O.N.AOld Novocastrians Association Magazine

Issue 81 | Spring 2011

1990 Leavers ReunionMy Year in ThailandA History of the RGS in Ten Objects

In this issue:

Contribute!We are always looking for articles and newsfrom Old Novos to include in the magazine,so send your contributions, via email (if possible) to: ona@rgs.newcastle.sch.uk or to the ONA Office at the school.

Please include relevant pictures if possible. They will be returned as soon as the magazinehas been printed.

The deadline for acceptance of copy for theSummer 2011 issue is Monday 14 March 2011.Copymay be carried over to a future issue.

ONA — Old Novocastrians Association Magazine

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ONA Magazine Issue 81 | Spring 2011

ONA magazine is the magazine for the Old Novocastrian Association

Editor: Tove Elander

All correspondence should beaddressed to: The ONA Office Royal Grammar School Eskdale Terrace Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4DX

Telephone, ONA office: 0191 212 8924 email:ona@rgs.newcastle.sch.uk

The Editor reserves the right to edit,alter or omit all submissions to themagazine. Copy may be carried over to the next edition. The Editor’sdecision is final.

Designed and produced bywww.infinitedesign.com

Contents1 President’s Welcome2 News4 1990 Leavers Reunion5 100 Yearsof the Cadet Force6 My year in Thailand8 A Historyof the RGS in Ten Objects10 BursaryCampaign13 Obituaries17 RGS Arts Diary

ONA — Old Novocastrians Association Magazine Welcome 1

Welcome to the latest edition of our magazine

I was honoured to be voted in as President in October. Thirteen yearshave passed since I left RGS as a pupil and during that time it hasbeen fascinating to witness the great changes taking place at theschool – particularly as these changes were initiated and underwaywhilst I was still at the school.

On reflection my 10 years at the school were a bridging moment –between Headmasters, staff and buildings old and new. I was taught by some ‘masters’ who had taught my dad!

It is this bridging theme I hope to continue as President by continuing to raise awareness of the ONA amongst current pupils through variousinitiatives, and involving members of the ONA during this process.

Read about the latest initiative on page 8. The history of the school will come to life as we seek to tell the story of the RGS in 10 objects. It is hoped that this project will come to a climax at the next RGS day on 2 July 2012, and I will be working with the Headmaster to ensure we reach out and involve as many people as possible. I have alreadybeen inspired by the interest and enthusiasm for the project. I hope you will be too.

I would like to thank Mike Barlow (53-64) for his enormouscontribution as Immediate Past President. Mike has worked tirelessly for the ONA, and it is thanks to him that we have a dynamic committeethat represents a 21st century RGS. Mike continues as a dedicatedcommittee member, and we look forward to the events he is organisingthroughout 2011 to celebrate the centenary of the CCF.

The last term was full of highlights. The last Annual Dinner was one of the best attended ever, the ONA prize scheme continues to develop andI was able to award the latest prize at the festive Christmas assembly. We now have a fabulous website at ona.rgs.newcastle.sch.uk – but its success relies on your contributions. We’re particularly interestedin photos from the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s, so please send photos, stories or news to the ONA office. It was fascinating to read about theexperiences of James Lawrence (02-09) on pages 6-7 as he reportsback on his gap year in Thailand – an experience we were able to supportthrough our Gap Year Fund.

I am delighted to be working with David Westwood (95-02) who willbe supporting me as Vice President, and together with the committeewe will continue to strengthen links between the school and the ONA.I’m confident that the next couple of years will be thought provoking,inspiring and engaging for all.

Adam Goldwater (87-97)ONA President

News and Events 2 ONA — Old Novocastrians Association Magazine

I read Howard Temperley’s How it Was: Memories of GrowingUp in the 1930s, ’40s and ’50s a year ago with, at first, a littletrepidation. After all, I was a new arrival at the RGS, had barelystarted to hear about the Penrith generation and had never metHoward. But I became absorbed by the book and, by the end, felt I knew the author very well, and very personally.

It is, as Howard suggests, a chronicle of a changing world. He describes with great honesty how he ran wild in Cumbria.Homesickness and perhaps a longing for routines and regimesfaded, and he led a fairly lawless life that in a boy’s imaginationmight seem wonderful, but was (as he described) really prettyrough, and certainly lacking in the usual love and comfort providedby home. His experience was not unique, nor that of the entirePenrith contingent: his account is a sharp reminder of the cost of war to non-combatants, to civilians, to children.

His recollections of adolescence and young manhood are noless fascinating. There is the extraordinary account of his friendbeing killed by a train. His description of life at Oxford is fairlybizarre, and entirely believable! In all he manages a vividrecollection of two or three eras: vivid but never nostalgic orsentimental. On the contrary, it’s a harsh spotlight that he turns on them, and description is mercilessly penetrating, if rich. A phrase that struck me forcefully was the description of his firstencounter with ‘the smell of poverty’. It has stayed with me, as have several scenes and descriptions described economically yet powerfully. I recommend the book unreservedly, not because it is by an ON, and not because it describes the RGS in exile inPenrith: but because it is a fascinating read.

Bernard Trafford, Headmaster

How It Was: Memories of Growing Up in the 1930s. ’40s and ’50s by Howard Temperley available from AuthorHousefor £11.30, hardback and £6.80 papereback.www.authorhouse.co.uk Telephone: 0800 197 4150

Ex RGS teacher Deniol Williams, who taught biology andran the rowing club at RGS before moving to MonmouthSchool in 1996, recently took up the post as Head of SixthForm at Wisbech Grammar School in Cambridgeshire.

Mike Hogg (46-54) I worked in Newcastle after I leftschool until 1963, but I then worked overseas for 35 yearsin the Middle East and am now retired and living in southwest Ireland.

Rob Blake (79-84) writes: a quick update on mattersmilitary, I spent eight years in the full time service leavingin 1998 and subsequently joined the TA. I am nowcommanding the Regional Training Centre, as a LieutenantColonel, in Strensall Barracks, York. The unit delivers TArecruit selection/training and elements of officer training, aswell as a number of specialist courses. I have some goodcontacts within the 15 Brigade area that might be useful.There are less opportunities for wearing of foliage these daysbut I have very fond memories of those days in the CCF.

Tim Armstrong (64-74): After nearly 30 years’ career withBP, most of which was spent outside the UK, I took earlyretirement in 2008 and now work part-time as a consultantin the oil sector. My consultancy work takes me to somevery interesting locations, including Angola, South Africa,Malaysia, India and Trinidad.

My wife Caroline, is French. We married in 1982. We have three sons, one currently working in London, the othertwo at university, one in Lille, one in Paris. Having recentlysold our main house in Aix-en-Provence, we are currentlywintering in our holiday home in Perros-Guirec, a veryattractive town on the northern coast of Britanny, renownedfor its pink granite coastline. The plan is to purchase anapartment in Paris; thereafter, we intend to split the yearbetween the two locations.

