ONA 93

Life Through a Lens ONA remembers Richard Hanson (79-86)

Also in this issue: The O.T.C. in 1914 | ‘Solid and Valuable as a Brick of Gold’ | Penrith Reunion Issue 93 | Spring 2015

ONA Magazine Issue 93 Spring 2015

Contents

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

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

Contribute!

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

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

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The deadline for acceptance of copy for the Summer 2015 issue is 9 March 2015.

Copy may be carried over to a future issue.

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

The ONA Magazine is available online Please note that the magazine is circulated 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. www.ona.rgs.newcastle.sch.uk

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Cover image: Courtesy of Ingrid Hanson

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Please note that the ONA Magazine content does not neccessarily reflect the views of the school or the ONA and is based on personal experiences, recollections and memories of its contributors.

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Design www.infinitedesign.com

President’s Welcome News and Congratulations ONA Now and Then The O.T.C. in 1914 Tour de Force ‘Solid and Valuable as a Brick of Gold’ The Cost of Education A History of the RGS in Its People Penrith Reunion 2014: 70 Years On Obituaries

Welcome

May I firstly say how pleased I am to welcome you to the spring issue of the magazine in my first official capacity as President. I left the school in 2002 to study Dentistry at Birmingham University and returned to the North East in 2008: the same year former President, David Westwood (95-02), Vice President, Chris Wilson (97-02) and I joined the ONA committee. We initially hoped to expand the merchandise range to include rugby shirts and cufflinks! Not being satisfied with that alone I am delighted the committee saw fit to let us take the reins at our relatively young age. We also welcome the promotion of Kate Jarvis (02-04) alongside Chris as Vice President.

I was delighted to assume the mantle from outgoing President David and would like to take this opportunity to thank him and the committee for all their hard work over the last two years growing the Association from strength to strength. I look forward to working more closely with development manager, Jane Medcalf and the Headmaster, Bernard Trafford as well as essential support and advice from David and the other committee members.

David has been a wonderful representative for us, extremely active in promoting the Association and has given me a great platform to start from. His presidency concluded with the oversubscribed 89th ONA Dinner of 160 guests at the school in October. The dinner saw the 25th, 30th, and 60th reunions in addition to Bill Elliott’s (52-88) A Level Applied Mechanics group as well as highly entertaining speeches from the Headmaster and Tony Boullemier (57-64). As usual, a great night was had by all and the already high standards of the catering team led by Barrie Bulch seem to improve year on year. A far cry from the days of queuing in the rain with your lunch pass!

We now look forward to 2015 starting with the London ONA Dinner hosted for the first time ever at the The East India Club on 6 March. This event proves more popular each year with people travelling some distances as well as London-based ONs and is a great evening to catch up with old friends, and make some new ones too. I look forward to meeting you there.

Enjoy the magazine!

Chris Rutter (92-02) ONA President

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ONA – Old Novocastrians Association Magazine Spring 2015

News and Congratulations We are delighted to have hosted recently‌

Carl Watson (89-94) and son, George

2015 Rugby World Cup preparations

Carl Watson (89-94) We were extremely pleased to see

The Scotland national rugby team who trained on the 1st XV pitch at Half Term ahead of their Autumn Test, using the school facilities on a three-day training camp. RGS will host the team this year when Scotland will use the school for their 2015 World Cup preparations.

Carl Watson returning to the RGS from Hong Kong during the Summer Holidays with his son, daughter and niece.

Carl and his son, George shared a moment in Carl’s old Fifth form classroom.

The 89th Annual ONA Dinner in which a record number of ONs attended with 160 tickets reserved. The dinner was a great success, particularly for the reunions who attended.

Thank you to reunion organisers Tim Hill (82-89), Martin Purvis (79-84) and Dr Peter Robinson (54-60) for organising 25th, 30th and 60th reunions. Special thanks also to Mr Bill Elliott (52-88), retired teacher who managed to fill four tables with former students who studied A Level Applied Mechanics with him in the 70s and 80s and to our highly entertaining guest speaker, journalist and author, Tony Boullemier (57-64).

The 70th Reunion, September 2014

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Will Welch (98-08) and Tom Penny (03-13) who recently trained on the 1st XV pitch with the Newcastle Falcons.

A 70th Reunion inspired by Burland Jacob (44-49) on 15 September 2014, celebrating 70 years since the 1944 starters first entered the school. Incidentally, on 14 September 1944 the whole school returned from Penrith (see page 16 for a separate report on the Penrith Reunion) having been evacuated there since 1 September 1939.

Fourteen ONs and their wives and partners returned to school for the day, which included school lunch, school tours and an A Level History lesson with Mr Tilbrook, head of History.

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

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.

Our congratulations go to…

Nanci Fairless-Nicholson, Year 13, who won the ONA Art Prize. Her prize was presented to her at the school Christmas Assembly

by Graham Mason (8996), head of Art who said:

Joe Fisher MBE (30-36)

on his MBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List for his services to charity. Joe has dedicated his life to working tirelessly to help polio sufferers ever since contracting the disease while serving in the Army.

Jason Pearlman (89-91),

political consultant who has been appointed as who played in the 133rd international media advisor Varsity Rugby Match at to the new President of Twickenham in November for Israel, Reuven Rivlin. In a the winning side; Oxford Facebook post announcing beat Cambridge 43-6. the appointment, Jason wrote it is a ‘massive honour Nick Gholkar (98-05) on and privilege to work for the his engagement to GP head of state’. trainee Sophia Lee. Duncan Pollock (96-06) Ami Noble-Newton who played his first game (03-05) and Clinton and his first cap for Hong McKellar Appleby (95-02) Kong against Russia. Jim Pollock (67-77) sent in a on their engagement. picture of himself with his Mohit Basudev (01-08) son, taken at King’s Park, on his engagement to Kowloon, Hong Kong on Isobel Howe.

Saturday 8 November after the match.

John Hammill (83-93) and Kate Jarvis (02-04) on their engagement.

Basil Strang (04-11)

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ONA – Old Novocastrians Association Magazine Spring 2015

“We need to move beyond thinking of the artist as someone standing solely at an easel. Nanci has been there, but she is an artist of the future. Adept with brushes and paints, or with film; she also possesses the skills of an architect, geologist, a public speaker, a politician or a scientist. What will identify her as an artist is an interest in art’s true, historic mission: the promotion of a sensory understanding of what matters most in life. She likes to create occasions, which might mean a tower of sweets, a crater of paint powder, a cake party or a space for others to discuss events that will promote the values to which art has always been devoted.

We wouldn’t be surprised, or see it as a loss of what art has always been about, if many of the artists of the coming decades do not produce traditional objects, and instead head directly for the underlying mission of art: changing how we experience the world.

Nanci is on the road to joining them”.

The ONA congratulate Nanci on her achievement.

Above: Nanci Fairless-Nicholson, Year 13 Below: Film still from Sound in Colour

ONA Now and Then statistics might appal rather than amuse.

In a sense, both are right, of course. Smith rightly takes pride in the achievements of his period in the school: Cox inevitably occupies the same territory as I must nowadays, certainly taking delight in high academic achievement, including places won at Oxbridge, while appreciating that parents and students alike demand a broader range of what nowadays we too often term ‘outcomes’ from education.

them achieve those remarkable results while still pursuing energetically that huge range of sporting, artistic and cultural activities that have always characterised the RGS.

At the heart of it all, though, is that amazing experience of diverse people (yet, in a sense, with like minds) who enjoy great experiences at school and form lifelong friendships. It’s no surprise (but a delight) to me that ONs from many years That breadth differs little from the many ago still enjoy reunions. How good to see pictures of the past painted in the following the Penrith group meet again (and vow pages. There were no glittering prizes to to continue!)

