ONA 101

Medics on a High David Peberdy (99-09) on a medical elective trip to the Himalayan ‘Kingdom of Bhutan’ Also in this issue: Work is Child’s Play for Marjorie | Henry Bourne | Stargazing

Issue 101 | Autumn 2017

ONA Magazine Issue 101 Autumn 2017

Contents

ONA Magazine is the magazine for the Old Novocastrians’ Association Editor: Jane Medcalf All correspondence should be addressed to: The Development Office, Royal Grammar School, Eskdale Terrace, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4DX Telephone Development Office: 0191 212 8909 email: ona@rgs.newcastle.sch.uk The Editor reserves the right to edit, alter or omit all submissions to the magazine.

Copy may be carried over to the next edition. The Editor’s decision is final.

Contribute!

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We are always looking for articles and news from Old Novos to include in the magazine, so send your contributions, via email (if possible) to: ona@rgs.newcastle.sch.uk or to the Development Office at the school.

Please include relevant pictures if possible. They will be returned as soon as the magazine has been printed.

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The deadline for acceptance of copy for the Spring 2018 issue is 14 December 2017.

Copy may be carried over to a future issue.

Special thanks to David Goldwater (5162) for his research and contributions to the ONA Magazine, particularly on his search for A History of the RGS in Its People.

The ONA Magazine is available online Please note that the magazine is circulated in hard copy and on the ONA website shortly after circulation. By submitting an article or news for inclusion the contributor is accepting that it will be available through both formats and will also be accessible beyond the Association membership through internet search engines or any member of the public viewing the ONA website. www.ona.rgs.newcastle.sch.uk Please note that the ONA Magazine content does not necessarily reflect the views of the school or the ONA and is based on personal experiences, recollections and memories of its contributors.

Design www.infinitedesign.com

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President’s Welcome News and Congratulations ONA Now and Then Medics on a High Henry Bourne Stargazing Work is Child’s Play for Marjorie Obituaries

Welcome

Welcome to the 101st issue of the ONA Magazine.

I begin myWelcome with congratulations to the school; on yet another outstanding set of exam results. It’s something that is said year on year, but students have, once again, produced a fantastic set of A Level results. Upper Sixth students achieved 87.7% of grades at A*- B, with 30.5% of all grades at the top A* grade, which places RGS at the top of the school rankings across the country. 25 students achieved three or four A* or A grades at A Level. In total, 59 students got straight A* or A grades; a wonderful achievement. 16 students (8%) secured their Oxbridge place. Year 11 students again produced superb results.

56.6% achieved A*, the fourth highest ever achieved by a cohort at the school. 83.4% achieved A*- A, which is the fifth highest ever. This is a huge testament to the work ethic of the school students and they deserve all the congratulations they get. In total, 20 students achieved 10 or 11 A* grades with no lower grades. In addition to this, 67 students achieved all A* or A grades. Year 6 students took their SATs exams last term and similar to their Senior School peers, they produced a superb set of results. Students completely bucked the national trend with 100% meeting or exceeding expectations in all the tests – Maths, Reading and Grammar.

Autumn always marks the start of a new school year. This autumn is particularly significant as, in addition, it heralds a new era for the RGS as the school welcomes its new Headmaster, John Fern. We hear more from John on page 4 and wish him good luck in his new position.

We were saddened to learn of the recent passing of Howard Baker (‘HHHB’) (77-12), having only retired from the school in 2012.

For me, and I am sure for many of you, Howard was a key figure throughout my RGS career and our thoughts go out to his family and friends at this difficult time.

The Newcastle ONA dinner is one of the highlights of the calendar for me. I always relish the opportunity to revisit the school and catch up with old friends. For our ONs who missed out on tickets, the date for the London dinner has been confirmed as Friday 16 March 2018, at The East India Club. I look forward to seeing many of you at future ONA events over the coming months, such as the John Elders Memorial Match on 30 December.

Chris JJ Wilson (97-02) ONA President

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ONA – Old Novocastrians Association Magazine Autumn 2017

News and Congratulations We are delighted to have heard recently from…

Max Hill QC (72-82), head of Red Lion Chambers and the government’s independent reviewer of terrorism legislation who finished off last year’s Lower Sixth Enrichment Lectures. He fascinated his audience with real life examples of terrorism cases and shared advice about a career as a barrister.

Keith Jewitt (70-77) who is launching a book of nature-based haiku poetry entitled, In a Magpie’s Eye – The Jesmond Year in Haiku. All ONs are welcome to attend the book launch at Jesmond Library on Monday 20 November at 6.30pm.

Spotted recently…

Gurnam Singh (87-94) pharmacist whose pharmacy was awarded the title, Pharmacy of the Year by the Sunderland Echo.

Paul Fernandez (96-01) in the Abingdon Herald, former Biology teacher and Abingdon runner who completed the Virgin Money London Marathon with a memorable personal best of 2 hrs 30 mins 26 secs. The veteran 40 athlete who finished 60th – his highest finish – also came in sixth in his age category.

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Carl Watson (89-94) who lives in Hong Kong informed us that his two children, George and Ellie were spending their summer holidays at Gamesweek – a multi-activity course, based at the RGS. We caught up with them in the school’s Dining Hall and sent photos home to their dad.

Gamesweek was founded by Mr Fred Dickinson, sports teacher and his wife, Roz Dickinson. If interested in making a

booking, you can visit the website at www.gamesweek.co.uk. Coincidently, Chris Ward, son of Graham Ward (74-81), communications officer at Novos RFC and the school’s new member of staff in the Sports department was with George and Ellie on the day. Chris and Graham are instrumental in organising the annual John Elders Memorial Match at Novos RFC. Ed: Such a small world!

Appeal for ON email addresses Where appropriate, we would like to stay in contact with you by email. Please email ona@rgs.newcastle.sch.uk with a current email address where we can contact you.

Join us on Facebook and LinkedIn There are plenty of Old Novos social media groups around, but we have our own groups. Join us by becoming a fan of the Old Novocastrians Association pages on Facebook and LinkedIn.

Our congratulations go to…

Sarah McDonald (06-11), medical student and athlete who was selected to represent Great Britain in the 1,500m event at the August World Championships 2017 held in London. She whipped through her heat to compete in the semifinals. She was also honoured by the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS) as their Star of the Year and became Birmingham’s Amateur Sportswoman of the Year.

Early-autumn friendly fixture: RGS v ONA, 3-1 win to RGS! Suba Das (95-02) on directing the drama, Pink Sari Revolution at Northern Stage, Newcastle.

