16 minute read
Obituaries
from ONA 99
Nicholas Wright (42-50)
Born 20 March 1932, died 30 September 2016, aged 84
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By the time Nick retired in 1992, numbers were down to 200. He did not approve of the present situation where it is increasingly difficult to get psychiatric patients admitted to hospital, where hospitals can be many miles from their home and where patients are often moved from one hospital to another. He also regretted the frequent changes in consultant that patients now experience. Nick was the first visiting psychiatrist to HM Prison, Winchester. His expertise, coupled with a clarity of thought and expression, brought him a large medico-legal practice and he featured in many high-profile murder trials. He also served on the Parole Board where
Nick became a consultant psychiatrist. He joined the school in Penrith in the Middle School. I have a vivid memory of him romping around with the spirited glee and bright intelligent eyes that remained with him all his life. But we were also aware of a shadow. He was in 11 different billets and did not settle in any of them. After returning to Newcastle his spirits recovered. Perhaps his war years were one factor to the distress of others.
Later he concentrated on his studies and his interest in sports and became a school Prefect. He won a County Scholarship to Cambridge where he read Medicine.
He was appointed consultant psychiatrist at a major hospital in Basingstoke in 1966 and also provided the psychiatric service for Winchester. When he arrived the hospital had about 1,300 in-patients.
in his choosing a career in attending he argued against the injustice of many indeterminate sentences.
Nick and I had lost touch with each other during our middle years but recovered it when we attended the reunion in Penrith in 1999 to mark the 60th anniversary of the evacuation. Half a dozen of us who lived in the South East took to lunching together regularly in London.
Nick would enter, always at ease, always in much the same manner, a friendly glint in his eyes. He had become remarkably urbane – used to the world, socially confident and experienced, and exceptionally at ease with himself.
He lived in Winchester where he played rackets at Winchester College and later real tennis, and won the British Open Real Tennis Senior Doubles Championship in 1983. He enjoyed Contract Bridge. He and his wife Rosemary shared many activities –theatre and music, travel and cruises, winters spent in South Africa. Wherever they went they readily made friends. He loved the Lakes and now stayed near Loweswater, with manageable walks, no big peaks and not crowded. It was very Nick to have worked out this exact adjustment to his changing capacities.
In discussion Nick was independentminded, in which he must have owed something to the school, always eager to encourage independent thinking. His views were clearly but not aggressively stated. He struck a humorous quizzical note. The effect was of a clear cool rather detached light, dispersing fog and clearing up muddle.
There came a darker side when he learned in 2010 that he had incurable prostate cancer. The time left to him was spent actively, his pleasures continuing much as before. He did not express concern for himself, rather a mild surprised pleasure that he was lasting so well.
He leaves his wife Rosemary, his sons Alex and Ian, his stepchildren Saira and Jeremy, and four grandchildren.
By David Boll (38-49)
Rory Allan (03-10)
Born 23 September 1991, died 21 September 2016, aged 24
During lunchtimes he would hold court, gleefully inviting discussion and argument on any topic, whether solemn or frivolous. Occasionally, his taste for polemic would work its way into long emails. In one such email to a teacher warning against the deification of rugby, Rory begged forgiveness for its length, pleading, ‘It’s all meant in the spirit of vivifying moral discourse’. Rory was one of the academic highflyers in his year, with a full complement of A*s at GCSE and A Level. He enjoyed spending time rummaging through the school Archives in his role as Archive Prefect, and was dedicated to his study of History, running the school’s History Society, and returning
From the moment Rory Allan joined RGS in 2003, from Newcastle Preparatory School, it was clear that perfect fit for Rory. He lived in Palladian
he was a formidable character. His wit, charisma and charm made him popular with teachers and students across the school.
As a younger student, Rory sang in the school choir, and enjoyed tours to hosting memorable parties in his
Italy and Prague. On the Year 7 tour to Italy, in a typically impulsive act, he spent the greater portion of his remaining spending money on an antique duelling pistol.
