TOM, Edition 40

The Old Mancunian

September 2012 EDITION 40

Keeping old boys in touch with MGS throughout the world

• Support for Careers • Old Mancunian News and Letters • Lads n Dads • Forthcoming Events

Lads and Dads Plus ça change...

Above right: Simon Williams (75 -82) and his son Oliver (03 -10) play spot the difference.

When looking at a venerable institution such as ‘The’ Manchester Grammar School approaching its sixth century, outsiders may be forgiven for thinking that the pace of change may be glacial. Too much change would be just too hard to accommodate whilst daring boys to be wise.

In just twenty-one years after Williams The Elder left MGS, what changes could possibly have occurred to improve this educational juggernaut? Well, Father and Son are pleased to report, a remarkable number.

Regrettably, perhaps, the sport of ‘ducking-a-well-aimed-board-rubberwhilst-seated-and-appearing-not-tobe-paying-attention’ is no longer on the list of school sports. Several Old Mancs of the 70s could have ‘Gone for Gold’ in that event, given the practice they had.

All hailed as ‘Egregious Cretins’, though given their number egregious may have been a stretch. Today’s sporting prowess in other areas has reached quite tremendous heights. MGS has regional and national representatives in more pastimes than ever.

Looking back, The MGS of 75 - 82 seemed to be almost entirely focused

on 7th term Oxbridge Entry. Boys took 6 or 7 O-levels and 3 A-levels. Those judged ‘more capable’, were thrown at a couple of S-Levels for good measure.

Exams were taken a year early, at the speed of an express train, in the narrowest of educations - such was the system.

For a significant minority this fastpathed education opened up the wonders of Div. i and a chance to enter the even more venerable establishments of Cambridge and Oxford. Such a system was great for the successful minority, but, one can’t help speculating that the majority of now Old Mancs were left wondering what their education was really all about.

Twenty-one years later, daring to be wise has undergone an astonishing transformation. Gone is the Oxbridgedriven, year early, macho culture.

Nowadays, boys are given a choice between A-Levels or the International Baccalaureate and an appropriate time to mature and ripen.

Whereas OMs entering MGS in the 70s were left to make their own, often ill-informed decisions on choice of University, the OMs of the ‘Noughties‘ (00s) receive tremendous levels of support, undergo mock interviews with teachers and create personal statements, scrupulously reviewed by staff to ensure informed choices are made.

At the ‘output end’ of the MGS education process, whatever subject they apply to take at whichever

university, the 00s generation has benefited from substantial levels of support in pursuit of life outside the School. On first glance, Older Mancs of the 70s & 80s would be amazed by the pastoral revolution that has occurred in MGS. One can almost hear the mutterings, ‘It wasn’t like that in our day’.

At the Input End of MGS, perhaps an even greater change has occurred.

A thriving, alpine lodge inspired MGS Junior School, built on the up-slopes of the ‘Compo’ pitch, provides a truly wonderful environment for hoards of seven to ten year olds. These truly Young Mancs can think themselves lucky that Sprog Bashing days have disappeared even further into folklore.

So The Manchester Grammar School has changed. The 70s generation of OMs may lament the fact that the School has thrown off its, all important, ‘definite article’, but, on talking with Elderly Mancs from the 50s, apparently, the definite article definitely wasn’t a permanent fixture!

To its enormous credit, whilst ‘going soft’ and ‘flying board rubber free’, we can report that MGS remains an incredible environment in which to ‘sapere aude’.

As MGS French and History teachers across the ages have taught, ‘Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose.’

Might you have an interesting story involving a grandfather, or other family connections? Please contact Julie Wright, j.wright@mgs.org Tel Ext 241.

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1960s Reunion Dinner On Saturday 19 May 2012 we returned to School for the fifth reunion of 1960s joiners.

We watched cricket, had tours of the School, pre-dinner drinks and music in the Memorial Hall. 145 old boys and partners and 18 present and former members of staff gathered together in the Refectory where the High Master welcomed us all to the School and gave a toast to pupils past and present.

There followed an excellent dinner and the traditional speeches.

John Young, a lawyer and a pupil from 1968 to 1975, gave a toast to staff past and present, remembering some of the personalities and highlights during his time at School.

Peter Downes, a pupil from 1949 to 1955, and on the teaching staff from 1960 to 1972, replied on behalf of members of staff, remembering some of the many innovations and changes which took place at School in the 1960s including the foundation of the MGS Society to involve parents for the first time in the activities of the School and the creation of the School newspaper, The Mancunian.