Kate Harman (née Appleby) (06-08) on her marriage to Tom Harman on 10 July. Many ONs were present, noteably bridesmaid, Alexandra Wynne (née Bickerton) (06-08).

Some members of the RGS Community Choir, including the bride Kate, and friend Sian Copley (05-07) sang at the wedding and performed Sting’s, Fields of Gold and The Beatle’s, All You Need is Love. Ed: We wish you both a long and happy life together.

Kate Waugh (10-17) who won Gold in the European Junior Triathlon Championships in Kitzbühel, Austria in June 2017. Remarkably, she jetted from her A Level exam on Thursday morning to the race on Friday. She says: “I was in Kitzbühel less than 48 hours as I had to get back for exams, but I definitely will never forget this trip!”

Then, just four weeks after receiving her A Level results, she achieved further success by achieving Silver when she competed in the ITU World Triathlon Championships in Rotterdam amidst a very strong, competitive field. Keep up to date with Kate’s progress by checking out the British Triathlon website.

Charlie Wilson (06-17) centre player, who was picked in the summer to join Newcastle Falcons’ senior squad following his journey through the junior academy. He is a former England U18s international and was the school’s 1st XV captain.

Revd Max Kramer (96-03) recently installed as the new precentor in June 2017 at Canterbury Cathedral. This followed a curacy at Little St Mary’s, Cambridge, which he combined with teaching, administrative and outreach responsibilities in the Faculties of Classics and Divinity of the University of Cambridge.

© James O’Hanlon

Basil Strang (04-11) varsity fly-half who joins London Irish.

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ONA – Old Novocastrians Association Magazine Autumn 2017

Tom Heardman (07-11) footballer, on completing his loan to League 1 side Bury FC and signing a new contract for Newcastle United U23 squad.

ONA Now and Then

It is with real pleasure that I welcome you to your 101st and my first issue of the ONA Magazine. I hope that this is the first of very many and I am delighted to be continuing a tradition of some 40 years standing.

Having already met many ONs I look forward over the coming years to meeting many more of you and this is also an ideal way to keep in touch with so many more.

My welcome, as you would hope and expect, has been incredibly warm and friendly. I find the school in good heart and there is a real vibrancy amongst the community at large. The sheer range of endeavour is also reflected by the ONs in this magazine. It is fantastic to see news of events from athletics to pharmaceuticals, and not in a way all too often connected in the press!

One of my first, and perhaps most daunting tasks, was to address the ONA Dinner here at school. Everyone was full of warnings and rather less advice, so it would have been very helpful to have read Bryan Stevens’ (44-49) piece on ONA Dinners in the Olden Days. That we continue the

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tradition of holding it at school is at least one thing that hopefully meets with approval. I would also hope that I avoided any contentious issues on the quality of catering and we may even have heard a memorable speech. Though that belonged to Rex Winter (68-78) rather than the new Headmaster. Being only half a term in, I did manage to avoid making any claims of greatness for the school under my stewardship. That can wait for next year.

This would seem to be an appropriate time to pay tribute and offer my thanks to my predecessors, not least Dr Bernard Trafford (08-17).

The rare meeting of four headmasters took place earlier this term when I met with Dr Trafford, James Miller (94-08) and Alistair Cox (72-94), but sadly it was at the funeral of the much missed former member of staff Howard Baker (77-12). It is always sad to hear of the passing of ONs, but as we read the obituaries in this edition it is striking to see just what they achieved in their lives and what an inspiration that can be. I was very aware of the number who were former scholars, or in modern terms bursary boys. The great work of the Bursary Campaign in recent years is to be thanked for helping many boys and girls have such wonderful opportunities here at the RGS and I very much look forward to working closely with it to extend those opportunities and ensure that we remain the proper servant of the City and North East at large.

The importance of service and a place in the community is central to the ethos of the school and the more the wider world understands what a welcoming and supportive place the RGS is, the better.

I was, therefore, particularly interested in reading David Peberdy’s (99-09) article on his time volunteering in the ‘Land of the Thunder Dragon’ and would echo his encouragement to volunteer. We are trying to do this in school as well, with more students volunteering both locally and abroad not least through the DofE and World Challenge. I particularly like the idea of Gross Domestic Happiness, and in a world where we hear so much of the pressures on well-being and mental health, it is no bad thing to continue to

think properly about the individual.

Any school must be about the people.

Nurturing and developing all of those who belong to the community is a central task of the RGS and so it is truly inspiring to read of the work of ONs and then take this idea out into the world. I found the article

by Marjorie Whinfield (03-05) truly inspiring, although must confess to an ignorance on Applied Behaviour Analysis before reading it. To enjoy a job so much and be able to remember and see the fun in it, despite what must also be some difficult situations and times, is so important and reminds me of why I teach as well. The staff here are an incredibly hard-working and dedicated team and it is notable how many references are made to former colleagues and their importance in inspiring and acting as role-models. As I said, we forget the people and individuals at our peril.

Inevitably when taking over at the helm of a great school like the RGS there is much mystery and folklore to try and understand.

Thankfully, unlike Henry Bourne (unknown-1709) in Alan Castree’s (5361) article my work has not, so far, been conducted “amid malice, ill-nature, unpleasantness and disappointment”!

Despite overseeing the demolition of the old swimming pool this summer, and hearing of many tales surrounding it, not least at the ONA Dinner, I’m sure everyone is excited at the new building development. We are currently working with the architects and the Governors and I hope to be able to share more details with you all soon. One important aspect of any new venture is to think about how it links to our past, so you will be pleased to hear that the stained glass windows have been carefully preserved and will be incorporated into the new design.

We all know that in looking to the future we must also remember the past. And as I look ahead I am ever-mindful of the longevity of the school and its roots in the people, City and wider North East community. Over the coming months and years, I very much look forward to working with you all.

John Fern Headmaster

ONA Now and Then

ONA Dinners in the Olden Days

Your recent report on an ONA Dinner (see Issue 98) made me cast my mind back to the dinners of previous years. My first was in 1950 at the old Turk’s Head Hotel in Grey Street. The dinners, until the late 50s, were always held in local hotels, until Mr Mitchell (48-60) was persuaded to have them at the school.

Our thanks to Burland Jacob (44-49) who donated his 30th Annual Dinner programme.

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ONA – Old Novocastrians Association Magazine Autumn 2017

However, when Mr Haden (60-72) arrived in 1960 and was asked to keep up the custom, his response was, “Out of the question”. So, for the next few years it was back to the hotels, until Mr Cox (72-94) saw the rightness of staging the dinners at the school once more, for which we should all be grateful to him, not least because the school’s catering, in my opinion, surpasses that of any of the local hoteliers.

