Bristolienses Issue 55

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BRISTOLIENSES THE OLD BRISTOLIANS’ MAGAZINE

Summer 2018 Issue 55

In this issue: Message from The Headmaster The Fifth Panel from BGS Archivist Medical Elective Report A word from our incoming Headmaster

Our Wedding News

Charter Day Review OB Careers Conference & Careers Wisdom On painting a portrait From Governors’ Scholarship to Chair of Governors

Thoughts from the Chair

GEOFF WRIGHT

NETWORKING BREAKFAST : RUGBY & HOCKEY CLUB UPDATES : AROPS : A WEEKEND IN THE LIFE..... Bristolienses - Issue 55 1


Editorial

Contents Editiorial From the President Thoughts from the Chair Secretary’s Report Treasurer’s Report Foundation Report

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This edition of Bristolienses is recording a number of changes in the School and the Society and also breaking new ground.

From the Headmaster 8 The Fifth Panel 10 Chair of Governors 12 Incoming Headmaster 14 Charter Day 16 Annual Dinner 18 London Dinner 20 Networking Breakfast 21 Merchandise 22 Medical Elective Report 23 OB Careers Conference 25 Careers Wisdom 26 On Painting a Portrait 28 BGS Wildlife Photographer 30 Hockey Club Report 31 Rugby Club Report 32 Luncheon Club Report 33 AROPS 36 Archives 37 A Weekend in the Life.... 37

Gary Willmott, who began as editor for issue 31 in 2006, stepped down after the publication of Bristolienses 54. We owe him a great deal and it was a pleasure to meet him at the recent Annual Dinner, recognise his contribution in public and present him with a small gift of Bristol Blue glass as a token of our gratitude. I have taken over as editor for this edition, at least, and the design and print layout will be done in house by Tony O’Callaghan. We have designed this issue with the e-version in mind and the printversion has changed, bringing it in line with the other School publications.

Where are they now? OBs Around the World Obituaries OB Wedding News Honorary Members Past Presidents

The Headmaster, Rod MacKinnon, is retiring at the end of this term after ten years at Bristol Grammar. As is the custom, the Society has commissioned a portrait to hang in the Great Hall and a picture of this is featured in this edition. I asked the artist, Luke Martineau, if he would contribute a short article, ‘on painting a portrait’, and this immediately follows the portrait.

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Thanks to Simone, BGS Year 9 for our cover image Bristolienses - Issue 55

Editorial

Mr MacKinnon, kindly agreed to write an article as the retiring Headmaster and so has Mr Jaideep Barot, as the incoming Head. I have also commissioned a piece from Romesh Vaitilingam, Chair of Governors. I hope to have articles from the

Geoff Wright Head and the Chair of Governors from time to time to give the readership an idea of the direction and development of Bristol Grammar School. The Lower VI Careers Event In November regularly produces fascinating insights into OB’s career development and the often far-from-straight ‘flight paths’ to the top. In future editions, with the help of Romesh and David Ruck, Head of Careers, I hope to feature some of these trajectories. In this edition we have put in a collection of aphorisms collected over the years, mostly from these careers events, by Justin Harford, Director of Sixth Form. Finally, I am introducing a section on ‘unusual careers’/ ‘a day in the life of’ and I am delighted that Alderman Tim Hailes, one of two Sheriffs of London, who hosted us at the recent London Dinner in the Old Bailey, features in the launch article.

Geoff Wright (1956-1966)

Bristolienses Editor

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OB Management Committee 2018 - 2019 Officers President Melanie Guy melguy14@gmail.com President Elect Tbc Immediate Past President Anne Bradley Chairman Geoff Wright c/o OBs Office gwright@bgs.bristol.sch.uk Vice-Chairman Tbc Treasurer and Membership Secretary Nick Fitzpatrick The Canal House 64 Muirhill Limpley Stoke Bath BA2 7FQ h +44(0)1225 723795 ndfitz@gmail.com Secretary Ian Southcott The Gables Farm Street Fladbury Worcestershire WR10 2QD h +44 (0)1386 861061 m +44 (0)7774 095205 iansouthcott@aol.com

Co-opted Members Assistant Head of School (Old Bristolians and Events) Peter Jakobek pjakobek@bgs.bristol.sch.uk AROPS Representative Peter Jakobek pjakobek@bgs.bristol.sch.uk OB Archivist Anne Bradley Bristol Grammar School University Road Bristol BS8 1SR O +44 (0) 117 9339610 M +44 (0) 7799 918906 O abradley@bgs.bristol.sch.uk

Committee Members Careers Co-ordinator Romesh Vaitilingam 89 Berkeley Road Bishopston Bristol BS7 8HQ H +44 (0) 117 983 8777 M +44 (0) 7768 661095 romesh@vaitilingam.com

Michael Burmester c/o OBs Office Marcus Cryer marcuscryer@galliardresorts.com Jan Duncan c/o OBs Office O +44(0) 117 9237037 obs@bgs.bristol.sch.uk Anna Freeman O +44(0) 117 9339637 afreeman@bgs.bristol.sch.uk Ian Rolling 24 Causeway View Nailsea Bristol BS48 2XG H +44 (0) 1275 790580 ianrolling@blueyonder.co.uk Richard Leonard Richard.leonard@ukgateway.net Trustees Julian Portch Jack Prowting Richard Smith

Bristolienses Editor Geoff Wright gwright@bgs.bristol.sch.uk Sports Club Representative Don Furze 103 Manor Road Keynsham Bristol BS31 1SF H +44 (0) 117 986 5222

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From the President From the President

Melanie Guy When I left BGS in the summer of 2016 I had been teaching there for 27 years so you can imagine what a wrench that was and why it took me so long to make that big decision! BGS is such a wonderful community and such a vibrant, ever changing place to work that you wonder what on earth you will do without it! But….as many folk tell you , you soon adapt and take advantage of new opportunities that arise, new adventures that often evolve around friends, family , travel , volunteering and, yes …. the OBs! Geoffrey Wright was adamant that a good way to remain in touch with the BGS family was to become president! So here I am and what an honour it is. Being Head of Careers and Deputy Head of Sixth meant that I was for ever looking forwards and outwards, reaching out to the world beyond school. Naturally Bristolienses - Issue 55

the support of the OBs was always a huge benefit to what I was trying to achieve and I can honestly say that hundreds and hundreds of pupils benefited from those contacts in some shape or form. Working with Robert Lacey and more recently Romesh Vaitilingam meant breathing new life, new role models, new mentors into the lives of pupils and particularly those in the Sixth Form. How fortunate the school is to have our OBs!

Did you attend the recent networking event held at the school? I’m particularly keen to support our young OBs finding their way in their 20s and this is such a great way to bring folk together and to learn from one another…..as well as just enjoying the friendships that we value. Look out for the next one which Pete and Anna will no doubt announce before long! The role brings some surprises

Sheriff of London (currently Tim Hailes , OB ) Tim was kind enough to host the London dinner this year and what an evening we had….you may have seen some photos on the OBs Facebook page or Twitter. Not only was the food and the company wonderful but we were privileged enough to go ‘behind the scenes’ visiting amongst other areas, the famous Court Number 1 (currently being renovated but still atmospheric.)

Another huge surprise for me was discovering that a cousin of mine by the name of John Betty happens to be holding the same office as me but for QEH! It wasn’t until I saw the names on our top table at the March dinner that I had any idea of this! We subsequently met again at the Bristol Cathedral Choir School dinner in April. BCCS is now an Academy school which you may not have realised if you live away from Bristol. It describes itself as ….’a mixed

Melanie Guy & Justin Harford in the Careers Office too! I would never have imagined having dinner at the Old Bailey and meeting the

gender non-selective musical secondary Academy’. Anyway, a warm welcome was extended

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Thoughts from the Chair cont. to both of us and it was interesting to compare notes on our societies’ activities as well as being entertained by the most outstanding young pianist. Sunday May 20th I’m still reeling from the effects of the quite wonderful Royal Wedding of yesterday! What an occasion! It was not only breathtakingly beautiful to watch but hugely emotional (not a dry eye in the house). It was modern and brave and reached out to so many and it certainly left me feeing very encouraged about the future. I hope we have a strong future as a society , there is much to be proud of and much to get involved with ( careers mentoring, dinners, networking events, sporting events, reunions…..and more) so if it’s been a while …..get in touch, we’d love to hear from you and to see you in the near future!

Melanie Guy (1989 - 2016) Ex - Staff

Thanks must go to the hardworking committee and from me personally to Geoff Wright, Mike Burmester, Peter Jakobek, Anna Freeman, Jan Duncan and not least our immediate past president Anne Bradley. THANK YOU ALL!

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I was elected to the position of Chair, following on from Jeremy Parrott, at the AGM in March. Jeremy has served the Society for a long time as Treasurer and then Chair for the last three years and I would like to take this opportunity to thank him for all he has done over this period. The role of Chair of the Society’s Management Committee has many duties attached to it beyond that implied by the name!

Once again as I write, the unveiling of the portrait is scheduled to take place on 2nd July and the Fifth War Memorial Panel will be unveiled at the same ceremony. After a short ceremony in the Great Hall it is intended that we move to the 1532 Performing Arts Centre for a reception and a performance from students, current and former.

A significant amount of Jeremy’s time was taken with the incorporation of the Sports Club. Whilst this still remains to be finalised at the time of writing this article, I do believe I can see the start of the last chapter if not yet peek at the last page. It is a tradition that the Old Bristolians’ Society commissions a portrait of a retiring Headmaster. The portrait of Rod MacKinnon, painted by Luke Martineau, is featured in this edition. Luke also painted a portrait of Bernice McCabe, now Mr MacKinnon’s wife, when she retired as Headmistress from North London Collegiate School and Rod had hoped his portrait could be painted by the same artist. Despite being brand new, it is a picture not without provenance already, having spent a night or so at the Old Bailey (but not hanging there), as we picked it up on the night of our London Dinner in April.

My first Management Committee as Chair will be at the end of June. I hope to guide the Society through the next few years as well as predecessors have done and I am grateful to the support from the Society and the other Committee members.

Geoff Wright (1956-1966)

Chairman

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Secretary’s Report Secretary’s Report

The Times They Are a-Changing.

Ian Southcott This year’s AGM on March 6th proved to be a slight departure from the norm as your Secretary was blissfully unaware of the need to provide a summary of the Society’s activities during the previous 12 months! My apologies for this and my thanks to the President and those present for continuing to cover some useful discussion areas. Next year, normal service will be resumed but it does mean that year’s Society report for Bristolienses is not quite as comprehensive as those you have read in the past. Anne Bradley has had a very successful year as our first lady President and she must be congratulated on the way she has carried out her duties and her gentle and incisive sense of humour. Her success as the first lady to undertake the role must have been considerable as she is to be succeeded by another lady and Anne handed over to Melanie Guy at the Annual Dinner in March. Bristolienses - Issue 55

The last year or so has seen some important changes for the Society and the School in general. As for the latter, the Head will be leaving at the end of the summer term and to mark the occasion, the Society has commissioned a portrait of the Headmaster which is to be unveiled on July 2nd. His successor and his wife were pleased to accept an invitation to the Annual Dinner and this provided an opportunity for him to get acquainted with the OBs.

As far as the Society is concerned, we had a new Treasurer and Secretary elected at the 2017 AGM and both Nick and I continue to strive to get up to speed with the workings of the organisation. The 2018 AGM saw Jeremy Parrott standing down as Chair and Geoff Wright, previously Vice Chair and Secretary, taking over the reins. Jeremy’s loyal service to the society was acknowledged by Geoff and the committee at the meeting. As Treasurer, Nick Fitzpatrick continues to pursue a policy of greater transparency and improved communication. Several meetings have taken place with our financial advisers with a view to furthering these aims. As Secretary for some 15 months, I am at last beginning to get my head around the role and helping the Society navigate the changes we are experiencing and will experience as 2018

continues to unfold. I am enjoying the role and 3B in 1964 doesn’t seem as far away as it did before I joined the team! Incorporation of the Sports Clubs continues to present us with a degree of frustration. The original objectives of the project were to limit the liability of the officers in the event of a problem arising and to provide the opportunity for applications to be made to grant giving organisations. However, the process has been exceedingly slow and our new Chairman is keen that we reach a conclusion sooner rather than later. More change for the Society with our Bristolienses editor, Gary Willmott, signing off his final edition in January of this year. Gary has done a fantastic job and we are extremely grateful for all his hard work. In future, this task will be done in house. The Society is embracing all these changes with a good deal of optimism and is confident that the traditions and strengths of our Society will be maintained. Our thanks must go to all the officers and committee members and those like Jan and Anna who provide such invaluable support and guidance. Apologies once more for a slightly different report but hopefully normal service will be resumed in 2019. Further apologies for the ‘mean and moody’ shot of myself – it’s all I could find!!

