ONA 87

A Year Abroad James Penn (99-09) on an exciting globe trotting ‘Gap Yah’!

Also in this issue: From Old Stars to New | From the Archive | RGS Bursaries

Issue 87 | Spring 2013

ONA Magazine Issue 87 Spring 2013

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.

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Contribute!

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

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

The deadline for acceptance of copy for the Summer 2013 issue is Monday 11 March 2013. Copy may be carried over to a future issue.

The ONA Magazine is now available online Please note that the magazine is now circulated both in hard copy and by email to many members of the Association.

Each edition is added to the ONA website shortly after circulation. By submitting an article or news for inclusion the contributor is accepting that it will be available through both formats and will also be accessible beyond the Association membership through internet search engines or any member of the public viewing the ONA website.

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Design www.infinitedesign.com

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President’s Welcome News and Events ONA Now and Then From Old Stars to New RGS Bursaries Less ‘Gap Yah’, more ‘Year Abroad’ A History of the RGS in Ten People A Medical Elective in New Zealand Obituaries

Welcome

I was truly honoured to become President of the Association in October of 2012, which also marked the 10 year anniversary of my graduation from the RGS. To give some perspective as to how long ago that was, in my final year I witnessed one of the biggest changes the school has ever seen when 20 girls joined in the Lower Sixth Form. It’s true that the school that has stood for centuries has changed a lot since 2001, but its principles have remained unchanged and so too have those of the Association.

I’d like to thank Adam Goldwater (87-97), the outgoing President, for his fantastic leadership over the past two years. Adam has been responsible for a variety of initiatives that continue to strengthen the relationship between the school and the Association. This will remain one of our objectives and I am pleased to say we are very lucky to have him stay on as a venerated committee member.

Special thanks go to Tove Elander who left the RGS, and consequently her post as Alumni Manager, after this year’s ONA Dinner. Organisation of the dinner in October was her last act for the Association and it is testament to her that it was as successful as ever. Tove’s tireless hard work over the last 12 years has driven vast improvements, most notably with the magazine, and she will be sorely missed.

We wish her all the best in her future endeavours.

As we issue a fond farewell to Tove, I am delighted to welcome Jane Medcalf into the fold and whilst Tove leaves behind some large shoes to fill, Jane joins with a wealth of experience from her role as Bursary Campaign Manager, a position she will continue to hold in conjunction with her new ONA responsibilities.

Another change for the Association is the appointment of two Vice Presidents in Chris Rutter (95-02) and Chris Wilson (97-02). All three of us joined the committee in 2008 and it feels like only yesterday that the then President, Mike Barlow (53-64), welcomed us as “the young Old Novos”; a label that we have reluctantly had to relinquish!

I am thoroughly looking forward to working with the two new Vice Presidents and together with the rest of the committee. I am confident that the next two years will prove to be an exciting time for the Association.

David Westwood (95-02) ONA President

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News and Events The London ONA Annual Dinner Comedy Writer, Daniel Maier (7686) will speak at the Dinner sharing insights into writing for ITV1’s Bafta Award-winning Harry Hill’s TV Burp and his collaborative writing with Charlie Brooker and others.

Anne Boleyn, which will tour to eight venues this spring following its Globe run last summer. Faye Castelow (02-04) went to the Oxford School of Drama. She too has been very busy and was outstanding in the lead role in Neil Simon’s Barefoot in the Park, codirected by, and co-starring, Maureen Lipman. Both performed in one of the real dramatic highlights of my 14 years at the RGS, Jeremy Thomas’ 2004 production of Hay Fever.

Congratulations to Fraser Forster (9606) who is currently Celtic goalkeeper and has been called up into the England football squad for the first time.

Aidan Robertson QC (73-80) My wife

Beverley gave birth to twins on 1 August 2012, James John Maxwell and Elspeth Kathleen Clare, a brother and sister for Alice born on 17 November 2010. I continue to be in full-time practice at the Bar, specialising in EU and competition law. I also continue to be a visiting lecturer in the Law Faculty of the University of Oxford, teaching the postgraduate competition law course.

Anindo Banerjee (81-86) I started as a Consultant Physician in Respiratory and General Medicine at Southampton General Hospital in March 2006 and now lead the lung cancer, bronchoscopy and pulmonary Ashley J G Winter OBE (64-74) was physiology services. This year I have appointed High Sherriff of Tyne and Friday 8th March 2013 at the RAF completed my PhD from University Wear for 2011-2012.

Club. Please see details on the College London on the relationship ONA website at between early cigarette smoke induced Congratulations to Fraser Balmain http://ona.rgs.newcastle.sch.uk/ (05-10) who made his first Premiership lung abnormalities and the news-and-events.aspx or telephone start for Leicester Tigers in November development of lung cancers. On the the Development Office on home front I married Shikha in March against Wasps. He has been given 0191 2128909 for further details. last year and we now live in Hampshire. rave reviews for his performance and has been named the next Julian White We have just taken up ballroom Deadline for reservations is dancing! I coach my oldest in cricket at (ex-England International) by the Friday, 15th February 2013. Price Compton and Chandler’s Ford Cricket national press which is quite an £49/£37 (£37 if aged under 30 or Club (going up to U13s this year). My accolade and full of promise for his younger, or 80 or over). brother, Anjan Banerjee (84-89) future career. emigrated to New Zealand to a post in Neil Aitkenhead (45-55) writes: from orthopaedics three years ago. He is married with two boys, and enjoying the 1955 until 1959 I attended King’s antipodean life. Anjan has founded and College, Newcastle, then part of the University of Durham, where I obtained runs the local fencing club, and his an Upper 2nd Class Honours degree eldest is learning to fence. in Geology. I then obtained a post as Geologist with the British Antarctic Nadeem Ali (84-94) As a follow up to Survey and spent two and a half years the four ophthalmologists featured in in the Antarctic making a geological Issue 86 who are Old Novos, they may survey of the northern part of the be interested to know of three more Antarctic Peninsula based at the (younger) ones: myself, now a British station at Hope Bay. After Consultant Ophthalmologist at returning to the UK in 1962 I wrote Moorfields Eye Hospital, London; up the results of my survey at the Congratulations to Guy Munden Omar Mahroo (86-96) who is nearing (03-07) and Rosie Kenny (07-09) who University of Birmingham and the end of his ophthalmology training obtained my PhD in 1964. I were recently engaged. and is an Academic Clinical Lecturer in subsequently was awarded a Polar Ophthalmology at St Thomas hospital; Medal for my work. I then joined the and Alistair Porteous (95-02) who is Previous Headmaster, James Miller writes: one of the things that Ruth and I British Geological Survey and spent in training in ophthalmology. It is not much enjoy in our retirement is going to most of my subsequent career making uncommon currently for me to bump geological maps of the Peak District the (excellent) Malvern Theatre, where into both of these on a weekly basis! we are members. In recent months, we and North Lancashire – all in all a very satisfying career. Incidentally, I had two Congratulations to ex-Governor, John have seen two Old Novos on stage.

