Merchistonian Newsletter

May 2023

Spring has indeed been rather shy at Merchiston and whilst our beautiful campus is green and vibrant, the chill in the air seems to not have yet fully dissipated.

The start of the Summer Term also marks the start of the Cricket season, and we should extend a big thank you to our Ground Team who, despite the challenging weather, have done a masterful job at preparing our squares, as well as the athletics field at the back of the campus.

Just yesterday we welcomed some Merchistonian cricketeers, to the School for our annual match of Alumni v 1XI. It was a great match and the perfect evening for it, with plenty of sunshine! Final scores saw the 1XI claim vistory with 128 for 1 off 16 overs.

Thank you very much to Mr Evans for organising the match and looking after all things cricket following Mr McCann’s departure at the end of the Lent Term. And a special mention to Chris Bell (MCS 2014-2019) who helped coordinate and put together the Merchistonian team

Some lovely news coming via James Boyd, former director of Rugby at Merchiston, about Merchistonian Patrick Kelly (MCS 2010-14).

Patrick and James bumped into each other at the GB 7s in Sydney earlier this year.

Patrick is currently studying Law at Glasgow and he is aiming at taking part in the Paris 2024 Olympics.

He has also been reccommended for a Masters at Oxford.

Lots of praise for Patrick also from the new warden at Glenalmond, as he helped coach the 7s Team during the Lent Term.

Clay Pigeon Shooting

On Sunday 14th May some of our students kitted up and faced our Merchistonians in our Annual Pupils V Merchistonians Clay Pigeon Shooting competition.

Pupils and alumni travelled to Cluny Clays in Fife on a mostly clear morning with some westerly wind – overall a good day for some clays.

This is a great opportunity for our keen shots to engage with a cohort of Merchistonians who share the same sporting passion. It’s a great way for Alumni as well to remained engaged with School Life and it’s one of our proud traditions, alongside our annual Cricket, Golf and Rugby matches against the Old Boys.

The pupil team formed of Harry D, Will T, Ptolemy R, Spencer B and Thomas S put in a very good performance, despite Merchistonians ultimately taking the win, with an average of 34 to 27. On the pupil side, Harry D was crowned best shot with 36/50 - a very respectable score and well done Harry!

For the Alumni, the title went to Euan Jennings (MCS 2006-2015) with 46/50

Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award

Over the weekend we received the fantastic news that two of our Merchistonian who graduated last Summer were invited to attend the Duke of Edinburgh Award Ceremony at Buckingham Palace.

Callum Reilly (MCS 2012-22) and Patrick Bent (MCS 2013-22) travelled to London with their families to attend the ceremony and officially receive their Gold Award after completing the entire programme –during very challenging COVID times!

The Gold DoE award is the highest in the scheme and requires participants to complete all five sections namely Volunteering, Physical, Skills, Expedition and Residential. Patrick and Callum, who are now both studying at Aberdeen University, have truly cemented their friendship during their time at Merchiston and undertaking this challenge has brought them even closer together

In the words of Patrick’s mum: “Their friendship will, I am sure, be solid and enduring and when they hit difficult times, they will always be able to rely on each other - just as they did during those expeditions!”

Obituaries

We were very saddened to hear of the passing of the following Merchistonians:

Mr Andrew Morison Zuill

1937-2023

At Merchiston: 1950-1955 brother of JAS 1953, Sen Prefect, VI, xv, cap, xi, 2 yrs., capt., Fi., capt.; CA 1960; Asst. Accountant, Scot Div , Utd Glass; Dir , Zuilt Holdings Ltd ; Asst to Fin Dir , Johnston Press pie; 15 Scottish Cricket Caps, 1962-79; Golf for Stirlingshire, member, Merchistonian Golf Team, winners Halford Hewitt in 1970, 1976 and 1987, QE Coronation Tournament, 1966-67, 1971-7273,1993, Daily Mail Foursomes, 1989.

Undertaking the Award during what was for everyone a very challenging time, shows incredible resilience and determination in the face of adversity –a big part of our ethos here at Merchiston. Well done Patrick & Callum!

Academic Success

It was incredibly exciting to hear from Merchistonian Daniel Xie (MCS 20172021) as he brings excellent news of his successes at undergraduate level. Daniel has recently been awarded a grant from the cystic fibrosis trust to join their Summer Studentships this year Studentships provide promising medical and basic science undergraduates with hands-on experience of research during the academic summer vacation, with the aim of attracting the brightest and best into a career in CF research

The studentship will last 8 weeks, during which Daniel will help to improve on an assay so that new drugs can be developed to treat cystic fibrosis

Daniel has also recently received his second award letter from the British Pharmacological Society for his project application

Well done Daniel and we wish you all the very best of luck in your studies and career!

Merchistonian Golf Club

Delighted to hear from our Merchistonian Golf Club and finding out more about how their season is going.

Read below from Captain of the MGC John Macmillan (MCS 1970-75)

Scottish Wayfarers at Elie in March: After three wins on the Saturday over Loretto, Fettes and Strathallan, we suffered two very narrow defeats on the Sunday to Glenalmond and Accies and sadly didn’t win the trophy.

Halford Hewitt at Deal in April: We drew Watsons in round 1. Having won two matches comfortably, we contrived to lose all the other three in extra holes, having been up in two of them. It was very disappointing. We then progressed in the Plate to the quarter finals.

Team: Stein and Ward, McIntosh and Rolland, Mair and Biggart, Simpson and Bremner, Crummey and Smith.

