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In this issue:

RGS Go Camping Old Novos at Sea CCF Centenary Celebration Dinner

Issue 83 | Autumn 2011

ONA Magazine Issue 83 Autumn 2011

Contents

ONA magazine is the magazine for the Old Novocastrians’ Association Editor: Tove Elander All correspondence should be addressed to: The ONA Office Royal Grammar School Eskdale Terrace Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4DX Telephone ONA office: 0191 212 8924 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! 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 ONA Office at the school. Please include relevant pictures if possible. They will be returned as soon as the magazine has been printed. The deadline for acceptance of copy for the Spring 2012 issue is Monday 12 December. Copy may be carried over to a future issue.

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The ONA Magazine is now available online Please note that the magazine is now circulated both in hard copy and by email to many members of the Association. Each edition is added to 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.

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Design www.infinitedesign.com

President’s Welcome News and Events RGS Go Camping A History of the RGS in Ten Objects Memories of the ONA Why I support RGS Bursaries Old Novo all at Sea Scott returns to the Antarctic What RGS means to me CCF Centenary Celebration Dinner Obituaries

Welcome

Welcome to ONA Magazine issue 83! In this issue, we complete the History of the RGS in Ten Objects with the final three objects. I hope you have learnt a little more about the school and its illustrious past. Thank you to all those Old Novos, current pupils and teaching staff who have contributed. In the next magazine we hope to continue this theme with a History of the RGS in Ten People, all former members of the school, pupils or staff. Your ideas will be most welcome. In this issue, there is a report of the CCF Centenary Dinner held in June. Only one century out of the school’s almost half millennium heritage, but what a century! You’ll find a fascinating insight into school camps in the 1950s, on page 6. We are hoping this will grow into a series on camps of the 60s, 70s, 80s and later, so send us your memories and pictures please! On pages12-13 you can read about two Old Novos very different, but equally interesting, adventures on the sea. Reunions are an important part of the Association’s raison d’etre and Duncan Preston (94-01) reports on a get-together of ONs who left in 2001. RGS Day in July gave ONs, current pupils, parents and staff, the opportunity to have a superb fun day with entertainment and good food, combined with prize giving across all year groups. ONA gave its now established prize to pupil Richard Black, who won a competition for the best report of the History department trip to Russia, and Sam Edwards (04-11) for his winning contribution to the Economics prize. My thanks to Mo Malhotra (95-05) for judging the competition. Thank you also to those ON volunteers who gave out ‘goody bags’ to each upper sixth leaver on the day with a variety of what I hope were useful items! And so we continue to forge stronger links with both present and former members of the school. I cannot close without paying tribute to the school’s alumni manager, Tove Elander, for her constant dedication to the Association. Her work as the anchor for the ONA is vital. Please help her by sending in your news and contributions for issue 84 in good time for the next deadline. Enjoy the magazine!

Adam Goldwater (87-97) ONA President

ONA – Old Novocastrians Association Magazine Autumn 2011

News and Events

Join us on Facebook There are plenty of Old Novos Facebook groups around, but we have our own group. Join us by becoming a fan of the Old Novocastrians Association page on Facebook.

RGS Sport Tours

Credit – Daily Herald Archive/ National Media Museum/ SSPL

RGS and NPS Trainspotters in 1950

On a tour to the east coast of America, the RGS footballers took a break from playing matches and sightseeing to attend a reception in New York, kindly hosted by Peter Walker (52-60) and his wife Wuliang, The RGS students (and staff) very much enjoyed the occasion, of hearing Peter’s stories from his time at RGS, and was very appreciative of the generous hospitality!

The photograph showing young trainspotters appeared originally in the Daily Herald in August 1950 and then in 1968 and All That: Railways in a Changing World published by the National Rail Museum. The boys pictured will be 70 years old or over, and the ONA wonders if anyone can be identified? For instance, does anybody recognise the left-handed young man to the right of the centre and do any of those notebooks still exist? This would of course include the NPS lads some of whom might have later attended the RGS. The National Rail Museum will be very pleased to hear from the ONA in due course so do please contact the ONA office with any information.

Congratulations to: Richard Green (02-09) on achieving a First in his Architecture Tripos, and Christopher Peacock (99-09), who also achived a First in his Economic Tripos. Both Richard and Christopher are studying at Trinity College, Cambridge; Claire Baudouin (06-08) who achieved a First class degree in History and Economics from Pembroke College, Oxford. She also won a Gibbs Prize and is returning to Magdalen College to start an M.Phil. Claire was captain

of the Oxford University Cross Country Club, and won a half blue for athletics; And to Alistair Mills (99-06) on being awarded the Eldon Law Scholarship 2011. The Eldon Law Scholarship is a two year scholarship awarded annually to members of Oxford University undertaking the Bar Vocational Course prior to entering pupillage in preparation for a career at the Bar. Alistair did his Law degree in Cambridge, and has recently embarked on a paid pupilage with Landmark Chambers in London.

Meanwhile, on their sports tour to Australia earlier this summer, the RGS rugby, hockey and netball teams played against Central Coast Grammar School. These matches had been organised by Richard Lornie (57-62) retired headmaster of the school. The visitors very much enjoyed meeting Richard – the photo is of him and RGS 1st XV rugby captain David Watchorn (09-11), outside Richard Lornie Centre, a multi-purpose sports hall and gymnasium.

ONA Membership – Standing Orders If you still have a standing order set up to pay the ONA subscription fee, please cancel it as soon as possible. ONA membership is FREE to all Old Novos and former members of staff.

10 Year Reunion – Class of 2001 One of the things about getting the ONA magazine, for myself at least, is it allows you to find out what’s happening in the lives of those you no longer see, but spent years with. I have often found myself wondering what happened to people like James Muse (94-01), Matthew DeHarty (91-01), Jonny O’Malley (94-01): did any of them fulfil their potential and go professional as rugby players? Does Benjamin ‘Arney’ Arnold (94-01) still listen to the Foo Fighters and Pixies? Is William “Harry” Harrison (91-01) still called Harry by everyone? (I can confirm this last one is a yes; even the vicar at his wedding called him Harry.) It was 1997, and I remember Mr Bell (Biology) telling Form 3MB that when the set lists came out, there was a rush from the teachers in the staff common room, and sighs of relief or cries of despair depending on whether they had been cursed to get a class from the 1994 intake. Whether or not this actually took place when set lists were announced, it certainly captures the polarised opinions of our year from some staff, and indeed many of us in that year. It was therefore with some trepidation, and a good deal of last minute cold feet that on Good Friday (no less), I showed up on a gloriously sunny Osborne Road, with a list of 16 attendees, down from the original 20 due to last minute cancellations, hoping that at least one other Old Novo would be there. Fortunately, I was greeted by two at the pub we were meeting at, and my fears of doing a reunion with only myself were allayed. As the afternoon progressed and more and more familiar faces appeared (some with less hair than I remembered), and the “so what have you been doing for the

last ten years” icebreaker turned in to genuine conversation, we exchanged stories of where our lives had gone. The amazing thing was that with the one common theme of RGS, no two people had ended up going down the same path. At dinner, with a very welcome last minute addition to our party, the renewal of old friendships continued around a helpfully round table. Of particular joy was the bill, where we were left with a surplus which it was quickly decided should be wisely invested in Jaegerbombs back at the bar. Although there was no bomb (Red Bull) for our Jaeger, we ended up with 17 “Jaegarades” – Pete Bexton (9101) and I negotiating a price cut for this alternative. As the evening continued into night, the numbers swelled to 20, with a toast raised to those who sadly are no longer with us anymore. Tales of past practical jokes and nostalgia (including 11T’s “8 week old curry in the desk” gag) were the order of conversation, until I left the last men standing, on their way down Osborne Road in the direction of a club, leaving me to merrily stagger home. I must say a huge thanks to everyone who made the effort to come to the reunion; it was fantastic to catch up with you all. Also, thanks to the ONA, who were able to put me in touch with almost half the year who I could not find through Facebook. Most of us, it transpired, now reside in the Newcastle, Bristol, or London areas, so the idea of a rotating reunion was suggested. I look forward to meeting up again without any of the fear our teachers had when the set lists were announced. Duncan Preston (94-01)