Ian Southcott (1964 – 1971) Secretary

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Treasurer’s Report Treasurer’s Report Much of this year has been devoted to overhauling the Society’s finances. We have established and cleared all outstanding debts which amounted to £14,500.

This year the two main sources of revenue amounted to about £8,000 compared to running costs of about £6,000. So far this year we have made grants of £1,750 and will need to honour the Mike Booker bursary payments of £5,500 per year going forward.

We had to dip into our reserves in order to pay for the portrait of the Headmaster. However, the portfolio of stock exchange securities has benefitted from strong markets and is now worth about £300,000. This is a sizeable sum but it would be unsound if we were to rely on these reserves to fund any shortfall in day to day activity. Over the next six months we shall be exploring ways to increase our income. This will enable us to support the student-supporting initiatives

Foundation Report Foundation Report

Anna Freeman Any of you eagle-eyed enough to have found and looked at the BGS accounts will know that we have had a bumper year in terms of fundraising. This year we have been left a transformational gift in the will of one of our former pupils for which we are enormously grateful. Thanks to his Bristolienses - Issue 55

generosity we will be able to offer more bright children the opportunity to study at BGS and take advantage of the exceptional education that the school offers, an opportunity that you as Old Bristolians will be able to identify with. Each year however we have more demand for financial assistance than we have funds. I too have chosen to leave a gift in my will. I have been lucky: a free grammar school education; free university tuition and a booming period of economic growth have left me in a position I could only dream of as a child. Better off than my parents, no longer do I live in a house with one bathroom and an outside loo which one avoided at all costs! This is why, after taking care of my loved ones, I am choosing to share some of my good fortune. Of course I want to make sure that I look after my family, but

Nick Fitzpatrick we already have in place more generously. Please contact the OBs Office for more information about available grants.

Nick Fitzpatrick (1954-1965) Treasurer

anything that they receive will be a bonus - something to help them out when I am gone. However, I hope that the percentage that I intend to leave to the charities of my choice will be gratefully received and will give other children and families the opportunities I have been lucky enough to take for granted. I always say it but large or small every gift counts; it would be fantastic if we could be in a position where no one is turned away from BGS because of financial need – an ambitious objective but one that we can get closer to with your help. If you want to find out more details about how to leave a gift in your will I am happy to have a confidential chat and to provide the relevant details and discuss how your gift could be used.

Anna Freeman

Foundation Manager 0117 933 9637 afreeman@bgs.bristol.sch.uk

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Message from The Headmaster As the end of the 2017–18 academic year approaches, so too does the end of my time as Headmaster of Bristol Grammar School. My ten years leading this wonderful School have been an extraordinary privilege. I am proud of our students and all their remarkable achievements; I feel incredibly fortunate to have worked with such an impressive group of teaching and support staff; and I am extremely grateful for the considerate and generous support of our families, our Governing Board, the community at large and our OBs in particular. At times such as these it is natural to reflect on the past. I recall my first associations with BGS (Easter 2007) and how privileged I felt to be joining such a special community: privileged and somewhat in awe

of the grandeur of the setting as well as the established achievements of the School. I was also instantly struck by the welcoming nature of the whole community and inspired by the wealth of opportunity the School presented for students and staff. On my first visit to BGS – before any interviews for the post of Head – I was taken on a tour by Tom Wraith, the then Head of School. It was this experience that convinced me I would very much like to join BGS. Tom introduced me to students who were bright, confident, interesting and interested in life, as well as proud of their school; what good fortune it would be to work with such a community! Once appointed, but prior to taking up the post, I became more involved with BGS than I had anticipated. Career progression and retirements meant I found myself working with David Mascord to appoint new Deputy Heads and other

Roderick MacKinnon senior positions, who would all take up post as I arrived. I was fortunate to enjoy such a good relationship with David Mascord as we worked through the handover period. My predecessor Heads were invaluable and treasured sources of wisdom and guidance at this time, as they have continued to be. The friendship of Charles Martin and Roy Avery has been a very great privilege as well as a remarkable source of inspiration, as has that of our OBs and Governors, in particular the guidance and assistance of four exceptional Chairs of our Governing Board: Leslie Perrin, Peter Rilett, Nick Reeve and Romesh Vaitilingam. The School has experienced a great deal of change over the last decade. Some of this has been in response to national and local pressures, but more commonly it has been a consequence of a determined commitment to improve and innovate at BGS. Great schools are great because they continually evaluate and develop their practices but change, while welcome in theory, can prove

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Message from The Headmaster uncomfortable for those individuals doing the actual changing! I am proud of the many who have embraced and led the change agenda here at BGS. Over recent years, we have refreshed and refocused classroom practice. We introduced new subjects and rebalanced the senior curriculum. We have introduced the IB for the Sixth Form, revamped and revitalized pastoral care in the Senior School, and created our outstanding Infant School. Improved provision means that student recruitment and retention is strong; the School is full with a waiting list in several year-groups. This, and improvements in resource allocation, mean that we have been able to resolve a significant historical budget deficit and have been able to invest in recruiting and retaining great staff as well as make substantive investments in facilities across all areas of our School at Tyndalls Park and at Failand. Teaching really is a very special and profoundly fulfilling experience; being Headmaster of Bristol Grammar School is a step up again! My professional life as Head has been absorbed almost entirely in seeking to create a brighter future for BGS. My own school days were mixed; I had some impressive teachers but, taken as a whole, my schooling was poor, and I felt I and my classmates were let down. I came into teaching Bristolienses - Issue 55

with a distinct sense of personal mission: education could and should be a good deal better than my own experience as a pupil. The best schools have an established culture that puts learning by children at its heart, a culture that is essentially ‘cando’, innovative, energetic, and relentlessly ambitious to provide students with opportunities and experiences that will transform their lives. I am very proud that we see all these attributes readily demonstrated in BGS today. I love it that our children continue to be lively, compassionate, interested in learning and keen to excel in such a broad range of endeavours. I also value the fact that our staff clearly love helping children learn and are always seeking new strategies to manage the demands of the classroom without losing their sense of joy in their subject, the young and the craft of teaching. Our staff’s commitment to seek excellence in provision and care for children is inspirational. I am also very proud of the people, young and old, who make up our School. They really are a remarkably capable and engaging collection of individuals whose future I have been delighted to have contributed to – thank you to everyone for allowing me to take a part of life’s journey with you. Bristol Grammar School is a great place to be. I love watching students and staff learn

together, love seeing students excel academically, culturally and in artistic and sporting endeavours. I get great joy from the daily routine, the sense of fun and the energy that abounds in all aspects of School life. The great people we have within our community today, together with

The Headmaster with last year’s leavers

the arrival of new impressive colleagues – most excitingly our new Headmaster, Jaideep Barot – means that we can all look forward to an ever brighter future for the School we all love. I have been very blessed, and I shall miss this community more than I can say.

Roderick MacKinnon Headmaster Bristol Grammar School 2008–2018

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The Fifth Panel The Fifth Panel

THE FIFTH PANEL Thirty three additional names … it does beg the question, why were they missed in the years after the Great War when the original four panels and the Memorial Screen were designed and built? I’ve thought about this a lot. To some extent there is a pattern; the names listed belong to boys whose families were only briefly in Bristol, whose future careers took them out of Bristol to South Africa (Armfield), to East Africa (Denniss), to India (Tovey) or to the colonies, to Canada, to Australia, to New Zealand, and ironically, the School tended to lose touch with boys who joined Bristolienses - Issue 55

the armed forces. But Yorkshire (Richard Day, Acting Lieutenant Colonel and Military Cross, West Riding Brigade Royal Field Artillery) was too far as well. The School and the Old Bristolians’ Society found it easy enough to follow the fortunes of men living and working in or near Bristol (F J Hannam, a member of the OB 1905 cricket team), and

Great War website. For now, who were Armfield, Denniss, and Tovey?

Archie Seaward Armfield was already named on the Great Hall plaques, because he fought in the South African War. He then remained in Africa as a police officer but when war was declared he was commissioned in the Irish Guards. He died in 1917, aged 38; his parents were living in Ilfracombe, and he is commemorated in the beautiful Church at Combe Martin in Devon. William Calvert Denniss remains something of a mystery. He is commemorated at Wycliffe

especially the young men and boys whose school careers overlapped with the Headmastership of Cyril Norwood (Stanley Booker, Jack Langford) and who continued to exchange news and letters with him – though even here there are exceptions. Three of these Old Bristolians could represent the panel in this short article; there will be more for me to say at the Luncheon Club in October, and then on the Bristol Through the

College, which he attended after BGS. He then went first to India and later to East Africa. When war broke out according

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The Fifth Panel The Fifth Panel to Wycliffe he joined the King’s East African Rifles, but his CWGC certificate says ‘Mentioned in Despatches, East African Intelligence Department, died 1916’. Did BGS produce a spy?

We have just a few names whose circumstances are definitely unusual, and Hubert Curthoys Tovey is one of these. He was at BGS from 18971898. He later went to India, and during the Great War he was commissioned into the Royal Indian Marine, Bombay Section as a Lieutenant. He was on harbour and coast defence duties, which apparently meant commanding the RIM vessel Saraswati on patrol at sea. He died at Bombay on 30 January 1918 of colitis aged 36 years and was buried on 31 January at Bombay (Sewri) Cemetery. CWGC Great War burials at Sewri were subsequently removed to Kirkee where there is a memorial. But Tovey is not listed on that memorial, nor does the CWGC commemorate him. Others named in the same burial register, who died at a similar time, of scurvy, enteric, tuberculosis, are commemorated, but not Tovey. Something to follow up. But this panel is a move towards setting the record straight, and we are most grateful for the support of the School and Society Members in putting this panel in place. Do visit it when you are next in the Great Hall, and over the next few months Bristolienses - Issue 55

Emails

keep an eye on our Through the Great War website, as Tony (our new Design Editor) adds more of the films he shot in the Western Front cemeteries we visited to put poppies on the graves of our BGS casualties. The films will include some of these new names, whose graves we have already visited with poppies.

Anne Bradley

Archivist and Immediate Past President

A S Armfield - Canada Farm Cemetery

W Denniss - Taveta Military Cemetery

DO WE HAVE YOUR UP-TO-DATE EMAIL ADDRESS? The Old Bristolians’ Society can save significant sums of money by using electronic communication rather than print and postage. If you are willing to allow us to email you, please email obs@bgs.bristol.sch.uk to give us your up-to-date details. If you’re not sure whether we’re up to date, just email us anyway. This small effort on your part will reduce our adminstration costs and free up more money for the causes in which we all believe.

H C Tovey - Bombay (Sewri) Cemetery

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From Governors’ Scholarship to Chair of Governors

Romesh Vaitilingam My family has been connected with Bristol Grammar for 45 years – and still the school sometimes mistakenly inserts an h into our surname, as if we’re related to Birmingham or Nottingham! I started in the third form (now known as year 7) in 1973 – in the blue house, then as now known as Edwards’s (Jon then, Oli now). My brother Adam joined me two years later; and my brother Joe started shortly after I had left for university. My daughter Cara spent 10 years at school (from year 4 in what is now the Infants

and Juniors), leaving in 2016; and my son Marco finished his A levels this summer after 11 years at school. Bristolienses - Issue 55

I don’t think any of this would have happened without the Governors’ Scholarship that I was fortunate to be offered after sitting the entrance exam. So when I moved back to Bristol 20 years ago, it was a great opportunity to renew my involvement with both the school and the OBs, and to express my gratitude by lending a hand in various ways. Many of my teachers from the late 1970s were still at the school in the late 1990s, and

that time OBs chairman, we established the annual careers conference that brings back alumni of many generations to talk to the sixth form. I was invited to become a governor of the school seven years ago – and became chair two years ago. There are currently 18 board members (10 men and 8 women), each serving on one or more committees overseeing ‘finance and general purposes’, ‘learning and achievement’, ‘students and

OB Careers Conference 2018

it was good to reconnect with them and to meet more recent additions to the staff. Melanie Guy, current OBs president and then head of careers, quickly got me doing mock university interviews with upper sixth students on a yearly cycle. David Mascord, then Headmaster, invited me to work on the school’s ‘annual fund’, raising money for new projects, and subsequently the much bigger campaign to build the new pavilion at Failand as well as a number of refurbishments of the school’s main site. And together with Nick Baldwin, former OBs president and at

staff’, ‘marketing’ and ‘estates’. The full board meets five times a year and like any governing body, its focus is on sound finances, a welldeveloped longer-term strategy and effective delivery of the organisation’s core business – in this case, providing top quality education in its widest sense – as the school’s current strapline describes it, ‘lifelong learning, friendship, and adventure’. The main project of my first year as Chair of Governors was to lead the recruitment of a successor to Rod MacKinnon, who steps down as headmaster

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From Governors’ Scholarship to Chair of Governors this summer after a decade of service. Under his leadership, the school has greatly strengthened its academic, pastoral and extra-curricular provision, culminating in the highest ‘Excellent’ rating across all categories in the inspection report by the Independent Schools Inspectorate in 2015. Student numbers have risen steadily as the school’s reputation has grown across the city and the region, and the financial strength that brought has allowed the governors to continue to invest in infrastructure. Developing the performing arts was an ambition expressed by Rod before he joined the School in September 2008 – a vision that has been realised in the breadth and quality of performance at school today, along with the opening of the 1532 Performing Arts Centre, named in memory of the school’s foundation year.

