, as a very significant number of members are aged over 75, it is suggested that they might continue to make Top-up and Annual payments on a voluntary basis. Payment of Subscriptions: Subscriptions should be sent to: 72

Former Pupils’ Section The Membership Secretary, John Michie, who will also deal with all queries about Membership, changes of address etc: His address is: 391 Union Street, Aberdeen AB11 6BX. Tel: 01224 – 580641 Email: membership@agsfp.com Donations and Bequests The Second Century Fund was set up in 2000 to receive all Donations and Bequests. This Fund is used to finance specific School and Club projects, and is not used for normal ongoing Club expenses. As will be seen from the Accounts elsewhere in this Magazine, the total from this source in 2018 was £2382. Our grateful thanks go to everyone who has contributed. It is hoped that this Fund will receive a significant boost from the current round of Top-up payments. New Members of the Club – 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2019 Life Members Derek Dargie Ian Reid

1975-79 1951-63

Douglas Seller

1969-75

Annual Members John M.G. Barber Roddy Gauld John M. Meston Nick Rose

1975-80 1993-99 1975-80 1997-03

Charls Skene Ian C.S. Stephen Frank Watt

1940-47 1959-65 1951-62

Congratulations to the following members of the Club who will attain the age of 75 during 2019 and so will become Long Service Members on 1st January 2020.

Life Members Donald E. Alexander James G. Andrews Graeme D. Caie David S. Cairns James H. Christie Meston C. Christie Neil Cromar Norman W. Downie Richard E.E. Forbes Douglas G. Fowlie Alastair M. Fyall James H. Gauld Ian A. Glendinning Ian A. Gray

1950-61 1948-62 1949-63 1961-63 1950-63 1958-63 1957-63 1951-62 1948-63 1950-64 1953-62 1956-62 1948-62 1953-63

Kenneth G. Mackie Calum I. McDonald Francis N. McKenzie Ian R. McLeod Alan F. Morrice Martin F. Moir Peter Mulvey Edward R. Rebecca Gordon F. Reid Alan Sainsbury George Sommerville Ronald W. Strachan Gordon V. Stone Alistair B. Shewan

1952-64 1949-61 1949-62 1953-63 1948-62 1950-60 1952-62 1948-62 1954-62 1955-58 1949-64 1957-60 1957-63 1949-62

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine Graham A. Gordon James B. Herd William B. Hogg Graeme G. Hutcheon Alan M. Kennaway Graeme A. Lobban Wilson S. Longmuir

1950-60 1949-63 1952-63 1951-62 1950-62 1958-64 1956-60

Willson D. Taylor Ian C. Taylor Ralph C.S Walker Maurice S.C. Waugh Hunter A.B. Will G. Fraser Webster William A.T. Wisely

1950-63 1948-62 1949-55 1949-63 1948-62 1949-62 1948-58

Annual Members John D. Anderson Alex. L.M. Downs Kenneth G. Edward Graeme W. Fraser Mitchell C. Gibson

1948-63 1949-61 1948-62 1956-62 1956-62

Norman Ironside John A. Needham Michael Raeburn Frederick Rennie Frank Watt

1949-61 1949-51 1949-63 1950-64 1951-62

Long Service Members For several years now we have published the names of our Nonagenarians. Sadly, five of these died in the past year, but five others have been added to the list who have attained the remarkable age of 90 or will do so later this year. We have, from October, a Centenarian in our ranks and we congratulate them all and thank them for their continuing interest and support. The full list, with their dates of birth, is as follows:Donald D. Pennie Geeorge C. Hadden John A. Cruickshank Eric G. Sangster Ian B. Taylor Gordon F. Hendry Eric Johnston Robert J. Bain Joseph Farquharson Alastair G. Robertson Peter Rennie John C.G. Brown Michael P. Littlejohn Ellis M. Philip Alastair H. Tawse William J. Farquhar Peter Cooper Eric A. Alexander Quintin A. Aitken Harry L. Warder George W. Warder James G. Matheson

1928-37 1925-37 1926-29 1927-39 1933-40 1927-39 1935-40 1929-41 1929-43 1930-40 1938-43 1930-42 1939-43 1937-43 1930-43 1938-42 1938-44 1935-43 1939-45 1939-44 1935-46 1939-45

12 October 1919 22 May 1920 20 May 1920 3 May 1922 6 June 1922 7 June 1922 15 October 1923 13 April 1924 27 April 1924 30 November 1924 29 December 1924 10 May 1925 26 September 1925 15 October 1925 31 December 1925 17 March 1926 23 April 1926 28 May 1926 14 July 1926 3 October 1926 3 October 1926 24 December 1926

Former Pupils’ Section Peter C. Millar Frederick M. Gardiner James A. McGregor Arthur W.A. Main William J. Coulson Norman K.B. Robson Ian Stuart Forbes K.Sellar Neil Scott F. L. Pierre Fouin Leonard Bird Alan R. Lyall Alan G. Craig Brian K.Crookshanks

1933-34 1937-44 1935-44 1939-45 1936-44 1933-40 1933-46 1932-45 1937-46 1944-47 1936-46 1933-46 1933-46 1934-46

19 February 1927 20 July 1927 31 August 1927 15 January 1928 12 March 1928 31 March 1928 5 April 1928 4 September 1928 13 September 1928 20 November 1928 18 January 1929 8 March 1929 27 March1929 17 Auust 1929

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

NOTES about FORMER PUPILS Honours and Awards Queen’s Birthday Honours Order of the British Empire Kyle James Coetzer (1996-02), the outstanding batsman captain of Scotland’s Cricket XI, was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the Queen’s 2019 Birthday Honours List in recognition of his services in the promotion of cricket. Kyle first learned his craft with Stoneywood-Dyce and developed it after obtaining a place at the Cricketing Academy run by Durham Cricket Club immediately after leaving school. As a schoolboy he had by then been playing representative cricket from the age of twelve, and was awarded a School Cap in 2002. He was joint winner of the Phil Love Trophy that year. He was a member of the U-19 Scottish team which had been invited to play in the World Cup in New Zealand in January of that year and it was reported that such success at that level as he had by then achieved resulted from a mix of skill and dedication. Subsequently Kyle has played for Durham and Northants. Currently he is the director of cricket at Benwell Hill Cricket Club in Newcastle. Honorary Degree At the Summer Graduation Ceremony held by Aberdeen University in June the degree of Doctor of Music (DMus) was conferred on John McLeod (1946-50) CBE who is one of Scotland’s busiest composers and has been at the forefront of contemporary Scottish music for over forty years. Before the study of music had developed he was called up for National Service which he carried out in the Royal Air Force. He was posted to the RAF School of Music where he learned to play the clarinet. He continued to study this instrument at the London School of Music before turning to composition. He studied under Sir Lennox Berkley and came under the influence of the Polish composer Witold Lutoslawski who became his mentor. He has been resident in Edinburgh for over forty years and has been a prolific composer. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Music in 1989 and was the recipient of the Gold Badge of the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors in 2014. In addition he has twice been shortlisted for a British Composer Award. ************* 76

Former Pupils’ Section Gordon Perrett Anderson (1963-68) MA read History-Politics at Aberdeen followed by teacher training at Moray House College. He then taught for over twenty years at Craigroyston High School in a severely deprived catchment area. He moved to Kaimes Special School to develop Outdoor Education as part of a curriculum for children on the Autistic Spectrum. He has been involved for over forty years with Leith Rugby Club as a player and an official. Edward Shepherd Anderson (1971-77), who has since 2002 been managing director of ARR Craib, one of the UK’s leading haulage and logistics firms, has sold the company to Devon-based Gregory Distribution. Eddie had joined the company in 1985 and became majority shareholder in 2008 after a multi-millionpound buy-out. William Henry Kerr Anderson (1955-68) BSc with a degree in biochemistry worked in academe in Alabama and New Orleans before taking up a post in biotechnology research with Dow Chemical in Michigan. After retiring he moved to the north of Michigan near Traverse City where he is involved in designing and building sets in community theatre. Raymond Allan Binner (1959-68) qualified as a chartered accountant and served for several years with one of the big five firms. He then joined Britoil and later BP, with whom he returned to Aberdeen. He then went south again as a financial controller which took him for one week in every five to Houston. He retired a few years ago to live in Maidenhead. Alan Grant Campbell ((1959-65) CBE, LL.D, LL.B has been appointed by the 2019 General Assembly of the Church of Scotland as one of twelve Assembly Trustees to be a governing structure to deliver the radical changes needed by the Church as it adapts to 21st Century circumstances. His initial term of office is for two years. Alan, who is currently the Vice-President of the FP Club and Chairman of its Executive committee, is an Elder of Queen’s Cross Church, Aberdeen and is a former Chief Executive of first Grampian Regional Council and then Aberdeenshire Council. He is also chair of the Future of Fisheries Management in Scotland and a member of the Accounts Commission. Peter Martin Catto (1962-68) MA having graduated in History engaged on postgraduate research in French History before qualifying as a librarian. He worked firstly at the Fawcett Library (now at the London School of Economics) but mainly for thirty years at the Islington Libraries. He retired eight years ago.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine John Alexander Cruickshank (1926-29) VC was among the guests of honour at a gathering of members of the Royal Northern & University Club to celebrate the Centenary of the Royal Air Force last September. At a separate function in May this year John was the recipient of a new pipe tune composed in his honour, the original score of which now hangs in the Club. Despite the bravery which he showed in flying his extensively damaged aircraft back to Sullum Voe after sinking a submarine off Norway John remains a very modest man. Craig Duncan (1985-90) after working in the oil industry has self-published a novel The Trader which has been well received. Encouraged by its success Craig is already working on a second novel. Ian Alexander Fraser (1962-68) began his career in insurance with the Norwich Union in Aberdeen as soon as he left School. He later worked in Croydon and Inverness before returning to Aberdeen. He switched to Insurance Broking in 1978 before joining a local brokerage, Central Insurance Services, in 1985. He became a director some time later and retired in 2014. He is a keen golfer at Hopeman. James Alexander Gauld (1955-66) went to the Royal Manchester College of Music to study tuba but trained as an opera singer. He sang with Glyndebourne and the Welsh National Opera before working back-stage at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden. After several years singing in various opera houses in Germany he made a complete career change in 1996, working in IT as a network administrator and writing software for optical inspection instruments. Now retired he still lives in Germany. Anthony Michael Holman (1955-68) MA lectured in Social Science and Management at Aberdeen college, finally as head of department. He was then a management trainer in the Oil & Gas sector, lectured at Robert Gordon University and was a learning and development facilitator with NHS Grampian before retiring in 2006. David Law (2003-09) whose golfing prowess was recognised while he was still a pupil at School when it was noted in 2008 that he had had incredible success on the international scene as a member of the Scottish U-18 team, winning the Scottish Golf Union Junior Tours event. That success continues and he won his first European Tour title at the ISPS Handa Vic Open in Australia in February. He had won last year’s SSE Scottish Hydro Challenge and finished 14th on the Challenge Tour to earn a European Tour card. Present in Victoria to watch him play were former School friends Iain Budge (2003-09) and Hamish Wilson (2003-09) who are now working in Melbourne. 78

