News and Events

Credit –Daily Herald Archive/ National Media Museum/ SSPL

RGS Sport Tours 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 appreciative of the generous hospitality! RGS and NPS Trainspotters in 1950

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

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.

from his time at RGS, and was very course so do please contact the ONA office with any information.

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 Bull) for our Jaeger, we ended up with

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 me to merrily stagger home.

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, us, it transpired, now reside in the

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 “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 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

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, whowere able to put me in touch with almost half the year who I could not find through Facebook. Most of less hair than I remembered), and 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)

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

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.

Steve McVay (95-02) is currently living 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.

David Hedley (84-89) got married in Gisborne, New Zealand, earlier this year.

Jonathan Hedley (94-01) after graduating from university, I joined the graduate scheme at Ernst & Young. I left in 2009 to join BDO Stoy Hayward to specialise in corporate tax. I have recently relocated to London and now work for British American Tobacco as their UK Tax Manager.

Richard Coughtrie (02-07) signed a two year contract with Gloucestershire Cricket Club in November 2010 and joined the squad in full time training in January 2011. 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.

I taught for a number of years as 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 wedding!). Amy qualified as a General Practitioner; I have chosen a slightly longer route and (11 years on) am training in Anaesthesia and Intensive Care. I recently graduated as Fellow of the Royal College of Anaesthetists and this autumn we are heading to Uganda for a period of developing world medicine.

Stephen Farthing (73-80) I delivered outdoor education in Sunderland, Craster, Kent and now the Lake District for the Outward Bound Trust. I am married to Liz and we have two young children.

Peter Smith (85-92) I recently married 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.

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).

Work wise I have abandoned the life of secure employment and embarked on an internet start up with an ex-work colleague. We are currently producing a BETA version of the site and trying to secure funding. It’s exciting and nerve racking together. Above is a (not so very glamorous) picture of me on the top of Mera Peak. At the time I was a bit fazed and worn out. We’d camped on a mountain ledge at 5700m the night before and got up at 3am to start the summit attempt. I was kind of aware that I still had my head torch on and my glasses were wonky but sorting them out fell below keeping moving and breathing in my order of priorities. That’s Everest in the background with the cloud coming off it. Some of the trips I’ve done include Everest base camp and Kala Pathar (5545m), Nepal 2006 and 2009; Cotopaxi (5896m), Equador 2008; Cotopaxi, four other mountains and Chimborazo 2009 (reached summit 5 out of 6 – planning to go back and knock off Chimborazo at some point), and Mera Peak (6476m), Nepal 2011. Next year I’m hoping to do a trip with Bob Sayce, however being newly married and with commitments to the internet start up I may have to be satisfied with some Munros for a while!

Howard Richardson (53-63) I live 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.

At the Year in Industry (paid gap year) exhibition and awards presentation earlier this year, Will Jackson (00-10) won the Industrial Tutor Award for ‘student judged to have made the most of the placement’. He did a feasibility study at Contitech Beattie into robotic welding implementation and using lean engineering techniques to reduce 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, before returning to Leeds to finish my degree. I attained a First class honours degree, and also managed to play and captain the mens’ tennis second team during my time there. I am starting work at Deloitte in London, as an Audit graduate, in September 2012. Until then I am enjoying another year in Australia, working at QBE insurance, and will hopefully watch England at the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. I went to watch RGS play in Sydney as part of their Australia tour, and caught up with a number of pupils, some of which I used to prefect in Year 8!

Keith Charnley (74-77)Leaving school at 16 I joined the Royal Engineers. After three years I left the Army with a compassionate discharge and went to help with the family business on the Isle of Man. After five years it was decided to wind down and eventually sell the business. I then joined the legal department at the Manx Electricity Authority and after several years moved into the finance section, becoming an 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.