Dress has always been formal, although when I was President, about 1970, an experiment was made with lounge suits, in response to mutterings over the years, but the move was deemed a failure and discontinued.

The custom until the late 60s was to invite the Lord Mayor or his deputy. The President and the secretary of the London ONA always attended, and reciprocated by inviting the Newcastle President and secretary to their own dinner, which was usually held on the eve of one of the international matches at Twickenham, so a host of enthusiasts from the Old Novos would travel down as well.

One of the local papers would always send a reporter and photographer to cover our dinner (though I don’t think we actually fed them).

There would be a toast to the City and County of Newcastle upon Tyne, responded to by the Lord Mayor, responded to by the Headmaster, and a toast to the ONA, responded to by the President. Few of the speeches were memorable.

It was often clear that the Lord Mayor didn’t owe his position to any oratorical powers, whilst the effort of the proposal of the toast to the school, usually a prominent ON, varied wildly in quality. The Headmaster could be relied upon to imply that under his leadership the school had reached peaks of attainment hitherto undreamed of.

The custom of the President, “Taking wine” with successive generations of those present was well established.

In the 50s the first group would be, “Those who were at the school before 1900”, and until later in that decade quite a few would raise a glass. In 1950, the senior would be the Rev. Prebendary and Professor HM Sanders (1877-87), who had travelled from London. The post-prandial toast was provided by William CochranCarr (1879-80), a mining engineer and colliery owner, and President of the ONA, 1936-39. He kept up this generous practice until his death in 1955, but sadly his example has not been followed.

At that 1950 dinner a presentation was given by Lionel Markham (1901-08), a Governor of the school, in order to raise funds for the transfer of the stained glass window dated 1869, from the old school at Rye Hill, to its present site, though this didn’t happen until many years later.

Retiring masters used to be honoured at the end of the dinner rather than beforehand, and if they replied at length the proceedings could be considerably protracted. In the days of hotels, the bar would close at 11pm, far too early for some of us. The law was that you could drink for as long as you liked, provided that you had bought your supplies before 11pm. So that is what we did, laying in crates of beer and bottles of whisky. Until the nanny state enacted that there would now be a period of 10 minutes after the permitted hours, known as ‘drinking up time’, no subsequent drinking to be permitted.

The government of the day hadn’t said anything about this in their election manifesto, the swine.

By Bryan Stevens (44-49)

Medics on a High

David Peberdy (99-09) on an unforgettable work experience in the ‘Land of the Thunder Dragon’.

Above: Punakha Dzong Below: Outside the Tradtional Medicine Hospital in Thimphu

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n March and April I was on my medical elective, a period of time towards the end of medical school when students are encouraged to go abroad and gain work experience.

I chose a country that the world and I didn’t know too much about – Bhutan. I’m not sure I can blame Mr Newman (00-04), my Geography teacher, for not knowing much about this inconspicuous country. Although for a small country it has some international accolades to its name. Most notably the use of Gross Domestic Happiness (GDH) instead of GDP as a marker of growth. I think I learned about this concept the same day Mr Scott (05-11) taught us about the Big Mac Index in Economics. GDH is tied in with the country’s strong Buddhist roots – the dominant religion in Bhutan. Famously it was the last country in the world to introduce TV (1999) and, as far as I’m aware, is the only country that is a net carbon sink and has, as part of its constitution, a commitment to keep over 60% of the country forested for all time. Add to this, the name ‘Kingdom of Bhutan’, or if talking to Buddhists, ‘Land of the Thunder Dragon’, the country takes on a mysterious quality which makes it a very appealing place to go. The clinching factor in my decision to go was the relationship between

Chagri Monastery tucked into the

Monks playing at Phajoding Monastery

hillside. A theme for religious

overlooking Thimphu valley

Bamboo Arrow CT scan

buildings in Bhutan.

Magdalen College, Oxford and the current King of Bhutan who was a student there. This meant the normal $250 per-day-per-person charge for tourists was waived. An opportunity not to be missed. Although I should say the $250 charge includes a driver, guide, accommodation, and main meals. It’s still not cheap.

The medicine itself was amazing to be part of and the doctors were incredibly welcoming. One of the biggest challenges was the language barrier, the national language is Dzongkha and is as hard to speak as it is to spell. Having struggled to get to grips with French and Spanish at school, as I’m sure Madame Sainsbury (80-05) and Miss Fitton (04-05) would testify to, trying to learn even basic Dzongkha proved a challenge.

Fortunately, the doctors are trained in English and English is taught in schools.

We were based in Jigme Dorji Wangchuk National Referral Hospital in Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. I was based in the emergency department, as this is a specialty in medicine that I have an interest in and I thought it would afford me the most interesting exposure to patients. It didn’t fail to disappoint. The first patient I saw was a young woman who had suffered an horrific dog bite in the early hours of the morning exposing her leg down to the bone. It was a gory start to what was by and large a fairly normal emergency department, with asthma, pregnancy, drunks, and mental health problems. All of which demand time and attention. The lack of specialty trained doctors is one of the biggest hurdles. This makes them very dependent on visiting doctors and neighbouring countries. A lot of complex surgical cases are exported to India at extortionate cost to the Bhutanese government. As they have a national health service in Bhutan this bill is footed by the government, which is incredibly generous, but certainly not sustainable. This is one of the reasons why visiting doctors can make a huge

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ONA – Old Novocastrians Association Magazine Autumn 2017

difference within the Bhutanese health system, and I would advocate going to any doctors or surgeons who want to take on a challenge.

Another case that stood out was a gentleman who had been taking part in an archery competition.

Archery is the national sport of Bhutan. These competitions bring with it drinking and celebration.

This man had been drinking and dancing in front of the target (a 1m x 50cm piece of wood shot at from 120m away). Dancing in front of the target to taunt the opposition is commonplace and traditionally teams dance whenever the target is hit. Songs are also sung to represent love, enlightenment, and karma. The dancing can, unsurprisingly, end up badly. He was hit with a bamboo arrow in the temple. Remarkably he was fine and able to talk to me in the emergency room, just complaining of a, “Bit of a headache”.

Fortunately, he came out of surgery with no obvious deficits. There are several of these cases a month, sadly not all are so lucky. Despite this, their enthusiasm for archery isn’t diminished.

Bhutan practices traditional medicine alongside Western medicine and uses it to good effect.

Importantly, the two aren’t seen as mutually exclusive. Patients with sepsis do get antibiotics, not gold needle therapy, and patients with chronic pain can choose steam application rather than more pain killers. Traditional medicine is becoming less popular as Bhutan opens its borders to the outside world. I hope it isn’t stopped altogether as patients see huge benefits from it. If nothing else, my time there was a lot more pleasant on the nose than UK hospitals.

