Bristolienses Issue 57

BRISTOLIENSES THE OLD BRISTOLIANS’ MAGAZINE Summer 2019 Issue 57

In this issue: From there to here Exmoor Camp Remembered Classical Trip to Rome Robert Newton meets the ‘Red Baron’ From a Leaver!

Where are they now?

From the Headmaster The Dinners 2019 Reminiscenses From the President

Thoughts from the Chair

GEOFF WRIGHT

LUNCH CLUB REPORTS : SPORTS CLUB UPDATES : FOUNDATION NEWS : AROPS CONFERENCE Bristolienses - Issue 57 1

Editorial 2 From the President 3 Classical Trip to Rome 4 Thoughts from the Chair 5 From the Headmaster 6 Treasurer’s Report 8 Foundation Report 9 AROPS Conference 10 Exmoor Camp Remembered 11 Reminiscences 12 Secretary’s Report 13 Charter Day 2019 14 From there to here 16 Annual Dinner 2019 18 London Dinner 2019 20 Red Baron 22 Sports Club Reports 24 Past President 25 From a Leaver!

25 Lunch Club Report 26 Where are they now?

30 OBs’ News 31 OBs Around the World 33 Weddings 33 Careers Department 34 School Song 35 Obituaries 36 OB Management Committee 41 Honorary Members 42 Past Presidents 42 Merchandise 43

Editorial Editorial

Contents This is the third edition of Bristolienses in its new form and I hope you like it as much as the last two.

I must thank Tony again for his superb design work. Any magazine depends on both its presentation and content to attract its readers.

Bristolienses contains regular popular items and I am trying to introduce new ideas and articles. However, this relies on contributors, ie, you!

This issue has two reminiscences both of which are a great pleasure to read. One from David Trott looking at and comparing the School now and when he started, and one from Chris Yates reliving or is it re-existing, a CCF weekend with friends. There is also a short article on leaving school from one of the upper sixth.

Please put down your memories and send them in to me. In the next issue I want to have a feature on coffee bars and pubs where you went (or should not have gone), in different decades so please put your lists together.

Climate change and sustainability is, or certainly should be, very much on our minds and it is my belief that we should all be examining our lives to see how to reduce our energy consumption. Here, at the Old Bristolians’ Office we try to be increasingly paperless. More and more, we want the website (www. alumni.bristolgrammarschool. co.uk) to be used as the organ of communication.

Thanks to Tyry, current BGS Yr 7 student, for our cover image Bristolienses - Issue 57

We have significantly reduced the number of hard copies of Bristolienses that are now distributed. Currently they only go to those who pay a subscription

Geoff Wright and to some staff and governors.

If anyone receiving a paper copy would like solely to use the electronic version, please let us know.

In the next issue we shall have some interesting ‘day in the life/ life in the day’ articles from Old Bristolians. Once again please send me you reminiscences.

Geoff Wright (1956-1966) Bristolienses Editor

Views on this edition and ideas for the next?

Please write in with your views on Bristolienses Issue 57 and any ideas, photos or articles you may have for our next issue Drop us a line ‘to the Editor’ on the OBs’ email: obs@bgs.bristol.sch.uk

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From the President From the President

It was an honour and

In my inauguration speech at the Annual Dinner I explained how as a privilege to be invited to Deputy Head of School I regularly be your President for 2019. used to speak in the Great Hall at assemblies and other school Following Martin (President events. I still remain in awe of in 2001) we are the first the wonderful tradition and father/son combination to history that it represents and assume the role.

I look forward to attending many events there as I am looking your President over forward to the coming months. the year in The next events office although will be the Leavers’ it seems to Dinner in be racing by June and then Prize already with Giving where I will many enjoyable be in full recruitment events already mode to make attended, sure that all this including the year’s leavers are wonderful left in no doubt of Martin and John Sisman Annual Dinner the benefits (personal and London Dinner and professional) of at The Oval (reported elsewhere in membership and engagement with this edition) and it seems quite a the Society. few in the diary to come!

The Management Committee As I sit down to write this I have would be pleased to hear from any just seen a wonderful old picture OBs who would like to add their on the OB’s social media site own energy and enthusiasm to a reminding us all that it is 140 role within The Society. The Society years since the school moved to is particularly keen to appoint a its Tyndalls Park site. It is also 110 London and regional representative years since Carmen Bristolienses and to offer more frequent and was first sung in the Great Hall. varied events to members. All ideas and volunteers welcomed.

John Sisman 2018/19 has been an exciting academic year at BGS as the School welcomed Jaideep Barot as the new Headmaster. As a current Governor I was at least in small part responsible for the appointment and from the initial signs I think we got it spot on and the school is in very safe hands.

Rod Mackinnon left the school with a wonderful legacy and we all owe him a great debt of gratitude. I know that the Headmaster plans to build further on this and I am encouraged that he recognizes the OBs as a key component to the vibrancy of the school’s community and success.

The Society will continue to work closely with the school to ensure the OBs are right at the heart of all that is so strong in our School. My belief is that while we were pupils at BGS for a few years, we are OBs for life. We all need to consider what does The Society and being an OB mean to you?

How can you help others access the same opportunities and high level of education we were so fortunate to have experienced irrespective of means? This is something that we will be returning to time and again

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From the President From the President in the future months and years. I would love to hear from any OBs with your own views and opinions.

Please do get in touch.

office of Peter, Anna, Anne and Tony also work tirelessly on all our behalf. Thanks to Anna as she leaves the school after many years and we wish her well for the future.

Following the sad passing of Rod’s wife Bernice, we all convey our thoughts and condolences to him. I was able to represent both the school and the Society at her funeral service near their home in Suffolk. We hope to be able to welcome Rod back to see his ‘Bristol family’ at some future OB’s events. He knows he is always most welcome.

I should like to thank Melanie Guy who had a wonderful Presidential year and left a strong act to follow.

She has been so helpful with advice and support and I should

In the meantime keep an eye open for future events including Luncheon Club, OBs Oxford, Christmas drinks, Careers Conference and a Sporting Re-union at Fortress Failand in the Autumn.

All the very best to you and your families and enjoy the Summer.

John Sisman and Melanie Guy

also like to thank Geoff Wright who as Chairman is the driving force of The Society together with his Management Committee. The OB’s

John Sisman (Governor

2015-present, OB 1980 - 1987) Old Bristolians President

Trip to Rome

Classical VI School Trip to Rome The Roman Theatre at Orange, Vaucluse, France April 1958.

Michael Booker gives a spontaneous oration in Latin to the BGS staff and pupils on that trip and to other bemused visitors.

All are astounded by the clarity of sound and the assured delivery as the lone figure of Mr. Booker walks, gestures and orates for several minutes in the huge auditorium.

This was an outstanding memory of an incredible three week coach trip to the Eternal City.

Keith McGlynn (1953-1960) Bristolienses - Issue 57

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Thoughts from the Chair From the Chair

As I write this, we

are coming to the end of another academic year. ‘A sixth former today, an Old Bristolian for the rest of your life’, is the message I have

been putting forward for some years to recognise and promote the lifelong association one has with Bristol Grammar School and the sense of community it instills.

John Sisman echoes this in his article and the short piece from a student about to leave BGS captures the same sentiments.

I know, too, that this has been and is the view of both Rod MacKinnon and Jaideep Barot.

How best we develop and harvest this relationship between Old Bristolians, the Society and the School for mutual benefit has been under review this year and I have recently met the Headmaster to take this forward, along with our President, John Sisman and the Chair of the Governors, Romesh Vaitilingam.

Involvement, participation in events and giving are all implicit for the continuation of the Society and for all Old Bristolians in their continuing relationship with the School. The use of social media may call in to question the need for a Society as such but I would suggest it should act as a conduit for former pupils to engage with the School and make a wider audience aware of their different ideas, enterprises and activities through use of our website.

covering both Jan’s and Anna’s roles. Caitlin Spencer will be joining us during the summer.

Anna Freeman’s departure is a loss to the School and Society. She worked in the office for nearly five years and although her primary role was Foundation Manager and support to Peter Jakobek she became closely involved in Society business and her engaging manner and entrepreneurial skill was a considerable asset in dealing with Old Bristolians and a variety of different School and social events. I know a big part of her was sorry to leave but she was keen to develop new ideas On an and activities and we wish Anna Freeman apologetic her well with these. note, I am sorry the communication Work on incorporation of the with our office has been difficult Sports Club is, I hope, drawing since before Easter. Jan Duncan left to a close, and I would like to at the start of the Autumn term and acknowledge all the hard work was not replaced, whilst discussions that has gone into achieving this about the School and the Society over the years. I would also like to were underway. recognise and thank the members Anna Freeman left around the end of the Management Committee of the Spring term, and so there for making the Society run. In has been no-one in the office on a particular, I would like to thank regular basis to deal with day to day Ian Southcott, our secretary, for business. Peter Jakobek has been all his cheerfully carried out work doing his best to help when he has in arranging and summarising a been there but has had to take whole variety of meetings that we significant time off in the last two need to run the Society, and Nick months. However, the good news Fitzpatrick, our Treasurer, who has is that Peter and I have successfully taken over a Gordian Knot and interviewed for a replacement almost disentangled it!

Finally, I make a plea for help.

The Society does not run itself. It is considerably supported by the School, but depends on significant additional human input from Old Bristolians. If you want the Society to continue we need you to make it happen.

Geoff Wright (1956-1966) Bristolienses Editor

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Message from The Headmaster From The Headmaster

As the end of my first

year as BGS Headmaster hoves into view, it seems a fitting time to take stock and reflect on the year (almost) passed.

Let me begin by thanking you, the Old Bristolian community, for making me feel so very welcome.

One of the real joys of this past year – alongside getting to know Bristol Grammar School’s pupils, parents and staff – has been the opportunity I have had to meet many of you.

That BGS is a happy, positive and purposeful place will not be news to you. As a relative newcomer, though, and with the acuity that brings, I have been privileged to experience this time and again – for example, back in October, when of the camaraderie, pride, unity and joy of the BGS community were so naturally evident at both our Whole School Open Evening and our outstanding House Singing Event, which was live-streamed on YouTube for the first time, and has – to date – been viewed over 6,000 times so far (and I urge you add to this number if you

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have not yet already seen it).

What else has stood out for me?

Much more than I can possibly fit into the space the editor had allowed me, but I must mention two events held in the Great Hall, both of which continued long-held traditions and brought together pupils and staff, past and present.

In November, it was my pleasure to welcome OBs back to the school for our annual Remembrance Service – special this year as it marked the centenary of the 1918 Armistice.

The service was led by the History Department who movingly used the current 1st XV to represent their 1914 counterparts, five of whom never returned from the conflict.

In March, I attended the Old Bristolians’ Annual Dinner, enjoying

a wonderful evening with pupils who had attended BGS from as far back as the 1940s, including one who could remember the Great Hall being used for teaching, around the alcoves currently used by Heads of House in assembly.

