Bristolienses Issue 58

BRISTOLIENSES THE OLD BRISTOLIANS’ MAGAZINE Winter 2020 Issue 58

In this issue: On the buses A visit back to School From the President Zen & Motorcycle Accidents Sons of the Sixties!

Where are they now?

Remembrance 2019 Interior of BGS Reminiscenses The ‘bun run’

Thoughts from the Chair

GEOFF WRIGHT

LUNCH CLUB REPORTS : SPORTS CLUB UPDATES : FOUNDATION NEWS : TREASURER’S REPORT Bristolienses - Issue 58 1

Editorial Editorial

Contents Editorial 2 From the President 3 Thoughts from the Chair 5 Treasurer’s Report 6 Foundation Report 7 A Trip to North Wales 7 On the buses 8 A visit back to School 9 Remembrance 10 Interior of BGS 12 London Drinks 13 Sports Team Photos 14 Sons of the Sixties 17 Zen & Motorcycle Accidents 18 Sports Club Reports 20 The ‘bun run’ 22 From a Leaver!

24 Reminiscences 26 OBs’ AGM 28 Lunch Club Report 29 Where are they now?

31 OBs’ News 32 Weddings 35 OBs Around the World 36 Merchandise 37 Obituaries 38 OB Management Committee 42 Honorary Members 43 Past Presidents 43 Dates for your Diary 44

Geoff Wright Issue 55 Summer 2018

I am pleased to say

that the new format and increased content of Bristolienses continues to attract compliments.

This edition is our fourth since taking it ‘in house’ and I must thank Tony O’Callaghan again for his beautiful creative work on its presentation. Caitlin Spencer has joined us in the office this term and quickly come up to speed and been a tremendous help with collation.

Issue 56 Winter 2019

The inclusion of reminiscences directly or indirectly to do with life at Bristol Grammar School has generated interest and stimulated an increasing flow of ‘voluntary’ contributions. It is your publication, read by people like you, so, please continue to write to me with such things and encourage others.

I shall keep this editorial short as I have also written as Chairman and only have one head!

Please let us know your views and ideas by writing to us at obs@bgs.bristol.sch.uk I do hope you enjoy this winter edition of Bristolienses.

Geoff Wright (1956-1966) Thanks to Toby, current BGS Yr 10 student, for our cover image

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Issue 57 Summer 2019

Chairman Bristolienses Editor

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From the President From the President

As I write this the

country remains embroiled in the on-going uncertainty of Brexit and the General Election the results of which will, of course, affect us all and perhaps our School. But

already proving a great asset to the Society.

Geoff and I (both in my role as your President but also as School Governor) have been closely involved in discussions with the Headmaster and his leadership

I hope that by the time you all read this you will have returned to some semblance of normality and certainty and that you have had a wonderful Christmas with your families and I hope look forward to a great 2020.

I am particularly excited about hosting the Annual Dinner on 14th March 2020 in Great Hall and we are looking forward to seeing a large number of OBs, many as reunion groups and maybe even welcoming back some Black Sheep!

This year will bring a slight change in format with no external speaker which means there will be lots more time for catching up with old friends and I hope old teachers who will all love to see you I am sure.

2020 is an exciting year for the School and the Dinner will provide the first opportunity to launch news of a year celebrating 40 years of co-education at BGS. Whilst there were a few sixth form trailblazers before that, I was part of the first mixed intake in 1980 and I hope many will return (some perhaps for the first time) during the course of the year. Watch out for more news in the coming months.

Since taking over the Presidency in March the year is flying by and I am very grateful for all the work being done behind the scenes by Geoff Wright and the Management Committee. We are also extremely lucky to have welcomed Caitlin Spencer in the OB’s office. She is

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John Sisman amounts of energy into the School and many of whom would love a “vehicle” to stay connected with BGS once their children leave.

Miss Caitlin Spencer

team at School to explore how we could re-shape the “special relationship” to ensure it better reflects the needs of both parties and how we can best assist OBs of all ages. Central to this will be the continuing mission of the School “to provide access for the most gifted children to the very best education irrespective of means”, alongside the invaluable role that OBs play in careers and mentoring.

The School twitter account regularly uses the hashtag #BGSFamily. This of course perfectly encompasses the whole School community past, current and future – pupils, staff, Governors, sport club members and OBs – and also potentially parents, many of whom may not have been at school but have invested huge

The last few months have been a period of remembrance and reflection. We have all been saddened by the recent loss of Past Presidents Robbins, Kingscott and Cockitt and the thoughts of us all will be with their families at this difficult time. More will be written elsewhere but each gave

selflessly of their time, experience and passion to BGS and The Society over many years and will be sorely missed.

I was honoured to represent the Society and lay wreaths at Remembrance Services at Failand and in the Great Hall. Both events were incredibly poignant and respectfully observed by all in attendance as we remembered all

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From the President From the President those OBs who made the ultimate sacrifice. In my short address at the service at The Memorial Fields I was able to express my personal view to the massed ranks of minis and junior players of OBRFC that the “greatest memorial to the OBs who will never be forgotten was to see you all have fun and enjoying your sport in a spirit of respect and companionship”. A wonderful occasion to which all OBs are always welcome.

President’s Day - Saturday 19 October 2019

The picture shows President John Sisman running the rule over thirty or so Old Bristolians in the sports pavilion at Failand just after 8 am(!) – shortly before the England v Australia Rugby World Cup quarter final.

The atmosphere just got better and better as the game went on, cups of coffee and bacon rolls were consumed and England’s points total ratcheted up in step. The world in union indeed.

Well done John!

Mike Burmester(1953-1964) Past President

I am also supportive of the progressing plans for redevelopment of the clubhouse to ensure the grounds remain a fitting memorial for many years to come.

I look forward to seeing many of you in March at the Dinner and wish you and your families a happy and prosperous 2020.

John Sisman (1980-1987) Governor 2015-present Old Bristolians’ President

DO WE HAVE YOUR UP-TO-DATE EMAIL ADDRESS? The Old Bristolians’ Society can save significant sums of money by using electronic communication rather than print and postage.

If you are willing to allow us to email you, please email obs@bgs.bristol.sch.uk to give us your up-to-date details.

If you’re not sure whether we’re up to date, just email us anyway.

Than

k you This small effort on your part will reduce our adminstration costs and ! free up more money for the cause in which we all believe.

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Thoughts from the Chair From the Chair through Bristol Grammar School.

The proposed new funding system for the Society which is being discussed with the School would enable us to do this and should become clearer this coming year.

Geoff Wright

I write this in what

seem to be increasingly uncertain times and helpful, unifying solutions feel unlikely to be found soon. Climate change appears

to be moving faster than measures to redress it, yet, we must wake up as a world and make uncomfortable changes to save our future.

I have heard the statement, ‘ability is widely spread but opportunity is not’ many times recently, mostly, but not solely, in connection with education at different levels. This is thought provoking, and, I believe true.

Consequently, improvements must be made but successful systems should not be removed for reasons based more on political ideology than evidencebased solutions.

What are we as a Society doing in these two areas? Firstly, we are using less and less printing and paper. Bristolienses is mostly e-based and Annual Dinner bookings are no longer paperbased in any part. Small steps maybe, but in the right direction.

‘Look after the pennies………’

Secondly, we are promoting and hoping to develop the Bursary system to help less well-off pupils

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agreement at an AGM.

I must sadly record the death of Ron Cockitt at the end of a drawnout illness. Ron was a Head of House, Head of Biology, a former President of the Society and a great supporter of it and the School.

I followed on from him as Annual Dinner organizer and then as collator of copy for Bristolienses before becoming editor. He is much missed and our thoughts are with his wife, Liz, and the family.

The nature of ‘membership’ is under review and will be an item at the next AGM. Paying membership is shrinking and the automatic membership for all leavers was a On a happier note, fifteen-year Peter Jakobek and I plan that, are pleased to have Caitlin Spencer & Peter Jakobek at London Drinks supposedly, appointed Caitlin expired a year or two ago, so, new Spencer who is now ably covering proposals are afoot. many aspects of the roles vacated

by Jan Duncan and Anna Freeman.

Our daughter left School last She is full of energy and ideas and summer and, with many thanks has a ‘no task too big’ attitude. We to BGS, went well-prepared to are lucky to have found her!

University. Since then, however, the buildings of the School have The process of incorporation of the seemed strangely empty and less to Sports Club lumbers on and I have do with us. Many of you who have no real news to write in this issue. had children at BGS may identify However, I do hope completion with these feelings, but some of us happens very soon. were there in our own right and we are Old Bristolians and remain part All that remains now is for me to of the School and have access to it. say ‘Thank You’ to all the members of the Management Committee for What about those parents who all their work this last year. There have simply been parents? Some is energy there and, now, some must feel this same loss of contact younger recruits, but more help is with the School and may wish to needed for us to survive and, most have some means of continuing definitely, for us to grow. closeness to and support of the Finally, we will be into the start of School. To this end, discussions 2020 when you read this, but my are beginning about the possibility very best wishes to you for this of Affiliate Membership of the New Year.

Society. To survive, former pupils’ societies must change and develop Geoff Wright (1956-1966) with the times. But do not worry, Chairman nothing will happen without the Bristolienses Editor opportunity for full discussion and

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Treasurer’s Mid Term Report Treasurer’s Report as we believe that the worry is “in the market” and that the market will rise as the uncertainties are resolved. I am sure you will be pleased to note that the scheme has no exposure to Neil Woodford’s unit trusts.

Nick Fitzpatrick

I am pleased to report that the Society is in good financial shape.

The portfolio of securities managed

by Brewin Dolphin amount to £300,000 and in addition there is cash in the bank amounting to £20,000 that will deal with any short term liquidity needs. The fund is essentially taking a fully invested stance at a time of great political and economic uncertainty.

We have no plans to change this

This term saw the majority of the annual subs were paid to the Society. These amounted to over £6,500. Whilst this is good to have it is clear that the subs will continue to decline due to the demographics of the Society, and this is an issue that needs to be addressed before it becomes a problem. I am pleased to say that we have been talking to the school about how to deal with this issue and our working practices. These talks are at an advanced level, and we are hoping that they will be concluded in time for the AGM.

Nick Fitzpatrick (1954-1965) Treasurer

Free on Fridays?

There is a monthly Luncheon Club held at Redland Tennis Club during term times.

A chance to meet over a drink beforehand, enjoy a two course lunch and then an entertaining speaker.

It runs between 12.30 and 2.45 approximately.

Why not try coming to one?

You do not have to be a regular attender but prior booking through John Critchard is essential or it will just be a drink, a fast and then the talk!

