ONA 88

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In at the Deep End! Rachel Rodgers (06-08) swims with dolphins in the Dominican Republic Also in this issue: ONA Essay Prizes 2012 | A Zambian Reunion | ONA Sports’ Reports

Issue 88 | Summer 2013

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ONA Magazine Issue 88 Summer 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.

Contribute!

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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.

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

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The deadline for acceptance of copy for the Autumn 2013 issue is Monday 12th August 2013. Copy may be carried over to a future issue.

Special thanks to David Goldwater (5162) for his research and contributions to the ONA Magazine, particularly on his search for A History of the RGS in Ten People.

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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.

Design www.infinitedesign.com

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President’s Welcome News and Events A Zambian Reunion ONA Now and Then ONA History and Art Prize Essays In at the Deep End! A History of the RGS in Ten People Kevin Egan-Fowler Retiring ONA Sports’ Reports Obituaries

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Welcome

The RGS has had a busy few months, what with the announcement of an exciting new development project, expanding and improving the current buildings and facilities. The ONA has been busy too. The Spring Term saw the London ONA Dinner and, as always, there was a good attendance. Our guest speaker, Dan Maier (76-86), gave a suitably hilarious speech. Other distinguished guests included the Headmaster, Dr Bernard Trafford along with his wife, and the two Head Prefects, Simon Robson and Ellen Barton. On behalf of the Association I would like to thank them and all others present for making the effort to attend the dinner and ensuring it was as entertaining as ever.

I would like to extend a further thanks to both Simon and Ellen who will be leaving the school this summer. Their commitment and dedication have been invaluable, strengthening ties between the school and the ONA. The Association would like to wish them and the rest of the sixth form good luck in their final exams at the school.

As the sixth form prepare for life after the school, so too does one of its longest serving members of staff. Kevin Egan-Fowler is retiring after 37 years as Head of Art and I am sure many of you will have fond memories of art at the school. Kevin will be invited to the ONA Dinner in Newcastle on Friday 18th October 2013.

Enclosed with this issue is a Donor Report celebrating the first 10 years of the RGS Bursaries campaign. If you would like to make a contribution or extend your support, please complete and return the donation form enclosed with this magazine.

On page 14 you will find a full report from the latest ONA vs. RGS football fixture. There is also a feature on the inaugural ONA vs.

RGS netball match! But what about the rugby? Gone are the days when Novos RFC was entirely made up of ONs, but ties to the club remain strong. We are hoping to arrange a fixture against Novos so watch this space and do get in touch if you would be interested!

Finally we have the winning essays from the ONA Art & History Prizes on Pages 16 & 17. Edwin Wood (Year 11) wrote a fascinating personal perspective of the Battlefields Trip to Germany whilst Sam Mason-Jones (Upper Sixth) took the Art Prize for his lucid account of New York at night, discovered whilst on the sixth form Art Trip.

I hope you enjoy the magazine and have a great summer!

David Westwood (95-02) ONA President

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News and Events

Dr Kier Shiels (93-00) who featured in BBC Three’s Junior Doctors returned to RGS in February to present to MedSoc talking about his work in Paediatric Medicine.

Mike Young (65-72) and Ray Bell (6070): As far as they are aware, their paths did not cross when they were at school.

However, thirty or so years later, when Mike’s daughter and Ray’s son met at Durham University, their lives would become intertwined. The Bell family’s connection with the school does not, Tom Miller (95-97) managing editor of the however, end there. Ray’s father-in-law, China Economic Quarterly in Beijing, has Dr Philip Slade (32-36) and his wife’s uncle, Dr Geoffrey Slade (38-40) were published his first book – China’s Urban Billion. http://zedbooks.co.uk/node/10994 also ONs. As the two families have got to know each other, Mike and Ray have Jonathan Patterson (05-02) and his wife exchanged reminiscences about their time at school. However, Mike and Ray’s wife Abigail live in Comberton, Cambridge.

Jane also share a common set of Jonathan was recently awarded a PhD in memories from his time as a dental student French and works at the University of at Newcastle University and her time Cambridge. They like the semi-rural life, training and working at the RVI. It’s a small and are involved in Eden Baptist church. world! Their son and daughter were married on 20 April, but before then Mike Edward Brown (93-98) I am a solicitor specialising in pensions, and have worked and Ray enjoyed the stag weekend in Berlin in March, a week after the girls for international law firm Hogan Lovells in enjoyed a hen night in London. Mike and London since starting training there in 2003. I was promoted to be a partner on 1 Ray plan on being at the ONs’ Annual Dinner in October 2013, and would like to January 2013. I married Lucy on 15 September 2012 (old Novo David Rivers hear from anyone they might know who is (91-98) was my best man) and Lucy and I also planning to be there. Mike’s email is thegenghiskhanway@hotmail.com and are planning to sell our flat and buy a Ray’s is ray.bell@qualsurv.co.uk. house in Wimbledon Park later this year.

Our congratulations go to…

We are delighted to have recently heard from…

Georgina Cook (02-04) and Ray Orife

(99-03) (above) who were engaged in December and are getting married in August. Georgia and Ray met at school.

We wish them a long, happy and healthy life together.

Iain Nairn (88-98) on being nominated for

a North East Disability Sports Award. Iain was former 1st Cricket Captain in 1998.

Steve Addison (01-08) who recently

qualified for the GB team for the European Sprint Triathlon Championships in Alanya, Turkey. We wish Steve the best of luck in June.

Eleni Papadopoulos (08-10) on being

Mohit Basudev (01-08) currently a

Matthew Lowes (02-12) is reading

freelance lighting designer and technician, and in December 2013 will be heading off to Bahrain with the Royal Naval Reserve to serve there for 6 months.

Economics at Liverpool University and is continuing to play Rugby, at present for Waterloo, recently beating Percy Park here in Newcastle!

An example of Mohit Basudev’s (01-08) work as a freelance lighting designer.

chosen to receive the 2013 Medal of Distinguished Achievement as the University of Manchester’s Undergraduate of the Year. She says: “This award is not just for my faculty but for the entire university and I am being awarded it based on my academic success combined with my swimming achievements”. Eleni is hoping to secure a place in the GB Paralympics swimming team in Rio in 2016 (see Issue 85).

