19617 RGS ONA Issue 106.qxp_Layout 1 03/10/2019 17:55 Page 40
NEWS & CONGRATULATIONS MIKE RETIRES AFTER 40 YEARS CCF SERVICE
Mike Barlow with his presentation from the contingent
C
aptain Michael ‘Mike’ R Barlow (53-64 & 79-95) joined the Newcastle Royal Grammar School Combined Cadet Force as a Cadet Force Adult Force Volunteer in January 1979. He retiried from CCF service after completing over 40 years in July 2019.
to become the brigade trainer and played a key role in ensuring that the schools learnt about this system. He went out to provide one-to-one training and also acted as a brigade helpline to help relieve the pressure on the national one during this time.
During this time he has seen several hundred cadets through their training, attended countless weekends, 35 adventure training camps and 30 summer camps. As a qualified Mountain Leader he has always focused on teaching the cadets map reading, instructing and leadership skills as he felt these were the most important parts of the development of the young person that was offered by the cadet programme.
Without his efforts, the use of Westminster within the brigade area would not have been anywhere near where it is today.
He successfully ran the Army Section for the Contingent on numerous occasions but was always willing to step aside to allow the younger adults coming through to learn. All of these staff have benefitted from his knowledge and experience.
He leaves behind a contingent that has been greatly influenced by his efforts and what he has done for us will linger on for years to come. We thank him for all he has done. Everyone involved in the school’s @CCFcadets would like to say a big thank you for all the hard work Mike has done to make them one of the best contingents in the country. Phil Barlow (81-91), CCF Contingent Commander
When the roll out of Westminster (management information system) came for the CCF, he volunteered
JOSEPH’S FOND MEMORIES OF RGS
J PETER WALKER HOSTS USA FOOTBALL TOUR
O
ur thanks go to Peter Walker (42-60) and his wife Wuliang who hosted the RGS football team during their recent tour of the USA. Peter was also very kind in sponsoring the team bags for the tour. For full details of the tour, see page 14.
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oseph Fisher MBE (30-36) writes: I am about to celebrate my 97th birthday and have fond memories of my days at RGS. My house was Horsley (blue). All the Jewish boys were herded during morning prayers into AW ‘Buggy’ Little’s (02-33) room in the South West corner of the Hall, only to be released in time for Assembly. It was segregation of the worst kind. Would we all have collapsed if we had heard the word Christ? Mr Herdman (22-66), whose room (21) was on the first floor most easterly corner, informed me that I spoke French with an Osborne Road
Joseph Fisher MBE (30-36)
accent! Running around the perimeter of the school playing field on a cold and wet winter afternoon… was this PE or punishment? And then of course there was Ebenezer Thomas (22-48). Editor’s note. Joseph, at the age of 97 is one of the most senior of many thousands of ONs. He may be ‘top of the list’! Does any reader know of ONs born before him? If so, please let the ONA Office know at development@rgs. newcastle.sch.uk