ONA – Old Novocastrians Association Magazine Autumn 2011

RGS Scoreboards

A vintage mid 1950s scoreboard for the RGS Sports Day can be seen above. The numbers were from the cricket pavilion and hung on the sight-screen. With five people to change the scores, it was fast and up-to-date at all times. No other resources were needed! On the ladder is: William McFarlane (49-57) From left: Harry Spall (49-58), Alan Yeats (49-57), not known, and Gordon Grieves (49-57) What a difference to today’s electronic scoreboard!

Today’s scoreboard

News and Events Congratulations to Paul Cowell (0507) on receiving a First in Economics from Stirling University, and also to Fred Burdon (01-08) for his First in Natural Sciences from St John’s College, Cambridge. Fred has also been awarded the Constable Prize for Chemistry, and a USC Scholarship. He has also been made a Scholar of the college for the coming academic year. A N Brown (66-73) has been

appointed a judge, sitting in criminal and civil courts throughout the south west of Scotland, with effect from April this year. David Johnson (78-85) is a consultant

plastic and reconstructive surgeon at Oxford Radcliffe NHS Trust. He is also one of the surgeons on the Oxford Craniofacial Team, which earlier in the year was followed by the cameras in BBC2’s fascinating documentary series The Children’s Craniofacial Surgery. John Humpish (73-81) I am working

as Global Chief Marketing Officer at Zurich Financial Services based, not surprisingly, in Zurich. Married to Anna with two children Jack (aged 9) and Adam (aged 6). Plenty of scope for skiing, and as such we’re popular hosts between January and March. I still return occasionally to Newcastle to watch the occasionally successful football team.

Jonathan Patterson (95-02) in April I married Abigail Brook in Eden Baptist Church, Cambridge. Abigail and I met in 2006 during our undergraduate days at Selwyn College, Cambridge. Abigail works for Network Rail as Operations and Risk Control Co-coordinator in the Cambridge area. I am currently in the third year of my PhD in Renaissance French at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge. We both enjoy our work and life in Cambridge, in particular worshipping at Eden Church.

David McEwen (59-65) I left RGS

at the end of the fourth form, sometime in the 1960s to wander a little before returning to full-time education. After a few years at large I ended up in the college of knowledge in Bath Lane and took O and A Levels, and as a poacher turned gamekeeper I trained as a Teacher by reading for a BEd, in Art and Drama. Throughout the following few years I gained a BA in Comparative Theology (I don’t know why as I’m an agnostic) and then a MEd in Educational Psychology and English.

Steve McVay (95-02) is currently living I taught for a number of years as

in Malta, where he is setting up a new division of Reed Recruitment Services. Martin Lowes (70-80) I am working

as a Principal at Aon Hewitt (previously Hewitt, Bacon & Woodrow, and before that Bacon & Woodrow) after qualifying as an actuary following my maths degree at Churchill College, Cambridge. I am about to step down after four years on Council for the (recently merged) Institute and Faculty of Actuaries, although I will be continuing as Deputy Chairman of the Actuaral Profession’s Pensions Executive Committee. I married Debbie in 1988, and we have three children, all now on the verge of leaving home.

Head of Art and then changed to special education as the director of a number of services for people with a mental handicap. Of those who taught me I owe debts to “Bogs” Cuthbertson for giving me a love of reading and “Scotch Mist” MacLeod for giving me a love of writing. Now I run a painting holiday centre in the Midi region of France and can be found on www.paintfrance.com and david-mcewen.artistwebsites.com

Alex Bonner (93-00) I read medicine at the University of Leicester and graduated with honours in 2005. At medical school I met Amy to whom I married at Guyzance Hall, near Alnwick, in April 2010 (having managed to convince her of the merits of a Northumbrian David Hedley (84-89) got married in Gisborne, New Zealand, earlier this year. wedding!). Amy qualified as a General Practitioner; I have chosen a slightly longer route and (11 years on) am Jonathan Hedley (94-01) after graduating from university, I joined the training in Anaesthesia and Intensive Care. I recently graduated as Fellow graduate scheme at Ernst & Young. I left in 2009 to join BDO Stoy Hayward of the Royal College of Anaesthetists and this autumn we are heading to to specialise in corporate tax. I have recently relocated to London and now Uganda for a period of developing world medicine. work for British American Tobacco as their UK Tax Manager. Stephen Farthing (73-80) I delivered outdoor education in Richard Coughtrie (02-07) signed a two year contract with Gloucestershire Sunderland, Craster, Kent and now the Lake District for the Outward Cricket Club in November 2010 and Bound Trust. I am married to Liz and joined the squad in full time training in we have two young children. January 2011.

Peter Smith (85-92) I recently married

Howard Richardson (53-63) I live

Marcia. I lived in London for 14 years and after one month in Edinburgh wish I’d moved here years ago! I’m addicted to high altitude peaks in the Himalayas. So far I have got up to 6400m, but am now looking to achieve some more technical peaks.

in South Africa. I retired in 2004 but due to a chronic shortage of skills in the civil engineering industry I have been “consulting” on a very ad hoc basis and since then, and more recently, mentoring young aspiring civil engineers and technicians to attain professional registration. In between these appointments my wife and I wander around southern Africa in our Land Rover pulling an off-road caravan.

I’m still in touch with fellow sixth form art students, Jonathan (Bob) Sayce (82-92) (who shares my love of mountains and pies!), Tim Wilson (82-92) and Andrew Timlin (87-92).

