Old Barnardians Newsletter President: Alan Stevens, Vice Presidents: Kenneth King and Alan Wilkinson.
January 2011
Dear Old Barnardian It is a pleasure to write to you as the President of the Old Barnardians and the Headmaster of this fine School. Twelve years after the foundation of the School, the Old Barnardians’ Club was formed in Newcastle on a chilly November evening in 1895. One of my predecessors and the first Headmaster, Rev.F.L.Brereton, became the founding president and the original “History of Barnard Castle School” in 1933 notes that he did all within his power to further the interests of the club and to give Old Boys a hearty welcome when visiting the School. It is my intention to follow Brereton’s good example and do all that I can to ensure that the OBs of today – Old Girls and Old Boys, of course - can maintain links with each other and the School, wherever they may be. Barney remains a spirited, happy and successful School which punches above its weight in terms of its academic results and its sporting achievements. There is a pervasive sense of good fun that is shared by everyone in our community when we join together at a match, a concert, a play or a Chapel Service. It is important to me and to all current Barnardians that you should know that you remain part of that community and your membership of it has not been diluted since you took off your School uniform for the last time. Barney also steals into your heart and – moreso than in any place I have experienced – those who have a link to the School seem to share a passion for it. To me, of course, this is most noticeable among the current young Barnardians. They know their School, warts and all, but they are proud of it and I in turn am proud of them for their loyalty. Last week when I asked a boy from eastern Europe if he was settling in, he beamed at me and said “this has become my new home.” With email, Skype and the magic of the latest generation of mobile phones, the world seems to have shrunk. Yet, to many Sixth Formers, their years in Barney have been like living in a rarefied Never, Never Land; allowing children to grow up at their own pace remains a strength of the School. However, an important element of the Sixth Form years must be to develop a level of knowledge of the world which will equip our senior boys and girls to embrace it productively and confidently when they leave us. To that end they and I would be most grateful if OBs would volunteer to come back to School to speak to the Sixth Form about their experiences. The Sixth Form Academic Forum eagerly awaits the chance to host OB speakers at lunch and then introduce them to their peers for a brief talk followed by discussions. Such sessions could focus on OB experiences of business, finance, academia, the armed forces, sport, medicine, politics – wherever your field or your passion lies. If you would like to help us with this project, please do contact my secretary, Judith Ridley, at the School. Regardless of the reason for your visit, I look forward to welcoming many more of you back to School in the coming months. Yours aye
Alan Stevens www.barnardcastleschool.org.uk
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MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN I was very honoured to be proposed for the position of Chairman of the Old Barnardians’ Club and even more touched to be elected at the Summer AGM and take over from Gerry Camozzi. Firstly I must express my gratitude to Gerry for all the tireless work he has done for the Club. Importantly he has overseen the renewal of the School/Old Barnardian Club relationship that is now enabling the Club to support itself. Certainly one of my aims is to continue to build on this position and try to enhance it further. Another departure from the committee was that of our President, the Headmaster, David Ewart. He, too, deserves the Club’s thanks as he has also worked hard for a number of years to ensure the Club could get to a position where it can flourish once more. He left on his retirement and, whilst I hope to see him still at functions, I would like to wish him and Val all the very best for their time spent relaxing after work. ( A report about the Spring Ball, where Old Barnardians had a chance to say goodbye to the Ewarts appears elsewhere in this newsletter). Of course, as one President leaves another one takes his place and the Club warmly welcomes the new Headmaster, Mr Alan Stevens and his family to Barnard Castle School. We look forward to a long and fruitful relationship. Mr Stevens, coincidentally like David Ewart, came to Barnard Castle from Trent College but he originates from Northern Ireland. As Chairman I want to preside over a Club that is thriving. In order to do this it will be important to get as many people involved in the Club’s events as possible. It was pleasing, therefore, to see that the London Dinner was back on the programme of events in October and hope this will now signal a return of this as an annual fixture. All that goes on is reliant on the Club members’ support and it is crucial that we build up the data base of the Club. The tireless work of the Club’s secretary, Dot Jones, would be further enhanced by more and more members giving her their correct details. My plea, therefore, is to encourage all members, who have not sent their details to Dot to do so as soon as possible. Through this newsletter and on behalf of the Club, I thank Dot Jones for all her work undertaken as secretary. My gratitude is also extended to all fellow members of the committee for all their efforts and hard work throughout the year. I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible in the coming year. My very best wishes to all members for a successful 2011. Stuart Everall
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Barnardians Reconnected
Notes from the Secretary The Committee The Committee meets once each term at School. We are looking for a new Treasurer. It isn’t necessary for the Treasurer to attend every Committee Meeting. If you are interested please contact the OB Secretary If you would be willing to run a team or help plan events your help would be most appreciated. Please contact the OB Secretary. Barnardians Reconnected A database and website for OBs. The database obviously provides contact details but can be expanded by individuals who are registered to include details of school life and post Barney life. The website also provides news of interesting School and OB events but again to read them you need to be registered. You can make you contact details public so that old friends can contact you. The more OBs who register the better Barnardians Reconnected will work. Newsletter If you have articles, or snippets of news for the ‘Your News’ section of the newsletter and Barnardians Reconnected please forward them to the OB Secretary. The newsletter will be emailed to those for whom we have a current email address and to others it will be posted. If you live overseas could you please let me have an email address or acknowledge receipt of your newsletter in 2011 otherwise we will not be able to send one in 2012. The OB Year of Events 2011 18th Feb: Barney Run. OB team run for the Ewart Tankard. 9th April: Spring Ball. Organised by OB Committee but please bring friends and family. See separate booking form. 3rd July: Barnardian Day and AGM. A family day starting with Chapel at 10.30am. Cricket, tennis, swimming, squash, football. If you are interested in playing please contact the OB Secretary. 14th Oct: London Dinner. East India Club 7.30 for 8pm. Limited numbers. Please contact OB Secretary for more details and to reserve a place/table. 13th November: Remembrance Day. We join the School and parents at a very moving service. There is a reading by an OB and the Chairman lays a wreath on behalf of OBs. We then join the local community at the cenotaph in the Bowes Museum grounds. Carol Service: date yet to be confirmed but a really lovely evening of Carols in a candlelit Chapel.
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Spring Ball 2010 It is pleasing to report the success of this new event in the Club calendar. We have traditionally arranged a formal dinner at this time of year but the change to a more relaxed meal with dancing has been received with great enthusiasm. There were approximately 150 people in attendance consisting of Old Barnardians from all age groups and their partners. We were privileged to have David and Valerie Ewart as our special guests and David delivered an enlightening update of school life. The achievements of pupils and the exciting developments taking place throughout the school bear testament to David’s remarkable contribution to ‘Barney’ over many years. His passion for maintaining the unique sense of community and well being that our school is renowned for is clear. We will always be extremely grateful for his dedication and attention to detail which so many have benefited from. The Ball was an ideal opportunity for OB’s to mark the Headmaster’s retirement. Club Chairman, Gerry Cammozi, after proposing the toast to The School presented David with a piece of Thompson oak’ Mouseman’ craftsmanship in the form of a barometer in recognition of his distinguished service to the Club as President and thanked him for his support and guidance. David’s input to the Club has ensured its strength and fully restored its harmony with the School. The evening was further enhanced by the presence of the Chairman of Governors, Malcolm McCallum who kindly proposed the toast to the Old Barnardians Club. His support is also much appreciated and we look forward to forging ahead with new initiatives to assist in both promoting the school and assisting pupils in their careers. We are also in a position to assist in enhancing the school infrastructure to move it forward in a way that updates facilities in line with parental expectations. It was clear that those attending the Ball enjoyed the evening and were keen to support similar events in the future. We were encouraged by this response and will be organising another ball in Spring 2011 at ‘Barney’. We would like to build on the numbers attending in order to further enhance the experience and maintain the high quality of the live band which were excellent and worthy of more dancers in the future! In conclusion I would like to thank Linda in the catering department for providing us with an excellent meal and our Club Secretary for organising ticket sales and all the fine detail that is so important to a successful event. Look forward to seeing you all in 2011. Peter Hodges.
