ONA 84

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In this issue:

Namaste! A Medical Elective in Nepal A History of the RGS in Ten People Paradise Lost

Issue 84 | Spring 2012

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ONA Magazine Issue 84 Spring 2012

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.

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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.

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The deadline for acceptance of copy for the Summer 2012 issue is Monday 12 March. Copy may be carried over to a future issue.

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

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President’s Welcome ONA Update News and Events Paradise Lost Namaste! A Medical Elective in Nepal School Camps Remembered A History of the RGS in Ten People Why I support RGS Bursaries Obituaries

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Welcome

Welcome to ONA magazine 84 and a Happy New Year to you all!

In this issue we launch ‘A History of the RGS in Ten People’. This follows on from last year’s ‘Ten Objects’ initiative. David Goldwater (51-62) introduces the subject, not by cataloguing a list of important past pupils and teachers, but by inviting you to nominate who you believe stands out as personifying the history of the School. We are delighted to have the continued support of Simon Tilbrook, Head of the History Department, who will be involving students in distilling the nominations down to a final ten.

Also included in this issue is an update following the photo we published of the school boys trainspotting from the roof of the Castle Keep during the 1950s. We were delighted that both RGS boys pictured have written in and identified themselves. Find out who they are on page 3.

Following our insight into school camps featured in the last issue, we received some further reminiscences from campers during the 1950s. We have published their memories on page 10. If you went on school camp in the 1960s, 70s, 80s or even 90s, we would still really like to hear from you.

Please help us to continue the ‘School Camp’ series in the next issue.

It was a productive Autumn 2011 for the ONA. The annual dinner in October was again extremely well attended, with a fantastic mix of ONs from right across the age spectrum, in addition to the current head boy, girl and senior prefects. Our thanks go to our after dinner speaker Tom Gutteridge (63-70) who gave a humorous and honest account of his school experiences and subsequent career in television production.

I was again able to round off the term by attending the festive RGS Christmas assembly and presented the latest prizes on behalf of the ONA. These prizes were linked to the visit to the first world war battlefields of Northern France.

Prizes were awarded to current Year 11 pupils Rebecca Smith and Millie West for two very moving reflections of an emotional visit.

And so our engagement with the current life of the school continues to flourish, and I’m delighted to see more current pupils taking an interest in the ONA, in addition to more recent leavers engaging with the Association.

Please continue to send in your news and contributions for issue 85 in good time for the next deadline. The future looks very bright indeed!

Finally, the London Dinner will take place on the 9 March at the RAF club.

Further details are included within this magazine.

Enjoy the magazine and best wishes for 2012!

Adam Goldwater (87-97) ONA President

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ONA – Old Novocastrians Association Magazine Spring 2012

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ONA Update

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.

Lord Collingwood Memorial Bust for Morpeth Town Hall

RGS Boat Club 50th Reunion Can you help?

In 1963 rowing was very much a fledgling sport and was taken up by boys that were not very good at, or did not enjoy, rugby or cricket. However, under the tutorship of Mr Lydell (I think) we did remarkably well, as is attested by the silverware in front of us. Many of us, including myself, went on to row at University and even beyond.

This photograph of the RGS Boat Club 1st and 2nd Fours and Scullers was taken in 1963. As its 50th Anniversary approaches, we are trying to contact as many of these rowers as possible to arrange a reunion.

Some of the names on the photograph are illegible, so if anyone can identify the “not known”, please let the ONA office know.

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Back row: Not Known, P F Dolan (56-63) Middle row: Peter R Harding (56-63), A J Bennett (56-63), R Walls (59-63), Not Known, John B Henderson (56-63) Front row: Michael H Thompson (55-63), J Fergus Morrison (59-63), J J Gibson (56-63), Howard Richardson (53-63), G Duncan Bell (57-63) We are also looking for contact details for P F Dolan, R Walls and J Fergus Morrison. If you are in touch with them, please ask them to contact the ONA office on 0191 212 8924, or email: ona@rgs.newcastle.sch.uk Howard Richardson (53-63)

ONA members may well be aware of the Collingwood Monument at Tynemouth, but perhaps not so familiar with his bust on Milburn House, Side, Newcastle to mark his birthplace and that on Menorca to mark his death at sea in 1810 nearby.

There is no moument in Morpeth, his home for many years, however there is a suitable place in the newly restored Vanbrugh-designed Morpeth Town Hall, where it is hoped a copy of the bust in Menorca can be placed.

A public appeal for funds of £4,000 is underway and the latest news is that pledges for £2,600 have been received. Should ONA members wish to contribute, please do so by contacting Laura Robinson, GMDT, Carlisle Park Lodge, Castle Square, Morpeth NE61 1YD. Or you can pledge an amount by phoning 01670 503866 or by emailing laura.robinson@gmdt.org.

Chris Calver (60-71)

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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.

RGS Trainspotters

Ian Falcus (46-55) continues: I have just received the Autumn ONA magazine and refer to the RGS train spotters photo on the castle keep in 1950. I admit to being the left handed boy on the right of centre in the RGS blazer and cap. My name is George IAN Falcus, school number 50277. The boy on the left is Tony Cressey, whom I have not seen since our schooldays.

The reason for so many boys being at the Castle Keep was because of a ban on school boys trainspotting at the Central Station by the Stationmaster.

He had imposed the ban because a couple of boys (thankfully non-RGS) had been playing with the station luggage trolleys on the platform which had got out of hand, resulting in a loaded trolley running off the platform in front of an express train. This ban lasted 12 months.