Former Pupils’ Section Albert Joseph Lumsden (1964-68) BSc having gained a degree in electrical and electronic engineering worked in industry in the Edinburgh area before taking up a post at Perth Further Education college. He was a lecturer in electrics, mathematics, and finally in computing. He is now retired and living in Edinburgh. Callum McDonald (1963-76) LL.B has been appointed as the Managing Partner of leading North-East legal firm Raeburn, Christie, Clark & Wallace. He takes over at the helm of the firm having joined them in 1980, after graduating from Edinburgh University. The firm’s former partners include the late Eric Buthlay (1928-40), so that, uniquely, the firm boasts two partners who also captained the FP Rugby Section in their playing days. Moira Elizabeth MacIver née Duthie (1983-89) is Head Teacher at Kingswells Primary School. Her son Lewis was this year’s Deputy Senior Prefect. John Lachlan MacKenzie (1962-68) MA, PhD moved to Amsterdam after graduating from Aberdeen University and served as a lecturer and ultimately Professor of English Language. Since retiring in 2004 he has been active as an independent scholar and part-time professor. Graham Andrew Milne (1982-88), who joined the former Grampian Police in 1990, has recently been in charge of Counter-Terrorism procedure and planning with Police Scotland, stationed in Aberdeen. He holds the rank of Detective Sergeant. Robert Boyd Muir (1962-68) BSc, PhD spent thirty years with Shell International, mostly abroad and finally as Vice-President of Infineum International. In 2005 he co-founded Naneum, a nanotechnology company. On its sale in 2013 he co-founded Ancon Technologies, which works in the same field and has developed the next generation of airport security sensors for detecting explosives, chemical weapons and illicit drugs. Richard Rennie (1999-04) after six years dancing in the Moulin Rouge in Paris moved to Los Angeles in late 2016 to pursue his acting dream. He has since had roles in various productions, one of which won best picture in the 11th annual Toscars ceremony. He followed this as one of a cast of five in a British comedy, Old Frenemies in Hollywood. He is also writing his own feature film.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Obituaries George Macdonald Anderson (1930-42) died peacefully at his home in Aberdeen on 16 January 2018 following several years of poor health following a serious stroke over twenty years ago. He was one of the Club’s Nonogenarians. George went directly into the RAF from School and enrolled for pilot training. To his dismay he failed an eye test and switched to training as a radar operator. He was then posted to London, commissioned in the RAF Regiment and sent to Iraq where he served in the transport section in charge of the Levies. He took part in rugby and soccer matches for the RAF. On his return to Aberdeen he joined his father in the family business of George Donald & Sons, wholesale glass, paint and wallpaper merchants, becoming managing director on his father’s retirement. George retired several years ago on selling the business and devoted his time to golfing at Royal Aberdeen and Aboyne, where he was also heavily involved with the Water Ski Club of which he was for some time president. After ten years of retirement George suffered a stroke but thanks to excellent care was able mostly to remain at home. He is survived by his wife Moira, a son, grand-daughter and two great-grandsons. His brother Graham Macdonald Anderson (1932-46) died suddenly at his Aberdeen home on 20 June 2018. He joined his father and older brother in the family business of George Donald & Sons and continued with his brother after their father’s retirement. In retirement he enjoyed fishing and shooting, but his activities were curtailed a number of years ago following a severe heart attack which he suffered while on holiday in Crete. Graham was predeceased by his wife, Mildred, but is survived by a son and daughter and two grandchildren. Graham William Barron (1943-54) died peacefully at his home in Aberdeen on 3 May 2019 after a long illness. He was aged 79. He left School after 4th year and went on to serve an apprenticeship as a marine engineer. He served in the Blue Funnel Line of the Merchant Navy for twelve years. He was then involved in the construction of the original Cairngorm ski lift, later working offshore with various engineering companies. In his free time he toured with his own Motocross team. After retiring on health grounds in 1998 Graham turned his attention to rugby, firstly with Mackie Academy FPs in Stonehaven and from 2005 with FPs. He became team manager and then served as President in 2014-18. He joined the “57” Club and was happy to meet up again with former classmates. He is pictured with some of them in the photograph on page 74 of the 2017 Magazine. 80

Former Pupils’ Section Graham was predeceased by his first wife but is survived by his second wife, by children from both marriages and by grandchildren. Robert (Roy) Brown (1932-43) CD, MB,ChB, DPsych, FRCP(C) died peacefully in hospital in Kingston, Ontario on 28 March 2019 after a short illness. He was aged 93. He went straight from School to war service, initially as a midshipman with the Fleet Air Arm before promotion to Sub-Lieutenant. He completed his training as a naval fighter pilot, with elementary flying at St Eugene, Ontario and advanced flying in Kingston, Ontario. This gave him a foretaste for Ontario where he was to spend most of his professional life. He served on HMS Victorious with the US and British Pacific Fleets in bombing raids on Japan. On demobilisation Roy studied Medicine at Aberdeen University, graduating in 1951. Always enthusiastic about rowing, he attained a Blue in Boats and played a key role in the revival of the University Boat Club in 1949. He then joined the Royal Canadian Air Force as a medical officer and served in various parts of Canada and Europe. He became a specialist in Psychiatry, practising at the National Defence Medical Centre in Ottawa and the Canadian Forces Hospital in Kingston. Roy began another career as the Medical Director of the Regional Psychiatric Centre at Kingston Penitentiary, Ontario where he was responsible for the mental care of the Federal inmates in the region. He served as President of the Garrison Golf and Curling Club and as Commodore of the Forces Sailing Association. At the time of the Montreal Olympic Games in 1976 Roy was the senior officer afloat in charge of the medical rescue teams for the Sailing Olympics and was honoured by his selection as one of the bearers of the Olympic Flame. After retiring again in 1980 he continued to act as a contract consultant at Kingston Penitentiary, and for other agencies until 2000. In 2005 Roy made a visit to Aberdeen when he presented the University Boat Club with a Trophy to mark the 60th anniversary of its revival by himself and a group of eight others. The centre piece of the Trophy is the Olympic Torch which he had carried at Montreal and which he had been allowed to keep. In recent years, with the help of Canadian FP Secretary Gillian Thomas (two of whose daughters are alumni of Kingston University), Roy was able to attend parts of Canadian FP Reunions held in the area and much enjoyed meeting up with fellow FPs. Roy contributed an interesting article to the 2009 Magazine (vol. 112, page 28) recollecting his experiences of education at the Grammar School in wartime. Roy was predeceased by his wife and his eldest son, but is survived by two daughters and a son and by three grandchildren. Roy’s younger brother was William Morrison Brown (1932-46) who was President of the FP Club in 198889. 81

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine Allan Burke (1953-60) died at his home in Lanzarote on 1 January 2018 following a long illness. J. Ross Baird (1952-64) writes: “After leaving Broomhill School to begin first year at Grammar, Alan quickly became a wanted man on the rugby pitch and played in the various year teams until eventually playing for Firsts where he was capped, fittingly alongside his second-row binding partner Bob Scace. “He also had a long association with the Scout movement, joining the17th Aberdeen Grammar Troop, and working his way up to assistant scout leader. It was during this time that he met a young cub leader, Freida Leslie, an ex-High School girl, who originally came from Keith. They married and had a son and a daughter, who have themselves gone on to marry and have Alan and Freida’s beloved grandchildren. “On leaving school Alan went to university in Aberdeen and went on to join Wiggins Teap in their trainee management programme. Again, he was successful in his endeavours and gained a high standing within the group, ultimately moving to Ivybridge in Devon to take over management of the paper mill there. Never forgetting his rugby roots he became heavily involved in the Ivybridge Rugby Club, and was instrumental in founding a clubhouse, with an extremely successful bar and social aspect. “During their time in Ivybridge, Alan and Freida spent their holiday time in Lanzarote, and became so entranced with the island that they bought a villa, spending many happy holidays there. Some years later, Alan decided to retire early and they took the decision to live permanently in Lanzarote. They built a beautiful villa in the hills of Conil, and spent many happy years, with Alan indulging his love of sailing and fishing, and Freida as a tireless worker for the Church. “Sadly, on the first day of 2018 Alan finally succumbed to pneumonia, after being ill for a time. Freida continued to live in Lanzarote until, just over a year later, she too succumbed to a similar ailment and passed away in April of this year.” Allan is survived by his older brother Douglas (1952-55).

