Also in this issue: Keep on Tri-ing | Delicious Decadence | Peter Taylor Lecture 2013 Issue 89 | Autumn 2013

In Conversation With…Dr Keir Shiels (93-00) talks about histime at RGS and BBC fame!

ONA magazine is the magazine for the Old Novocastrians’ Association

Editor: Jane Medcalf

All correspondence should be addressedto: 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 nextedition. The Editor’s decision is final.

Contribute!We are always looking for articles andnews from Old Novos to include in themagazine, so send your contributions,via email (if possible) to:ona@rgs.newcastle.sch.ukor 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.

The deadline for acceptance of copy for the Spring 2014 issue is 9 December 2013. Copymay be carried over to a future issue.

Special thanks to David Goldwater(51-62) for his research and contributionsto the ONA Magazine, particularly on his search for A History of the RGS in Its People.

The ONA Magazine is now available onlinePlease note that the magazine is nowcirculated both in hard copy and by email to many members of the Association. Each edition is added to the ONA websiteshortly after circulation. By submitting anarticle or news for inclusion the contributoris accepting that it will be available throughboth formats and will also be accessiblebeyond the Association membership throughinternet search engines or any member of the public viewing the ONA website.

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1 President’s Welcome2 News and Events3 Delicious Decadence 4 ONA Now and Then6 ONs in Print7 Second Row to High Sheriff’s Chaplain8 Keep on Tri-ing10 A History of the RGS in Its People12 In Conversation With… 14 Peter Taylor Lecture 201315 Naval Reunion16 Obituaries

ContentsONA Magazine Issue 89Autumn 2013

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10 15

1

Welcome It’s no secret that the announcement to introduce girls to the Sixth Formwas a controversial one. Everyone had an opinion! Well that was 12years ago and since then, the school has taken steps towards fullcoeducation. This summer marked yet another notable milestone as thefemale leavers of 2013 were the first to have attended the senior schoolright through from age 11. Who better to document this milestone thanKate Jarvis (02-04), current Head of PSHE at RGS and former memberof the Sixth Form? Kate’s account of life for girls at the RGS is on page 5.

We’re a year on from London 2012 but the Olympic spirit is still verymuch in the news. One person who probably has a lot to say about theOlympic ‘legacy’ is Stephen Addison (01-08). Stephen has recentlyrepresented Team GB at the European Sprint Triathlon Championshipsin Turkey. Read about his experiences on pages 8 & 9.

Many of you will have seen the BBC Series Junior Doctors: Your LifeIn Their Hands in which our very own Keir Shiels (93-00) was one of the principal doctors followed by the documentary. Keir was back at RGS earlier this year and recent leaver Stephen Thompson (06-13)took the opportunity to ask him a few questions. On pages 12 & 13you can find out about life as a doctor and the impact of newfound celebrity!

From one famous doctor to another; the work of Dr Thomas Addison(1805-1812) was the subject of the Peter Taylor Lecture held inJanuary. On page 14, Professor Sir Christopher Edwards catalogues thelife and times, albeit concisely, of the late Dr Thomas Addison who leftthe school over 200 years ago and his great colleague at Guy’s Hospital,Richard Bright.

I regularly meet Old Novocastrians who I wasn’t acquainted with atschool and this is no surprise with my role on the Committee and thefact I live in Newcastle. It’s somewhat more of a coincidence when ONscross paths in other scenarios, like on a warship, for example. This isexactly what happened with HMS Quorn as Lieutenant CommanderSimon Kelly (82-92) explains on page 15.

Finally, I’d like to draw your attention to the very back page. You’ll finddetails of the ONA Dinner (for which you should hopefully havereceived a separate RSVP form) and an invitation to the RGS SeniorSchool Carol Service by the Director of Music, Zlatan Fazlic. The GuestSpeaker at this year’s dinner is Sir Brian Briscoe (56-63) who has had adistinguished career in the public sector.

I hope you enjoy the magazine and, as ever, we’d love to hear from you!

David Westwood (95-02)ONA President

2

News and Events

The Tyburn Tree, both on Sospiro Records, with a major tour of The TyburnTree in March 2014, starting at theBarbican in London.

He was Professor of Saxophone at theGuildhall School of Music and Drama from1984-2012, and his teaching continues atCanterbury Christ Church University laterthis year, where he is to establish aspecialist course at Masters level inSaxophone Performance.

John has just won an Ivor Novello Awardand the Royal Television Society’s awardfor Best Soundtrack for his musical scorefor Lucian Freud – Painted Life on BBC2,and is the composer of the theme toBBC1’s Silent Witness.

www.johnharle.com

Jonathon Hayward (86-88) Since leavingin 1988, I moved to university in Bristol,then to London. My father retired from hisjob at Durham University in the mid-1990s,and with them moving to the South East tobe nearer their grandchildren, I had limitedreasons to visit the North East. I startedwith Andersen Consulting (nowAccenture) on leaving University, and thenleft in 2000 to start a new managementconsultancy. This we originally called TheStructure Group, but it was re-named in2009 to be Baringa Partners. Married in1993, and one daughter called Sally whowas born in 1996.

We are delighted to haveheard recently from…

John Harle (65-74) Since leaving RGS in1974, John was Solo Clarinettist in theBand of the Coldstream Guards, aFoundation Scholar at the Royal Collegeof Music (where he made history byachieving 100% in his final degree mark)and a French Government Scholar at theParis Conservatoire.

He is the most influential saxophonist inthe classical field, with a career in America firstly and then in Britain, includinghis controversial performance of HarrisonBirtwistle’s Panic at the Last Night of the Proms.

His work in the past twenty years has ledto work in the jazz and pop fields, as wellas being a composer of over 100 film andTV scores, two operas and many concertworks. He was a founder member of theMichael Nyman Band and hassubsequently worked with artists fromElvis Costello to Gavin Bryars, Sir RichardRodney Bennett to Leonard Bernstein,Andy Sheppard to Herbie Hancock andAdrian Utley to Ute Lemper. He was Sir Paul McCartney’s artistic advisor for six years.

This year he is collaborating on twoalbums with Marc Almond (Soft Cell) ascomposer and co-lyricist – Art Music and

Our congratulations go to…

Stephen Addison (01-08) who recentlycompeted in the European Sprint TriathlonChampionships for GB Team in Alanya,Turkey (see page 8). We wish him luck inhis next endeavour when he competes inLondon at the 2013 ITU World AquathlonChampionships.