I want to say a huge thank you to the ONA and would endorse to readers volunteering in Bhutan through organisations such as Health Volunteers Overseas.

Henry Bourne “We should remember him with affection” I wrote previously of a distinguished Old Novo in The School Song, Mark Akenside (1730s). Also in the song are Henry Bourne (unkown-1709) and John Brand (1750s, 1778-1784). The composer of the song, JB Brodie (1898-1928), with fellow master at the school AR Laws (1892-1928) produced a pocket-size story of RGS in 1924 and wrote of these historians of Newcastle as two who, ‘carved their name on the pinnacle of fame’.

There is a connection between them, as I shall explain. As an aside, each pupil, on entry to RGS, received a copy of this history; I still have mine. In this edition of the ONA Magazine I shall focus on Bourne, but cannot ignore the later involvement of Brand, who drew upon Bourne’s work. By Alan Castree (53-61) The History of Newcastle upon Tyne: or the Ancient and Present State of That Town, published posthumously in 1736

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ourne began life as apprentice to a glazier, but his display of high intellect allowed him to cancel his indentures and attend RGS. He progressed to Christ’s College, Cambridge, gaining his BA and MA, returned to the North East and became curate at All Hallows Church, Newcastle, where he remained until his death. Bourne married twice, his first wife dying young. He had five children of whom only two survived infancy and outlived him.

In1725 he published Antiquitates Vulgares or, the Antiquities of the Common People. The title may suggest a condescending view of the average citizen’s uncritical adherence to enduring folklore, but perusal of the text shows that this is not so. It is a pleasure to read, gentle in its approach to each topic. Bourne had sympathy for people less fortunate than himself and the work gives examples of popular superstitions of the day, some religious and some of ‘heathen’ origin.

Bourne weighs up the credibility of each belief in relation to the thinking of his day. He is critical of pre-Reformation monks for exerting unfair influence over less learned people. He describes the monks as, ‘indolent, who, …with nothing else to do, were forgers of many wicked opinions to keep the world in awe and ignorance’.

He singles out for criticism and for discontinuance those practices that he considered to be ‘popish and heathen rituals which, masquerading as traditional customs, led to uncleanness and debauchery.’ The work’s value is as a contemporary account of common beliefs and it served as a foundation for future records. It became scarce, was in demand and sold at a high price. (John Brand republished it, with his own interpretations and additions as Observations on the Popular Antiquities of Great Britain in 1777.)

In 1727 Bourne published A Treatise upon the Collects, Epistles and Gospels of the Book of Common Prayer, a focus upon the harmony that the Book of Common Prayer brought to the liturgical year each Sunday. He gained the honour of a lectureship on the subject.

Towards the end of his short life he produced The History of Newcastle upon Tyne: or the Ancient and Present State of That Town, with an engaging account not only of the City’s past but also of its life in his time. Sadly, he encountered difficulty in gaining access to many historical documents, simply, it seems, because he lacked powerful patronage and support. Bourne’s frustrations contrast sharply with the success that Brand achieved in his access to sources later.

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There have been frequent histories of Newcastle and there will be more. Mackenzie, in his publication of 1827, acknowledges Bourne’s work with affection, thus countermanding what he saw as unfair criticism from ‘the literary aristocrats of his (Bourne’s) day’. Mackenzie sees him as ‘honest and industrious’ and as an historian who, ‘within great limitations for gaining access to sources, achieved much’.

Stargazing

Mackenzie criticises Brand for the latter’s disparaging comments on Bourne’s work.

‘Brand not only enjoyed the fruits of (Bourne’s) labours but was also favoured with such assistance as perhaps will never be extended to any succeeding local historian, however connected or talented.’ He refers here to the patronage that Brand received from the Duke of Northumberland.

Mackenzie adds that Bourne ‘… compiled his history of Newcastle upon Tyne amid malice, ill-nature, unpleasantness and disappointment.’

One could not wish that upon any scholar.

He continues, ‘Bourne appears to have been a sincere, plain, unassuming man, diligent in his studies and in the discharge of his clerical duties.

Considering the extent and utility of his labours, his memory was certainly entitled to more respect than Mr Brand thought proper to bestow upon it… his history was excellent groundwork for the more enlarged superstructure of his successor, Brand.’

(32-53) and Governors at the inauguration of the new observatory – 13 July, 1950, as seen in Speech Day programme, 9 November, 1950.

Bourne’s vicar described him as one who was ‘universally loved’. After his death on 16 February 1703 he was buried at All Souls Church, Newcastle.

His widow, Alice (née Inchbald), who had given him sterling support, lived another 40 years. Profits from the sales of his books went to her and to the two surviving children, Henry and Eleanor.

Long before Patrick Moore and Sputnik – during the glory days of Dan Dare, Pilot of the Future, one could view the craters of the Moon, the rings of Saturn and Jupiter’s moons from the school field.

Encouraged by Louis Theakstone (32-53) and later, Mr Stephenson (53-67), the wonders of space became available to all.

Bourne receives credit today not just as an historian but also for the interest that he raised in English folklore. Simpson and Roud (2000) praise Bourne for the material that he gathered.

I am planning to resume my History of the RGS by recalling the Astronomical Society and the Charles Richardson Observatory, which stood between the old cricket pavilion and the gym.

Martin L Bell (50-61) and I have fond memories of this pioneering activity in the school and are cooperating on this piece.

I hope that, through the columns of our magazine we can go some way to sustain the valued memory of Henry Bourne, as did JB Brodie. It is fitting that Bourne is in the same verse of The School Song as Brand, despite the latter thinking so little of his predecessor. We should remember him with affection.

I shall write on Brand in a future issue of the magazine.

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Headmaster OW Mitchell (48-60) with Master Louis Theakstone

ONA – Old Novocastrians Association Magazine Autumn 2017

If any ONs would like to send in any memories and perhaps help to track down what happened to this little gem on the school field, please e-mail the ONA at ona@rgs.newcastle.sch.uk

By David F Goldwater (51-62)

Work is Child’s Play for Marjorie Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) is a branch of psychology. The science of behaviour studies how anyone learns a new behaviour or skill and unlearns known behaviours. ABA has many practical applications including changing public health behaviour and changing workforce behaviour through the use of Organisational Business Management (OBM). By Marjorie Whinfield (03-05)

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A

pplied Behaviour Analysis is also a scientifically validated therapy for children with autism that has resulted in significant improvements in a wide range of skill areas. I provide ABA therapy to children with a diagnosis of autism and other developmental delays. I work on a variety of skill areas including academic skills, social skills, language development, and functional living skills as well as reducing challenging behaviours.