Former Club President Richard Henry Whitby Cradock (1940-51) died peacefully after a short illness at his Aberdeen home on 21 May 2019. He was aged 85. In 1939 he was evacuated to Ballater and lived with boarders from Aberdeen High School For Girls, also evacuated. He returned as a boarder at the Grammar Boarding House. Dick’s lifelong sporting interests were first demonstrated at School where he was scrum-half in the 1st XV and wicket-keeper in the 1st XI. Called up for National Service in the RAF he was posted to Singapore as an Air Traffic Controller and played both Rugby and Golf for RAF Malaya and for 82

Former Pupils’ Section Combined Services. On his return he played for FPs, served as 1st XV captain for a time, and was frequently selected for North Midlands, often as captain. He played for them against Australia in 1958. Having joined the family business of Richard Irvin & Sons he became manager of their Fraserburgh business in 1963 moving to a similar post in North Shields before returning to Aberdeen in 1967. In 1985 he was appointed managing director. He retired in 1987. Dick’s contribution to FP Club affairs was notable and effective. He was a founder member of the Club Centre, served on its committee and was Chairman from 1979-85. His interest was the keener as 86 Queen’s Road had been his grandfather’s house in the 1920s. Dick was for several years a member of the Club Executive Committee and was its Chairman in 1992-94 which coincided with the celebration of the Club’s Centenary. He put a tremendous effort into the arrangements for that event, all of which were acclaimed as highly successful. He served as Club President in 1998-99 and faithfully attended all the gatherings of members in the various Centres. Dick was a natural ball-player with a skilled eye and a competitive spirit. He was a talented golfer whose ball-striking was exceptional. He was Club champion of Royal Aberdeen all his life and a regular member of the FP Golf Section in its heyday, always taking part in its outings. He was a founder member of the FP Club Pétanque Section and also a member of the Curling Section. Dick remarried after the death of his first wife but is survived by their son and daughter. Sadly his second wife also predeceased him. Joseph Craig (1926-1939) BSc (Civil Eng) died suddenly at Rubislaw Park Care Home, Aberdeen on 19 March 2019 aged 97. Joe’s younger son Neil Craig (1956-69) writes: “Joe was one of the very oldest Life Members of the FP Club. He had lived at the same address in Mannofield ever since 1946. His health deteriorated in 2018 and he went into care in August of that year. “Joe was the eldest of four brothers, John (Ian) (1929-38), Eric (1934-46) and Ronnie (1940-52), but survived them all. They all attended the Grammar and, along with their half-brother George Murray, were all company directors in Craig Stores (Trawler Owners) Aberdeen with a fleet of twelve vessels at one time, as well as fish selling and processing businesses. “From 1922 the family lived in Belvidere Crescent and from 1933 at 5 Woodburn Avenue. Both of these homes provided easy access to the School, from the first on foot and from the second by tramcar or bicycle. From School Joe attended Aberdeen University to study Civil Engineering, graduating BSc in June 1942. As the very first member of Aberdeen University Air Squadron he recalled being taken to Dyce early in 1941 and using the Link trainer frame in Marischal quad. He also remembered being on fire watch duty 83

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine on the roof of Marischal College and placing a certain item on top of the spire one Rag Week! “Joe’s application to join the RAF VR was dated 6 February 1942. He was called up in October 1942, and reported to St John’s Wood, London. After attending Grading School at No.18 Elementary and Reserve Flying Training School, RAF Fairoaks in Surrey he was sent to South Africa (mainly 24AS at Nigel) for further training, gaining commissions as a Pilot Officer and then Flying Officer, instructing on De Havilland Tiger Moth bi-planes and also flying twinengine Airspeed Oxford aircraft. “Early in 1945 Joe returned to the UK and flew 4-engine Avro York transports to Ceylon with 242 Squadron. He was based at RAF Stoney Cross near Southampton and in 1946 moved to RAF Merryfield in Somerset where he met up with his AUAS friend RGC Skinner, DFC (Bomb Aimer and ATC at Merryfield) who was almost his best man when he married Helen Menzies in May 1945. Her younger brother G Douglas Menzies (1934-44) was Canadian FP Consul in Edmonton, Alberta for many years. In February 1946, in the same week as Joe made Flight Lieutenant., he was demobbed! “After a spell of civil engineering work including blowing up coastal anti-tank concrete blocks and working on early hydro-electric dams in the Highlands, Joe joined the family business Craig Stores (Trawler Owners) in Aberdeen where he was responsible for all aspects of the marine engineering of the fleet of trawlers. In the early 1970s, in the midst of the Icelandic Cod Wars and just before the North Sea oil boom, Craig Stores was sold to British United Trawlers of Hull and Grimsby. The fish processing business (D.T. Bruce) continued for some years but ceased in the late 1970s. “Like his three younger brothers, Joe was very interested in rugby and, with his family, watched Scotland play the 2019 Six Nations matches on the big screen in his care home cinema room. He really enjoyed watching the record-breaking Calcutta Cup match just three days before he died. Other interests included golf, gardening, angling, hill-walking, cross-country skiing, curling, classical music and latterly indoor bowls. “A keen golfer, first at Murcar and then, with his wife Helen, he was a very long-term member at Deeside Golf Club until he was 82. They were also both Country Members at Brora. Sadly, Helen passed away in 2001. “In 2005, as an 85th birthday treat, I arranged for my father to take to the skies again in a Tiger Moth bi-plane from the Shempston grass airstrip very near to RAF Lossiemouth. He was fair chuffed!!! “Dad maintained a life-long affinity for South Africa and travelled there aged 92 for the wedding of his only grandson to a Cape Town lass. He also really enjoyed a tour of the local wineries and kept the tour guide on his toes. “Joe’s younger brother Eric was much involved in establishing the FP Club Centre in Queens Road and was President of the Club in 1989-90”. 84

Former Pupils’ Section Joe is survived by his sons Peter and Neil, both still living in Aberdeen, his grandson in Surrey and two granddaughters both now also living in England. John Martin Dalby (1946-60) died peacefully on 25 October 2018 aged 76. He was the son of John Dalby, head of music education in Aberdeen and organist at St Machar’s Cathedral. At School he was a tuba player in the Orchestra and in the military band. He left with a scholarship to The Royal College of Music in London to study viola and composition. He played with the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain. He completed his studies in Italy on a Caird Travelling Scholarship. Martin then took up a post as a music producer with the BBC in London before becoming a Cramb Research Fellow in Composition at Glasgow University. At about this time he was appointed to the Governing Council of the then new Scottish National Youth Orchestra. In 1972 Martin returned to the BBC as Head of Music-Scotland where he stayed for almost twenty years. In 1980 the BBC decided to disband their Scottish Symphony Orchestra and five other ensembles. The musicians went on strike in opposition to the plans and were strongly supported by Martin. The SSO was left in a much weakened position and it is on record that it is thanks to him that the BBC’s SSO is still in existence today. He encouraged new Scottish composers by programmes devoted to their chamber music and at the same time increased the repertoire of the Orchestra, bringing in notable conductors and arranging UK and overseas tours. Martin was a prolific composer, creating music for documentaries, films, churches, orchestras, chamber groups, television and radio. A press obituary described his orchestral works as exquisitely crafted, combining lyrical soul with biting modernism. He was chairman of the Composers’ Guild of Great Britain in 1995-98. Martin loved bird-watching, hill walking and steam engines. He held a private pilot’s licence and frequently flew from Glasgow airport to survey Loch Lomond or explore a remote Scottish airstrip. Martin is survived by his wife, Hilary, a former viola player with the SSO. Alan Ewen Donald (1942-44) KCMG, BA, LL.B died peacefully at The Hospice in the Weald, Kent on 14 July 2018 aged 87. Born in Inverurie, his mother took her family to Aberdeen on the death of her husband when Sir Alan was only aged four. He entered Middle 1 from Inverurie Academy, but left after two years on being awarded a scholarship to Fettes College. He then completed National Service with a commission in the Royal Horse Artillery following which he was awarded a bursary to Trinity Hall, Cambridge from which he graduated with degrees in Classics and Law. 85

