Bristolienses Issue 61 Summer 2021

BRISTOLIENSES THE OLD BRISTOLIANS’ MAGAZINE Summer 2021 Issue 61

In this issue: Moving to Malawi Events 2021 The 500 Campaign OB Music Class of 2020 Reunion Weddings From the Archivist Class of 2021 Reunion In memoriam

Where are they now?

LUNCH CLUB

Thoughts from the Chair

GEOFF WRIGHT

MEETINGS : OB SPORTS CLUB : OB OFFICE NEWS : SECRETARY’S REPORT

Editorial Editorial

Contents Editorial

From the President

2 3

Thoughts from the Chair

4

From OBs’ Office

5

From the Secretary

6

From the Archivist

8

Lunch Club Meetings

10

500 Campaign 13 Moving to Malawi

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Class of 2020 Reunion

16

Class of 2021 Reunion

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Issue 57 Summer 2019

Geoff Wright

Events 2021 20 OB Sports Club

22

My thanks to all the contributors.

OB Music 24 Reminiscences 26 From the Archives

28

OB News 29 Rod MacKinnon visits BGS

30

Weddings 31 OBs Around the World

32

Peter Tucker Memorial

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Issue 58 Winter 2020

Memories of School, teachers, journeys and trips are all very welcome as are memories of the environs of the School and your interactions there.

Merchandise 33 In Memoriam 34 OB Management Committee

38

Honorary Members

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More and more people are responding to my call for articles so please keep them coming.

My thanks again to Caitlin for all her help in collating the articles and to Tony for his skilful arrangement of the finished product.

Past Presidents 39

Issue 59 Autumn 2020

I hope you enjoy reading this edition and I wish you well over the coming months.

Geoff Wright

(1956-1966) Chairman Bristolienses Editor

Thanks to Peter Jakobek for our cover image

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Issue 60 Winter 2021

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the President From the From President

A second term. There are very few positives

in conflicts in the 20th Century.

So what does this year hold? I hope a great deal, although there is caution around what is to come.

I am delighted that this ceremony has grown to encompass hockey club members and Society members in recent years.

associated with the pandemic but one for me was being invited to continue as OBs’ President for a second term.

There are plans for dinners, and other social events which I hope to be able to attend.

The Old Bristolians sports teams are full steam ahead with cricket having had a reasonably normal summer and hockey and cricket back to normal fixtures over the coming weeks. Mike Burmester is planning more Luncheon Club events that hopefully will be in person.

The sports club is something close to my heart. It is somewhere I hope all OBs are familiar with and alongside the luncheon club being hosted there, I hope I can extend an invitation for the wider OBs’ community to visit.

In my tenure as Rugby Club President I have ensured that a Remembrance service has taken place so that the Mini & Junior rugby players understand the significance of the memorial.

Personal sacrifice is something we have witnessed again from many people who have put themselves on the frontline in the last two years.

Rich Berry

Therefore I feel that remembrance will hold a wider significance both this year and in years to come. This year’s service will take place on 14th November and I would extend a welcome to you all to attend

Rich Berry

Old Bristolians’ President

Failand is an Official War Memorial, dedicated to the memory of those OBs who gave the ultimate sacrifice

Are you at university?

About to go on a placement year?

Do you need help funding your placement?

Every year the Old Bristolians’ Society considers applications from OBs to assist them with their placement year up to a maximum of £250 per person.

TO APPLY PLEASE VISIT THE ‘CAREERS AND MENTORING’ SECTION OF OUR WEBSITE WWW.ALUMNI.BRISTOLGRAMMARSCHOOL.CO.UK

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Thoughts from the Chair From the Chair

(AWP). Success was achieved and a detailed report produced for posterity.

We are hoping that ‘live’ events can resume in the Autumn and Marcus Cryer is working alongside Nadine, Pete and Caitlin on these running forwards to the Annual Dinner next March.

Geoff Wright

As I write this we are returning to a sort

of normal activity whilst COVID-19 continues around us and throughout the world.

I will end by thanking the committee for its input and industry and doubly thanking Caitlin and Pete, both committee members, for all their work in the office.

Geoff Wright

(1956-1966) Chairman Bristolienses Editor

Mike Burmester’s skilful management of the luncheon club must be noted. We have had some spectacular OB guest speakers and attracted an international attendance. This shows the ‘silver lining’ of the virtual meeting.

However, its simplicity sadly did not attract very many more UKbased OBs.

However, I fear this will be ‘a troubled peace’.

The Society has continued its activities through virtual meetings and recently held its slightly belated AGM. The Honorary Secretary’s report for this can be read on page 6.

We will be sorry to be saying farewell to Nick Fitzpatrick as treasurer. He has done a great amount of work for the Society, simplifying and clarifying our accounts. We thank him for this and wish him well, but, we now need a successor. Volunteers please.

Continuing on a financial theme, I must express my sincere thanks to Ian Southcott who, at my request, chaired a small group of involved parties to work on clarifying the mix of monies and responsibilities relating to the Society, the Sports Club, the School and the all-weather pitch

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WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU DO YOU HAVE ANY NOTABLE MEMORIES FROM SCHOOL? DO YOU HAVE ANY PHOTOS FROM YOUR TIME AT SCHOOL - WE’D LOVE TO SEE THEM AND SHARE THEM HERE OR ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA RECENTLY MARRIED? HAD A BABY? STARTED A BUSINESS? WRITTEN A BOOK? RAISING MONEY FOR CHARITY? LET US KNOW HOW WE CAN SUPPORT YOU & YOUR ENDEAVOURS EMAIL: obs@bgs.bristol.sch.uk

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From OBs’ Office From OBs’ Office

News from the OBs’ Office - we were disappointed that the planned OBs’ Dinner in March was a casualty of lockdown. Who would’ve

thought that a year on from the last Dinner that we would still be suffering so badly from the pandemic?

I remember the anxiety that some of you felt before the last Dinner in 2020 which turned out to be our last live event in the last 18 months.

As I started my new role as our Alumni Relations Manager I have been confined to the office, worked from home and furloughed during the last year.

Our events last year all moved online which had a few benefits especially in that the lectures and Lunch Club talks have been accessible to everybody no matter where they live in the world.

We have been joined by OBs from the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland and South Africa.

As we look forward to the new academic year, we are hoping that we will be able to get back to some normality. I know that Mike Burmester is very keen to restart the OB Lunch Club meetings at the Sports Club.

These events are open to all OBs, you don’t have to come along to every meeting but they are generally held on the first Friday of each month, after lunch there is a guest speaker, usually, but not always an OB.

OB lectures throughout the year so keep checking the website for upcoming events; it may also be possible to organise a lecture in the theatre as we move out of the pandemic.

In September we are delighted to be hosting the OBs’ Golf Day at Bristol and Clifton Golf Club and a Garden Party to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Co-Education. We are also planning a Law and Finance Networking event in London, more details of which will be available on the website.

There will be a Christmas Drinks event in London and the Annual Dinner on 19 March 2022 in the Great Hall, let’s hope that our return to some sort of normality returns shortly.

Peter Jakobek I am very grateful to the OBs that have already volunteered to help and particularly to those that have been working with our current students, we are hoping that being mentored and mentoring will become a natural progression and a great asset to our community.

OB Mentoring We are looking forward to launching the new OB mentoring platform on the website, members of the Network will be able to opt in to become mentors to other OBs and to Sixth Formers looking for career advice.

It is hoped that the platform will become a great asset to the OB community, a few words of advice via email or over a coffee would be a great help to many young OBs starting their careers. Please feel free to contact me if you would like more information.

If you would like to become a mentor please update your profile on our website, alumni.bristolgrammarschool.co.uk

Peter Jakobek

Alumni Relations Manager (Staff 1982 to date)

We will also continue to run

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Secretary’s Report Secretary’s Report

Ian Southcott

Report of the Society’s Committee ‘It was the best of times, it was the worst of times’ this quotation from Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities

is not perhaps the most appropriate description of the past eighteen months or so, or is it?

Certainly, we have experienced a period that has seen the full spectrum of the good, the bad and the unquestionably tragic but the way many individuals, organisations and communities have responded has been inspiring and uplifting in a variety of ways but occasionally disappointing and saddening in equal measures.

At the time of writing just before the AGM, we are sweltering under a mini heatwave and today, July 19th, is the so called ‘freedom day’; sadly, the infection rate is rising exponentially and there will obviously be some way to go before we have completely accustomed ourselves to co-existing with Covid which we will inevitably have to do.

So, what of the Society during these uncertain and challenging times?

Our Timetable

Finance

Not surprisingly our usual timetable of meetings and events has been disrupted to say the least! Our last committee meeting in person took place in January 2020. Our 2020 AGM was moved to June and every committee meeting since that time has been held courtesy of Zoom. There is little doubt that such virtual means of conducting business have been a godsend.

We are now well on the way finally to unravelling some of the idiosyncrasies of the past and look forward to more simple times from an accounts perspective. Our investment portfolio has performed well and enjoyed an increase of + 16.72%. As you know, Nick Fitzpatrick wishes to stand down as Treasurer and the search is on to find an OB to take up the post. Nick has done sterling work in bringing the accounts up to date and we owe him our gratitude for taking on the task.