I’m afraid that I have very little contact with RGS, but I dokeep in touch with Chris (C.F.H.) Baker (64-74), AngusMuirhead (67-75) and my cousins Alistair Graham (58-68) and David Graham (55-64). My older brother, JohnMichael Armstrong (62-72) has lived in Wisconsin forsome years. My father John Leonard (Len) Armstrong(32-40), an old boy of the Penrith era, died of cancer in2001. I enjoy reading the magazine, even though I veryrarely return to Newcastle these days.

David Cartwright (74-77) is currently based in Melbourne,Australia, where he is the Chief Operating Officer ofAustralia and New Zealand Banking Group.

Niall Hudson (94-04) is a PhD student at Durham University.

How it Was: Memories of GrowingUp in the 1930s, ’40s and ’50s byHoward Temperley (41-51)

3News and Events

There are plenty of Old Novos Facebook groups around,but we have our own (official) group where we’ll postnews, photos and information about events on a regularbasis. Join us by becoming a fan of the Old NovocastriansAssociation page on Facebook.

Chris Thompson (64-74): I trained as a charteredaccountant with Thomson McLintock and then workedfor that firm and for KPMG for a further seven years inNewcastle and London. Since then I have worked infinance roles within a number of retailers including Asdaand Woolworths, have been CEO of the Co-operativeFuneral Service and have also worked in foodmanufacturing. I am now Chief Financial Officer atUniversity of Nottingham.

David Smith (61-68): My second career has taken me to a variety of international destinations including Botswana,Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia. Nowadays my work is more localised but still reaches the four corners of Britain,though rarely, sadly, to Newcastle.

Robert Finlayson (56-60): I’ve been married twice andhave four children from 19 to 48 years old. I have just retiredafter 25 years with Royal Insurance and then a few otherUSA Insurance companies such as Travelers, and the last one with one of Warren Buffett’s companies. I am stillplaying cricket, do rare mini-triathlons, tennis and yoga.

Simon Burke (72-79): At present I am living in Perugiawith my wife Anya, two children, Jack and Alice, and tworetrievers, Whisky and Bianca. I am managing to keep myTV writing career going despite being out of the loop herein Italy! Since Chancer in the eighties, I wrote one-offdramas and adaptations and series such as Liverpool One,etc. – but I haven’t made that movie yet! I am in touch withseveral Old Novos, including Mike Teasdale (72-78), Jeff Dodds (69-79), and Mark Allen (74-79). I thankgoodness for Sky Italia, because I don’t get to St. James’Park as often as I’d like!

Reverend Michael Thompson (58-64) has beenappointed as Honorary Canon of Newcastle Cathedral.

Forthcoming Events

London ONA DinnerFriday 4 March 2011 at the RAF Club, London

CCF Centenary Mess DinnerSaturday 25 June 2011 at RGS

Booking forms for the above events are included in this issue of the magazine, or can be downloaded from the ONA website:ona.rgs.newcastle.sch.uk

Join us on Facebook

ONA History Essay Prize Awarded

Back from visiting the battlefields of the First World War, it was the turn of the Year 11 to enter the ONA history prize competition. The title was “Keeping thefaith; a response to McCrea’s In Flanders Fields”, and the winner was Kit Mercer, with Milo Barnett and David Matthews as runners-up. The prizes were presented at the final assembly of the year by the ONA President,Adam Goldwater. The winning essay will be published in the next issue of the ONA magazine.

ONA President Adam Goldwater (middle) with the prize winners.

4 ONA — Old Novocastrians Association Magazine

1990 Leavers Reunion

And so it was 20 years later when we held our reunion for 1990 leavers, only now thoseboys are flung much further afield – scatteredthrough the Midlands, Scotland and ofcourse the bright lights of London but othersfrom France, Germany and even GrandCayman. Such was the appeal of catching up on the last 20 years.

For many it was the first time they hadstepped foot in the school since collectingtheir A level results in 1990. How things have changed. After a few minutes of hand-shaking, vague recognition and then moredetailed recollection we set off for a tour ofthe school as it is today. Of course some ofthe Sutherland buildings remain and there are many recognisable features but on thewhole there has been a transformation in the facilities available to current students.Most were warmly accepted but one or twowere condemned – glassing in the previously wind-swept porticos considered to benothing more than molly-coddling!

The hall, classrooms and stairs once morefilled with our raucous laughter as we touredaround recalling stories and events fromyears gone by. After coffee there wasunanimous agreement that a trip to the pubwas in order and so we reconvened in theCarriage which, it must be said, has changedmuch less than the school.

In the evening we all met for dinner and taleswere told of others among our ranks whocould not be with us – Alastair Leithead(80-90) who seems to travel the globeseeking out trouble and strife and TomHargreaves (83-90) who we recently readabout in this magazine, flying Apachehelicopters in Afghanistan were among those mentioned.

A touch of genius by Stuart Clark (85-90)was to bring the entire school photographthat hangs on his parents’ wall, although hedid this by photographing it with his camerarather than produce the unwieldy hard copy.There was much amusement as we scannedthe hundreds of faces trying to put names toeach. Dinner rolled into drinks at the barwhich rolled on long into the night...

We would all like to thank Tove for her legworkin circulating the information and generallygetting us all to where we should be andthanks also to the happy band of SixthFormers prefects who accompanied us onour tour round the school, I am sure theyenjoyed every one of our stories!

By the way, the next reunion is in 5 years time,2015, so please get in touch with Tove in theONA office and make sure your details arekept up to date. All of those who celebratedour 20 years will be there and look forward to catching up with more of you then!

by Rod Etherington (80-90)

The boys came from all directions, by train from theSouth or the North; Metro from the coast; a lift withparents from the Tyne Valley and some very local,within walking distance.

100 Years of the Cadet Force 5100 Years of the Cadet Force

This year the cadet force at RGS celebrates its Centenary. As partof this we are putting together a brief history of the Unit sincepermission was given for the foundation. Trying to put together all the relevant material is turning out to be a time consumingexercise, not least because of the flood that swept through thearchives two years ago. (Interestingly, this is not the first flood ofthis kind, as during the research an article was spotted in the Novoof December 1913, referring to a very similar flood in Septemberof that year that left boys undergoing an entrance exam strandedon their desks.)

The first reference to a cadet force in the RGS is found in The Novo of July 1911, where there is reference to an offer from the Governors to “furnish such a corps”. It would appear to have been started in themiddle of the Summer Term, not leaving enough time to learn “the drillsnecessary to go to camp this year”. The full title at the time was RoyalGrammar School Contingent Officer’s Training Corps. Establishmentstrength was 80, and the school secured Sergeant-Major Challons as instructor. The Headmaster of the time, Mr Logan, appointed Mr Atkinson (O.C.) and Mr Little as officers. At this time the number of boys in the school varied between 450 and 500 with the Sixth Form in 1913 being 18 strong.

The oldest photographic record found, which has been restored, was taken before a Church Parade at St Thomas the Martyr in theHaymarket (above). The Officer in the centre is the first O.C., LtAtkinson, on his right is 2Lt A W Little, and on his right is 2Lt A N Strong. No further reports appear until late 1912, after the Contingent hadtaken part in the Brigade Camp held at Bordon, Aldershot. In one of the major exercises Mr Little took command of an RGS half company, with Bridlington and Hymer’s College providing the other half.

