34 minute read
OBITUARIES
DONALD MACBETH THOMSON (65-69)
BORN 30 JANUARY 1950, DIED 30 APRIL 2021, AGED 71
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Donald spent his formative years
in Aberdeen, but moved with his family to Newcastle in 1965. His time at the RGS between 1965 and 1969 was a brief interlude in the overall scheme of things, but led to many deep and enduring friendships.
He brought to Newcastle an encyclopaedic knowledge of the Scottish Highlands, especially the Cairngorms –and outstanding musical talents. He was a Grade 8 cello player and member of the school orchestra, but above all a brilliant guitar player and singer. He was equally at home with hard-driving 12 bar blues, Scottish ballads (sometimes performed without instrumental accompaniment) and the intricate finger picking styles coupled with unconventional tunings inspired by Davy Graham and Bert Jansch. He was a regular performer at the South Tyne Folk and Blues Club in South Shields and with his friend Peter Day recorded the CD Hooks, Lines and Thinkers based on his performances there. He also delivered the best version of ‘Angie’ ever heard in the club.
Donald did not think much of the rounded and boggy hills on offer in Northumberland, but he did instigate ON outings into the Cheviots on Boxing Days, alternating between Hedgehope Hill and The Cheviot itself. This became an annual ritual for several years in the 1970s. Further north and on home ground, he introduced many of us to the delights of the Cairngorms, Torridon, The Fannichs, and other regions of the Highlands.
After completion of a degree in Economics at Newcastle University, he qualified as a chartered accountant, before moving back to Aberdeen with the North of Scotland Hydro Electric Board. Donald maintained a wide range of interests including music, skiing and climbing. He served in the Aberdeen mountain rescue team and with them enjoyed several trips to the Alps. He got to the top of Mont Blanc and Barre des Ecrins, amongst other challenging peaks.
Donald subsequently moved to Glasgow in the early 1990s to work in hospital management and was later promoted to become Director of Finance within the then Greater Glasgow Community Mental Health Trust. His work involved development of facilities under the Private Finance Initiative, although he was never truly comfortable with the public-private procurement methods of successive governments.
In Glasgow he met Morag Macleod and they married in 1993. Their son, Jamie, was born the next year and went on to study Civil Engineering at Edinburgh University. Donald spent the rest of his life in Glasgow, retiring in 2010. He and Morag followed their many interests including bridge, singing and travel. He continued to play guitar and singing a wide variety of music with different choirs, including performances in Glasgow Cathedral, Glasgow City Hall and Kelvingrove Museum with the Bearsden Choir. His concerns for the environment led to him joining the Scottish Green Party. He became a very active member and he played a major role in getting a local Green candidate elected to the Scottish Parliament.
Donald maintained his love of the outdoors and for his native Scotland, particularly the island of Islay, which he visited frequently with ON friends. A highlight of these visits was Donald performing his wide range of songs and playing the guitar, latterly accompanied by his son Jamie – their renditions of Dire Straits’ songs will live long in the memory.
In 2020 Donald was given a diagnosis of terminal cancer. In typical fashion, he set all his affairs in order and took the opportunity to chat and say goodbye to all his family and wide circle of friends. He died peacefully at his home in April 2021 with Morag at his side. His funeral, despite covid restrictions, was marked by a large turnout and celebration of his life.
He is survived by his wife Morag, his son Jamie and siblings, Kenneth, Alan and Julie.
By Russell Egdell (63-69), Kenneth Clarke (59-69), Julie Irvine (née Thomson)
GUY MORTIMER (52-60)
BORN 1941, DIED 2021, AGED 80
Guy attended RGS before going on to Birmingham University to study Metallurgy. He subsequently joined the Royal Navy as an Instructor Lieutenant.
His career was varied starting in 1968 as marketing manager at Texas Instruments. He took an MBA at Cranfield Business School and then moved onto roles at Total and Bahrain State Oil.
In 1981 he became General Manager at Gateway Building society and then Marketing Manager at TSB.
In 1996 he retired to the Languedoc, where he and his wife Wendy lived, until his death, surrounded by thousands of acres of vineyards.
He leaves two children and six grandchildren.