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Barnardians Reconnected
Barnardian Day 2010
Approximately 200 OBs enjoyed a very pleasant day at School on Barnardian Day - June 27th. The day began with a very moving Chapel Service, David and Valerie Ewart’s last Sunday service. It contained many of their favourite pieces of music, including Rutters ‘The Lord Bless you and Keep you’ sung beautifully by the choir on behalf of all OBs. The service was followed by a drinks reception in their honour and the presentation of an OB tie to the retiring Headmaster and President of the Club, Mr David Ewart. There was a bouncy castle, ice-cream van and face painter for the small children; a hog roast, cappuccino van and bar for the big children! 2x20/20 games were played this year and both games were much enjoyed by players and spectators alike. The girls played netball and up at the top of ‘the alps’ the OBs beat the School in an exciting footie match. A good omen for the World Cup perhaps? The OB 1st Xl and netball teams also beat the School so, for the first time since its inception in 2007, the ‘Barnardian Day Challenge Sheild’ (presented to the Club by Gerry Camozzi) was awarded to the Old Barnardians. Well done everyone and very special thanks to Chris Wayman, Rich Parker, Graeme Seddon and Zoe Wilkinson for organising our teams. The England game later that day sadly interrupted this great day with most OBs leaving in time to get home or to the pub to watch the big game. Some stayed and the School provided a big screen TV in S block. We look forward to another family occasion next year on Sunday 3 July.
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1985 Cricket Re-union Having toured Zimbabwe together back in 1995 for a 10-year reunion, the 1985 1st XI cricket team decided to meet up again 25 years after their unbeaten season in the more familiar surroundings of Barney. In the absence of ’85 captain Steven Foster, who had organised the match but had to pull out at the last moment due to work commitments, Jon Ashman stepped in to skipper the side. Seven of the original team were able to play with Neil Foster, Phil Lake, Richard Pettit, Ed Seery, Dean McGarr and Tony Underwood all back at their favourite cricket ground. Thanks go to Mark ‘Jock’ Lawson, Kevin Atkin and Jeff Foster who, almost, made up the numbers and to the School under-14s who provided stiff opposition for a side carrying a few more pounds (in weight) than in the mid 1980s. Having spent the previous evening reminiscing in the Old Well with cricketers and old friends alike, it was down to business on Sunday and nothing had changed in a quarter of a century with the top order back in the pavilion for very little watching the rest of the side bail them out. However the old war horses Seery and McGarr showed that they still knew how to bowl and rolled back the years to lead the old-timers to a narrow victory (although McGarr’s ‘leggie’ is now just a distant memory). But the weekend was all about meeting old friends and many had not shaken hands since Wham! were number one and mobile phones were the size of house bricks but, if appearances had changed, the sense of humour that ran throughout the side and made it so successful, was still as apparent and cutting as ever. The gathering was capped by an appearance from the man who made it all happen back in ’85 and a hobbling Paul Johnson, who was still recuperating after back surgery, pretty much summed up how we all felt physically on the Monday morning. Thanks to everyone who attended, both players and groupies, and let’s hope it is not another 25 years before we are able to, once again, watch Ashman miss a straight ball from someone 30 years his junior. 6
Back row: from left to right: Richard Pettit, Dean McGarr, Tony Underwood, Jeff Foster, Kevin Atkin Front row: from left to right: Mark Lawson, Neil Foster, John Ashman, Phil Lake, Ed Seery, and obviously Paul Johnson (coach).
Barnardians Reconnected
Small acorns to large trees-The London Dinner resurrected in 2010 In the Spring of 2010, seven London based Old Barnardians (leavers of 1978) together with a contemporaneous master (RCB Clark) assembled for lunch at the RAC Club Pall Mall. After the usual preambles, catching up all the news since the last meeting (at Lords to watch some cricket), the conversation switched to a unanimous nostalgic desire to resurrect the London dinner, which had been missed by all. The last London dinner took place in 1999 and for various reasons 11 years had elapsed with no London dinner event. In the past the event had been enthusiastically attended by 60-70 OB’s at a variety of impressive venues in the Capital. Where better to hold an event than at the stupendous premises of the RAC, one of the premier clubs in London? The proposal was met with overwhelming enthusiasm from the OB committee members, and the indispensible assistance of Dorothy Jones, whom amongst many roles acts as secretary to the OB Club. The London dinner team were working with a number of disadvantages- the print run for the OB newsletter for 2010 had come and gone, and with only five months to run to the limited number of dates on offer, creating event awareness was going to be an issue. Nevertheless, the event proceeded with relative smoothness, and with 32 in attendance, we were all very gratified that, a hastily convened dinner-a resurrection after the fallow years, achieved such support. Moreover, attendees unanimously agreed upon a repeat and bigger event for 2011; with a much larger window to organise it we are confident that attending numbers can be more than doubled next year. The evening proceeded with informal drinks, followed by a haute cuisine three course dinner and fine wines. Indeed save for the appropriate grace by Canon Walter Goundry and a brief address from Peter Hodges (Head Boy 1972), the entire evening was of reassuring friendly informality, despite the evident grandeur of the setting. Old Boys and Girls were given a brief update of events at Barney, and were delighted to receive via Peter Hodges, a warm, supportive and thoughtful message from the Head Master, who sadly was unable to attend on this occasion. Despite carriages at 11.30 pm, the evening seemed to be at an end all too quickly-a sure sign of an enjoyable evening. Plaudits must go to leavers of 1978 and 2000, who attended in good numbers, as well as a strong representation by some of our senior members of the OB Club. It is hoped at future London dinners many more eras can be represented with such enthusiastic support. And so the acorn will grow...from this modest rebirth, the OB Club is confident of re-establishing the London dinner as a permanent and well-supported fixture in the annual calendar. Matthew Gash Prep: 1968-1971;Main 1971-1978 The dinner was attended by: Tony Aikenhead (Du 1970-72), Mark Ashurst (Du 1969-76), Ian Barrett (T 1998-2000), Nick Bliss (Du 1970-77), Gary Brown (N 1946-53), Dr Nigel AD Clark (N 1971-78), Jacqui Crosby (M 1993-2000), Richard Deacon (N 1971-78), Rob Deacon, Karl Dickson, Graham Duckett (Du 1971-78). Julian Fifield (Tees 1968-78), R Matthew Gash (Y 1968-78), Mike Goundry (Y 1971-78), Canon Walter Goundry (Y 1943-50), Tom Hatfield (Y 1948-54), Gemma Hodges (M 1998-2000), Peter Hodges (Y 1970-72), Dorothy Jones (OB Secretary), Stuart McLennan, Mike Moss (DA 1990-2001), Ian Owens (N 1971-78), John Ray (N 1993-2000), Tony Russell (1968-74), David Smith (Y 1971-78), Laura Walton (L 1998-2000). A note from the Committee – special thanks go to Matthew Gash for liaising with the RAC Club on our behalf.
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Barney Run 2010 On a cold, rainy February morning Peter Groves (74), Alex Roberts (07), Lucas Kelton (05), Ed Challis (05) and Andrew Moss (08) donned their running shoes and a very stylish bright green t shirt (in support of the Samaritans) and set off to run in this age old annual event. Peter hadn’t run this route for over 30 yrs and desperately wanted to beat his 1974 time. He hated cross-country whilst at school but took up running some years later. You can read Peters full report on the run in his article for ‘Runners World’ November issue. The Ewart Tankard was awarded to Ed Challis who was at the time training at Sandhurst. Our thanks must go to Alex Roberts who organised the team for the day. Dust off your trainers for next years run on Friday 18th Feb. Contact the OB Sec to book your place.
Golf In June eight Old Barnardians played against Giggleswickians at Middlesborough Golf Club. Those taking part for the OBs were S Hicks (capt), N Riddell, E Reverley, E Levie, A Addison, G Parkin, D Parkin and A Moorhouse . The competition was 4 ball better ball with 4 teams. The OBs won 2 games and halved two games to win overall 3 to 1. A great time was had by all and it is hoped that this will become an annual fixture.