Will Welch (98-08) who has spectacularly captained the Newcastle Falcons this season, the team winning every game up to mid-April. Open-side Flanker, Welch has represented England at Under 18s, 19s and 20s levels and has recently signed a new two-year contract with Newcastle Falcons. The news came after the Falcons’ 72-17 British and Irish Cup quarter-final win against Nottingham in April.

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A Zambian Reunion On August 28th 2011 a funny thing happened. I found myself in the middle of Zambia having a drink with two Old Novos.

Chris Abela (84-94) MA MB BChir (Cantab) FRCS (Plast) is a Senior Registrar in Plastic Surgery at Imperial College, London.

It was a warm African night with a pleasantly thundering background noise. Dinner had been a boisterous affair with novel food and plenty of wine, it had been a long journey to Zambia and everybody was letting their hair down (although possibly not me, as evidenced by the photograph). This was the first night of the International Society for Craniofacial Surgery’s Biannual Conference at The Royal Livingstone Hotel, overlooking Victoria Falls. It was my first international conference and I was keen to get to know as many people as possible, especially the celebs… me (junior doctor) to Mrs Dunaway (my consultant’s wife): “Do you know who that chap over there is? The one from The BBC documentary?”

Consultant’s wife: “Well of course, that’s David Johnson, let me introduce you.” Thus ensued a quick discussion re: regional accents and before too long we arrived at the outstanding conclusion that we had both been at the RGS. Made even more exciting by the fact that the registrar I had travelled with, and who I had conducted research with over the last few months happened to also be an ON, Chris Abela (84-94). Within 20 minutes The School Song was being belted out, much to the surprise of the other attendees.

Fortiter defendit!

Chris graduated from Trinity College, Cambridge. He was proud to return north and completed basic surgical training at the Yorkshire School of Surgery. Higher surgical training was undertaken in London with a fellowship in paediatric craniofacial surgery at Great Ormond Street, during which time he was privileged to be part of the team that successfully separated conjoined twins. Chris has recently attained his fellowship to the Royal College of Surgeons of England.

The three Old Novos in question are:

William Breakey (98-03) MBBS, BSc is a Senior House

Officer at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne.

I left RGS thinking that I was going to be an artist; a one year art foundation course at Newcastle College was followed by a fairly rapid change of heart, nine months travelling and a successful application to study medicine at Imperial College London. I graduated in 2011 and moved back to the North East to work at the RVI. I met Chris whilst doing an attachment at Great Ormond Street and he has steered me in the right direction from there. I have secured a two year plastic surgery themed core surgical training job, again in the North East and hope to follow this with a period of research and formal plastic surgery training, which if I’ve timed it right will finish just around the time of David’s retirement…!

David Johnson (78-85) MA (Cantab) BM BCh (Oxon) DM

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(Oxon) FRCS (Plast) is a Consultant Plastic, Reconstructive and Craniofacial Surgeon in the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.

Thanks David, thanks Chris!

After graduating from St Catharine’s College, Cambridge University with a First Class Honours degree in Medical Sciences in 1989 and Christ Church, Oxford University in Clinical Medicine in 1992, David went on to complete general surgical training, becoming a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of England in 1996. Three years research into the molecular biology of craniosynostosis lead to a Doctor of Medicine Degree from Oxford University in 2001 and a Hunterian Professorship from the Royal College of Surgeons of England. Plastic surgery training took place in London, Salisbury, Oxford and Adelaide before taking up his Consultant Post in Plastic, Reconstructive and Craniofacial Surgery in the Oxford Radcliffe NHS Trust in 2006. On Wednesday 4th May 2011, BBC2 aired the first of a new three-part series, Children’s Craniofacial Surgery. This remarkable series followed children with craniofacial malformation and the Oxford Craniofacial team’s work to correct them.

Pictured L to R: David Johnson (78-85), Chris Abela (84-94) and William Breakey (98-03).

ONA – Old Novocastrians Association Magazine Summer 2013

By William Breakey (98-03)

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ONA Now and Then Major building/development programme

Above: Impression of new landmark entrance, reception and offices on Eskdale Terrace Right: Phase 2, library, care centre, IT hub, additional teaching space etc.

I am delighted to announce a major programme of building and development. We have started work on a £10 million project that, with a mixture of conversion, extension and new build, will represent the major first phase in what is being termed Project XL, a development to take the RGS forward to the year 2040 with outstanding facilities matched by few independent day schools.

At the start of April work began on three pieces of extension/ refurbishment:

This plan demonstrates both our current strength and our total confidence in the future of the RGS. Places at the school have never been in such demand since we became independent in the 1970s. Our stock is high, and our reputation as the premier school in the entire North East goes before us: we are proving all the time that boys and girls who are happy, well cared for and appropriately challenged succeed – and do so at the highest levels.

In July, work will begin on a major new sports facility between the school’s existing sports hall and all-weather pitch.

This will be a very significant building comprising:

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1. Creation of new offices and an entirely new reception area at the front of the school’s 1906 main building.

2. Extension to the RGS Junior School’s Lambton House in response to enormous (and still increasing) demand for places.

3. Extension to the school’s kitchens. We are now serving 1,400 meals a day!

• • • • • •

It doesn’t stop there! As a future Phase 2, we have planning permission to create a major new building on the corner of Eskdale Terrace and Lambton Road making significantly better use of the space available by demolishing the current 1930s-built swimming pool and changingrooms, now getting tired. The new building will include an exciting state-of-the-art library, new lecture room, seminar rooms, IT hub and care centre encompassing pastoral and medical services for students – plus additional teaching space (including laboratories, effectively extending the Science and Technology Centre).

The school’s governing body is embarking on this ambitious project with great confidence, under the chairmanship of Mr Paul Walker. The Governors base their commitment to the project, some two years in preparation, on the assurance of demand for places at the school and student numbers remaining buoyant.

So that’s it! Exciting times beckon. There will be some inconvenience but not, we believe, of sufficient degree to call it disruption. We work around the process of building, carrying on largely as normal and exercising a modicum of patience as we picture the enormous improvements that are coming.

New six-lane 25-metre swimming-pool A second sports hall above New fitness suite Weights room Aerobic dance studio A new suite of sports offices and administration • Changing-rooms to accommodate all Bernard Trafford the school’s foreseeable sporting needs. Headmaster

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ONA Now and Then The final chapter!

