NEWS & CONGRATULATIONS

Congratulations To On Jonathan Bloxham

We extend warmest congratulations to conductor and cellist Jonathan Bloxham (99-04), who has been appointed Conductor in Residence and Artistic Advisor for the London Mozart Players (LMP). One of the world’s finest chamber ensembles, the LMP is noteworthy for its rich history and its pioneering approach to music-making. LMP Leader Ruth Rogers comments on Jonathan’s ability to ‘understand the soul of a chamber orchestra’ and is eager for him to help the orchestra ‘tread the tightrope of programmes by balancing innovative and imaginative initiatives’. Jonathan describes a chamber orchestra as a ‘close family’ and his role as conductor a ‘people’ skills job. It’s not telling people what to do but helping them to do the best they can.’ Jonathan began his musical training at the age of eight with a local cello teacher from the Gateshead Schools Music Service. He studied at the RGS before moving to the Yehudi Menuhin School, then the Royal College of Music, progressing on to complete a Master’s degree at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Jonathan’s list of national and international appearances spans the Glyndebourne Festival by way of Saltzburg, Lausanne and Munich and his conducting has been described by critics as ‘mak[ing] the music feel like a treasure chest of the most exquisite jewels, each one a different, rare hue’. With a foot still in the North East, Jonathan remains Artistic Director of the Northern Chords Festival, which celebrates classical music across the region.

Iron Man

Mike Bradford (67-77) thought that ON readers of a certain vintage might smile at how one of their contemporaries spends a couple of hours each week on a new ‘hobby’!

“I stepped out of ‘professional’ life at the tender age of 60 in 2019, just before meeting up with a number of ‘77 leavers for a couple of nights in the Yorkshire Dales the following year. A couple of weeks before our first Covid lockdown –Liz, my long-suffering wife of 37 years (ex Dame Allan’s) allows me to use a nonRGS taught skill, typically every Wednesday afternoon. So much for stools and bookcases in ‘70’s woodwork classes. A few tips on the more technical aspects of domestic bliss wouldn’t have gone amiss!

KING’S COUNSEL

Huge congratulations to Simon Goldberg KC (85-95) of Trinity Chambers and Richard Whitehall KC (85-92) of Deans Court Chambers, on their elevation to Silk. Here they are at the Ceremony, confirmed by the Lord Chancellor at Westminster Hall.

More Memories Of Oliveremembering Peter

Ididn’t know Olive Chandler personally. My dad, however, (not an Old Novo –he went to Heaton Grammar 50-60) was reading the ONA article and knew the lady extremely well; he could literally talk to you all day about her.

Olive was well known as a peripatetic violin teacher in many schools (including Central High), as well as being a violinist at the Theatre Royal Orchestra. She was married to Archie Newsome, a cellist in the same orchestra (who apparently couldn’t be persuaded to teach in schools despite her frequent appeals for him to do so) and also a photographer for the Newcastle Chronicle

EX-PAT GEORDIES

They happened to live in Forsyth Road in West Jesmond, as neighbours of Great Grandfather (my father’s father) and then moved to Kensington Avenue in Gosforth where they were neighbours of my Great Great Grandfather (I know, ridiculous coincidence). They had baby-sat my dad in his childhood, and later he helped change the clutch on their Morris 1000, and basically my dad could tell you hundreds of anecdotes from their lives of that period.

Dr John Nicholls (87-97)

It may be over 9,000 miles away, but it’s good to know that even Subiaco Western Australia is a great place to catch up with Old Novos. At a recent Subiaco “Old Boys” soccer team night out, Clive Lumsdon (68-75), Don Inglis (71-75) and Perry McKerlie (68-73) raised a glass to happy times at Eskdale Terrace.

David Kemp (53-60) recently wrote to us with something so lovely we wanted to include in this magazine.

“If an addendum is permitted to the obit of Peter Allan (49-60) I would like to record the following.

I had the pleasure of running behind Peter for several years. We both ran 220 and 440 yards races for the school, city and county. He was invariably first in every race and on a good day I would be a yard or two behind. He had a seemingly effortless, flowing style, which was a pleasure to behold. He was totally lacking in any ego or arrogance: a true Corinthian. The late lamented Bill Elliott (Staff 52-88) whose obituary was in the same issue, referred to our year groups as his ‘golden generation’. None glistened more brightly than Peter Allan”.

Calling The Class Of 1963

It’s an incredible 60 years since the Class of 1963 left Eskdale Terrace and your contemporaries are keen to organise a trip down memory lane in October 2023. Old Novos from this year group will be assembling for the Newcastle ONA Dinner on the 13 October, followed by other social events.

There will be much fun, reflecting on the good times and a few shots of everyone looking undeniably younger and more svelte!

Pease do get in touch with development@rgs.newcastle.sch.uk if you’d like to hear about the programme of activity.

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