Jaideep Barot There has been much to cheer on the sports fields this year: the U16 netball girls reached the regional final, as did the U13 hockey girls; the U13 boys’ hockey team finished third in the national finals, the 1st XI hockey boys had an unbeaten season, and there were impressive showings in a number of our other sports from badminton and climbing to cyclocross. The 1st XV had a great season, losing narrowly in the semi-final of the U18 Champions Trophy against eventual winners, Wellington College, having beaten Eton, Bryanston and St Paul’s on the way. The team clearly did themselves proud on the field but the lasting memory for me will be of the amazing support from

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Message from The Headmaster

parents, friends, staff and OBs who came to Failand to cheer them on in their home games. One of my favourite sporting memories of the year, however, was of the joy, spirit and talent on show when I accompanied the girls’ hockey teams to a fixture at Queen’s Taunton back in the Autumn term.

The pride our pupils feel in their school and their peers reaches far beyond Tyndall’s Park and Failand!

Our pupils have such a wide variety of talents, and they are fortunate to be at a school that encourages them to nurture and share existing passions, find new ones, and to give their all in everything they do, and which does this from such an early age.

As both the new Head and a father of children in Years 1 and 3, I have been astounded by the talent and, moreover, the have-ago attitude, of our

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Infants and Juniors – at tea-time concerts (at which any child at any level learns to get up and play in front of an audience) and the Junior MADD event (Music, Art, Dance, Drama), at Infant Sports Day, during the Young Voices spectacular at the National Arena in Birmingham, in their weekly assemblies, and at the I&J Christmas Carol Concert, to name just a few. Those of you who were lucky enough to see these or other performances this year, whether the outstanding dancers of all ages in Revelio, our gifted musicians and soloists at St George’s, or the exuberant and uplifting production School of Rock, cannot fail to have been impressed by the dedication and wholehearted commitment on display, not to mention the talent. In over twenty years working in schools, it is no exaggeration to say that School of Rock was the best school production I have come across. Feelgood, energetic, technically polished, and with impressive US accents throughout, I will always remember it with a huge smile.

Yes, BGS is a special place, and becoming part of the BGS family has been an immense privilege and great fun. BGS is thriving in all areas, and I remain immensely grateful to my predecessor, Rod MacKinnon, for leaving the school in such fine fettle, and affording me the luxury of time this year - to look, to listen and to absorb.

There is, of course, work to be done in some areas – even in some of those mentioned above – but there is a shared desire to get on with it, to keep the school at the forefront of all that is good in education, as it has been for almost 500 years. It speaks volumes for our community that, in discussions with pupils, staff, governors, parents and OBs, our work with those outside BGS – whether raising money for UK and international charities, or through working with and for our local communities – comes up repeatedly. While we are very proud of what we already do, there is a real appetite to do more. There is a deep understanding that the privilege of a BGS education is accompanied by a responsibility to give back, and to be a force for good beyond the school gates. It has been heartening, in particular, to meet many of you in the OB

community who share this outlook.

So, while I look back on almost a year at the helm with pride and happiness, I am looking forward to the future with excitement. It is a humbling privilege to be leading this happy and successful school, one with such a genuine sense of community and belonging, which blends tradition and progression so well, and where there is a genuine desire to increase the reach of the good we do.

Jaideep Barot Headmaster

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Treasurer’s Mid Term Report Treasurer’s Report leavers who use their gap year to improve the lot of others.

The Society is fortunate in having assets of about £300,000 currently invested in the Stock Exchange by Brewin Dolphin.

Nick Fitzpatrick

The Society continues to run an annual deficit of between £2 and £3000.

Revenue is about £15,000 arising principally from annual subscriptions to the Society and donations, and from the School who provide us with both premises and administration support on top of a budget of £500. Outgoings will cover office supplies and necessities such as insurance, but the Society is committed to pay bursaries, through the Booker Fund and other donations to school

The larger part of these assets were left to us from an anonymous source, to maintain the fields and facilities at Failand. There are restrictions on its use but these do not apply to the fund in its entirety.

We are seeking to clarify the legal position but are working on the basis that 69% of the portfolio is for use in maintaining the facilities at Failand and 31% is unrestricted.

Stock markets are changing all the time but at the end of March it meant that we had in round terms £90,000 in free reserves and £210,000 to be deployed for Failand.

Nick Fitzpatrick (1954-1965) Treasurer

Free on Fridays?

There is a monthly Luncheon Club held at Redland Tennis Club during term times.

A chance to meet over a drink beforehand, enjoy a two course lunch and then an entertaining speaker.

It runs between 12.30 and 2.45 approximately.

Why not try coming to one?

You do not have to be a regular attender but prior booking through John Critchard is essential or it will just be a drink, a fast and then the talk!

Next term’s talks and dates are shown on page 28 along with John’s contact details

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 you! k n free up more money for the cause in which we all believe. a Th Bristolienses - Issue 57

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Foundation Report Foundation Report

You will be sorry to

My answer has always been that it was historical and probably harked backed to a day when BGS was sending more students to Oxford and Cambridge. So why not have a dinner in Leeds, Birmingham or Manchester? Personally I would be delighted to attend such gatherings but is it what our young alumni want? Perhaps we should gather for drinks events?

Her professionalism has always been at the core of her work and her eye for detail when organising events, her ability to do three things at the same time and her friendly approach to all members of the community will be difficult to replace but we wish her well in her new enterprise.

I was at a meeting yesterday where Sherborne School were talking about an event that they hold in London where they take over a pub and the School pays for a free bar, unsurprisingly this event is always a great success but I doubt that the Bursar will be looking to fund such an event for our young OBs. So what events would you come to? We were disappointed with the take up for the London Dinner, the 30 that did attend enjoyed it but why were there not 100 OBs at the Oval? It was a Tuesday night so maybe that was a factor for some, tickets were £65 which might be another factor, although student tickets were only £25 so why was there not a greater take up on that offer? I am told that OBs don’t want to come if they think there won’t be anyone there from their year.

My answer is always to come in a group, buy a table and make sure you have some friendly faces there.

But maybe we are barking up the wrong tree, maybe you don’t want Dinners every year, would a drinks event be something you would attend?

hear that Anna Freeman has moved on to pastures new. Anna has worked in the OB’s Office for five years and through her hard work has re-vitalised the work of the Foundation Dept.

After a successful Annual Dinner in March, we were delighted to organise the OB’s London Dinner at the Oval in May, our thanks to Richard Gould for being an excellent host and we look forward to meeting there again soon.

I have also attended two conferences recently where these events were scrutinised.

Why do you hold them? Who comes to them? What is the point of them? Personally I value our Dinner events and I am disappointed that we have not been able to organise the Oxford or Cambridge Dinners for a few years, once these events drop off the calendar it becomes harder to get them going again, partly because the current undergraduates have no idea that they ever took place. It has been said that the Oxbridge Dinners were ‘elitist’, why have them there and not in Leeds?

We do have more students at Leeds Universities than Oxford so that may be a good point.

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I have asked a lot of questions and I suppose I’m looking for answers, I hope to be sending out a survey over the summer asking a lot of questions on what level of engagement you would like with other OBs and the School.

The Old Bristolians’ Website has

Peter Jakobek been revamped and now has many interactive features. We have the capability to have groups and hope that during the next year this will be something that we will develop.

The musicians have already taken the initiative and have started a group hoping that during the year they can put on a concert and so that musicians can keep in touch. If you haven’t yet joined the Network we would encourage you to do so please go to, www.alumni.bristolgrammarschool.co.uk

We are hoping that the platform will enable a lot more communication between OBs, young alumni looking for mentors or even just some advice as they start their careers. But it is capable of much more, we can build a community through the Groups and give more opportunities for OBs to get together in the future.

The Business Breakfast Meetings have been put on hold this term but we are hoping to run a full programme next year starting with a meeting in the Autumn term.

All details will be posted on the website.

If you would like to get involved please feel free to contact me at school.

Peter Jakobek

(Staff 1982 to date)

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AROPS Conference AROPS Conference

I attended the Annual

AROPS Conference at the Magdalen College School in Oxford in May. Those of you that follow my AROPS reports will not be surprised by this, as Chairman I really have to be there, I also have to put the programme together which can be quite a task as I think I have used up all of my good ideas over the last three or four years.

At a committee meeting in January I was asked to get a ‘Notable Head’ to come and talk to conference this year.

I started thinking if I knew any notable Heads and when Chris Jeffery turned me down I had to start thinking outside the box. “Why don’t you ask the Chair of HMC? “ I was asked, (challenged). The next day I had my meeting with the Head, “I don’t suppose you know the Chair of HMC”, “Well I was having dinner with him last week, why do you ask?”

Peter Jakobek & Shanuk Mediwaka

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So we did get Shaun Fenton to address the Conference and he was the Notable Head that I was asked to deliver; in a fascinating talk he covered a range of issues that will probably affect the Independent school market in the next few years.

Rising fees, bursary places and how Societies and School’s Development can work together in the future.

I was also able to attend a couple of breakout sessions during the day, the first was about running alumni events and how to engage different groups with different types of gatherings. I hope that this will help me get more of you involved in the next few years. The other session I attended was taken by a group from Rugby School who through their Society fund 30 internships for their leavers every year. This type of engagement is at the forefront of alumni work, finding placements and interviewing the candidates plus following up all takes time and the work that Rugby are doing is a model that we could follow.

Bill Gillen & Peter Jakobek

I have enjoyed all of the AROPS

Conferences that I have attended, I would like to thank Tat Ratcliffe for introducing me to the Committee but I do sometimes regret going to that first conference with him at Portsmouth Grammar School when I’m catching the 22.45 train back to Bristol on a Thursday night!

Which brings me to ask once again if there is anyone who would like to get more involved in AROPS Meetings, they are really designed for volunteers to find out more about how they can help their Society. Meetings are held around the country so you could attend meetings in either London, Surrey, Birmingham, York or Bristol and also come to the Conference. I will advertise these meetings on the website in future to encourage you

to take part.

We have yet to set a venue for next year but no doubt I will be there.

Peter Jakobek

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

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Exmoor Camp Exmoor Camp Remembered

1962 CCF Army

section camp on Exmoor remembered.

When we get older we like to reminisce - but when Richard Parsons suggested going back to 1962 to find the field on Exmoor where the CCF Army section’s camp was held, he clearly needed help. This came in the form of Chris Yates, Mike Burmester, David Powell, Bob Heath and Henry Gillett.

On a cold, damp day at the beginning of April, Parsons and Yates formed the Advance Party to carry out a recce of the area.

The 1962 Chronicle report gave the location as a green field near Furzehill on Exmoor. We found two farms - North and South Furzehill!

The lady at North Furzehill took us around her farm but we decided that the terrain did not suit. South Furzehill looked more promising but we needed more information and decided to arrange a follow-up visit.

So on 22nd May, Part II Orders were issued and Parsons, Yates and Powell met at the Crown Hotel in Exford ( no tents for us this time!) to continue the search.

However, even after a lengthy trek around the adjacent area, we couldn't quite pinpoint the camp field. On return we looked around an 11th century chapel and prayed for guidance.

We revisited North Furzehill Farm and were again warmly welcomed. We were shown their working Water Wheel and chatted about our mission.

We returned to the Crown where the rest of the evening was spent in quiet contemplation ( Ok we may have had a couple of glasses of red!) The following morning, after breakfast, the four of us prepared to seek the location of the 36 hour exercise at Brendon Two Gates. This time we were successful and, after a trek across the moor, were happy to move on to do some tourist stuff.