End of an era as Plender Library closed

Generations of RGS students will remember using the Plender Library for a huge number of activities. To name a few, almost all Old Novocastrians’ Association meetings and AGMs have been held here. The XXI Club (Drama) would hold readings at its tables and countless debates have been hotly contested within its walls. A poster from December 1961 advertises a topical and controversial contest (then as well as now?): ‘This House Opposes the Immigration Bill. Proposed by JH Beecham (53-62) & PJ Coats (59-62).

Opposed by CJ Dewey (56-63) & IR Gardhouse (54-64)’. The Bridge Club, Christian Union, Photographic Society and Stamp Club were just a few of the myriad of extra curricular societies which met in this memorable space.

Lord and Lady Plender, RGS Prizegiving circa. 1929.

Generations of ONs will hear the news of the demise of the Plender Library with nostalgia. A new reception area, as described by the Headmaster on the opposite page, is under construction which includes the area which has served as Library, Classroom, Private Study area, Debating Chamber, Meeting Room for Governors and countless School Societies, ‘Prison’ (detention), and so on. William Plender (1861-1946), later Baron Plender of Sundridge rose to senior partner in the accountancy firm Delloite, Plender, Griffiths & Co., and served as an adviser to the Government across a vast range of matters. Although he only attended the school for one year from 1875-76 and made his career far from Tyneside, living in Kent, in 1931, as part of major alterations and extensions, he generously provided fine oak bookcases, furniture and panelling to furnish

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Former staff member William Macro chatting to Peter Taylor (38-49) in the Plender Library at the unveiling of Lord Taylor’s portrait in the School Hall, 1994.

a library in what had formerly been the Art Room. He died at the age of 84 in 1946, his name, perpetuated not only in the Library’s name, but also in the History Prize and leaving Exhibition he endowed to the school.

The oak bookcases have recently been carefully dismantled; all parts numbered, and are currently stored in a container.

The plan is to re-assemble one run of bookcases in the new English office which was the former end classroom in the NE corner of the Hall. Another will be utilised in the new English classroom (currently the English Office above the Staff Common Room). The plaque commemorating Lord Plender’s generosity has been kept and there is a plan to call the new classroom ‘the Plender Room’ to keep alive the tradition.

ONA – Old Novocastrians Association Magazine Summer 2013

Although Lord Plender’s endowments were less spectacular than those of Sir Arthur Sutherland, his career and home were in the South of England which made them all the more significant.

ONs will be grateful that the school has decided to perpetuate his name.

By David Goldwater (51-62)

The Plender Library, 1959.

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ONA Essay Prizes 2012 For several years now the Association has set essay competitions for the school and we continue to be overwhelmed by the quality of the entries. Over the following pages, you’ll find the latest winning essays from Edwin Wood and Sam Mason-Jones.

History Essay Prizewinner Edwin Wood, Year 11, with President of the ONA, David Westwood (95-02).

‘They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old’ Reflections on the Year 11 trip to the Battlefields in 2012

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t is easy to look over the monumental figures of the Great War when scanning through textbooks: just under one million British casualties, two million children fatherless in Germany, a continuous array of figures. The scale of these numbers is too large for anybody to contemplate without witnessing, dotted across the French countryside, remnants of the war shown through the means of cemeteries or monuments.

When seeing a Commonwealth war grave, the glistening white of the headstones creates a sense of tranquility for those who sacrificed so much to rest finally in peace on the land which they fell. Many of those graves have, etched into the stone:

‘A SOLDIER OF THE GREAT WAR KNOWN UNTO GOD’ Questions instantly arise of, who was this person? Where was he from? What about his family? Sadly, many of these questions will never be answered, those graves will remain the silent reminder of the heroes who fell for their country.

Private Edwin Laidlow and Private Septimus Wood, both my relatives, are commemorated on the Menin Gate in the town of Ypres. These two men, within days of each other died in 1914, unknown to each other, would never have thought that their distant relative would be staring up at their names. Both Edwin and Septimus are the people behind the graves with no name, what does this do to someone learning about the war?

Being able to make the experience personal not only brought the facts and figures more imaginable but it also made me think about what their story was.

Septimus, son of Septimus and Mary Anne Wood, of North Shields, who died aged 34 on 26th October 1914, had already fought in the Boer War. Looking through the War Diaries of his Border Regiment, a picture can be built of his final days. He had arrived on 5th October and had marched throughout Belgium for weeks before coming to Kruseik Hill. This was the platform for days of heavy German artillery, with small attacks

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launched on the entrenched soldiers. It was through the night that the enemy advanced through the woods taking the front line of trenches. It is described as around 70 of the two companies’ remaining men retreated. This is almost certainly where Septimus died, on that day the casualties are described as ‘heavy’. Under ‘Other ranks: Killed: 25, Wounded: 65, Missing: 174.’ Septimus Wood lies within these numbers among many other helpless individuals.

Among the rows of graves, it is not just my relatives that lie there; it is the resting place of thousands of relatives. Their succeeding generations will be found in mainland Europe, Australasia, North America and here in Britain. It will not be the men who fell who keep us to remember them; it is those who have been left behind to pass the story on. It is our duty to never forget all those who fought and died for us, they shall not grow old, as we will not allow them to.

across roads, around corners – hidden away and secretive, each holds remarkable promise. The Chuck Close exhibit was exquisite; the artist had woven hyper-realist similarity (in portraits of Lou Reed, among others) out of textile and pencil, creating a highlight in the enclave of artistry that is Chelsea.

In the lungs of New York, the city holds another haven of calm air, a refuge of serenity juxtaposed against the commotion from which it protects.

Central Park provides a refreshing, replenishing reminder of the natural from within the metropolis in which it is encased, a refrain that linked our visits to galleries like the Museum of Modern Art, the Metropolitan Museum and the Guggenheim.

These visits were imposing; upon stepping in, we are faced with a glut of art; the atrium of the Met is hung lucidly with screen prints of Andy Warhol, and thinks nothing of it; the Guggenheim is laced with the work of Pablo Picasso; and neither seems to give a second thought or admittance of awe.

Edwin Wood

New York It was Ezra Pound, in his essay collection Patria Mia, who declared that ‘No urban night is like the night in New York Squares after squares of flame, set up and cut into the aether. Here is our poetry, for we have pulled down the stars to our will.’

