Also in this issue: From Gateshead to Gallipoli | Boxing at RGS | ONA Now and Then Issue 95 | Autumn 2015

Going for GoldEleni Papadopoulos (08-10) on the quest for glory at Rio Paralympics 2016

ONA Magazine is the magazine for the Old Novocastrians’ Association

Editor: Jane Medcalf

All correspondence should be addressedto: The Development Office, Royal Grammar School, Eskdale Terrace,Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4DX

Telephone Development Office: 0191 212 8909 email:ona@rgs.newcastle.sch.uk

The Editor reserves the right to edit, alter or omit all submissions to the magazine.Copy may be carried over to the nextedition. The Editor’s decision is final.

Contribute!We are always looking for articles andnews from Old Novos to include in themagazine, so send your contributions,via email (if possible) to:ona@rgs.newcastle.sch.ukor to the Development Office at the school.

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

The deadline for acceptance of copy for theWinter 2015 issue is 7 December 2015.Copymay be carried over to a future issue.

Special thanks to David Goldwater (51-62) for his research and contributions to theONA Magazine, particularly on his searchfor A History of the RGS in Its People.

The ONA Magazine is available onlinePlease note that the magazine is circulatedboth in hard copy and by email to manymembers of the Association. Each editionis added to the ONA website shortly aftercirculation. By submitting an article or newsfor inclusion the contributor is acceptingthat it will be available through both formatsand will also be accessible beyond theAssociation membership through internetsearch engines or any member of the publicviewing the ONA website.www.ona.rgs.newcastle.sch.uk

Cover image: © Eleni Papadopoulos

Please note that the ONA Magazine content does notneccessarily reflect the views of the school or the ONAand is based on personal experiences, recollectionsand memories of its contributors.

Design www.infinitedesign.com

1 President’s Welcome2 News and Congratulations4 ONA Now and Then6 Boxing at RGS8 Johannesburg Trauma Elective10 Digging at Vindolanda12 From Gateshead to Gallipoli 15 Why I Give to RGS Bursaries16 Obituaries

ContentsONA Magazine Issue 95Autumn 2015

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1 ONA – Old Novocastrians Association MagazineAutumn 2015

Welcome

Chris Rutter (92-02)ONA President

Hello and welcome to the autumn edition of the magazine! As the mid-point in my presidency is almost here, I am delighted with what we have been able to achieve so far, yet it has passed so quickly I amconscious of how much I would like to still complete before I pass thebaton across to Chris Wilson (97-02). So I will start with a quickrundown of what has happened in the last few months.

July saw us make an appearance at RGS day where current and OldNovocastrians along with parents stopped by to say hello, see what we have planned and also to buy some merchandise!

As for merchandise, we have been working closely with our newsuppliers to produce what everyone has been asking for, high qualityitems. Please see on page 3 our new range of silk ties, bow ties, enamelgilt plated cufflinks, scarves and socks. We are always keen to hear anyideas for women’s ON merchandise too, so please get in touch.

As Rugby World Cup fever builds in the coming months, the WebbEllis Trophy made an appearance in school and soon we will welcomethe Scottish RFU to use the new sports facilities in school as a trainingbase. You may remember the recent sad passing of our former rugbycoach John Elders (57-82 and 92-96). We have been working closelywith Novos RFC to reforge the old links with the club, so we aredelighted to present a memorial game in honour of John on 2 Octoberbetween the Novos Veterans and ONA. We would love this to be anannual fixture, so please get behind this by either playing or comingalong to support!

The rugby theme continues with our 90th Annual Dinner on 16 October where we are joined by Jonathan Webb (74-81),orthopaedic surgeon and former England international who played in the 1991 World Cup Final, and we invite all former rugby players to assemble their teams once again and book a table at the dinner.There is some extremely generous discounts available to very recentschool leavers as we hope once again for a sell-out.

Finally, I urge you all to join our Facebook page to see the latest newsand event updates, such as our monthly lunches or drinks gatherings. I was also delighted to hear that my brief plea last time generatedconsiderable interest in the Bursary Campaign (and donations) so, if you were thinking of giving, please do so as it all makes a difference!

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News and Congratulations

We are delighted to have recently heard from…

Rachel Rodgers (06-08) I now lecture at Reaseheath College and the Universityof Chester in Animal Training. As mystudents are currently away for thesummer, I am in the Dominican Republic,again back with dolphins and sealions.

Malcolm Staig (51-61) A chancemeeting, which is a gem of an ON tale, tookplace in August when Malcolm ‘Tab’ Staigdecided to participate in an eight-mile walk,organised by the Kensington, Chelsea andWestminster Group. Starting and finishingat Shoreham and taking in a pub lunch atEynsford, Malcolm met up with Arthur Ian Mickler (40-46) for the very first time.As Mr Owen (23-60) would haveexclaimed: “Quacumque itis, certe videbis Novocastriam”. (Wherever ye’ gan, yer sure t’ meet a Geordie!)

Brian Beeley (46-53) and his wife Jane,who recently returned to school on the lastday of the Summer Term for a tour of theschool and a last look of the The

Sutherland Swimming Bath where hespent many an hour as a Newt. We wereover the moon that they both wished to stay for the End of Year Assembly in theMain Hall where Sam Chrisp, Year 13picked up his ONA Geography Prize andthe House results were announced. Much to Brian’s despair and amusement,Collingwood came in fourth place! Brianreceived a round of applause and standingovation on David Goldwater’s (51-62)announcement that Brian had not been in school for 60 years!