It is, I suppose, an be won by the boys who enjoyed O.T.C. occupational hazard camps in 1914: but they still took part, and Moreover, in September it was a joy to made the most of them (as our boys and welcome the ‘class of 1944’ to celebrate for school heads to be girls do to this day). almost to the day 70 years since they accused of boasting. started at the RGS. We heads too swiftly After all, we’re employed When I was a young teacher, 35 years assume that the course of the school is ago and more, the Times Educational ever onward and upward, and that we to be the figurehead Supplement used to produce a schools’ must be doing so much better than all of, and leading advocate league table of Oxbridge scholarships those years ago: but one of that group won: there were no other statistics (I’m sorry I can’t remember who) reminded for, the school. available. As the computer age made me that some things are timeless. such information ever easier to obtain the appetite grew for league tables: I’m never He recalled the advice given to him We’re expected to communicate our sure whether that was fuelled by the as an 11-year-old on his first day by vision and ambition for the institution: we the Headmaster, Mr Thomas (22-48). also have to spread a relentlessly positive media, government or public interest.

The most important thing the school message, praising the many triumphs and could teach them, he stated, was First A Levels, then GCSEs and now even (dare I admit it?) minimising the “thoughtfulness for others”. a host of other measures are used in shortcomings. a variety of analyses to create league The RGS teaches a great many other tables: initially by newspapers; next for Nonetheless I’m not being in any way government; and nowadays newspapers things too, now as then: but if that were the self-congratulatory when I applaud the primary lesson that the 11-year-olds who take the government’s figures in order to manner in which the ONA Magazine is joined us last September take away from manipulate them and create their own currently going from strength to strength. the school, I think I could be satisfied.

It’s all thanks to you loyal Old Novocastrians different league tables! They create a particular form of madness that too easily who seem to be inspiring one another, Bernard Trafford drives schools into focussing entirely on from one edition to the next, to put pen to those things that can be measured – to the Headmaster paper (or, at least, to hammer the word detriment of ‘softer’ skills and activities. processor) and share your reminiscences At the RGS we are both unlucky and of RGS past. fortunate. Unlucky because an academically selective school can have It’s healthy, too, to indulge in robust debate. On the next page J Harvey Smith no hiding places: we do well in such league tables because our boys and girls (44-52) takes my ante-predecessor, Alister Cox (72-94), to task for suggesting achieve so highly, but the pressure is on that places won at Oxford and Cambridge to stay ‘up there’. But we are fortunate too because our students are both talented are a crude measure of a school’s and hard-working, so that we can help success, and that concentration on such

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ONA Now and Then Past and Future Learning I am wondering why I feel so edgy about Alister Cox’s (72-94) ONA Now and Then article in the autumn ONA Magazine (see issue 92). And so, given also the request for nostalgia on Sammy Middlebrook (18-58), I am writing this to find out.

“Fancy a school’s academic reputation depending on the award of Oxbridge scholarships,” says the 1972-1994 Headmaster. When I was at the RGS from 1944 to 1952 you went up to Cambridge, down to Oxford (or vice-versa) and along to King’s. We had a healthy, politically incorrect sense of humour in those days.

There were far, far fewer universities then – so what was so terrible and unnatural about judging academic reputation on Oxford and Cambridge scholarships?

How the future denigrates the past, safe because it isn’t yet the past.

University entry was usually from a Third Year Sixth, when boys went the rounds of the college’s own exams searching less for a Scholarship, or even an Exhibition, than simply in the hope of being awarded a place as a commoner and getting a local government grant. So is the omission of places or of the other universities the academic reputation problem?

And what is this about Fliers/Flyers in the 60s? (“The Fliers had to fill out what was called 2.1”). In 1944 you started in 2.1, 2.2 or 2.3, presumably because it was thought that the more academically inclined would learn better together, which is not such a terrible idea either. There was a system of promotion and relegation where some

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ONA – Old Novocastrians Association Magazine Spring 2015

pupils (not ‘students’) played the role of Fulham and hovered between 2.1 and 2.2. But so what? Either you understood the work or you didn’t. In 1944 there were also boys who were a year younger than others in the class, just as with the Fliers when they skipped the Remove. If ‘maturity’ was later a concern you could always do your two years’ National Service before university.

When it came to university there was no question of feeling “significantly unimpelled” to try for Oxford or Cambridge; if there was a chance, why would you not take it? I was saved from an academic discendo duces plunge in the Sixth when Higher School Certificate, which needed two major subjects and two subsidiaries, changed to a new system of three equivalent A Levels. But you can only play the side they put out against you.

It is the same for the past’s grandchildren, who are still wading through an ebb tide of coursework (which the future seems to have thought a good thing). One of them has had to study al-Qaida Terrorism for GCSE History (she says because the boys preferred it to Martin Luther King). This is history? Another’s second-year A Level History is called Interpretation and Investigation, where he has to assess the views of four historians related to a set question, and write a formulaic essay.

The presumably excellent example essay is unreadable, and therefore unmarkable.

His uncle declared it could only put his own very academic daughter off doing A Level History, her favourite subject. She has just emerged from being told by her school that for GCSE History you can’t use knowledge from your own wider reading.

So much for the future.

My recollection of Sammy Middlebrook is that he wrote notes on the blackboard and you took them down, and if you had any

The Flyers, 1969

sense, learned them. It was unfortunate for the American History A Level paper, however, that his tutoring of an older pupil for university entrance meant we had to use those lessons to study for ourselves.

The result was that one boy in the exam room (the gym) asked the invigilator: “Is this the right paper, Sir?” and walked out of the exam.

I have a copy of Sammy’s Newcastle upon Tyne: It’s Growth and Achievement (1950), with its beautifully balanced sentences, signed in his graceful, even, rolling hand.

Referring to it just now I discovered two Newcastle Corporation Transport tickets, one for 3d, advertising on the back Cowies For Motor Cycles, and one for 1 1/2d, advertising Mackay Bros & Co Overseas Removals – with the injunction: ‘Save this ticket’. Which, evidently, I did.

Next to Sammy’s book in the shelf is The Story of The Royal Grammar School Newcastle-upon-Tyne. The forewords, 1924 and 1936, are by that earlier Headmaster ER Thomas (22-48) (still a disciplinary figure in 1944). Appendix I is ‘University Scholarships won by boys of the school between 1874 and 1936.’

Cambridge and Oxford preponderate with 96 scholarships, followed by Newcastle institutions with 17 – Medical College, the College of Physical Science, and Armstrong College. Others are Durham, London, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Manchester universities, South Kensington, Toynbee Hall, Royal School of Mines London, and State Scholarships.

Does this pass the future’s test when quantifying a school’s academic reputation? Or will “young readers”, in Alister Cox’s words, still “be less amused than appalled by this glimpse of the past” too? And which future?

J Harvey Smith (44-52)

The O.T.C. in 1914 The Novocastrian extracts compiled by Mike Barlow (53-64) Surprisingly little has changed in the 100 years that have passed since the First World War. Parades in school taught the cadets the elements of Certificate A (very like the Basic and Advanced Proficiency that is taught today), which involved drill, map reading, fieldcraft and shooting.

Unlike today, the papers had to be sent off to the War Office for marking, and a pass marked out potential officers.

There were two camps in 1914, one in Race week at Barnard Castle, and one in the summer on Salisbury Plain that for obvious reasons was cut short. To show how little has changed (except the fact that this was the only period when a Headmaster in uniform took command), excerpts have been taken from The Novocastian reports of the time: in the text there is reference to the N.E.C.S. – the North Eastern County School. In 1924 this became Barnard Castle School.

