The Bugle - Spring 2025

THE

Old Boltonians’ Association 1895 - 2025

BUGLE

Spring 2025

Development Team

Old Boltonians’ Association 1895 - 2025

CONTENTS 2

Stay in Touch

2

Stay Connected

2

Bolton School Merchandise

3

Welcome Messages

4

Foundation News

4

Distinguished Service Award: Charles Winder

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Continuing Support

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School News

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Lorraine Dewhurst Development Assistant Laura Firth Director of Development, Alumni Relations and Marketing Frances Johnson Development Officer Rebecca Kendrick Development Assistant Emma Metcalfe Development Manager

Inspiring the Next Generation: 8

Mia Wild Development Officer

Tillotson Lecture: Mobeen Qureshi Jonathan Livingstone: The Secrets of London

Stay Connected

Antony Lilley Inspires Ed Scott Enthuses Elite Athletes 10

Old Boys Working with Animals

13

Chess Grandmaster Nigel Short

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Alumni of the Year

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Bolton Wanderers: Julian Darby

15

Six Half-Marathons for Dad: Thomas Relph

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Staff in the Spotlight: Mr Kyle, Mr Winstanley

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Driving Ukraine: Kristian Smith

19

Mailbag

20

Events

24

Alumni Authors

25

The Bolton Alumni Network

26

Old Boys’ News

29

Sports

30

Destinations of Leavers 2024

Rebecca Brayshaw Head of Development

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We hope you enjoy being kept up-to-date with what is happening at School and within the Old Boy community as much as we value the opportunity to stay connected to you. If your contact details have changed, or if you have not yet let us know your communication preferences and wish to continue hearing from School, then please contact the Development Office as soon as possible, or complete the Alumni Communications Update form found in the ‘Alumni and Giving Back’ section of the School website, www.boltonschool.org or by scanning the QR code below.

Stay In Touch www.boltonalumninetwork.com

Archives:

Old Boys and Old Girls (Official)

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Ask the Archivist: School Air Raid Shelters During the Second World War

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Bolton School Alumni

Looking Back

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Memories: World Teacher Day

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Bolton School Memorabilia

36

Lives Remembered

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In Memoriam

38

The Clifford Ingham Fund

38 39

Update to Association Rules Old Boys’ Association Papers

Bolton School Merchandise

A range of three Bolton School branded umbrellas is now available from the School’s online merchandise store. The clear golf (£25 plus P&P) is perfect for the side-lines, the black auto golf (£20 plus P&P) offers great coverage for two and the black folding (auto open and close) (£18 plus P&P) is a great size for all. Each umbrella has the Bolton School crest, so makes the perfect gift for students, parents, Alumni or Friends.

Bolton School Alumni bolton_sch boltonsch boltonschool.me/ bsalumni/albums www.boltonschool.org

Please visit www.boltonschool.org/ our-community/commercial-services to see the full range of Bolton School merchandise and details of how to order.

Please use the QR code below to see the full range of Bolton School merchandise to order.

Development Office l Bolton School l Chorley New Road l Bolton BL1 4PA l T. 01204 434718 l E. development@boltonschool.org 2

Cover image: Line drawing of Bolton School by George Harold Higginson (Boys’ Division Staff, 1940-1958)

WELCOME FROM THE PRESIDENT As I enter the second half of my presidency, I am finding this journey incredibly rewarding. It is inspiring to witness my call for commitment being embraced by so many, reflected in the increased attendance at the December Old Boltonians’ Association Dinner as well as the Cambridge and London Dinners.

Commitment is a value we all learned at this wonderful institution, and I firmly believe it is the foundation of success.

Seeing Old Boys and Girls actively demonstrating this commitment reassures me that we are building a strong foundation for growth in the years to come.

At the recent Dinners, I invited those present to encourage others to attend Alumni events and to reconnect with School.

A significant gap in contact information for Alumni from the 1980s and 1990s has been identified, and unfortunately GDPR regulations make it difficult for the Development Office to reconnect Old Boys and Girls with the School. However, I love a challenge, so I have taken on the task of expanding the database for my own leaving year, 1986. I hope future Presidents will continue this important work.

Beyond this commitment to growth, I have identified two other key areas that require focused attention: • Commitment to the School’s legacy, by supporting education through bursary funding and to the Old Boltonians’ legacy by strengthening Alumni connections through sports such as football, golf, rugby and cricket – several of which now have an annual event at School.

If all Old Boltonians embrace these three key areas – growth, legacy, and guidance – I am certain it will spark a collective sense of optimism and progress, ensuring the continued growth of the Old Boltonians’ Association and of the Alumni family, as well as strong attendance at future events. I sincerely hope you will continue to support me in this mission for the remainder of my presidency and beyond.

Thank you to the Development Office and to each and every one of you who have supported me with your attendance and messages throughout the year. Our collective efforts are making a significant impact on the future of Bolton School.

Finally, to answer the many who have asked: yes, I will be taking on another running challenge this year! Under my alter ego Avocado Ricardo, I will be running 1,200 km with the aim of raising £15,000 for Maggie’s at The Christie in Manchester, a beautiful and calming refuge for those affected by cancer. You can find more details here: https://bit.ly/BBP_Maggies.

• Commitment to guidance – I am delighted to note that more Old Boys than ever are now involved the School’s careers programme and in the Association’s Find Your Path mentoring scheme.

Richard Morris (Class of 1986) Old Boltonians’ Association President, 2024-2025

A MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD OF BOYS’ DIVISION At the start of the academic year I took my family to watch Bolton Wanderers play Huddersfield in what can only be described as a misery for the home team, as they sunk to a 4-0 defeat and a third home game without even scoring a goal. I was therefore delighted to hear that Old Boy Julian Darby (Class of 1986) was chosen to help lead the team following the departure of Ian Evatt, although that scoreline was thrust into view when I realised his first home game was once again against Huddersfield.

But there was to be no repeat of that scoreline, and the tactics were spot on, presumably learnt from his teachers on the levels 40 years ago. I know a great many of you will enjoy the feature on Julian’s exploits as caretaker manager of our town’s club, as well as Martin Wadsworth’s reflections on the Old Bolts’ Football Club’s season. Hopefully, many of you will be inspired to be in contact to join in with the Stevenson trophy on 26th April.

This edition of The Bugle also contains many interesting updates on various Old Boys, and I am sure we have all enjoyed learning more about black pudding from our President who has now featured on prime-time TV. I particularly enjoyed reading about the research of Meric Srokosz (Class of 1972), whose research into algae blooms brought back happy memories of my own undergraduate days (a story for another time perhaps!). I was also pleased to read updates from Charles Jones and Jonathan Ratcliffe who were both in my first Geography class when I joined the School back in 2015 – seeing them embedded into their careers has certainly succeeded in making me feel much older!

Finally, the feature on the air raid shelters from our Archivist is a fascinating piece on the history of the School. I walk past the sign for Shelter 3 every day and I am always amazed by how few boys even notice it is there. The level of engineering required to build the shelters and the effort of a teacher to build 500 seats for them is a fascinating part of the School’s history and this article is definitely worth a read.

The Bugle always shines a light on the various successes and careers of our Old Boys and staff, and it is always great to meet with Alumni to hear about their days in School and their journeys afterwards. I look forward to meeting many more of you, whether that is at a dinner, a careers event or a visit to School: you are always welcome back.

Nic Ford Head of Boys’ Division

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Old Boltonians’ Association 1895 - 2025

FOUNDATION NEWS A Message from the Head of Foundation

As we enter Spring there are the first signs of the daffodils pushing their heads above ground.

Pupils planted an enormous number of bulbs last year, as part of work to help Primary Division pupils to understand nature better and, in the two Senior Schools, as the beginnings of every pupil planting a bulb to mark their time at School. It is hoped these new plantings will continue the wonderful display the crocuses have made outside School for many years.

At Patterdale, the larch plantation is cleared and we will soon begin planting the area known as the King Charles III Woodland with more native species. Meanwhile, works in the woodlands

by Tudor Avenue, renamed the Leverhulme Woodlands to mark the centenary of the life of William Hesketh Lever, have nearly finished, making this an outdoor adventure space for our very youngest pupils from Beech House. More prosaically, but essentially, Spring has brought the news that we have recruited very successfully to the Year 7 that will begin in September: an enormously important moment for the School’s future, following the imposition of VAT in January.

On Friday 2nd May, a Centenary Dinner will be held at School to celebrate the life of Lord Leverhulme, 100 years after his death in 1925, and its impact on the School, on Bolton and more widely. It is entirely appropriate that at that event we will

formally launch the ‘Open Futures’ philanthropic campaign, which aims to restore the progress of the growth of the School’s bursary provision. To accommodate the policy of adding VAT to school fees, our plans to move to one in three on bursaries by 2030 have been stalled at the current one in five. We aim to right that wrong through this campaign and hope that all of our Alumni will support us in that mission.

Next time you visit the School, you will see we have partnered with Thomas Franks, an external caterer, for the first time. Catering colleagues familiar to younger Alumni and remembered with fondness will all continue to be employed by the new caterer. Most importantly, I can reassure you that an important part of the tendering process was their ability to cook the well-known dessert ‘tarmac and fairy liquid’!

Philip Britton, MBE Head of Foundation

Distinguished Service is Rewarded The recipient of the inaugural Head of Foundation’s Award for Distinguished Service to the Old Boltonians’ Association is Charles Winder (Boys’ Division Staff, 1964-1999). On receiving his award at the Joint Old Boys and Old Girls Lunch in February (see page 21), Mr Winder spoke of his pride at receiving the award: “It’s a pleasure to be here again amongst so many Old Boltonians.

“My contact with the School goes back generations and I even played cricket here as a boy. I feature in a 1950s edition of The Boltonian which records a match played at Lytham where Bolton School, much the stronger side, were unable to break a last wicket partnership.

“My teaching career began in London, but I was here by 1964 and once again Bolton School was unable to dismiss me. I was actually called back from retirement on at least two occasions and modern developments in medicine make a century a beguiling possibility.

“Certainly, the School offers many surprises great and small and I felt particularly privileged to receive Philip’s letter about the award some months ago and I feel even more privileged to be here now.

This is the greatest surprise.

“There have been many smaller. On a rare visit to the barber I was aware of someone pushing past me through the door. The barber with whom I used to chat about what he was reading said, “That fellow is leaving in a hurry because he’s been owing you an essay for 40 years!” Should the defaulter be here today with his essay, I am fully prepared to stay behind for another half-hour to go through it with him. This would be in the generous spirit of the occasion.

“Not very long ago I was trying in our garden to assemble an item of equipment from a flat pack. A man working on the house next door watched with interest until he could bear it no longer and volunteered his help. We made the item in no time. Then we started talking. It turned out that his son was an Old Boltonian studying English at Caius College, Cambridge, with an ambition to enter the diplomatic service and he was benefiting from the wonderful scheme initiated in London where Old Boys with wide experience help younger men to meet future challenges. One of

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Mr Britton congratulates Charles Winder and Carol Haslam, who received the Award for Distinguished Service to the Old Girls’ Association

his mentors was Stuart Brooks, one of my early Oxbridge pupils, who has behind him a distinguished career in the service and has visited the School several times in recent years. This chain of circumstances is absolutely typical of many accidental meetings and many occur at the formal gatherings like this one all over the country and have been often recorded in The Bugle and The Boltonian.

“The School’s publications would prompt further commentary and I will simply say how much I enjoyed working on Bolton Boys in Focus with David Shaw and The Best of Both Worlds with Margaret Dickinson and Veronica Millington. The shared activity between Divisions is very much in sympathy with recent developments and I congratulate the Governors and Heads and the Director on progress so far which reflects the intention of the first Lord Leverhulme. Bolton School is one body with many independent parts and I am very lucky to have been one of the small parts. I am grateful, surprised and flattered to have received the award in this very congenial setting.

“How lucky I have been.”

Newsletter Spring 2025

CONTINUING SUPPORT During the 2023-24 academic year, the School community gave donations totalling £2.87 million to support the School and its pupils.

Within that astonishing total, an outstanding £2.54 million was given to support the continued growth of the bursary scheme, including £48,000 donated by 188 families of the Class of 2023, who gifted their child’s deposit back to School in order that subsequent generations of pupils might follow in their child’s footsteps; and a transformational £1.03 million which was bequeathed to the School by four Alumni and Friends who chose to remember the bursary scheme in their wills, and whose legacies collectively provided in-year funding for 100 bursary recipients.

The impact of the School community’s generosity was substantial. During the 2023-24 academic year, the School was able to spend £3.59 million on means-tested bursary funding, supporting 374 children – one in five members of the two Senior Schools – to enjoy a Bolton School education which would otherwise have been out of their reach.

In addition to this significant sum, a further £140,000 was gifted to the School to provide hardship funding for fee-paying families experiencing financial difficulties, with a further £186,000 donated to support a host of other projects and activities benefiting the School and its Alumni. These included the continued operation of the Boys’ Division’s Community Cricket Hub, which provides training facilities and coaching for female cricketers from across the borough; the development of the School’s sports and performance facilities; access to adventure opportunities for pupils in the Boys’ and Girls’ Divisions through the Clifford Ingham Fund; the development of the Leverhulme Woodlands at the outer edges of the Levels; the purchase of a RIB boat at Patterdale Hall; the funding of the Girls’ Division’s annual Platt Fisher Lecture; sponsorship of branded kits and playing tours for many of the School’s senior sports teams; and funded travel, uniform and ancillary costs for a number of bursary recipients.

Thanks to that generosity: • 91 grants were awarded to bursary recipients, from the funds established specifically by donors, in order that every child might take part in the extracurricular trips and activities which make a Bolton School education so special; • 25 fee-paying pupils received hardship funding, to alleviate the financial burdens upon their families during challenging times;

• 11 recent leavers received Leverhulme Centenary Scholarships, to fund their university careers; and • 121 Boys’ and Girls’ Division pupils received 148 separate prizes recognising their academic achievements and commitment to the life of the School.

A Bolton School education can be transformational – a bursary-funded place, even more so.

In August 2024, 50 members of the Class of 2024 completed their time at the School, having received a bursary funded thanks to your generosity. They left having learnt – in their own words – the value of ‘resilience’, ‘teamwork’ and ‘giving back’ to help others, and embark upon their adult lives with ‘confidence’ and ‘determination’.

In the A Level results published that Summer, 54% of those bursary recipients achieved grades A*-B. 39 of them left to take up places at university – including 25 who secured places at the prestigious Russell Group universities – studying subjects as diverse as Philosophy, Politics and Economics, Aerospace Engineering and Medicine. Others were awarded a Degree Apprenticeship or entered employment.

All of their futures are bright, thanks to your support.

“As a result of the support I’ve received through this bursary, I’ve gained more abilities and am more determined than ever to make an impact. I am immensely grateful to be a recipient of this bursary and all the opportunities it has opened for me, and I am committed to making the most of every opportunity that comes my way.”

Class of 2024 Bursary Recipient The Open Futures Campaign for Bursaries Whatever your political perspective, it is inarguable that Bolton School is a force for good in Bolton and beyond. The School is rooted in the community, acts as a lynchpin of Bolton’s civic society and contributes significantly to the local (and regional) economy. Our bursary scheme is nationally renowned for both its scale and delivery. We are proud of the difference the School and its pupils continue to make, and know that Old Girls and Old Boys share our belief that this fundamental part of the School’s ethos must not be eroded, despite the legislative choices of the current Government.

The essential and unavoidable choices that the Governors have made to manage VAT will significantly delay our ambition to grow the bursary scheme to reach one in three young people by 2030.

Prior to this change in policy, the School was entirely on track to achieve this target; instead, now 100 local children will miss out on

a place at the School which they would otherwise have taken as a direct result of these changes.

We know that many Alumni share our drive to ensure this delay must be mitigated as much as possible. In May, the School will launch the Open Futures Campaign for Bursaries, as it endeavours to meet this challenge.

It is the support of Old Girls and Old Boys during the past three decades that has enabled the School’s bursary scheme to grow so significantly. Your collective generosity has changed the lives of thousands of children during that time, and we are determined that that growth must continue.

If you believe, as we do, in the transformative power of a Bolton School education and in the social mobility our bursary scheme enables, then we would be entirely grateful if you would endorse the Open Futures Campaign however you can.

If you would like to learn more about supporting the Open Futures Campaign for Bursaries, simply scan the QR code on the right. Whether you are considering making a one-off donation, establishing a regular gift or remembering the School in your will, your support could make a real difference to the achievement of our ambition to further expand our bursary scheme.

If you would like to discuss your intentions in more detail, please contact Laura Firth, Director of Development, Alumni Relations and Marketing, by calling 01204 434718 or by emailing development@boltonschool.org.

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Old Boltonians’ Association 1895 - 2025

SCHOOL NEWS Burns Night Hits the Right Note The Burns Night Dinner and Ceilidh organised by the Friends of Bolton School (FoBS) was a huge success.

Thank you to the main event sponsor, Destinology, to Cowgills, Scan Computers and Signature Aesthetics for their generous raffle prizes and to everyone else who kindly donated. Over £2,800 was raised, all of which will go towards upgrading pianos across Bolton School.

A Magical Winter Spectacle: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

New School Dinners on the Menu

The Joint Production of CS Lewis’ beloved children’s classic brought joy and inspiration to the festive season, transporting audiences into magical realms while reminding them of the power of imagination, resilience and moral courage.