Behaviour analysis is unfortunately not a wellknown branch of Psychology in the UK, particularly in the North East of England. Like many people in the field, I stumbled upon ABA while gaining work experience after my undergraduate Psychology degree. I spent some time working with adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in supported living, and

it was there I met a consultant behaviour analyst.

I was immediately fascinated by ABA when he was able to rapidly reduce the frequent, severe and dangerous levels of self-harm and physical aggression that the person engaged in. This not only reduced the risk that person posed to themselves and others, he also increased their access to things that I often take for granted (such as being able to go to the supermarket, visit my friends and eat out) and therefore greatly improved their quality of life.

After spending time researching ABA I was impressed with the focus on evidence-based practice, ethics and the way in which ABA therapy is tailored to each individual. I decided to pursue ABA as a career and applied for a Masters in ABA at the University of Kent. I also began working with children with autism and other developmental delays as a self-employed ABA therapist at home with their families and in schools. In 2011 in the North East there were very few families receiving ABA therapy so I moved to Yorkshire in order to gain work experience while studying part-time at Kent.

I originally planned to return to working with adults on completion of my Masters, however after a few months of working with young children and their families I realised this was the age group I wanted to work with. I work with children of many different ages, although most are between two and six years of age. This means that I have to keep learning fun and embed tasks into playbased activities – I have a lot of fun at work! Every day is different due to each child and family’s unique strengths, preferences and needs. One of my favourite parts of working as an ABA therapist has been teaching non-verbal children to speak.

Hearing a four-year-old child’s voice for the first time and knowing that they will now be able to communicate basic wants and needs with their family is one of the most rewarding things I’ve experienced. I also enjoy working with schools to help teach a child social skills and watching that child begin to show an interest and make friends with their peers.

After completing my Masters I decided to return to live in the North East in 2016. I am in the process of completing my supervised fieldwork hours in order to obtain my professional certification, which I hope to have next summer.

My supervisor, Corine van Staalduinen, is a board certified behaviour analyst and is a wonderful teacher and mentor with a wealth of knowledge and experience. Corine moved from Canada to the North East in 2015 and set up Little Talks Austim Consulting. Since then the number of families accessing ABA therapy to help their children with developmental delays has increased. She now has three supervisees, including myself, and we provide consultation to

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ONA – Old Novocastrians Association Magazine Autumn 2017

Marjorie’s Masters Graduation Ceremony in 2015

“Although the rules that govern our behaviour are fairly simple, the environment is anything but!”

families under her supervision. I hope that in time ABA will become more well known in the area and that more families will be able to access the much-needed support it provides to help their children learn the skills they need to navigate school and beyond.

ABA has taught me that all behaviour is functional for a person and that no one ever does something without reason. I found learning the rules that govern our behaviour a little like learning the rules for organic chemistry (thanks Mrs Syers (97-05) for all your help with that). Initially it was like learning a foreign language, however with practice and the right teacher it became easy and logical. Now that I provide consultancy services, I enjoy the detective work involved in figuring out why a child is engaging in challenging behaviours. Although the rules that govern our behaviour are fairly simple, the environment is anything but! Each child has a unique set of preferences, learning history and environment.

Figuring out how each of these factors interact allows me to learn why that person engages in that behaviour and allows me to teach them alternative ways to meet the same need. Seeing the improvements in a child’s quality of life when they stop hurting themselves and others always reminds me of what drew me to this as a career.

I feel incredibly lucky to have found a job that is so interesting, rewarding and fun.

Obituaries William ‘Bill’ Alistair Shannon (48-54) Born 25 July 1937, died 2 February 2017, aged 79

Edinburgh was the capital, Glasgow in those days had ‘the capital’, was the explanation. Having persuaded my mother with two young boys that a move to Glasgow wasn’t to be feared and that it should only be for two years or so, he ended up staying in Scotland, successfully growing offices in Glasgow and then Edinburgh, where he finally settled after retiring.

My father never forgot his school days, Whilst my father’s heart always rested entering Class II.2 at RGS in 1948. in the North East of England, he did Despite having joined the school become an adopted Scot and I think through a Scholarship, he always that it was largely because of his sharp delighted in telling my brother Ian and wit and love of people that he was to I of his academic inadequacies, as he have such success in both his business saw them. His favourite story of a and social life. His defining (if not Math’s report, went something like apocryphal) story at starting life in this: “Subject – Maths; number in Scotland was of visiting a housewife class – 31; position in class – 31; in a Glasgow tenement to deal with a report – weak”! claim and being greeted with, “Yer nae He loved to tell that tale perhaps as Scottish”. “No, I’m a Geordie”, he he went on to be a Fellow of both the replied. “Och, that’s awreet then, Chartered Insurance Institute (FCII) and I thought you were English!” the Chartered Institute of Loss My father’s family and friends can Adjusters (FCILA) where he would thank RGS for teaching him to play the demonstrate considerable skill and clarinet. He played with ‘The Bill success as a chartered loss adjuster Shannon Quintet’ as a young man, but culminating in a specialism for fish farm continued bursting out Acker Bilk at claims. His career began in Newcastle gatherings whenever he had the with Iron Trades, then to JP Smith and chance. In retirement years, he would Co. and after what he saw as the close be a regular player on the Bo’ness shave of joining a firm in London, was Santa Steam Trains at Christmastime, subsequently invited to develop his although recounting that the dozens of talents in the North East with Graham tunes he had to play quite wore him out.

Miller & Co. where he spent much more Activities from his schooldays were time at home with his wife, Jenny. carried on long after leaving. He spent Having said that, it wasn’t long time assisting at some of the the annual afterwards that he admitted asking his camps, notably that in Wensleydale, much-revered boss Tom Fairnington which was led by Laurence ‘Larry’ why the company didn’t have any Watson (30-71), one of the great presence in Scotland, to which he was characters from the staff. promptly asked to go and open an My father was immensely proud of office there in 1971. Although dreaming the RGS, and maintained contacts with of new surroundings in Edinburgh, he many Old Novos including Trevor was quickly told that he would be Rees (48-55) who has provided some opening an office in Glasgow – whilst of the detail for this note. After his move

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to the west of Scotland he made contact with those who had gravitated to the same area and organised a meeting in Glasgow around 1979.

Amazingly, half-a-dozen individuals from Class II.2 of 1948 attended. He was then to the fore in organising a Scottish branch of the Old Novos which ran for several years subsequently.

Although retired from insurance loss adjusting, he did not opt for a quiet life.