By David Mortimer (63-65)
OBITUARIES A SPECIAL TRIBUTE
WG ‘BILL’ ELLIOTT (STAFF 52-88)
DIED 23 SEPTEMBER 2021, AGED 94
Bill came to the RGS in 1952. It was
the age of Dan Dare, Jet Morgan in Journey into Space, Roger Bannister and Supersonic Planes. Post war Britain was overwhelmingly optimistic and we at School had an abundance of exciting activities during and after lessons. For many it was the dawning technological age which beckoned and high speeds could be achieved on the running track. So it was welcome that along came a young and keen moustachioed teacher, who combined a skill in athletics and carpentry, with a gnawing ambition to bring his new School into the modern age. Here was a young man who had flown planes for the RAF in Southern Africa!
It was not at all easy for Bill –early attempts at developing an RGS Woodwork Department into something more in keeping with the 20th century were met with scepticism and even hostility. But by showing he could get boys at school to run like athletes and jump like gazelles, Bill demonstrated his skills at bringing even ordinary laggards into something like success. Gradually through his determined efforts, the School and its pupils and through the new trailblazing subject, Applied Mechanics, under Bill’s leadership RGS won prizes and national fame; specifically, the BBC Young Scientists Competition which, under Bill’s enthusiastic direction, the RGS won twice. A superb small single-seater hovercraft and another craft converted into a crop spraying device, toys for disabled children with buttons and levers, a safe theatre lighting console and of course, hundreds of wooden household items which still grace so many homes –towel rails, shelf units, stools and so on, cherished by hundreds with genuine nostalgia for Bill’s firm but kindly manner.
After Bill retired in 1988, he wrote several excellent books on Local History around Benton and Forest Hall. He regularly attended school events including the School Masonic Lodge founded in 1956 by ONs and the then Head Oliver Mitchell (Staff 48-60). He was delighted to be at the ONA Dinner in October 2019. Most of all he and Betty took pride in their growing family in Australia, headed by son John (61-72).
So many Old Novos hold memories of all kinds from yesteryear, very often through smells. Chemistry and Physics presented a mixture of coal gas, sundry chemicals and the nearby toilets. Sweat mingled with floor polish and Bill’s Wood and Metal Working Department was overwhelmingly a glue and timber smell, mingling with formalin drifting down from the upstairs Biology Department. It was a privilege for those of us in Bill’s Tutor Set, and visits to his slightly isolated HQ across the school field left even us young lads with a feeling that here was a teacher who cared for his tutees in those days when modern concepts of care and concern were barely touched upon.
Many years of more recent friendship together with fellow Old Novos with Bill –and until 2018 his wife Betty –demonstrated that despite them both living to a great age, they remained young at heart, interested in the world at large, their family, work colleagues and the whole RGS where Bill touched the lives of thousands of us grateful pupils. He will be missed and all of our heartfelt thoughts go out to his family.
By David Goldwater (51-62)
A full article about Bill Elliott is available in ONA Magazine 96, Spring 2016
The school was overwhelmed by the kind tributes to Bill from Old Novos, former and current staff. Here are just a few of the memories of a special man who made an indelible impression on so many.
Such sad news. ‘Bill’ was a lovely, kind and patient man (he had to be, to have been my tutor for 7 years!), and 40 years on I still have fond memories of his woodwork and Applied Mechanics lessons. Condolences to Bill’s family, and thank you to the man responsible for launching 100’s of engineering careers. Gavin Kirk (77-84)
Such a sad loss. I remember him well. His woodwork lessons still stand me in good stead over 40 years later. As do his spice rack, cheese board and other paraphernalia. May God bless his soul. Andrew Robinson (81-91)
I remember his comment when I made a mess of my attempt at woodwork…”wood doesn’t grow on trees , boy!” Peter Cheseldine (57-65) Bill was Head of CDT when I arrived at the RGS in 1987 to teach Physics and Electronics. He was an absolute gentleman and a great help to a fresh faced young teacher. Sympathies to his family and friends. Pete Wilson (87-20)
What a great guy. He gave me my lifelong love of woodworking. I still have and cherish my first attempts at a table and bowl. Russ Waughman (61-68)
A sad loss. I loved woodworking lessons with Bill. My parents had my coffee table in pride of place in their lounge for years and the guitar I made nearly 50 years ago is still going strong! RIP Stuart Bagnall (66-73) I’m really sad to hear this news. ‘Mr Elliott’ was my tutor when I arrived at the RGS in 1974 to do my A levels, and was a great encouragement to me to believe in my own abilities when other teachers were perhaps less encouraging (or maybe just expressed it in different ways!). And as for hovercraft development and racing need we say any more - it was a great ride, thanks Bill and RIP. Arthur Harbottle (74-76)
A lovely guy who lived near me in Benton. I still have a number of his books of local history, which include some of my father’s photos of the area. He despaired of my lack of woodworking ability and I finally disposed of the coffee table with unmatched legs when emptying my mother’s garage 10 years ago. Peter Hutchinson (56-63)
Below (clockwise): some of the many Old Novos who attended a service to honour Bill’s memory, at St Bartholomew’s Church, Benton on 5 October 2021; Bill in 1956; Bill and various hovercraft projects
OBITUARIES
JOHN MICHAEL LIVELY (50-61)
DIED 15 NOVEMBER 2021, AGED 79
John joined the RGS aged eight. He lived in Heaton and was a member of Eldon House and a School Prefect. He was a fantastic, popular sportsman who excelled at all sport including gymnastics, boxing, athletics, tennis, badminton and squash. His name crops up countless times in the NOVO magazines of his period. However, rugby was John’s favourite sport. He played for the school 1st XV for three years in the centre, where he was superbly coached by John Elders (57-82 & 92-96).
