Rgs ona magazine 92

Also in this issue: Volunteering in Cape Town | RGS in Three Generations | Reality Bites Issue 92 | Autumn 2014

Picture PerfectWill Nicholls (06-13) describes his passionfor photography and his trip to Cambodia

16024 RGS ONA Magazine 92_PRINT 12/09/2014 14:15 Page 1

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:[email protected]

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:[email protected] 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 theSpring 2015 issue is 8 December 2014.Copymay be carried over to a future issue.

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

The ONA Magazine is available onlinePlease note that the magazine is circulatedboth in hard copy and by email to manymembers of the Association. Each editionis added to the ONA website shortly aftercirculation. By submitting an article or newsfor inclusion the contributor is acceptingthat it will be available through both formatsand will also be accessible beyond theAssociation membership through internetsearch engines or any member of the publicviewing the ONA website.

Cover image: Courtesy of Will Nichollsww.willnicholls.co.uk

Please note that the ONA Magazine content does notneccessarily reflect the views of the school or the ONAand is based on personal experiences, recollectionsand memories of its contributors.

Design www.infinitedesign.com

1 President’s Welcome2 News and Congratulations4 ONA Now and Then6 Double Celebration 7 Reminiscences of an Old Novo8 Picture Perfect10 A History of the RGS in Its People12 Volunteering in Cape Town14 Reality Bites15 RGS in Three Generations16 Obituaries

ContentsONA Magazine Issue 92Autumn 2014

12

6 14


1 ONA – Old Novocastrians Association MagazineAutumn 2014

Welcome

David Westwood (95-02)ONA President

“The Finest School in the North”.

For a change, these aren’t my words, they are taken from the Sunday Times but it’s always nice to hear when someone shares your opinions! Once again, the students of the RGS have delivered aremarkable set of results at both A Level and GCSE. It is important torecognise, however, that this is also an achievement for the staff, so onbehalf of the Association, I’d like to congratulate all involved for yetanother tremendous year for the ‘School in the North’.

As my two year tenure as President comes to an end, it’s comforting to know that the school is as good as ever and I’d like to think theAssociation is too. We continue to be inundated with correspondencefrom our membership, including John Newlands (58-69) whoprovides an account of his father Jimmy Newlands (33-39), arecipient of the Arctic Star Medal for services above the Arctic Circle in World War II. We are also lucky enough to have heard fromPeter Binder (46-49), perhaps the first German student of the RGS.And for the budding photographers amongst us, don’t miss pages 8 and 9 where we hear from multi-award-winning photographer,Will Nicholls (06-13).

This year’s Annual Dinner in Newcastle, to be held on 17 October, is a great opportunity to return to the alma mater, enjoy someexcellent food prepared by Catering Manager Barrie Bulch and, of course, have a few drinks with a few old pals. If you need anyfurther encouragement, then this year will be particularly special; as the nation remembers those who both risked and gave their livesduring World War I, so too does the school and in conjunction withthe ONA, there will be a short preview of a memorial concert, whichwill be held on 1 May 2015.

Before I close my final President’s Welcome, I must mention a fewspecial thanks, particularly to Jane Medcalf, who started supportingthe committee as I became President and has, amongst many otherthings, helped to organise two fantastic reunions. I’d also like to thankmy Vice-Presidents, Chris Rutter (92-02) and Chris Wilson (97-02),and former President David Goldwater (51-62) for their time andeffort over the past two years. It’s extremely beneficial having thatsupport, particularly from former Presidents like David, so I will besure to offer mine to those who follow me.

Enjoy the Magazine!


2

News and Congratulations

We are delighted to have heard recently from…

David McKinlay (56-64) who wrote: The 1964 Biology 6thhad a 2nd reunion at Wood Hall, Cockermouth, 16-19 May.Wood Hall is a fabulous house in a Thomas Mawson gardenowned by Doug Trotter’s son and available for hire. DougTrotter (54-64), Chris Roythorne (54-64), Peter ‘Nod’Dinely (58-64), Mike Rennie (54-64), David Franks(54-65) and David McKinlay and partners were able to meet.David Brown (57-65) and Ann Brown were abroad andDavid Tomlinson (54-64) and Betty Tomlinson wereprevented from attending at the last minute by sickness. On the Saturday night we had a ’60s themed evening (see photo) won by Doug and Carol as Ozzie Osborne and Biba. We all still get on amazingly well and future eventsare proposed.

Michael Ord (66-76) writes: After 33 years working as asolicitor, mainly in Newcastle I left /retired from privatepractice in 2013 to take up a full time position as anemployment judge in the East Anglia region, based inHuntingdon, but also sitting in Bedford, Bury St. Edmundsand Norwich, when required. Having lived and worked in theNorth East for pretty much all of my previous 55 years this is a rather exciting personal move. I took up my appointmentin May 2013 and almost exactly a year later completed ourhouse move (reverting to a bachelor life for 12 months wasless attractive than it sounds).

Allison and I were married in 1983. Sons, Stephen Ord(95-02) and David Ord (94-04) are now respectivelyteaching in Newcastle and banking in Edinburgh, whilstdaughter Josie is reading Geography at Edinburgh. I remainin close contact with a number of old school friends, inparticular Michael Harle (66-76), Peter Milburn (69-76),

Iain Herdman (66-76) and Nigel Paton (66-76) from myown year and Paul Gibson (67-77) and Ian Severs (67-77)from the year below. Paul, Ian and I had a ‘best men’ pactwhich saw us each do the honours for each other over theyears, a plot hatched over a great deal of beer and a toss of the coin in a pub in Leeds in 1982.

I remain a loyal follower of NUFC despite the currentshambles and a student (rather more studying than in the olddays as some will recall) of the turf (currently taking a breakfrom pouring money into a pit having previously had shares insome National Hunt horses with varying degrees of success).If timing permits I hope to make the next London dinner as it isnow very much within striking distance, hopefully to meet upwith friends old and new.

Alan Castree (53-61) writes: My wife Catherine and I havecompleted 51 happy years of marriage, have two lovelymarried daughters and two super grandsons. I was assistantchief constable in Greater Manchester, where I was alsochairman of Sale Rugby Club, then commissioner of police in Gibraltar for five years. These were two very differentlocations and each had its own particular problems.Following that I was an overseas policing adviser to both theForeign Office and the European Union for another five years.

On retirement, I enrolled at King’s College, London for threeyears and gained a degree in Theology. I indulge in a bit ofscribbling and have the occasional success with publication,notably in natural history magazines, as well as assisting theBritish Trust for Ornithology. I added a qualification as acricket umpire to my later sports involvements and umpired inthe Surrey Premier League, maintaining my interest in rugby.I am now studying for a Master’s degree in the Psychology ofReligion at Heythrop College, University of London.