Jamie Hansell (92-02) writes: I first beganattending Wednesday night volleyball whilstI was still at the school. Once I returned fromuniversity it became the cornerstone of myweek. Elders Volleyball is a mixed club,consisting of Old Novos and friends. Ourmotley crew have been organised by ColinPeacock (53-61). Mr Peacock has this yearannounced he will be retiring from the club.Colin was a founding member of the club,started by the late John Elders (57-82 and

92-96) over 40 years ago. Originally thesessions started with keep-fit, followed byvolleyball. In more recent years the keep-fitsection has been replaced with two hoursof total volleyball. Colin has kept everyonemotivated to attend even when numbersdropped to playing on one court instead oftwo. He has liaised with school to makesure the club adheres to all modern dayregulations, and worked extremely hard toencourage and welcome new members. I wish to thank Colin for all his years ofservice to the club, and to wish him well inhis retirement. The court will certainly be amuch quieter place without you, whichmight not be a bad thing! I have been giventhe task of taking over from Colin and I hope I can keep the club going for another40 years. We aim to create a friendlyatmosphere for players of all abilities to playvolleyball and have a laugh along the way.Anyone who would like to come and give ita go, please contact the ONA. Your first,and most important lesson, will always be,the second ball is the setters!

Going for GoldEleni Papadopoulos (08-10) GBTeam para-cyclist,triathlete and retired bufferfly swimmer. Sadly, I retiredfrom swimming with a shoulder injury but, not givingup my love of sport, I have spent the past yeartransitioning to cycling and completed my first race at the UCI Para-cycling Road World Cup in Italy,finishing fifth in both the Time Trial and the Road Race.

Unable to return to full-time swimming as a butterflyspecialist, I am considering a return to triathlon and in doing so hope to compete at the 2016 ParalympicGames in Rio. In order to help me achieve this, I amcurrently searching for sponsorship, especially to help with my recovery and transition into this newsport whilst studying for my Law degree. I would be grateful if you can contact me by email atlenni.p_92@hotmail.com.

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Our congratulations go to…

Sam Chrisp, Year 13 who won the ONAGeography Prize with his winning essayanswering the question: What qualitiesdoes the Northumberland National Parkand Northumberland in general possessthat makes it potentially so attractive tovisitors? Is encouraging tourism here awholly good thing for the region? Samwas presented with his prize by DavidGoldwater (51-62) on behalf of the ONA.

Sophie De la Hunt (04-06) on hermarriage to David Clamon.

Matty Benn (00-07) and Alex Pallant on the birth of their son, Henry.

Iain Nairn (88-98) on his appointment ascaptain of the England Physically Disabledcricket team. He said: “I’m delighted to beable to bring ‘my’ team back to the schoolin July when we take on NUSC at Jesmond.I have no doubt that the groundsmen willhave a great track prepared for us. Thethree games we play in the region are part of the lead up to an international

tournament in Bangladesh in earlySeptember this year. The first tournamentof its kind sees five or six teams playingeach other for the right to call themselvesthe best team in the world”.

Tom Rowley (01-08) journalist who haswon a Fellowship on the prestigiousWashington Post. The Stern Fellowshiphonours legendary Post editor LaurenceStern by bringing a British journalist ofexceptional promise to the newsroomeach summer. He will contribute to politicalcoverage. Congratulations Tom. Longgone are the days of The Grammar!

The school on its recent Gold Award forOutstanding Progress, IndependentSchools category at the EducationBusiness Awards in London. Dr BernardTrafford, Headmaster received the awardfrom Buck’s Fizz star, Cheryl Baker.

Raymond Orife (99-03) and GeorginaOrife (née Cooke) (02-04) on the birth of their daughter, Eva.

ONA – Old Novocastrians Association MagazineAutumn 2015

Join us on Facebook and LinkedInThere are plenty of Old Novos social media groups around,but we have our own groups. Join us by becoming a fan ofthe Old Novocastrians Association pages on Facebookand LinkedIn.

ONA Membership – Standing OrdersIf you still have a standing order set up to pay the ONAsubscription fee, please cancel it as soon as possible. ONAmembership is FREE to all Old Novos and former membersof staff.

Country Dance Reunion

Christine Watson (née McLennan, aformer pupil of Central Newcastle HighSchool, also wife of Dr Malcolm Watson(50-61) and mother to Iain Watson(80-90)) is intending to arrange a reunionfor those former pupils of CNHS, ChurchHigh School and the RGS. The reunion isfor those former pupils who went to SixthForm country dancing with Jan and retiredmaths teacher John Douglas (56-94), in the RGS Gym and who will become 70years of age in or around 2017.Christine’s email address is: watsonchristine20@hotmail.co.uk. The reunionwill probably take the form of a buffet meal(at the RGS if at all possible) or anothervenue probably in May or June 2017.Arrangements have not been finalisedand suggestions would be very welcome.If you would like to be informed ofarrangements and are willing to shareyour email address, or if you know ofanyone else who may be interested andhave their permission to forward theiraddress, that would be very helpful.

ONA MerchandiseTo order from our new range of merchandise, please senda cheque payable to ONA, confirming your deliveryaddress and contact details. For further details pleaseemail: ona@rgs.newcastle.sch.uk.

Scarf100% double thickness wool

£35

Cufflinks T Bar, enamel gilt plated,

school crest£29

Socks100% cotton

£9

Bow Tie 100% pure silk, self-tie and readymade options available £29

Polyester ties are also available.

Tie 100% pure silk, slip-stitched, fully lined £29

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ONA Now and Then

As Headmaster of the RGS (and workingin a large office just feet away from theredoubtable Jane Medcalf who compilesthis magazine), I am allowed a sneakpreview of the next publication beforepenning my contribution. Just as well: how else could I attempt to do justice tothe sheer range of information contained in this one?