He scored countless tries and was awarded his School Colours. He went on to play for the Junior and Senior Northumberland Rugby sides and was awarded his County Cap which is still treasured. After A Levels, John went to Loughborough College, famous for sport. Immediately he was selected to play in the centre for Loughborough 1st XV. He later qualified to play for Saracen’s 1st XV.
John married Gill in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands in 1965 and they were happily married for 56 years. They have a daughter, Michelle, and two grandchildren, Scarlet and Cooper aged five and three. John and Gill moved to Freeport in Grand Bahama where John continued with his passion for rugby. They originally only intended to stay for three years, but life in the Bahamas was too good to give up. Soon after arriving he met someone with the same interest and together, they formed a rugby team. A clubhouse was built and thus the first Rugby Team for Freeport, Grand Bahama was born. They played matches against other islands and often British Navy Ship Crews that came to the island. He was captain of the Grand Bahama Rugby Team for several years. John was well thought of in Freeport and was considered the best athlete on the island, especially his rugby talent. During his time in Freeport, he also represented Grand Bahama in tennis and squash.
After leaving the Bahamas and moving to South Florida, John’s greatest interest became squash. He opened a squash club with some friends, and it was through John that the game of squash developed in South Florida. He formed the first Florida Squash Racquets Association and organised and ran tournaments for many years. Too old for rugby perhaps?! Rest In Peace, John.
By Mike Anderson (51-61)
DR FREDERICK J WILKINSON
MB BS FRCGP (34-40)
DIED 26 AUGUST 2021, AGED 95
Derek was born in Gateshead, educated at the RGS, Newcastle and then Sedbergh School (40-44).
He graduated MB, BS Dunelm in 1950. After resident appointments at the RVI in Newcastle, National Service in the RAMC followed initially at HQ Rhine Army in Bad Oeynhausen and then as RMO to the 5th Regiment RHA.
Following National Service, further hospital appointments preceded his joining a single-handed general practitioner in the northern outskirts of Newcastle. He and his partner founded The Woodlands Park Health Centre in Wideopen. When vocational training for general practice commenced he took the RCGP membership exam in 1970 and joined the North East group of GP trainers and shared in the development of the scheme.
He became secretary, and subsequently Chairman of the local (Morpeth) BMA division and in 1978-79 chaired the BMA North Regional Council. He was elected FRCGP in 1997.
In his spare time, in addition to involvement with the local Presbyterian Church in Wideopen (now URC) and the newly formed local residents association, he enjoyed membership of Gosforth Round Table. He enjoyed sailing a Merlin Rocket racing dinghy at both Blyth and Beadnell, eventually owning a Moody 29 yacht which he kept on the Clyde to enjoy the Western Isles of Scotland with family and friends.
He retired from General Practice in 1987. In retirement he enjoyed living in Morpeth, Northumberland where he helped to set up an arts trust and became its Vice President.
DIED 15 NOVEMBER 2021, AGED 79
Martin went to school at the Royal Grammar School Before studying Town and Country Planning at Newcastle University. Under Stan Openshaw’s tutelage he developed a keen interest in computing and its geographical applications. Following this he stayed on at the university for a number of years as a researcher and lecturer, before moving to Maynooth University in Ireland in 2004.
His impact as an academic has been remarkable. To give some idea of this, we can look to his citation count. For those of you not familiar with this phrase, in academia this is a count of the number of times something he has written is referred to in another piece of writing –it is a sort of equivalent of a cricketers career batting average. Martin has around 22,000 –easily passing into the class of internationally renowned academic. I am sure this reputation will continue to grow with the passing of time.
