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Beyond the Barrier | Spring 2016
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Contents Letter from the Chairs 3 Association News 4 Feature: 3 Heads in One Year at LGS 6 Events 9 Announcements 18
Loughburians News 27 Feature: Steinway Appeal 33 Archives 36 Sport 46 Development News 47
COVER STORY… Paul Fisher’s Portrait- by artist and Loughburian Hester Finch (’99) Paul was a very relaxed and engaging sitter. He made no conditions, except that the labradors, Tess and Dexter, had to be included and in fact it soon became clear that the portrait wasn’t of a man and his dogs, it was very much two dogs and their man. We were lucky to have chosen a lovely sunny day for the sitting, which is perfect for composing a painting as the shadows create strong shapes and patterns that add interest and structure. You can see poor Tess and Dexter panting in the heat. We settled on a spot at the front of the School, facing toward the car park, where Paul could be in the sun and the plant provided contrast with the brickwork. We ousted some students from their bench and had them hoist it to our chosen wall, and then we began the sitting. Owing to time restrictions the final painting 2
was to be worked up from photographs, so we concentrated on getting as many shots as possible. The challenge was to take a photograph in which all three subjects were simultaneously looking intelligent. The final composition with the dogs at differing heights and facing in different directions balances the picture nicely and allows the focus to be on Paul, who leans forward toward the centre of the painting. It became clear from our conversations and his interactions with the students and staff that Paul was a kind and approachable Headmaster and colleague, who worked hard in creating an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere at the Grammar School. I wanted to reflect this with his tilted head and hint of a smile, as if he were listening to a question being put to him. We wrapped up with lunch in the dining hall, which was a welcome if fleeting opportunity to catch up with old contemporaries of mine; Emily Bancroft and Daniel “Spuddy” Murphy, who have both returned to the school as teachers - which says all you need to know about what a lovely place the Grammar School continues to be.
Hester Finch