Let’s start with the people. There’s nodoubt that ONs travel, and travel well! Thuswe read of chance meetings, reunions andreminiscences from ONs of all generations:we see medics at various stages of theircareers apparently encompassing theglobe. And, among the youngest ONsfeatured, we have Tom Rowley (01-08)setting off to further his journalistic career in the States, while athlete EleniPapadopoulos (08-10) has her sightsfirmly fixed on the 2016 Paralympic Gamesin Rio.

Sport has always played a part in schoollife at the RGS, though across a muchbroader spectrum than its intractablyrugby-oriented reputation sometimessuggests to the uninformed! So, as westart using our magnificent new SwimmingPool (the barriers and danger signs nowremoved!), it’s good to look back to theopening of The Sutherland SwimmingBath, a far-sighted and forward-thinkingaddition to the school back in 1930 thatestablished swimming as the major RGSsport it remains to this day (I can’t resistjust boasting here of the RGS JuniorSchool’s U11 girls becoming nationalchampions in June).

While still looking back, it’s entertaining to read an account of boxing at the RGS, a sport that is problematic for schoolsnowadays and therefore rarely undertaken.I wonder whether the circulation of thisedition of the magazine will fuel therumours, which still surface from time totime among the current student body, thatsomewhere in an imaginary cellar hiddenunder the Main Hall there is still a perfectboxing ring.

This autumn will see a powerful rugbytheme in the school. The John EldersMemorial Match on 2 October will honourthe memory of a truly great man: what aprivilege it was for those who knew him to be taught and inspired by someone whoadded so much both to the school’s rugbyand to that of the nation. I guess, in themodern world of professional sport, thatdual role is unimaginable now.

Nonetheless, professional sport will cometo the RGS in October, when the Scottishnational team uses the school as itstraining base for the Rugby World Cup.Our own Jim Pollock (66-77), of course,should be on hand to give them some tips (if they have the sense to ask). And I can’t resist mentioning, somewhatmischievously, that Jim now features in a museum! His Scotland cap is part of an exhibition in Newcastle’s DiscoveryMuseum. And there’s one further rugbyconnection in the fact that we’ll bedelighted to welcome former Englandinternational Jonathan Webb (74-81) as speaker at the ONA Annual Dinner at school on Friday 16 October.

Finally, I must draw your attention to thepiece by Christian Gardner (00-07) thatwarms the heart. He is frank about the wayin which he benefited from bursary supportat the school, and how he feels it is time togive back and share some of his successthat he attributes to the opportunitiesafforded to him by the school. It’s a warmand generous statement and I commend it to you. The Bursary Campaign is asclose to my heart as it is central to theschool’s historical mission. I am delightedthat the ONA is throwing its weight behindthe campaign and I hope that many of youwill consider following that outstandingexample set by Christian.

Plenty to read, then: and plenty of events in which to share. Enjoy the magazine!

Bernard TraffordHeadmaster

5 5 ONA – Old Novocastrians Association MagazineAutumn 2015

ONA Nowand Then

Changing LanesWith completion of the new Swimming Pool this year we look back through The Novocastrian, to itscelebrated beginnings when ON Sir Arthur MunroSutherland (1878-1883), “prince of givers”, donatedthe swimming bath to the school in 1930, whenChairman of Governors.

On June 20th the baths, presented to theschool by Sir Arthur Munro Sutherland,were opened by the Lady Mayoress, MissStephenson. The ceremony was as shortas possible, and for that we were grateful,for the heat, particularly on the balcony,where a section of the school were packedrather tightly, was intense. These were thereal heroes of the day, and how theymanaged to cheer in an atmosphere wherebreathing was difficult is more than I can tell.

After the School Song had been sung, Sir Arthur formally presented the bath tothe school, and Bewick handed to him asilver cigar-box, for which the school hadsubscribed in gratitude to Sir Arthur for his magnificent gift. Sir Arthur Lambertthanked the donor, and in the course of his speech called him “a prince of givers.”He also challenged him to a race across a couple of breadths of the bath, but I heard no word of acceptance. The LadyMayoress then declared the baths open, at Sir Arthur Sutherland’s request. Despitethe confusion in local newspapers, thesilver rose-bowl which Mr. Marshallpresented on behalf of Messrs. Marshall & Tweedy, the architects, and Messrs JRRutherford & Sons, the contractors, wasintended for the Lady Mayoress, not forSir Arthur. When Mr Beckingham, the Vice-Chairman of the Governors, had moved avote of thanks to the Lady Mayoress, theofficial ceremony was over, and thefavoured few with red tickets were allowed

to pass out immediately and see the bath in use. While the rest were waiting in theHall, Mr B Johnson played selections onthe organ. Despite the huge crowds whichwere present, the whole assembly passedthrough the baths in a very orderly manner,though Captain Robinson experiencedsome difficulty in keeping the people on theedge of the bath on the move. CaptainRobinson and Mr Magnay were in chargeof the display, and for an informal exhibition,the swimming was extremely good.Sandison’s bell was particularly impressive.

The swimming bath is the most valuableand most useful gift ever presented to theschool, though of course Sir Arthur’s othergift, the memorial organ, is indispensable,and the more one learns of the plantinstalled in the baths and the extraordinarymeasures for cleanliness and freshness,the greater grows one’s admiration. Theactual measurements of the bath are

seventy feet by thirty feet, a remarkable sizefor a school bath. The water is filtered,aerated, warmed, and sterilized continuously,and the whole of the seventy thousandgallons is changed every four hours.

The completion of the baths by June 20thwas a very great feat, and the architectsand builders are to be congratulated.Already swimming is well under way, andwe can now look forward to the time whenthe RGS will be a really eminent swimmingschool. Just after this article goes to Press,the team from Cambridge University isgiving a display in the bath. We wish themluck, and feel sure that they will find theappointments entirely to their liking.