The production showcased the extraordinary talent of pupils from Years 8 to 13 – while a special guest appearance

by Dr Holland as the voice of CS Lewis and a wartime radio announcer added an extra layer of delight to the production!

Bolton School has embarked on an exciting new partnership with Thomas Franks Ltd, to revitalise catering across the Foundation.

The School’s in-house catering team remains and will play a pivotal role in the provision of a dining experience of the highest quality for pupils, staff and visitors.

School Stories Awards Bolton School is thrilled to have been awarded Best Charity/Outreach Story by Interactive Schools, a digital agency specialising in working with the world’s leading independent schools, for its fundraising efforts to support and uplift street children in Malawi.

After completing a whole-School charity walk at the end of the Summer term last year, the School donated £60,000 to Great Minds Bright Futures, a charity which aims to give Malawian children a better future by providing education opportunities, creating safe spaces for vulnerable children to grow, and supporting them as young adults into work.

The School was also Highly Commended for Best Sports/ Athletics Story after hosting the launch of the Chicago Bears Greater Manchester Girls’ Flag Football League.

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Newsletter Spring 2025

Tenacity of Bolton Sails On Tenacity of Bolton, the ketch built over a nine-year period by the pupils and staff at Bolton School, was gifted to the Tall Ships Youth Trust (TSYT) in 2014.

Now, after completing 127 voyages and supporting more than 770 young people, the boat is to be retired from the TSYT’s fleet as she no longer meets the needs of the organisation. It is hoped that Tenacity will continue voyaging with young people around the UK with another group.

Padel Collaboration Bolton School is partnering with Soul Padel to transform disused shale tennis courts at Leverhulme Pavilion into a state-of-the-art padel facility.

A CGI impression of the proposed

facility

Boys Continue LongStanding Traditions at Gymnastics Finals The annual Gymnastics Finals saw Boys’ Division pupils continuing a tradition stretching back over the past century.

Year 7 boys performed a series of floor movements and balances, while Year 8 boys competed in the vault. The five best gymnasts across each year group competed in two thrilling and closely-matched finals, performing in The Year 7 winners cele front of their peers. brate with Mr For

d

The planned facility will be accessible to both Bolton School students and the wider community, representing a significant investment in local sports and recreational amenities.

Padel, a rapidly-growing racquet sport, is known for its accessibility and social nature. Mark Hewlett, CEO of Soul Padel, a leader in expanding padel across the UK, emphasises the facility’s potential to promote active lifestyles and community engagement. If approved, the centre will offer opportunities for fitness, social interaction and increased participation in the sport.

The Year 8 vaulters put performances

in some incredible

All finalists were commended by the judges, PE staff Mr Johnson and Mr Foy, after completing their performances, and prizes were awarded by Head of Boys’ Division Mr Nic Ford.

Reading for Pleasure Thrives at Bolton School Counter to the recent National Literacy Trust report, which shows that the number of children who read for pleasure continues to decline, pupils at Bolton School are keen readers.

Reading is encouraged through a wide variety of initiatives. The Sparx reader app helps track student engagement, with top readers earning rewards and 98% completion rates.

Weekly reading sessions, book clubs, and Library lessons promote regular reading habits. Year 7 pupils receive Summer reading books, and peer recommendations are encouraged through displays, newsletters, and classroom activities. Author talks, scavenger hunts and clubs like DnD engage students further. The Bolton Children’s Fiction Award allows young readers to vote for their favourite books, while themed Library displays and non-fiction magazines cater to diverse interests, making reading central to School life.

Author talks help pup ils engage more deeply with rea ding and books

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Old Boltonians’ Association 1895 - 2025

Mr Ford was pleased to welcome Mobeen back to School

Inspiring the Next Generation Tillotson Lecture Surgeon, reality TV star and Old Boy Mobeen Qureshi (Class of 2009) returned to Bolton School to deliver the 52nd Tillotson Lecture.

In his address, Mobeen reflected on his journey since leaving the Boys’ Division. He described how the determination and resilience he was taught at School, particularly through sport and extracurricular activities, have enabled him to overcome setbacks and excel in both his medical career and his personal life, including his participation in the BBC’s Race Across the World series.

Prior to the lecture Year 13 student James Parfrey caught up with Mobeen to quiz him about the changes he has seen at School, his career and his recent TV appearance and writes: “In November, we were delighted to welcome Old Boy Dr Mobeen Qureshi back to School, to be speaker at the annual Tillotson Lecture. I had the pleasure of interviewing Mobeen beforehand, to discover more about his life at School and in the workplace as well as, more recently, his experience on BBC’s Race Across the World in 2023.

coronavirus pandemic. While many of us were forced to attend work and school from home, as a key worker Mobeen experienced little change in relation to this aspect. However, the number of patients in a range of serious conditions increased considerably in the pandemic.

“It was fascinating to ask Mobeen about his time at School and the changes the campus has experienced since he left in 2009.

While many of the classrooms and corridors remain the same, the biggest change in this time has arguably been the creation of the Riley Centre for Sixth Form students, to enable greater collaboration and socialisation opportunities between students from both Divisions. Despite some of these changes, it was clear that Bolton School provided an excellent foundation for Mobeen to begin higher education and enter the wider world.

“Last year, Mobeen and his wife took time away from work to compete in the BBC’s Race Across the World, where they had to cross the majority of Canada with little money and no mobile phones. With the vast size of Canada, the culture of giving lifts to strangers is generally more accepted than in Britain. The concept of not repaying a favour, but instead passing it on to someone else, is something that is highly commendable and that we should strive to do in our lives.

“In the 15 years since he left School, Mobeen graduated from the University of Glasgow, after changing from a dentistry to a medicine course, as the latter provided more options for later in life. After graduating in 2015, Dr Qureshi undertook roles in a variety of branches of medicine, before deciding to become a surgeon. His latest role as a trauma and orthopaedic surgeon involves diagnosing and treating conditions of the musculoskeletal system, for example bones, tendons and ligaments. It was particularly interesting to hear Mobeen’s experiences during the

“On a broader scale, Mobeen gave the whole School some valuable advice, from accepting when plans change and having to work with them, to more satirical lessons, such as always checking one’s junk emails to ensure one doesn’t miss an important message from Mr Ford! Nevertheless, it was fantastic to interview and hear from Mobeen at the Tillotson Lecture. I would like to thank Mobeen for taking time to come in to School and share his experiences with us.”

Careers Carousel Boys’ Division pupils in Year 8 were given an insight into the world of work through a series of short presentations and activities. The carousel involved six speakers who each led a fun-based activity relating to their field of expertise, so there was plenty of food for thought!

Guest speakers sharing their career journeys were: Rob De Maine (Class of 2002), a Royal Navy helicopter pilot; performer, actress and singer Jessica Ryan (Class of 2014); Waqqas Patel (Class of 2014) a Surgical Trainee; Detective Constable Morgan Skeels-Caldwell (Class of 2018) of Greater Manchester Police; Peter Johnson (Class of 2019), a presenter at 96.5 Bolton FM and Faye Clarkson (Class of 2023), a Solicitor Apprentice with Weightmans LLP.

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L-R: Peter, Morgan, Faye, Jessica, Waqqas and Rob

Jonathan Shares his Secrets of London The highlight of World Book Day for Junior boys and girls was a visit from author Jonathan Livingstone (Class of 1975).

Jonathan spoke to Park Road and Hesketh House pupils about his book, The Secrets of London. Written when his own children were primary school age, the story focuses on Louise and Michael, siblings who find themselves exploring London with a group of friendly talking animals, including a lion, a polar bear and an eagle. He also shared some of the books that inspired his magical world, from Michael Bond’s Paddington series to a children’s version of Don Quixote, and many more. Afterwards, Year 3 pupils at both schools enjoyed hearing Jonathan read a chapter from The Secrets of London.

Newsletter Spring 2025

World of Work The World of Work talks aim to encourage current pupils to broaden their horizons via a series of Zoom sessions by a range of inspiring Old Boys.

Jay Harland

Adrian Zahir

Jay holds a BSc in Economics from Loughborough University and an MSc in Environmental and Natural Resource Economics from Durham University. He works as a Data Analyst in the Fertilizers team at Argus Media, a leading independent provider of market intelligence for the global energy and commodity market, where his role involves analysing complex data to provide insights to help clients make informed decisions, manage risks and facilitate trading in the energy and commodity sectors.

After leaving School Adrian undertook a degree apprenticeship in Computer Science at the University of Leeds in partnership with PwC. As part of this he undertook placements in consulting, working on multimillion pound transformation projects in the Insurance and Asset Wealth Management sector. Since then he has graduated from the University of Leeds with a First Class degree in Computer Science and has joined Lloyds Banking Group as a graduate software engineer.

(Class of 2018)

(Class of 2020)

Find Your Path The Old Boltonians’ Find Your Path mentoring scheme, well into its eighth year, has seen almost 100 young Old Boys seek advice from mentors as they move into the world of work.

Mentees have sought the support of Alumni from a range of sectors who have walked the same path and are able to offer impartial guidance on transitioning from education to employment or advice on climbing the career ladder. Each mentee has received tailored assistance, with the mentors drawing on their own network of professional contacts to provide value-added insights.

The Find Your Path scheme welcomes applications from young Old Boys considering their next steps, who will benefit from the breadth of experience the mentors have to offer. Please email development@boltonschool.org to find out more.

Luke Cavanaugh (Class of 2018) benefited from the advice of a mentor – he says: “I first enrolled in the Find Your Path mentorship scheme back in my first year of university. On leaving School I had a vague sense of what I wanted to do (join the Civil Service, work in an international organisation), but little sense of how to go about this.

“Connecting with Graham, working through some career mapping exercises with him and getting tips on networking and reaching out to people to find out about their careers has been invaluable. Now, five years on, Graham and I are still in touch and call a few times a year – not only have I made a mentor, but a great friend.”

Ed Enthuses Elite Athletes Ed Scott (Class of 2006) returned to School to meet with Junior Boys’ Elite Athletes and Water Polo Club pupils.

Ed started playing water polo at Bolton School, going on to compete in the 2012 Olympics in London. He is now an anaesthetist doctor, working in surgery. He continues to play waterpolo socially and coaches young adults in the sport.

Anthony Inspires English Students Media and arts producer Anthony Lilley OBE (Class of 1988) visited School ahead of his Prizegiving address in June.

He spoke with English students from Year 13 and Year 10, as well as with students who are involved with the Creatives Now project, about his career journey in the creative industries.

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Old Boltonians’ Association 1895 - 2025

Inspiring the Next Generation Working with Animals: Careers Fuelled by Passion For those who love animals, turning that passion into a career can be a dream come true. From those studying to achieve their ambitions to those with established careers, here we meet seven Old Boys who describe the rewards, challenges and unique experiences that come with their roles.

Cameron Matthews

Jon Hall

Cameron is currently studying Veterinary Medicine at the University of Glasgow.

Jon is a specialist in small animal surgery, working parttime at a veterinary practice and lecturing at the University of Nottingham and further afield.

(Class of 2021)

“Many people say that Veterinary Medicine is a vocation. Everyone you meet, whether at vet school or in practice, has a genuine passion for at least one aspect of the field. Because of the dedication required, many aspiring vets have dreamt of this career since childhood. For me, once I realised around the age of eight that I wasn’t going to be a professional football or rugby player, I set my sights on becoming a vet. I already loved animals: it made sense.

“Academically, my time at Bolton School was mixed. By the end of Year 8 my grades were not those of a prospective vet student, and I struggled to meet the high standards expected. However, Mr Benbow worked wonders both for my GCSE Biology – and for my confidence as a rugby player.

“Biology and Chemistry A Levels are essential for Veterinary Medicine. I chose German as my third subject, encouraged by Mr Catterall, Mr Hiepko and Mr Brace in their own unique ways.

Managing A Levels with a vet application was tough, but my Form Tutor and Biology teacher, Dr Morgan, provided invaluable help. We didn’t always see eye to eye, but without him I wouldn’t be where I am today.

“Despite my enthusiasm, reading relevant scientific papers and articles on current affairs within the profession, I was still very naïve, and performed appallingly in my first mock interview.

However, with Dr Holland’s help with my application, and Dr Proctor and Dr Tranter running the Medicine in the Media society, I improved significantly, and was offered places at three of the four vet schools to which I applied. I chose Glasgow for many reasons. With my mother being from Glasgow, the city already felt like a second home; however, the most exciting factor had to be going to the same vet school as James Herriot (Alf Wight)!

“Since starting vet school, I’ve learnt the most important attribute in this profession is resilience. Things go wrong, both professionally and personally, but these will pass with time. What keeps me going is knowing that eight-year-old me would be proud that I am following my dream. It’s also important to have a good support network. Veterinary medicine isn’t just about cuddling puppies; you will see things you wish you hadn’t, and it can get you down. Having people who will listen makes all the difference.

“For those considering the veterinary profession, my advice would be that experience is key; work at kennels, catteries, farms or equestrian yards, spending time with animals in their natural environment and with animals outside your comfort zone is invaluable. This job isn’t for the weak-hearted, so hands-on experience is the best way to find out if it’s for you. If it is, follow your dream and commit. It isn’t an easy road, but if you are passionate about animal welfare and medicine, it will be worth it.”

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(Class of 1998)

“I left Bolton School for the University of Cambridge in 1998, somewhere I probably would not have considered applying to if it hadn’t been for the kind insistence of Mr Shaw. I decided not to study Biology at A Level, preferring Dr Thatcher’s Physics class and Dr Watson’s always massively entertaining Chemistry lessons. There’s no doubt that Mr Walker’s enthusiasm in teaching Physics and Electronics also meant that I gravitated to these subjects.

Fortunately, and helpfully, a couple of the veterinary courses do not require Biology A Level and six years later (with a degree in Veterinary Medicine and Zoology) I entered the workplace. I was immensely lucky to receive a Popplewell Scholarship which helped immeasurably with funding my way through such a long course and I was also grateful to continue my relationship with the School and benefit from a Scott Bolton Trust grant to study gibbons in Borneo.

“After five years in practice, I trained further at the Royal Veterinary College and back at Cambridge to become a European Specialist in Small Animal Surgery. I now live in Scotland, am a Professor of small animal surgery at the University of Nottingham and Head of soft tissue surgery at Wear Referrals, a specialist hospital in County Durham. I speak regularly at international conferences and frequently publish scientific studies;

I have no doubt that the skills I learned from the fantastic teachers and through the extracurricular opportunities at Bolton School helped my ability and confidence in speaking, hopefully with humour and ease, at these major events about scientific work.

“The sheer variety of my daily work and the multiple roles in which I am able to engage mean that each day is different, fascinating and often remarkable. If you don’t want to sit down, you have an interest in manual dexterity with physical tasks and you have a keen aptitude for science, then veterinary medicine has a wide range of opportunities that can mean being embedded in local communities, be at the forefront of scientific developments and even be involved in government, education or public health. If you are interested, start by talking with a vet who can become a mentor and work hard in the core sciences first to get the grades to successfully enrol on the course, but more importantly prepare you for a wildly varied and enjoyable career.”

Newsletter Spring 2025

Richard Smith

Tom Rigby

Richard is part of a dedicated team of veterinary surgeons at a practice based in South Wales.

Tom runs his family’s farm near Warrington.

(Class of 1992)

“Having spent my formative years growing up around animals on a small holding in Adlington, I declared an intention to be a vet to headmaster Alan Wright at my entry interview for Bolton School. An inevitable focus on the sciences followed, with guidance and motivation from – amongst others – Dr Chambers (Chemistry) and Mr Thompson (Physics) helping me achieve the minimum requirement of three grade As at A Level. These grades, coupled with interview practice from local vet and Old Boltonian Guy Clare (Class of 1987), were still insufficient to propel me to university due to some less impressive GCSE grades in languages.

“Despite this setback, I remained committed and embarked on a hastily-organised gap year, working in a pet shop and a factory before a fantastic volunteering trip, part-funded by the Scott Bolton Trust, to Thailand. With some new-found life experiences under my belt I reapplied successfully the following year and began my studies at the University of Bristol Vet School in 2001.

After the first three years in the city centre, getting the full student experience, I moved to the clinical vet school in Langford just south of the city from where I graduated in 2006 with a degree in Veterinary Science.

“Along the way I met my Welsh wife-to-be and fellow vet, settling in her homeland in Neath, South Wales where we now live with our three daughters. I’ve worked at the same practice since graduation: a 16-vet farm and small animal practice of which I am now part-owner and director. I completed an advanced certificate in small animal surgery three years ago and now spend the majority of my time with a scalpel or drill in hand. Whilst I’ve chosen to specialise in orthopaedic surgery in recent years, I still consider myself to be an all-rounder and in springtime you’re just as likely to find me lambing a sheep as dealing with a Labrador that’s torn its cruciate ligament.

“Being a vet can be both hugely gratifying and challenging: one minute you’re delivering puppies, the next you’re a shoulder to cry on as a family say goodbye to their beloved pet. What it guarantees you is tough decisions, late nights and anxiety, but coupled with a job that is beautifully varied and often rewarding.

“My two younger daughters feel determined to follow their parents’ career choice, but when I asked my eldest daughter if she wants to be a vet, she replied: ‘No chance! I’d much rather have a normal job.’ It’s certainly not for everyone!”