At the Year in Industry (paid gap year) exhibition and awards presentation Work wise I have abandoned the life of earlier this year, Will Jackson (00-10) secure employment and embarked on won the Industrial Tutor Award for ‘student judged to have made the most an internet start up with an ex-work colleague. We are currently producing of the placement’. He did a feasibility a BETA version of the site and trying to study at Contitech Beattie into robotic welding implementation and using secure funding. It’s exciting and nerve lean engineering techniques to reduce racking together. waste and increase efficiency. Paid £11,000 for the 10 month contract, he went on holiday to the Amazon Basin, Peru and Bolivia before starting a four year Mechanical Engineering degree at Imperial College, London. Tim Brown (97-07) I left RGS to read Economics at Leeds University. I spent my third year at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, on exchange, Above is a (not so very glamorous) before returning to Leeds to finish my picture of me on the top of Mera Peak. degree. I attained a First class honours At the time I was a bit fazed and worn degree, and also managed to play and out. We’d camped on a mountain captain the mens’ tennis second team ledge at 5700m the night before during my time there. I am starting and got up at 3am to start the summit work at Deloitte in London, as an attempt. I was kind of aware that I still Audit graduate, in September 2012. had my head torch on and my glasses Until then I am enjoying another year were wonky but sorting them out fell in Australia, working at QBE insurance, below keeping moving and breathing in and will hopefully watch England at the my order of priorities. That’s Everest in Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. I the background with the cloud coming went to watch RGS play in Sydney as off it. Some of the trips I’ve done include part of their Australia tour, and caught Everest base camp and Kala Pathar up with a number of pupils, some of (5545m), Nepal 2006 and 2009; which I used to prefect in Year 8! Cotopaxi (5896m), Equador 2008; Cotopaxi, four other mountains and Keith Charnley (74-77)Leaving school Chimborazo 2009 (reached summit at 16 I joined the Royal Engineers. 5 out of 6 – planning to go back and After three years I left the Army with a knock off Chimborazo at some point), compassionate discharge and went and Mera Peak (6476m), Nepal 2011. to help with the family business on the Isle of Man. After five years it was Next year I’m hoping to do a trip with decided to wind down and eventually Bob Sayce, however being newly sell the business. I then joined the legal married and with commitments to department at the Manx Electricity the internet start up I may have to be Authority and after several years moved satisfied with some Munros for a while! into the finance section, becoming an

ONA – Old Novocastrians Association Magazine Autumn 2011

office manager. Ten years later I set up my own company, Spot on Cleaners Ltd. For the last 26 years I’ve been an officer in the Isle of Man’s Army Cadet Force. Nicholas Fawcett (93-00) I have left

my Fellowship at Lady Margaret Hall to take up a job in the Monetary Analysis directorate of the Bank of England. It is all down to the RGS Economics Tour to the City of London that I was on in 2000, which sparked my interest in working on economic policy!

Dr Tony Watson (33-43), past

President of the British Medical Pilots Association, is still flying his own plane at the age of 84. RGS Staff on the Move

Goodbye and good luck to: Dave Smith (Head of Discipline and PE teacher) and Brenda Joy (Junior School teacher) who both retired in July; Ed Noy Scott (Head of Year 11 and Classics teacher) who has moved to Kelly College in Devon as Deputy Head. Tim Rhodes (Music) to Framlingham College as Director of Music; Jonathan Ferstenberg (Head of Development Studies and History and Politics teacher) moves to Yarm School as Director of Studies.

Economics teacher Will Scott has moved to Clifton College, Bristol as Head of Economics; Jonathan Mutton (Head of Classics) to Ampleforth College as Head of Classics; Ruth Lambert (Biology) to Magdalen College School, Oxford, and James Hughes (English) to Sevenoaks School.

Tents, Trenches and Treks RGS Go Camping In our new series about school camps we begin with Henry Spall’s memories of camps in the 1950s

amping began at RGS in 1925. There’s an excellent review of these early days in the December 1950 issue of the NOVO magazine. The only camps that were not continued after the War were the weekend camps in the Tyne Valley, and the Whitsuntide camps in Northumberland and the Lake District. At RGS during the 1950s, camping was still very popular. There were the May Race Week camps, principally in the Yorkshire Dales. The History camps were more leisurely, spent in widely-spaced parts of the country. During the summers there were camps in the Lake District, and the Isle of Arran. The Harvest Camps were a relic of the war years, and were spent in Lincolnshire and East Anglia. All provided hard grounding and character building for youthful minds. I went to seven camps during my years at RGS. The best thing I can do is to try to give a composite summary of impressions of camping life from the memories I have. For the lower school students, Race Week camps were the introduction – mine were Wensleydale and Swaledale. Marshalled by the masters under the clock at Newcastle Central Station was the start of the adventure. The same scenario would occur for the summer camps in the Lake District and Arran. Carrying a bizarre collection of oversized kitbags, Bergens, haversacks, and some suitcases, about 30 of us would board the train to the destination. This was in the days before Dr Beeching’s decimation of the railways, when local rail lines were abundant and you really could get there from here. It was also the wondrous age of steam trains, which produced their hypnotic clacking on the tracks (as well as a recognisable fug in the carriage). It was also the time of individual compartments with three abreast, either side. We tried hard not to have any adults in the compartment, because in those days adults could be quite vocal and caustic about the behaviour of the young (who could be generally cowed by “authority”).

The campsite had been chosen so that we could walk to the farm field from the station. It was bordered by either a river or a steady-flowing stream. Inevitably we shared the field with cows. Once there we were organised by the masters and had to put up the bell tents – providing the truck had arrived with all the gear. The tents were British Army issue, with six people assigned to a tent. Digging the latrine trenches was an essential and immediate task (Louis Theakstone’s “Palace of Varieties”). The mornings always began with the masters who organised firelighting, cooking the breakfast (often porridge), and boiling water in the Dixie for tea. (We all swore blind that they habitually put bromide in the tea to assuage little boys’ excess hormones, but no one ever actually saw the dastardly deed). There is something fascinating and profound about eating breakfast outdoors and listening to sausages frizzling on the grill. I don’t know whether that makes our senses much more responsive or whether it’s nature and fresh air. After breakfast there was usually a quick service, kit inspection, and we would learn the plans for the day.

Entertainment in the evenings was often provided by the villagers. The local male voice choir started us off, and we would respond with lusty Tyneside songs. Games were encouraged by the masters – football or bridge were popular – although most of us were usually too tired to take an active part, preferring to retire to our tents and scoff the goodies from the parcels our parents had sent us. In Arran we had the benefit of a small quintet of instruments – tea chest bass, guitar, banjo, mandolin and recorder. For further amusement we used to light a Flit gun to annihilate the midges. Remember, then there were no battery radios, no fancy cameras, and certainly no electronic playthings.