The Novocastrian, Vol. XLIV, No.2, July1930 pp.88-89

Under construction: the new Swimming Pool in

June 2015

The Sutherland Swimming Bath, 1952,

Newts in practice

School Baths

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When queried, WD Haden (60-72), whowas something of a throwback to anearlier era and Headmaster from 1960to 1972, stated in a way that brookedlittle argument, that “RGS boys ‘do’

boxing”. Thus, everyone in the Removes was required topractice boxing one lunchtime a week before the Removes’House boxing finals at the end of Spring Term.

For many, boxing was to be endured, but it requires a level of fitness which other sports do not and had fouradvantages at RGS. First, in contrast to rugby, one did not have to face an opponent much larger than oneself.Second (and this goes to the heart of the ethos of amateurboxing and was rigorously upheld by RGS masters), one is matched against opponents of similar ability. It isaxiomatic that boys do not continue a sport if they are hurtrepeatedly or are frightened. Thus, boxing was safer thanother sports. Third, like the rugby team, the boxing teamwent on tour to London, but took every age from theRemoves to the Upper Sixth, whereas one would have tobe an exceptional 14 year old to make the First XV. Fourth,one becomes very sweaty when boxing but not muddy,cold, or bored. There are two ways to box, of course. Youeither try to hit your opponent more often than he hits youor you try to avoid being hit as often as him; if necessary by propelling oneself away from him (or her, these days) as quickly as possible. As the best thing in life is to beunder-estimated, I favoured the second of these strategiesin my brief amateur boxing career, albeit sometimesunsuccessfully; while some RGS boxers with good power-to-weight ratios could box or fight as the mood took them.

It was with sadness that in the last editionof the ONA Magazine, I read MikeOswald’s (66-03) obituary of the lastmaster in charge of boxing, MichaelAnthony ‘Tony’ Griffiths MBE (69-02and 05-06). Tony had a ready smile and could be characterised in an oldfashioned way, as a ‘very good bloke’;although it may surprise current pupils to learn that boxing was compulsory forthe boys of earlier generations.

Boxing at RGSBy Peter ‘Taff’ Davies (60-70)

Boxing is not a team sport, but prior to my first boxing teamphotograph I was told in no uncertain terms to, “get the smileoff my face”, as the team was supposed to look tough! I wasalso told to keep my hands behind my biceps to demonstratethat I had some. This also seems to have been the case in the1967 photograph shown opposite.

I was always struck by the inherent kindness with whichmasters in charge of boxing treated boys to ensure that theycame to no harm. While for most, there were better things to do with their lives than box during a precious lunchtime theRemoves’ boxing finals were one of the highlights of theRGS year. The old gym was packed with boys of every year,perhaps 200 or 300 urchins hoping, and usually getting,wonderful entertainment with boys hanging from the bars onthe walls. Matching was the key. It would have been fruitlessto match, say, the first violin from the orchestra against the U14 scrum-half but there was no reason not to match himagainst the second violin. I recall the hilarity caused whenJohn ‘Richard’ Sharp (60-71), after entering the ring, wasinstructed in no uncertain terms to remove his glasses andreplied in a loud voice, “This is ridiculous!” In his match, I donot think that a glove was laid by either boxer on hisopponent, as both circled the ropes on opposite sides of thering as geometrically as far from each other as it was possibleto be, to the hilarity of a baying crowd. In contrast, the mostsuitable opponent for the second-row forward was the othersecond-row forward and similarly, prop-forwards often had tofight each other. Pride in one’s House and oneself resulted ina few serious fights such as that between Alan ‘AJ’ Weir(60-70) and Jamie Thompson (63-70) in my year, but I donot remember damage being done except for bruised egos. I remember losing to Ray Bell (60-70) in my match and later,in a boxing team House tournament, to Niven ‘Niv’ Hunter(59-69) who I could see but not catch, let alone hit.

Boxing had been nurtured in the post-war years by Donald‘Spitty’ Meaken (24-65), head of Geography; nicknamedthus because of an unfortunate lisp, he portrayed anintimidating old-fashioned figure. Don Meaken encouragedany boy with academic and boxing talent, especiallygeographers, to apply to Cambridge and many subsequentlywon Blues. Such was his aura, having left RGS nearly 18months before, I was astonished to receive a written formal

Boxing Club, 1964

7 ONA – Old Novocastrians Association MagazineAutumn 2015

invitation to take tea with him after I won my first Oxford Blue.With long hair and a then fashionable but ridiculous Zapatamoustache and an appearance which was later described bya daughter as being from a ‘118118’ advert, I remember alimited conversation in the company of someone whom I hadnever regarded as other than remote and formidable but whoturned out to be a kind and, perhaps, lonely old gentleman.

Although Don Meaken continued to be involved with boxingat RGS by refereeing, and so on; after he retired; boxing wasgiven to Neil McLeod (61-69). Neil McLeod, nicknamed“Scotch Mist”; was one of the most inspirational teachersand especially able with boys of lesser academic ability. ThatNeil McLeod had no boxing experience whatsoever matteredfor naught for such was the respect in which he was held, noboy wanted to let him down. He even conducted boxingimmaculately attired in suit and tie. He was ably assisted byWC ‘Bogs’ Cuthbertson (28-35), a gentle teacher of RE(47-74) who had been formerly a light heavyweight in theArmy, I think. The problem facing Neil McLeod and hissuccessor, Tony Griffiths was the lack of schools and otherestablishments which continued to box. There was an annualneedle-match with Ampleforth whose team was led for a yearor so by Bob Nairac who was later murdered by the IRA; andI boxed against Shane Fane-Hervey, his successor.