In the previous issue we published this picture of trainspotters, asking if anyone could identify the two boys in RGS uniform. To our surprise and delight, Old Novos Tony Cressey (50-57) and Ian Falcus (46-55) wrote in to identify themselves: I was most surprised to see a very old photograph of myself in the recent ONA magazine (Issue 83 Autumn 2011). I have a newspaper cutting with two other photographs taken around this time. Certainly the one above was one of several taken by the newspaper photographer who took the one you

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published. My recollection is that the photographs appeared in either the Newcastle Evening Chronicle or Newcastle Journal of that period.

I still have the notebook Ian Allan abc of British Locomotives (Eastern Region) and I am pretty sure that many others will also have their own books of treasured memories of trainspotting. It was the custom to underline the numbers and names of the locos that had been spotted.

I remember going with Ian Falcus to train spot on many occasions but my interest faded around 1953 and I lost touch with Ian. Tony Cressey (50-57)

ONA – Old Novocastrians Association Magazine Spring 2012

The only other suitable location for trainspotting was the Castle Keep, though at 6d per visit it was an expensive (though educational luxury), compared to the penny for the station platform! There were no other RGS boys there the day the photo was taken, and I imagine that Tony and I were selected from the crowd because we looked smart in our royal blue blazers and caps. The other boys were from a variety of local schools, including Heaton Grammar, Newcastle Prep, Dame Allan’s, Gateshead Grammar and others.

Sixty one years later I am still addicted to my love of railways, even though the days of “all-steam” are long gone! We must always remember that Newcastle was the birthplace of railways.

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News and Events Congratulations to Paul Mullis (79-86) who has been appointed Chief Executive for the County Durhambased Durham Aged Mineworkers’ Homes Association (DAMHA), with effect from January 2012.

The 43-year old chartered accountant, who is currently Head of Finance and Administration at DAMHA, was appointed following a formal nationwide recruitment process.

When he begins his new role he will be responsible for leading a team of 66 staff and overseeing the management of around 1,700 homes across the North East. Founded in 1898, DAMHA is the longest established provider of retirement homes in the region and David Powell is the largest Almshouse charity in the country. Paul, who is married with three In the last issue we incorrectly reported Year by his club, Gloucestershire children and lives in High Spen, County Cricket Club. the death of David Powell (59-64).

Rowlands Gill, Gateshead, says he We discovered this unfortunate error when David himself wrote to us: Max Hill QC (72-82) has been elected is looking forward to his new role. chairman of the Criminal Bar “I am inheriting a role with a housing Association.

“In the style of Mark Twain, who association that has the highest eventually succumbed to the passing of Halley’s Comet, I’m able to reassure Annabel Breakey (05-07) I graduated resident satisfaction levels in the UK and which has brought £80 million you that the report of my death has from Leeds University in the summer of investment into the region,” he said. been ‘greatly exaggerated’”. To with a 2:1 in BSc Economics and “As someone born and bred in the convince you of this I offer the attached I am currently working as a Trainee recent photograph of myself – Investment Manager at Brewin Dolphin North East I am committed to helping the most vulnerable people. We live apparently still alive and kicking. in Newcastle. in an area of high deprivation but if you “Of course, by writing this I may be Ed Blazey (96-01) is the guitarist with can offer good housing it can help to eradicate other social problems such tempting fate – and anything could the acclaimed singer Beth Jeans happen after I press ‘Send’ today – Houghton and the Hooves of Destiny. as health, unemployment and crime.” but I would like to reassure your other Their debut album Yours Truly, readers that right now I’m feeling OK.” Cellophane Noise is due for release in Greg Brown (91-96) finished his February 2012 via Mute. They are also general practice training this year. He moved to New Zealand in December We apologise to David for this mistake, embarking on a countrywide tour – 2011 with his wife and three children and are very sorry for any upset it may playing at the Gateshead Old Town to work as a GP on the Kapiti Coast, have caused. The Editor.

Hall on Saturday 25 February. and intends to return to the UK in 2013.

In the New Year Honours List, Jon Ben White (89-99) is Head of After doing volunteer work in Ghana Economics and Business Studies at Stoddart (67-77) Chief Constable of and Kenya, Hannah Cameron St Peter’s School in York.

Durham Police, has been appointed (06-08) decided to set up her own OBE for services to the police.

Christopher Banerji (02-07) achieved company, and is now running Volunteer Experience Africa a first in his maths finals at St Peter’s Richard Coughtrie (02-07) was (www.volunteerexperienceafrica.co.uk) College, Oxford. recently named Young Player of the

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Congratulations to Alan Sutherland (98-06) on gaining a first class degree in MEng (Hons) Aerospace Engineering from Bath University. Alan did a year long placement at BAE Systems, and is currently a graduate engineer at Augusta Westland.

and development chemist, got married to Ione Hanson (Central High), taught for three years at Hexham Queen Elizabeth Grammar School. I later moved to Gateshead Greenwell Junior High/Lyndhurst Comprehensive.