Though Hurricane Sandy closed shops and the subway, battered Queens and flooded Hoboken, it did not manage to douse the ‘flame’ of New York – the retention of its people’s steely resolve held by the lights which still shone from Times Square.

It was in an antediluvian Times Square that a certain unreal prevailed: you feel involved, at the heart of something; time slows down in a rapture of noise and neon. The coarse magic of a Manhattan night time is something to be held.

It was into the city of the unreal, Fitzgerald’s muse, Sinatra’s stomping ground, that twenty-three teenage art students emerged, tired-eyed, on a Friday morning in October. The sun-dappled streets of Chelsea, in the west of New York, were where the group was submerged and enthralled into its veins. Even away from the vivacity of its core, the city holds an immediacy; its sounds are alluring, its air infectious. Chelsea is charming, an agglomeration of grit and galleries, artistry and finesse, it feels like a secret – pregnant, undiscovered. The intimacy of the area embraces its appeal; galleries glare at each other from

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ONA – Old Novocastrians Association Magazine Summer 2013

Perhaps this relaxed attitude toward the extraordinary is a reflection of the city itself, itself so in tune with the remarkable, the surprising, that which a stroll along Fifth Avenue confirms. It conveys an immediacy, which clings to the island, that strikes – as Thomas Wolfe asserted: ‘One belongs to New York instantly, one belongs to it as much in five minutes as in five years.’ Its colour is captivating, its people fierce, and like some low form of life it continues. Like the stars with which Pound creates an assimilation, it becomes clear that even in the very instantaneous, the flame of New York City is eternal.

Sam Mason-Jones New York Art Trip Essay Prizewinner Sam Mason-Jones, U6, in New York outside the Luhring Augustine Gallery in Chelsea, October 2012 at the opening exhibition Neon by Glenn Ligon.

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In September 2011 I started a Master’s degree in Applied Animal Behaviour and Welfare. It was whilst attempting to write one of my essays that I came across an advert for a marine mammal trainer in the Dominican Republic. Thinking that I didn’t stand a chance, with only limited volunteer experience I applied and thought nothing more of it…

In at the Deep End!

by Rachel Rodgers (06-08) 8

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few weeks later, an email popped up asking how soon I could start, if I were to be accepted. Again thinking I stood no chance I said a few weeks. A FEW WEEKS! I was crazy. Moving to the Caribbean, flights, visas, accommodation, and a whole lot more to organise and speaking no Spanish, what was I thinking? But I pressed send and just days later I got an email telling me that I had an offer of a job, not as a marine mammal trainer, but as an Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin trainer.

In just a few weeks, I was standing at the airport, saying goodbye to my incredibly supportive family, unsure of when I’d see them again, about to start the most incredible experience of my life.

I worked with two beautiful females, Luna and Ariel, and I formed an incredible bond with both of them. It is impossible not to when you’re spending nearly 12 hours a day together. I played with them, swam with them and even cleaned their teeth!

The majority of our time together was for interaction sessions with the public. Some programmes would use only one dolphin.

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When not being used, the dolphins would either have play time with their ‘toys’ or as we call them, “enrichment devices”. Or they would have access to the ‘aquarium’, a big open area of fenced off sea, where Luna in particular would like to hunt.

Although Luna regularly hunted out massive fish, lobsters and even the occasional octopus, it was Ariel who surprised me the most. Popping up to see me at the start of a session with a live sea snake in her mouth, she looked so proud, and didn’t quite understand why I wasn’t so impressed with this ‘gift’ she had caught me!

I quickly learnt that both girls had completely different characters. Ariel was playful, she would splash me with water if not getting enough attention, swim off with hoola hoops so they couldn’t be taken off her at the end of the play session and regularly follow me around the dock and swim with me when I had no fish left and the session was over. Luna however was lazy. She would push slower than Ariel and still come back expecting a fish. She even worked out that, if she swam up and down with her mouth open whilst Ariel was ‘singing’, a lot of the trainers wouldn’t notice she wasn’t actually making a noise, and she would still get her fish. There is no doubting it, she is smart.

I’m sure you have all heard several times before how intelligent dolphins are, you probably think compared to us, they aren’t intelligent at all. But trust me, once you have been tricked by one, you don’t doubt them again! Unfortunately, my girls were smart enough to work out how to open the zips on the pouches that contained their fish. Ariel would distract me, by splashing some water to get my attention, and Luna would gently open the zips on my pouches, releasing their fish into the water around me. I’d start to see fish floating off and try and grab them, making more fish fall out the pouch. While I was feebly trying to grab fish out of the water, Luna and Ariel would gleefully fill their stomachs and swim off. Leaving me with a line of customers waiting for their turn to be pushed through the water like superman by two dolphins but with no dolphins!

Sadly for the moment I am back in the UK to finish my Master’s degree. It may not sound half as exciting as being in the Dominican Republic, but I am currently volunteering at Blackpool Zoo with their nine Californian Sea Lions. They may not be dolphins and it certainly isn’t as sunny, but the sea lions are very amusing and having two little pups to start training up will certainly keep me occupied!

Rachel Rodgers training Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins in the Dominican Republic and Californian Sea Lions at Blackpool Zoo.

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ONA – Old Novocastrians Association Magazine Summer 2013

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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.

The response to my request for ‘reader participation’ has produced an absolutely overwhelming response and it has given me a real problem how to progress (even conclude!) this series of articles. Because so many reminiscences concerned the influence and guidance given by Jack Wolstenholme, Director of Music from 1948 until 1975, this piece concentrates solely on him. Miss (Ma) Jean Steven, who filled hungry boys’ bellies from 1931 until the mid-50s will just have to stay in the Kitchen until the next magazine and maybe more ONs Jack Wolstenholme, 1984.

can send some recollections of her to the ONA development office (see Contents page for contact details). A picture would be very welcome. Is it too irreverent to imagine her on some ethereal plane, serving a delicious lunch to Jack and ordering him to “eat it up and don’t grouse”? As Orsino linked music and food in Twelfth Night, we will ‘play on’ – she and other iconic characters who colour the RGS’s historical kaleidoscope will have to wait. As I wrote previously, this will run and run!