Eleni Papadopoulos (08-10) who hasbeen selected to compete in the WorldParatriathlon Championships thisSeptember. She emailed us and told usthat she, ‘narrowly missed out on theWorld Swimming Championships by0.18s this year and decided to do atriathlon in July for a bit of a laugh. I actuallybeat the European Champion in mycategory becoming British champion atmy first ever competition. I was told aroundthree weeks ago that I had been selectedfor the team and I will be racing on Friday13 September. I thought I would let youand the school know as you’ve alwaysbeen interested in my sport. I’ve still notgiven up full time swimming but really wantto see how things go at triathlon!’

Alex Newman, former Geographyteacher who has been appointed DeputyHead of Newcastle School for Boys.

Matthew Ridley (04-11) who recentlyappeared on BBC2’s UniversityChallenge where he represented Trinity College, Cambridge.

Jonathan Ferstenberg, former teacher,on his appointment as Head of SeniorSchool at Kings Priory School inTynemouth.

© Ian Dingle

3 ONA – Old Novocastrians Association Magazine Autumn 2013

I baked my first cake at the age of 10. It was a fairlystandard Victoria Sandwich as I recall, nothing specialabout it at all, and yet that was all it took for my love ofbaking to take off. Twelve years later, I own DeliciousDecadence, and I get to spend every day baking!

I left RGS in 2008, after two brilliant years, and went on tostudy for an MA in Social Anthropology at St AndrewsUniversity, graduating in 2012. Now, there is one questionthat fills all undergrads with a fear unrivalled by anything else,

“What are you going to do after graduation?” When askedthis, I would look at the questioner, smile politely, and say Ihadn’t quite decided, while all the time thinking that if I toldthem what I actually wanted to do they would probably tellme to come up with a more realistic idea. If I’m honest, attimes even I thought my dream of owning my own bakeryand coffee shop was somewhat fanciful. However, when Idid finally tell people this, it wasn’t negativity that I wasgreeted with, but rather a huge amount of support and theresounding notion that I should do whatever it is that makesme happy.

In 2005 I learnt the hard way that life is too short not tospend your life doing something you enjoy and arepassionate about. I was involved in a car accident that I waslucky to walk away from (although in actual fact I was flownaway from it by the amazing crew of the Great North AirAmbulance). Having been left with epilepsy, and thereforelife-long medication, I was awarded a fairly substantialinsurance payout in 2012, and it was at this point that I

Join us on Facebook and LinkedInThere are plenty of Old Novos social media groupsaround, but we have our own groups. Join us bybecoming a fan of the Old NovocastriansAssociation pages on Facebook and LinkedIn.

ONA Membership – Standing OrdersIf you still have a standing order set up to pay the ONAsubscription fee, please cancel it as soon as possible. ONAmembership is FREE to all Old Novos and former membersof staff.

Delicious Decadence By Kate Appleby (06-08)

decided to follow my dream of running my own business,being in the fortunate position of not having to beg a bankfor a loan!

It wasn’t the smoothest of paths that led up to the openingof my very own shop! From my dad realising an entirekitchen wall had to come down and be rebuilt, to the coffeemachine breaking just two days before opening, anythingthat could go wrong went wrong! The weather wasn’texactly on my side either, with many days lost as a result ofthe snow.

Finally though, on 14 February 2013, Delicious Decadenceopened its doors at 2 Newlands Road, Jesmond, servinghome-baked cakes, made-to-order sandwiches, breakfast,freshly ground coffee, speciality teas, and luxury hotchocolates – including the Chocoholic, which has to beseen to be believed! I also take orders for special occasioncakes and cater outside events.

Now, standing in a kitchen with an oven on at 240 degrees,on the hottest day of the year, covered in icing sugar andtrying to finish off an order of cupcakes, I do think I might beslightly mad! Quite frankly though, I wouldn’t swap what I dofor anything! Life is too short not to take a chance onsomething. It might be the scariest thing you’ve ever done, Iknow this venture is for me, but it might just turn out to be thebest thing you’ve ever done, as I hope this will.

4

ONA Now and Then

It has been, as they say, a good year. Wehad great A level and GCSE results thissummer, a credit both to the hard workand motivation of our boys and girls (at A level, the first cohort to have beencoeducational since the age of 11), and to the inspiration and sheer qualityof the teaching they receive. Moreover,back in July the Sunday Times namedus Best School in the North 2013, theaccolade was based on our 2012results, so we might make a claim to consistency, too. You can see more detail of the results on the school website.

If you bump into any members of thesupport staff over the next few weeks,don’t ask them how their summer was!They’ve worked like fury while we teachershave been sunning ourselves in variousparts of the globe. The builders haveincreased the capacity of the kitchens andof the junior school in Lambton House;turned first floor offices into a new homefor Classics (presumably those roomswere originally classrooms); and (mostnoticeably and spectacularly) created anew suite of offices and a reception area.

ONs may regret the loss of the PlenderLibrary – though I can report that thePlender bookcases live on, renovated and moved to the English office andclassrooms – but it makes a very smart,light and attractive open plan office. At thefront of the school we’ve brought all theadministration of the school together atlast. The old oak-panelled headmaster’soffice was handsome, but dismally isolatedfrom the running of the school – and nowbecomes a much needed conferenceroom. As a result we hope to be moreefficient, effective and responsive to theneeds of all – students, parents, staff and ONs.

We’ve created a new reception area byglazing and roofing the area inside thePlender Gate, an imaginative and intenselypractical use of a dead space. We cannow greet visitors in a courteous andcivilised way: in comfort, indeed, givingthem immediate access to whicheveraspect of the school’s administration theyneed. It’s all about quality of service, andcare for those with whom we work. Wehave also taken the opportunity to providean accessible route with power operateddoors from the front entrance through themain building to the Science andPerforming Arts centres.

Finally, one particular group of ONs mightbe fascinated to know that this autumn willsee the revival of a club that ran almost 50

years ago. Enthusiastic student AndrewCraddock (56-66), with the support ofFrank Budden (Head of Maths), foundedthe Society of Royal Grammar SchoolYouths to bring the ancient skill of change-ringing to the students of both RGS andCentral High in 1964-66.

Current ringing Physics teacher Dr Rachael Houchin, with the help ofGeoff White (56-64), will lead the club on Friday evenings at St. George’s Church,Jesmond and present them with what she describes as “a never-ending cerebral challenge!”

Bernard TraffordHeadmaster

A great result all round

A Level students on the day of their results: (L-R) Vladimir Vankov (08-13), Andrew Louw (03-13), Ellen Barton (06-13) andHarry Goodwin (11-13).

5 ONA – Old Novocastrians Association Magazine Autumn 2013

ONA Nowand Then

As anyone who has experienced thosefirst day nerves upon starting a newschool will acknowledge, movingschools is never easy.

A move to RGS had an abundance ofthings in its favour – wonderful facilities,an excellent reputation, not to mentionthe chance to make history and beamongst the first female students towalk the school halls. However, it was tobe a daunting experience to begin withtoo – upon starting at the school in2002 there were only 42 girls inattendance. Many of my year groupwere apprehensive: would we fit in?Would we find it hard to settle in aschool that was still in the fledglingstages of becoming coeducational?