After a pub lunch overlooking a ford in Oare we went our separate ways, our heads full of memories of a very pleasant two days and rather more vague memories of a week nearly 57 years ago.

Diverse memories included the train journey from Temple

Meads to Minehead, a very wet 36 hour exercise, variable quality food, primitive latrines, a trip to the cinema at Lynton ( still operating to this day), a wet trip to Ilfracombe and various other ‘Army’ exercises.

The abiding memory is of the comradeship as well as the learning of such skills as leadership, map reading and endurance. The CCF made men of us and we are still grateful for the opportunities it gave us.

If you attended the camp in 1962 please let us have your memories.

A further visit is planned.

Any thoughts to rarparsons55@gmail.com or chris338yates@btinternet.com

Chris Yates (1958-1965)

Burmester was to join us later; Heath and Gillett were unable to come.

We drove to South Furzehill where we left the car; off we went with packed lunches and high hopes. Powell was convinced we were at the right farm because he recalled fetching water and remembered the layout.

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Richard Parsons, Chris Yates, Mike Burmester & David Powell

Chris Yates, Richard Parsons & David Powell

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Reminiscenses Reminiscenses

passage also used at times by the CCF for rifle practice. No showers.

This was a very masculine establishment as girls had not yet arrived and pupils were addressed by their surnames; some of the older staff even addressed me as ‘Trott’.

David Trott

If, as a newly appointed

member of the P.E staff I was able to return in 1955,what changes would I find?

Well, I would be able to park my car, for as far as I remember only three cars were parked in front of the school. At the rear of the school I would see a the large expanse of Tyndall’s Park. So much grass that in summer the cricket nets would be fully booked and, more importantly, it was a playground for up to a thousand boys.

As it was break time a small group of younger boys could be seen drinking milk from bottles and a prefect went by wearing his blue cap with yellow band.

Because it was the end of term boys were changing in the gym after a game of ‘pirates’ having hurtled round using ropes, beams, boxes and wallbars. Health and Safety measures were not in fashion! Changing facilities were very basic and took place in a

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Entering the staff room I would have been enveloped in smoke issuing from the pipes and cigarettes of many smokers whilst others were reading hand written notices, not digitally enhanced ones.

Games were exclusively at Golden Hill and to get there boys either waited for a bus or walked and many did walk.

Arriving at Golden Hill you would be welcomed by the inimitable Mr Allen who would probably be pumping up and lacing the motley shaped leather rugby balls which he would issue, with a whistle, to staff.

How differently they were from the present plastic ones.

I used to help stage manage the main school play which was always a Shakespearean production.It was performed at the Vic Rooms and on the Monday of the first performance, John Garrett, the headmaster, would sit on the front row during the dress rehearsal and observe the whole play. Later that week a review would be printed

in The Times. I remember that in Romeo and Juliet the part of Juliet was very convincing in spite of his rather masculine walk.

In 1955 there was no major Library, no Sports Hall, no fabulous Performing Arts Centre and no really small persons eating their lunches in the Great Hall as happens nowadays but there was Miss Powell,(books), and Miss Parr,(headmaster’s secretary), who, to a new member of staff seemed to run the school.

Changes there were but much remains the same and as I leave the school after a Remembrance Service and pass the ‘Sergeant’s box’ I can’t help looking back on that day when I first looked up at the stern stone visage of Henry VIII as I crossed the threshold before my interview.

Now where did I park my car?

David Trott

(Ex-Staff 1955-1990)

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Secretary’s Report Secretary’s Report As Nick will no doubt admit, it has been challenging to say the least but his determination to get everything back on track has been impressive.

Ian Southcott

The Times They Are a Changin’. Although

change is inevitable, it is the pace and the degree of change that has significance for any organisation.

Although still a new boy, I do get the sense that the last year has been of considerable importance for the Society and the coming 12 months may be of even greater significance.

We have had comings and goings, arrivals and departures and with regard to the latter, none felt with more sadness that the passing of Bernice MacKinnon.

As President for 2018/19, Melanie Guy has hugely enjoyed her time in the role and managed to attend a wide range of events representing the Society, not least the various services and acts of Remembrance held to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of the Great War. The Society must extend its gratitude for her enthusiasm and look forward to an equally successful year for this year’s President, John Sisman.

With Nick Fitzpatrick at the helm, considerable progress has been made in regularising the situation in respect of the Society’s finances.

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Although matters on the pitch appear to be in a reasonably healthy state, the major issues concerning the OB’s Sports Club involve the process of incorporation and, by extension, the development of the facilities at Failand. Led by Richard Leonard, incorporation has been driven by the desire to remove any liability from Sports Club members and officers in the event of injury or accident and to enable the Club to apply for funding from grant giving bodies.

Such funding would enable the Club to embark on major refurbishment work at Failand.

Perhaps the most significant event for the school itself was the departure of Rod MacKinnon after ten years as Head. Naturally, as we bade farewell to one Head, we welcomed his replacement, Jaideep Barot.

Jaideep and his wife were able to attend both the 2018 and 2019 Annual Dinners and that provided the opportunity for him to engage with the OBs. Since that time he has hosted a number of lunches and many of us have had the chance to get to know him a little better.

From an academic perspective, the school continues to provide exceptional results. The DofE school performance tables for 2018 were published in January showing performance at GCSE and A level with this data placing BGS as the top performing school in the Bristol area at A level.

This is the third edition of Bristolienses in its new format with OB’s Chair Geoff Wright also acting as editor, ably supported by Tony O’Callaghan. Articles, photos and any other material always gratefully received.

The Annual Dinner was again a great success and we must thank Marcus Cryer for taking on some of the organisational responsibilities for this ever popular event.

The Luncheon Club continues to attract a regular audience and remains a popular fixture in many a diary.

Social events elsewhere have been the subject of discussion. London Drinks continue to be popular but

beyond that some new thinking may be required – all suggestions welcomed!

During the past year, your officers, committee members and support staff have been doing sterling work during an important time for the Society.

In the coming year, we will continue to embrace these changes and look forward to the Old Bristolians going from strength to strength.

Ian Southcott (1964 – 1971) Secretary

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Charter Day 2019 Charter Day 2019

The 77th annual Charter Day service

took place in the Great Hall on the afternoon of Friday 15th March as the ‘School March for Climate’ occupied College Green and the surrounding area.

The Bristol Cathedral service was introduced by John Garrett in the 1940s. Previously it had been held in the Great Hall as it has occasionally since.

The service started on the dot of 3 pm after the Headmaster, the Deputy Lord Mayor of Bristol (Cllr.

Lesley Alexander), the Head and Deputy Head of School (Sujan Canagarajah and Ellie Smyk) had processed to take up their seats on the rostrum.

A selection of hymns, prayers and readings took place after the introit and a welcome from Jaideep Barot.

‘I vow to thee my country’ brought a lump to the throat.

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Rev. Paul Revill OB (son of Philip) gave the address.

He recalled a couple of events from his time at BGS, explaining that such memories stay with you for the rest of your life. He focused on Luke 2 with ‘teenage’ Jesus talking to teachers in the temple and the four key messages: wisdom, stature, favour of others and favour of God. He believed that the last was essential to achieve the first three. Paul ‘saw the light’ when in the 6th form he accompanied his chemistry teacher to the Victoria Rooms for a religious gathering.

followed by alumni and students, organist Nigel Nash played the Coronation March - Orb and Sceptre by William Walton, which very much befitted the occasion.

More prayers followed as well as the anthem Indodana, a traditional

Many school staff were involved in the organisation and preparation for the event but special thanks from Old Bristolians must go to Anna Freeman for sending out invitations, eleventh hour administration connected with change of venue. and doubtless

South African song and another hymn.

other tasks. Pete Jakobek greeted alumni and guests upon arrival alongside Anna.

The service ended with the school song sung at full throttle. As the Headmaster and his party departed

Mike Burmester (1953-1964)

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Charter Day 2019

Photographs by OB Nicola Thomas (Pearce) 2001-2008

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15

From there to here From there to here As I sit writing this on

the balcony of an apartment in the heart of Athens, I have to confess that Bristol - and BGS in particular seem rather distant in more respects than one (not least, climate!)

And yet, I can still remember with surprising clarity the day I first set foot in the Great Hall during an Open Day in what must have been 1989 - and being utterly mesmerised by it - as well as my first morning in Form 1:1 (as was), on the upper floor of the Princess Anne Building in September 1990.

Peter Jakobek took us through our paces as Form Tutor and Roger Perry amazed a boy from the sticks by promising that, by the time we got home that first day, we would be able to greet our parents in Latin - which I duly did!

It is perhaps unsurprising that, almost thirty years later, life has taken a number of twists and turns which would have been entirely inconceivable for that 11-yr old boy from Nailsea in 1990.

I now find myself ordained a Priest in the Church of England, and currently serving the congregation of St Paul’s, Athens, within the Diocese in Europe (yes, such a thing exists!) whilst lapping up the alltoo-brief experience, with my wife and two daughters, of a family ‘gap year’ in Greece.

As I think about the journey from there to here, I can’t help but chuckle first of all at the generous providence of King Henry VIII in establishing so many enduring institutions to serve my education and career...

I moved seamlessly from Bristol Grammar School (as we know, founded by Henry’s Royal Charter in

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1532) to Trinity College, Cambridge (His Majesty graciously ‘merged’ the existing colleges of Michaelhouse and King’s Hall to form Trinity in 1546) and then, after an interlude in the less regal world of marketing and commerce, to the Church of England in the particular form Henry decided to shape it. If only his legacy had been so fruitful and lifegiving in every respect…

On a more serious note, those years have included enriching study - I was the only person in my year at Trinity combining Latin and Italian (credits: Roger Perry, David Miller, Barbara Bell, Maddalena Davidson); travel, including a year abroad, during my degree, in Siena, Italy; and the building of home and family life back in Bristol.

In a particularly strange twist, my ten-year career in PR and marketing latterly brought me back into contact with BGS when the company I worked for won the School’s contract; and later, as a freelancer, I was delighted to work closely with then Headmaster Rod Mackinnon on a number of communication projects.

All of those experiences, in different ways, have led me to today but, looking back (as is so often the most enlightening perspective) I can trace the milestones and staging posts of a vocation - in my case, to serve the Church. Often these were encouraging comments from friends, teachers and loved ones which, even if they, and I, didn’t

realise the exact nature of it at the time, were building up a more confident picture of who I was called to become. Never underestimate the power of an encouraging word!

In this vein, the Danish theologian, Soren Kierkegaard, wrote of vocation: ‘Now, with God’s help, I will become myself.’ Similarly, Walter Brueggemann talked about the meshing of our own wills with that of God: fulfilment lay in the perfect alignment of the two.

But the language of vocation is not only confined to the Church. In many fields of life and endeavour medicine, teaching, public service, research and innovation, art and creativity of all kinds, philosophy - those who offer their particular gifts and skills to the world, who respond to a ‘call’ on their life, often at some personal cost and with not a little courage, find that they discover not only more of their own personal fulfilment but also enrich society by making their own unique contribution.