Nevertheless, there is undoubtedly a hunger to meet again in person and I’m sure that in future many meetings will be ‘hybrids’ where some participants attend in person and others join by Zoom, MS Teams or similar. This does make sense particularly if some people remain cautious about close contact in locations that may or may not be as Covid secure as required.

Hopefully, our timetable will be completely back on track with forthcoming committee meetings to be held in October and January and the 2022 AGM next March, always assuming the ceiling doesn’t fall in in the meantime…….

President The AGM should see the election of the President for the ensuing year. Rich Berry officially took over from John Sisman in June 2020, John having served an extra three months in that office.

It was agreed by the Committee that both Rich Berry and the President Elect, Kate Redshaw, should be permitted to stay in office until the 2022 AGM as their ability to fulfil completely their roles had been somewhat diminished by the pandemic.

Membership With an annual membership fee removed and all OBs automatically members of the Society, the whole basis of membership has shifted.

This has made administration considerably less onerous and being an OB much more inclusive.

OBs’ Sports Club It goes without saying that the activities of all three sections and the management of the facility itself have been hugely disrupted by the events of the last year or more.

In the face of such adversity, the club has risen to the challenge and done everything possible to keep things afloat. Grants and financial support have been secured where appropriate and everybody has mucked in to keep things going and to ensure that the building and its various facilities would be available when team games could resume.

With organised sport once again up and running, the three sections are

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looking forward to enjoying their sport to the full once more.

Secretary’s Report Secretary’s Report

It should also be noted that the OBSC received an award in the Gloucestershire RFU Awards in Adversity programme for a project to organise and supply meals to the less fortunate. The award was presented by HRH Princess Anne and was one small example of something good coming out of these trying times.

Failand is also now hosting an Alternative Provider – a smallscale education project seeking to support young adults. Not only an extremely worthwhile enterprise, but also one that provides an additional income for the site.

Inevitably, matters such as the development of the club house and the process of incorporation have taken a back seat during these times but as some degree of normality begins to settle in, these subjects will no doubt once again come to the fore.

School The impact on all school children and students of the pandemic will only become fully clear as the months and years roll by. In the meantime, schools, colleges and universities have had to confront the massive challenges of trying to provide pupils and students with the best possible opportunities to remain engaged with their education.

BGS has performed remarkably well and the staff and the pupils must be congratulated on how magnificently

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they have coped. The longer-term fall-out will no doubt be seen in a number of ways but for now we must all recognise the resilience displayed by all concerned.

Earlier in the year the school appointed Nadine Latte as Development Director. At the April committee meeting, she set out her outline for her role and we look forward to seeing the fruits of her labours over the coming months.

Bristolienses Our magazine goes from strength to strength under our Chairman’s editorship ably supported by Caitlin and Tony.

More material from OBs of all vintages would be gratefully received!

Obituaries In July of last year, we lost a stalwart of the Society and its committee, Jack Prowting.

President in 1998 and great supporter of the Sports Club, Jack was a thoroughly nice man, a true gentleman and his advice and knowledge are greatly missed.

Social Social events over the last year or so have, unsurprisingly, proved somewhat difficult to arrange.

Nevertheless, a bit of ingenuity and technology and hey presto Marcus succeeded in organising a virtual Annual Dinner which was enjoyed by all able to Zoom in! The success

of this event notwithstanding, I am sure we are all looking forward to gathering in the Great Hall in March 2022!

Lunch club by Zoom continues and Mike Burmester has been able to attract a rather high calibre of speaker to entertain those joining these virtual events. Not least in May, Sarah Crew, OB and Deputy Chief Constable (now Acting Chief Constable) of Avon and Somerset Police and, somewhat of a coup, in July, OB Simon Case, Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service. Simon arrived late for the Zoom, apologising that he had been delayed by the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, joining a Boris Johnson Cabinet meeting; if you’re going to name drop, the Prime Minister and the Chancellor of Germany are as good as any!

The Committee As we seek a new Treasurer and at least one if not two new Trustees, the Committee will be undergoing some changes over the coming months. It would be great to meet again in person and hopefully we will revert to that more pleasant of experiences as the year progresses.

Caitlin is a great asset to the committee and her support and administrative abilities are much appreciated. She also works within Nadine’s department as well as having now taken on a support role with AROPS.

Ian Southcott (1964 – 1971) Secretary

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From the Archivist Fom the Archivist

Anne Bradley

Gardeners’ Question Time, BGS 1941-1942 In the current climate, I thought these gems might cheer the readership.

Both the problematic weather and the context of climate change, and the frequent advice that we should all take to gardening and include a pond for wildlife, are encapsulated here.

But who is AG? And are AG and Nature Lover one and the same?

There is a hint of Lewis Carroll here, and I feel that Alan Titchmarsh is the main influence rather than Monty Don. Has anyone any answers? Is AG among our readers?

Answers, as ever, on a postcard, to abradley@bgs.bristol.sch.uk

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The Grammar School Chronicle July 1941

In Concrete Form The shapely pool now under construction at the far corner of the cricket field promises well and should soon provide a teeming microcosm of the humbler forms of life. Many of the quaint creatures disporting at present only as diagrams on the grave pages of the textbook will freely express themselves in an ample expanse of sheltered water.

and the beauty of that fine local flower, the Marsh Orchid.

Digging and cementing were great adventures. Well over 100 tons of earth had to be removed. Often we were hard pressed for wheelbarrows and materials, but parents and boys responded to every appeal, and even the local professionals confess that our unique feature of staggered brickwork is new to building The site is countersunk to ensure this construction. shelter, the position being otherwise Great will be our day when the somewhat exposed, and also to first ripple of wavelets greets the increase the total surface area, morning breeze! Special thanks are and so allow a “surround” suitable due to Mr. Coleman, Mr. Small and for dry land, plant and animal Mr. Pursey for very generous gifts communities. of cement, stone and water glass respectively.

The bog should prove a most attractive feature, for though A.G. restricted in size it will suffice to display, inter alia, both the formidable nature of the Sundew

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From the Archivist Fom the Archivist

SPRING Dear Mr. Editor,

What a long winter we have had, have we not? This morning, however, all was changed. It was suddenly revealed to me that the joyous season of the year had come at last. I felt the poet’s urge upon me. It was an exciting experience. I am sending you the little verses so that you may share the thrill with me.

Yours, “NATURE LOVER” Gone is last winter’s hacking cough, New health is borne on ev’ry breeze; The elephants are pairing off And nesting in the rhubarb trees.

Now dandelions scent the air Where wheels in endless flight the cow: And spiders twitter everywhere; Umbrellas gleam, in England---now!

The happy slugs, with joyful song, Merrily greet the dawn’s first ray; With peacocks’ pride, the whole day long The guinea pigs their tails display.

The goldfish chant their vernal lay; On outspread wings the hedgehogs soar; In short, all Nature seems to say, “Awake, for Spring is here once more.”

On nimble feet the gladsome sows Flit to and fro ‘twixt flow’r and flow’r; And caterpillars ‘neath the boughs Delight to frolic hour by hour.

The Grammar School Chronicle March 1942

LE LAC – A MERE IDYLL Slowly the vision shapes, as slowly toil The faithful few, - in concrete, stone, or soil.

Smoothed now the debris hillocks, cleared the bricks, Returned the spades, removed the pile of picks.

Now crowns the rim a rampart ridge of rocks, Strong to withstand all ordinary shocks, The spacious bowl, - the island of our dreams, A coral casket in this ocean seems.

Soon shall the promised fish their faces show, Minnows manoeuvring in the maze below Seeking slim nymphs (the larval form of flies), Or seizing from the sands some stouter prize.

O, ardent youth that spellbound still doth lean On perilous brink brooding this blissful scene, Beware lest meditation so intent Plunge thee in thine ancestral element.

A.G.

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Dear ‘Older’ Old Bristolians: I have been researching the School under the Direct Grant system in the 1940s onwards, and I have a question for those of you

who did not get a Direct Grant place but came as fee paying pupils.

My question is, for those paying fees, was there any sort of sliding scale; was there some level of means testing or some other system that meant that not every fee paying pupil paid the same fees?

Please send any information, however incomplete the memory, to me abradley@bgs.bristol.sch.uk Thank you

Anne Bradley Archivist

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Lunch Club Meetings Lunch Club Meetings

LUNCH CLUB MEETINGS What are these?

When do they take place? Can anyone join in?

minutes followed by questions from those present.

What do I need? Do I have to say anything?

You do not have to participate actively, you can just watch and listen and enjoy. All you need do is turn up.

The meetings are currently one of only two regular events where Old Bristolians can meet. The other forum is the lecture series organised

by Pete Jakobek.

Please come and have a look. It is not an exclusive club for a chosen few. All are welcome. Details from obs@bgs.bristol.sch.uk

The lunches usually take place at midday on the first Friday of each month.

There is an OB guest speaker who talks on a subject of their choice, quite often from their careers but not exclusively. They talk for 20-25

Mike Burmester (1953-1964)

Free on Fridays?