The Bridlington OC took overall command. The link with Bridlingtoncontinues today when the Contingents meet at Central Camps.

In light of sizes imposed at Central Camps today the figures of thosetaking part are staggering. “5,000 cadets together with regular troops,including artillery and mounted Infantry taking part in the manoeuvres”.And all this under canvas for the cadets. Not surprisingly the Bell tentsfamiliar to those attending school camps some 50 years later were themain accommodation. Lord Roberts came to inspect the camp.

At the beginning of the Summer Term 1913, the new Headmaster,Major John Talbot took command of the Contingent, and Lt Atkinsonwas promoted to Captain. Before coming to RGS the Major had beenpart of Harrow OTC, and his experience there proved beneficial to theUnit. Attendance at Parades also improved when the new Headmasterallocated first one, then two periods a week in addition to the voluntarySaturday morning.

Camp in 1913 was at Rugely, and the following year, after Race Weekspent near Barnard Castle, the Contingent departed for Salisbury Plain.With the onset of the First World War much changed, not least themake up of the unit, as older boys and masters were called up, butenthusiasm for the Corps continued.

It is hoped to continue the story during the year, so consider this to bean early Chapter. Could I once again encourage those who were in theCCF in the early ’50s to put their thinking caps on, as I would like moredetail if possible about Field Days spent at Shaftoe Crags, for example.It had never occurred to us that these areas might have been used.

M R Barlow (53-64) CCF Officer 1979-Present

My year in ThailandONA — Old Novocastrians Association Magazine 6

It is hard to explain just how much I have learnt frombeing a volunteer teacher in Detudom, Thailand for the past year. Looking at the words I wrote downwhen I first arrived as a volunteer with Project Trust,my opinions have changed. Now that I have wrappedmy head around the language and what to expectfrom the culture I feel I have a better view of Thailand.

James Lawrence (02-09) looks back at a year of volunteering

James with some of his students

Motorbiking through Vietnam

7

During the year at DTEC, the college where I taught, I formed manyfriendships with students and staff. We were welcomed with open armsat the start of the year and absolutely everyone have helped us inanyway they can. At the start of the year I had very little way of showingmy gratitude to the people when they helped us. Now, though, I canspeak a nice amount of Thai and I feel more comfortable and free inThailand than I ever have in England. This is due to Thai culture, law, and the kindness of most, if not all the people.

English in the college was minimal. Even students who knew someEnglish would not speak because they felt they didn’t need to, or, inmost cases, were shy. So we came up with an idea to get the studentsto speak English with us outside the classroom. We introduced aschool currency, and called it the DTEC Dollar. I designed it and then westarted printing. To stop any duplicates we signed the back of eachdollar. Every time a student spoke English to us outside the classroomwe would give them a DTEC Dollar. Then at the end of term we allchipped in and bought lots of presents to hold an auction with theDTEC Dollars the student had earned.

An achievement I am particularly proud of was getting the studentsinvolved in English by introducing an English phrase into the Thursdaymorning assembly. We also encouraged students to ask basicquestions and offer simple answers to everyday questions in English.Now our students could earn a dollar by asking us these questions, but in English.

At the start of the year my teaching was heavily vocabulary and gamesbased, which didn’t really give the students something they could usewhen speaking to foreigners. I assumed that everyone knew how tointroduce themselves and hold their own in basic English; I was verywrong. So in the second term I introduced the circle of greetings toevery class I taught which also let me teach them how to do a properhand shake. I built gradually on this as the term went on, slowlyintroducing other questions I had taught and eventually a dialogue. With my most advanced class my greatest achievement was teachingthem the western method of telling time; this may not sound like muchbut it is because this is so different to their system. Then to back it all up we had the DTEC Dollar scheme which encouraged all the studentsto practise their English.

My gap year would finish with a three month holiday with the otherProject Trust volunteers. We decided to bike through Vietnam on Minskmotorbikes, so when the time came we bought stupid-looking leatherjackets and shades (we had to do it right!), and set off on a 24 hour bus journey through Laos to Hanoi. Our trip through Vietnam and Laosmade us realize just how lucky we were to be living in Thailand. Peoplein Thailand were just so much friendlier than anyone we met in thesurrounding countries. We felt that if you wanted people to be friendly to you in Vietnam or Laos they had to have something in return. The bikejourney itself was intense, exciting, and the most tiring five days of my life– we didn’t fully appreciate just how amazing the journey was until wehad actually completed it!

I was also able to travel to Nong Kai, near the Laotian border, tovolunteer at the Sarnelli House orphanage. The orphanage wasfounded by one of the most generous people I have ever met, FatherO’Shay. He runs the Sarnelli foundation with donations and his ownmoney to care for orphans who are HIV positive. Not only would he payfor their antiretroviral drugs, their food, and a place to stay, but he also letparents live off land he owns surrounding the orphanage. Working therefor just five days was such an eye-opener, hearing truly horrendousstories of what people went through before they made it to Sarnelli. It was a very heart wrenching, but rewarding, experience.

During the year there were huge riots, but we never really came face-to-face with it. The reports from abroad seemed to be misleading, at timesdescribing the entire country in a panic and chaos when the area wherewe lived was absolutely fine. The only time I felt uncomfortable in was onmy way back from the islands, passing through Bangkok the day afterthe worst riots they had seen in ten years. The streets were eerily quiet,there were no food stalls open, no mopeds or cars on the roads, onlytaxis. The riots in the capital worsened once we were back in ourproject. This was a horrible time because we were getting emails fromProject Trust, warning of the possibility of being sent home. None of uswanted to leave.

My year in Thailand was better than anything I could ever have hopedfor. It helped me overcome self-doubt and grow in confidence. Before I volunteered, I was quite passive and would let a lot of opportunitiesslide. This year has been the complete opposite, because I was luckyenough to spend my year with people who have similar ambitions andthe same new-found, “why not?” attitude. I have experienced a vastlydifferent culture from the perspective of a local to the point where I feelpatriotic to a country which is not my own. I have no way of summing upmy year; there is just too much that has happened! All I can say is thankyou to the Old Novocastrians Association for giving me a grant whichwent towards making my year in Thailand one of the most significant of my life!

My Year in Thailand

“My year in Thailand was betterthan anything I could ever havehoped for. It helped me overcomeself-doubt and grow in confidence.Before I volunteered, I was quitepassive and would let a lot ofopportunities slide. This year hasbeen the complete opposite, becauseI was lucky enough to spend myyear with people who have similarambitions and the same new-found,‘why not?’ attitude.”

ONA — Old Novocastrians Association Magazine 8

Inspired by the BBC’s excellent series A Historyof the World in 100 Objects, hosted by the BritishMuseum’s Neil McGregor, it occurred to me that asimilar approach could be taken with the long andvaried story of the Royal Grammar School.