The MacKinnon Theatre

Rod and I first talked at a ‘meet the OBs’ welcome lunch for him hosted by the late Don Pople, the benefactor whose generous initial donation laid the foundation for the Failand pavilion campaign. After Rod had outlined his background Bristolienses - Issue 55

in the army and as a physics teacher, he started talking about the ‘transformative power of performance’ and why a new facility to support that opportunity at school was one of his central plans. The 1532 Performing Arts Centre finally opened in September 2016, built effectively as an enormous extension of the Mackay Theatre and what was, in the 1970s, the third form block. I am delighted to report that the 270-seater venue within it has been named in Rod’s honour – the MacKinnon Theatre. This was celebrated at an event to mark Rod’s retirement, involving students, staff and OBs, and included the unveiling of his portrait in the Great Hall. What next? The board of governors and the staff continue to develop what we provide for our students. For example, the International Baccalaureate will be introduced for the lower sixth in September; there is a brand new floodlit 3G artificial pitch at Failand; and we are looking at other ways to enhance the overall student experience, focusing particularly on the emerging public agenda around the mental wellbeing and resilience of young people. We are also exploring ways that the school can play a wider role in the local education scene – both by making it possible for more young people to join us with bursary and scholarship support, and by working in collaboration with state schools and colleges.

First though, we must ensure a smooth transition to our new Headmaster. Jaideep Barot, who comes to us from Marlborough College, having previously held leadership roles at Westminster School and Godolphin and Latymer School. He is an exceptionally talented educator, and I know that he will be a most effective leader. Jaideep shares our vision of providing a life-changing educational experience for our students, and he is also determined that we continue to play a role in the wider community in Bristol and beyond. For myself, the most recent seven years at school have been both enjoyable and challenging. It has been a pleasure working with Rod, my fellow Governors and the school’s senior leadership team (notably Paul Roberts, both Clerk to the Governors and acting Head over the past term and a half). I am looking forward to continuing that work with Jaideep and colleagues. I have certainly found my and my family’s association with the school over 45 years lifechanging. It remains a source of personal pride on my way up to the Great Hall to glimpse my name on the scholarship board linking Bristol Grammar with St John’s College, Oxford. I’m pleased to say the surname is spelled correctly – remember, no h!

Romesh Vaitilingham

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me e e S

(1973-1979) Chairman of the Governors

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A word from our incoming Headmaster When Geoff asked me to write a few words to introduce myself to the Old Bristolians, a few of whom I was fortunate to meet at the annual Old Bristolians’ dinner on Charter Day, I had no hesitation in accepting. Now, rather like some panicked Sixth Form boy, sitting in front of the blank white box labelled

“Personal Statement” on his university application form – with an equally blank mind – I wonder what to write, and how best to convey my thoughts without them sounding twee or superficial. For an article such as this, even were it penned by a writer with much greater skill, could not adequately describe the pride and honour I felt last year when Romesh Vaitilingam, Chair of Governors, asked me to lead this great and historic institution – and these feelings have only intensified over the last twelve months as I have come to know the school and Bristolienses - Issue 55

some of its pupils, staff and alumni a little better. My impending arrival at Bristol Grammar School will mark something of an educational homecoming for me. After graduating from Cambridge and Durham, and after a brief stint in the City at Goldman Sachs, I began my teaching career at Westminster School in 1998, where – as well as teaching physics – I tutored in a mixed boarding house, and coached various sports, becoming Head of Physics in 2004. In 2008, I moved on to the Godolphin and Latymer School as Head of Science – where I first fell in love with the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (to be introduced in the BGS Sixth Form this year) – before taking up post as Deputy Head (Academic) at Marlborough College, in January 2014. Without doubt, therefore, I have been fortunate to learn my trade at some of the best schools in the country, but the roots of my educational philosophy actually sprout from the time I spent as a boy at the Manchester Grammar School – a place of learning which shares a great many similarities with BGS – where not only was a love of learning sown in me, but where I also came to know that my future was in teaching. I wanted to emulate the wonderful teachers who lit those first intellectual sparks in me and my fellow

Jaideep Barot pupils, and who also – through their deft touch and genuine care – allowed us to discover our passions – academic, sporting, creative – and to flourish into young adults with purpose and a sense of self, for whom the world was our oyster. It is this which makes teaching the greatest privilege, and as my career has steadily led me further from the chalk face and towards leadership, it remains the primary motivator. BGS has always been one of the great schools, synonymous with academic success and a full education which brings out the individual in each pupil. Beyond that, however, I was drawn here by its desire to be a positive force for education – in the broadest sense – for boys and girls of all backgrounds and means, and its wish to be a force for good, more generally, in Bristol and the surrounding areas. Schools like BGS can – and should – take the lead in local and national educational debate and I look forward to continuing

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A word from our incoming Headmaster Rod McKinnon’s work in this respect. Rod has been incredibly welcoming, and a source of great help and sage counsel during this last year. He will, naturally, be a very tough act to follow. So, having recently put down my copy of C. P. Hill’s History of Bristol Grammar School, I note a number of coincidences that I hope augur well for my time at BGS. The governing body will desire, no doubt, that I bring the same degree of success to BGS as that brought a century ago by the man renowned as school’s greatest Headmaster – Cyril Norwood – whose journey from BGS to Marlborough I now

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put right after all these years. More realistic, perhaps, will be the modest success enjoyed a few decades earlier by Robert Leighton. Leighton, a fellow old-boy of Manchester Grammar School (who had to compete with his predecessor-but-one’s new school in Clifton – I believe it is still running). Coming forward to the present day, David Mascord – a fellow graduate of St John’s College, Cambridge – was succeeded in 2008 by Rod McKinnon – a fellow physicist. Was it written in the stars, therefore, that the school would appoint a physicist from St John’s College as its next Headmaster? Whatever the

confluence of events that has brought my family to BGS at this point, I am excited and humbled by the enormous prospect of leading this great institution through the next phase of its history. The welcome additionally afforded to Kerry (my wife, who is coming home to Bristol), and our two young sons, has been tremendous, and we are all looking forward to becoming a fully-fledged part of the BGS community, and to meeting you all.

Jaideep Barot Incoming Headmaster

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Charter Day 2018

CHARTER DAY

The Beast from the East had long come and gone. The day started sunny and warm but arrival at the Cathedral was a lottery. Some walked in dry; others arriving a minute later were drenched. All that was forgotten once the Lord Mayor, Acting Headmaster and clergy had processed up the main aisle before the choir and organ began with Parry’s “I was Glad”, traditionally sung at the coronation of British monarchs. The service moved on from a welcome, a hymn, prayers and a

reading by Rachel Caul (a Deputy Head of School) before “I vow to thee, my country” was sung con brio. Eye watering stuff. Hugo Holdsworth (Head of School) continued with the second reading to be followed by Colin Wadey (BGS teacher of Philosophy, Religion and Ethics) who challenged our ideas as to why we were on this earth. Two phrases stuck in the mind. “If I try to explain it, it defies explanation”. Then from Ecclesiastes chapter 12: “Everything is meaningless”. He even threw in for good measure “Geworfenheit” which did not feature in Neville Osborne’s vocab lists. Surprisingly the quote from the late Stephen Hawking was far easier to comprehend. “It would not be much of a universe if it wasn’t home to the people whom you love”. More prayers led by the charmingly humorous Cannon Neville Boundy before the service moved to its finale with the School Song. How we all love to sing it - the old hands from memory, those still at school and the teachers reading the words! Was Quot Quot even louder than usual? To the accompaniment of

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the Voluntary “Festival Toccata” some of us headed to the Chapter House for tea and a large slice of carrot cake – and to catch up with old friends. Or, in the words of Paul Roberts (Acting Headmaster) “So, remembering our privileges and thankful for our opportunities…”.

Michael Burmester (1953-1964)

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Charter Day 2018

Mike Burmester (1953-64) Martin Sisman (1952-59) David Trott (1955-90) Robert Dawes (1953-63) Geoff Sampson (1952-62)

Drenched students arriving for the Charter Day Service

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News

ANNUAL DINNER 2018 The 106th Annual Dinner was attended by over 180 OBs and guests. A number of year groups had booked and, generally, a very good evening was had by all although the very poor sound quality was a disappointment. This has always tended to be the bête noir of the evening but on this occasion the beast was particularly black. It was a temporary system, replacing the old one, but I am happy to say that a new and much improved system is now in place.

able to be with us because of Bernice’s illness. However they were both remembered and the news that they had recently married was announced at the Dinner. The new Headmaster, Jaideep Barot, and his wife, Kerry, were on top table and survived their first rendition of the school song! Jaideep still intends to take up his post. Matt Bennett and Fran Ripley jointly spoke on behalf of the Headmaster. They entertainingly and wittily moulded their speech about recent and not-so-recent developments in the school around different staff members present at the dinner.

against such opposition. This was the fourth Annual Dinner organised by the subcommittee I have chaired. During this time we have been ably provided for by Michele Milton and the school caterers and we have introduced the use of sixth-formers as waiting staff. Other developments have included a choice of maincourse, school musicians performing before and after the dinner, singers in place of after-dinner speakers on two occasions and table magicians. We have also brought the President’s guests out of the Franks Room and into the body of the Great Hall for their predinner drinks.

Annual Dinner Melanie Guy was installed as President, taking over from Anne Bradley. She spoke enthusiastically about the coming year and her wish, through the Society, to support recent school-leavers, particularly those fresh from university. Sadly Rod MacKinnon was not Bristolienses - Issue 55

Chris Skidmore. OB, MP and Minister gave the after dinner speech with entertaining insights into parliamentary life that only a serving member would have. Sadly, there was a lot of background noise but he was clearly well-used to speaking

I am standing down from the role of Chair but am delighted that Marcus Cryer has agreed to take it on for next year.

Geoff Wright (1956-1966)

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News

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London Dinner London Dinner Report

This year’s dinner, once again ably organised by Anna Freeman, attracted a very good turn-out of forty-eight guests with OBs leaving dates spanning the seventy years between 1946 and 2016.

The dinner took place at the Old Bailey by kind invitation of Tim Hailes, JP OB, Sheriff of the City of London. The office of Sheriff is the oldest in the City: Tim is one of two sheriffs elected annually. He is the Aldermanic Sheriff who must serve that office if he aspires to the mayoralty. The Old Bailey is Tim’s official residence as Sheriff for the year, hence the one opportunity to hold the dinner at this historic venue. The present building, which is on the site of the Newgate Prison, was opened by King Edward VII in 1907. The judges’ dining room provided a suitably impressive backdrop to the evening’s proceedings. The trials that take place at the Old Bailey follow the most horrific crimes - terrorism, murder and gang knife attacks - and the judges meet together for lunch in this room, with a small number of guests from other walks of life, to return to a sense of normality in the middle of their day.

Matthew Bennett, Deputy Head, OB, finished the formal proceedings and provided the evening’s entertainment with an unusual bag of props. Following the excellent meal Tim took guests on a tour of the building which included areas not open to the general public.