(Class of 1972)

“I was born and raised on a small traditional mixed farm in Lowton near Warrington. On the sideboard were my father’s cups for ploughing and my grandfather’s medals and awards for excellence in farming. Neither had much time for schooling and thought all I needed to know could be learnt on the farm.

“My mother had different ideas: she thought farms like ours might have had their day – the one where she was born had been requisitioned as an army base during the war and was now the HQ of UK Atomic Energy Authority with all the surrounding land developed – and she thought it important that I got good qualifications for a life outside farming.

“Fortunately, our local church organist and long-time family friend Clifford Ingham (BD Staff, 1942-1970) persuaded them all that Bolton School would be the right place for me and I am very glad he did.

My inspiration and love of Physics came from ‘DES’ Shaw (Boys’ Division Staff, 1964-2002) and John (‘Isaac’) Newton (Boys’ Division Staff, 1966-1970), with a limited amount of Chemistry from Peter Wilde (Boys’ Division Staff, 1968-1973). After a degree in Physics at the University of York I came back to the farm; my sister had just completed her degree in Agriculture, but life took her in a different direction and I have been here ever since.

“Many have told me they consider it a waste of a good education, but Clifford never did; for all his many achievements I think he would have been as happy just being a farmer – I still remember the pride on his face when showing me how well his potatoes had grown one year.

“I have never won prizes for my farming (now mostly dairy) other than a commendation for green energy: we have solar thermal, solar PV and wind turbine with battery storage. Farming itself is basically about capturing sunlight and turning it into something useful – we are organic and minimise fossil fuels as it is using ancient sunlight so not sustainable.

“Clifford never taught me himself (other than RE lessons which consisted just of him reading Quo Vadis aloud – he could never remember where he was up to and one week we conned him into reading the same chapter twice). He occasionally offered me a lift home along with dustbins full of school meal leftovers for his pigs.

“After Clifford died his grandson worked here for a while and I got to ask him how many of the legends told about Clifford were true. It seems all of them were: his car did once fail its MOT for being so smelly no mechanic would go near it, and he really did castrate pigs with his teeth, dental enamel being kinder to young piglets than using metal.

“I can’t offer career advice, but if anyone wants to know why I believe the world will always need farmers, please do get in touch (tom.rigby2@btopenworld.com).”

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Old Boltonians’ Association 1895 - 2025

Inspiring the Next Generation Working with Animals: Careers Fuelled by Passion (cont) Joseph Winrow

Morgan Camm

Joe is an equine veterinarian.

Morgan is studying Veterinary Medicine at the University of Nottingham.

(Class of 2015)

“I completed my time at Bolton School in 2015, after taking Biology, Chemistry and Geography at A Level. I then went on to study Veterinary Science at the University of Liverpool that September.

“Since graduating in 2020 I have worked in first opinion equine practice in Lancashire, with a six-month stint in New Zealand as the sole vet on a large thoroughbred stud farm. My job includes all aspects of equine practice, but I do have a particular interest in reproduction, hence the stereotypical photo.

“My A Level choices were determined by both my personal interests and the universities’ requirements, and I believe the teachers I had inspired a keen interest and a desire to learn, providing great support along the way.

“The progression into Veterinary Science was a somewhat natural transition for me, having always had an interest in the sciences and spending many of my younger years around animals. As mentioned previously, the continued support from the staff at Bolton School, including Dr Holland, Dr Yates and Mr Tillotson, to name but a few, was invaluable in preparing me for the university application process and further education beyond.

“Extracurricular sporting and musical commitments throughout my years at School helped to prepare further me for my time studying in Liverpool. I continued to play water polo for the University team, allowing me to keep fit and socialise outside of the intense veterinary environment. It also helped to instil a sense of camaraderie, which is essential in what is a potentially stressful profession.

“Probably the most important skills needed to succeed within the veterinary industry are a combination of academic and practical ability, the capacity to handle pressure and to communicate effectively. After all, the most difficult part of the job is managing the owners, not the patients!

“My advice for prospective vet students would be fairly simple.

Although very similar, each university has its own specific entry requirements and interview techniques, which are always changing, so these must be fully understood. However, the key aspects common to all stay the same: good GCSE and A Level grades, varied extracurricular activities and any other work, volunteering or work experience undertaken within the veterinary or animal husbandry related industries if possible. I remember many weeks spent on farms over Easter and during the Summer, and these experiences were invaluable.”

(Class of 2022)

“I only started to become interested in veterinary medicine after spending a week lambing. That experience opened my eyes to the world of animal care, and from there, I sought out more work experience in different settings. The more I was exposed to the field, the more I realised I wanted to give it a shot.

My time at Bolton School played a significant role in shaping this path, equipping me with the skills and mindset needed to succeed in such a challenging field.

“During my time at Bolton School, I particularly enjoyed Biology and Geography. My teachers, including Miss Dean, Mr Benbow, Mr Brace and Mr Williams, inspired and supported my academic journey.

“Their passion for teaching helped me develop a strong foundation in the sciences and a curiosity that continues to drive me today.

“After leaving Bolton School, I pursued a degree in Veterinary Medicine and am currently in my second year of study. The course has been rigorous, covering everything from anatomy and pathology to clinical skills and surgery. Alongside my studies, I’ve gained hands-on experience through placements on farms, in veterinary practices, and even at a sheep farm during lambing season. These experiences have been invaluable in reinforcing my passion for the profession.

“Medicine was always where my interests lay, and the biggest inspiration for my career has been my time working on farms and witnessing first-hand the impact veterinarians have on animal health and welfare. Additionally, figures in the field who have combined veterinary practice with business and consultancy have motivated me to explore the intersection of veterinary medicine and finance.

“Veterinary medicine requires a diverse skill set: problem-solving, attention to detail, communication, and resilience are all crucial.

Every case is different, and being able to think critically while working under pressure is vital.

“Bolton School instilled in me the discipline and work ethic needed to thrive in a demanding profession. The strong academic grounding, combined with opportunities for leadership and teamwork, has helped me navigate the challenges of vet school.

I also made friends with like-minded individuals who continue to push me toward my own goals.

“For students considering a career in veterinary medicine, my advice is to gain as much hands-on experience as possible – whether through work experience at veterinary clinics, farms, or animal shelters. It’s a rewarding career, but it requires dedication and perseverance. Never be afraid to ask questions, seek mentorship, and stay open to opportunities beyond traditional clinical practice.

“I’m incredibly grateful for the foundation Bolton School provided, and I look forward to seeing future generations follow their own paths in the veterinary field.”

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Newsletter Spring 2025

Thank You! Andy Paton

(Class of 1987) Andy runs his family’s farm on the outskirts of Bolton.

“I have had over 50 years of experience of working on the family farm, as a child helping my parents with various tasks, herding cattle and sheep, moving onto driving tractors from an early age to now running the family dairy farm. I was always destined to come back home.

“At School I always enjoyed the science subjects, in particular Chemistry, Physics and Maths, as well as Metalwork with the late Jack Stables. My two favourite A Levels were Chemistry with a baby-faced Doc Rogers and Economics with Martin Wadsworth.

“After leaving School in 1987 I went to the University of Nottingham, graduating with a BSc (Hons) degree and coming back home to the family farm with not only knowledge and experience but a now wife of 30-plus years. We have two children, Kaitlyn and Sam, both of whom have now left Bolton School and are at university studying STEM subjects.

“I think only once you leave School do you really appreciate the depth of knowledge and teaching that you get; you begin to realise that you are taught not just to pass exams but the wider subjects and processes. I was involved with computers before there was even a club per se at school, coding on the old BBC Micros and being amazed that you could get graphics to appear on screen. This developed further at university into database coding, the logic and problem solving being of particular appeal.

The rise of the personal computer and Windows was astonishing, ruining my little sideline of setting out theses for people at university, as nobody could handle the coding involved.

“This brings me onto modern farming and the increasing role of technology in it: we recently installed robotic milking machines and the data available has helped increase productivity and production. The wealth of information and how to interpret it is useful for early disease detection and prevention not only to the farmer but to vets as well. Embracing technology is a must for anyone involved in modern-day agriculture. With a drive to sustainability and general ecological focus, increasing output for the least input helps to reduce emissions.

“Whilst the rewards from farming are best not measured on the scale of renumeration package, with prices off farm remaining largely static for the last 20 years, the joy of aiding a calf into the world on a cold winter’s night and seeing it go on to give birth itself and produce 10,000 litres of milk in a lactation is something you can’t really measure.

“It’s not a career for everyone, undoubtedly hard work and often feeling underappreciated, but it’s different every day and presents challenges and opportunities that are totally unique.”

We are very grateful to all Old Boys who have given their time to support current pupils through a variety of careers and enrichment events and opportunities.

Andy Walton (Class of 1987) delivered a road safety session to Year 12 pupils in Boys’ Division and Girls’ Division as part of the SCOPE programme.

Julian Butterworth (Class of 1990) delivered a drug and alcohol awareness session to Year 12 boys as part of the SCOPE programme.

Andy Goddard (Class of 1994) staged a mock interview ahead of a university interview.

Ashish Chaudhry (Class of 1999) and Zuhair Patel (Class of 2015) conducted mock interviews with Girls’ Division pupils applying to Medical and Dental Schools.

Thomas Relph (Class of 2005) gave a talk on Urban Planning as part of the A to Z of Careers series.

Alex Shaw (Class of 2006) gave a presentation to MedSoc. Toryn Dalton (Class of 2010) spoke to students about his university experience and career to date.

Jayden Patel (Class of 2015) gave a talk about life as a tech entrepreneur as part of the A to Z of Careers series.

Ryan Thakrar (Class of 2018), a commercial finance analyst with Exertis, one of the UK’s largest and fastestgrowing tech distribution companies, took part in the Careers Carousel for Year 8 pupils in the Girls’ Division.

Grandmaster’s Masterclass

Budding chess players from across the Foundation were thrilled to meet Chess Grandmaster Nigel Short (Class of 1983) when he visited School in November.

Nigel, who earned the title of Grandmaster at the age of 19, recalled representing Bolton School in its national winning chess team. He attributes his success to many of the skills he learned at School; in particular, he enjoyed English lessons and the ability to think clearly and express himself effectively have certainly aided him in his career as a columnist, writing articles for a number of publications, including The Sunday Times and The Daily Telegraph.

Nigel gave some insights into what it takes to become an elite chess player: he highlighted the importance of perseverance, of embracing challenges and of learning from mistakes.

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Old Boltonians’ Association 1895 - 2025

Alumni of the Year The finalists of the 2024 Alumni of the Year Awards were invited back to Bolton School for a celebratory lunch where they were presented with their awards and certificates.

Following the presentations, the achievements of all the finalists were commended at a special assembly during which Habi and Frank’s daughter each gave passionate, heartfelt speeches about the impact Bolton School has had on their lives, from the lifelong friends they made whilst at school to the wealth of opportunities given to them during their studies which then helped support their chosen careers.

p show off their certificates with Tom, Matthew and Harry Picku

Mr Ford

Overall winners Frank Yates (Class of 1952), who was named Old Boy of the Year in recognition of his career as a doctor, and Habibunnisha Patel (Class of 1997), who was named Old Girl of the Year in acknowledgement of her many years as a lawyer in the not-for-profit sector, were joined by runners-up Tom (Class of 2001), Matthew (Class of 2003) and Harry (Class of 2006) Pickup and Karen Greenhalgh (Class of 2000).

These Awards seek to recognise Alumni who have made an outstanding contribution to society through their voluntary service, academic achievements or professional success, or whose behaviour and values inspire others. Those nominated are Alumni who embody the School’s ethos of producing people who go out into the world and make a difference for good.

The School is sad to note that Frank has since passed away and sends its condolences to his family. Please see In Memoriam on page 37.

Please use the QR code to nominate a deserving candidate for this year’s awards.

Darby’s Double January was a month of upheaval at Bolton Wanderers as long-term manager Ian Evatt parted ways with the club after a series of disappointing results.

The club turned to Under-18s boss Julian Darby (Class of 1986), alongside coaches Andy Taylor and Andrew Tutte, to guide the team before a successor to Evatt was announced.

Julian made over 250 appearances for Bolton between 1986 and 1993, a period which included a goal at Wembley in Wanderers’ 1989 Associate Members’ Cup Final victory over Torquay United.

Playing spells at Coventry, West Brom, Preston, Rotherham and Carlisle followed, before Julian turned his hand to coaching.

He returned to Bolton in 2016, first as manager of the Under-16s before taking charge of the Under-18s in 2022.

On 22nd January this year, Julian was named as joint caretaker manager of the Wanderers’ first team, leading the club to two victories in two games during his spell in charge.

The first was a trip to in-form Huddersfield, who were on a run of 16 unbeaten games in League One. Wanderers put on a spirited defensive performance, deviating from their conventional possession-based style. They were also ruthlessly effective going forward, with Aaron Collins putting Bolton ahead on 55 minutes.

Despite Bolton having less possession and fewer attempts on goal, a 1-0 scoreline arguably flattered Huddersfield, such was the quality of Wanderers’ chances. The slender lead proved to be enough for Julian’s side to bring three points back down the M62 and the caretaker boss celebrated on the pitch at full-time with his grandson, Bobby, to rapturous applause and chanting from the travelling supporters.

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Julian and some of the players after the game against Northampton Town

Just three days later, Bolton welcomed Northampton Town at a vibrant Toughsheet Community Stadium. Just a week prior, the home support had seen their side slip to a gut-wrenching 2-1 defeat against Charlton in Ian Evatt’s final game, with many fans taking their leave several minutes short of the final whistle. The atmosphere against Northampton could not have been more different from the sour mood against Charlton, as fans packed Middlebrook to get behind the interim manager.

Julian’s side raced into the lead through captain George Thomason, before Northampton levelled through Liam Shaw.

Shaw then found his own net on the stroke of half-time, before a late Aaron Collins goal put the game to bed at 3-1.

Following the appointment of Steven Schumacher as head coach later that week, Julian and his fellow interim coaches returned to their usual roles, but not before replacing the sombre atmosphere around the club with one of huge optimism, while maintaining a 100% winning record.

Peter Johnson (Class of 2019)

The finish line of the Florence/Firenze halfmarathon outside the Basilica of Santa Croce

Six Half-Marathons for Dad After losing his father to cancer Thomas Relph (Class of 2005) set about running six half-marathons to raise money and to pay tribute to his rugby-loving dad.

“In July 2023 I lost my dad, Mark Relph, to cancer.

He was first diagnosed with colorectal cancer in January 2021 and underwent a number of surgeries, combined with chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

In October 2021 he underwent major surgery to remove the cancer and was given the all-clear towards the end of 2022. Unfortunately, the cancer returned at the start of 2023. Further chemotherapy followed in July 2023 until he had a stroke and cardiac arrests; he died aged 66.

“Ever since Dad was diagnosed with cancer, I wanted to do something to raise some money for The Christie Charity, but Covid-19 and a new-born son meant time soon got away from me. After Dad died, I really felt I needed to do something for The Christie as they had cared for him so much through Covid and beyond. I felt I owed them, as they had made it possible for Dad to meet his grandson and to spend some quality time with him.

Thomas has raised ove r £11k

“I played rugby at Bolton School from 11 years old and continued to play at university and then for Bolton Rugby Club until 30.

At the time rugby wasn’t the popular option, and there were limited opportunities outside School to play at such a young age. If the School had not offered the opportunity to play rugby, my and my Dad’s love of rugby may never have materialised and the fond memories would never have been created.

“My Dad was always there to support me and my brother, Oliver (Class of 2008), as we were growing up and attended every rugby match Oli and I ever played in without fail, even the trips across the Mersey or in some cases to Blackpool and Preston.

This continued as we got older: there was a time when my brother and I both played for Bolton Rugby Club senior men’s teams at the same time and Dad would always come along on a Saturday to watch us and we’d all enjoy a beer or two afterwards.

“Therefore, in tribute to Dad and to his love for rugby, and to our shared enjoyment of the Six Nations, last year I decided to undertake the challenge of running six half-marathons in the Rugby Six Nations to raise funds for The Christie Charity.

“The challenge took me to Paris, Florence, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Belfast and Manchester. Whilst I played rugby up until my early thirties, long-distance running was very much something I neglected, so the challenge of completing six half-marathons in a year, with a knee taking the brunt of 25 years of rugby, was very hard, especially with the final three runs being in the same month. The half-marathons themselves were much harder than anticipated and I required constant physio on my knee to ensure I completed all of them, especially in the final month.

Manchester: Thomas (left) with his brother, Oli, and mu m, Louise

for the Christie

half-marathon Running the Edinburgh

“Thanks to the support of friends, colleagues and Old Boys and Girls I was able to raise £11,532 for the Christie.”

“The bonds and friendships made through School were something my Dad and Mum (former Head Girl Louise Relph, née Collins, Class of 1976) always said were invaluable – and they were correct. The help and support from friends made at School was outstanding – I didn’t even need to ask before they said they would join me in support. So throughout last year I was supported by long-term School friends Jane Booth, Ben Jackson, Daniel Caulfield, Kay Donegan, Serena Othick (née Salim), David Burrows (all Class of 2005), Oliver Relph, Camille Caulfield (née Stephenson, Class of 2007), Marcus Halstead (Class of 2008) and Matthew McLellan-Grant (Class of 2016) – even Ben’s son, Gabriel, a current pupil at Beech House, came along to watch the Belfast Half-Marathon.

and Ben Jackson all Thomas, Jane Booth n nchester half-maratho Ma the r afte ate ebr cel

Edinburgh: Thomas (rig ht) with Daniel Caulfield

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Old Boltonians’ Association 1895 - 2025

Staff in the Spotlight This time the spotlight shines on Mr Kyle, who is enjoying a well-deserved retirement after more than three decades at Bolton School, and on Aaron Winstanley who left recently to continue his teaching career in Norway.

