The Old Mancunian Autumn 2021
Rewind
THE PEDAGOGUES, 1952 The Pedagogues certainly did it again this year. It is not for a reviewer, or anyone else, to say whether it was better or not than last year, because the unique atmosphere which the Pedagogues create is not calculable in recollection; all we can say is that we enjoyed ourselves as much as we have done before, and that alone is more than sufficient commendation.
Pedagogue sketches present an interesting study of evolution—they either come -to-be and pass-away as Aristotle used to say, or else the species becomes established. Of the latter class, the Field song sequence is perhaps the most firmly established—and may it long be so. This year's was better than ever. Rather learned parody continues to amuse, and if the excellent "Lady's not for Learning" fell upon some deaf ears, that was surely the fault of the deaf ears; let us continue to have our high-brow slapstick. The contemporary satire (this year a rather nostalgic and heartfelt comment on education theory from Mr. Cooke, who ought to know) admits of infinite variation; and I hope that there will be many more Mum and Dad sketches, so long as Mr. Lingard and Mr. Winterbottom are there in the title parts. Of the transient type, "As others see us" was a happy inspiration, and "The Four High Masters" was far too good to go on while the audience crashed back from their coffee. Bloggitt though adeptly performed, has I imagine had his day; nor do I imagine a
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Welsh song cycle will be seen, tempting though it is to think of Mr. Corbett as a druid, or Mr. Parnaby playing a harp. Mr. McGuire and his music deserve a paragraph of their own. Not only does he play in the dark amid a welter of stage hands, but he obviously must spend many hours writing the music. His own short recital was a great success—could we not have two pieces of that length? As for the cast; Mr. Raistrick made a welcome first appearance; his good boy qualified him for U.4A, and his size, which contrasts with that of most of the other Pedagogues, is going to make him a frequent victim of younger female parts. The restored Mr. Bristow was a great source of strength. He looks preternaturally like a schoolmaster in a cap academic, and has, among his other talents, a gift of conveying a wealth of expression by moving his eyes (nor do I solely refer to his part in "The Lady's not for Learning"). Mr. Hewitson this year displayed great gifts as a commentator, and his remarkable left-wing educator showed that there is a whole new class of parts for him in future productions. Of Mr. Corbett, we saw much more than last year— but his triumphant Spiv precludes mention of the rest. We normally think of these people as thin men but, of course, logically, this should not be the case, and Mr. Corbett's creation seemed therefore all the more terrible and sinister. There was a point at which highly-bred ladies in the audience recoiled sharply, so real was
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the character. Mr. Parnaby gave his usual excellent performance, but again this was overshadowed by the masterpiece—the speech. A record should be made of this, and circulated as a warning to the great— for this is how they sound to every little boy in every school. Mr. Winterbottom we think of as a maladjusted child and, of course, as Dad. Previous reviewers in this journal have inveighed against typed characters, but in this case it does not matter-—let us have more. Finally, of Mr. Lingard himself—his Irish accent was authentic, his sudden tirade as the Lancashire educationalist caused an uproar, his headmasters were as sarcastic as ever; and lastly his female parts were classic. To me the most vividly remembered incident in this excellent production was the sight of Mr. Lingard and Mr. Winterbottom on a see-saw in a kitchen somewhere in Lancashire. Author? NEW PUBLICATION LAUNCHES The Mancunian – Edition no. 1. Thursday December 8th, 1966. Price – 6d The editorial committee: B.A. Phythian (Chairman); P.J. Downes (Associate Chairman); D.O. Nott (Business); G.I.S. Bailey (O.M. Affairs); A.J. Abbott (News); A.C.F. Verity (Features); R.K. Davies (Societies); W. Barton (Sport) The editorial staff: H.J. Davies (Editor); R.B. Dilkes (news); E.F. Pethybridge (Asst. News); P.A. Ormerod (Features); W.C. Beswick (Asst. Features); M.H. Carrier (Circulation); D.R. Moores (Sport); J.W. Reddish (Asst. Sport); P.M. Schatzberger (Art); D.H. Bebbington (Asst. Art)
The Old Mancunian
Editorial
MANCUNIAN, a. & n. of Manchester Grammar School (Oxford Dictionary) The definition deserves wider currency. We did think of calling paper “The Manchester Guardian” but decided that it would be more constructive in the long run, to leave this title for someone else, perhaps for some other local newspaper which might one day come home to where it belongs, having learnt a sharp lesson from its metropolitan adventure and its abdication of regional responsibility. The main aim of The Mancunian is simple: To convey information as quickly and accurately as possible in a School whose size makes it important to have as many means of communication as possible. If this consequently encourages a greater awareness of, and participation in, the many-sided life of the School, so much the better. Phrases such as “the corporate life of the school” and “a sense of belonging” are sometimes dismissed as clichés; yet they are meaningful concepts in a school, and “The Mancunian” has a role here, especially if it can include parents, old boys and friends of the School among its readers.