Our monthly Lunch Club Meetings are a chance to meet over a drink beforehand and enjoy a an entertaining speaker They run between 12 and 1 approximately Why not come along to the next meeting You do not have to be a regular attender

Next term’s talks and dates will be available via the Old Bristolians’ website Bristolienses - Issue 61

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Lunch Club Meetings

In February 2015, David Yates (1958-1965) was in New Delhi for National Immunisation Day. Subsequently over a long weekend Rotary teams visited Punjab, New Delhi and Uttar Pradesh (David’s location).

Two and a half million jabbers with 225 million doses immunised 170 million children; those statistics take some absorbing. Day one was a street promotion with throngs of well-dressed children in uniform.

Day two was vaccination while day three saw house to house visits to catch those who had missed the previous day.

Through a series of slides we were able to marvel at the sheer numbers of children in busy slum streets, frequented by motor bikes, wild dogs and “lubricated” here and there by open sewers. Health workers accompanied the Rotary jabbers to paint the fingers purple of those vaccinated and to keep a handwritten log. They seemed to know where all the children lived or rather where they were holed up.

India is now free from polio.

Globally only Afghanistan and Pakistan now have cases - totalling a “mere” 139. Otherwise the world is free from this epidemic

Why we should all be thinking about drinking

Professor David Nutt (1962-1969) has recently published a book called “Drink ? The new science of alcohol and your health” and much of the material for his illustrated talk came from this. David has spent his whole career researching alcohol and doubtless his ownership of a wine bar in london helped.

Centuries ago the principal brewers and wine producers were monasteries. Once commerce took over consumption of alcohol rocketed.

There are many slides with very thought-provoking statistics and a few of them follow. Half the orthopaedic beds in hospital and many of the A&E patients on a Friday night are alcohol caused.

The younger the age bracket, the greater the percentage of deaths caused by alcohol.

drunk once a month.

Optimal consumption is a 125-mil glass of wine per day. Drinking 14 units per week over 40 years shortens your life by 0.4 years, 21 units by 0.8 years. Do not drink before or during meals but only after.

I’ll drink to that !

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Half of all 15-yearolds are

April

My role in India’s mass polio immunisation

March

February

Lunch Club Meetings My Life in Education

Mike Evans (1953-1963) has navigated a broad spectrum in education as student, teacher and then local councillor during retirement.

He began with memories of Mr Fraser and Miss Moss in the Lower School, Messrs Carter, Isaacs, Lucas, Beecroft and John Adams in the Upper School. This was followed

by English Literature at Cambridge where he was influenced by a Marxist culture.

He started teaching at Dulwich College before moving on to Erith (more Marxism) and afterwards Brentwood County High. A combination of 1970’s Britain, and communist tutors and headmaster, led Mike to look at a quite different way of life, moving to Lee Kuan Yew’s Singapore where he lived and worked for 23 years as Head of Department at the Raffles Institute 6th Form college.

During this time the generous expatriate housing allowance and local pension contributions added to the pleasure of living in a dynamic city state.

In retirement he served as Mayor of Midsomer Norton as well as a councillor at BANES where his attempt to introduce a physical fitness standard measure for every student in the area a la Singapore never saw the light of day.

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Like others before her at BGS she highly praised the skill of David Miller in preparing her for Oxford entrance. Three years at Magdalen College studying classics were followed by a career with the police.

Talk about “the steep and rugged pathway” ! Her first posting was to Broadbury Road police station (Knowle West) where she specialised in drug squad matters, helped to defuse a riot and was physically assaulted several times.

No respite when promoted to sergeant at Southmead, responsible for drug work again. Next down to Bridewell to take charge of violence and gun crime at a time when Stapleton Road was described as the most out of control street in the country.

In 2017 Sarah became Deputy Chief Constable, Avon and Somerset police where more recently she was heavily involved in managing Kill the Bill protests.

Now with a new Police and Crime commissioner and a soon to be appointed Chief Constable, Sarah will be interim boss – so no peace there then. We sensed she has still more in her on the “greasy pole”.

Our very own Protean

Chris Taylor (1952-1961) is known through Bristolienses as “our man in Durban”.

He recalled welcoming Ron Cockitt there some years ago.

At school he was in Fox’s (the red house) and remembers David Trott and Tony Warren as well as his contemporaries Robert Lacey and Colin MacFadyean. After school Chris studied at Bristol university where he met his wife Mal.

July

The May Zoom featured Sarah Crew (1982-1989)

June

May

Lunch Club Meetings Lunch Club Meetings

Sport featured heavily in his life. Played rugby for BGS, OBs, Camborne and Truro. In Zambia he played a match with OBs Peter Hillard and Mike Marsden. Then a game for the Kenyan national team.

In South Africa he moved across to tennis when he played for the SA vets in Turkey and Australia. Bowls is now more his preference.

The family grew up on the African continent though his daughter is now in New Zealand and son in England.

Career began in Tiverton with John Heathcoat - a textile firm.

Moving to Cornwall he transferred to computer sales which he stayed with for the rest of his business life with Burroughs, Sperry and Unisys.

A full and varied life which we found enthralling.

View from the Top

Simon Case ( 1990-1997 ) was our final speaker of the season. He joined us hot foot from an extraordinary cabinet meeting at which Angela Merkel was present.

Simon has two strong memories of BGS – the physically imposing Great Hall and singing the school song at the end of term assembly. He fondly remembers his house master and history teacher, Chris Jeffery, with whom he is still in contact.

During his early career he worked on the nuclear weapons programme, counter terrorism in Northern Ireland, the Olympic Games in 2012 and then for David Cameron in No. 10.

Working for Prince William, Simon was amazed by the reactions and interactions that the Royal Family stirred amongst those whom they met while out and about.

As Cabinet Secretary Simon is focused on working alongside the Prime Minister as well as writing minutes. Being Head of the Civil Service requires him to lead the Top 200, being the Permanent Secretaries and the next layer down.

Michael Burmester (1953-1964)

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The 500 Campaign The 500 Campaign

Changing lives through bursaries at BGS Since the BGS Foundation was established in 2003, over £8million has been raised to support children at BGS. Thanks to the generosity of OBs, parents and friends, donating through various campaigns and by leaving legacies, countless children have received bursaries, (in the name of Michael Booker)

benefit from it, regardless of their background and financial means and we plan to raise £12million by 2032.

As we build towards our 500th Anniversary celebrations in 2032, we encourage our BGS Community to support our drive for widening access.

the lives of children, making a difference for them individually, for Bristol, and for the world beyond.

To find out more about our campaign, to offer support through sponsoring a sixth form student or to donate any amount, please get in touch.

Thank you.

Nadine Latte

Director of Development

and new buildings and facilities have been created.

We are hugely grateful for the support of our growing donor community.

With our new “500 Campaign” we aim to double our current bursary provision and enable one in four of our senior school children to receive a means tested bursary of at least 50%.

Philanthropy is integral to our heritage and culture; it was in this way that Bristol Grammar School was originally founded, it was in this way that our great and historic buildings and facilities were created and it is in this way that we will change

Our mission is to provide an exceptional and rounded education to those who might

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Amy Potter - Moving to Malawi Moving to Malawi

After leaving Bristol Grammar School in 2000 with A levels in Biology,

Chemistry and Russian, I completed an undergraduate degree in Biological Natural Sciences, specialising in pathology,

governmental and community organisations, both in the UK and in low and middle income countries including The Gambia, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda, Malawi, Bangladesh and The Maldives.

Arriving in Lilongwe at the end of the rainy season – outside our new home for the next 3 years

and then an MSc in Control of Infectious Diseases.

At Heathrow with all our bags – maxing out our baggage allowance as we didn’t know how long it would take for our air freight Heavy Baggage to arrive

Family photo at Crystal Palace, South London, before leaving for Malawi

Since then, I have trained in health service management and public health (first through the NHS Graduate Management Scheme and then through national medical specialty training and exams), and have nearly 20 years of experience of developing and delivering public health policy, research and programmes to improve health outcomes and reduce inequalities.

I have worked across government, academia, public sector and non-

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Moving abroad in a pandemic has been challenging, particularly not being able to spend quality time with our family and friends in the months before we left the UK (although my twin sister Vicki joined our bubble in the third lockdown so at least we got to hang out together!).

In January, I started a new job in Malawi with my family – my husband Josh, four year old Isaac and one and a half year old Rosa – taking up a 3-4 year posting as Health Advisor with the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (formerly DfID, the Department for International Development). I am leading a health systems strengthening programme that aims to improve maternal and child health and enable the government of Malawi to strengthen the functioning of the health system and better respond to health threats including COVID-19.

Now we are abroad, the limited likelihood of being able to return to the UK or to have any visitors any time soon given Malawi’s place on the UK’s Travel Red List (with mandatory two-week hotel quarantine on return to the UK at nearly £2k per person) is tough.

However, having spent the last year in lockdown in London, arriving in Lilongwe has been a great change of scenery, and since the weather is a balmy high 20s most of the year, and the risk of COVID-19 transmission is currently low here, and lower outdoors, I’ve been able to meet new colleagues in person - albeit masked up - and to sit in a café for the first time in months. My son recently declared that he does not want to go back to the UK as he never has to wear a jumper here.