‘On Saturday 20th June, fifty-five cadets went into camp at Westholme, Marwood, near Barnard Castle. The Headmaster was in command. A better place for a camp could hardly have been chosen, the weather was splendid, and a very enjoyable and instructive week was spent.’

The next extract refers to The Field-Day during the camp, and will be very familiar to generations of cadets, as the scenarios are much the same today. One major difference in the last 60 years is that fixed bayonets are no longer issued to cadets! Some of you will remember the picture (below) dated 1949 previously seen in issue 69.

‘On the top of the cliff behind the camp stands Porter’s Farm, and here on the morning of the 25th June, we were marched and halted, what time Major Talbot, Lieut.

Little, Sgt. Douglas reconnoitred with a squad of picked scouts, who had been sent out before we left camp.

Presently word came in that the enemy (the N.E.C.S. O.T.C.) were advancing through the fields above the river.

Accordingly our company moved off to take up its position.

A certain hedge was decided upon as our last position and half way across the field in front of it, Sgt. Simpson extended his party, while Sgt. Bailes with a flanking party advanced on his left and Col.-Sgt. Potts took his men upon the right, both these parties extending along a wall Left: Major Talbot, Headmaster (12-22) Below: A typical scene in 1914, cadets using fixed bayonets (photo dated 1949)

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The next camp, organised centrally on Salisbury Plain, was not such a happy affair. By this time the Archduke Ferdinand had been assassinated and Austria-Hungary and Serbia were making warlike noises.

which gave excellent cover. Barely two hundred yards in front of them was the enemy, not yet deployed or extended but in fours, on whom Col.-Sgt. Potts and Sgt. Bailes opened a heavy and murderous fire.

But the enemy extended smartly and owing to their superior numbers drove us back from the wall, Col.-Sgt. Potts retiring to Sgt. Simpson, and Sgt. Bailes retiring to the next hedge, where his party occupied the left corner, sheltered by a low ridge planted with hawthorns. These conditions were also prevalent along the rest of the hedge, so our last position was quite strong.

Presently, when Major Talbot gave the word, the remaining sections retired to the hedge and all prepared to give the enemy a particularly warm reception.

Advancing by short rushes, the enemy were soon very close but closer they could not get, for on the right they were held up by our superior fire; on the left they attempted a flanking movement, but bunching themselves about fifty yards from the section holding our left wing, were very promptly annihilated, and the centre owing to lack of support was unable to move forward.

At this point the “cease fire” went and we were reformed and told to lie down until the second half of the morning's work was outlined.

The plan on which we were now to work was that the N.E.C.S. were retreating and we were to harass them as much as possible. One squad, under Cpl. Hicks, was detailed off to try and work round the left flank and another squad, under Cpl. Barnes, who was to cover himself with glory while so doing, was sent down into the valley to work round their right flank. The main-body advanced against the enemy slowly, so as to keep them occupied till the flanking parties came into action.

Cpl. Barnes came out of a wood on their left (i.e. our right) and enfiladed their left flank and part of their centre, so that the umpire decided they were all dead men. The “dead men,” however, did not realise this and turned round to punish our daring squad, whereupon our main body rushed the position they had been holding and our right flank once more annihilated the “dead men,” who were still hanging on to life and honour when the “cease fire” put an end to their post-mortem efforts with the rifle.

Thus ended the great and memorable field-day, which everybody found most enjoyable as well as interesting and instructive.’

Vol. XXVIII, No.3, July 1914, pp.85-86 and pp.97-98

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ONA – Old Novocastrians Association Magazine Spring 2015

‘At 8 a.m. on July 28th, thirty-seven officers and cadets of the corps entrained at Newcastle en route for Tidworth Pennings Camp, Andover, Salisbury Plain. We reached our destination at about 7p.m., and were relieved to find ourselves deprived of the doubtful pleasure of filling paillasses.

The routine of camp proceeded much as usual until Friday, July 31st, when we heard of Belgium’s refusal to allow German troops to pass through her territory. From that moment the whole camp became excited, as was shown by the crowds of cadets waiting for newspapers an hour or more before W. H. Smith & Sons’ shop opened.

Saturday brought the effect of “wars, and rumours of wars” nearer home, for we found that about half the cooks had been called up, and a call for volunteers to act as cooks was received.’

Germany declared war on Russia on 1 August, and France on the 3rd, and invaded Belgium on the 4th. On the same day Great Britain declared war on Germany.

‘Monday brought the news that we would have to leave the next day, Tuesday, instead of on Thursday. The cadets made the best of matters, and on Tuesday morning were up before reveille (4 a.m.); the one and only time that “Colours” had not to apply the swagger cane to any great extent. By 5.45 a.m. we had cleared up the lines, collected the blankets, etc., and nearly finished striking the tents – a very creditable performance.

After a journey which could only be called “rotten,” we arrived at Newcastle about 7 a.m., after a camp which I do not think anyone will forget in a hurry.’

Vol. XXIX, No.1, December 1914, pp.21-22

Life would not be the same again, particularly for those in the O.T.C. as many were called up to serve as Officers shortly afterwards, and some lost their lives as a consequence.

Unfortunately, The Novocastrian does not record the authors of the above reports, but the chances are high that they were prepared by the Cadet Sergeant Majors of the time, who were CV Potts and WBC Simpson.

Top left: Inspection, 1913: a scene much like those in 1914 Below: Camp at Westholme, Marwood, near Barnard Castle, June 1914

Tour de Force

By Pete Self (99-09) I studied Politics and International Relations at the University of Leeds, graduating with a 2:1. University seemed to go very quickly for me and was a fantastic three years of my life. I ran bar and nightclub events during my time at university as a means to make more money. I joined the military Officers’ Training Corps (O.T.C.) in my first year and then decided to transfer to Military Intelligence in the Army Reserve.

Pete as a special constable in West Yorkshire on his last day before full-time police training with the Metropolitan Police

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nfortunately no Martinis or Aston Martins as it is on the grittier side of the military, as opposed to the civilian MI6! It was a very interesting time for me but unfortunately can’t speak too much about it.

I had two opportunities to deploy full-time – to the Olympics and frontline in Afghanistan but I could not due to the fact I was still a student.

I look back at it now with a bit of sadness, as I did not fully grasp all the opportunities that were presented to me.

It was during my service in the Army that I met a number of people who served in the Police and I was immediately interested. Of course, I was aware of the cutbacks in the UK and the lack of recruitment in any force. It was then when I found out about the Special Constabulary. Special constables are volunteer police officers who do exactly the same job as regular police pfficers, but without pay. You go through a similar training package and have the same sort of opportunities offered to you as you progress throughout your career. Special constables come from all walks of life – I have met doctors, businessmen, cleaners, electricians and plumbers who have all given their free-time to police the streets. As I had a full-time career with the Police in mind, it was a fantastic insight into knowing truly what the Police is about and managing my expectations for when recruitment finally opens up.

I began training with West Yorkshire Police in July 2011, attesting onto patrol in December. Due to the fact I was at university I could commit far more than the minimum 16 hours that were asked of

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me, often putting in about 60, on average, a month. Due to this I managed to achieve Independent Patrol status (something that usually takes two years) by June 2012. The force has changed drastically due to the cuts in recent years with a huge emphasis being placed upon special constables to offer additional coverage in service.

West Yorkshire Police is currently aiming to recruit 1,500 special constables by the end of next year, which is going to increase the establishment from 500 to 2,000. With this the opportunities for specials have grown and grown, such as Operation Viper in West Yorkshire.

Operation Viper is a specialist operation that targets criminals who commit serious acquisitive crime. It has been a resounding success for the Police, reducing crimes such as burglary by 30%.