But perhaps as well as considering Martin’s reputation in this way, we should consider his unique approach. One very memorable aspect of Martin’s talks was that, despite the content related to quite abstract ideas in computing, mathematics and geographical data, there were always plenty of photographs. These were often of people and places –and helped to tell the story of the people behind many of the ideas being discussed. For Martin these were not purely mathematical extractions, but concepts grounded in the people whose ideas they were, and the places where they were discussed –and on occasion the colossal 1960s mainframe computers they made use of! There may have been complex mathematical ideas but they were also the stories behind them. The humanistic aspect was always of importance in his work –he would always remind us that the human geographical data we analysed arise from the lives of people –and in finding patterns we were hopefully understanding something about these people, and even more hopefully influencing policies that might benefit them.
He was also an inspiring teacher –his lectures were entertaining and he always found time to help out students struggling with the more difficult aspects of their studies. This was also true of his younger colleagues –I have heard many people remembering how he had helped them in their early careers, in some cases saying he was the reason they became a lecturer.
Finally, I would like to remember him as a great friend. Over 35 years we have had many adventures together, writing books, giving talks and on at least one instance signing the official secrets act. We also travelled around the world, including visits to China, the US, Australia, Japan, and many European countries, and discussed ideas over a beer in all of these places. However even travels to places much closer to home were always a pleasure, thanks to the company he provided. In conclusion I want to thank him for being a wonderful colleague and a great friend over the years.
By Chris Brunsdon
Thanks to the RGS Combined
Cadet Force, Eric was proud to say that he gained his pilot’s license before he took his driving test. In his school uniform, he would take the bus from the Haymarket to Newcastle Airport for flying lessons in a Tiger Moth bi-plane. He continued flying when he studied Chemical Engineering at Birmingham in the University Air Squadron, flying early Hawker Hunter jets.
But, it was in a different aspect of the air that Eric advanced his career. He continued his studies, attaining a PhD in fine particle analysis, leading to a short career in industry and then teaching at Newcastle University before joining the so called ‘Brain Drain’ to the USA in the late 60s with his wife Jenny and their two young sons. He continued his research into air pollution at the Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago. One of his early publications being How Air Pollution Alters Weather in the New Scientist in October, 1969.
Later, the family moved to Pennsylvania. He became one of the leading early experts on air pollution in the US and was a respected consultant to many of the largest corporate entities in the country throughout his career.
On retirement, Eric and Jenny returned to the UK, and settled in the Western Isles of Scotland, an area that they loved, and to which he had been introduced by Jeff and Joy Knowles on the early RGS school camp to the Isle of Eigg.
Eric died on the Isle of Lismore on 4 September, 2021, four days before his 81st birthday. He is survived by his wife Jenny, his two sons and six grandchildren. Their daughter died tragically in 1990.
By Ian Aynsley (56-66), on behalf of the Aynsley family.
OBITUARIES
JOHN DOUGLAS (STAFF 56-94)
DIED SEPTEMBER 2022, AGED 87
John Douglas was born the son of
a vicar in North Shields, attending Tynemouth High School before goingup to Cambridge to study Mathematics.
Having graduated he stayed on for a further year to complete his PGCE. During this time, he had to undertake one terms’ teaching practice. For him, this meant a placement at the RGS Newcastle. He must have made a favourable impression on the Senior staff and departmental colleagues as he was offered a permanent position starting in September 1956. As it turned out, the RGS was the only place he ever taught. In 1990 he stepped down from a full time teaching role to a part-time teaching role before retiring in 1994. Being a Maths teacher was what made him happy and what he really enjoyed. He had no desire to become a Head Teacher or Deputy Head as that would have taken him away from teaching and the “delight” of explaining the intricacies of calculus to pupils. Equally, he never expressed any desire to move away from the RGS to another school as to do so would have taken him away from the best school in the North East and the best and brightest pupils in the North East.
As well as being a good and well-liked maths teacher, he took on many additional responsibilities and extracurricula activities. His first was to become involved in Scottish Country dancing at the request of Joy Knowles. Scottish dancing turned into a life long passion which he continued to participate in right up until Covid caused dance classes to close. It was also through Scottish Country dancing that he met his wife, Jan, at a Summer School in St. Andrews in 1961 marrying her in 1963. In his usual way, he was not satisfied in only taking part in the dancing but was Chair of the Newcastle Branch for 20 years, taught at many events and schools, judged children’s competitions and sat on the main RSCDS management committee and took part in an international tour.