He happened to have the first edition with him and reminded us of the names of the distinguished editorial board comprising both masters and boys who produced that first edition in 1966.

Rodger Alderson, himself a pupil at MGS from 1958 to 1965 and a member of the teaching staff since 1974, once again acted as an excellent Master of Ceremonies as he has done for most of the previous reunions.

Many convivial exchanges took place as old friends remembered school days and talked of the pleasures and vicissitudes of life since then.

Lawrence Copitch 66 - 73 Chairman of the Organising Committee You will be able to read a full version of this article in Ulula 2012

Old Boys’ Dinner To be held at the Freemasons’ Hall, Manchester on Saturday 24 November.

The dinner will be followed by the traditional speeches from the Junior and Senior Steward, and a response from the High Master on behalf of the School. The names of the Stewards will be announced at mgsglobal. org For further details please contact Paul Rose, Recorder. prose@hbj-gw. com or 0161 928 8117.

1950s Reunion Dinner Do you remember the first 4 minute mile, NASA being founded and the Suez Crisis?

If you started school between 1950 and 1959 then put a note in your diary: Saturday 18 May 2013 is the date.

An organising committee will meet soon. If you wish to be involved or to express your interest in the Reunion please contact Jane Graham at j.graham@mgs.org

The next 500 The launch event for the next 500 Appeal was hosted at Manchester Town Hall on Wednesday 13 June 2012.

The evening was attended

by Manchester’s finest, including Manchester’s Lord Mayor, Manchester City Council Leader Sir Howard Bernstein, Chairman of the Appeal Maurice Watkins, Manchester United Chief Executive David Gill, and Media City Chair Felicity Goodey. Over 500 Old Mancunians and friends of the School were present to hear Maurice Watkins announce that the Appeal had already raised over £2 million of its £10 million target to support more means-tested bursaries at MGS. The video ‘MGS Past and Present’ was shown for the first time at the Town Hall.

You can view the video on MGS TV, which is hosted on www.mgsglobal.org

Above: The launch event for the next 500 Appeal.

Below: The 1960s Reunion Dinner.

Left to right Lawrence Copitch 66-73, Duncan McDiarmid 62-69 and Mike Taylor 62-69

From the Chairman of Governors As a direct response to the interest expressed by a large number of Old Mancunians, consideration is being given to compiling and publishing the 4th Edition of the Biographical Register of Old Mancunians to mark the 500th Anniversary of MGS in 2015.

Maurice Watkins CBE, Chairman of Govenors 52-60

The existence of MGS Global, an online website exclusive to Old Mancunians, will facilitate the compilation of such a huge amount of data.

It is hoped that Old Mancunians will register details of their lives and interests through MGS Global and help the School to collate and publish

From the Director of Development Many Old Mancunians have expressed a desire to help boys in the School and those in higher education by giving careers advice, offering work experience and speaking at careers events.

We would like to launch the MGS Global Careers Scheme to bring together these offers of knowledge, time and expertise.

a remarkable piece of social history. The Register is not just concerned with those who have achieved special eminence, much as we should honour such men but it is about the whole Old Mancunian family, staff (teaching and non-teaching) and pupils.

All Old Mancunians are encouraged to register by visiting www.mgsglobal.org Once you have registered with MGS Global you will be able to complete the fields relating to your academic and career history. The field labelled ‘Biographical Register’ is for any other information that you think may be of interest, such as a significant sporting or academic achievement, voluntary and charity work, honours and awards.

Old Mancunians are most welcome to visit the Ian Bailey Archive Library at the School between 2 – 4:00 pm on Fridays.

A member of the Development Office staff will be present to help you to update your MGS Global profile. If you intend visiting the Archive Library on a Friday afternoon, please contact Danielle Shepherd on 0161 224 7201 ext 571 or d.shepherd@mgs.org

Careers Evenings and Talks The voices of people closely associated with MGS always have more resonance for the boys, and consequently they have the greatest impact in terms of enlightenment and motivation. We run a series of careers talks and events in school throughout the year and we would be delighted if Old Mancunians felt that they were able to share their enthusiasm for their area of expertise with our pupils.

Work Experience MGS provides a first-rate all round education, usually leading to a top university course but increasingly prospective employers are looking for more. Work experience is one of the best ways to gain employability. This starts after GCSEs at MGS when Year 11 boys are encouraged to seek a week of unpaid work experience in June. Other placements are also arranged for Sixth

Formers throughout the year during their holidays and for younger OMs while at University.

