Number 22 Winter 2013 THE MAGAZINE FOR FORMER PUPILS AND FRIENDS OF GLASGOW ACADEMY AND WESTBOURNE SCHOOL Making a splash: our new water-based hockey pitch 1 CONTENTS 3 ewOlympic-standardhockeypitch N opened 4 Anecdotage 10 Events 14 GeneralKnowledge1909 Inthestepsofourancestors 16 ScienceandTechnologyBuildingAppeal 17 WestbourneAppeal 18 TheWestbourneSection 21 AcademicalClub 24 ConqueringtheOldManofHoy 26 TheFinalWhistle 27 Announcements EDITORIAL Good old what’s-his-name! I’ve never been to a class reunion at my school. The truth is I’ve never been asked. I’m not even sure that my school does reunions – but if they do, no one’s ever mentioned them to me. I imagine that, if I was to go along to a reunion, I would approach it in much the same way as do the majority of former pupils of Glasgow Academy and Westbourne School for Girls. With mixed emotions. Broadly, I suspect, there are three categories of reunion invitee. First, there are those who are extremely enthusiastic about the very idea of a reunion from the outset. This seems to be quite a small group, indeed in some cases it may consist solely of the two or three former pupils whose idea it is to hold one in the first place. ‘Of course we’re going to have a reunion!’ they say. ‘It will be wonderful to relive all the happy times with good old so-and-so not to mention that chap what’s-his-name. Yes, we must have a reunion! Now, how shall we go about it?’ It’s at this point in the process that they remember that The Academy has an External Relations office which is only too happy to help. So they phone up the school and are put through to our office. And then they meet our Emma and – having organised more reunions than Liz Taylor did weddings – she quickly gets things moving and, before long, the date is fixed and the invitations sent out. 34 PicturePost Do we have your e-mail address? It’s how we communicate best! Keeping in touch The External Relations office is situated in Colebrooke Terrace. Former pupils are always welcome to pop in for a chat and look round the school. Just give us a call to arrange a time. Our address is Colebrooke Terrace, Glasgow G12 8HE and you can contact us on 0141 342 5494 or at exrel@tga.org.uk The Glasgow Academical Club 21 Helensburgh Drive, Glasgow G13 1RR President: Gavin Smith E-mail: gavinsmith@talktalk.net Secretary: Stuart Neilson Tel: 07771 845104 E-mail: stuart.neilson1@btinternet.com ‘It is scary to think where the years have gone, but when talking to everyone it was interesting and amazing to hear their stories. I think the best part was how excited everyone was to be in one another’s company again. Whether it was friends who see each other regularly or friends we hadn’t seen since we left school, great fun was had by all.’ Thoughts on a recent 10-year reunion At this stage we meet the second, and biggest, group. This consists of people for whom the idea of a school reunion is not unpleasant but the physical reality of attending their own reunion brings with it much soul-searching. For many, ‘Will they remember me?’ is a worry. For others, ‘Will I remember them?’ is at least as concerning. It’s a time when a distorting mirror is held up to the past and minor indiscretions become major stumbling blocks to their attendance. A few even allow these thoughts to tip them over into the third group: those who don’t come either because they can’t or because they don’t want to go there – physically or emotionally. The Academical Club pavilion is available for functions. Having attended numerous Glasgow Academy and Westbourne reunions over the years, I am happy to report that the vast majority of those who arrive rather hesitant or looking in need of a stiff drink leave a few hours later changed beings, delighted that they made the effort to come all the way from Bearsden or Brunei, Canada or Canniesburn because they’ve been reconnected with their school friends – reconnected with their school. Academical Club’s London Section Secretary – David Hall, 20 Cadogan Place London SW1X 9SA Tel: 020 7235 9012 E-mail: ecj@aralon.co.uk As someone said to me after a recent reunion, ‘This morning I was seriously considering pulling out and not turning up at all. Now I’m absolutely delighted that I came and met people I haven’t seen for almost half a century. My only regret is that I was daft enough not to sign up for the meal in the evening – I don’t know what I can have been thinking!’ Like us on Facebook; join us on LinkedIn So, here’s to class reunions and those far-sighted folk who organise them! And here’s to good old what’s his name! With best wishes, Cover photograph by Andy Buchanan 2 Etcetera New Olympic-standard hockey pitch opened Glasgow Academy has opened a brand new water-based, all-weather hockey pitch at Windyedge sports fields. The pitch was unveiled by Lord Smith of Kelvin, Chairman of the 2014 Commonwealth Games Organising Committee, who described the Olympic-standard pitch as, ‘A terrific investment by Glasgow Academy and one which provides a truly world-class playing surface for training and competition.’ Our Director of Sport, Rhona Simpson, who played for Team GB in two Olympics and for Scotland in three Commonwealth Games, is confident the new pitch will encourage more youngsters to take up hockey. In addition, our old astro-turf pitch did badly need to be replaced as it was no longer draining well. We had already pushed it a good number of years beyond its normal life expectancy. The new pitch will generate more income in increased hire rates and we felt it was prudent to complete this necessary project over the summer before the costs and payments of SciTech start to dominate our capital budget. Rhona Simpson commented: ‘Academy pupils absolutely love it. With 14 teams and some 350 pupils using the pitch every week, the value of providing such a worldclass facility is clear already. It all adds up to a very exciting new chapter for hockey at The Academy, in Glasgow and for Scotland.’ West District winners 2013! Congratulations to the ladies of the 1st XI on winning the West District Senior 1st XI Tournament 2013/14. In a nail-biting conclusion to the competition held on Wednesday 30 October, The Glasgow Academy girls beat Hutchesons’ Grammar in the semi-final before dispatching High School of Glasgow in the final on running penalties. Lucy McCall, the 1st XI captain, commented: ‘We were delighted to win the tournament. It was an extremely closely-fought competition which we all had to work extremely hard to win.’ Rhona Simpson, their coach, added: ‘It was a great achievement and very well-deserved.’ Etcetera 3 ANECDOTAGE Miss Duff’s Prep 1 class of 1938 Etcetera 21 contained an article about Miss Duff – one of Douglas Alexander’s favourite teachers. In response, Ian Bruce (1950) has sent a photograph of Miss Duff’s Prep 1 class of 1938. These are the names of those pictured, to the best of Ian’s recollections. Back row: D Brydon, D White, Ian and Keir Fisher, S Young, F McLeod Second back row: I Bruce, M Wharten, A Waddell, D Cunningham, I Graham, R Young Seated: M McComb, B Reid, N Hodge, Miss Duff, A Hart, Lawrence and Mitchell Biggart Front row: W Martin, C MacGregor, ? Dear Malcolm I n his article on Miss Duff on page 8 of Etcetera 21, Douglas Alexander mentions a poem taught by her, but says he cannot remember either its name or that of its author. The poem is The Whistle by Charles Murray. I learnt it at the feet of Miss Currie in about 1945 – see the photo of the class in Etcetera 17 (page 8) with names provided by Ronald MacLean in the following edition. Indeed The Whistle, which I think I could recite in its entirety, was my party piece in those days. I do not think I have ever had another party piece. I cannot remember it now, except in small snatches, but I do know that the fifth word in the first line is SUCKER and not ‘succour’. Charles Murray was an engineer who went to South Africa on graduation to seek his fortune in diamonds towards the end of the nineteenth century. I understand that he did not prosper in this venture. He ended up being involved in the construction of the South African parliament building in Cape Town where he became a civil servant. In about 1900, perhaps feeling homesick, he began to write poems in Doric based on his upbringing in Aberdeenshire. He also translated Horace and Virgil into 4 Etcetera Doric. As an example of the former, ‘Beatus ille, qui procul negotiis’ became ‘Happy is he, far frae the toon’s alairms’. Murray sent his poems home to his father in Alford as they were written. Some were published in various magazines over the years, but around 1910 they were collected together in Hamewith – which means ‘homewards’. I have a copy of the ninth impression of Hamewith bought by my father’s father in June 1913 for 5 shillings, quite expensive for those days. I am delighted to have an excuse to write to you about Charles Murray and his poems. It may be of interest to some of your readers that the information about Murray came from his grandson, Kenneth Murray Walker (known as ‘Kim’). Kim Walker is an Edinburgh solicitor. His wife Rosemary is the daughter of the late Wilf Hoare, Headmaster of Strathallan. It’s a small world! Yours sincerely William Carnegie (1943-46) P.S. Charles Murray came home to Aberdeenshire in retirement in 1924. He died in 1941. The WhisTle (verse 1 of 6) He cut a sappy sucker from the muckle rodden-tree, He trimmed it, an’ he wet it, an’ he thumped it on his knee; He never heard the teuchat when the harrow broke her eggs, He missed the craggit heron nabbin’ puddocks in the seggs, He forgot to hound the collie at the cattle when they strayed, But you should have seen the whistle that the wee herd made… If you would like a copy of this cautionary tale, please get in touch with Malcolm McNaught at the External Relations office (0141 342 5494/exrel@tga.org. uk). The Newcastle connection V alerie Wilson’s recollections of wartime (Etcetera 21) evoked various memories of my own and of an early link with GA. Late in 1939 my parents moved from Huddersfield to Newcastle-upon-Tyne and, after only ten days in my new home, I went off to join the RGS in Penrith – to which the school had been evacuated at the outbreak of war. We remained there until 1944, not that Newcastle was as heavily bombed as Glasgow, but because the school premises were taken over by the Regional Commissioner (one of our Governors), who would have administered NE England if Hitler had invaded. As a new boy, I was glad to be one of two dozen pupils sent to a new school hostel, a large house on Beacon Edge with a superb view south onto the hills around Ullswater, thus relieving some of the pressure for billets in a relatively small market town. The master i/c for the first term was Robert Wilson Thom (later a Governor). Our first real encounter was not auspicious. A week after my arrival came my birthday, for which my mother had baked a cake, so in traditional fashion I waited to cut into it for a midnight feast with the five others in my dorm. Our muted voices still attracted the attention of Mr Thom, who entered and confiscated the cake, to my dismay. ‘You can’t do that, sir!’ was an unwise gambit, to which came the obvious retort: ‘Oh, can’t I?’ RWT relented and returned the cake the next morning but our relationship was less than cordial, not helped by the result of a soot fight after we had explored outbuildings. I thought no better of Mrs Thom, who had arrived late with her firstborn – Robert (1958 ), I think, who was to play a significant part in Accies rugger with his brother Ian (1961). To a room-mate she commented: ‘Frank, how red your bottom is,’ to demonstrate, not a particular interest in anatomy but her awareness that Frank had been spotted tree-climbing to retrieve underpants after a prank. Why does one recall such trivialities seventy years on, when weightier matters such as gas masks and logarithms fade into oblivion? I’m happy to record that my opinion of RWT rose high at the end of term, when he took five of us in his open sports car to climb nearby Crossfell, highest summit in the Pennines, the beginning of my ongoing love of the hills. For him too it must have been a memorable occasion, as he was called up within weeks and served in RAF MTB’s, I believe, for the rest of the war. Move on 25 years. As I drove home from GA, I often caught sight of a sprightly fellow striding homeward from an office in Westerton towards the Kirklee area. I failed to recognise him but noticed him again at a GA Sports Day some time later and was happy to be introduced to RWT as a Governor of his old school. He subsequently wound up the family business, retrained at Jordanhill College in the same year as his son Ian and chose to teach in a difficult school in the East End of Glasgow before an untimely death. Was I, perhaps, the only representative of RGS at his funeral? A mutual friend later reintroduced me to Mrs Thom and I was able to pay her several visits before her own death. Another wartime memory, though not part of the link with RGS, is of soldiers breaking out of their barracks at Langholm, where I was on holiday on VJ night, and setting off thunderflashes in celebration. Many years later the late lamented Lachie Robertson told me that he was also in Langholm that night, wondering how to deal with the unruly squaddies! This sketch of some school connections would be incomplete without mentioning that other colleagues have also attended RGS and later joined the GA staff, notably in my time Donald Buchanan and Alan Hutchinson. Peter Mitchell (with wife Enid from the Prep School) moved from GA staff to RGS staff. At one time there were occasional rugger matches between the two schools. Graham Little (former