After some thought, there are a number of ‘Objects’ whichwould be familiar to almost everyone who has attended the school over the past few hundred years. Rather thanmerely list and provide a photograph of each, the ideadeveloped into something wider, which it is to be hoped will forge a new and innovative link between past andpresent members of the school, Old Novos and boys and girls at present studying at our great school.

Most of the seven objects selected here fit exactly into themould. What ONA Magazine is interested in is three furtherobjects to make up the ten, selected by students at theschool, as well as Old Novos . As in the recent BBC series,we would like some additional detail through backgroundresearch, either from the study of school or local archives,or perhaps even received information from Old Novos orother sources. Of course, it might be difficult to contact OldNovos who attended the school before the 20th Century,but you would be surprised at the store of knowledge heldby many ONs from the last (20th) Century!

Here, then, are the seven objects (so far) which standout as being special to the History of the RGS.

First is the Royal Charter of1600 granted by QueenElizabeth the First to the Townand County of Newcastle bywhich its rights and privilegeswere ‘defined, confirmed andimproved’. One of theconsequences of the Charterwas the removal soon after of the School from St NicholasChurchyard to the Hospital of St Mary the Virgin in theWestgate. Where is thisCharter? What does it sayabout the School?

1

A HISTORY OF THE

RGS IN TEN

OBJECTS

A History of RGS in Ten Objects 9

Third is the heavy Oak Tablewhich stands on the stage at the front of the School Hall.What was it for and where was it originally used andwhose carved signaturestands out as special?

The School Clock must be one of the best known objects at the School. Thousands ofmotorists speed along theCentral Motorway which sweptaway the old Pinfold at theGreat North Road end of theschool field in the 1950s. Manyof them will be unaware that thistimepiece is part of our school.How did it come to grace thebuildings in Eskdale Terrace?

Sixth on our list is the NOVOMagazine. When did this firstappear? Several covers havegraced this publication since itwas launched. Some research onthis important item in the school’slife would be of interest to all.

There are many more ‘objects’ which may spring to mind.But the Association would like members of the schooland Old Novos to be involved in introducing three moreand also producing further research on the seven so far.We hope that the RGS History department, who havealready shown great interest in the links betweenmembers of the ONA (that’s all of our readers) andpresent school students, will be able to pass thismessage on and see what transpires by the next issue of ONA Magazine. It might also be interesting to produce a display around this at the next RGS Day in July 2011.

David Goldwater (51-62)

2 3

4

5Fourth is the Stained GlassWindow which is now built intothe North part of the School near the changing rooms andlecture theatre. Who designedand produced it? Where wasit originally?

8, 9, 10...

67

Next is a Stone Pillar,similar to the two whichstand outside the presentSchool buildings inEskdale Terrace. Wheredoes this stand and whatwas its original function?

At the front of the school halland our number seven is thegreat Organ. When the schoolmoved to Eskdale Terrace justover a century ago, the hall had no Organ. Who donatedthis and who manufactured thisimpressive instrument? Itwould be fascinating to hear it in regular use once again.

ONA — Old Novocastrians Association Magazine 10

Bursary Campaign

Committees! Many of you will shrink atthe very word. After all, wasn’t the cameldesigned by a committee? Whatever doesa committee ever really achieve? Howcan a disparate bunch of people sit downtogether and make things happen?

Well, there may be a fair number of such bodies who are largely drivenby one or two forceful individuals who drive matters along their ownagendas. Very often, however, perhaps through serendipity or maybeinspired selection (!), committees do exist whose members reflect awide variety of interests and connections. Such is the case with theRGS Bursary Campaign Committee, meetings of which are full ofenthusiasm, good humour and businesslike, hardly ever over-runningthe clock. The Committee’s members are listed at the end of thisfeature, which we hope will shed a little light on our work, and hopefullyinspire some of the ONA membership to support the Campaign’s aims in the most tangible way.

As a member of the Bursary Campaign Committee, I offered to putsome items together for the ONA Magazine, which is the main linkbetween the school and its alumni, its former pupils. Who, I thought, is a person to whom countless Old Novos can relate and who holdsmany of the fondest feelings of ONs over very many years at theSchool? Who other than John Armstrong (member of staff 1972-2003)? So I contacted John, who is in the best of fettle and whilstshowing his usual characteristics of shyness and modesty, expressedhis thoughts on the Bursary Campaign.

At the time when he was working as Second Master, his position on the Committee was part of his job, but on John’s retirement, JamesMiller asked him to stay on the Committee. He made it clear that whilstnow wishing to keep a discreet distance, he welcomes the chance to contribute to the Committee because of his belief in the objectives of the Campaign and in the opportunities bursaries provide.

After the demise of the Direct Grant system and later the AssistedPlaces Scheme, the Bursary Campaign is the only way the School canremain accessible to those whose families cannot afford the fees. Johnis glad to be associated with what has in a very few years become sucha significant factor in this effort. The School hasn’t been static: it haschanged, adapted, and developed, while at the same time there are somany important continuities too. Bursaries (themselves an adaptation)sustain an essential continuity. He believes that the RGS continues, asever, to have a great role to play in the present and future life of the region.

Gleanings from the bursary committee

John Armstrong

11Bursary Campaign

Bernard Trafford, Headmaster, is one of the most enthusiasticmembers of the Committee.

Here he offers some thoughts on an exemplary Old Novo, thefoundations and progress of the Bursary Campaign and how he feels about the involvement of Old Novocastrians. Do take a fewminutes to read his message:

2010 was an important landmark year – marking the bicentenary of the death of one of our most illustrious former students, AdmiralCuthbert Baron Collingwood of Caldburne and Hethpoole. There is aparticular poignancy in Collingwood’s association – albeit a brief one –with the Royal Grammar School. Collingwood attended the RGS andjoined the Royal Navy because his family were very short of money:there was no entry fee for the Royal Navy. The financial angle is attestedto by Collingwood’s classmate, John Scott. The future Lord Chancellorof England commented that they met at school “because neither his father nor mine could afford to place us elsewhere”.

Is it mere coincidence that two of the most illustrious names of the early nineteenth century were at school together at the RGS? To be fair,it is pure coincidence. Yet it illustrates the historic tradition and purposeof education as provided by the RGS over nearly five centuries. TheRGS was founded and functioned for its first few centuries (at least) as a school for relatively poor boys.

Yet the school has never forgotten why it was founded. After the 1944Education Act children from less affluent homes were funded at theRGS through the Direct Grant scheme. When that ended, and theschool rightly took the decision to become independent, it seized theopportunity of the Assisted Places Scheme which ran for two decades.And when the Blair government ended that scheme, abruptly, the firstgenerous donations from concerned individuals paved the way for the present Bursary Campaign.

Thus the mission continued unchanged. To be sure, the educationoffered is rather broader than that offered under the great Hugh Moises,but we never forget that the purpose of the school is to offer thateducation to young people who will benefit from it and make the most of it. I am more proud than I can say that we have at any one timebetween 6.5% and 8% of the students in the school supported bybursaries, more than half of them on 90% to 100% assistance. Thoseare the sort of children for whom the school was founded: and still itreaches out to them, continuing unbroken that historic mission.