From L-R: Chris Roythorne (54-64), Judy Roythorne, Gillian

McKinlay, Mary Franks and Peter ‘Nod’ Dinely (58-64)

Alan Castree (53-61)



Our congratulations go to…

Saturday 29 March 2014 saw the second annual ONANetball match, which took place in the RGS Sports Hall – a vast improvement on the frozen, windswept hard play areaof the previous year. Not only this, but there were severalnew faces to join the ONA team and most pleasing was thefact that they were all talented netballers in their own right.

It was clear from the beginning of the match that both teams were closely matched in terms of ability and by theend of the first quarter, the RGS 1st VII were winning by only a small margin at 6-5. Due to some excellent shootingskills from Holly Clark (06-13) (GA) and Natalie Twaddle(07-09) (GS) this quickly changed and by the end of thesecond quarter, the ONA team were leading with 7 goals to 6. Superb defending by Hettie Williams (06-13) (GD) maintained this lead at the end of the third quarter with 20 goals to 19 and the team were in high spirits.Overall the match was extremely close, and it must be noted that due to a shortage of players on the RGS 1st VIIsome of the current RGS Games staff were drafted inthroughout the match thus compromising the fairness of the team selection!

All of the ONA players showed superb skill anddetermination to have our first victory and the teamcamaraderie was also excellent. It must also be noted thathaving played seven-minute quarters the year before due to inclement conditions, these quarters were all 15 minuteslong and of an extremely high standard. Unfortunately,several goals from the RGS 1st VII in the closing minute ofthe game saw them win the game with a final score of 25-24.My thanks go out to everyone who gave up their Saturdaymorning to play for either team and to Miss Smith and MrsHarvey at RGS for umpiring. Third time lucky for a victorynext year…

ONA v RGS 1st VII NetballBy Kate Jarvis (02-04)

From L-R: ONA Netball team: Holly Clark (06-13), Alex Jordon (02-04), Hettie

Williams (06-13), Kristen Hartley (06-13), Natalie Twaddle (07-09), Sally

Squires (02-04), Amanda Williams (05-07)

Niall Flannery (99-09) who just missed out on a medal at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games when hecompeted in the Men’s 400m Hurdles final.

James Penn (99-09) who achieved a 1st Class TripleHonours in Modern Languages (French and Spanish) withInternational Relations from St Andrew’s University. He wasalso awarded a Dean’s Award for sustained academicexcellence.

Ben Pearson-Stuttard (08-10) who also achieved a FirstClass degree in Medicine from St Andrew’s University. Henow continues his degree in Medicine at Glasgow University.

Angus Walker (08-10) who gradated this year with a 1st inPsychology from Edinburgh University, also winning theBritish Psychology Society (BPS) undergraduate award forhighest overall grade at his university.

Georgina Orife (née Cook) (02-04) and Ray Orife(99-03) who were married in August. We wish them all thevery best for their future together.

Harry Goodwin (11-13) Politics undergraduate at DurhamUniversity, who has just been announced as the winner ofthe innovation category in the prestigious Jack Wills YoungBrits competition, backed by i. Harry competed againstmore than 2,300 16-25 year old UK applicants in acompetition in search of the brightest new talent in the arts,enterprise, endurance and innovation. Harry is the creatorand editor of the website Omnipolitical (www.omnipolitical.com), using the internet and social media to engage youngpeople in politics and debate. As winner of the innovationcategory, Harry’s achievements will earn him a cash rewardof £5,000 and professional mentoring from one of theJudges, Olivia Solon, writer and editor specialising intechnology, science, startups and digital culture.

Harry Goodwin (11-13)


4

ONA Now and Then

My colleague Jane Medcalf heroically triesto pack in as many of the offerings as shecan: but we hope you will be patient if ittakes a while to get them all in. It’s a niceproblem to have, though, and we welcomeit and thank you.

In this issue I’ve enjoyed something of a dialogue with my pre-predecessor,Alister Cox (72-94) (see opposite) (who,incidentally, celebrated his 80th birthdayrecently: congratulations to him!)

I’ve also been able to witness some of theevents recorded in these pages. Wildlifephotographer Will Nicholls (06-13) onlyleft the school a year ago, so I had thepleasure of seeing him develop (and winseveral awards) in his specialist field: hiswork is outstanding.

In July I was also privileged to invite mypredecessor James Miller (94-08), backto the RGS so that we could rename the

central part of the Performing Arts Centrein his honour: it is now The Miller Theatre.

I was delighted to witness one of thoserare and momentous occasions whenthree generations of RGS boys visitedschool together. Walter Wood (37-44)and his son Simon (72-77) joined Walter’sgrandson, Edwin (current Upper Sixth anda Senior Prefect) (see page 15). ONACommittee member and former PresidentDavid Goldwater (51-62) presented theprevious issue of the ONA Magazine toWalter. Walter described being muchinspired by the ‘brilliant’ Michael Roberts(24-31 and 34-41) (see issue 91): that‘inspiring, unique and eccentric’ teacher ofthe ’30s and ’40s gave David the impetusand motivation to continue his search ofThe History of the RGS in its Peopleseries (see page 10).

It was my pleasure to get to know W RayEden (32-37) as a friend, and my sorrowto mourn his loss at the start of the year.Ray was another of those ONs (so manyof them!) who was larger than life, full of funand humour, and great company. In his lastcouple of years we’d formed the habit ofmeeting up at the Cherry Tree for dinnerand jazz: but I know that my wife and I werejust part of a huge circle of Ray’s friendswith whom he developed various cheerfuland sociable activities in order to maintainand build friendships. He was a veryspecial man whom we miss.

Earlier this year we received news of thestrange and disturbing decades-oldtragedy that befell one ON. The state ofCambodia is coming to terms with itsterrible history of the ’60s and ’70s underthe regime of the infamous Pol Pot and his‘killing fields’. Bravely facing its darker past,that nation is creating museums andmemorials to the victims.

Among them, we have discovered, wasJohn Dawson Dewhirst (61-64), who leftthe RGS in 1964. He was one of anumber of westerners captured and

How good it is to see the ONAMagazinebecoming fatter and fuller with every issue! I’m grateful to the ever-increasing number of ONs ready and willingto contribute material.

tortured into making false confessions. His ‘confession’, clumsily transcribed byhis captors, describes an entirely fictitioushistory as a CIA agent. He was amongmany thousands executed, a smallindividual tragedy that brings home to usthe monstrosity and evil of that regime. Ithas been suggested that we should createsome kind of memorial to John DawsonDewhirst: it’s hard to know what would beappropriate, and we are certainly open tosuggestions, particularly perhaps fromONs who knew him.