He was involved with a wide range of charities and interests including The Scottish Railway Preservation Society, The Bo’ness and Kinneil Railway, Water of Leith Conservation Trust, Seagull Trust, Probus Clubs, Association of Speakers Clubs and the Community Council. My mother quipped that she only knew what he was doing each day by the uniform or tie he was wearing on his way out.

Whilst he had lived with heart disease for some time and despite having gone through some wonderful, if not testing treatment and surgery over the years, he remained strong and sharp, pushing on right to the end; the way we know he wanted to. His enthusiasm for life and the energy he derived from being around other people were demonstrated by the standing room only attendance at his funeral taken by his close Newcastle friend of 60 years, Malcolm Kennedy.

Being meticulous and a great organiser, he has left his wife Jenny, sons David and Ian and family with clear instructions on the event of his death and we are grateful that he has done so with such love, generosity, order and of course his unshakeable good humour.

We will miss him dearly, but our lives have been shaped and blessed because of the person he was.

By David J Shannon

Michael ‘Mike’ John Rennie (54-64) Born July 28 1946, died 9 January 2017, aged 70

followed by an MSc in Neurochemistry at Manchester (1970), and a PhD at Glasgow University (1973). He completed his Post Doctorate at St. Louis, Missouri from 1973-1977 and following that, worked as senior lecturer at University College London.

In 1983 Mike was appointed Professor of Physiology at Dundee University and he was made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Mike’s overriding Sad to report, Professor Mike Rennie interest was in skeletal muscle, its died suddenly in his sleep in January, response to exercise, and the although he had not been well for regulation of its protein content in some time.

A Scholarship boy from Longbenton, ageing, health and disease, and his Newcastle, Mike joined the RGS in the published work was recognised as being influential throughout his career.

Junior School in 1954, and its huge Dundee vice-chancellor Professor influence on his life in succeeding Sir Pete Downes said of him, “He was years he was very happy to a passionate advocate of physiological acknowledge, stimulating as it did his voracious appetite for learning in many research who could be highly critical of weak science, but he was also an fields. In the Sixth Form he loved unstinting and loyal supporter of all exchanging ideas with the teaching those who benefited from working with staff, in particular, head of English (MG Robinson (34-72) and the head him. Mike taught me much about academic leadership early in my career. of Biology (G Pallister (26-66). In recent years Mike would meet up with He put human physiology research at Dundee on the international map with fellow members of the ‘Medical Sixth’ his pioneering work.” of his era (see Issues 92 and 98), Apart from his academic Tony Book (54-64), David Franks achievements, Mike was frighteningly (54-65) and Doug Trotter (54-64), well-read in the literature of many for what he would describe as, “Lively countries and pursued his interests weekends”. in jazz and films just as avidly. He was, At school in the 60s Mike was an it has to be said, a man of decided easily recognisable figure in his wellopinions, larger than life, never dull, not cut mod grey suit. Outside the given to compromise, but a generous classroom he swam for the school friend. Wherever Mike lived and team for many years and achieved worked, and he travelled extensively, distinction by swimming for the North East of England; on the other hand his he was the life and soul of any party.

Mike’s wife Anne said of her outings in House rugby were husband, “There seemed to be little characterised by an unskilled that he didn’t know. My kids called him enthusiasm, where he delighted in using his considerable frame to take on “Google”. He was impossible to play any kind of general knowledge game the challenge of 1st XV opponents.

Mike’s first degree was in Biological with as he always won. And there can’t be many Munroes he hadn’t climbed, Chemistry/Zoology at Hull (1968),

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ONA – Old Novocastrians Association Magazine Autumn 2017

DIY projects he didn’t undertake.

He lived life to the full”.

He felt indebted to RGS and would talk with affection of his contemporaries.

Little did they know that he researched their subsequent careers, informing me on one occasion that at least three of ‘Birdman’ Robinson’s A Level English set had had novels published (Tony Boullemier (57-64), Nic Cohn (60-63), the late Paul Torday (54-64).

Mike forged lifelong friendships with Graeme McLagan (51-61) and Malcolm ‘Tab’ Staig (51-61) and we met up in Bath to drink a few glasses to his memory. It was not a solemn occasion. Mike’s life was worth a celebration.

He leaves his wife Anne, his daughters Louise and Eleanor, his son Andrew, and five grandchildren.

By George Hogg (57-64)

Obituaries Brian Heppell (48-56) Born 11 May 1937, died 14 April 2017, aged 79

Grantchester without serious mishap.

It was on our last long vacation in 1960 that we went on a student holiday to Rome and Florence, and he met Ann, a petite Welsh blonde, who was to be the love of his life. They married in 1962, and have two sons, Richard and James.

Classical music and birdwatching were two of Brian’s passions. He sang I first met Brian Heppell when we both in a succession of choirs, attended started at the RGS in 1948, but as he concerts and operas, and accumulated had been placed in the brainy II.1 set, a fine collection of LPs and CDs. while I languished in II.2, we did not As a birder, he was for years a immediately become friends. volunteer at the famous Slimbridge However, our sets converged later, and reserve. He acquired an enormous a friendship developed which lasted telescope which resembled an artillery until his death on the 14 April this year. piece, and required three men to He had won a Scholarship to attend carry it (I exaggerate a little). Holiday the RGS. In his early years in the destinations were sometimes chosen school he was a boisterous and with birding in mind, so the Outer amiable presence, but settled to a Hebrides were visited in the hope of mature and much-liked role. He was spotting the shy Corncraik, which can respected by his teachers, and always be often heard there but rarely seen. had time to listen sympathetically to He saw one. younger boys; it was clear to me He gained a teaching qualification at even then that Brian was a born Birmingham University, and took up a teacher himself. post as head of Geography at Bristol He was awarded a coveted State Cathedral School. He believed that Scholarship, which went far to paying pupils should spend much of their time his way through Cambridge. In the in the field, as well as in the classroom, meantime he was among the last and organised many trips. When he left young men to do two years National in 1971 to try out the new-fangled Service, in his case, in the RAF. comprehensive system, the school In 1958 he went up to Downing magazine remarked that he had made College, Cambridge, and gained a BA the department, ‘One of the best in Geography. Cambridge was a good controlled units the school had seen’, time for him. He took part in organised and he had been, ‘One of the very best activities, like the college choir (Brian form masters.’ had a fine baritone), and its 2nd XI, He joined the Castle School in which he captained. But informal Thornbury as head of Humanities, and activities were equally important; for was involved in preparing it for its first instance, he developed an comprehensive intake. He again unsuspected skill in darts, which organised many field trips, and, as well gained him the odd pint on Saturdays. as more exotic destinations, over the His punting ability was only average, years took more than 1,000 pupils to but could take us as far as the Lake District (but most of them

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found their way back to Thornbury).