Graden Cup 2011 11 September 2011 Tee off at 11am Barnard Castle Golf Club Please contact: gnj.parkin@dsl.pipex.com 8
Barnardians Reconnected
OLD BARNARDIAN’S BIG GAME FISHING GARY BROWN (NORTHUMBERLAND HOUSE 1946-52) Gary developed an interest in big game fishing whilst serving as an officer in the Royal Military Police in Kenya 1960-1964. His best catch then was a blue marlin weighing 900lbs – caught off Malindi. Only after retiring from a career in antiques and administrating a number of large historic houses has he found more time to follow his interest regularly. This year he has fished in Madeira, Kuredu Island (Maldives) and Sal (Cape Verde Islands). Although always hunting the blue marlin a variety of other fish are caught – sailfish, Wahoo, shark etc. The accompanying photographs show a 450lb. Marlin (Madeira), a135lb sailfish (Maldives) and a 58lb Wahoo (Cape Verde). Gary followed his brother George to Barney (both won the Barney Run).Gary swam in the very successful 50s Bath Club team gaining four winners’ medals. He was selected to join the 1948 Olympic Swimming Team at Loughborough University accompanied by John Parry the school swimming coach. Whilst in the army, he was a member of the Army Modern Pentathlon team and took part in international competitions as a member of the British Modern Pentathlon team. Gary is currently a member of the OB Committee and editor of the OB Newsletter. Gary’s first wife unfortunately died in 1997 and they have one son, Paul. In 2004 he married his present wife Joan and they live on the Castle Howard Estate, Yorkshire where both are guides.
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Honorary Freeman of Barnard Castle Alan Wilkinson, a former pupil, Head of English and Housemaster at the School, has become an Honorary Freeman of Barnard Castle, having been awarded the honour at a Town Council ceremony in early November. He is one of only two people to have received the award. Alans local government career started in 1961 when he became an Urban District Councillor. He then became an original member of the Town Council in 1974 and completed 33 years with the Council before retiring in 2007. He was Town Mayor on no fewer than four occasions and eventually completed 46 years as an unpaid Councillor. For a number of years, Alan was Chairman of the Town Councils Planning Committee and, in this role, used his considerable knowledge of local history to suggest names for streets, roads and developments in Barnard Castle His many other contributions to the town include a central role in the transformation of The Witham Hall from a furniture shop into a Sports and Social Centre and introducing Mini Golf to the Scar Top! The actual wording on the scroll ‘in recognition of the eminent service he has rendered to the town of Barnard Castle and the local community over a period of many years’
Graham Ratcliffe ( North House 1966-73) was born in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1955. He made his first attempt to climb Everest in 1993, but it was not until his second attempt in 1995 that he reached the summit. He returned again in 1996, with the aim of being the first British climber to have successfully climbed Everest from the northern and southern routes, but the ascent was aborted because of the worst disaster in Everest’s history. In 1998, he was award an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list, a Paul Harris Fellowship by Rotary International, and made Ambassador of Sport by Sport England. Married with two daughters, Graham now divides his time between his homes in North Shields and the south-east of France. Graham’s book is available for pre-order from Amazon. 10
Barnardians Reconnected
My Portrait by Douglas Pittuck Michael Millar – 1/47 – 2/51. Towards the end of April 1995 I received a letter from the late John Pittuck. Along with the letter was a 35mm slide of a portrait of a young lad in army uniform and John asked if the lad in the slide was me. He was in the process of selling off a number of his late father’s paintings and had come across this one with a notation that it might be of me (Fig. 1). As I looked at it the memories came flooding back, because it was indeed me in the painting and I remember quite vividly Mr. Pittuck doing it. In the late 40’s the School art department was located in two rooms at the top of the Headmaster’s House. Access was gained through a hole in the wall roughly halfway up the back stairs between Durham House B and L dorms. Anybody remember the scramble to get into the first room? This was the preparation and supplies room as I remember and an open doorway led through to the second room, which was used for our classes. Perhaps in the early days of the North Eastern Counties School those rooms might have been servant’s quarters. I’m sure things have improved for budding artists in the past sixty years. A doorway in the second room led into a skylighted area at the top of a flight of stairs down into Mr. Birkbeck’s residence. It was this area at the top of the stairs that Mr. Pittuck used for his portrait painting, because the light was so good. He asked me to sit for him in my cadet uniform and I note that I had the full silver diamond on red background on my lower right sleeve indicating that I had passed both parts of Certificate T. On my lower left sleeve are the crossed rifles of my marksman’s badge. I wrote back to John to confirm that it was me in the portrait and he then wrote back to me to ask if I would like to have it. The price was quite reasonable I thought at £75, but the problem then was how to get it from Bishops Stortford in England to Barrie, Ontario, in Canada. At this point my friend David Pickering came to my rescue. David and I were not at School together but we had met in Kingston, Ontario at a School reunion organized by Ian Nichol – with whom I had been at School. Ian and David had both been on the faculty at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ian in the geology department and David in the art department. David had been through School with John Pittuck and they had kept in touch over the years. At that time David, who was raised in Barnard Castle, was back there two or three times a year to visit his father who was living in a cottage on the Rokeby Estate at Greta Bridge. He told me that he was going to stay with John on his next visit to his father, and he would bring the portrait back with him. He did this and also made arrangements to have it framed. It now hangs in my living-room. Mr. Pittuck did not sign the portrait but John went back through his father’s diaries and came up with the following information – Monday, 10th October, 1949: Started another portrait at school (Millar). Wednesday, 12th October, 1949: Painted Millar & Vallack in the afternoon. Wednesday, 26th October, 1949: Continued Millar’s portrait. Thursday, 27th October, 1949: Continued Millar’s portrait. Saturday, 29th October, 1949: Finished Millar’s portrait. John continued “So there’s your provenance. I can’t remember if it was signed [it isn’t]. Concurrently with painting your portrait and Vallack’s he was undertaking one of Lofthouse and also of Mrs. Watson & Colonel Watson of Spring
Lodge (opposite the Bowes Museum). The colonel’s painting hangs in the D. L. I. Museum in Durham as does, also, a copy dad made of a portrait of the then Lord Barnard.” I think that all of us who knew Mr. Pittuck remember him not only as a very gifted artist, but also as a very kind teacher who had a great deal of www.barnardcastleschool.org.uk
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sympathy for artistically challenged students such as myself. I am certainly very proud of the fact that I have a Douglas Pittuck original painting in my home. I am also very grateful to David Pickering for so kindly facilitating the transport of the portrait from England to Canada. Without his very generous assistance I doubt very much that I would have been able to get it over here. Figure 2 is of me with the portrait taken on the 29th of October 2009, exactly sixty years to the day that Mr. Pittuck finished it. A postscript to this article by Stuart Everall, Club Chairman. I met Michael Millar at the reunion he describes that was organized by Ian Nichol. The rugby touring team, of which I was tour leader, played their penultimate game against Kingston. Ian Nichol kindly and generously showed the boys round the 1000 islands and then hosted the whole party in the evening. At this event were David Pickering, Kevin Hicks, Doug Hearnshaw, Michael Millar and Ian Nichol. Michael also, if my memory is correct, came, along with his wife to the last game. So this article brought back some very pleasant memories.
OLD BARNARDIAN’S GIFT TO THE SCHOOL
The above painting was bequeathed to Barnard Castle School by the Rev. J. Dudley Johns who was School Chaplain from 1953-64 and Durham House Master from 1956 – 64. The painting of the Tees at Barnard Castle is the work of Douglas Pittuck, Art Master at the School from 1948 - 73. The School commissioned the Bowes Museum to clean and re-frame the picture in 2009. Apart from its artistic quality, the picture is a historical record for it shows features of Barnard Castle’s industrial past which have been demolished since the scene was painted in 1949. The chimney and main building of Ullathorne’s flax mill can be seen beyond the left of the bridge. To the right of the bridge, the tall waterside building is Dunn’s carpet factory; beside it are the rectangular retaining walls which contained dye-pits; behind these buildings are workers’ houses. The industrial buildings themselves had lost their original purpose, but the houses were still inhabited. On the right of the picture, the black pipe raised on stone piers is a sewer, installed in1913. (The factories and houses had been too closely crowded together for the usual underground sewage system to be installed). 12
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OB Andrew Cantrill (1987-89) plays at BCS Chapel. Darlington & District Organists’ & Choirmasters’ Association Annual Celebrity Recital
Andrew Cantrill is Organist & Master of the Choristers at Croydon Parish Church in London. Prior to this he was Assistant Organist at Hampstead Parish Church, Master of the Choristers at Grimsby Parish Church (the only parish church in the country to have its own choir school), Director of Music at the Wellington Cathedral of St Paul, New Zealand and Organist-Choirmaster at St Paul’s Cathedral Buffalo, New York, USA. Andrew was brought up in Reigate, Surrey and was a music scholar at the Grammar School. From 1987-1989 he was organ scholar at Barnard Castle School, during which time he studied the organ with Graham Griggs and Lady Susi Jeans, and gained the Associate-ship of the Royal College of Organists. He studied music at Durham University where he was organ scholar of the College of St Hild and St Bede, conductor of the University Chamber Orchestra and Chamber Choir, and Assistant Conductor of the University Choral Society. Andrew has enjoyed an international reputation as a choir trainer. As an organist, Andrew has given concerts on three continents, broadcast live on Radio NZ, appeared with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and recorded extensively. His CD of virtuoso French organ music from Wellington Cathedral, ‘Fete’, received high praise in New Zealand: ‘Cantrill is a formidable musician, and his feeling for timbre and texture makes the CD just so inviting.’ (NZ Herald) and launched a busy recital career in Australasia and Europe. Recent concerts have included St Paul’s Cathedral and Westminster Abbey, London, Altenberg Cathedral, Germany, and Boston University Chapel, USA. Andrew returned to the UK in 2008 and is enjoying working with the four choirs of Croydon Parish Church - the Choir of Men & Boys, the Girls’ Choir, the Schola Cantorum and Croindene. The choirs sing four services each week and the church and its schools are associate members of the Choir Schools’ Association. Andrew is also responsible for the ambitious annual programme of special services and concerts promoted by Friends of Music at CPC. Andrew has recently been elected to the council of the Royal College of Organists.