Career Mentoring In some cases a one-to-one relationship is beneficial to younger OMs who are looking to progress in a particular field of work. On an individual basis we would like to be able to put younger OMs in touch with wiser Owls who would be willing to give advice and guidance and make suggestions as to the best way to advance in a career in their field.

How can you get involved?

If you would like to be involved with the MGS Global Careers Scheme, at any level, then please logon to mgsglobal.org and visit the ‘career’ tab.

Simon Jones 0161 224 7201 ext 240 or s.jones@mgs.org

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Philanthropy at MGS The well-known bible verse states, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’. Many old boys acknowledge the debt they owe to MGS and, along with parents, former staff and others, have given back to the school in numerous ways.

Cox, and he included money for repairs and maintenance as part of the gift. The clock fund still exists, and has been used in the past year to carry out repairs.

The largest donations from individuals were from T.P. Latham, Robert Turner, Sir Arthur Howarth (Chair of Governors) and Peter

The school was founded with a philanthropic bequest from Hugh Oldham and financial contributions from Hugh and Joan Bexwyke and others. Later bequests followed during the sixteenth century; Thomas Cogan, High Master (1583 to 1597), gave a groat to every pupil at the school on his death.

A similar bequest was made by William Birch during this period. Other benefactors, including the Duchess of Somerset, William Hulme, Hannah Brackenbury and Philip Wright, gave money for scholarships to allow boys to study at Oxbridge. Once fees were introduced, many gifts created scholarships to allow deserving boys to attend the school.

In the 1860s, Edward Langworthy donated £10,000, creating twenty scholarships in various subjects. Charles Oldham and Ellis Franklin set up similar scholarships for MGS boys during the late nineteenth century. Some individuals gave money for subject prizes, including R.J. Perkes (Latin), Francis Kelly (Science) and William Caine (Greek and Hebrew).

McGregor, who each gave £1,000.

The list also records a £1 donation from Form 4A, and 19s 11d from the Modern 1st Form as result of a collection! An anonymous ‘grateful scholar’ donated the statue of Hugh Oldham that stands near the Telfer Road entrance. Some later additions to the school site were also made possible by benefactions and donations. The Marks building was partly funded by a £50,000 donation from Sir Simon Marks, and the Sieff theatre with £5,000 from Israel Sieff. Ulula records that donations from parents and Old Mancunians helped to build the 1956 Pavilion. In more recent times, OMs and others have

The growth of the school from the mid nineteenth century onwards led to the need for new buildings and extensions, many of which were funded by gifts from OMs and other benefactors. Edwin Longworth and Edward Langworthy both donated £10,000 towards new buildings at Long Millgate in 1870. The twentieth century saw a shift in benefactions towards buildings and fabric, perhaps thanks in part to government funding for free places. The current school buildings were completed at the start of the Great Depression, and the governors struggled to sell the Long Millgate buildings to fund the new. An appeal was launched, and the list of donations and promises still exists in the MGS archive. The London Section of the OMA paid £130 specifically for the bell turret and bell. The ‘Assistant Masters of the School’ are listed as giving £258 15s 6d. A War Memorial fund, initially set up in 1919, paid for the Memorial Hall. The school clock was paid for by the Receiver, Owen

given money to fund the building of the new theatre, opened in 2010 and establish the Foundation Bursary Fund.

Above: List of Donations and Promises. Building Fund Appeal 1930.

Space is not sufficient to mention all the gifts of time, money and talents that the school has received over 500 years. More incredible still are the many charitable and philanthropic contributions that Old Mancunians have made to the wider world which are beyond the scope of this article. Nevertheless, it is clear that the generosity of others has helped to make MGS the place it is today.

Rachel Kneale The School Archivist 0161 224 7201 ext 361 or r.a.kneale@mgs.org

From the High Master MGS was once described to me as a boarding school without boarding.

When teachers decide to work at a boarding school, they are warned that their evenings and weekends will not be their own.

We issue a similar warning to would-be MGS staff. Although, possibly with the approval of the Roundheads in our company, Sunday does tend to be a little quieter – except when weekend trips are in progress – which is almost every weekend. And ‘holidays’ are for many of our teachers a chance to explore the wider world, from the delights of Lake District and North Wales to the magnificence of the Alps and Pompeii – not in wellearned solitude but with a herd of young men in tow.

Top right: The Producers by Mel Brooks.

Dr. Christopher Ray High Master

It is not unusual to find the School almost as busy ‘after hours’ and at the weekend as during the regular working day.