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine Sir Alan joined the Foreign Office in 1954 and was assigned as a Chinese language student, returning to University to study Mandarin Chinese. He was then posted to Peking as Third Secretary. He became a fluent Mandarin speaker and was an expert in sinology, the study of China. Sir Alan was posted to China three times between 1955 and 1991, but also served as a diplomat in Paris, Athens, Kinshasa and Jakarta. He served as British Ambassador to Zaire from 1977 to 1980 and to Indonesia from 1984 to 1988. His next role was as Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China between 1988 and 1991, a period which coincided with the Tiananmen Square massacre in Beijing in June 1989. He and his wife sheltered more than sixty British subjects in the Embassy for several days while lorry-loads of Chinese soldiers fired indiscriminately in the surrounding streets including at the embassy. Earlier, Sir Alan had been Under-Secretary of State (Asia & Pacific) at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office in 1984 and was instrumental in the creation of the Sino-British Joint Declaration which was the first step towards the smooth handover of Hong Kong to China in 1997. Sir Alan retired from Beijing and from the Foreign Office in 1991 having already been honoured with the CMG in 1979 and KCMG in 1988. Living in Kent, he wrote his memoirs, taught himself to paint in watercolours, golfed and, as a gifted pianist, relaxed with music. He continued to be in demand as a Chinese specialist in both Britain and America. Sir Alan was President of the FP London Centre for six years from 1994 and contributed an article Life in the Diplomatic Service – A Backward Glance to the 1996 Magazine. Sir Alan is survived by his wife, Lady Janet, to whom he had been married for sixty years, by four sons and seven grandchildren. His younger brother is Graham Charles William Donald (1942-46) Alexander Duthie (1945-51) died peacefully in Aberdeen Royal Infirmary on 13 January 2019 after a short illness. He was aged 86. He came to the Grammar from Linksfield School and found his love for all sports, playing cricket as well as 1st XV Rugby. His true prowess was in Swimming, for which he gathered many trophies including the Rector’s Cup and Rector’s Medal. From School he joined the Civil Service in London before being called up for National Service. He served for two years in the RAF Regiment, mostly in Germany where he swam for BAOR. On his return home he joined Aberdeen City Police and served for thirty years, finishing with the rank of Sergeant. After playing football at Pittodrie and scoring the winning goal against Dundee, Alec delighted in telling the story and ‘forgetting’ to mention that he was playing for Aberdeen Police NOT for Aberdeen Football Club. He continued his swimming over the years as a member of Bon-Accord Swimming Club and became a staunch regular on their water-polo team. As a 86

Former Pupils’ Section year-round sea swimmer he broke the record for what is certainly one of the hardest local open water swims, “The Dee to Don Swim” – a record which is his in perpetuity, since the advent of the oil industry prohibits swimming across the busy channel. Alec is survived by Yvonne, his wife of fifty-nine years, and by his three daughters and eight grandchildren. Graeme Scott Duthie (1964-77) MB.ChB, MD, FRCS died as the result of a fire at his home in Swanland, East Yorkshire on 30 May 2018 aged 58. He was the only child of Sandy and Jean Duthie and grew up in the Braeside area of Aberdeen. He enjoyed a happy childhood and was always enthusiastic in whatever hobbies and sports he took up, for example building and flying powered model aeroplanes. He regularly went on caravanning holidays; the family caravan was often pitched at Stonehaven over the summer months where Graeme enjoyed many happy days with his friends in the swimming pool or fishing off the rocks, whilst his father continued to work in Aberdeen. Graeme enjoyed senior school, singing in the choir in early years and playing hockey for the school teams in later years, usually between the sticks. He was an able pupil, particularly in the field of science; his mischievous peers attempting to disrupt his sixth year science projects by sabotaging some of Graeme’s important plant specimens! Graeme graduated in Medicine from Aberdeen University and then worked in Aberdeen, Cardiff and Edinburgh as a consultant before joining Hull & East Yorkshire NHS Hospitals Trust and moving to the Swanland area. He soon established himself as a leading consultant and helped found the Hull & York Medical School and the bowel cancer screening programme. He was very enthusiastic and committed to his job and made a significant contribution to the local medical field. Professor Duthie worked and taught at the Academical Surgical Unit at the University of Hull and at Castle Hill Hospital. He was deeply involved in his specialised field of surgery, was active in research and published articles frequently in medical journals. He became President of the Association of Gastro-Intestinal Physiologists. To ensure that his work and memory lives on within the Association and the profession, The Graeme Duthie International Award Bursary has been established to provide financial support to members. He travelled overseas to educate others in his specialities, was enthusiastic and innovative, for example training non-medical staff to perform certain routine procedures and reduce waiting times. He is greatly missed by his work colleagues who dedicated a garden seat at Castle Hill Hospital to his memory. Graeme married Susan, a radiographer, and they had a family of three girls, Catriona (who also became a radiographer), Debbie and Wendy. They enjoyed family skiing and snowboarding holidays together. Susan sadly passed away in September 2006. He was passionate about his garden, he was proud of his children and his face would light up when he saw his grandchildren. Graeme had 87

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine to give up work in 2016 due to deterioration of his health and he was diagnosed with cerebral ataxia, a condition for which there is no effective treatment. He became bed-bound in 2017. Graeme is survived by his three daughters and grandchildren. David Hastings Edwards (1954-58) died peacefully at Angusfield Care Home, Aberdeen on 11 January 2018 aged 68. David left at the end of fourth year in the Lower School for Drumtochty Castle and then Fettes College. There he played rugby and cricket and was a member of the Shooting VIII which competed annually at Bisley. David went on to study Hotel and Hospitality Management at Napier during which time he met his first wife, Susan. Following graduation, he gained experience at hotels in the Lake District and North-east Scotland before establishing Atlantis Restaurant in Aberdeen. This quickly became a popular seafood restaurant, distinguished by its large lobster tank. Business suffered when the oil industry went into recession in the eighties but David successfully relocated Atlantis into the Mariner Hotel, where he was managing director until retiring in 2007 following the onset of vascular dementia. David was a keen golfer, a member of Royal Aberdeen and a regular at Banchory golf course. David was cared for at home by his wife Doris until he required full-time nursing home care. He is survived by Doris, son Michael (now the Managing Partner of the Mariner Hotel) daughter Juliet and four grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Peter Gordon Edwards (1956-64). David was a grandson of James Hastings Edwards (1894-99) Norman Garden (1960-66) died peacefully at Roxburghe House, Aberdeen on 10 February 2019 after a long illness. He was aged 71. At School he was a second row forward in the 1st XV whose height was a great advantage in the line-out. He was awarded full colours. Norman’s whole career was in the computer industry, firstly with ICI in England and Europe, then with Aberdeen City Council in the early 1970s. He joined Hertz Europe in 1976 as their Pan-European information technology manager based in London but with responsibilities in fourteen European, African and Middle Eastern countries. In 1983 he joined BP Exploration in London as manager for major I.T. projects, transferring to Aberdeen and then in 1984 to Norway as I.T. manager. Two years later he returned to Aberdeen before moving to Glasgow when BP bought Britoil. He became leader of global teams responsible for I.T. in all countries where BP operated. Norman’s next move was in 1995 when he joined S.A.I.C. as their UK general manager responsible for all operations in the UK and for developing their global gas business, which he then built from $8 million to $100 million per year. 88

Former Pupils’ Section Two years later he was appointed managing director, joining their European management team. After three years he gave up this role and, while still a director, worked only part-time. He then worked as a business angel on an individual basis or through his investment company. His investment focus was related to technology, especially information technology and the internet. Norman had a long connection with the FP Club, being a member of the Rugby and Golf Sections. He served on the Executive for a number of years and was briefly its Vice-Chairman. He was an enthusiastic supporter of the Club Centre, served on its Committee and was for a time a member of its Management Team. Norman is survived by his wife, Moira, and by a son and daughter. Harry Sutherland Walpole Golding (1926-37) MA died peacefully at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary on 25 February 2019 aged 98. Glasgow-born he came with his locomotive engineer father to Aberdeen, entering Junior Infants at the Grammar in 1926. On leaving he became an apprentice mechanical engineer with John M. Henderson Ltd. and expected to be reserved but the RAF needed men of his background to maintain and service aircraft. Called up in 1941 he trained in England before being posted to the Far East. He was stationed in Golden Rock Trichonopoly, later in Cawnpore and then at Lucknow. He worked on various aircraft and engines, including the famous Merlin engines. He worked in a team engaged in the refurbishment of the huge V12 engines. He returned to Henderson’s in Aberdeen after demobilisation in 1946 and later worked for other engineering firms. After redundancy in 1961 he studied at commercial college to gain university entrance qualifications before becoming a mature student at Aberdeen University in 1963. He graduated in Arts in 1966 and obtained his Diploma in 1972. He became a lecturer in English and general studies at Aberdeen Technical College, remaining there until retiring in 1988. His interest in railways continued and he became a member of the Great North of Scotland Railway Association. He was also involved with the Aberdeen Transport Society and in 1994 set up the Aberdeen Tram Rosette Appreciation Society whose interest was focussed on the iron fixings which joined tram overhead cables to roadside buildings. Harry was one of the FP Club’s distinguished Nonagenarians and he was very proud to have been educated at the School and well aware that one can meet up with a Grammarian just about anywhere. In 1944, while a Leading Aircraftman, he was seated on a train in India when Sydney Durno (1935-37) chanced to be in the opposite seat and recognised him as having been at School. This was covered in Durno’s report of his own escape from Burma in the Magazines of June 1943 and January 1944 (vols. xlvi and xlvii). Harry was predeceased by his wife , whom he married in 1954, but is survived by his daughter and two grandsons. 89