Of course there were existing tales ofthose ONs who were opposed to theloss of tradition and the admission ofgirls into a boys’ school, but there werefew hints of that within the school eitherfrom peers or staff alike. As for tradition,if anything the girls were keen to upholdit and take part in many of the activitieson offer such as the Miller Cup andSports Day whilst also giving the boys arun for their money at Prize Day. Therecontinued to be a healthy spirit ofcompetition whilst at the same time asupportive atmosphere.

Equal opportunities were undoubtedlyin full swing and the girls flourishedalongside the boys under the watchfuleye of Dr Hazel Jones-Lee and the restof the staff. By the time we moved intoUpper Sixth and an even bigger cohort

of girls joined the year below, the idea ofbeing in the minority seemed far-fetched and this has continued as timehas progressed. This is not to say it didnot take time for the boys to adjust togirls joining them at school, but for most,it was a welcome change.

Having taught at RGS for over fiveyears now, I have had a great insightinto the school and it is very clear to seethat it is truly coeducational. This year’sUpper Sixth leavers are the first to have been boys and girls together since Year 7 and the number of girlscontinues to rise each year. Many of the staff who have taught at the schoolwhen it was both single sex andcoeducational would say RGScontinues to become a kinder and more civilised place, where girls can be girls and boys can be boys whilstunderstanding the other half better.

For me, RGS always made me feel Iwas truly seen as an individual and thisgave me the skills and confidence toforge my own path in life. For manyothers it was being part of a challenging and stimulatingenvironment encouraging them to work outside of their comfort zone and giving them the confidence toundertake a variety of personalchallenges. However, when speaking to fellow female ONs the overarchingtheme is that they are all truly grateful forthe lasting friendships and relationshipsdeveloped throughout their time therewith both staff and students alike.

First among equalsKate Jarvis (02-04) relives the historicintroduction of girls to RGS when she joined a year later in 2002.

“It was to be a dauntingexperience to begin withtoo – upon starting at theschool in 2002 therewere only 42 girls inattendance.”

L-R Georgina Cook (02-04), Kate Jarvis (02-04),Alex Jordon (02-04) and Sally Squires (neeJennings) (02-04).

66

I wrote The Little Book of Monarchsbecause I’m on a mission to improvechildren’s knowledge of our glorious past.

They don’t seem to teach history like theydid in my days at the RGS. Theyconcentrate on certain topics like theTudors or World War ll, without placingthem in context.

My book gives the full chronological narrativesince 1066 with each reign condensed intofive bullet points on one page. It’s subtitled:English history with a smile on its face,because every monarch is illustrated by areally clever cartoon that will help kidsremember who’s who and who did what. Ihope it inspires them to study further and tolove the subject as much as I do.

It should be a really easy reference bookand far quicker than looking something upon the internet. Parents and grandparentsmay buy it for themselves as much as forthe kids. And of course it will be just the jobfor quiz enthusiasts.

Preview copies have gone to lecturers,teachers and authors. Among the first topraise it was TV historian, author andacademic Suzannah Lipscomb.

She said: “It’s pithy, precise and lively. Awonderfully accurate and fascinating littleguide to English monarchs.”

This is my second book. Six years ago Ipublished an acclaimed historical novelLeonie and the last Napoleon. Set mainlyin Paris, it is based on a diary he inheritedfrom his French great-grandmother whoknew Napoleon lll very well andexperienced all the cataclysmic events of the French Second Empire.

The Little Book of Monarchs(ISBN 9781783060856) is £7.99 andcan be ordered through good bookshopsor the publishers atwww.troubador.co.uk/shop.asp

Further details are available on Tony’swebsite: www.boullemierbooks.co.uk

ONs IN PRINT History in the making –thanks to RGS teachers

At the end of The LittleBook of Monarchs, Iacknowledge myindebtedness to themotivation of some

marvellous history teachers at the RoyalGrammar School… including ‘Jabber’,‘Wilkie’ and ‘Happy Ned’.

For the uninitiated, that would be MrAlec Bruce, Mr Richard Wilkinson andMr Michael Oakshot.

History days were always happy at theRGS because Jabber, Wilkie andHappy Ned were inspirational. Theywere simply wonderful at bringing thepast to life and making sure weremembered and understood it. Theygave me a lifelong interest in the subject.

I trained as a news and sports reporter inNewcastle on The Journal. I then joinedthe Daily Express where I rose to chiefsub-editor and then launched my ownnewspaper in Northampton. My wife,partners and I built it into a group of 16titles before selling it to the company that own The Journal.

Since then I have followed my manysporting interests and carried on myhistory studies, visiting more than 50European battlefields and obtaining anadult history qualification.

Tony Boullemier (57-64) gives glowing praise to RGShistory teachers from the 50s and 60s in his new bookpublished this autumn.

7 ONA – Old Novocastrians Association Magazine Autumn 2013

In the Autumn term of 1951, I was playing rugby on a junior pitch near the then Pinfold,under the somewhat idiosyncratic tuition ofColonel Robinson – ‘Cappo’ to us, ‘Potson’ toan earlier generation. By a curious combination of circumstances, I was sent over to join thoseplaying on the main pitch and put into the secondrow of the scrum, alongside George Scott(50-58).

Thus, in the II’s XV, began an association whichcontinued up the school, though by the time weattained the 1st XV I was in the back row of thescrum, while George had graduated to thepivotal position of stand-off half, fly-half in modernparlance. My interest in the game has continued,and my descent has made me and my family keenScottish supporters at Murrayfield. My elder sonJohn Duff (76-86) was out in Australia followingthe whole of the recent Lions’ Tour there.

After school, though George and I both qualifiedas solicitors, our only contact for many years wasthe occasional chance meeting, particularly onthe touch-line when his son G Quintin Scott andmy son James Duff (both 78-88) formed two-thirds of the front row of school teams. Howeverthree years of study and training, in the midst of abusy life in the Law, then led to me beingordained in the Church of England. Twenty yearslater I had the great pleasure of learning fromGeorge that, subject to the Queen pricking hisname through vellum in the traditional manner, hehad been nominated to be High Sheriff of Tyneand Wear. He asked if I would be Chaplain for hisyear of office, and I was delighted to accept. HerMajesty duly obliged, and so a partnership whichbegan over 60 years ago has resumed in anotherform, as shown in the photograph (opposite)taken at George’s installation.

Needless to say, George is discharging hisshrieval duties with enthusiasm and ability.

From Second Rowto High Sheriff’sChaplainTimothy Duff (51-59) on apartnership spanning 60 years and on supporting RGS Bursaries.