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The School’s academic year, 2009-2010 September 2009 saw 745 boys and girls on the School roll; 545 pupils and staff crammed into the Chapel for the beginning of year service, conducted by Rev Stephen Ridley, followed by Headmaster’s Assembly. The 200 boys and girls in the Prep School met in the Atkinson Hall under the direction of their new Headmaster, Mr Carl Rycroft, following the retirement of Mr Ted Haslam. Our 185 boarders, to include some 40 international students, were smartly dressed in their school uniforms; Miss Ingram, Housekeeper had worked hard over the summer holidays in the School Shop to ensure this. The maintenance and grounds’ teams, under Mr Fairbairn’s direction, had worked hard to prepare the School for the new year. Mrs Metcalfe’s catering team was ready to provide 1,250 meals on any typical day. Highlights of the year are too numerous to mention individually but the 12 most exciting probably include the following: In November, Chairman of Governors, Mr Malcolm McCallum announced the appointment of Mr Alan Stevens as Headmaster from 1st September 2010. This appointment brings new vision and dynamic leadership to the School; a graduate of the Queen’s University, Belfast, with a Master’s degree in Education from the Open University, Mr Stevens has a range of HMC teaching experiences to include, most recently, the post of Assistant Head at Trent College. Academic results, published in August 2009 were very good with the best GCSEs on record and a very strong performance at A Level from all 74 leavers, the overwhelming majority of whom progressed immediately to University. Mr McHarry, Head of Physics and Science was particularly pleased with the International GCSE Physics results and a large group embarked on the PreU Physics course; a number of other departments chose to pursue iGCSE courses on the back of this success. Remembrance Day saw a Chapel full of pupils and many parents, some in dress uniform giving particular poignancy to our Act of Remembrance. As always, we remembered those OBs and others who died or were injured in the fight to keep us free, and prayed for those currently serving overseas. Wreaths were laid by Head of School, Becky Davy, and OB Committee member and Representative Governor, Mr Peter Hodges. The congregation then left for the Cenotaph, in the grounds of the Bowes Museum for the civic service. Members of the CCF Army section under the command of Major Caroline Hall saw cadet RSM Daniel Thompson lay a wreath. The Choir, so important to the strong reputation of the School, sang at all major services, to include Confirmation and First Communion, the three senior Carol Services, the Bowes Museum Carol Concert, and Evensong in Durham Cathedral and York Minster, all to public acclaim. There are few schools boasting such a high standard of choral music. School music thrives under the direction of Mr Matthew Atherton in the Prep School, where there is an orchestra of a least 40 young enthusiasts, and in the Senior School where Mr Donnelly and Mr Mawhinney rehearse individuals and groups for external examinations and highly popular concerts. The enthusiasm for singing is strong and it is astonishing to witness the level of confidence which our young people have both in terms of solos, part songs and unisons; the inter-House singing competition remains one of the highlights of the year with nearly 100% pupil participation. The Barnardian Magazine shows pages of photographs of 14
Barnardians Reconnected
House groups competing, to include several photographs of the highly talented and note-perfect staff unison. Most recently, a group of senior students organised Maggie’s Charity Concert, raising over £1,000 in an evening; over twenty young singers and actors performed. School drama has flourished throughout the year and Miss Emma Baldwin produced Willy Russell’s, ‘Our Day Out’ and also the Musical, ‘Beauty and the Beast’, and Mrs Amanda Gorman produced, in the junior festival of the arts, Terry Pratchett’s ‘Johnny and the Dead’. The Lectern Club has also been busy and the committee arranges regular meetings to promote amongst intellectuals and thespians the art of public speaking. Professor Gerald Blake commented on the very high standard set at the inter-House senior public speaking competition, won this year by Northumberland House. School representative groups have also been busy looking for good ideas and new ways of improving the School’s performance. Three years ago they identified the need for a dance and fitness centre; the existing weights’ facility failed to meet the needs of the growing numbers of younger and senior people enthused by the prospect of keeping fit. On Speech Day, 2010, Mr Charles Atha opened the new building, located to the east of the squash courts and overlooking the 1st X1 cricket square, which has weight training, fitness and dance areas as well as changing rooms and an inter-connecting corridor with the squash courts. Pupils and staff are delighted by this building and its facilities. The School is grateful to the Darlington Samaritans for validating the training of over fifty peer support Listeners; under Mr Andrew Allman’s direction, they offer support to those who seek and need it. Their impact on life, over the last two years, has been very considerable and there is now an even greater understanding and acceptance of others’ needs. School sport flourishes. Squash, under Mr John Gedye’s direction, continues to be a successful sport and the captain, Robert Harrison was ranked in the top 30 nationally in his age group and www.barnardcastleschool.org.uk
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was jointly responsible for seeing the 1st V win all its inter-School matches and reaching the last 16 in the National Schools Competition. Girls’ netball had a highly successful season and the U14 VII reached the National Schools Netball Finals. The rugby XV reached the last 16 of the Daily Mail Cup under the captaincy of Tom Bramwell; Mr Martin Pepper and his colleagues were delighted. It is a wonderful sight to see, every Saturday afternoon, except when snow covers the fields, tens of boys and girls playing representative sport and in over 16 different sports. Particularly pleasing is the large group of parents who support their sons and daughters; Barney parents have an enviable reputation for positive and engaged involvement, constructive comment, and a delight in winning with a readiness to accept defeat against better teams. The 32 School Monitors, four Deputy Heads of School and Head of School have been busy showing initiative, good sense and strong leadership; we have been very fortunate to have Becky Davy leading the group. House monitors also make a very considerable contribution. At the start of the Summer Term, the Upper Sixth and many others recognised the challenge of external exam learning and revision; the Library and Durham House senior common room became the cool places to work in silence. Boys and girls alike were highly appreciative of the extra efforts which staff made to help them practise exam technique and rehearse answers to probable exam questions. No-one takes these tutorial and extra clinic teaching sessions for