Jack Wolstenholme Stuart Armstrong (46-54) writes: I

had been in the school for a couple of years when Jack arrived to replace Arthur Milner. I was in the Senior Choir under Mr Milner, and what a contrast in personality and styles! We wouldn't have dreamed of calling Mr Milner “Arthur” when discussing him, but we thought of his successor as ‘Jack’ from the first. Mr Milner was urbanity personified, whereas Jack was a ‘rough diamond’ – well bluff, but certainly a diamond. Let me pick out just a few of the highlights for me. While in his music class (and still a treble) I innocently asked him what “soprani castrati” were. I got the right answer, but with the gory details glossed over. Perhaps the orchestral repertoire was less adventurous. Jack inherited a strong tradition, including participation by some Masters, and regular opportunities for young instrumentalists to ‘star’ in a concerto, and he was glad to build on that. I was never a ‘star’, but got as far as Principal Second Violin.

There were limits to what was acceptable. Dennis Walton (44-52) went ahead despite a warning that a Jazz piece for clarinet as an entry in the House Music Competition wouldn’t be well received. He was duly awarded ‘nul points’. We knew Jack as a great character and a great asset to the school. None of us left our seats at the end of a City Hall Speech Day until he had finished his ‘tour de force’ on the large organ there, Widor’s Toccata. I’m so glad to have known him.

Mike Oswald (staff 1966-2003)

remembers Jack Wolstenholme saying shortly after he retired: “The best thing about retirement is the free period after lunch!” I’m now in a position to concur!

Melvyn Wallhead (56-66): Jack

collared me in the Hall, ‘inviting’ me to Saturday detention. He was affronted by me failing to answer any of his test questions correctly, except the identification of the National Anthem (I was learning the guitar at the time and at least I knew that). I think it was the first Speech Day at City Hall, in the 1960’s when Phantom of the Opera

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was about, as it is today. Jack had on his gown and played a recital at the organ which was high up on the stage, and it reminded me of the film/musical for which he received enthusiastic applause.

Martin Forster (69-79): I must bring to

your attention the last prize giving he attended before retirement. Prize giving was a duty rather than a pleasure but on this occasion as we stood up to rush off, Jack started to play a recital on the organ in the City Hall. The piece he chose was the Toccata from Symphony no. 5 by Widor and as this music started to fill the hall, everyone became rooted to the spot.

Jack must have pulled out every stop on that organ, the whole building resonating.

I never heard another organ recital so memorable.

W Roy Large (48-58): He demanded,

and obtained, very high standards of performance from the school choirs, orchestras, and chamber groups. He was impatient of anything which detracted from the encouragement of music in the broadly classical tradition.

I remember him furiously confiscating a piano accordion which a boy had taken to school and was caught unwisely playing it in the vicinity of the old music room. He inaugurated the ‘School Choir’ which sang an anthem every Friday at the morning service and in the 1960s he was invited to advise the Sarawak Government on the provision of music in education there and spent a term in that country.

Tom Banfield (51-62): I have sent across

an old photo of Jack with some members of the First Orchestra, taken by the Evening Chronicle around December 1957. We were assembled in what was Room 2 at the bottom of the south stairs just before going onto the Hall platform to perform. Note the wooden desk with ink wells. Ball point pens had been introduced by a certain Mr Biro in the late 1940s, and I can still remember a school friend proudly bringing one of Mr Biro’s ball point pens to my primary school. I am the little sprog with buck teeth next to Jack. Next to me violinist Michael Smith (49-59) in glasses, then Alan McNaught (51-59), but the only other two I can confidently name are the young cellists Eric Ainslie (51-59) and Peter McManus (51-62). I think the

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ONA – Old Novocastrians Association Magazine Summer 2013

Jack Wolstenholme and puplis, 1957 sent in by Tom Banfield (51-62).

“While in his music class (and still a treble) I innocently asked him what “soprani castrati” were. I got the right answer, but with the gory details glossed over.”

Stuart Armstrong (46-54)

“Infallibly cheerful, Jack was always seeking the best performances through rehearsing regularly with pupils and staff, in choirs and orchestras.”

Eric (Spike) Middleton (45-53)

older cellist on the far right might have been called Robinson (?). I continue to play the violin. I am still in two orchestras and a string quartet on Teesside. Jack and the other staff (including my own teacher Johnson Hood, Jimmy Doull etc) gave us a tremendous start.

Eric (Spike) Middleton (45-53) ‘Jack’ has been an inspiration and encouragement to generations of young musicians at the RGS. Taking over from Arthur Milner in 1948, his dedication to creating the highest standards was seen in his conducting and training the First and Second Orchestras. Also memorable were his music lessons – just listening to the excitement of Bolero, the wonderfully evocative ‘l’apres midi d’un faune’ and many others. Infallibly cheerful, Jack was always seeking the best performances through rehearsing regularly with pupils and staff, in choirs and orchestras. He set up links with choirs from the Church High School, (e.g. the Coronation Concert, at the City Hall in 1952), Jack worked closely with instrumental teachers such as Johnson Hood, who taught violin and viola and ran chamber music concerts.

Postscript: I, myself, as leader of the First Orchestra in ‘52/53 still enjoy playing in string quartets, and am in contact with other musicians of the year who have also kept on playing, Gordon Hewlett (48-54), Brian Oxley (43-51), Roger Watkins (45-

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Ian Duncalf (57-67) I have a great

many memories of Jack. I joined the RGS in 1957 in the Junior School; after moving away from the North East, my father’s job brought us back in 1961. I was 12, and joined the Third Form.

Within my first half term I had joined the choir, singing the hymns at Assembly (a valuable grounding in itself) and Jack invited me to take part in the school’s performance of Brahms’ German Requiem in December 1961 (I still have the programme), including two Messiahs, and a wide range of other great choral works including the Fauré Requiem (I sang in the original concert that was recreated last year after the restoration of the organ).

50 years later I’m a veteran of the Royal Choral Society and the Philharmonia Chorus, and still very much involved in choral singing; without Jack, it might never have happened. Three or four exceptional teachers stand out from my RGS experience: Larry Watson, Colin Hunter, John Douglas; but given the large role that music has played in my life, Jack Wolstenholme was the most important. I remember him with great affection and gratitude, and I will be interested to see what others have to say about him.

Jack Wolstenholme on the front cover of the Novocastrian News showing a reduced version of the sleeve of the LP record with extracts of the Gala Concert, summer 1975.

53), Ken Reid (46-54) and many others. We were encouraged to attend summer schools of orchestral music at Sherbourne School.