The job is challenging but rewarding - providing technical assistance to the Ministry of Health around how best to prioritise limited resources (annual health spend per capita in Malawi is around $35), chairing the Health Donor Group to coordinate

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Amy Potter - Moving to Malawi Moving to Malawi We haven’t spotted any cheetahs yet, but there’s always next weekend…

Amy Potter (Rowlands) (1992-1999)

Monitoring visits to Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe: On-site oxygen plant that UKAid helped to fund through our COVID-19 response last year and discussing quality improvement work across maternal and child health with Labour Ward staff

resources and advocacy efforts amongst development partners, and liaising with implementing agencies including UNICEF and WHO to respond to COVID-19, support rollout of vaccines, and make sure that routine services such as immunisations and maternity services are maintained with a focus on equity and quality.

We are also very lucky that within a few hours’ drive of Lilongwe, there are plenty of family friendly places to explore after a hectic week at work, including the blue waters of Lake Malawi and national parks such as Liwonde, teeming with birdlife, hippos and big cats.

A long weekend on safari at Liwonde National Park – lots of birds (including Africa Hoopoe and African Fish Eagles) and wildlife (including elephants, hippo, monkeys, water buck, crocodiles)

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Class of 2020 Reunion Class of 2020 Reunion

Finally we got to celebrate with the Class of 2020.

An abrupt end to their time at BGS has meant that it is 18 months since they left the campus.

It was great to see so many of them return yesterday for their Leavers’ Summer Reunion BBQ.

Peter Jakobek

(Staff 1982 to date)

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Class of 2020 Reunion Class of 2020 Reunion

All photographs by OB Nicola Thomas (Pearce) 2001-2008 Pico Photography

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Class of 2021 Reunion Class of 2021 Reunion

All photographs by Peter Jakobek

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Class of 2021 Reunion Class of 2021 Reunion

The Class of 2021 celebrated in style at the Leavers’ BBQ. The weather was perfect and the atmosphere was convivial as staff and students mingled in the early

September sunshine outside the Performing Arts Centre.

The evening ended with a concert by the U6th band and the communal singing of Jerusalem and the School Song.

We hope to see you all again soon.

Peter Jakobek

(Staff 1982 to date)

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Events 2021 Events 2021

October Lunch Club with David MIller

Old Bristolian Lecture Series Wednesday 10 November 2021 6.30pm - 7.30pm

Friday 01 Oct 2021, midday Old Bristolians’ Sports Ground, Failand We are delighted to be able to invite you to our Lunch Clubs in person!

Usually on the first Friday of each month, you’re invited to join us at the Old Bristolians’ Sports Ground, Failand for a hot, cooked meal followed by a speaker and for our first month we have former Head of Classics at BGS staff member David Miller.

Please arrive at midday for a 12.30pm start.

Please note catering numbers do need to be confirmed in advance so please pay via the website to secure your place.

If you have any questions please contact Caitlin cspencer@bgs.bristol.sch.uk

Law & Finance Networking Event Wednesday 27 Oct 2021 18:30 - 21:30 BST Pewterers’ Hall, London

The event is an opportunity for both experienced professionals and younger graduates looking for career advice, to network, share stories and support each other as a part of the Bristol Grammar School community based in London.

Jaideep Barot, Headmaster at BGS, will welcome you and we are delighted that our guest speaker will be Tim Hailes, (OB 1986), Executive Director of Five Islands Capital and former Managing Director & Associate General Counsel in the Investment Banking Division of JPMorgan Chase & Co. There is no charge for entry and a selection of drinks and canapes are provided throughout the event.

SPEAKER: Hayden Taylor, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of California, Berkeley.

Hayden Taylor attended BGS from 1988-1999 before going on to study at Trinity College, Cambridge where he received his BA and Master of Engineering in Electrical and Electronic Engineering in 2004.

He was sponsored by ST Microelectronics. He is a Senior Scholar of Trinity College, Cambridge, and received the Cambridge University Engineering Department’s Baker Prize in 2004. Hayden received his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from MIT in 2009.

Hayden is a member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology, and the Institute of Physics. He was an Institution of Electrical Engineers Jubilee Scholar 2000-4, and was a Kennedy Scholar for the academic year 2004-5.

Places are available on a first come first served basis, so please book your place with us via the website as soon as you can.

* Please check our website for confirmed details of all events (Covid permitting)

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Events 2021 Events 2021

OBs’ London Christmas Drinks

A Trio of Short Films

It’s that time of year again and after a year inside, we’re excited to be reinstating our London Christmas Drinks! Hosted at the Golden Lion pub in St James’ London. We would appreciate if you could register for this event on our website so that we can ensure there is enough catering.

BGS presents... a trio of short films!

Wednesday 01 Dec 2021, 6.30pm The Golden Lion, St James’s, London

Thanks in advance; see you all for drinks, nibbles and reminiscing!

The Annual Dinner

Saturday 12th March 2022 We hope that you will be able to find time to attend one, or even all of these events.

In particular it is only six months until the Annual Dinner, so it’s time to start thinking about organising your group!

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The MacKinnon Theatre, 1532 Performing Arts Centre Friday 10 Dec 2021, 7pm

Join BGS Drama on Friday 10 December in the MacKinnon Theatre for the movie premiere of the year!

We will be screening a trio of original films, created by BGS pupils during the last academic year. The three short films were written and performed by Upper Sixth, Lower Sixth and Year 10 pupils in Summer 2021, exploring BGS through history. Each film will be followed by a talk from the Director and Writers and a brief Q&A. Ticket prices (includes a welcome drink) are £7 adults (£5 children/ concessions), plus £1 booking fee and can be booked online via the 1532 website www.1532bristol.co.uk

2 0 2 1

E V E N T S

* Please check our website for confirmed details of all events (Covid permitting)

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OB Sports Club OB Sports Club

hand mower to provide a better all year round cutting performance.

Old Bristolians’ Sports Club Failand Pandemic rules have relaxed and sport has returned to Failand with Cricket and summer league Hockey in full swing.

There are a few restrictions on the club house use but hopefully we are as close to normal as possible.

Sporting body rules are slowly relaxing following Government announcements but we are proceeding with caution to avoid overcrowding in the bar and changing rooms.

Last year league cricket was postponed but, having been promoted the previous season, the 1st XI are in the lower half of a more competitive WEPL league.

The other three men’s teams are mid table in various Bristol and District leagues as are the Ladies team.

The areas of the top boundary hedge that looked like they were dying back have sprung into renewed life. All the gaps are filling up and security issues are therefore much improved. Planning permission for work to the Beech trees has been granted and will start in August.

The major redevelopment of the pavilion envisaged now seems unlikely to go ahead in the short term due to the lack of significant funding availability from the sporting bodies as a result of the pandemic. A revised and more limited investment in improving the building is being considered and costed. This is likely to be funded from current OBSC resources and is intended to be of such a nature that when a more comprehensive redevelopment becomes possible, any interim development would not compromise this and would be capable of being integrated into the wider scheme.

Education Ltd (see following separate article) is renting an area at the top of the ground. This will provide much needed additional revenue.

Simon Hunt, who is a member of OBRFC, and his team have built a classroom facility entirely from recycled materials in the top corner of Failand. This was a little used overgrown area which has been cleared and the “Cabin” has the look of an outback holiday home. Many of the materials have come from Ollie Hazel (OBRFC Captain) who has a recycling company.

We have been able to secure various pandemic and returnto-sport grants from the Local Authority and sporting bodies, particularly a large sum from the RFU. Finances are therefore as well as can be expected but we are still looking for a new treasurer to take over from Clare Coyne who would like to stand down.

The gate signs have been renewed giving a brighter welcome to the ground. The tractor shed roof and alarm system have been repaired but the shed wall could do with a face lift and if anyone knows of a painting artist who would like some practice the opportunity is there.

Apogee

We have reviewed the machinery at Failand and will look to trade in an old large tractor and the current mower for a heavier duty second

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The new facility in the green spaces of Failand is the perfect environment for a holistic approach to education.

Recent figures estimate that around 150,000 children in mainstream and special schools are suffering from Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH).

SEMH does not have to be a lifelong condition and with appropriate support children and young people can move forward and live successful lives.

Apogee Education Ltd. at Failand Apogee is an approved Alternative Education Provider working with local schools and academies to provide for the needs of up to four students who do not thrive in the usual school environment.

SEMH needs are special educational needs where children/ young people have severe difficulties in managing their emotions and behaviour. They may show inappropriate responses and feelings to everyday situations.

They often have trouble building and maintaining relationships with peers and adults, they can also struggle to engage with learning and to cope in classroom without additional strategies and interventions. Children with SEMH will often feel anxious, scared and misunderstood.

Apogee’s ethos is simple: ‘children and young people deserve the opportunity to become the best version of themselves’. This opportunity is provided through a variety of personalised education

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OB Sports Club OB Sports Club

and training programmes, led by a team of highly trained, experienced and motivated individuals.

The aim is to build resilient, independent and well-rounded students through specialised therapeutic interventions, sportscoaching and outdoor activity to give students a platform to learn new skills in a way they haven’t been able to before.

Students will have access to a range of nationally recognised qualifications, certification and experiences which are often not available from other Alternative Providers.