Will Featherstone (94-04) went on to elder brothers, Paul Aitkenhead J Fenwick, Deputy Chairman, Fenwick LAMDA after Cambridge; he has since (34-43) and Douglas Aitkenhead Limited who was awarded a CBE in the been very busy, particularly at The Globe. (35-40, 41-44), both now deceased, New Years Honours List for services to He was excellent in a superb new play, who preceded me at RGS. the Retail Business.

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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.

50 years on...

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2013 will mark the 50th anniversary of the class of 56-63 leaving RGS for the wider world. So a group of us (who have met in varying numbers from three to 12 every year since then) thought we might mark the occasion with a wider gathering on Tyneside on the weekend of 18, 19, 20 October 2013. The weekend coincides with the Friday ON dinner at school (open, of course, to all years) but we thought that, in addition to attending that, we would ask the School/ONA to alert all those who consider themselves of the ‘56 to ‘63 vintage with a view to a Saturday night event at a Newcastle venue, tbc.

LASS OF

So the purpose of this Magazine note is to ask anyone interested in the Saturday event to put 19 October YEARS 1 2013 in the diary and to let Jane 95 3 6 – 196 Medcalf, Development Manager, know by emailing ona@rgs.newcastle.sch.uk of your interest by the end of March. When we have a better idea of possible numbers we will firm up the arrangements.

For the 12 of us this means a weekend trip to the North East (with one of our number travelling from South Africa), so we hope we can encourage as many of our contemporaries as possible to meet up for a bite to eat, a beer or two, an update on our wrinkles and a refresh of those 50/60s memories.

Brian Briscoe (56-63) and Colin Ions (56 -63)

Royal Grammar School Masonic Lodge The RGS Lodge was founded in 1956 and its first members included the Headmaster, some staff and Old Novos. It is one of over 170 School Lodges around the UK. Meetings have been held continuously in the School since, and nowadays each month from October to March (except January). Recently, there has been an increase in membership with several younger Old Novos joining. Anyone interested in the Lodge’s activities should contact the Development Office. They will put you in touch with a Lodge member who will be pleased to advise and inform you.

Prestigious award for Northumberland County cricketer Northumberland CCC cricketer, Daniel Young (99-09) has been presented with The Wilfred Rhodes Trophy at a luncheon held in the Pavilion at Lords Cricket Ground in London on December 12th. The award is presented by the Minor Counties Cricket Association to the batsman with the highest average throughout the country in the three day MCCA Championship competition. Daniel’s statistics for the 2012 season were 403 runs with an average of 67.33, which included two centuries against Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire.

The trophy was presented by the MCC Head of Cricket, John Stevenson. Daniel is only the third Northumberland player to receive this prestigious award since its inception in 1956 following in the footsteps of R.W. (Bobby) Smithson in 1960 and Gary Scott in 2009.

Daniel, who was school cricket captain in 2009 and vicecaptain in 2008, made his full Northumberland debut in 2011 after having played for their various age group teams since he was 11 years old. Daniel started his club career with Alnwick CC and Eglingham CC before moving to Tynemouth CC for three seasons. He currently plays for Benwell Hill in the North East Premier League and is in his final year at Leeds Metropolitan University where he is a member of the Leeds /Bradford MCCU universities squad.

By David Young

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ONA – Old Novocastrians Association Magazine Spring 2013

ONA Now and Then

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We value and cherish our former students, just as you cherish your memories of the school. But I know that no ON really wants to set their old school in aspic and prevent it from developing, for develop and move forward it always must.

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Writing this in January, I’m very conscious of the way in which the ONA magazine looks, Janus-like, in two or even three directions. Certainly it looks back: ONs remember their time at the school with pleasure – not unalloyed pleasure, for sure, for no school’s perfect and they had to go through the pains of adolescence too – and it’s wonderful that you are so ready to share your happy memories in the pages of this magazine. Sadly but inevitably, when we turn to older ONs, there are memorials and obituaries: among them you’ll find a particularly fine tribute to one of the many ONs who have achieved distinction in the Law, Sir Humphrey Potts (44-50), written by Louis Taylor (75-85), himself the son of one of our most eminent ON lawyers (and I guess we include Lord Eldon (1751-1838) or Baron Stowell (1745-1836) in that list!). It paints a portrait of a great man, someone I was privileged to meet at Louis’ house just a couple of years ago.

for the Dinner in school on 18 October, this year combined with the 50th Anniversary, organised by ONs of the 1963 vintage who are extending the Dinner into a weekend of celebrations.

And don’t forget RGS Day on Saturday 29 June when the school is open and on show. Amid all the prizegivings that we run on that day, we are very pleased to include a number of prizes given by the ONA: what’s so good is that they are not the usual kind of school prize for good work and progress over the year (important as those are), but rather specific awards designed to stimulate personal study through essay competitions. That gives important support to intellectual enquiry which, even at the RGS, needs encouragement when too much of the sprawling exam system is concerned with satisfying examiners’ requirements and, in a sense at least, ticking their boxes rather than demanding originality of thought. So we are grateful.

And we look forward, as a school always must. We value and cherish Since Christmas the school has lost another great friend, though not an ON, our former students, just as you cherish your memories of the school. in Dr Alan Reece, that formidable and But I know that no ON really wants to maverick academic-turnedset their old school in aspic and entrepreneur who left academia in his prevent it from developing, for develop late 50s and started making and move forward it always must. remarkable specialised vehicles such Education is about the future, and we as an underwater trench-digger and numerous innovative machines for the map out futures not only for our military. He gave £30 million of his own students but for the school itself.