Where I policed (the student areas of Hyde Park and Headingly) we saw a drastic reduction in crime. Only a few years ago burglaries and thefts in this area were more common than rare so it was a great result. With Viper, the opportunity to work with specialist policing teams arrived.

I worked with the Road Crime Team who target those involved in serious crime on the road networks, and also dealing with those who commit burglaries and robberies.

I was also attached to a very busy 999 Response team for my divisional duties. As well as above I have policed the Olympic Torch parade in Leeds, numerous public events including the rugby at Headingly Stadium and my final shift was policing the Tour De France’s first stage in Yorkshire, which drew a crowd of over one million. Other opportunities just to sum up have included: Dogs, Traffic, OSU (Riot Squad), CID, Robbery Squad, Burglary Squad, Police Paramedic, Plain Clothes and Crime Scene Investigation. A truly fantastic experience.

“It was during my service in the Army that I met a number of people who served in the Police and I was immediately interested.

Of course, I was aware of the cutbacks in the UK and the lack of recruitment in any force. It was then when I found out about the Special Constabulary.”

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ONA – Old Novocastrians Association Magazine Spring 2015

Custodian helmet worn by Pete on his last day as a special when policing the Tour de France in Yorkshire, May 2014

I was accepted after a gruelling assessment for the Metropolitan Police as a full-time police constable and I commenced my training in September, having been based in a West London borough. Although a completely different sort of policing, I hope the experience I have gained as a special will pay dividends.

Of course while I have worked in a number of voluntary jobs I have had to find a career that also pays! I worked with Michael Page International as a consultant straight after leaving university. Then from there I joined a leading international security and CCTV company as a sales executive selling bespoke security systems to governments and private corporations across the globe. Both interesting experiences, but did not catch my interest in the way that the military and Police did.

Unfortunately the Police Service is still suffering from cutbacks currently, and this is why I wrote the article. If you are aspiring to join (and this could be the case for some years) joining as a special constable in your own home force is your best bet. Of course you can even make a career from being a special as it has its own rank system.

Some police forces are recruiting externally but the vast majority are recruiting from current specials and police community support officers.

It is a very competitive process with tens of thousands of applicants for very few jobs. I have helped numerous people with their applications to both the Police and Army Reserve, so if this is of interest please ask for my contact by emailing ona@ rgs.newcastle.sch.uk

‘Solid and Valuable as a Brick of Gold’

By Alan Castree (53-61)

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orn within two months of Charles Dickens, in April 1812, John Forster has not figured much in the public’s imagination, even amid the many celebrations of the bicentenary of Dickens’ birth two years ago. At the time of Forster’s death, in 1876, there was much grief among those who knew him well, but little public recognition and yet it was he who had written an outstanding biography of Dickens, after the latter’s death in 1870. Margaret Drabble refers to the three volume work as establishing Forster as the first professional biographer of the nineteenth century.

The Forster family were Northumbrians and their faith was Unitarian. John’s father, Robert and his uncle, John, were both cattle dealers and butchers in Newcastle. Robert married Mary, daughter of a Gallowgate cow keeper and described as “a gem of a woman”; they had four children, John junior being the second. The family were not well off but Uncle John, “Gentleman John”, remained single and became prosperous; he paid for his nephew to go to the RGS, from 1820 to 1828 (where he was Head Boy) and also for much of his later education.

Forster excelled in both the classics and the newly introduced subject of Mathematics. He loved the theatre and must have cultivated good contacts as in 1828 the Theatre Royal, Newcastle, staged one of his plays. In the same year he left RGS to enter Jesus College, Cambridge, but after only a month he moved to London to enrol at Inner Temple for the Bar and begin his Law studies at University College (UCL). This was a new university, with a strong Unitarian element in its founding. UCL was innovative in higher education in seeking to link practice to theory. Forster felt comfortable both in his studies and his religious beliefs in these surroundings.

In 1832, having shown outstanding legal talent, he dismayed his tutor, Thomas Chitty, a prominent special pleader, by abandoning pursuit of a career in law in order to follow his literary inclinations. We do not know what Uncle John thought of this but Forster’s biographer, JA Davies, opines that ‘…his family must have thought him mad or close to it.’

John Forster (1820-28) was a Northumbrian of note.

He made a unique contribution to the work and life of Charles Dickens and recorded that from 1837 onwards, ‘…there was nothing written by him which I did not see before the world did, either in manuscript or proofs.’

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It was a bold step to leave a promising calling as a lawyer; the literary world in 1830s London had little to commend it.

However, seen now from afar, the literary world was on the cusp of a revolution, of which John Forster became an integral part.

Literature was the beneficiary of the rapid expansion of literacy among the British population and of the acceleration in the improvement in printing technology. Writers could sense the potential for wider readership and the greater likelihood of recognition as professionals in their chosen field. Forster was to play a major role in these advancements. He became a frequent contributor to trenchant periodicals as a drama and literary critic and his contributions to The Examiner (of which he later became editor) led to him being noticed among the literati.

Dickens was already an accomplished journalist and author when the two men met.

He saw in Forster a friend upon whom he could rely not only for the oversight of the layout and shape of his scripts but also for his ideas on literary style and what appealed to the public. We shall see, however, that they did not always agree on moral tone, which, in Forster’s case, was unbending, leading to Dickens lampooning him in his novels.

Dickens also looked to Forster to fight his battles with publishers; Forster drew upon his formidable legal skills and powers of persuasion to get the best deals for Dickens and for the literary world in general. He became Dickens’ guide and adviser in all aspects of his literary and personal life. He helped Dickens in the painful arrangements regarding separation from his wife, Catherine, and was an executor to his will.

He wrote for Dickens’ Daily News, becoming its editor and for the writer’s Household Words. He established himself in a wide literary circle. Elizabeth Gaskell, whose father was from the North East and who married a prominent Unitarian minister, became a close friend. Dickens invited him to frequent family gatherings in his own home to ease his isolation from his distant relatives; when Forster’s brother died unexpectedly, Dickens offered himself as a surrogate, “…you do have a brother left, one bound by ties as strong as ever nature forged”, which must have given Forster considerable comfort.

Forster had a short love affair with the poet, Letitia Landon in 1833, but it ended unhappily and it was not until 1856 that he married. This was to Eliza Ann Colburn, wealthy widow of a publisher. It was a childless yet happy marriage and they lived in some style, in a house which they had built for themselves in Kensington. Before marriage he had been a very hospitable bachelor and convivial host; Dickens used Forster’s early accommodation at 58 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, in the legal heart of London, as the model for Tulkinghorn’s chambers in Bleak House.

Forster gave practical assistance to many writers, actors and stagers of plays. Thomas Hood, Elizabeth Gaskell, Tennyson, Longfellow and Robert Browning were all beneficiaries of his advice on literary style, praise in his literary reviews and introductions to publishers. Thomas Carlyle valued his fine combination of business nous and social skills. He supported Forster in his unremitting drive to earn writers the dignity and social acceptability which they both agreed were deserved. Bulwer Lytton described

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him as ‘…a most sterling man…he may be irritable, sometimes bluff to rudeness but these are trifling irregularities in a nature solid and valuable as a brick of gold.’

All who read Dickens know that he had a sharp eye for amusing characteristics in the folk around him and was not slow to introduce them to his novels. Forster did suffer some indignity in portrayals of himself, without, perhaps, being fully aware of the depth of the parody. Dickens noted that many of Forster’s early friends were much older than he was – Bulwer Lytton, Charles Macready (tragedian), Leigh Hunt and Charles Lamb. Each of these took the lonely young man from the north into their homes. Forster did project the solemn air of an older man and his fierce retention of his northern accent prompted some amusement among the sophisticates of the capital.