Apogee can provide; ASDAN (Preparing for adulthood, Raising Aspirations, Personal development programmes)

community projects for older students can help them to find appropriate work experience placements, college visits and training programmes. This helps to bridge the gap between school, further education, training and adult life.

We are proud to be able to support Apogee at Failand and welcome Simon, his team and students to Old Bristolians. https://apogee-training.com

Old Bristolians’ Sports Club in the Community In the last issue we reported that the Hockey Club had raised money to provide free school meals to 400

BTEC Courses, Animal Therapy, Nationally recognised First Aid Qualifications Gymnastics Awards (Certificated British Gymnastics) Trampoline Central & Winstrada Awards/Certification, Swimming (British Swimming Awards STA), Mountain Biking, Orienteering, Health and fitness, Bush craft, Gardening, Paddle sports and water activities, Team Sports (Inc: Football, Basketball, Rugby, Cricket) Apogee uses ‘The Thrive Approach (https://www.thriveapproach. com/the-thrive-approach) to help students gain the knowledge, skills and tools to optimise their social and emotional development. This focuses on the relationship with the student and their emotional development can be assessed and fed back to the school.

Mentoring, work experience and

families over the Christmas period.

The initiative was nominated for, and won, a Gloucestershire Awards in Adversity 2021 award run by GRFU. Jan Bowen, Nick and Lisa Merrick received the award from HRH Princess Anne at a local awards ceremony.

Richard Leonard

OBSC Secretary leoharrier@gmail.com

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Old Bristolians’ Music Old Bristolians’ Music Many of you will be following the success

of some of our OBs on the International stage over the last couple of years.

Yolanda Quartey has had a stellar couple of years in the USA, last year she was nominated for 4 Grammy Awards and her music is highly regarded.

Yolanda, now known as Yola, has just released a new album to much critical acclaim, “Stand for Myself” is described as “ a timeless masterpiece making an idiosyncratic sonic shift, which will defy all expectation. A sophisticated and diverse mix of symphonic soul and classic pop, tracing an expansive musical thread to Yola’s most eclectic musical inspirations.”

Some of you will remember that Yolanda fronted Phantom Limb for

The Wandering Hearts have also just released their new album, “On Our Way”.

OB Alex Dean-Revington is a member of this band who continue to grow in popularity, playing what is described as “Folk-Americana”.

Last year’s UK tour had to be cancelled but fingers crossed they will be touring this year and I am looking forward to seeing them in London at the end of August.

Their first album “Wild Silence” won the Bob Harris Emerging Artist Award in 2018 at the UK Americana Awards.

“Stand for Myself” is currently No.1 in the UK Americans charts.

In the Singles Chart sandwiched between many years and she also guested as a singer in Massive Attack. Before that she appeared in Holman’s House Concerts when she was at School.

Ed Sheeran and Fleetwood Mac are the Wandering Hearts and their new release “Cooking Vinyl”.

We look forward to welcoming Yolanda and Alex back to BGS to perform when they have time.

Peter Jakobek

(Staff 1982 to date)

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“I absolutely love BGS. I’m hugely impressed with the atmosphere and the ethos of the School. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity

“It’s a great gift, to have a really good education”

to be part of such a fantastic School and community”

“I gained so much from BGS great friends, confidence and a love of learning”

“Dear BGS, thank you so much for giving me a Bursary Award. It means so much to me and my Mum”

CAN YOU HELP BUILD FUTURES BY SUPPORTING BRIGHT, YOUNG PEOPLE IN EVERY COMMUNITY ACROSS BRISTOL? To find out how to give a one-off donation, a regular gift or to leave a gift in your will please contact the Old Bristolians’ Office

obs@bgs.bristol.sch.uk 0117 923 7037

Old Bristolians’ Office, Bristol Grammar School, University Road, Bristol, BS8 1SR

Reminiscences Reminiscences

‘4th March... a date that I don’t think I could write much about my was drummed into me at my junior school. memories, because it It was a Saturday, 1972. I was 11 was very long time ago.

and scared half to death.

However, I do remember being in the Officer Training Corps which took place on Tuesday afternoons I think. I don’t suppose there is one now.

I was dropped off to take an exam, in order that I might get a place at this school. I’d read Tom Brown’s Schooldays, Just William and all those tales of tuck shops, canes, wizard wheezes and prefects, fagging, lines and being ‘one of the chaps’!

I was in the Army section first. I think our Officer Commanding was Major Gregory (ie the teacher, Mr Gregory, in uniform).

‘If you want a bookish education, Latin, Greek, all that, then this is the place for you’. Mr. Jackson, my affable class teacher told me.

Did I want this?

We had annual Field Days and on one of them, around 1951 or ‘52 we had a training exercise on Spaniorum Hill near Easter Compton. I enjoyed that day also good views!! After a year or so you could change to the RAF or to the Naval Section which was commanded by Mr Dyson.

My parents thought I did, and here I was. I didn’t know anyone. I didn’t know anything about Latin apart from a few mottos my Dad knew and an explanation of the word ‘via’ by my best friend. He was already doing Latin at Clifton College and anyway was far more brainy ever than I. I hoped there wouldn’t be a Latin exam today.

Or anything about Greeks. I knew a joke about Grecian Urns from Morecambe and Wise but that was it. I sat at my desk in the hall and worried that I would be marched out halfway through with all these other boys sniggering at my lack of knowledge.

Then I sat an English paper and some Verbal Reasoning and we were allowed out into the playground - the teacher in his long black cloak called it the ‘Quad’.

I went to the loo and got a drink, and came back outside. Nobody was there!! I panicked and saw an open door, running for it with my heart in my mouth. The teacher was gesturing and frowning, I hoped he wouldn’t cane me but he just bellowed ‘come here, boy!!’

The room was quiet but all eyes were on me as I trotted to my desk. Frowning was big in that hall.

Another two papers, one Maths and the other Comprehension.

Thank God there was no Latin.

Or French - although I’d practised

I chose the latter and I remember that for one Field Day we went to Portsmouth where we visited HMS Belfast and we went on a cruise on her in Southampton Water.

Geoff Herbert

(1949-1957) ..................................................

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Reminiscences Reminiscences

my French and I could talk about ‘la plume de ma tante’ if needed. For a bit.

Then I was free. Boys from the school, smart in their uniforms stood in groups. They frowned at me. I kept my head down and headed for the gate and the sanctuary of my dad’s car. I jumped in and we talked about it all the way home. I thought I was doomed never to darken those gates again.

49 years ago today and I still remember that day so clearly. I got in - won a scholarship! It wasn’t like Tom Brown’s school days and although I did get to study Latin, it was far from a bookish education.

But as so many say - I wish I’d worked harder at School!!

Stuart Dymond

(1972-1979) .....................................................

It was the summer term of 1965 just prior to A levels.

up the teacher by the scruff of his neck and throwing him into the other class-room, (which was in session) whilst informing him and every one else that he was useless and not to come back.

The form room at that time was in an upstairs room at Norwood House. I can’t recall all the names – well it was 60 years ago! My tentative identifications are shown below.

Very surprisingly there were no immediate repercussions. Dave had never before misused his strength and went on to captain Bristol Rugby for three seasons and Mike spent his entire career at the Grammar School ending up as head of the Maths dept.

I left school in 1960 and went to Birmingham University where I got a degree in English and, more importantly, met the girl who became my wife. I had an interesting career in industry and along the way picked up an OBE for services to the food industry.

Nick Fitzpatrick

My wife and I retired some fifteen years ago and now live in Dorset where we have taken up a number of voluntary roles. Currently I am president of Wimborne Probus.

(1954-1965) .....................................................

I see from the latest edition of Bristolienses that you welcome photos so I attach one that I took towards the end of the summer term in 1960.

I could provide more detail if you think it would be of interest Best regards

Mike Webber

(1954-1960) .....................................................

The Bicycle Sheds had been converted into two class rooms which were occupied by the maths 6, access to one

was through the other, which was not ideal. Revision consisted of tackling old papers, and we found ourselves unable to do one of these pure maths questions.

Mike Drew was our form master and was presented with the problem. Unfortunately, Mike couldn’t do it either and was barracked.

Things went too far, of course, and it culminated in Dave Tyler picking

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Front row: Thomas; D Clark; Littlejones Second row standing: Clarke T J; Brown; Perkins; Second row seated: Moody Back row: Griffiths; Archer; Maine; ?; Randall; ?; Boyd; Tomlinson.

The ?s possibly include Osborne, and Comber

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From the the ArchivesArchives From

Recently the Archives department has been

The three boaters in the photograph carry a band with BGS clearly indicated at the front.

Both boaters and a hat box are in our collection as a result of kind donations from OBs.

The photo above is dated 1883.

We believe that the School Uniform of the day allowed a choice between wearing a cap or boater.

Indeed boaters were worn up to at least the Second World War and possibly for a period after that.

This is a subject we hope to return to after some more research so if you have any information on this subject we would be very pleased to hear from you.

taking a closer look at some of the earliest photos we have.

The School moved to Tyndall’s Park, its current site, in 1879 and the image shows a group of students from that era. The students look young enough to be in the Preparatory School which was in operation at this time.