2013 will be no exception in that money to The Reece Foundation, set process: indeed, I think there will be up in 2007, and was personally many plans and developments that we generous to the school’s RGS Bursaries campaign, giving £350,000 will be able to share with all the RGS family over the coming year. But not in total to fund bursaries to help quite yet! So watch this space, and I students to join the RGS in the Sixth hope I can share more of our exciting Form to follow science A levels, vision for the future of the school in particularly with a view to studying engineering later on. A great man, and forthcoming editions. one whom the North East will miss.

Thank you, as always, for your support and affection for your old school.

We look to the present: plenty of events happening for ONs this year, first the London Dinner on Friday Bernard Trafford 8 March and then a date already set Headmaster

ONA Now and Then From the 50s & 60s

by Ian Gotts (59-66)

I read with interest and sadness Melvyn Wallhead’s (56-66) obituary of the late Derek Wanless (59-66) (Issue 86). In the Sixth Form there were five of us who would play cards: Derek Wanless (59-66), Melvyn Wallhead (5666), Bruce Morrison (56-66) and Andrew Du Plessis (59-66), usually in Joe Liddell’s room. Derek used to keep the running total of points from playing solo and Black Maria, with tens of thousands of points recorded in a running total. He usually managed to edge the game, with Wallhead close behind. Moving away to Leeds to start my degree I never managed to keep up with any of the group, or indeed of the form I started in (2-3? with Mr Macro) almost all of whom were boys starting at the secondary school rather than migrating up from the primary. It is a long time ago, but many of the memories are still vivid. And the roll call of names for that form aren’t far away; Brown, Burgess, Coulson… ending up with Wallhead, Wanless, Wright A & Wright Q. Although you won’t find me on any lists of achievement at the school either literary or sporting, I realise the value in

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my working life I gained from going to the RGS compared to the other option which would have been Morpeth Grammar (especially so, having read Sid Waddell’s account of his life there, whose brother I knew well at primary school). My Dad had pushed for a scholarship for me, though the hour and a half travel each way every day was a bind, especially when the bus was late and I ended up in late detention (why didn’t they put the driver in detention, not me?) I was encouraged to join the school orchestra on Saturdays, which would have been another three hours on the bus, at which point I packed up playing the ‘cello. A pity I never took up Uncle Jasper Doull’s offer to be taught the guitar in three easy lessons!

The one thing the school never managed was to teach me how to write neatly, despite three attempts including

by Larry Watson in English (who still owes me 6d for some minor challenge he had during the lesson) and some bright young thing on teaching practice whose name I can’t remember. Even clients complained they could not read my writing on flipcharts, so I think that is a family trait.

Now, after 20 years in the best British engineering firms British Aerospace, Eurotherm, Marconi and ITT, followed by 20 years as a consultant in KPMG, I have swapped all that for becoming a full time family historian, photographer, and scuba diver, and combinations of all three, interspersed with seeing my lovely family. Having benefited from a County scholarship to the school when it was a Direct Grant school, I support the Bursary scheme as a way of giving something back for what the school has given me.

ONA – Old Novocastrians Association Magazine Spring 2013

From the Archive 2012 was a year of much rain and a royal jubilee. The accompanying extract from Novo records a damp royal visit by King Edward and Queen Alexandra on July 11 1906 which left our reporter slightly underwhelmed.

The King had come to Newcastle to formally open the Royal Victoria Infirmary and Armstrong College. The latter had been established in 1871 to offer instruction in mathematics and the sciences and had been renamed after William George Armstrong in 1904. It later became part of the Newcastle division of Durham University. The ‘Mr Logan’ referred to in the piece was Headmaster of the Royal Grammar School between 1883 and 1912. Three months after the royal visit a much more significant event in the history of the School took place: the relocation from Rye Hill to the current Jesmond site.

Oliver Edwards

School Archivist

From Old Stars to New

By Marc Read, RGS Physics and Philosophy Teacher

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I’m a big fan of Tycho Brahe, the larger-than-life astronomer with a golden nose, who died from drinking too much at a banquet.

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I’ve been teaching at the RGS (mainly physics, and now also A-level philosophy) since 2006, and one of the greatest things about the school is undoubtedly how willing students are to talk about things above and beyond the syllabus. My PhD was in the history and philosophy of science, tracing the development of astronomy, and stories about some of the eccentric characters involved often make it into my lessons. (I’m a big fan of Tycho Brahe, the larger-than-life astronomer with a golden nose, who died from drinking too much at a banquet.)

Over the last couple of years, I’ve spent some holiday time turning these anecdotes into a collection of short stories, a cross between popular science and historical fiction.

A small publisher in Cardiff (Candy Jar Books) is bringing the book out in June or July this year, and New Stars for Old is now available for pre-order in hardback on amazon.co.uk.

Matt Ridley (author of The Rational Optimist) has described it as “delightful and erudite … fascinating.” Former students are welcome to drop by to get their copies signed, although you might have to look for me in HHHB’s old room rather than the physics labs!

Coming soon from

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Candy Jar

Why I support RGS Bursaries Having read Alastair Leithead’s (80-90) and Nigel Paton’s (66-76) articles in support of the RGS Bursary scheme, I find myself compelled to offer my own thoughts on the value of the scheme that I too enthusiastically support.

By Major Stephen H E Richardson (81-88)

I was one of the many boys who benefited from the state Assisted Places Scheme that is very sadly now defunct. The son of a Maths Teacher and a Vicar we were never hugely welloff, and when my father died his wish to send me and my brothers to RGS seemed unlikely at best. However, the Assisted Places Scheme stepped in with full bursaries and we were all lucky enough to be educated in the way my father would have wished (well, my brothers both went to Dame Allan’s – nothing’s perfect!).

Most importantly, Sue Rogers gave me the finest instruction in land navigation known to man through NRGS Orienteering and O-level Geography.