He also volunteered to help on the school’s camping trips to Eigg, later taking over running the Border Camp and the overall Camp programme completing 100 days under canvas in this role before passing on responsibilities to others when it came time for his sons to start going to camp.
John was appointed to the role of Head of Lower School giving him particular responsibilities for the welfare of the younger RGS students. In this role he introduced the Lower School assemblies both to reduce crowding in the main hall for full school assemblies but also so they could be more tailored to younger minds and interests. This role also included organising the entrance exams and interviewing prospective students.
Towards the end of his time at the RGS, he took over the role of General Secretary of the ONA, corresponding with many Old Boys, producing the semiannual ONA Magazine and attending many ONA Dinners throughout the UK and, when on holiday, around the World including even Sydney, Australia and Hong Kong. He stayed involved in ONA activities after retiring, attending the ONA and London ONA Dinners where he could catch up with many of those he had taught over the years and also those he got to know through being Head of Lower School. His last visit to the RGS was for the ONA Dinner in 2019 followed by his final attendance at an ONA event being the London ONA Dinner in 2020.
Music and singing were significant pastimes for John. As well as singing in church choirs wherever he worshipped, be it Tynemouth, Gosforth or, latterly, Wokingham, he also played the organ in church as an able deputy to the formal organists when they were away. John also sang for many years in the Bach Choir in Newcastle.
Following his retirement, he volunteered for Oxfam helping out at their charity shop in Gosforth. This was, for him a real eye opener, as it exposed him to a far wider range of people than he had encountered while teaching at the top public school in the North East. When he and Jan moved south in 1999 to be nearer to their sons, Martin and Alan, he continued volunteering in Oxfam’s Wokingham shop (as well as noting that it was warmer in the south).
John passed away in September after suffering from dementia for the final year of his life. He leaves behind his wife of 58 years, Jan, two sons: Martin and Alan and two granddaughters and one grandson.
By Alan Douglas (75-85) and Martin Douglas (74-84)
BORN 20 AUGUST 1929, 2 AUGUST 2021, AGED 92
Born two months prior to the Wall
Street Crash, just across the Tyne from Jarrow, the memory of those early years, so close to the Great Depression’s epicentre, was never forgotten. Amongst earliest memories was that of a barefoot boy, shouting to a passer-by (who was eating a green apple): “Mister, giz yer gowk!” Gowk is Geordie for apple core. Fortunately, his father, who worked for a London firm, had a job, even a car; and in the late 1930s the family moved to a wealthier, healthier suburb of Newcastle.
Several uneventful years were followed by wartime evacuation to the Lake District. In later life, despite working in numerous beautiful places, he would always champion this scenic Lilliput: only 30 by 20 miles, its summits a mere 3,000 feet, wet as a sponge, yet miraculous in its concentration of poetry and beauty. Circumstances go some way to explaining its impact: the contrast with industrial Tyneside and the peace was brought to rural Britain. For five tourist-free, trafficless years, it seemed as if those 15 lakes, 100 tarns and thousands of peaks belonged to a few boys on bicycles or on foot. Lakeland may never be as tranquil again.
The late 1940s was the grey era of Atlee and Stafford Cripps, whose austerities resembled a continuation of war by other means. None the less, at the RGS (now returned from Penrith to its native city) these were vintage years, when Williams numbered among his classmates the effervescent Brian Redhead, later of the Today programme, with George Gayle of the Daily Mail a year older and the brilliant Peter Taylor, later Lord Chief Justice, a year younger.
A youthful interest was cinema, decidedly of the arty type: an introduction via the Tyneside Film Society to the British documentaries of Grierson and Rotha, Harry Watt and Basil Wright; to the French romantics, Renoir and Carne; and the Italian realists Rossellini and da Sica.
National Service was spent in north German cities, still at “ground zero” level. Cambridge was a warm and brilliant contrast, reading History at Corpus Christi, one of the smallest colleges and almost the oldest. It was while hitch-hiking in Italy during the long vacation of 1950 that Williams decided to combine two interests by making an amateur film about Hadrian’s Wall. Curious to have chosen – for a medium of movement –so motionless a subject. Nevertheless, the film remains of interest, capturing Britain’s senior monument in wild, romantic moods, rarely seen today after half a century’s well-intentioned tidying, the righting of tumbled stones and the clearing of wind-twisted gorse and hawthorn.