That journey which started for me at BGS in 1990 circles back there again this year as my two daughters join the School (in Reception and Year 5) and we find ourselves as a family back at the heart of the BGS community.

30 years hence, I suspect they will find themselves in a world which hasn’t even been imagined yet - but what they will learn at BGS, with God’s help, will enable them to navigate whatever the future holds.

Reverend James Harris (1990-97) Assistant Chaplain Anglican Church in Greece (St Paul’s, Athens)

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OLD BRISTOLIANS’ 107 TH ANNUAL DINNER Great Hall, 16th March 2019

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The Dinners The Dinners

ANNUAL DINNER 2019 The Old Bristolians have enjoyed two very different, but equally as enchanting dinners over the past Year.

The first, which was the 107th Annual Dinner, was held in the Great Hall on the 16th March. The evening began with a group of about 25 watching the England vs Scotland game in the Owen room, this was accompanied by an ‘Honesty Bar’ and was a most enjoyable precursor to the main event.

The usual formalities were carried out with precision timing, we all enjoyed the Head Boy’s words and Grace. Following a fine dinner, it was fascinating to hear the Headmaster’s report on School life, and I know that all the Old Bristolians who were present were extremely confident that the School is in safe hands.

Head of School Sujan Canagarajan

It was a delight to listen to Melanie Guy’s review of her year as President, and exciting to hear

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the New President, John Sisman’s, views and objectives for his year ahead, The Dinner had a very different feel to it this Year, we were treated with music from one of the School’s many excellent bands as we arrived and they also played us out at the end to rapturous applause. I have to say that the standard was extremely high. The guests were also entertained during the meal by some pupils from the school performing ‘Street Magic’. Again to a very high standard. The School really is enjoying a surge of pupil participation and enthusiasm in the Arts, which is enjoyed by so many throughout the year at the 1532 Theatre.

The food was excellent as always, and the wines were enjoyed by all.

A thank you must go to Michele and her team for once again providing a wonderful evening.

The Committee were very pleased to note that parents from the school took a table at the dinner, which we believe is something to be encouraged.

Thanks must also go to the team who organize this event, Peter Jakobek, and Geoff Wright who commit a great deal of time to ensure that things run smoothly.

Next year’s Annual Dinner The highlight is on Saturday 14th March. of the evening Please come and join us in was without the Great Hall for what is doubt bound to be another great Josephine day.

Goddard Rebecca Guy, Kitty Hardman & (OB) who Josephine Goddard was nothing short of remarkable. Josie is a Marcus Cryer (1981-1993) highly acclaimed and established soprano who treated us to the most Current Parent OB Management Committee wonderful selection of operatic songs to the obvious delight of the outgoing president.

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Annual Dinner 2019

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The Dinners The Dinners

LONDON DINNER 2019 The second Dinner

held this year was also an absolute treat. It was hosted

by Richard Gould (OB) in the Committee room of the Oval.

Following a tour of the ground, we were allowed to inspect the Hallowed Turf, and indeed had a photo opportunity on the main square.

We then adjourned to the Committee room which was a wonderful panelled room, with an

unprecedented view of the ground.

The food was delicious, and was accompanied by some splendid wines.

Again we were treated to some great speeches. Firstly from the Headmaster, who caused one of the largest cheers ever heard at The Oval when he reported on victories over Clifton College. Then our President spoke and despite the odd heckle from his school chums, delivered an interesting and informative view of his aspirations for the Old Bristolians.

We were then treated to an incredibly witty insight from Richard Gould into everything from blowing up ammunition dumps in Canada to the day-to-day responsibilities and duties of being CEO of the Oval.

A big thank you must go to Richard

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for a fabulous evening, it was such a privilege to be hosted at such a wonderful venue, and I know that everyone who attended really appreciated all that he and his team did for us.

I can’t let this opportunity pass without thanking Anna Freeman for her tireless hard work this year and in previous years. I am sure we all wish Anna the best moving forward and we hope to see Anna back as a guest in the future.

Marcus Cryer (1981-1993) Current Parent OB Management Committee

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London Dinner 2019

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Robert Newton (OB) meets the ‘Red Baron’ The ‘Red Baron’ WWI saw many Old Bristolians fight and some never return home. The Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) were created in 1912 and existed separately for most of the war.

Towards the end of the war they merged to form the Royal Air Force (on 1 April 1918) and were active on the Western Front The use of aircraft grew to include reconnaissance, strafing enemy emplacements, bombing German military airfields and industrial and transport facilities, and air combat.

Robert Francis Newton was an Old Bristolian who flew and sadly died at the hands of the infamous German fighter pilot Manfred von Richthofen.

Time at BGS Robert was the third of four brothers that attended the school.

He was born on 1 June 1893, son of Marcellus Henry Newton and his wife Katherine Emily Newton.

His older brothers, Henry Monck and John Bertram joined in 1903, whilst Robert and his younger brother Clement Vaughan were at school from 1904-1910. Clement and Vaughan were both keen sportsmen and gained Senior House Colours (Beames’ or The Brown House) in 1910.

The Chronicle records that Robert ‘has proved most useful both in batting and bowling. Must learn to lunge out with the left foot in playing forward. As a slow bowler should rely more upon his field’.

Of Clement it was said, ‘Has a very smooth left-hand action and with coaching and practice ought to be

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a good slow bowler. Is good in the field and has made several very smart catches.’

Robert left somewhat unexpectedly on 8 April 1910, shortly before his 17th birthday, to join Lloyds Bank. He had studied a wide range of subjects including French and German and had clearly been a talented student in maths, technical drawing and science. At that time the family lived at 48 Cotham Road.

War Service Henry, Robert and Clement all served in WWI. Clement was a Captain in the Royal Sussex Regiment and was awarded the Military Cross. The entry in the London Gazette (14/08/17) reads, ‘His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to confer the Military Cross in recognition of conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in the field. After leading his company with great determination and courage to its objective, he showed skill and fearlessness in consolidating, personally leading out his covering parties and fearlessly exposing himself to machine-gun and rifle fire, in order to supervise and encourage the work. He held his line for four days, setting a fine example to his men.’

Henry served as a Lieutenant in the Cheshire Regiment.

he saw action on the Western Front. At 12.30pm on 2 April 1918 he was flying with the pilot 2nd Lt. Ernest David Jones. They were on a bombing raid over enemy

lines in their aircraft, an R.E. 8 (A3868) when they encountered von Richtfhofen flying his Fokker DR I (477/17). Robert (aged 24) and Ernest (aged 19) were shot down over Hill 104, North East of Moreuil in France. Both men died and their bodies were not recovered.

In von Richthofen’s own combat report there is a full account of the air action in which he commends

Later, whilst serving with the Lancashire Fusiliers he was taken a prisoner of war on 21 March 1918, he was repatriated 17 December 1918.

the bravery of his adversary. This was von Richthofen’s 75th victory out of 80. Only 19 days later von Richthofen was himself shot down and killed on 21 April 1918, aged 25.

Robert joined the Royal Flying Corps as a Second Lieutenant. As an observer in the 52nd Squadron,

Ernest was born in 1899. In 1911 he was living with his brother, Ivor,

22

Robert Newton (OB) meets the ‘Red Baron’ and widowed mother, Matilda, in Llanfaes, Brecon. He had attended Brecon Grammar School for boys before leaving to join Barclays Bank.

Robert Newton and Ernest Jones are remembered with Honour at the Arras Flying Services Memorial (pictured right).

Carrie Rosser

Assistant Archivist 2018 to date Ex-Staff Physics 1984-2018

The photograph below taken in 1909 shows them as part of the School’s First XI cricket team.

(Reference July 1909 Chronicle photo at start of edition)

Useful Info https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_victories_of_Manfred_von_Richthofen Red Baron’s Story - https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-i/manfred-baron-von-richthofen

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Sports Club Report Sport - Hockey Club Report OBHC 2018/19 Season

What a season – our Men’s 1st XI promoted, our U14 Girls Avon Champions, our U14 Boys Regional finalists in the England Hockey championships and our U12s 3rd in the Avon tournament.

All of our senior teams competed well in their Leagues, with our Men’s 2s only narrowly missing out on promotion. We didn’t have a single side threatened by relegation and although there were challenges with availability some weeks, we managed to put full squads with subs to the majority of our games.

With around 150 OBs competing on a hockey pitch every weekend that is no mean feat.

I would like to thank all of the umpires who have enabled those games to take place, many of them travelling great distances and umpiring more than one game to

ensure everyone can play.

The Committee has

been amazing, putting in a lot of hard work during the Season, without which none of us would be able to play.

A strong and supportive team has

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been formed this year which has helped us achieve some of our objectives off the pitch.

Our Award winners this year must be congratulated for the standard of play they have reached and the effort they have put into helping our Club be as good as it is. We recognise service and contribution to the Club through awarding the Fred Smith prize (won by Nick Stibbs for being one of our key umpires, regularly doing two or three games each weekend) and Margaret Barrington prize (won by Aashraya Shankar who not only captained our ladies’ 1s, but supported other teams, helped with coaching and supported a lot of Club events).

U14 Boys reaching the England Hockey Regional Finals

U14 Girls winning the Avon League

Some of the highlights of the season: • We achieved Club Mark accreditation with England Hockey • We had around 65 people at our senior Club day and almost 100 at the junior club day • We have welcomed 30 new people to the Club.

I hope those of you here have enjoyed your first season with us and look forward to many more • Our men’s, ladies, mixed and vets sides have played just over 300 games of hockey • We have scored 440 goals in League games, with the M2 and L4 having the best goal per game ratios • Our Junior section have held just over 40 fixtures and tournaments with over 100 regularly attending training each week

Men’s 1st XI winning promotion

• We have a new kit manufacturer with on line shop allowing members to order their kit when they want to • We are migrating to a new web site and new Club management System • We finally have lights working along the path and a defibrillator near the pitch. Many thanks to Jo Bezant and Terry Eddolls for funding this….I think Jo was worried that Terry may move whilst umpiring!

Jan Bowen (OBHC Chair)

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Past President Past President

March 16th 2019 saw

Having left BGS in 2010 with a determination to become an opera singer, Josie went on to study at the Royal College of Music in London. She is now an outstanding performer and she absolutely stunned us into silence with her mix of popular operatic pieces ending with 'Summertime', what a joy!!

the 107th Annual Society Dinner taking place in the Great Hall and what an amazing evening it was!

I was so thrilled to be your President at this special occasion and hope all those present enjoyed it as much as I did!

From the opening drinks on arrival to the closing strains from our current Sixth Form band (Frieda People) the energy and enthusiasm was palpable. My guests included Peter Huckle, who is sadly retiring this summer (can you imagine BGS without Mr Huckle?) and of course the Headmaster, Jaideep Barot.

All the usual formalities went

Josephine Goddard & Melanie Guy

smoothly but the absolute highlight of the evening was our wonderful singer Josie Goddard. I was absolutely delighted that she was available on that evening and enthusiastic about coming back.

Thanks must go to Marcus Cryer, Pete Jakobek and of course to the committee chaired by Geoff Wright for all the hard work involved in bringing this all together. Next year we hope to welcome even more OBs to the dinner when John Sisman , our new President , will be presiding. Good luck John!