In my 25 years of varied military life I have never been completely lost (yes – really!) and literally hundreds of soldiers in Northern Ireland, Iraq, Kenya, Canada and Afghanistan owe their lives to Sue’s exhortations to “look into the map” in the rain in Chopwell Wood.

I have already mentioned the demise of the excellent Assisted Places Scheme, which in my view is a tragedy Now a fairly vintage Army Officer I have for the principles of social mobility and progression on merit championed by had numerous reasons to be grateful our school for the last 500 years. But to RGS and the education that has I am not the Education Secretary, and quite literally saved my life on until we have an Old Novo in the post numerous occasions. I was not (am the best we can do is to fund our own not) a massively academic sort, as scheme. In the best traditions of our M R Barlow (53-64) and others can school it is up to us Old Novos to testify from bitter experience. But RGS was and is much more than raw ‘tread where our fathers trod’ and make our country a better place. I cannot exam results. It provided me with: a think of a finer cause for Old Novos’ practical education in intelligent and charitable cash – the education of analytical argument; my best mate future generations of intelligent, fit, Mark Korolkiewicz (78-88); and compassionate and conscientious reinforced my enthusiasm for public ‘movers and shakers’ to make our service in the Armed Forces through fine country a great place to live. the CCF. Incidentally, I can still hear And, who knows, maybe the odd Army Lt Col Griffiths crying “bash on” at Officer or two! difficult moments.

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ONA – Old Novocastrians Association Magazine Spring 2013

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I cannot think of a finer cause for Old Novos’ charitable cash – the education of future generations of intelligent, fit, compassionate and conscientious ‘movers and shakers’ to make our fine country a great place to live.

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Iguazu Falls, Argentina

Less ‘Gap Yah’, more ‘Year Abroad’

by James Penn (99-09)

As a French, Spanish and International Relations student at the University of St Andrews, James Penn (99-09) spent 13 months of 20112012 in Switzerland and South America. Here he shares some of the things that not even an RGS education can teach you!

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oing a working year abroad is subtly distinct from doing a typical ‘Gap Yah.’ Going to a new continent with nothing but the address of your work place for the next six months makes you infinitely more resourceful and selfreliant. The deep immersion in a society, essential for language acquisition, is only possible through an extended stay in a country and very different from the fleeting snapshot that one gets from pure travel. I divided my year abroad into three parts: two months at the Chief Executive Board of the United Nations in Geneva, followed by six months in a law firm in Santiago, Chile, then five months teaching for the British Council in Ushuaia, Argentina. Building a life from scratch in each place took time but, once you have a work routine, a weekly football team to play in and exciting plans for the weekend, then ‘home’ can be anywhere in the world!

Switzerland: Mountains, Lakes and Palaces

This UN headquarters is housed in the Art-Deco ‘Palais des Nations’ on the shore of Lake Geneva and is where the Human Rights Council (among others) is held. During my two months there, an Emergency Session was called to discuss the developing situation in Syria. However, forget the violence of the multitude of wars that are raging around the world; the most brutal conflicts are the internal ones for funding and recognition within the organisation itself.

Chile is probably the most geographically diverse country in the world: ranging from the Atacama Desert in the north, the immensely fertile middle section of the country which produces the wine that is exported around the world, to Norwegian-esque fjords in the south.

Argentina: Steak, Red Wine and Skiiing

Palais des Nations, Geneva

Geneva can be ludicrously expensive, but with a little imagination it can be very hospitable. The lake, for instance, can double as a free swimming pool since gym membership costs nearly as much as the entire UN budget. Also, if you seek it out, there is a network of kindly UN translators who are willing to rent out rooms at half the going rate. Fluency in three languages is very much the expected norm and being part of the intern community is a fantastic way to meet people from all over the world. There are rotating Wednesday lunches at each organisation (UNEP has the best food, though steak and frites overlooking the lake on the veranda of the Palais comes a close second).

Chile: Desert, Pisco Sours and Surfing

Chile is a country on the up. A country that stretches the equivalent of Edinburgh to Baghdad, but is only as wide as the UK, is now the most stable and the least corrupt country in South America. Optimism pervades the country. With a burgeoning financial and legal sector, many European graduates are fleeing their debt-laden home economies and are making the capital, Santiago, their home. With surfing on the Pacific coast to the west and skiing in the Andes to the east, people play as hard as they work. Six months prior to my arrival, I said ‘yes!’ to an extra whisky at a bonfire on the beach in St Andrews and it landed me two months free accommodation, complete with swimming pool and staff, in a house overlooking Santiago; not to mention friends for life.

Chilean taxi drivers are just as football-mad as their Geordie counterparts and will be able to reel off every single Chilean footballer currently playing in the premiership and their game/goal ratios. ‘Las Urracas’ (‘The Magpies’) have a huge fan base. At the law firm, I also learnt that it feels great to win an international commerce arbitration case even if the subject matter was a dodgy shipment of avocados.

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ONA – Old Novocastrians Association Magazine Spring 2013

Argentina is a fascinating country. It suffered a Greek-style financial meltdown 10 years ago and is still suffering the aftershocks. Buenos Aires feels like a warmer, shabbier and more bohemian version of Paris. Argentineans do the important things in life very well: in terms of steak, red wine and company the country is unparalleled. Despite President Kirchner’s recent efforts, Argentinians themselves are incredibly hospitable, extrovert and passionate.

They are family orientated and have a distrust of their politicians that would rival any British cynic. I was posted to Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego by the British Council. Although this is the southernmost city in the world, it is exactly the same latitude south as Newcastle is north. Skiing during the day on mountains overlooking the Beagle Channel (named after Darwin’s boat) followed by teaching English in the evenings to Argentineans from a whole range of economic backgrounds as well as educational standards is a work/life balance that I shall aspire to for the rest of my life.

My year abroad has been a hugely valuable experience. It took over a year in the planning, with countless bureaucratic hoops to jump through, but with a little luck along the way it has meant that I now start many sentences with ‘When I was on my year abroad…’ Still, that’s probably preferable to ‘When I was on my Gap Yah…’ James can be contacted at: james.penn8@gmail.com Photographs by James Penn Beagle Channel, Argentina

A HISTORY OF THE RGS IN TEN PEOPLE The search by David Goldwater (51-62) for 10 people who have been most influential in the history of the school continues.