I’ll close with one last bit of, fortunatelyhappier, history. It was marvellous to hearthe now fully-restored organ (which is, ofcourse, a war memorial) in use in the Mayperformance of Haydn’s Little Organ Mass.We hope we’ll make good use of theorgan now it’s working again, though wedon’t sing hymns in assembly nowadays:the instrument has been acknowledged by The British Institute of Organ Studies. A failed organist myself, I must add that itreally does sound well now it’s in fullworking order.

And that’s just a snapshot of thismagazine’s contents! My thanks to allcontributors and to all who continue to support their old school: and I hope to see many of you at October’s ONADinner at the school, or at the Londonevent in March.

Bernard TraffordHeadmaster



ONA Nowand Then

5th March 2014

Iread with huge interest the piece inthe latest ONA Magazine by one ofthe original guinea-pigs of the so-called Flyers system (or should it beFliers?) – and the accompanying

remarks by Bemard Trafford, anotherproduct (so we learn) of the sameaccelerated promotion. I nearly said ‘victim’,but who am I to pass such judgement onone who has reached the dizzying heightsof Headmastership of the RGS? I dohowever note that he echoes StephenForster’s (63-69) conclusion that the pricepaid by some of those chosen for suchacceleration was a certain ‘immaturity’ atthe next stage of their onward progress.Stephen perhaps rightly dubs it an‘experiment’, and adds that he doesn’tknow ‘how long it lasted’.

I can claim to know the answer and hopethat the following notes from the depths ofFrance (where I have now spent 20 happyyears) will be of interest to ONs and others.It goes back to discussions I had with mynew colleagues when I started at the RGS in the autumn of 1972. I wasbeginning to learn that change was in theair, and that I would be one of the vehiclesof it, and I can quote with some precisionthe note I received from a colleague whoseviews I had quickly learned to value: ‘Nowthat you’ve agreed to so many timelychanges could you add one other – theabandonment of the Fliers stream?’ Havingno fixed views on the subject, I listenedhard to all the pros and cons – the latterincluding a welter of ‘educational andadministrative problems’, as StephenForster seems to have fully understood,perhaps through being himself the ‘victim’of several of them. It was easy to concludethat the system, if it ever had merits, had runits course – and I simply implemented what

had become the considered collectiveview of the staff who had lived with it for a decade.

In view of the accumulated evidence of itsdemerits I remember asking what expected‘merits’ it was supposed to deliver, and theanswer came in terms of academicexcellence as judged by the criterion ofOxbridge entry. That was the era whenbright students stayed on post-A Level forthat particular high-flying aim (note therecurring imagery!), exactly as did StephenForster himself, and I was ‘warned’ by mymore cautious colleagues that ourOxbridge results might suffer in sevenyears’ time, which in fact they didn’t. Butthe disadvantages of ‘immaturity’ showedthemselves from the very start in this raceto precocious achievement – except ofcourse for those who suffered thealternative disadvantage of being droppedback in mid-course: Stephen Forster says it all, and I await with him the thoughts ofothers who knew the system and may havethings to say on both sides of the debate.

There was one amusingly useful PRoutcome of the launch of this system in1963. You have only to imagine its effectprecisely seven years later on the Oxbridgeresults: the new generation of Flyers willhave made their bid simultaneously withthe high-flying products of the year aheadof them. Not only did this deliver anunprecedented score in 1969, but thiscame just in time to be included in a chartof the latest ‘Oxbridge results’ in the third ofAnthony Sampson’s studies of theAnatomy of Britain. This came out in 1971and told the world that RGS Newcastlewas currently the No. 1 winner of OxbridgeAwards! And that was nicely in time toimpress candidates for the soon-to-be-vacant Headship. I commented about it tothe member of staff whose job was to

show me around, and he had the graceand good-humour to tell me at once theundiluted truth. Young readers of this maybe less amused than appalled by thisglimpse of the past: fancy a school’sacademic reputation depending on theaward of Oxbridge scholarships! It worriedme at the time, and I did my bit in thecoming years to widen the criteria for suchjudgements. I knew for example that someof our brightest students felt significantlyun-impelled to try for them.

Stephen’s comments are so evocative ofthat period. Yes, in the Sixties life in theRGS Senior School had started with Form2: the Fliers had to fill out what was called2.1, and were next year expected to leapbeyond the so-called ‘Removes’, whichwere only for ordinary mortals; others inForm 2 were in stratified classes belowthem. The abolition of the Fliers stream (as from 1973, to be precise) wasimmediately accompanied by otherreforms, which we never had reason toregret. To the lovely logic of starting with a Form 1 we added an insistence that itwould consist of four un-streamed classes,and we proclaimed this fact by attaching to each a House alignment, daring anyoneto argue that 1C and 1E and 1H and 1Swere anything other than academicallyequal. I remember recognising that a bonusin this was the underpinning of that valuedcommodity known as ‘House-spirit’(committed though it may be to the idea of non-equality!) On this I read withfascination Bernard Trafford’s comments in this same rich issue of the ONAMagazine. He’s so right to doubt that ‘50years ago’ (but make that 40!) ‘face-paintsin House colours would have beenencouraged’. We had not even imaginedsuch things in that dull old world!

Alister Cox (72-94)

A letter from Alister CoxHeadmaster 1972-1994

The Flyers, 1969


6

My father James ‘Jimmy’Newlands (33-39) was born in 1924 and attended RGS, but left early to serve in theSecond World War. As a young

Hostilities Only (HO) rating he served in HMS Kenton the Russian Arctic convoys, sailing from Liverpool.This essential war effort involved sub-zeroconditions, the endless task of keeping the upperdeck ice-free and, in my father’s case being‘battened down’ in the shell room at Actions Stations.

Jimmy was then selected for seaman officer trainingand, as a 19-year old Midshipman, to command alanding craft during the D-Day landings in June 1944.

After the war he returned to the North East to run thefamily clothing and retail business, J Newlands &Sons, retiring in 1989. An avid rugby supporter andpast player, both at RGS and after the war, hecaptained Tynedale RFC in the early ’50s andplayed for Northumberland as hooker on severaloccasions. He now lives in a nursing home in Ryton,Tyne and Wear.