We are always keen to accept donations of ephemera, photographs, documents, books and artefacts relating to BGS

It is interesting to note that some of the boys are wearing school caps and some are wearing straw boaters.

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Please email Anne or Carrie at archives@bgs.bristol.sch.uk if you would like to contact us on any subject.

Carrie Rosser

Archives Department

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“Found in the Library”, and given to the Archives.

And now for some shameless advertising….

I have written a book, which is now on Amazon published under the pen name “Raymund

Rugger, Hockey, Life-Saving, Cricket? Was it a cup?

A Hockey Stick? A display cabinet?

Terence David Crownshaw clearly liked BGS well enough to make the School a gift, but when, and why?

And where is it now?

Anne Bradley Archivist

Leversun”, an epic tale of climate crisis, car chases and scheming Russians... Described as “ Ben Elton meets Viz Magazine...” by the author’s daughter.... And mind the swearing.... Find it on Amazon Hopefully, anyone kind enough to take a look will enjoy it. For those of you with a kindle, you can download a sample firstly, to see if you like it.

OB News OB News When I started out in IT, in 1993, I knew there was no such thing as a ‘job for life’ anymore.

However, 13 years ago I joined insurance company Unum Group (US Fortune 500 company) as the UK IT Infrastructure Manager, a position I enjoyed for six and half years. An internal re-organisation gave me the opportunity to become a Senior Infrastructure Architect, which kept me busy for almost seven years with projects in the UK, US and Poland.

Again, apologies for the blatant self-promotion.

Richard Stanford (1972-1980)

This year another re-organisation has provided me with the longawaited chance to move into a full-time security role, taking on the mantle of ‘Senior UK IT Security and Risk Manager’. I have a small team of highly skilled professionals with the responsibility for Information Security and Cyber Security in the UK. So, I feel extremely lucky to be embarking on my third job within the same great company. Each change in role has felt like a ‘new job’, but within familiar surroundings and with familiar faces.

Paul Bartlett (1982-1989)

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Where are they now?

We always love to hear about what our OBs are up to - drop us a line on the OBs’ email obs@bgs.bristol.sch.uk

And send us your pictures too!

Rod MacKinnon visits BGS Rod MacKinnon visits BGS Rod MacKinnon

Headmaster 2008-2018 Rod MacKinnon was in school on the last day of summer term on an informal visit.

After a one to one with Jaideep Barot in his study, Rod did a walk about to chat with former colleagues and staff. During our conversation in the corridor I learned that Rod is working as an independent consultant on leadership and enjoys playing golf.

Retirement has not dimmed his energy nor his enthusiasm.

Mike Burmester (1953-1964)

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Weddings Weddings

The Baryah brothers (Harbhajan, Gursewak, Aman, Manmeet & Gurmail) and cousins at Gursharan’s wedding

Rosie Ladkin married Matt Griffin

Ali Strutt, former Geography teacher and Deputy Head of Brown House (Alexandra Strutt) married Josh Moore on 4th June 2021

Naomi Bullivant married Mark Johnson We had 9 fabulous OBs at the wedding and 2 teachers - the BGS family is very much alive! It was very special having them there and James gave one of the three readings at our marriage ceremony. I wouldn’t have had that day without the years I had at BGS.

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Around the World Old Bristolians around the World

If you’re ever in their neck of the woods, the following OBs would love to talk, help arrange a social event, give your some tips or generally reminisce: USA

Canada

Australia

Dr Richard Mason (1951-1957)

Martin Dash (1963-1970)

Phil Ohman (1972-1979)

thepaulmason@hotmail.com

12146 Osprey Drive, Richmond, British Columbia, V7E 3S6, Canada

phil@missionsupport.org.au

Peter Williams (1951-1958)

Tel: 001-604-275-4670 fax:001-604-275-5684.

Tel: 617-803-8425.

112 Birchside Circle, Locus Grove VA 22508-5150 Tel: 1-540-872-7117 Mobile: 1-540-237-2627 anglodane@adelphia.net

martincharlesdash@hotmail.com

44 John James Loop, Macgregor, ACT 2615 Mobile: +61 422 309 455

South Africa

Chris Taylor (1952-1961) Tel: +27 31 5394960 Mobile: +27 84 657 6188 chrismal375@gmail.com

Peter Tucker Memorial Memorial Peter Tucker A commemoration of the life of the late

Peter Tucker took place at Downend Cricket club on

Friday 20th August at which the Society was represented.

He passed away in March 2020 but numbers at his funeral were restricted. A large gathering of family, friends and former work colleagues from Imperial Tobacco Wills attended.

There were three heartfelt but amusing speeches from those who had known him in different areas of his life.

Mike Burmester (1953-1964)

Bristolienses - Issue 61

The photograph shows his cousin Jackie presenting the Peter James Tucker Memorial Trophy to the Chairman of Downend Cricket Club (the spiritual home of WG Grace) to be awarded annually to the most promising and deserving of up and coming cricketers in that season

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Wear your Old Bristolians’ Merchandise

The OBs’ Office has a good supply of OB ties and enamel crested cufflinks and badges.

Enamelled crested cufflinks Maroon/Navy crested (polysilk) ties Polyester striped ties

Silk ties

Silk pre-tied bow ties

Enamelled crested badges

Bobble Hat BGS Crest Mug

£23.00 £12.00 £8.00 £21.00 £21.00 £5.00 £15.00 £6.50

All prices quoted include VAT & UK postage only

Please visit the merchandise pages of our OB Community Website at www.alumni.bristolgrammarschool.co.uk or contact the OBs’ Office on 0117 923 7037

would e s i chand offer? r e m other to see on t a h W ike know e c i f you l f O

OBs’ e h t Let

In Memoriam

IN MEMORIAM We regret to announce the deaths of the following members of the BGS family and extend our condolences to everyone that knew and cared for them.

Adrian Ashley (1957-1967) Richard Anthony Camp (Staff 1960-1996) John Clarke (Staff 1986-2001) David Henry Gammon (1955-1961) Christopher James Goode (1981-1991) Martyn Dennis Hooper (1948-1956) Keith Grant Howard (Staff 1964-1976) David Mogford Lloyd (1935-1944) John Maurice Mansfield (1947-1954) Stephen John (‘Steve’) Marsh (Staff 2006-2017) Keith McGlynn (1953-1960) William Anthony Rhys Northwood (1949-1957) David A Raeburn (Staff 1951-1954) Vivien C Rees (Staff from 1978) Edward David Towne (Staff 1973-1983) Philip Colin Watts (1939-1949) Alan Winstone (1943-1950)

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Adrian Kenneth Charles Ashley 1949-2021 BGS 1957- 1967

purposes. Swings from Jane Austen to Sweet Valley and back again are quite common.’

A classics scholar who went on to read for Classical Mods at Wadham College Oxford, followed

by Philosophy and Theology for his second examinations, he was a House Prefect and an enthusiastic sportsman.

He was School Captain of Fives, and also played Rugby for the 2nd and 3rd XVs.

He oversaw the implementation of his ‘vision of a computerised Library’ and waxed lyrical about the ‘day-long use for serious searches’ which the computer provided, whereas ‘no amount of lecturing could actually get students to use the card-index effectively’.

His valedictory Library report is a eulogy to books and readers, and a poem in itself.

Richard Anthony Camp 1936-2021 BGS 1960-1996

John Clarke Died 2021 BGS 1986-2001

Richard Camp taught English and is remembered as the master who succeeded ‘Fred’ Perry as Librarian.

John Clarke retired in February 2001 after fifteen years as School Sergeant at the heart of the School’s support service.

In his thirty six years he saw many changes: he was Librarian when the new Library was built, replacing the first formal Library on the ground floor of the Fenwick Richards wing.

He loved the Library, he loved books, and he wanted everyone to read, ‘My aim since 1960 has been to make books increasingly accessible to readers, and to provide agreeable space in which reading can be done: so that the Library has been open during virtually every lunch-hour every day since 1960, and until around 6.00 every evening: as well as throughout the school day.

He wanted ‘everything accessible to everyone’, because ‘everyone has different reading ages; we read in different moods, for different

His detailed knowledge of the ‘ways’ of the pupils, of the School site and in particular the hundreds of keys and locks needed to open and secure the buildings proved extremely difficult to replace.

David Henry Gammon 1944-2021 BGS 1955-1961 In 1955 he joined Shell A and left in July 1961.

He went on to Selwyn College Cambridge.

Christopher James Goode 1973-2021 BGS 1981-1991 A Pro-Prefect, later Second Prefect,

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In Memoriam and a sportsman of ‘determination, he was outstanding in Music and the Performing Arts, with a great gift for words; writing, re-writing and performing his own plays’.

He had a ‘wide knowledge of/ receptivity to all sorts of music’ and wrote ‘or arranged all the music for his jazz band and led from the piano’. The breadth of his interest is apparent in the additional comment, ‘ He was in Allan Schiller’s piano master class, and has just finished writing an oratorio.’

His professional career was equally successful; he oversaw the production of Men in the Cities, Monkey Bars, Neutrino and Kiss of Life and he was the artistic director of Camden People’s Theatre (2001-2004) and he directed the 40th anniversary revival of Jubilee, which was presented at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre.