Melanie Guy

Immediate Past President

From a Leaver!

From a Leaver!

After 11 years at BGS, the final day was always going to be a strange experience. Although we have only left for study leave and will be returning both to sit exams and also for our proper leaving celebrations with the Leavers’ Dinner or concert, it is hard to think that we would never have another day of lessons or assembly (however much we complained about these things on a daily basis!).

time as pupils is imminently coming to an end, BGS will always be my school and the support and opportunities it has given me will be something I remember as an amazing time in my life and something which I will

be able to continue with news and connections from the Old Bristolians’ Society.

Sophie Sieradzan Wright (2008-2019)

Coming home to the beginning of over a month of study leave and exams, it felt as though my time at school had definitely come to an end and each time I go in to sit an exam, it feels unusual not to be part of the everyday life carrying on as normal while we revise.

However, whilst the upper sixth’s

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Helga Wong, Sophie Sieradzan Wright & Lara Freeman

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OBs’ Lunch Club Old Bristolians’ Lunch Club

LUNCH CLUB REPORT

This took the form of a film he had made himself with commentary, and traced how we have greeted one another over the last two centuries.

Prior to the reign of Queen Victoria there was limited scope for people to contact one another, but all this changed with the introduction of the penny post in 1840. This enabled greetings cards to be sent easily and cheaply. Henry Cole and James Horsley invented seasonal cards and they soon took off.

America in the 1890s, brought recorded music and ‘Silent Night’ and White Christmas’, sung by Bing Crosby, became hugely popular.

The rise of the cinema at the same time also contributed to popular Christmas music.

January

December

In December we we had our usual excellent Christmas lunch and then welcomed back our film historian, John Penny, who gave us his presentation of ‘Communicating Christmas’.

The invention of the wireless in the 1920s enabled the first royal broadcast to the Empire by King George V to be made in 1932 and Queen Elizabeth II spoke on television for the first time in 1957.

All the modern trappings of Christmas which are still with us include fir trees, introduced

by Prince Albert from Germany, and holly and mistletoe. Father Christmas made his appearance and added to the tradition of giving presents. Carol singing became popular with other types of seasonal music.

It was an excellent film, just right for the occasion.

------

Our speaker for the January lunch was Lindsey Hennifer-Heaton who came to tell us about the new museum that has been built at Filton to house the last Concorde and also to display other historical aircraft and memorabilia.

He had originally joined BAC as an undergraduate apprentice in 1964 and worked on Concorde for 10 years. He is now a volunteer at the museum.

Sir George White established the Bristol Aircraft Company in 1910 and this was the forerunner of subsequent companies such as Rolls Royce, BAE Systems and Airbus.

Great strides were made in aircraft design and production for the two world wars and afterwards there was diversification into cars and helicopters.

Robins were used as decorations and with the red coats of the postmen and pillar boxes, red soon became the colour associated with Christmas. Huge numbers of cards were sent both home and abroad, and special Christmas stamps were first issued in Australia.

The phonograph, invented in

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Old Bristolians’ Lunch Club

Eventually an agreed design was to include a purpose built hanger to display Concorde to its best advantage and refurbish a 1917 vintage hanger to show off many different aircraft and artifacts such as cars and lorries and other memorabilia.

The total cost of the project was £19 million and there will be a 50th Anniversary Appeal in 2019 to mark Concorde’s first flight on 9th April. Many major and local firms contributed to the cost. The motto is STEM - science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

‘Learn from the past and strive into the future’.

------

March

This month’s lunch was held on a bright St David’s Day which suggested that spring and cricket might not be far away.

Will Tavaré, OB

This was entirely appropriate, as our guest speaker was an OB, Will Tavaré, who told us about his

Bristolienses - Issue 57

time at school and his subsequent pursuit of a career in first-class cricket.

Keith Gerrish and Will Tavaré

Will had been in Catchpole’s House at school and was very grateful for the encouragement he received in sport and in particular cricket, and where his interest was nurtured. He was a member of the successful 1st XI during the early and mid 2000’s.

Will left BGS in 2008 and attended Loughborough College for three years, before becoming a member of Gloucestershire CCC. He made his first class debut in 2014 and around this time spent four winters in Australia (Melbourne and Brisbane) and another in Sri Lanka with the English Lions. He enjoyed the cameraderie and challenge of developing his technique to changing conditions found abroad and facing up to the conditions he experienced.

Foakes and Sam Billings as close friends. The cricket world is to his liking.

Two highlights stand out for him in his career to date. He scored a century on his debut against Hampshire, a great feeling with family and friends present to witness a rare feat.

He also caught a vital catch in the 50 over final against Surrey in 2015 at Lords to dismiss Kuma Sangakkara and help Gloucestershire record a notable victory.

------

This month our guest speaker was Prof. Gareth Williams, who had previously visited to tell us about Edward Jenner.

This time he talked about his recently published book ‘A Monstrous Commotion - the mysteries of Loch Ness’.

In it he goes in search of the fabled monster, trying to piece together the history of the elusive creature.

April

There had long been a desire to have an aircraft museum at Filton and transfer displays from where they were housed at Kemble. It was following the last flight of Concorde in 2003 that the clamour for a new building increased, not least to enable the last iconic plane to be suitably housed and preserved from the weather.

For centuries Loch Ness has held a fascination for scientists, naturalists and explorers who have been intrigued by stories of life lurking within it. The loch is very deep and dark and the weather conditions change very quickly, casting dark shadows on the surface. Alleged

He is greatly appreciative of his time in cricket and of the firm friends he has made. He has played with and against some of the best players in the world and counts England Captain Joe Root, as well as Ben David Perkins, David Trott, Rosemary Booker & Liz Cockitt

27

Old Bristolians’ Lunch Club OBs’ Lunch Club sightings of some mysterious creature have always attracted attention. It was in the early

monster was a ruse, concocted by an ingenious publicist to drum up interest in the area during the depressed 1930s. If so it certainly caught on to become the tale with which we are all familiar. This would explain the lack of sightings before this date.

1930s that exploration of the loch became big business with many of the leading scientists of the day, including Peter Scott, becoming involved. Ever more modern devices - diving chambers, sonar rays and a mini-submarine have been used to solve the mystery, but no firm evidence was found.

Further research has been done and continues to this day. We were shown pictures which may or may not have been the monster!

During his investigations our speaker came upon a novel named Marise, published by Stephen Lister in 1950. Here the suggestion is made that the whole idea of a

May

In thanking our speaker, Roger Chambers said that a search to find a downed Wellington bomber had been successful but there was no sign of Nessie. So who knows the truth?

------

This month’s talk was by Commander Philip Unwin RN (Rtd) who came to tell us about the SS Great Britain, the ‘Concorde of her day’. This famous

ship was designed by Brunel and took four years to build in Bristol.

She was strongly build of wrought iron to cope with the north Atlantic and was launched on July 19 1843, with Prince Albert travelling down from London by GWR to perform the ceremony.

Brunel’s idea had been to sail to

Lunch Club Dates Old Bristolians’ Lunch Club Diary Dates

The OBs’ Lunch Club at Redland Tennis Club continues from October.

OBs and their guests are welcome to attend. Please arrive at 12.30 for lunch at 13.00. Contact John Crichard on 0117 968 7451 to book your place(s) or for further details.

2019 4 October Ann Revill

8 November Jaideep Barot

6 December John Penny

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‘The Lunatick’s Wife’, an historical novel written by her BGS Headmaster (at Failand, 2nd Friday) Archive Films

New York and he had done this with the Great Western. Now the much longer new ship made her first Atlantic crossing in 1845 to great acclaim in America.

All went well until in 1846 she ran aground at Dundrum Bay off the Irish coast and was stranded for 11 months. Eventually she was refloated and in 1852 became the first emigrant ship, taking passengers to Melbourne. These trips continued, to include New Zealand, before she was used to

transport troops to the Crimean War 1856 and a year later to India to deal with the mutiny. On a lighter note she carried the England Cricket Team to Australia in 1861.

By now, in 1886, she arrived in the Falklands and her less than grand role was a a coal store for the British navy in Port Stanley.

She was abandoned in 1933 and scuttled in Sparrow Cove in 1937.

Her state of decay became terrible due to neglect and exposure to the elements.

In 1970 Jack Hayward agreed to finance her return to the UK and she was towed on a pontoon 8,000 miles back to her home port. She was returned to her dock exactly 127 years after her departure, restored and is now a fine sight to behold, a tribute to the design from which all ships derive.

Peter Tucker (1952-1958)

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now?

Where are they

Where are they now?

Christopher Bewley (2001-2012)

Christopher left BGS in 2012 (having been here 11 years) and is already a Fellow of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA) - a credit to the maths teachers at BGS. He also runs a cricket team at Mercers - a London actuarial firm where he now works.

OB News

the actors behind some of the most memorable villains and henchmen of the silver screen including Vernon Wells (Commando), Ronny Cox (Total Recall, Robocop), William Sadler (Die Hard 2), Martin Kove (The Karate Kid), David Patrick Kelly (The Warriors), Bob Wall (Enter The Dragon), Steven Berkoff (Rambo: First Blood Part II) and many others. The book also features a foreword by Steven E. DeSouza, the screenwriter of numerous action classics such as Die Hard, The

Michael Evans (1953-1963)

of pleasure. It truly is a hive of scum and villainy.’

The Movie Waffler ‘‘Born to Be Bad’ is the ideal Christmas gift for any action fan and is a bit of a must have with plenty of fascinating behind the scenes stories from some of our favourite movies.’

The Action Elite ‘A great sense of peeling back the layers of what went into making critically-lauded and fan favourite cult classics alike so enduringly popular – it’s all about the bad guys.’

Set The Tape

Has been elected Mayor of Midsomer Norton.

Emily Potter

Charlie Powell

Represented GB in the U24 Women’s Squad for Ultimate Frisbee, competing for GB at the World Championships in Heidelberg in Germany.

(2016-2018)

Charlie made his England U20 Rugby debut in a 35-8 victory over the Junior Springboks at Coventry’s Butts Park Arena.

Timon Singh (1995-2002)

(2007-2015)

Timon and Ronny Cox

Running Man and Commando. this is an essential read for all fans of action movies!

The book’s success and positive reviews has seen Timon hired as a producer/writer on the upcoming documentary In Search of the Last Action Heroes.

William Sadler

www.borntobebad.co.uk Former pupil Timon Singh has recently seen his first book published by US publisher Bear Manor Media. As a fan of 80s action movies growing up, Timon’s book features his interviews with

Bristolienses - Issue 57

Will Capon

(2011-2018)

Will was selected to play for England in the U20 World championship in Argentina. He played in a close game against Italy winning 24-23, a 56-33 victory over Australia and clinched 5th place with a 30-23 win over Ireland.

Follow Timon on Twitter or Facebook for the latest news.

Emily Leonard (Diamond)

REVIEWS ‘‘Born to be Bad’ will give you hours

Competed at the World Relay Championships in Japan and is now

(2002-2009)

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looking forward to competing in the World Athletics Championships in DOHA.

Jordan Waller (2003-2010)

Has recently appeared in his own one-man play The D Word, which

News OBs’ OBs’ News

Death Train To America’s Border’.