“

I have always been very grateful to the RGS for so many things, not only the breadth of interestsand opportunities it offered me at the time, butalso what my education has led to in later life. Iwas a scholarship, or free place boy, my tuitionfees being met under the Direct Grant scheme.There was no means-testing for such places, but I was the eldest of four and it is far from certainthat my parents could have afforded to pay thefees themselves.

I agree absolutely with what David Goldwater(51-62) wrote in the ONA magazine Issue 86that, though not himself a Direct Grant boy, heenormously valued the social mix of the school.The only way for that to continue in the presenteconomic and political climate is through RGSBursaries. So come on, all you old boys, and now old girls, who do not yet support the Fund! Ifevery one of you gave £100 a year, the effectwould be colossal.

I have always been very gratefulto the RGS for so many things,not only the breadth of interestsand opportunities it offered meat the time, but also what myeducation has led to in later life.

”Tyne and Wear High Sheriff, George Scott (50-58) and his Chaplain,Timothy Duff (51-59).

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This plan didn’t go quite as well ashoped; standing on the start line of myfirst race I became very aware that thishour and half (or thereabouts) of racingended with a 5km run… I had run

1.2km as my longest so far. Despite getting worsethroughout the three disciplines, I had fallen in lovewith the sport.

That was two years ago. The difference between thatfirst race and the triathlete that I feel I can refer tomyself as today is huge. One of the main differencesis that I have gone from ‘All the gear, no idea’ to ‘Evenmore gear, some idea’! More seriously though, I hadgone from swimming on a national level and thinkingthat would be the peak of my sporting career toracing in the GB colours at the European SprintTriathlon Championships. My aspirations to representGreat Britain actually started at that first triathlon Icompleted, when a friend qualified to represent GBat the Europeans that year in Israel… I decided thenthat, if he could do it, with another year of training whycouldn’t I?

I qualified to go to Alanya, Turkey in September 2012at Rother Valley Country Park; the race itself didn’t suit me particularly, having a hilly cycle, but Iswam well and headed out onto the bike ready for a struggle.

I started triathlon due to a friend assigningme as vice-president of the newly formedNewcastle University Triathlon Club. Idecided that if I was going to fill this roleproperly I should probably get round todoing one! With this in mind, I tried to do abit of cycling and running on top of theswimming training I was already doing.

Keep on Tri-ingby Stephen Addison(01-08)

Stephen Addison (right) with fellow competitor anduniversity friend, Oliver James.

9 ONA – Old Novocastrians Association Magazine Autumn 2013

Having ridden the course the day before, I knew whatto expect and pulled through. Last up was the run; myworst discipline. I did however manage to run a PBand decided that, even if I hadn’t qualified, I had givenit my all. The qualifying athletes get an email notifyingthem whether or not they have, so I had a few nervousweeks during which I decided I mustn’t have madethe cut… then out of the blue I got my, ‘You havequalified to represent Great Britain’ email. Needlessto say, I was pretty ecstatic.

Fast forward to this June and I had been competingwell, having slashed 3 minutes off my run time andfinishing 17th at the National Sprint Championshipsin Nottingham. In the weeks leading up to the racethere seemed to be problem after problem; initiallythe airline overbooked the bikes onto flights byapproximately100 bikes! There were also issuesregarding receiving kit on time. Fortunately the teammanager and the travel company, Nirvana workedround the clock to come up with solutions andeverything went smoothly, for the athletes at least.Some poor guy had to drive the bikes overland toAlanya though! By the time I arrived in Alanya my bike was there, re-assembled waiting for me, and Iwas proudly wearing my GB kit, feeling very proud to be representing my country. I’d like to take thisopportunity to thank the ONA for helping to fund mykit as I know I wouldn’t have been stood there pre-race with quite the same feeling of elation if all I’d had was my trisuit. This way I felt like a part of theteam as we walked through the streets during theParade of Nations.

As I’m sure you can imagine, I don’t get much training in the North East at the 30°C + heat we were experiencing. Adequate hydration was going toplay an important role and I drank my way through 36 litres in the first three days!

The fourth day was race day; thankfully my age groupwas starting nice and early at 7.00am, hopefullyletting us avoid the heat… unfortunately this was a bitnaive as it was still 34°C at the finish. The ice bathswere well received!

The race itself went well; the sea swim was beautiful,though thankfully this didn’t distract me too much andI was fourth out of the water. Next onto the bike leg –a flat two-lap out and back. Interestingly, half of thecourse was brick-paved and very bumpy but it wasgreat being able to really push on traffic-free roads.Next up was the run; this was where the heat wouldtake its toll on me… and it did! Suffering round thetwo-lap hilly course meant that my time wasn’t as fastas I’d hoped in the end but for now at least, I can stilltell the grandkids that I came 16th at the EuropeanChampionships – I am now training to qualify for the2014 Championships in Kitzbühel; I need to work onmy hill-climbing before then!

Upon landing back in Britain and turning on myphone, I received an email letting me know my Great Britain journey is not over yet… I will again berepresenting the red, white and blue in London at theWorld Aquathlon Championships in September (likea triathlon but just a swim and run). This will be held inthe city centre near the Olympic triathlon course andwill be a great experience competing in front of alarge home crowd.

Despite having plenty more I could write about I needto go and prepare for my next race at Castle Howardin Yorkshire tomorrow!

Stephen completing the run section of the European ChampionshipsTriathlon.

The Great Britain Age Group Triathlon Squad.

10 ONA – Old Novocastrians Association Magazine Autumn 2013

I am grateful as ever to many ON readers who haveenthusiastically responded to my call for personalreminiscences.

John Cawood (54-61 & ONA President 94-96),retired solicitor, now living in the Lakes, looked afterMa Steven as legal advisor in her retirement years upto her death. He found her a very likeable lady. Herecalls: She told me that it was the adverse accountsof boys’ behaviour in town seeking lunch that ledERT to determine to have in-house provision. Afterbeing interviewed and offered the post of schoolcook, she declined the post on the grounds that thekitchen facilities were old fashioned and inadequate,the coal for the stoves being kept in the kitchen! Thehead invited her back saying that he wanted her totake the job. She repeated her reasons for declining.Would she take the job if she could go out and ordera totally refurbished kitchen? A few months aftertaking up her post the school evacuated to Penrithand Jeannie stayed at home with her parents untilthe school returned to Eskdale Terrace. I regret Ineglected to ask her what happened to hersummoning bell for second sittings.

Roy Large (48-58), retired vicar living in Jesmond,recalls how he and his peers were taught to holdcutlery in a way which allowed tables to be laidquickly and efficiently. ‘When I went to see her in hercare home near the end of her life, despite her ownconsistently high standards, I was dismayed toobserve that the home was sadly lacking in that area,for example, the tea cup standing on an odd saucer,something she must have deplored. I remember thather hair, worn in a severe bun, often sprouted apencil above her right ear.’