I went to three History Camps. These were different. Civilised. No tents, no latrines in the far corner of a field, no long-distance hikes. We were housed in Village or Parish Halls. We could sleep on cots. We went everywhere by bus or train. They were real learning experiences for we had high class guides who gave us comprehensive explanations in museums, churches, country houses and points of history. The camp at Bury St Edmunds was a significant event in my The day’s walking involved some nostalgic names. Great Shunner Fell, Rogan’s Seat, and the Buttertubs in the Dales. life. Aged 16 I had never been to London, so on my free day I went there. For someone who had spent all his life within Goat Fell and Glen Sannox in Arran. Scafell Pike and Great 10 miles of Tynemouth, the thought of venturing to London Gable in the Lake District. As we left the farms and fields was akin to going beyond the pale. I must have enjoyed it behind with their neat stone walls and the faint sound of the immensely because four years later I went on to King’s sheep, we seemed to be trekking up fells that had endless slopes of heather with never a summit in sight. But the sound College, London. I do recall that I missed the last train back of the curlews and skylarks kept us company, and we would to Bury, and had to catch the milk train from Liverpool Street often scatter the nesting grouse. For me, the day’s walk was at four o’clock in the morning. At the Stratford camp I took the least enticing thing about camping. I was always lagging advantage of the Memorial Theatre to see A Midsummer at the back, and was ever hoping that we would eventually be Night’s Dream. This was precisely one of the plays we had going downhill and could soon see the campsite. I remember to read for the upcoming O Level exam in English Literature. It gave me a much better viewpoint of each character than the camp in Buttermere where we walked prodigious miles reading through the play by rote. up and down during the day on a trek to Scafell Pike. I was never more exhausted in my life when I got back to camp. No question that the success of RGS camping was I had just enough energy to down a plate of stew for dinner and then sack out for the night. (On the same walk, a search due to the masters and Old Novos who helped out. They party had to go out late at night because one of the masters, provided the motivation and energy to get us going and to see the day’s activities through. The Race Week camps Tucker Anderson, had not returned. He was found safe at were actually very good therapy to prepare the pupils for midnight on the top of a Pass). But there were always the exams that came in July. They provided exercise and enthusiasts who were enthralled with endurance hikes – camaraderie as excellent pick-me-ups before the final often climbing a few more hills just to fill in the day. In those swotting for exams at the end of term, and O and A Levels. days we didn’t have the luxury of Nike or Adidas trekking boots. We had leather boots with hobnail studs in the soles. But in the long view, the RGS school camps provided a unique opportunity to explore the countryside and to be Later on we were able to change the studs for rubberised made aware of nature and history in all its aspects – in sun, commando soles. Half the weight but still clunky. rain, wind, and even snow. They provided us with standards of life different from those in our homes; they helped us to If the day were wet, the local bus service could be brought into play to get everyone to a nearby landmark – Bolton Castle foster qualities of self-sufficiency; and to learn what it was like to live among others. or Richmond were favourites. Otherwise we used to put up with the rain if we were already out on the trek. Rain, especially incessant rain, played havoc with the sanitary arrangements. Henry Spall (49-58) In Arran, where the rain turns up as lashing sheets of solid water, we had to be continually digging trenches around the Did you go on school camp in the 1960s, 70s or 80s? tents to funnel the water away as the field turned into a If you did, we would like to hear your stories — send quagmire. We had one “free” day, and you also got another them to the ONA office and we’ll publish them day off if your tent was designated for cook patrol. in the magazine.

ONA – Old Novocastrians Association Magazine Autumn 2011

A HISTORY OF THE RGS IN TEN OBJECTS In this final article about the objects, David Goldwater (51-62) presents the remaining three objects As part of their history lessons, students were given the challenge of naming objects 8, 9 and 10. This proved to be more difficult than first envisaged. One of the aims was to come up with something which would be popular with female students. This proved almost impossible, but here are the final three objects in our Journey through RGS History:

The Portrait of Cuthbert, Lord Collingwood ON

Collingwood (1748-1810) assumed command of HMS Victory, following the death of Lord Nelson (with whom he had served for over 30 years) and completed the Battle of Trafalgar. He first went to sea aged 11 and during an illustrious career, he fought in the Battle of Bunker Hill at Boston in 1775, as well as the blockade of Cadiz 1797. After Trafalgar he was raised to the peerage as Baron Collingwood of Caldburne and Hethpool in the County of Northumberland. When not at sea he lived in Collingwood House in Morpeth, a town he loved. He was buried next to Nelson in St Paulâ€™s Cathedral. (The artist of the portrait is unknown).

9 Full Colours Blazer

The School Crest

This was awarded for cricket in 1943 and is a valuable part of the school archives. It is made with traditional ‘Venetian’ striped wool and cotton fabric and unlined. The origin of the word ‘blazer’ seems to have its roots in university slang from around 1880 and referred first to the red flannel jackets worn by the Lady Margaret, St. John’s College, Cambridge, boating club. Our RGS colours blazer belonged to James Frederick Jameson (36-43). The badge on this blazer leads us conveniently into…

This was registered with the College of Heralds in 1930. In the little history of the school, The Story of our School by Mr J B Brodie and Mr A R Laws, the ‘Blason of the Shield of Arms’ is described as follows This shield of arms symbolises the name, founder and place of the school. The chief bears a leopard of England (lion passant guardant – GRAZING, FACING THE SPECTATOR) between two of the lilies of France, referring to the title, royal when the royal arms as borne by the House of Tudor were France and England quarterly. The horses’ heads are taken from the canting – REFERRING TO THE BEARER – shield of Thomas Horsley, the founder of the school, which bore gules – RED TINCTURE – three

horses’ heads erased argent – SILVER AND APPEARING TORN AWAY. The triple-towered silver castle in base is part of the arms of the city and county of Newcastle upon Tyne, whose “most ancient armes” are three gules three castles triple towered argent. I wrote to the College of Heraldry for information on the Crest. I was promised further information on receipt of £600! Luckily Brodie and Laws’ History survives to tell the tale. J B Brodie was Senior English Master who, in April 1914 heard the first singing of his new school song. In 1924 he joined A R Laws (Physics and Chemistry) in writing the short history mentioned above. Pupils were acquainted from the outset with the long and fascinating history of our school.

The History of the RGS in Ten Objects – a popular project which has focused on the essence of RGS history, although there were many items omitted which could equally claim their place in the (almost) half a millennium school story. Bryan Stevens (44-49) has correctly pointed out that the stained glass window and its smaller companions remained in the Rye Hill School for half a century until Lionel Markham’s appeal which commenced around 1950. They were incorporated into the present buildings in 1957, sadly after his death. Many ON’s have suggested a ‘History of the RGS in Ten People’. Ideas, nominations, your thoughts, please, by the next deadline.

ONA – Old Novocastrians Association Magazine Autumn 2011

Memories of the Old Novocastrians’ Association By Arthur Jowett (48-54) In the early seventies, the ONA was in the doldrums and nobody wished to be its secretary

The ONA still had a Friday lunch once a month, meeting since the 1930s. I received an invitation to go and nearly passed out when Dickie Ackhurst actually bought me a large whiskey. Many of us will remember saying our prayers outside his Room 14, that we would not be asked to translate that day in the lesson. MG Robinson’s obituary of Dickie in the ON News (Spring 1978) read “He had been a schoolmaster of a kind that has tended to disappear – an unbending disciplinarian in the classroom, insisting on the linguistic drill in French sounds and Latin verbs, and reiterating the memorable “I can stand a fool but I cannot stand a lazy fool”. It was at that lunch I volunteered to be the secretary. Alister Cox, the new Headmaster had contacted me, so Brian Dunford (29-37), (having discovered some old ONA records in his cellar) turned up with me at the school and were cordially received by the Headmaster and Colin Nichols. It soon dawned upon us that the financial situation of the ONA was dire. A general meeting was called in the Plender library and no small storm ensued for the protection of the rights of life members, including the provision of regular newsletters. Foremost there, most articulate and vociferous was Bill Tunstall, who declared that he’d canvassed every school leaver for years to become a life member, paying a subscription once and for all and now we were proposing to cancel life membership? I am positive it was Timothy Parkin (56-67) who spoke as to whether it was lawful. It was left to me to make, what Colin Nichols described afterwards, as “an excellent speech”. I argued that we either had to go bust and start again or cancel life membership and explain the circumstances to the members. At the end, I succeeded but this was a new beginning where I will always remember Colin supporting the ONA’s interests at all times, and in a very sensible manner. At the first Dinner when Bryan Stevens (44-49) was President, as three retiring Masters were receiving gifts from the ONA with a further additional speech, we didn’t get out of the hotel until 11.30pm. We then moved presentations to the main hall and the Annual Dinner to the school from then onwards. I concluded as President in 1983 with Head of the Inland Revenue Sir Lawrence Airey K.C.B,(37-44) and Reverend T R Harper (42-48), Secretary of the North West branch as main speakers. I joked that night that “I have arranged for these gentlemen to grant absolution tonight and if you form orderly queues, I fancy I know who might have the longest queue”.