granted; these are voluntary opportunities to increase the chances of scoring well in external exams. Barnardian Day, which followed a very exciting Sports’ Day, saw large number of Old Barnardians return to their School; some came with partners and families whilst many energetic OBs arrived with shorts, whites and trainers to enjoy tennis, cricket and soccer. It was a very happy day, much enjoyed by everybody who attended; the weather was excellent! Mr Gerry Camozzi stood down at the OB AGM and the Club formally congratulated him on his highly successful period of office. One of his last acts was to present the retiring Headmaster and Club President with an OB tie. The Club now has a new, younger and highly energetic Chairman, Mr Stuart Everall, and a new President, Mr Alan Stevens. The School year finished on Saturday, 3rd July; Dr Peter Warburton, OBE, Director of Sport at Durham University, presented prizes to over 140 boys and girls in the Senior School Prize Giving. This presented an opportunity to say farewell to members of staff leaving us; this included Mr Howard Charlesworth who finally retires after 26 years. During this time he has made a major contribution to the success of science teaching in the School, to games, to outdoor pursuits and to the success of Dale House where he has been an Assistant Housemaster; we wish him and Mrs Mary Charlesworth, who retires at the same time from the Learning Support Department, a long and happy retirement. We also said farewell to Mr and Mrs Ewart who had lived and worked in the School for the past 22 years. 2009-2010 was a busy and highly successful School year. DH Ewart
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Barnardians Reconnected
DESTINATIONS OF ALL UPPER SIXTH LEAVERS, AUGUST 2010 Alexander P
Manchester
Comp Studs for Bus (BSc)
Lyons HLE
Brighton
English (BA)
Anderson AJ
Scottish Ag College
Env Mgt and Sustain (BSc)
Manners WJ
Northumbria
Internat Bus Mgt (BA)
Atha J
Northumbria
Architect Tech (BSc)
Matthews A
Oxford Brookes
Law (BA)
Atha T
Northumbria
Psychology (BA)
McCormick TB
Queen Margaret
Applied Pharmacology (BSc)
Bark C
Newcastle College
Applied Sports Coaching (Fdn)
McKenzie JC
Employment
Mellish M
Newcastle
Food and Nutrition Sci (BSc)
Bell ER
Modern Apprenticeship
Bramwell T
Manchester Met
Coaching Studies (BA)
Mensah B
Manchester Met
Sport Development (BA)
Brogden R
Southampton Solent
Computer Games Devpt (BSc)
Mihaylov H
Coventry
Business Management (BA)
Brown CM
Gap Year
Miller C
Brown AD
Gap Year
Mirsamadi Y
Manchester Met
Marketing Mgt (BA)
Gap Year
ByersH
Harper Adams
Rural Entpr and Land Mgt (BSc)
Moore OJ
Manchester Met
Geography (BA)
Chan A
Kingston
Pharmacy (BSc)
Moss LA
Hull
Law (LLB)
Chipchase G
New College, Durham
BTEC Level 2 Graphics
Mothersill KJ
Wimbledon Coll of Art
Foundation Studs in Art (Fdn)
Cole G
Queen Margaret
Drama and Performance (BA)
Nenkov S
Sussex
Maths and Economics (BA)
Corkish J
St Johns, York
Music and Relig Studs (BA)
Neville J
Cardiff
Business Mgt (BA)
Covins JW
Northumbria
Mechanical Engineering (BSc)
Ononeze ID
Nottingham
Fin, Acctg and Mgt (BA)
Cuthbert S
Hull
Criminology (BA)
Packham BA
Cumbria
Outdoor Education (BA)
Davy R
Bristol
Italian and Spanish (BA)
Pearson F
Swansea
Law (LLB)
Farr S
Edinburgh
Medicinal and Biol Chem (MSc)
Phillips SC
Cardiff
Philos and Relig Studies (BA)
Frere JV
Leeds Met
Business and HRM (BA)
Rigby J
Manchester Met
Sports Science (BSc)
Gap Year
Richie Bland J
Northumbria
Events Management (BA)
Construction Mgt (Fdn)
Roberts JJ
Hull
Chemistry (BSc)
Gap Year
Robinson MCW
Oriel, Oxford
English Lang and Lit (BA)
Roper J
Northumbria
Building Services Mgt (BSc)
Gaven N Gibson J
Newcastle College
Gruenig J Harrison AR
Birmingham
Chemical Engineering (MEng)
Harrison KV
Newcastle College
Foundation Studies in Art (Fdn)
Harrison MJ
Manchester
Chemical Engineering (MEng)
Rutter D
Newcastle
Rural Studies (BA)
Hau W
Leeds Met
Business Studies and HRM (BA)
Sayer J
York
Physics with Bus Mgt (BSc)
Hooker J
York
Biol with Year in Europe (BSc)
Spark TRG
Reading
Economics (BA)
Huck J
Lancaster
Law and Criminology (BA)
St Leger-H’bone SM Dundee
Primary Ed (MA)
Jenkins M
Hull
Psych & Crimin (BA)(2011)
Steer-Richards M
Gap Year
Jongschaap F
Aberdeen
Physiology (BSc)
Thompson DJ
Newcastle College
Construction Mgt (Fdn)
Jordan AJ
Bishop Burton
Agriculture (Fdn)
Truby WJ
UCL
Physics (MPhys)
Keighley H
Bristol
Chem with Ind Experience (BSc)
Turnbull KL
Harper Adams
Agriculture (BSc)
Kelly M
Darlington College
A levels
Vernon HS
Hull
Electrical Engineering (BEng)
Khastgir A
Grey, Durham
Mol Bio and Biochemistry (BSc)
Waldin O
Manchester
Medicine (MB, BS)
Knox OT
Manchester Met
Eng, Film and TV Studies (BA)
Watson M
Sheffield
Chemistry (MSc)
Langston C
Northumbria
Sport, Ex and Nutrition (BSc)
Weir T
Larcombe J
Warwick
History of Art (BA)
Wheeler AH
Sheffield
Civil Eng (MEng)
Lau CL
Trinity, Cambridge
Engineering (MEng)
Wilkinson N
Newcastle
Rural Res Mgt (BSc)
Lee Y
York
Acc, Bus Fin and Mgt (BA)
Wong W
Essex
English Lang and Lit (BA)
Leung SCH
Sheffield
Civil and Struct Eng (MEng)
Young VL
Sunderland
Interior Design (BA)
Li A
Family Business
Employment
www.barnardcastleschool.org.uk
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The Opening of A Block The state of the art facility at Barnard Castle School features a dance studio, changing rooms, fitness suites and a hi-tech cricket scoreboard and has cost £800,000. Successful North-East lawyer Charles Atha officially opened the new facility following speech day and prize-giving. Mr Atha has two sons at the school, Jack and Thomas. He said: “Sport is truly inspirational at this school and reflects the core values of the place. It urges all the students to try a bit harder to be that bit better. When I watch school teams play it strikes me that they play with massive commitment, integrity, dedication and courage. They never give up and they do it with a smile on their faces whether they win or lose.”
Official Opening of BCS Squash Courts Old Boys of the School attended the ceremony to witness the sporting heritage continue at Barnard Castle School. Both courts were named after former staff including Harold Birkbeck who was the Headmaster when they were first opened in 1935, and one of the first pupils to use them, Kenneth King, who later became a Housemaster. Teacher and squash coach John Gedye said: “The squash court walls have been fully replastered and, with new flooring, they play exceptionally well. Squash has always been popular at the school, which in its time has produced three international players. In a typical week we coach between 60 and 90 boys and girls, everyone from 11 to 18, so demand remains high. The courts will also be used by Barnard Castle Squash Club making it a true community facility, which is great.” Old boys Gerry Camozzi, Alan Wilkinson and Peter Hodges attended the opening and were impressed with the new facility. “We just had the one court at first and it was very very cold,” recalled Gerry. Peter added: “There used to be condensation on the wall which the ball would skid off, so this new facility is impressive. Alan added: “We never played another school side and always played against adults. We were very good and even beat the pro from Catterick as we were so fit.”