The judges said it was, ‘…beautifully filmed with lovely narrative moments; a very accomplished piece of film making.

It’s a film about a journey we rarely see. It showed powerfully, with real people, the impact of policy change, which is exactly what documentary journalism should be doing.’

Lucy Raffety (1981-1990)

debuted at the Vaults Festival in London and will hopefully make its way to Bristol this year. The play is a true story of his hunt for his biological father, even though by law he is not allowed to find out who he is. Jordan also appeared in the ITV series Victoria as Lord Alfred Paget and in Gary Oldman’s The Darkest Hour.

Tuppence Middleton (1998-2005)

Tuppence has continued with her successful acting career, appearing as Alwyn in Fishermen’s Friends and will soon be seen in the new Downton Abbey film.

Thom Walker (1994-2001)

Thom won the Independent Documentary Award for a film that he made for Channel 4: ‘Riding The

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Lucy has been Series Producer of Casualty for the last two years and has now moved on to work on other projects. Lucy Raffety joins All3media as Director of Development. She was previously senior producer on long-running BBC medical drama Casualty and has also worked on shows including The Musketeers, Waterloo Road and Bad Girls.

Vicki Rowlands (1992-1999)

Vicki has been offered a place on the 2019 Franco-British Young Leaders programme, run by the Franco-British Council.

The Franco-British Young Leaders programme, set up in 2017, aims to deepen understanding and collaboration between France and the UK and create lasting bilateral dialogue at the highest level with a give back/give forward ethos at its core. Its objective is to build a generation of 21st century leaders who will keep the Franco-British relations at heart and shape its future across all sectors of our societies and economies.

The Young Leaders are chosen from both sides of the Channel by a

distinguished panel, and come from a diversity of sectors, from sciences, to arts, politics, education, defence, finance, technology, energy, law and insurance.

The Franco-British Council is an independent non-governmental organisation based in Paris and London, founded in 1972 with a mission to reflect the wide relationships between the two nations and promote constructive dialogue for enhanced future collaboration.

More information at: https:// francobritish.org/en/programmes/ young-leaders.

Building on a fifteen-year career across four government departments, Vicki is currently Head of Global Threats in the UK’s Joint (Home Office/Foreign & Commonwealth Office) International Counter-Terrorism Unit (JICTU), set up in 2016 to act as HMG’s strategic centre for international Counter-Terrorism (CT). Her team sets the strategy for, and drives delivery of, UK CT objectives through international multilateral organisations, such as the UN, G7, Global Coalition against Daesh.

Mark Avery (1969-1975)

Mark Avery was an enthusiastic member of the Field Club that flourished at BGS especially in the 60s and 70s. For thirteen years he was Director of Conservation, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds; he is now a freelance journalist and author and a prominent environmental campaigner.

Twitter @MarkAvery https://markavery.info/blog

31

OBs’ News OBs’ News Steve James 1971-78

I am presently in Baku, Azerbaijan, as I am cycling around the world in

WHERE ARE THEY NOW and OBs’ NEWS?

Setting off from Exeter

my 60th year. I left Exeter on 14th April and have covered 3,700 miles in getting to this point - 4 x John O’Groats to Land’s End. My onward journey will take me across Asia to China. From there I will cross Australia, New Zealand and North America before flying to Lisbon, Portugal for the final leg.

We always love to hear about what our OBs are up to - drop us a line on the OB’s email: obs@bgs.bristol.sch.uk

And send us pictures too!

The Old Bristolians’ Society needs

you

Myself (in blue) with two French cyclists I met in Baku going from Paris to Tashkent

No Kitchener picture here but SAME SPIRIT & MESSAGE!

Full details of my exploits are on Facebook - Banker on a Bike.

The Old Bristolians’ Society needs you and your ideas and contributions:-

I am following the rules laid down

by Guinness World Records. I must cover a minimum of 18,000 miles in either an easterly or a westerly direction and pass through two points diametrically opposite on the globe Wellington, NZ and Madrid, Spain.

• Articles for Bristolienses

I retired after a successful career as a Corporate Banker and I am now pursuing this challenge raising money for Cancer Research UK and the Exeter Foundation.

If you are interested and have just a little time to give, please contact Geoff Wright at gwright@bgs.bristol.sch.uk

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• Support at our functions • Help in the office, in particular with membership and our website

32

Old Bristolians aroundWorld the World Around the

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

Canada

South Africa

Martin Dash (1963-1970) is trying to develop a Canadian network of OBs.

USA

Please contact Martin at: 12146 Osprey Drive, Richmond, British Columbia, V7E 3S6, Canada.

Chris Taylor (1952-1961) asks if any 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 his contact details.

Dr Richard Paul Mason and Peter Williams are developing a US network and are keen to hear from other OB members in the USA. For information please contact: Dr Richard Mason (1951-1957) Home telephone no: 617-803-8425.

Email: thepaulmason@hotmail.com Peter Williams (1951-1958) 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

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

Australia Phil Ohman (1972-1979) 44 John James Loop, Macgregor, ACT 2615, Mobile +61 422 309 455 Email: phil@missionsupport.org.au

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.

Email: chrismal375@gmail.com Tel & Fax: +27 31 5394960 Mobile: +27 84 657 6188

Phil is also happy to be the NZ contact

Weddings Weddings

Congratulations to Catherine (Cathie) Lunn who married Matthew Holbourne this year.

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Careers Department Careers Department News

CAREERS DEPARTMENT NEWS The Careers Department is always

grateful to OBs for the support and advice given to current pupils. Whether it

is coming into School for events, sharing experience, offering opportunities, or just simply letting us know about the latest news in your workplace or industry, it’s always wonderful to hear from you.

OBs’ Careers Event Thank you to all OBs who had offered to join us on Friday 1 February. We were very much looking forward to welcoming you back into School to share your experiences, insights and stories with our Lower Sixth.

A slight change in format was planned which included some broader sessions exploring on being employable and how OBs actually got their jobs, and we were excited about our quick-fire ‘speed dating’ session! Unfortunately, the sudden heavy snowfall the night before put paid to all of our plans as, with the best interests of all concerned, the decision was made to close the School on the Friday morning.

Trying to find space in a busy academic calendar to re-schedule the whole event was very challenging, and we hope that all OBs understand the need to prioritise the academic focus of our pupils.

Nevertheless, we are delighted

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instead to be able to include a ‘mini OBs’ event’ as part of the Lower Sixth Next Steps Conference.

This day will see pupils learn about personal statements and university applications, as well as attend a variety of workshops in the morning focusing on increasing their knowledge of pathways they are keen to explore: interview skills, degree apprenticeships, student finance, gap years, and studying abroad. We then welcome OBs in the afternoon to share what a ‘typical day’ is like for them and network with pupils at a ‘drinks party’. As always, we are grateful to all the OBs who are giving up their time to join us, and to those who got in touch but are unable to make it. We hope that you can come back to BGS at one of our future events.

Career Teas – A New Initiative In the next academic year the Careers Department plan to hold a series of career-specific events for pupils. The aim of these is to focus on a particular industry or sector each time and hold an informal ‘afternoon tea’ with a small number of guests. Interested pupils from Year 10 to Upper Sixth will be welcome to come along and learn more about such areas of work.

We anticipate that the first of these will take place mid-October, with the intention of having two or three per term. Please keep an

eye on social media for further information.

Work Experience Opportunities We are always grateful to OBs who are able to offer some kind of work experience or work shadowing opportunity for current pupils.

However, both safeguarding guidance and GDPR mean that

arranging such opportunities is not always straightforward.

The Careers Department has been reviewing different approaches to manage this, and will soon look to put new systems in to place.

Further announcements will be

made through the relevant OB channels in due course, and we look forward to OBs being able to offer a vast range of opportunities and experiences.

David Ruck

Head of Higher Education and Careers.

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Carmen Bristoliense

Song SchoolSchool Song

(Song of the Bristolians) is the school song of Bristol Grammar School, which is sung in Latin.

The song was written in 1909

by Headmaster Cyril Norwood, and set to music by the Director of Music, C. W. Stear. It is sung in the final school assembly each term, and at other school or related events such as the annual prize giving ceremony and old boys' (and girls') dinners.

The song consists of four verses and a chorus, although usually only the first verse and chorus are sung. The fifth line was updated from Norwood's original on the 400th anniversary of the school's founding.

Nunc universo gaudio, Ludo pensisque functi, Scholam dilectam sedulo Concelebremus cuncti.

Iam quadrigentos amplius Annos laudem meretur, Merendo et durabimus, Dum nostra urbs servetur.

Refrain: Sit clarior, sit dignior, quotquot labuntur menses: Sit primus nobis hic decor, Sumus Bristolienses.

Laudemus iam gratissimi Qui ante nos fuere: Domi forisque splendidi Scholam exornavere Per illos est laudabilis, Est musis cara sedes, Et nos illorum nominis Nunc stamus hic haeredes Refrain Si ludi sit contentio, Pro puerili parte, Ne superemur proelio Summa nitamur arte: Et, si vocamur ad libros,

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Original letter from Headmaster Cyril Norwood 1908 when he wrote the School Song

Intenti hoc agamus; Ludo librisque nonne nos Iam palmam auferamus?

Refrain Sic placuit nil perperam Nil improbi patrare, Nam Scholam urbem patriam Hic discimus amare: In altiora tendimus, Scholamque veneremur: Dum adsumus, augebimus, Nec post obliviscemur.

Refrain The word "Quotquot" in the refrain is traditionally sung (shouted) extremely loudly by the students at school events. The reason for this is: the word used to be sung however, the students found it difficult to pronounce so quickly.

So, they began shouting it which is much easier.

our beloved school attentively.

Now for more than four hundred years It has deserved praise, It will continue to endure and deserve, Whilst it serves our city.

Let it be more famous, let it be more worthy, However many months slip by: Let this be our first right, We are Bristolians.

Geoff Wright (1956-1966) Bristolienses Editor

A translation of the first verse is below.

Now with universal joy, Having performed games and tasks, Let us together celebrate

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Obituaries

OBITUARIES We regret to announce the deaths of the following members of the BGS Family and extend our condolences to their families and friends.

Dr. Colin Bayne-Jardine (staff 1996-2002) Dr. Stephen Dymond (1967-1974) Anthony John Fisk (1972-1983) Cynthia Glover-Lloyd Arthur Kenneth (Dick) Green (1934-1941) Michael James Haynes (1957-1965) Peter Nigel William Johnson (1957 - 1964) David William Marsh MBE, BA, FRICS (1943-1951) Bernice McCabe OBE John Picton Miles (1936-1941) Garth Morris (1953-1960) Brian Nolan (1944-1951) Dr. Philip Norris (1936 – 1946) David Frederick Scagell (1942-1949) Keith Charles Smith (1944-1950) Judge Richard John Toyn (1941-1945) Michael Upham (1955-1961)

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Colin Bayne-Jardine (staff 1996-2002)

Colin died on a visit to family in Scotland, his beloved native land, in January. He joined the staff of BGS in a part-time “retirement job” after a distinguished teaching and administrative career: he was Head of Culverhay School, Bath and later Henbury School, Bristol, and he became Chief Inspector of Schools in Hereford & Worcester.