This year, the UK Government decided to act at lastand approve a medal for those who had served inthe Russian Arctic convoys. It was with great prideand happiness therefore that a sizeable gathering offamily and friends witnessed Jimmy being presented

with the Arctic Star, at a ceremony alongsideHMS Mersey at North Shields on his 90thbirthday on 27 June. The medal was presented byLieutenant Commander David Gillett R.N.,Commanding Officer, HMS Mersey.

It meant a great deal to my father that he was ableto receive his medal in the presence not just ofserving men and women from today’s Royal Navy,but of a contingent from the RGS that includedthe Headmaster Bernard Trafford and a smallcontingent of students, in uniform, from theCombined Cadet Force. My brother Andrew andhis family were also able to attend, having travelledfrom the Turks and Caicos Islands. Our thoughtswent out to Alex (66-69), our younger brother,who attended RGS, but who died in 2002following a diabetes-related illness.

I have only recently returned to the North Eastmyself and now live in South Gosforth. I served in the Royal Navy as a Weapon Engineer Officer,retiring in 1994. For the last 20 years I haveworked in the financial sector as an analyst and amnow head of investment companies research atBrewin Dolphin, dividing my time between thefirm’s London and Newcastle offices.

It is wonderful to be back in the home of the RGSand of the Magpies.

Above: Jimmy with his great, great nephew Anthony

Wetherell (Year 10)

Left: RGS Contingent: Mansel Wetherell (80-85), Lucy

Barnard (CCF), Lucy Ellerton (Year 12) (CCF), John

Newlands (58-69), Jimmy Newlands (33-39), Anthony

Wetherell (Year 10), Bernard Trafford (Headmaster)

Far Left: Jimmy’s Arctic Star Medal

DoubleCelebrationArctic Star Medal Ceremony and 90th Birthday PartyBy John Newlands (58-69)


7 ONA – Old Novocastrians Association Magazine Autumn 2014

My father was half Jewish and had leftGermany in 1938. He was invited by the UK Government to set up amanufacture of steel radiators based onhis patents in Washington, Co. Durham.

Although mother and I prepared to join him, we werestranded in Germany for the duration of the war.

It was not until the last year of the war that the Nazi Youth hierarchy discovered that I was quarter Jewish and disowned me as non-aryan, although I had beenconfirmed in the Lutheran Church and mother was aprotestant vicar’s daughter.

In order to avoid unpleasantness mother took rapid actionby moving us to a farm in the Black Forest and not returningto Wiesbaden until sometime before Generals Patton andOmar Bradley had surrounded the area.

My school days were spent at the HumanistischeGymnasium in Wiesbaden. My subjects included Greek,Latin and English, which helped me to pass the strict

interview with Dr ER Thomas. After Matriculation andHigher School Certificate I left RGS in 1949. With myfather’s naturalization I became subject to the NationalService Act in December 1949.

Returning to Germany in 1950 as a subaltern in the RoyalArtillery may be of interest to other Old Novos of the ColdWar generation (see photograph below).

If you would like to read a fuller account of myexperiences, please visit the ONA website athttp://ona.rgs.newcastle.sch.uk/

I believe I was the first German boy who joined the RGSafter World War II in 1946, having arrived from Germanyin March of that year. By Peter Binder (46-49)

Reminiscences of an Old Novo

Right: School Prefects, 1949

Below: On East/West German border patrol, 1961


8

When I first joined the RGS in 2007, I hadjust moved from Newcastle to theNorthumberland countryside. The moveinto a more rural setting left mesurrounded by the natural world, making

a welcome change from the pub I used to live opposite. It is notsurprising then that I quickly developed an interest in wildlife,and subsequently wildlife photography.

Having managed to buy myself a very basic camera, I began to take photos of everything I could see around me. At the time I thought my photos were fantastic, but in fact they were verypoor! Luckily, I didn’t think that at the time, and continued tosnap away whenever I could. Kielder Forest is not too far fromwhere I live, and I used to make regular trips to the hide there to photograph the red squirrels. This endangered mammal isextremely popular nowadays in the UK, and I was privileged to be able to take photos of them regularly.

Once my photography had improved, I was encouraged toenter the British Wildlife Photography Awards in 2009. Thiswas the first year the competition had run, and it is now anextremely prestigious event in the wildlife photographycalendar. To my amazement, I was awarded the title of YoungBritish Wildlife Photographer of the Year! At the time, I wasn’tkeen on the image that won me the award, and it was myparents that made sure I entered it.

With my confidence boosted, I knew that photography wassomething I should definitely stick at. It is a great hobby, as itgives you a perfect excuse to get outdoors and get fresh air.Nowadays, my hobby has turned into a profession. I have beeninvolved in the business side of my photography for around sixyears, but I would class myself as a professional for the lastthree or four years.

PicturePerfectWill Nicholls (06-13) describes hispassion for photography and his tripto Cambodia.

Above: Will’s award-winning photo earning him the title Young British

Wildlife Photographer, under 18 category winner: Red Squirrel, Kielder

Forest, Northumberland

Below: Immature Little Owl



I have known for a while that this is the field I wish to remain in for the rest of my life. My ambitions are to become a naturalhistory documentary film-maker and presenter. Of course,this is a very competitive field, but someone has to do it! I lovethe natural world, and so I am studying Zoology at theUniversity of Exeter. Gaining a scientific background to backup the observations I make in the field is ideal for getting intothe television industry.

To further this ambition, I embarked on a solo expedition toCambodia at the end of 2013 whilst I was on my gap year.Using connections I had made whilst networking, I managedto gain access to protected scientific sites in the forest.Cambodia has the seventh fastest rate of deforestation in theworld – a shocking statistic. My aim was to create a filmdocumenting the animals there and my efforts to see them.

However, my plans were soon scuppered by the severity ofthe situation the country’s wildlife faces. One location I visitedwas a research post deep in the forest in north eastCambodia. I was based there for two weeks, with the aim offilming langurs and other primates. Unfortunately, all I couldhear for the entire duration was the sound of chainsaws. The charity that was supposed to be looking after the areawas employing someone who was cutting down the forest atnight himself, and they were turning a blind eye to the area. I pointed this out to the director, who had given me access,but they began to panic that I had a camera and couldexpose the situation. So, I was quickly forced to leave thearea and had to abandon that stretch of the expedition.

Why haven’t I done anything about this since? Well, if I wereto somehow name and shame the organisation, they couldface being kicked out of the country altogether – or so theytold me – which would be very bad for the wildlife. Whilstthey could be doing things a lot better it seems, no charity at all would leave a huge part of the country unprotected.

So, I moved on to a new area: the bamboo forests in centralCambodia. I accessed this area by motorbike, drivingthrough a foot of mud or more and taking almost five hours to travel just 10 kilometres. Having never ridden a motorbikebefore, I am very pleased that my mum was not there to seeit! Crashing the bike a few times thanks to fallen trees, rocksand steep drops left me surprisingly un-battered.