2010 is another landmark, also for the Bursary Campaign. Those who joined the school aged 11 in 2003 finished their time, completed A levels and moved on to university or gap year in the summer of 2010.They were joined along the way by other bursary holders, principallyentering aged 16 to do two years in the Sixth Form. It was my privilegeand pleasure to get to know the first 2003 cohort of bursary holders, a remarkably impressive bunch. Jenni McDermott (08-10) joined thatgroup in the Sixth Form in 2008 (at the same time as I joined theschool). In the true RGS tradition Jenni and the others were talented,hard-working, clever and multi-talented students, engaged in a host of activities outside the classroom as well as in it, and enormous fun to be with. They are now making the most of the opportunities university or gap year is affording them.

Collingwood believed passionately in helping his young officers todevelop into outstanding leaders of men. It is well known, too, that hehad a habit, when in the country, of taking from his pocket one of themany acorns he invariably carried and planting it when he saw a likelyspot. He always looked ahead, whether he was bringing onmidshipmen and creating the next officer cadre or planting acorns that(as far as he knew at that time) would provide oak trees to build shipsfor centuries to come. He saw each action as planting the seed thatwould become the future. A lasting testament to his vision lies in thefamous plantation of Collingwood Oaks at Hethpool in the beautifulCollege Valley on the north edge of the Cheviots. In truth, Collingwooddid not plant those. But in 1813 his widow planted one acorn for everyship that had taken part in the battle of Trafalgar in commemoration ofher husband, and continuing his vision of planting and preparing for thenext generation.

We too can play our part in continuing Collingwood’s vision of plantingthe seed that will become the future by donating to the BursaryCampaign. Until now the Campaign has been hugely successful,notwithstanding the economic downturn. But we will never have“enough” money to provide all the help that we want and need to. There are still more talented boys and girls out there, ready and willing to take the opportunities that the RGS offers, if only we can provide the necessary financial support from our bursary fund. So please thinkwhether you as a former member of the school can contribute to thetradition that created such great men as Collingwood and Eldon andprovide the best of futures for further generations of RGS students. I hope you will, and that you will give generously according to yourmeans and ability.

ONA — Old Novocastrians Association Magazine 12

Bursary Campaign

After five years as Campaign Chairman, Crispian Strachan recentlyhanded over the Chair to Old Novo Andrew Major (86-90). Andrew is hoping to bring a no less energetic, but different approach to theCommittee’s work:

It is 20 years since I left the RGS. I was therefore delighted, thissummer, to be asked to take the Chair of the Bursary Campaign’sSteering Committee, which I’ve served on for the past three years.

You may not be aware that the Bursary Campaign has had such a huge impact. In response to the phasing out of the Government’sAssisted Places scheme, the RGS pro-actively created a replacementvehicle to ensure that a limited family income does not prevent aspiringyoung people from benefiting from an RGS education and all it entails.

Between 6 and 8% of the school’s 1249 population are receiving some help with fees at any one time and thus far giving the ‘Gift ofEducation’ has been possible due to the generosity of (generally) local charitable trusts, some Old Novos and other individuals with a connection to or interest in the school. Our achievement is the envy of many other schools.

The Campaign has to date worked well. Last academic year£625,000 was raised in cash and pledges from donors. However,the year ahead is a challenge economically and we will do well to raise somewhere near our £645,000 commitments to fund currentbursaries, without drawing on the small reserves the fund has builtsince inception. Annual fees at the school remain competitive at justunder £10,000. Over a seven school year timescale, the school’scommitment to funding a bursary becomes clear.

If I have one objective for the Campaign over the next few years, it is to expand considerably the membership of this all too limited club ofdonors. Only 269 Old Novos financially support the Campaign, 6% of us. Can you help us support the next group of students achieve their aspirations by Giving the Gift of Education?

The Bursary Committee members are Andrew Major (Chairman) (86-90), Bernard Trafford, Richard Metcalfe, Catherine Wood ,Catherine Young, Charles Penn (69-79), Claris D’Cruz, David Goldwater (51-62), Gillian Hall, Graeme Twaddle (66-76), Jean Ross, John Armstrong, Judith Wallace, Lucy Bird and Mike Barlow (53-64).

We all work together in the most supportive way. This is the friendliestand most positive committee I have ever served on. But the work we carry out is all the more satisfying when we receive substantivefeedback – it’s what the Campaign exists for. In whatever way you are able, please support us in our goal.

David Goldwater (51-62)

Bursary Campaign Chairman Andrew Major (86-90)

Obituaries 13

Obituaries

Colin Nichols

RGS Master 1953-1986Arrived at RGS 1953, appointed Second Master 1967. Retired 1986. Died October 2010, aged 84.

It may look bad if the author of this tribute toColin Nichols starts with a word abouthimself, but it will soon bring me to the veryessence of what I want to say. I have to admitthat, since my retirement from the RGSHeadship in 1994, I have so buried myself in a ‘new life’ in France that my former friendsand colleagues in Newcastle may simplyassume (wrongly but understandably) that I have ‘lost interest’ in those 22 years of mylife. Worse, I have been remiss in failing toreact to the death of colleagues for whom Ihad the highest respect, and whose familieshave good reason to think badly of me. I hopeand believe however that they’ll understandwhy the news of the death of Colin Nicholsimmediately punctured my posture ofdetachment. Distant though I was, I just hadto hear from former colleagues who attendedhis funeral, and (for once) I lost no time ingetting a message to Betty about what herhusband had meant to me. My mind hadmeanwhile been flushed with strangely vividimages of those days in 1972 (precisely halfmy lifetime ago) when I first entered the orbitof the RGS.

If this was a ‘hinge’ in the social history of theschool, any detailed examination of it willshow up the central role (yes, central, notsubsidiary) which Colin Nichols as SecondMaster played out with such finesse. If therewas continuity amidst a welter of change,Colin was the core of it, such was his gift forreading situations and reacting wisely tothem. For situations I think I meanHeadmasters! My predecessor Bill Hadenwas probably well equipped to handle theintergenerational battles of the 1960s, beinghimself a hardened battler, ready to take ahard line with ‘troublesome youth’ andequally unafraid of alienating those of hisown staff whom he regarded as ‘feeble’. Theywere turbulent years at the RGS, and Colinhad fulfilled his role of ‘interpreting’ HM tostaff (and vice versa) with discretion aplomb –

before deploying the same interpersonalskills in the less explosive context of the1970s and of a new HM who was a classiccase of being chosen for being different. The pattern of joint-management whichdeveloped between us was not unlike that of the ancient Roman consuls – two of them,each with a power to block the other’sinitiatives. Rarely did I proceed down pathswhich did not seem sensible to Colin, and (to say the least) this required courage and in some cases a readiness to wonder if I had it wrong!