In the 1950s, the bijou Grainger Cinema used to retain popular films for very, very many weeks. ‘The Robe retained for 44th Week!’ was a typical small ad in the Evening Chronicle. Our History of the RGS won’t run for 44 issues, but is a fertile subject and has produced some fascinating follow-up correspondence, which itself could provide future interesting reading.

Hawk-eyed Bryan Stevens (44-49) spotted an error in Issue 86: Edward Moises was Hugh Moises’ nephew, not his son. Narrowing our lengthening list of notable RGS personages down to 10 will be a challenge, but one which we will probably focus on this June at RGS Day.

moved from a licentiateship to Fellow at the Royal College of Physicians.

A modest, reserved man, he was ambitious and eventually became sole lecturer at Guy’s, his brilliant reputation attracting large numbers We begin with Thomas Addison of students. Sadly, he suffered from (1793-1860), born in Longbenton acute depression, then referred to where his father was a grocer and flour as melancholia and retired in 1860. dealer. He graduated in Medicine in His suicide soon after was blamed 1815 from Edinburgh University. He on overwork. He rests in Lanercost moved to London where, as a house Churchyard and was commemorated surgeon at the Lock Hospital, he at Guy’s by ‘an admirable bust’. In became engrossed in diseases of the 1975, George Pallister, under whose skin, his speciality leading him to quiet but dedicated biology describe the changes in pigmentation instruction many RGS boys of the now known as Addison’s disease. As a 1940s and 50s moved onwards to pupil at Guy’s Hospital from 1817, medicine, published a short monogram within a few years, he had swiftly on Addison.

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John Elders by Nick Posner (75-85)

John Elders (I am greatly indebted to John Armstrong for extensive notes from which I prepared this section.)

William Webb-Ellis might spring to mind as the father of the game first amongst most Rugby aficionados. In the case of RGS, however, between 1957 and 1982 and beyond, it is to John Elders that the school owes a huge debt of gratitude. Serving under Headmasters Mitchell, Haden, Cox and Miller, he was appointed ‘to give sport a voice in this academic school’. He taught Maths, organised Prize-giving, panoramic photographs, Founder’s Day and Carol Services, served as Housemaster of Collingwood, Tutor and arranged school camps. As Director of Sport, John wanted every boy to find a sport he could enjoy and continue beyond school. He also took 1st Year Cricket; seeing John taking 1st Year Cricket into the nets, Donald Meakin told him ‘they were reserved for the 1st Xl’. The retort was immediate and characteristic: ‘If the first years don’t get into the nets, there’ll be no 1st Xl in six years’ time’.

John played for Loughborough Colleges, captained Leicester and trialed for England. At school, his clubs were Northern and later Old Novos, playing for Northumberland, North East Counties and the Barbarians. Early in the 1970s, he became England Coach and his most remarkable successes were on short tours with England to South Africa in 1972 (unbeaten there) and New Zealand in 1973 winning both Test Matches. John’s next role was coaching England Schools, whom he took on an unbeaten tour of Australia.

In 1977, John set up the RGS Rugby Centenary Season with various celebrations, producing a Commemorative History.

Alister Cox wrote in the foreword: ‘We all owe several debts to John Elders. By his own achievements as player and national coach he has brought reflected glory upon the RGS, and his experience of wider horizons has helped to keep the school game in proper perspective. I have always detected a pleasing lack of fanaticism about the RGS approach – some magnanimity in victory, a philosophical attitude to defeat, and a preference for enjoying the game.’

(John Armstrong comments: ‘I might qualify Alister’s words: sportsmanship certainly, but in his rugby John was nothing if not competitive.’)

In the same club history Tim Duff (51-59) wrote: ‘Top people take the Times, ran the jingle in early 1957. Top schoolboys read an advertisement for a Master to take charge of Rugby Football at the Newcastle Royal Grammar School. We wondered what we would get and in the early days of September in training sessions before term we met John Elders, hair then just tinged with grey, and were very quickly taken with his friendly, direct and positive approach… Looking back as captain… one was conscious of a great deal of constructive support from the touch line during matches and always of encouragement. Doubtless this history and all the other Centenary activities would not have occurred without his drive and enthusiasm… our greatest thanks are for the way he has kept us in touch through him with the RGS… he is still the same man and friend we knew at school.’

John was ultimately approached to take up a teaching post at Downlands College in Queensland, where of course he coached rugby and he and Margaret enjoyed the 10 years there. He brought Downlands over on tour to the UK, which of course included a visit to play the RGS. After returning from Australia to UK in 1992 at the age of 60, John returned part-time to the RGS for five years, retiring in 1997.

Countless Old Novos and former staff will wish to send him and Margaret their fondest regards through the pages of our magazine.

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Newcastle’s football and rugby teams. the most distinguished alumni in RGS’s His report led to the introduction of allseater stadiums and it was not until near five centuries. At school, he captained the 1st XV from 1946-49, very recently that its tone, blaming the as well as the Newts Swimming Team. police and ground owners, rather than the fans, was reflected in the He proved to be an accomplished conclusions of the Hillsborough pianist both at school and throughout Independent Panel which was able to his life, playing to concert standard. examine documents not available to From making his mark on the life of the school, Peter Taylor went on to re-define Peter Taylor. the role of England’s most senior fulltime judge and changed fundamentally In 1992 he succeeded Lord Lane as the public’s perception of the judiciary. Lord Chief Justice and became Lord Taylor of Gosforth. It was a time of crisis He was evacuated to Penrith with school, where he met a fellow evacuee, in the criminal justice system. By 1996, when he retired, the miscarriages of later to be his wife, Irene. justice which had forfeited public After reading History at Cambridge, he confidence were no longer in evidence.