I retired with ME in 1990, recovered and was elected to Gateshead Council working for a variety of local authorities in May 1992, and became leader of the opposition (Lib Dem) in 1994. I stood in England and Scotland I became Scottish Director of British Shipbuilders down as leader last May, but soldier Enterprise Ltd in 1985 with the task of on until May 2012. helping the 3,500 redundant workers Ione, (who is also a councillor) and find new jobs. After that I returned to I have three sons: Thomas, currently local government as Depute Director reader in Ocean Sciences at Bangor of Planning and Head of Economic University, Edward (91-97), managing Development at Lothian Regional Council before leaving to found a editor for primary education at Nelson series of consultancies, the last of Thorn and John (99-01) consultant which, Rocket Science is about to researcher in pharmaceutical celebrate its 10th birthday. We focus Biochemistry. Ione and I are looking on welfare to work, learning and skills, forward to when we retire so we can economic development and spend more time with our six regeneration and we have offices in grandchildren.

Edinburgh, London and (I’m delighted to say) Newcastle.

Ewan Smith (99-06) was awarded an MSc in Cancer Chemistry with Outside work I have managed to distinction from the University of maintain glacial geomorphology as a Leicester in 2010. He was hobby (going nicely hand in hand with subsequently awarded a Wellcome a passion for mountains and ice) and Trust scholarship to read for a PhD followed up university expeditions to at the Institute of Cancer Research the Lyngen Alps with others to Iceland in London, which he started in and Svalbard – and I am just back from September 2011. two weeks in the Alps. My wife is a lapsed vet, ex-research scientist and Ian Grey Clayton (53-62) I am now a civil servant with the Scottish married and have a son, Miles (95-02).

Government, my son is at university I’ve spent the last 34 years working for and my eight year old daughter is at a major industrial distribution company, George Heriot’s School in Edinburgh Brammer UK Ltd., where I had various (which is as close as you can get to the roles culminating in the role of RGS here!).

Industrial Drives Technical Specialist.

I retired in 2010 and now spend time on my hobby of classic cars. I own Noel Rippith (51-58) writes: in the a 1960 Austin Healey 3000, which RGS Scoreboard photo (issue 83), the “not known” is myself, Noel Rippith. I have owned for 42 years and have just put back on the road after a long Since leaving school I spent three restoration. I’m involved with, and years at Kings College, Newcastle gaining a joint Honours BSc in physics support, Northern Rugby Club. and chemistry, four years at George Angus, Oilseal division as a research Richard Scothorne (62-71) after

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ONA – Old Novocastrians Association Magazine Spring 2012

Paul Ponton

RGS’ retired director of sport, Paul Ponton, is the new chairman of English Schools’ Athletic Association (ESAA). Paul has been involved with schools’ athletics for over 40 years, and led the campaign to bring the national championships back to the North East in 2004 after an absence of 50 years.

John Hudson (61-62). I spent most of my career locating, designing, building and maintaining federal highways in Yukon and northern British Columbia.

In 2007 I sailed the Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia to the Azores and on to Spain as navigator on a 39 foot sailboat. In 2008 I took my own sailboat up the west coast to Skagway and Glacier Bay National Park and many Alaskan points between. I managed to cover 2,750 nautical miles in 66 days.

Alan J Bennington (64-71) after

a short career in civil engineering I married and moved to Belgium where I changed careers and became an IT specialist working for IBM and HP among others.

The London ONA Annual Dinner Friday 9 March 2012 at the RAF Club. The Invitation flyer is included in this magazine, or can be found on the ONA website.

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National Service was a complete pain to most conscripts. However, I was lucky and felt very grateful to Her Majesty’s Government for posting me as dental officer to Christmas Island in the Pacific. They must have wanted to get rid of me as it could not have been further from dear old blighty, so I set off with the entreaty to make sure I got to Christmas Island

by Easter and not Easter Island by Christmas.

By Peter Foreman (43-50)

O

n the flight disaster struck in the form of a tap on the shoulder by the senior officer to inform me that only the cavalry wore turnups in their trousers and I should do something about it. So much for kitting myself out at Millets! What was to be done? A needle and thread were not available at most airports so I hit upon the idea of turning the trouser bottoms in over, securing them with adhesive tape and praying that it did not rain. My luck held and we then flew out across the Pacific, an ocean which seems to go on forever; I now know how Magellan must have felt!

Eventually we got our first view of the island which was to be home for the next 10 months. Emerging onto the tarmac we were ushered into a hut and briefed about the island, its history, the present inhabitants and the general routine of life, not to mention the bomb. At this stage an airman came in carrying, very carefully I might add, an enormous land crab.

We were informed that these would be our nocturnal companions for the rest of our stay and it would be a good idea to get our beds lifted onto orange boxes as it was very difficult to ensure that they did not venture into our sleeping accommodation, which at that time was tents sleeping three at a time.

Paradise Lost Memories of Christmas Island

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Christmas Island (now Kiribati) circa 1957

An example of the three H-bombs dropped on Christmas Island in 1957

At this point I should mention our whole purpose for being on the island. I mean of course the bomb. There were two hydrogen bomb explosions while I was there and two atom bomb explosions. For days before the planned explosion the waters around the island had to be searched and cleared of all shipping, large or small. On the day of the actual drop all personnel had to be accounted for well in advance of the allotted hour. Anti flash suits were issued but I am not sure if this had always been the case on earlier drops. The count of personnel started so early that we never bothered going to bed. Everyone had to be in position by sunrise or the operation would be cancelled. We then waited, listening to the loud speaker system keeping us in touch with progress. Eventually an announcement informed us that the plane carrying the bomb was circling over our heads and had to gain height before dropping the bomb about 30 miles away. We were told when the bomb was to be released and had to turn with our backs to the flash, close our eyes and hold our gloved hands over them. After dropping the bomb there was a countdown to the flash.