Of particular interest were the plaque commemorating the trial of Penn and Mead in 1670 which established the independence of jurors, the shard of glass embedded in the entrance hall ceiling as the result of an IRA bomb in 1973 and the splendid marble but sombre-hued hall and stairway. We were then privileged to be able to look into both Number 2 Court and the infamous Number 1 Court, the scene of some the most notorious trials the country has known.

Richard Smith (1954-1965) Geoff Wright (1956-1966)

Tim, in splendid Sheriff’s regalia, gave a welcoming speech followed by more words from Melanie Guy, our President. Bristolienses - Issue 55

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News

BGS NETWORKING BREAKFAST GROUP We are delighted with the support that we have had for the first BGS Networking Breakfasts. Open to Old Bristolians, parents and former parents the group aims to bring together the School community to share experiences and network over a cup of coffee and some breakfast.

using the facility. This term we welcomed back James Harrison who after leaving school in 2010 went off to study engineering; eight years later he returned to talk about the company, Blackfish Engineering, that he co owns in Bristol. Blackfish produces turbines for the clean energy market. James demonstrated his talk with some models of the turbines.

We started the year with our first meeting at which OB Joe Edwards talked to the group about his Entrepreneurship journey. After several years travelling and building up his life experiences, which included working in a Zoo in South America, Joe returned to Bristol and set up his own cleaning company. Setting high standards and training the staff, Joe has built Gleam into a flourishing business. This year he has set up a co-working space in a building on the Gloucester Road. Here young up-and-coming entrepreneurs can hire a work space and learn from others

Both talks went down extremely well with the group and we are now looking forward to our next meeting on 18 October in 1532; we look forward to seeing you there.

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Peter Jakobek

(Staff 1982 to date)

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Old Bristolians’ Merchandise The OBs’ Office has a good supply of OB ties and enamel crested cufflinks and badges. Enamelled crested cufflinks

Maroon/dark blue crested ties Polyester striped ties

£23.00 £12.00

£8.00

£21.00

Silk pre-tied bow ties

£21.00

Enamelled crested badges

£7.50

Silk ties

All prices quoted include postage If you are interested in purchasing any of the above items, or you require further information, please contact the OBs’ Office see back cover for contact details

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Medical Elective Report - Kampala, Uganda In July 2017 I completed my fourth year studying medicine at the University of Leeds. Like most medical students, in the summer before my final year I undertook an 8 week elective placement. I and four other students had chosen to go to Kampala, Uganda to work in the obstetrics and gynaecology department of Mengo Hospital, a “private not for profit” hospital. In the past year I had undertaken a rotation in obstetrics and gynaecology and was excited to learn more about the specialty and observe different ways of practising medicine. We arrived at Entebbe International Airport and were welcomed by the hospital’s public relations officer, Margret Mwanada. From there she accompanied us on the hour long journey to the hospital. As we entered Kampala our car ground to a halt and the morning traffic introduced us to the heaving and hectic city. When we finally arrived at the hospital we dropped our bags off in the accommodation and were whisked off to an engagement ceremony of a nurse working there. This typified the welcoming attitude of people we met across Uganda. Although we were all shattered from the journey the traditional ceremony was a brilliant introduction to Ugandan culture. It was also our first chance to sample Ugandan food. First up was malwa, a drink made from fermented millet flour. With none of us managing Bristolienses - Issue 55

Daniel is 4th from the right

more than a couple of polite sips, we were anxious about trying the food. However we were pleasantly surprised by the meat and bean stews, matoke (steamed and mashed green bananas) and peanut paste. The next day we were taken on a tour of Mengo. The hospital has 300 beds for inpatients and is extremely well known throughout Uganda due to its being the oldest hospital in East Africa and having celebrated ophthalmology and dental departments. The hospital was founded 120 years ago by British missionaries, led by Sir Albert Cook. Since its inception the hospital has grown continuously and rapidly. It now boasts several medical and surgical departments as well as a mental health, HIV and physiotherapy department. The obstetrics and gynaecology department was split over two sites. The Sir

Albert Cook wing housed the private side, where patients had a room and private delivery suite. Meanwhile the Mpreza Building housed the Nightingale style general maternity wards. Each day there were between 15 and 20 deliveries at the hospital, half of which were Caesarean sections. For such a small hospital this seemed like a huge amount. However we were more shocked to hear that in Mulago hospital, the national hospital, there were just under 100 deliveries each day. We quickly settled into a routine in Mengo. Days started with a morning meeting at 8:00am. Here the interns discussed treatment plans for patients with the consultant. It was also taken as a learning opportunity. The consultant would quiz, or “percuss”, interns on medical

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Medical Elective Report - Kampala, Uganda conditions that had come up during the meeting. Following the meeting the interns, who were newly qualified doctors, would split to do their individual ward rounds. After ward rounds, interns would either go to outpatient clinics or theatre till the end of the day. The expectations placed on these newly qualified doctors was immense. Not only did they work gruelling hours; from 8:00am to 5:00pm Monday to Sunday and one nightshift each week (meaning they worked 36 hours straight), but the level of independence they had to work with was incomparable with the NHS. After doing only a few Caesarean sections they were expected to do them alone during their night shifts. For the majority of my placement I split my time between theatre and wards. The two most apparent differences between here and home was the lack of resources and monitoring, and the way in which patients paid for their treatment. Both created barriers for good outcomes and so it was interesting to see how the doctors and nurses worked to overcome this. Doctors relied much less on expensive investigations and instead relied on clinical experience and judgement. The course of a pregnancy was also very difficult to calculate. Many patients only presented in the later stages of their pregnancy. Having had no previous contact with healthcare professionals gestation was difficult to determine. This Bristolienses - Issue 55

meant decisions on when to deliver a mother with pregnancy complications were extremely difficult. In these circumstances the level of clinical judgement shown even by the interns was extremely impressive. With English being one of two official languages in Uganda, it was very easy to talk to patients on the wards. There I was able to practise history taking skills and clinical examinations. I was also able to talk to women about their views on childbirth and bringing up young families. During my time in theatre I was able to assist with caesarean sections and some gynaecology surgeries. Although I had done this during my placement in Leeds, the sheer number of surgeries allowed me to really develop practical skills. During the weekends and after

my placement I was able to explore the beautiful landscapes Uganda has to offer. Particular highlights were the walking safari in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and white-water rafting on the Nile. The group and I were also thankful for the great beer and gin Uganda had to offer! I am extremely grateful to everyone at Mengo for being so welcoming and helping me learn some lifelong lessons. I look forward to visiting again in the future when I have more experience and can contribute more to patients within the hospital. If you are interested in learning more about Mengo please visit the UK Friends of Mengo website. Many thanks to the Old Bristolians Society for helping to make this trip possible with its generous grant!

Daniel Belete (2005-2012)

Main Theatre in hospital

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OB Careers Conference Following the success of the last seven years’ careers events for the Lower Sixth supported exclusively by Old Bristolians, the School invites OBs to return to School for an eighth great year. After much evaluation and review of the event by the School’s Careers Department, the event will be moving to the spring term in the academic calendar. Next year’s conference will take place on the morning of Friday 1 February 2019, 9.00am – 1.00pm, and will be led by David Ruck and Alex Smith. Last November the School welcomes a record 46 OBs to share their experiences and provide students with invaluable insights of possible jobs across

sixteen broad career areas: computer science and IT; events, food and drink; business startups and self-employment; healthcare; journalism and

publishing; medicine; business and management; science; the charity sector; law; civil service and government; architecture and property development; engineering; homeland and cyber security; marketing, media and design; and financial services. The event began with a plenary panel on the theme of ‘Career Journeys’, chaired by Romesh Vaitilingham, in which four OBs outlined how their careers have developed since leaving school. This was followed by a series of three smaller break-out sessions which provided the Lower Sixth students with the opportunity to talk to smaller groups of OBs about their career areas, and to ask the OBs pertinent questions about their jobs and career journeys to date. A break for refreshments after the second break-out offered the chance for networking and following-up on any initial conversations. To conclude the event a large ‘Question Time’ style discussion panel was held in the Theatre of

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the impressive 1532 Performing Arts Centre. Questions to the panel were varied and stimulated much debate and discussion among both the OBs and students alike. Issues raised included: is university still the ‘best’ option after school; opportunities to work overseas; doing something you enjoy vs something ‘stable’; which subjects and subject combinations are key for particular roles; finding the optimum work-life balance; and taking the time to explore a variety of job roles. It was a thoroughly enjoyable morning and was of great benefit to the Lower Sixth students as they begin to consider seriously all the possible options open to them when they leave School, and become Old Bristolians in their own right. We will soon be asking for OBs to volunteer to join us for this year’s event, so please do keep an eye open. Remember, next year’s conference will be on Friday 1 February 2019, and we hope to make it the best yet!

David Ruck

Head of Higher Education and Careers

OB Careers Conference for the Lower Sixth – A new date

has been set!

Friday 1 February 2019

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Career Wisdom We have been honoured to welcome back so many of our Old Bristolians to share their wisdom with the next generations of their peers. It has been a great pleasure to compile this list for publication in Bristolienses 55 and we look forward to adding to it further in the years ahead. Thank you all. Justin Harford - Assistant

Head and Director of Sixth Form

CAREER WISDOM FROM YOUR PREDECESSORS AND SOON-TO-BE PEERS How you do things is often more important than what you do. Make no mistake: people will notice your attitude, your posture, your demeanour, your integrity and trustworthiness. People are remembered for their compassion, their kindness, their courage, their humour rather than merely the content of their CV. Responsibility - Take more of it. Always take more of it. Say yes. Step up, even if you are anxious or have doubts. Push yourself when opportunities are offered. Work hard - Dedication. There is no substitute for hard work. Strive to give 100%; it is rewarded. Skill acquisition - Your CV does need attention. It does Bristolienses - Issue 55

demonstrate your skills, qualifications, experiences and leadership roles. It generates choice for you. It opens doors. It gets you the first meeting with your future employer and colleagues. Listen - Listening is an invaluable skill. Take time to hear the thoughts, opinions and ideas of your teams. Listen and you will be heard. Team dignity - How you address those from whom you have nothing to gain will be much more important than you will ever realise. Become an expert - Get really into something. Become a specialist. Know more than anyone else. Be the go-to font of knowledge. Back yourself - Be bold. Take a risk. Put on a show. The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing. Be yourself - You will earn the respect of your team if you are yourself and do not hide behind a false persona. Don’t be swayed by peer pressure. Learn a language - Global society, global business. Foreign language acquisition and adept cultural understanding open doors to unknown future adventures. Purpose - Working for something bigger than you will often make you happier than focusing on yourself. Impacting

positively on the lives of others will give you self-satisfaction. It will give you purpose. Find this calling and you will have struck gold. Happiness and contentment will follow. Details - Pay attention to the detail and do the little things really, really well. Master the little things and you will be trusted with the bigger things. Be prepared - Research all the answers to the possible questions whilst keeping an eye on the big picture. Yes! - Make ‘yes’ your default setting. Grasp opportunity wherever it arises. Leadership - People follow leaders. What matters is not how any command or expectation is delivered; rather how it is received. Trust is paramount. We all have the power to influence. Passion for learning - Be passionate in your education; immerse yourself in selfindulgent study. Be curious. Teach - It is a privilege to mentor others; to challenge them, to inspire them and to influence them. Plan, amend - Have a plan. Have an ideal year / five years ahead. Aim high. Be flexible. Not all will go to plan. Embrace change. Reset your dreams. You really don’t need to know where you will end up.

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Career Wisdom Family - If you are fortunate enough to have children, you are blessed. Share the nurturing of their care with your partner, family and those you trust and value. Invest genuine time in your children; don’t allow mundane or materialistic matters to distract and detract from your daily love and attention.

updated. Clean up your social media.

Come back stronger - Life and your career will bring setbacks. How you bounce back defines you. Build resilience. Employ a growth mind-set. Use the experience, love and support of those around you: friends, family and work colleagues.

Persistence - Don’t give up. Faced with the seemingly impossible, still keep going. There will be a reason you need to keep it up, which you may only realise much later.

Your heart - Your career will develop and meander. Be reassured: the future roles that define you will seek you out. You will naturally gravitate to those positions that play to your strengths and core values. People rather than place - Bricks and mortar are interchangeable; it is the wonderful people in your life who determine how rich it will become. Diversity - Create and enrich your teams with a blend of gender, age and nationality. Your network - Don’t overlook or underestimate the power of your alumni network: the shared empathy of fellow Old Bristolians and their willingness to assist you. Your profile on-line - Keep your professional shop window Bristolienses - Issue 55

Creativity - Imagination and innovation are talents at the core of global economies. Optimism - Be glass half-full. Smile lots. Laugh lots. Hope breeds success. Positive thinking underpins happiness.