He was undoubtedly a moderniser, was called to the Bar in 1954, taking Silk at the age of 36. Leading the North influencing government policy. Even his very last appearance in the Lords was Eastern Circuit and chairing the Bar Council, one of his most notable cases the controversial initiation of a debate attacking Government policy regarding was the prosecution and jailing of the prison sentences. Struck down corrupt property developer John Poulson in 1974. During that trial, Peter prematurely by illness, his greatest sadness had been the prior death of his Taylor was known to slip away during wife and then, in turn, his inability to play the lunch recess to play the piano. At the piano. At his Memorial Service in St parties and at the Garrick Club he Paul’s Cathedral in July 1997, the would enjoy accompanying his own Hebrew Kaddish Prayer was read by string trio. His love of the instrument his son Louis Taylor (75-85) and linked him for many years to the Leeds International Piano Competition and he brother Arthur Taylor (33-41), performed in public together with its something without precedent. Peter chairman, Dame Fanny Waterman.

Taylor was fearless and passionate and what his further contribution to the Law A High Court Judge from 1980, he might have been is incalculable. was promoted to the Court of Appeal eight years later and was appointed For the next and final part of this History, shortly after to chair the enquiry into the I’d very much appreciate any personal Hillsborough Football disaster. It was a reminiscences of Ma (Miss) Steven and good choice as he was not only an Jack Wolstenholme. Please write to or accomplished sportsman, but also a email the Development Office (see long standing supporter of Contents page for details).

Peter Murray Taylor (38-49) is one of

Peter Taylor (38-49) and his brother, Arthur Taylor (33-41) on the balcony overlooking the portrait of Lord Taylor in the School Hall (June 1994).

A Medical Elective in New Zealand – Kia Ora! Home away from home

Twenty-four hours of flying brought me to the geographical antithesis of England, New Zealand.

Yet interestingly, British colonisation renders the country possibly even more familiar than some places only a few hours away in Europe. I even found a Newcastle University graduate on the paediatrics team I joined.

By Holly Blair (06-08)

H “

I would like to thank the ONA for their generous support which has not only contributed to my educational progression, but also helped me take advantage of the opportunity of a lifetime.

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”

awke’s Bay is not the most obvious location in New Zealand to undertake a medical elective, which people were quick to point out. It is not frequented by backpackers and rightly so, but it is a fantastic place to live and a hidden gem. Hawke’s Bay was for me New Zealand at its best.

It is a perfect encapsulation of the fusion between colonial British tradition and Māori tribal culture that does not occur in the backpacking hotspots of South Island.

approximately three hours drive north of Hastings in a place called Wairoa with a negative reputation but famous for its pies. Wairoa Hospital has 11 acute beds with an additional three beds in a maternity unit. In my second week at Hawke’s Bay Hospital I was fortunate enough to take a four person airplane along the coastline to this hospital in Wairoa for a paediatric clinic.

Emergency referrals from Wairoa are mainly flown to Hawke’s Bay by helicopter. During my first week we saw a young girl flown in twice for a complication of high blood sugars as a result of poorly controlled diabetes, I was based in Hastings Hospital, the and it was not the first time. It was main hospital serving an area almost three times the size of Northumberland presumed she was not taking her but with almost half the population size. insulin and perhaps she was too harshly judged for the repeated Nevertheless this seems to be a huge undertaking. There is another hospital expensive helicopter journeys, thought to be preventable. Later down the line it helping out, a small one run by a GP

Furthermore, Hawke’s Bay countryside is inundated with wineries, it has been estimated there are as many as 90 in the area. It is New Zealand’s oldest wine region and 80 per cent of the country’s plantings of Merlot, Cabernet, There used to be another hospital in Sauvignon and Syrah grapes are Hawke’s Bay, 15 kilometres from grown here. It was a shame they all Hastings, in Napier. The hospital was appropriately situated on Hospital Hill, closed before 5pm and it meant visiting them required a prompt departure from a fantastic vantage point. However much to the dismay of Napier residents the wards on occasion. In addition, Hawke’s Bay is blessed with beautiful it was closed 13 years ago and they now have to ‘commute’ to Hastings. To countryside, with some fantastic walks add insult to injury, Hastings is deemed and viewpoints. Golfing in Hawke’s Bay was also on the cards with Cape to be less reputable than Napier.

Kidnappers on the coast being one of the top ten courses in the world. The Hastings Hospital is not dissimilar to laidback atmosphere in the hospital those in England; however it was meant there was time for an occasional pertinent that they do not observe the spot of afternoon golf: I think they call it strict ‘bare below the elbows policy’ networking! that is so rigidly enforced in England, although some doctors did observe this practice. Importantly their medical I had hired a car for my time in New Zealand and was thankful to be driving care is up to scratch. Ignoring the occasion when one of the consultants on the left hand side of the road, given that it took me about two weeks to stop looked at the wrong chest x-ray and putting the windscreen wipers on had to get a five year-old boy with a before the indicators. My weekends collapsed lung off an airplane pretty were spent travelling North Island, with rapidly. What is dissimilar is that the Hawke’s Bay proving to be an ideal final year medical students in New distance from most places. During my Zealand get paid: England take note! eight weeks I managed to ski on an active volcano, do bone carving, marvel North Island and in particular Hawke’s at the many geothermal areas, relax in Bay have large Māori influences and hot springs, skydive, zorb (rolling down Hawke’s Bay has a larger Māori a hill in a bubble) and do a sevenpopulation than is average for New metre drop white water rafting. I had Zealand. Throughout the children’s ward are Māori translations such as an one week for a whistle stop tour of animal alphabet. Unfortunately, many of South Island. I saw Christchurch in devastation but the beginnings of the Māori population in Hawke’s Bay their ‘re-start’ programme. I hiked live in the most deprived areas. As a on Fox Glacier, went jet-boating in result the children’s ward is often Queenstown, horse-riding in greeted by many illnesses that one would expect from a developing country, Glenorchy, heliskiing in not New Zealand. Selfishly this did offer Wanaka and I cruised through educational benefit and on my first day I Doubtful Sounds in Fiordland was introduced to an eight year-old boy National Park. with rheumatic fever. He spent five of his six weeks in hospital jumping on the The roads throughout New bed until it broke, despite doctors trying Zealand, even on the main highways, are mainly single to reduce his heart rate. carriageways. There are far fewer cars on the roads than in Hawke’s Bay has much to offer and is England and, once you hit quite unique. In 1931 Napier and South Island, every other car is Hastings were destroyed by an a campervan. The highways earthquake measuring 7.9 on the wind on forever and seem to Richter Scale and rebuilt in Art Deco take the most random, but style, giving Napier town centre a scenic, routes in total isolation certain understated charm. materialised that perhaps she hadn’t realised the insulin needle needed to penetrate her skin. A harsh way to learn that insulin stinks.