This stage of the expedition consisted of myself and a forestguide moving through the forest to try and film the incrediblyamazing, but dangerous, Asian Elephants. We soon cameacross fresh droppings from an elephant, giving anencouraging sign for the next week to come. We lived in theforest, sleeping in hammocks between the trees and fallingasleep to the sound of elephants calling through the nightover many kilometres. I quickly picked up some of the Khmerlanguage (as my guide spoke very little English), and I couldconverse about the distance to the elephants.

I set up motion-activated cameras at salt licks, where variousanimals come to benefit from the minerals in the ground, and after the first night they picked up the rear-end of an elephant!

This was amazing, as it was only one kilometre from camp. I then told my guide that I wanted to track them down, despitethe dangers. He agreed, and we prepared to go tracking thenext day. We followed huge footprints through the mud forover four kilometres, until suddenly there was a huge roar fromaround 400 metres in front of us. Adrenaline began pumping,as we knew we were close. These elephants can move veryfast, and the bamboo we have to spend time hacking throughwith machetes is no difficulty for an elephant to trample through.

We got closer, and suddenly could hear the footstepscrashing through the undergrowth in front of us. We ransilently, moving so the wind was in our favour. The guidepointed to a tree and said “rot”, which means run in Khmer.This was where we were to go if the elephants charged.Soon enough, trees began to fall and I caught glimpses ofthe huge backs of Asian Elephants moving through the trees.I have never seen anything so amazing! After a little time, theysuddenly charged, having smelt us. Thankfully, they wererunning away instead of at us!

After this incredible experience, we returned to the salt lick a few days later to check the trail cameras once more. I spotted tracks just 50 metres from our hammocks, showingthat the herd had moved right through our camp in themiddle of the night without us knowing! The signs werelooking promising for results on the cameras. To my joy, thecameras had picked up several shots of the elephant herd,including video footage of young elephants.

This expedition proved to me that exploration and naturalhistory film-making is definitely what I want to be involved in. I love adventure and jungle environments; living amongst thesound of cicadas makes me feel at home, however weird thatmay sound!

Top: Film capture from a low resolution motion detector camera of young

Asian Elephants

Bottom: Film still of a Silvered Langur, photographed in Cambodia


10

AHISTORY OF THE

RGS IN ITS

PEOPLEby David Goldwater (51-62)

David Selley (52-57), now living in Torontoenjoyed recalling Thomas Tucker Anderson(24-60), OW Mitchell (48-60) (see issue 86) and‘Ma’ Steven (31-56) (issue 89). He remembersOWM sweeping into the classroom clutching hisgown around him. David suggested an article on ‘his hero and mentor’ Sydney ‘Sammy’Middlebrook (18-58), Senior History Masterand Second Master (from 1950). ChristopherDean (45-53) recommended a piece on hisfather, George ‘Dixie’ Dean (24-67), whosucceeded ‘Sammy’ as Second Master in 1958.May I appeal to as many readers as possible tosend in their recollections of these two fine menwho exemplified the best in RGS educationalstandards (email ONA office: [email protected]).

Colin Young (68-75) acknowledged the pieceon John Elders (57-82)(issue 87): Good to seethe old school doing so well. I particularly enjoyedthe piece about John Elders in the current edition.Without doubt the most inspirational teacher I had in my time at the RGS – a great leader whoalways found time to encourage you to aspire to a higher level than you believed you could achieveand, who helped you get there.

Jim Reed (33-40), whose passing at 91 is sadlynoted in the last issue (issue 91), remembered‘Ma’ Jean Steven (issue 89) as ‘a formidablewoman’. His son Bill, who would read themagazine to him, recalled his Dad’s friendshipwith Gordon Victor Smales (34-40), three of thefour Tulloh brothers, Frank (34-41), Clifford(35-41) and Harold (35-41) and his time atPenrith. Keith Phillips (53-62) remembered her

In recent issues, we haveconcentrated on individuals whohave left their mark on the school

and much interest has beenstimulated as ONs have recalledtheir own personal recollections

of notable staff and pupils.

So regular have been the messages toJane in the ON office and to myself,we thought it might be interesting at

this point to recall some of thisfeedback. It also serves the purpose

of connecting more ONs to thereadership at large, numbering a

surprising 5,500+. After all, what isthe purpose of the ONA Magazine,if not to connect our membership

to our readers?

Sydney ‘Sammy’ Middlebrook (18-58), Senior History

Master and Second Master (from 1950)



huge brass bell and described her as ‘a bit likePeggy Mount with a hairnet’.

But the most surprising contact was with ‘a near,but not quite’ Old Novo, Robin Ainsworth,daughter of the inspirational Jack Wolstenholme(48-75), (issue 88). Robin’s aunt and Jack’scousin was Clara Teunon (57-72), who took overfrom ‘Ma’ Steven in the mid-’50s. She wrote thatshe is in occasional touch with Brian Varley(55-63), organist and chamber choir conductor at St Andrew’s, Bishop Auckland.

Since the last issue, there has been an amazingreaction from what turned out to be a verypopular piece on the late Michael Roberts (25-31 and 34-41), the accuracy of which was underwritten by his sons, particularly therenowned Sir Adam Roberts, EmeritusProfessor of International Relations at BalliolCollege, Oxford. He was born in Penrith in 1940and lists mountaineering and cycling amongsthis interests, so though not an ON, therecertainly is a connection to the RGS of that time.

Brigadier Arthur Dowell (36-43), head of Eldonand captain of cricket 1943 writes of MichaelRoberts: ‘in addition to taking chemistry lessons,he spent the first term of our school certificateyear running an improvised Stock Exchange. We bought and sold shares in fictitiouscompanies with names like ‘Aluminium Aircraft’,‘Bread and Butter Ltd.’, ‘Everyday Appliances’ etc.I don’t think anyone made a fortune, but it was funand his confidence in us was not misplaced: weall achieved good passes after two termsinstruction, rather than three!’

Arthur also remembered Geoffrey Wheeler (45-48), whose obituary appeared in the lastissue. ‘After leaving school in 1943, I spent mostof the year on a wartime short course at NewCollege, Oxford. There followed officer training in India and commissioning into the Royal Signalsin July 1945. Then came the rather unexpectedend to the war after the dropping of the atomicbombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki…and therefollowed two idyllic years in Ceylon and sixmonths in Burma…then, on my return to the UK in early 1948, a staff posting as a staff officer inCatterick, sharing an office with Geoff who wasdoing his National Service in the RAEC.’ Throughhis friendship with Geoff after the War atCatterick and his introduction to the CatterickAmateur Dramatic Society, Arthur met his futurewife of 56 years and he and Geoff remained goodfriends throughout the years. Arthur also sent hisgood wishes to his school friends John Sinson(33-43) and Allan Wilson (36-43).

