President’s Welcome

2014 will be a year of remembrance, marking the centennial anniversary of the start of World War I. Over the course of the year and beyond, the ONA will be partnering with the school in order to suitably commemorate the Great War through a broad programme of events. 2014 also marks 70 years since the boys that were evacuated to Penrith during World War II returned to the school in Newcastle and a reunion is planned. For details on either topic, please contact the ONA office.

In this issue of the magazine, read about Phillida Strachan’s (03-05) steadfast devotion to international aid (see pages 6 and 7), David Goldwater’s (51-62) look at the people who influenced the four Houses to which Old Novos have such affinity (see pages 10 and 11) and Michael Grant’s (81-91) account of his Coast to Coast charity bicycle ride and the countryside it spans (see pages 12 and 13).

The autumn term is usually a busy one for the Association and 2013 was no different. In October, the Old Novocastrians’ Dinner was very well attended as we have come to expect over recent years. Sir Brian Briscoe (56-63) gave a thoroughly entertaining and sentimental account of his time at RGS and paid particular attention to the friendships he forged at the school. Sir Brian and his contemporary, Colin Ions (56-63) have hosted many reunions over the years and to mark the 50th year since leaving the RGS organised a weekend of festivities, which included the dinner. Pages 8 and 9 contain a report of both the dinner and the reunion.

In November, we were delighted to welcome the Head Boy, David Coates, and Deputy Head Girl, Melanie Coulson to the Old Novo Luncheon Club at the Northern Counties Club in Hood Street (designed by Old Novo, the late Peter Elphick MBE (29-37) (noted in his obituary on page 16). I hope they enjoyed the experience as much as the older contingent – being the last ON Luncheon before Christmas, it was an opportunity to have the first roast turkey of the year! We were also very lucky to have the Headmaster, Kate Jarvis (02-04) and Dan Maier (76-86), who spoke at the 2013 London ONA Dinner, in attendance.

This year’s London ONA Dinner is to be held at the Royal Air Force Club in Piccadilly on 14 March, with Timothy Kirkhope MEP (53-62) confirmed as guest speaker. As well as being a Member of the European Parliament, Timothy was himself ONA President from 1981 to 1983 and a former Governor of the RGS so it’s safe to say he is an authority on the school and an ideal guest speaker for the dinner. Details of the dinner can be found on the back page along with some other dates and events for the diary. I hope to see you there.

Enjoy the magazine!

David Westwood (95-02) ONA President