In our spare time most of us used the swimming facilities.

One of my part-time jobs was life guard duty at the swimming lagoon. This involved paddling a surf board around and chasing the sting rays into deeper water in case anyone stood on one. There were not many of them but they had poisonous barbs down their tails and it was advisable to wear old sandshoes for safety. There was also a small lagoon given over to waterskiing. One day the outboard motor on the ski boat hit a large fish, possibly a shark but the water was too murky to be sure. The result was that the engine was knocked completely out of the water and the boat came to a halt. This left the poor skier floundering about not knowing what had happened. After a few minutes of frantic activity, the engine was started again with no harm to anyone.

The explosion of hydrogen bombs which were really spectacular (the smaller atomic bombs such as the ones dropped on Japan during the second world war, were insignificant by comparison): I shall never forget the vision of all the bones in my fingers showing up as if in an x-ray.

We had been warned that after the flash there would be a few minutes before the sound reached us. Under no circumstances was anyone to turn round and look at the mushroom cloud until informed that it was safe to do so.

There was also the little matter of the blast wave. On a previous drop this had been overlooked and the men sheltering under the palm trees were suddenly subject to an unexpected bombardment of coconuts as the palm trees bent over. The mushroom cloud was spectacular but unfortunately we were not allowed to photograph it. On one occasion there was a change in wind direction and the cloud started coming towards us. There was an orderly scramble for the emergency boats but fortunately the wind changed again and the emergency was over. One little matter remained at the hospital. Someone had to release the cats which I understand had been locked away in filing cabinets for their own safety. They were not very happy about it all.

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ONA – Old Novocastrians Association Magazine Spring 2012

Eventually my period of duty was over and the time came for my return home. My time on the island had been very interesting but I was tired of the heat and longed to return home to family and friends. The flight back was via Vancouver and Goose Bay. It was there that we had the strike and refused to board the plane. Regulations state that personnel must have a meal break after a certain length of time. At Goose Bay we suspected that they would try to take off before everyone had been fed and so the officers moved to the back of the queue and refused to board until all had eaten. We remained firmly in the dining area despite entreaties and threats that we would miss our slot. They just did not dare taking off without the senior officers.

After the UK abandoned the island it was taken over by the USA for further nuclear tests. After this it was returned to the Line Islands and became known as Kiritimati (in Gilbertese replace the “ti” with “s” and you have Christmas).

I am sorry to have to report that much of the surplus army equipment such as old unwanted lorries were left to rot in the plantations and were not removed until comparatively recently. The land crab population was also depleted as the locals ate most of them. Much of the island is now a wildlife sanctuary but access is arranged for tourist parties.

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Peter Westwood on a mountain trek in Nepal

Namaste!

A Medical Elective in Nepal It was a nervous wait for 6th July 2011; Results Day. My fourth year medical exams were the hardest yet and the thought of not being able to go on my elective filled me with complete dread.

Fortunately, I passed and all the preparation for my elective, the flights, organising the hospital and accommodation was all worth it; next stop Kathmandu, Nepal!

By Peter Westwood (98-05) 8

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irst of all, here are some facts about Nepal. It is a land-locked country, between two Asian giants, China and India and has a population of about 30 million. It is located in the Himalayas and therefore has eight out of the top ten tallest mountains in the world, including the tallest, Mount Everest. Nepalis are very religious with Hinduism and Buddhism traditions being followed by the majority of the country. Nepal is one of the world’s poorest countries and so healthcare, both in terms of expenditure on health and the size of the workforce fall well short of the regional average. Finally, the life expectancy is hovering around the mid-sixties for both sexes, so it is a challenging environment in the world of healthcare.

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I’m not sure what attracted me to Nepal, but ultimately I wanted to experience medicine in a less economically developed country to witness what can be done with limited resources.

Furthermore, after the completion of the elective placement there would be an opportunity to travel for a couple of weeks so I wanted to go somewhere I had not been before.

I had organised to join the General Surgery team for four weeks and the Internal Medicine team for the remaining four weeks. Alas, nothing ever runs smoothly, especially in Nepal, and upon arrival in the Kathmandu Model Hospital I was told joining these teams would not be possible. Instead I worked with the Orthopaedics department and the Plastic Surgery department, so all was well. After the commute to the hospital on local transport, witnessing the chaotic, overcrowded roads and inability to give way I thought these departments would probably be a very busy and exciting place for a medical student!

I wasn’t wrong.

There were two very contrasting worlds in Orthopaedics; spending time in surgery and then in clinics. Surgical ward rounds were filled up with major trauma from road traffic accidents where clinics were inundated with lower back and knee pain. Both environments were useful in their own ways; assisting in surgery is always interesting and educational and I have become accomplished in interpreting X-rays and putting on plaster casts.

The team was very welcoming and patient considering I have never studied orthopaedics before so a lot of the material was new to me. The language barrier proved difficult and rendered any history taking impossible. This is where the Nepali doctors were fantastic as they would translate everything into perfect English so I could keep up and feel involved. I was allowed to perform musculoskeletal examinations on willing patients so I could improve those skills I already had too.

Orthopaedic surgeons often get stereotyped as being chimps who like using hammers and drills, something

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ONA – Old Novocastrians Association Magazine Spring 2012

through the door such as lacerations from motorbike accidents.