It was a great surprise to have heard throughLinkedIn from Simon Chester (57-67), a formerpartner with a Law firm in Toronto, Canada, nowadvising the Canadian Bar Association onConflicts of Interest. In his final year at school,Simon was ‘Plender Librarian’ – one of thediscoveries [he] made in that period, in lockedcupboards under the main shelves, was MichaelRoberts’ collections of poetry and magazinesfrom the ’30s and ’40s’. He noted that reading thesmall magazines and volumes gave him adifferent view of the Spanish Civil War and theadvance to WWll.

Frank Simm (36-43) is one of those whooriginally suggested a piece on MichaelRoberts. Frank described him as ‘inspirational…’He also wrote of the mock Stock Exchange inalmost identical terms to his contemporaryArthur Dowell. ‘Nuclear fission of heavy atomshad recently been achieved and [Roberts]explained how in accordance with Einstein’sequation E=mc2, there was the potential for a massive release of thermal energy and thepossibility of an atomic bomb. Few realized this at the time.’ But the main ‘agitation’ for an articleon this unique teacher has come from WalterWood (37-44), who came in to school with hisson and grandson, Simon (72-77) and Edwin(Year 13), reported on page 15 of this issue.

Please note the request for recollections ofSydney ‘Sammy’ Middlebrook and George‘Dixie’ Dean. By post, e-mail (see above) or any other suitable method, noting the deadline for the next issue!

George Dean (24-67), Science Master

and Second Master (from 1958)


12

After graduating from Edinburgh, I decided totake a year out to travel and develop my skillsbefore starting my career. A couple of myfriends had previously taken part in theInternational Citizen Service (ICS) in

Honduras and India and encouraged me to apply. After a simple online questionnaire and selection day, I wasinformed that I was successful and would be placed inCape Town, South Africa in April for 10 weeks.

ICS is a UK Government charity that works in partnershipwith local charities internationally, promoting internationaldevelopment, cross-cultural exchange and strengtheningglobal ties. There are a number of UK charities that workunder ICS and I was chosen by Skillshare International,Coaching For Hope. This particular charity facilitatesinternational development by using sport as a tool to teachchildren life skills and combat drug abuse, gangsterism andvarious other ‘social evils’ prevalent within their communities.

VolunteeringinCape TownBy Kirsten Clunies-Ross (07-09)



Thirteen other UK volunteers, aged 18-23 joined me on theproject. Within the first few days of arrival, we wereseparated into five different communities, each of usvolunteering for a different local charity focusing on eithersport, education or disability.

One other UK volunteer was placed with me in Mitchell’sPlain. We lived with a local family, which helped us tointegrate into the community. During the apartheid, ‘whites,coloureds and blacks’ were separated into different areasand today, most of the poorer communities have remainedapart. It was almost unheard of for ‘whiteys’ to be inMitchell’s Plain and for this reason, we received a lot of localattention. I frequently took a taxi bus, the cheapest form oftransport in Cape Town, a 12-seater minibus that packed upto 25 passengers and certainly would not pass its M.O.T. inEngland. When I asked the driver to drop me at Mitchell’sPlain, the answer was always, “Are you sure my sister?”

The local charity I worked for placed us in different primaryschools during the day to teach P.E. and life orientation. We also ran some after school sports clubs at the centre wewere based in. Although we were in a coloured Afrikaanscommunity, I worked in a black Xhosa school. Thesechildren came from one of the poorest areas in Cape Town.The school in their neighbourhood had flooded, so theywere being bussed to a school in my community everyday.They lived in a ‘Human Settlement’; what we would callshacks. Their houses were mostly one room, built out of tinor wood, fed by an illegal electricity supply, without toilets orrunning water. Most of the children’s school uniforms weretorn and dirty. It was rare for any of them to own trainers, sowhen we took them for sport, they often went barefoot.

It was a huge struggle to teach the kids at first. The biggestbarrier was that they spoke Xhosa and little or no English.This made giving instructions very difficult and I often had to visually demonstrate what I wanted the kids to do. Theschool was devastatingly poor, and as the South AfricaGovernment does not finance sport within schools, we hadvery little equipment. In addition, the classes wereovercrowded with a typical class size consisting of around45 children. When a teacher was absent, which was almostevery day, there were no substitute teachers to fill their place,so the children were divided into the remaining classeswithin their year. It was not uncommon, therefore, to haveover 60 kids per session. With so many children and armedwith only one flat ball, this was extremely daunting when I first began. You learned to think very quickly on your feetand use items around you such as empty chip packets,bricks, or bottles and implement them into your session as cones or posts.

In some of the classes there weren’t enough chairs so thesmaller children had to make do with sitting on large watercontainers. I was shocked to see the little boys and evengirls go to the toilet by the side of the concrete sport area. I was told that as they didn’t have toilets at home, some werenot familiar with using them. Despite the obvious poverty,

there was a lot of happiness in the school. They were always so excited to be taken out of class. Before our charity had come to the school, they had never had sportslessons as there was simply no money. It was an absolutejoy to see them really enjoying themselves and learning new skills.

Aside from working Monday to Friday, we were able to relaxand socialise with our new local friends, explore Cape Townand visit our other UK counterparts in their communities. Inmy free time I hiked up Table Mountain, took a boat trip toRobben Island to see Mandela’s cell, went on a safari whereI walked with lions and rode an ostrich, took a wine touralong the Garden Route, visited the beaches and had many,many braais (BBQs).

I was very reluctant to leave. I had made some very goodfriends and felt welcomed by the community members and their families, so much so that I intend to go back andvisit in early 2015. I would highly recommend thisexperience to anyone looking to do some volunteering work abroad. This particular programme is very affordableas you have to raise £800-£1,500 and the charity pays foryour flights, accommodation, food and provides you with a weekly stipend.

I learnt a great deal and enhanced many of my personal andprofessional skills that I will be able to apply to my graduatescheme with PwC starting later this year. In the meantime I am off travelling in South East Asia and Australia with fellowOld Novos.