Next term’s talks and dates are shown on page 30 along with John’s contact details

A Trip to North Wales - Were you on this bike ride? Please let us know - see names opposite Bristolienses - Issue 58

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Foundation Report Foundation Report

The Old Bristolians website has been

improving alumni engagement with new users joining every week.

We have noticed a significant increase in members joining after newsletters and mail outs which is promising.

We regularly update our content with interesting news about our OB community and hope to increase this output over time. Now that the system is up and running with a good core community we are hoping to ‘relaunch’ next year to encourage even more OBs to join by highlighting the networking opportunities that it provides.

This will likely tie in with the new layout from our software provider which offers a more ‘interactive’ feel. It would be great to have more of the OB community on the website

so please feel free to join if you haven’t already by visiting www. alumni.bristolgrammarschool.co.uk Our other social media platforms continue to provide useful engagement tools. Instagram is probably our most popular channel where we regularly post photos of the school, archives and events. Surprisingly Facebook still has a large following and I was recently emailed by Tony Warren who advised me that more people would see a post if it was on Facebook. He was right and by the end of the day the post had generated a great deal of interest.

We will continue to learn how best to use our social media in this changing world but hopefully the website will be the go to place for all OB news.

This edition of Bristolienses is being put together now and will be sent out in January. It will be available online to all OBs and paper copies

A Trip to North Wales A memory and photo from Clive Baker - written by his daughter Lisa.

They caught the train to Shrewsbury, stayed overnight then cycled to Bala, overnight stop then Dolgellau, overnight, to Caernarfon, then Betws-y-coed then Shrewsbury and the train home. They climbed up a mountain, think Dad said something like Caderilse? But not Snowdonia as it was raining.

On the picture opposite Dad can remember: Left to right, but missing some out Peter Cronin (sunglasses) Clive Baker (looking over his shoulder second in from left) Ian Shannon, John Dixon (white top grey collar) Above John Dixon is Gordon Frederick Ott (it was Gordon who gave Dad the nickname of Sid when they were at school) The older chap was the teacher’s brother, Mr Poiner?

Man with cap on and arms on hips in the front was Bradford (can’t recall first name)

Can anyone help with the rest of the names? Were you there?

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Peter Jakobek will be sent to all Society members.

We should consider sending out paper copies at least once a year to all OBs although we must also consider the environmental impact of this. Since the change in format the magazine has received some excellent reviews and we are indebted to Tony O’Callaghan for the input he has made with the layout.

This term we have also been planning a survey that we will shortly be sending out to the OB community. It will ask them for their opinion on a range of issues from their use of social media to preferred communication methods and some background information.

We are hoping that the results will be of great value to us in planning methods of comnmunication, making better use of our website and getting feedback from you all.

Please do feel free to email the office if you have any other queries or suggestions obs@bgs.bristol.sch.uk We are delighted that Caitlin Spencer has joined the team. She has settled in well and has added her own slant to our Instagram and Facebook posts, as well as being a full time presence in the office to deal with any OB Society or School event enquiries.

Peter Jakobek

(Staff 1982 to date)

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On the buses On the buses When I think of school experiences, I often recall something relatively low key: the travails and rewards of

travelling there and back. Certainly, they were a constant, mostly on the same, 33 bus from Saltford, Keynsham and Bath, in my time in the Lower and Upper Schools in the 50s and 60s.

Possibly, a strong reason for those journeys being so memorable, was that they were experienced by a boy who was never fully able to embrace punctuality. It was always an effort to arrive at school on time or to arrive home within parental parameters.

through passages from Homer or Virgil ensuring that I would be ready, when called upon in class, to translate a few lines from Greek or Latin into English. In squeezing this into my morning interlude on the A4 I just saw myself as cutting corners (so-to-speak). Looking back now, however, I see a somewhat different picture. I see someone determinedly reading classical poetry early in the morning within a few minutes of awaking from slumber. I am glad that I did it and I think that I must have been more purposeful than I thought. The culture was indeed powerful.

An interlude with trains In the early sixties we lived

Here are a few regular scenarios from those journeys that persist in my recollection. I hope that they prod a few memories.

The jump off the bus.

When buses still contained open, rear platforms, it was, sometimes, necessary to alight from the vehicle in full flight as it swerved leftwards from Baldwin Street onto Bristol Centre. For me, the motivation was normally the need to save a few seconds in the rush to school. For others, I suspect, it could be an act of sheer machismo establishing their credentials as one who controlled events and did not bow to humble bus timetables.

in Saltford and I sometimes abandoned the buses in favour of the train. I loved to stand at Temple Meads and immerse myself in the twilight of the steam locomotives.

Occasionally, I managed to avoid the diesels and to catch a steam

train from Temple Meads to Saltford. There was something particularly romantic about such a magnificent beast stopping at a humble, village station.

I have not visited the area for many years. So, it came as a genuine shock to me, when I checked on the internet, to find that I had lost almost half a century. As readers better informed than me will know, Saltford station was closed in 1970 and demolished soon after.

Travelling with The Headmaster Finally, the episodes that persist most prominently in my memory are the times when I, a Lower School pupil, would happen to take the same bus home as Mr Bone (see picture below), Lower School Headmaster living in Keynsham.

He would always make the effort to sit with me and to engage in conversation, treating me as though I was an individual with views that were worthy of consideration and respect. Those kind and empathetic episodes did more for the selfimage of an unconfident and in no way outstanding schoolboy than almost anything I could imagine.

Three cheers for Mr Bone.

Adrian Ashley (1957-1967)

Either way, the outcomes were risky and variable. Sometimes, it could be the unruffled execution of an elegant manoeuvre. At other times, it ranged from the undignified to the seriously traumatic.

Homework and the bus By and large, my journey was not a relaxed or contemplative start to the day. I spent the time running

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A visit to School A visit back to School

Peter Mather, OB (1938 – 1940) wrote to

Philip Revill to thank him for showing him and his wife around the School last May. Here is what he wrote about his return after 80 years.

Dear Mr Revill It was quite an emotional experience. I was visiting from Canada to take a trip down memory lane. After an unhappy time at my previous school, I felt great relief when my father sent me to BGS in 1938, when I was aged 12. Although the Sergeant carried a cane, during my three years there I never saw it being used.

As we walked to the main entrance, I became quite emotional.

The last time I had seen this entrance was in 1940.

It was the finish line for a five mile run in which I had been entered.

I was one of the stragglers but was determined to reach the finish tape. As I crossed the tape I fainted and woke up in the nearby Homeopathic hospital and it was determined that I had contracted tuberculosis.

That was the end of my attendance at BGS, and of my formal education. During the year I was kept in isolation I read many, many books. These books which otherwise would

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be discarded were sent to me by the Redland Library and some

by BGS. My favourites, nearly all non-fiction, were ones on history (never my strong subject at School), biographies, battles and travel.

Kipling was a favourite, even Cicero.

Nelson became my all-time hero.

This extensive reading became a lifelong passion and lured me to extensive travel in my 30 years of retirement.

It was our good fortune that you happened to be at the School on the same day as our visit. You first led us to the Great Hall where I had attended prayers and hymn singing. Those happy events have stayed with me all my life. My most popular hymn was (and still is) Jerusalem. It has always been in my subconscious and the second verse in particular has been my ‘staff’ in times of trouble. I will never forget the sound of several hundred boys lustily singing the words. The Great Hall was also, very often, my classroom.

I remember our class was taken to witness a ‘dog’ fight between British and German fighter planes. They were so high that we could not tell which were which but it was very exciting!

With you, we came across an oil painting of Mr. Moore who was the Headmaster during the period I was in attendance. Mr. Moore was a great man. When the school was bombed in 1940 Mr. Moore ordained that the school would continue as usual. He crammed more classes into the Great Hall.

Mr. Moore was not going to let

Hitler close down his School. The first day after the bombing he gave many young minds (including mine) an important lesson – which was to never give in to tyranny.

Mr. Moore also helped me personally. During the period when I was confined with T.B. my mother decided she was going to end her marriage. This meant that I would not be returning to Bristol Grammar School. In those days the legal age for leaving School was 12. Mr. Moore not only gave me a generous letter of reference but he also found me a job, sight unseen, as an office boy with Woolwich Building Society on Corn St. Considering the enormity of his regular duties, this was another testament to his integrity. It is no wonder that he was subsequently appointed Headmaster of Harrow.

Although I was only a student of BGS for three years, I still consider myself an Old Boy. Teachers like you and Mr Moore left me with values during my formative years which have lasted a lifetime.

Thank you Mr. Revill for your courtesy in making our trip so memorable.

Yours truly,

Peter Mather (1938-1940)

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Remembrance 2019 Remembrance 2019

There are many memories of schooldays,

but the service held in the Great Hall must be one of the most moving. Here are some cameos from this year.

The last post and reveille played from the organ loft. The performance was amazing. I was told later it was visiting music teacher, Martin Rogers, as the chosen pupil had fallen sick that morning.

The lesson read by Head of School, Cara Addleman, was from Ecclesiasticus 44 – as it always is. “They shall not grow old” by Lawrence Binyon.

to my eyes. “Lay a Garland” sung by the BGS chamber choir was exquisite.

The reason why the poppy was chosen as a symbol, why it is still relevant today and the quashing of popular myths about how all this glorifies war was powerfully conveyed by Robert Massey and members of the history department.

The service started with “Abide with Me”; Nigel Nash at his full-on best on the organ being more than enough to start the emotions.

The morning finished with powerful and clear reflections from the Headmaster, Jaideep Barot. His referencing the number of BGS

alumni who perished in the Great War (157) really brought it all home to the packed congregation.

I also attended the service at Failand – which has seriously gone up a level or two from that of the past seven or eight years.

There must have been several hundred junior rugby players, plus parents, plus some of us old stagers. Very moving.

Mike Burmester (1953-1964) Past President

The wreath laying - my memory as a pupil was always of a very old gentleman from Old Bristolians laying a wreath; now the President (John Sisman) looks rather youthful

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Remembrance 2019

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

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Interior of BGS Interior of BGS Douglas Veale CBE (1891-1973) BGS 1904-1910

Registrar of the University of Oxford 1930-1958

reveals that he ‘also batted’ for the 1st XI; one innings, total runs, 1. The Chronicle notes that he ‘has been most useful as Captain of the 2nd XI’. It would seem that Rugby was his game: ‘Veale, D, Heavy forward, and tremendous worker.

in World War 2. Thirteen others served, of whom one was killed.

Anne Bradley Archivist Past President

Recently the Archives Team was given a postcard entitled ‘Interior of Bristol Grammar School’, showing the Great Hall furnished with desks as it used to be before the classroom blocks were built (see illustration on page 9). It is addressed to Douglas Veale, 25 Westfield Park, Redland, Bristol.