While at the Castle School, Brian was elected to a Schoolteacher Fellowship-Commoner at Jesus College, Cambridge, and used the term for research which generated articles in journals and books, and led to study tours in Japan and Taiwan.

In 1987 he took early retirement from the school, and joined the Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate as its geography officer.

He assisted with the development of A Levels, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa – Zambia, Namibia, and Botswana. He would have gone happily even without the new opportunities for exotic birdwatching.

He finally retired in 1997, but continued as a consultant in matters geographical (Donald ‘Spitty’ Meaken (24-65) would have been chuffed).

Brian and Ann’s love of travel took them to holidays in foreign parts – the Far East as well as France. Latterly, they favoured islands, and visited the Hebrides, Orkney, Shetland, Corsica, and various of The Canaries with me and my late wife.

Complicated health problems increasingly slowed him, however, and eventually he needed 24/7 care from Ann and some helpers. Now the quartet of friends has become a duo.

Besides his widow, he leaves two sons, three talented grandchildren, and a host of friends.

By Donald R Buchanan (48-56)

Allan Curtis Wilson (36-43) Born 3 April 1925, died 29 October 2017, aged 91

He was appointed a Freeman of the City of London in 1959, and a liveryman with the Worshipful Company of Pattenmakers in the same year.

It was perhaps in retirement, however, that his breadth of intellectual interests flourished. He taught English as a Foreign Language, conducted extensive genealogy research and took courses in Geology, Topography and Allan came to RGS in 1936 and was IT. He became a dry-slope ski instructor evacuated with the school to Penrith and was active in the Footpath at the outbreak of the war. His Preservation Society. Between 1987adventures as a young man, cycling and walking in the Lake District marked 96 he served as a general the beginning of a lifelong relationship commissioner of income tax (Walton).

He was an active member of the Old with the area, where he also met his Novocastrians’ Association and future wife Pamela.

He joined the Royal Artillery in 1943 organised regular reunions for those evacuated to Penrith during the war. and spent time with the 1st Mountain He returned to Penrith for the final Regiment before serving in the Royal years of his life, and passed away Indian Artillery (45-47) in the Punjab peacefully with his family at his side. region, rising to lieutenant. He greatly appreciated his time in India – he learnt He is survived by his wife Pamela, Urdu and was exposed to skiing for the his daughter Diana, his son Nicholas, five grandchildren and five first time in the Himalayas. great-grandchildren.

On his return to Britain, he studied Modern and Medieval Languages at St John’s College, Cambridge (BA 1949, By Henry Smith MA 1954). He married Pamela in 1951, and they had three children (Diana, Helen and Nicholas).

In 1959 he joined Lowndes Bowring Ltd (later Hill Samuel Group) where he remained, and became director as it grew into a major Lloyds broking company, until his retirement in 1985.

He was an underwriting member of Lloyds 1976–1996. He was recognised with the Bain Prize for Foreign Languages, ACII (1951), FCIB (1975), FinstD (1982). He was joint author of London Insurance Institute Advanced Study Group Report: Atomic Energy and Insurance (54-57).

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ONA – Old Novocastrians Association Magazine Autumn 2017

Michael Trevor Shaw (44-50) Born 12 March 1933, died 4 June 2017 aged 84

Michael qualified at Durham University in 1957 and practiced general medicine in Newcastle until 1967. In 1968, seeking to increase his medical range, he moved to Edinburgh to complete a Diploma in Child Health (DCH). Having developed an interest in cancer, Michael undertook an oncology fellowship in 1969 at Charing Cross, London. Under the auspices of KD Bagshawe, he wrote his MD thesis on Chemotherapy in Patients with Trophoblastic Tumors.

In 1971, Michael moved his family to the US where he held professorships at the universities of Oklahoma, New Mexico and Yale, focusing on research of haematological cancers. He also maintained private oncology practices in New Mexico and Massachusetts.

He retired from medicine in 2008.

Michael held diverse interests and hobbies, including travel, plant taxonomy and personal fitness.

He died at his home in Northern California, aged 84, after a protracted illness. He is survived by his second wife Melinda, daughters Gabrielle, Victoria and Kathryn (of his previous marriage to Linda), six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

By Melinda K Shaw

Obituaries Harry Cawood (54-60) Born 22 November 1942, died 25 January 2017, aged 74

He formed a string quartet with his first wife Mary, and two members of the orchestra, which prospered after being appointed to the first Residency in Britain at Lancaster University.

The Vegh Quartet visited the university and Sandor Vegh invited Harry to return to Salzburg for further tuition and subsequently appointed him as his assistant Professor at the Born in a Jesmond nursing home, elder Mozarteum so impressed was he by twin to his late brother John (54-61), and Harry’s teaching skill and technique. younger brother of Charmian, Harry Still searching for his ideal musical used to sneak out of bed and sit on the position, Harry crossed the Atlantic to stairs to hear Friday Night is Music lead the San Francisco Opera Night as his parents listened to the radio. Orchestra for two seasons, and to Harry began playing by ear on the Victoria British Columbia, teaching at family piano and then began violin the Conservatoire, playing recitals and studies with Mr Hood, a keen musician leading the orchestra. Fortunate to meet and carpenter and also received help and be influenced by great performers and encouragment from Mr Jack and teachers including Rostropovitch, Wolstenholme (48-75), RGS Head Milstein, Galamian and pianist Leonard of Music. Such was his progress that he Pennario he returned, alone, to gained a place in the National Youth Salzburg and then back to London.

Orchestra of Great Britain and won After a time freelancing with the further distinction by being appointed English Chamber Orchestra he moved leader of that orchestra. to Edinburgh as co-leader of the In addition to music, Harry enjoyed Scottish Chamber Orchestra. There he playing tennis and his left-handed met and courted Elizabeth who he swinging serve was much feared by married in 1982. his opponents.

Following a short tenure as guest Winning a Scholarship to the Royal leader of Liverpool Philharmonic, College of Music he was asked to lead Harry was appointed to the University the Directors Quartet and enjoyed gigs of Natal in Durban, South Africa to with a number of London orchestras teach, play recitals and join the Guarneri including the London Symphony.