Duncan Kyle

(Foundation Services Staff, 1992-2024) As a child growing up in Bolton, I had always wondered what that imposing castle-like big red building on Chorley New Road was. My dad jokingly said it was Bolton Prison and that if I didn’t behave, I would end up in there. No doubt he was being kind as, given my lack of academic ability at 12 years of age, I would have little chance of ever attending. Or so I thought.

Fast forward to August 1992 and, as fate would have it, I found myself in that very same building sitting at a large oak table being interviewed for a newly created post of Arts Centre Manager. Opposite me was the then Clerk and Treasurer, Robin Senior, a stately gentleman, impeccably dressed and with a large moustache with twirly ends; a textbook character from a private school I thought. After a lengthy discussion in which I told him of my professional experience as a theatre stage manager, he leaned forward and said: “Well, I don’t know much about all that stuff” – and I thought, “Oh dear, that’s it then” – he continued: “but you seem to, so let’s give it a go” and he duly offered me the job there and then.

So I joined the wonderful family of Bolton School and, in a very small part, I’ve now become part of its history.

It is, of course, for others to decide what contribution I have made; but what I do know is that this was a very important part of my working life and career and offered numerous opportunities that I would not have experienced elsewhere.

My first role was as Arts and Conference Centre Manager in the newly-created conference centre, formerly the old swimming baths. I recall the day HRH Princess Diana arrived to perform the official opening. Sadly, I didn’t get to meet her, but I did get to enjoy a few leftover scraps from the posh lunch with the chauffeur and sniffer dogs. Treasured memories!

I did, however, get to meet the third Viscount Lord Leverhulme, grandson of the School’s founder, William Lever.

I had organised a Leverhulme Exhibition in the Arts Centre detailing his grandfather’s achievements in industry along with our School Foundation. We invited His Lordship over to look, never imagining he would accept. Mr Senior was so nervous he forgot my name whilst introducing me, a moment neither he nor I would ever forget. But following his visit, Leverhulme did invite me to his home at Thornton Manor which turned out to be a fascinating experience.

After many changes to the operational style of the Arts Centre, I changed roles and moved over to the Senior School in 2006, adopting a newly-created role as Performing Arts Technician,

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working primarily for the Music and Drama departments.

Having previously worked in professional repertory and touring theatre, I was able to share my skills with the students in an environment in which I felt completely at home.

Unless you knew otherwise, you would imagine Bolton School to be mainly focused on academic achievements.

This, of course, forms an integral part of the curriculum, but of course the School has a very rich and vibrant music and drama schedule and offers truly amazing experiences for able students to thrive in well-resourced departments with talented teaching staff. With a purpose-built theatre and two magnificent performances halls, pupils gain lifelong memories in both music and drama and it was a pleasure to be a part of this over the years.

My decision to retire was difficult, but the time was right. Being part of the Bolton School family has been a wonderful experience and I have met some truly lovely people and made lifelong friends over the many years.

In essence, Bolton School became my home: I know every bit of it inside out. I’ve seen people come and go over the years and met some great (and not so great) characters.

Having my two sons during my time there was the making of me. I attribute all this to the Bolton School family. I will miss being involved in all the spectacular theatre productions, the magical Christmas concerts and the many unique events that made up my role. More than anything, I will miss the people, the wonderful pupils and colleagues I have been so privileged to work alongside. I am of course, indebted to the late Robin Senior for giving me the opportunity to be here; one of the most intelligent, affable and kindest individuals you could meet.

I wonder what my late dad would think if he saw me standing outside the prison gates as they finally close behind me for the last time after so long? I know for certain I will look back over 30 years on some truly wonderful experiences, and a host of happy memories.

Newsletter Spring 2025

Aaron Winstanley

(Class of 2015; Boys’ Division Staff, 2018-2024) Having finished School as a Sixth Form pupil in 2015, I returned to Bolton School just three years later as the Design and Technology Teacher for the Boys’ Junior School.

In between I studied Design and Technology Secondary Education at Edge Hill University whilst continuing to play water polo, a sport I began playing when I started Bolton School as a Year 7 pupil in 2008.

I worked at Bolton School for six years, both as the Design and Technology teacher in Park Road and, more recently, as Co-ordinator of the Foundation’s Apple Distinguished Schools (ADS) Status, which has recently been renewed.

This renewal saw the first cycle of involvement for the Girls’ Division, which was not previously included in our ADS status.

During my time working at Park Road, I took on many extra roles and responsibilities, took part in many exciting projects and, most importantly, was lucky enough to get to know so many extraordinary children.

Top of the list memorable experiences has to be the 2023 Ski Trip to Zell am See, where three colleagues and I took a group of 30 Year 5 and Year 6 pupils for a week’s skiing in the Austrian Alps. The trip was memorable for many reasons, but ultimately it was a chance for the students to learn so much more than just how to ski: it provided a wealth of life lessons that will hopefully be with them for many years to come, alongside many happy memories.

A completely different side of my role, but one that was every bit as rewarding, was running weekly Design and Technology lessons for students from the Thomasson Memorial School for deaf and hearing-impaired children. I supported students with a varied range of barriers to learn new skills and to push the boundaries of what they thought they were capable of.

Throughout my many years at School, both as a pupil and as a member of staff, I was fortunate to be able to play water polo for school and club, at national level and internationally.

I am extremely grateful for the support and guidance given to me by members of staff and colleagues that allowed me to grow in a sport that gave me many unforgettable experiences and enabled me to travel the world. Having recently stopped playing, it is a great feeling to be able to look back on memories at both ends of the scale with equal joy, pride and a real sense of accomplishment – whether that be winning the English Schools competitions as a student, coaching pupils in Park Road as they embarked on a journey that I hoped would surpass my own, or representing England and Great Britain on the European and world stage. It is hard not to mention colleagues such as Mike Yates, David Teasdale, Andy McGinty and Trevor Pledger, to name a few, who have played such a huge part in these successes both as inspirations to myself, as coaches and now, in more recent months and years, as friends.

School has certainly changed over the years and, as I walked around Boys’ Division before leaving for Norway, I felt that it was a very different place to when I wandered the corridors as a Year 7 pupil.

Since joining as a member of staff, I saw a majorly reformed outdoor education programme, a development I only wish Steve Bradley had been able to implement many years earlier so that I could have experienced it as a pupil myself. The programme has seen a move from one-off, truly exceptional Patterdale Hall visits, to regular in-house and campus-based outdoor education sessions which are a really strong point of school life in 2025. I am glad that I am now living in a country where these types of experiences have become my nightly activities and weekend trips.

In August of 2024, I embarked on the role of Design and Technology and Technology Integration Teacher at the International School of Stavanger. Here, I am teaching Middle School Design and Technology whilst also working with teachers from Kindergarten to Grade 12 to ensure that they can make the most of their 1:1 iPad/MacBook programme.

So far, living in Norway has been an incredible experience.

Firstly, the work life balance here is extraordinary which, coupled with the local mountainous areas and fjords, has meant evening Nordic ski trips with colleagues, Wednesday night yacht racing and weekend trips from one cabin to another are always possible. Norwegian schools also offer a ‘Leirskole’, which is one week of outdoor education per year, just like Patterdale is at Bolton. I have been lucky enough to join Grades 7, 9 and 10 on these. One of these trips was an introduction to the Norwegian cabin system, one was a week’s ski trip, both downhill skiing and Nordic backcountry skiing, and one was a combination of water activities, hiking, archery, survival skills etc – very similar to the usual Patterdale experience, minus Sean’s amazing cooking!

School fixtures work slightly differently here: we run sports teams in three seasons of 10 to 12 weeks. Each season normally finishes with a tournament or competition with other international schools. Due to the cost of travel to Norway and Stavanger, it is unusual for us to host, but we do often travel to the other CESSA or NECIS schools. We recently took the swimming team to Budapest for a swim meet, which was a fantastic opportunity for them.

ISS is a smaller school than Bolton, with only 500 pupils. This smaller setting has allowed me to get to know a large number of teaching staff, supporting them with their technology integration, to ensure each child gets the best from their lessons. I and the high school DT teacher are currently in the process of moving into a new extension to the school where we are taking the DT provision from one room to four rooms so we will have a clean room, big machine room, robotics suite and the main workshop: an exciting project that will make a huge difference to the provision and experiences we can offer pupils here.

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Old Boltonians’ Association 1895 - 2025

Driving Ukraine Earlier this year Kristian Smith (Class of 2014) was part of a convoy travelling to Lviv, Ukraine, to deliver vehicles to be used by essential teams on the frontline, including ambulance crews, first responders and bomb disposal teams.

“I always remember fondly the many assemblies led by my Head of Sixth Form, Mr Joseph: in one of those assemblies he told me and my peers to get passionate about causes and get stuck in to help make the world a better place.

I took his message to heart, and so last year I signed up to volunteer with Driving Ukraine, an organisation which sources and delivers vital vehicles that help with evacuation, medical transport, and aid distribution in Ukraine.

“The organisation focuses predominantly on delivering vehicles to medics working on the frontlines in Ukraine where vehicles such as 4x4s are used to evacuate wounded soldiers so that they can be moved to stablisation points or an evac rendezvous. Driving Ukraine and volunteers such as me raise funds to purchase these vehicles, and then they are driven by volunteers from Oxfordshire to Lviv in Ukraine.

Other vehicles sourced and donated include ambulances, vans and other specialised vehicles which are required by the end users carrying out their life-saving work, which include foreign volunteer medics and paramedics working on Ukraine’s frontline, Ukrainian volunteer medics and paramedics, humanitarian bomb disposal teams, combat medics and many more. So far Driving Ukraine has helped deliver over 170 vehicles and raised over £1.2 million since 2022. Driving Ukraine also help to transport humanitarian aid such as medical supplies, and I am glad to report that we were able to help transport and successfully deliver such aid on our mission.

“On 27th February this year, I joined the 38th convoy – our group comprised 13 volunteers from all walks of life in six vehicles, namely four pickup trucks, a van and a Land Rover Snatch. We drove from Oxford to Dover and then on to Calais via the ferry, and through Belgium (and the infamous Antwerpen ring road with its congestion!) to Essen in Germany.

The following day we left Essen early in the morning and arrived in Katowice in Poland late in the evening, and on the morning of the 29th we drove from Katowice and finally arrived in Lviv. We had numerous challenges on the road, from bad weather, bad traffic and even worse drivers to contend with, but we delivered all six vehicles safely and intact to the Driving Ukraine’s workshop in Lviv where vehicles destined for the frontlines are repaired, if needed, and camouflaged.

“When we arrived in Lviv, we met some of the end users of our vehicles, medics who would use the vehicles to save life and limb on the frontlines in Ukraine, and we had the chance to talk to them and learn about the work they do. The night we arrived to hand the vehicles over, they took them to go straight back to the frontlines that same night. Many of us have seen the dedication, the bravery, the self-sacrifice and the will to endure from the Ukrainian people exemplified in so many ways over the past three years through various media, but to see it with your own eyes is something else entirely.

“The following day we visited The Field of Mars in Lviv, the military cemetery for soldiers who have died in this war since 2022, a sad and profound reminder of the lives lost in this devastating war and a testament to the sacrifices made by the fallen who have been laid to rest there. One of the hardest things to come to terms with was knowing that there was empty space for yet more graves. Those among us who had been before on previous convoys had noted that there were yet more laid to rest since their previous visit, and walking amongst those graves we saw some had died not two weeks since we arrived. It was also an important reminder as to the importance of lifesaving equipment and aid such as evacuation vehicles, as aid saves lives.

“We were asked to bring these stories back with us and share them to raise awareness around the importance of supporting Ukraine with humanitarian aid and lifesaving equipment, and so I would encourage you all to look into the work that Driving Ukraine does and to kindly consider donating to the organisation to help them carry on doing the incredible work they do. Furthermore, I would highly recommend getting involved yourself if you can! My experience with Driving Ukraine was the greatest adventure of my life so far and an incredibly rewarding experience, my only regret being that I didn’t get involved sooner.

“I would like to extend my gratitude to the Old Boltonians’ Association for giving me the opportunity to share my experience here to help spread awareness of the incredible work that Driving Ukraine does.”

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Newsletter Spring 2025

THE MAIL BAG

A selection of emails and letters received since the last edition of The Bugle was published.

Star Letter Motorbike Madness

edition of The Star Letter in the previous athletics The Bugle relating to the 1954 brought back team featuring Chris Goudge Gregory a couple of memories for David (Class of 1963):

years’ athletics finals which “Firstly, the exciting couple of son in the 800m and pitched JP Boulter against FJ Ben the mile in those days?

1500m. Or was it the 880 and from Chris Goudge back “The other is of several lifts I had rday rugby, to catch my into the town centre after Satu a dozen, or more, years bus back to Leigh. This was half trained on the School he after Chris had left School, but had a motorbike, He les. hurd fields, setting up his own the bend at the bottom and the TT-like manner he took n, was a little hair raising!” of Park Road, with me as pillio

Hand Grenade Tales Ivan Leigh’s (Class of 1962) recollections in the Autumn edition of The Bugle of an unexploded hand grenade being found in the grub tent during a Scout camp in Luxembourg prompted further tales of such discoveries.

Neil Marsden (Class of 1961) writes: “I, too, was at the Long Camp in Wiltz and have a recollection of a hand grenade being discovered in what had been the main path through the camp, on the last day as we were packing up. I recall it being covered with a cardboard box and we were told to walk carefully round it! I have no idea what happened to it thereafter.”

Lionel Price (Class of 1964) adds: “I was only at Park Road at the time, though I’m pretty sure my brother was on that Long Camp. What I can add is that there was an (apparently safe) hand grenade in the Scout HQ at Woodlands a few years later and none of us knew why. Possibly it’s still at the new HQ, but probably not. Nowadays, sadly, I don’t think they’d have dared bring it home, nor left it around for young Scouts to play with.”

Meanwhile Don Cole (Class of 1947) entered Bolton School at the outbreak of the Second World War: “My father was responsible for designing the air raid shelters beneath the first level of the School grounds. We practised using them on several occasions.”

Kitting Out Success The Boys’ Division would like to extend a huge thank you to Regency Estates for its sponsorship of the football teams’ kits over the past three years.

The School is enormously grateful to the Horwich-based estates agency for its support and in particular to its Director, Nick Holt (Class of 2009), for his involvement both with the School’s teams and with the ongoing ‘regeneration’ of sport for Old Boys. Nick says of the partnership: “As a former pupil who has played for Old Bolts for over a decade it was wonderful to be able to give back to the School while at the same time showcasing my business through School sport.”

In recognition of his support, Nick has been presented with a framed Regency shirt and will be thanked at the end of season awards ceremony.

Freemasonry The Old Boltonians’ Masonic Lodge, No 5814, meets regularly in the Senior Library at School throughout the year. In line with the charitable intentions of the society, each year the Lodge provides support to both Divisions of Bolton School, in the form of pupil bursaries and scholarships.

Whilst membership of the Lodge has been opened up to other Freemasons, the majority of its members are Old Boltonians, providing a unique way of keeping in touch with fellow Old Boys. Members range in age from their 20s to their 80s, providing friendship to fellow Masons of all generations.

If you would like to hear more, please contact: David Poppitt – The Lodge Secretary Email: DPoppitt@aol.com Tel: 07785 728700

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Old Boltonians’ Association 1895 - 2025

EVENTS 8

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Alumni Oxford Dinner St Peter’s College, Friday 8th November 2024 The intimate setting of St Peter’s College provided a friendly and relaxed atmosphere for Old Boys and Old Girls to catch up and reminisce.

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Vinu Umapathy (2022), Ananya Ajit (2023), Akshay Pal (2018), Rohit Bagewadi (2017), Giri Nandakumar (2016) 2. Akshay Pal (2018), Krishnan Ajit (2020), Yusuf Adia (2020), Giri Nandakumar (2016) 3. Rishi Narla, Hannah McKee, Laurence Britton, Tom Boardman (all 2023) 4. Khadijah Ali (2019), Millie Wood (2019), Hamzah Mahmood, Jan Huebel 5. Sam Warburton (2018), James Whalley (2017), Tom Paterson (2018), Tom Underwood (2017), Rohit Bagewadi (2017), Giri Nandakumar, Philip Britton, Krishnan Ajit (2020), Akshay Pal, Ananya Ajit (2023), Amerleen Hundle (2022) 6. Sam Warburton (2018), Tom Paterson (2018), Aaliyah Ascroft 7. Thomas Britton (2021), Tom Paterson (2018), Akshay Pal (2018), Sam Warburton (2018) 8. Rohit Bagewadi (2017), James Hopkinson (2022), Tom Underwood (2017), Charlotte Rumney

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Old Boys’ Association Dinner Bolton School, Friday 6th December 2024

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Old Boys from across the generations enjoyed the Association’s annual dinner held in the School’s Arts Centre.