Douglas Veale was Captain of the School, Captain of Parker’s House (the Black House), School Editor of the Chronicle and Colour Sergeant of the OTC. He was awarded the Rev A W Oxford’s Prize for Pure Scholarship and an Open Scholarship to Corpus Christi College, Oxford.

He served as Captain in the 4th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment, and subsequently was invalided home and served as the Adjutant of the Reserve Battalion from 1916. After some years as a Civil Servant he became Registrar of the University of Oxford in 1930. He was awarded the CBE in 1929 and knighted in 1954. He was President of the Old Bristolians’ Society in 1960.

Is the pivot of the scrum and gets down very smartly indeed. Has improved tremendously in the loose, especially in dribbling’.

He is in the second row of the 1909 1st XV. Of the sixteen boys in the photograph, one, the linesman, served in the Great War and died

The postcard, probably dated 9 May 1909, reads, ‘Thank you very much for your letter, which I was glad to get. I am so relieved to hear that all goes better than one could have anticipated. Fancy missing the mighty innings! I am most disappointed, Yrs sincerely, K N’.

Sadly the identity of K N eludes us, and so does ‘the mighty innings’.

Veale was certainly interested in Cricket, and the July 1909 Chronicle

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London2019 Drinks London Drinks

LONDON DRINKS 2019 On Wednesday 8 December Pete Jakobek and

Caitlin Spencer from the Old Bristolians’ office along with, recently

retired Director of Sport, Rick Sellers went to The Golden Lion in St James, London to catch up with the London OBs to kick start the Christmas season!

It was great to see so many alumni from recent leavers to members of the Class of 1980 who are in the midst of organising their 40 year reunion at our Annual Dinner in March.

It’s always great to see any alumni, hear what you’ve been up to and get ideas for future reunions and social events we could put on. We look forward to seeing you all at the Annual Dinner in March!

Caitlin Spencer

Alumni Administrator and Events Support

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Sports Team Photos - who are they?

Sports Team Photos The Archivist Department periodically

receives vintage photographs which prompt questions such as, ‘Who are they?’

A short while ago we acquired five original photos from the 1920s. A little detective work, using past Chronicles, quickly identified the School’s First Teams photos for cricket (1925), hockey (1924) and football (1923). There is very strong evidence that the last photo is Pitt’s House Cricket team from 1923.

At this time, House sports teams do not appear in the Chronicles.

However, we are fortunate to have the relevant House Records books for Pitt’s House (now the Blue House in the Upper School). The members of the house cricket teams are all recorded and by crosschecking the names with existing photos we have arrived at the date of 1923.

Looking at a photo makes one wonder ‘What are their stories?’

Using the archives can help to delve behind the faces and reveal the personalities of those involved.

Francis Samuel Pitt was born in Nuneaton in 1887 and joined the school in 1918. He was a Housemaster (1920 to 1935), a careers master and taught maths.

He was then Master in Charge of the Lower School until 1947 at which point he retired. He died in 1962. His friend ‘Jock’ Boulton, (a Housemaster and close friend), said he was ‘A very active man… his tastes were simple and there was no room for anything shoddy or second-rate’, (July Chronicle 1962).

The exact origin of these photos in the intervening years is unclear. Roy Edward Dean Cunningham appears

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in every photo and so it is tempting to think that these photos were all originally the property of the Cunningham family.

Roy Cunningham was certainly a very gifted sportsman and there are many references to his skills. The Chronicle of April 1925 quotes he was, ‘this year’s Captain (hockey) and the finest goal-keeper the School has had for some years – has played some brilliant games. Kicks hard and cleanly and always seems to know where the ball is going’.

The report in the Chronicle of July 1925 analyses his cricket skills, ‘a fine wicket keeper, whose taking on the left side is especially good.

Is a little premature in accepting returns from the field, and is still inclined to snatch’.

1923 1st XV Football (original from Acford)

Have you got any memorabilia?

These might be old school photos, school books, cups or programmes to events (concerts, plays etc). The Archives Department is always happy to receive artefacts from Old Bristolians. Sometimes these things are passed down through families and whilst they may hold no special value to the current generation, they would add to our archive, add to the story of the school and those that attended. They would certainly be highly valued and preserved for the school and its future.

Please contact the Archives Department if you would like to gift anything to the school.

Carrie Rosser

Asst. Archivist 2018 to date Ex-Staff Physics 1984-2018

1924 1st XI Hockey (original from Acford)

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Sports Team Photos - who are they?

Sports Team Photos

1925 1st XI Cricket (original from Acford)

1923 Pitt’s House Cricket Team (original from Acford)

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Celebrating 40 Years of Co-Education SATURDAY 14 MARCH 2020

Old Bristolians’ Annual Dinner DRINKS 18:45

Ticket Prices 1 TICKET - £47.50

DINNER 19:30

TABLE OF 8 - £360

GREAT HALL

TABLE OF 10 - £440

BLACK TIE

Book your tickets now for the next OBs’ Annual Dinner Saturday 14 March 2020 - The Great Hall, Bristol Grammar School Book online now at the Old Bristolians Website - www.alumni.bristolgrammarschool.co.uk/events The Six Nations match, England v Italy, will be screened in the Owen Room from 16:45 with an honesty bar available. Please email cspencer@bgs.bristol.sch.uk if you are thinking of coming to watch.

MENU Starter Smoked Salmon Parfait with gin & tonic centre or Butternut Squash & Chilli Soup with crème fraiche

Book Online

Now!

Main Creamy Chicken Marsala (M) Chicken Supreme in a mushroom Marsala sauce with roasted herb potatoes & broccoli stems or Roasted Vegetable Cake Stack (V) Sweet Potato & chickpea pattie topped with red pepper, courgette, aubergine & ricotta cheese drizzled with pesto Dessert Tart Aux Poires with cream or Raspberry White Chocolate Cheese Brulée

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Sons of the Sixties Sons of the Sixties

Robert Lacey (1951-

1962) delivered the 6th form lecture in the MacKinnon theatre at the Tyndalls Park site on Monday 7th October.

The theme was based on his current role as historical consultant for the Crown series on Netflix with the current ten episodes having commenced on 17th November. His book on the same subject is being launched concurrently.

On Duty - Robert Dawes, Mike Evans, Robert Lacey and Mike Burmester (all Robert’s contemporaries)

Coronation to his wife Wallis Simpson and a group of American friends; sitting by his mother’s (Queen Mary) bedside with acid remarks on his sister-in law (Queen Mother) and niece (Queen Elizabeth II) was also fiction but gave a powerful illustration on how the Royal family might be viewing itself from within.

Robert chaired a short Q and A session to round off the event.

Emerging from a Clifton Village pub around closing time in the week before the above lecture. Another cohort of Sixties “scholars” all from 6th Science.

Mike Burmester (1953-1964) Past President

There were several other examples of fact / fiction from the Queen’s reign.

He initially delved into history and Shakespeare, revealing that while the story of Macbeth was largely true, the appearance of witches was not. They were woven into the play to please King James 1, a Scot by birth who believed in witchcraft.

Robert then brought us back to modern times and plucked a few extracts from The Crown where fiction had intruded to make a point.

The use of the Duke of Windsor (formerly Edward VIII) providing a running commentary on the

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Off Duty - Roger Chambers, Ian Bothwell, Mike Price, Adrian Reed and Howard Cleeve.

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Zen and Accidents Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Accidents Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Accidents Excerpts from a blog https://lucyfeltham.com

surgeries, broken my neck, sacrum, arm, shoulder and pelvis in multiple places. I was very lucky to be alive.

Those first weeks passed in a blur of pain and morphine-induced

When I finally passed my motorcycle test, I kept it a secret from my parents for a long time.

They’d rather not know, they told me, worried about how vulnerable I would be with only a few layers of leather and plastic between my body and the other flying hunks of metal on the road.

Turns out they were right.

The day my beloved Triumph Bonneville and I got hit began like any other. Although living in California, I had diligently tuned the inside of my helmet to BBC Radio 2 – Steve Wright in the afternoon – and began my commute to work, cutting through the crisp morning air towards the hustle of the San Francisco Bay Bridge.

Within two minutes of leaving my house, a woman consumed with exhaustion after a night shift, slumped onto the wheel, swerved into my lane and plunged into me, head-on. The moment is etched into my mind so deeply I only have to close my eyes to conjure it back; visceral, sharp, steel-on-steel; the pure physicality of metal, bending, shredding, smashing into my body.

For the next few days I drifted in and out of consciousness, capturing fragments of information from surgeons and nurses as I struggled to respond through my breathing tubes. I had survived multiple

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euphoria. I remember feeling like a floating mind, out of context, and disconnected from my physical body, as if I had woken up inside an avatar I hadn’t yet learned to communicate with. It was as if someone had hit the pause button on my life; I didn’t have to worry about work, remember birthdays, respond to texts. No one expected anything of me and all I had to focus on was getting through each day, confined to the four walls of an ICU room. A life in hiatus. It was strangely peaceful.

Of course it wasn’t exactly peaceful for my Mum, who flew out to California to be at my bedside, nor my husband who was followed around the ICU with a card machine; “How would you like to pay your first $3000 insurance deductible, cash or card?”

Oh, America.

A month later I was temporarily transferred home while my bones healed, confined to a hospital

bed in our front room, I spent three weeks staring at the ceiling.

Occasionally I would be wheeled into a paratransit van and driven to hospital for scans and x-rays, the brief moments outside bringing me unfathomable joy as the sun flickered through the branches of the trees overhead, bathing my face in sunlight and taking it away again at the whim of the breeze.

These moments were the happiest I remember being; scanning the trees for the source of a bird’s song, experiencing a variety of sensations on my skin, and engaging with each passing

stranger – “lovely day isn’t it?” I promised myself to remember this lesson in simplicity, of finding the joy in each small moment.

The next chapter in my road to recovery was a month as an inpatient in a physical therapy rehab centre, where an air of positivity and optimism veiled the underlying tragedy.

I remember learning to walk again.

A sturdy belt fastened around my waist, as my therapist held me up on the parallel bars. I remember feeling confused about the new view of the world, the weight of my body on my feet; it felt so odd, so alien. I concentrated on remembering what it felt like to move my legs, to propel myself

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Zen and Accidents Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Accidents

forward using the seemingly dead limbs that hung from my waist.

In a striking similarity to my time spent researching for my book, FOMO, my experience of rehab allowed me the opportunity to lift the lid on a new subculture, a group of people I wouldn’t have known existed unless I had a reason to be there. Being surrounded by others going through similar journeys, often more difficult than my own, was both inspiring and humbling. I was amazed by how readily people could adapt and relearn in order to enjoy the simple freedoms that most of us take for granted – from relearning how to get in and out of the shower, to lowering work surfaces so they were able to cook for their families - accepting that the only thing within their power is how they decide to deal with their

situation, rather than rile against it.