He was also a talented pianist, and nights with friends would often end very close friendships, including with
congregated around the keyboard.
He was an integral member of the Debating Society throughout his time at the RGS, successfully representing UK, and running workshops and training for younger members as Chair of the society.
on a number of occasions to give talks after he had left.
In 2010, Rory went up to Oxford to read for a degree in Modern History at Christ Church (or, as he would correct, ‘The House’). Christ Church was a halls and studied the subject he loved.
While he thrived intellectually, becoming a scholar after his first year, Rory was not confined to tutorials, lectures and the library. He enjoyed a notably wide and active social life, eccentrically decorated rooms.
As at RGS, he quickly formed a set of the school in competitions around the
his tutors, but made a deep impression even on those who encountered him only briefly.
He was diagnosed with cancer at the end of his first year, but remarkably he elected to continue his studies, travelling back up to Newcastle at the crack of dawn every fortnight for chemotherapy. All the while, he pursued his academic work and maintained his friendships with continuing vigour. His love for highland reeling, long dinners and champagne was never diminished. He remained at Christ Church to complete an MSt and work towards a doctorate in late 19th- and early 20th-century historiography.
For an essay on his idol, the Northumberland-born historian, Hugh Trevor-Roper, Rory won the eponymous Dacre Prize while at Christ Church.
Only months before he died, Rory had an essay published in a collection about the life and works of Trevor-Roper entitled Hugh Trevor-Roper: The Historian (2016, ed. Blair Worden, published by IB Tauris); a satisfying achievement, given the value he placed on, and joy he took in, crafting a wellwritten thesis, essay, letter, or even text message. As Richard Davenport-Hines put it in his Telegraph review of the book, ‘Rory Allan’s account… has dashes of Trevor-Roper’s puckish urbanity’.
Rory bore the burden of his illness with grace; his concern was always directed at his friends and family. In a characteristic act, a week before he died and against all sensible medical advice, Rory insisted on travelling down to London to bid farewell to his friends.
Rory was the brightest star at the RGS, and remained so at Oxford. He treasured his school years, and remained very close to his classmates and teachers who will miss his love and friendship dearly.
By Luke Hughes (05-10) and Hugo Wallis (03-10)
Cyril ‘Oggie’ Wright (47-59)
Born 28 september 1939, died 21 November 2016, aged 77
final game for the club was for the 3rd team in 1979. Oggie’s favourite Novos game was, without doubt, against the Northumberland President’s XV in 1963, to showcase the opening of the clubhouse extension. Old Novos played a side packed with Northumberland County players and the odd smattering of full internationals from Ireland, Scotland and England; Oggie regularly recounted how well he played in this game! Oggie was instrumental in turning around the club’s fortunes in the mid-70s with a close eye on club proceedings. As Novos President, between 81-83, Oggie forged links with RGS school boys to fuel the
It is with great sadness to report that Cyril ‘Oggie’ Wright passed away in November after a long battle with cancer. Oggie’s unquestionable love for (Old) Novocastrians RFC was perhaps first demonstrated as a school boy at RGS, as he played with distinction in the school’s 1st XV earning himself school Colours in 1957; Oggie proudly presented his school Colours cap to the club in 2015, which sits contentedly in the club cabinet. Despite his courageous three-year
After school, university beckoned for Oggie, which took him to King’s College (now Newcastle University) to study Dentistry. Oggie played for Old Novos from his Sixth Form school days: however, he moved to Medicals to play with his college chums. His passion for Novos was too great, however, and he returned to the club in 1963 from which he stayed; though he always wanted to know how Medicals were getting on. Oggie, an intimidating and well-set second row, was a playing for the 1st XV until 1977; his
club’s successes for the rest of the 80s and early 90s. Oggie, a skilled dentist, was also known to stitch up cuts to players faces after a game in the club kitchen…he would try to do this before his sixth pint of the afternoon! He was always there to lend a hand to his club, devoting much of his time through his various voluntary roles and even giving donations to his club when it was in desperate need.
welcome return and he continued battle with pancreatic cancer, Oggie still made it to Sutherland Park to cheer on his boys; the last time was only three weeks before he died. On leaving the club that evening, I asked him how he had managed to battle such a debilitating and painful condition for so long – he responded, “Sheer determination”. These words encapsulated a man that never gave up and continued to support the club he loved, despite the struggles bestowed upon him.