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from civilisation. Someone did tell me the reason the roads were so windy was that it used to be free to build through Māori Land but not through British land...who knows?

For sure it is difficult to get away from driving in New Zealand, but it most certainly is not a chore.

After eight weeks in New Zealand I really got a feeling for the uncertainty that lies before it, a country at the mercy of Mother Nature. Four days after I left, Mount Tongariro (or ‘Mount Doom’ for Lord of the Rings fans) was showing some volcanic activity and a week and a half after I left Rotorua the nearby White Island had a small eruption. Furthermore during my first week in Hawke’s Bay there was a small earthquake. Not to forget it is only just over a year ago when the oldest standing town in New Zealand, Christchurch, was devastated by consecutive earthquakes from a fault line they did not know existed. However, with the possibility for natural disaster comes a unique environment in which vast and exuberant beauty has been able to flourish.

Obituaries Sir (Francis) Humphrey Potts (44-50) Born 1931, died 2 December 2012, aged 81.

evidential inconsistencies. He was obviously intelligent and well-prepared. But he achieved results with juries as much through his patent decency, and lack of pretension.

By 40, Humphrey was a successful barrister, who was excellent company and lived a bachelor life well in elegant surroundings in Brandling Park. Just as my parents thought he may not marry, Humphrey met Pippy, and their wonderfully happy marriage began. The house became a warm family home, with all the detritus of children mixing with the previously immaculate Georgian furnishings.

The passing of Humphrey Potts robs us of a delightful man.

He never imposed his considerable erudition, and his great charm never ingratiated. He was inherently fair-minded, interested in people and the world about him, and he had good judgment in abundance. I should declare an interest – I knew Humphrey all my life, and he was best friends with my whole family.

Humphrey also took Silk in 1971, and (as then required) took chambers in London, at 11 King’s Bench Walk. He became a Recorder, and was appointed to the High Court Bench in 1986, with a reputation as a very fair judge, conducting trials with firmness and purpose. He presided over three high profile cases.

The first was a libel trial in which journalist Jani Allan failed to refute an alleged affair with neo-Nazi leader, Eugene Terreblanche. Humphrey particularly enjoyed the linguistic economy in a newspaper report of one witness sighting through a keyhole “the oscillating buttocks of the overweight extremist.”

Humphrey grew up in Penshaw, where his father farmed on the Lambton Estate. He was evacuated to Penrith with the Second, the trial under the War Crimes Act (1991) of Nazi RGS during the war, a period he recalled less fondly than many, although he generally enjoyed his schooldays. He read collaborator Anthony Sawoniuk for crimes committed in Law at St Catherine’s, Oxford, and was a Scholar at Lincoln’s Belarus in 1942 – the only trial under that Act. Inn, where he was called to the Bar in 1955.

And third, the trial of Jeffrey Archer for perjury. Although He joined Newcastle chambers at 51 Westgate Road when conduct of the trial was widely considered sensible and the Bar had a plentiful flow of criminal and civil work, the latter sound, Archer appealed his conviction and sentence, including on the grounds that Humphrey was prejudiced mainly involving industrial injury claims. The Newcastle Bar (based on an alleged dinner conversation with a third party was of small size, but high quality, with a disproportionate several years previously which Humphrey denied). The Court number eventually achieving high judicial office (including of Appeal took less than two minutes to dismiss the appeal.

George Waller, Roddy Smith (37-44), my father and Humphrey). The nature and flow of work allowed these In need of advice, my father would ultimately listen to three “Lions of the North” (as they became known) to develop people: my mother, his brother, and Humphrey. Humphrey ferociously effective cross-examination skills. Combining was a similar touchstone for many. He will be greatly missed, them with meeting regularly clients of every background in by all who knew, valued and loved him, and particularly by prison, and running a prosecution one week and a defence Pippy, two sons, two stepsons and two grandchildren who the next, Humphrey built up ideal experience to be a High Court Judge. Such experience belies the common caricature survive him. of judges being “out-of-touch”.

Louis Taylor (75-85) Humphrey’s personal presence in Court was commanding.

He would fully press home a cross-examination, and punish

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John N. Adams (49-57) Born 1939, died 14 April 2012, aged 72.

John Adams, who grew up in rural County Durham, went on from the RGS to become a distinguished scholar and teacher of law, a professor at several universities, and the author of numerous books and articles on diverse legal topics.

At school, John was a rather quiet and unobtrusive member of a year group which contained an unusual number of flamboyant characters, and his energies were perhaps limited by the effects of a chronic illness which was not successfully treated until after he had left the RGS. But he worked hard, and absorbed some of the best qualities of the school. These included its encouragement of wide interests and critical thinking, its seriousness about teaching and learning, and its concern for individuals, which all became characteristic of his own work as a devoted and well-liked teacher. John also had a remarkable capacity for making and keeping friends. Among these were several from school with whom he kept in touch for the rest of his life, and met regularly.

John studied law at King’s College, Newcastle, at that time part of the University of Durham, and then, after qualifying as a solicitor, practised in Gateshead. In 1971 he made the lifechanging decision to become a lecturer in law at Sheffield University. This gave him the time to undertake research, and the opportunity to teach, activities in which he delighted for the rest of his life. It was also at Sheffield that he was joined by his life-long partner, Dr David Grey, a mathematician who

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shared his love of music and enjoyment of hill-walking.

John’s subsequent academic career included posts at universities in France and the USA, and professorships at Sheffield and at the University of Kent. He also qualified as a barrister in 1984, and practised in London. At the time of his death he was still teaching at the London campus of Notre Dame University, Indiana. After completing the last scheduled lecture of the course, which drew spontaneous applause, John, as usual, entertained his students at his London club in characteristic good spirits. He died in his sleep of a heart attack at his home in Sheffield.

The obituaries written about John by his legal colleagues noted that he had left his mark on many aspects of the law, and would be much missed in numerous professional circles. He was highly valued for his legal insight, his willingness to collaborate, his skill at fostering desirable developments, and for the cheerfulness, affability and quirky humour which helped to make him a good leader in departments and committees. His many publications were described as authoritative, widely read, and influential.