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Barnardians Reconnected
Your News 2010 Martin Bishop - will be appearing in ‘The Rivals’ in Bath at the time of the London Dinner. Martin recalls appearing in Gilbert and Sullivan productions whilst at school. A few years ago he spent 2 months working in India playing English roles in an Indian extravaganza about the birth of India. Sean Virgo. We recently heard, via Roger Bishop (1952-59), that Sean emigrated to Canada many years ago. He has made a name for himself in Canadian TV and is a novelist of some distinction. Sean has a TV programme called ‘Middle of Somewhere’ which involves interviewing interesting local personalities. Sean attributes much of his success to his former English teacher, Alan Wilkinson. Selvyn Telfer. Mr Telfer’s daughter recently sent an extract of a copy of her fathers autobiography which we have placed in the archives. I would be more than happy to send a copy to anyone who is interested. He was at School in the ’30s. Ian Paul Stringer lives in Canada and is trying to contact the following old friends: John Wakefield, Mike Williamson, Craig Raine and Ian Porritt. His email address is stringeratdc@hotmail.com Sophie Dobson (1998-2005) recently contacted me with an update of her life so far post Barney: Upon leaving Barnard Castle School in 2005 I went to London to do a degree in Classics. To those who knew me, and my brother and sister, whilst we were at BCS it may not surprise you to learn that music has played a great part of my life in these last years.I auditioned for and was accepted into the prestigious Bach Choir in London. On one normal Monday evening rehearsal I was wearing my Leavers Hoodie, which bears the School Crest on the front. In the break another singing member, Andrew Angus came up and asked if it was I who had gone to Barnard Castle School. He then quoted the School Motto to me and said that he had been in York House at BCS from 196975.Being in the Bach Choir has given me the opportunity to sing at great venues from The Royal Albert Hall to Sydney Opera House. On several occasions I have sung for Royalty, sometimes at a public concert, and twice privately at St James’ Palace for our Patron, Prince Charles. Perhaps most exciting of all I have been to Abbey Road Studios to record the Soundtracks of some recent films; Dreamworks’ Shrek the Third Disney’s The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian and only a few months ago I recorded the music for Ridley Scott’s new film Robin Hood. I even recorded some music for a Car TV advert written by one-hit-wonder Chesney Hawkes! Richard and Joanne Elliott (nee Brown) welcomed their first child, a daughter, into their family in September 2009. Congratulations. Eric Hardy recently wrote ‘I rarely get to Barney these days. My only remaining contact is Alan Wilkinson who is a lifelong friend and, as well as being a classmate, was best man at our wedding and godfather to one of our sons.My father, Charles Hardy, was a master at the school for most of his working life and he, with my mother, ran the Prep School for some years. My last visit to the school was about 14 years ago to hand over a portable communion set to the chaplain in their memory and look at a brass memorial plaque on the screen in the chapel. Ken Proud is looking for Robert Daniel Smith who started Prep School with him in 1955/56. If you can help please contact the OB Sec.
Our congratulations go to: Peter R Barker, Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (Aberdeen) Tom W Walshaw, Bsc Mms in Anatomy (Intercalculating), First Class Honours (Aberdeen) Natalie J Wilkinson, Master of Arts English (Aberdeen) Alice Milner, First Class Honours, Classics, and recipient of Senior Johnson Prize awarded for best undergraduate degree in Classics, Ancient History and Archaeology (Newcastle). Adrian Barron, First Class Honours, Transport Design (Coventry) www.barnardcastleschool.org.uk
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Engagements We are pleased to announce the engagement between Martin Burgess (Da 1988-95) and Lesley Shorthouse, who is the assistant Housemistress of Marwood and teaches in the Sports Dept.
Weddings On April 10th, 2010 Claire Ewart (Marwood 2001) married Benjamin Cox in the Chapel, Barnard Castle School. Given away by her father, Headmaster David Ewart, the stunning bride was attended by six bridesmaids including three OBs - her sister Jane, Alice White and Emma Honess.
Congratulations to Stuart Walker and Lorna Noble who married in October in Hutton Magna, Richmond.
Christenings The baby daughter, Amelia, of OB Matthew Hodges (198996) was christened in the School Chapel on May 30th. A number of other OBs were present at this very special service. Aunties Gemma and Anna Hodges, David Hamilton, Robert Armitage and of course the proud grandfather Peter Hodges
Note from the Secretary: do please send in your photos for inclusion in the newsletter and Barnardians Reconnected.
Old Barnardians’ Masonic Lodge The Old Barnardian Lodge is in good heart and has continued to go from strength to strength over the last few years. We still have a good supply of applicants for membership. Attendance at meetings is above average and visitors, especially Old Barnardians, are very welcome. It is now nearly 20 years since the lodge was founded and with membership currently at around 60 the lodge has built up a reputation as a very friendly and inviting one, whether you are a visitor or someone who is new to freemasonry. The Royal Arch Chapter is also progressing well with a strong membership, as well as our normal activities we are pleased to be able to support the extra-curricular activities of the School with direct gifts and various fund raising activities. Any Old Barnardian, member of staff (academic or support) or close relation of an Old Barnardian is eligible for consideration as a member. Full details can be obtained from: Ellis Leatherbarrow, 5 Abbey Road, Darlington, DL3 7RA. 01325-486745 e-mail: ellis.leatherbarrow@virgin.net Paul. H. E. Jarvis, 3 The Heights, Cotman Road, Norwich, NR1 4BZ, 01603-664553 e-mail: paulhejarvis176@btinternet.com (Chapter) 20
Barnardians Reconnected
Obituaries The thoughts and prayers of the whole Barnard Castle School community are extended to the family and friends of those Old Barnardians no longer with us. May they rest in peace. John H. Stayman (1954-61York). Died in September 2010 in Spain where he had lived for a number of years. Lt Col Allan Corner (1944-51). Allan was Head Boy and in York House) Allan Corner died on 17th August 2010 at the age of 77 after an adventurous career flying with the Army Air Corps. He was born at Newbottle, County Durham, on 14th December 1932 and was educated at Barnard Castle School, where he was head boy. He was offered places at two Oxbridge colleges but decided to go to Sadhurst. After being commissioned he was posted to the 22rd Parachute Regiment in Egypt and subsequently took part in the Suez campaign. Flying to Libya, his Auster developed engine problems and he put down in the desert where he managed to carry out repairs before completing his journey – only to be told he had put down in an uncleared minefield. During French Bastille Day celebrations. Allan was taking part in a fly-past at Dinard and flew in so low that a tricolour on a flagpole became wrapped around his aeroplanes wheels. Recovering the trailing flag with his foot, he duly presented it to the assembled dignitaries with as much composure as he could muster. After a posting to Canada as a flying instructor in 1968 he returned to England to take command of the Parachute Brigade Squadron at Farnborough. On one occasion, whilst piloting the SAS freefall team, the team leader accidentally ignited a smoke grenade inside Allan’s Auster. With the aircraft filled with a billowing cloud of red smoke, Allan spiralled down and landed on the main runway. The crowd, believing that was part of the display, applauded with enthusiasm. Meanwhile, Allen emerged from the Auster dyed bright red from head to toe. Allan subsequently moved to the Interservice Hovercraft Unit at Lee-on-Solent and following promotion to lieutetantcolonel he moved to Verden on BAOR as commanding officer of 1st Regiment Army Air Corps. He retired in 1988 and became regimental secretary of the AAC. In 1956 Allan married Joyce Plews who survives him with their two sons and two daughters. Colin Greetham (staff, 1953-65) Alan Wilkinson wrote the following obituary: Colin Greetham, who taught at our school from 1953 to 1965, died peacefully in May 2010, aged 80, surrounded by his family.” Peacefully” is not a word that would generally be applied in any form to Mr Greetham by people who knew him during his working life or in his leisure pursuits. He was vibrant, energetic and enthusiastic in all that he did. He had the great teacher’s virtue of being able to pass that enthusiasm on to others and to raise the level of their achievements at history, cricket, rugby and, perhaps most of all, at choral music. The initials G.C.G. will remind hundreds of readers of Mr Greetham’s years as Tutor and then House Master of York House, where to the characteristics listed above he added sympathy and understanding. He also expected high endeavour and loyal co-operation .He made an immense contribution to school music, particularly to the chapel choir whose singing rose to a wonderfully high standard which gained international recognition. Her Majesty’s Inspectors on how to promote choral music in schools, came to Barnard Castle to hear the choir sing and to receive advice from Mr Greetham himself. In his leisure hours he played cricket for the town 1st X1 and in his personal friendships he was lively and jolly. His connection with Barney lasted for the rest of his life. In 1963, Colin married Miss Rosemary Gardner who was Housekeeper and Caterer at the school, a marriage which continued until his death. He was Head of History at Fettes College (1965-71) and became Headmaster of Bishop’s Storford in 1971 where, in the course of his headship, he appointed two of his former colleagues at B.C.S. (Rev’d B.H.Talbot and G.W.Naylor) and two Old Barnardians (J.D.Pittuck and C.P.Birnie). On his retirement in 1984, Colin and Rosemary went to live in Scotland, in Huntley and, latterly in Elgin. www.barnardcastleschool.org.uk