His wise and well-informed counsel was a great help as the School faced its first Independent Schools inspection in autumn 1997. He lavished generous time and energy on his A Level classes in the History of the U.S.A. He loved people, getting involved with them and encouraging everyone with help and advice.

An Appreciation of Colin Bayne – Jardine I first met Colin in 1968 when I joined the committee of the Bristol Association for the Teaching of History. We met every month in Charles Hannam’s room in Berkeley Square and our aim was to do something about the dire state of school History teaching. History was then the least popular subject at 16 and had the worst results. Colin struck me as urbane and patrician.

What was he doing spending time on such a mundane task? I soon discovered that he was passionately interested in what and how

subjects were taught in schools. In 1971 he became Head of one of the first state comprehensives in Bath.

Thereafter we had contact intermittently during his golden years as Head of Henbury state comprehensive and Chief Inspector of Schools for Worcestershire. But the richest time was when we both joined the BGS History Dept. in old age. For both of us it was a magic time..... no heavy administrative responsibility, a wonderful school and a front row seat to watch and reflect on the ups and downs of daily life. Colin loved teaching and lavished generous time and energy on his 6th form classes.

Colin was always rewarding company. He was a giver rather than a receiver. He was a doer more than a word spinner. We had many disagreements and I learned a great deal. I thought Haig was the ‘Butcher of the Somme’. Colin said No, he did his best and contributed massively to our eventual victory. He had an encyclopaedic knowledge of military matters. The annual Year 10 Battlefields tours were one of Colin’s favourite activities. He understood battles. But we agreed that pardons ought to be given to the Great War soldiers shot for cowardice. I wrote regularly to the Prime Minister and ministers on the topic, only to receive waffle about the impossibility of retrospective pardons. Colin wrote to a friend who was a Law Fellow of All

36

Obituaries Souls. Back came the reply that Parliament was perfectly capable (as it did in 2006) of granting posthumous pardons if only the will was there.

Colin always had time for people and I believe that was as true when he was a Head as when he was a part-time teacher. He loved people, getting involved with them and encouraging everyone with help and advice. He took a personal interest in our disabled autistic grandson and took practical steps to help in connection with his Oxford schools. It was always his first question on meeting: ‘How is Jake?’ Such kindness made a real difference.

One of Colin’s many friends was Sir Tim Brighouse, the educationist who transformed Birmingham and London state schools to make them the envy of the world. They enjoyed a regular correspondence. Tim’s style was Colin’s style. You don’t reform schools by shouting from the rooftops. You walk alongside colleagues as a team, you ask more questions than you provide answers, you appreciate colleagues and you thank them again and again for their work. You fight for adequate resources and then you disappear quietly.

The last time I visited Colin was in St Monica’s in December. We spent the usual two minutes maximum on each other’s ailments. He said he had been happy in such a place with friendship and kindness all around. But it was time to go. He talked about his family and how much he looked forward to the visit to Scotland. He said how proud he was to have been the Head of one of the first state comprehensives in Bath and that it had been an inclusive and not a selective

Bristolienses - Issue 57

school. He despaired of the current breakdown in the national psyche. I shall miss him enormously.

The Romans used to say, ‘He who lives well, lives twice.’ This was true of Colin.

Barry Williamson January 2019

Stephen Dymond (1967-1974) Born in Exeter, Steve moved with his family to Bristol when he was 10 and he went to BGS where, before being diagnosed with haemophilia, he was in the rugby team. He was infected with Hepatitis C by the contaminated Factor VIII blood product.

His older brother, Howard, also a

haemophiliac, died in hospital at the age of 15 after a post-operative haemorrhage in 1969. Their parents considered haemophilia to be a stigma, and never accepted that the condition killed Howard, who was cremated on Steve’s 13th birthday – something that marked Steve for life, and he grew up estranged from his family.

A top scholar and linguist, Steve read Russian and English at the University of Exeter, graduating with distinction in 1977. At university he met his soulmate, Su Gorman, who became his wife in 1980. Following graduation he taught Russian at Catford County School for Girls in south London, wrote the first Russian GCSE paper,

sat on a BBC advisory committee for its language-teaching programme, and was a language examiner in schools.

Also a fluent French speaker, Steve went on to do an MA in business management in Lyon, and a PhD in cultural management in Paris (1987-89). He looked set for a brilliant career combining his language, teaching and management skills, and, after working for Cambridge University Press (1989-93) and at the chambers of commerce in Valence (1994) and Fréjus (1995), France, he was offered a prestigious job at the French Ministry of Culture.

The post would have involved splitting his time between Moscow and Paris, negotiating with the Moscow film studios for the Mosfilm archive at the time of the collapse of communism. But his health was not up to it. He had become lethargic, forgetful, distant.

He briefly returned to teaching, but in 2003 had to take early retirement, too sick to work and still only in his mid-40s; he died of total organ failure. He was a tall, handsome man with a quiet voice and understated eloquence.

Simon Hattenstone

Cynthia Glover-Lloyd Old Bristoliams who were involved in School Music in the 1950s will be sorry to hear of the death

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Obituaries on 13 April of Cynthia GloverLloyd, who provided the soprano voice for several school concerts, including in 1953 Vaughan Williams’ ‘Benedicite’ (‘Her technique was brilliant and her words could be heard very distinctly’), in 1956 Bach’s St John Passion and in 1960 Brahms’ Requiem (Miss Glover distinguished herself in the exquisite ‘Ye now have sorrow’).

Before this last work she sang a group of songs which she sang with the artistry West Country music lovers have come to expect of her. Her rendering of Handel’s ‘Come, my beloved’ was a thrilling and memorable experience, with some delectable high notes near the end.’

A wonderful singer supporting the School in an ambitious music schedule.

Arthur Kenneth (Dick) Green (1934 to 1941)

Dick was born in Felton and won a Scholarship to Bristol Grammar School when he was 11. While at the Grammar School he joined the Army Cadet Force and was subsequently called up during the Second World War, serving in the Somerset Light Infantry. He was wounded at Monte Cassino and walked with a slight limp for the rest of his life.

He married Iris Hobbs of Bristol in 1941 and they had one daughter, Catherine in 1949. After the War Dick, due to his injury, was not able to become a regular soldier and so returned to his job at what later became the Imperial Tobacco Company. In 1961, he and Iris moved to Glastonbury, where he took up a job with C & J C Clark and remained until 1979.

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Dick channelled his spare time into the Army Cadet Force at Speedwell and was subsequently awarded the Army Cadet Force Medal.

Peter Johnson (1957 -1964) Peter enjoyed drama, both acting and producing, at BGS. He gained a degree and teaching certificate from Durham University, but then qualified in librarianship at Aberystwith, becoming Senior Library Assistant at Leeds University.

He had many hobbies including Gauge 0 railways and horology, with his house being full of clocks of various types and sizes, all chiming at different times, but his main passion was singing. As a boy he sang in the choir in his local He emigrated to British Columbia church. He was also a member of in 1989, first as Community Bristol Opera, taking part in many Archivist at White Rock Museum productions, even after he moved and Archives and then at the city to Glastonbury. He also sang with of Surrey, where he became City Strode Opera, Somerton church Archivist in 2001. He was an active choir and the Cantilena Choir in member of the Archives Association Glastonbury. Dick had a very full of BC. He retired in 2013. life, loved music, was fiercely independent and was still driving A keen walker, he was also a right up to his 96th birthday. devotee of the written word and a fully-involved member of Holy Cathy Bakewell Trinity Anglican Church. He is survived by his second wife, Carol, his two children from his first Michael James Haynes marriage, and four grandchildren.

(1957-1965)

David Marsh MBE (1943-1951) David Marsh grew up in Redland and attended BGS from 1943 to 1951.

On leaving school, he decided to get involved in the world of property and, after buying himself a desk which he installed in his family home, he joined JP Sturge and set about becoming a qualified surveyor. Having achieved this initial target, he was called up for National Service, becoming a member of the Paratroop Regiment and Airborne Force.

On completing his service, he returned

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Obituaries to the world of property where he helped change JP Sturge into a national player and, having become Senior Partner, led negotiations with King and Co. which culminated in 1992 in what was generally regarded as the most successful national merger of property firms.

After the merger and a beddingin period, he stepped back from King Sturge to enjoy a long and productive retirement.

Work was not David’s only interest and he was involved in rugby, golf, fishing, skiing and travelling to name just a few. He joined the OBRFC on leaving school and, as was typical of the man, he not only played but became involved with the administrative side of the Club, including a successful period as Chairman. On retiring from playing, he joined the Bristol Referees’ Association and became a regular around the local club grounds including Failand. He skied with his family and fished locally at Chew Valley, as well as in the remote foothills of New Zealand when he was in his eighties. Apart from his fishing, he travelled extensively and took groups of property people on study tours across Europe.

To ensure he kept his mind sharp, David took a degree course via the Open University and obtained his BA at the age of 76. Another of his retirement activities was using his property skills as a mentor for the Prince’s Trust. In the Queen’s 2012 Birthday Honours List, he was awarded the MBE for ‘Services to the Surveying Profession and the Community in Bristol’. A few months before passing away, David lost his life-time partner, Hilary. Both will be greatly missed by family, friends and former colleagues.

Don Furze

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Bernice McCabe OBE The former Headmistress of the North London Collegiate School (1997-2017) died on 18th February. She was the long-term partner of our former Headmaster Rod MacKinnon, and they were married in April 2018 following her diagnosis of a brain tumour and surgery in February. She was awarded the OBE for services to education in the 2018 New Year’s Honours list, Bernice McCabe was an extraordinary leader, an inspiring educationalist and a wonderful friend and colleague.

We extend our deepest sympathy to Rod in his loss.

Garth Morris (1953-1960) Garth played at fly-half for the First XV for a number of seasons, partnered by Bill Redwood, a future England player, and with Colin McFadyean, later of England and the British Lions, also in the team.

He shone at other sports, though not perhaps at cross-country running! In 1960 he went to Leeds University to study dentistry, his future career. Even in his first year

he made the First XV, and later played for the UAU, as well as for English Universities against Wales.

He also played for the Wakefield club.

Back in Bristol with a dental practice, he met Sheila whom he married in 1969. Before then he had played two seasons for Bristol, winning a United cap and making 26 first team appearances. From 1969 to 1972 he captained Old Bristolians, then upwardly-mobile with lots of BGS boys coming back to Bristol to work and other talented players joining a now ‘open’ club. These were successful years – ‘Sevens’ winners at Bristol, Keynsham and Imperial, winners of the first-ever combination merit table in 1974 and gaining a league/ cup double in 1975.

Garth was an outstanding player for more than a decade at Failand, the ‘general’ in passing, breaking and kicking, though his tackling was unorthodox! Off the field he was an inspiration behind the OBs’ new pavilion and was Chairman of the Sports Club for years. Later he coached OBs, but more significantly, in junior rugby he coached his sons, Justin and Alex, who became first-class players, and later his grandsons, Oliver and Isaac.

Garth was so much more than a dentist or sportsman.

He was a devoted husband to Sheila

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Obituaries for 50 years and a devoted father, father-in-law and grandfather. We remember a man generous and hospitable to so many for so long.