AHISTORY OF THE

RGS IN ITS

PEOPLEIn this article, David Goldwater (51-62)

concentrates on one iconic character.

Ma Steven’s refurbished Dining Hall – lunch has always been a significant social occasion in the life of the school.

Miss (Ma) Jean Steven

I questioned in the first of the RGS People articles ‘whereverdo we begin?’ The real quandary is where do we end? Tenwas always a ludicrous number to aim at; hence the changeof title. No vote, nor any winner. The great story of the RGSover almost five centuries will endure in its people: heads,teachers, students and staff. We resume our story with Miss (Ma) Jean Steven – the school cook – appointed byER Thomas in 1931, a legendary predecessor of today’sHead of Catering, the remarkable Barry Bulch.

11 ONA – Old Novocastrians Association Magazine Autumn 2013

Henry Spall (49-58), writing from the United States,recalls: Ma Steven was a stalwart manager of thelunch programme. She had to deal with post-Warrationing, but still managed to serve up meals thatreinforced the boys’ energy and development. Icecream (Walls) was not available until the early 50s.Ma doled out this luxury with a stern warning, “Icecream today, but everyone to have pudding first”.Shades of Pink Floyd! Playing cricket on a quietSaturday afternoon in Jesmond, we saw a differentkind of Ma – smiling, kinder, and serving excellentteas to the teams.

Michael Hogg (46-54), now living in Union Hall,County Cork, recalls: When I attended the RGS anumber of staff members were unique characters.One of the most memorable was Ma Steven whoruled the kitchens and Dining Hall with a rod of iron.The Dining Hall was one big room, set out with longtables, each holding about 12 pupils, six on eachside, with one prefect in charge at the head of eachtable. The prefect was responsible for doling outportions of whatever was the main dish of the day,and the students then helped themselves to the restof the meal from dishes spread out along the centreof the table.

Throughout my time at the RGS I was the smallest,lightest boy in the class, always making a consciouseffort to increase my size by eating well. Ma Stevenwould appear from the kitchen every day at somepoint during the lunch and patrol the room to makesure everything was to her liking. One day she cameto our table, suddenly leaned over grabbing my platefrom in front of me. Holding it aloft, at the top of hervoice she shouted, “Look how much this boy Hogghas on his plate, just look!!” She then proceeded tocarry my plate round the room to emphasise herpoint, finally putting it back down in front of me.Fortunately this experience didn’t put me off thatmeal or any other!

WG ‘Bill’ Elliott (Staff 1952-88) In Ma Steven’sdays, it was the custom for pupils to sit in Hall beforelunchtime and await instructions from the member ofstaff on duty, then to walk in an orderly mannertowards the Dining Hall. On many occasions, themember of staff concerned would either bepreoccupied with TheTimes crossword or lost inconversation, having completely forgotten his duty.The staff Common Room door would suddenly beflung open and a booming voice would shout, “Whois on duty today!” The culprit would then be seen toscuttle away like a frightened rabbit!

Brian Beeley (46-53), retired doctor writes fromTunbridge Wells: Looking back at Ma Steven, it isclear that her devotion to duty – even to us boys –was outstanding. She made meals high spots of theschool day and we enjoyed cutting into our blocks ofWall’s ice cream as noisily as possible. But shewould stand no nonsense from her customers. Ideveloped a special regard for Ma Steven (wereferred to her as ‘Miss’ only to her face). One dayshe approached the lunch queue – I think I was inthe third form – and asked whether a few boys couldhelp her with some task in the dining room. I heardmyself volunteering immediately! As a result, I havecome to believe, Ma Steven gave me favouredtreatment, when the occasion arose, throughout therest of my stay at RGS. There were occasional extraportions and she would go out of her way toaccommodate my requests about some club teawhich I might be arranging when I was in the Sixth.Ma Steven is not forgotten.

In a tribute to Miss Steven’s retirement in theDecember 1956 issue of NOVO, it was noted that,after her arrival, the number of boys staying for lunchat school increased rapidly from 140 or so (largelyout of necessity) to four or five times that number,because they wanted to. The expansion of theDining Hall (see photographs) became a matter ofurgent necessity and it became a very attractiveplace indeed (what had it been like before?)Shortages in food and power supply wereovercome by her efficiency and self-discipline, aswell as that stern hand over which she ruled bothpupils and staff. “What pleasure Miss Steven hasgiven, and found, in our special functions! A ToastList invariably found its focus in a very attractive mealand a Prefects’ Dance without one of Miss Steven’smarvellous suppers would have been almostunthinkable. Nor must the countless meals servedon Saturdays, summer and winter, to our own andvisiting teams be forgotten…she will beremembered for a long time to come.”

Unfortunately, after extensive research it hasnot been possible to source a photograph ofMiss Steven. Does anyone have one?

Newly enlarged Dining Hall (from the NOVO supplement, 1933). Now theschool Library since 1968.

12

Can you tell me a little bit aboutyourself?Most of my former teachers at RGS would tell you that I can’t say a ‘little bit’about anything…

I was at RGS from 1993 until 2000,where I worked hard and played harder. Iwas chairman of the Debating Society,played the electric violin in the “Jazz Band”and acted in every play there was going.After a few weeks with the National YouthTheatre, I went to Cambridge and readNatural Sciences, specialising inExperimental Psychology. Sincegraduating, I’ve worked in research(various conditions includingNeurodegeneration, Autism andSynaesthesia) and managed a winemerchant’s (long story) before startingmedical training in 2005. I am now apaediatrician working in Great OrmondStreet’s neurosciences department.

How did you decide to enter a career in medicine? I decided to go into medicine because Ifound research very slow and dull. Myfavourite part of my research job wasseeing patients. The remaining four and ahalf-days a week was soulless screen-work and form-filling. Transferring to ascientific career where communicationskills are more central was a naturalprogression and medicine seemed thebest choice.

I entered medicine on a graduate-entryprogramme, which is an increasinglypopular way of training. Graduateprogrammes are four-year medicaldegrees (same syllabus, you just lose allyour holidays). Some are open to peoplewith science degrees. Others are open topeople with any degree. It is an intensiveand relentless way to learn; but it is veryfulfilling. I’m glad I waited to study medicine.I wasn’t ready at 18 to engage with thesubject matter – I was still too much of aloose cannon. I needed to mature a bitmore before I was prepared to sacrifice a few hobbies and knuckle down to some graft.

How did the RGS support you in yourambitions?It is not as unusual a question as you maythink. When I decided to apply to medicalschool in 2005, my first port of call was

In Conversation With...