School Athletics Team he won the Javelin (125 ft 6 ins) and thereby set the record.

David (a ‘sterling character’) was a prefect, a Corporal in the JTC and Captain of the 1st XV.

A note from his Housemaster lists these achievements and adds, ‘Plays for other Bristol Clubs and finds time for golf, tennis, jazz and the outside world’.

‘A forward who easily adapts himself to every situation. His backing-up is especially good. As Captain and leader of the forwards he has been most efficient.’

Keith Grant Howard 1932-2020 BGS Staff 1964-1976 Keith Howard was a languages master at BGS, teaching Russian and French. He went on to become Deputy Head of St Mary Redcliffe and Temple School and was then appointed Headmaster of Queen Mary’s Grammar School, Walsall.

David Mogford Lloyd 1926-2021 BGS 1935-1944

His company, Chris Goode & Company, closed in 2021.

John Maurice Mansfield 1936-2021 BGS 1947-1954

Martyn Dennis Hooper 1937-2021 BGS 1948-1956 As befits one of the first BGS pupils to attend Loughborough College, Martyn Hooper had a fine record in sports: he was a member of the First XV (full back), a member of Dehn’s House Cricket XI (an allrounder) and as a member of the

His son writes; It is with much sadness that I must advise you that one of your (very) old boys – David Mogford Lloyd – has died peacefully, after an illness, at the ripe old age of 95 years.

He leaves behind five children and (very!) many grandchildren and greatgrandchildren.

He was always extremely proud of being an ‘Old Boy’ and in fact it was requested that he be buried with his old school tie on!

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‘A hard working forward whose good work in the loose has only been slightly affected by his position in the second row. Very good in the line-out and breaks away well on his own.’

(December 1942 Chronicle.)

John Mansfield was born in 1936 in Swansea but brought up in Bristol where he attended BGS. His father, John Lawford Mansfield was also an OB. At BGS his acting ability was immediately apparent, and his Head of House describes his ‘Talented Performance in School Play - Macduff’s son - , in Middle School Play and in winning House Play. This acting is what he is really very very keen about.’

As he progressed through the School he was also involved in the Choir, in cricket, fives and rugger, ‘Thoroughly enthusiastic, notably in dramatic activity (School Play, House Play producer) yet also in rugger and cricket. Later he becomes a Pro-Prefect and House Prefect, with House fives,

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In Memoriam swimming and shooting, senior NCO in the CCF RAF section. ‘He has given admirable service’.

After National Service with the RAF, with the rank of Flying Officer, John went up to Jesus College, Cambridge, to read French and Italian. He also acted in and produced for the Cambridge Footlights.

An Emmy Awardwinner, he wrote, directed and produced more than 100 programmes for the BBC, including documentary films for its major science series, Horizon.

Stephen John (‘Steve’) Marsh 1957-2021 BGS Staff (2006-2017) A colleague writes: It is with sadness that I am writing to let you know that Steve Marsh passed away on Thursday following his battle with cancer.

He will be remembered fondly by many staff, pupils and parents at BGS. Steve was a fantastic teacher and an inspiration to many. He will be missed greatly by all those who knew him.

On a more personal note, I found his determination to raise money for Macmillan and the Velindre Cancer Centre by completing all

Bristolienses - Issue 61

the 23 Welsh Park-runs in 23 weeks whilst undergoing treatment for his own cancer both inspirational and humbling.

Built like a sturdy Welsh pit prop he also played hooker for the school first XV and was selected for the Bristol Schools representative side.

It was a privilege to be with Steve, Celia, his friends, colleagues and some BGS pupils in Newport as he completed the last of the 23 runs.

But swimming was always his first love.

Keith McGlynn 1941-2021 BGS 1953-1960 His contemporary Alan Durbin writes: Born in South Wales in 1941 Keith moved to Bristol when his father accepted a position with the radio department of the BBC on Whiteladies Road when Keith was only two years old. Nonetheless he retained his passionate Welsh identity throughout his life. I first met Keith when we joined 4th classical in 1955 under the wise and humane tutelage of our form master Michael Booker. It was the beginning of a long and fruitful relationship that lasted until Keith’s untimely death in March 2021.

Along with five others we formed a band of brothers who vowed to stay in touch with each other throughout our respective lives which I’m pleased to say we managed.

Like a penguin, Keith was much more graceful in the water than on land and was soon taken under the wing of schoolmaster K W Lyon or “Ben” who described Keith as a veritable fish. Encouraged by Ben, Keith was part of an awesome swimming and water polo team at BGS winning many County, Western Counties and National titles. He went on to become a Welsh Champion and a Welsh international swimmer in 1957.

His great friend Maitland Horler tells this amusing anecdote “In 1957 Keith and I competed in the Amateur Swimming Association’s National Championships to be held in Blackpool. Very late that night Keith arrived at our hotel room which we were sharing for that week, He had just travelled from Butlins Pwllheli, where he had won the Welsh championships. He walked in the door carrying a giant silver cup, which was almost bigger than him! The cup and the big grin came through the door before he did, he actually slept with it that night!!”

After completing his A levels in classics he gained a place at Guy’s Hospital to study dentistry and upon graduation in 1966 he accepted a position at Godfrey Ratcliffe’s practice in Hanham as an associate where he quickly built up a loyal and contented list of patients. I qualified at Bristol in 1965 and after completing a short service commission in H M Forces I too joined Keith as an associate in Hanham. David Powell followed soon after qualifying at Guys.

As you can imagine the practice became very successful.

I left the practice in 1972 to set up a new practice in Portishead where Keith joined me in 1974 and again helped to build an impressive list of satisfied patients.

Keith first married in 1966 and had three sons Simon, Ross and Ian but sadly the marriage did not last.

Fortunately he found happiness with Rose whom he met in 1980 and married in 1995. Tragically, also in 1995 Keith’s son Ross died from a DVT following a minor motorcycle accident and it fell to Keith to

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In Memoriam deliver a moving eulogy to his son in St Peters Church, Portishead surely the worst thing any father has to do. After several bouts of illness Keith decided to come out of general practice and go into orthodontics which he found very satisfying. He took up a full time hospital post treating those with special needs. He really found his niche which involved not only treating patients but also training and lecturing. His work was deeply appreciated and as a consequence he won the only prize given to any of the medical staff in the last year of the NHS Trust for which he worked.

Sadly due to health issues Keith could not have the immunising injections required for continuing in his job so instead in 2000 he chose to retire having served the Dentistry profession for 35 years.

Keith’s retired life consisted of maintaining his fitness levels by swimming a mile every morning, continuing his love of music by playing the guitar and the piano and by learning Spanish, successfully achieving an A level grade well into his 60s.

Keith and Rose embarked on many cruises, often taking members of their enlarged family of four children and ten grandchildren with them whom he loved very much.

Keith had the uncanny ability to stay friends with all the people he met and to this day his kindness and care is fondly remembered and missed by his family, his many friends and patients. My deepest sympathy goes to them all.

(Alan Durbin 1950-1959) William Anthony Rhys “Rhys” Northwood 1937-2021 BGS 1949-1957

and Cricket as well as playing in School teams and he was in the RAF section of the CCF. His son writes: His full name was William, Anthony, Rhys, Northwood, better known as Rhys.

He attended BGS between 1949 and the summer of 1957, he enjoyed his time at the school very much, where he played Rugby and Cricket for the school. After leaving BGS, he moved to London where he trained and worked as an accountant in the City.

He subsequently married and had two children. As a family he enjoyed travelling very much visiting much of Europe and America.

He died at the end of February this year aged 83, he is survived by his widow Alethea, son David and daughter Alison.

David A Raeburn 1927-2021 BGS Staff 1951-1954 In December 1954, when he left BGS after teaching Classics for three years, the Chronicle said: Mr Raeburn has only been with us since 1951 but he has most surely made his mark. The climax of his outstanding success in producing the School Play was fittingly reached with the triumphant tour of Lower Saxony with The Taming of the Shrew. He has given vigorous help with the artistic side of the School’s life, and now he leaves us for Bradfield, where he will be in charge of that School’s famous Greek play.

Vivien Christine Rees 1938-2021 BGS Joined Lower School Staff in September 1978

A colleague writes, ‘Viv Rees was here for many years. She was very involved in Maths and she led, perhaps even started, the activities programme for the Juniors.’

We hope to include a longer tribute to Mrs Rees in the next issue.

Edward David Towne 1947-2021 BGS Staff 1973-1983 Edward Towne (staff 1973-1983), died suddenly and unexpectedly on 21st April. A former Head Boy of Rugby School and graduate of the University of East Anglia in European Studies, he gained a Cambridge PGCE and later an MA from London University and an Oxford MStud.

He was a big man physically and a larger-than-life character who was well-liked at the school and has kept in touch since leaving; an enthusiastic diner, he regularly attended OB Dinners long after he moved on. He specialised in early modern English and European

He also gave The David Raeburn Prize for Contribution to School Plays, which reflects his interest in the School play - while at BGS he produced Taming of the Shrew, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Hamlet and Henry V.

An enthusiastic sportsman, he gained House colours in Rugby

Bristolienses - Issue 61

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In Memoriam History, and taught General Studies courses on Law and Politics.