Dowler was Dickens’ first caricature of Forster, in Pickwick Papers: forbidding, intense, quick to anger but also quick to accord; grave and reflective but also swift to notice a friend in need and ready to offer personal comfort.

It was a close likeness.

The second, more complex character was Podsnap, in Our Mutual Friend. Forster’s claim to possess a greater understanding of mid-Victorian readers than Dickens did and his attempts to impose a strict, moral tone upon the writer’s work inspired the idea.

Dickens bridled at some of Forster’s extreme views and found them stifling. Exasperated on such occasions, Dickens would seek the alternative company of unconventional and bohemian types, such as Wilkie Collins.

Top left: Charles Dickens , 1861 Below: Dowler, Dickens’ caricature of Forster in Pickwick Papers, 1836

Dicken’s Our Mutual Friend, October 1864.

Character, Mr John

He did not receive much recognition for his many histories: critics saw little objectivity in them, ‘an advocate, not a judge’ was the opinion of Samuel Rawson Gardiner in 1876.

Podsnap portrays certain striking characteristics of Forster.

In Podsnap’s society he alluded to Forster’s circle of older companions in the phrase, ‘…there was no youth (the young person always excepted) in the articles of Podsnappery’. To Podsnap there was no Europe beyond England, and so with Forster; England was Europe.

Podsnap’s rigorously ordered daily schedule, from arising in the morning to retiring at night, and his disapproving view of anything in speech or literature which ‘…would bring a blush into the cheek of a young person…’ were clear references to Forster.

It was not all fair comment; Podsnap could not see his own faults, whereas Forster would indulge in selfmockery, regularly relating the tale of a cab driver calling him “a harbitrary cove”, a description which his friends acknowledged as a good description of him. Thomas Carlyle, who liked him very much and was later one of the executors of his estate, considered Forster to be the “ultimate in harbitrary coves”.

The critic Edmund Wilson saw in Podsnap Dickens’ fear of the character and what he represented; Podsnap does not reflect Forster’s decisiveness and his unfailing support for others, whatever their station in life. The supercilious in the world of the arts referred to him as “the butcher’s boy”, but venom among academics is a constant and although this may have hurt him it did not affect his dedication to his work and his goals.

What Forster’s critics could not deny was that he was a very sincere man and had the brain of a shrewd lawyer; in a drawing by Clarkson Frederick Stanfield of Dickens and friends on a tour of Cornwall, entitled The Logan Rock it is Forster who is atop of the rock, waving to the others below; quite a “jolly cove”, in fact.

His distinction as a classical scholar at RGS was evident in a series of essays on ancient philosophy, which he published in the learned and influential Foreign Quarterly Review, receiving commendation for their perspicacity.

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His greatest literary impact was in his biography of Dickens, soon after the writer’s death. The three volumes were sensational at the time in revealing so much of Dickens’ harrowing childhood, to which Dickens had only alluded to in David Copperfield, without acknowledging his misery as a boy. The public were fascinated and amazed. Reviews were not all complimentary: Trollope, a mocker of Forster’s background, wrote to George Eliot that Forster was ‘too coarse grained’ to be a reliable commentator.

There was a significant omission in the life; Forster did not mention the relationship of Dickens with the young Ellen Ternan (having now gained notoriety in the film, The Invisible Woman). It was for later writers to reveal more of this affair, still a hot topic today. Forster would have been very much aware of the affair but he was disinclined to cause upset to the memory of his friend or to Dickens’ estranged wife, Catherine, and his large family.

Forster suffered long bouts of poor health, which no doubt contributed to some noted irascibility. He endured long periods of bronchitis and rheumatism and from 1871 onwards these debilities kept him housebound. The ailments also interfered with his role as member and ultimately secretary of the government’s Lunacy Commission, which played a vital role in the nineteenth century and for which he travelled far and wide. This appointment shows the high regard in which he was held by the government for his legal ability and probity.

It is sad that the memory of him and his legacy are not greater. Obituaries were brief in the national press but the Newcastle Weekly Chronicle (5.2.1876) described a man of the north who had ‘…a kind of talent which only just fell short of genius’. W Lockey Harle, one time Sheriff of Newcastle, wrote glowingly in the Newcastle Daily Chronicle of Forster’s youth and upbringing in the North East and was later to write in the Monthly Chronicle of North Country Lore and Legend (1888) that Forster owed everything as regards formation of his character to the town of Newcastle.

Many of his personal papers were lost as one of his executors, the Reverend Whitwell Elwin, chose not to rise to the challenge and allowed much to be destroyed. This has presented a problem to biographers and Thomas Carlyle would have dearly liked to have composed a fitting tribute to his friend.

There was thus an obscure ending to the inestimably valuable literary life of this Northumbrian who did so much to establish and perpetuate the life and works of Dickens.

He deserves to be better remembered, if only as the butcher’s son from Newcastle who established himself at the heart of the rapidly growing London literary world, displaying prodigious talent and earning the love and respect of so many around him in that exclusive milieu.

The Cost of Education

By Mark Bowling (83-90) In 1982 my mother was faced with a daunting issue on behalf of her son – accept the offer of a full scholarship for seven years to the King’s School Tynemouth, or accept a (paid) place at the prestigious Royal Grammar School in Newcastle upon Tyne.

Times were tough – my parents had recently separated and money was a bane of (court) contention. But fortunately I have a mother who believes in what is right, and sees the bigger picture regardless of how tempting the daily snapshot may be.

And so, knowing she had a son who (clearly!) had his wits about him, she left the decision to me. I chose the RGS. I knew it was the ‘better school’, not because of its standing in the top independent schools list, but because it would expose me to a life that I had not yet experienced.

A part of me knew that I would have my eyes widened and my brain challenged, although at the time I had not imagined a life different to the one I had. I also did not think of the cost my education would bear.

My father did not support my decision, sadly, nor did he contribute to my education from thereon in. But with support from the courts, and a new central government Assisted Places scheme, I was able to enjoy an education as good as anyone could get in the UK. I know my mother fought tooth and nail to keep me at the RGS. And the RGS supported me all the way through, providing support above and beyond what would be expected of any school, unbeknownst to my fellow pupils at the time.

And 30 years since that pivotal decision, I find myself in Singapore, where I first moved to in 2004, very happily married to my husband of seven years, having enjoyed a long career in ad agencies as a global strategist for the likes of Samsung and Unilever, and now with my own global marketing consultancy, Remarkability.

I have circled the globe 100 times over, and had

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“

A part of me knew that I would have my eyes widened and my brain challenged, although at the time I had not imagined a life different to the one I had.

”

my eyes widened much further than they were ever intended, I’m sure! Life has been extraordinary and never dull.

So please believe me when I say my life would not have been the same without financial assistance to take my place at the RGS. Programmes like the RGS Bursaries Campaign change lives. And attending the RGS changed mine.

Mark received financial assistance to pay for his education at the RGS through the government’s Assisted Places scheme.

Schemes like this no longer exist. Only fundraising for bursaries can now support young people to come to the RGS. To discuss the various ways that you can make a donation to the RGS Bursaries Campaign, contact Jane Medcalf, development manager at campaign@rgs.newcastle.sch.uk or by telephone on 0191 212 8909. Today, 79 children’s lives are being changed because of their bursary help. Let’s help even more this year.

A HISTORY OF THE RGS IN ITS PEOPLE

By David Goldwater (51-62)

Sydney Middlebrook MA J Harvey Smith (44-52) (see page 5) still has his copy (as do many of us) of Newcastle upon Tyne: Its Growth and Achievement, ‘signed in his graceful, even, rolling hand’.