Dr Keir ShielsIn February 2013, paediatrician Dr KeirShiels (93-00) of recent BBC fame, JuniorDoctors: Your Life In Their Hands returnedto school at the invitation of MedSoc.Stephen Thompson (06-13) took theopportunity to interview Keir.

13 ONA – Old Novocastrians Association Magazine Autumn 2013

RGS. Although it had been five yearssince I’d left, the school was still verysupportive. Mike Downie, who had beenthe “Jazz Band” roadie as well as the headof the careers office, helped me with myUCAS form, as if I were still a student.RGS Medsoc has kept inviting me back tospeak too: so that is a form of support too.

Did you encounter any problems in your progression from RGS to medical school?The financial implications of doing yetanother degree five years after leavingschool and not having a settled income fornearly a decade after leaving school wasincredibly daunting, but I survived! As I’vesaid, I think that I needed the extra fewyears to shed a little of my boundless over-enthusiasm before training. I’m a betterdoctor for having waited.

What was the experience of being onJunior Doctors: Your Life In Their Handson BBC Three like? To be honest, I was filmed doing my job,and if the cameras hadn’t been there, I’dhave still done the same things, so itwasn’t a hassle. I only did the showbecause I’d already spent a year as adoctor and so I knew some of the pitfallsthat I shouldn’t fall into. I just pretendedthat the cameraman was my consultant ora member of my family and behaved asthough I was being watched. Because Iwas. Nothing was faked and nothing wasedited for story purposes. What you gotwas the real stories of the seven of us,which was great.

It is slightly confusing when people stopme in the street to inform me of who I am. Istill don’t know how to respond to, “You’reKeir off Junior Doctors”, as the opening to aconversation. But I’ve made some greatfriends through the show and wouldn’t be lecturing at various medical schoolsaround the country were it not for BBC Three. So I’m pretty happy with the outcome.

Obviously if they’d showed me in a badlight, I’d have the exact opposite opinion.

Why do you think so many RGSstudents apply for medicine? Medicine is rife with Old Novos. My firstconsultant at the Freeman was an OldNovo. The first radiology registrar I referred

a patient to was an Old Novo. My firstSHO was an Old Novo. And I sharedon-calls with an Old Novo who was theson of an RGS teacher. I’m sure it’ssomething to do with medicineattracting high-achieving polymaths with good communication skills and anability to fit social activities in between afull schedule.

I have once or twice been in the positionof treating former RGS teachers. RGSmay send lots of students to medicalschool as a sort of health insurance for their staff. They certainly get firstclass treatment if they used to be yourform teacher.

How did you find the transitionbetween university life and a job in a hospital?Medically, it was far better than I feared.The days of unsupported juniorsworking 100-hour weeks while theirconsultants play golf is long over. Theexpectations placed on the new freshdoctors are reassuringly few. Theregistrars and senior nurses are verysupportive and the transition is actuallyvery easy.

The biggest struggle is finding time tohave a hobby or social life. The regularevenings, weekends and nights interferewith my ability to be a reliable member ofa team. It’s difficult to go from a worldwhere I fitted my work around my playrehearsals to one where I cannotcommit even to a bit part because of myinability to get to rehearsals orperformances. If I want to be in an am-dram play I have to take holiday to do it. Ican’t do a language course or join a

sports team without letting down agroup of people.

That said, there are plenty of new thingsthat I’m able to fit in and I get to seefriends relatively regularly. It’s just not asfree-and-easy as it was at university.

Where do you hope to see yourself in10 years time?I’d like to be a general paediatrician in acity hospital, hopefully with responsibilityfor medical education. I’ve spent a lot ofmy non-clinical time teaching. I’velearned about great teaching byosmosis from RGS, and it’s something Ithoroughly enjoy.

What advice would you give topotential medics at RGS who arethinking about applying to medicine? Make sure it’s what you want to do. Getas much direct work experience onwards, with physicians, with nurses aspossible. Medical interviews are like ajob interview. The panel needs to knowthat you understand exactly what it isyou are letting yourself into. Being a niceperson and being good at science isn’tenough. Everyone applying for medicineticks those boxes. Likewise havinghelped in a special school or oldpeople’s home is on the CV of mostcandidates. To stand out, you have tolink your experiences to real-life hospital-based medicine. Also, read a journalnow and again. All candidates will beable to talk about whatever’s been onITN or Radio 4 recently. Get ahead ofthem and read some up-to-date stuff. Itneedn’t be too in depth, but open theBMJ now and again, and say as muchon your application.

Dr Keir Shiels (93-00) (centre) with students following his recent presentation to MedSoc.

14

Peter Taylor Lecture 2013Thomas Addison (1793-1860) and Richard Bright (1789-1858)In January 2013, the school hosted the Peter Taylor Lecturepresenting A Study in Pathology: the work of ThomasAddison. By Professor Sir Christopher Edwards.

Professor Christopher Edwards, former Vice-Chancellor of Newcastle University, spokeabout the nineteenth century physician andscientist Dr Thomas Addison (1805-1812),one of the “Great Men” of Guy’s Hospital and a

leading nineteenth century pathologist.

Thomas Addison is one of the most famous OldNovocastrians. His father was a grocer in Longbenton andafter being at the Parish (Rutter’s) School he was sent tothe RGS in 1805. He left there in 1812 to become amedical student in Edinburgh. He subsequently becameconsultant physician at Guy’s Hospital. In 1855 hepublished his famous work, The Constitutional and LocalEffects of Disease of the Supra-renal Capsules, theadrenal glands. This condition is now known as Addison’s disease.

Addison’s great colleague at Guy’s Hospital was RichardBright. Bright became famous for the first description ofkidney disease. He arrived in Edinburgh as a medicalstudent in 1808. He then went off on Sir GeorgeMackenzie’s expedition to Iceland and subsequently wrotethe chapter on the flora and fauna of Iceland. He thenspent some time on the wards at Guy’s before returning toEdinburgh to be granted his doctorate in medicine.

History does not relate whether Addison and Bright metwhen they were students in Edinburgh. On the face of itthis seems unlikely. Addison was a first year medicalstudent; Bright was in his final year. Addison came from arelatively poor background; Bright from a rich bankingfamily in Bristol. Bright was an extrovert; Addison wasmuch more reserved.

In investigating this I discovered that when Bright went toIceland there was a period of very stormy weather and hehad great difficulty in getting a boat back to Scotland. Heended up by spending about three months there. This,coupled with the time that he spent as a student at Guy’s,raised the possibility that he might have missed part of hispreclinical course that he had had to complete before hecould graduate. I therefore looked through the courseattendance records for 1812 that are held in the University

Library in Edinburgh. There was Thomas Addisonattending the Chemistry course (Fig.1). There alsoattending the same course was Richard Bright (Fig.2). Itwould seem very likely that they must have met at that time.Medicine almost certainly benefited from this strangecoincidence.