My first bout for Oxford was in the annual fixture againstSandhurst. Bob Nairac told me not to worry and to beaggressive, i.e. not to follow my usual habit of damage-limitation. After losing on a split decision, I discovered I had fought a captain in the Gurkhas, much to Nairac’samusement.

The highlight of the RGS boxing year was, however, the London tour, and I recall the despair when, for threesuccessive years, boxing tours were cancelled. As aRemove, I boxed against Felsted and was a non-boxeragainst Haileybury, but in the Upper Sixth I recall matchesagainst Dulwich College and Royal Hospital School,Ipswich. At the former I gave away a couple of stone to an immobile middleweight and managed to win two punches to one over three rounds.

The toughest-looking opponents RGS faced were those fromCarlisle Army Apprentices’ College; largely working class ladsfrom Glasgow, Liverpool, and of course, the North East all ofwhom seemed to relish the idea of getting at us ‘posh boys’;but they were not as tough as they looked, which was verytough as it happens, and the advice from Messrs Meaken,Cuthbertson, and McLeod, was to outbox one’s opponent,not outfight him. Indeed, RGS teams usually did quite wellalthough there was the occasional spectacular bust-up whilesome boys, such as EHEG ‘Garth’ Ormond (59-69) andJohn ‘Steve’ Campbell (58-68), could box or fight as amatter of choice; which came as something of a surprise to their opponents. Before one Carlisle match, however, I overheard a boy who had a tough reputation at school, afterseeing his prospective opponent, approach Neil McLeod andinform him that he was ill. Neil McLeod scratched the matchrather than forcing the frightened lad to box.

As the number of potential opponents diminished, TonyGriffiths approached West End Boys’ Club in Fenham for bouts, but it was quickly obvious that, with the Club’sfrequent evening training, RGS boys were no match forthem, leaving aside the logistical problems of getting boyswho had to meet academic requirements to the other side of the City several times a week. After leaving the school, I continued to box for the West End around the North East in order to maintain fitness and gain experience before trying to win a Blue, but lost as many bouts as I won. In retirement, I now exercise by getting up every day.

Something was lost when boxing disappeared from thecurriculum, not only at RGS. Boxing taught self-disciplineand an element of physical self-confidence, but aside fromFane-Hervey from Oxford and bumping into Alan Dickinson(58-67) at an ONA Dinner many years ago, the last contact I had with any RGS boxer was to meet Steve Campbell ofthe opposing Cambridge side in 1973 after he easily beat hisOxford opponent. It was all so long ago and so very different.

Below Top: Boxing Club, 1967 (L-R): Standing: AC Robertson (62-68), EHEG

Ormond (59-69), PW Davies (60-70), PL Moralee (59-69), DS Cail (58-67),

W George (62-69), DA Cromer (64-69). Sitting: JS Campbell (58-68), AK

Dickinson (58-67), N Macleod (61-69), GR Kinghorn (57-67) (Captain), PS

Gordon (58-69), M Todd (61-67). Front: JR Newton (63-70), NM Hunter (59-69)

Below Bottom: Boxing Club, 1955

JohannesburgTrauma ElectiveBy Tae Lee (98-08)

Johannesburg is a city well known for itswealth of natural resources, history anddiversity. Unfortunately for a place thatwas once christened Egoli or “the land ofgold” by the Zulu populous, poverty andunemployment have been rife in moderntimes, with crime and violence toppingthe agenda: Louis Theroux’s Law andDisorder television documentarycertainly paints this raw picture.

So, even before boarding myflight at Heathrow, I hadreservations heading for myone-month medical traumaelective. A UK colleague five

weeks into her placement had emailedme that five students had alreadysuffered needlestick injuries, fromtreating a patient population in which at least one in three have HIV. Not themost welcoming news before take off.

My place of work was to be the ChrisHani Baragwanath Hospital – the thirdlargest hospital and the largest traumacentre in the world – that serves theadjacent Soweto township; a remnantof the apartheid era that evicted theblack South Africans from central tosouth west Johannesburg. Thishospital, affectionately known as Bara, attracts students and doctorsworldwide who want their taste andhands-on experience of trauma. A weekend shift here is equivalent tohalf a decade’s worth of experience ata UK major trauma centre; it is unrivalled.

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Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital,

affectionately known as Bara

9 ONA – Old Novocastrians Association MagazineAutumn 2015

Patient demographics were certainlydifferent from those at home. Manywere poor black males, with multiplestab wounds after intoxicatedaltercations. Added to this common listwere victims of gang violence, rape,motor vehicle accidents, assaults andburns. With this poorly funded andunderstaffed state hospital, electivestudents were much-valued membersof the trauma team trying to reduce thenever-ending backlog of patients beingstretchered in at a frightening pace, 24-7.

As an elective student, I was treated as a junior doctor and was given a lot of responsibility to help with the highturnover. My weekly on-call rota was a standard two or three 26-hour shifts– the South African doctors thought I was joking when I referred to the 48-hour-week European Working TimeDirective – at the resus bay and traumapit. The 16-bed resus bay was theplace where all the P1s (patients withlife threatening injuries) were admittedfor immediate resuscitation. Thetrauma pit was where all the P2 and 3s(patients who had less severe injuries)were triaged and treated in one of the11 private cubicles.

My first on-call was unforgettable. Baraoverwhelmed my senses. Blood wassplattered everywhere despite regularefforts from the cleaners. There wasthe inescapable stench of urine, vomitand alcohol breath of combative localsshouting abuse at you. My arms achedfrom repeated attempts of restrainingphysically aggressive patients; yes,unfortunately this was necessary forthe safety of patients and staff. Therewas also the spray of bodily fluids onto

my face whilst injecting localanaesthetic into a man’s laceratedscalp towards the end of my shift. To top things off, I had to drive back to my accommodation, trying hard notto fall asleep at the wheel. It was inshort, a baptism of fire.