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Alastair (2022) and Robert (2020) Harris with their grandfather, Peter Watson (1966) 2. Liam Watkinson (2009; BD Staff), Jordan Harrison Twist (2010; BD Staff) 3.

Liam Watkinson, Tom Liversedge (2005), Martin Wadsworth (BD Staff, 19742006), Chris Brownlow (2016) 4. Nic Ford, Amrit Mishra (School Captain), Adam Faulkner (Vice Captain), William Martin (Vice Captain) 5. Ian Price, Stephen Croston (both 1995) 6. Peter Leather (1980), OBA President Richard Morris (1986), Tim Taylor (1979) 7. Philip Britton, Richard Morris 8.

Robert Harris, Alastair Harris, Charlie Jones (2020), Oliver Shaw (2020) 9.

Stephen Parry (1974), Ian Thomasson (1973), Roger Milne (1976), Phil Riding (1978) 10.

David Jenner (1960), David Brookes (1961) 11. Hemal Raja (1995), Rob Lees (1996; BD Staff, 2010-2018), Huw Dixon (1994) 12. Dave Hughes, Gary Fitzpatrick (1989)

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Alumni Cambridge Dinner Trinity Hall, Friday 7th February 2025 Trinity Hall, the fifth oldest College in the University of Cambridge, was the venue for this year’s annual Alumni Dinner.

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Alex McKie (2024), Andy Clelland (2015), Ben Rimmer (2024), William Miles (2022) 2.

Martin Thompson (1973), Simon Dixon (1978) 3.

Richard Morris (1986), Harry Sawyer, Sheila Sawyer (née Pollock, 1981)

Joint Old Girls’ and Old Boys’ Lunch

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Bolton School, Monday 24th February 2025 The recent Joint Lunch saw the presentation of the inaugural awards for Distinguished Service to each of our Alumni Associations.

Head of Foundation, Philip Britton, has instigated these accolades to celebrate individuals who have made an outstanding commitment to their respective Associations over the years. The recipient of the first award for distinguished service to the Old Boltonians’ Association is Charles Winder (Boys’ Division Staff, 1964-1999). Charles taught English and Drama, also General Studies, Games and RE. He became Senior English Master in 1967 and, later in his career, Director of Studies (Arts). After retiring from teaching, he became the Old Boltonians’ Liaison Officer, providing a link between School and the Association, and served as President of the Association for 2009-10.

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Charles Winder with his well-deserved trophy 2. Jill Mills (née Dawson, 1966), Ann Rothwell (née Bradshaw, 1972), Philip Rothwell (1971) 3. Chris (1965) and David (1960) Jenner 4. Roy Baxendale (1964), Frank Millhouse (1961), David Jenner, Hilary De Maine (former BD and GD Staff) 5. Rod Lonsdale (1961), Doug Slack (1959) 6. Stephen Parry (1974), Charles Winder, Tony Latchford (former Foundation Services Staff) 7. Allan Eaton (1974), Carolyn Radcliff (née Garrett, 1975) 8. Chris Pendlebury (1972), Rosemary Swerdlow (née Pendlebury, 1976) 9. Margaret Johnson (née Lever, 1982), Andy Latham (1983) 10.

Mary Thurston (née Winder, 1984), Mary Winder (GD Staff, 1976-1986), John Winder (1985), Charles Winder (BD Staff, 1964-1999)

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Old Boltonians’ Association 1895 - 2025

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Alumni London Dinner BMA House, Friday 7th March 2025 There was a fantastic turnout at this year’s London Dinner with Old Boys and Old Girls representing many decades of Bolton School.

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Neil Featherstone (1993), Matthew Entwistle (1993), Mike Yates (1993), Andy Goddard (1994) 2. Paul Greenhalgh (2015), Waqqas Patel (2014), Fraser Mullins (BD Staff), Cos Savva 3. Zac Donohue (2021), Henry Speakman (2021), Archie Seddon (2021), Harry Diggle (2021), Max Hartle (2017) 4.

Dominic Hardy, Shivam Patel, Jack Diggle (all 2019) 5. Jack, Karen (1976) and Harry Diggle 6. Robin Ali (1984), Smita Bora (1988) 7. Simon Swann (1989), Jayne Nicholl (née Hadnett, 1989), Sarah Thompson (née Burn, 1989), Mike Shaw (1988), Stephen Lintott (1989) 8. Richard Washington (1993), Richard Morris (1986; OBA President), Melanie Morris, Stephen Parry (1974) 1.

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School Hosts Networking Breakfast with Handelsbanken

Bill Stevenson Memorial Football Match

Bolton School, Tuesday 19th November 2024

Alumni and Friends of Bolton School are invited to come along to spectate at the OBAFC reunion football match being held on Saturday 26th April 2025. This is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a special match and renew acquaintances with Old Bolts.

Local business members, Alumni and parents braved an overnight snowfall to attend an economic seminar and networking breakfast with Handelsbanken Bolton in the School’s Arts Centre.

Kevan Taylor says: “Bill Stevenson served Old Boltonians’ AFC for decades in many roles from player to President. His humility, friendship and wholehearted support for the club and its players were only exceeded by the sharpness of his wit. He will already be remembered by all who had the pleasure of meeting him – Bill put a smile on the face of everyone he chatted to.”

Kick-off:

11am

Venue:

Old Boltonians’ AFC Ground, Tower Street, Chapeltown BL7 OEW

Parking:

Available at the ground and the nearby Chetham Arms

Admission: Free L-R: Rebecca Brayshaw (née Hayton, 1997; Head of Development), Mark Hutchinson, Sarah Rigby, James Sproule, Dan Sikorski (2014), Executive Assistant at Handelsbanken plc

To confirm your attendance as a spectator, to play in the match or to order post-match food and drink please contact kevan12taylor@gmail.com.

Mark Hutchinson, Branch Manager for Handelsbanken Bolton, introduced Handelsbanken’s services. Guests then listened to Sarah Rigby, of Handelsbanken Capital Markets, who discussed interest and exchange rates, and to Chief Economist James Sproule, who analysed global economic trends. James later engaged Sixth Form students with a talk on the ‘the intellectual revolution’.

If you would like to maintain contact with other Old Boys through the various Alumni sporting associations, please contact development@boltonschool.org to find out more.

In addition to co-hosting this networking event, Handelsbanken recently sponsored the kit for the Bolton School Girls’ Division Football Teams, allowing the girls to play in kit specifically designed for the Girls’ Division for the very first time.

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Newsletter Spring 2025

Annual MCC Match

Mervyn Brooker Memorial Match

The First XI cricketers need your support – come and cheer them on as they take on the MCC Club side on Thursday 26th June.

The Mervyn Brooker Memorial Cricket Match will take place at School on Friday 20th June. For spectator enquiries please contact development@boltonschool.org.

Foundation

11.00am. A buffet lunch will be served at 1.30pm. Bring a chair and soak up the atmosphere!

Please contact the Development Coffee will be served from 10.00am, Office to book your place by with the match commencing at Friday 20th June.

Bolton School Foundation Summer Festival Friends of Bolton School are once again hosting a foundation-wide Summer Festival: this year’s event will take place on Sunday 15th June.

Alumni Ambassadors Are you an Old Boy with a passion for staying connected to School and engaging with others?

Our Alumni Ambassador role is perfect for those who want to volunteer to make a difference without a regular time commitment. From time to time you will be required to make contact with your classmates and peers and to encourage them to attend our wide range of engagement activities thus ensuring that our vibrant Alumni community remains strong and connected.

If you would like to get involved, please contact the Development Office!

All Alumni and their families are welcome to attend.

Any Old Boys wishing to get involved, either with the planning or by making a donation, are invited to contact bdfriends@boltonschool.org.uk.

Zoom in for a Chat!

Old Boys and Old Girls based in the Middle East, Northern Africa and Southern Asia are invited to join an informal catch-up via Zoom!

If you would like to chat with fellow Alumni and hear from Philip Britton, Head of Foundation, about life at Bolton School over the last year, please connect with us on Tuesday 10th June (3.00-4.00pm GMT, 7-8pm GST, 8.30-9.30pm IST, 8-9pm PKT).

Contact the Development Office for details.

‘5’ Class Reunion Calling all Old Boys who left in 1955, 1965, 1975, 1985, 1995, 2005 and 2015!

We will be holding a Reunion at Bolton School on Saturday 20th September 2025 for these year groups – Former Staff are also very welcome to attend, as are Alumni from other years.

New Alumni Event!

Next year will see the introduction of an Alumni Northern Dinner! The inaugural event, which will be open to all Old Boys and Old Girls, will take place at a venue in central Manchester in May 2026. Please keep your eyes open for further details which will follow in due course!

If you have not received an invitation, but would like to attend, please visit the ‘Alumni and Giving Back’ section of the School website (www.boltonschool.org) to book online or contact the Development Office to pay over the phone.

We hope to see as many of you as possible, so please get in touch with your classmates and make sure you all have this date in your diaries!

Alumni Events Calendar To reserve your place for any of our Alumni events, please call the Development Office on 01204 434718, email development@boltonschool.org or visit the follow the QR code to book online.

2025 Monday 28th April

Primary Division Hulton Lecture

Boys’ Division Great Hall, 5.00pm

Friday 9th May

Old Boys’ and Old Girls’ Scottish Dinner

St Leonard’s Hall, University of Edinburgh, 7.00pm

Monday 19th May

Old Boys’ Lunch and AGM

Bolton School, 12 noon

Friday 6th June

Alumni Cumbria Lunch

Lindeth Howe Hotel, 12 noon

Tuesday 10th June

Middle East, Northern Africa and Southern Asia, Zoom

3.00pm-4.00pm GMT (6.00pm-7.00pm local time)

Monday 23rd June

Recent Leavers’ Reunion: ‘Class of 2024’

Bolton School, 2.30pm-5.00pm

Thursday 26th June

MCC Match

Bolton School, 11.00am onwards

Thursday 26th June

Boys’ Division Prizegiving

Boys’ Division Great Hall, 7.00pm

Friday 27th June

Foundation Former Staff Lunch

Bolton School, 12 noon

Saturday 20th September

‘5’ Class Reunion

Bolton School, 11.00am-4.30pm

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Old Boltonians’ Association 1895 - 2025

Alumni Authors Staging the Word, the Life and Death of a Theatre Company

by Andrew Hilton (Class of 1967) Andrew’s book, Shakespeare on the Factory Floor, was reviewed in the Autumn 2022 edition of The Bugle. He has now followed that up with Staging the Word, the Life and Death of a Theatre Company, about his experiences as Founder and Artistic Director of ‘Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory’ in Bristol.

The book is available from Amazon for £29.99 – however, Bolton School Alumni may purchase it for £21 plus P&P. Naomi Lord (Girls’ Division Class of 1998; Foundation Director of Creative Learning) has kindly read and reviewed Staging the Word, the Life and Death of a Theatre Company: Andrew Hilton, a distinguished theatre director and alumnus of Bolton School, provides an insightful and deeply personal chronicle of his tenure as the artistic director of Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory (STF) in his book, Staging the Word. The book not only serves as a retrospective on Hilton’s two-decade leadership at STF but also stands as a testament to the Tobacco Factory’s remarkable invention and reinvention, the revival of North Street (BS3), and charts the birth of the idea of STF through to international acclaim.

At its core, Staging the Word is a layered exploration of change, both in the Shakespearean productions helmed by Hilton and in the transformation of the Tobacco Factory from a commercial enterprise into a charitable institution. Hilton captures how STF’s innovative

‘factory solution’ allowed Shakespeare’s language to breathe in a space-within-a-space, offering audiences an up-close, intimate, and stripped-back experience of the Bard’s work. The company’s lateral pay structure fostered a collaborative environment where up to 600 theatre makers thrived over the years.

The book traces the company’s trajectory from its early years as a commercial venture (1999–2004), during which productions such as King Lear (2002) and Othello (2004) gained notable critical success, to its shift to a charitable company (2004–2022). This later period saw ambitious projects like The Winter’s Tale (2013) and Hamlet (2018), which reinforced STF’s reputation for bold, actor-focused Shakespeare. Reviews at the time praised the raw intensity of King Lear, with The Guardian noting its “astonishing emotional weight”, while The Independent hailed Hamlet for its “incisive and commanding central performance”. Hilton’s reflections on these productions and the challenges of sustaining the business, including financial struggles, crises, and the shifting landscape of theatre economics, provide an invaluable perspective on the precarious state of UK theatre today.

Beyond the business of theatre, Staging the Word explores the craft of Shakespearean performance, examining the critical context of productions, artistic realisations, and the significance of guest contributions across two decades. As Hilton revisits his body of work, he acknowledges two plays that ‘got away’: Timon of Athens and Chekhov’s The Seagull. His detailed contemplation of how these productions might have been staged and cast reads as a fascinating exercise in proto-production, perhaps a fitting final creative act.

The ‘final curtain’ for STF was Much Ado About Nothing, but Hilton’s retrospective is anything but elegiac. Instead, Staging the Word pulses with a zest for Shakespeare, an appreciation for theatre’s ability to illuminate the human spirit, and a sober reckoning with economic realities. Hilton’s legacy, embedded in the imagination of audiences and the resilience of a theatre model that defied expectation, stands as a testament to both artistic integrity and practical ingenuity. In this, the book is more than just a retrospective; it is an ode to the enduring power of Shakespeare and the theatre itself.

Plausibility and the Solution to the Behrens-Fisher Problem

evidence alongside a rational explanation. He concludes by providing a summary of his findings and ideas about plausibility and the solution to the Behrens-Fisher problem.

by Brian Darbyshire (Class of 1965)

Darbyshire explores the difference between plausibility and probability and outlines the significance of these concepts in relation to his ideas.

In the context of this specific problem, he shows how probability, the likelihood of an event occurring defined by a numerical value, is meaningless, explaining how the concept of probability is where other statisticians who had previously tackled this problem were mistaken.

Instead, Darbyshire uses the approach of plausibility, a measure of how likely or reasonable it is for an event to occur, taking into account the significance of the prior causes of the event or in this case the significance of the parameters controlling the distribution, using this understanding to prove the validity of his solution.

Plausibility and the Solution to the Behrens-Fisher Problem reveals the solution to a mathematical conundrum that has kept statisticians perplexed for over a century. The book argues that plausibility, not probability, is key. Challenging traditional methods, it reveals why past attempts failed and presents the only correct solution.

Brian Darbyshire’s book is a must-read for mathematicians and anyone interested in statistical inference and data assessment. It is available from Amazon in hardcover and paperback forms, and also as a downloadable eBook.

A group of Year 12 Further Maths students in the Girls’ Division kindly read and reviewed Plausibility and the Solution to the BehrensFisher Problem: Through this book, Darbyshire aimed to analyse the faults of other statisticians’ solutions of the Behrens-Fisher problem and slowly reveals to us the accurate solution.

Darbyshire begins by defining the problem: how to find the difference between the true mean values of two probability distributions with different variances given only a few sample values. He then goes on to outline Behrens’ and Fishers’ theories and provides substantial evidence contradicting their solutions. Darbyshire then provides an in-depth explanation of his own solution, expertly integrating mathematical

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From our personal standpoint, we would definitely recommend this book to experienced mathematicians and statisticians who are fascinated by complex problems which at first seem perplexing, but, after systematic and logical reasoning, the solution appears intuitive.

Despite the complicated nature of the problem, the cohesive linking between chapters creates an academic style leading to a methodical progression building towards the solution. He uses diagrams and grids to explain key concepts and contribute to the readers’ understanding of the solution then proceeding to use these to dismantle the theories of other statisticians. As claimed in the title, Darbyshire successfully presented his resolution of the Behrens-Fisher problem and convinced the readers of its authenticity.

To conclude, Plausibility and Solution to the Behrens-Fisher Problem is an intellectual, thought-provoking publication which provides an insight into the true complexity of a single mathematical problem shown by the author’s extensive knowledge and ability to combine equations to draw a viable conclusion.

Hannah Chipasula, Prisha Patel, Lucy Pickett

Newsletter Spring 2025

Join the Bolton School Alumni Network

CONNECT

LEARN & GROW

VOLUNTEER

ATTEND AN EVENT

KEEP IN TOUCH

Explore ways to connect

Develop relationships

Offer your time and experience

Keep up to date with events

Share your contact details

3,110

DID YOU

Registered users, spanning the UK, the USA, Australia, Canada, Asia and Europe – offering a truly global community of Old Boys and Old Girls across a wide variety of sectors

KNOW

1,648

The FREE Business Directory offers self-employed Alumni the opportunity to promote their business and services and presents a networking community which spans the globe.

Are willing to offer advice

1,271

Have offered to help review CVs

68%

Are willing to help

1,806

Are willing to answer industry specific questions

1,512

Are willing to introduce other Alumni to their connections

Bolton Alumni Business Directory – over the previous six months 35% of those who have visited the Business Directory page have gone on to click on the offer page, while 19% of those have gone on to interact with the offer.

Alumni Business Directory As part of the Bolton Alumni Network, the free online Business Directory offers self-employed Alumni the opportunity to promote their businesses and services to a community that spans the globe.

With over 3,000 registered users in the UK, Europe, Australia, the USA, Canada, the Far East and beyond, the Bolton School Alumni Network offers a diverse spectrum of support for Old Girls, Old Boys and Former Staff in a variety of sectors.