Why I support RGS Bursaries 338 ONs currently support RGS Bursaries. BBC correspondent Alastair Leithead (80-90) explains why he’s one of them

I spent the 1980s at the RGS – it was great, I was able to try my hand at anything from fencing and debating, acting, mountaineering and magic, to rugby and journalism. It was the last one that really stuck and 20 years on I’m a BBC foreign correspondent moving from country to country every few years covering war, natural disasters, international politics and now even Hollywood. The RGS was a great foundation for everything that followed. The academics set me on a good path to a Geography degree – it was what I enjoyed – and editing Novo magazine helped me get work experience at the Evening Chronicle. I moved across to BBC Radio Newcastle shortly after that and have been with the Beeb ever since, travelling the world from postings in Johannesburg, Miami, Kabul, Bangkok and now Los Angeles. The rugby taught me to get on with the lads – that came in handy while on the front line with British troops in Afghanistan, and the mountaineering helped me keep up with them! TV journalism is about writing but also performing, so that’s the acting covered. Debating taught me to ask the right questions in the right way to get the best answers out of anyone from Hamid Karzai to Tony Blair – world presidents and business leaders. The magic? It keeps kids quiet. RGS bursaries give this kind of opportunity to everybody. I was lucky – my parents could afford to pay the fees. The old system of assisted places gave very bright people the chance to excel. I can tell you about a couple of hugely successful individuals – leaders in their field – who made it so far because of the opportunities the RGS gave them. The fact this is no longer available means we all have to work together to give something back. The Old Novocastrians owe it to the next generation – to give them those same opportunities today. That’s why I support RGS Bursaries. If you would like to join Alastair in donating to the RGS Bursary Campaign then please call Jane Medcalf, Campaign Manager on 0191 212 8909. Alternatively, you can make a secure online donation at www.rgs.newcastle.sch.uk/rgs-bursaries/how-todonate where all donations are gratefully received.

ONA – Old Novocastrians Association Magazine Autumn 2011

“

RGS bursaries give this kind of opportunity to everybody. I was lucky – my parents could afford to pay the fees. The old system of assisted places gave very bright people the chance to excel. I can tell you about a couple of hugely successful individuals – leaders in their field – who made it so far because of the opportunities the RGS gave them.

” Alastair Leithead

Old Novo all at sea

This article, and a challenge, is inspired by the fact that I write this close to what was Lord Collingwoodâ€™s house in Mahon, Menorca By Ian Gatenby (50-61)

There was only one serious incident, when we lost our forestay (the thing that holds the mast up from the front). As usual with problems at sea it happened around 2.30 am, 70 NM off the coast of Panama, with about 25 knots of wind. We limped into Panama and eventually sorted out things there. However, one thing of which I am proud is that we never sailed in more than force 7, i.e. no more than 33 knots on average (although more than once we had winds much stronger than that when at anchor). That is mostly good luck, but also a fair amount of skill in being able to read weather charts, which give us an idea of Mother Natureâ€™s intentions. Indeed, the most important thing is to follow her wishes: go when she says go, stay when she says stay, and go in directions that she indicates. On 6 June 2011, my wife and I entered Siracusa harbour, in Sicily, and thus completed a global circumnavigation in our 37 sloop Fidelio of London, a Swedish-built Najad. The total journey time extended over 13 years and 44 days, for a total distance of 47, 792 nautical miles and 47 countries. We never nursed an ambition to sail around the world, but decided to start by going to the Mediterranean, and then the Caribbean, areas of which we had a little sailing experience. The reason for continuing westwards was that it was the easiest way of returning to the Mediterranean, largely following the pattern of winds and currents. Indeed, it is Mother Nature who determines the overall cruising pattern: for the half year of the hurricane/cyclone season you have to leave the tropics, or move close to the equator where hurricanes rarely form â€“ unless you are happy to play Russian roulette with tropical storms. For the other half year, you can enjoy the tropics to the full. We followed the usual route: Atlantic,Caribbean,Galapagos, French Pacific islands. Tonga, New Zealand, Fiji, Vanuatu, Australia, Sri Lanka, the Red Sea and Mediterranean, with a long pause in Turkey. Although we did not sail in company, there were almost always other cruisers in the area, and we were in daily short wave radio contact with them. So, we were never alone and we always had this family of fellow cruisers to whom we could turn for information and help. The close knit nature of that family is one of the finest things about long distance cruising: there is a unique bond which is difficult to describe to anyone who has not experienced it.

We are now taking Fidelio to Port Leucate, her new home, and close to where we live in France. We hope to continue sailing, on a local scale and with friends, in the area roughly bounded by Barcelona, Marseille and the Balearics. Finally, the challenge is this: am I the first Old Novo to sail around the world in his own boat? If not, then let others come forward and describe their circumnavigations. Fair winds to all!

HMS Scott recently returned to Antarctica for her second season amongst the ice. On board was Old Novo and Executive Officer, Lieutenant Commander Phillip Newell (81-86)

Scott returns to the Antarctic On her way to the Antarctic, Scott met up with HMS Gloucester alongside in Mare Harbour, Falklands. Like all Matelots away from home, the first thought on everyone’s minds was a sporting encounter. Despite having a third of the crew of Gloucester, Scott put up a spirited soccer challenge ending up winning 2-1. HMS Scott spent the Austral summer conducting work on behalf of the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office, United Kingdom Hydrographic Office and the British Antarctic Survey in and around the Antarctic Peninsula. Whether it is inspection of fishing vessels, Antarctic research stations or unique areas of scientific interest, Scott was enforcing and observing the stringent environmental protective measures of the Antarctic Treaty. This helps to ensure that the pristine nature of Antarctica is maintained for generations to come. Scott will continue her deep water survey work, mapping the Antarctic Seas to ensure safe passage for the plethora of cruise ships that are now visiting the region.

ONA – Old Novocastrians Association Magazine Autumn 2011

The Ice Patrol Ship deployment is a privileged step change from Scott’s usual tasking of ocean survey. The capabilities of the ship allow a variety of alternative activities that are complementary to the work that has been previously undertaken by HMS Endurance. With safety of life paramount in these remote waters, our survey work will ensure that tourists can safely visit the pristine environment and witness the abundance of wildlife.

and sustainable resource management interests in the Antarctic, South Georgia, South Sandwich Islands, and the wider area. The UK protects these interests, and the nation’s sovereignty, by taking a leading role in the Antarctic Treaty System through a policy of presence, governance, and commitment to deliver the UK’s international obligations.