In post-war Britain, Williams followed a contrary course, joining the documentary film movement and soon finding himself in the Middle East as a lone cameraman, covering industrial projects no one else wanted. Self-reliance, learnt from this experience, brought him to the attention of Vivian Fuchs, then preparing the Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition. This proposed to make the first crossing of the Southern continent, from the Weddell Sea to the Ross Sea. Williams was engaged to cover the initial phase and to train others to record the trans polar journey itself. However, 1955-6 proved to be more than a tame, preliminary season. Their chartered ship, Theron, became trapped in the notorious Weddell, echoing the plight of Shackleton’s il-fated Endurance of 40 years earlier. After a six week struggle the 650 ton vessel managed to fight free of the pack ice before the long winter closed in. The resulting film, Foothold on Antarctica, earned Williams a Hollywood Oscar nomination in the short film category, one of four Oscar nominations his films received (plus one as a writer) during his 43 years of documentary work, though the statuette itself would elude him.
In all, he received some 62 national and international festival awards. Twenty five of those were for a single film, The Shadow of Progress (1969) almost the first to breach the industrial wall of silence behind which air and water pollution had already reached scandalous levels. The Tide of Traffic amongst earliest warnings about the consequences of the motor vehicle, was followed by documentaries on the coming of oil and its problems to Alaska and Shetland. All were sponsored by a liberal and enlightened BP.
Despite including scientific subjects in his repertoire, Williams remained an historian at heart. Aged 50, while waiting for his train in Charing Cross Station, he chanced to open a book describing the Roman frontier across southern Germany. He subsequently resolved to write what would be the first book for general readers about the Imperial frontier as a whole: a defensive system of 4,000 miles enclosing 40 provinces, along which Rome’s entire army was stationed. It was published in 1996 as The Reach of Rome and followed, two years later, by Romans and Barbarians, an account of relations with tribal societies outside the frontier.
Williams, who worked in 50 countries, scripted and directed 30 films, wrote three books and appeared on several television programmes on Roman topics, travelled far from Walkergate-on Tyne, but was proud to call himself a Geordie to the last. He leaves a wife, Olive, two sons, six grandchildren and a great grandchild.
Winning a BAFTA for Best Documentary Short in 1971 from Princess Anne
OBITUARIES
W GAVIN DEANE-WAKE (70-80)
It is with profound sadness we report
Gavin’s sudden passing; having played a convivial and successful round of golf at Braintree Golf Club, Gavin collapsed and died.
An RGS Newcastle Junior schoolboy and South Northumberland Cricket Club (SNCC) member from the late 60s, Gavin was active in all aspects of school life, especially sport. A good rugby player he played for the school 1st XV in the Sixth Form and proudly claimed that at one point managed to keep future England international Jonathan Webb (74-81) out of the team!
Gavin represented all the RGS Senior School cricket XI’s and the 1st XI for three years from the Fifth Form. He also represented a Newcastle City XI in 1975 and Northumberland County Schools as an U16 and an U19. NOVO recalls he became ‘a batting stalwart’ in 1978. He received full cricket colours in 1979, scoring 91 v Perse School, 50 v Magdalen, 40 v Newport and 37 v Wrekin on the East Anglian tour.
In 1980 he became a Senior Prefect, was House Captain of Eldon and captained the RGS cricket 1st XI, his highlights included 63v St Bees, 3-29 v Durham School and a ‘painful’ 59 in three hours v Pocklington.
The NOVO report of the Cambridge tour that year recalls “The fundamental principles of a tour of any kind are never strictly adhered to as our captain Gavin Wake showed us on the first night. As we travelled down it rained all Sunday, Monday’s game was cancelled…and recovery became possible”.
At SNCC he was a young member of the successful U17 XI in 1977 that won the League and Friarside Cup alongside Michael Robinson (68-78), Mike Anderson (73-78), Richard Calvert, Mick Thompson (73-80), Michael Wardropper (68-78), Steve Bell (64-74), Paul Scott, Jimmy Ryan (68-78), Mark Dolder, Chris Campbell and Gary Young.
Gavin played for SNCC 1st XI principally in the 1981-1984 period. His high point was in 1983 when he opened the batting, scoring 373 runs at 28.69, high score 68 v Morpeth. This included facing future West Indian Test fast bowler Courtney Walsh at Tynedale, top scoring with 39. In that game his sense of humour emerged as he watched Nigel Wardropper play and miss repeatedly when facing Courtney and was in tears at the end of the over!
In 1983 he captained Newcastle University Cricket Club 1st XI, was awarded his colours and organised the inaugural and subsequent tours to Holland.