staff) The ‘Phantom Piper’ of Chester 1959 M y first brush with fame came when I was 13, after I’d won a place in the CCF pipe band. To wear the piper’s uniform was a great thrill, as I’d only been learning for a year. I now practised with more zeal, especially when home, on holidays, in Chester. This was in adjacent fields, at night, so as not to annoy neighbours – or cows on daytime grazing. One night, I was approached by an intrepid newspaper reporter of the Liverpool Echo, who’d tracked down the sound of ‘wailing’ pipes. He asked if he could write a story on me, so I invited him home, for some light and to meet my father. Two days later a short story (with GA plugs) appeared, about the ‘Phantom Piper’ of Chester. News, in UK, must have been slow, for within 24 hours, many national newspapers wanted to meet and interview me. Calls were made to the golf club, to get me back home – to meet The Daily Express, Mirror, or Evening Bugle etc. In typical fashion, the Mirror took photos of me piping up a tree, but published loads of ‘BS’ on Page 5 (not page 3!) with banner headlines – ‘Phantom Piper scares Lovers from Woods’. I even made the front page of the Glasgow Evening Citizen, which just shows how short they must have been for ‘exciting’ copy and photos of a ‘wee Scottish sodjur’! On return to school, I didn’t half get a ribbing from the other lads. They don’t put you on a pedestal – not in Glasgow. It’s ‘aye the reverse and long may it continue. Keeps folk in their place. None of this ‘fame’ bothered me. Even at that age, I thought it all rather mad. Had it been today, I’d have needed a manager for big ‘$’ endorsements – (50% to GA Funds, of course!) Thankfully, it quickly passed and I got on with my real raison d’être for being at school – playing rugby, golf and bagpipes; winning the CCF prizes and failing Latin exams! In short – prime material for a future officer in the 7th Gurkhas! George Mackenzie (1959) Etcetera 5 Nicknames 1950 I t may have been a reference in a recent Etcetera to masters’ nicknames, but – for some reason – I recently found myself remembering some of the nicknames of my fellow pupils, almost sixty five years ago. Harmless ones come to mind: Digger, Spanky, Beef, Boney, Dumbo and Piggy. But then I remembered three which today might be considered politically incorrect. I hope we were not cruel. In our entirely male world I’m not sure we ever gave anyone’s feelings a second thought. We used their nicknames liberally. I’m not sure we knew their proper Christian names. So, if they are still around and reading this, I offer my apologies to these victims of injustice, the Colebrooke Three, for our insensitivity. ‘Cheesy’ got his nickname because his youthful classmates could not resist the opportunity afforded by his surname, McFeat. He was quiet, and clever, and never offended anyone. He deserved better. ‘Ugly’ – a kind, friendly soul – was never really ugly. It was just that nature had School life during wartime J C W MacDonald (1948) has sent us a couple of contrasting photographs from his schooldays. Summer Corps Camp 1946-47 given him the stern, dark, forbidding features of a much older Welsh prop forward and an obvious physical maturity at a time when the rest of us were still worrying about pimples. ‘Stinker’ I suspect got his nickname from his resemblance to a scruffy character in one of the comic books, popular in these days. He certainly cultivated the disheveled look. And he was definitely a bit on the wild side. I wonder why I was never called ‘Ginger’? But, not to worry. It’s too late now. Jimmy Murray (1950) T he ‘military’ picture was taken at one of the summer Corps Camps – probably 1946/47. The enthralled cadets are having the mysteries of the PIAT anti-tank weapon explained. Having actually fired one during my military service, I can say with some confidence that it was a particularly useless weapon! From memory those pictured are: Back row: J. Boyd, ? ? A Urquhart, ? ? Macintosh, J C W Macdonald, N Abraham, ? ? ? ? Front row: R Duff ? I J Scott, J Crowe, R Johnson, D A R Kay, ? Noble The Harvest Camp picture was taken either at Yetholm or Littlefield on the Scottish border. Three camps were held in the latter part of the last war to help farmers bring in the harvest, or to pick strawberries. I think this was a ‘strawberry’ camp. The teachers shown seated in the second row included Mr Wylie (Creeper), Ms Currie, Dr Richards (Rector) Mr Scougall (Jimmy) Mr Gilmore (Tom Thumb). Harvest Camp 6 Etcetera The Power of Etcetera Photographic memories… T happened to be in the Victoria Infirmary recently for a small exploratory operation and was answering all the usual questions that one has to answer before signing oneself over to the surgeon! here cannot be many people – apart from the odd teacher or perhaps Governor – who had a continuing relationship with the establishment which kitted them out for life in their formative years. Such was the fate – or pleasure (depending on your viewpoint) – that circumstances dealt in my particular case. In answer to question number 1, I replied that, Yes, I had twice previously had surgery. On my right knee, once in the late 60s to search for a chipped bone suffered playing rugby in 1959 and again in the mid-70s looking for the same piece of chipped bone. (Again unsuccessfully.) This happened before, during, and after my sojourn in this hallowed place of learning, at the periodic visits of one John Reid Prophet. He would assemble each individual class into a presentable format, and record it photographically. We pupils then had the opportunity, at a later date, of purchasing a copy so that this could be viewed in perpetuity. The line of questioning changed at this point. Sadly, at this point in the proceedings, I must record that – despite repeatedly badgering my mother for the wherewithal to purchase a photograph, which she never refused – I no longer have a single copy of any of these milestones in my life, to pass on to posterity, or to look back on with nostalgia. There is a moral here, somewhere. I ‘Where had I played my rugby?’ ‘At Anniesland and Cambuslang,’ I replied. ‘Oh, who did you play for at Anniesland?’ ‘Accies,’ I replied. ‘Did you know Lachlan Robertson?’ ‘Lachie! Of course I knew Lachie. He and Basher Ainslie were the main men on rugby days when I was at school. He was also my teacher over the years.’ ‘He was my father,’ said Mairi. There followed a long chat about Lachie. Mairi told me of the kindness that many Accies had shown her, and of the service in Elgol where many had turned up. She told me that she had given the eulogy at the service. She also told me she had seen Etcetera and was aware of the response from his former pupils and friends. However, to continue with the general thread of this epistle… towards the final years of my compulsory attendance at the Academy, I got really involved with the whole process of photography – to the extent that, apart from composing pictures and taking them, I also did the darkroom bit of developing and printing the results – fortunately appropriating an odd corner in our attic which did not inconvenience the rest of the family. One instance of this preoccupation with photography is the occasion when, during the summer term of my final year, after all exams were done and dusted, on my way to school one morning, I saw in a shop window a notice requesting the services of a darkroom worker. Instead of going on to school that day, I went in and applied for the post, and was invited to have a day’s trial to see if I was suitable. At the end of the day I was invited to return on the morrow with the expectation that I would be taken on. Unfortunately, this foray into the realms of employment was short-lived. What I thought was glad news – the success of landing a paid job – went down like a lead balloon with my parents, and I was ordered back to school the very next day. However, on leaving school on the official date, I did manage to pursue a career in photography, with a two-year break to partake of National Service. At one point in this activity, I was employed as a school photographer by an English company, working in the Borders during the week, moonlighting in the above-mentioned JR Prophet’s darkroom at the weekends, to accumulate capital, as I had recently got engaged. This was not an ideal situation with a fiancée in the offing, and – as Mr Prophet wanted to retire, and had let his business run down somewhat – we came to an agreement: I would continue the business in his name, he would retire, I would get married, and I would give up the Borders job. Perhaps Jim Cunningham took this photograph from around 1963 sent in by Robin Lang (1962). Robin recognises his brother Ian Lang (1964) in the back row and is sure that many members of that team were at the recent circa 1963 reunion lunch. But what are their names? I think it was the lump in her throat that brought the questioning back to my condition. I may bump into her again later this month when I return for more of the same. It will be lovely to see a friendly face. George Porteous (1955) Etcetera 7 Thus it was that I was able to take over his mantle as photographer to Glasgow Academy, among a few other schools which he still had on his books. None of this was foregone conclusion, as the field of school photography is highly competitive but being an ‘old boy’ probably had some sway as far as the Academy was concerned and this was a role which I undertook for about 30 years. only contact I had with the then Rector was when he was summoned by a prefect to appear in one of the photographs I was taking. At this point it is worth mentioning that, as far as educational establishments are concerned, it is the head teacher who makes the decisions when it comes to photography, is in control of proceedings during the operation, and who entertains the photographer to a cup of coffee or whatever, during the interval, and who is also responsible for the administration of and payment for the transaction. There were other subtle differences between a Glasgow Academy class photograph and those of other schools. The class teacher had pride of place, sitting right in the middle of the group, instead of standing at either side of the assembled company. This raised problems in the younger classes where a boy standing behind a normal seated adult could become invisible. Also it was expected that the said teacher should appear in a gown – something which was as scarce as hen’s teeth in other schools. This particular rule was relaxed for sports groups where PE staff had to look as if they could step on to the pitch at a moment’s notice. Not so with the Academy. The king-pin to the whole procedure, from agreeing dates, organising the flow of pupils on the chosen date, collection and distribution of orders, to settling the bill, fell on Mr MacRae, the head janitor operating from a shoe box office just behind the stage in the old Well of the main building. This arrangement worked well for both of us, but it meant that the The mention of sports group photography is the one difference which appears to have taken place in the Academy’s approach to the subject during my association with the school. As a pupil, the emphasis on success for the school was the number of Oxbridge places achieved, with the results of the First XV as of secondary importance. During my 30-year stint as photographic recorder, the sports photographs were still considered as a sideline and those involved had to wait behind after 3.50 pm to have their various teams recorded on film. This was not a popular arrangement for either the participants or the photographer. After setting up the group, the photographer would notice the captain of the 4th XV wearing the wrong stockings (the captain cannot be shunted into the back row to hide this discrepancy) and all would fume while captain managed to change, and the queue of 5th XV and 6th XV waiting in the sidelines would also fume at the delay. During my stint as photographer, I did manage to get this archaic arrangement changed to having team photographs taken at Anniesland during normal school hours. Currently, I understand from my granddaughter that sports teams have the same standing as class photographs and are taken in the same surroundings and during normal school times, but I suspect that Oxbridge results still take pride of place in the pecking order. Jim Cunningham (1949) Class of ’56 Dear Sir I enjoy seeing your old class photo items in Etcetera. Attached is mine of the 6th Form in 1956. [Note Donald Dewar in the back row.] Names are: Back row: Tom Anderson, A D Macdonald, xx, Donald Dewar, Sandy MacPherson, xx, George Wilson Middle row: xx, John Park, W B Doig, xx, George Browning, xx Front row: Jeff Lavalette, xx, David Hamilton, ‘Baggy’ Aston, Scott Nelson, Douglas Crawford, John Calvert The unidentified ‘xx’ (listed on the back of the photo) are David Rodger, John Marshall, J Campbell and Alan Lamont. Hope this is of interest. David Hamilton (1956) 8 Etcetera Miss Johnston’s class I was pleased to see in the summer 2013 edition of Etcetera a recent photo of my old Prep 4 teacher (1962-3) Miss Johnston, clearly still very sprightly at 90, having just made the trip from America to Scotland to celebrate that landmark birthday. At least I presume that Doris Vaughan (nee Johnston) is the same Miss Johnston from the 60s, as of course I had no idea of her first name at that time! The photo I have sent shows Miss Johnston teaching Mathematics to 4a, sometime in 1962 or 1963. I vaguely recall that the introduction of Cuisenaire rods as a teaching aid in her class generated a fair bit of excitement. This seems to have been something of an innovation at the time – the