Sumus Bristolienses

From the Archivist: Last term I received the following enquiry. I have looked carefully through the Chronicles of that time but found nothing; I have asked my most reliable Living Sources but still nothing. Does the Toot and a BGS dig ring any bells with our esteemed readership? ‘A local Heritage Lottery funded project called A Forgotten Landscape (which is exploring the natural and historical environment of the Lower Severn Valley) has recently tried doing an experimental dig at The Toot, in Oldbury-on-Severn. (See here for their reports: http://www. aforgottenlandscape.org.uk/ projects/archaeological-reportsoldbury-camp-toot-oldburysevern/) They didn’t discover a great deal.

s e v i h c r A ivesives h h c r c A r s A e v ‘I’ve just been speaking to a friend of ours who’s an archaeologist and who’s taken an interest in what they’ve been doing. He told me that he’s been told that in the early 1950s (possibly 1954-ish?) a history teacher from BGS, together with a number of pupils, carried out a dig at the Toot, also known as Oldbury Camp. (It was thought to be an Iron Age Hill Fort). No-one’s ever been able to find out who this was or whether a report was produced or whether there were any finds (and, if so, what happened to them). I wondered if there would be any hint in your archives which would throw more light on this.’

r A

i h c

Anne Bradley

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Portrait of Rod MacKinnon, Headmaster 2008-2018

The finished portrait was hung on Monday 2nd July in the Great Hall above the door to the corridor leading to Winterstoke Wing.

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On painting a portrait The first thing I noticed about Rod MacKinnon was how young he looked. It’s probably to do with one’s own ageing process (I am now 48), but it’s not just policemen and women who look so young these days, it is also, apparently, retiring headmasters. He was full of energy and very expressive in his gestures, a natural communicator. I knew he wanted to be painted with students in the background of the picture, and his affection for the members of the school, and passion for their wellbeing and education, came across very forcefully in our first meeting. It also has to be said that Rod is a snappy dresser. I could not help immediately noticing the very dapper waistcoat and bright yellow tie which he wore for our first and then subsequent encounters, a gift to any portrait painter as it gave me something interesting to draw the viewer’s attention. My first effort, however, didn’t really work. I asked Rod to pose as it were in mid-sentence, as if making a point with his hand gestures. This actually gave him the slight look of a conjurer who had just made a card disappear! And in the end I felt it was a distraction - after all, we already had the idea that the picture would emphasise the students in the background behind him. The problem of what to do with his hands, always a tricky thing, was solved very simply in the end by

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letting him hold his glasses as if he had just removed them. Again, Rod’s glasses are something of a statement, as they are a rather flashy turquoise blue. We had a couple of sittings in my London studio and it was

has kind eyes, and I think the overall impression one has of him is very different to some of the more formidable heads of Bristol Grammar School who look down from the past onto the present diners in the Great Hall. I hope I have made him look approachable without being too informal: he has a stylishness which speaks of a certain modernity, as well as sitting comfortably within a school

enjoyable to spend time with Rod, discussing all sorts of things from his army days to exhibitions, The Crown series one and two, and in particular the problem of how to paint difficult sitters- with particular reference to Sutherland and Churchill. Thankfully, Mr Mackinnon was

no trouble at all, and hopefully this picture will have a longer and happier life than Graham Sutherland’s one! In the picture, I want people to look at the subject’s eyes. Rod

tradition. The placing of both Headmaster and students in front of the archway into the school building I hope will be instantly recognisable to all Old Bristolians, and give them a reassuring pang of nostalgia for their school days.

Luke Martineau Portrait Painter

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News BGS Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2018 Our Wildlife Photography Competition, now in its thirteenth year, is a celebration of the creativity and skill of truly the whole BGS Community: Infants to Sixth Form; parents and staff to Old Bristoliens.

Check out the top tips below: · Be creative and experiment with angles, textures and colours · Get down to eye level with your subject · Remember backgrounds and foregrounds · Shoot portrait as well as landscape – publishers like both! · Leading lines and repeating patterns · Ignore all the rules!

Giraffe & Pecker - Highly Commended Helen Molesworth OB

Happy snapping!

This year we were pleased to welcome our judge Jeff Wilson, a wildlife film director and documentary photographer based in Bristol. Raised in Kenya, he has spent the last 17 years travelling to the most remote corners of the globe to capture untold stories from the wild for the BBC, Discovery Channel, Netflix and Disney. In that time he has worked in 65 countries on all seven continents. Jeff’s passion lies in sharing his unwavering excitement of every aspect of the natural world, and takes great pleasure in letting Mother Nature constantly show him who’s in charge.

Kissing Rhino - Runner Up - Ian Rice OB Mantis - Runner Up - Leo Norman OB

Falcon - Highly Commended - Chris Fulsom OB Jellyfish - Best of the Rest - Ben Vokins OB

Winner - Red Kites - Ian Rice OB

We are always delighted to receive entries from our OBs across the world. The closing date for next year: 15 May 2019 If you’re in need of inspiration check out the winning entries from this year on our BGS Facebook site https://www. facebook.com/BGSBristol/ Bristolienses - Issue 55

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Sport - Hockey Club Report Key Dates for your diary Mixed Knockabout (senior) We will continue with some sessions in the summer on Wednesdays – Another season over and it seems only a few weeks ago keep an eye on Facebook that 60 of us got together at the Stirratt pitch for Club and emails Day. We have welcomed over 100 new members to the Club Day – Saturday Sept 8th 10.30 to 14.30 at Stirratt, then Club House BBQ Training – will start in September, look out for notices

Club, 90 of those being in our junior section. I hope all of you have enjoyed your first season with us and are looking forward to many more.

Our junior teams have done us proud, our Badgers, U10 and U12 all performing well in the Avon Leagues. Our U14 and U16 girls teams have played in the National championship with the U14 winning the Regional level and U16 qualifying for the Regional finals. Our 10 senior league teams had some mixed seasons, with our M6, L4 and L3 struggling in their Leagues but our L2 and M2 finishing towards the top of their League. In true OB’s style our other sides were outstanding mid-table teams. Our mixed team led the charge on the socials, played some champagne hockey on Sunday mornings when possibly still under the influence of champagne. They also went to Valefest hockey festival and certainly were enthusiastic on the fancy dress. Summer League is well under way with 4 mens and 2 ladies sides playing matches each week. We have planned Club Stirratt. When you couple

Day for September 8th at the return we hope there will be a of changes - a new path from the Car Park to the path to the pitch – no more dodging cars on Longwood Lane!!! We also hope to have repaired the floodlights and put new lights along the path to the pitch. Our AGM is Monday July 2nd, 7.30pm please come along and have you say on how YOUR Club is run. We need more Volunteers to join the Committee. Have a great summer everyone, thank you to everyone on this year’s Committee for your hard work and dedication

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Jan Bowen, Chairman OBHC

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Sport - Rugby Club Report Oh the off-season, that empty time of the year when you finished playing rugby a month or so ago and pre-season hasn’t started again yet. That time of year when injuries heal, when trophies grow in your mind and victories become more momentous. This last season has been an immensely successful one for the magnificent rugby club that is Old Bristolians RFC, with our 1st XV led by Andy Green finishing the highest we have ever achieved both in terms of league position and league points. Our 2nd XV had a slightly tougher run of things this year but still had an immensely enjoyable season and one to be very proud of. Captained by alleged BGS old boy and current Club Captain Rob Hamblett they have recorded some really cracking victories but have had their season hampered slightly by injuries in the 1st XV leading

to call-ups. The 3rd XV were in a very similar boat but still managed to fulfil the majority of their fixtures and played some really enjoyable rugby. They were ably assisted by members of the Vets XV, who were able to get some games under their (ever-expanding) belts and continue to enjoy their rugby into their advancing years. They managed to achieve a memorable three day tour to Spain in March attended by nearly 40 members of the club aged over 35, including two octogenarians! We also boast a very strong Ladies XV who have brought an enormous amount to the club in their three years as part of Old Bristolians RFC, and we are honoured and proud to have them. Our mini & junior section continues to go from strength to strength. In the ten years since we started the section we have grown to nearly 500 kids of all ages and both genders.

It is here that the club really comes full circle and becomes the great family that we value so much. We now have active members of the club aged five years old and eighty five, and all points in between and it is a thriving organisation with ambition to grow and prosper even more in coming years. In conjunction with the Hockey and Cricket sections of the Sports Club we are working hard on plans to deliver a redeveloped clubhouse within the next three to four years, and further details on this can be found online via the sports club website www.obsportsclub.com. We have an excellent coaching crew, food after matches and after training and are now onto our fifth season of the Old Bristolians‘ RFC Pudding Club. We have regular socials including Pub Golf and a Christmas Carol Crawl in aid of CLIC Sargent with whom we are still very proud to be associated. Most of all we offer our members a lighthearted club which takes itself seriously enough to play very competitive rugby but for the most part we do it with a very large smile on our faces. We are actively recruiting for players of all ages and both genders so whether you’re a recent school leaver or have a pair of creaky knees and dusty boots at the back of the wardrobe, you’re always welcome to come up and say hi, have a beer, and get involved.

Club Dinner 2018 Bristolienses - Issue 55

Tristan Fowler (1993-2000)

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Luncheon Club Report

Luncheon Club Report January 2018

The first lunch of the New Year saw us welcome two members of the Great Western Air Ambulance Charity to tell us about it. Phil West gave the talk, with his fellow volunteer, Ian Russell sitting in. With many others they help to raise the £3 million required annually to keep the Charity going. Like the RNLI it receives no government backing although some people think it is funded by the NHS! The organisation’s HQ is in South Bristol but its operating base is currently at Filton. However it is due to move to a purpose-built site at Almondsbury shortly on land owned by Rolls Royce. The service has been in existence for 10 years: it operates a distinctive apple-green Eurocopter as well as two critical care cars, which are always on call. The vehicles are packed with all up to date life-saving equipment, ready to come to the aid of citizens of Bristol and Bath, as well as the neighbouring counties of Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire. When an emergency call is received, the appropriate vehicle is despatched to the scene, staffed by paramedics and doctors trained in critical care. In 2016 a total of 1730 missions were carried out, and with the charity based in the centre of the area, an average response time is 20 minutes. The area covered is one of the busiest air ambulance organisations (GWAAC) in the country and the terrain covered varies from motorways, urban streets and suburbs to coastal areas and countryside. The charity provides vital help in time of need and deserves our support. Money is raised

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in numerous ways with many societies, clubs and local authorities contributing on a regular basis. February 2018

This month our guest speaker was Barry Edwards who came to tell us about ‘The Early History of Penguin Books’. Mr Edwards’ teaching career began at QEH in 1974 and he taught English for five years. He became known to David Perkins who was in the chair for today’s lunch.

top and bottom: six colours, green, blue, yellow, red, mauve and grey. Each book published fitted into a category designated by the colour – there were no exceptions. Penguin books were published worldwide, in the USA, Canada, Australia and South Africa. Subtle changes were made to their appearance as time went by, and in 1944 Pan Books made their appearance. The Company was sold in 1970. There is no doubt

His interest in Penguin books began about 15 years ago and he has built up an extensive collection. Allen Lane, the founder, was a West Countryman, who had been educated at BGS, and was in the habit of travelling from Exeter David Perkins (1954-1962), Peter Tucker (1952-1958) to London and Barry Edwards by train. The year was 1935 and he realised that people were that these books had an enormous in need of reading matter for the role in producing affordable journey, and were willing to pay literature. for the privilege. However, books The most famous book published? at this time were rather expensive, Lady Chatterley’s Lover by DH so he had the idea of producing Lawrence. good quality literature cheaply, publishing volumes with no frills. And so Penguin books were born! March 2018 Why Penguin? He felt it presented a distinguished figure with an This month we were due to receive element of fun. The early books a visit from the outgoing BGS were stark in presentation with a Headmaster, Roderick McKinnon, broad white band across the front who is retiring from the school giving the title and author’s name. at the end of the summer term. The books were colour coded at Sadly, however, illness in his family

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Luncheon Club Report

Luncheon Club Report prevented him for addressing us.