Senior Wayfarers at Western Gailes in April:

Happily, we won the tournament, and indeed successfully defended last year’s trophy win.

Team: Donald & Harry Thomson, Donald McIntyre, Cowan C, David Hutchison and Guthrie Batchelor

In order Golf news, two Merchistonians have recently been appointed as Captains of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club (St. Andrew’s) and The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers (Muirfield),respectively.

Huge congratulations to Neil Donaldson (MCS 1968-73) and Gareth Baird (MCS 1970-75) on their appointments.

Coronation Stamps

The recent Coronation of HM King Charles III featured a little piece of Merchiston

Merchistonian Andrew Davidson (MCS, 1971-74) was in fact the creative mind behind the designs of the commemorational stamps released for the Coronation

What an incredible opportunity to be able to get involved in such a momentous design ! The four stamps depict: the coronation, diversity and community, the Commonwealth, and sustainability

The stamps are available for sale via the Royal Mail website and in 7000 Post Office branches UK-wide to share a poem written colleagues of Martin S 1997-2022) who sadly e 6th, 2022 (notice e November issue of the rty and foremost a family man Rebecca, Henry and Oscar plan hire had been on the cards stead and Sally would tend own country was the place otland where he’d been since j y as we can all see today

And Sally his wife well what can I say Marty used to say the biggest decision in life

Was to ensure you married a bloody good wife

There is one thing, and I’m sure this won’t hurt

She definitely wore the trousers which is why he wore the skirt

They met of course on solvency II

When you work in finance it’s the only thing to do

A workshop with many, he caused quite a stir

She talks good sense he said, I’m going to marry her

The kids are a dream their looks from their mum

Beautiful blond hair and smiles like the sun

Marty’s life with his family he held so dear, His number 1 priority that was so clear

He leaves a legacy of this amazing team

Their impact on the world is yet to be seen

His favourite climbs were in Winter and the Alps

The Eiger was one of his greatest scalps

His love for the Alps was deep and real

It stemmed from family holidaying in Buttermere

Old man Robinson, Red Pike, and Haystacks

Among their early climbing conquests

Climbing was in his bones from Peter his dad

Leading a grade 5 or 6 which wasn’t half bad

His real skill tough was bringing confidence to others

When out on the climbs they were a band of brothers

When you’re up above the rope one thing is a must

That’s knowing that you’re with a mate you can trust

[continues on next blue column]

Coronation Celebrations

On Tuesday 9th May we were blessed with some much-awaited sunshine as we welcomed parents, staff & pupils to the front of the School, to celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III. With the actual Coronation taking place during our Weekend Leave, this was the perfect occasion to join in with the celebrations and raise funds for Hope and Homes for Children, a charity which we also supported at last year’s Jubilee festivities. Our amazing catering team did a great job feeding everyone a lovely BBQ spread – followed by some deliciously summery ice-cream!

Boarding houses organised lawn games and challenges for everyone to get stuck in and the Junior pupils did splendidly in supporting Miss Arrowsmith and Mrs Blair with the raffle and merchandise sale.

Amongst other items on sale featured a canvas bag with a personalised Coronation design by one of our pupils, Harry F.

To close the event, we were all treated to a splendid performance by our Pipe Band, who really pulled out all of the stops, including drums splits

Thank you to the boys and Mr Warren for making this festive occasion even more special with their performance.

And a huge ‘thank you’ to Miss Arrowsmith and Phoebe for coordinating the event and making it a reality. And of course, to everyone who came along to celebrate and contributed to our fundraiser.

All profits from the event will go in support of Hope and Homes for Children, an international charity whose aim is to stop the institutionalisation of children.

Merchiston in the Borders

Merchiston will be holding a drinks reception at St Mary's Preparatory School on June 8th. Local families and alumni have been contacted directly, but if you are in the area or have not left your address with us, please feel free to come along.

We would love to see you and reconnect with our families, alumni and prospective pupils in the Borders and surrouding areas.

RSVP closes on Monday 29th May

You can register your interest on our dedicated page on the website h David (our head of consulting) they met y morning with all their kit ore they started Marty said David your tegy is completely (in need of review) rty was non-stop he crammed in so much f would only sleep when he’d really had ugh

August 2014 his skills of squeezing it all in me to the fore ecca was due but it was supposed to be weeks more aoke tonight before I go home to me lass am things changed and the baby was on way

Marty was in Wilmslow singing some ul karaoke rty always found a way out when all ked lost taxi to Edinburgh I don’t care what it ts here you have it an example shining ght

How he managed to do work, sing badly and be there for the family all in one night

Marty had invisible hands

Helping many people to achieve their plans

If you were in trouble from a difficult divorce

Or just looking for a job Marty was the source

Always helping behind the scene

Prompting and helping that’s where he has been

Marty would often say ‘Well just to be clear"

Then spout loads of stuff on which we’d have no idea

Marty loved to argue the toss

Allegedly he has always won, never a single loss!

Imagine a world where you always win

Where losing is just never a thing

That was Marty’s esprit de Corp

When he won and he won he just wanted more

Bettsy as Director wound Marty up

Mark’s lines were perfect you better shape up

Not to be defeated Marty stayed up all night

He couldn’t lose face always up for a fight!

You smashed it says Sach all the lines you landed

‘Sach I’m Marty exceptional come as Standard’

So Marty as the final curtain comes down

You played life hard and never with a frown

As a father, a husband, a brother, a son and a friend

This physical life has come to an end

None of us really knows what life imparts

But we know this – you will live on in our hearts

Rest up my friend your work here is done

But I’m sure you’re up there educating God and his son