Armed with a good Economics degree, Gavin trained as a Chartered Accountant with Thomson McLintock in Newcastle (1983-84). He joined Barclays and in total spent 16 years with them, firstly in various branch and regional roles in Newcastle and London (1984-89), a spell in the USA (1990-91), then Corporate Relationship Management (1991-96) and Senior Risk Management (1996-2004).
In 2004 he joined RBS as Senior Audit Manager (2004-09), later becoming Head of Risk Change (2012-13) before becoming a Consultant in his own right from 2014. During his career he qualified as ACIB and IRM Cert.
Although he left the North East, Gavin always kept in touch with his RGS friends, often visiting his Mum and to play in the SNCC VP golf days. Striking the ball magnificently, a smile would emerge as his drive sailed down the middle of the fairway. It was always a pleasure to see him.
Gavin’s willingness to help others was epitomised by his participation in the Great North Run of 2014 to raise funds for Ovarian Cancer Action in memory of a close friend's wife. He enjoyed a challenge, problem solving and teamwork, all undertaken with a smile.
Gavin wrote an article for Novocastrian News, the forerunner of the ONA Magazine, which appeared in the Spring 1981 edition, RGS Cricket, A Personal Viewpoint. Former MIC Cricket, Oliver Edwards reflected “What a lovely article! Intelligent, well written, affectionate and heartfelt - the RGS at its best”, just like Gavin.
We send our heartfelt condolences to wife Joanne, daughter Ellie, sons Lewis and Alistair and all his family. We shall miss him. This is all so sad and much too soon.
Wonderfully, the Just Giving contributions already received have enabled a defibrillator to be purchased and a tree to be planted, both in his honour, at Braintree Golf Club. Also, a bench to rest on the pavilion steps at SNCC and donations to a charity which specialises in resuscitation skills training, the Adam Redfern Memorial Fund.
Clean cars and shiny shoes please!
By Duncan D Stephen (former RGS parent) with help from Gavin’s RGS 1980 friends.
ALAN HOWARD BARKER (38-45) BORN 1928, DIED 1 JANUARY 2021, AGED 92
ANTONIO DIAZ (STAFF 03-16) BORN 1952, DIED 10 JANUARY 2021, AGED 59
KW DODD (45-52) DIED 31 OCTOBER 2021, AGED 87
DR MALCOLM DUNN (60-62) Obit in next magazine BORN 1942, DIED 21 FEBRUARY 2021, AGED 78
ROBERT FENTON (76-82) BORN 1965, DIED 20 SEPTEMBER 2020, AGED 55
ANDREW MALT (87-94) Obit in next magazine DIED FEBRUARY 2022
ALAN PRINGLE (STAFF 38-45)
LINDSAY RICE (51-59) BORN 1940, DIED 26 May 2021, AGED 81
BRIAN ROBERTS (35-42) BORN 1925, DIED 11 JULY 2019, AGED 92
CLG SMITHERS (73-80) DIED 15 JULY 2021, AGED 59
DIED 9 JULY 2021, AGED 79
Our grandson remembered from
a very early age that his Grandpa had said to him “your school days are the best days of your life.” Although Peter had good education in the 1950’s he admitted his main interest for completing the Sixth Form was that he excelled in sport.
From the age of eight, he managed to be selected for most of the rugby teams. His athletic coach remembers to this day his achievements. Peter broke the school record in the 440 yards in the time of 52.2 seconds and had the privilege of running in the Northern Schools Sports Athletics Championships at the White City Stadium and at Old Trafford, Manchester. To the age of 79 he always followed every sport and remained extremely knowledgeable.
Although brought up in Newcastle, he always wanted to farm. He took three years to qualify in agriculture, which enabled throughout our married life a career in four different counties: Shropshire, Norfolk, Cumbria, and Northumberland. During our marriage we had three sons, Peter, a devoted family man, always encouraged their education, sporting interests and country pursuits which they often enjoyed together. The most recent estate he managed was that of Viscount Ridley, Blagdon which included their estate in Perthshire, Scotland. Latterly he became an agricultural advisor to Barclays Bank and then for Deloitte, Newcastle. In 2000 he unfortunately had to retire early due to medical reasons, when he became physically disabled. His doctors claimed he was stoic throughout.
During his working career in the 1980s/1990s he was chairman of many of the various farming societies. He raised money by organising pig roasts for DIED NOVEMBER 2021, AGED 88
Blagdon Park Cricket Club, Stannington Ridley Scouts, and other local charities including Morpeth Round Table of which he was a member. Until June, he had been an active member of Ponteland 41 Club.