HMS Scott is named after Captain Robert Scott. 2011 marks the centenary of Captain Scott’s fateful HMS Scott is the Royal Navy’s deepwater Ocean Survey Vessel (OSV) and expedition to the frozen continent of Antarctic. After sailing from Cardiff is the fifth largest vessel in the Fleet, at 13,500 tons. Her size is a consequence on 15 Jun 1910 onboard Terra Nova, the expedition reached the pole but of her unique sonar fit, capable of sadly on 29 March 1912, Captain surveying the deepest oceans in Scott and his four man party perished continuous lines of up to 400 miles as they tried to return to safety. in length. She was commissioned in 1997. The full ship’s crew is 78, however, the crew rotation system means 52 Phillip Newell (81-86) are onboard at any one time during a standard 35 day operational cycle and the remainder of the crew take leave. The ship is in the South Atlantic because of the UK’s long-term strategic, scientific, environmental

What RGS means to me In his final assembly as Head Boy earlier this year, Jamie Robson (01-11) gave a heartfelt speech to the rest of the school about his time at the RGS

lmost a month ago, I was in the RAF club in London attending an ONA dinner. The man sitting across from me was an elderly gentleman. I spoke to him once all evening. I asked him when he left school, and he said “I left in person in 1952. But part of me never left. Part of me will stay there forever”. On Friday I sat down to write my entry for the Leavers’ Yearbook. One of the questions was ‘what has been your greatest achievement at the RGS?’ I wrote being made Head Boy. But last week I formally stepped down as Head Boy. This marks the beginning of the end of my time here. By the time I leave, I will have been at the RGS for 10 years. When I look back, I try to pick out the most memorable, or treasured memories I have from this school. There are things I have done which I am proud of, some things which I wish I had done better, and some things I wish I had had a go at. But no regrets.

This school will be more than just memories. It has shaped what I have done, who I have become, and what I will do in the future. When I leave, I will not just take memories away, but something much more. The spirit of this school is something that will remain with me until the day I die. The pride we all feel when we walk through this hall. The constant and underlying feeling of optimism that follows RGS students around. Sometimes it is too easy to forget all that we get from this place. I have met many Old Novos this year, people who still celebrate the fact that they went to the RGS 20, 30, 40 even 50 years ago. They all remember their days here, and remember them with the fondest of feelings. This school and the people in it have been my life for the past 10 years. It has become a home from home, a place where I feel welcome and somewhere that I can make a difference. I have met some fantastically talented, clever, sporty, arty and cultured people – but all good people. Some of you I have never met. Some of you are distant friends. But some of you have become like brothers and sisters. Because friends are the family we chose for ourselves, and this school has allowed us to grow these

“

On Friday I sat down to write my entry for the Leavers’ Yearbook. One of the questions was ‘what has been your greatest achievement at the RGS?’ I wrote being made Head Boy.

Jamie Robson

”

“

” “There are many definitions of education. The first thing is to be master of our own job; but to be educated we must know enough of the other man’s job to be able to understand the part he is playing in life, and to play our own part in sympathy with him. We also have to learn to play our part as members of the Commonwealth, or, in other words, to have humanity, by which I mean knowledge of the things that pertain to humanity, of the way to go about among our fellows, ready to help and to sympathize with them. Do not go through life This is our community, our place of learning. Sitting in this hall are our friends, our team mates, our brothers and sisters. as a perpetual blister.” So look around, and think of all the people who make these It has been a pleasure and an honour to serve as Head Boy days so special. All the people who you will miss, and who this year. I wish you all the very best for the future. Thank you will miss you. When we walk through this hall we celebrate all once again for making these years so special. all that is good about this school, and we celebrate a history of excellence and tradition. I hope that one day, you all look back and think that the years spent at the RGS were some of the best years of our lives. bonds of friendship, and allowed them to flourish. These are the best years of our lives, and when I look back I see days when I wasted this time. I see times when I did not help people I should have helped, times when I didn’t do something I should have done. I wish I hadn’t wasted those times. Every moment here is precious, and you don’t realise how precious until your time is up. So make the most out of each day because the time flies.

In 1924, Stanley Baldwin, then Prime Minister, delivered a speech to Birkbeck College. I think his description of education summarizes what the RGS offers, and has given to us, both as academics and as people:

“

This is our community, our place of learning. Sitting in this hall are our friends, our team mates, our brothers and sisters. So look around, and think of all the people who make these days so special.

” 15

ONA – Old Novocastrians Association Magazine Autumn 2011

CCF Centenary Celebration Dinner On an evening in June, the RGS dining hall was finally set for the much anticipated Mess style dinner at which a wide range of guests were to celebrate what is now the NRGS Combined Cadet Force in its Centenary year

The night began with a smooth cocktail of sherry accompanied by jazz piano (played by the current CSM (Cadet Sergeant Major) M R Barlow (53-64), where current and past cadets mingled with each other and with affiliated guests. It was commented on by several of the younger cadets how humbled they were to be able to converse with such a variety of generations, the actual range being from the 1930s to the present. Everyone had a story to tell and all spoke so warmly of their experiences, friends, and skills gained from their time all those years ago. The photo boards and albums proved popular amongst many who spotted poses of their younger selves from many years ago cooking, marching and commanding others in the cadets. Photos of Lt Col B Banerjee (78-85) could be seen commanding the Guard of Honour parade for the Lord Mayor in his CSM year, a proud tradition still ongoing, with this yearâ€™s parade being commanded by the current incumbent, Matthew Walton. Due to new laws preventing cadets carrying weapons in public, this year the parade had to be carried out round the back of the main hall adjacent to the rugby pitch. Finally the dining hall was ready, and after a warning order from Barrie, our catering superintendent (also ex Catering Corps), the guests took their seats. The tables were set to perfection, the mess silverware provided by 201 Northern Field Hospital glowing in the candlelight, and every detail from the red and blue napkins, chairs and candles to the swords on the top table being addressed appropriately. A short grace was said by C/Sgt (Colour Sergeant) Oliver Lennard, a current cadet.

Prawn-based starters were well received, followed by assortments of steak platters and sweet potato chips juggled with glazed carrots and parsnips, a delicious combination which drained the gravy boats of nearly all the tables. The service by the RGS catering staff was commendable, and ensured the meal ran seamlessly. On the head table sat O/C Major John Camm and Colonel Urquhart from the Youth and Cadet branch of the MOD, the current CSM Matthew Walton and Lt Colonel Steven Phillips of the Royal Marines, (CSM in ‘78-’79), with more guests of honour spreading outwards. The four branching tables contained a good mix of guests, grouped carefully by Captain Mike Barlow to encourage re-acquaintance of old friends and colleagues, just a fraction of the enormous commitment Mike has kindly made to organise the event. After the remnants of the treacle and custard puddings were collected, cheese boards, mints and port were distributed as “Mr Vice”, C/Sgt Jamie Robson, a current cadet and Head Boy of the school, proposed the Loyal Toast, for which a picture of Her Majesty the Queen had been acquired. He then introduced the speakers, the first being Major Camm, who formally welcomed the guests and gave an enlightening introduction to the RGS CCF as it is today. Next followed Dr Bernard Trafford, the Headmaster, who after explaining his choice of a ‘gigolo-like’ jacket, humorously recounted his time in the cadets as a musician, before expressing his affection for the cadet presence in the school. Next, Lt Col Phillips gave the toast to the contingent, talking of his years spent in the marines and how his first taste of army life in the cadets had influenced his career.