History sometimes repeats itself. Exactly 200 years afterBright went on the expedition to Iceland and had hisproblems with the weather the volcano under theEyjafjallajokull glacier in Iceland erupted and air travel inEurope was brought to an almost complete standstill. Ofmuch greater import was the Laki volcanic eruption inIceland which took place between June 1783 andFebruary 1784. This had a devastating effect on theNorthern hemisphere with widespread crop failure. Thefamine resulting from this is thought to have been animportant factor in the genesis of the French Revolution in 1789.

Fig. 1

Fig. 2

15 ONA – Old Novocastrians Association Magazine Autumn 2013

Following successful completion oftraining we handed Cattistock over toone of our fellow crews, before flyingout to Bahrain to take over HMS Quornearly in January 2013. Once in theatrewe were joined again by Mark, who flewout for a four-day assurance check tohelp us settle in to our new ship andbase port. Although all Hunt-Classships are identical in design each has itown idiosyncrasies, and it takes a littletime to adjust to the subtle differences –very much like stepping through thelooking-glass. Following the handoverprocess we set straight to work with abusy programme of maritime securitypatrols, mine-hunting training and widerregional visits, ensuring the maritimecommunity within the Gulf continue tosee the Royal Navy and UK as apositive influence in the region.

The deployment has seen us workingwith navies from around the globe,always seeking to share our bestpractice with regional partners. We alsoreceive a great deal of support from theUK whilst we are deployed, includingregular visits from the higher command,and it was one of these visits thatbrought the third Old Novo into Quorn’sstory. Chief of Materiel (Fleet), ViceAdmiral Sir Andrew Mathews KCB(69 -76) visited Bahrain in March as partof a visit to ensure the Royal Navy shipsand personnel in the Gulf are receiving

the support they require from the UK.Vice Admiral Mathews represents theRoyal Navy’s interests in defenceprocurement and is also Chief of FleetSupport on the Navy Board. As a resulthe is always keen to see that his workwithin defence reaches the teams on the front line, so during his trip wetreated him to an informal eveningreception on Quorn’s upper deck, atwhich he had an opportunity to meetthe crew and hear their feedback on the support his teams in the UK were providing.

Crew 8 remained in theatre until mid-July, and then handed over to a newcrew before returning to the UK forsome well-earned leave. Unfortunately I left the crew at this point, but with thesilver lining that I then assumedcommand of the First MineCountermeasure Squadron’s Crew 2,based in Sandown-Class MinehunterHMS Pembroke in Faslane. The upshotof this is that I have become the firstCommanding Officer to havecommanded both classes ofminehunter, and can look forward to working with Mark again as Igenerate my new Crew ready fordeployment back to the Gulf in 2014.

Simon lives in Petersfield, Hampshirewith his wife Samantha, an officer in the RAF.

It is, as is often observed in thesepages, a small world. And so it isunsurprising but nonethelessnotable that Royal NavyMinehunter HMS Quorn has

been influenced in the last year by notone but three Old Novos as part of herongoing deployment to the ArabianGulf. Quorn’s Commanding Officer,Lieutenant Commander Simon Kelly(82-92) takes up the story.

I assumed command of the SecondMine Countermeasure Squadron’sCrew 8 in July last year. The crew wereat the time embarked in the Hunt-ClassMinehunter HMS Cattistock, operatingaround the UK. Unfortunately I hadnarrowly missed Cattistock’s visit toNewcastle some weeks earlier, butjoined in time to take the ship to Bristolfor their Harbour Festival. From Augustto November the ship conductedoperational sea training in Portsmouthand Faslane, Scotland, and it wasduring this training that I bumped in tothe first Old Novo. Lt Mark Webster(92-01) was one of the navigationtraining staff based in Faslane, and wasinstrumental throughout the generationprocess in training and developing mynavigation and watch-keeping teamabove and beyond the level needed tobe deployed to an operational theatre.

HMS Quorn (foreground) with Royal Navy Minehunter HMS Shoreham and two US Avenger ClassMinehunters on operations in the Arabian Gulf.

Naval ReunionHMS Quorn trained, maintained and commanded by Old Novos.

Lt Cdr Simon Kelly (82-92) (left), CommandingOfficer of HMS Quorn welcomes Vice Admiral SirAndrew Mathews KCB (69-76) for an eveningreception on board HMS Quorn.

16

Walter Donald Finnie (38-42)Born 25 September 1923, died 25 April 2013, aged 89

Obituaries

Walter went to the RGS when hisfamily moved from Kent to Whitley Bay.We have photos of him playing the roleof Miranda in an RGS production ofThe Tempest.

Reformed Church, and was a servingelder there for many years.

After Una’s death, he enjoyedtravelling, and his many and variedhobbies. He was an accomplishedartist, needleperson, and calligrapher.Musically gifted, he belonged toseveral choirs, and loved the theatre,opera and concerts.

Walter was always a very devotedfamily man, and friend to many. He issurvived by his two daughters Vickiand Caroline, three grandchildren,and first great-grandchild, Max (born 6 March this year). Although he isgreatly missed, we are thankful that he enjoyed a long and productive life,and we have many happy memories of him.

By Caroline R Pollard

He was evacuated with school toPenrith during the war years, which iswhere he met his future wife Una(married in 1950). He very muchenjoyed some of the RGS reunions inPenrith. He went on to The Queen’sCollege, Oxford where he graduatedin History, though his university yearswere interrupted by wartime NationalService in the RAF when he undertookground duties mainly in India.

His first history teaching post was inMillom, before moving on toRutherford Grammar School, andManor Park School in Newcastle,where he became Deputy Head. Inaddition he marked history papers forseveral external examining boards, andin connection with this, enjoyed twotrips to Africa, and many meetings inLondon. He was very involved inchurch life at Jesmond United

Walter playing Miranda with his RGS cast in the school production of the The Tempest.

17 ONA – Old Novocastrians Association Magazine Autumn 2013

Leonard Maurice ‘Sammy’ Franks (32-38)Born 3 April 1921, died 11 November 2011, aged 90

Sammy Franks was one of the world’sforemost cancer scientists, working formost of his career as a leadinghistopathologist at The Imperial CancerResearch Fund (ICRF). Here he wasable to develop his long-term interest intissue culture. A man of irrepressiblehumour, one of the most recurrentstories in the many tributes to his lifedescribed his dry and impish sense ofhumour. Whilst listening to lectures, hewould appear to fall asleep within a shorttime, but seemed to have heard everyword. He would comment provocativelythat at the end of a lecture, “he felt like adrowning man coming up for the thirdtime”. More senior ONs might find this aresonating observation.