Watching the surgeons at work was very impressive and I found it more fascinating than the orthopaedic operations. There was an artistic skill about their work and their desire for aesthetically perfect outcomes was infectious (I apologise). My knowledge of anatomy was always under scrutiny and without doubt it improved over the four weeks with the Plastics team.

My time at Kathmandu Model Hospital was not as hands on as I was hoping but I have gained an awful lot, not only about the two specialities I was attached to, but also about applying knowledge to overcome obstacles Kathmandu Model Hospital, Nepal with limited resources. Everything I was taught in Nepal had the prefix “this is which all orthopaedic surgeons would what you do in your country, but here we can’t afford that so we do it like this”. contest. My supervisors were far from this stereotype; however the operating The doctors’ hunger for knowledge was remarkable and I found myself theatre did give me déjà vu from my learning a lot about basic science days in Mr Goldsborough’s Metal Work classes at the RGS! The doctors and disease presentation. I have to were interested in where I was training be honest and say that confidentiality and building patient rapport were not and when I said Leeds, in the majority on the Nepali radar, which was a shock of cases the reply was “Ah, Leeds to the system as it is of utmost United”. However, Mr Shrestha, the importance here in the UK. consultant, was more familiar with Leeds than most.

So my eight weeks were over and that just left enough time to explore “I love Leeds” he said with a longing what Nepal had to offer on the tourism look. front. It is a beautiful country with “Oh, have you been?” I asked.

“No. But my favourite album of all time extremely friendly people and breathtaking (literally at 5,000m up!) scenery. is The Who: Live at Leeds”.

Some friends and I found time to trek I struggled to contain my laugh, “you’re the Annapurna Circuit over 10 days in luck” I said, “I have their greatest hits which incorporated the Thorong-La Pass, the highest pass in the world album on my iPhone”, unashamedly at 5,416m. Needless to say it was trying to impress him. incredible and one of the best adventures of my life. Our surroundings For the rest of the operating list I was were both peaceful and intimidating as quizzed on my 60s and 70s classics we spent almost a week without seeing whilst listening to The Who. Plastic other trekkers and were watched by surgery is another field I have yet to the imperious Annapurna Range every have any experience in, so I was looking forward to new pastures. Every step of the way. morning started with the surgical ward I would like to take this opportunity round, traditionally a junior doctor’s nightmare back in the UK, but in Nepal to thank the ONA for their humbling it was quite a pleasant experience. The support. Their generosity provided majority of cases were cleft lips/palates me with both an educational and extremely enjoyable trip for which and burn contractures with the odd I am enormously grateful. occasion when an emergency came

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School Camps Remembered I very much enjoyed the article about school camps in the 1950s, (ONA Magazine issue 83). Although I only spent three years at RGS having moved from Manchester Grammar School (MGS) after my O-levels, I attended two Harvest Camps and the Eigg Survey camp. I also sailed the Norfolk Broads with the Green Wyvern Club during the 1960 Easter break.

By Tony Stock (57-60)

Harvest Camp work hours account, 1959

M

GS also had a strong tradition of camps both within the UK and abroad. Indeed it ran a small hut in the foothills of the Pennines which provided an opportunity for younger boys to gain an insight to being away from home, albeit just for a weekend.

I found in my RGS memorabilia the account of worked hours at the 1959 Harvest Camp. Some of my contemporary ONs may find their names in the list. Tucker Anderson obviously thought I was reliable enough to keep the records and be involved in the final reckoning with the two farmers, Mr Riggall and Mr Kirkby. This involved agreeing the hours worked (black ink at standard rate, red at overtime, I think), and then multiplying it up at some rate which was doubtless less than the minimum wage (which of course didn’t exist!). As the rates were something like 2s 4½d an hour and we didn’t have a calculator you can guess it taxed my brain doing the sums.

Once completed, the farmers each wrote a cheque to Mr Anderson and hands were shaken. Eventually each of the campers received a cheque for their share of the

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proceeds, so Harvest Camp was more than a good outdoor pursuit, we actually got paid.

1959 was a really hot summer so we found that some crops had already been harvested early, but we arrived to find wheat harvesting in full flow, with every item of farm machinery in use. I had two days collecting chaff, squatting under an ancient threshing machine (pre first world war) being driven by a steam engine. Another day harvesting dwarf french beans left everyone with back ache.

We did have some days off, and I cycled to Lincoln one day and Beverley another, this requiring a trip on the Tattershall Castle ferry, the Humber Bridge still being a dream for the future.

My visit to Eigg the following year was also a great experience. A couple of us mapped water hardness across the island with a Heath Robinson portable kit which had been constructed in the Chem Lab under Kenny MacDonald’s guidance. The results were plotted on a large scale map of the island and contours derived and drawn.

Great memories too of dancing an eightsome reel on Waverley Station platform at midnight on the way home.

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Post-RGS I read Chemical Engineering at Imperial College, along with Keith Robson (50-60) – we spent the summer of 1962 on work experience in Finland. My career as a Chemical Engineer was short, as I was soon involved in IT spending a dozen years at British Oxygen, then a number of years in the software design sector, concluding with being the Operations Director for the Government Millennium Bug project, Action 2000. Now retired my wife and I find ourselves occupied with four grandchildren, thankfully close at hand, together with various voluntary interests.

Unfortunately I now rarely visit the North East but I must consider rejoining the London ONs for whom I acted as Secretary in the 1970s.

Tom Banfield (51-62) shares his memories: I attended four camps: Wensleydale (Askrigg) in 1955 when I was in the 2nd form, Swaledale (Gunnerside) in 1956, Teesdale (Langdon Beck) in 1957 and Eskdale (Boot) in 1958.