Donald R Buchanan (48-56) recalls with some humour: ‘Sam used to draw fairly detailed maps for us on his blackboard. The trouble was that we could copy them into our notebooks faster than he could proceed, so not a few of our maps included a back view of Sam’s head as he sought to finish his. One of his finest moments was one morning at Assembly, he had the answer to the problem of congestion on the stairs, and told us it was really very simple: boys going up the stairs should do so on the right, while those coming down should do so on the left! I’m not sure that he understood why we all fell about laughing.’

David Mitchell (42-51) remembers a sleepy

After the sudden death of Hubert Napier Smith (16-50)(known as “Boiler Smith”) at the Central Station in August 1950, following a career of 34 years, head of History Sydney Middlebrook (18-58), who had himself taught since 1918, was appointed deputy to Oliver Mitchell (48-60). “Sammy”, as he was known, was a noted historian, who is widely remembered for his comprehensive work, Newcastle upon Tyne: Its Growth and Achievement, published in 1950 by the Newcastle Chronicle and Journal.

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moment: ‘One hot summer afternoon I dozed off during one of Sammy’s lessons, which was on the subject of the Wars of the Roses, and just dimly heard him asking me to name the colour of the rose of the House of York. Barely awake, I heard a whisper of help from my ‘friend’ in the desk behind, so with great relief I answered “Blue”! Sammy just smiled gently and passed on amid the embarrassing mirth.’

Sydney ‘Sammy’ Middlebrook (18-58), senior History master and second master (from 1950) on his retirement in 1958

Brian Beeley (46-53) raises the complex

subject of ‘causal over-simplification’: ‘Sammy was an outstanding teacher and a very caring individual. His meticulous ‘wiring diagrams’ on the blackboard outlining world history left me convinced that all major events have three causes and three outcomes. When I was recovering from a substantial operation at Shotley Bridge Hospital, Sammy wrote me a delightful letter which I still treasure. In it, he encouraged me to stop worrying that my history essay would be late…’

‘Sammy’ Middlebrook at Housesteads Fort, 1951. Our thanks to Alan J Robinson (54-61) for submitting this photo to the ONA

Colin Woodward (50-60), writing from Durham,

was ‘inspired to contribute 57-year-old memories of Sammy Middlebrook. He was a delightful gentleman and I remember covering in particular the American War of Independence…he also looked after the Stamp Club (Philatelic Society)’.

Dennis Corn (50-58): ‘Sammy was the most

significant influence on my life at the RGS, and beyond. His enthusiasm for the subject he taught, reinforced by his skillful teaching, enthused me with a life long interest in History.’ Dennis relates how, after faultering in his initial attempts to succeed at Oxbridge entry, Sammy telephoned him in the Christmas holidays, asking him to visit his home in Jesmond. ‘Two dry sherries were poured. He stared at me over his glass, and simply said “I have in mind for you an award from Jesus.” To this day I can only speculate at the networking Sammy must have activated to pinpoint the College with such confidence. It was a life-enhancing experience due to Sammy’s gentle, self-effacing, but comprehensive knowledge of his pupils, and his preparedness to go the extra mile for any of them.’

Alan J Robinson (54-61): ‘My association with

RGS began one glorious day in the summer of 1951. I went, with my Mum, on an outing to Housesteads Fort arranged, I think, by the Townswomens’ Guild, (or something similar).

Our guide was Sammy Middlebrook, who held me completely enthralled with his descriptions of life in the camp. Mr Middlebrook had a wonderful ability to make history come alive.’ Alan won a Free Place to RGS, leading to a very happy seven years at ‘The Finest School in the North’.

Simon Chester (57-67) noted the Dictionary of National Biography’s reference to the influence of Sammy on the eminent historian Marcus Cunliffe (32-40).

Robert Thompson (32-39): ‘To be guided round the Galleries of London by Sammy was a truly educational experience. Architecture was one of his interests and his guiding around iconic buildings such as BBC Broadcasting House was another delight for his Sixth form expeditions.

After the war he became a good friend. He was a mentor of a great generation: the Edwardians.’

Geoffrey Redfern (36-43) remembers Sammy Middlebrook as his inspiration throughout his school career, particularly in his choice of books from Penrith Library. This is why he was able to suggest which Cambridge college was most likely to appreciate ‘my style’. With Sammy’s dedicated help he was awarded a scholarship at Corpus Christi.

Martin L Bell (50-61) is one of many ONs who

were inspired to acquire a copy of Northumbria (1987) by David Bell and Brian Redhead (40-48) in which Redhead recalls a tour of Newcastle he made with Sammy. He taught me about Newcastle in one day on a walk through the City…it was a day I was never to forget.

These reminiscences are an extraordinary tribute to a brilliant teacher. Due to pressure on space in this issue, a fuller version of this piece will appear on the ONA website at www.ona.rgs. newcastle.sch.uk. Also, the article on George ‘Dixie’ Dean (24-67) will be held over until the next issue.

I was privileged to participate in the visit of Walter Wood (37-44) to the school in June 2014

Frank Simm (36-43) was able to benefit from a touch of Middlebrook guile: ‘he had an uncanny ability to forecast questions to be set in future exam papers. It helped me to get a credit in one of my weaker subjects: History!’

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and very sad to learn of his recent passing (see page 18). It was gratifying to read of the great admiration he had for his mentors at the RGS, Michael Roberts (25-31 and 34-41) and ‘Sammy’ Middlebrook.

Evacuated to Penrith 1 September 1939, Penrith evacuees reunited at The George Hotel, Penrith, September 2014 From L-R: John Coxon (41-47), Ian Alexander (36-45), Peter Burnett (39-49), Douglas Peacock (38-45), Peter Dickinson (39-48), Bryan Stevens (44-49), Brian Jones (42-48), Gordon Pringle (37-46), Jim Coulson (42-49), Graham Little (40-45), Howard Temperley (41-51), David Boll (48-49), Effie Smith (41-46), Chris Emmerson (36-47), Stanley Ashman (41-52), Derek Williams (39-48), Allan Jeffery (39-49), John Harrison (40-47),

Penrith Reunion 2014 70 Years On

By Bryan Stevens (44-49)

Brian Phillips (37-47), Eddie Dahlin (38-47), Bernard McStay (39-49)

So the ‘Final Penrith Reunion’ of 2009 turned out not to be so final after all.Thanks mainly to the endeavours of Allan Jeffery (39-49) 21 of us, plus sundry camp followers, gathered at The George Hotel, that fine old hostelry, which reassuringly changes so little over the years, except that some find the stairs steeper than they need to be.

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“Rather like 1939 all over again: no one knew what was going to happen next.”

Peter Burnett (39-49)

Allan Jeffery (39-49)

There was only one ON from around this time: Dr Eddie Dahlin (38-47), whose first contact this was since leaving the school. Some of us carried on the Friday evening, and some the next morning. Rather like 1939 all over again: no one knew what was going to happen next, but after much collaboration we went our separate ways on Saturday, some to revisit old haunts or old contacts, some to take a cruise on Ullswater or Derwentwater, others apparently just to moon around. The weather couldn’t have been more idyllic and the inmemorial hills were just as we always picture them in memory, perfectly mirrored in the lake.

Later we returned to ‘The George’ for group photographs (acknowledgments here to Howard Temperley (41-51)) dinner, and brief reminiscenses from Allan Jeffery and Peter Burnett (39-49). Allan, presumably under the influence of wine, nobly offered his services for yet another reunion, should there be a demand.

There were murmers of appreciation, and a suggestion that 2015 might be a more realistic aim than 2019. When we dispersed on the Sunday it was with a palpable sense that it might not after all be for the last time. Nor will it be. Allan has already made a booking for Saturday 12 September 2015. “Bring it on”, as they say.

Meanwhile, the thanks of all of us to Allan for his initiative and his patience.

