Obituaries

Re‘Unions

William ‘Eric’ Reeve (36-45)

Born 28 November 1927, died 27 January 2016, aged 88

Eric was at the RGS along with his brothers Geoff (35-42) and Brian (3848). They were all evacuated to Penrith, and Eric is pictured here with other evacuees (front, middle with pens in pocket). This spell of four years led him to his great love of the Lakes and resulted in a strong bond forged with both the school and his contemporaries. He was christened ‘Bla’ by his fellow schoolmates when he trapped his finger in a classroom door and the noise he made was said to be heard at the other end of the school! The name stuck and inevitably his brother Brian became known as ‘Titch Bla’, eventually shortened to ‘Titch’. He often told the tale of when out cycling near Penrith he came across a full milk churn by the road. Eric (always fond of his grub) buried his head in the churn to sample the milk, lifted his head to draw breath only to find a furious farmer who chased him off with the cry of, “Bloody little evacuee!” He was thrilled to attend the reunion of fellow evacuees and catch up on old times.

After school Eric did National Service in India and was commissioned in Bangalore in 1946, thoroughly enjoying the army and the experience of India.

He returned to study at Newcastle dental school, qualifying in 1953 and worked in London for a period before marrying Sally and returning back to the North East to raise his family. He practised locally, including a spell with Howard Gale (35-43) until setting up his own practice where he worked until his retirement in 1987.

Sally and Eric moved to Bamburgh in 1990 where they enjoyed the Northumberland coast with their many friends there. They were keen members of Bamburgh Golf Club, and Eric was a regular member of ‘Dad’s Army’, a group of fellow retirees who would turn out, rain or shine.

Rugby was the thread that ran throughout Eric’s life. It instilled in him a love of the commitment, camaraderie and the traditions that make rugby so unique at RGS. He was thrilled with the atmosphere and sense of occasion at the Falcons last season watching the RGS victory over Durham.

Eric played at school, Old Novos and for Northumberland, often with Cambridge Blue and England trialist brother Brian. He became President of Novos RFC in 1969 during their transition to an open club. He also won two County Cups with Medicals, and served on the county committee for many years.

J Colin Peacock (53-61) recalled, “I would like to acknowledge what a delightful man your Dad was, and very much part of my formative years at Novos. We dragged him out of retirement in his forties to play for the thirds until unfortunately his rampant enthusiasm induced a career-ending hernia!”

Eric was a dedicated supporter of the school, with the ONA and other school publications read with enthusiasm, as was any mention of the RGS in local media. He often attended the annual address, and was a long-term bursary supporter.

Grandson James is still at the school and William (05-15) left last year.

William ‘Bill’ GR Weeks (35-44)

Born 3 May 1927, died 26 January 2016, aged 88

Bill Weeks made no particular mark at school, but he certainly enjoyed his time there, especially the evacuation years in Penrith, on which he looked back on as some of the happiest of his life, attending most of the ON reunions, though not the very last one.

His step-father was JR Heslop (191115), a chartered accountant. Bill subsequently became a director of the family firm, Petties Ltd, a ladies’ hairdresser in Northumberland Street, Newcastle. On leaving school, Bill gained a BSc in Agriculture at King’s College, returning there soon afterwards as a lecturer in Agriculture and Economics and remaining there until his retirement.

It was soon realised that Bill was one of those men who possessed a booming voice, an opinion on everything, and the courage of his convictions, so he became a familiar figure in the local media, a forthright pundit on food production and farming, featuring on such productions as Farming Outlook (Tyne Tees) and Channel 4’s Good Food Show. He was much in demand for an instant quote on any subject. “Bread, beef and beer are what sustains an Englishman.”

For some years he was a member of Newcastle City Council, and later, after retiring from Jesmond to Seahouses, he continued his public life as a local councillor. One of his great enthusiasms was the North of England Steam Traction Engine Society, which he was a founder member, and he was a pioneer of the Newcastle Summer Exhibition.

In 65-67, after many years on the committee, he served as President of the ONA. His first wife, Betty, died in 1984. They had one daughter, who I understand is now a vet. At the age of 65, he became a father, having married again. This he saw as a great personal achievement, but eventually, due to ill health, he had to give up his smallholding and his speed boat and moved to sheltered accommodation. His extrovert personality and unfailing cheerfulness and good humour will always live in the memory of those who knew him.

“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might”.

By Bryan Stevens (44-49)

Michael ‘Mike’ Brown (72-79) born 1960, died 25 August 2015, aged 54.