The use of the Bolton Alumni Business Directory as a free tool to showcase services to an active network has proved very

popular, as has using the platform to offer benefits directly to members. The network of registered users can also be used as a free recruitment tool and we actively welcome any members of the Alumni community who work within, or are responsible for, recruitment to make use of the varied and engaged pool of potential candidates.

For advice on how to advertise a vacancy or search for a mentor within the network please see the informative ‘How to’ videos in the Resources tab. We also welcome any Alumni who are keen to post a careers skills video specific to their industry to contact the Development Office.

If you are not yet a member of the Bolton Alumni Network, you can join today and create a profile - follow the QR code above to sign up at www.boltonalumninetwork.com with your LinkedIn, Facebook or Google Account or with an email address.

Travel Counsellor Dan Hyams (Class of 2011), a specialist in luxury tailor-made travel, has taken the opportunity to feature his business on the Bolton Alumni Network (BAN).

He says: “I opted to use the Bolton Alumni Network (BAN) to showcase my business and network with fellow Old Boltonians. As a tailor-made travel specialist who creates lots of special occasion travels, building strong, personal relationships is essential for my business to succeed. Therefore having the initial familiarity of our school days is fantastic and makes for a great foundation which wouldn’t have been possible outside the BAN.” To feature your business here please contact the Development Office.

The School Magazine The Boltonian remains the premium magazine for the Boys’ Division.

As an Old Boy it is possible to become a subscriber to The Boltonian and have a copy mailed directly to you each year.

The magazine costs £15 per annum for UK subscribers and £20 per annum for non-UK subscribers.

All prices include postage and packaging. Single editions (including some earlier editions – subject to availability) are also available. Any profits made from the sale of the magazine will go towards the running of the Old Boltonians’ Association. For details of how to subscribe, please contact the Development Office.

25

Old Boltonians’ Association 1895 - 2025

OLD BOYS’ NEWS Class of 1950-1959

Norman Longworth (Class of 1953)

Norman is still living in the south of France and is still writing poetry and prose to pass away the time. He was honoured to visit School with his wife in 2023 to receive an Alumni of the Year short-list award for his work with Unesco and other global organisations on lifelong learning. It was a welcome return and he is indebted to Peter Greenhalgh for nominating him.

Norman found the School very different from what it was in the 1940s and 1950s – and for the better.

The majority of Norman’s lifelong learning output can be found, without charge, on longlearn.info and his books of poetry and prose on Amazon. Or just google his name! Unfortunately, distance and age (89 this year) prevent participation in many Alumni activities, but other Old Boltonians are welcome to visit Norman at his eyrie in the Pyrenees.

Class of 1970-1979

Gary Sykes

(Class of 1970) Congratulations to Gary and his wife, Carole, on the arrival of their first grandchild, Cooper Bill, born on 1st October 2024.

David Seddon (Class of 1971)

Congratulations to David who has been invited to join the Worshipful Company of Chartered Surveyors, one of the London Livery Companies. This has meant becoming a Freeman of the City of London and a ceremony at St Paul’s Cathedral. It follows a career as a European investment surveyor and international director at Jones Lang LaSalle, one of the world’s most successful commercial property consultants. David was then a main board member and European fund manager at the FTSE quoted Teesland iOG. After retiring in 2015, David, together with Peter Acton (Class of 1971) set up the Bolton School Mentoring Programme, Find Your Path (FYP), in joint venture with the School Development Office. This has become a

26

very successful initiative and has guided many ex-Bolton School boys onto a career ladder.

David plans to join the Livery Company’s mentor program, a wellfunded scheme, which partners the Reading Real Estate Foundation (RREF) in supporting ethnic minorities to become Chartered Surveyors.

David has met up with Henry Jones (Class of 1971) every year since leaving School, and the pair meet up regularly with Steven Aldred (Class of 1970) and Rob Kay (Class of 1971).

Meric Srokosz (Class of 1972)

Recent research,

by Prof Meric Srokosz and colleagues, has shown how drought in southern Africa combined with aeolian (wind) transport of small dust particles (aerosols) from the dry region to over the ocean to the east of Madagascar can fertilise the ocean. Rain washed the dust out of the atmosphere and deposited it in the ocean causing the phytoplankton (algae) in the water to ‘bloom’ (multiply quickly). The deposited dust added nutrients to the water allowing the phytoplankton to grow rapidly, in the same way as fertilising your garden can stimulate plant growth. This phytoplankton bloom spread over an area roughly one third the size of Europe. With global warming leading to more frequent droughts such events could become more common.

The National Oceanography Centre has produced a podcast about this research: bit.ly/41HRTOB.

Class of 1980-1989

Ivan (Taff) Stafford (Class of 1984)

After 20 years as a university lecturer in Leicester, Taff retired (again) at the end of March this year and continues to reside in rural South Leicestershire.

Richard Morris (Class of 1986)

Richard is a Director of The Bury Black Pudding Company which was featured

Richard with presenter Cherry Healey

in February on the BBC’s Inside the Factory, the show that explores the fascinating production processes behind some of Britain’s favourite foods. Richard joined presenters Paddy McGuinness and Cherry Healey to show how the UK’s favourite black pudding is made! The company has been producing black pudding for generations, staying true to a timehonoured recipe and traditional production methods, and produces over 100 tonnes of black pudding each week for distribution across the UK and worldwide. Richard said: “This was a fantastic opportunity to showcase our heritage and the passion that goes into making our black pudding. We are incredibly proud of our history and our role in bringing this traditional product to consumers. As the producers of the UK’s leading brand of black pudding, it was amazing to see our company on prime-time TV.”

Class of 1990-1999

Mark Jagasia (Class of 1990)

Mark’s stage play, The Double Act, starring Nigel Betts (Downton Abbey, Doctor Who), Edward Hogg (Taboo, Harlots) and Nigel Cooke (Wolf Hall), opened at the Arcola Theatre in London in January 2025 for a four-week run. Mark’s previous play, Clarion, won Clare Higgins the Best Actress award in the Off West-End Theatre Awards. Prior to becoming a playwright Mark was a journalist working for the Daily Express, Evening Standard and Sunday Telegraph among others.

David Hopkins (Class of 1994)

David, a qualified accountant and licensed insolvency practitioner, has recently joined BTG Advisory (part of the Begbies Traynor Group – the UK’s leading Corporate Rescue and

Newsletter Spring 2025 Recovery practice) as a partner, heading up the restructuring advisory offering in the North West. He provides restructuring advice and formal insolvency services to companies in stressed and distressed situations, which involves working with secured lenders, directors and other key stakeholders. Prior to that David spent 21 years in the restructuring team at BDO LLP.

Martyn Graham Barnes (Class of 1999)

Martyn gained a Master of Engineering degree at Imperial College London and works at Sellafield in nuclear waste removal. In November 2023 he became a Professor at Leeds University.

Class of 2000-2009

Max Hopkinson

(Class of 2002) and

David Mannheim (Class of 2005)

Congratulations Max, who runs Bind, a multi-award-winning marketing agency, and to David, the founder of customer segmentation platform Made With Intent, both of whom were featured in Insider magazine’s ‘42 Under 42’ profile. The ‘42 Under 42’ looks ahead and predicts who will be the leading business figures in ten years’ time, and Max and David were both listed in 2024 as entrepreneurs to look out for.

Class of 2010-2019

Christian Sharrock (Class of 2015)

Since completing his Master’s in Biology at the University of York, Christian has now graduated from the University of Bristol with a PhD, a proud day for the whole of his family. Living in Sussex with his wife, Becca, Christian has decided to leave the white coat and labs behind, and is now training for a career as a Patent Attorney with the London office of D Young and Co.

Daniel Brookwell (Class of 2016)

Daniel recently started a new job at Tesla working in their Energy team to expand the network of fast EV chargers in the UK. He is looking forward to contributing to the amazing work the team has done developing the Supercharger network.

Matthew Haddon (Class of 2016)

Over the February half-term a group of 80 boys took part in the Mr Chilton and the boys were Year 9 and 10 Ski trip thrilled to meet up with pilot Matt! to Sestriere, Italy. On their outbound Jet2 flight to Turin from Manchester the boys, accompanied by staff including Mr Chilton (Boys’ Division’s Director of Sport), were greeted by Matt, who was First Officer on the flight. Matt had seen the group on the passenger list the night before and so was expecting them. He chatted with the pupils and gave a couple of Bolton School shoutouts over the tannoy!

Rehan Ashraf (Class of 2019)

Congratulations to Rehan who has been instrumental in driving a pivotal partnership between ACE Money Transfer and Mastercard. Drawing on skills developed at Bolton School, he led the negotiations that have enabled ACE to expand its global remittance services.

This collaboration allows ACE’s customers across the UK, Europe, Australia and Canada to send money seamlessly via Mastercard’s network.

The partnership facilitates faster, more secure cross-border payments, showcasing Rehan’s ability to navigate complex financial landscapes with industry giants. Read more at: yhoo.it/4bwfipB. Rehan attributes his journey to leading impactful international partnerships to the education and encouragement he received at Bolton School.

Class of 2020 onwards

Charles Henry Jones (Class of 2020)

Charlie applied to join the Royal Navy as an Officer aged 15, going through rigorous rounds of application, and won a coveted place at Welbeck Defence Military College in Loughborough to complete his Science and Maths-based A Levels. He then studied Maths and Engineering at University with a bursary

from the Royal Navy. However, deciding that Engineering was not for him, he changed course within the Navy to become a Warfare Officer – in January 2024 he started his training at Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth and ‘passed out’ as a Royal Navy Warfare Officer last August.

Charlie then continued his Phase 2 training with stints on board two Royal Navy ships, both frigates, one in Gibraltar and one based out of Portsmouth. He has recently been promoted to a Sub-Lieutenant and is back in Dartmouth at BRNC to continue his Warfare training until May 2025 and is expected to join a new ship over the Summer.

Daniel Williamson (Class of 2022)

In October 2025, Daniel will be running the Budapest Marathon to raise funds for Teenage Cancer Trust.

Throughout the year leading up to the race, he will take on various challenges to support the charity.

You only get one chance at being young, and those crucial years shape the person you become—your relationships, career, confidence, wellbeing, and ability to pursue your dreams. Cancer can derail all of that.

Teenage Cancer Trust is dedicated to supporting young people facing this challenge.

With a background in distance running and fundraising, Daniel saw this as an opportunity to support a great cause while exploring a new part of the world through his passion for running.

Any donations are greatly appreciated

by Daniel and Teenage Cancer Trust. https://www.justgiving.com/page/ daniel-williamson-1730726930088

Luca Kelly

(Class of 2023) Luca has recently relocated to Paris as part of a student exchange programme with King’s College London. He is continuing his studies of Politics at Sciences Po, a world-renowned institution in this field, before returning to London to complete his third year.

This has afforded him the opportunity to build on language skills which became the focus of his time in the Sixth Form at Bolton School, having received the Emma Saxelby and Maynard Andrews Prizes in 2023. Luca is very much looking forward to sharing more of this news with his former language tutors.

27

Old Boltonians’ Association 1895 - 2025

Mini Reunions hael, Jolyon L-R: Eddy, James, Mic

Old Boys’ Chance Encounter L-R: Oliver, Jonathan and Alex

It is amazing where Old Boy connections are made – whilst travelling in New Zealand earlier this year Jonathan Ratcliffe (Class of 2020) bumped into brothers Alex (2009) and Oliver (2010) Quayle whilst penguin watching in Timaru!

Old Boys in Oslo Kieron Hunter (Class of 1993; Boys’ Division Staff 2006-2009) had a wonderful surprise when a group of School friends arrived to celebrate his 50th birthday!

Pub Crawl Down Memory Lane Edward Siddall, James O’Reilly, Michael Handforth and Jolyon Latimer (all Class of 1996) met on a cold and wet November Saturday to pub crawl from Horwich to Chorley via Adlington – a trip down memory lane and Mike Handforth’s old school bus route home.

Back: Jamie Roberts, Caspar Jose ph, Craig Robinson Front: Tim Lightfoot, Kieron Hunt er

Tim Lightfoot, Jamie Roberts, Craig Robinson (all Class of 1993) along with Caspar Joseph (Boys’ Division Staff, 1986-2022) travelled to Oslo where Kieron is based for a weekend of merry-making. There was good chat about Cautley, Under-12 football prowess, rugby, swimming, geography field trips and a medieval fayre – all in all, a splendid occasion!

Finally Reunited: The Class of ‘71 To celebrate the end of A Levels, Nick Collins, John Hardwick, Bob Higson, Jim Blacklidge, Keith Nuttall and Peter Walker embarked on a split-location camping holiday to Abersoch and Stratford-upon-Avon. Nick and Bob in Keith’s Morris Minor 1000, Jim and John in Peter’s NSU. Inter-car competitions involved beach cricket by day and darts at the Whitehouse in the evening.

At Stratford they attended RSC matinées and evening performances – The Duchess of Malfi being the highlight. The Black Bull became the venue for the fiercely contested darts.

John, Keith and Nick returned to Upper Sixth. Nick and Keith went up to Cambridge followed by careers in Japan and the Middle East. John and Bob pursued legal careers, Jim returned to his farm after university and Peter lived the peripatetic life in retail management.

Fifty years on, five of the group reunited at Shaw Hill Golf Club, Chorley.

Keith was finally coaxed north for the full team to reassemble at the Last Drop, Bromley Cross in October 2024.

Back, L-R: Nick Collins, Keith Nutt all,

Christmas Catch-Up A large contingent of Old Boys from the Class of 2020, some of whom have known each other since their time at Bolton School Nursery, met up in December for a Christmas meal at Piccolino Caffé Grande, Manchester. ur, Charlie Mitchell, L-R: Edward Clarke, Callum Kilgo ards-Williams, Edw th Gare y, rund Shaun Hughes-G y, Joe Hogan, Mark Simons, Christopher Rhodes, Guy Store , Cian Gallagher, Nikhil Maini, Henry Doyle, Joe Dick Marc Crompton

28

The boys took advantage of the Development Team’s offer to contribute to University Drinks – see opposite for details.

John Hardwick, Peter Walker Front, L-R: Bob Higson, Jim Black lidge

Newsletter Spring 2025

SPORTS

Whispering it will be Happier …

The theme and feel of the article written for the last edition of The Bugle, coming as it did before the season started, was one of hope of refreshment, of advance. In thirsting for success, it’s not been a case of all our cups running over.

For both the teams which form the traditional essence of the club, Saturdays have been a struggle throughout the season with a churn of players making it so difficult for the managers to imbue a sense of what was wanted. Both teams are flirting with relegation as Spring approaches. There are smatterings of hope such as a 6-0 victory for the firsts over Burnley Belvedere in early February. However, a sustained upturn in form in the last quarter of the season will be necessary if positions in their current divisions are to be maintained.

Much more quenching, however, have been the performances of the other three teams. The Ladies have had a challenging yet positive season, making great strides against well established teams, many from semi-pro and pro clubs. A top half finish is possible and a semi-final clash awaits in the cup. We are actively involved in recruiting experienced players for next season to build on these foundations.

The Vets finished second in the division, recording a win over the champions in their last match, and are still in the cup, aiming to meet the champions in the final. The squad is probably currently in its strongest position for some little time; spirits are high, numbers are high and hopes are high.

The new version of Boltonians Youth is far stronger than our previous efforts. They have performed impressively and are a real joy to watch when at their best. They top their league with a third

of the season to run and cup success is also a target. This is a key way forward for the club in introducing a full squad of players committed to playing for Old Bolts at this level or moving onto open age football in the next couple of seasons.

The spirit within former players could hardly be higher and we look forward to a second running of the Stevenson Trophy on Saturday 26th April when doyens of the club from 30 to 80 will relive memories of their part in everything that OBAFC is all about! Do come and join us (kick off is at 11 am) when old faces press around us as a player or a supporter, if you too would like to continue to support the club. If you can’t make it on that day then there are plenty of other ways to do so. Please contact the Development Office or those named on the club website. There is a whole range of current options available, be it as player in any of the five teams, manager, sponsor or patron.

Your correspondent must finish on a high spot of congratulations.

Little did he think some 40-plus years ago that the star of the junior side he managed would one day manage our local professional club. Very many congratulations to a player who was magnificent at School and has been a credit throughout his professional playing and coaching career, culminating in sipping so strongly from the cup of success in his caretaker role at BWFC. Well done, Julian!

Martin Wadsworth (Boys’ Division Staff, 1974-2006)

Old Boltonians’ Golf Society Report I SPRING 2025 I hope you have all had a pleasant Winter and as we have been teased with a brief glimpse of Spring are ready to get back on the golf course.

Given the winter months, there has not been a huge amount to report in terms of the Golf Society. However, this year’s Taylor Trophy will take place on Wednesday 2nd July at Bolton Golf Club. The tee is reserved from 2.30pm until 4.30pm, with food served on completion of your round.

Anyone with links to the School – Old Boys and Old Girls, current pupils, staff both past and present, parents, former parents and friends – are warmly invited to take part in the competition this year. Perhaps you could play as a family or as a group of old School pals? The cost of the golf and meal will be £40 per person and £30 for under 25s – please contact the Development Office for further details.

We will of course be sending a team of six over to Huddersfield Golf Club on Sunday 4th May in an attempt to qualify for the Grafton Morrish Finals which will be held at Hunstanton and Royal West Norfolk at the beginning of October, and I hope to report on a successful qualifying and finals campaign in the Autumn edition of The Bugle.