David Perkins

David Frederick Scagell (1942-1949)

‘1st class cadet in ATC’ reads David’s report in 1948.

hours homework each evening and at the weekend too’. He was reprimanded for watching soccer at Ashton Gate rather than watching the School team playing rugby, but his report describes his rugby as Good – until it is overshadowed by the ATS, and he spends his school holidays at RAF Halton, RAF St Eval and Aston Down near Stroud where ‘we have to get up at six o’clock every morning and wash in cold water for breakfast at seven.’

He enjoyed flights all over the country, and from Filton he flew in a two seater Tiger Moth, the Great War biplane, and he remembers that the plane took off across the width of the then famous Brabazon runway. Incredible.

Keith Charles Smith (1944-1950)

Bristol Bears regret to announce the death of former player Keith Smith, who played in 172 first team matches from 1950 to 1959, scoring 68 tries.

Thirty years after another BGS boy was killed by the Red Baron and with the Second World War a vivid memory, the BGS Air Training Corps was flourishing, partly because it was very good fun, and partly because training could have turned into the real thing at any time.

David Scagell has just written ‘Recollections of my life’ and presented a copy to the School Archives. It’s a good read and a well written account of a very interesting life, including becoming a Companion of the Imperial Service Order in 1990.

As to BGS, he soon realised he was fortunate to attend such a good school, but ‘it took some time to adjust to the expectation of three

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the university’s first cohort of veterinary students. He played three times for Bristol United in 1949-50 and made his first team debut the following season.

Nineteen-year-old Keith was an instant success at first team level.

His first season saw him make 29 first team appearances, and he was leading try scorer with 15. At the end of the season he won his first team cap, and his blazer award followed two years later.

During his debut season Keith was involved in a classic game with Cardiff at the Memorial Ground in January 1951. Bristol had not beaten their famous rivals since the war, but despite not enjoying the best of seasons they won an epic struggle 3-0 thanks to Keith’s first half try. Keith’s death means that second row Eric Hopton is now the sole survivor from Bristol’s victorious side. A week later Bristol completed a notable Welsh double by beating Llanelli, and Keith scored a try in this match too, as well as kicking two of his very occasional goals for the club.

Keith was Bristol’s leading try scorer again in 1954-55, and amongst his achievements in this season was a hat trick at London Irish. Towards the end of the decade he switched to the back row, and he played his final matches in the 1958-59 season. After this he joined Bridgwater & Albion.

Supporters from the 1950s will remember him as a powerful winger. He was a difficult man to tackle and he often completed his bursts up the wing with a trademark leap over the line.

Keith Charles Smith attended Bristol Grammar School and continued his education at Bristol University, where he was one of

Keith Smith was a regular player with Somerset for several seasons, and in all he played 24 times for the county. He had a remarkably long career as a vet, only retiring when he was 75.

All at Bristol Bears send their condolences to Keith’s family at this sad time.

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Obituaries Judge R J Toyn (1941-1945)

Judge Richard John Toyn, who has died aged 90 was a pupil between 1941 and 1945. John hailed from a Methodist family and his Christian faith shaped his entire life. It was during sixth form that he discovered a vocation for law.

He would often talk fondly of his association with Bristol, and indeed, in later life he and Joyce retired to the Chew Valley.

At school he developed a love of the theatre. He took part in several school productions and an interest in the legal profession

began to emerge . He then studied Law at Bristol University. The effects of the War meant a very small Faculty with just a handful of undergraduates.

After National Service, John was a pupil barrister initially in London and then finding a more permanent niche at Chambers in Birmingham. He married Joyce a nursery school teacher in 1955, she also coming from a strong NonConformist background. John was a member of the Fountain Court practice in Birmingham before joining the Judiciary in 1972 on the Midland Circuit. His instinct for fairness and justice shaped

by his faith was evident in all his dealings and he became Vice President of the Lawyers Christian Fellowship. John sat on the Parole Board and gladly gave of his time encouraging younger members of the profession. John retired in 1992 although occasionally sat at Bristol court.

John and Joyce had four children and nine grandchildren. Joyce died in 2014 and latterly John had lived in Basingstoke. ....

OB Management Committee 2019-2020 Officers President John Sisman john@sismanproperty.co.uk President Elect Richard Berry Immediate Past President Melanie Guy 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

Bristolienses - Issue 57

h +44 (0)1386 861061 m +44 (0)7774 095205 iandjsouthcott@aol.com

Bristolienses Editor Geoff Wright gwright@bgs.bristol.sch.uk

Assistant Head of School (Old Bristolians and Events) Peter Jakobek pjakobek@bgs.bristol.sch.uk

Sports Club Representative Don Furze 103 Manor Road, Keynsham Bristol BS31 1SF

AROPS Representative Peter Jakobek pjakobek@bgs.bristol.sch.uk

H +44 (0) 117 986 5222

OB Archivist Anne Bradley

Michael Burmester c/o OBs Office

O +44 (0) 117 9339610 M +44 (0) 7799 918906 abradley@bgs.bristol.sch.uk Committee Members Careers Co-ordinator Rob Hagen Baytree House The Bays, Cheddar Somerset BS27 3QW

Co-opted Members

Marcus Cryer marcuscryer@galliardresorts.com Richard Leonard Richard.leonard@ukgateway.net Trustees Julian Portch Jack Prowting Richard Smith

M +44 (0) 7545 717104 robhagen@gmail.com

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Honorary Members of the Society J R Avery

Staff 1951-1959

Headmaster 1975-1986 N A Baldwin

1970-1980 Mrs M Barrington R Berry

OB Sports’ Club Mrs R A Booker Mrs A V Bradley Archivist 1994M N J Burmester 1953-1964 J A F Burns

Staff 1972-2005 R J Chambers 1957-1964 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 2003-2018 J C Edwards 1941-1950 J A E Evans 1941-1952 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 Headmaster 2008-2018 C E Martin

Headmaster 1986-1999 D J Mascord

Headmaster 1999-2008 D M Nott

Staff 1968-2005 J R Parrott 1975-1982 K D J Prowting 1950-1958 Dr A Primrose Headmistress Junior School 2001-2011 P J Revill

Staff 1969-1998 K G Robbins 1949-1958 I Rolling Staff 1970-2007 M Sisman 1953-1959 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 D L J Watts 1945-1955 G J Willmott

1974-1984 D Yeandle OBE 1964-1971

Past Presidents of the Society 1900 Herbert Ashman Bart 1901 Charles McArthur 1902 C E L Gardner 1903 Bourchier F Hawksley 1904 The Rev T W Openshaw MA 1905 Sir Hubert Llewellyn Smith GCB, MA, BSc 1906 Professor H Lloyd Tanner DSc, FRS 1907 The Rev V P Wyatt MA 1908 Sir Hartman W Just CB, KCMG 1909 Philip W Worsley JP 1910 W Nicol Reid 1911 The Rev A W Oxford MA, MD 1912 T B Silcock BSc 1913 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

Bristolienses - Issue 57

1947 The Right Rev Henry McGowan MA 1948 The Right Hon Lord Gridley KBE,

MIEE, MP 1949 J E Barton MA, Hon RIBA 1950 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 1963 E H Totterdill FCll FIArb 1964 K W Jones ACIS 1965 Very Reverend D E W Harrison MA 1966 Alderman L K Stevenson 1967 H C H Punchard 1968 Col J B Cossins MBE 1969 J Angell James CBE, MD, FRCP, FRCS 1970 Philip E Maggs 1971 Edward V Colman 1972 Vivian H Ridler CBE, MA, FSIA 1973 Sir Paul Osmond CB, MA, CIMgt 1974 M E Dunscombe TD FBOA, FSMC 1975 Air Vice Marshal W J Maggs CB,OBE, MA 1976 R A Dolton 1977 D J Mann CBE, MA 1978 Dr J Mackay MA, DPhil 1979 Professor B H Harvey, CBE, MA, MSc 1980 J C Higson 1981 M L Booker MA 1982 The Very Rev S H Evans CBE, MA 1983 J B Ackland OBE, FRIBA 1984 G F Jarrett TD, MA

1985 D W Williams OBE, TD, DL 1986 E H Dehn BA 1987 J R Cottle MA 1988 P F Stirratt BSc (Econ) 1989 Major General IOJ Sprackling OBE, BSc 1990 K J Stidard AE, DMS, MIMgt 1991 T L Beagley CB, MA, FCIT, FIRTE(Hon) 1992 M B Nichols FCA 1993 J R Avery MA, FRSA 1994 A F Stirratt MA 1995 Professor Keith Robbins MA, DPhil,

DLitt, FRSE 1996 E A Warren MA 1997 K G H Binning CMG, MA 1998 K D J Prowting FCA 1999 His Honour Judge PNR Clark MA 2000 R Lacey MA 2001 M Sisman LLB 2002 C E Martin MA 2003 J A E Evans MA 2004 R F Kingscott Dip Arch (RWA), ARIBA 2005 R A R Cockitt BSc 2006 Professor Sir Nicholas (‘Nick’) Wright

MA, MD, PhD, DSc, FRCP, FRCS,

FRCPath, FMedSci 2007 D L J Watts JP, MA, FRICS 2008 D Pople MA 2009 P J Revill MA 2010 K T Gerrish BA 2011 N A Baldwin 2012 G E Ratcliffe BDS, DDPHRCS 2013 D Furze MBCS, CITP 2014 D Yeandle OBE, MA, MCIPD, FRSA 2015 M N J Burmester BA, ACIB 2016 J D Perkins MA 2017 Anne Bradley MA (Oxon) 2018 Melanie Guy

42

Wear your Old Bristolians’ Merchandise

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

Enamelled crested cufflinks

£23.00

Maroon/dark blue crested ties Polyester striped ties Silk ties

Silk pre-tied bow ties

£12.00 £8.00 £21.00

£21.00

Enamelled crested badges

£5.00

All prices quoted include VAT & UK postage only

Please visit the merchandise pages of our OB Community Website at www.alumni.bristolgrammarschool.co.uk or contact the OBs’ Office on 0117 923 7037

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 FORTHCOMING EVENTS FOR YOUR DIARY......

CLASS OF 2018 REUNION LUNCH Great Hall Wednesday 11 September

OBs’ LUNCH CLUB

Redland Tennis Club Friday 4 October 12.30pm

OBs’ PRESIDENT’S DAY

Failand Saturday 9 October 2019

OBs’ LUNCH CLUB

Redland Tennis Club Friday 8 November 12.30pm

Visit the Old Bristolians’ Community website @ www.alumni.bristolgrammarschool.co.uk

REMEMBRANCE SERVICE

Great Hall Monday 11 November 10.30am

OBs’ LUNCH CLUB

Redland Tennis Club Friday 6 December 12.30pm

CAROL SERVICE

Great Hall Wednesday 11 December

PRESENTATION OF A LEVELS

Great Hall Wednesday 8 January 2020 6.30pm

OBs’ CAREERS CONFERENCE FOR L6 Great Hall February 2020

OBs’ ANNUAL DINNER 2019

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

Great Hall Saturday 14 March 2020

Bristolienses - Issue 57

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Bristol Grammar School is a Registered Charity No. 1104425