Basil Butcher (32-36) born 1920, died 3 February 2016, aged 95.

Anthony ‘Les’ Crawford (37-44) born 1927, died 27 July 2015, aged 88.

Harry Davis (39-49) born 1931, died 6 December 2015, aged 84.

John Errington (34-44) born 1927, died 16 July 2015, aged 88.

Edward Hew Nichols OBE (37-43) born 1925, died 29 January 2016, aged 91.

David Thompson (78-85) born 1967, died 13 March 2016, aged 48.

Alfred ‘Alan’ Townsin (36-43) born 1926, died 9 April 2016, aged 90.

Rae Walton MC, AFC, TD (28-32) born 1919, died 28 December 2015, aged 96.

The ONA and the school are also saddened by the news of the deaths of both Bill Haggie, former governor of the school, and Kathleen Shipley, widow of Don Shipley (52-83). The ONA lost another former President (88-90) with the passing of TR ‘Reg’ Harper (42-49). Reg was a very popular figure, melding the serious duties of a country vicar with his widespread interests, from Rotary and the British Legion, to music, philately, sport, education and most important of all, his family. Before his health declined, he frequently attended RGS and ONA events.

At his recent funeral, the vicar of St Mary’s Windermere, the Rev David Wilmot described Reg as an immensely likeable man, always taking time to encourage values which would sustain him through his 57 years, in parishes on both sides of the Pennines. After the RGS, he went on to Durham University, later serving as deacon, priest and curate, 58-60 at Corbridge with Halton. After two years at St Michael’s, Byker, he became vicar in Ushaw Moor from 62-67. In the eulogy for his father, Jonathan Harper (72-74) related some lighthearted tales of this period: “Dad was also assistant prison chaplain at Durham. His fondness for music prompted him to take the Ushaw Moor Church Choir to Durham Prison where they put on a choral rendition to the inmates who included, at that time, the Great Train Robbers. All was going well until one unforeseen moment –the finale of Stainer’s Crucifixion –the line “fling wide the gates” brought the house down!” After seven years as secretary of the Church Missionary Society, his career took him over the Pennines, first to Borrowdale at the parish of Thornthwaite cum Braithwaite and Newlands from 74-90. Bellingham and Otterburn followed until his retirement in 1998. Reg was always available to help out and his last services, as his health declined, were Remembrance Day on 8 November 2015 and then at the minute’s silence on 11 November at the Market Cross in Ambleside.

Reg retained a passion for sport and rugby union in particular. He was a fine rugby player at the RGS, where he captained the first XV, and he loved his cricket at school, university and for the diocese. In 1979, at the Ambleside cricket pitch, his team, Carlisle, met the favourites, Liverpool Diocese, who showed them very little sympathy, bowling out the whole team for eight runs; Reg the top scorer with three runs! Liverpool duly took nine runs for no wicket off Reg’s first over, to take the match.

He was a storyteller, comfortable with people from all walks of life. Jonathan, quoting a friend: ‘If you had a conversation with Reg, you always left uplifted and the better for it. Above all he was a real gentleman’.

He leaves Enid, his devoted wife of 57 years, son Jonathan, daughter Liz and his adoring grandchildren.

By David F Goldwater (51-62)

1979, Reg (second from right, front row) –eight runs all out!

ONA Diary dates

RGS Day

Saturday 2 July 2016, RGS, Newcastle upon Tyne

ONs and their families are warmly invited to join us for our annual celebration of everything that’s good about the RGS on RGS Day, Saturday 2 July (morning). The day involves a sequence of prize-giving ceremonies in the Main Hall, my ‘state of the RGS’ address at 10.30am, a variety of entertainments, exhibitions and demonstrations, and excellent refreshments in the marquee. Precise details and timings are not yet fixed: please check the school website for the detailed programme nearer the event.

Bernard Trafford

Headmaster

91st Annual ONA Dinner

Friday 14 October 2016, RGS, Newcastle upon Tyne

RGS Community Choir

The RGS Community Choir is looking for new members (male voices are especially needed) following on from their second successful year. The choir meets every Thursday from 6.30pm until 8.00pm in the RGS Performing Arts Centre. There is no cost involved to participate and members will receive all vocal scores free. Potential singers can join the choir in September. For more information, please contact Zlatan Fazlic´(head of performing arts and director of Music) at z.fazlic@rgs.newcastle.sch.uk