A knowledgeable birdwatcher, he was active in the Field Club and also the Archaeological and History Societies; he also ran Public Speaking and Debating and was an active member of the EnglishSpeaking Union.

He obtained the post of Head of History at King School, Rochester, where he remained until early retirement; while keeping in touch with BGS; he went on to give history talks and led tours for the Historical Association as well as continuing to judge ESU public speaking competitions.

A compulsive entertainer, some will remember him as Queen Elizabeth l at a Midsummer Fair, and as Lady Dundown and

Miss Czechoslovakia in the staff production of Alan Bennet’s “Forty Years On” in 1975.

He also appeared twice on Mastermind. A great gossip with a keen sense of humour, he was always excellent company and will be much missed by his wife Jane, whom he married in 2014, and by his many friends.

Philip Colin Watts 1930-2021 BGS 1939-1949

Alan Winstone 1933-2021 BGS 1943-1950 He enjoyed Rugby and Cricket and was active in House affairs, with varied interests including the Scientific Society, the Literary and Debating Society and the Choir.

He left to study dentistry at Bristol University. ........................................................

After a rewarding academic career at BGS, with extra curricular engagement in Cricket and Rugby, the Thorne Society, the Literary and Debating Society and stage managing the House Play in 1948 and 1949, Philip did National Service in the Army and then went on to Christ’s College, Cambridge.

OB Management Committee 2020-2021 President Richard Berry rgb505@gmail.com President Elect Kate Redshaw redshaw70@btinternet.com

Careers Co-ordinator Rob Hagen, +44 (0) 7545 717104 robhagen@gmail.com

Immediate Past President John Sisman john@sismanproperty.co.uk

Sports Club Officer Don Furze don.furze@btinternet.com

Chair & Editor Geoff Wright c/o OBs Office gwright@bgs.bristol.sch.uk

Sports Club Secretary Richard Leonard leoharrier@gmail.com

Treasurer and Membership Secretary Nick Fitzpatrick, +44(0)1225 723795 ndfitz@gmail.com

Co-opted Members

Secretary Ian Southcott, +44 (0)7774 095205 iandjsouthcott@aol.com Alumni Relations Manager & AROPS Rep. Peter Jakobek pjakobek@bgs.bristol.sch.uk

Bristolienses - Issue 61

Archivist Anne Bradley abradley@bgs.bristol.sch.uk

Michael Burmester c/o OBs Office Marcus Cryer marcuscryer5@gmail.com Trustees Julian Portch Richard Smith

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Honorary Members of the Society J R Avery

N A Baldwin R Berry Mrs R A Booker Mrs A V Bradley M N J Burmester J A F Burns R J Chambers N Cousins R A D Cox J J Crichard G Davies Mrs J H Duncan J C Edwards D Furze K T Gerrish R Gillam D K Golledge J E K Goodbody G A Hodges L R Jacobs P Z Jakobek

Staff 1951-1959 Headmaster 1975-1986 1970-1980 OB Sports Club Archivist 19941953-1964 Staff 1972-2005 1957-1964 1964-1972 Staff 1973-2013 1944-1951 OB Society 2003-2018 1941-1950 1955-1962 1946-1957 OB Sports Club 1959-1967 Bursar 1979-1993 1953-1960 1930-1938 Staff 1982 –

P Key R D W Lacey C C Luker R I MacKinnon C E Martin D J Mascord D M Nott J R Parrott Dr A Primrose

P J Revill I Rolling M Sisman R W L Smith N Stibbs A F Stirratt P M Tottle E A Warren D L J Watts G J Willmott D Yeandle OBE

OB Sports Club 1951-1962 1962-1969 Headmaster 2008-2018 Headmaster 1986-1999 Headmaster 1999-2008 Staff 1968-2005 1975-1982 Headmistress Junior School 2001-2011 Staff 1969-1998 Staff 1970-2007 1953-1959 1954-1965 1964-1972 1942-1952 1960-1968 Staff 1954-1988 1945-1955 1974-1984 1964-1971

Past Presidents of the Society 1900 Herbert Ashman Bart 1901 Charles McArthur 1902 C E L Gardner 1903 Bourchier F Hawksley 1904 The Rev T W Openshaw MA 1905 Sir Hubert Llewellyn Smith GCB, MA, BSc 1906 Professor H Lloyd Tanner DSc, FRS 1907 The Rev V P Wyatt MA 1908 Sir Hartman W Just CB, KCMG 1909 Philip W Worsley JP 1910 W Nicol Reid 1911 The Rev A W Oxford MA, MD 1912 T B Silcock BSc 1913 The Rev Canon F E Brightman MA D Phil,

DD, FBA 1914 The Rev A B Beaven MA 1919 Sir Holman Gregory KC 1920 Sir Cyril Norwood MA, D Litt 1921 George Langford 1922 Col T H Openshaw CB, CMG, MS, MB,

FRCS, LRCP 1923 The Rev Canon G A Weekes MA 1924 The Rev Canon Peter Barker MA 1925 D S Davies MD, LLD, DPH 1926 Col T M Carter OBE 1927 R C Hobbs 1928 Oscar Berry 1929 Sir Duncan Grey LLD 1930 Cyril Rootham MA, MusD 1931 Wilfrid E F Peake 1932 Sir Cyril Norwood MA, D Litt 1933 J Sumner Dury JP 1934 T Reaveley Glover MA, LLD, DD, Litt D 1935 Rear-Admiral V H T Weekes CB, CMG 1936 Charles W Stear 1937 E W B Gill OBE, MA, BSc 1938 Brigadier A L W Newth CBE, DSO, MC,

TD, DL, JP, Legion of Merit (America) 1939–1945 Col G S Castle MC, TD, DL 1946 Brigadier M Angell James VC, DSO, MBE,

MC, DL

Bristolienses - Issue 61

1947 The Right Rev Henry McGowan MA 1948 The Right Hon Lord Gridley KBE,

MIEE, MP 1949 J E Barton MA, Hon RIBA 1950 Rev Canon J M D Stancomb MBE, MA 1951 Sir W Marston Logan KBE, CMG 1952 Professor T F Hewer MD, FRCP, FLS 1953 Leslie Morris MA, BSc 1954 Sir Oliver Franks PC, GCMG, KCB, CBE, MA 1955 R C W Cottle 1956 Sir W Ivor Jennings KBE, LittD, LLD, QC 1957 H P Lucas BSc 1958 The Right Rev Bishop D B Hall BA 1959 C R Setter JP, FIOB 1960 Sir Douglas Veale CBE, MA 1961 Dr John Garrett MA, DLitt 1962 C H Clements 1963 E H Totterdill FCll FIArb 1964 K W Jones ACIS 1965 Very Reverend D E W Harrison MA 1966 Alderman L K Stevenson 1967 H C H Punchard 1968 Col J B Cossins MBE 1969 J Angell James CBE, MD, FRCP, FRCS 1970 Philip E Maggs 1971 Edward V Colman 1972 Vivian H Ridler CBE, MA, FSIA 1973 Sir Paul Osmond CB, MA, CIMgt 1974 M E Dunscombe TD FBOA, FSMC 1975 Air Vice Marshal W J Maggs CB,OBE, MA 1976 R A Dolton 1977 D J Mann CBE, MA 1978 Dr J Mackay MA, DPhil 1979 Professor B H Harvey, CBE, MA, MSc 1980 J C Higson 1981 M L Booker MA 1982 The Very Rev S H Evans CBE, MA 1983 J B Ackland OBE, FRIBA 1984 G F Jarrett TD, MA

1985 D W Williams OBE, TD, DL 1986 E H Dehn BA 1987 J R Cottle MA 1988 P F Stirratt BSc (Econ) 1989 Major General IOJ Sprackling OBE, BSc 1990 K J Stidard AE, DMS, MIMgt 1991 T L Beagley CB, MA, FCIT, FIRTE(Hon) 1992 M B Nichols FCA 1993 J R Avery MA, FRSA 1994 A F Stirratt MA 1995 Professor Keith Robbins MA, DPhil,

DLitt, FRSE 1996 E A Warren MA 1997 K G H Binning CMG, MA 1998 K D J Prowting FCA 1999 His Honour Judge P N R Clark MA 2000 R Lacey MA 2001 M Sisman LLB 2002 C E Martin MA 2003 J A E Evans MA 2004 R F Kingscott Dip Arch (RWA), ARIBA 2005 R A R Cockitt BSc 2006 Professor Sir Nicholas (‘Nick’) Wright

MA, MD, PhD, DSc, FRCP, FRCS,

FRCPath, FMedSci 2007 D L J Watts JP, MA, FRICS 2008 D Pople MA 2009 P J Revill MA 2010 K T Gerrish BA 2011 N A Baldwin 2012 G E Ratcliffe BDS, DDPHRCS 2013 D Furze MBCS, CITP 2014 D Yeandle OBE, MA, MCIPD, FRSA 2015 M N J Burmester BA, ACIB 2016 J D Perkins MA 2017 Anne Bradley MA (Oxon) 2018 Melanie Guy 2019 John Sisman 2020 Rich Berry 2021 Rich Berry

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