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Obituaries

Walter Scott Wood (37-44) Born 17 March 1926, died 15 December 2014, aged 88

Fine Art, derived from being surround by the pictures painted by his relatives and many of their friends, never left him. He had a good eye and became an avid collector to the point that wall space simply ran out even though his own notes for an obituary, discovered after his death, but not in publishable form, laments the fact that his voluntary activities occupied his time ‘at the cost of collecting pictures’!

There are some other interesting quotes:

The Wood family in June 2014 when Walter and Simon returned to school with youngest grandson, Edwin in Year 13

If there was a single defining event in his life, it was the decision by his parents, modest for their own ambitions but huge for his, to send Walter to the Royal Grammar School aged 11 in 1937. In a stroke, the system that afforded children the opportunity for top quality education and, thereafter, social mobility put him on a path that led to Oxford, qualification as a solicitor and the practice of the law until his retirement in 1991.

Walter came from a North Shields family of artisans. His grandfather and uncle were plumbers although, being good with numbers, his father worked his way up the ladder in the Borough Treasurer’s office in Hebburn. It was there, as a condition of residence for his father’s employment, that Walter spent most of his childhood, when at home. The Woods were, however, talented artisans, many of them being musicians, painters or both from which Walter’s talent as a violinist sprang, a talent that was, of course, nurtured and given every opportunity for expression at school and then university. He would have been the first to admit that his skills as an artist were limited but his lifelong interest in

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‘His education started at an early Victorian Wesleyan primary school, occupying one room for all pupils from the age of five to 14 years, which was already a relic in the 30s.’

There were few, if any, boys from Hebburn who went to the RGS in 1937. He recalled being teased as “the Grammar school boy” or “the blue b******” and having to fight to hold on to his cap, but he simply loved school. He was, of course, one of that very special generation that spent the greater part of their schooldays at Penrith and he continued to regale the family with stories, the older and most repeated the better, for the rest of his life. Despite the war there were truly inspirational teachers whose names were so familiar to the family that we felt we knew them. It is difficult to single out names but Tucker Anderson (24-60), Michael Roberts (25-31 and 34-41) and ‘Sammy’ Middlebrook (18-58) were held particularly dear. He threw himself into school life – music, drama, debating, rugby (a fractured leg put that to an end) – and discovered the joy of walking on the nearby fells and golf.

He remained with one family for the duration and kept in touch with them until the end of their lives. If he was homesick he never admitted it and, despite the deprivations that undoubtedly existed, these were always described as halcyon days.

He was fortunate to win a place to read Law at Pembroke College, Oxford in 1944

whereby he was able to go up for two terms before National Service. The Navy followed and he returned to Oxford and, in between much music and serving as President of the college Blackstone Society, completed his degree on the two year accelerated programme that existed after the war. He returned to Tyneside and, having found the necessary £150, Articles of Clerkship with TAB Forster of Keenlyside and Forster, thereafter briefly working in Sunderland as a newly qualified solicitor.

His meeting Shirley Bittermann thereafter determined the course of his personal and professional life. Her father, a well known practitioner in North Shields since 1920 who was also Clerk to the Tynemouth Justices, offered Walter a place in the firm which, by the time Shirley and he married in 1957, had become known as ELF Bittermann and Wood. Together, uneasily it has to be said, they practised until Eddie’s death in 1972 and, resisting all blandishments from his immediate neighbours to join them, he continued the practice with a partner until his retirement.

An old fashioned high street solicitor of the type that is now a dying – if not dead – breed he turned his hand to anything and was truly, in the memorable definition of one distinguished judge, ‘a universal spider’, the sort of person who got things done and knew where and how to achieve whatever it was that was required. More than once he served on the committee of the Newcastle Incorporated Law Society, serving as its President in 1985/6. As already alluded to, over the years he was heavily involved in a bewildering range of charitable activities, including the setting up of two Abbeyfield Society homes which influenced the decision that resulted in his moving to the Society’s home in The Grove, Gosforth.

But when all is said and done, Walter was a family man. His marriage to Shirley was

Ronald CM Cooper CB (38-41 and 44-48) Born 8 May 1931, died 2 August 2014, aged 83

European Launching Development Project in Paris. He made many French friends, spent many holidays in Burgundy and was made an honorary member of the Confrererie of the Chevaliers de Tastevin, devoted to the tasting of Burgundy wines, an occupation he found most congenial.

a good and sustaining one. Of it, touchingly but perceptively, he said this: “He married Shirley in 1957 and they celebrated 57 years together before he died thanks to her good care and cooking, hard work and common sense.”

He took pride in the achievements of his two children and was always there when things did not go according to plan. He brought his children up with a strong public service ethic consonant with his belief that to practise was to serve. His pride extended to his four grandsons and he was particularly pleased that three of them followed Simon to the RGS, an institution that held an abiding fascination for him right to the end. He was thrilled to go to school for what turned out to be the last time in June and when the last photograph of him was taken with Simon and his youngest grandson, Edwin, now a Sixth former and a prefect like him.

The last two years were not easy. First deafness and then blindness left him increasingly isolated and, following an acute illness followed by progressive frailty, it became too difficult to care for him at home. He lived in Abbeyfield for 18 months and, after a short spell in hospital, he died on 15 December, in his 89th year, having by then moved to Wordsworth House, Jesmond, where he received superb nursing care. His anticipated failure to achieve his ambition of reaching the age of 90 was an enduring source of frustration!

As a postscript the news of Edwin’s gaining a place at Oxford came through just three weeks after father died. He’d have been so pleased at one of his successors enjoying that particular success.

By Simon Wood (72-77)

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Ron Cooper (38-41 and 44-48)

was at the RGS from 1938 to 1948 and went on to a distinguished career in the Civil Service, and awarded a CB (Companion of the Order of the Bath) in 1981.

Ron was a highly intelligent but not an obtrusive person. He came into his own in the Fifth and Sixth forms, where his unusually grown up composure and politesse, enlivened by a lively eye and a sense of humour, won the respect and affection of his contemporaries. The value of these quieter qualities doubtless dawned on them as they themselves grew older.

It was our loss when his parents moved to Edinburgh just as he was about to enter the Upper Sixth, and transferred him to Edinburgh Academy.

After National Service in the Education Corps he went on to read History at St Edmund Hall, Oxford, where he was one of a group of us at Oxford from the RGS who kept in touch. He joined the Ministry of Supply in 1954 at a starting salary of £375 a year.

He made friends there who lasted a lifetime – he organised monthly lunches for them until the last year or so.

One of the most enjoyable times in his working career came in 1962 when he was seconded for five years to the

Later, as Deputy Secretary, he became Principal Personal and Finance Officer of the Department of Trade and Industry. Among other responsibilities he was acted as personnel officer for a very large number of staff. A colleague remembers him as unfailingly polite, positive and helpful in the role, and as someone who won the confidence of Permanent Secretaries and Ministers, a vital attribute. Another colleague speaks of him as a deeply sympathetic man with great understanding of people.

Ron always valued his links with the RGS. He played an active part in the London ONA during his middle years.

After his retirement he was one of a number of us who met from time to time for lunch in London, a warm, intelligent and thoughtful companion.

Though looking back on those lunches I wish we had done more by way of drawing him out – obviously at least as interesting as the rest of us and with a wide and interesting experience of life, he was also less voluble and the last man to be full of himself.

He suffered from diabetes for all of his career, and showed great fortitude in dealing with it. He lived in the Chilterns for most of his married life, and leaves his wife Christine, a son and two daughters.