MR Barlow (53-64): My memory is of

organ lessons in the Hall, when he would smoke whilst you played the latest piece, returning from the far end of the balcony, to demonstrate how it should be done. The lighted cigarette would be placed on the organ while he played, and picked up as he leapt off the stool for you to have a go. The burn marks are there to this day.

Brian Oxley (43-51) writes: It was a wonderful boost to our lives in so many ways. (Brian was Jack’s first Leader of the 1st Orchestra, for two years).

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“ Three or four exceptional teachers stand out from my RGS experience: Larry Watson, Colin Hunter, John Douglas; but given the large role that music has played in my life, Jack Wolstenholme was the most important.”

Ian Duncalf (57-67)

For my part (David Goldwater (5162), I have been heartened by the extraordinary response from so many people whose lives Jack touched, professionally or otherwise. This piece could have been twice as long and the main problem has been what to include, and so a fuller article may appear on the ON website. Jack was a teacher whose enthusiasm spread even to those who didn’t play in any orchestra or sing in any choir. In 1984, there was a grand reunion of post-war pupils. The proceedings concluded in the Hall with recitals, music and finally, The School Song, sung unusually by boys, fathers, mothers, sisters et al. I waited by the organ near Room 14 for Jack to conclude the third and final verse and snapped him (see page 10) just as he turned with his quizzical grin – Triumphans!

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Kevin Egan-Fowler retiring after 37 years

experience extended this time thanks to Hurricane Sandy (see page 7, Edwin Wood’s reflections on his experience of the New York Art Trip).

We held exhibitions of RGS art at the Gulbenkian Gallery at the People’s Theatre, Crow’s Creatures at the Hancock and were regular contributors to the Cadbury National Exhibitions, inaugurated the idea of a Private View; an occasion that has become one of the main whole school annual events in the school calendar.

Kevin Egan-Fowler.

What year did you start at RGS? I started full time taking over as Director of Art from Peter Bennett in 1976. The department was different then; just the partitioned main studio (purpose built in the 1930s) and the small room that is now our library/seminar area.

been a gentleman’s agreement that nothing should clash with CCF on Fridays!

Music has always been a big feature of our studio ethos, from vinyl on a Dansette to the Harmon Kardon and iPod now! Artists love music, it stimulates and creates an atmosphere.

What else have you been involved with?

John Harle (65-74) (the internationally Staff football – I enjoyed a few seasons famous saxophonist) mentioning me on of staff football – my passing in a staff vs. the Desert Island Discs radio prefects game was described by a programme, remembered the liberating experience of painting to Pink Floyd! colleague as like Manet to Monet.

Set designs for school productions in the old theatre and one for a joint production with CNHS of Gilbert and Sullivan’s Patience in the CNHS hall.

There are very fond memories of Film Society on Fridays after school – the film (16mm) arrived in canisters, often only minutes before being played. We had ‘seasons’ of films; grouped by director or genre from Film Noir to Westerns and Japanese Cinema to French Nouvelle Vague. I remember we had to build our own widescreen for the Cinemascope projections! There was certainly a magic in seeing the dust in the lens light and being forced to have intervals to change the reel! The film of course often snapped and had to be spliced on the spot before we could continue. I learned some years later that I had to thank George Luke for allowing me to run Film Soc as there had hitherto

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ONA – Old Novocastrians Association Magazine Summer 2013

Trips out to the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, the National Museum of Film and Photography in Bradford, Patterdale Hall in the Lakes, a bitterly cold sculpture making weekend at Brockholes, a beach workshop at Tynemouth, painting and drawing at Belsay and Minsteracres, and photography at Beamish. I have always believed in the importance and the genuinely authentic experience of seeing art face-to-face, one-on-one and have loved taking our artists to see galleries large and small, national and contemporary and we have seen major exhibitions and great collections in cities from Edinburgh to London and Paris to New York. When Simon Crow and I ran our first New York trip it was a great pioneering adventure. We have only recently returned from what must be our ninth or tenth visit to the Big Apple, as always a life enhancing

The school has changed in many ways of course and I remember the hysteria from some quarters that girls were coming to the school in the sixth form!

Our first group of female artists were a feisty bunch, bringing for me; a normality to the school.

The department has evolved to reflect the changes in Art; the work has always been new, moved with the times, mirroring the art world; taking the best from our heritage and combining it with the cutting edge.

The introduction of Life Class into a school was exceptional and our students; particularly our architects, medics and artists with analytical minds, still enjoy weekly workshops, loving the intellectual demands of the life room.

A passion for being creative and loving the transformative power of aesthetics has been a real delight. 37 years of incredible rich experiences, top exam grades and a wealth of students with transferrable skills – who keep in touch.

All seem to have great memories of learning in a very special atmosphere and consider their time in the Art studios as a formative one and that it has had a positive influence on their happiness.

What will you miss?

Teaching – it has been daily engagement with young people and a source of delight.

What are you planning to do when you retire?

No plans, just chillin’ and pottering, finding out what life is like without RGS.

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ONA Sports’ Reports recalled the importance of such an object. Adopting the ever adventurous 3-5-2 formation allowed us to accommodate ‘wingbacks’ for the first Having been victorious in the last two time in our history and this was to prove to be one of many tactical encounters, you’d be forgiven for masterstrokes by the management assuming the pre-match speculation duo of ONA President David would surround whether or not the ONA could secure an unprecedented Westwood (95-02) and his right hand man Sam ‘Mooreinho’ Moore (97hat-trick against their more youthful 02). A bright start saw the ONs counterparts. Quite the contrary as controlling play with two thirds of the the focal point of discussions was whether the ONA’s notorious XXL kit Collins trio (Patrick (93-01) and would still expose Chris Pattinson’s Christian (97-07) stamping their authority on the central midfield (94-01) ‘mature figure’. Whilst the positions and this initial pressure was tent-esque shirts remained true for rewarded on 15 mins. A sublime much of the squad it was noted that through-ball allowed Captain “some of them shirts must have Christian Collins to burst through from shrunk”! the middle of the park, skillfully round Like any well-prepared team, this year the goalkeeper and slot in the far corner from the tightest of angles. 1-0 we turned up promptly 30 minutes to the ONA. It soon became apparent before the opposition. Without a that wingbacks and rolling football. substitutions are directly related as This, however, was not to deter us and after 20 minutes both Neil Reekie (92-02) and Rob Collins (89-96) once the game kicked off we soon

Football RGS 1st XI vs ONA

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took a breather, being replaced by Mike Carling (01-08) and Will Steele (98-08). The first half continued without any major incident, Sandy Meikle (01-08) looking confident and composed in goal, coping with everything that RGS threw at him. He claims he’s not a goalkeeper but could have fooled us.