Within a few months of returning from rehab, I was back to driving, swimming laps in our local pool and singing with my acapella group. I even went back to work, although part time at first, and it was wonderful to feel useful and productive again, to be contributing back to the world instead of just taking from it.

Not long after this I stopped wearing my foot brace completely and even progressed from sneakers to pumps, so now I look almost

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normal, just more vulnerable and weaker than before.

A new normal, and a small price to pay, perhaps, to have been granted this perspective, this adventure, this lesson in overcoming.

Looking back on my journey, I feel a burning need to redefine myself.

The less I need help, the more I am shaking off the identity of ‘patient’ that has been with me for so long, and I’m still not sure what is left in its stead. Should I be a new person now? A better person than I was before?

Should I be doing something extraordinary with my second chance? Probably, and the pressure to figure this all out is like a loose thread constantly tugging on the edge of my mind.

I have a desperate need to capture the details of everything that has happened and everything I have felt, especially when the trivial stresses of everyday life start to creep back in. Not as a form of therapy, although I’m sure that’s a part of it, but so that it is in some way useful, so that I can somehow give it value. The lessons I have learnt, the characters I have met, the energy I have taken from people - it has to stay loud and vibrant, or it was all for nothing.

The tribulations of the last two years have scattered a total of 15

scars across my body, each carrying its own reminder of another step in my journey back to where I am today.

Not long after I returned from rehab, I found a small pot of gold powder and a card from my husband. The card explained that, in Japanese culture, when a precious piece of pottery is broken it is fixed with lacquer mixed with powdered gold, so that the breaks are duly recognised as part of the object’s history. The practice is called Kintsugi, and the result makes the fixed piece look even more beautiful than it did before.

“Which is exactly what your scars do to you”, the note said.

Lucy’s book, FOMO; A Year of Not Missing Out, is available for pre-order here: http://unbound.com/books/fomo

Lucy Leonelli (Feltham) (1999-2004)

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Sports Club Report Sport - Hockey Club Report OBHC 2019/20 Season

Our season started this year with around 70 seniors and 90 juniors attending Club Day on the weekend of September 7/8th. We were lucky with the weather and even luckier with the BBQ on Sunday at the junior Club Day – Sam did a sterling job keeping the kids well fed.

side at the Junior Regional performance centre had seven Old Bristolians in the team – great representation of the Club.

Off the pitch, hockey players were very scary at the recent Hallowe’en party and are currently planning their Christmas Jumper bar crawl in December.

strength with many age groups being at capacity.

In terms of results the 1st XV have had a slow start to the season and are currently sitting 10th in Western Counties North which is Level 7 of the national pyramid, whilst our 2nd and 3rd XVs have started with more wins than losses. Running three teams in this day and age is

We have a number of new coaches this season and a few old faces coming back to coach.

Attendance has been good so far which seems to be paying off in our games.

Our Men’s 1st and 2nd teams are unbeaten so far this season and riding high in their respective Leagues. Our L2s and M3s have also had fantastic starts and are towards the top of the table. We have also seen some really good hockey being played in our other sides, where I am sure the results will start to come.

It is really pleasing to see a number of our juniors coming into senior sides and performing extremely well.

In the junior teams, our side has been goals for fun with couple of double figure wins and the Avon U14 boys

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Badgers scoring a

Hockey Club Day

All of our fixtures are listed on our web site but every weekend we host four matches at the Stirratt pitch – we would love to see supporters there.

Jan Bowen (OBHC Chair) Greetings from the Rugby Club The Autumn edition of Bristolienses seems to come around far too quickly in recent years, but as ever in writing this article the rugby club continues to be in good health.

The World Cup having now been and gone has seen playing numbers across all sections rise with lots of new faces in both men’s and women’s sections.

The Mini & Junior section as ever continues to go from strength to

sadly not something most clubs are able to do. The fact that we are able to do so and field a regular Veterans XV is a really positive reflection on the senior section.

I often wonder what the key influence is for players to join us. Last week after training I was talking to two new recruits and I asked what brought you here. The response that came back was a bit of shock: “Well we were both on interview at a large law firm in the city and at the end of the interview we were asked what we did in our spare time and, when we told the interviewer we were both keen rugby players, he advised us that we needed to join Old Bs as they have this amazing pudding club after training.”

As President I am so delighted that our reputation for dessert spreads

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far and wide.

- Rugby Club Report SportsSport Club Report

Our Women’s section has had an excellent start to the season and until last weekend topped their league. The prominence of women’s rugby both in the press and locally has increased playing numbers with more and

so than on Remembrance Sunday when we stop and reflect. For the second year running our Minis have also been on Poppy Appeal Collection Duty at Ashton Gate. OBs are everywhere.

Representatively our former players do us credit. Andy Christie at Saracens, Ben Christie

see more OBs on the field at Ashton Gate in the years to come.

Finally if you or anyone you know is interested in Girls’ Rugby and wants to give it a go feel free to come along on a Sunday morning and we will make sure you have an enjoyable run around, in a supportive friendly environment.

Rich Berry President Old Bristolians RFC president@OBRFC.co.uk Tel 07917275090

more sides starting up and we are pleased that our side is now well established.

As ever new players are welcome in both Men’s and Women’s sections.

On the mini and junior front it is staggering to see what has been achieved in the 15 years since we started. Some of the stats tell you the story. We have 450 players aged 5 to 18; 65 qualified coaches and a further 50 volunteers that make Sundays tick.

at Wasps, James Dun at the Bristol Bears. Our current crop have significant numbers training with the Bears Academy within both the DPP (Developing Player Programme) where we are represented by 26 players, and the PDG (Player Development Group) by 15 players.

The Bears Academy Programme is highly respected and we hope to

Our values of FASTER Fun, Attitude, Sportsmanship, Team, Everyone and Respect was developed by the players for the club. These values reinforce the RFU values and can be seen on display every Sunday morning. No more

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The ‘bun run’ The ‘bun run’ We asked for coffee bar & pub reminiscences: these are a few we received:

Mike Stanton (1957-1964) We used to gather in the ‘Cally’ - The Calypso coffee bar in Great George St run by Harry. We preferred the dark back room where we could sit (sic!) with girls from Clifton High, Redland High, St Ursula’s, and, if you were lucky, a Redmaid. Those with better relationship-building skills would move on to the Cabot Tower for further activities.

When we were somewhat older we would go after Saturday morning school to the Coronation Tap for cider (10d per pint) or to the ‘Set’ (Somerset House pub in Park Row) under the not very watchful eye of landlord Courtenay Ballinger to drink George’s Bitter at 1/2d per pint.

And when feeling really venturesome & affluent, we would walk up through Birdcage Walk to The Albion, where occasionally an equally venturesome Clifton High girl might be found - much to the irritation of the Clifton College boys, if one or two had managed to escape.

Also not to be forgotten was the morning ‘bun run’ from 6th Form in Norwood’s & Barton’s, which involved running the gauntlet of the Headmaster’s House, then occupied by the eagle-eyed Dr Mackay, to the bakery in Queen’s Road to purchase a star bun for division among that morning’s subscribers.

That took one past the Embassy Ballroom, where on Saturday afternoons we were taught waltz, quickstep, cha cha & even Rock

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‘n Roll & The Twist by dance instructors John Wain & Irene Toft.

Our partners were from Clifton High mainly, and often from St Ursula’s, which meant fending off the St Brendan’s boys.

into Queen’s’ Road and into the bakery – now the Skipton Building Society. Oh dear – a long queue. I’m sure I’ll be spotted. Buy the buns, turn back to base and never was

PS Congrats Cllr Mike E on election as Mayor of Midsomer Norton. ......................................................

Mike Burmester (1953-1964) In his previous editorial, the chairman exhorted us to write about things we did at school which were on the wrong side of the rules. He referenced visits to pubs and coffee bars, the latter being just as illegal as the former. So how about the bun run?

This was a rite of passage in L6th Modern in the early 1960s when the class was based in Barton’s.

Come the morning break time, many of us sixteen-year olds were too hungry to wait for school lunch, so we organised for one of our number to go to the bakery in Queen’s Road to purchase star bun rings (aka the Colston). Probably half a dozen or so orders. What’s wrong with that I hear you say?

Well…back then it was totally out of bounds to leave school premises during the morning – and a detention was the least of the punishments meted out. The motivation to volunteer for the run was not only to conquer your hunger but also so as not to appear chicken in front of your mates.

Not a problem sauntering down Elton Road between Barton’s and Norwood’s but from then on you were a marked man. Down Queen’s Avenue past the Embassy cinema (long since gone), turn the corner

passing the gateway of Norwood’s so welcome. Safety at last. Into the classroom to be greeted by “Where the h—l have you been? Lessons start in 5 minutes”. But you were chuffed to have been brave and not been caught.

I messaged some of my peers referencing the chairman’s plea for copy and mentioned the bun run as a possibility. Back came some other memories which are set out below in an e-mail chain, tweaked a little here and there to avoid the unwelcome attention of lawyers.

As such, you will need to read from bottom to top.

I’d look forward to hearing from other 6th Moderns of my vintage and I’m sure the editor would like to hear of different quirky goings on from the generations. ......................................................

Chris Yates (1958-1965) Although I was 6 Maths, and therefore Norwood’s, our lives were very similar. We too had a guy who had epileptic fits and we also had a bun run (lardie cakes!). Usually on Saturday morning cos we had four private study periods!! We had an

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The ‘bun run’ The ‘bun run’

alarm using a pressure plate under the stair lino, but it was discovered after a while. Happy days.

I have a few memories of drinking etc. at school.

When in Remove Classical several of us were caught smoking in the coffee bar at the top of Whiteladies Road by a couple of senior prefects.

To this day I cannot believe we weren’t reported!

When in Sixth Maths a couple of us were regular lunchtime visitors to a pub in Kingsdown.

But my best memory is of a weekend CCF camp in Brecon when the two Officers took two of us senior NCOs to the local pub while the other cadets were left in the care of a corporal! ………………………………………………………

Mike Evans The bubble car was amazing – and how great to hear from Bernie, bravo the Internet. We all vividly remember the bun run, it must have been a rite of passage; and indeed X’s fit, another more serious and frightening world suddenly erupting into our classroom. Evans (another bell ringing, that now quaintsounding use of surnames) ………………………………………………………

Robert Dawes The bun run was a nerve-wrecking adventure for many of us - just sad that Bernie got caught, but he always took the biggest risks.

His bubble car is a very vivid memory.

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And X’s epileptic fit was indeed really frightening, especially for me as he was sitting at a desk right in front of me and at first I thought he was messing about.