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine Leslie Green (1966-72) LL.B died suddenly in Glasgow on 15 April 2019 after unexpectedly taking ill in his hotel after attending a musical event in the city. He was aged 64. A Prefect while at School and Captain of Dun House he went up to Aberdeen University to read Law, graduating LL.B with honours in 1975. His entire career in practice was spent with Aberdeen solicitors George Mathers & Co. where he specialised as a criminal defence lawyer. Les was a keen musician and in particular was a fan of bluegrass music which led him to attend concerts all over the country. He was also a talented cook with a passion for Spanish cuisine. Les is survived by his wife, Gwen, and by two sons. Ian Alexander Hogg (1958-67) MA died suddenly at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary on 2 January 2019 aged 70. Colin Munro (1954-67) writes: “Ian lived in King Street and went to the nearby primary school before entering Lower V at the Grammar. An interest in local history was fostered by having Sandy Farquhar as a teacher for two years, and in the Upper School we founded the Local History Society (later to become the History Society), with the support of Arthur McCombie. “From School Ian went to Aberdeen University where he read Languages and History. A teaching career followed at Perth High School, where he taught History and organised a youth club for pupils which became the largest of its kind in the country. Ever a loyal Aberdonian, he returned to the city regularly, and was active in amateur cricket and football and later in coaching and refereeing. He is survived by his younger brother Malcolm who was, however, educated at another place in Schoolhill”. Brian Tomlinson Jones (1956-69) BSc(Eng) died peacefully at his home in Aberdeen on 17 January 2019 following a long illness. He was aged 68. He went up to Aberdeen University to study engineering and graduated in 1973. He joined Aberdeen City Engineer’s Department before transferring to Grampian Regional Council’s Department of Water Services where he became heavily involved in the provision of the infrastructure for the then booming North Sea oil industry. He became a chartered engineer. In 1980 he moved to work with the operational side of the water industry, latterly in a managerial post. In 1996 Brian was transferred to the North of Scotland Water Authority and became Production Manager for the Grampian area. He had senior management responsibility for the water treatment works and reservoirs serving the North-east of Scotland. He later became a government-appointed Reservoir Supervising Engineer to provide expertise for the safe operation and maintenance of large reservoirs. He retired a number of years ago. Brian is survived by his wife and family. 90

Former Pupils’ Section Douglas George Joss (1947-54) died peacefully at his home in Penegoes, Powys on 6 February 2019 after a short illness. He was aged 79. After leaving School he attended Robert Gordon’s School of Navigation and thereafter joined the merchant navy. He travelled to many parts of the world and recalled that his was one of the last vessels to make it through the Suez Canal at the time of the crisis of 1956. Doug later joined the motor trade and held several different positions with the Chloride Company which saw him move from Inverness to Dundee, Yorkshire and finally to Manchester. He retired in 1988 having been a director of Chloride Motive Power for many years. When in Yorkshire he was a keen supporter of the FP Club Yorkshire Centre, attending a number of their reunions. After living in Hale for many years Doug and his wife moved to Wales to be near family. Doug’s sporting interests included rugby, squash, scuba diving and watching Formula One racing. He enjoyed travelling but also liked to return to Scotland. Over the past four years, having developed Parkinsons, his condition became increasingly troublesome, involving frequent hospital admissions. Doug is survived by his wife Heather and by a son and daughter and two grandchildren. His brother Gary Anthony Joss (1953-66) has lived in Tasmania for the past forty years but the brothers were able to visit each other quite often. Jeremy Neil Kemsley (1941-51) CA died peacefully at his home in Guernsey in February 2018 aged 84. At School he was Cricket Vice-captain of Melvin House and a member of the 1st XI. On leaving, he moved to Edinburgh to train as an accountant, was apprenticed to Messrs. Whirton & Crawford and qualified in 1957. While in Edinburgh Jeremy played cricket for Grange Cricket Club and was awarded his first Scottish Cap against Ireland in 1955 as twelfth man in Dublin. He was later capped against the MCC against whom he became the second member of a Scottish team to score a century. He was also awarded a cap for Scotland in Badminton. Sport was Jeremy’s great love. In 1957 he decided to spread his wings and signed a contract with Deloitte & Co in Southern Rhodesia. The climate was perfect and he continued to play cricket and badminton against visiting teams from abroad. When he stopped playing he started to play golf, squash and tennis. In 1977 he became captain of the Royal Salisbury Golf Club. He was associated with the then Central African Centre of the F.P. Club. After several happy years with Deloitte & Co. Jeremy left to become Financial Adviser to the Electricity Supply Commission in Salisbury. Independence came to Rhodesia with signs of change in many areas. In 1984 he was offered a position with an investment company in Guernsey which, with a heavy heart, he accepted and moved to the Channel Islands. 91

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine In 2005 Jeremy developed serious health problems necessitating a triple heart by-pass. Specialists tried to control poor lower leg circulation but in the end both lower legs were amputated. He took this bravely and resigned himself to life in a wheelchair. Jeremy is survived by his wife, Joan, and by two daughters and two sons. His younger brother is Alistair Murray Kemsley (1943-51) George James Hutcheon King (1946-54) died suddenly but peacefully at his home in Inverurie on 24 January 2019 aged 79. After leaving School George spent a year gaining farming experience near Banchory. A keen skier, he met his first wife, a Hungarian, at Mar Lodge ski resort and they lived in London for a number of years before he was posted to Hong King to work for the Swire Group. Swire are described as a diversified conglomerate, and his work took him variously to China and other parts of the Far East. He travelled extensively. His wife and children moved to Australia in the early ‘80s and he planned to return to Scotland, buying first a cottage in Banchory and then a house in Inverurie. George retired from Swire in the late ‘90s and moved to the Philippines where he met and married his second wife. He returned to the Library at Keithhall where he indulged his love of restoring and racing his classic Jaguar XK150 in which he took great pride and to which he added a Jaguar E-type. He was also a keen collector of antiques. In recent years George has been a member of the FP 1957 Club, attending their regular lunch meetings. He is pictured in a reunion photograph published in the 2017 Magazine. George is survived by three daughters and four grandchildren.

Former Club President James Cay Lyon (1953-59) RIBA, FRIAS died at Roxburgh House, Aberdeen on 21 September 2018, after a long battle with cancer, aged 77. His funeral service was held at Westhill Community Church, which was packed with family and friends paying tribute to a man who achieved a huge amount during his lifetime and whose influence touched so many of his profession, the Grammar FP Club and his local communities in Westhill and Aberdeen. Jimmy went to Woodside Primary School where he played football, winning the Aberdeen Primary Schools Cup Final at Pittodrie, with the help of a promising youngster Denis Law! In 1953 Jim moved to the Grammar, where he initially played rugby before taking up hockey. He was always quick to acknowledge the important role that Bob McNay (an ex-professional footballer for Motherwell) played in the development of all those who were part of a ‘golden era’ for FP hockey during the sixties and early seventies. Jim’s schoolboy role model was Eric Watt (who 92

Former Pupils’ Section received his first international cap whilst still at the School). Along with other lifelong pals including Keith Campbell, Peter Donald, John Drummond, Jim Gauld, Chippie Hampton, Fred Lawson and Joe Leiper they formed the basis of the formidable FP and North District teams which challenged for and won many Scottish national trophies. During their hockey careers this group amassed many representative honours. Jim was a formidable and uncompromising goalkeeper, but was equally talented at full back. He captained most FP teams and served as Club Captain. At School he became an Air Cadet, enjoying visits to RAF bases and trips in gliders and planes so much that he applied to join the RAF in the hope of becoming a fighter pilot. After successfully completing all the necessary physical and mental challenges he was told he was ‘too tall to fit in the cockpit’ and he rejected the offer to become a navigator. On returning to Aberdeen he enrolled at the Scott Sutherland School of Architecture. Half way through his long course he took a sabbatical year, and with Sheila together they built their first house at Dunecht. After his FP 1st XI hockey playing days were done, Jim enjoyed many more years with Grammarians and North District Auld Craws (veterans sides). He was in his element when touring….both telling stories and being at the centre of creating new ones. Just ask his Thursday Night pals about Fort Augustus, Kortrijk, Cork, Paris, Aberystwyth or Terneuzen….to name drop but a few. Some of these friends were inevitably subjected to his witty doric poetry, particularly on big birthdays. Jim enjoyed hill walking and golf, regularly partnering his great pal Keith Campbell at Westhill. He was a stalwart and Captain of the FP Golf Section, attending more than twenty weekend outings to Taymouth Castle. His height and excellent vision were invaluable for wayward ball spotting which, combined with his conversation, made him an ideal partner. Another sphere in which Jim excelled was public speaking. He had joined Aberdeen Speakers Club at an early age, and the clarity of his presentations, humour, wit and delivery were widely acclaimed. He served as President of ASC and as a member and subsequently was President of the City of Aberdeen Probus Club. More recently he was a member of the local committee of the National Trust for Scotland. Within the FP Executive Jim held many positions including Entertainments Convenor, Vice-President and Chairman of the Executive and member of the 1993 Centenary Committee. Jim felt honoured to be elected President of the FP Club in1996-97 and was the first to attend a Canadian FP Dinner, held that year in Ottawa. He undertook the many duties with his customary workmanlike efficiency and great pride. His after-dinner speaking skills made him a marvellous ambassador for both the School and FP Club. 93