However with a couple of shifts undermy belt, I started to adapt to Bara’srigors and became accustomed to thedepartment looking like a war zone on a regular basis. I performed lots ofinvasive procedures such as chestdrains, suturing and central lines, that I would never be allowed to do in theUK as a junior doctor. But, due to the brutal nature and necessity ofJohannesburg and Bara, senior staff were very much set on theapprenticeship adage: see one, do one. They were incredible teachers,supportive, patient and wanted us todo these procedures safely andcompetently so that we in turn couldhelp out with the enormous workload.

I also learnt a lot more about myself and about becoming a doctor in myone-month elective than my entire sixyears at medical school. I mean nodisrespect to my medical school, ratherthat I was given much more autonomyand was regularly put under challengingsituations such as dealing withaggressive patients (and nursing staff!),suggesting my management plans toseniors, but also acknowledging myown limitations and when to ask for help.

At the end of my placement I was glad for two reasons. The first was that I managed to complete the electivewithout harm done to the patients and myself. The second was thatJohannesburg re-affirmed my love andadmiration for the NHS back at home.Despite being put under significantpolitical, financial and media pressure,it is fantastic that the UK can stillprovide the most cost-effective, highquality healthcare in the world, to us, for free. Governments may change, butlet us hope that the NHS may continuestrongly for many years to come.

I want to sincerely thank the ONA fortheir generous support for making myelective possible.

Above (clockwise): Post-26-hour shift at the

world’s largest trauma centre

Patient transfer from a rural hospital by air

ambulance following a severe head injury

Trauma unit, Chris Hani Baragwanath

Hosptial, Johannesburg

Gun range, one of the sources of

Johannesburg trauma

10

On days out, my dad always headedout of Newcastle along the line of the Military Road, the B6318 runningwest, built to suppress the Jacobiterebellion of 1745, following the line of

Hadrian’s Wall. Most of the Wall ended up in farmbuildings and local structures from early days, butenough has remained, both above and below theground, to keep antiquarians, professional andamateur, intrigued long into the future.

When our own children arrived in the 70s, we toowould gravitate westwards into the countryside andhaving joined the newly formed Vindolanda Trust asFriends, visits to this amazing site became a regularevent. Vindolanda, about a mile south of the Wall,dates from around 80AD, an auxiliary fort likely tohave been key to the building of this northern frontiera generation later. The fort lies exactly half wayacross this part of northern England, strategically onthe Stanegate Road and was occupied, abandonedand re-occupied several times over its lifetime. Theresult is a fascinating compression of at least tenforts, the earliest wooden, the later of these built of local stone. The layering has led to an amazingsuccession of discoveries, almost unique in British archaeology.

Most famous are the Vindolanda writing tablets,recording daily life: letters from soldiers asking forsocks and underwear, a birthday party invitation tothe fort’s commander’s wife, requests for payment,lists of goods supplied and troop deployments.Organically preserved in the peat and clay, Romansoldiers used to cover up redundant structures,these, along with textiles, leather goods, woodenobjects and flora and fauna have all survived thanksto the oxygen-free conditions. Vindolanda has thelargest collection of footwear in the Roman Empire,over 5,000 items, with many delicate designsincluding makers’ stamps.

It was not until the arrival of Professor Eric Birley, a Lancastrian, and founder of Durham University’sSchool of Archaeology, where he served as bothlecturer and Professor, that serious archaeologybegan there. Birley moved to the house atChesterholm (now the Vindolanda museum site,Chesterholm Museum) and following the earlyexcavations of the 30s, his son Robin oversaw thefoundation of the Vindolanda Trust and its excitingprogramme of archaeology. The Trust is anindependent charity and controls two sites, the Fortat Vindolanda and the Roman Army Museum, aboutseven miles to the west, at Carvoran. Though anindependent trust, Vindolanda is a protectedscheduled monument and has to comply with therequirements of the Department of Culture, Mediaand Sport.

Digging atVindolandaBy David Goldwater (51-62)

ONs have a primary connection with theNorth East, so there’s no need for me to stress how beautiful England’s most northerncounty is. Always living locally, I have alwaysappreciated the easy access to our county’streasures as beyond value.

Above: 2nd Century Iron Ballista (Catapult) Bolt

Right: David at Heddon on the Wall, 1950

Below: Gladiator glass bowl

11 ONA – Old Novocastrians Association MagazineAutumn 2015

For the past dozen summers, under the leadershipof Robin Birley’s son Andrew, I have taken part inVindolanda’s volunteer programme, with around600 applicants helping the Trust in its fantasticwork. The season lasts from April to September, in fortnightly periods. ‘Diggers’ come from allwalks of life, from all over the world and every agegroup. Because of its growing fame as a uniquearchaeological treasure, visitor numbers havegrown each year and volunteers enjoy talking tovisitors about their experience as buddingarchaeologists. The excavations concentrate onboth the fort areas and the Vicus or civilian village.

Most often comes the question, “Have you foundanything today?” Although we are more thanaware that, altruistically, we are all digging andtrowelling for the next group, next month, next year,or even century, the excitement of making anoriginal discovery fills each of us with great hope.Even working next to a pair of diggers who liftsomething out of the ground for the first time, forperhaps, 1,800 years is something quite unique.Some of the most frequent finds are pieces ofSamian pottery, elaborately decorated and from an area of Gaul, now Northern France. If thepotter’s name can be found on a stamp at thebase, the object takes on a much greaterimportance. The whole purpose of archaeologycan be summarised as a study of the lives of thepeople of another era and to be able to personaliseobjects makes the exercise all the more vivid.