………………………………………………………

Mike Stanton (1957-1964) What I remember is the ‘bun run’ for a star bun, X having his first epileptic fit (which was terrifying), Bern’s Isetta Bubble car, Coggins & the Printing Press & Vincent Waite’s excellent teaching.

Ade Johnson (v big bloke?) got me my first vac job, at George & Maria’s restaurant in Weston-superMare. …………………………..............................

Ian Pickup I recall one anecdote that seemed to be amusing at the time. Adrian and two others (Roger Tucker and Bernie Moulden) sat in the bay window of Vincent Waite’s form room on the Barton’s ground floor.

And while the five Germanistas cleared off upstairs for their sessions with the Os or Mr Morris, the rest of us settled down and occasionally somebody in the window would warn that “MO’s coming” as he trundled down the drive. Famously he popped his head into our room one day with the immortal words “Don’t call me MO!” Perhaps not as famous as the day that John Mackay told the school in assembly that the bell was not working, and the fire drill would start with him saying “Bell”. And so he did, in all seriousness, and we all filed out. Those were the days.

Bernard Moulden Mike, how good to hear from you again. I hope you are as well and lively as you appear to be. As usual your communication is a bittersweet pleasure reminding me of some of the hidden costs of having chosen to become an ex-pat. It is hard to recreate the depth of friendship that is made possible by a shared youthful culture and experience.

It was a delight to see Dawes and Evans and you all thriving; please pass on my compliments and regards to the other two when you see them next. ………………………………………………………

Mike Burmester (1953-1964) After an absence of 56 years from when I last saw/had contact with him, up pops Adrian Johnson via e-mail, having been given my address by Bernard Moulden, now living in Australia. He spent his career teaching and has lived in York for the past 43 years.

He tells me that he visits the BGS and OB Facebooks from time to time – I would too if I knew how.

Leafing through my old chronicles (Yes, I know) I am reminded that he played for the 1st XV and was in Osborne’s/Warren’s.

He and I spent two years in 6th Modern where we took A Level in 1963. ……………………....................................

Geoff Bolland I was in Bristol as a guest of UWE and the Vice Chancellor,

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Prof Steve West, for the Annual Bolland Lecture and to dedicate UWE’s new Bolland Boardroom.

My father was Director of Bristol Poly 1969 to 1974 and he set up the Poly to become UWE. This included initiating the original buildings at

Dinner LeaversLeavers Dinner

The Annual Leavers Dinner is the final event

of the week after the end of A-levels and for many, the final school event they will attend aside from results day.

As a culmination of our time at Bristol Grammar, being able to spend the evening sat with friends as well as the teachers who had supported us through sixth form and in younger years was a great way to celebrate the end of exams.

Coldharbour Lane. He negotiated early funding with Margaret Thatcher who was then Minister of Education and Science.

In those days, I was working just beside the US Embassy in London and we would often lunch together after his meetings in Whitehall, he to recover, me to be amazed and amused by such high level dealings.

Dad’s legacy at UWE is still remembered in several ways.

The Library is named The Bolland Library and his bust is displayed at the entrance. Then, since his premature death at 58 in 1974, there has been an annual Memorial Lecture at UWE where a notable guest speaker has covered a topic related to academia and industry. This year’s speaker, on October 3, was Ashok Vaswani, CEO of Barclays UK. Just prior to the Lecture, I officially dedicated the new UWE Boardroom on the new administrative floor. UWE’s Boardroom is now known as The Bolland Boardroom.

Although ready for a holiday having finished exams just three days before, the evening of food made by Michele and her team, music by an Old Bristolian and dancing with friends (and even Mr Harford!) was just what we all needed to start our summer.

Having just come home after my first term at university, I look forward to returning to BGS at some point to catch up with everyone who made my time at school so enjoyable and rewarding.

Sophie Sieradzan Wright (2008-2019)

Photos by Pico Photography

The photos are with the VC, Prof Steve West, at the Boardroom dedication; the explanatory plaque; the guest speaker with the VC, me and other dignitaries.

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Reminiscences Reminiscences

Having recently read the accounts by two

Old Bristolians of their days at the school I thought it might be interesting to your readers to hear from an old Bristolian who was at the School during World War II. I was evacuated from London with my mother, her partner and my grandmother at the beginning of September in 1939.

I can well remember sitting in our hotel on the day after we had arrived, September 3, listening to poor old Neville Chamberlain announcing that we were now at war with Germany. It was the beginning of a long and sometimes quite frightening period in my life.

My mother entered me as a pupil at BGS and I was inserted into form Upper 3B. At that time the headmaster of the school was Mr RW Moore, but after my first year he went to be Head of Harrow, the famous Public School near London. The Grammar School at that time was known for its excellent Classics Department.

The Head of Classics was a Mr

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S.T. Collins, always known as the Saint because of his initials. He was an elderly white-haired man with a rather angelic face. While the teaching at the school was excellent it was a fairly conservative and traditional grammar school.

The Headmaster was a member of the Headmasters’ Conference which put us in the same group as Harrow, Eton and all the other Public Schools but at that time BGS was not really considered to be the equivalent of those more famous private schools.

I remember the fees were £7 per term or £21 for a year which although low by today’s standards was quite a sizeable sum in 1939.

This was the time of the phony war and nothing much was happening.

We all had to carry our gas masks with us wherever we went. As a seven year old I had had a bad bout of rheumatic fever which left a tremor in my heart so I was not allowed to play games. I have to confess that this did not really worry me as I was not at all fond of team games. We had five lessons in the morning each day, four in the afternoon; Tuesday afternoons were left for the Corps to which I did not belong and Thursday’s to the games which I did not play. We had five periods every Saturday morning. Those of us who did not play games did menial tasks in the afternoons on which school did not take place. We pumped out the trench which was an alleged air raid shelter but always filled with water, checked the fire buckets and so on.

By the summer of 1940 France had fallen and the German air raids had started in earnest. Bristol was a major port and transport hub and so suffered badly during the blitzes.

Every night the sirens would wail and we would hear the bombers coming over. We were fortunate enough to have shelter in the basement of a Civil Service office up the road but it meant that sleep at night was not easy and the noise was sometimes horrific.

Later daytime raids started and I can remember seeing a damaged British fighter plane spiralling out of the sky to crash into the land.

There was huge damage to the centre of Bristol; one morning I rode my bicycle in to see the resulting damage much to my mother’s annoyance. The climax for us came in the very bad winter of 1940 when the German attack changed to dropping incendiary bombs. One landed on the steps down to our basement flat and my mother very bravely put a dustbin lid on top of it. The Fire Brigade could do nothing since the water was freezing in their hose pipes. My mother decided that it was time to

leave. Her partner had developed TB and had gone into a sanatorium where he very soon died. She took

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Reminiscences Reminiscences

me and my grandmother away to a basement flat in Clevedon where we spent the rest of the war in relative peace and where I started attending the local State School which was dreadful.

Fortunately after the headmaster Mr Moore left the school to go to Harrow the governors made the brave decision to appoint John Garrett who was the head of a State school at Raynes Park just outside London which had been highly commended as an example of how the best state schools should be. John Garrett arrived with his offsider Frank Beecroft and the school was revolutionised. Garrett’s arrival had an immediate effect on me as he summoned my mother to see him and asked why I had left the school. She told him that she could not afford the fees even although they were only £7 per term. Garrett immediately told her he would award me a governor’s scholarship which paid all the fees so I returned to the BGS travelling in every day by bus, a journey which took one hour and was really rather demanding. The bus arrived at the Tramways Centre where there was still one tram route functioning and also still some water in the old Bristol docks. I would walk up the Christmas Steps to the school every day and back down again in the evening to commute back to Clevedon.

Under Garrett’s headmastership the whole ethos of the school changed. We had a school play, a school chorus, music appreciation lessons, and many distinguished visitors among whom were Quentin Hogg and Lady Violet Bonham Carter. We had recitals by Benjamin Britten and Peter Pears. The school now provided a splendid education which ever since I have

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appreciated.

By the end of 1943 the threat of air raids was receding and we moved back into Bristol renting a top floor flat in Clifton. By now I was in the sixth form and studying mathematics both for the A-levels and for scholarships to Oxford and Cambridge. My brilliant maths teacher Mr Lyness had left the school and we had a rather inexperienced maths teacher and I fear that as I got into the realm of somewhat more sophisticated mathematics I was able to teach him rather than he me. But there were many other fine teachers, among them Fred Perry. Uncle Fred as he was known taught English and had a degree from Leeds University whereas most of the staff were

over discipline. His lessons were in the library where there were freestanding desks and chairs.

I remember one time whenever he wrote on the blackboard we would all move our desks forward so that the end of the lesson he was imprisoned by a ring of desks and chairs. He never had the courage to do anything about it.

Although the threat of air raids had receded we still had fire watching at school. The sixth form students were paid one shilling and sixpence, 71/2p, to buy fish and chips for supper and spend the night at school in case there was an air raid.

We were taught to use a stirrup pump and at night had the whole run of the school to ourselves. I used my money to buy chips with the sixpence as was intended and the other shilling to go to the Repertory Theatre.

I remember one evening sitting astride the top of the roof of the Great Hall with my legs on either side looking over the scene of Bristol at night.

Oxford or Cambridge graduates.

He had a slight Yorkshire accent but was a brilliant teacher and left me a love of English language and culture. Another character was Mr T. A. Morris who taught Physics.

TAM, as he was known, when reaching the climax at a significant point would slam the piece of chalk with which he had been writing on the blackboard into the metal waste bin with a loud ping.

He never missed. We also actually had German lessons taught by a pathetic man who had no control

And so we at last came to VE day which we celebrated fairly quietly in Clifton. VJ day was rather different for me. I rode my bicycle the 12 miles back to Clevedon and there there were fireworks in the central square and much dancing and gaiety.

I won a scholarship to Trinity College Cambridge and left BGS with some sadness in 1946. I still give thanks for the wonderful education with which it provided me.

John Scott (1939-1946)

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Annual General Meeting Annual General Meeting

The Old Bristolians’ Society Notice of Annual General Meeting Tuesday 3 March 2020

Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of members is to be held at Bristol Grammar School in room M20 on Tuesday 3 March 2020, commencing at 7:30 pm.

Please come along and support your Society.

Nominations of members, duly seconded, to act as Officers of the Society should be sent in an envelope marked ‘Officer Nominations’ to the Honorary Secretary at the OBs’ Office, Bristol Grammar School, University Road, Bristol BS8 1SR to arrive no later than Monday 17 February 2020 or emailed to cspencer@bgs.bristol.sch.uk to arrive by the same date.

Officers presenting themselves for re-election do not need to be formally nominated.

Ian Southcott (1964-1971)

Honorary Secretary, Old Bristolians’ Society iandjsouthcott@aol.com

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OBs’ Lunch Club Old Bristolians’ Lunch Club

LUNCH CLUB REPORT

She spoke about the experience to the OBs in October.