There were tensions of all sorts to be eased(the Sixth Form to be allowed more adultfreedoms, the ‘fliers’ stream to be declared no longer fit for purpose, managerialresponsibilities to be spread more widelyacross the staff), and Colin was for me theperfect ally in bringing such things about, oftenbeing one jump ahead in what needed to bedone. It’s true that he regarded ‘principles’ with worldly cynicism, but his pragmatism was laced with admirable priorities which hewould occasionally spell out – for example that‘ease of administration’ (for which he had a gift)should never be an end in itself. All his dealingsat every level had the human touch. It saysmuch for Colin that he switched with seeminglyeffortless ease from being my ‘rival’ for theHeadmastership to being a stalwart ally andadvisor. You could say without exaggerationthat the RGS got two for the price of one.

To earn respect within the RGS communityit’s as well to have a stake in both theacademic and the sporting or extra-curricularworld. Colin’s dual credentials had beenforged in the fires of Cambridge geographyand rowing – and what better guarantees

are there of rigour on the intellectual and the physical side? His role as Head ofGeography needs particular mention: itwould be hard to explain the deep-rootedattachment of the RGS to this multi-faceteddiscipline without reference to his input. It’strue that he wore his intellectualism lightly,but one quickly learned that his poisedposture on every vexed question was not just instinctive but thought out.

Colin’s emotional equilibrium, which couldnever be faulted, depended in part on hiscommitment to ‘life beyond school’. My firstlesson from him on this was before I everstarted: to my question whether I couldperhaps meet my future colleagues on theday before term began, the answer was acourteous yes, but a hint that I should notmake a habit of it! His own use of time duringthe school day was organised in such adisciplined and systematic way that I’m surehe reckoned on taking home with him theabsolute minimum not only of the paper-workbut of the ‘worries’ which went with it. Hishome was a haven and a fortress, manned by that remarkable duo of Deputy Headswho had a way of converting the chores intopleasures (Betty as proud of Colin’s cookingas of her own!), and whose habit of many aweekend was to drive in the comfort of theircherished Volvo to their equally cherishedrural retreat in Forest Head. A privilegedcircle of good friends shared theseunpretentious pleasures with them, and will have been amongst those who found no surprise in the ailing Colin’s insistence on getting over there ‘just once more’. It didprove to be the last time.

I hope it will be clear from these unashamedlypersonal remarks what I owed to Colin Nichols– and, more important, what the school owedto this formative figure in its twentieth centuryhistory. Old Novocastrians who read this willsee at once what a mass of appreciative detail Ihave left out. For them to fill it in!

Alister Cox RGS Headmaster 1972-1994

ONA — Old Novocastrians Association Magazine 14

Obituaries

Donald Peden RGS Master 1953 - 1988Born 1928, died 29 September 2010, aged 82.

Don (as he was known by everyone in theCommon Room) was appointed to the staff byOliver Mitchell in 1953 to teach mathematicsand rose to second within this highlyprestigious department. He had previouslyserved in the Army before graduating with aBSc from King’s College, Newcastle andacquiring his Diploma of Education.

Having played football in the Army andqualified as a football coach, he was verysuitably placed to enter the general life of theschool and was soon coaching rugby, playingcricket with the Staff XI and involving himself in various rock- climbing expeditions. DuringRace Week, he ran successful school campsin Teesdale, Dentdale and Ribblesdale.Perhaps his greatest contribution to out-of-school activities was as master in charge ofchess, which he fulfilled for over twenty years,becoming regional Controller of the SundayTimes Chess Tournament.

Mathematics remained his main interest and in1962, was awarded his Master of Sciencedegree in Pure Mathematics for his thesis“Limiting Behaviour of Harmonic Functions”.

He became a Fellow of the Institute ofMathematics and a member of the Council of the Mathematics Association. Later, hebecame chairman of the ProgrammeCommittee, responsible for planning theAssociation’s Annual Conferences.

Don’s organisational skills and experience had not gone unnoticed at school, as he wasappointed master in charge of both internaland external examinations, a post which heheld from 1960 to 1986. This was both amammoth and complex task which he playedlike a finely tuned military operation (woe betideanyone who would dare to question theirapportion of invigilation).

Following his service in the Army, Don joinedthe TA and was a member from 1949 to 1969,ending as Regional Signal Officer for thisregion and in this capacity, he examined RGScadet signallers which would certainly haveassisted in maintaining high standards. He was awarded the Territorial Decoration andclasp and retired with the rank of Major. Donwas also a Past Master of Reserve ForcesMasonic Lodge.

It was in 1970 that Don became aware of hisgrowing lack of mobility which was laterdiagnosed as MS. He moved skilfully roundschool on his arm crutches and his timetable

was so arranged as to take place on theground floor. It is worthy of note that he wasnever known to have complained of his lack of mobility.

Don retired in 1988, following 35 years of loyal service to the Royal Grammar School toenjoy his hobbies of reading and listening tomusic and eight years later, both he and Moiramoved to a spacious cottage in Acklington,with ample access for a wheelchair. Hemaintained his independence and drove about in his specially adapted car enjoyingboth the countryside and making as manystops for coffee and/or lunch as possible.

On occasions, he would book an electricwheelchair within Eldon Square and whilstMoira would go in one direction, Don wouldmove in the opposite direction, browsing and generally enjoying both his independence and shopping expedition.

Donald passed away (suddenly) and peacefullyat his home in Acklington on Wednesday 29September 2010, aged 82 years. Following aprivate cremation, a Service of Thanksgivingwas held at St. John the Divine, Acklingtonwhich was very well attended. Donald leaveshis wife Moira, four children, Gillian, Allison,Andrew (74-81), Fiona and four grandchildren.

W.G. (Bill) Elliottmember of staff 1952-1988.

P B (Bev) Gelder (40-47)

Died 22 September 2010, aged 80.

Bev Gelder died a few days after his 80thbirthday, having lived a full and busy life until age and infirmity caught up with him,causing him much frustration.

At school he gained his swimming colours, and blossomed as a pianist, giving a number of solo performances, but in later life he playedonly for pleasure, indulging his catholic taste.Subsequently he developed a very hands-on

bakery business, starting with a single shop in Ponteland, which eventually expanded toeight. Keenly interested in motor sport, he did a lot of rallying, and scored some successes.

He was even happier on water, owningsuccessions of boats, and hankering foranother even during the last months of his life,despite his incapacity. Some of his happiesttimes were those spent with Pat at theirapartment on Majorca, where they made many friendships.

He took up golf when still quite a small boy and this was an enduring joy. Latterly he playedat Matfen Hall, despite finally having to resort to a buggy. It was fitting that he should havepassed away on Majorca suddenly and withoutpain, and appropriate that his ashes wasscattered from the quayside which had formedthe backdrop for so many memorable holidays.

Bryan Stevens (44-49)

Obituaries 15

Michael Anthony Read (47-50)

Born 1931, died 21 August 2010, aged 78.

Michael Anthony Read died at Carter Bequest Hospital,Middlesbrough after a short illness. His cremation tookplace on the 27 August followed by a moving humanistceremony at home with family and friends, to celebrateTony’s life.

Tony Read was born on 24 November 1931 in Keighley,West Yorkshire to Mari and Arthur Read and brother toElizabeth. He attended Keighley Grammar school butwhen the family moved to Newcastle in 1947, hetransferred to the Royal Grammar School.