photo may have been in connection with some publicity. I can identify quite a few of the boys. At the table nearest the camera, from bottom left, are Graham Scott, Duncan Gilmour, Andrew Iversen and Robert Hunter. Behind them, nearest to Miss Johnston, on the right hand side of the table, are Alan Fyffe and Alan Jack. At the table nearest the board, I can only identify Douglas Tainsh (back right). Facing the camera (although, like everyone else, engrossed in their work) at the next table are Robert Sweet and Scott Fleming. Finally, there is Hamish Short (kilted) and Sandy Sneddon in the grey jumper. I am mostly obscured by Sandy – I remember feeling a bit miffed at the time. I can vividly recall the mood of anticipation whenever the Cuisenaire sets were brought out. The desks had to be re-arranged in groups of four, with a large sheet of hardboard placed on top to create a work surface. Cuisenaire rods have stood the test of time – they are still widely used in schools. Miss Johnston’s 4a of 1962-63 was probably an excellent advertisement for the rods’ success. To my knowledge the class has produced a healthy number of mathematicians, physicists, accountants and others working in numerate disciplines. Miss Johnston’s Cuisenaire was certainly a formative experience for me – I became a Maths teacher! Michael Warren (1971) Bashed light stopped play… A t no time during my years at The Academy did I enjoy Games. The team-bonding of rugby and the gamesmanship of cricket were not for me. Needless to say, most of my school chums were of like mind, and the morning before an afternoon rugby session would find us praying for rain more fervently than any native-American witch doctor. Rain meant cancellation and, instead, an afternoon spent watching grainy black-and-white films of old rugby internationals, in the school Well. This was definitely preferable to the mud-wrestling and subsequent dreaded communal bath which made up rugby practice at Anniesland. I recall one day, our prayers for rain having gone unanswered, heading off to board the fleet of ‘Alexanders’ double-decker buses which would transport us to our fate. In desperation, we hit upon a last-minute plan. The steep camber of Colebrooke Street caused the parked buses to lean in over the gutter and pavement, quite markedly. My pals and I reckoned that, if we all climbed to the upper deck and sat at the nearside, we could increase this lean enough, we thought, to cause the bus, on driving away, to lop the top off the first street light it came to. Remarkably, the plan could not have worked better. The resultant damage to both street light and bus meant the immediate retreat from the scene by the drivers with their buses, and the hasty re-assembling of us would-be rugby participants, in the school Well. I have uncomfortable memories of us all being lambasted by Morty Black and Kenny Miles, in the hope that those responsible for this act of sabotage would own up. To our shame, we didn’t, and – after an awkward half hour waiting for someone to crack – we were dismissed and sent home early. For some of us, a ‘result’! After all these years, I feel I must apologise to those sporting types who, by our selfish actions that day, were denied the opportunity to display their attributes on the rugby pitch, or perhaps, in that communal bath! Jim Shearer (1964) Etcetera 9 Events Classes of 1956-60 Reunion – ‘Forever young’ O n Friday 5 September an assemblage of 70 year old + Academicals met in the Well, most visiting that place for the first time in over 50 years. The same School Bell rang – Lunch was taken, and a trip round Colebrooke Street began. The Guides were two charming female Prefects, one from Bosnia, the other Albania. To say the least, they could not believe their ears when hearing anecdotes regarding the ‘playful’ activities of these former pupils, especially the comments made regarding the personalities that inhabited each lettered room at the Old School. This nostalgic journey took far longer than had been prescribed by the External Relations Department, and culminated in an inspiring talk by the Rector in his Study. Enthused with the reminiscences, Dinner at the Western Club ensued – no formal Guests or speeches, each Academical allowed two minutes to give a personal memory of their school days. After many a laugh, and great chat, a memorable day was complete. David Roser (1958) Dear Mr McNaught, I write to you and your colleagues to thank you very much for the superb day that you organised for us all. It was great fun to meet up again with so many friends from the past and most interesting to all be together again. Above all, it was fascinating to see all the improvements that you have introduced to the old school. I am sure that the Academy is well ready to meet the demanding needs of this new century. I have always been happy to recommend the school when asked and over the years friends have been kind enough to contact me from time to time just to tell me that their child or grandchild was off to the Academy. Please convey my thanks to the Rector and indeed to everyone who helped to make it such a special day. I wish the school all success in the future. With kindest regards, Graeme Paton (1959) 10 Etcetera A good time was had by all who attended the 1956-60 Reunion Dinner at the Western Club. Class of 1993 reunion – Friday 13 September T he reunion of the year of 1993 on Friday 13 September 2013. A fun day was had by all who attended. The day kicked off with a tour of the school and a chance to reminisce about days gone by. As we explored the new developments in The Glasgow Academy, memories came flooding back of old friends and tales of historic adventures! It was great to the see the effort that classmates had made to come from around the world – America and Australia to name but two. After drinks with the Rector, we moved on to a great social evening giving everyone a chance to catch up and re-form old friendships. The feedback from all concerned was that we shouldn’t leave such an event for such a long period of time again, and plans are already afoot for the next class of ‘93 reunion. Thanks must go to the team at The Academy for assisting in making this event happen. Cameron Wade (1993) Academical awarded prestigious lifetime achievement award for pioneering genealogical work A Ten years on… Class of 2003 Reunion I t doesn’t feel like ten years since we were last at school; however, walking up the stairs to the main entrance of The Academy felt like it was only yesterday. There’s a certain ‘homely’ feeling when you revisit somewhere you spent your childhood. The guided tour by the sixth form pupils was fantastic. It was great to talk to them and hear their ambitions, remembering what our own were at that time and being happy in our own accomplishments. We also met some of our teachers: Mr Robertson and Mrs McCallum in Geography, Mr Fraser and Mr McNaught in Art and Mr McAslan in PE. We thanked them for their support and caught up on the past decade. It surprised me that they still remembered all of our names – I don’t know if that was a good thing or not as I wasn’t the most academic of pupils! It’s good to go back and take stock. A memorable point of the day was the moment the boys found their names written under the pool table in the sixth form room. I remember the day they did this and them saying at the time, ‘I wonder if this will be here when we come back for our ten-year reunion?’ They got the answer they wanted. The girls were like big kids when we scrambled up the monkey bars in the old gym hall. A reminder that it was the same hall that my dad had gym in was when a screw fell off – it obviously isn’t used to ten grown ladies on it at once! It is scary to think where the years have gone, but when talking to everyone it was interesting and amazing to hear their stories. I think the best part was how excited everyone was to be in one another’s company again. Whether it was friends who see each other regularly or friends we hadn’t seen since we left school, great fun was had by all. Mr Brodie also updated us all on the development of the school which is evident when walking round. He is clearly proud of the achievements of all the current pupils; it is great to hear that they are still producing high-quality pupils – as they did in 2003! Valerie Smith (2003) mb. Neville (Mandel) Lamdan (1955) recently received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies for his vision in establishing the International Institute for Jewish Genealogy at the National Library of Israel in 2006 and for directing it until 2012. Neville attended the Academy from 1949 to 1955. He took an MA in Philosophy at Glasgow University (1958); a second MA in Middle Eastern Studies at Dropsie College, Philadelphia (1961) and a DPhil in Modern History at Oxford (1965), with a dissertation on ‘The Arabs and Zionism, 1882-1914’. After serving in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (1965-71), he entered academia briefly, teaching in Oxford and at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (1971-73). He then joined the Israel Ministry for Foreign Affairs and, after a distinguished 30-year career, he retired (2003) as Israel’s Ambassador to the Holy See (Vatican). Other senior posts abroad included Israel Ambassador to the UN in Geneva (1994-99), the Israel Embassy’s Liaison Officer to the US Congress in Washington (1985-89), Israeli diplomatic representative in Beirut (1982), and Political Counselor at the Israel Mission to the UN in New York (1976-81). Home postings, in Jerusalem, included Director of the North American Division (1989-94), and Head of the Egyptian Department (1982-84). Today he is Chair of the Board of the International Institute for Jewish Genealogy in Jerusalem. Meanwhile – from our foreign correspondent… L eonard Tam (1993) was found wanting in his attempts to fly over from Luxembourg to Glasgow Airport in order to make the roll call and subsequent photo opportunity for the Class of 1993 Reunion. This was mainly due to a muchbungled attempt by the responsible authorities to renew his soon-to-expire passport on time, meaning that he was left grounded on the day required for travel. The closest Leonard Tam got to Glasgow Academy on 13 September 2013! Leonard hopes that the passport situation will be sorted out in time for the next Reunion in 2023. Etcetera 11 regularly attend each annual dinner, with attendances of between 35 and 45 for the special decade anniversaries of leaving school. The ‘Fiftieth’ anniversary saw a record attendance of 60 old classmates and several travelled substantial distances to attend, notably Don Laird from Langkawi, Malaysia and Alasdair Barclay from Toronto, Canada. Education at the Academy demonstrably brings things of broader value, such as kinship that lasts well beyond schooldays. A large leather-trimmed book with gold embossed detail records for posterity all attendees and apologies for the gatherings since 1970. The number of pages available in this fine book ensures that records can be continued for a further 150 years – perhaps a tad optimistic. The first gathering was held in the expensive and salubrious venue of The Grosvenor, Gordon Street, now defunct, but subsequent gatherings moved to venues in Byres Road or the like that were more suitable to student and trainee outlooks and pockets. The Circa 1963 reunion group greatly enjoyed the fine lunch that school provided to celebrate the ‘Fiftieth’ and were appreciative of the opportunity to meet together and to see the huge improvements made since they left school half a century ago. All were hugely impressed by the physical changes, the wide range of academic and extra-curricular activities now available and also the ambitious plans for the future. By 1970 bi-annual dinners were held in the RNVR sailing vessel ‘Carrick’, returning a degree of sophistication to the reunions. In 1985 the dinners started to be held annually on the first Friday in October in The Western Club. A great day was rounded off by another nostalgic step by some, a return visit to a Byres Road venue reminiscent of the early days of the Circa 1963 Reunion group meetings. Boys will always remain boys, even at near three score and ten! The contact list of former classmates is around 100 strong and about 20 people John Byers (1963) Circa 1963 Reunion – Friday 4 October O n Friday 4 October, the Circa 1963 Reunion group were guests of the Academy to celebrate the ‘Fiftieth’ anniversary of leaving school. The Circa 1963 Reunion group started to meet shortly after they left school. The original organiser of the meetings was Michael Hirst, with Neil Douglas as his successor, followed by John Gilmour. For nearly 40 years John expanded the circulation records, arranged the dinners and kept up the communications that kept the Circa ‘63 community together. Sadly, John died in 2009 and did not see the result of his dedication in the recent and well-attended ‘Fiftieth’ event. On target T he Circa 1963 Reunion group collected funds to buy two shooting sighting scopes and donate £1,000 to the Science and Technology Building Appeal to commemorate John Gilmour’s stalwart work for the group over almost 40 years. John represented school at Bisley and was captain of shooting. John’s wife Susan (Westbourne, 1963) was present when the scopes were presented to the present-day captain of shooting. 