A former teacher, Ann has always been fascinated by history and came upon the story of the life of Frances Coke, who suffered domestic abuse in the 17th century.

This was a time when there was little recourse in the law for women to obtain justice, yet Frances made her own choices in defiance of those who wished to punish her.

Aged 14, Frances had been tied to the bedpost and whipped by her father until she agreed to marry the elder brother of King James I’s favourite, the Duke of Buckingham.

Her husband had problems with his mental health and was described as ‘being in a dull fit’ or extremely agitated, being probably what we today would term bipolar. Frances’ mother, fiercely rejecting the marriage, refused to hand over her dowry, leading to the persecution of Frances by her husband’s family.

Isolated and hated by Buckingham and his mother, Frances took a lover, retreated into hiding and

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gave birth to a son. Tried for adultery in the church court, she found herself under house arrest.

The book follows her story through two escapes, disguised as a boy, sanctuary in France, supported by Cardinal Richelieu and her return to an England on the brink of civil war.

Throughout, the talk was illustrated with portraits of those involved and the places which could still be visited, relevant to the story.

Ann Revill

November

October

Local author Ann Revill is a member of the Wotton Writers’ Group, which has enabled her to publish privately a debut historical novel, ‘The Lunatick’s Wife’.

Our guest speaker this month was Roger Angerson. As it was Remembrance Weekend it was held at Failand.

Roger had visited us a year ago and talked about Bristol’s War Hospitals, but this time it was an another of his interests, the Inland Waterways of Britain.

In the 17th Century onwards there became a need for a method of transporting heavy goods easily.

Roads were in their infancy and James Brindley, who subsequently

became known as the Father of the Canal System, was engaged by land owners and industrialists e.g. Duke of Bridgewater, around Manchester to devise a scheme. After experimenting with various loads he started work on the structures we have today. Heavy loads could be easily moved in water and pulled by horses and the work of digging them out was done by Irish navvies.

He constructed an H shaped pattern in the middle of the country and connected up existing rivers, thus giving a means of transportation which covered an area near major towns.

They were the motorways of their day.

The canals thrived and were profitable for many years, until their slow pace was eventually superseded by the railways.

Throughout the latter part of the 19th century the canals gradually

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Old Bristolians’ Lunch Club Lunch Club Dates fell into disrepair but remained a vaulable asset right up until World War II, when their presence as defensive barriers was realised.

The inland waterways were, and

The OBs’ Lunch Club at Redland Tennis Club continues from January. OBs and their guests are welcome to attend. Please arrive at 12.30 for lunch at 13.00.

Contact John Crichard on 0117 968 7451 to book your place(s) or for further details.

2020

still are, a pleasure to behold, as they were incorporated into the landscape and many fine bridges and buildings were constructed from the local stone. The method of operation was also simple and trouble free. Nowadays, of course, restoration has brought about a new age for them as recreational and wild life havens.

10 January

Jaideep Barot - BGS Headmaster

14 February

Bruce Perrott and discussion about future of the Lunch Club

6 March

Current BGS Sixth Formers

3 April

Tim & Sheila Around the World in 80 Days - TBC

1 May TBC 1 June

TBC

An excellent talk from a very knowledgeable speaker.

Views on this edition and ideas for the next?

Please write in with your views on Bristolienses Issue 58 and any ideas, photos or articles you may have for our next issue Drop us a line ‘to the Editor’ on the OBs’ email: obs@bgs.bristol.sch.uk Bristolienses - Issue 58

30

now?

Where are they

Where are they now?

Jo Cranston (1988-1995)

My company Queen and Whippet

Catering won the Crumbs Awards for Best Roaming Kitchen last month.

Jo (was Johnson) class of ‘95 Jo Cranston, Co-Founder Queen & Whippet Catering Ltd Events catered beautifully in Bristol and beyond.

Lucy Gallop (2002-2013)

An email from OB Lucy Gallop to Teacher Mrs Laila Dilley.....

Dear Mrs Dilley I wanted to keep you updated on my latest psychology endeavours because as I said when I sent you the publication – it very much came down to you being such a fantastic teacher.

I’m doing a PhD at King’s now which is fantastic – I’m absolutely loving it and crazily, a journalist from the Guardian has written a piece which is partially about my research: Brain hack: the quest for new

Bristolienses - Issue 58

treatments for eating disorders

Hope you enjoy the read and again, thanks for being such a great teacher because I wouldn’t have been in the Guardian if you weren’t!!!

Best wishes, Lucy Gallop

look him up and listen to that voice, perhaps the most famous cricket commentator ever. I never achieved that ambition but did work with him once on the BBC Home Service. Now that really does date me.

NIHR Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre PhD student Eating Disorders | Dept. of Psychological Medicine IoPPN | King’s College London

Lucy Gallop standing and Millie Austin sitting, both PhD students, demonstrating the repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation technology

Peter Tomlinson (1954-1962)

I went up to Worcester College Oxford in 1962 with the words of my Headmaster Dr John Garrett echoing in my ears, “Tomlinson as one of our best actors may I suggest you concentrate on getting a degree and then, and only then pursue a career on the stage!” I did get a degree but never went on the stage instead TV beckoned and anyway it paid better and was more secure..up to a point.

I always wanted to be John Arlott, for those of a different generation

I worked for HTV, Granada and ATV as a presenter and continuity announcer.

In those early days I thought that fame would beckon and I would become a household name. That didn’t happen either, but I did invent a programme called Tiswas and made Chris Tarrant a national celebrity, but not until I had experienced the first custard pie and the first bucket of water!

Having exhausted that avenue I became the MD of a commercial radio station, Beacon Radio based in Wolverhampton in the Black Country.

I didn’t like commercial radio, but thought the experience of running a broadcast company would be good for me and my future. My ambition was to take the station public but

that never happened either and after five years I became disillusioned and resigned although the company continued to be successful playing

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OBs’ News OBs’ News

music I hated!!

By now you are probably getting the idea that my career such as it was, was not exactly linear. For the next 16 years or so I kept body and soul together by freelancing as a video presenter and conference chairman whilst a company formed around me.

Then in 2001 I founded Saga Radio in the West Midlands, left when the Saga group was sold, worked for Birmingham Children’s Hospital as an Executive director, became the High Sheriff and a Deputy Lieutenant of the West Midlands and now find myself Chairman of Worcestershire County Council.

And the moral of this story, if there is one, is that when you set out on life’s journey with a set target, application, and ambition you will get somewhere, but often nowhere near where you thought you would be. Johnners succeeded Arlott, Aggers has followed Johnners but me, well I have New Road to enjoy at any time and that’s the nearest I will ever get to that ambition back in 1966.

During my time at Bristol Grammar I was heavily involved in the technical theatre and stage crew during my activities afternoon.

I took this passion forward to university and in my first year helped form the independent theatre company Only Lucky Dogs, of which I am the Technical Manager.

Our current production is called “A Few Short Studies on Cannibalism”. We are taking it to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this coming summer along with a potential side project. This will be our

(2008-2016)

Bristolienses - Issue 58

For those interested our socials are Twitter - @onlyluckydogs Instagram - @onlyluckydogs Facebook - Only Lucky Dogs Theatre Company

David Frederick Scagell (1942-1949)

‘1st class cadet in ATC’ reads David’s report in 1948.

Thirty years after another BGS boy was killed by the Red Baron and with the Second World War a vivid memory, the BGS Air Training Corps was flourishing, partly because it was very good fun, and partly because training could have turned into the real thing at any time.

David Scagell has just written ‘Recollections of my life’ and presented a copy to the School Archives. It’s a good read and a well written account of a very interesting life, including becoming a Companion of the Imperial Service Order in 1990.

Isabel Potter After starting an independent theatre company with four other students at Sheffield University nearly two years ago we are currently producing our third production!

I would never have started doing theatre production if I hadn’t started at school.

It was such a joy to be involved with in the past and so lovely to see BGS recent investment in the performing arts in the form of the 1532 MacKinnon Theatre and rehearsal space.

second year at the fringe after a successful run in 2018.

As to BGS, he soon realised he was fortunate to attend such a good

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OBs’ News OBs’ News

school, but ‘it took some time to adjust to the expectation of three hours homework each evening and at the weekend too’. He was reprimanded for watching soccer at Ashton Gate rather than watching the School team playing rugby, but his report describes his rugby as Good – until it is overshadowed by the ATS, and he spends his school holidays at RAF Halton, RAF St Eval and Aston Down near Stroud where ‘we have to get up at six o’clock every morning and wash in cold water for breakfast at seven.’

He enjoyed flights all over the country, and from Filton he flew in a two seater Tiger Moth, the Great War biplane, and he remembers that the plane took off across the width of the then famous Brabazon runway. Incredible.

Vicki Rowlands (1992-1999)

Vicki has been offered a place on the 2019 Franco-British Young Leaders programme, run by the Franco-British Council.

The Franco-British Young Leaders programme, set up in 2017, aims to deepen understanding and collaboration between France and the UK and create lasting bilateral dialogue at the highest level with a give back/give forward ethos at its core. Its objective is to build a generation of 21st century leaders who will keep the Franco-British relations at heart and shape its future across all sectors of our societies and economies.

The Young Leaders are chosen from both sides of the Channel by a distinguished panel, and come from a diversity of sectors, from sciences, arts, politics, education, defence, finance,

Bristolienses - Issue 58

technology, energy, law and insurance.

The Franco-British Council is an independent non-governmental organisation based in Paris and London, founded in 1972 whose mission is to reflect the wide relationships between the two nations and promote constructive dialogue for enhanced future collaboration.

More information at: https://francobritish.org/en/ programmes/young-leaders/ Building on a fifteen-year career across four government departments, Vicki is currently Head of Global Threats in the UK’s Joint (Home Office/Foreign & Commonwealth Office) International Counter-Terrorism Unit (JICTU), set up in 2016 to act as HMG’s strategic centre for international Counter-Terrorism (CT).

Matt Russe (1996-2003)

So I haven’t just opened, but I own, Lock and Code escape rooms in Weston Super Mare. I recently just opened a branch in Taunton which is going really well, as well as putting rooms into

Anyway never sent anything in before but thought it might be nice if any Old Bristolians wanted to play etc.

Also getting married next week but second time so didn’t know if that was of any interest but I can send you some pics once we get back from the honeymoon.

Oh, we are releasing our own escape room board games as well. So pretty busy.

Yolanda Carter nee Quartey (1995-2002)

Aged 36, Yola (Yola Carter) has had an on-off career in music for over a decade. Even if you’ve never heard the name, you may well have heard the voice, as Yola’s powerhouse vocals - and songwriting talent - have featured on tracks from the likes of Iggy Azalea, Massive Attack, Katy Perry, Will Young and the Chemical Brothers, among others.