ONA – Old Novocastrians Association Magazine Autumn 2011

He also pointed out how every person with experience starting from the cadets, no matter the time, was an ambassador for the forces, and the importance of this in boosting representation of the forces in civilian life. He then presented the Crest of the Royal Marines to the O/C Major Camm, to be kept in the CCF Mess. The response was given by Captain Barlow, who gave a fascinating insight into the history of the NRGS CCF, from its beginning as an Officer Training Corps, joining with the Bridlington Contingent at their first camp, where 5000 cadets were present under canvas, and the journey to becoming the 100 strong Army and Navy Contingent that it is today. Lt Col Banerjee (CSM ‘84-‘85) afterwards presented a set of artillery shells engraved with the names of the four school houses for the Mess, not to be confused with shot glasses of course! After coffee and port, guests socialised whilst the bar remained open and photographs were taken by Matthew Henderson. A set photo of the 16 CSM’s present was taken, from past to present, followed by the senior cadets, officers, and most other guests who stumbled in front of the lens, all evidently having a great night. The occasion was made more colourful by the attendance of many serving officers (both male and female) in Mess dress. As the guests were swept out and the bar closed, it is fair to say every person present had a wonderful evening, and were left with a rejuvenated sense of pride for their connection to NRGS CCF. Matthew Walton (CSM 2010-2011)

Obituaries

From left to right: Mike Hargreaves, Martin Bell, Ed Spark, Bill Young, Eric Beston,

Ron Pearson, John Hargreaves, Barry Matthews and Dave Guy.

Michael John Hargreaves (54-61) Born 1943, died April 2011, aged 67. Michael died in St Albans after a long and courageous fight against cancer. He leaves his wife Mary, daughter Sarah and son John.

particular skills in tunnel work; principally major drainage, sewerage and culvert projects. He managed many sites in various locations around the country and only space prevents the re-telling of his amazing and funny stories about working with the mainly Irish labourers. Although Mike would often say, with typical selfdeprecating humour, that his sewers rarely met in the middle, he was, in fact, very good at his job. Indeed he made a great success of his career because he had that rare ability to communicate easily with labourers, senior management and large corporate clients. He retired in 2009 as a senior consultant with Murphy Civil Engineering Group working on major projects for Thames Water.

Mike – also known in his younger days as ‘Haggis’ – followed his elder brother David (53-59) into school and soon made his mark as a mean rugby player. He became a regular 1st XV wing forward in a formidable team being coached in the modern game by the then recently appointed John Elders. Mike’s particular forte was the trailing foot that mysteriously Whilst at school, Mike was one of many felled the opposition around the scrum who sailed on the Norfolk Broads with and was rarely spotted by the ref. Green Wyvern Yacht Club. He continued to sail the Broads after school, introducing Mike moved on to King’s College his wife Mary and later his family to the Newcastle to acquire his degree in experience. At a reunion of old school Civil Engineering. He first joined Balfour friends, the idea was raised of resuming Beatty where he found himself acquiring

Broads cruising together. Mike organised the first cruise in June 1994 and he, his son John, Barry Matthews (52-62), Martin Bell (50-61), Dave Guy (58-62), Ed Spark (54-62), Ron Pearson (54-62), Eric Beston (54-62), Bill Young (54-62) and assorted brothers and sons of the same have sailed every year since then. The Broads crew will miss Mike’s cavalier style of sailing (occasionally losing bowsprits) but, with others, will really miss his dry wit and the sure knowledge that he was a true and reliable friend. His family will miss a loving and caring husband and father. Bill Young (54-62)

Jeff Dodds (69-79) Born 1960, died 5 July 2011, aged 50. Born into a Gateshead family of workaholics, Jeff was a mercurial and enquiring spirit, forever developing as a person and surprising his friends. At the RGS, it is fair to say, he was more interested in Bowie, booze and girls than schoolwork; handsome and charismatic, he defined an effortless kind of late seventies cool, but was popular with pupils and teachers alike and only narrowly escaped the ignominy of becoming a prefect. To his surprise, he was cast as the lead in a LSDG production of Ubu Roi where his success saw him picked up by Newcastle University Players and taken to Edinburgh. This led to a lifelong interest in drama, on stage and off. In the meantime, he surprised some of his teachers with three As at A level and trying for Oxford. This time he surprised himself by getting into New College to read Modern Languages. At Oxford what might be termed “having a good time” was crammed in between stage plays with other Old Novos. But then, in a volte-face which was to become a familiar pattern, he suddenly gave up drinking for a year and took up running, a sport at which his father had excelled. He was soon completing marathons and left Oxford with a good 2.1. He then surprised his friends by not becoming an actor and instead embracing a succession of strange jobs for bizarre publications such as International Metal Bulletin and Fishing News Weekly. It couldn’t last and it didn’t, and he soon moved into mainstream advertising in London. In the summer of 1982, he met Lottie McMullen at a party thrown by Simon Waters (77-79). She was a beautiful trainee

ONA – Old Novocastrians Association Magazine Autumn 2011

nurse and the attraction was mutual and intense. But he was about to spend a year in Germany and life, as it does, took them in different directions. Ten years later, however, his friend Simon Burke (72-79) was walking down Clapham High Street when he was struck on the head by a chair leg falling from a window above. Rushed to A&E at St Thomas’ Hospital, he awoke to find that the senior nurse in charge was Lottie McMullen. He arranged that he, she and Jeff should all go for a drink for old times’ sake and diplomatically failed to turn up himself. A year later Jeff and Lottie were married. By now advertising had begun to bore him and in his thirties he returned to drama by deciding to become a tv script writer; a difficult thing to attempt at his age but he sold himself and his scripts with the same dedication he had brought to selling ads in his previous career. Against the odds he succeeded brilliantly and went on to write for Peak Practice, The Bill, London’s Burning, Casualty, Holby City, Midsomer Murders, Crossroads and Heartbeat, among others. The death toll for writers on these shows is higher than the Somme, but a work ethic rarely glimpsed at school and a great sense of humour allowed him to survive and prosper. Jeff suddenly decided to move to Norwich, a town chosen at random after he broke down in it on the way to somewhere else, and settled down happily to indulge new passions for fatherhood, gardening and choral singing. And then, just over a year ago, a headache was diagnosed as a highly aggressive brain tumour. He went through an operation and chemotherapy with typical courage and bone-dry humour, but it became clear nothing could be done. Lottie nursed him to the end and he died peacefully at home. He leaves his wife with two teenage girls, Lucy and Zoe, of whom he was extremely and justifiably proud. Simon Burke (72-79)

John Robinson Scott (32-39) born 1922, died 25 May 2008, aged 85. Alan Jackson (39-44) born 1928, died 27 October 2010, aged 82. Kenneth W Doncaster (45-51) born 1934, died 21 February 2011, aged 77. David R Powell (59-64) born 1946, died 28 March 2011, aged 65. Peter Marfitt-Smith (54-61) born 1946, died 1 April 2011 aged 64. Peter Rooney (61-71) born 1952 died 12 April 2011, aged 58. Harold B Hare (37-43) born 1929, died 18 April 2011, aged 82. Stuart N Wilson (50-55), born 1939, died 2 May 2011, aged 72. Philip A Barrs (39-46) born 1921, died 11 May 2011, aged 82. W A Horsley (33-43) born 1925, died 6 June 2011, aged 85. David Julian Hayton (84-94) born 1976, died 7 July 2011, aged 35.