By Chris Ward, Novos RFC
Donald Grant (32-42)
Born 28 April 1924, died 29 August 2016, aged 92
Donald (centre) playing rugby in Ipoh
It is with great sadness that I write to inform you of the death in August of my father. He was evacuated to Penrith in 1939 where he was Head Boy and met my mother Rosalind: they married in 1949. Following Edinburgh and Oxford universities he joined and thoroughly enjoyed the Colonial Service in Malaya as a forestry district officer, including playing rugby for a victorious Scotland v The Rest of the World!
He returned to Scotland to farm where he and Rosalind brought up their three children. He was always very proud of the RGS and his happy time with the school.
By Roger Grant
John Reed Cawood (54-61)
Born 22 November 1942, died 15 August 2016, aged 73
John particularly enjoyed making domiciliary visits throughout the Tyne Valley to write wills and conduct family law business which remained his interest throughout his professional life. He became a partner in 1968 and senior partner in 1995 until his retirement in 2000. He was an excellent communicator and became mentor to many legal probationers, some of whom went on to become partners in the
John was buried in sight of Skiddaw following a service at Crosthwaite and was also closely involved with the
Church, Keswick attended by over 400 family and friends who gathered to pay tribute and give thanks for a life of kindness, loyalty and service.
John was born in a Jesmond nursing home, a surprise undiagnosed younger twin to his brother, Harry, and with an midwife and trainee health visitor, at
elder sister, Charmian.
The Cawood family lived in Gosforth. Following primary school education at Edgefield he entered RGS in 1954 and developed life-long friendships with peers and also teachers particularly Bill Tunstall (37-78) and Jeff Knowles (56-80 and 80-84). A keen tennis player, gold medal ballroom dancer, gifted pianist and a voracious reader he started to maintain a file and entered a comment for every book that he read.
Leaving school in 1961 the brothers’ education widely diverged. Harry won a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music, London and became a renowned solo and orchestral violinist and music teacher. John pursued a career in law and joined John H Sinton and Co., Solicitors, Jesmond, serving five years as an articled clerk. He attended law school in Guildford
same firm.
He served for many years as Chair of Governors at Central Newcastle High School and the Northern Counties School for the Deaf, Old Novocastrians’ Association: being President from 94-96.
John met Valerie Buckle, district and graduated in 1966.
a party in 1969 and, having discovered a mutual interest in walking and the Lake District, the romance flourished: they married the following year. Val gave up her career when Matt, the first of three children, was born. Matt is in business with West Cumberland Farmers, Lucie qualified in Law and then retrained for the Church and James, actor and playwright, now works in recruitment.
John often said that had he not chosen the financially safer option of law, then he might have enjoyed the acting profession. He was a fine orator.
John enjoyed the outdoors particularly in the company of Val, family and friends and preferably with a dog. Duffus, a Scottie dog, the first of several that they owned, was bought in Harrods pet department and became the subject matter of many a cartoon with which John illustrated letters, greetings cards and ‘little books’ which are treasured by their fortunate recipients.
John’s much loved Scottie dog, Duffus featured in a series of treasured cartoons illustrated by John himself
RGS schoolfriend and book dealer, David Steadman (55-65), introduced John to the world of Beatrix Potter via a first edition of The Tale of Mrs Tiggy-Winkle and he became a true bibliophile and amassed a very special collection of first editions and Beatrix’s artworks and correspondence which sold at auction in London shortly before his death.
Some time before retirement, the Cawoods fulfilled a long held ambition by buying a property in Keswick, the better to enjoy hill and fell walking.