He was bright and gifted but enjoyed life too much tolimit himself to academic matters alone, skipping Frenchlessons sometimes to play snooker and billiards. In facton his final term’s report from school it read, “The onlything that’s improved in Read’s last term is his snookerand billiards which he played whilst the Head was teaching.”

Undeterred, Tony went on to put his considerable socialskills to great use: he became a very successful propertysalesman and was always a first class conversationalist,full of charm, with a great sense of humour and verypopular. He was a good rugby player and played hookerfor RGS, and subsequently played for the Old Novos.

He married Pauline Wood in 1963 and moved toMiddlesbrough where he lived with Pauline and his step-daughter, Pam. Pauline died in 2009 and Tony’s suddendeath left a deep sadness with Pam, and Tony’s 18 year-old grandson, Jackson.

His family paid this tribute to him: Tony’s death leavesmuch sorrow, but we can honour him and his enjoymentof his life as well as the contributions he made to all ourlives. He leaves a legacy of warm memories; his goodnature and human value to all who were close to him, andeven strangers enjoyed his warm banter and good spirit,will live on. His loving influence will continue in those wholoved him. You can all carry him with you in your hearts.

Pam Wood

Arnold M. Danziger (formerly Arnold Morris) (36-40)

Born 1925, died 17 November 2010, aged 85.

Dr. Arnold Danziger was originally called Arnold Morris, butchanged his surname to Danziger after graduating. Danziger wasthe original family name, but his father had changed it to Morris inresponse to anti-German sentiment during the First World War.

Arnold Morris (as he then was) spent his early years in Whitley Bay,attending the Royal Grammar School, first in Newcastle, and thenafter the school was evacuated during the war, in Penrith.

He read medicine at Caius College, Cambridge, matriculating in 1942 and spending two years in Cambridge under theaccelerated wartime medical training scheme. After Cambridgehe continued his medical studies at the London Hospital MedicalSchool, and then after qualifying and completing his house jobshe spent two years as a Medical Officer in the RAF.

He then pursued a career in anaesthesia, becoming a consultantanaesthetist in the North Manchester Group of hospitals in the1950s. In the ’50s and ’60s he published papers and letters on a number of areas in which he was interested, including thetreatment of intractable haemorrhagic shock, the use ofhypothermia in intracranial neurosurgery, and techniques toimprove the safety of dental anaesthesia. His anaesthetic careerwas cut short by ill health in 1974, and he subsequentlypractised in other fields of medicine up to his retirement in 1985.

He married Patricia in 1959, and after her death in 2007 at therelatively young age of 68, his own health deteriorated. He leavesbehind two children, Josh and Verity, and three grandchildren.

Josh Danziger

Philip Vernon (32-40)

Born 1928, died 3 September 2010, aged 87.

Philip Vernon was a keen sportsman. He played rugby, cricket and water polo. He also swam for the School. He was musical and played the flute in the orchestra under Arthur Milner.

At the outbreak of war, in 1939, he was among those evacuated toPenrith. Some years ago, he and his wife, Irene, attended severalpleasant reunions for the ex-evacuees.

He served in the RAF from 1942 to 1946, mostly in India and thefar east. Eventually he joined the Trustee Savings Bank (now Lloyds Bank) and served as Manager at Rothbury for six years and, subsequently in Leeds until his retirement in 1983. He married in 1953 and had a son and two grandsons.

Philip died peacefully, after some weeks in hospital, at the age of 87.

Irene Vernon

ONA — Old Novocastrians Association Magazine Obituaries 16

Obituaries

Ivor Saville (39-46)Born 1928, died September 2010, aged 81.

Everyone who knew Ivor smiled when hisname was mentioned and we mourn his loss. He was born in South Shields. At theoutbreak of war he was evacuated with theschool to Penrith, where we all benefited from the great headmaster E R Thomas and the kind principal of the junior school, Mr Anderson.

On leaving school Ivor intended to readgeology and meteorology, but joined the RAFfor his national service. Upon release he joinedthe family music business in Shields as hisfather had become ill. He and Lila married in1954, and the business moved to Sunderlandin 1965. He always enthused about his jazzand big band music.

Ivor became a devoted member of theCitizens Advice Bureau, joined the MarriageGuidance Council, and served as aMagistrate on the South Tyneside bench. His appointments included chairman of themedical appointments panel, and he was a conciliator for the local Health Authority. A very active member of the Jewishcommunity, he was also a Freemason, andwas a very strong supporter of all Ex-Servicemen’s activities, always present onRemembrance Day parades.

Ivor was always a very devoted family man. He and Lila have three sons: Fraser, Leigh and Adam, and five grandchildren. A man we will always miss.

Colin Ross (40-47)

Francis (Frank) Robinson(46-57)Born 1931, died 3 June 2010, aged 71.

Frank Robinson was instrumental in makinghistorical and bibliographical sources of the 18th and 19th centuries accessible. He produced reference works in many formats but his greatest work was the NineteenthCentury Short Title Catalogue (NSTC), abibliography of more than a million records, a subject classified, union catalogue of the19th century holdings of big British andAmerican libraries. It was bought by librariesworldwide.

Frank was born in Newcastle upon Tyne in1938, where he was brought up by his greataunt and uncle. In 1944 he started school atNewcastle Church High, the only boy in thatschool. In 1948 he went down the road toRGS, where he particularly enjoyed studyingmilitary history, culminating in an openscholarship at Keble College in Oxford.

After Oxford he returned to Newcastle uponTyne where he taught at Wharrier StreetSchool, whilst also researching for his PhDthesis on education in the northern countiesin the 18th century.

Later, Frank published guides to subscriptionlists, becoming Senior Research Associate on the Project for Historical Bibliography(PHIBB) at Newcastle University, funded by the publisher William Dawson. When thefunding came to an end Frank set up his ownpublishing company, Avero Publications Ltd,publishing a variety of texts, including theNineteenth Century Short Title Catalogue(NSTC), a project that would occupy Frank for the next 20 years.

As his health declined, Frank closed downAvero Publications in 2002, but in his retirementcontinued to compile data for subscription lists.He died of vascular disease in June 2010. He is survived by his wife Jennifer and their three children.

David Nicholson (47-55)Born 1938, died October 2010, aged 71.

David was one of Britain’s most respectedflautists and flute teacher. He was a drivingforce in founding the Scottish ChamberOrchestra in 1974 and served as its principalflute until his retirement.

After RGS he spent three years with the bandof the Royal Artillery in Woolwich, London,before studying at Guildhall School of Musicand Drama. He founded a variety of musicgroups, including the Edinburgh-based quintetThe Amphion, and in 1997 established theEdinburgh Flute Course, which he directeduntil his retirement.

He was a music professor at the Royal ScottishAcademy of Music and Drama (RSAMD) inGlasgow for more than 40 years.

He is survived by his wife Jo, his son anddaughter, and a grandson.

Timothy Parkin (56-67) died 11 August2010, aged 62.

Peter Gordon Lloyd (28-39) died 22September 2010, aged 90. Represented theBritish Council in various countries, endingwith Greece 1976-80. Author of The Story of Democracy.