Should any Old Boy or Old Girl wish to get involved in the Golf Society, please do not hesitate to get in contact with me on either markm@pmdbusinessfinance.co.uk or 07711 594030.

Mark Millhouse (Class of 1994) Golf Secretary

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Destinations of Leavers 2024 Harry Adams Kiran Adiyodi Ali Adnan Subhaan Akbar Ahmed Akram Omar Al-Falahi Mahmoud Alzubaidi Abdhullah Anas Frederick Audley Jacob Audley Zayan Azad Fezaan Aziz Ahmet Balanyan James Bland James Bowie Jonathon Brennan William Burrows Joseph Carolan Matthew Chae David Chow Harry Connor Matthew Cooney Peter Craig Evan Dare Ewan Davies Elliot Davies Tamas Debreczeni Ketan Dhokia Harvey Dhokia Joshua Dickens Jake Dickinson Nathan Elcock Daniel Elding-Parry Joseph Emery Saul Farrell Priyesh Fernando Neo Fitzgerald James Fitzsimmons Samuel Fitzsimons Finn Flanagan Keshana Fonseka Marcus Fung Cameron Geskell Georgios Gkikas Maximilian Goodwin Tom Griffiths Liv Hextall Daniel Heywood Finn Hogan George Houghton Thomas Hunt Harvey Husbands Jamaal Hussain Haashir Imran Lucas Ingham Mohammed F Jiva Mohamed S Jiva Akshat Kamath

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University of Leeds University of Central Lancashire Liverpool John Moores University University of Manchester University of Huddersfield University of Warwick University of Manchester

Durham University University of Liverpool University of Manchester University of Chester Gobelins, l'Ecole de l'Image, Paris Northumbria University University of Liverpool Northumbria University University of Warwick University of Leeds Nottingham Trent University University of Leeds University of Salford Leeds Beckett University (2025) Northumbria University University of Nottingham University of Exeter (2025) Newcastle University University of Southampton Manchester Metropolitan University University of Nottingham Northumbria University Loughborough University (2025) University of Liverpool University of Nicosia, Cyprus Loughborough University (2025) University of Leeds Futureworks University of Warwick University of Manchester University of Birmingham

Lancaster University University of Hertfordshire University of Central Lancashire King's College London, University of London

Biochemistry Gap Year Business and Management Accounting and Finance Gap Year Medicine Science Gap Year Discrete Mathematics Employment Medicine Gap Year Gap Year Natural Sciences Gap Year Business Management English Literature Gap Year Zoology Character Animation and Animated Filmmaking Geography and Environmental Sciences Degree Apprenticeship Aerospace Engineering with Pilot Studies Sport Management Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) History Law Dental Surgery/Oral Science Law Architecture Business and Management Gap Year Chemical Engineering History and Modern Languages Economics and Finance Music Degree Apprenticeship Product Design Engineering Health Sciences Product Design Human Biology Philosophy Employment Medicine Commercial Management and Quantity Surveying Philosophy, Psychology and Scientific Thought Independent Filmmaking Discrete Mathematics Management (Marketing) Modern Languages and English Literature Apprenticeship Employment Employment Gap Year Accounting and Finance Optometry Ophthalmic Dispensing Dentistry

Fenn Kay Daud Khan Harry Laithwaite Khalid Lakhi Jamie Latchford Thomas Leach Dylan Lincoln William Littlefair Darragh Livesey Kevin Longthorne Jayden Luhar Kian McDonald Alexander McKie Luis McPherson Billy Maher Panashe Mambo Ollie McCann Zain Mehraj Fletcher Mellor-Brook Uwais Mitha Wesley Mok Oliver Morrow Mohammed H Natha Noah Nethercott Yash Panasa Nabil Pariejwala Jake Partington Aamir Patel Ismaaéel Patel Muhammad-Mustafa Patel Veer Patel Raees Patel Samuel Paton William Pearce Lewis Pierson Aditya Ranganath Hamza Razzaq Ben Rimmer Harry Roebuck Patrice Rostami Bilal Sardar Kiran Sastry Raoul Saxena Mohammed Shaikh Yixuan Shen Charlie Silvester Jacob Simmonite Jack Stevens Archie Stocks Harry Summers Davyd Sywanyk Harry Taylor Benjamin Turner Cameron Weatherley Evan Weston Kofi Wilkinson Toby Yates

Staffordshire University University of Manchester Newcastle University

Newcastle University University of Manchester University of Reading Nottingham Trent University University of Wolverhampton Newcastle University University of Cambridge Lancaster University

Aston University, Birmingham University of Manchester Durham University

Newcastle University University of Liverpool University of Huddersfield Lancaster University

University of Liverpool Imperial College London University of Liverpool Lancaster University University of Leeds University of Birmingham (2025) University of Leeds University of Cambridge

Aston University University of Birmingham University of Leicester University of Manchester Aberystwyth University University of York Newcastle University

University of Huddersfield University of York University of Leeds University of York Leeds Beckett University University of York

Art and Design Computer Science Civil and Structural Engineering Gap Year Gap Year Accounting and Finance Law Biomedical Engineering Accounting and Finance Podiatry Degree Apprenticeship Mechanical Engineering Anglo-Saxon, Norse, and Celtic Geography Employment Employment Employment Medicine Modern Languages and Business and Management Gap Year Accounting Employment Gap Year Biomedical Sciences Accounting and Finance Science Law Gap Year Degree Apprenticeship Computer Science with Software Development Medicine Computer Science Mechanical Engineering Accounting and Finance Chemistry Chemical Engineering Gap Year Modern and Medieval Languages Gap Year Gap Year Biomedical Science Economics Marketing Gap Year Materials Science and Engineering Filmmaking Mathematics Economics and Finance Gap Year Gap Year Gap Year Mechanical Engineering Mathematics Classical Civilisation Computer Science Human Geography and Planning Physical Geography and Environment

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Old Boltonians’ Association 1895 - 2025

ARCHIVES

School Air Raid Shelters during the Second World War

Don Cole (Class of 1947) entered Bolton School at the outbreak of the Second World War. His father was responsible for designing the air raid shelters beneath the First Level, and Don recalls practising using them on several occasions. Here we learn how the shelters came about.

The construction of the air raid shelters became the absolute priority and, according to W E Brown, four shelters were built for Boys’ Division, one under the quadrangle, one under the top Level, one under the Dobson Road play area (the Shelter 3 referred to above) and one, used by the Sixth Form boys, in the central heating duct under the front wing of the School. Old Boy Don Cole has written about how his father, a Civil Engineer, designed the large shelter under the top Level, and we know that the boys, under the guidance of Mr Richard Crispin (Boys’ Division Head of Handicraft, 1925-1961) made more than 500 seats to furnish the shelters. Whether these seats were shared with Girls’ Division shelters is not clear.

Air raid shelter sign – still in situe on Boys’ Division ‘A’ corridor

The only evidence remaining of the Second World War air raid shelters is the sign for Shelter 3 at the head of the stairs in Boys’ Division, leading down from A Corridor to the IT Department and the Levels. It is, however, so inconspicuous that many will quite probably have no idea that it even exists.

Air raid shelters had become a topic for discussion by the Governors as early as February 1938 and there were regular meetings with the Local Education Committee which was responsible for their provision. Such, however, was the lack clarity as regards the Authority’s precise requirements or the funding mechanism, little had been done by the outbreak of the Second World War on 1st September 1939. The result was that School was unable to reconvene when term was due to begin ten days later and work at home schemes were introduced in both Divisions, albeit the Boys’ Sixth Form were taught in the homes of the Headmaster, Mr FR Poskitt, and teacher Mrs Emma Saxelby.

An experimental trench was constructed in the grounds of the Girls’ Division in the Autumn of 1938 and the W E Brown History of Bolton School records that another such trench was planned for the bank of the top Level until it was pointed out that this was the course for electric cables and water pipes.

Search the Archives!

Many of the School’s archive materials, including full School photographs from both Divisions, historic issues of The Boltonian and past editions of The Bugle, have been fully digitised and can be accessed via the Alumni page of the School website – or scan here.

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In Girls’ Division Pat Bellis (née Topping, Class of 1945; Girls’ Division Staff, 1964-1984) wrote that there were three shelters: one in the quadrangle, one alongside the gym and one behind the lower cloister, in the playground behind School, sometimes used for netball. Governors’ minutes suggest that the cellar beneath Beech House was also used as a shelter, after it had been lime washed in late 1939.

Both Divisions finally returned in full session in early November and regular air raid practices were introduced. Lessons would be stopped and everybody would troop into the respective shelters.

The boys in particular seemed to welcome the novelty of shelter practice and The Hon Michael Lever, QC (Class of 1946; Governor 1972-2003) remembered how some boys hoped the siren would sound during Latin, whereas his preference was to miss Algebra!

Harold Rothera (Class of 1947) remembered how inconvenient it was to be compelled to carry a neat cardboard box around School containing a gas mask; Elizabeth Mary Mahoney (née Young, Class of 1945) remembered not only the gas masks, but also the need to carry a coat at all times because the shelters were so cold.

As the Winter advanced in 1939 the lack of heating and ventilation became an increasing problem, but was not until the Winter of 1940 that the Borough Engineer arranged for stoves to be fixed in all the shelters which finally seems to have rectified the problem, together with some actions to improve ventilation. Crowding remained a problem and there were discussions about possibly making more use of the School cellars which were well lit and heated and could be used if they could be strutted by using timber from the soon to be demolished Broomfield. It was also suggested that Park Road might use the central cellars in Elizabethan Terrace. There is no evidence in the archives to suggest that these proposals ever made any progress, but if any Alumni know anything to the contrary it would be very helpful to hear from them.

The best news is that the real threat of air raids never materialised so far as Bolton School was concerned.

Meet the Archivist Eric Fairweather If you have a question about the School’s history or would like to donate to the Archive any photographs or artefacts from your time at School, Eric would love to hear from you.

E: development@boltonschool.org

2

1

Looking Back

3 4

6 5

7 8

11

9

12

10

A nostalgic trip down Chorley New Road – photographs from across the decades.

If you have any photos of your time at School which you would like to share please email them to development@boltonschool.org.

1 2

Bill Jary (Boys’ Division Staff, 1937-1957) Old Boys returned to assist at a Careers event, 2016

3

Boys’ Division Gym

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Bolton School Bank, 1965 Choir, 1970s Battle of the Bands 2010 winners with Mark Radcliffe Monitors, 2014-15 The Swimming Pool before its transformation to the Arts Centre Oxford Dinner, 2006 Poppy dedication, 2015 Prince William meets the Water Polo Team, 2008 Sports Reunion, 2015

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Old Boltonians’ Association 1895 - 2025

Memories On World Teacher Day 2024 we asked: “Which teacher do you still talk about and credit with helping shape your life in some way?” Our social media channels were buzzing with names!

“I had Mr Shaw for Physics and Harry Jackson for Geography. Harry was a legend and a real Sergeant Major. Also Roger Kirk as Careers Master and Group Scout Leader. Memories of Mr Shewan (Mel) for English tossing a mug around the classroom, having told us his mum bought it and how much he ‘loved that mug’.”

“It’s almost invidious to name names, really, I seem to have good memories of almost everyone who taught me. But Colin Chambers and George Grasby are the ones who really stand out. George for making me see the joy of useless knowledge, and Colin for his many lessons in the pragmatic approach to getting on in (academic) life …”

“Mr Green and Mr Garbett were such inspirational English teachers back in the 1960s that I ended up becoming an English Teacher and later an English Inspector. I also loved Mr Brooks’ Maths lessons, but dear old Mr Poskitt wouldn’t let me do Pure and Applied Maths with English so I had to end up doing languages. I later did an OU Maths degree for fun to satisfy what I’d missed out on!”

“Dr Mullins and Mrs Southworth are two teachers I will always remember fondly.”

“I went to Cautley as a senior boy with Derek De Maine’s form (possibly third years) and spent most of the weekend listening to his tales of being a fighter pilot during the Korean war.

Truly amazing and pretty much an unknown hero who taught amongst us.”

“Nigel Cropper made lessons fun, Mel Shewan kept us on our toes and gave us many stories to tell, and Jim Dawson was, well, Jim Dawson.”

“Mr Shaw and Mr Winder – both excellent teachers and thoroughly good people. Talking of legends, how about the greatest of the lot? A certain Richard Wilkinson. Brilliant History teacher and one of the genuine eccentrics who knew how to communicate not just facts but ideas.”

“DES; lovely, lovely man, and I was truly terrible at Physics …”

“Mr Winder and Mr Chambers were absolute legends.”

34

“Mr Whitmarsh, Mr Boden, Mr Wright, Mrs Wright, Mr Taylor, Mr Walker, Dave Watkinson, the Pledgers, Mr Field … can keep going really – all set me up for life.”

“All of our teachers were absolute legends.

Casper Joseph, Mr Shannon with his printing press handwriting, Miss Roberts – it’s hard to know where to start or end.

Mel Shewan for me though. He’s doing some amazing art now too.”

“My top three? Mr Harper, Head of Music and wearer of surreal ties; Mr Cropper, English, Drama and ancient car driver; and Mr Winder, Head of English, whose endless patience and determination to make his point in class belied a mischievous sense of humour. Legends, all three.”

“Charles Winder, Mel Shewan, Harry Jackson. Great teachers.”

“Messrs Allen, Harrison (Senior and Junior), Tatman, Mathieson, Griffiths, Winder, Grasby, Sherratt, Cheshire, Chambers, Booth, Welch, Hood, Blakey, Marsh, McCann, Northam, Eaves, Shaw (DES), Shaw (DMS), Dawber, Sharples, Sefton, Ingham (who gifted a trek camp that my parents couldn’t afford), Pearman, Thornycroft, Kirk, Lancashire, Prince, Nightingale. And the greatest gentleman Alan Mitchell (and, even in his fifties, a skilful footballer and cricketer).”

“My nomination is a teacher who never taught me a subject but guided me well through my teenage years: Terry Butterworth, RIP.” “I always quote my incredible Chemistry teachers Mr Schenk and, then, Miss Taylor, whilst teaching my A Level groups.

They inspired me to take Chemistry at university and I’ve been teaching now for 15 years. I was extremely lucky to have the incredible Mr Jackson and Miss Eckhart who instilled a love of Latin that I still carry with me today. I’ll forever be grateful to my amazing teachers!”

Newsletter Spring 2025

Bolton School Memorabilia!

Recent donations to the School archive, including a rugby ball from the 1960s and a Boys’ Division Choir LP from 1984, prompted a Facebook request asking whether anyone else still has treasured items from their time at School.

Graeme Lindsay-Foot (Class of 1986) has a School clock – he notes: “Anybody of a certain vintage from the Boys’ Division (I can’t speak for the Girls’ Division, far too dangerous to venture THAT side of the Quad) may recognise this – probably one from top corridor.

It was saved from an ignominious fate decades ago, but sadly not before losing its glass. I’ll restore it properly one day.”

Carl Howard (Class of 1990) says: “I still have my Park Road cap from the early 1980s, complete with name badge taped in. I also have a copy of Norman Harper’s record, inherited from my mum.”

Meanwhile, Roger Billingham (Class of 1960), who has lived in Brisbane, Australia since 1993, recently discovered a very familiar old text book: “One of the enjoyable things to come from Covid has been the spread of street libraries throughout Australia. My partner, Sandra, and I have become avid library attendees and have taken delight in exchanging new and old books and coming across other special ones.

Our local street library is made like an old telephone box and we check the contents every time we pass by.

Roger outside a street library in Brisbane

“Recently Sandra found a French language primer and thought it would help me with my studies! I was quite excited when I noticed that it was Mon Livre by Emma Saxelby (Boys’ Division The Saxelby Gate in its current location in the Staff, 1917Headmaster’s garden 1946). Quite a coincidence as my brother, David Billingham (Class of 1956), and I had been talking last year about the Saxelby memorial gate at School and how it had been moved since we often used to cycle through it to get to the bike racks in the lower cloister.

“I have been unable to discover who put the book in the library, but I am grateful to them as I can now continue to improve my schoolboy French!

The Saxelby Gate in its original location on Dobson Road

Bye Bye Barry!

Cheerio Karen!

After more than two decades of helping our pupils and parents cross Park Road safely, Barry Massey retired at the end of the Spring term. Many Old Boys will have had their day bookended by a chat with Barry and will join the School in wishing him well as he hangs up his lollipop!

Congratulations to Karen Riley, who celebrated her retirement at the end of March.

“I hope Mon Livre brings happy memories to some older Old Boys!”

Karen served Bolton School for almost 16 years in her role as Catering Manager, playing a key role across the Foundation. She received a heartfelt send-off on her final day, marking the beginning of the next chapter in her life.

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Old Boltonians’ Association 1895 - 2025

LIVES REMEMBERED Thomas Bamber (Class of 1963)

My Dad, Tom Bamber, was born on 15th January 1945. He had happy memories of Bolton School. He joined the merchant navy soon after leaving School then became a teacher when he decided to settle down in London, Lancashire and Bury St Edmunds.

As a senior teacher he was dedicated to pastoral care and stayed in touch with many exstudents.

Dad retained many friendships throughout his life, including a close friendship with Lord Peter Smith (Class of 1964) with whom he was schooled at Bolton. He was a fine educator who dedicated many years to comprehensive education.