The photo below shows us queuing for breakfast on camp in Teesdale.

One point that younger ONs may not appreciate is just how restricted was our range of clothing. Not for nothing was the lad on the front of issue 83 wearing his school cap and blazer, complete with long grey socks and black shoes.

We were only a few years past clothes rationing, and there was was hardly any such thing as leisure wear or casual wear per se – for family days out you just wore your school uniform, or maybe an old sweater and shorts with plimsolls.

Jeans were still just work clothes, and mainly confined to America anyway, and in any case grey flannel shorts were still part of our normal school uniform until aged about 12 or 13. I recall going on the walks from these camps (at least in the early years) dressed not too differently from what I would wear on a rainy day in Jesmond, with big black shoes and my school mac! Certainly no cagoule, anorak, waterproof trousers or proper walking boots.

Queuing for breakfast on camp in Teesdale

Michael Hogg (46-54) with the tent pole

The staff were good fun when in mufti. I fondly recall Larry Watson and Eddie Bennett in Wensleydale, Messrs Bailey and Peden in Swaledale, and (I think) Mr Layton in Eskdale.

They expected us to respect their privacy when visiting the latrine, though I do remember Mr Bennett rather coyly calling it “the pentagon” since the screening was pegged down into five sheets. They were great times, and many ONs I am sure must have carried on enjoying their walking throughout their lives based on that introduction. Now that I am fortunate enough to live in North Yorkshire I still often tramp over the very same dales with fond memories.

David Selley (52-57) writes: I camped at Eskdale and Arran, but my most vivid memory is of two Harvest Camps in Lincolnshire. The first was spent picking potatoes and my back had barely straightened out when next year rolled around. This time I and, I believe, James Proudfoot, managed to get the job of painting a threshing machines, which was much more fun.

Last, but not least, a letter from Michael Hogg (46-54): The picture on the front of the ONA Magazine issue 83 prompts me to write, as the scrawny youngster apparently taking off with the tent-pole looks suspiciously like me (throughout my schooldays I was always the smallest boy in the class).

I was very interested to read the article by Henry Spall (49-58). Although he was at the RGS part of the time that I was, I don’t remember his name. However I certainly do remember going to the school camps. My records show that in June 1949 I spent five days at Askrigg Farm in Wensleydale, and then in June 1950 one week in Littondale.

I don’t remember very much about the camps, but my memories are certainly positive. I certainly do remember Tucker Anderson, who was I believe headmaster of the Junior School. He had a shock of white hair, and whenever he took us out on a walk, he always brought cucumbers for us all to eat!

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A HISTORY OF THE RGS IN TEN PEOPLE

‘History’ means ‘story’ and a story which began in the mid 16th Century and continues without interruption into our days, is something well worth noting. We usually elect to go with the year 1545, the year Henry Vlll’s flagship, Mary Rose sank that July. Since then, twenty or so (William & Mary?) monarchs and a Lord Protector have ruled over this Great Nation and our school has helped to provide the Story of England and the United Kingdom with some of its most important characters.

A History of the RGS continues with the search for ten people who shaped or influenced the history of the school.

David Goldwater (51-62) ponders on this difficult task.

Please could as many of you as possible send in your ideas about who you feel stands out as your choice as personifying the History of the RGS from both staff and pupils across the years? It can be as short or as long as you wish.

By post – The Old Novocastrians’ Association, Royal Grammar School, Eskdale Terrace, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4DX, email ona@rgs.newcastle.sch.uk or via the ONA Facebook page.

1. Edward Moises 2. RGS Headmaster board 3. Lord Collingwood 4. Lord Taylor 5. James Snape 6. John Lilburne

Head of History Simon Tilbrook and his students are engaged on all this once again and we hope they will help to distil all those suggested into a final ten. Next July we hope to mount an interesting display at the 2012 RGS Day. The Association now enjoys a closer than ever relationship with current students at the school.

More events and projects are being developed to reinforce this engagement, so here is an opportunity for both Old Novos and those still at school to bring forward the names of those who have made an indelible mark.

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It is not the intention of this short article to catalogue ‘the most important’ of these. In every era, great figures from the RGS have illuminated the national stage. But perhaps a great many of those who disappeared from our line of sight, those who nevertheless cast a briefer, but no less significant brightness on their own times, deserve greater investigation. The role of the writer of this piece, in this particular case, is merely to introduce this fairly daunting subject. Out there, amongst the membership, is a vast store of knowledge, reminiscences, connections and, above all, interest.

It is too easy to reach for Brodie and Law’s School Song to harvest the most oft-repeated men (yes, men) of note. “Horsley, a Merchant Venturer Bold.” “Collingwood, Armstrong, Eldon and Bourne, Akenside, Stowell and Brand”. But where is Ma Stephens in all this? Was there a first girl at the RGS?

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Certainly a first Head Girl. I shall refrain from appearing to nominate any particular character from the long list of RGS notables.

A quick glance at Wikipedia will supply a host of famous ONs, but your original research will be of most value.

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I am indebted, once again to Bryan Stevens (44-49), who himself provided us with the notable School Register in 1955 listing hundreds of former pupils from the earliest days. Bryan has sent me two fascinating short biographies.

The Rev. James Snape (1815-80) was Second Master 1834-47 and Headmaster 1847-71.