Serving in Italy during the Second WorldWar as a Captain in the RAMC, Sammywould later relate his experience with theSixth Armoured Division were “much lessstressful” than general practice.

He went on to become a doyen ofprostate pathologists and a pioneer in theapplication of cell culture and electronmicroscopy in cancer research. He was afounder member of the Royal College ofPathologists, elected to the AmericanCollege of Pathologists and participatedin the formation of several British,European and international societies.

Sammy continued to support anddevelop his research students duringtheir careers and and contributed muchin the administration and training ofclinical fellows and scientists at theICRF. One of his PhD studentsdescribed him as, ‘a human being with acapital H’. In retirement, an enthusiasticfly fisherman in the Welsh streams nearhis small cottage near the BreconBeacons, he leaves three sons, his wifeMary having died earlier in 2011.

By David Goldwater (51-62)

Francis ‘Frank’ Bradford (37-44) born1926, died 24 April 2013, aged 86.

John Fowler Milne (36-44) born 1927,died 16 April 2013, aged 85.

Stephanie Charlotte McLean(06-08) born 1990, died 11 July 2013,aged 23.

David Barclay (37-46) born 1929,died 20 June 2013, aged 84.

Charles Kenneth Halton Imison(25-35) born 1916, died 27 June 2013,aged 97.

Robert ‘Bob’ Douglas(48-56)Born 1937, died 20 June 2013, aged 76

Bob Douglas, formerly known to hiscontemporaries as ‘Dant’, died verysuddenly on holiday on 20 June.

Head Prefect in his final year at the RGS,he did his National Service in the RAF,learning Russian at Crail and beingposted to Berlin at the time of the ColdWar. He then went up to Christ ChurchCollege, Oxford and took a degree inHistory, going on to teach in Darlingtonand Keighley Grammar Schools beforebecoming Vice-Principal of TynemouthSixth Form College.

At his various schools Bob activelyencouraged cricket and cross-countryrunning, and delighted in taking partiesof pupils to the Lake District. He retiredfrom the college when he realised hewas spending more time in the officethan in teaching young people.

He leaves a widow, son, andgranddaughter, and many goodmemories among his school friends.

By Donald Buchanan (48-56)Eric has been a wonderful friend eversince our school days at NewcastleRoyal Grammar School. He was anoted long-distance runner andenjoyed life there.

The best man at my wedding, Eric and I have walked together inNorthumberland, played bowls and golfand visited one another’s families in St.Bees, Newcastle, Guisborough, andlater in Hastings. We enjoyed our timeat Cambridge together, members of theChristian Union, or steering a punt onthe River Cam…

He was involved in various charitableendeavours, founder of an ecumenicalcoffee shop and bookshop, the Iain

Rennie Hospice at Home, and theBeaconsfield Abbeyfield Society andcare home.

His faith also informed his ethicalapproach to his business life, first atIBM, then as director at Hoskyns, Rootand Lloyd Savage.

Eric enjoyed many meditative Christianretreats, completing a degree inChristian Spirituality after his retirement.He died at Easter of extensive cancerafter a bravely fought long illness,surrounded by his loving wife, childrenand grandchildren.

By Eric ‘Spike’ Middleton (45-53)

Eric William Robson (44-53)Born 11 July 1935, died 12 May 2013, aged 77

ONA Diary dates

The ONA Annual DinnerFriday 18 October 2013 RGS, Newcastle upon Tyne

Guest Speaker: Sir Brian Briscoe (56-63)

6.15PM AGM in the Conference Room6.30PM Drinks reception and presentation to retiring

teachers in the School Hall7.30PM Dinner and speeches in the Dining Hall

Sir Brian Briscoe read Geography atCambridge. He was a Planner in Derbyshire,Herefordshire, West Yorkshire, Hertfordshireand Planning Officer, Kent in the late 80s.Chief Executive, Hertfordshire in 1990, ChiefExecutive, Local Government Association(LGA), 1996 – 2006. Chairman, High Speed2 Ltd. Proud Grandpa!

Price: £28/£23 (£23 if you are aged 25 or younger, or aged 80 and over).

The price includes the drinks reception, dinner, and a choice of wine on the table.Dress Code: Formal (Optional Black Tie/ Evening Dress). There will be no fixed table plan; however, it will be possible to reserve seats. Tables will seat eightdiners, and parties of less than eight will share the table with others to complete theoctet. If you would like to reserve seats please contact the Development Office.

The deadline for bookings is Wednesday 9 October 2013. Please notethat no tickets will be issued. Once you have reserved and paid for your place, weare unable to refund your money. If you require confirmation of your booking, pleaseprovide an email address.

The ONA Annual DinnerFriday 18 October 2013 RGS, Newcastle upon Tyne

Guest Speaker: Sir Brian Briscoe (56-63)

6.15PM AGM in the Conference Room6.30PM Drinks reception and presentation to retiring

teachers in the School Hall7.30PM Dinner and speeches in the Dining Hall

Sir Brian Briscoe read Geography atCambridge. He was a Planner in Derbyshire,Herefordshire, West Yorkshire, Hertfordshireand Planning Officer, Kent in the late 80s.Chief Executive, Hertfordshire in 1990, ChiefExecutive, Local Government Association(LGA), 1996 – 2006. Chairman, High Speed2 Ltd. Proud Grandpa!

Price: £28/£23 (£23 if you are aged 25 or younger, or aged 80 and over).

The price includes the drinks reception, dinner, and a choice of wine on the table.Dress Code: Formal (Optional Black Tie/Evening Dress). There will be no fixed table plan; however, it will be possible to reserve seats. Tables will seat eightdiners, and parties of less than eight will share the table with others to complete theoctet. If you would like to reserve seats please contact the Development Office.

The deadline for bookings is Wednesday 9 October 2013. Please notethat no tickets will be issued. Once you have reserved and paid for your place, weare unable to refund your money. If you require confirmation of your booking, pleaseprovide an email address.

For further details please email: ona@rgs.newcastle.sch.uk

Carol ServiceTuesday 10 December 2013 St. George’s Church, Jesmond

Dear Old Novos,

On behalf of the Music Department, I warmlyinvite you, your family and friends to the RGSSenior School Carol Service which is to beheld at St. George’s Church, Jesmond, onTuesday 10 December starting at 7.00pm.The service will last approximately one hourand will be followed by drinks and mince piesin the hall next to the church.

Seasonal readings have been chosen toappeal to the whole family, and music will beprovided by the Blue Blazer Choir, SeniorChoir, String Orchestra and the Brass Quintet.

I do hope that you will be able to come alongand join in what promises to be a joyfulcelebration of Christmas and an uplifting endto the term.

Yours sincerely,Zlatan FazlicDirector of Music