Incredibly, it was a house fire in 2015 that put her solo career back on track. It led her to pick up the

guitar again and resulted in her debut album, Walk Through Fire. various museums and castles, corporate team building days and going into schools.

Yola has been shortlisted in the Best New Artist category alongside the likes of Billie Eislish, Lizzo, Maggie Rogers and Rosalia. She has also been nominated for Best

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OBs’ News OBs’ News

American Roots Performance for Faraway Look.

Her other nominations include Best Americana Album for the aforementioned Walk Through Fire and Best Americana Roots Song.

Speaking about the nominations, Yola said: "To be nominated for four awards in the 10 months of my debut year is beyond a dream come true.

"Thank you to my incredible team and everyone who has supported and believed in me along the way.”

The 62nd annual Grammy Awards will take place in Los Angeles on Sunday, January 26, 2020, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW and

OBs’ NEWS?

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

The Old Bristolians’ Society needs.........

you

No Kitchener picture here but SAME SPIRIT & MESSAGE! The Old Bristolians’ Society needs you and your ideas and contributions:• Articles for Bristolienses • Support at our functions • Help with the Membership If you are interested and have just a little time to give, please contact Geoff Wright at gwright@bgs.bristol.sch.uk Bristolienses - Issue 58

34

Weddings Weddings

Matt Russe married Lois Miller

Paul Wray married Fara Harrington

Matthew Hicken married Olivia Stibbs

Send us photos of your wedding/birthday/anniversary or any other special events.

We’d love to include them Bristolienses - Issue 58

35

Around the World Old Bristolians around the World The following overseas contacts are keen to hear from fellow OBs in their country/continent: USA Dr Richard Paul Mason and Peter Williams are developing a US network and are keen to hear from other OB members in the USA. For information please contact: Dr Richard Mason (1951-1957) Home telephone no: 617-803-8425.

Email: thepaulmason@hotmail.com Peter Williams (1951-1958) 112 Birchside Circle, Locus Grove VA 22508-5150 Home telephone no: 1-540-872-7117 (landline) and 1-540-237-2627 (mobile) Email: anglodane@adelphia.net

Canada

South Africa

Martin Dash (1963-1970) is trying to develop a Canadian network of OBs.

Chris Taylor (1952-1961) asks if any readers know of any OBs living in South Africa who may not be paid-up members and do not therefore receive the magazine, it would be appreciated if they could pass on his contact details.

Please contact Martin at: 12146 Osprey Drive, Richmond, British Columbia, V7E 3S6, Canada.

Residence phone number, direct dial from the UK is 001-604-2754670, home office fax number is 001-604-275-5684.

Email: martincharlesdash@hotmail.com

Australia Phil Ohman (1972-1979) 44 John James Loop, Macgregor, ACT 2615, Mobile +61 422 309 455 Email: phil@missionsupport.org.au

Furthermore if any OBs are planning a holiday in the Durban area, please ask them to get in touch as it may be possible for us to organise another Dinner.

Email: chrismal375@gmail.com Tel & Fax: +27 31 5394960 Mobile: +27 84 657 6188

Phil is also happy to be the NZ contact

Peter Ashford is seated 2nd fom left, and our very own Editor Geoff Wright is the Captain holding the ball.

It was taken at Golden Hill!

Are you in this photograph? We’d love to have names for all the footballers

Bristolienses - Issue 58

36

Wear your Old Bristolians’ Merchandise

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

Enamelled crested cufflinks

£23.00

Maroon/dark blue crested ties

£12.00

Polyester striped ties Silk ties

£8.00

£21.00

Silk pre-tied bow ties

Enamelled crested badges

£21.00 £5.00

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

Pride of Place by Keith Robbins Purchase a copy at the SALE PRICE of £5.00 and receive a FREE copy of the History of Bristol Grammar School Not including postage

Obituaries

OBITUARIES We regret to announce the deaths of the following members of the BGS Family and extend our condolences to their families and friends.

Sydney John Knight Chaffey (1938-1945) Ronald Alexander Richard Cockitt (Staff 1963 – 1997) John Fordham (Staff 1959-1963) Roger Harris (1940-1949)

Ronald Alexaznder Richard Cockitt (staff 1963-1997) Ron gave over fifty years’ service to Bristol Grammar School and the Old Bristolians. He was a Midlander who attended Handsworth Grammar School and then Birmingham University, where he gained a degree in Botany. He came to Bristol to take a Cert. Ed. and met his future wife Liz, who was doing the same course. He taught briefly at King’s Norton G.S. and Nailsea School before being

After his retirement, the staff chose him to be their representative on the governing body, so respected that after serving two terms he was hard to replace. He also became School-OB Liaison Officer, arranging successful Dinners in Oxford, Cambridge and London; he was a key figure in the planning of the Annual Dinner in the Great Hall, and also in putting together Bristolienses, which could be stressful. He was deservedly invited by the Committee to serve as Society President in 2005-6.

Charles Gordon Innocent (1939-1943) Robert Ian Johnson (1948-1956) Richard Fred Kingscott (1948-1953) Trevor Gerald Lewis (1941-1949) Bryan Austin Long Peter Richard Nichols (1935-1944) Geoffrey Robert Nichols (1942-1949) Prof. Keith Gilbert Robbins (1949-1958) Quentin George Stevens (1950-1955) Commander Brian Charles Thomas (1942-1950)

Bristolienses - Issue 58

the Black House, but all too soon for his house members, in 1975 he was appointed Head of Biology, on the retirement of Herbert Howard. In his later years he was an outstanding Chairman of Common Room, more successful than most in getting his unruly colleagues to wash up their coffee mugs, among other things, and unafraid in representing the staff to senior management. He was also a strong supporter of co-education in the discussions leading up to its full adoption in 1980.

appointed to the BGS Biology Department in 1963, the year he and Liz were married.

He had vivid memories of the 1960s Common Room full of aweinspiring men wreathed in gowns – and tobacco smoke. In Darwinian terms it was adapt or perish: Ron adapted and flourished. Four years later he became Housemaster of

The impressive attendance at his funeral in Holy Trinity, Westburyon-Trym, including former colleagues and students, showed the respect and affection in which he was held as housemaster and teacher. At my last count there were over fifty comments on the OB website from former pupils, using words such as fantastic, wonderful, inspirational, fabulous,

38

Obituaries awesome, funny. When he retired, one pupil said, “He actually seemed to enjoy teaching!”

He ran golf at the School for many years, nurturing many young players who became winners right up to national level. Another pupil said “His passions include golf and the sex life of plants.” Indeed two of his main leisure activities were golf and gardening: he and

Memories of concerts and plays in the Great Hall never faded. The ethos of the School and excellence of teaching and administration formed the basis of all he sought to achieve in his career.

He went on to teach in Sheffield and then Yeovil, where he was Deputy Head under Maurice Isaac, a former colleague at BGS , before being appointed Head of Spalding Grammar School.

We retired to Cumbria, where John served the Methodist Church at Circuit and District Levels; he was a local preacher for over forty years. He enjoyed walking, sailing and beekeeping, so Cumbria was a wonderful location. We moved south to Wantage to be nearer the family.

Liz created a lovely garden at their home for around fifty years. But ahead of these came his family – Liz, his three daughters and six grandchildren, who have happy memories of camping holidays and trips abroad, and who survive him.

He died on 20th March at the age of 87, and is survived by his widow, four children and eleven grandchildren.

His last years were clouded by illness, but as a former Head Prefect writes: “I hope Ron fully realised the huge contribution he made to the lives of others, at BGS and beyond, in everything he did.”

Roger Harris (1940-1949)

Philip Revill John Fordham (staff 1959-1963) John taught biology at BGS and coached some rugby. Various members of staff were an inspiration to him, especially John Mackay and Michael Booker.

Bristolienses - Issue 58

Margaret Fordham

Roger was born in Bedminster, Bristol and educated at BGS during and after the war years.

He was not academic but he did possess a beautiful voice and was a wonderful chorister. He also enjoyed cricket, hockey and boxing at school.

Shortly after leaving school he was called up for national service and served in the Royal Air Force. He was never posted abroad as he was a very good tennis player and so travelled around the country playing for the RAF.

Upon demob, Roger joined his father in the family butcher and grocery shops in Knowle.

Subsequently, he bought his own van, became a wholesale butcher and built up a substantial trade supplying butchers in the Bristol area.

He was an excellent bowls player as a youngster at Clevedon bowling club and partnered former world champion David Bryant to become National Fours Champion in 1957 playing with his father and David Bryant’s father. He also continued with hockey at Long Ashton and cricket at Flax Bourton, and, through these clubs, he kept in touch with many OBs. At that time, Long Ashton hockey club shared the clubhouse and pitches at Failand with the OBs. When supermarkets came into being in the 1970s, the trade to the butcher shops decreased. Roger closed down the business and moved to St Agnes in the Isles of Scilly to run the Turks Head pub. St Agnes is a very small island with a population of around 50 people.

There was no mains electricity and limited water supply from a well. An old generator provided electricity until a supply eventually came to the island from the mainland. Quite a change from Bristol!

Roger loved talking to people and he soon settled into being a publican and island life. As a keen sportsman he started the St Agnes cricket team and re-established cricket matches between the islands and visiting teams.

Upon retirement, Roger returned to mainland Cornwall and lived in Crows Nest near Liskeard for many years before finally settling in St Mabyn, North Cornwall.

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Obituaries Roger was always good company and a proud family man. He will be much missed by those who knew him, especially by his wife Liz, children Robert, Sarah and Carolyn and grandchildren Laura, Emma, Edward, James and Hayden.

Robert Harris (1969 -1976) Richard Fred Kingscott (1948-1953) The Old Bristolians have lost one of the truly dedicated members of the Society with the death of Richard Kingscott. Over many years apart from his time as Secretary and President of the Society, he

helped me endlessly with the War Memorial Playing Field at Failand when expert architectural advice was needed regarding the clubhouse.

However, his association with the ground goes back much further than this, to a day in 1953 at a time when the School also used Failand as well as Golden Hill for games.

Richard was present on that fateful day when a test flight by a Gloucester Javelin ended in tragedy on the boundary of the field. The pilot bravely stayed with the aircraft rather than bailing out to avoid the schoolboys on the ground and was thus killed in the crash. Richard said that Michael Booker led the

Bristolienses - Issue 58

boys off the ground and back to the coaches in a quiet and orderly fashion, everyone realising the extent of the tragedy which had just occurred.

Such an introduction to the ground was just a precursor of his time playing rugby there. The new clubhouse opened in January 1977 owed much to his role as our professional adviser on site.