12 Etcetera Family matters I n a highly-personal, witty and informative speech, Lord Robertson of Port Ellen entertained a large audience of Sixth Formers, parents and former pupils in his Dallachy Lecture on Thursday 24 October. Looking back over a long and enormously distinguished political career, perhaps most revealing of all was his assertion that the achievements of which he is most proud are his three children and four grandchildren. On that subject, he recalled a particularly special moment this year when his grandson, Michael – a former pupil of Glasgow Academy – was his banner bearer at his installation as Chancellor of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George at St Paul’s Cathedral. Nice meeting you! The preacher at this year’s Commemoration Service in Glasgow Cathedral was Duncan Macpherson (1984). There he met with several of his ‘old’ teachers – including the very youthful Margaret (McNeill) Tindall. [Ed. Margaret has recently celebrated a big birthday, but we are far too polite to mention which!] Academicals in Print A long with many of his contemporaries, Ian F Brown visited The Academy in September for the 1956-60 Reunion. At our invitation, Ian visited the school a few weeks later when he generously donated a copy of the 3rd edition of his book, Born on the Bottom Rung, to the Academical library. The first edition of his book was published by the Glasgow and West of Scotland Family History Society in 2006. Ian was enrolled at Glasgow Academy in 1946. He has a number of vivid memories of his time at Colebrooke Street – including his entrance interview with Miss Duff, being taught English by ‘Bing’ Crosby and reading Medieval People by Eileen Power (which kindled an interest in history). Ian’s interest in history and English, coupled with competing stories from his parents about his ancestors eventually led to over twenty years of detailed and painstaking research and the publication of Born on the Bottom Rung. The last GASBAGS lunch? A s is customary, those GASBAGS who were able made their way to the Accies Club on the last Friday of October for their annual lunch. Although formed many years ago to protest against the perceived conservatism of the Academy Governors, the group found very little to protest about on 25 October. It was quite the reverse, in fact, as all those present were very happy with the report that the Rector, Peter Brodie, gave of recent events at the school. Academical President, Gavin Smith, also updated the company on Accies’ affairs. Although there was some talk beforehand of this being the last GASBAGS lunch, we are pleased to report that the next meeting will be held on 31 October 2014 – as long as there is sufficient support from members. Etcetera 13 Glasgow Academy – General Knowledge 1909 While recently sorting out the family archives, James Gilchrist (1967) uncovered a copy of the 1909 General Knowledge Paper. James believes his father would have sat the paper that year. Questions range from ‘What do you know of Richard Cobden?’ to ‘What is meant by the yellow peril?’. Thanks to James, a copy of the paper will now be preserved in The Academy archives. So that’s the Indian Trophy… The Honour List for School Session 1953-54 indicates that, as School Captain, Allan Alstead (1954) was presented with the Indian Trophy. The reality, however, is that no such presentation happened – the Trophy being ‘lost’ at the time. That omission was put right on a recent visit when Allan held the Indian Trophy long enough for this photograph to be taken. After almost 50 years of waiting, it was a very welcome meeting! Roger Trythall (1962) who lives in Camps Bay, South Africa was unable to attend the Circa 1963 ‘Gold Event’ so – whilst on holiday in Cape Town – John Byers joined him for their own celebratory lunch at the Rhodes Memorial. 14 Etcetera In the steps of our ancestors… Sir Michael Hirst (1951-1963) became Global President of the International Diabetes Federation at the end of December 2012, after serving as the first non-medical Chairman of the board of trustees of Diabetes UK and then six years as a member of the Global board. His interest in diabetes started after his youngest child Kate (1996-1998) developed type 1 diabetes at the age of five. At that time, he was Member of Parliament for Strathkelvin and Bearsden and found himself championing improvements in diabetes care which, when ultimately successful, resulted in him being co-opted to the board of trustees of Diabetes UK. His current responsibilities as Global President of IDF – a voluntary job that he describes as more time-consuming than full-time work – involve a great deal of travel to different parts of the world where diabetes services are inadequate, sometimes heartrendingly so. In too many parts of sub-Saharan Africa, children continue to die because of lack of access to insulin. Earlier this year, there was a very serious crisis in Malawi when supplies of insulin ran out. The various stakeholders in that country appealed to him to visit the country and host a round table discussion so that an action plan could be discussed and agreed with the Ministry of Health to prevent a repeat of the crisis later this year. Part of the reason for the invitation was that he appeared to be trusted by all the stakeholders, possibly because his great, great grandmother was the sister of Dr David Livingstone, and Dr Livingstone remains revered to this day in Malawi. The visit led to a remarkable reunion, as Michael takes up the story: ‘During a very busy visit to Malawi, my hosts wanted me to visit Nkhotakota, a town near the shore of Lake Malawi. It was at Nkhotakota that Dr Livingstone met the local tribal chief, Chapulapula Phwanga, in 1861 under a huge fig tree which remains to this day a national monument in Malawi. I knew that David Livingstone, as a medical missionary, had worked to bring health and the gospel to that part of Africa, but I was to learn that he is remembered for something of equal importance. ‘Chief Phwanga’s great, great granddaughter, Annie Chisa, is the current tribal chief – and in full ceremonial dress she was there to meet me as a descendant of the Livingstone family. She told me in graphic detail of the horror of slave trading where a powerful, evil slave trader called Jumbe seized the fittest young men in the area, shackled and chained them and marched them to the dhow on Lake Nyasa (as it then was called) which sailed to the opposite side of the lake in Mozambique, from where the enslaved young men were marched across Mozambique to slave ships taking them to America. ‘Livingstone and Chief Phwanga became friendly and resolved jointly to put an end to the obscenity of the slave trading that blighted this part of Africa. They faced down Jumbe and succeeded in ending slavery there. It was an emotional moment for me when Annie Chisa clasped my hands and said proudly to the crowd which had gathered around the tree: ‘Our ancestors did a great thing when they met here one hundred and fifty two years ago.’ She then presented me with an engraved wooden plague in memory of my visit and insisted that I should return with more of Livingstone’s descendants! ‘The next stops were the nearby St Andrew’s Hospital and the church, St Andrew’s Cathedral, both linked to Livingstone who is better remembered in this country as a medical missionary and explorer. It’s the only cathedral that I have visited which has a corrugated iron roof and is really just a large and utterly unadorned open space building. The pastor seemed bemused at my visit, but his congregation were not. On discovering that I was an elder in the Church of Scotland, they insisted that I would sing a hymn to them. Bill (‘Jazzy Bill’) Coulthard would not perhaps have been impressed by my tone and melody, but I did produce the volume of sound required and the acoustics were a lot better than I would have expected from a corrugated iron roof. I chose To God be the Glory not least because it has a rousing chorus Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord, let the people rejoice. And rejoice they did! Happy, clappy it certainly was. The chorus of the third verse was sung several times over, if that can be taken as an encore! Although the people lack most of the luxuries in life that we take for granted, theirs is a simple faith, volubly and cheerfully expressed. ‘Malawi is a very poor country according to the World Bank ranking of GDP per capita. It certainly struggles to provide acceptable health to its people and still has infant mortality statistics that are a great cause for concern. Those who work in the diabetes wards of the The photograph shows the meeting with local dignitaries, Officials of the Ministry and Government of Malawi. Michael Hirst is in the centre of the photograph, with the current Phwanga Chief, Mrs Annie Chisa to his right hospitals face huge challenges and there is a crying need for up-skilling and training. ‘The visit, however, was far from in vain. The Ministry of Health undertook to investigate the reasons that insulin supplied at heavily discounted prices by Novo Nordisk the world’s leading manufacturer, finds its way into private pharmacies and it also agreed to find out why the discounted price is being marked up by the Ministry by over 100% when supplied to hospitals. The Round Table will reconvene in six months time to check that the promises made and commitments given during my visit are actually being honoured. I am still haunted by the pleading eyes of the parent of a four year old who could not obtain insulin, by the whispered plea for help of the distraught mother whose son was suffering from severe diabetic ketoacidosis – a condition that can often prove fatal – and the young insulin-dependent destitute man who had had to walk for a week to the hospital to seek insulin because he had no money for a bus fare. It is my fervent hope that the results of the Round Table will indeed make such experiences history. But, I am also a realist – and so the work goes on!’ Etcetera 15 Science and Technology Building Appeal T he new building will cover 37,000 square feet over four floors. The ground floor incorporates an auditorium and hospitality facilities. The three floors above will provide 15 state-of-the-art science laboratories. The building will benefit all pupils because the vacated departments will provide much-needed space for PE/ Sport, Drama and the Arts. The total cost (including fees etc) is £10 million. We will be extremely grateful for all gifts – large or small. With your support we will start building soon. Support still required Gifts and pledges to date We need your help to make SciTech a reality in 2015. Name your seat! The 175-seat auditorium will be at the heart of the new building. You can name your own seat in the auditorium. You can make all the difference 16 Etcetera Contact Mark on 0141 342 5494/ Mark.Taylor@tga.org.uk for more details on naming options and gift aid benefits. The Westbourne Appeal T he influence and impact of Westbourne abounds at Colebrooke Street. Westbourne purple is in the uniform of every boy and girl and, since the merger of the two schools, Westbourne House has sat at the heart of Colebrooke Terrace. There, our honour boards and memorabilia are on display and Westbourne reunions are held on a regular basis. The new building incorporates an auditorium, a food technology department and 15 Science laboratories. It will provide the facilities to enable innovative teaching and this – combined with the ethos of ‘nihil sine labore’ – will ensure generations of pupils are fully prepared for 21st-Century careers. You can make a difference With your help we can ensure Westbourne continues to be at the very heart of The Academy. Our appeal has already raised over £20,000. With just a little more help we will name a laboratory in honour of Westbourne in the new SciTech building. Every gift is greatly appreciated. Thank you. Etcetera 17 Westbourne Section A Royal Portrait M rs Henderson (Rebecca Rose Harris) was Headmistress from 1936 to 1964. During her tenure, the school became a limited company and Lord Fraser of Allander served as the company’s first Chairman. GAL’s Golf – 2013 Y et another beautiful day for our GAL’s Golf outing! This year we were at Balmore Golf Club on 9 August. What a lovely setting for such a fun day! We started off with coffee, moved onto ‘The Golf’ and then had some delicious soup and sandwiches. We had a delightful day with plenty of chat as well as some interesting golf. Balmore has some very challenging holes! Betty Henderson joined us for our lunch and treated us all to a drink. Thank you, Betty. The winner of the ‘Cousland Cup’ this year was Carolyn Craig. Well done, Carolyn. Sheena McDonald was second closely followed by Susan McKenzie. Judging by the number of e-mails Carole received afterwards, it was very clearly a really successful day. Thank you, Carole, for organising our outing once again. Elaine M Horner (1970) 18 Etcetera Mrs Henderson’s portrait now hangs in the External Relations suite in Westbourne House, where reunions, staff interviews and senior meetings are held. The painting is by Mary Eastman, who also painted Her Majesty the Queen in 1953. UPDATES A career in Engineering… W hen I left school and ventured off to Loughborough University to study Geography and Sports Science (otherwise known as a ‘maps and games’ degree) I had no idea that I would end up working in the world of sports sponsorship. I feel very lucky to work in an industry that I absolutely love and am very passionate about. Sport has been such a huge part of my life (thanks, Mum) and has defined who I am today. (Yes, I am still ridiculously competitive!) So for me my biggest driver is to inspire as many people as I can around the benefits of sport or just being active; whether cycling, running or walking. Healthy body = healthy mind. There is so much pressure on people these days so for me being active is a no brainer. Cheap, easy and free (if you are ok to brave the rain!) M y days at Westbourne