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David Gavin Lund (1951-59) passed away on May 30th 2010. His brother Peter wrote the following: ‘David has lost his long and courageous fight against Parkinson’s disease. Due to the exemplary care given by the Magnolia Court Care Home, David maintained a stable condition for the last 3 yrs of his life. David spent most of his working life at UCS, becoming Head of English. He was a fine teacher, much admired by students and colleagues alike. He took control of the Voluntary Service Dept raising money for OAP trips out, providing their Christmas Lunch and arranging Old Time Music Halls for their entertainment. David was a very gifted jazz pianist and was active on the London jazz scene, playing many venues including the Pizza Express. Before joining UCS he was much involved with the Cambridge Footlights and was musical director for the 1967 Revue, produced by Clive James, to which he also contributed and performed comedy material. He was a regular attendee at Hampstead Parish Church and a great supporter of the Friends of Music. He was Chairman of the Church’s 18-30 Sunday Club which featured local celebrity speakers, including Peter Cook. David and I enjoyed some success as writers for TV and radio. Some of the many programmes we contributed to were ‘I’m sorry I’ll read that again’, ‘Beyond Belief’, ‘Dave Allen at Large’, ‘Don’t Ask Us’, and ‘Battle of the Sexes’. In 1975 David held the first of his legendary Thursday Jazz concerts which were to last for 25yrs. He featured some of the great international jazz names such as James Moody, Herb Geller and Bud Shanks (sax). Harry ‘Sweets’ Edison, Ruby Braff and Art Farmer (cornet), Al Haig, Dill Jones and Ray Bryant (piano) and vocalists Adelaide Hall, Maxine Sullivan and Blossom Dearie. Top British bands such as Humphrey Littleton and Ronnie Scott. All of these concerts supported individual charities and David raised thousands of pounds for good causes. In 1995 David was awarded the prestigious BBC Jazz Society Award for his outstanding services to jazz music. David did not confine his presentations to jazz, he also featured a ‘Who’s Who of the top names in show business’. Using his Footlights connections and with much help from Barry Cryer (UCS parent) and Nicholas Parsons (friend) some of the stars who were persuaded to appear were Frankie Howerd, Rolf Harris, Ronnie Corbett, Griff Rhys Jones, Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie, Maureen Lipman and Roy Castle. The UCS Theatre has now been named the ‘Lund’ Theatre in his honour. Davids funeral service was held on June 10th in Hampstead Parish Church. It was attended by ex colleagues, students, university friends and neighbours. He will be missed by countless number of people to whom he was such a special person. David Pybus, David Wilberforce and Michael Carr, all OBs, were also able to attend the funeral. Robert Leslie Dodsworth (1947-54) Bob was born in Darlington in 1936 and attended Barnard Castle School in the early 1950’s before going on to Kings College, Newcastle where he took an economics degree couse. In 1957 he joined the accountancy practice of Peat Marwick and Mitchell Darlington before transferring to the firm’s London Office. In 1962 he wanted a change in direction and entered the industry sector, eventually joining Ransomes, Sims and Jefferies (known today as Ransomes Jacobsen) as chief accountant. Bob served as chief executive for 16 years and in 1970 he oversaw the early development of Ransomes Europark, the major commercial centre of Ipswich. He was chairman of Ransomes’ subsidiary companies. He held several nonexecutive directorships – the Ipswich Building Society, Ipswich Port Authority, the East Anglian Daily Times Group and the Eastern Regional board of National Westminster Bank Plc. He was on the board of Christchurch Park Hospital for over 20 years, the last eight as chairman. In 1988 he was made a Deputy Lieutenant of Suffolk. Bob passed away peacefully in hospital on January 6th 2010. His funeral was held at Rushmere St Andrew Church in Ipswich on 22nd January 2010. He is sadly missed by his wife Hazel, sons John and Simon and his five grandchildren. Malcolm Henderson, who left school in 1959, passed away in February 2009. Mr Henderson was third generation - his grandfather was one of the first students at the school. Gp Capt BE Nicols (1942-47) passed away on 25/1/10 after a long illness.
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Barnardians Reconnected
R Tulloch. Mrs Tulloch wrote to let us know that her husband died on 10/10/07. He started at Barney in the 1940s. He won the Barney Junior Run and played rugby for the School. After school he went to Houghal Agricultural College and then in to farming. In 1957 he joined his father in the family business. He married Sheila in 1958. They had 3 children and their son Richard was also a pupil at Barney. CJC Dovey (1964-71) passed away on 2/12/09 from a heart attack. Selvyn Walker Telfer (1933-39) passed away aged 87 in late 2009. His daughter wrote: I know he was very proud to be an OB and until the last year or two attended events at ‘Barney’ whenever he could. Richard Leonard (York, 1974-83) was tragically killed in an air accident near Bladon, Oxfordshire on 15th January 2010, a week before his 45th birthday. He leaves his wife Karen and their 2 children Emily and Sam. The following words are written by his brother David (1973-81) Richard was born in North Borneo, and was brought up in Malawi, Fiji, Jamaica and Lesotho during his school years. He joined his older brother as a boarder, starting at the Prep school, and was in York House during Kenneth King’s time as House Master. He made the most of his School life and enjoyed his time there, becoming involved in most sports and activities. He was school swimming Captain and a Monitor. Later he excelled at water skiing, surfing and windsurfing. He played golf whenever time allowed and loved travelling. He and his family often visited South Africa so they could regularly visit Karen’s family.He qualified as a Landscape Architect at Leeds. Following that he worked in Cape Town for a couple of years, where he met Karen. They returned to the UK and over the years lived in various small villages near Banbury in Oxfordshire. In his mid twenties he formed a successful Landscape Architecture Practice with 3 other Partners, and 6 years ago he and a Partner formed Aspect Landscape Planning, which has grown to become a very successful business with 40 staff and work in the UK and overseas. Richard’s passion in recent times was his flying. He flew a helicopter and light aircraft, and he and his flying instructor, a commercial pilot who was also killed in the accident, had become close friends and business partners, recently setting up a charter company together.It is Richard’s personal qualities that will be remembered most by his family and many friends – he lived life at a hectic pace, always enthusiastic, generous, loyal and upbeat, always one to make friends and always at the centre of whatever was going on. Those who knew Richard may like to visit his company’s website, www.aspectlp.co.uk to view the very many tributes to him. Edward (Eddy) Robson (1950-56, North)
Edward Robson, one of Hexham’s most colour characters, died in September 2009 after a short illness, at the age of 70years. He was a butcher, farmer and rugby legend. He attended Barnard Castle School and then Kirkley Hall Agricultural College at Ponteland before serving his farming apprenticeship years at West Nubbock and Lowes farms in Hexhamshire. His background in livestock farming proved invaluable when he went to the family farm at Rowley Head which he ran for 25years with his father (also Edward). When his father took ill he was thrust into the meat trade. Edward was the third generation to run the family butchery business, originally in the West End and later in Cattle Market. He was well respected in the business and won the prestigious title of national butcher of the year. He subsequently worked for a mineral supplements business. He maintained his link with agriculture and was instrumental in reviving the former Tyneside Agriculture Show in the mid-1980s becoming the society’s president. This developed into the region’s biggest one day evernt, the Northumberland County Show. The love of his life was Tynedale Rugby Club. He was first a flanker for the first XV and then captain of the second XV before becoming a selector and member of the committee. In 1988 he became president. With two or three others, he formed a sub-committee to complete the purchase of Tynedale Park. This started the move from Hexham and the construction of the new clubhouse at Corbridge. In 2007 he was made honorary life member of Tynedale Rugby Club and was amongst the crowd two days before he died. Edward’s funeral took place at Hexham Abbey when his coffin was carried by six former captains of Tynedale Rugby Club. He survived by his mother, Margaret and leaved sons Edwardm James and Simon and daughter Katherine.