The agreement between John Pontin and the Society had been for a design and build clubhouse based on our specification. Richard watched over our interests most carefully; at one stage he had required the builders to take down much of the front wall as he would not approve the quality of the bricklaying. He helped continually with projects such as the car park, the re-roofing and the drainage improvements which could finally be afforded thanks to the generous nature of the Failand Bequest.

mother, a teacher of piano and singing, and taught himself the trumpet at the age of 15. After leaving BGS he studied music and education at Redland Training College and taught at Speedwell School and South Bristol Technical College before opening a jazz record shop. Later, sharing premises with a hardware store, he found this made more money and took over running it as well!

He formed his own four-piece band, Geoff Nichols’ Good Vibes, in the 1990s, playing the vibraphone as well as trumpet, and when he retired to Minehead in 2001 he continued playing jazz with a new band.

He was a funny but demanding man, charming yet sceptical. He is survived by his widow, Mary, whom he married in 1955, his son Tom and sister Tessa.

Philip Revill

Peter Richard Nichols (1935-1944)

Geoffrey Robert Nichols (1942-1949)

The playwright Peter Nichols died on 7th September 2019 at the age of 92. The son of a Co-op salesman, whose histrionic talent was passed on to him, at BGS he enjoyed acting – and also fire-watching on the Great Hall roof.

The younger brother of Peter (see below), Geoff Nichols died a few weeks before him at the age of 86.

For fifty years from its formation in 1949 he was the trumpeter and leader of the Avon Cities Jazz Band, the resident band at The Granary in Bristol for ten years, with a wideranging repertoire expanding from the trad revival of the 1950s. The band recorded under various labels and played widely both at home and abroad. He wrote and arranged for the band, as well as later composing classical music for piano and other instruments and settings of poems by Brecht and others.

He learnt the piano from his

He spent his National Service in the Combined Services Entertainment Unit (“my university”) in Singapore, with Stanley Baxter and Kenneth Williams among others, and then went to the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School for two years.

After trying acting he became a teacher, writing in his spare time.

His breakthrough as a dramatist came in 1967 with A Day in the Death of Joe Egg, based on his own

40

Obituaries experience of having a disabled daughter who died aged 11.

It won The Evening Standard award for the best new play of the year. Other plays also used his life experiences, such as The National Health (1969, his stays in hospital with a collapsed lung) and Privates on Parade (1977, his national service).

Despite productions of his work in the West End, the National Theatre and on Broadway, as well as successful writing for screen and television, he always felt undervalued, and he never achieved a real commercial hit.

His subject-matter was often pessimistic and his humour caustic and sardonic; many of his plays were never performed despite their merit.

He is survived by his widow, Thelma, and three children.

Brian Nolan (1944-1951) Brian died in May 2019. He was born in 1932, entered the Shell and left from 6 Economics, and he was perhaps less academic than a sportsman, though chess and the Art Club also figure in the list of his activities.

He played Rugby and Cricket and was an athlete noted for long distance and cross country running. He was in the RAF section of the CCF and his Housemaster notes that he ‘serves School and CCF well’. He left BGS in October 1951 for the Royal West of England College of Art and as a member of the Old Bristolians’ Society remained in touch with the School, notably with the School Archivist with whom he has exchanged

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information, advice and gossip for many years. He will be missed.

He became a teacher and devoted his working life to The King’s School, Rochester, where his interest in art, athletics and the CCF continued. He was appointed as their Head of Art in 1958 and in retirement worked closely with the Old Roffensian Society. He leaves two sons, Mark and Rupert, and we send them our condolences.

Anne Bradley

Prize the previous year. He went on to DPhil study at St. Antony’s College. In 1985 he was awarded a DLitt by Glasgow University, where he was Professor of History from 1980 to 1991 after teaching at the new York University and the University of Wales, where he was later Vice-Chancellor. Among other distinctions, he became President of the Historical Association and a Vice-President of the Royal Historical Society. He wrote more than a dozen books on 20th century

Keith Gibert Robbíns (1949-1958) Having lived for over twenty years in Wales, Keith and his wife Janet moved to Pershore in 2013, where he died on 12th September after a year’s battle with cancer. An outstanding student at the School, and a keen rugby player, Keith retained an affection and commitment to BGS which led him in later life to become a Governor, and to write Pride of Place, published in 2010, a continuation of the history of the School by Peter Hill, his former teacher.

history. The list of posts held, awards given and books written is far too long to be included here.

Keith owed much to his family: they were of modest means, but cared deeply about education and about their Christian faith. They brought him up as Baptist, but after his marriage to Janet Thomson, an Anglican fellow–student at Oxford, in 1963, he joined her in the Church of England, though he described himself as a “religious hybrid”.

They had four children and ten grandchildren in a happy marriage of 56 years.

He won a scholarship to Magdalen College, Oxford, where he was taught by A.J.P. Taylor, and earned an outstanding First in 1961, having won the Gladstone Memorial

An outstanding historian, he was not an ivory tower academic, and firmly believed in helping to disseminate a public understanding

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Obituaries of his subject.

He was unstuffy, with a real sense of humour and never inclined to take himself too seriously. BGS is immensely grateful for his generosity with his time and gifts as a Governor and author of Pride of Place – an apt title from one who always felt pride in his old school.

He is much-missed there, as well as

by Janet and the family.

(With thanks to Prof. A. E. Bottoms for consent to use his eulogy at Keith’s funeral 3 October 2019 St. Mary’s University Church, Oxford) Philip Revill

Keith’s career at BGS was from the start on an upwards trajectory. It is almost a relief to read that on arrival in 2P he was ‘a little unruly’ and that his arithmetic was no more than satisfactory. From then on a series of positive adjectives proliferates - hard-working, enthusiastic, well behaved, intelligent; by 5 Classical his report announces ‘History and English first rate. Classics competent.’ This is in the hand of the Headmaster, John Garrett, a critical judge with high expectations.

way … I am very sorry to see him go.’ And his Housemaster, Dick Fox, writes in equally glowing terms of his achievements in Rugby, Cricket and Athletics, not to mention Swimming, Stamp Club, Finals of the Verse Speaking Competition and his interest in current affairs, Shakespeare, music, drama, cycling, the School Charity Committee and eventually ‘First XV Colours Feb 58’ and ‘First class in every way’.

Keith’s Upper Sixth Form Master, Frank Beecroft, adds the finishing touch, ‘An admirable boy in every

Anne Bradley

I think everyone has been ‘sorry to see him go.’

OB Management Committee 2019-2020 Officers President John Sisman john@sismanproperty.co.uk President Elect Richard Berry Immediate Past President Melanie Guy Chairman Geoff Wright c/o OBs Office gwright@bgs.bristol.sch.uk Vice-Chairman Tbc Treasurer and Membership Secretary Nick Fitzpatrick The Canal House, 64 Muirhill Limpley Stoke, Bath BA2 7FQ h +44(0)1225 723795 ndfitz@gmail.com Secretary Ian Southcott The Gables, Farm Street Fladbury, Worcestershire WR10 2QD

Bristolienses - Issue 58

h +44 (0)1386 861061 m +44 (0)7774 095205 iandjsouthcott@aol.com

Bristolienses Editor Geoff Wright gwright@bgs.bristol.sch.uk

Assistant Head of School (Old Bristolians and Events) Peter Jakobek pjakobek@bgs.bristol.sch.uk

Sports Club Representative Don Furze 103 Manor Road, Keynsham Bristol BS31 1SF

AROPS Representative Peter Jakobek pjakobek@bgs.bristol.sch.uk

H +44 (0) 117 986 5222

OB Archivist Anne Bradley

Michael Burmester c/o OBs Office

O +44 (0) 117 9339610 M +44 (0) 7799 918906 abradley@bgs.bristol.sch.uk Committee Members Careers Co-ordinator Rob Hagen Baytree House The Bays, Cheddar Somerset BS27 3QW

Co-opted Members

Marcus Cryer marcuscryer@galliardresorts.com Richard Leonard Richard.leonard@ukgateway.net Trustees Julian Portch Jack Prowting Richard Smith

M +44 (0) 7545 717104 robhagen@gmail.com

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Honorary Members of the Society J R Avery

Staff 1951-1959

Headmaster 1975-1986 N A Baldwin

1970-1980 Mrs M Barrington R Berry

OB Sports Club Mrs R A Booker Mrs A V Bradley Archivist 1994M N J Burmester 1953-1964 J A F Burns

Staff 1972-2005 R J Chambers 1957-1964 N Cousins

1964-1972 R A D Cox

Staff 1973-2013 J J Crichard 1944-1951 G Davies

OB Society Auditor Mrs J H Duncan OB Society 2003-2018 J C Edwards

1941-1950 J A E Evans 1941-1952 D Furze 1955-1962 K T Gerrish

1946-1957 R Gillam

OB Sports Club D K Golledge 1959-1967 J E K Goodbody Bursar 1979-1993 G A Hodges

1953-1960 L R Jacobs

1930-1938 P Z Jakobek Staff 1982 –

P Key OB Sports Club R D W Lacey 1951-1962 C C Luker 1962-1969 R I MacKinnon Headmaster 2008-2018 C E Martin

Headmaster 1986-1999 D J Mascord

Headmaster 1999-2008 D M Nott

Staff 1968-2005 J R Parrott 1975-1982 K D J Prowting 1950-1958 Dr A Primrose Headmistress Junior School

2001-2011 P J Revill

Staff 1969-1998 I Rolling Staff 1970-2007 M Sisman 1953-1959 R W L Smith 1954-1965 N Stibbs 1964-1972 A F Stirratt 1942-1952 P M Tottle

1960-1968 P J Tucker 1952-1958 E A Warren

Staff 1954-1988 D L J Watts 1945-1955 G J Willmott

1974-1984 D Yeandle OBE 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 58

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 PNR 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

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+44 (0) 117 923 7037 obs@bgs.bristol.sch.uk www.alumni.bristolgrammarschool.co.uk

A FEW FORTHCOMING EVENTS FOR YOUR DIARY......

PRESENTATION OF A LEVEL CERTIFICATES Great Hall Wednesday 8 January 2020 OBS’ LUNCH CLUB Redland Tennis Club Friday 10 January 2020 PAST PRESIDENTS’ LUNCH Failand Friday 7 February 2020 OBS’ LUNCH CLUB Redland Tennis Club Friday 14 February 2020

Visit the Old Bristolians’ Community website @ www.alumni.bristolgrammarschool.co.uk

OBS’ LUNCH CLUB Redland Tennis Club Friday 6 March 2020 OBS’ ANNUAL DINNER 2020 Great Hall Saturday 14 March 2020 CHARTER DAY Bristol Cathedral Tuesday 17 March 2020

Bristolienses - Issue 58

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