were very happy, and I look back fondly on my years there (P5 to S6), leading on to my degree in Civil Engineering at Glasgow University. My father has his own Consulting Engineering firm, and he encouraged me throughout. I worked in various locations with others around the world as a student (using Higher German for example!) then with a Cambridge firm, then back to Glasgow to join Dad. Many years all over the north of Scotland and the islands following where I routinely work for our clients. I am based in our Paisley office and live again in Killearn, where I grew up. As a Chartered Civil/Structural Engineer I love my challenging and varied job, working on design projects and on site. Since 2006, I have served on the IESIS Council – IESIS (The Institution of Engineers and Shipbuilders in Scotland) the only multi-disciplinary Engineering Institution in Scotland (past service with Engineering Bodies in Inverness and Aberdeen has been a good grounding for this). We at IESIS are actively spreading the message on the fruits of a rewarding career in Engineering, and our ‘Professional Engineer’ website aims to inspire and encourage young people into this. This month is our celebration of our ‘Scottish Engineering Hall of Fame’ – with four more inductees at our recent Annual James Watt Dinner. Our IESIS website contains the links and Went to Westbourne School, left a very long time ago… information on these initiatives and much more. Do have a look. We were absolutely delighted that STV featured us on their Scotland Tonight programme, to promote engineering and the Hall of Fame, on 31 October 2013. This feature can be seen on You Tube (ref ‘Scotland Tonight Celebrating Scottish Engineers Hall of Fame’). We are very pleased that they hosted us on the show; it was a wonderful experience and I’d love to do more such promotional work. Having worked in the sports industry for many years I joined Sky in 2007 to work on the brand’s Corporate Social Responsibility programme which aims to create positive social change across sports, arts and the environment. Back in 2008, we were looking for an opportunity to transform a sport from grassroots through to the elite level and capitalise on the huge opportunity of the London 2012 Olympics. That’s where we came across cycling and Dave Brailsford. We immediately knew we could achieve great things together and our ambition was simple! …to make history with the first British winner of the Tour de France and create a new series of Sky Ride mass participation events where we shut down city centres to traffic to help and inspire a million more people to get back on their bikes across the UK. Tricia Thompson, Director of Cycling at BskyB, with Sir Chris Hoy We wish to promote our Scottish Institution and membership of our Body and to encourage enthusiastic young people to join the engineering profession. It’s an excellent choice for a fascinating and rewarding career, full of opportunities all over the world – for both girls and boys. If you’d like to find our any more, contact me at Dinardo Partnership Ltd paisley@dinardo.co.uk Karen Dinardo (Westbourne 1983) Etcetera 19 If I’m completely honest it was a bonkers ambition but 2012 seemed a long way off! But last year the Olympics landed and, oh boy, what a fabulous year it was. On Sunday 22 July 2012 having cycled 300 miles from London to Paris with over 200 Sky staff (as part of our staff cycling programme to get people cycling), we all stood on the Champs-Elysees and watched Bradley Wiggins make history and win the Tour. A week later I was at Hampton Court watching Bradley win gold in the Olympic Time Trial and then in the velodrome watching Chris Hoy, Laura Trott and all the amazing GB team win gold. It was akin to my favourite sporting moment at Murrayfield on March 17, 1990 with my Dad watching Scotland rugby captain David Sole walk out of the tunnel with defiant purpose and beat the odds to claim the Grand Slam against England. I felt honoured and lucky to be at these historic once-in-a-lifetime moments! It also been amazing to watch the growth in cycling and see so many more people out and about on their bikes. It’s such a great sport/activity as it connects people of all ages and all abilities. We all remember the first time we learnt to cycle and loved the freedom of riding around (away from the parents) – so why did we stop? Well, that’s my next mission… to get as many people back on their bikes and I hope the creation of Team Sky, a truly great British team, will inspire everyone to do just that. The Glasgow Academy Art Calendar 2014 ‘Christmas Cracker’ We are delighted to show off our young artists’ talent in our 2014 Calendar, retailing at a bargain price of £5.00 each plus £1.00 P&P Orders can also be placed by telephone on 0141 342 5494, or by email: s.rae@tga.org.uk Tricia Thomson (1992) Proud parents and grandparents… Dates for your Diary Angus Stewart Fraser Daniel Luke Alexander McKean Claire Fraser (1956) Simon Fraser (1991) and wife Charlotte are delighted to announce the birth of Angus Stewart Fraser at home in Alton, Hampshire on 14 August 2013, a little brother of Lily. The first grandson for Claire Fraser (1956). Jan Chisholm (1955) On 27 June 2013 in Christchurch, New Zealand, the birth of a son Daniel Luke Alexander to Andrew and Caroline McKean (daughter of Jan Chisholm) a beautiful cousin for Oliver and Harry in Suffolk. Liz Finlayson (Westbourne staff 1980-1988) On Sunday 13 October, George Balfour the nine-year-old son of Alasdair and Laura Balfour nee Finlayson (1990) was 20 Etcetera admitted to the St John’s College Choir, Cambridge. He will be singing with the Choir at a concert they are giving in the Festival Hall, London in early December and later in the month, the Choir is going on a tour of Germany and the Low Countries which will end with a concert in the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. This concert will be broadcast live on Dutch Radio. Deaths Chloe (Bell) Norman (1958) Chloe Bell (born 1941) who attended Westbourne School for Girls from 1946 to 1958 died quietly in Cincinnati in the loving care of her sister, Rosalind. Sister also of Marylin and Peter. Friday 28 February London Section Dinner Thursday 20 March GA 100 Business Breakfast Friday 7 March The Iain Muir Spring Lunch Friday 4 April Westbourne Class of 1966 Reunion April (Date TBC) Westbourne Class of 1973 Reunion Monday 23 June Donor Thank You Reception Thursday 4 September TGA Dinner with Sir Steve Redgrave Friday 19 September Kelvin Foundation Lunch Friday 26 September GA Careers Event Friday 3 October Class of 1994 – 20-year Reunion Friday 24 October Class of 2004 – 10-year reunion Gasbags Lunch Friday 7 November GAC Dinner Academical Club Lottery Winners July Alastair Rolland £150 August Ian Fotheringham £150 September Neil McLean £150 October £150 John Mason Robin McNaught (1982) Academical Club The Glasgow Academicals’ 1st XV 2013/14 Rugby A fter a fairly hectic off-season with new coaching staff and a huge turnover in players, we started out with a few warm-up matches, which had some very positive results – and an inkling that we may have a picked up quite a few good young players and that maybe…? Our first two league games started to feed far too much enthusiasm into the watching ex-players and supporters who saw some very skilful handling and running. There were a lot of simple mistakes made, but – with some superb tries and resilient defence – we were two victories up and we started thinking that our three-year plan needed revising. Unfortunately, in a thrilling match which we deserved to win, our old neighbours reminded us that a wee bit of age and experience can count for a lot – and we lost 29-21 to GHK. We have had a couple of losses and a couple of wins since then, very much down to our very young team learning to play 1st XV rugby as a group and sometimes not quite playing to their strengths and game plan. A recent past captain pointed out to me that he knew only five members of the team, and the new players who have joined are generally under 20. We have watched some fantastic rugby being played; Ken Waine advised me that a recent try was one of the finest he had seen at Anniesland. Praise indeed! Due to another league restructuring, if we manage to be in the top two in our Finger-tip control in the line-out. league then promotion is possible. At the date of writing we are sitting near the top of the league among a group of four teams all of whom are within a point or two of each other. We have the ability to beat these teams – yet like all things it is a question of how quickly our team can play to their strengths. We will find out over the next few months. The 2nd XV have also been performing very well, again with a new younger version of last year’s team. We still manage to play a collection of the Club’s ex-captains in this team, though I doubt we will match the six that played in the team last season. We are always keen for anybody still of an age to come and play, especially if they are of the ‘forward’ variety. We have lots of ‘backs’ but – with a few more props and locks – we could possibly even think about a 3rd XV and it is about 20 years since we managed that. There is a very good atmosphere at Anniesland when we are playing and I would like to invite you all to come and watch your team play. Hopefully a few more voices may encourage them to win more games, and turn promotion into a realistic possibility. Peter Sandford (1983) Vice President Etcetera 21 Ladies’ Hockey We have had an extremely exciting start to the 2013/14 season with the opening of the new hockey pitch at Windyedge, Anniesland. A £300,000 all-weather Commonwealth Games-standard water-based hockey pitch was officially opened at Windyedge in October 2013. We are lucky to call this our new ‘home’ pitch as it has been described as the world’s most modern pitch and an exact replica of the surfaces used at the Olympic Games in London. The ‘bounce’ has taken a little getting used to, but the girls are feeling much better equipped to compete against teams who have been playing on this type of surface for a while now. The pitch is fast and a pleasure to play on and will certainly improve our skills, tactics and fitness! We are happy to announce that this has been a record year for subscription with over 50 girls on the books. 1st and 2nd XI teams have big squads, giving captains both variety and depth for team selection. We have had quite a few Glasgow Academy school girls and former pupils joining Accies this season and we do hope this continues in the future. This season we welcome to Accies Rhona Simpson, Director of Sport at Glasgow Academy. She has represented Great Britain at two Olympic Games and Scotland at three Commonwealth Games. Rhona brings with her a wealth of experience and is a fantastic asset to the 1st XI, having scored a few goals for the team already at her centre striker position. Our long-standing coach Elaine Brierley, having played with Rhona Simpson for 22 Etcetera many years at Giffnock HC, has finally put on the Glasgow Accies strip and is now an official player/coach for the club. Again, this is wonderful news for Accies and specifically for the 1st XI players. Spreading her knowledge and experience of the game will benefit every player around her. We have once again secured sponsorship from Mansion House – the perfect party venue. Set over three floors, you’ll find eight individual rooms each uniquely designed and furnished to comfortably accommodate events for up to 1800 people. From dining and drinking to late night dancing, Mansion House is the ultimate social night out! It is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to Aileen Kealy, our 1st XI captain, who leaves us for her home city of Dublin due to work commitments. Aileen joined us in 2012 and became captain in September. Although her captaincy was short, it was very sweet. We will miss her dearly and wish her the best of luck for the future. Helen Bell, former 1st XI vice-captain, steps up to replace Aileen as captain. If you are interested in joining Glasgow Accies Ladies’ Hockey and coming along to our training sessions, please contact our club captain, Stephanie Hermes, at accies.hockey@live.com We are always looking for new players – all ages, skills and abilities welcome. We train every Tuesday between 6.30 and 8.30 pm at Windyedge. For up to date information on games, results, events and general news please visit our website www.glasgow-hockey.com Cricket: Glasgow Accies’ Under 18s win an award at Lords London Academicals’ Section T he second half of the year has been a quiet period for the London Section following on from our Centenary Dinner in February, the London Scottish Schools’ Golf Day in June and the Bisley Dinner in July. We are currently planning for the 2014 Annual Dinner which will take place on Friday 28 February 2014 at The Caledonian Club in London. The London Section is honoured that Karen Greenshields, nee Smith, was one of the speakers at the Academical Dinner in Glasgow on 8 November 2013 and we are encouraged that there will be a number of London-based Accies in attendance to support Karen. The Scottish contingent at the Dinner at Lords C ongratulations to our U18 team on its performance in defeating The Forty Club Scotland in the final over of our annual match in August with Ewan Stewart leading the assault with 99 not out. The on and off-field demeanour of the team merited the XL Club’s nomination for the Henry Grierson Trophy which award was presented to the winning team at the XL Club’s Annual Dinner in The Long Room at Lords on Friday 18 October. In the final judgement of the panel, the Accies’ team was awarded the runner-up