A History of the RGS in Ten People

A HISTORY OFTHE RGS IN TEN PEOPLE

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.

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

1 ‘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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

5 2

4

6 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.

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!