From 4.00 pm onwards, the rhythm of the day changes: clubs, societies, practices, competitions, rehearsals, homework in the library, or just watching the world go by from the couches next to the Reception desk, perhaps hoping that the passing world might include the occasional girl from Withington or the High School – as it almost always does. And most of those there on Saturday are playing games or rehearsing plays rather than enjoying the pleasures of an extended PS. Over 700 boys play competitive sport for the School.

The School’s Community Action Programme and the Duke of Edinburgh Scheme, with well over 250 boys actively engaged in service, together ask our boys to consider not what society can do for them, but what they can do for others. Some 350 are involved in music – from weekly individual instrumental lessons to ensembles, bands and orchestras. Art, drama, and debating all add further creative energies. Academic clubs are thriving too: Philsoc as a joint venture with the two girls’ schools; Pi Shop, DocSoc for aspirant medics, the Natural History Society, Berkeley Society, History, Politics,

Modern Languages, the list goes on all playing an immense part in the intellectual life of the School.

What makes this ‘extended life’ possible is the tremendous commitment from the staff, teaching and support alike.

We do not see this extended life as an added ‘extra’ but something which is a vital part of the MGS education: hence we prefer to make this explicit with the use of the term ‘co-curriculum’. Our boys have voracious appetites for that richer life which the co-curriculum brings. And we are indeed lucky to have teachers in sufficient numbers and sufficiently committed to a genuinely all-round education to satisfy such hunger.

Of course, there are boys who prefer a quieter life. But it is fascinating to note that the most successful academically are also typically fully involved in one or more aspects of the wider life of the School. Most boys find that their academic work is enhanced simply because they try something new and are surprised by how much they enjoy the shock of the new. Pupils find that within this richer life they are able to make lasting friendships, they learn how to organize their time, they improve their relationships with staff, and they strengthen their understanding of themselves.

Many independent day schools would be proud to offer a half of what is available to boys at MGS. Many state schools would be overjoyed to provide a quarter. Many boarding schools look at us in wonder – asking how we are able to do so much.

I have sometimes likened MGS to the ‘opposite’ of Dr Who’s Tardis: a structure which appears small on the outside but which is large within – MGS having the contrary quality of appearing large but shrinking its spatial scale down to friendly proportions through its tight-knit community operating within and well beyond the classroom: even the shyest and least confident boy finds the encouragement and the room to grow.

There is a similar temporal effect. The terrific energy of our boys and staff appears to lengthen the day, so that more hours may be packed in: the faster we run, the harder we work and play, the more time we appear to have. Einstein would not have been surprised.

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SOME NEWS AND VIEWS FROM THE MANCHESTER GRAMMAR SCHOOL

The School Today For more stories like these visit mgs.org

Top university Great App-titude offers!

21 students have received offers to study medicine at the UK’s top universities.

The majority of the boys have ambitions to become doctors, with some opting for careers in medical research.

MGS pupil Jake Haslam was delighted to be presented with a Blackberry Playbook for his work on the development of an app for Research in Motion.

Ian Leverton Lecture

freaking, web-rocking’ app developer. His

Former MGS student Martin Sixsmith delivered the inaugural Leverton Lecture, a new series of lectures in honour of MGS’s former Head of Languages, Ian Leverton, who died in 2009.

of more apps in the future.

He said: ‘MGS enhanced my life because of the omnipresence of Mr Leverton, who instilled so much in me that contributed to my career.’

The match raised money for Macmillan Nurses in memory of Stuart Dale, a much loved porter at MGS who died of cancer in 2005. The winners were presented with a trophy by Coronation Street star, Sally Dynevor, who plays Sally Webster.

Jake responded to a RIM advert, stating they were looking for a ‘multi-tasking, speed-

Martin paid tribute to his former teacher, stating that it was Mr Leverton who set him off on his admirable career path as BBC foreign correspondent.

The event, now in its eighth year, saw an all-star and parents’ team – including ex-City players Eric Nixon and Ian Scott and former Reds defender Kevin Moran – storm to a 3-0 win against the teachers.

app was tested by Blackberry; they were so thrilled, they sent him a new Blackberry playbook to assist him in the development

RIM said: ‘Quality software is essential to the value of any computing device and Jake’s software development efforts have been a vital part of this historical product release. We’re truly grateful that he chose to participate in this project.’

On the Ball!

Former England captain, Bryan Robson, joined a starstudded line-up for the annual Stuart Dale Memorial Match at MGS for the first time since beating cancer.