spot to Giggleswick School. An invitation to Lords was just too good to be missed – especially when accompanied by an introduction to HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, for the team captain, Dhruv Satpute, and junior convener and XL Club member, Colin Dawson, in the hallowed Committee Room. Presentation of winning teams’ shields was made by Mike Gatting, MBE of the ‘Shane Warne magic ball’ fame. Also representing Accies at the dinner were our chairman, Alex Dowers, and 1st XI skipper, Richard Andrew. Seated at the top table, we were all treated to a magnificent meal followed by entertaining speeches from Mike Gatting and Callum Lockett of Giggleswick School who was presented with the Henry Grierson Trophy by Prince Philip as a member of the winning team. Perhaps it is worth a mention that, in Wedding bells have been very much in the air with both Cammy Wilson and Karen Greenshields completing their nuptials this summer and we, in the London Section, offer them both our hearty congratulations. The London Section Committee consists of: Cammy Wilson, President (1993-1999) Gordon Low, Past-President (1972-1984) U18 captain Dhruv Satpute receives the runnersup trophy from Mike Gatting, MBE 2004, a certain Gautham Hariharan received the same Trophy on behalf of The Glasgow Academy and his acceptance speech was still remembered by several at this year’s event. After recovering from certain excesses of the previous evening, we all met up again at Lords next day for the ‘Lords’ Tour’ – another memorable experience, part of which was savouring the experience of sitting in the England dressing room where so many famous players have made – or destroyed! – their careers. David Hall, Secretary-Treasurer (1951-1961) Anthony Frieze (1982-1983) Hazel McNaught (1996-2004) Peter Marr (1974-1982) Karen (Smith) Greenshields (1991-2000) Any one of our Committee Members can be contacted by any Accie heading south on a permanent or temporary basis, by emailing them via ecj@ aralon.co.uk CAC Dawson (1967) Etcetera 23 oss this ned acr e p p a h d ing tures an g Club all sitt re ic p ld o i, in H me cent mb ough so the Rock Cli nd. Front and r h t g in g g demy rla I was dig m 1988 showin Stoer in Suthe part of the Aca fro of d is still as some picture The Old Man nderstan I am sure he h kept it u f I o o p h o on t if he him? slan w rt McA ass this over to . I don’t know s is Stewa p y a u bing d uld yo s after. staff. Co ories of his clim for many year tt em see Sco ade I did fond m ou can y W Iain and , r ft r e e le s a v e r e F th up; how . From wart McAslan, k serves c a y r b o e m h e t e t t S m a , if n is o , sen ort day Alex Ty e), Andrew N scorching hot m a ( s t a r a Stew ff. It w Carndu and Iain tly. ec me corr ards, Best reg art (1989) ew t Scott S Just over 25 years ago, four boys and two members of staff who constituted the Glasgow Academy Climbing Club set out on their most ambitious expedition yet: to conquer the Old Man of Hoy. The leader of that expedition was maths teacher Alex Tysen, the founder of the climbing club, and he was accompanied by a young PE teacher called Stewart McAslan. The boys – Scott Stewart, Iain Carnduff, Andrew Norton and Frazer Wade – relished the freedom that climbing, a novelty at The Academy in those days, gave them. In recognition of the 25th anniversary of the ascent, one of them, Scott Stewart, recently sent us a copy of the photograph above. It shows the group at the top of The Old Man of Stoer on their training expedition before they faced the real thing. In return, Stewart McAslan sent Scott a photo of the ascent itself (right). That was the inspiration for the following piece written by Scott: 24 Etcetera Conquering The Old Man of Hoy T Tragically, Alex Tysen (below) was to lose his life in a climbing accident along with another Academy master, Ian Jeffery, a few years later – an accident that was to shake the Academy community to the core. he photograph of The Old Man of Hoy… made me go on a further dig to seek out my clutch of pictures from that ascent and it brought back a lot of memories from that trip to Orkney. We were fortunate that Elsie Tysen and Ann McAslan volunteered to sit on the headland and take photos of us with their paparazzi-style cameras so we got some excellent photos beyond the typical ‘bum shot’ that most climbing trips only offer up. Alex had multiple copies made for the four of us to choose from and I swept up quite a bundle. traverse around the base just above the waterline to get to the true start. This was probably technically harder than any of the climbing that went up the way! The ‘crux’ of the Old Man of Stoer is the second pitch and the ‘so called’ pineapple slab. I remember it not being too much trouble and remember re-visiting the stack in the early-90s when I found it to be a lot more awkward. The top of the stack is quite a narrow point relative to the Old Man of Hoy so the summit picture with six of us was a bit of a squeeze. It is strange to think that this is the 25th anniversary of these climbs. This was our second year in the Rock Climbing Club so we were ‘experts’ now. I was climbing with Frazer Wade and Iain Carnduff was climbing with Andrew Norton. The Old Man of Stoer is about 200ft high and was regarded as a ‘training ascent’ for the Old Man of Hoy which we did in July 1988. Six of us drove up to the NW and stayed at Achmelvich Youth Hostel a few miles North of Lochinver. The day of the climb was beautiful and the sun shone and the wind stayed low. We were lucky to find a rope already in place when we arrived at the crossing point so no-one had to get wet. I don’t recall who was scheduled to be sent in swimming had it not been. The rope had been fixed to some old pitons on the wrong side of the stack so our ‘pitch zero’ was a greasy We got up in four pitches, but down in two abseils down the side of the stack which led straight back to the Tyrolean traverse rope. The second abseil was in free space which was a novel experience at the time. We all crossed back to the mainland and since it was so hot and sunny we decided to dive in to the sea anyway to cool off. I am sure we were all quite pleased with ourselves. Looking back, I don’t think we appreciated at the time how much effort Alex Tysen and Stewart McAslan had to put into training and driving a bunch of 16-17 year olds around Scotland to various crags. Climbing and mountaineering take up a lot of time aside from having the responsibility for a clutch of ‘minors’ and given that climbing wasn’t a mainstream school sport then, no-one would have noticed if they had decided not to bother. Iain and I carried on climbing for many years after school and I know that Iain was climbing at a relatively high standard at one point. Climbing and mountaineering is still an important part of my life and yet these early ascents of the Old Man of Stoer and Hoy remain some of my best memories – despite all that came after. Scott Stewart (1989) Etcetera 25 The Final Whistle some Were decoraTed and died heroically; oThers foughT and fell quieTly. the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918, it made for tragic reading. I can think of no better way than to simply list the team who played West as detailed in Iain MacLeod’s book The Glasgow Academy 150 (right). O n 28 March 1914 Glasgow Accies took the pitch at Hamilton Crescent, Partick to play their old rivals, West of Scotland. It was the last game of the season and, sadly, it was the last game that any of the participants played. Accies beat their old city rivals 27-8 on that far-off day. Before the start of the following season, the secretary of West had written to his players urging them to sign up for His Majesty’s Services. The war was about to strike a savage blow to Anniesland Rugby with casualty lists almost incomprehensible nowadays. To a man, the Accies XV enlisted in the forces at the outbreak of war. Eight were killed, six wounded and only one returned unscathed. When the team roll was called on the eleventh hour of 26 Etcetera Scottish Rugby suffered a disproportionate number of casualties in WW1 with the death of 30 Scottish Caps. At this time and from this distance, it is hard to imagine the numbness as War Office telegrams arrived breaking the tragic news often followed by a hand-written letter from the Unit commander outlining the circumstances. Later, when the Widow’s Penny was presented to the bereaved in recognition of a husband, brother or son who had made the ultimate sacrifice, they were presented with a certificate in the name of The King reading: ‘He whom this scroll commemorates was numbered among those who, at the call of King and Country, left all that was dear to them, endured hardness, faced danger, and finally passed out of the sight of men by the path of duty and self-sacrifice, giving up their own lives that others might live in freedom.’ A peel of bells raised by public donation still hangs at the top of Byres Road in the steeple above Oran Mor (the old Kelvinside Church) to remember them, especially the twenty-seven Academicals – both Glasgow and Kelvinside – who fell on one day, 28 June 1915, at Gallipoli as part of 52nd Lowland Division of Kitchiner’s New Army. The term ‘kindred club’ takes on a Thomas BurTon (HLI) - wounded (1916); awarded MC arThur russell - killed on the Somme (1916) William Barras (Argyles) - killed (1918); awarded MM charles andreW (HLI) - wounded on the Somme Ypres and at Arras; awarded MC arThur laird (HLI) - killed (1916) on the Somme John Warren (RE) - wounded; awarded MC eric young (Cameronians) - killed in Gallipoli (1915) John smiTh (HLI) - wounded in Gallipoli (1915) John sandeman (Argyles) - wounded in Palestine frank sandeman (HLI) - wounded in Mesopotamia (1918) roBerT arThur (Glasgow Yeomanary) - awarded MC and Belgian War Cross george speirs (HLI) - awarded French WC; killed (1918) george maceWan (HLI) - killed in Gallipoli (1915) archiBald TempleTon (Cameronians) – killed in Gallipoli (1915) Thomas sTouT (Cameronians) - killed in Gallipoli (1915) george Warren (HLI) - survived war HLI – Highland Light Infantry Cameronians Scottish Rifles RE – Royal Engineers Argyles – Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders deeper resonance when you share a War Memorial. Over the next four years, the nation will remember the great landmark battles of that terrible war fought 100 years ago. 2014 will focus on the Commonwealth Games Legacy based much on volunteer efforts. In 1915 at Gallipoli another Commonwealth legacy was forged by another generation of volunteers – but in very different circumstances. Hugh Barrow (1962) Announcements UPDATES Gold Awards Seven former pupils of Glasgow Academy were presented with their Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Awards by Dawn Steele, the actress, in a ceremony at Holyrood Palace in July. They were: Back (left to right): Fraser Webster (2012), Chris Millar (2006), Claire Edmonds (2006) Front: Rowan Johnstone (2011), Jillian Hamilton (2012), (Dawn Steele), Claire Dalling (2011), Gabbie Clark (2011) Best Heritage Project 2013 The Calman Cancer Support Centre in Glasgow beat off six other challengers in a public vote to win the Best Heritage Project 2013. Colin Graham (1988), Chief Executive of Cancer Support Scotland, said: ‘We are overwhelmed to have won this award. This time last year, we were operating out of small, cramped and totally unsuitable accommodation. By working in partnership with Glasgow Building Preservation Trust who secured National Lottery funding to help with the renovations, we now have this beautiful building which exceeds our expectations, enabling us to help and support more people through their cancer treatment.’ Etcetera 27 On track for success S ir Dave Brailsford, the performance director of British Cycling, has described former Glasgow Academy pupil Katie Archibald (2012) as a ‘really exciting prospect’ after she won three medals and broke a world record in her first two weeks of top-level track cycling. Katie was part of the Great Britain women’s team pursuit quartet that won gold and set a new world-best time at the European Track Championships in the Netherlands in October. This was followed by a ‘super’ performance at the UCI Track Cycling World Cup in Manchester in early November when Katie won two more medals. Katie’s success is remarkable for a rider who took up cycling only three years ago and we will follow and support her progress with great interest in the years ahead. Peter Bannatyne (1960) To celebrate my 71st birthday, I decided to circumnavigate the Isle of Bute by kayak from my home in Tighnabruaich. Leaving at 5.45 am to catch the tide, I completed the 42-mile journey in thirteen-and-a-half hours. This included a thirty-minute snooze on the Marquis of Bute’s beach at Mount Stuart and a landfall in Rothesay to purchase a large cone from Zavaroni’s Cafe. My wife claims that there is no fool like an old fool – and I fear she may be correct. In the evening we attended the Tighnabruaich Boatyard BBQ where the musical accompaniment was provided by The George Penman Jazzmen, still swinging after more than fifty years. A real blast from the past! Iain Breckenridge (1984) I handed over command of HMS ASTUTE (first of class nuclear 28 Etcetera submarine) in Sep 12 then spent eight great months as the Deputy Head of Submarine Sea and Shore Training based in Faslane. May to Sep 13 saw me working in the UK Embassy as part of a small team who work with the Chairman of The Joint Chiefs of Staff in The Pentagon. A fascinating time with amazing insight into how elements of US government and military combine to develop policy. I also had time for sightseeing with Gettysburg and Antietam battlefields being particular highlights – Ronnie Woods and Chuck Farquhar would have been happy with my historical investigations! Off to Northwood HQ outside London in the New Year and promoted to Captain; not quite 5 gold rings but one more than the current 3. I enjoy reading Etcetera and noting that – however clever, sporty or scheming my 78-84 peer group believed ourselves to be – our illustrious predecessors could clearly have taught us a thing or two! Alastair P S Brown (1999) Andrew P S Brown would like to tell all those that played cricket with him between 1993 and 1999 that he finally hit his first ‘six’ this summer. Mr Hariharan has been informed already. Roy Burdon (1955) At the beginning of November I gave a special evening lecture to parents, pupils and teachers at Kilgraston School in Bridge of Earn as part of a programme to mark the opening of their new Science Block. During the rest of the year I give talks to 14+ pupils at various schools throughout Scotland under the auspices of The Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE@ schools). Paolo Capanni (1986) Lieutenant Colonel Paolo Capanni RAMC is the Commanding Officer of 1 Medical Regiment, based in Bergen-Hohne in northern Germany. He is currently preparing his regiment for deployment to Afghanistan in 2014. Peter Edmond (1969) Inspired to become a mathematics teacher by Jimmy Cowper and Frankie Parkes and introduced to the world of Statistics in my sixth year, I took a degree in Statistics at St Andrews University followed by teacher training at Aberdeen College of Education. My first job was as a maths teacher at Dollar Academy for nine years from where I was appointed Head of Mathematics at Rannoch School for the next two years after which I went south to set up a Computing area within the Maths Department at a small girls’ boarding school near Shrewsbury. I was lured back to Glasgow by the relatively new High School of Glasgow from where I have just retired after 28 years as Head of Mathematics and Statistics. During this time, I had the pleasure of the current GA Head of Mathematics in my department – and taught two of the current Maths teachers at TGA as well. Thus it is that I have not been allowed fully to retire yet and have had the pleasure of returning to my old school to teach mathematics for a total of nine days as I write this piece. It is amazing how little the old place has changed in all that time and I do hope to continue to be asked back on the odd occasion when our overworked mathematics staff are called away to such things as Raasay, DofE and the SQA. Tom Gentle (2006) Tom Gentle is currently travelling throughout Tanzania, shooting a documentary about people with disabilities in the Northern region of the country. Tom, who directed The Odd Couple in the Cargill Hall in his final year at The Academy, went on to study Film at the University of Kent in Canterbury. The project, a partnership between Gentle Giant Productions and the Lake Victoria Disability Centre, centres on a diverse mix of disabilities in the Mara region of Tanzania, where the percentage of people with disabilities has risen from the national average of 4.5% to 13.2%. Rather than looking into the causes of the disabilities themselves, the film will explore the stigma and stereotyping that people with disabilities can face in Mara, and in Tanzania as a whole. This can range from the difficulties faced by polio sufferers in finding work, to a blind person’s inability to go to school, to the violence constantly threatened and frequently carried out upon people with albinism. The project is being crowdfunded, a recent concept by which people submit all kinds of ideas for members of the public and companies to consider and help fund in order to receive rewards. Tom’s chosen portal for his project is Sponsume, under the title In Their Shoes. If you would like to hear more about the project, or are interested in contributing to a good cause, please go to http://www.sponsume.com/project/ their-shoes Fraser Lundie (1998) In September, Fraser Lundie was named in the 2013, Financial News ‘40 Under 40 Rising Stars of Asset Management.’ Richard Lyle (1993) Richard has moved to Edinburgh from London after 12 years in England. Brian Massey 1986 Thought I’d send you this photograph (opposite, top) of Ken (Iky) Thomson (1989) – back row third from the left – and Brian Massey (1986) – back row fourth from the left – which was taken recently at the Singapore Kyokushin Karate Club, part of the Gurkha Contingent, Singapore Police dojo where I was a guest. I am now back in ENGAGEMENTS London, having lived in Singapore since 2011 – and I believe Ken is currently on deployment outside of Singapore. Kelly Sleight (2006) After studying law at the University of Strathclyde, Kelly is now a Solicitor within the Public Sector and Social Housing team at Harper Macleod LLP. MARRIAGES Claire Hamilton (2004) and Andrew Murray (2004) Claire and Andrew tied the knot on 20 July 2013 at Lenzie Union Parish Church. The reception took place at Loch Green House Hotel in Troon. Several Accies were in attendance including Claire’s brother, Mark (2001), and Best Man, Stephen Talbot (2004). A fantastic day was had by all! Vicki Jackson (1998) Vicki married Harry Boddice on 25 August 2013 at Pollokshields Burgh Hall. The ceremony was conducted by Jonathan Fleming (1999). Vicki and Harry Calum and Katie Calum Graham 2001 I am delighted to announce that I got engaged to my girlfriend of 5 years Katie Marshall on 6 August while on holiday in Gairloch, Wester Ross. (This photo was taken just after I popped the question.) Claire and Andrew Etcetera 29 Christopher Miller (2001) Chris and Cara Chris married Sonia Cheema at Guru Nanak Gurdwara, Hitchin, Hetrfordshire on 19 October, and the happy couple celebrated their marriage in Scotland on 24 October at Dundas Castle, Edinburgh. Sonia and Chris look forward to spending the next year exploring Asia and South America and enjoying their first year as a married couple. Chris and Sonia Chris Leggat (1998) On 26 October at Archerfield Links in North Berwick, Chris Leggat (1998) married Cara Laing. The Bridal party was awash with Accies: Best Man and Chris’s brother, Simon Leggat, Ushers, Scott Chassels and Jamie Doig and a reading by Fraser Lundie – much to the delight of Cara’s Dad – a Kelvinsider! Gordon and Emma Pictured (alongside Ross and Natalie) Jamie Wright (2000) left of centre, Jenna Strang (2002) furthest right and Grant Strang (2002) furthest left. Ross W Weir (2000) Ross Weir married Natalie Scott in Kent on 31 August this year. It was a magical day made even more special with the inclusion of many family members and former pupils. Ross’s cousin Jamie Wright (2000) was best man, his sister Jenna Strang (2002) was bridesmaid and her husband Grant Strang (2002) was both usher and piper. Cameron Wilson (1999) Cameron married Jennifer Hay on Saturday 7 September 2013, at Inverkeilor Church, Angus. Thereafter, a drinks and dinner reception was held at the Hay’s family home, Raesmill Farm. We are delighted to report that there were five additional Glasgow Academicals in the Wedding party: Ushers, David Fulton (1999), Murray Strang (1999), Jon McLeish (1999), Richard Inglis (1999) and Best Man, brother Ramsay Wilson (2001). Cameron and Jennifer Gordon Lundie (2002) Gordon married Emma Black on Saturday 5 October 2013 at The Roman Camp Hotel in Callander in front of family and a fair few old school friends. Tom Menzies (1979) Tom Menzies, Former Pupil and member of staff, got married on 22 July 2013 to Jennifer Joyce at Bearsden Registry Office. 30 Etcetera Tom and Jennifer Gordon Carruthers (almost) has a birthday celebration… Gordon Carruthers celebrates his 90th birthday in the company of (left) Colin Kidd (1982) and Bob Crawford (1952) T he attractions of golf and the University have over the years drawn a large colony of emigrants from Glasgow Academy to the town of St Andrews. In some quarters, indeed, St Andrews has been described as ‘Glasgow Academy East’. Of the many settlers in the east, none is known to more Academicals – or with more affection – than Gordon Carruthers, a member of the Academy staff from 1948 to 1985. Gordon was renowned for his versatility – a teacher of chemistry and biology, the organiser of the first post-War school trips to the Continent, commander of the cadet contingent, Deputy Rector, the deviser of a fiendishly complicated timetable and the master responsible for university admissions, as well as Acting Rector during the mid-1970s between the illness of Basil Holden and the arrival of Roy Chapman. However, as Gordon still ruefully acknowledges, he is probably best known to generations of Academicals for his productions of the Christmas entertainment in which he had a long-running stint as the panto dame. However, Gordon was not only a pillar of the Academy; in the course of a long semi-retirement, he became in turn a pillar of his alma mater, the University of St Andrews. Gordon was a stalwart of the University Court at St Andrews and a figure of considerable influence, not least because he was the chair of the committee that decided the salaries of the professors. In more recent years Gordon has properly retired, though still stays in touch with many Academicals. Moreover, phone calls from Rachel Teggart keep him informed of developments in the vicinity of Kelvinbridge. (at the Academy 1939-52, and one of Gordon’s first pupils), Colin Kidd (at the Academy 1976-82) and Frank Quinault (former Hebdomadar of the University of St Andrews) would visit Gordon on the 5th of November with a cake decorated in Academy colours and a bottle of something festive. In the event, it turned out that the conspirators were only a few days out, Gordon’s ninetieth birthday having fallen at the start of November. The train now standing… 30 years ago I left Scotland to emigrate to Australia. On my departure, I hired a train to go from Glasgow to Oban – and about 120 people turned up! Well I have just done it all again… this time we took over Arisaig House, hired the Jacobite Express, and had a recovery party at the Old Forge in Knoydart. A number of Accies were in attendance for both events. my year are Colin McLundie and Hamish Mclean; from two years back, Iain Anderson and Alistair McIntyre, and from two years ahead, Douglas Anderson. Bill Hutchinson (1957) from Toronto, Canada also travelled to be there. Hugh Sutherland (1974) Names of Accies in attendance included from A few months ago Gordon accidentally let slip that he was about to turn ninety, but declined to give away the date of his birthday for fear that this might bring unwanted fuss and attention. However, it was felt among those who knew him that the occasion – whenever it fell – ought not to go unmarked. There was only one clue – or possibly a red herring: an anecdote Gordon had once retailed about how his mother used to bake him a cake on Guy Fawkes Day. So, whether or not 5 November was indeed Gordon’s birthday, a conspiracy was hatched that a small group consisting of Bob Crawford Etcetera 31 Meet Atholl’s first male teacher in 83 years! A ndrew Jackson (2000) is known to all at New Anniesland as Captain of the Accies’ 1st XV. Many will know that he’s a qualified lawyer, but perhaps it’s a little less well-known that, nowadays, he’s a primary teacher. After 5 years teaching at Oxgang Primary School in Kirkintilloch, Andrew recently accepted a position at The Glasgow Academy Milngavie, formerly known as Atholl Preparatory School. Andrew commented: ‘After leaving The Glasgow Academy as a pupil 13 years ago, the opportunity to return as a prep school teacher was one I couldn’t miss. So far it has been a surreal – but thoroughly enjoyable – experience.’ Andrew was brought up in Lenzie and joined The Academy in Prep 4. On leaving school he wanted to be a lawyer, but – perhaps surprisingly – it was his love of rugby that led him into teaching. ‘After a fantastic 10 years at The Academy, I had the opportunity to move to Pietersberg, South Africa to teach a primary 1 class at PEPPS School in Polokwane for 9 months. Although my decision to travel to South Africa was very much rugby-related, my experiences of the country, people and – most significantly – of the school were truly remarkable and my interest in teaching had begun. Although I returned to study Law at University of the West of England, Bristol my thoughts quickly turned to a career in teaching and, after finishing my degree, I moved back to Glasgow to complete my PGDE course at Strathclyde University. ‘I am a keen sportsman and continue to be a passionate rugby player. Having joined Glasgow Academicals RFC after 32 Etcetera leaving school, I moved to Glasgow Hawks for three seasons on completing my law degree before returning to play and now captain Glasgow Accies. I hope to use some of my experience to help coach the Sunday mini-rugby and prep school teams to even greater success!’ Andrew clearly finds working with younger children motivating and energising and he’s introduced some new – and usual – sports-related activities. Oliver and Luciana, children in the Kindergarten, for example, were quick to say that they liked dancing with the rugby ball in the school hall! At a time when only 8% of primary teachers nationally are men, TGA Milngavie has been fortunate this year to appoint not one but two men – both of them lawyers and both of them keen sportsmen! The other is Ian Munro, a sprinter who is a former Scottish Under-23 Athlete of the Year. Jean McMorran, Head of TGA Milngavie, said of her new appointments: ‘I am always looking for staff who inspire pupils, who provide an exciting curriculum with breadth and depth, and who give lots of nurture and encouragement. It’s also very important for children to experience a variety of approaches – and I love having teachers who bring different perspectives.’ Clearly, the presence of a couple of excellent male role models at TGA Milngavie has had an influence on the children’s attitudes. Nathalie Jones, one of the school’s parents, commented that, before the arrival of Mr Jackson and Mr Munro, her daughter hadn’t even known that it was possible for men to be teachers. We wish Andrew and Ian every success in their new posts. OBITUARIES Professor John C Dumbreck (1941) 14 July 1923 – 15 August 2013 John Craig Dumbreck was a pupil at Glasgow Academy for all of his Senior School years, between 1935 and 1941. He was a gifted student in French and German and, inspired by Chris Varley, went on to study languages at Glasgow University. He spent most of his teaching life in – and became a Professor while a member of – the Russian Department at Manchester University. John became an Emeritus Professor of Russian Studies when he retired and retained an active interest in academic matters. He visited Scotland often, travelled extensively abroad and also enjoyed being reconnected with The Academy through Etcetera in recent years. He always visited Colebrooke Street when he was in Glasgow. John died in August after a period of illness and will be sorely missed by all who knew him. John Horrex – Academy Staff John J Horrex, a former Head of Physics at The Academy, who became well-known as the founding member of the vocal group The Master Singers in the 1960s, died on 18 March. After graduating with a Physics degree from Cambridge – and while a master at Abingdon School in the late 1950s – John Horrex devised a psalm-chant version of The Highway Code. In 1963, to celebrate Abingdon’s quarter-centenary, a record was made by John and three other teachers, a copy of which was passed to the BBC, who used it on a programme introduced by Winston Churchill (jnr). Calling themselves ‘The Master Singers’, the group were signed by Parlophone Records and The Highway Code went on to reach no 22 in the charts. The singers were even on standby for Top of the Pops on one occasion. John joined the staff at Glasgow Academy as Head of the Physics Department in January 1965, just as The Master Singers were becoming well-known. Unsurprisingly, The Madrigal Group at The Academy enjoyed much success under his leadership and he was involved in many stage productions – as writer, producer, actor or technical adviser, sometimes in one capacity at a time and sometimes in all at once. The Master Singers continued to perform live and on television, as well as record – amongst others – Shipping Forecast, Anglican Chant and Weather Forecast. They did the backing of Peter Sellers’ version of ‘A Hard Day’s Night’, Cliff Richard invited them to back an album of Christmas carols and they performed ‘The Highway Code’ on the Ken Dodd Show live on BBC TV. However, a combination of distances apart and over-exposure are said to be the reason for enthusiasm for The Master Singers beginning to fade. John left Glasgow Academy at the end of the autumn term in 1980 to become Head of Physics at St Edmund’s School, Canterbury. He continued to live in Canterbury on his retirement and, until fairly recently, continued to sing regularly in the choir of St Stephen’s Church and in a Barber shop group. He was reasonably well and out and about walking up to a few weeks before his death and, we are told, retained the wry sense of humour which helped to create ‘The Highway Code’ and other Master Singers classics. Sonya McDiarmid (Academy staff) Very peacefully at her home on Monday 11 November 2013. Dearly beloved wife of the late Neil (Ham) McDiarmid and mother of Susan and Steven, grandmother to Rory, Cameron, Angus, Alex and Euan, dedicated bowler, imaginative bridge player, inspirational and singular woman of great repute and immense fortitude. The Very Rev Dr W J Morris 22 August 1925 – 31 October 2013 We are very sorry to note the passing of Dr William Morris, who gave many years of service to Glasgow Academy. Dr Morris was Minister of Glasgow Cathedral from 1967 to 2005 and became an Honorary Governor of The Academy in 1995. The funeral service was held at Glasgow Cathedral on 12 November. A full tribute to Dr Morris will appear in the next edition. R Russell Park (1936) 11 June 1918 – 11 September 2013 Russell was brought up in Pollokshields and Cambuslang. He was enrolled at Glasgow Academy in 1928 and noted as an intelligent and industrious pupil. He won the General Knowledge Prize in Form IV and 1st XV Colours in Form V. His 1st XV team were undefeated and the team photograph still hangs in the pavilion at Anniesland. On leaving school Russell continued to show his prowess on the pitch, playing for 1st Accies through 1937 to 1939. Career-wise, his artistic flair was directing him towards an occupation in furniture design when war got in the way. He enlisted as a 2nd Lieutenant in 11th HLI and later transferred to 51st Highland Reconnaissance. He saw action in North Africa and was wounded at El Alamein. After hospital treatment he was posted to Palestine as Instructor for Middle East OTC before joining 1st Batallion London Scottish. Wounded twice in Italy, Russell was repatriated on tri-wound, by which time he had risen to the rank of Captain. Post war he followed his father into a career in the paint industry. Later Russell got the opportunity to redirect his talents and was able to make use of his design skills as a company director with Douglas Munro & Co. A keen angler, Russell had his triumphs on rivers Tay and Spey, bagging several salmon. He also greatly enjoyed trout fishing, joining the Brother Loch Angling Club in 1972 and later serving as Club Secretary. He fished with Accies and kept in touch with former Angling Section Secretary – the late J B Elder (1936) – for many years. They were old friends from school and successful 1st XV days. Russell always talked positively of his association with The Academy and his involvement with Accies. His other major hobby, golf, meant he also supported the GAC in the Queen Elizabeth Tournament. Russell joined Pollok in 1936, became a life member and served as Club Captain and Hon. Vice President. Latterly, he had to deal with limited mobility and stays in hospital. Russell did, however, get his wish, dying peacefully at home surrounded by his family. He was predeceased by his much-loved wife Christine, and is survived by his son and daughter, Alastair and Ruth, grandsons Douglas and Scott and great-granddaughters Evie and Lyla. Lt. Cdr. Michael B Tattersall (1962) 31 August 1944 – 21 September 2013 Michael Brian Tattersall (Mike), (Lt. Cdr, RN, rtd) was a pupil at Glasgow Academy from 1953 until 1962. During his time at school he played rugby, was a member of the Chess Club, the Scientific Society and the Humanists and won prizes in geography, maths and science, as well as the S5 General Knowledge prize. His involvement with the RN section of the CCF while at Colebrooke Street led to Mike pursuing a career in the navy. On leaving The Academy in 1962, he went to the Royal Naval College at Dartmouth as a cadet officer before attending RN Manadon Engineering College to qualify as an aeronautical engineer. Mike served on many ships including HMS Bulwark, HMS Eagle, HMS Ark Royal, as well as on shore bases including Lossiemouth, Yeovil, and HMS Daedalus at Lee on the Solent and earned a total of over thirty years’ service in the Royal Navy. Mike was an avid sailor and long-term member of the RNSA, competitively racing dinghies and keelboats all over the world during his time in the Royal Navy. Since his retirement from the Service, he established a considerable reputation racing his 10 metre sloop Electra in the Solent, winning essentially every major trophy in its class over the past 20 years. Mike died peacefully after a short illness at Queen Alexandra Hospital, Cosham, Hampshire. He is survived – and will be greatly missed – by his brothers Rob, Anthony and Peter and respective families, and all his many friends. Mr W Eric Wilson (1952) 20 November 1933 – 29 October 2013 William Eric Wilson CBE died peacefully at home. A well-known Academical, Eric was born in Greenock and attended the Academy between 1944 and 1950. He became Chief Executive of the Federation of Agricultural Cooperatives, Master of the Woolmans Company and Chairman of the Farmer’s Club. A full tribute to Eric will feature in a future edition. Etcetera 33 Picture Post Macbeth 1962 Macbeth, looking very youthful, is yours truly, minus the false beard I stuck on for the performances in the Cargill Hall! Lady M is Neil MacGregor, now Director of the British Museum and a very distinguished broadcaster of course. On his right is Chris Ormerod, as Macduff, and then David Webster. I’m ashamed to say that many of the other names escape me, although on my left is Jeff Bolam as Banquo, and on the extreme right of the photograph is Peter Gannon, who directed many of the productions, superbly. Hugh Ross (1962) Dear Sir In response to the letter in the recent Etcetera magazine from Alistair McLean, I attach a copy of the photograph to which he refers. I also attach a copy of the back which has the names of those involved. These names are not in strict order, and I am sending a list in what I believe to be the correct order. I hope that this brings happy memories for Alistair. Yours faithfully Sandy Strang (1961) Back Row - Left to right J Little, I Stitt, J Cowie, T Dickie, M Hannah, H Bryson, P Izat, A Steel, R Bane, C Hendry, T Howie, K Hatrick, K Leslie Second Row B Shaw, B Parkes, R MacInnes, A McLean, A Hogarth, B Archibald, G Mackenzie, G Kerr, ? Pollock, S Strang, C MacNiven, R Hogarth Seated J Marshall, E MacNiven, R Lightbody, Mrs Parkes, K Dunn, F Parkes, Miss Engels, M McIlwrick, C Macallian, H Lumsden, D McColl Front Row D Sinclair?, P Jarvis, E Niven, G McGee, J Hunter, A Izat Missing from photograph – J Bustin, M Keith 34 Etcetera Dear Etcetera editor, I apologise for taking so long to write concerning your article on Roydon Richards in Etcetera 8. I was expecting one of the Classics scholars to contribute, and then just forgot. However, having rediscovered that particular issue, I feel I ought to comment on the school song, in case anyone uses that page as an authoritative reference. Hopefully, Warren has a true copy of the original. Tony Hatfield’s rugby photo… …certainly is not the 2nd team, but is probably an under 12 ½ or 13 ½ team. I recognise myself (bottom right) as full-back and as well as HG, I can see Ritchie, Minto, Fyfe, Page, McPherson, McCrossan, and possibly Sloan and McCulley. Other faces are familiar but the names escape me. I look forward to someone doing better than myself. Douglas Walker (1955) Dear Sir Perhaps I can help with this photo of a rugby team composed of my contemporaries. I think that the given date of 1954 is wrong, as the boys look less mature than the Class photo from summer 1953 (class photos were every second year). I therefore would suggest that they are Second formers or early Third formers in 1952 or 1953. I can name just 12 of the 18 in Henry U`ren`s team. Back row – Derek Guthrie, Ramsay Sloan, Derek Brown, George Ritchie, ?, Jock Fleming, W George Wilson, ? Middle row – Stan Symington, Gordon Page, ?, Clark Gibson, ?, ?, McKellar at Glasgow Golf Club; Gordon Page became a stalwart of Accies’ Rugby in 1960s; Tom Anderson graduated with me in Medicine in 1962 and became Professor of Pathology in Edinburgh; Kenneth MacCrossan became an eye surgeon and emigrated to Canada Perhaps someone else will come up with names for the six blanks here. Kind regards, Ian S Smith (1956) I was a chorister from 1959 to 1965, and although my memory is far from perfect, I am sure that the second last line of the first verse which I sang was ‘Sic nos solutis CORDIBUS’ not ‘coribus’. My Collins dictionary suggests that cordibus is associated with sorrow, in line with the Rector’s translation. I have no doubt it was a misprint, but for anyone who, like myself, may wish to use that page for reference, it deserves correction. Best wishes, David Cockburn (1966) CARMEN Qui mos erat scholaribus Dear Malcolm Olim, nunc usurpamus; Thank you for your continued production of the excellent Etcetera. Vetustis conditoribus Tony Hatfield (1954) asked for any information on the rugby photo on p27 of the summer edition. My memory for faces is slightly better than names, so I apologise if I am not 100% correct on those that I think I recognise. Musas est salutare Back row – D Guthrie, R Sloan, ? , G Ritchie, H U’ren, ? , J Fleming, G Wilson, E Connal Hic velut in cunabulis Cantus grates agamus; Scholae fidem iuvare: Sic nos solutis cordibus Libenter concinamus. Vitae fides colenda; Front row – Tom J Anderson, Kenneth I MacCrossan, ? Middle row – second from left – G Page , otherwise not known. For information Front row – T Anderson, K McCrossan, A Hill Remissae persequenda; Of those I have named, the one I am least confident about is myself, in the front row. My wife thinks it is me, so who am I to argue with such authority! Aetate post adulta Arthur Hill (1956) Semper fides prodenda. George Ritchie ran Trerons until it closed and then ran St Enoch Centre: W George Wilson became Assistant Secretary at the Royal & Ancient; Jock Fleming (now in Canada) was Club Campion more than once Mox pubi retinaculis Fides erit reculta; In factis, in vocabulis Etcetera 35 F U R N I T U R E & P A N E L L E D I N T E R I O R S b y C L I V E C H R I S T I A N 97 - 99 Great Western Road, Glasgow. G4 9AH • Tel - 0141 332 8989 • e-mail scotland@clivechristianinteriors.com • WWW.CLIVE.COM 36