Reverend Eric M T McLellan (28-35), died 2 October 2010, aged 94. After RGS, Ericattended St John’s College, Durham, and upongraduation went into the Anglican ministry. Ericnever forgot his roots and was, until his wife diedin 2001, a regular visitor back to the north east.

Ronald Ernest Hudson (36-42) died 20October 2010, aged 82.

Robin S B Macro (50-61) died 8 October2010, aged 68.

David Lucas (73-80) died 3 December 2010,aged 48.

ONA — Old Novocastrians Association Magazine 17

RGS Arts Diary Spring Term 2011

RGS Chamber Music Thursday 20 January at 7pmA concert featuring school chambergroups, including string quartets, abrass quintet, wind quartet and stringensemble playing a variety of music,from Haydn to Villa-Lobos. Free entry

Friends Cabaret Night inFenwick and LilburneFriday 28 January at 7pmA showcase for talent of all kinds.Tickets £3/£2

RGS House Singing and MusicMonday 31 January at 7pmEach house puts forward their bestperformers in the hope of winning thecoveted House Cup. Always a noisyand entertaining evening. Free entry

RGS Charities WeekMonday 31 January to Saturday 5 FebruaryA host of exciting events to raisemoney for local charities. Details to be announced.

RGS House DramaThursday 10 February at 7pmIn the same vein as our wildlyentertaining Year 7 & 8 House Dramaevent, students from Year 9 andabove take to the stage to show offtheir devising and improvisationalskills in the hope of winning theHouse Drama trophy. Free entry

Inter University DanceCompetitionSaturday 12 February 12–5pmUK Universities show off their danceskills and compete for prizes in alltypes of dance styles! Tickets £5

Newcastle Jewish Players in AlanBennett’s “The Lady in a Van”Wednesday 16, Thursday 17 andSaturday 19 February at 7.30pmBennett’s bittersweet diary of a battyold woman who unceremoniouslyparked herself in his back gardenand long outstayed her welcome. A class act in slick humour and heart-breaking philosophy. Not to be missed.Tickets Wednesday and Thursday£8; Saturday £9, Concessions £6.00

Newcastle University Gilbertand Sullivan Society presents“The Grand Duke”Thursday 24 to Saturday 26February at 7.30pmNUGSS’s cast of students returnwith a high-speed cut-downproduction of Gilbert and Sullivan’sfinal comic operetta. Fed up withtheir economically prudent GrandDuke, the citizens of a smallGermanic dictatorship plan to revolt,and who better to lead the revolutionthan a bunch of actors? Monumentalegos clash in a spree of duelling,gambling and sausage roll eatingwhile it is determined who will playthe lead part. Tickets £8/£5

RGS Post Tour ConcertWednesday 3 March at 7pmSenior Wind Band and BrassEnsembles play a selection oftraditional wind and brass music as well as some well known filmmusic. Free entry

RGS Spring Recital in Recital RoomWednesday 7 March at 7pmAn informal music concert whereJunior and Senior School musiciansperform their latest pieces. Free entry

Steinway ConcertWednesday 16 March at 7pmSteinway & Sons, renowned for over150 years for producing the world’sfinest pianos. In association withTyneside Piano Company, we areproud to welcome Steinway to theRGS for a pianistic extravaganzafeaturing a talk offering a fascinatinginsight into the production of theseworld famous pianos. The eventconcludes with a concert on aSteinway Concert Grand featuringour fine young pianists and our ownpiano tutor Nicholas Nowicki will give a recital. Entry by donation

RGS Dance Showcase –New HorizonsFriday 18 March at 7pmAn energetic evening of vibrantdance including Bollywood inspiredmovement; style studies of bothMichael Jackson and Bob Fosse;and site specific work involving multimedia. Along with these new dancepieces, we will be incorporatingsome old classics such as StreetDance and Stage. Free entry

New Tyneside OrchestraSaturday 19 March at 7.30pmThe New Tyneside Orchestra’sSpring Concert featuresTchaikovsky’s popular 5thSymphony. In addition, there is achance to hear Britten’s Four SeaInterludes and Jacob’s LittleSymphony. The strings of theOrchestra complete the programmewith a performance of Elgar’sIntroduction and Allegro for Strings.Tickets £9/£7 conc. /£4 student

RGS Mini Gala Concert Monday 22 at 7pmThe Mini-Gala will feature the best ofthe RGS Senior School’s youngerensembles. Orchestral music fromthe Sinfonia, Jazz from the Blue NoteJazz Band, Choral singing byCappellina and the big sound of theConcert Wind Band, as well assmaller chamber ensembles fromYears 7-9. It should be a grand eventand well worth attending! Free entry

RGS FestivalMonday 4 to Friday 8 AprilA feast of entertainment across the whole site. Look out for theFestival magazine which will givefull information about this excitingnew event.

Northumberland Orchestral Society in ConcertSaturday 9 April at 7.30pmExciting programme to includeBruch’s Symphony Number 1,Brahms’ Hungarian Dances andElgar’s Nursery Suite. Tickets £8/£4

RGS Stars and Stripes Forever ConcertTuesday 12 April at 7pmThe RGS Orchestra will play anAmerican themed concert featuringclassics such as Copland’s Fanfarefor the Common Man, Barber’sAdagio for Strings and Dvorak’sSymphony No. 9 From the NewWorld. Free entry

RGS Junior School ConcertWednesday 13 April at 7pmA hugely enjoyable celebration of Junior School musical talent,including items from the JSOrchestra, Choir, various smallensembles and soloists. Ticketsorganised by the Junior School

Chernobyl Continuity presentsYouth4Youth11 – 25thAnniversary ConcertFriday 15 April at 7.30pmYoung people from the North East ofEngland perform in a variety concertto raise money to bring teenagersfrom Belarus to the North East onmonth long respite holidays. Hostedby Denise Robertson MBE – theAgony Aunt on ITV’s Good Morningand attended by His Excellency, theAmbassador of Belarus and manylocal dignitaries. Tickets £6

For tickets, please contact Jill GrahamT: 0191 212 8930 J.Graham@rgs.newcastle.sch.uk

ONAMerchandise

The new ONA merchandise is now for saleTo order any of the items, please send a cheque (payable to ONA) to:

ONA OfficeRoyal Grammar SchoolEskdale TerraceNewcastle upon Tyne NE2 4DX

Remember to include your name, address,phone number and/or email, so we cancontact you if delivery is likely to be delayed,and to indicate which item you are ordering.

The ONA accepts no responsibility for non-delivery via standard post. If you would like yourorder to be sent by special delivery, pleasecontact the ONA office for a price list.

All goods are sold subject to availability.

Cufflinks £10 Enamelled cufflinks (presentation box included)

Polo Shirt £18Canterbury polo shirt with embroidered crest.100% cotton. Available in black or royal blue, insizes M and XL.

Wall Plaque £25

Tie £10Polyester tie, striped with crest.

Hooded Sweatshirt £35Canterbury hooded sweatshirt with embroidered crest. 60% cotton 40% polyester. Available in black or grey, in sizes M and XL.