Former MGS parent Graeme Warner, who organised the event, said: ‘I recently experienced the amazing work Macmillan Nurses do when they cared for my mum before she passed away last December; they are incredible.’

Above: Jake Haslam with his Blackberry Playbook.

Below: The starstudded line-up for the annual Stuart Dale Memorial Match.

L to R, Kevin Moran, Bryan Robson, Kevin Nixon, Ian Scott, Graeme Warner.

OM Sections Midlands

Top: School Captain, Sam Calmonson and the High Master at Exeter Cathedral.

Right: The Midlands Section Summer Event at King Edward’s School.

Far right: Hugh Oldham’s Tower.

High Master

The Summer event for the Section took place on Saturday 2 June when 18 members and guests visited King Edward’s School, Birmingham. The event resulted from a contact with John Claughton, the school’s Chief Master, who has become a Governor of MGS within the last two years. Although he was only asked to provide a venue, John generously agreed to attend the lunch himself, and gave an interesting and humorous introduction to the history, ethos and current situation of the school.

He also gave evidence of a strong commitment to the development of the interests shared by MGS and KES.

The Section also welcomed Simon Jones when he visited Birmingham to make us aware of the plans for 2015.

As a useful by-product from this event, two new members have been recruited and we would encourage any OM in the Midlands to contact Michael Kennedy michaelkennedy@talk21. com or Chairman John Wilson to discuss any aspect of membership. Please do not hesitate to get in touch.

The AGM and Luncheon will be held on Saturday 10 November 2012 and would be an excellent opportunity to meet members.

A small number of us still meet at the Old Joint Stock, Temple Row, Birmingham on the first Tuesday of the month. Any OM is welcome but it is suggested that a call to John Wilson on 0121 475 3700 would be advisable to ensure that others will be present.

South West Last year, our Autumn Event was a very enjoyable visit to the Roman Baths in Bath, followed by lunch at the nearby Gascoyne Place Public House. It was attended by 25 people and we were impressed by new developments at the Baths complex showing the varied history of the baths and surrounding area.

Our other event, the 46th Annual Hugh Oldham Commemoration Service, was held in Exeter Cathedral on Sunday 24 June and 39 members and guests attended including 7 guests from school, amongst them

the High Master and his wife, Carol and the recently elected School Captain, Sam Calmonson. We were honoured to have Bishop

Michael Langrish, Bishop of Exeter, to preach the sermon at Matins and he then attended our Annual Commemoration Service at Hugh Oldham’s Chapel.

Bishop Michael then conducted us partly through Oldham’s Passage into the garden area by the Bishop’s Palace and ‘Hugh Oldham’s Tower’. This provided us with a very different and most interesting route to the Southgate Hotel where the Bishop and his wife joined us for lunch. Lunch was followed by the AGM of the Old Mancunians SW Section.

Please contact John Smith, the SW Section Secretary, for more details. Tel: 01275 843349 or email: johningsmith@chyanmor. wanadoo.co.uk

London & South East Around fifty OMs attended the Section’s annual dinner at the Oxford and Cambridge Club where Old Mancunian John Leech MP was the guest of honour. John has been the Liberal MP for Manchester Withington since 2005 and regaled the audience with some entertaining tales of the inner workings of the coalition government. Next on the agenda was a visit to Beating the Retreat performed this year by the Household Division. The AGM will be at Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese on Thursday 8 November at 6:30pm. All OMs are welcome and should contact the Secretary, Nick Gartside, for details at njgartside@ hotmail.com

Chess Section This year is the 20th anniversary of the setting up of the Chess Section. It is hoped that an anniversary match can be arranged in the autumn. The School has set up a ‘Chess’ group on the ‘My Clubs’ section of MGS Global where you can register your interest and to be kept informed or please contact Peter Webster at peter@thea.ltd.uk.

OM 20/30 Club Monthly meetings in 2012 are: Friday 12 October: Ladies Luncheon at the Stanneylands Hotel, Wilmslow. Friday 16 November: AGM. Friday 7 December: School Captain & Vice-Captain to attend.

Starting in November we will be back at the Freemasons Hall, Bridge St, Manchester, and we expect to continue there into 2013. If the postponed Bridge St building alterations occur in 2013 (perhaps after Easter), we would expect to return to the St James’ Club for several meetings.

Our lunches are at 12.30 for 1.00 pm, usually on the 3rd Friday of the month.