Obituaries (continued) David W Sweet (49-57) Born 1938, died January 2011, aged 72.

Anthony (Tony) W Griffiths (33-39) Born 1923, died November 2010, aged 86.

After a National Service Commission in the Royal Signals, David, brother of Bill (46-53) and father of Toby (83-89), went up to Peterhouse, Cambridge to read History, did research there and then for many years taught History at Durham University. Latterly he remarried and moved to Canada to live in Montreal. Outside of work his interests were walking (in England and Greece) and a passion for music – classical, jazz, country, folk. He leaves a widow Dorothy in Canada, and two children (Toby and Martha) and three grandchildren from his first marriage to Carole Millington.

Kenneth Michael Allott (89-64) Born 1946, died 13 May 2011, aged 65. Ken was a pupil at the RGS from 1959 (when the family moved to Newcastle) until 1964 when he went to read geography at the University of Liverpool. He spent most of his career as a teacher at King Edward VI School Morpeth where he was Head of Geology until he was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease some nine years ago. This disabling illness he faced with characteristic courage and a determination to enjoy life to the full and to enjoy the countryside – his chin driven wheelchair was often found in very unlikely places in the hills of Northumberland, he lectured on the changing Northumbrian landscape, and until last year he sang with Voicemale. He was tireless in campaigning for improved accessibility and with South East Northumberland Rail User Group campaigned for better disabled rail access. Latterly he worked with NICE on non invasive breathing machines. He died at home, surrounded by his family including his beloved wife of 43 plus years and his adult children. Elizabeth Thomas

James F Bestow (34-39)

Tony Griffiths attended RGS, where he was a member of the Officers Training Corps. He went to Durham University to study architecture. He was also involved in the Senior Officers Training Corps, and also coxed for the university, earning himself a Blue. In 1941 Tony was called up to serve in the infantry as a private solider in the Border Regiment, then moved to Sandhurst for six months before being commissioned to the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment. He was later posted to 18th battalion of the DWR at Withernsea, a holding battalion for overseas postings. Soon he was shipped out to El Alamein, with Tony subsequently joining combined operations, fighting at Salerno. Here he developed jaundice, and was hospitalised for two months, before returning to his unit. After the war Tony was Staff Captain in Calais, organising shipping schedules for those demobbed, so he himself was not demobbed until 1947. Returning to Newcastle, Tony married Trixie Marin and got a job at Thomas Hedley (now Procter & Gamble). He dropped his plans to become an architect, and took evening courses at Durham University, obtaining a BSc in Economics. In 1954 Tony and his family moved to Manchester to take up a job with Nestlé. Several promotions followed, and in 1965 Tony became Regional Manager of London and the Home Counties, working in Hayes and living in Datchet. He became involved in local community life, joining amongst others, the Conservative Association, and the Datchet Royal British Legion. He served as Governor of Churchmead School, and on Datchet Parish Council. He was a District Councillor of Windsor and Maidenhead, and was appointed Mayor for the year 1989/1990.

Born 1921, died 22 June 2011, aged 89. Although James went straight from school into the army for five years and then into Lloyds Bank for 42 years, he always retained his regard for the school, where he swam for the team. He was awarded the woodwork prize by Mr Theakston. Edward W Bestow

He gave his time and service to many more local organisations and charitable causes, but still made time to play golf and host many happy parties in his home.

Dennis A Walton (44-51) Born 1933, died 8 April 2011, aged 78. Dennis was always great fun and had a fine sense of mischief. He was an able clarinetist most of his life, starting with the school orchestra. He entered the school music competition in 1950-51, playing part of Concerto for Clarinet composed by A Shaw before the audience realised the classical sounding piece was progressing happily into a swinging jazz number (by Artie), a noisy, rhythmic stomping sounded out from the school theatre… and Dennis was disqualified. He was punished further by being de-gowned as a prefect for the rest of term. Not that that kept him out of the prefects’ room. Dennis was accepted for Cambridge (he could have read languages, badminton or clarinet) but for family reasons left school for employment. After National Service in the Education Corps he joined the executive side of the civil service via Customs and Excise, having come top in the officer entrance exam. Posted to Dover, he rode a motorbike, won badminton championships and met his wife Sylvia (they celebrated their Golden Wedding in 2010).

His career progressed in leaps and bounds as he learned all about the devious sides of tobacco, distilleries and docks. He helped devise the controls for the new tax and VAT (copied by many other countries). Put forward for accelerated promotion, he was so successful in passing Civil Service Board Assessment that he was asked to help run the scheme! He became Head of Training and Staff Development for 28,000 customs staff and finished as Assistant Secretary (one policy division he covered was that of prohibitions and restrictions – otherwise: drugs, endangered species and porn). Throughout, he sported an extraordinary, surrealistic waxed moustache, and often used his clarinet to entertain colleagues at pub sing-a-longs. He also became a well-respected and popular chairman of the Customs and Excise Sports Club. In retirement in Southend Dennis was an enthusiastic Rotarian. He increasingly suffered from emphysema but died of a heart attack. He is survived by Sylvia and their children Clare and Marcus. Nothing to declare but a gifted life of great generosity and humour – and a clarinet. JH Smith (44-52)

Robin Jackson (52-63) Born 1944, died 16 May 2011, aged 66. Robin was born in Wallsend where he was brought up under the shadows of the hulls and cranes of Swan Hunter and Wigham Richardson, where his father worked in the Draughtsman’s office. It was during his time at the RGS that he was introduced to sailing on the Norfolk Broads with the Green Wyvern Yachting Club by his English Master, Tony Tomkins, and PE Master, John Elders. With his Norfolk connections and his interest in sailing, it was logical that on leaving school he went to Keswick Teacher Training College, Norwich (now part of UEA). He subsequently became Headmaster of Old Catton Middle School in Norwich. Over the years Robin had an enthusiastic interest in Norfolk schools music and,

ONA – Old Novocastrians Association Magazine Autumn 2011

together with three of his colleagues from Keswick College formed a group playing covers of 60s and 70s music. The name of the group naturally was the 4Heads. On retirement Robin began exploring Europe and over the past few summers he travelled to Venice, Istanbul, Sicily, Alicante, Madrid and many other destinations. Venice became his favourite and it was about Venice he wrote for the Guardian travel guide. He was always accompanied by his camera and he produced a compilation of his photographs on his website www.robjacksonfotos.co.uk. Cameron R D Campbell (50-60)

ONA Merchandise Cufflinks £10 Enamelled cufflinks (presentation box included)

Polo Shirt £18 Canterbury polo shirt with embroidered crest. 100% cotton. Available in black or royal blue, in sizes M and XL.

Tie £10 Polyester tie, striped with crest.

Hooded Sweatshirt £35 Canterbury hooded sweatshirt with embroidered crest. 60% cotton 40% polyester. Available in grey only, in sizes M and XL.

Wall Plaque £25

ONA merchandise is now for sale To order any of the items, please send a cheque (payable to ONA) to: ONA Office Royal Grammar School Eskdale Terrace Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4DX

Remember to include your name, address, The ONA accepts no responsibility for non-delivery via standard post. If you phone number and/or email, and to would like your order to be sent by special indicate which item you are ordering. delivery, please contact the ONA office for a price list. Please include phone number and/or email so we can contact you if delivery is All goods are sold subject to availability. likely to be delayed.