Furthermore, “The Mancunian” will provide opportunities for the expression of opinion. It would be a pity if such opportunities resulted in a familiar spectacle of young rebels exercising their minds with unhelpful and bad-tempered comments about Authority. Without evidence and reasoning, opinion is valueless; without courtesy it is offensive; without balance it is dishonest. “The Mancunian” will open its pages to views which represent a positive and intelligent contribution
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to opinion-forming in the School. It will aim to be stimulating and fair. It will not replace any of the already existing means for the expression of opinion.
at the beginning of the Summer term. The main reason for this delay is that a set of special bricks had to be made for the damp-course; these were incorrectly made by the brickmaker, thus necessitatWith the advice of an editorial committee ing a completely new set which delayed of masters, an editorial staff of sixththe building project by two months. formers is responsible for the paper. APPRECIATIONS OF STAFF OF They, in turn, are assisted by several teams of boys, who number about 100 at THE 50s AND 60s FROM ULULA the moment. There is room for more, and John Bell – 1951 – 1981 – Art in fact everybody is free to contribute. Certainly every school activity, especially societies, should make sure that news “His concern for individuals, whether is submitted. The staff will try to make boys or colleagues, was generous, tactful the paper as comprehensive as possible, and unflagging; and the troubled or perbut cannot do this without the fullest co- plexed could always count on him for a operation. sympathetic hearing and wise advice.” We have already received generous assistance from our printers and from Mr. Harold Newton of the MGS Society. All that we now need is about £700 worth of advertisements to see us through the next twelve months, and a continuation of the kind of enthusiasm shown by the boys who have prepared this first issue. This is your paper. Use it. 80 open schools? Another batch of Oxbridge exams have passed uneventfully, and, we hope, successfully, in spite of the fact that most of the Oxford English candidates chose to write a three-hour essay on “Despair”; Historians were offered the enigmatic subject of “Writing History Backwards.” History, in fact, had one of the highest entry totals, 22, with the usual Oxford bias. Provisionally Easter for New Block After several months delay the new Sixth Form Block…will now be ready for use
Sol Clynes – 1938 – 1981 - Chemistry “Mr. Clynes was always fond of telling boys—at Borrowdale, in the corridors, even in the chemistry labs – that when he came to MGS, the owl was merely an egg! In fact he put in 43 years.”
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Philip Hill – 1944 – 1983 – Classics
“P. C. Hill is the last remaining colleague who was appointed by High Master Miller. In spite of that record of longevity, there is an air of timelessness about the man. His long-strided walk still has a youthful spring lacking in many younger colleagues. We are accustomed to seeing his immaculately clad slim figure as he goes about his daily duties, possibly pausing to discuss one of the more obscure clues of a difficult crossword with a colleague. It was all the more surprising when he arrived for a recent Parents' Evening wearing a shirt and matching handkerchief whose colour could only be described as excruciating. After knowing him a long time there is still an element of the unexpected about Philip Hill.”
The Old Mancunian
text books that reflect well their author's clarity and meticulousness.” Philip Schofield – 1954 – 1992 - Maths
Recently I was a fly on the wall at a discussion between two mathematically distinguished Old Mancunians about the staff who taught them the subject during their time in Rusholme. Both of these Old Boys put Philip Schofield as a figure amongst even the greatest of these "gods". They talked of his knowledge, of his mathematical insight, of his teaching skills, of his love for his subject and, most of all, of the elegance of his solutions which distinguishes the excellent from the very good. His affection for his subject is reflected in the annals of Maths Fred Winterbottom – 1941 – 72 – Sixth by the not unlikely proposition that, Chemistry and Physics during the Christmas holidays, Philip “When Fred Winterbottom came to MGS likes to settle down to solve the previous November's Open Scholarship papers as in 1941 he let it be known that he had reached the summit of his youthful ambi- a light yet fulfilling relaxation. William Mason—1930 –1965 tions. What better career had life to offer? It was as if he had said to himself, 'Here you have at last arrived, Fred, and here you are going to be happy for the remainder of your natural. So make a good job of it!' And that is what he has proceeded to do. Biographers do not see inside classrooms, but word gets about, and exam figures add their little say. More than a hundred forms must have had Fred's lively and even dramatic teaching, and benefited from his quick and helpful interest in the individual boy. It is good that his ideas and methods have found their way into successful science