His contribution to the survival of the School was legendary. Arthur Robert Laws (1863-1945) was Assistant Master 1892-1925 and Second Master 1925-28. His work in the recording the School’s history up to 1845 was vital to our knowledge. Bryan’s work on their lives will be noted in the next issue of ONA Magazine.

In the meantime, let’s hear from you!

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Why I support RGS Bursaries Fred Edgar was at the RGS from 1948 until 1956.

He now lives in Leamington Spa, “dangerously close to the South”, he writes, but still keeps in touch with Don Buchanan, Brian Heppell etc., as mentioned in Don’s article a few ONA Magazines ago. Fred is a regular supporter of RGS Bursaries.

He offered the following short message for the ONA Magazine, one of great encouragement to those on the bursary committee whose efforts help advance this valuable facet of the RGS’s outreach work.

“Like many Old Novos, I am constantly aware of the tremendous start that my time at the RGS gave me, not only in the learning that got me into university and onwards into a career, but in the values that have stayed with me. I was a scholarship boy, and without that it would have been at best difficult and maybe impossible for my parents to

support me during those years. Now that I can do so I welcome the chance, through the Bursary scheme, to give another child the opportunities that I enjoyed myself.”

We hope these words will help inspire other ONs to offer their support.

If you would like to join Fred in donating to RGS Bursaries 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/rgsbursaries/how-to-donate where all donations are gratefully received.

Fred Edgar

“

I was a scholarship boy, and without that it would have been at best difficult and maybe impossible for my parents to support me during those years.

Now that I can do so I welcome the chance, through the Bursary scheme, to give another child the opportunities that I enjoyed myself.

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”

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Obituaries Peter Stracey (24-35) Born 1918, died September 2011, aged 93.

Peter Stracey was born on the 21 June 1918 and died on the 29 September 2011. He was the only child of Samuel and Annie Stracey. Peter’s father was an accountant with the Newcastle Electricity Supply Company, and a Freemason, having been a member of the Gosforth Lodge.

When Peter was 12 years old, his father took him to watch Newcastle United play at St James’ Park.

Sam Stracey contracted pneumonia that day, there were no suitable antibiotics available in those days, and he died from the pneumonia shortly afterwards, leaving Annie to bring Peter up on her own.

After Peter left school, he commenced studying to become a solicitor, but did not complete his training before the outbreak of the second world war. By then, he was a serving member of the TA and was therefore one of the first to be called up for war service. He served throughout the war with the 51st Highland Brigade of the 8th Army, rising to the rank of Acting Major. Peter served in North Africa, Italy and Greece where he acquired his interest in sailing.

and agreed terms for a partnership between them. And so the firm with that familiar name of Patterson Glenton & Stracey came into being.

He was immensely proud of what the firm achieved during his working life as a partner, and rightly so. There was a perfect blend of all necessary skills for a legal practice of that era, and the firm had offices during the years when Peter was a partner, in Newcastle, Jarrow and Gosforth as well as South Shields. Peter acquired extensive experience in the law relating to the fast developing entertainment industry, planning law (with particular reference to caravan sites) and associated liquor licensing matters. He retired as a consultant in 1990, having been a working member of PG&S for over 40 years.

In 1950 Peter became a Freemason by joining the St Lawrence Lodge in South Shields. He was appointed or honoured in various ways on about 50 occasions. When he died, he was Very Worshipful Brother Peter Stracey, holding the Grand Rank of Past Grand Sword Bearer, having been Deputy Provincial Grand Master and Deputy Grand Superintendent. His greatest Many would assume that the loss of achievement during his time as a part of his index finger was as a result of a wound in mortal combat. In fact, his Freemason was masterminding the project which resulted in the finger was caught in a jeep door by development of Peter Stracey House, accident, and that lead to the partial amputation. That minor accident saved in Fulwell, Sunderland. In the early his life. He was invalided out of the next 1990s, Peter grasped an opportunity to acquire the property on behalf of the mission, where the Officer who took appropriate Masonic charity, the total his place was killed. cost of the project including conversion costs having been about Shortly after the end of the war, and £4 million. Through a contact he had after Peter had qualified, he and Eric with the North of England Building Glenton approached Bill Patterson, Society, Peter arranged a mortgage for (who during the war had run the half that amount. The risk paid off and practice of Bellwood & Patterson as this sheltered housing development a sole practitioner, in South Shields)

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has already been enjoyed by hundreds of people. It’s a fitting and lasting testament to Peter as an individual, and to his service to the Freemasonry movement.

Peter was married twice, first to Muriel Emily Waugh, known by all as Rill, in 1943 (when he was home on leave), and they had two children, Christine and Richard. Peter was a firm and devoted father and husband, but sadly Rill was suffering from multiple sclerosis. The illness became unrelenting during the 1960s and early 70s and she died in 1971.

When Peter married for the second time, to Pat Littlehales, née Germaine, he acquired two more children (Jan and Ruth) in addition to his own. He had three grandchildren of his own through Christine and four more whom he treated as his own, born to Jan and Ruth. He also had two great grandchildren. Peter was immensely proud of them all.

His children, step-children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and sons in law have so many fond memories of Peter. He was incredibly energetic, supportive and truly a larger than life character. We will miss him enormously.

Ian McCreath (son in law)

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Obituaries (continued) Gerald Ogilvie Laing (45-46) Born 1936, died 23 November 2011, aged 75.