New members (and new guests) are always welcome - please phone or write to the Secretary, Alex Wells,OM 20/30 Club on 01298 81 2886 or alex_wells@tiscali. co.uk

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The Lost Region

Owl Drop-Ins

My appeal in the last edition of TOM for northern based Old Mancunians to come forward with a view to forming an informal local representative section of OMs did not elicit too great a response. In fact, ranking it against the comments normally reserved by my Latin Master for the homework I submitted it would fall just below ‘pitiful’, just above ‘Did your little sister write this?’

Thirty year matured from the clippings of Tom Mather’s first team cricket square, diffused in clear, fresh water of Rusholme spring. This isn’t just any tea, this is Development Office tea and we are happy to share this with visiting Old Mancunians, along with facilitating formal and impromptu school tours.

However I was encouraged by the number in attendance at the next 500 launch event at the Manchester Town Hall and hope that may stir a few out of lethargy so I shall persist.

Our small group of mid seventies Old Mancs currently meets up for occasional beers and other events and we would like to invite you to join us. By the time of issue of this article, we’ll be looking to both the Annual Dinner and our own festive celebration in December and would welcome more to join our gatherings.

Please get in touch with johnny.whit@hotmail.com John Whitfield 76 - 83

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As well as hosting a 90th birthday party for Peter Medcalf 33-37, we have welcomed back many Old Mancunians in both official and social capacities. Here’s what some had to say: Tim Martin 00- 07 reflecting many other comments we have received ‘Great to see the place again, I’ll be back’ Peter Thompson 68 – 74 visited from New Zealand and brought his family along to see us. He said ‘Great to see the ‘old’ school again. Fantastic improvements, additions and memories. Thank you.’

‘Great to come back to MGS’ & hopefully won’t leave it so long next time’ were the thoughts of Vijay Ahuja 93-00, returning after leaving the school in 2000.

Ken Stockdale 45 – 49 and Norman Oldfield 45 – 52 attended together in March for lunch and a tour with OM Brian Taylor and commented on their visit. Ken wrote ‘A great experience.

Most enjoyable, whilst Norman noted ‘Well worth a visit after 50 years’.

Top left: Peter Medcalf Form 3E. Bottom left: Peter Medcalf attending MGS with his family for his 90th birthday.

A more recent leaver in Dominic Macklin returned for sporting reasons but still took time to pop his head into the office ‘Left in 08 – back for Old Boys Rugby game. Just came to the office to say hello to Mr Jones. Good to be back! ‘ Steven O’Hare 86 – 93 on returning to the area said ‘Amazing to see so many familiar faces and buildings.

Great visit. Well worth the trip.

All the best.’

We do prefer some notice of proposed visits so we can arrange formal school tours but also welcome OMs who arrive impromptu. Please contact Jane Graham on 0161 224 7201 Ext 243 or j.graham@mgs.org

OM Letters Eric James I was most interested to read Jonathan Daube’s comment on Tony Cockshut’s description of Eric James, I totally agree with Jonathan. As a pupil 1950-58 we all viewed Eric James as a distant but powerful person. Out of the blue I had the privilege to be partially taught organic chemistry by James when I was in Sc6MB 1955-57. The ‘Chief’ had decided he wanted to return occasionally to every day teaching and had chosen, us not the A or the C form, but the B group who represented an average MGS ability level, not the best or worst.

Above: Eric James (and pipe!) High Master 45–62

He was a fantastic teacher. I remember from 1955 to now, his charismatic approach, for his D.Phil subject, Organic Chemistry. We had no Plato or Greek Mythology during these lessons, just an incredibly simple explanation of how carbon atoms link up to form organic molecules, and how such molecules can be created. But also practical instruction: alcohol is a poison, but a pleasant poison.

Times have changed, but I suspect the present day overall approach to selection and objectives by MGS would receive full approval from James. I can also comment that I was a pupil at Sale Prep School, a feeder school to MGS that James shut down, as not appropriate for the direct grant status MGS enjoyed. I left aged seven years to go to another local school, but took the entry exam one year early aged ten years and gained entry to MGS in 1950. The recent establishment of the Junior School is of great interest, and I am sure it will be of great benefit to a number of pupils in the Manchester area to be able to reach up and achieve significant academic heights in their early education and beyond.