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine Jim’s enthusiasm for everything with which he became involved has been his hallmark, along with his scrupulous attention to detail. During his apprenticeship and early years he worked with three local architect firms and then during the mid-seventies started his own business, which subsequently became Lyon & McPherson. Amongst the many private and commercial contracts with which Jim was involved was one of special interest to FPs – the Rugby Stand at Rubislaw. Jim held many positions within the Aberdeen Society of Architects including that of President. He was also a member and then Senior Vice-President of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland. Jim was an External Assessor for the final Part Three Student Examinations between 1976 and 1988. Soon after retirement Sheila and Jim moved to Westhill to be nearer family, church and golf. Jim acted on behalf of the ‘client’ during the design and building phases of the Westhill Community Church which hosted a Celebration of his Life. Jim was an inveterate traveller and, in addition to Canada, his travels took him to the USA, China, India, Egypt, Australia, New Zealand and to many countries throughout Europe. His experiences stood him well and added to his wealth of knowledge on many subjects on which he could speak out with authority. Jim gave of his time willingly and used his many talents to help the School he loved, the FP Club, his Church and many other organisations in Aberdeen. Even towards the end of his illness Jim’s strong character shone through. His final ‘public act’ was as a male model at the Beach Ballroom…. helping a ‘Brave’ fund-raising event for ‘Friends of Anchor’. In so many ways, Jim has been a towering figure in Grammar School and FP circles for more than 65 years - not just because of his stature (6ft 4ins), but because of his abilities, character and considerate nature. He was a perfectionist (particularly with hockey team mates); and his many friends will all have stories, and will tell them with a smile. We miss his genial company, his warmth and his generosity. Jim is survived by his wife Sheila, who was always a great support to him, particularly during the period of his illness, and by his son Alistair, daughter Wendy and their families. Ian Robert Lyle McDougall (1956-67) died peacefully in hospital in Aberdeen on 26 December 2018 following a short illness. He was aged 67. He left School at the age of sixteen, not exactly what his parents expected of him, but with the determination which typified his life he enrolled at the then School of Navigation in Aberdeen and qualified as a master mariner. Ian was involved with the offshore industry and worked on anchor handlers, platform supply vessels and dive support ships. He was for a time an Aberdeen harbour pilot. He joined Marex, an Aberdeen-based marine and risk consultancy formed in 1998 as a response to a requirement for safety case authorship 94

Former Pupils’ Section introduced under the Cullen Report into the Piper Alpha disaster. Ian’s role was as a marine team leader overseeing oil rig moves and other operations. He was appointed as managing director and major shareholder in 2007. One of Ian’s strengths was his interest in providing training opportunities and personal mentorship to allow young people to succeed and develop their careers. While at school Ian joined the 9th Troop of Scouts, then one of the Grammar School troops, and remained associated with the Troop throughout his life. The Scout motto was reflected in his business activities and his personal life. Ian is survived by his wife, Karen, who is also a director of Marex, and by five daughters and a son in addition to three step-children. His brother is Neil Anderson McDougall (1959-72) while his father Duncan Herdman McDougall (1921-36), a well-known Aberdeen chartered accountant, one of five cousins who were all at the Grammar in the 1920s, died in 2007. Alexander Wilson McIntosh (1932-45) MB.ChB, DPH, MD died peacefully in a York nursing home on 3 March 2019 aged 91. From School he went up to Aberdeen University to read Medicine, graduating in 1950. After house posts in Aberdeen hospitals he undertook National Service in the RAMC, mostly in York and Barnard Castle. He then spent two years as a trainee general practitioner in Aberdeen before becoming a doctor in Barnard Castle. Wilson returned to Aberdeen as assistant Medical Officer of Health and obtained his Diploma in Public Health in 1956. He obtained his Doctorate from Aberdeen University in 1962 for a thesis on “Terminal Care at Home – a followup study on 503 male patients discharged from the general wards of Aberdeen hospitals”. In 1965 he went south again and his career thereafter was in the Yorkshire area. He was appointed Deputy County Medical Officer and Deputy Schools Medical Officer for the North Riding of Yorkshire. In 1976, following reorganisation of the National Health Service, he became District Community Physician for York and six years later District Medical Officer for York Health Authority. He retired in 1989 but continued as a part-time specialist in community medicine for some time. Wilson was a faithful and long-serving member of the FP Club’s Yorkshire Centre, serving for many years on its committee and was elected President of the Centre in 1993. Wilson is survived by his wife Mona, to whom he had been married for sixtyfive years, by a son and two daughters as well as by two grandchildren. Kenneth James MacLeod (1932-43) BSc, FRMetS died peacefully at his home in France on 12 December 2018 aged 80. He had suffered cancer for nine months. Born into a farming community in Conon-Bridge, Ross-shire he came to the Grammar from Dingwall Academy, entering second year of the former Middle 95

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine School. From School he proceeded to read Science at Aberdeen University, graduating in 1960. Ken took up a post as meteorologist in Nairobi in 1961 serving under the Kenyan government in that field for the next fourteen years. In 1974 he was awarded a Fellowship of the Royal Meteorological Society. In 1975 He joined UNEP – the United Nations Environment Programme based in Nairobi, Kenya – as a Scientific Officer in the Planning Unit. This was a department which covered Kenya, Uganda and Tanganyika (as it then was) and was a very big change from pure meteorology in East Africa. As its title indicates, UNEP was and is in the forefront of the whole question of climate change and all its speedy ramifications. This was very interesting for Ken and he found himself attending UN meetings in New York on the ozone layer and other environment related subjects. In 1980 he was offered employment in the UN World Meteorological Organisation in Geneva (WMO) - also with high importance on the subject of climate change - where he became Chief of the Aeronautical Unit until his retirement in 1998. Ken married Anita in Kenya in 1968. She had been born in Kenya, with both sides of her family being “colonials”, her mother’s family as farmers and her father’s in commerce. It was a big adventure to leave Nairobi for Geneva but a very good one. The children were educated in Switzerland, but both went to university in Scotland. Anita also worked in Geneva for the International Air Transport Association (IATA), but they actually lived in neighbouring France from 1982. Ken and his wife (who retired at the same time) then bought a small farm in Provence. It was very different from Ken’s family farm in Conon Bridge, but enormous fun - and he had a tractor which he loved! They moved nearer to the village to a smaller and easier home in 2014. Ken’s over-riding passion was Rugby having played it at School, university and all over East Africa. He had been an internationalist for Uganda. In retirement he was an avid armchair fan of Scottish Rugby. Andrew Donald Nisbet (1958-71) B.Sc(Hons), PhD died on 5 February 2019 after a climbing accident on Ben Hope in which his climbing partner Steve Perry was also killed. Andy was 65. Born in Aberdeen in May 1953 he excelled academically at the Grammar School, becoming Science Dux in 1971. After leaving school he studied for a BSc(Hons) in Biochemistry at Aberdeen University, where his father was Professor of Education and his mother was a Senior Lecturer in Zoology. He continued to do a PhD in Biochemistry and subsequently three years of post-doctoral hospital work. Robin Grant (1955-68) writes: “Andy’s parents had both been keen hillwalkers and took him up his first Munro when he was just five, though it was not until a number of years later that he developed the enthusiasm for the Scottish hills that 96

Former Pupils’ Section was going to prove so important to his later life. At the Grammar he became a regular member of the Hillwalking Club, and quickly latched on to the culture of Munro-bagging which was prevalent in the school at that time. By the time he left school Andy had climbed most of the Munros, and when he finished the full set at the age of 19 he became one of the youngest to have done so at that time. “After compleating the Munros, Andy and his friend Alfie Robertson (196270) decided to start rock climbing, initially on the sea cliffs near Aberdeen. A rock climbing course and then a winter climbing course at Glenmore Lodge followed, helping Andy and Alfie to become a strong climbing team. In 1982 Andy gave up full-time work to allow him to concentrate more on his climbing, taking short-term jobs to see him through. In 1985 he was offered seasonal employment as a climbing instructor at Glenmore Lodge, and this work continued until the early 1990s. From 1989 through to 2008 he worked as a guide with Martin Moran’s Mountain Adventure Company based in Strathcarron, where he was a regular resident over the winter months. During this period he also guided on five Himalayan expeditions with the same company. “It was in 1991, whilst leading a Himalayan trekking expedition, that Andy met his wife to be, Gill. Gill was already a very accomplished climber by this time, and a member of the Alpine Club. They were married in 1993 and made their home in Boat of Garten, an ideal base from where they could plan mountaineering trips to the Cairngorms and throughout the Highlands. As a climbing partnership they established many new routes both in summer and winter. Sadly, Gill died of cancer in 2006. “During his climbing career Andy became especially well known as a winter climber and in total is thought to have climbed over one thousand new Scottish winter routes. Because of his inspirational enthusiasm for the Scottish mountains and his invaluable contribution to climbing through his work in guidebook writing, he was presented with the seventh Scottish Award for Excellence in Mountain Culture at the Fort William Mountain Festival in February 2014. Andy’s unique contribution to Scottish climbing and to the Scottish Mountaineering Club is described in more detail in a full article elsewhere within this Magazine. “Although he will primarily be remembered for his contribution to Scottish climbing, Andy continued to enjoy hillwalking throughout his life. By the time of his death he had finished five rounds of the Munros, and had also climbed all the Munro Tops and Munros Furth of Scotland. Together with his wife Gill, he compleated the Corbetts in 2000. “Andy is survived by his sister Liz, who lives with her husband in Banchory.” David Romer Paton (1941-43) OBE, KStJ, DL, FRICS, FSAScot died peacefully at his home at Grandhome near Aberdeen on 4 February 2019 following a long illness. He was aged 83 and was the 9th Baron of Grandhome. He entered the old 97