Above: Kirsten on Safari, walking with lions

Below: Kirsten enjoyed many braais during her 10 weeks

volunteering in Cape Town


14

I’d been taught how to do dentistry at dental school,but I was not taught how to manage a dentalpractice, which if you ever come to own a practice is something you really need to know about. Itherefore taught myself how to manage my practice

and when I thought I knew enough wrote about it in dentaljournals and magazines. Then, after 25 years of being adentist, misfortune struck: I was diagnosed with the earlysigns of osteoarthritis in my hands and wrists, and waslosing the essential manual dexterity needed to carry outclinical work. I sold the practice and after a period of notquite knowing what to do with myself decided to write abook about practice management.

All in all it took me about four years to put together amanuscript I thought was ready to submit to a publisher. The first (and the only) publisher to whom I submitted mymanuscript offered me a contract; six months later the bookwas published; a year later it won the Diagram Prize for theoddest title, which is Managing a Dental Practice: TheGenghis Khan Way. Now I didn’t even know there wassuch a prize, but each year the winner receives a great dealof international publicity, sales rise, and my book and mesuddenly became the equivalent of dentistry ‘A-listers’. A James Robson (86-93) was in the audience at one of the first talks I gave to a dental business club meeting inOxfordshire. Because of our common interest in dentalbusiness I have also met with Alan Suggett (64-70), a Newcastle-based chartered accountant and dentalbusiness specialist.

ONs IN PRINT

RealityBitesMichael Young (65-72) faces up to a life beyond dentistry and thesearch to finding his ‘label’.

Michael with his award-winning book: Diagram Prize for the Oddest Title of

the Year 2010. Photo by kind permission of The Yorkshire Post



Buoyed up by the success of the first book, I wrote asecond, entitled How to be an Effective Expert Witness,which I self-published, mainly because I was impatient tosee it in print. The Academy of Experts reviewed the bookand said, “This work deserves to become the vade mecumfor the clinician acting as an expert witness.” With two booksin print I began to think of myself as an author, which wasimportant because when I’d had to give up dentistry one ofthe things I’d struggled to come to terms with was the lossof what I called my ‘label’.

A couple of years ago the publisher of Managing a DentalPractice: The Genghis Khan Way asked me if I’d like towrite another book, a practical teaching resource to goalongside ‘Genghis’. I wasn’t keen, but ended up writingDeveloping Your Dental Team’s Management Skills: TheGenghis Khan Way with my wife, whose background wasmuch more in tune with the subject matter.

“When one door closes, another dooropens; but we so often look so longand regretfully upon the closed door,that we do not see the ones which openfor us.” (Alexander Graham Bell)

I was on the verge of putting my non-fiction writing to one sideand concentrating on writing fiction, which I’d always wantedto do, when I was asked to contribute a chapter to a bookabout how to enjoy Dentistry (aimed at dentists, not patients!)One of my fellow contributors is the dentist Adam Glassford(84-91). The profit from the sale of this book, Messages fromDental Masters 2, goes to the charity Bridge2Aid, whichfunds the training of local health workers in Tanzania andRwanda by British dental volunteers in basic dental skills.

Then, just when I thought I could finally focus on writingfiction, a publisher asked if I’d be interested in writing asecond edition of my expert book. That was at the beginningof the year, and after several months of frantic writing a newedition is in the pipeline, re-titled The Effective and EfficientClinical Negligence Expert Witness. It should be out laterthis year.

I have managed to write some fiction: a short play, a shortstory, and one piece of flash fiction, all of which I’ve self-published. I have made a start on a novel and perhapssometime in the not-too-distant-future, when I can finally findthe time to finish it, it too might see the light of day. I countmyself very lucky to have been able to pursue a secondcareer as an author, something I never thought I would everdo. Having started out as a writer of articles, and then havingmoved on to being an author, I wonder if one day my labelwill say ‘novelist’?

Details of all of my books, plus information about theforthcoming expert witness book, can all be found onmy Amazon Author page at amazon.com/author/youngmichael

RGS in three generationsIt is a rare and momentous occasion to have threegenerations of RGS students in the Main Hall, sowe were delighted to bring together WalterWood (37-44), his son Simon Wood (72-77)and grandson Edwin Wood (Year 13) in a planhatched between Jane Medcalf (developmentmanager) and Simon, former governor and ONAPresident. Walter was greatly influenced byformer teacher, Michael Roberts (25-31 and 34-41) and gave David Goldwater (51-62) theinspiration to write about Michael Roberts (seeissue 91) in his long-running series, A History ofthe RGS in Its People. It gave David the greatestpleasure to meet Walter and to present the ONAMagazine in which Michael Roberts was featured.Walter remembers his first Chemistry lesson withMichael Roberts: ‘He moved around the lab like a man possessed, reaching for bottles, mixing asif by accident and producing the mostspectacular colours, fizzes and bangs. We wereon the edge of our stools for the whole lesson’.

David Goldwater (51-62) with the Wood family, Walter,

Simon and Edwin


16

Obituaries

Kathy Stapylton (74-01)Born 1924, died 20 June 2014, aged 89

labels but the preparation of nearly 3,000 envelopes wasentirely in Kathy’s hands. On ‘packing day’ her husband,Gordon, used to come in to help Kathy and me packmagazines, with inserts, into the relevant envelopes. Otherpackers came in from time to time and it was always a reliefwhen the boxes were packed ready for the late Bill Innerd(60-98), the caretaker, to take to the Post Office with a listof ‘‘x’ for internal post, ‘y’ for overseas surface mail and ‘z’for overseas air mail’. The number x+y+z always tallied withthe membership number because Kathy had organised it.

After a few years Kathy had developed the skill to writeletters in my style and frequently when I went up to theONA office I would find a note saying, ‘You had a letter from ‘X’ so I have written your reply and it is waiting for yoursignature’. Always it was what I would have worded with my phraseology and was exactly what I would have said.

Kathy would often speak of her large family and, although I never met any of them, I learned quite a lot about themover the years. Never, however, did she allow family mattersto interfere with her job in the office and when I retired in 1994 I was totally confident that Kathy would support my successors.

Quite simply, she was my rock and stay for nearly 10 yearsand the ONA membership little realise how much she didfor them.

By John Douglas (56-94), Mathematics Master

When I became General Secretary of the ONA I knew very little about what the job entailed and had to work my way in, with the help of the late Don Shipley (52-83),my predecessor. Soon after that Kathy Stapylton wasappointed ONA clerk to work in the office with me. Veryquickly I realised that her job title of ‘ONA clerk’ shouldhave been ‘PA to the General Secretary’ as Kathy threwherself into the job with a meticulous head for detail, andcould produce facts and figures from her detailed cardindex filing system.