Peter Gee 50-58 Rabbi Meir Roberg (April 2010 Reader’s Letters) mentions half a dozen of the staff whom I recall well, in particular ‘Simmie’ Simkins, my form-master in II Alpha in 1934. I can honestly say that I knew no more about him after 12 months’ fairly close contact than when I started. In sharp contrast to my next mentor, ‘Haffy’ Fields in Sc III a. ‘Haffy’ applied his flexible gym slipper to my not very penitent posterior more times than I can remember, yet I liked and deeply respected him, and still

treasure a letter he wrote to me many years after he retired, light-heartedly reminding me, amongst other things, of my and my contemporaries’ transgressions, mainly timekeeping directly connected to lunchtime football in Birch Park. ‘Haffy’, we knew all too well could see us running in late, through the windows of the Masters Common Room. He swept into the classroom to take the 2pm lesson, reached into the lower desk drawer for the gym slipper, said, ‘come out here the footballers’ and gave us two of by no means his best, preceded by the offender’s surname and the comment ‘silly ass!’

By contrast ‘Simmie’ Simkins did indeed have a strange daily travel routine involving my II Alpha contemporary Alan Peake.

Both caught the electric train from Crumpsall station each morning and completed the journey on I think the 42 tram.

Simkins studiously ignored Peake until, if they reached the MGS gates together, he would say ‘Good morning Peake’, but not a glimmer of recognition before that moment.

I also remember that ‘Simmie’ possessed a radio at home which was only ever switched on for the 6 o’clock news and never for any other programme.

Sadly Alan Peake died (I think) on active service during the war.

Barry Posner 34-41 An ‘Assistant’ named Schnoeckelborg either preceded or succeeded Liebeskind. He was most amiable, survived the war and phoned me once sometime in the 1960s.

Geoffrey Stone 29-36 Barrie Quilliam (47-52) would like to know if anyone can let him know the name of the book of English Essays that was part of the syllabus of the JMB, O Level, English Literature in 1950. Replies to barriequilliam@hotmail.com

Thank you!

‘We were very grateful for all the comments we have received to the new-look Old Mancunian.

They were overwhelmingly positive –‘brilliant, readable, interesting’ - and many people liked the mix of articles, pictures and news.

We had some constructive criticism too. All we ask is that you continue to respond and contribute!’ David Walton 67-74 & Chairman of the OMA

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MGS Music Memories

In memoriam Since the last TOM we have been advised of the recent deaths of the following OMs: We would welcome offers to supply brief obituaries or memories for Ulula.

Memories of MGS Music continue to be stirred, and since the last Newsletter correspondence has been received from several OMs including Iain Wyder (45-52) and Martin Allinson (46-52), who both have fond memories of their MGS musical experience under Dickie Radford’s tutelage as Singing Master albeit for different reasons.

Martin remembers that Dickie auditioned all first formers for the choir, but was informed by him that ‘Your strange noises have no place in my choir’ - in a manner which can he paralleled with Diplomats who are described as ‘those who can tell you to go to hell in a way that leaves you looking forward to the journey’. Martin concludes his comments by saying: ‘It may well be that the school required a Director of Music to produce the best from those who were privileged to have great musical talent (and to train them to display it at musical events); but Founders’ Day and Speech Day were for all, and a Singing Master who helped all to get what each could out of the experience was also (maybe, even more so) an asset to the School.’

Iain concurs with the tone of these sentiments. He was one of those 200 boys whose voices had yet to break, who developed a love of music through singing songs from the ‘MGS. Song Book’. His email continues: ’Dickie Radford got me interested in the weekly Hallé Orchestra concerts which I attended with my mother in my later years at school at the rebuilt Free Trade Hall. John Lingard, a much younger man, was also good for music appreciation. I believe he was a form master in 1947 but I feel that it was Mr Radford who got us involved in thinking about music!’

MGS has produced some fine academic and performing musicians and as we approach 2015 (and beyond) I would welcome reflections of any sort by any OMs on their musical experience whilst at MGS. David Francis Head of Academic Music

James R Anderson 34-38 Arto Arschavir 25-28 William G Ashley 41-43 William Barlow 35-41 Richard A Baxter 76-82 David Blain 33-39 Brian P A Buckley 65-70 John C Caygill 48-56 Roger J Courtenay 55-62 Donald S Cuttell 36-40 Jeffrey Darlington 52-59 Philip J Davies 35-42 Norman Elliott 32-37 John C M Farrer 55-63 George Fildes 35-41 Frank A Garner 38-45 John V Goddard 30-34 David M Hammond 45-52 Frank D Hemingway 41-48 Ernest T Henshaw 48-55 Andrew Himelfield 60-67 Kenneth G Hilton 43-50 David Horrocks 55-62 George S Inglis 31-37 Aubrey Jaffe 38-44 Edward W T Kaye 45-52 Richard D Locke 38-42 Martyn J Lomas 45-53 James S McFarlane 36-43 Michael P Newton 61-69 William Noble 43-49 Hugh D Pinson 35-44 Brian Platt 48-54 Arthur H Robinson 34-40 Douglas T Rossington 43-50 Peter G Schofield 44-49 Barry Shaw 49-54 Ian D Shepherd 39-46 Arthur R Whittle 35-41 William D Wilson 38-44 We have also heard of the deaths of the following staff: William G Hamflett 48-62 Gordon S Harris 53-88 Zygmunt J Kepczyk 71-90 J Geoffrey Parker 85-94 Nina Vishniak 75-07

Events Founders’ Day Service.