At short notice, Bruce Perrott gamely agreed to stand in for the Headmaster, but the lunch had to be cancelled because of heavy snow! This is only the third time this has happened in the last 15 years. April 2018

This month our guest speaker was Edward Towne, who was on the staff of BGS from 1973-83 teaching history under the direction of Philip Revill. Now retired, he returned from his home in Rochester, Kent, to tell us about the ‘Cambridge Spies’ and at the same time renew some old acquaintances. He started by describing world events which dominated the 1930s. There had been the Wall Street Crash of 1929 when billions of pounds were lost which caused unemployment to soar, giving rise to high profile protests. Then there was the rise of Nazism in Germany, the British fascists of Oswald Mosley, and the Czech crisis. Meanwhile in Russia, things seemed more stable and some looked at their system of communism and thought it might be a better form of civilisation. It was against this background that a movement favourable to communism took root in the pre-war years, with Cambridge University being where it happened. The 5 spies about whom Mr Towne spoke were all from public school backgrounds and were Kim Philby, Guy Burgess and Donald Maclean, Anthony Blunt and John Cairncross. They were all at the heart of the British Establishment and were in positions of influence in the Government. During the years before the war, during the war and during the Cold War, they were

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responsible for sending important state secrets of every kind to Russia.

Philby, Burgess and Maclean all defected to Moscow where they lived out their later years pining for Britain. The questions posed were: Why did they do it? How much damage was done? And what lessons can be learned? May 2018 This month saw the return of Peter Taylor, to give the second of his two talks on Guernsey, this one describing life under the Germans during WWII. Peter’s father had worked for the GWR at Swindon but moved on and settled in Guernsey where Peter was born in 1935. It was an ideal place for the family to grow up with plenty of everything readily available, but sadly this was not to last. With war clouds gathering in Europe, speculation grew as to what might be the fate of the islands. When war did come there was much agonising over what to do. Should the islanders leave or remain? Around 50% chose to leave, and three of Peter’s siblings were evacuated to England. For those who chose to stay, there was chaos when the Germans invaded in 1940. There was some bombing of the harbour and casualties, and then more troops landed until there was one soldier to every two islanders. Resistance was futile. The occupiers ruled the island, imposing restrictions and curfews on the population. Swastikas were everywhere and the Germans generally behaved in a bombastic manner to impose their will, although, as Peter pointed out, not all of the Germans behaved like

this.

Massive fortifications were built with slave labour, and gun batteries were set up in the fields. Four soldiers were even billeted in their house! Towards the end of the war conditions became very serious, as following D Day, no supplies of food could be brought in. Eventually, at Christmas, a Red Cross ship, Vega, was allowed into St Peter’s Port. Liberation day was declared on May 9th 1945 amid much rejoicing and has been commemorated every year since. Thankfully freedom had been restored. June 2018 At the final lunch of the season, our guest was Nick Cousins OB, who told us about ‘Officials in Sport’ particularly rugby and cricket. Nick was at school from 1964-72, was Head Boy and captain of both cricket and rugby! In his opening remarks he thanked David Trott for inspiring his sporting career and Tony Warren for his encouragement on the academic side. He was pleased to renew old acquaintances and said he could not have had a better start than at BGS. From school he went to Loughborough where he played most of his rugby, naming Clive Woodward as the best player he had seen. A teaching career started from here and lasted for 32 years, the majority of which he spent as a housemaster at Dulwich College. After playing Nick progressed into refereeing, joining the London Society in 1982 and the RFU National Panel 5 years later. He was in charge of 7 internationals and over 300 first class games, before turning his attention to coaching until 2014. On the cricketing front he was invited to join the ECB in 2008 and his title is Head of ACO,

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Luncheon Club Dates

Luncheon Club the association of cricket umpires and scorers.

During his talk he recounted several humorous stories of his experiences, mentioning a number of well-known personalities. On a more serious note he emphasized the challenges officials now face given the great improvement in camera technology. Incidents can now be scrutinized endlessly and mistakes highlighted. He said that these sports and football could benefit from liaising with one another. It was an excellent talk, as was reflected in the number of questions that were asked at the end.

Peter Tucker (1952-1958)

Luncheon Club Diary Dates

The Luncheon Club commences again in October with John Crichard at the helm. OBs and their guests are welcome to attend. Please note that guests may arrive at 12.30 but the lunch will start at 13.00.

Contact John on 0117 968 7451 to book your place(s) or for further details.

2018

5 October 9 November 7 December

Anne Bradley Roger Angerson John Penny

New memorial tablet Bristol war hospitals Communicating Christmas

2019

4 January Lindsey Hennifer-Heaton New Concorde Museum at Filton 1 February tba 1 March Will Tavare OB A Gloucestershire cricketer 5 April Professor Gareth Williams ‘A Monstrous Commotion’ 10 May tba 7 June tba

Support bright young people “It’s a great gift to have a really good education” U6 Leaver

“Since he started at BGS my son has grown into a mature young man, keen to rise to the challenges the School sets for him. I am delighted, and very thankful to the Michael Booker Bursary Fund for making this possible.” Father of a Year 10 bursary student

To find out how to give a one-off donation, regular gift or leave a gift in your will please get in touch: Anna Freeman Foundation Office Bristol Grammar School University Road Bristol. BS8 1SR. 0117 933 9637 afreeman@bgs.bristol.sch.uk

“I have gained so much from BGS - great friends, confidence and a love of learning.” Year 10 Bursary Student

Bristolienses - Issue 55

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News

Association of Representatives of Pupils’ Societies (AROPS)

Societies wanted to know if they needed to have consent to contact their members or whether they could rely on having a legitimate interest. Among the many questions that were asked was one about sports teams and could a team captain hold data for their team. Others related to who is responsible for the database. We share our database with the

Since the Conference I have attended meetings at Ratcliffe College in Leicestershire, St Paul’s School in London, Millfield School in Somerset and finally a meeting at Bootham School in York, hosted by OB and Headmaster Chris Jeffery.

I attended the AROPS Conference at St Dunstan’s College, as your representative and as Chairman of AROPS. I was delighted that OB Mark Purdom agreed to speak to conference about the implications of GDPR. His

Peter Jakobek School and are confident that we look after your data with great care.

knowledgeable talk helped put many associations at ease about these new regulations and his advice was listened to with great interest. The new regulations are proving to be a minefield for both big and small operations, as they cover all use of data. Bristolienses - Issue 55

does make it easy for all of us to keep in touch and is a great set of tools for societies to keep in touch with their alumni and help when it comes to organising reunions. Our new website also has the facility for you to keep in touch, not only with the school but also with each other. We are hoping to host OB Clubs on the site, OB Music have already started but we would hope that other groups will cohabit the site. Other talks dealt with digital archives, how to use your website, newsletters, and GDPR.

(staff: 1982 to date) Assistant Head: Alumni & Events AROPS Chairman

Following Mark’s talk there were several breakout sessions, I delivered a session on Events for Young Alumni in which I talked about the events that we run that are, we think, successful: inviting you back for a leavers’ lunch a year after you left and before many of you go to university, drinks events in London, sports events and our dinners. I also talked about how I try to engage with OBs using social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin and Instagram. Social media

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Archives News

From the Archivist again!

In 2012 the School was sent a questionnaire regarding the Great War which resulted in the book ‘Public Schools and the Great War’ and ultimately led to the new BGS Through the Great War website and a fifth panel for the War Memorial. The same authors have now sent another questionnaire regarding the Second World War, and I believe they are hoping to identify more eyewitness sources from living veterans and from boys at school during the war.

following: Bletchley Park codebreaking; other secret intelligence or SOE; irregular warfare such as the Special Air Service, Long Range Desert Group, Chindits. 2. Please give stories of any pupils or staff involved in scientific discovery – eg Atom Bomb, penicillin, radar or who experienced the Holocaust or were involved in the investigation of war crimes.

The questions include the following:

3. School link with the cultural legacy of the war: please name any alumnus who made an impact on any of these art forms – poetry, literature, music, art, theatre, war films, television.

1. Please give stories of pupils or staff who served in any of the

4. Are you able to put me in touch with any former pupil who served

A Weekend in the Life of ......

yesterday with a Chinese billionaire (and personal friend of President Xi Jinping) at Ten Trinity Square, Tower Hill. So not had much time to come up for air to be honest ! I will try and look at something this coming weekend. In the meantime we’ve just launched my new website if you want to take a look.

Dear Tim, I wondered if you would be prepared to write a short article for Bristolienses 55 on the history and current role of the Sheriff of London? Copy deadline 31st May. I want to increase the range of articles in Bristolienses and yours, if you agree to do it, would be the first on the themes of ‘unique opportunities/a day in the life of’. Dear Tim, did you manage to have a think about this?

Dear Geoff, I did but I had a manic weekend involving the new Bishop of London’s enthronement, dinner with the outgoing Lord Mayor of Westminster and lunch Bristolienses - Issue 55

Dear Tim, wow! That is a weekend! It could be an alternative article, ‘a weekend in the life of’. It would make good copy.

Dear Geoff, if they were all like that one I think I’d be 6 feet under by now ! Usually it’s me plus the dogs in Greenwich. Preferably doing absolutely nothing - other than a large gin and tonic. Or three. Dear Tim, have you had a chance to put anything together for B55? I really would appreciate it if you were able to do so.

in the war or who was at school during it? 5. Do you have any other primary source material (letters, diaries etc) which might be relevant and interesting? Do you have any photos of wartime life in your school which could be transferred digitally and used with acknowledgement? I’d be interested to hear from anyone with memories or sources; I’m afraid this is a hasty note as the Questionnaire arrived yesterday and the Bristolienses deadline is today.

Anne Bradley - Archivist

Dear Geoff, I’ve not had time to be honest and this weekend is again full of civic commitments including Trooping the Colour, a mad dash up to Staffordshire for a civic dinner Saturday night and then back to London for the Suffragette Processions event on Sunday in Hyde Park. At some point amidst all that I need to write my speech for Monday for a reception for 200 magistrates from the Central London bench at The Old Bailey. And, today (Friday) I’m in the office at JPMorgan for one of my three days a week earning the salary that actually pays my mortgage. I keep religiously buying those lottery tickets, but so far....Can you remind me of the deadlines please ?

Tim Hailes - Alderman and

Sheriff of London Geoff Wright (1956-1966) Bristolienses Editor

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Where are they now? Neil Grant (1985-1992 ) Sculptor Neil Grant is an English sculptor who makes fine art through a slightly different lens. An award winning artist, he combines technical skill with storytelling and humour. Neil lives in Cape Cod, Massachusetts where he sculpts out of his studio and teaches classes and workshops out of Cotuit Center for the Arts and other arts centers. “Sculpture is how I put my thoughts out into the world, and so I try to make sure that they are ideas worth sharing. I love sculpture and any other form of

Term of 2016 at BGS as a Geography Teacher, I went on to be Director of Hockey at Christs’s Hospital in Horsham. Joseph Elliott (1995-2002) Actor & Writer Walker Books and Walker Books US have jointly acquired a fantasy trilogy from CBeebies actor Joseph Elliott. A “rich fantasy trilogy” aimed at readers of 10+, The Good Hawk is set in a pseudo-Britain, during an age of warring clans and devastating plagues. Protagonist Agatha has Down’s syndrome in a world where her condition is unnamed. Agatha is a good Hawk but when disaster strikes and her clan is brutally swept away in the longboats of an invading deamhanan horde, she must leave the island and team up with the only other survivors to try and find a way of rescuing the only family they have ever known.

art that fuses skill, emotion, and if it can, a bit of humour. That’s what I aim for in my work.” Neil is represented by Bowersock Gallery of Provincetown www.bowersockgallery.com

Perhaps if BGS ever come on a hockey tour in Germany there may be potential for fixtures etc in Bremen. Charles Wellingham (1996- 2003) After leaving BGS in 2003 I went on to study Architecture

Elliott is an actor well known for his work in children’s television including CBeebies series “Swashbuckle”. Elliot said: “I could not have hoped for a more enthusiastic response to my debut novel. This is the start of a very exciting journey for us all.” Richie Barlow (2007-2009) After spending the Summer

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Since March 2018 I have moved to Bremen, Germany, where I am now a Professional Hockey Coach at Bremer HC. I am Assistant Coach of the Damen and we are top of the Bundesliga, 5 points clear with games to go..and shall already play Bundesliga indoors next season. The club has won 5 German National Titles since 2014.

at the University of Plymouth and the University of the West of England, before working in several practices in the UK and abroad and finally completing my professional qualification as an architect in 2013.