This was, of course, long before computerisation had hitthe school offices and Kathy clung to her old mechanicaltypewriter on which she produced immaculate letters anddocuments for as long as possible. Eventually shesuccumbed to an electric typewriter but was mostoffended when it was suggested that she might appreciatea correcting ribbon. “Why would I want one of those?” she said. This was a very valid question as she simply didnot make typographical mistakes. For many years after weboth retired we exchanged letters at Christmas. Kathy’swere still beautifully typed as she freely admitted that herhandwriting was abysmal, and even last December shewrote (typed) to tell me that she would be 90 this year and the family were planning a celebration but, alas, it wasnot to be.

As Kathy and I worked together for the ONA we graduallyhad the year’s timetable built into our minds. The majoroperation of publishing Novocastrian News happenedtwice a year. Geoff Swinden (69-98) provided the printed

Kathy Stapylton, with current Bursar, Richard Metcalfe on

Kathy’s retirement day, 2001

Kathy Stapylton (74-01)



Philip Metcalf BolamL.V.O. (34-39) born 1923,died 12 April 2014, aged 91.

R Alistair L Brewis (46-55)born 1937, died 25 July2014, aged 76.

Ronald CM Cooper (38-41and 44-48) born 1931, died2 August 2014, aged 83.

Donald Craig (44-51) born1934, died 6 September2011, aged 77.

Duncan Dallas (55-60)born 1940, died 11 April2014, aged 73. 1959-60Head Prefect and captain ofthe 1st XV.

Donald Gascoigne (36-46)born 1928, died 2 May2014, aged 85.

Michael Pool Hood(52-62) born 1943, died 6 April 2014, aged 70.

Geoffrey Simpson MBE(49-57) born 1938, died 29 July 2014, aged 75.

University Honours Old Novo

The Institute of Neuroscience at the University of Newcastlehas honoured the memory of the late John Walkinshaw‘Sandy’ Osselton (36-46) who died in 2009 (see issue76) by naming the main lecture at the North East EpilepsyResearch Network annual meeting the Osselton Lecture,‘because of the significant role he played in establishingEEG as an essential investigation in the management ofepilepsy nationally and internationally’. Also a prize for thebest poster presentation by a research student, theOsselton Prize. Osselton lecturers have travelled from theUSA, Canada and Australia as well as the UK. The Institutehave also set up the Osselton Fund, a Newcastle Universitycharity account to support epilepsy research in Newcastle.

By J Christopher Emmerson (36-47)

Michael Ryle Memorial Lecture

It was originally intended to hold a Thanksgiving Service forMichael Ryle (36-46) who died last December (see issue91) in London following the one in Somerset shortly after hisdeath. However the Study of Parliament Group, whichMichael helped found, decided to establish a MemorialLecture in his name, and this first one became the Londoncelebration of his life.

The Inaugural lecture was given on 30 June 2014 by The RtHon John Bercow MP, Speaker of the House of Commonsin the State Rooms, Speaker’s House, House of Commons.This interesting and provocative lecture can be read atwww.parliament.uk. The Speaker’s House is an impressivepart of Westminster, tall ceilings with elaborate decorationand the walls adorned with portraits of former speakers.The room was full of Michael’s friends and family with a largenumber there to pay tribute to this eminent Old Novo.

By J Christopher Emmerson (36-47)

James ‘Jim’ Geddes Sampson (37-43)Born 13 September 1926, died 3 July 2014, aged 87

My father Jim Sampson (37-43) died in Southport,Lancashire after a long period of ill health.

As an evacuee to Penrith, he maintained his links with theschool well into his 80s, and was a regular attendee at theRGS reunions in Penrith.

After school, he studied engineering at King’s College,Newcastle, played for Old Novos Rugby Club, and reachedthe rank of Captain in the TA.

He spent most of his working life as an engineer in the steelindustry, retiring early to Cumbria where he enjoyed a longretirement. He was very active in the local community inGreat Corby, near Carlisle, establishing a Cumbrian branchof the ‘Friends of the Northern Sinfonia Orchestra’, raisingthe profile of the Orchestra west of the Pennines. In additionto his passion for music, he was a very active sailor until hislate 70s, being a member of Beadnell, Tynemouth andBassenthwaite Sailing Clubs.

He leaves a widow, son and daughter and fivegrandchildren, and will be much missed by them all.

By Tony Sampson (63-73)


ONA Diary Dates

The ONA Annual DinnerFriday 17 October 2014 RGS, Newcastle upon Tyne

Guest Speaker: Tony Boullemier (57-64)

6.00pm AGM – Conference Room6.15pm Drinks reception/presentation to retiring teachers –

School Hall6.45pm WW1 Commemoration Concert Preview – School Hall7.30pm Dinner and speeches – Dining Hall

CarolServiceTuesday 9 December 2014 St. George’s Church, Jesmond

Dear Old Novos,

On behalf of the Music Department,I warmly invite you, your family andfriends to the RGS Senior SchoolCarol Service which is to be held atSt. George’s Church, Jesmond, onTuesday 9 December starting at7.00pm. The service will lastapproximately one hour and will befollowed by drinks and mince piesin the hall next to the church.

The Service has a collection of wellknown carols for the congregationto sing, as well as specialChristmas choral pieces sung bythe Blue Blazer Choir, Senior Choirand accompanied by the BrassQuintet and String Orchestra.

I do hope that you will be able tocome along and join in whatpromises to be a joyful celebrationof Christmas and an uplifting endto the term. The service is free toattend and seats will be allocatedon a first come, first serve basis.

Yours sincerely,Zlatan FazlicDirector of Music

Tony Boullemier trained at the Newcastle Journal, worked in Fleet Streetfor 12 years, launched and ran his ownnewspaper group in the Midlands for 13 years and has written two books sinceretiring. He is married with two children.

Price: £30/£25 (£25 if you are aged25 or younger, or aged 80 and over). Theprice includes the drinks reception, dinner,and a choice of wine on the table.

The ONA is working with the school in itsprogramme to mark the centenary of the1914-18 War. In advance of a concert whichis going to be held on 1 May 2015, the MusicDepartment will present a short preview ofthe programme at 6.45pm in the School Hall.Please try to arrive in time for this.

Dress Code: Formal (Optional Black Tie/Evening Dress). There will be no fixed tableplan; however, it will be possible to reserveseats. Tables will seat eight diners, andparties of less than eight will share the tablewith others to complete the octet. If youwould like to reserve seats please contact the Development Office.

The deadline for bookings is Wednesday 8 October 2014.Please note that no tickets will be issued.Once you have reserved and paid for yourplace, we are unable to refund your money.

If you require confirmation of your booking,please provide an email address.


Documents

Rgs ona magazine 92