On my own list of discoveries, the accompanyingphotos shed a little light on why digging atVindolanda has become such a highlight of eachsummer throughout the last few years. TheGladiator glass bowl was actually unearthed bytwo neighbouring volunteers, but I was fortunateto be in a position to move in rapidly with mycamera. A section of this hand decorated glassvessel was found to match three other pieces, oneof which was already in the museum and had beenfound 19 years before and nearly 100 metresaway. Fantastic! A digger’s first shoe find is always

a triumph, only to be greeted by a deflating, “Not another shoe!” from one of the digsupervisors. Even being in the proximity of thediscovery of a writing tablet is always an excitingexperience and so it was this year when the first of a number of these unique written records cameout of the “crud’’. Kept continuously wet, they arewhisked off to the lab for treatment prior to carefulconservation and deciphering. Two years ago, I almost threw away a small angular black shapewhich resembled a piece of mud from the sole of a boot. It turned out to be a Whitby Jet charm in the shape of a tiny foot. It would have been a luckycharm or votive object to ward off evil spirits. A brick inscribed with the stamp of the noted VI Legion provided proof of its skilled engineersinhabiting Vindolanda.

With an estimated two more centuries ofarchaeology ahead at this world famous gem in Northumberland, covering a huge area as yetuntouched, who knows what lies ahead?

For more information visit www.vindolanda.com

David with digging buddy, Richie Milor

Brick with VI Legion stamp

A History of the RGS in Its People: RequestThis issue sees a pause in the series which hasproved so popular with ON readers and whichhas attracted many personal recollections ofnotable staff members over the last fewgenerations of school students. In the nextissue, we hope to feature WG ‘Bill’ Elliott(52-88), who is not only a contemporary verypopular former teacher, tutor and coach, butalso a most active participant in very manyRGS and ONA activities. Reminiscences,please, as soon as possible to the ONA Officeat ona@rgs.newcastle.sch.uk or by post to theaddress in the inside cover of this issue.

Thank you, David Goldwater (51-62)

12

From Gateshead to Gallipoli A GP goes to seaBy Dr Greg Brown(91-96)

Life on the high seas, serving the sameQueen but a different country, wasnot a likely trajectory for my careerwhen I left the RGS in 1996. This year,however, I found myself as theembarked medical officer with theNew Zealand frigate HMNZS TeKaha, engaged in counter-narcoticswork in the western Indian Ocean.

HMNZS Te Kaha with her Seasprite helicopter and a Royal New

Zealand Air Force P3 Orion surveillance aircraft, on operations in

the western Indian Ocean

13 ONA – Old Novocastrians Association MagazineAutumn 2015

After leaving school I initially readHistory at Sheffield, but by thecompletion of that degree myinterests and aspirations had taken a different turn. In 2000

I commenced a medical degree, graduating with Honours in 2005. Having trained as a GP, I moved to New Zealand in 2011 with my youngfamily. This was supposed to be a temporarymove designed to facilitate General Practiceexperience in a different context, before returningto the UK and taking up a GP partnership role.Before the year was up, my wife Julie and I hadfallen completely in love with New Zealand anddecided to stay, settling near Wellington.

Being on the lookout for a permanent position, I stumbled across an advert for a civilian medicalofficer post on the local Army base. It looked like an interesting niche role, with a heavy bias on sports medicine and preventative care, so I applied and subsequently got the job. I have nowbeen in post for two years and it has exceeded my expectations. Much of the time I am dealingwith generally well-motivated patients who wantto be well, and this is a huge pleasure. However,military personnel suffer the same medical issuesas anyone else, except that diagnoses alsopotentially convey implications for deployability(and often ongoing employability), and thisfrequently becomes highly complex.

Having been in post for some months, I was finallypersuaded to investigate the possibility of puttingon a uniform. I elected to do the required trainingto be commissioned as a reservist in the Royal

New Zealand Navy, completing this in July 2014at the age of 36. I then continued in my civilianrole, while undertaking courses in sea survival anddamage control (fighting fires and stopping leaks)to become qualified to go to sea.

In April this year, I flew to Crete to join HMNZS Te Kaha (which had left New Zealand two monthspreviously) on my first deployment. Beforecommencing our counter-narcotics operation, we had the immense privilege of taking part in the centenary commemorations of the Anzaclandings at Gallipoli, performing a sail past AnzacCove in convoy with British, Australian, French,and Turkish warships. The dawn was breakingover Chunuk Bair as my shipmates and I slowlysailed by, at the same time our forebears hadgone ashore 100 years previously. Even as anadoptive New Zealander, this was a uniquelyspecial occasion, an unrepeatable moment, more profound than any of us could fully articulate.A week later we were able to get ashore to tourthe battlefields for ourselves, following afascinating port visit to Istanbul.

Ceremonial duties over, we passed through Suez into the Red Sea to start the operationalphase. Working under Combined MaritimeForces, a multinational naval partnership aiming to disrupt both piracy and the trafficking ofnarcotics off the Horn of Africa, Te Kaha patrolleda sector of the western Indian Ocean for the nextfew weeks. The so-called “smack track” runsillegal narcotics (principally heroin and hashish)out of Afghanistan, through Pakistan, and ontotiny boats (called dhows) which attempt to drop

Greg at the Chunuk Bair Memorial Anzac Cove Cemetery

14

their cargoes at various points down the coastof east Africa. The dhows do not show up wellon radar, and the ocean is a rather large place,so there is heavy reliance on intelligencegathering and visual searches using either ourown helicopter or other surveillance aircraft(including a Royal New Zealand Air Force P3Orion later in our trip).