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine Lower School in 1941 but remained for only two years before completing his education at Gordonstoun and Oxford. He spent some years in the former Southern Rhodesia working on a tobacco farm and later was a sugar-cropper in Natal. On his return to Grandhome he involved himself in public life giving major support and guidance plus inspired leadership to Aberdeen Civic Society, Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce, Aberdeen Foyer, the North-East of Scotland Preservation Trust.and the built environment. He served on a wide range of committees but always chairing, directing and managing. He devoted his life to improving the lives of those around him, finally playing a key role in the development of the new Grandhome housing estate with its variety of modern house styles and its own shops and businesses. David Paton was instrumental in bringing Aberdeen Harbour Board into the modern era, developing it as a 24-hour business independent of day or tide to meet the needs of the oil industry. He joined the Board in 1984, became vicechairman in 1991 and chairman in 1994. He retired in 2008 leaving it in a much healthier state than he found it, having championed millions of pounds of investment and encouraged record levels of traffic. In this area, as in all others with which he was involved, his secret was that he was fully briefed and totally prepared ahead of meetings. One press obituary described him as enthusiastically embracing everything in life except lost causes. Baron Paton is survived by his wife, Juliette, two sons and three grandchildren. Charles Francis Roe (1937-49) MB,ChB died peacefully in Albuquerque, New Mexico on 19 March 2018 after a period of indifferent health. His death came just four days after his 86th birthday. He was one of three brothers, the sons of Prof. Frederick Roe of the French chair at Aberdeen University, all educated at the Grammar. From school he went up to read Medicine at Aberdeen University, graduating in 1955 and being awarded prizes including a gold medal for surgery. After the usual internships he was called up for National Service in the RAF, training as a fighter pilot and also serving as a Flight Surgeon. He then worked as a ship’s surgeon for a time, travelling to Burma and the Far East before returning to do surgical research in Aberdeen. He was invited to the United States as a Harvard research fellow and engaged in metabolic research. He also invented a number of medical electronic devices and founded a company to produce and market them. He completed his surgical training at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York. He perfected several innovative surgical techniques and published many research papers and text book chapters 98

Former Pupils’ Section A number of years later Francis decided on a career change and he became a full time writer of fiction, with fourteen murders and medical mysteries in print. Many of these were book club selections and some were best sellers. Having been energetic and enthused about his medical research work and later devoted to his writing he took badly with his declining fitness with which he found it hard to cope. Francis is survived by two sons, two daughters and two grandchildren. His brother Henry George Roe (1940-52) lives in Belgium. His elder brother Maurice (1934-45) died 2017. Roderick William Scott (1963-76) MA, CA died peacefully at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary on 27 April 2019 following a brave battle with cancer. He was aged 60. Roddy entered the Lower School in 1963 in the penultimate intake of Lower School pupils. In Secondary School he became a school prefect and was a member of the Hockey 2nd XI in 1974-75 and the 1st XI in 1975-76. His favourite subject at school was modern history but he pursued a career in accountancy, graduating from Aberdeen University in 1979. He trained with Deloitte, Haskins & Sells in Aberdeen and qualified as a Chartered Accountant. He then worked in the oil industry before becoming a Principal Accountant with Grampian Regional Council Education Department in 1989. In 1993 he took up a position as Director of Finance and Administration and Vice-Principal at Aberdeen College. He was involved in the expansion of the College by amalgamation from a local college into one of the largest further education colleges in Scotland. In November 2013 he became the Vice-Principal of North East Scotland College after the amalgamation of Aberdeen College and Banff & Buchan College. He decided to retire at 60 and was very much looking forward to it. Tragically, he was diagnosed with cancer just before his 60th birthday in the same week as his retirement. This meant he also had to cancel his participation in a charity walk along the West Highland Way which was to coincide with his retirement. His lifelong passions were Aberdeen Football Club and golf. He was a season ticket holder at Pittodrie for many years and a veteran of numerous cup finals as well as a certain match in Gothenburg in 1983. It was fitting that he asked those attending his funeral to wear a touch of red. In his young day he was a member of Hazlehead Golf Club’s three time winning Junior Pennant team and had remarkable skill on the greens, with putting as his forte. He was also heavily involved in his wife and daughter’s equestrian pursuits, albeit by keeping a watching brief. Another interest was travelling. He visited Australia on holiday in early 2018 and was looking to repeat the experience. Roddy was a man of razor sharp wit and intelligence who doted on his wife and daughter. He was looking forward to attending the Lower School reunion for 99

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine his year which took place in October 2018 but could not do so due to his ill health. He is survived by his wife, Kathleen and daughter, Catherine.

President of the Yorkshire Centre Douglas Skene (1959-64) died peacefully, aged 72, in York on New Year’s Day 2019 after a short illness. Neil Borthwick (1952-65) writes: “Doug was one of the most popular and respected members of our year. He had been President of the Yorkshire Centre since 2002, a role he held with pride and distinction, and had just celebrated the 60th Anniversary of the Centre at their Annual Dinner. The Yorkshire Dinner was always a great pleasure to attend and Doug went to great lengths to ensure that the occasion was always memorable. His speeches were warm and witty and he knew how to make the evening entertaining. He particularly enjoyed dispensing the Birse Tea which has been the traditional finale of the Yorkshire Dinner for years, providing a welcome dram for any guest in need of further refreshment at the end of the evening. Doug was always immaculately attired whether formal or casual and always looked as though he had just come from a visit to his tailor. “Doug joined the School in 1959, having received his primary education at King Street School along with several other members of the year who remember him with high respect. A keen sportsman throughout his school career he played rugby enthusiastically, reaching the dizzy heights of captaining the 3 rd XV, but his first love was football. As this was not a school sport at that time he started playing with Aberdeen Lads Club and then for Cove Rangers, including winning a trophy after playing a game at Pittodrie. “On leaving school Doug embarked on a lifelong career in the world of insurance, firstly with Norwich Union in Aberdeen followed by a move to their Leeds branch. Promotion saw him return to Aberdeen and, after a few years, he entered the Insurance Broking side of the profession with a local brokerage and then moved to national brokers, Stewart Wrightson. In 1978 he decided to return to Yorkshire, joining brokers Clarkson Tiley & Hargreaves in Bradford where he met his wife Gina. In 1983, along with an ex-Norwich Union colleague, Doug established his own Insurance Brokerage which was subsequently acquired by a larger firm in 1996. A desire to work for more local and personal relationship brokers saw Doug move on to other firms until two years ago when he again decided to create his own brokerage to offer a bespoke and innovative service to professional clients. “Doug was a proud Associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute and Member of the Institute of Risk Management. He was meticulous in his dealings with his clients and Insurers and was very much respected in the insurance market. 100

Former Pupils’ Section “Moving south did not mean a loss of Aberdeen interests; he read the P & J on a regular basis and followed the fortunes of Aberdeen FC religiously. If the Green Final had still been in existence no doubt he would have had it delivered. “Another bonus of living in Yorkshire was his love of tea rooms particularly his favourite, The Hairy Fig in York and several branches of Betty’s Tea Rooms throughout Yorkshire. Indeed, the breakfast visit to Little Betty’s in York on the morning after the Dinner became a feature of the weekend. “Doug continued his football career in Yorkshire. When he lived in Leeds he played for Woodhouse Moor and Farsley Celtic who were a top amateur side. During this time he was selected to play against an all-star team of ex-Leeds United players including Billy Bremner, Jack Charlton and John Charles. He set up Fulford over-35s team and was a great player with a cultured left foot who enjoyed setting up goals more than scoring. He continued to play well into his 60s. “Doug was an avid supporter of the Dons and always kept up-to-date with the squad and results. In younger days he had been to a number of cup-finals with his father and carried on this tradition with his son Adam whose first game at Pittodrie in 1994 saw a victory against Hearts. This was the start of many games. They travelled far and wide together watching Aberdeen play with several visits to Edinburgh and Glasgow and also glamour away-ties against Athletico Madrid and Bayern Munich. Other less famous venues such as Hartlepool and Bradford for pre-season friendlies, and even Hamilton for an evening match ensured that Adam maintained the family tradition of supporting Aberdeen FC through thick and thin. It is fitting that Doug should have seen the Dons last Europa League game at Burnley in August. “Doug is survived by his wife Gina, son Adam, daughter Louise and grandson Liam.”

Golf Legacy Donor Luther Kitson Smith (1928-40) died peacefully in a care home in Aberdeen on 20 August 2015 after a short illness aged 92. On leaving School he began an apprenticeship with Walker & Duncan, civil engineers, architects and surveyors which was interrupted in 1943 when he joined the RAFVR. Initially he served with the Airfield Construction Service before transferring as a cartographic draughtsman to Geographical Section General Staff. Following D-Day he was attached to the Photographic Interpretation Department at Fort Belvidere in Calcutta and then at Singapore. On discharge in 1947, with the rank of Leading Aircraftman, Luther completed his apprenticeship and joined the Inland Revenue valuation office in 1949. He qualified as a chartered surveyor in 1953 and remained in the office until retiring in 1983. 101