I fancy few people appreciate what a significant contribution ONs have made in the field of the visual arts, from George Gray, still-life and portrait painter in the late 18th Century, and William Nicholson, another distinguished portrait painter, and founder of the Scottish Academy of Painting and Sculpture, down to the present. But no Old Novo artist has achieved greater celebrity than Gerald Ogilvie Laing, sculptor and pop artist and a collateral descendant of the founder of the Laing Art Gallery.

Few of us will remember him at school, since after his time in the junior school, he went on to Berkhamsted and then Sandhurst. I knew him as a small boy, since his family were neighbours, and we met again years later, when he was serving in Belfast as a newly

and sports-themed work at commissioned subaltern in the RNF, and our battalion was quartered nearby Twickenham and Lord’s. in County Down.

After 2004 he returned to painting, His army career lasted only until 1960, with a series entitled New Paintings for when he resigned to enrol at art school, Modern Times, some of which stirred where he soon produced an iconic up controversy. His works are in the image of Brigitte Bardot. He next went National Gallery and other venues in to New York, joining the circle of Andy London and New York, as well as in Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein and Robert private hands, not least those of Jerry Indiana and quickly made his mark, Hall and Kate Moss. His paintings on becoming a leading exhibitor. To the the Iraq war were last exhibited in surprise of many he returned to Britain Newcastle in 2007. in 1969 and acquired the derelict Kinkell Castle on the Black Isle It would be nice to think that whoever peninsula near Inverness, which he set taught drawing in the junior school of about faithfully restoring as a home for the 1940s had a tiny hand in Gerald’s his large family. Turning to monumental development! sculpture, he became equally successful, with works including a Bryan Stevens (44-49) portrait bust of Sir Paul Getty, the Glengarry memorial on the Isle of Skye

Richard Pulford (57-62) Born 1944, died August 2011, aged 67.

Richard Pulford was educated at the RGS and St Catherine’s College, Oxford, where he read Law. He spent a year in the Sudan with VSO (Voluntary Service Overseas) before becoming a fast-track civil servant, working in both the Treasury and the Department of Education.

At the age of 35, having already reached the position of Assistant Secretary, Pulford left the civil service to become deputy Secretary General of the Arts Council. In 1986 he moved to the South Bank Centre, where he was General Director. In 1992 he decided to go freelance as an arts consultant, taking the opportunity to work on various projects abroad.

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Later he became Chief Executive of the Society of London Theatre (SOLT) and of the Theatrical Management Association (TMA, the equivalent organisation for regional theatres), working hard to maintaining and expanding links between British and continental theatre. He also served as president of PEARLE (the Performing Arts Employers’ League Europe) from 2005 to 2009.

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William Douglas (Doug) Harrison (30-39) Born 1922, died August 2011, aged 89.

Douglas Harrison was born in Newcastle and moved to Monkseaton as young boy. He attended the RGS from eight years old. His main sport was boxing but he also played rugby and had some success in athletics.

On leaving he went to read metallurgy at King’s College, Durham. Before completing his degree he volunteered to serve in the RAF during the second world war. He spent time as a pilot trainer in New Zealand before going on to become a bomber pilot, when he mainly flew Halifaxes. He was shot down over Germany in October 1944 and spent several months in a German prisoner of war camp in Poland (StalagLuft III). After a forced march to eastern Germany to another prison camp as the Russians advanced, he was eventually repatriated after the Russians took over the camp and he

walked out to the American lines.

After the war Doug completed his degree and married Sheila in 1948.

They had four children. Doug’s career in the steel industry took him from metallurgist at Vickers, to foundry manager at Stanton and Staveley and eventually rising to become Chairman of the Foundries Division of Davy International. It also took him from Tyneside to Chesterfield in Derbyshire where he became treasurer of the local Presbyterian Church. From there the family moved to Fife, Teesside and Lancashire before he retired to the Alnwick area of Northumberland.

village hall committee. He also renewed his work with wood. This gift first manifested itself as a boy when he made model wooden boats. On his marriage he made furniture and toys for the children. When Doug retired he made rocking horses for his grandchildren and then went on to carve beautiful detailed animals and figures. He gave away almost all his carvings which may be found in the homes of his family, friends and neighbours as a lasting memorial.

He is survived by Sheila, his four children and his eight grandchildren.

During his time in Derbyshire, Doug’s main hobby was sailing a dinghy that he built himself. In his retirement he became involved in the local community as chairman of the local

David Hardman (62-72) born 1954,

Mervyn Heppell Rutherford (44-51)

died 16 July 2011, aged 57.

born 1932, died 4 November 2011, aged 79.

William Harrison (30-39) born 1922,

died August 2011, aged 89.

David Rhys Edwards (41-49)

Bryan Jeffrey (43-54) born 1936,

born 1930, died 24 November 2011, aged 81.

died 10 September 2011, aged 75.

Alan C Cook (46-54) born 1935,

died 17 November 2011, aged 76.

Alan Cook died in Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia. He was exhibitioner of King’s College Stuart Graham (56-63) born 1945, Cambridge, consultant petrologist died 17 November 2011, aged 66.

It is with great sadness that I report the and formerly foundation professor death of my good friend Stuart Graham. of geology at the University of Wollongong, Australia. From 1999 Stuart and I were in the same school to 2007 he was the President of the year, and also trained together at the International Committee for Coal Dental School. He died after a long and Organic Petrology. illness borne with great courage.

J Gibson (56-63).

Mark Dunstan (88-90) born 1972, died 24 October 2011, aged 39.

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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.