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Where are they now? In 2014 I was awarded a Lethaby Scholarship by the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings and spent nine months travelling across the UK and Europe meeting leading

Tom Marks (2003-2014) I’m currently one year away from taking my finals for the 5-year veterinary degree at the Royal Veterinary College. I’ve absolutely loved the course so far especially since starting the clinical rotations halfway through fourth year. Some recent news - I was very proud to be elected as President of the RVCHC at AGM just a week ago.

conservation professionals, contractors and craftspeople, and focusing my career on the care of the historic built environment. Closer to home I led the team overseeing the conversion of Bristol’s Grade II* listed former Guildhall courtrooms into a city centre hotel and spa, achieving Planning Permission and Listed Building Consent in 2015. In 2016 a former colleague and I established Connolly Wellingham Architects, a conservation and design studio with an expertise in sensitive adaptation and reuse of significant buildings and sensitive sites. We currently have a handful of interesting projects, ranging from an internal reordering of a 19th century church in Hampshire to an extension to a 15th century threshing barn in the Cotswolds. The practice is based in Bath and open for business! www.connollywellingham.com Bristolienses - Issue 55

Once finishing my course I plan to move back to Bristol from London, and begin my career from there. Betti Csiba (2009-2011)

with cum laude distinction in MSc. International Management from Utrecht University and am currently working on graduating from the same university in MA International Relations in Historical Perspective. After having lived in several European countries, I am now preparing for a summer internship in Valencia, Spain where I will contribute to a nationwide project to counter subconscious discrimination in personnel selection. Harri John (2005-2012) Harri is a Graduate Surveyor at Cushman & Wakefield, and Co-Founder of networking

After leaving Bristol Grammar School, I decided on an

organisation CREation, which provides free networking and educational events for those at the start of their careers in the property industry. She is an advocate and role model for women in the industry.

Economics degree outside the UK. I obtained a Double Degree in BA International Business and Economics at the University of West Hungary and the Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences. I also have a Master’s degree

Harri joined Cushman & Wakefield in September 2016 and is currently working towards becoming a Chartered Surveyor. Coming from a family with no contacts in the property industry, Harri recognised the difficulties people can face entering the industry.

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Where are they now? She has championed her profession, speaking to school and university students about careers in property through the RICS Matrics School and University sub-committee, helping to increase visibility, diversity and accessibility of the profession to young people. In 2015, while studying BSc Real Estate Management at Oxford Brookes University, Harri won the Women in Property ‘National Student Award’. Since winning the award Harri has remained heavily involved in the organisation, acting as a committee member for the South East branch and helping to coordinate the 2018 Women in Property Student Awards. Adam Burns (1989-2000) Last year Adam’s first book, American Imperialism: The Territorial Expansion of the United States, 1783-2013, was published by Edinburgh University Press, and his work also appeared in several Historical Association publications, including: The Historian, Teaching History and the International Journal of Historical Learning, Teaching and Research. In April, Adam moved from his job as Head of History and Politics at nearby QEH to take up the position of Senior Lecturer in History at the University of Wolverhampton, and last summer he spent a very enjoyable couple of weeks as a visiting researcher at the Roosevelt Institute for American Studies in the Netherlands. More recently, in January of this year, he graduated with Bristolienses - Issue 55

his second doctorate, an EdD in History Education from the University of Leicester. He is currently teaching on numerous BA and MA modules across the Department of History, Politics and War Studies and is working on a variety of writing projects relating to diverse aspects of American History and History Education.

Jonathan May (1995-2002) I was recently awarded the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Fellowship.

Professor Alexander Betts (1990-1997) He is Professor of Forced Migration and International Affairs at the University of Oxford, where he is also William Golding Senior Fellow in Politics at Brasenose College and served as Director of the Refugee Studies Centre between 2014 and 2017. At the age of 35, he became the youngest British professor in Oxford since the Second World War. He gave TED talks on refugees and Brexit, with over 3 million views, and was named by Foreign Policy magazine as one of top 100 global thinkers of 2016. His co-authored book, Refuge: Transforming a Broken Refugee System (with Sir Paul Collier, Penguin Allen Lane) was named by the Economist in its ‘Best Books of 2017’. He is currently completing all six Abbott International Marathon Majors, and aiming to set a record for the fastest complete one-year series.

This explains what the trust does: https:// www.wcmt.org.uk/about-us/ what-we-do I was awarded the prize in 2016 and completed my research in early 2018, being awarded the Winston Churchill Fellowship medallion on June 13th. I can now formally call myself a Winston Churchill Fellow, apparently. My work was on the use of digital and social media in alumni relations programmes in the US and Canada. Also, I married Kiran Farooque on 12th August 2017 at the SS Great Britain. (See photograph in our Weddings section) Jack Williams (2001-2008) I’ve just read your Facebook request for some news for the Bristolienses magazine so I

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Where are they now? wanted to let you know, in a proud big sister way, about my brother Jack Williams - he has recently won The President’s Award from the Royal Geological Society! See https://www.geolsoc.org. uk/About/Awards-Grants-andBursaries/Society-Awards/ Presidents-Award. This was for innovative work on his PhD on something to do with fault lines in New Zealand which he finished last year and he’s now doing post doc work at Cardiff Uni. Jack is going to the RGS in London in a month or so to collect the award. Hope all is well with you, Anna (previously Williams)

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? We always love to hear about what our OBs’ are up to - drop us a line on the OBs’ email obs@bgs.bristol.sch.uk And send us pictures too!

Old Bristolians around the World

Australia

The following overseas contacts are keen to hear from fellow OBs in their country/continent: USA

Phil is also happy to be the NZ contact

Dr Richard Paul Mason (51-57) and Peter Williams (51-58) are developing a US network and are keen to hear from other OB members in the USA. For information please contact: Dr Richard Mason Home telephone no: 617-803-8425. Email: thepaulmason@hotmail.com

South Africa Chris Taylor (1952-1961) If any of your readers know of any OBs living in South Africa who may not be paid-up members and do not therefore receive the magazine, it would be appreciated if they could pass on my contact details.

Furthermore if any OBs are planning a holiday in the Durban area, please ask them to get in touch as it may be possible for us to organise another Dinner.

Peter Williams 112 Birchside Circle, Locus Grove VA 22508-5150 Home telephone no: 1-540-872-7117 (landline) and 1-540-237-2627 (mobile) Email: anglodane@adelphia.net

Email: chrismal@saol.com Tel & Fax: +27 31 5394960 Mobile: +27 84 657 6188

Canada

Views on this edition and ideas for the next

Martin Dash (63-70) is trying to develop a Canadian network of OBs. Please contact Martin at: 12146 Osprey Drive, Richmond, British Columbia, V7E 3S6, Canada. Residence phone number, direct dial from the UK is 001-604-2754670, home office fax number is 001-604-275-5684. Email: martincharlesdash@hotmail.com

Bristolienses - Issue 55

Phil Ohman (72-79) 44 John James Loop, Macgregor, ACT 2615, Mobile +61 422 309 455 Email: phil@missionsupport.org.au

Please write in with your views on Bristolienses 55 and any ideas you may have for B56 - drop us a line on the OBs’ email obs@bgs.bristol.sch.uk

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Obituaries We record with sadness the deaths of the following Old Bristolians and extend our condolences to their families and friends. Peter Kenneth Baynton (1950-1958) Peter Newton Beams (1936-1944) John Anthony Bullock (1941-1950) Ian Edwards (1943-1949) Nicholas John Ellis (1946-1957) Richard Charles Henry Hodder (1944-1948) Peter Nigel William Johnson (1957-1964) Neil Murison (1941-1946) Alan Patrick Parker (1937-1946) Antony Charles Robinson (1955-1963) Ian Scott (1956-1964) Peter Stirratt (1935-1942) Peter Beams (1936-1944) On leaving school Peter went to Wolverhampton Technical College for a two year engineering course with National Service in mind. After O.C.T.U. at Aldershot, he received a commission as 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Signals. He served in the army for two and a half years, for the most part in Egypt commanding a construction troop maintaining telecommunications along the Suez Canal. After demobilisation he worked in a Bristol architect’s office

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and then studied Geography and Geology for a Science Degree at Bristol University, where he met his future wife, Ann. Next came twenty-seven years with the British United Shoe Machinery Company, initially in London and then at the Bristol branch. In 1969 Peter was made manager of the Shoe Factory Organisation Department at the head office in Leicester, which gave him the opportunity to travel widely on business, helping to set up factories from Boston to Helsinki and Moscow to Athens. For the last ten years of his working life Peter became a consultant and later a director at the Leicester Business Advice Centre. Following his retirement in 1991 he became involved in fundraising for his parish church, and enjoyed sixteen years of volunteering for the National Trust. For this he became very knowledgeable about Calke Abbey as a Room Steward there. He always maintained that you are never too old to learn! Peter is survived by his wife and daughter. Ann Beams

these friendships lasted the whole of his life. Dad left school and joined the Merchant Navy as an apprentice seaman, which had always been his dream. He travelled the world; and the sea became one of two true loves in his life. His other love, of course, was his wife Brenda, whom he had met at the local youth club. While he was still in the Navy, they had two daughters. However, he felt that leaving my mother alone at home for months at a time to look after two daughters was unfair on her, and so he took the decision to leave the Navy and settle down on terra firma, despite obtaining his Captain’s ticket. Mum and Dad then had two more children. The rest of Dad’s working life was spent in the employment of Lloyd’s Bank in Bristol, a stark contrast to his time at sea, and yet he could tell many humorous tales about office life in the days when financial regulations were a little less rigid than they are today. My father passed away in June 2017 after a short illness and leaves Brenda, his children and five grandchildren.

Ian Edwards (1943 – 1949)

Richard Edwards

Ian’s death was recorded in Bristolienses 54 but without the following obituary from his son, which we now print with our apologies.

Alan Patrick Parker (1937-1946)

In my lifetime I have heard many stories pertaining to my father’s time at BGS, most of which would be referred to in the parlance of the time as “high jinks”. Reflecting on these all I can say is that his time at the school was an enjoyable one, much as mine was decades later. He made many friends at BGS and

Pat, as he was known to everyone, was born in Bristol in 1929. He began his education at Wells Road Infants School. In 1937 he transferred to Bristol Grammar Lower School and then to the Upper School in 1940. Pat enjoyed sport from an early age, playing cricket for the BGS first eleven and then Knowle Cricket Club. He also played tennis in Knowle as well as rugby for Bristol Harlequins first team. In later life

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Obituaries his sports participation was more sedate: he enjoyed golf, snooker and armchair rugby. After school Pat joined E.S and A. Robinson Ltd in Bristol. In 1947 National Service saw him join the Gloucestershire Regiment before being transferred to the Hampshire Regiment and posted to the 28th Leader Training Battalion in Northern Ireland. He was demobbed in 1949, when he returned to Robinsons and later worked for Standbrook Publications Ltd. In 1959 Pat was initiated into the Masons. He progressed through the ranks, eventually becoming Deputy Provisional Grand Master of Somerset where he served until 2002. He was a very keen and active member of St Martin’s Church, Knowle, Bristol and it was there he married his wife, Margaret. They had three children, who went on to give him seven grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Family was very important to Pat and the younger generations brought him great happiness. In retirement, Mag and Pat enjoyed many trips in their caravan to France and Portugal as well as travelling to America, Australia and New Zealand. Latterly they enjoyed several seasons at Seaton, Devon. Pat passed away on 25th November 2017 following a short illness and will be greatly missed by family and friends. Helen Parker on behalf of Mrs Margaret Parker

Antony (Tony) Charles Robinson (1955-1963) Tony Robinson died on September 3rd 2017 after a long battle with