By David Boll (38-49)

Obituaries

Derek Gibson (36-42)

Brian D Davidson (71-78)

Born 4 March 1925, died 6 October 2014, aged 89

Born 2 March 1935, died 4 October 2014, aged 79

I am writing to let you know of the death of my beloved father Derek Gibson (36-42). I have just finished reading his term reports from whilst he was at your school: he threw very little out! He and my mother Joy visited the school several times over during many trips back to the UK from Australia.

It was a highlight for my Mum to have a meal in your wonderful Dining Hall. Dad’s life was an amazing one, he was a first mate in the Merchant Navy, a trainer, educator, development officer, antique book seller, vintage car owner, pantomime instigator in every club that he joined. He had a full life and left a legacy with everyone who knew him. It was not the destination for Dad, it was the journey that mattered. He died peacefully in his sleep, surrounded by his family on the 6 October 2014, aged 89 years.

Brian came to the RGS as head of Modern Languages in 1971 and acted as a new broom. He will be well remembered by a succession of ONs who were enthused by his love of literature, in particular German literature.

In the days of Oxford and Cambridge entry scholarships there was a regular stream of scholars heading from the RGS to read Modern Languages, mostly at Oxford. Several of these have remained in contact with their former mentor, and he continued to take an active interest in their careers, very proud that a number became academics. Brian energized our teaching not only in the Sixth form but throughout the curriculum. Text books were changed – and in the case of German beginners, dispensed with altogether. He was delighted to have been able to initiate a regular exchange with the Max Planck Gymnasium in Newcastle’s twin town of Gelsenkirchen, an arrangement which continued for several decades.

By Rosemary Sharpe

Douglas ‘Douggy’ Norman Allan (28-37) born 1919, died 14 December 2014, aged 95.

Ian Johnston (57-65) born 1946, died 11 September 2014, aged 67.

David Anderson (31-38) born 1919, died 30 December 2014, aged 95.

Thomas John Muckle (44-49) born 1931, died 7 November 2014, aged 83.

Charles Eric Aylen (45-47) born1929, died 14 November 2014, aged 85.

Frank Derek Patterson CBE (32-39) born 1923, died 19 December 2014, aged 91.

Alistair Brewis (46-55) born 1937, died 25 July 2014, aged 76.

John Purdy (40-44) born 1927, died 31 October 2014, aged 87.

Clive Russell F Hogben (52-61) born 1943, died 3 November 2014, aged 71.

John Maxwell Sisterton (47-54) born 1935, died 30 August 2014, aged 79.

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Brian’s energies out of school were directed to his large family, and to walking and climbing in the Lake District, to listening to music, to growing alpine plants. He was for a few years secretary of the Robert Taylor Society, a society made up of Modern Language teachers in schools and at Oxford University. In this post he was responsible for organizing an annual conference in one of the Oxford colleges.

After nearly nine years at the RGS, Brian left with his Danish wife Ilse and their four children for the Hague where he was appointed deputy head and then Head of the British School in the Netherlands. He eventually retired to a house overlooking the estuary at Gatehouse of Fleet from which he could watch Osprey diving for fish and where he was fortunate enough to be able to pursue his interest in alpine plants while working on what was effectively a natural rock garden. His many enthusiasms and his happy memories of the years at the RGS were in no way diminished. He and Ilse were delighted when one of their daughters moved with her family to Gatehouse of Fleet.

By Mike Oswald (66-03) Modern Languages teacher

Life Through a Lens Richard Hanson (79-86) Born 18 August 1968, died 14 August 2014, aged 45

Alan Wheldon Bell (25-33) Born 9 October 1917, died 12 July 2014, aged 96

I regret to inform you of the death on 12 July 2014 of Alan Wheldon Bell (25-33) at the age of 96 years. I am one of three surviving nephews of Alan and an executor of his estate.

Alan was at the RGS from 1925 to 1933 from where he proceeded to Armstrong College to gain a BSc in Marine and Mechanical Engineering in 1937. All Alan’s working life was spent at Hawthorne Leslie (Engineers) Ltd. St. Peters Works, rising from an engineering apprentice to be director and production manager before being made redundant in 1975.

He was a member and then Chairman of the Executive Committee of the North East Coast Engineering Employers Association between 1957 and 1975 and also a member of the Management Board of the Engineering Employers Federation. He was also a member of the Council of the North East Coast Institution of Engineers and Shipbuilders and Chairman and member of the Committee of the Tyneside branch of the Welding Institute.

Following redundancy Alan served as a member of National Insurance and Industrial Tribunals.

Alan was widowed some 15 years ago and had no children.

By Dr Chris D Day

21

ONA – Old Novocastrians Association Magazine Spring 2015

Richard at work, Ethiopia 2013

Richard Hanson (79-86)

countries in the course of his career, covering news stories such as the aftermath of the Rwanda genocide in 1994 and the Haiti earthquake of 2011, as well as reporting on relief After leaving school, Richard and development projects for took a year out to work and travel NGOs. He also worked for all in the Middle East and the United the major UK broadsheets and States. He then studied a range of UK charities, Mechanical Engineering at the universities and corporate University of Leeds (1987-90), clients. He is remembered by and went on to work for a year colleagues as a person of great as an assistant at an engineering generosity, integrity, vision and training college near Dodoma, thoughtfulness.

Tanzania, as part of a volunteer programme with the charity Richard married Ingrid in Tearfund. While in Tanzania he 1993. He and his wife were developed the interest in actively involved in their church photography that had begun and community life, first in when he was a Leeds student, London and then in Sheffield. and built a portfolio of pictures.

Richard volunteered as a youth worker and on projects to In 1991 Richard returned to the support asylum seekers. He UK and was offered a job as is survived by his wife and their photographic assistant at two children, Jessica (1998) Tearfund. From then onwards he and Isaac (2000), as well as worked as a photographer, his parents and sisters, and leaving Tearfund in 2000 to work is greatly missed by his family briefly for a Bradford-based news and many friends. agency, Guzelian, and then as a freelance. He travelled to over 40 By Ingrid Hanson reknowned editorial and press photographer died this summer of Acute Myeloid Leukaemia, aged 45.

ONA Diary dates London ONA Annual Dinner ‘Far they went forth from the school in the North’

Friday 6 March 2015 The East India Club Guest Speaker: David Goldwater (51-62) RGS and After: a Life in the North East Please see details on the ONA website at http://ona.rgs.newcastle.sch.uk/news-and-events.aspx or telephone the Development Office on 0191 212 8909 for further details.

Deadline for reservations is Friday 27 February 2015. Price £55/£45 (£45 if aged 30 or younger, or 80 or over).

Collingwood Lecture Tuesday 10 March 2015 at 7.30pm The Miller Theatre Professor Andrew Lambert will speak on Making an

Admiral; Cuthbert Collingwood and the naval profession.

Andrew Lambert is Laughton Professor of Naval History at King’s College, London and an expert on Napoleonic naval warfare. He is a lively and learned speaker with an excellent reputation for bringing the unsung gem of naval history to a wider audience, through lecturing across the globe and regular media appearances (he even has his own page on IMDb) as well as through his writing, which won the 2014 Anderson Medal of the Society of Nautical Research.

No charge to students of the RGS; otherwise £2 admission.

Art Private View and Choral and Orchestral Concert Friday 1 May 2015 at 7pm Main Hall The Music Department would like to invite you to a concert that will feature the school’s Symphony Orchestra and, for the first time, the combined Senior and Community Choirs.

They will be performing Dvorak’s Slavonic Dance Op.72 No.2, the 3rd movement from Haydn’s Trumpet Concerto in E flat (with Will Wathey Year 13 as the soloist), Handel’s Zadok the Priest and Karl Jenkins’ choral suite The Armed Man. This concert will follow the Art Department’s annual Private View, an exhibition of students’ artwork, starting at 4.15pm.

Admission is free.