John celebrated retirement by walking from Sienna to Rome in the company of his friend, Tim Brown who had been articled with John. Shortly after retirement John was diagnosed with a sarcoma which required extensive surgery and post operative therapy, and he was grateful for the care he received from the Freeman Hospital. He made light of his medical condition and continued the long walks and the enjoyment of gardening and their house became the focus for many gatherings with their children,
children’s spouses, seven grandchildren and assorted visitors. Together, John and Val walked the South Downs Way, Peddars Way and the Coast to Coast. Welcomed into the Keswick community, John and Val joined the Music Society and Book Club. John became a Trustee of The Beatrix Potter Society and received invitations to be a guest speaker on his favourite topic from various organisations. He gave the Presidential address at a Beatrix Potter annual conference.
A founder member, and later director, of Keswick Community Housing Trust which provides affordable housing to local residents. He was especially proud of the success of this organisation which has helped many less fortunate families.
John gave a lifetime of service to his family, friends, profession and to the community and always with infectious humour, compassion, wonderment and wisdom. John Anderson (46-53) born 1936, died 2 January 2017, aged 80.
Charles Derek Cooke (33-40) born 1921, died 22 October 2016, aged 94.
Ernest Dale (38-47) born 1929, died 6 October 2016, aged 87.
Jeffrey Howles (45-48) born 1930, died 6 September 2016, aged 86.
Jack Lindsay (67-87) former physics master, born 1931, died 27 December 2016, aged 85.
Michael ‘Mike’ John Rennie (5464), born 1946, died 9 January 2017, aged 70.
Brian Robinson (34-36) born 1919, died 21 December 2016, aged 97.
Colin D Solomon (71-76) born 1958, died 24 August 2016, aged 58.
Robert EO Waddell (37-45) born 1927, died 23 September 2016, aged 88.
Malcolm John Watson (50-61) born 1942, died 3 December 2016, aged 74.
Allan Curtis Wilson (36-43), born 1925, died 29 October 2016, aged 91.
Correction (Issue 98)
Page 15. WA Simpson (47-56) was the author of the full obituary of the late Derrick Andrew Frenz (54-57). Bryan Stevens (44-49) was incorrectly quoted.
Page 4. The Headmaster incorrectly stated that Sarah McDonald (06-11) was, ‘Currently European 1,500m champion’. Amused by this, Sarah stated that she wished she was!
ONA Diary dates
Celebration of the Saxophone –
John Harle (65-74) Wednesday 22 March 2017, 7pm The Miller Theatre, RGS
RGS ONA is proud to present this concert which includes the premiere of a new work written by Bernard Trafford, Headmaster. All profits from the concert will go to the Bursary Campaign.
Contact Jill Graham at j.graham@rgs.newcastle.sch.uk.
The London Annual Dinner Friday 10 March 2017, 7pm The East India Club
The President of the ONA, Chris Wilson (97-02), invites you to join him at the London ONA Dinner.
Guest Speaker: Jim Pollock (67-77), head of Junior School Sport and 1st XV coach at the RGS.
An ex-Scotland international rugby player, Jim will entertain us with stories of his youth, his days as a teacher at Kenton Comprehensive School and memories of his international playing days. He will reflect on where the school stands now in relation to Sport and looks ahead to the future. He hopes to add to what is already a thoroughly entertaining evening with his own brand of humour. It promises to be a good night! Details can be found on the ONA website at http://ona.rgs.newcastle .sch.uk/news-and-events.aspx or by telephone on 0191 212 8909.
Deadline for reservations is Friday
3 March 2017. The price for the dinner is £64. Subsidised tickets for undergraduates are £44.
Secure a place by sending payment by cheque, made payable to Old Novocastrians Association, providing your name, address, email, years at school and dietary requirements. We can also accept a bank transfer. Please email ona@rgs.newcastle.sch.uk for further details.
Find our Facebook page at: Old Novocastrians Association
ONA Merchandise Special Offer
Tie and cufflinks £50 Bowtie and cufflinks £55
If you are coming to the London ONA Dinner, you can order a combination of a tie or bowtie and cufflinks for a special offer; only available to dinner attendees.