John’s friends are conscious of a large gap left in our lives by his death. We miss his zest for life, his un-cynical good humour and wit, his kindness, and his steadfast friendship over many years.

Paddy Page (H M Page, 51-59)

Obituaries (continued) needed was a camera! We joined Gateshead Camera Club as its youngest members where Peter won several club competitions and later became a highly respected regional judge and was an active member until his death.

I used to join Peter and his parents on holiday every year.

Peter impressed his father and me by diving off the 30m board at St Annes. We also learnt to sail dinghies at Fairhaven. At Beadnell Hall after the hotel dance I took my dance partner for a walk around the harbour. Quietly creeping into our room at 2.30am the world fell on my head: tennis rackets, shoes, balls and boots. The light was turned on to reveal a grinning Cheshire cat very proud of his booby trap! That summed up Peter: apparently quiet and shy, but with a wonderful wicked sense of humour. A great friend.

Peter Campton Foreman (43-50) Born 1932, died 10 November 2012, aged 80.

Peter was evacuated to Penrith for a brief period, returning to Jesmond in the autumn of 1944, the year I joined the RGS and the start of our 68-year friendship.

Never a keen sportsman, Peter turned his talents to other fields and became a master builder of model gliders with wingspans from 18” to 5/6ft. Much of my fitness was down to chasing the things over miles of beaches and fields. He showed endless patience bringing them back to flying condition after numerous crashes.

Along with two other friends we became avid campers spending three, four or five weeks every Summer Holiday at sites around the North East. Our first attempt was almost a failure: without a watch or a clock between us we called at the local farm for milk to be told that it was only 4am!

Experience did not always produce improvements. Having cycled miles we almost always had to pitch our tent in darkness, once on an ant’s nest and then on the flight path of RAF Leeming where we soon found out that they were practising night flying circuits and bumps! Out walking one day we saw a bull charging towards us with the farmer frantically waving. Three of us jumped over the hedge while Peter dived into the river! When the farmer arrived he asked if we had not seen him waving for us to open the gate to let the heifer through! Well, we were young townies. Later, to finish off one of the holidays we burnt the cooking tent down!

Another camp marked with distinction is when two German POWs joined us for coffee every morning.

After the RGS and his training in Dentistry, qualifying with an MDS and PhD, Peter served in the RAF and was on Christmas Island when the atom bomb exploded (see Issue 84).

Peter was not particularly religious so his family arranged a non-religious family service, playing some of Peter’s favourite Jazz music. Sadly, I was abroad but my family say it was the finest funeral they have ever attended and a wonderful send-off to a thoroughly good and nice gentle man.

Although I will miss Peter, many very happy memories remain and are some compensation for my loss of a true and loyal friend.

Doug Sutherland (44–51)

Alister Hurford (32-42) Born 1924, died 13 October 2012, aged 88.

Alister followed in the footsteps of his father who had a dental practice at Jesmond Vale Terrace. He went up to University after spending three very enjoyable years with the school at Penrith.

A keen sportsman: at Newcastle University he was given his Cap for his rugby achievements. He was subsequently opening bat for Devonport Services Cricket Team and played squash into his sixties, twice winning the Northamptonshire Squash Trophy Cup.

Married in 1950 to June, a W.R.N.S. officer at Devonport, he At the age of 14 we decided to become photographers. Peter was the proud father of a daughter and six sons, and grandfather of 16 boys and girls. went to Turners in Pink Lane and reappeared laden with dishes, chemicals, papers and comprehensive instructions

by June Hurford and a bill which cleaned us out of our pocket money. All we

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On his recovery, he followed his father’s footsteps into Lloyds Bank, and took up a position in London, and later married and had one daughter. He spent the remainder of his working life in the bank, until his retirement in 1985.

He was a keen supporter of rugby at all levels, taking a special interest in junior rugby and the development of young players. He travelled widely in the UK, following many of his favourite clubs, and took great pleasure in discussing the finer points of rugby with anyone who would listen!

In 2002, he moved to Brighton to live with his daughter and family, where he continued to take an active interest in sport and real ale.

Frank Oliver Tulloh (34-41)

For many years he continued to attend the Penrith and London Old Novo re-unions and was briefly involved as London ONA Vice President.

Born 1925, died 5 November 2012, aged 87.

He never tired of hearing about the North East and Scotland Frank was evacuated to Penrith between 39-41, along with and would often reminisce about happy times at Penrith and his brothers Clifford Tulloh (35-41), Harold Tulloh (35-41) the RGS. and Marchant Tulloh (39-41), (44-47). It was there that he He is survived by his daughter, Frances, and developed his lifelong passion for rugby and swimming. grand-daughter, Nancy.

The family returned to Newcastle in 1941, where Frank completed his schooling. After a foray into medical studies, By Frances Tully he was conscripted into the army, where he sustained serious injuries and was eventually invalided out.

Carl Hjul (30-32) born

Geoffrey Fairless Todd 1920, died 29 January 2012, (53-60) born 1941, died aged 91.

26 November 2012, aged 70.

Alan Davison (38-47) born 1929, died June 2012, John Burton Hall (36-40) aged 82. born 1927, died 4 October 2012, aged 84.

Dennis Martin (44-52) born 1933, died 11 Gordon Victor Smales September 2012, aged 79. (34-40) born 1922, died 3 October 2012, aged 90.

Robert Vivian Stephenson He captained the 1st XV in 1939-40.

(46-49) born 1931, died 29 July 2012, aged 81.

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ONA – Old Novocastrians Association Magazine Spring 2013

William Alan Croft (38-40)

born 1927, died 12 November 2012, aged 84.

Patrick (Paddy) Martin Bennett (63-69), died 12

November 2011, aged 59.

Leonard M (Sammy) Franks (32-38) born 1921,

died 11 November, 2011, aged 90.

Walter Turnbull (41-45) born 1927, died 8 October 2012, aged 85. Walter was a pupil during the school’s evacuation to Penrith and left with best friend, the late George Holloway (36-44) to enlist in the services to become a marine commando.

By Mrs Maureen Turnbull

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