Michael Bamber

Jamie Fernandes (Class of 2018)

During the early Summer of 2024 the whole School community was shocked to hear that Jamie Fernandes, who left the School in 2018, had been one of the two Ryanair pilots who had lost their life in a road collision on the M62. The taxi they were travelling in had collided with another vehicle in the early hours of the morning whilst they were travelling to work and a local news item became very real for very many of us.

The regard Jamie was held in by his peers and teachers alike was immediately obvious in what happened next during the School holidays. Connections were made amongst former students, sharing memories, and paying tribute online and personally. Jamie’s family were surrounded by his friends and their parents, all connected from their time at School.

Teachers shared fond memories of his time at School. The shock wave that spread rapidly gave way to a whole collection of anecdotes and stories of adventures, moments of his time at School and the actions of a good and kind and loyal friend to so many other Alumni.

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We last wrote a reference for him in 2022 when he needed one for Ryanair. It reflected how when faced with a challenge his routine response was sustained hard work. Commitment, tenacity, and engagement are all words that repeat themselves again and again on his School reports. Jamie was positive, respectful and a good friend.

Jamie was also fully absorbed in the active life of the School. He was Vice Captain of his House and a Monitor. He captained the School hockey team, playing at club level for Preston and for Lancashire. As well as sporting activity he was involved in our musical life, playing piano and singing in the choir. He worked through all three levels of the Duke of Edinburgh Award. A primary school interest in chess saw him represent Greater Manchester at that age group while he was at Park Road.

In a School career that took him from Beech House to Sixth Form the basic character of the boy who became a fine young man is unchanging. In a Beech House report in 2004 we read that Jamie is friendly and polite, a caring and popular member of the class. In Park Road “he really involves himself in School life and gets a lot out of it”. And his UCAS reference speaks of a determined and diligent, pleasant young man liked by all who knew him” In the tragedy of last Summer and the response of his School friends to that we most certainly saw he was liked by all who knew him during an all too short life, but one that was so well lived.

Philip Britton, MBE

Alexander ‘Sandy’ Hamilton (Class of 1951)

Alexander (Sandy) Hamilton died aged 92 at Roxburghe House Hospice, Aberdeen, on 26th February 2025.

He was a proud Old Boy of Bolton School, having attended from 1945-1951, becoming School Captain in his last year. Scouting played a big part in Sandy’s life at Bolton School and he was a devoted member of the School Troop.

Sandy attended St John’s College, Cambridge and then served in the Airfield Construction Branch of the Royal Air Force for three years. He became a civil engineer

and arbitrator, serving in The Gambia and Hong Kong for 19 years.

In retirement he did a lot of voluntary work, mainly for The Gordon Highlanders Museum where he was a guide for 20 years, as well as writing his memoirs.

Jean Hamilton

Steven Lythgoe (Class of 1977)

Steve was at Bolton School only for the Sixth Form (1975-77) when his family returned to Bolton after earlier living in the Midlands.

After School he joined the family garage business – first in the parts department and then setting up and becoming well known across the UK for motor cycle tyre sales and fitting, both private sales and providing tyre support services at race tracks. Just before 2000 he left the business to travel the world and settled in South East Asia.

Unfortunately, ten years later he fell ill and returned to UK for healthcare reasons.

He worked the NHS hard, having various treatments and kidney dialysis and eventually a transplant, and felt the need to pay back, so he joined the Blood Bikes voluntary organisation delivering vital blood, tissue and other necessary materials across the country in support of the health service. He made over 2,500 runs, a huge number, doing ‘as much and for as long’ as he could. Sadly he passed away at home in December 2024. His remembrance service at Overdale was attended by several from School, with a gathering afterwards at Fanny’s.

Alan Towler (Class of 1977)

Tony Oldershaw

(Governor, 2003-2013) The School should be grateful that Tony responded to the call of Sir Alan Cockshaw to his former colleague when there was a need for expertise to join the Governing Body to oversee the estate.

They had met on many major infrastructure projects, not least the Kielder Dam in Northumberland. It helped that Tony’s wife, Pauline, was a longstanding (1984-2003)

Newsletter Spring 2025 Physics teacher in the Girls’ Division.

Tony led the School estates at an enormously important time: one of new building from Beech House, Hesketh House to the Riley Centre, but also one where the Governing Body had to address many decades of underinvestment in the upkeep of the buildings and estate. He was tenacious in this respect: stone work and roofing is never a glamorous discussion topic, but it is central to good governance, and many years after his retirement we still ask ‘what would Tony say?’ when adjusting the estate spend. Our current planned preventative maintenance approach is his, but his legacy is without question the 20year restoration project, aimed at bringing the whole estate up to a state where it can be maintained annually. Phase One, on the Boys’ Division East Wing, took place a few years ago. Phase Two, on the south face, as well as phase one of the boiler replacements, begin this Summer, starting a cycle of stonework and boiler replacement that will last until the middle of the next decade.

Tony was expert, diligent, insistent and tenacious and he has, without question, a visible and lasting impact on the school he enjoyed so much, not least revelling in attendance at the musical events he loved so much.

Philip Britton, MBE

Michael Roberts (Class of 1972) Having been a regular attendee on CHI tours, from which he developed a love of travel that lasted his life, Mike left School having been in the Science Sixth Form to take an Estate Management degree at Reading. He then joined the Valuation Office of the Inland Revenue where he qualified as a Chartered Surveyor. Soon after qualification he joined the firm Gerald Eve in their Liverpool Office where he became a Partner in the firm and eventually the Head of their Leeds office.

Chris had a passion for industrial archaeology which led him to become a leading blacksmith and, ultimately, a pioneer of ironwork conservation.

His work can be seen today in many key national buildings, from Buckingham Palace, the Palaces of Westminster, the Natural History Museum and Chatsworth to cathedrals such as York Minster and St Paul’s.

Chris was born in Bolton, to Harold and Evelyn Topp (née Gillybrand), and was the third of three brothers.

He first became interested in wrought iron by watching it being made and rolled during his lunch breaks at Atlas Forge; now closed, it was the last ever forge to manufacture Puddled Wrought Iron. Having sparked an interest in industrial heritage, together with three schoolfriends he made many trips to see mill and colliery engines.

After studying Civil Engineering with Mining at Newcastle University, he took his first job working for British Waterways, living on a retired barge named Frugality.

However, he found the job tedious and boring.

Reuniting with his friends and setting up Dorothea Restorations, they lived an itinerant lifestyle, visiting closing historic industrial sites, collecting equipment including steam engines and winding winches, refurbishing them for newlyformed museums such as Beamish.

After arriving in the Peak District, they took over the lease of a forge, learning blacksmithing skills from the retiring owners. Chris proved to be a natural, so he decided to stay and focus on working with iron. Later relocating to North Yorkshire, Chris first became noticed by those in the restoration world when he made new gates for Middlethorpe Hall. Working from sheds in his garden, his company (Topp & Co) grew, often taking on several of the journeymen who travelled from across the world to elevate their skills by working and living with him. He also became the only producer of re-rolled wrought iron to sell to other blacksmiths for heritage work.

He and I met over our shared love of artistic ironwork, both new and historic, in 2007, but his continual complaining over the lack of conservation standards and unsympathetic repairs drove me to suggest he do something about it. So together we gathered a group of experts from related fields to set about defining standards for the conservation work of iron, through the National Heritage Ironwork Group (www.nhig.org).

Chris’ legacy will live on, hopefully for hundreds of years, through the preservation work he carried out, and the continued work of the NHIG. Chris is survived by his wife, two ex-wives, five children and two grandchildren.

Bethan Griffiths

In Memoriam David Aubrey (Class of 1959) - Died 27th July 2024 Peter Boulter (Class of 1966) - Died 15th April 2024 Joseph Derek Eden (Class of 1952) - Died 6th March 2025 JMA ‘Michael’ Farmer (Class of 1955) - Died 3rd October 2024 (Robert) Neil Gregson (Class of 1969) - Died 8th December 2024 Peter Noel Grimshaw (Class of 1955) - Died 27th November 2024

After retirement, he continued travelling, some of which was in connection with lecturing and giving presentations on his philatelic hobby. At the time of his death, he was President of the Royal Philatelic Society. Mike died on Boxing Day 2024, leaving behind his wife of 42 years, Alison, a son, Peter, and a daughter, Jenny.

Christopher Hamilton (Class of 1962) - Died 29th January 2024

Paul Greenwood (Class of 1972)

Roy H Needham (Class of 1950) - Died 14th February 2025

Christopher Topp

William (Bill) Ernest Nuttall (Class of 1943) - Died 17th March 2025

(Class of 1967)

Chris, my husband and business partner, died last October, aged 75.

Brian Heap (Class of 1946) - Died 14th February 2024 Raymond Hilton (Class 0f 1951) - Died 16th February 2025 Nicholas Lewis (Class of 1967) - Died 2nd November 2024 John Liptrot (Class of 1969) - Died March 2024 Patrick McCarthy (1949-1955) - Died 6th November 2024

John Ramsdale (Boys’ Division Staff, 1989-2000) - Died 31st January 2025 Peter Renshaw (Class of 1964) - Died 11th August 2024 Frank Yates (Class of 1952) - Died 9th March 2025 37

Old Boltonians’ Association 1895 - 2025

The Clifford Ingham Fund In recent years the Management Committee of the Scott Bolton Trust has undertaken the responsibility of managing and awarding the CHI Fund, seeking to assist pupils to realise their proposals in different ways. Over the last few months the Committee has reviewed progress and has produced the following guidelines to work within going forward: In June 2021 The Management Committee of the Scott Bolton Trust (SBT) was asked to undertake the management of the Clifford Ingham Fund (CHI Fund). The brief was flexible insofar as the Fund is to be expended to support suitable causes (as opposed to being a perpetual fund where the accrued interest is used expended). The Fund being expended roughly within the lifetime of the Alumni whose donations established the Fund.

The amount of the Fund transferred to the SBT was £89k. It currently stands at £66k Having managed the Fund for over three years it seems appropriate to reflect on progress to date and set outline guidance for the next few years.

As background, when considering applications the SBT does not take into account if the applicants are bursary pupils.

Initially the Fund was used to provide support to activities where applications were made to SBT but the activities were considered worthy but did not satisfy the SBT criteria. In addition lump sum contributions have been made towards the costs of the climbing wall at School and the rescue boat at Patterdale.

More recently the SBT Management Committee has used the CHI Fund for individual awards, to give significant funding to exceptional applications they received in terms of adventurous spirit or benefit to the individuals.

After further discussion within the committee we have decided to adopt a more structured guidance to the allocation of awards.

The guidelines are to provide an approach to appropriately manage the CHI Fund and these maybe adjusted to reflect the number and quality of applications each year.

As you will all recall CHI not only ran the Spring and Summer Trek Camps, but was a legendary Classics teacher. With the second part of this in mind, the committee proposes to provide a sum to support the Joint Classics Trip each time it is run. This would in effect act as a subsidy to reduce the overall cost of the trip for each pupil on the trip. It would be nice if it could be known as the Clifford Ingham Classics Trip.

On occasion, the Head of Foundation has also asked the committee to consider funding small grants for fee-paying students, to enable them to take part in trips and activities their families would otherwise be unable to afford, eg travel costs to join a trip on Tenacity.

Drawing all this together, the following indicates how funds could be allocated annually: 1. Two awards for the most fitting applications to SBT (awarded instead of SBT funding them, not in addition) 2. A contribution to the cost of running the joint school classics trip 3. Head of Foundation’s discretionary allocation In addition, significant one-off capital support for a specific project (along the lines of the climbing wall or rescue launch) could be considered on its individual merits.

This would naturally affect the annual amount available.

We are mindful that that the funding cycle is rapidly approaching and would like to share these thoughts with the Alumni that were instrumental in establishing the CHI Fund to get their views.

On behalf of the School we are very grateful for the efforts made to establish the Fund to support pupils in engaging with extracurricular activities related to outdoor learning and adventure learning – areas in which School has significant strengths. As we all appreciate, this type of activity is hugely significant in personal development.

The Committee is very grateful to the generosity of so many Old Boys for their donations and the flexibility it has given to the Committee in allocating funding to a variety of pupil projects.

Update to Association Rules The following resolutions will be voted on at the Association’s AGM on Monday 19th May: That the Rules of the Old Boltonians’ Association be amended in accordance with the following Resolutions: 1.

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To replace the requirement for an audit of the accounts and reference to an Auditor or Audit with a review of the accounts by an Independent Reporting Accountant and accounts subject to an Independent Review.

2. To approve a new Rule that “The land and property owned by the Association shall be held on behalf of the Association by up to four trustees to be appointed by the General Committee. The Trustees shall act at all times in accordance with the rules of the association and at the direction of the General Committee”.

3. To appoint the Head of the Boys’ Division, the Head of Foundation and the Director of Development, Alumni Relations and Marketing or their nominated representative as ex-officio members of the Committee.

These changes will ensure that the Rules accurately reflect current operating practices.

Newsletter Spring 2025

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2025

• Sectional Reports (these will be taken as the reports printed in this edition of The Bugle) • Election of Officers and General Committee (save for the office of President and Vice President, nominations close at the meeting) • Head of Boys’ Division Report and/or Head of Foundation Report

Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of the Old Boltonians’ Association will take place on Monday 19th May at 12 noon in the Arts Centre, Bolton School.

AGM Agenda

Details of those members of the General Committee who are due to retire by rotation will be given at the meeting. Barry Nightingale (1979) is the Presidential nominee and David Williams (1999) is the Vice Presidential nominee, and both are proposed for election for a period of one year.

• Apologies • Minutes of Annual General Meeting 2024 • Secretary’s Report • Treasurer’s Report and Accounts

OLD BOLTONIANS’ ASSOCIATION Proxy Voting Form

I desire my proxy to vote on the resolutions to be submitted as follows: Annual General Meeting

I [insert name].................................................................................................. of [address]....................................................................................................... a member of the Association appoint [insert name]...................................................................................

(1) To elect Barry Nightingale as President of the Association for 2025/26 *FOR *AGAINST *Please delete whichever is not required (1) To elect David Williams as Vice President of the Association for 2025/26 *FOR *AGAINST *Please delete whichever is not required

of [address].......................................................................................................

In the absence of instructions my proxy may vote or abstain from voting as he thinks fit on any matter which may properly come before the meeting.

or failing him the President of the Association (or in his absence the chairman of the meeting)

Signed ............................................................................................... Date ..........................

Please return this form to arrive no later than 11.30am on 19th May 2025 to The Secretary, Old Boltonians’ Association, c/o Development Office, Bolton School, Chorley New Road, Bolton BL1 4PA, with the envelope clearly marked “OBA AGM”.

to be my proxy to vote on my behalf at the Annual General Meeting of the Association to be held on Monday 19th May 2025 or at any adjournment of that meeting.

MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE OLD BOLTONIANS’ ASSOCIATION HELD ON MONDAY 20TH MAY 2024 The Minutes of the AGM 2023 were accepted as a true record of that meeting.

for his year in office as President, which was carried out with tremendous enthusiasm and had resulted in much engagement with the OBA from his peers.

Treasurer’s Report The finances were as printed in The Bugle. The Treasurer, Phil Riding, reported on these.

Secretary’s Report The report began with sincere thanks on behalf of the OBA to Laura, Rebecca and their team in the Development Office for their sterling work in both engagement and organisation of the many events. We are in touch with 11,437 Alumni. Careers and enrichment support and mentoring was strong. Recent gatherings had been well supported, including the London Dinner which had sold out resulting in a second event being arranged. Nominations for the Alumni of the Year Awards were sought. Fundraising for the bursary scheme was in focus after the anticipated imposition of VAT on the sector; a large-scale fundraising campaign would be launched in the coming year. Richard Washington was thanked

Sectional Reports As reported in The Bugle. Additional mention was made of the upcoming events, including the MCC cricket match in June and the relaunch of the Golf Society’s Taylor Trophy.

OLD BOLTONIANS’ ASSOCIATION

OLD BOLTONIANS’ ASSOCIATION

ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER 2024 BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31st DECEMBER 2024 2024 2023 £ £ £ £ Assets Freehold land at cost 6,844 6,844 Golf trophies at cost Bank accounts Investments at market value Sundry debtors Loan to Football Section Liabilities Sundry creditors Represented by: General Fund Balance brought forward Surplus for the Year

26 20,801 18,222 3,176 8,000

26 21,595 18,203 2,498 8,500

57,069

57,666

4,828 52,241

4,546 53,120

53,120 (879)

54,119 (999) 52,241

53,120

Election of Officers and General Committee Jon Twist (Secretary) and Harry Lane were re-elected onto the Committee for three years.

Ross Taylor stepped down from the Committee.

Election of President for 2024/25 Richard Morris was elected as President until May 2025.

INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER 2024 2024 Income £ Subscriptions and donations 7,389 Investment income 1,063 Increase/(Decrease) in market value of investment 19

(983)

8,471

7,129

4,546 2,379 1,023 1,082 320 9,350

3,946 2,310 195 1,251 12 414 8,128

(879)

(999)

Expenditure Boltonian magazine Insurance Golf section Dinner subsidies Ex-Presidents’ regalia Sundries

Surplus of expenditure over income

2023 £ 7,468 644

Prepared by: PA Riding, Hon Treasurer Subject to independent review by: AJ Syddall, Hon Independent Examiner

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Old Boltonians’ Association Spring Newsletter 2025

CBP030433

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