Iain Fraser (95-02), John Gregson (95-02) and Chris Pattinson were strong as ever as the three at the back.

As the half came to a close there was even an opportunity for some showboating as Richard Bissessur (97-07) attempted an audacious overhead kick from the halfway line.

The connection was good and despite the ball eventually trickling its way towards the goal it had to be dealt with by the RGS goalie. Another shot on target.

The second half began with the introduction of first half wingbacks Reekie and R Collins, as makeshift forwards. A bold strategy?! A risk?

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Or yet another tactical masterstroke?! It was the latter as ‘Keegan & Toschack’ found movement that they didn’t know they possessed. Multiple chances were created by P Collins and G Applegarth (98-05), both bombing forward from midfield with only their finishing preventing them from increasing the ONA’s lead. R Collins even struck a peach off the post midway through the half. So much so was the industry of the front two that they were both off the field for the second time after 70 minutes. Tireless effort or seriously unfit? You decide. The 1-0 lead looked safe despite RGS dominating possession and territory until a corner led to the game’s controversial moment.

An innocuous ball into the box was met by a tussle between left back Michael Brett (95-00) and an RGS forward right in front of the referee who, without hesitation, pointed to the spot. The ONA felt hard done by until their own striker Jamie Hansell (92-02) referred to the incident as “blatant”. RGS subsequently equalised from the penalty and it looked like the game was destined for penalties, yet again.

Captain Collins had other ideas however.

Picking the ball up on the half way line, Collins went on a mazy run down the right, ignoring many opportunities to offload to one of his teammates, much to their disbelief. Surviving a ricochet or two he powered his way into the box to create himself a chance from nothing.

Not prepared to take the risk of the dreaded penalty shootout Collins subsequently found a gap underneath the keeper and made it 2-1. Goal time.

A few nervy moments followed as RGS bombed forward in search of the equaliser yet ONA were not to be denied a third win on the spin. The day was rounded off with celebratory pints and ‘nibbles’ at the Brandling. Maybe it’s just me but my interpretation of ‘nibbles’ isn’t the 16 pizzas which arrived at regular intervals much to the amazement of the squad, especially when the RGS contingent headed off early to do their homework. No complaints however. All to play for in 2014.

By Neil Reekie (92-02)

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girls had put in a valiant effort both in terms of attacking and defending and there was a real sense of camaraderie despite having never played as a team As a committee we felt that it was time before and with some of us not having for the girls to become more involved in played the sport in over 12 years.

ONA sporting events and thus the idea Perhaps most encouraging was the of a Netball fixture was born. As both a attitude of the 1st VII who were happy to give some helpful tips and pointers committee member and current although they were still throwing in the member of RGS teaching staff, the odd distraction here and there! task fell to me to organise. Thanks to the horrific British weather and the jam packed schedule of our current Senior Despite the introduction of Celia Harrison (06-11) in the second quarter, Girls, the date could only be fixed for who was on fine form and added some Friday 22nd March, 2013. Until the Tuesday prior to the fixture we only had great skills to the ONA team, the 1st VII 5 players: myself, Georgina Cook (02- continued to make excellent progress.

04), Sally Squires (nee Jennings) (02- Although there was some brilliant work 04), Hannah Europe-Finner (02-04) from Georgina Cook and Kate and Penny Harker (03-05) but, thanks Fagleman as GA and GS respectively, as well as Sally Squires and Charlotte to the tenacity of Jane Medcalf Robson in defence, the Senior Girls (development manager), Charlotte Robson (05-07) and Kate Fagleman continued to retain their advantage as the match progressed. Penny, Hannah (06-08) kindly agreed to play which and Celia also continued to show real ensured the game could go ahead. dedication right up until the final whistle, The weather could not have been less however the final score was 30-5.

Despite the loss the ONA girls were ideal due to the snowy conditions we were experiencing and there was still a simply delighted to have survived the risk of the game being called off up until rigours of playing a team who regularly compete in national competitions and the very last minute. Nevertheless it stayed dry long enough for us to play 4 living to tell the tale. Most importantly it was great fun and a great chance to seven-minute quarters despite the catch up. Time to make it an annual thing. freezing temperatures.

Netball RGS 1st VII vs ONA

The game started well despite the cold Interested in playing next year? E-mail k.jarvis@rgs.newcastle.sch.uk conditions and, by the end of the first quarter, the RGS 1st VII were winning by only a small margin at 6-3. The ONA By Kate Jarvis (02-04)

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Obituaries Dr John Barnes Foster (38-48) Born 1930, died 5th February 2013, aged 82.

postgraduate students as well as a supremely competent physician. He was appointed consultant neurologist at the Newcastle General Hospital in the early 1960s.

Jack was evacuated to Penrith in 1939 where I first met him when he arrived at the hostel Beacon Bank in 1941. As he was in the form above me I did not know him well at school, but our friendship developed from the sixth form onwards because of our mutual interest in golf.

He was involved in many clinical research projects but will be best remembered for his work on the effects of head injuries on steeplechase jockeys. This won him an international reputation and he was duly appointed Honorary Reader at Newcastle University.

Throughout his busy clinical career he continued to play frequent and good golf. He became captain of the Northumberland Golf Club in 1973.

His wife Jennifer was also a very good golfer so they purchased a villa on the Algarve where they enjoyed playing when the weather was inclement in the I caught up with him in 1949 when I UK. For many years my wife and I had followed him to medical school. In the early ’50s we were involved in forming entertaining holidays there. Jack and Jennifer, and my wife and I, took up the Medicals and the University golf skiing independently in our late teams. twenties and subsequently, with other friends went on an annual skiing trip.

Jack had an outstanding career as a student at Newcastle Medical School Jack was enthusiastic and competent in all his activities and skiing was no graduating with Honours in 1973. He exception. He always wanted to be on trained in Newcastle, initially in the first chairlift up the mountain and Medicine and then in Neurology. He the last one down. However, a large did his national service in the Navy initially in the Royal Haslar Hospital and and fluid lunch was always essential. then medical officer on minesweepers.