Friday 19 October at Manchester Cathedral, 11:00 am.

22 February Quatuor Danel Concert. Memorial Hall, 7:30 pm.

6 March Individual Music Competition. Memorial Hall, time tbc.

The London Concert. Friday 15 March, at the Royal OverSeas League, time tbc

12 March Junior School Concert. Memorial Hall, 6:00 pm.

Philip Wade Memorial: Old Mancunians Rugby Match and Dinner. Friday 22 March at MGS. For details contact r.alderson@mgs.org

18 March Easter Concert, Gorton Monastery, 89 Gorton Lane, Manchester, M12 5WF, 7:00 pm.

Stuart Dale Memorial: Old Mancunian Football Match.

Friday 19 April at MGS. For details contact s.jones@mgs.org Details of all the OM events can be found by visiting www.mgsglobal.org

14, 15 & 16 March Henry IV part I by William Shakespeare performed by the Senior School. 7:00 pm.

9, 10 & 11 May Death on the Dial. The world premiere of a new play written by old boy Dan Dockery. 7:00 pm.

24 April Guitar Concert.

The Theatre, 6:30 pm.

27 April Jazz Dinner Dance.

Memorial Hall, 7:00 pm.

Noteworthy Ulula publication and Old Mancunian Ties

13 November Senior Recital Class. Memorial Hall, 6:30 pm.

22 November Composition Competition Concert.

Memorial Hall, time tbc.

11 December Junior School Christmas Concert.

Memorial Hall, 6:00 pm.

12 December Concert by the Choir of Clare College, Cambridge. Memorial Hall, 7:30pm.

13 December School Carol Service. Holy Trinity, Platt Church, Platt Lane Manchester, M14 5NF, 6:30 pm.

17 December Christmas Concert. Memorial Hall, 6:30 pm.

3 February Britten’s War Requiem Performance for CLIC Sargent. Memorial Hall, 7:30 pm.

11 & 12 October Little Tragedies by Alexander Pushkin. Produced and performed by boys and staff in the MGS Russian Department. Performed in Russian with English Subtitles. Drama Studio 1, 7:00 pm.

21 November GCSE devised performances. A public showing of Year 11 boys’ curriculum work. Drama Studio 1. 7:00 pm.

5 & 6 December Archibald’s War by Spidersweb musicals.

A junior School production, 6:00 pm.

14, 15, 16 & 18 January The Laramie project by Moisés Kaufman and members of the Tectonic Theater Project. Drama Studio, 7:00 pm.

5 & 7 February Year 3 & 4 Production Cristóbal and Rosita by the twentiethcentury playwright, Lorca.

Time tbc.

Above left: Julie Wright, j.wright@mgs.org Tel Ext 241 Above centre: Danielle Shepherd, d.shepherd@ mgs.org Tel Ext 571

Drama events Music events

Correspondence to Julie Wright at MGS, Old Hall Lane, Manchester, M13 0XT or 0161 224 7201.

10, 11, 12, 13 and 17,20 June Year 8 Shakespeare Festival, Drama Studio , 6:00 pm.

Dates and times are subject to change. For confirmation and ticket reservations see mgs.org

2 May Summer Concert, Memorial Hall, 6:30 pm.

Get in touch ...

By becoming a subscribing member of the OMA you can receive an annual copy of Ulula (£12 in the UK or £20 overseas).

Old Mancunian silk ties are available at the cost of £20 in the UK or £22 overseas including p&p.

Please contact Julie Wright.

Amazon.co.uk Many of our members and friends are regular shoppers on the internet, and by accessing the Amazon.co.uk website through the icon link on the School’s own website (mgs.org ) up to 10% of the value of any purchase made is automatically given for the direct benefit of the Bursary Fund. This scheme is at no extra cost to school or those using the scheme.

Above right: Jane Graham, j.graham@mgs.org Tel Ext 243 A full list of contact details for the OMA and Sections can be found at mgsglobal.org