Bristolienses - Issue 55

fibrosis. His father worked for the Bristol Aircraft Company, and Tony was born and brought up in Filton and Tytherington, South Gloucestershire. Like many of his generation, Tony benefitted through the Direct Grant Grammar School scheme, going into Shell A. An able boy, he progressed successfully through the School, winning an Open Scholarship to Keble College, Oxford in 1963 to read history. As a member of Booker’s, although not a sportsman, Tony was already showing an engaging ‘whackiness’ in terms of his interests, which focussed on transport, especially buses and Bristol buses in particular. He spent some months before going up to Oxford working as a bus conductor. More conventional were his interests in literature, and he might well have chosen to study literature at university. Under the radical inspiration of ‘Nank’ Adams, he acquired a life-long interest in twentieth century English literature: Eliot, Auden, Lewis, but above all Anthony Powell. He became an early member of the Anthony Powell Society and later its Chairman. Many of these interests were complemented by his interest in the music of Benjamin Britten and Handel, something which he was able to cultivate in Suffolk, where he spent the bulk of his career, firstly in Suffolk County Council, ultimately as Head of Corporate Management, and then after retirement in the Health Service as a much-respected chair of primary care trusts. While at school, Tony and others had persuaded Frank Beecroft and Derek Lucas to form an opera club, which led us to see Sadlers’ Wells

on tour and to listen to complete opera recordings in one of their elegant flats in Royal York Terrace along with hot dogs and light ales. While at Oxford, Tony met Susan Hinchliffe of St Anne’s, also studying history. Susan joined the administrative division of the Ministry of Defence at the same time as Tony started his career in Winchester with Hampshire County Council. They were married in 1968 and had two children, Timothy and Sarah, respectively now working in regional IT development and in children’s publishing. On Tony’s moving to work for Suffolk County Council, Susan resigned and quite quickly was appointed Town Clerk of Felixstowe, a post she held for over twenty-five years. Tony and Susan’s careers were devoted to public service and to Suffolk, both believing in supplying elected politicians with disinterested, well informed and, at times, critical advice. It was a sign of Tony’s qualities, above all his integrity, that he was so often turned to as a potential chairman in the somewhat frenzied world of health service management. Tony was afflicted for the second half of his life with fibrosis, a progressive condition, probably inherited, with no known cure, and for the last four years had to rely on supplementary oxygen from a cylinder carried on his back. He did not allow it to curtail his many interests, nor did he complain. He delighted in his two grandchildren, Bea and Ned, and a few weeks before he died had enjoyed his first hearing of Richard Strauss’ opera Ariadne auf Naxos at Glyndebourne. Allen Warren (1953-1963)

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Obituaries Peter Stirratt (1935-1942)

Peter joined the School from Bishop Road School in 1935 having won a City Scholarship. He played for all school sides at both Rugby and Cricket on his way through the School. Before leaving in July 1942 he had been part of the fire watching group guarding the School from the dangers of incendiaries during the Blitz. From School he went to the London School of Economics in Cambridge which had been evacuated there for the duration of the War. His military service took him to the Far East and culminated in his parachuting into Malaya to take over POW camps from the Japanese after the atomic bombs had been dropped in August 1945. Having completed his degree course at the LSE back in London, he joined Robinson Wax Paper before moving to the family printing firm of B. H. Matthews Ltd. with whom he spent the rest of his working career, becoming chairman in 1965. From the early days of the Old Bristolians’ War Memorial Playing

Bristolienses - Issue 55

Field, even before it became a reality, Peter's name was written large on every page. In both the Cricket Club and the Sports Club he was continually amongst the list of officers, ending up as President of the Cricket Club and both Chairman and Treasurer of the Sports Club.

we knew, but it certainly meant that André had our undivided attention as he unfolded the mysteries of French pronunciation and grammar, though quite understandably he declined to talk to us callow schoolboys about his wartime activities.

As if this dedication was not sufficient, prior to “Bristolienses” he became editor of the Society section of the Chronicle for many years before becoming Chairman and President of the Society, a Governor of the School and ViceChairman of Governors in Jimmy Ackland's time as Chairman. In addition, under the Cricket Club banner, he was a Bristol and District cricket umpire for 17 years.

About ten years ago, though, the university where I worked organized a conference about the French Resistance and invited André to speak. I met him from the ferry and brought him home to stay with us.

Working alongside my brother for so much of this time, I found him an inspiration to both myself and everyone around him. His wife Ruth and his son Bob have equally supported the Old Bristolians’ cause from the example he provided. His later sad years dimmed by the onset of Alzheimer's and macular degeneration never totally erased the person I was so proud to have as my brother. Tony Stirratt

André Heintz I was sad to read in the January 2018 “Bristolienses” that André Heintz had died, though not surprised – the Christmas cards we swapped dried up from his end a few years ago. He was one of the most remarkable men I have known. I was among the third-formers he taught French when he exchanged jobs with Eric Dehn in 1956. We lads knew he had done something great in the War which had ended not long before – I don’t know how

While with us André came out very casually with extraordinary tales of that time, when he was cycling daily through the streets of Caen carrying messages received by radio to the local Resistance leadership. As the Germans grew short of manpower they began shipping off able-bodied males from the occupied countries to work in the Reich, and André was rounded up. He knew where the train had to slow after leaving the station, so he positioned himself by a door and managed to step off and slip away unnoticed; but that was only part of the job done. The Germans kept excellent records, and if André was on the list of deportees and failed to show up at the other end, there would be major trouble. So he had to persuade a girl working as clerk in the offices of the occupation authorities to find and remove his file-card from the relevant records. André told us that thinking about BGS and its boys and staff, still functioning in a free country, was a way he kept going during the darkest times in France. I am proud to have been able to count him a friend. Geoffrey Sampson (1952–62)

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OB Wedding News

Jonathan May (1995-2002) married Kiran Farooque

Mia King (1987-1989) married Nicholas Harrington

Tom Potterton (2000-2007) married Isabelle Jackson Bristolienses - Issue 55

45


Honorary Members of the Society J R Avery

Staff 1951-1959

Staff 1968-2005

Headmaster 1975-1986

J R Parrott

1975-1982

1970-1980

K D J Prowting

1950-1958

N A Baldwin Mrs M Barrington R Berry

D M Nott

Dr A Primrose

OB Sports’ Club

Mrs R A Booker

P J Revill

Headmistress

Junior School 2001-2011

Staff 1969-1998

Mrs A V Bradley

Archivist 1994-

K G Robbins

1949-1958

M N J Burmester

1953-1964

I Rolling

Staff 1970-1907

J A F Burns

Staff 1972-2005

M Sisman

1953-1959

R J Chambers

1957-1964

R W L Smith

1954-1965

N Stibbs

1964-1972

A F Stirratt

1942-1952

P M Tottle

1960-1968

P J Tucker

1952-1958

E A Warren

Staff 1954-1988

R A R Cockitt

Staff 1963-1997

N Cousins

1964-1972

R A D Cox

Staff 1973-2013

J J Crichard

1944-1951

G Davies

OB Society Auditor

Mrs J H Duncan

OB Society 2003-

J C Edwards J A E Evans

D L J Watts

1945-1955

1941-1950

G J Willmott

1974-1984

1941-1952

D Yeandle

1964-1971

D Furze

1955-1962

K T Gerrish

1946-1957

R Gillam

OB Sports Club

D K Golledge

1959-1967

J E K Goodbody

Bursar 1979-1993

G A Hodges

1953-1960

L R Jacobs

1930-1938

P Z Jakobek

Staff 1982 –

P Key

OB Sports Club

R F Kingscott

1948-1953

R D W Lacey

1951-1962

C C Luker

1962-1969

R I MacKinnon C E Martin

Headmaster 2008-

Headmaster 1986-1999

D J Mascord

Headmaster 1999- 2008

Bristolienses - Issue 55

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Past Presidents of the Society 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913

Herbert Ashman Bart Charles McArthur C E L Gardner Bourchier F Hawksley The Rev T W Openshaw MA Sir Hubert Llewellyn Smith GCB, MA, BSc Professor H Lloyd Tanner DSc, FRS The Rev V P Wyatt MA Sir Hartman W Just CB, KCMG Philip W Worsley JP W Nicol Reid The Rev A W Oxford MA, MD T B Silcock BSc The Rev Canon F E Brightman MA D Phil, DD, FBA 1914 The Rev A B Beaven MA 1919 Sir Holman Gregory KC 1920 Sir Cyril Norwood MA, D Litt 1921 George Langford 1922 Col T H Openshaw CB, CMG, MS, MB, FRCS, LRCP 1923 The Rev Canon G A Weekes MA 1924 The Rev Canon Peter Barker MA 1925 D S Davies MD, LLD, DPH 1926 Col T M Carter OBE 1927 R C Hobbs 1928 Oscar Berry 1929 Sir Duncan Grey LLD 1930 Cyril Rootham MA, MusD 1931 Wilfrid E F Peake 1932 Sir Cyril Norwood MA, D Litt 1933 J Sumner Dury JP 1934 T Reaveley Glover MA, LLD, DD, Litt D 1935 Rear-Admiral V H T Weekes CB, CMG 1936 Charles W Stear 1937 E W B Gill OBE, MA, BSc 1938 Brigadier A L W Newth CBE, DSO, MC, TD, DL, JP, Legion of Merit (America) 1939 – 1945 Col G S Castle MC, TD, DL 1946 Brigadier M Angell James VC, DSO, MBE, MC, DL 1947 The Right Rev Henry McGowan MA 1948 The Right Hon Lord Gridley KBE, MIEE, MP 1949 J E Barton MA, Hon RIBA 1950 The Rev Canon J M D Stancomb MBE, MA 1951 Sir W Marston Logan KBE, CMG 1952 Professor T F Hewer MD, FRCP, FLS 1953 Leslie Morris MA, BSc 1954 Sir Oliver Franks PC, GCMG, KCB, CBE, MA 1955 R C W Cottle 1956 Sir W Ivor Jennings KBE, LittD, LLD, QC 1957 H P Lucas BSc 1958 The Right Rev Bishop D B Hall BA 1959 C R Setter JP, FIOB 1960 Sir Douglas Veale CBE, MA 1961 Dr John Garrett MA, DLitt 1962 C H Clements

Bristolienses - Issue 55

1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

E H Totterdill FCll FIArb K W Jones ACIS The Very Reverend D E W Harrison MA Alderman L K Stevenson H C H Punchard Col J B Cossins MBE J Angell James CBE, MD, FRCP, FRCS Philip E Maggs Edward V Colman Vivian H Ridler CBE, MA, FSIA Sir Paul Osmond CB, MA, CIMgt M E Dunscombe TD FBOA, FSMC Air Vice Marshal W J Maggs CB,OBE, MA R A Dolton D J Mann CBE, MA Dr J Mackay MA, DPhil Professor B H Harvey, CBE, MA, MSc J C Higson M L Booker MA The Very Rev S H Evans CBE, MA J B Ackland OBE, FRIBA G F Jarrett TD, MA D W Williams OBE, TD, DL E H Dehn BA J R Cottle MA P F Stirratt BSc (Econ) Major General I O J Sprackling OBE, BSc K J Stidard AE, DMS, MIMgt T L Beagley CB, MA, FCIT, FIRTE(Hon) M B Nichols FCA J R Avery MA, FRSA A F Stirratt MA Professor Keith Robbins MA, DPhil, DLitt, FRSE E A Warren MA K G H Binning CMG, MA K D J Prowting FCA His Honour Judge P N R Clark MA R Lacey MA M Sisman LLB C E Martin MA J A E Evans MA R F Kingscott Dip Arch (RWA), ARIBA R A R Cockitt BSc Professor Sir Nicholas (‘Nick’) Wright MA, MD, PhD, DSc, FRCP, FRCS, FRCPath, FMedSci D L J Watts JP, MA, FRICS D Pople MA P J Revill MA K T Gerrish BA N A Baldwin G E Ratcliffe BDS. DDPHRCS D Furze MBCS, CITP D Yeandle OBE, MA, MCIPD, FRSA M N J Burmester BA, ACIB J D Perkins MA Anne Bradley MA (Oxon)

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Old Bristolians’ Office Bristol Grammar School University Road Bristol BS8 1SR

+44 (0) 117 923 7037 obs@bgs.bristol.sch.uk www.alumni.bristolgrammarschool.co.uk

A few forecoming events for your diary... CLASS OF 2017 REUNION LUNCH Great Hall Wednesday 12 September

Check out the OB Society’s new website community

@

www.alumni.bristolgrammarschool.co.uk

BRISTOL DOORS OPEN Sunday 15 Septmber BGS NETWORKING BREAKFAST 1532 Foyer Thursday 18 October 8-9.30pm REMEMBRANCE SERVICE Great Hall Monday 12 November 10.30am CAROL SERVICE Great Hall Wednesday 12 December PRESENTATION OF A LEVELS Great Hall Wednesday 9 January 2019 6.30pm OB CAREERS CONFERENCE FOR THE LOWER SIXTH Great Hall Friday 1 February 2019

Register now to see photos from past events, hear about upcoming reunions and connect with old friends

OBS’ ANNUAL DINNER 2019 Great Hall Saturday 16 March 2019

Bristolienses - Issue 55

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Bristol Grammar School is a Registered Charity No. 1104425


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