Piano Trio with Alfredo and Isabella Reluctantly persuaded to attend a Stengel of I Musici. After two years, London audition with Max Rostal of the and feeling increasingly uncomfortable Hochschule Cologne, he was offered with the political situation, Harry and accepted a German government reluctantly parted company with his Scholarship and the first lesson in the Italian colleagues. class was, “This is how to hold the Determined to avoid London he violin.” Summers were spent playing began working in Belfast and became with Max Jaffa and pianist, Jack Byfield affiliated with St. Malachy’s College. It and their Palm Court Orchestra in was there that the teaching bug really Scarborough. grabbed hold of him. Proceeding to his Harry’s first ‘proper’ orchestral job home town of Newcastle he briefly took was with the Bournemouth Symphony. up an appointment as co-leader of

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Northern Sinfonia whilst building a class of students. He also enjoyed forming a quartet with members of the orchestra.

An invitation to adjudicate in Cardiff led to a 20-year relocation to Wales and in the rural idyll of a Login valley, Harry was able to indulge in his love of gardening; growing sweet peas, vegetables and salads and making friends with all manner of local wildlife.

Harry and Elizabeth decided to return to Belfast in summer 2014 for what Harry referred to as, “The autumn years”. There he enjoyed two and a half years of semi-retirement, continuing to teach a handful of pupils and particularly relishing his time spent coaching a string quartet of very talented medics.

An emergency admission to hospital in January led to the discovery of a brain tumour. Harry succumbed to pneumonia while waiting in hospital for further tests. There was no funeral as he had donated his body to science at Queen’s University Belfast. Instead, his family, friends and students, past and present, remembered him with a celebration of his life at the Merchant Hotel in Belfast in April.

A keepsake booklet contained numerous messages of condolence and gratitude from past students, many of whom have progressed to successful musical careers thanks to Harry’s exceptional skill and enthusiasm as a teacher, combined with his inspirational joy in, and love of, the violin and music. A memorial concert took place in Cardiff on 30 September.

Daughter, Charmian and twin grandsons, Felix and Herbie as well as daughter Harriet, with grandson Theo, live in Oxford.

By Elizabeth Cawood , Charmian and Scott Green (52-63)

John R Scott (51-58) Born 2 October 1939, died 16 May 2017, aged 77

In the Fifth Form, when we had to make up our minds between arts and science, John opted for science and this led to him attending Glasgow University where he studied Veterinary Medicine for five years. He learned his profession as a vet in South West Scotland before becoming a partner in the Hexham practice of Pickerings, at which firm he spent his career. He was John Scott was brought up in Hexham a lifelong member and sometime and it was from there in1951 that he official of Tynedale RFC but when he won a free Scholarship to the RGS, could no longer stagger out onto the which in those days had an annual rugby field he took up golf and excelled intake of about 100 to the Senior in that as well. John was also School. He and I started there in occasionally(!) to be found in the Albert September of that year, both in Stowell. Edward Club in Hexham, a watering John was a big, strong lad and good at hole frequented by the gentlemen of sports; as well as being an excellent the shire. swimmer he excelled at the school’s John was well-liked and very popular, two main sports, rugby and cricket. both at school and in his adult life, and In the Sixth Form he was on both first gave many fine parties at his big, teams and was awarded his Colours in detached villa in Hexham. He was also both sports. At rugby he was a prop in in demand as a dinner guest and the forwards and at cricket he was an enjoyed fine dining. opening fast bowler, being selected for John’s health deteriorated in the the prestigious Cambridge tour in the last couple of years or so of his life and summer of 1958. He had the he spent his final few months in a distinction of being made a Prefect. nursing home. He leaves a widow and He subsequently played rugby for adult children.

Tynedale Rugby Club and cricket for Tynedale Cricket Club.

By the late Fred Godson (51-58)

Jeffrey ‘Jeff’ S Howles (45-48) Born 12 May 1930, died 6 September 2016, aged 86 Jeff, whose death was reported in Issue 99, was the first ON rowing Blue, the Oxford VIII in 1953. This was the more surprising as he had not rowed at school, indeed I believe that rowing only started again in 1948, the year he left, having been suspended since 1939. He played cricket at school, and was in the school XI in 1947 and 1948, though he didn’t do himself justice. He was also in the boxing team. After going down from

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Oxford he forged a very successful banking career in the US before retiring to Herefordshire. I was sad to hear of his death, as he was a very friendly and amiable man.

Before coming to the RGS he had been a chorister at Durham Cathederal.

By Bryan Stevens (44-49)

ONA – Old Novocastrians Association Magazine Autumn 2017

Howard HH Baker (77-12) born 1954, died 24 September 2017, aged 63.

William M Darling CBE DL (45-51) born 1934, died 12 July 2017, aged 83.

Nigel J Dodds (67-77) born 1958, died 13 September 2017, aged 59.

Fred Godson (51-58) born 1940, died 7 October 2017, aged 77.

David Grant (48-54) born 1938, died 20 August 2017, aged 79.

Harry Issac Hitman (91-98) born 1979, died 2 June 2017, aged 37.

Robert ‘Bob’ Hollingsworth (3339) born 1923, died 4 August 2017, aged 94.

Richard Holloway (36-43) born 1925, died 30 September 2017, aged 92.

Alan Kirby (33-41), born 1924, died 11 December 2015, aged 91.

John ‘Brian’ Oglethrope (48-55) born 1937, died 28 March 2017, aged 79.

Alan K Purvis (48-56) born 1938, died 30 June 2017, aged 79.

Ian V Stemson (28-38) born 1920, died 7 October 2017, aged 97.

Donald F Stephenson MBE (32-40) born 1922, died 8 May 2017, aged 95.

Corrections (Issue 100) Page 3. Mr Simon Barker should have been Dr Simon Barker, and Page 21. ‘Hepple’ was incorrectly spelt and should have been ‘Heppell’.

ONA Diary dates Pre-Match Dinner for Ex-Rugby Players and Rugby Staff Friday 29 December, 7 for 7.30pm

Novos RFC, Sutherland Park Prices: £25 students; £30 for non-students.

John Elders Memorial Match Saturday 30 December, kick-off 2pm, bar open from 12 noon - 11pm

Novos v ONA, Novos RFC, Sutherland Park For further information please contact c.ward@rgs.newcastle. sch.uk directly.

Please come along to support the teams and enjoy what is sure to be an enjoyable festive afternoon’s entertainment.

ONA Merchandise To order from our range of merchandise, please send a cheque payable to ONA, confirming your delivery address and contact details. For further details please email: ona@rgs.newcastle.sch.uk

Limited Edition Prints

Scarf

480x330mm unframed £60 or 2 for £100

100% double thickness wool £35

Cufflinks

Socks

T Bar, enamel gilt plated, school crest £29

100% cotton £9

Bow Tie 100% pure silk, self-tie and ready made options available £29

Tie 100% pure silk, slip-stitched, fully lined £29 Polyester ties are also available.