In recent years Jack has had to give up He enjoyed his time in the forces, strenuous activities for medical especially in the minesweepers. reasons. In view of the fact that Jennifer was a good bridge player Jack, who He then spent a year at the National had played a little as a medical student, Hospital, Queen Square and then six months at the Massachusetts General decided he must take it up again. In typically determined manner, he got out Hospital in Boston. the books and went to numerous He returned to Newcastle and became classes and rapidly became very first assistant to Henry Miller and John competent. However, he learnt so many systems that Jennifer frequently Walton (now Lord Walton) at the RVI could not recognise them, and this led where he established himself as an to some minor disagreements! outstanding teacher of under and

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Jack died suddenly playing bridge on a cruise off Fiji. Jennifer said they had, until then, had a marvellous holiday.

Jack was a good, loyal and entertaining friend and I will miss him, as will all his many friends and particularly his wife Jennifer and family: Sally, Jonathan, James and six grandchildren.

Peter Burnett (39-49)

Stuart Charles Morris (56-63) Born 1946, died 18th November 2012, aged 66.

He enjoyed the magazine every month, checking on people, first the obituaries to see if he knew anyone, then the activities of the boys and (a new addition since his days) girls.

Before early retirement and becoming a carer for his mother who lived with us for 10 years, he was the policy and economic development officer at Shropshire County Council. This followed a career in London in commercial property.

He is sadly missed by his wife, Penelope, two sons and brother, John Morris (56-58).

By Penelope Morris

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Neil Macleod (RGS classics teacher 61-69) Born 1938, died 17 September 2012, aged 74

He left RGS to take up the post of Housemaster at Cranbourne School in Hampshire, returning once more to the North East in 1971 to become Head of Lower School at The John Marley School in Newcastle. He was appointed deputy headmaster of Linskill School in North Shields in 1973 and in 1980, head of Ralph Gardner School, also in North Shields, where he remained until the school’s closure.

John Wraith Halfhead (36-39)

born 1921, died 2012, aged 91.

Terence Aubrey Muckle (44-53) born 1934, died 1 January 2013, aged 78.

Charles Derek Holmes (34-42)

born 1926, died 10 January 2013, aged 86.

Robert Pickering Munby (28-35)

Neil Macleod began his teaching career at RGS in the autumn of 1961.

Having studied Classics and Archaeology at Newcastle University, he completed his Diploma in Education at the University of Liverpool and subsequently returned to Newcastle to join the RGS Classics department.

Over a period of eight years he contributed much to the wider life of the school and was highly regarded, notably by his head of department, the late Dr Don Shipley (staff 52-83), who wrote of him as he prepared to leave RGS in the summer of 1969: ‘From the first, he revealed in his relations with his colleagues and pupils the direct approach and clear-sightedness which contributed so much to the considerable success he has achieved… he brought a lively, fresh, good-humoured attitude to his subjects, and his own energy and enthusiasm were amply reflected in the response he received from the boys in the many other activities to which he devoted time and effort’.

Prior to his retirement, he held a number of roles within the local education authority, including liaising between schools and local business.

Throughout his life he spoke with great warmth of his years at RGS and his experience at the school shaped much of his attitude and approach to education throughout his career.

He was delighted when his elder daughter, Sara Huntley (nee Macleod) also came to teach at the school and most especially when his three grandchildren were all offered places.

By Sara Huntley (RGS French teacher (93-96, 07-11)

Rugby coaching figured highly and the school Boxing Team was another of his great enthusiasms. As his teaching experience grew, he was asked to take responsibility for careers guidance and gave unstintingly in this area also.

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born 1918, died 6 February 2013, aged 94.

Donald Kirkpatrick Smith (32-39)

born 1920, died 30th September 2012, aged 92.

Frank Nicholson Bolam (46-51)

born 1934, died 31 March 2013, aged 78.

George Archibald Hood (26-35) born 1917, died 9th January 2013, aged 95.

Neil Macleod with students on a Classic field trip to Vindolanda in the 60s.

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ONA Diary dates CL

ASS OF

YE ARS 1

95 3 6 – 196

RGS Day

50 years on…

Saturday 29th June

Friday 18th October to Sunday 20th October

It’s my delight once more to invite all ONs to join us for RGS Day, Saturday 29th June. As usual there will be four prize-giving ceremonies during the morning, held in the Main Hall. In the marquee there will be refreshments all morning until 12.30pm, allowing parents, students and teachers to mingle after each ceremony.

If you entered the senior school in 1956 it is probably 50 years since you left.

There are two main events ONs might like to consider: • 11.00am Headmaster’s address • 11.30am Peter Taylor Lecture given by Sir Alan Beith MP The Junior School Parents’ Association will be holding its Summer Fair: all around the Senior School there will be various events, lectures, exhibitions and demonstrations, and in the Performing Arts Centre Theatre a sequence of drama performances. Please visit the school website nearer the date (www.rgs.newcastle.sch.uk) for the full programme.

All ONs are welcome. Simply come to the clearly marked Reception near the marquee, make yourself known, and you will be welcomed and looked after.

Don’t be alarmed by the fact that the school’s normal main entrance is closed off for building work at the moment: whether you are driving or on foot, simply enter by the church gate at the bottom of Eskdale Terrace and follow directions.

Bernard Trafford

If you can get to the North East for the weekend of Friday 18th to Sunday 20th October 2013, you might want to join a group of contemporaries who are planning a reunion in Newcastle.

The last magazine stimulated responses from over 30 people so there should be someone you can remember.

The programme for the weekend:

• Friday evening – The ONA formal Dinner in school • Saturday morning – A visit to the school in the morning with Pie and Peas for lunch, courtesy of the school.

• Saturday afternoon – St James’ Park, or Newcastle Falcons, or…?

• Saturday evening – informal drinks and buffet from 7pm, at South Northumberland Cricket Club just off Gosforth High Street. This will be ‘old boys’ only, but we propose to have a drink with partners at a venue nearby beforehand, so that partners can meet others for a meal and meet up with us later at the end of the evening.

• Sunday – trip on the river, guided walk, Metro trip to the coast.

Send your email address to Jane Medcalf (j.medcalf@rgs.newcastle.sch.uk) and we will update you on arrangements.

Headmaster Brian Briscoe and Colin Ions (56-63)