He gave his time to St Mary’s Church by being a warden and the electoral role officer for many years. He often provided myself support when I was leader of the flower group and when making banners for the needlework group. He always encouraged me and insisted I continued independently, with my personal interests and what had been our joint hobbies.
St Mary’s Church served our family well. We had four confirmations, two marriages, four christenings, celebrations of our Silver, Ruby and Golden wedding anniversaries and two funerals.
We learn that “in giving we receive” and we will be always so grateful to our loving family who always supported us when we went through our most trying time during Peter’s illness this summer.
By Margaret Allan, Peter’s wife.
Ian joined RGS when not quite eight
years old when the school was located in Penrith. Early bouts of homesickness very soon gave way to great enjoyment, the camaraderie and the freedom of such a rural area was a small boy’s dream. I particularly remember tales of sledging on Penrith golf course and he formed what became lifelong friendships.
In his later school years he opened the bowling for the 1st XI and I well recall one Monday morning assembly when the headmaster in announcing the weekend results made mention that RI Franks had taken 5 for 45.
Ian also swam for the school and created a record time for 50 yards breaststroke which stood for many years.
After school he fulfilled his obligatory two years of National Service in the army, took a commission and emerged as a 2nd lieutenant. After receiving his commission he had a questionnaire to fill in. To the question “would you wish to do overseas service” he answered “yes” and listed his preferences, Far East, Middle East, Germany, he spent the entire rest of his term in Rutland.
Ian spent all of his working life in our family business which was an Engineer’s Sales Agency.
He had a lifelong love of sport, opened the bowling for South North and for many years played golf with a single figure handicap. A past member of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club he was also a very active member of the 111 year old Quayside Golfing Society, most notably serving nine years as secretary but also as Captain and President.
He leaves his wife of 64 years, Valerie, his daughters Carolyn and Deborah and granddaughters Emma and Kate.
After too much time isolating, we cannot wait to see our community of Old Novos reunite in person! To reserve your place at any of these special events, please visit www.rgs.newcastle.sch.uk/rgs-family or email development@rgs.newcastle.sch.uk.
THE ONA 96TH NEWCASTLE DINNER
Friday 14 October 2022 6.15pm-11pm
Royal Grammar School, Newcastle upon Tyne
Guest speaker: Geoff Riley In the 60th anniversary year, we are excited to host the ultimate reunion of RGS economists! Our guest speaker will be RGS’s former Head of Economics, Geoff Riley (Staff 88-00). This is set to be a popular event and places are limited so early booking is advised.
Tickets £55 (£45 for ON aged 25 or under).
ONS V RGS 1ST TEAM CRICKET MATCH
Friday 1 July 2022 from 1pm
Newcastle Cricket Club, 45 Osborne Avenue, Jesmond NE2 1JS
Please contact us to register your interest in spectating at this event.
RGS HISTORY WALK
Tuesday 6 September 2022 1.30pm-4pm
Guide: David Goldwater (51-62). A walk to visit the historic sites of RGS. Seven points of interest including an interlude at the ‘Discovery Museum’ to see the 1600 Royal Charter. The walk will end at RGS, Eskdale Terrace for afternoon tea. Places are strictly limited on a first come, first served basis.
Tickets £20 per head (£10 for ON aged 25 or under). The 2021 John Elders Memorial
Match, postponed due to Covid-19, is yet to be rearranged. Please see our website for further announcements. Please note that all events are subject to the latest Government guidance and the school’s risk assessment, at the time of the event.
ONA SHOP
We have a range of wonderful RGS merchandise on our website, please visit www.rgs.newcastle.sch.uk/rgsfamily/merchandise to order. Below are the new items, recently added to our range:
Water Bottle
Limited edition RGS branded black Chilli's water bottle.
Mug Full of History
A quirky and beautiful china mug featuring the words dear to Old Novocastrians. Handmade in England, from the Susan Rose pottery in Northamptonshire.
RGS Logo Silk Tie
A new design 100% pure silk, slip stitched and fully lined tie in school colours and featuring the RGS logo.
RGS Teddy Bear Collection only
PERSONAL DETAILS AND DATA PROTECTION
The school has a very special relationship with its former students.
In order to keep in touch we would like your contact details and consent. Please do complete your details at www.rgs.newcastle.sch.uk/rgs-family/on. Alternatively to unsubscribe or change your preferences please contact us at
development@rgs.newcastle.sch.uk
or on 0191 212 8909. £30
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