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine Luther enjoyed angling and golf, being a long-term member of Banchory Golf Club. His generous legacy to the FP Club for the purpose of encouraging pupils at the School to take up golf was explained in the last issue of the Magazine and arrangements for its implementation are being set in place. He was predeceased by his wife and had no family. Cecil Roland Smylie (1944-49) died in St. Fillans, Crieff on 7 February 2018 aged 84. He left School from 4 th year and entered the Merchant Navy as a cadet studying for his First Officers’ Ticket. His career thereafter was as a merchant seaman eventually with the rank of Captain. Before retiring he was Head of the Honourable Company of Master Mariners. After retiring he lived in the St. Fillans area and had various business interests as a company director. He was managing director of The Wellington Trust and a former manager of the Fairdeal Group of companies. He was heavily involved with the St Fillans Community Trust Ltd providing financial assistance and guidance to community ventures and initiatives supported by the community and raising funds for these. Alastair McIntosh Sutherland (1939-51) died peacefully on 19 April 2019 in Aberdeen Royal Infirmary after a short illness. He was called up for his National Service shortly after leaving school and spent two years as ground crew for the Royal Air Force. On completion of his National Service in September 1954 he joined the family firm, Granite Supply Association (established by his grandfather around 1907), working for his father. He subsequently took over the reins as Managing Director where he remained until the company was taken over in the late 1980’s. He then left to start his own business in the abrasives industry. He travelled in connection with his work at least once a year from the ‘60s to the ‘80s to Scandinavia, India and South Africa, and his business partners in these countries often became firm friends. He retired in 1995. Alastair was a keen Badminton and Tennis player in his youth and was also an enthusiastic aero-modeller. An active performer and member of the Aberdeen Magical Society, he was its secretary and treasurer for thirty-four years. Alastair is survived by Lindsey, his wife of 61 years, by three children, six grandchildren and one great grandson. His elder brother John (1935-48) died in Coventry in 1997. George Abel Taylor (1946-52) MB,ChB, MRCGP died peacefully in hospital in Aberdeen on 10 February 2019 following a short illness. He was aged 85. He was born in North Queensland, Australia but when his family relocated to Aberdeen he attended Mile End Primary School before entering the Grammar. From School he went up to Aberdeen University to read Medicine, graduating in 1958. 102

Former Pupils’ Section Following the usual house officer appointments at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and Woodend Hospital he was called up for National Service in the RAMC, serving in Edinburgh, Glasgow and the Western Isles in 1960-62. On his return to Aberdeen George entered general practice with the Elmbank practice where he was a much admired and respected doctor for the rest of his career. He was awarded membership of the Royal Council of General Practitioners in 1972. George is survived by his wife, Margaret, with whom he celebrated their Golden Wedding in 2014, and by two sons, two grandchildren and a greatgranddaughter. George’s brother Alexander Abel Taylor (1944-49) died in 2004.

Former Club President Richard Frederick Tyson (1944-49) died peacefully in a care home in Norwich on 6 April 2019 after a long period of poor health following a stroke in 2015. He was aged 87. Being a son of the legendary cricketer and Rubislaw groundsman Eric Tyson meant that Dick’s home in his schooldays was the flat on the upper floor of the Rubislaw Pavilion. From School Dick joined the Bank of Scotland in Aberdeen before being called up for National Service, mostly spent in Aldershot where he attained the rank of Sergeant. On his return to Aberdeen and the bank he enlisted with the Gordon Highlanders TA. He then moved to the Bank of India in London and joined the London Scottish TA. He captained the Bank cricket club and was vice-captain of rugby. In 1956 Dick joined the Elder Dempster Shipping Line, moving to Lagos as assistant passenger manager. He played rugby on Lagos racecourse. After a few years he returned to the UK and entered the catering industry. He was a hotelier in the home counties, and became the area manager of a London company for whom he looked after their Yorkshire interests. He recalled with pride producing lunch for the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh when they opened a new hospital in Hull. Dick was elected to various hotel and inn-keeping associations. On moving south again Dick looked after fifty establishments, including catering at the Tower of London. Yorkshire kept calling and he and his wife had their own free house for ten years before spending nine years in York He retired in 1997. Dick had a long association with the FP Yorkshire Centre including eight years as its President. He was President of the FP Club in 2000-01 and was warmly welcomed by members wherever he visited. Dick’s wife died in 2016. He is survived by his son and two daughters and by his grandchildren. His brother Kenneth (1945-48) died in 1996. Former Member of Staff 103

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine Hamish Rawden Cruickshank died peacefully in an Aberdeen care home on 3 August 2018 aged 88. Educated at Robert Gordon’s College, he went on to study at Gray’s School of Art, where he obtained a Diploma in Art in Painting. He first taught in Banffshire but moved to the Grammar in 1970, remaining until his retirement in the mid-90s. His love of painting took him in search of perfect views to the Aberdeenshire countryside. He also travelled to favourite spots in Portugal and Andalucia. A skilled violinist, he played in the University Orchestra. He was heavily involved with Venture Scouting and led trips abroad and in Scotland. A proficient skier, Hamish also worked for the Venture Scouts Mountain Rescue Team at Glenshee. A skilled cricketer, Hamish played for many years for the YMCA Grade team, later Queen’s Cross Cricketers.

104

Former Pupils’ Section

Abstract of Accounts for Year ended 31 December 2018 Former Pupils’ Club Income and Expenditure Account INCOME Subscriptions Existing Members – Annual New Members Life Members Transfer from Life Members’ Account Top-up Payments

2018 £

2017 £

2,740 -

1,944 -

592 866

Donations Club Centre Members’ Donations & Bequests Less : Transfer to Second Century Fund Chairman’s Appeal Donations Interest Magazine – advertising Fund Raising – Big Draw Share of Rent – 1 Bayview Road Book & Tie Sales

2,382 -

EXPENDITURE Magazine – Printing, stationery and postage Club Secretary – Printing, stationery & postage Website Operations Stationery & Printing Honoraria Travel and accommodation Grants – Capitation to Regional Centres School – Amenities Fund School Prizes Accountancy Fee Corporation Tax Bank Charges Bank Interest paid Miscellaneous Bayview Road Property Expenses School Donation SURPLUS / (DEFICIT) FOR THE YEAR

105

615 1,239

1,000

2,382 2,865 1,811 2,250 330 14,656

1,350 140 2,899 2,805 2,083 13,500 85 27,660

4,414 342 59 750 500 3,500 3,166 1,290 428 160 395 (244) 10,267 453 25,480

4,057 1,010 120 472 1,000 212 700 3,500 200 1,440 3,166 603 1,705 (372) 17,813

(10,824)

9,847

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine Balance Sheet As at 31 December 2018 2018 181,172

2017 £ 181,172

5,109

1,800 10,850 18,500 85,000 9,847 125,997

1,806 3,305 17,500 85,000 15,499 123,110

74,064 7,640 1,732 43,005

9,723 74,064 6,698 2,478 31,219

56,000 182,441

43,500 167,682

NET CURRENT LIABILITIES

(56,444)

(44,572

NET ASSETS

129,837

141,709

11,248

11,840

3,924 21,565 5,470 87,630 118,589

4,380 21,565 5,470 98,454 129,869

129,837

141,709

HERITABLE PROPERTY INVESTMENTS CURRENT ASSETS Stock Debtors Donations due from Club Centre Club Centre – Loan Drawdown Bank Accounts CURRENT LIABILITIES Bank Overdraft Club Centre Loan Subscriptions in advance Life Member Top-up Payments Creditors Loans from Members (repayable on demand and interest free)

CAPITAL ACCOUNTS Life Members REVENUE ACCOUNTS The Big Draw Second Century School Prize Fund General

106

Former Pupils’ Section Abstract of Accounts for Year ended 31 December 2018 F.P. Club Centre Income and Expenditure Account 2017 £ 122,558

4,084 48,927 53,011 4,447 48,564 73,994 17,839 2,597 13,207 13,620 2,139 14 1,716 125,126 45,695 302 27,618 9,499 366 2,646 1,000 3,107 7,132 5,756 1,220 47 503 1,920 2,488 899 1,200 3,826 1,779 117,003 £ 8,123

£ BAR ACCOUNT BAR SALES

£ 106,224

COST OF SALES Stock on Hand at 31 December 2017 Bar Purchases Less Stock on Hand at 31 December 2018

4,447 44,539 48,986 4,944 44,042 62,182

GROSS PROFIT ON BAR – 59% MISCELLANEOUS INCOME Annual Subscriptions Room Hire Rent (net) from 1 Bayview Road Surplus from Car Parking Donations Interest Received Miscellaneous Income

14,634 3,726 2,250 12,435 450 200 572 96,449

OVERHEAD EXPENSES Wages & National Insurance Redundancy Payment Employer’s Pension Costs Rates and Insurance Heating and Lighting Telephone (Net) Repairs and Maintenance Donation to Former Pupils’ Club Interest Payable to Former Pupils’ Club Administration Expenses Cleaning & Waste Management Bank Interest Taxis Miscellaneous Expenses Stocktaker Entertainment Credit Card Charges Equipment Leasing Corporation Tax Depreciation

40,717 3,048 320 29,029 10,106 467 2,565 5,802 3,682 1,122 1,066 1,920 1,282 638 437 2,016 1,512 105,749

(DEFICIT) SURPLUS FOR YEAR 107

(9,300)

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2018 2017 FIXED ASSETS £ 1,434

Furniture and Fittings Equipment

Cost £ 1,434 8,647 10,081

Added

Depcn. £ 215 1,297 1,513

£ 1,219 7,350 8,569

8,647 10,08 1

74,06 4 4,447

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

74,064 4,944 5,092 14,189 20,200 802 119,291

5,980 27,88 6 20,00 0 864 133,2 41 41,14 9

CURRENT LIABILITIES Sundry Creditors Subscriptions in Advance Bank of Scotland Loan A/c

39,715 2,250 3,699

3,126 3,524 47,799 85,442 95,523 12,883 3,956 85,000 (101839)

45,664 73,627 82,196 LOANS Bank of Scotland Heinekin UK Loan AGSFP Club

9,145 3,667 85,000 97,812

108

Former Pupils’ Section 6,316

13,495 (19,811) 8,123 (11,688)

NET (LIABILITIES)

(15,616)

CAPITAL ACCOUNT Appeal Fund / Donations

13,495

SURPLUSES/(DEFICITS) Amount per last B/Sheet Surplus/Deficit for Year

(19,811) (9,300)

109

(29,111) (15,616)