www.barnardcastleschool.org.uk
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Peter James Alan McDowall (1946-53) died suddenly on Thursday 19/11/09. His brother sent the following obituary: Born in Galloway in south west Scotland went to BCS in 1946 and left in 1953 joining Durham House. He became a monitor and played in the 1st XV. He read Mechanical Engineering at King’s College Newcastle. His National Service was with REME, mainly in Germany and he later served in the Territorial Army for several years. His entire working life with CA Parson’s and its subsidiaries in Newcastle - on the production side before moving into Personnel: he finished with Reyrolles in Team Valley, retiring in 1994. He is survived by Pam, his wife of 47 years, their daughters, Lynne and Alison and five grandchildren. Anthony Peter Morley (1952-60). We have been informed by Anthony’s brother, Mike (1950-58), of his death on 25/10/2009. The Club Chairman, Gerry Camozzi, was able to represent the Club at the funeral. William Michael Craig. Passed away 20/9/09. Norman Jackson (1930-32) The following obituary is by Alan Wilkinson: Public tributes have been paid in Barnard Castle to Norman Jackson who has died at the age of 94. An Old Barnardian, he entered the school in 1930 and in the days of regional functions he was a familiar figure at Teesside Dinners. Mr Jackson was a long-serving member of the former Barnard Castle Urban District Council and was Chairman in 1954 and 1971. When a new system of local government was introduced in 1974, Councillor Jackson helped to form Barnard Castle Town Council and served as Town Mayor in 1975-6. For several years he was on the Board of Governors of the school but had to relinquish this position when he became manager of a branch of a pharmaceutical firm supplying supplies to the school sanatorium (the charitable status of the school ruling out the connection).Various associates described Mr Jackson as “a good councillor”, “first class at his job as a chemist” and “a fine Methodist”. He will also be remembered as a sensitive and humorous man. His sons, Anthony and the late Peter were pupils at the school in the 1950s and 1960s. Mrs Marjorie Heywood (Sister, 1950-64) obituary written by Alan Wilkinson: Mrs Marjorie Heywood, formerly Sister in the school Sanatorium, died on 24th June 2008 aged 90. She was the widow of the late Michael Heywood who, for over 40 years, was a member of the school’s administrative staff. When Michael was interviewed for the post of Assistant Bursar during World War11, Mrs Heywood was asked if she would help in the San. She did so, and from 1950 to 1964 was Sister-in-Charge. Many former boys and members of staff will remember her kindness, her devotion to duty and, when required, her firmness too. The Heywood family had further connections with the school: three sons, Michael, David and the late Peter were all pupils in the 1950s and 1960s. Peter afterwards became a member of the school’s ground staff. (Their sister, Margaret, could not join them at the school as it was not co-educational then!). David Norman Walton (1945-52), MA (Oxon), passed away 26/04/10.
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Barnardians Reconnected
Please register on our very own website. Through this you will be able to re-connect with old friends, keep up to date with OB and School news offer professional services, network. www.barnardcastleschool.org.uk Scroll to bottom of page and click on Old Barnardians Click on Barnardians Reconnected Register.
The Barney Bulletin The Barney Bulletin is a new publication which allows students to showcase their work and comment on school events in a journalistic style. It also contains items contributed by staff alerting parents and friends to forthcoming school occasions. The contributors are primarily students who work on their articles in Activity Time and the publication is edited by Mrs Amanda Gorman each week. If you would like to read the Bulletin you can do so on the School website www.barnardcastleschool.org.uk
DIARY DATES Sat 15th Jan 2011 – Committee Meeting 10.30am Sat 9th April – OB Spring Ball 7pm Sat 7th May – Committee Meeting 10.30am Sun 3rd July – Barnardian Day 10.30am Sat 10th Sept – Committee Meeting 10.30am Sun 11th Sept – Golf Day, BC Golf Club 11am Fri 14th Oct – London Dinner, East India Club. 7.30 for 8pm www.barnardcastleschool.org.uk
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Lost Contacts We have lost contact with the following 250 Old Barnardians! Please contact the Old Barnardians secretary if you are able to help us re-connect. EJD Adrienne P Anderson B Anshumen J Arnold J Asham GR Atkinson L Baday Robert Bailey TML Ball K Barningham D Baron AE Bartlett AM Bell JI Bell TD Bell AJ Bell JL Birckbeck HE Bishop I Black PM Black PC Blacken MW Belvins DW Boardman DM Bourne Lewis Crane Mrs FL Davies Fuller G Deacon JC Dennis Miss H Diack LA Dickson PBJ Hodgson Tom Hopper Dr Horrell J Houlden Mrs E M Dunn Lawrence Eaglen N Ip Richard Irving A J Jackson JW Jackson Le Jeffries AM Johns RL Johnson CPG Jolliffe Christopher Jordan ASA Key SA Kidd PJ Kitchen Shaun Knoulson K Koon D Lawrence MA Lawton JM Layzell DM Lee Miss K E Leech 26
80-86 51-57 86-94 67-73 34-38 86-91 93-04 90-92 47-54 02 66 63-70 75-80 47-54 60-64 79-89 82-85 02 04-06 96 94 00 03 07 76-83 63-71 92-94 98-05 01 79-87 58-69 35-38 77-80 87-90 00 87-96 84-91 85-87 00 72-77 86-94 89-91
AN Campbell IJ Campbell NA Campbell DH Carter CJ Cavanagh-Willis EG Chambers FA Chan TF Chan NJ Charnley H Chi JE Chitton K Choi C Chow AN Christan J Chu W Chu AJ Clark Dr F Clark A Clayton MP Clemmett James Connelly S Cook MJ Cowie SJ Brenkley S Brevis DR Brown CE Bunce REC Butcher G Cakder DM Dinwiddie AM Dixon JM Dixon MS Dodsworth J Dowden Miss G Hymers TA Eaglen AB Earl JL Evenden CG Forster Miss HJ Forster MJ Fowler RA Fox Matthew Francis Miles Frankland S Gate R Golding Rev I Goversall DJ Graddol JA Granger JR Grant NC Grant Dr AM Gritfin DH Haine Miss M Hardesty Miss K E Hartley
Barnardians Reconnected
73-83 79-84 84-91 84-91 82-87 ‘00 01 81-83 02 02 86-93 01
68 95-96 96 71-75 96-98 00 02 00 82-89 88-94 02 01 81-88 77 03 03 80-84 91-99 97-04 82-92 64-70 87-94 70-80 98
SN Leung J Li James Limb Thomas Liu WB Lodge E Magus SD Pope JM Pragnell TO Rainbow Ben Randall CJ McGill T Meikle E Middleton ARO Miller GE Milliden Miss LJ Milner CA Moore LA Moore T Mudd SE Mulholland PA Murray DA Newton JG Nicholls V Nicholson J Nordenfeldt Miss Helen Ormendy Julian Ormendy IG Parker MS Smith Miss T Spurr SL Peace JL Philipson SC Phillips Miss Harriet Pope Miss Rachel Pope RM Teasdale Na Thexton A Thompson W Thompson PW Thompson AR Thornton Miss F Tone Miss W Tong Dr SH Wilson SIA Wilson Philip Wiper Anson Wong Sui Hong Wong W Wong Miss W Wong SD Woods AP Wray D Wright Miss Emma Wardrop D Warnock-Smith DG Waugh KT Wheeler NR Whitewick D Wilford
01 01 86-96 95-99 42-49 94 00 79-89 74-84 00 87-91 00 90-98 62-71 03 49-55 76-87 87-92 82-85 64 91 88-90 85-92 83-89 87-94 92-94 90-92 95-97 93-95 01 53-58 00 54-61 86-89 93-95 61-68 81-89 88-97 00-05 94-96 01 03 65-79 80-83 93-95 94-98
D Harvey SP Hendry A Higgins RP Hill Angus Macfarlane SC Main R Manners SO Manners Miss Kelly Marshall A Rapson CM Rayner M Reyer BL Richardson Ben Richardson Mrs J Riley Stephanon Andrew Robinson Dr E Robson Miss Rebecca Royall Sarah Royall TD Sanderson MA Sarsfield JF Schmeisser Mrs V A Sciulli M Shaw Mrs AC Shelley(westgarth) David Stesmith DH Slater KG Small A Parry JM Payne R Stacey PAR Stanyon Miss SG Stephenson Alex Stewart AS Taylor DA White Miss J E Wilkie MR Wilkin RH Wilkins Dr R W Williams MJ Williamson JF Wilson Miss W Underwood S Waddell JD Waind Richard Wakefield G Walker RA Walker RDE Walker R M Walker S Wallis Mirjam Wong JD Ward Laura Wardrop J Watson Andrew Wheeler Mr White GP Whitfield
www.barnardcastleschool.org.uk
74-84
77-85 78-82 02 93-95 60-67 87 49 90-97 84-89 97-04 68-76 93-95 93-95 55-62 63-68 03 56-63 82-84 98-05 58-54 88-90 54-91 02 88-89 87-95 79-83 70-75 53-60 56-63 89-90 75-82 86-97 61-66 73-81 88-98 03-05 80-83 96-98 00-03 81-84 86-93
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OLD BARNARDIANS LONDON DINNER FRIDAY 14TH OCTOBER 2011
East India Club, St. James Square Cost: tba (approx ÂŁ50) Please lodge expressions of interest with the OB Sec. djones@barneyschool.org.uk
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Barnardians Reconnected Design & Print: www.refprint.co.uk
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