For the first month on task, our boarding teamsdid a number of searches of suspicious vessels, but unfortunately weren't successful in locating any narcotics. All that changed afterour mid-tour port visit to the Seychelles, when we discovered nearly 140kg of heroinhidden behind a false bulkhead on one dhow, followed by a second haul of 110kg. The estimated street value totalled overUS$100million. Having spent a proportion of my career dealing with the effects of heroinaddiction, it was fantastic to see kilogram afterkilogram being destroyed. Arguably a smallcontribution to the war on drugs overall, butthoroughly worthwhile nevertheless.

My role as the medical officer was to look afterthe crew to the best of my ability, liaising with the command team to try and ensure thatmedical issues minimially impacted on theoperation. Much of the time we were severaldays sail from getting the helicopter withinrange of land, so avoiding unnecessaryevacuations was critical to ensure the shipremained on task. It has been said that the coreskill of a GP is managing uncertainty, and thiswas certainly employed when it wasn’t clearexactly what was going on with a patient anddiagnostic investigations were unavailable. I also do some minor surgery as a GP, and theseskills were pushed to the edge of my comfortzone on a couple of occasions. Overall, though,the trip was very successful medically, and I learned a few things about practising in thisquite unique environment.

In addition to routine medical work, I was askedto give some health-related briefings to the crew,including a series on fatigue management andshift work. Outside the medical remit entirely, I was tasked with investigating a couple ofadverse occurrences elsewhere in the ship, and formally writing reports on these to theCommanding Officer.

I was determined to take full advantage of all theopportunities available on a warship, managingto tick a few items off the bucket list by getting to drive the ship, fly in the helicopter, and hangon for dear life out on one of the ship’s fast littlesea boats. I asked if I could spend some time in

every department of the ship, enabling me to peelpotatoes with the chefs, repair headsets with theelectronic technicians (thanks RGS, I can stillsolder), fold napkins with the stewards, hang outin the engine spaces with the marine technicians,and generally hear people’s stories while seeingwhat their jobs involved. Some maintenance ofcore military skills was undertaken, doing drillswith the .50 calibre machine guns, live-firing of thestandard rifle, and undertaking a whole heap ofPT in 35-degree heat on a flight deck!

Recognising how important non-work activitiesare for personal and ship morale, I formed a guitarand vocal duo with a colleague, competing in theship’s ‘X-Factor’ competition and performing alonger gig for the other officers later in the trip. Wealso plied our guitar partnership on Sundaymornings, leading a short open-air Christianworship service on the pitching, windy upperdeck for any of the crew who wanted to attend.

The operational phase over, Te Kaha sailed toCochin, India, where I was to leave the ship.Before I disembarked, I was awarded the New Zealand Operational Service Medal by the Chief of Navy, along with a large proportion of the young crew. The ship would continue on to a large multinational exercise off the coast of Australia before eventually sailing home toAuckland, but I got to fly back to New Zealand to my long-suffering wife and children (who werefortunately still speaking to me). Overall, this was a hugely enjoyable and personallychallenging experience, as the next stage of amedical career which has veered a little off thebeaten track and taken me and my family some12,000 miles from Jesmond!

Greg in Istanbul

15 ONA – Old Novocastrians Association MagazineAutumn 2015

From 2000 to 2007 I was given agift, an education at NewcastleRoyal Grammar School. Comingfrom a single parent family, my mumwanted to give me the best possibleeducation, but couldn’t afford thefull school fees.

After successfully passing the entrance examination andinterview, and with thanks to the generosity of Sir PeterOgden (through The Ogden Trust) and The Hospital of St Mary the Virgin Trust, I received a bursary whichallowed me to enter RGS.

This may be the first time that many of my peers, readingthis, will be aware that I was the beneficiary of a bursary,but I am so grateful and proud that I was able to beeducated at RGS. Not only was the quality of educationexceptional, I was also given responsibilities, and gained a level of confidence and self-respect, which I do notbelieve I would have gained elsewhere. This confidenceand awareness of my abilities and the opportunities opento me in life have been the foundation of my career to date.

Now, eight years after leaving the school and gaining an Economics degree from Newcastle University, I workfor True Potential, a Newcastle-based financial advicenetwork with 420 advisers around the UK, as acompliance officer, one of a team of three staff taskedwith assessing the suitability of high risk business toprotect both clients and the company. My previous role at another Newcastle-based financial advice firm was asan investment analyst, with oversight of £100 million ofclient assets and managing a research service with over10,000 users. Last summer, I was told that I had the mostimpressive CV the interviewer –a senior manager at alarge accountancy firm –had seen from anyone under 30.

RGS instilled in me a work ethic which has been reflectedin my career achievements to date. None of this wouldhave been possible without the quality of the education I received at RGS, and RGS would not have been apossibility for me without the offer of a bursary.

Leisure time: driving a hired Caterham for my 26th birthday present!

“This may be the first time that manyof my peers, reading this, will beaware that I was the beneficiary of a bursary, but I am so grateful andproud that I was able to be educatedat RGS.

”

Why I Give toRGS BursariesBy Christian Gardner (00-07)

Collectively, the Old Novocastrians could make a huge difference to someone’s education and life, and I sincerely hope that you will join me in making adonation, however large or small, to allow anotheryoung person, just like me, to be given the opportunity of a lifetime.

Please contact Jane Medcalf by email atcampaign@rgs.newcastle.sch.uk to discuss variousways to join Christian in donating to RGS Bursaries.Bursaries cost nearly £800,000 per annum. Your supportis most appreciated.

16

Obituaries

Graham Parker (75-83)Born 1 October 1964, died 7 April 2015, aged 50

I spoke to Graham about one year ago, the first contact that I had with him formany years; tragically it proved to be the last time we spoke. We were goodfriends at school, thanks mostly to ourshared interest in tennis. For about fiveyears we were a formidable doublespairing in various RGS tennis teams. We played many memorable matches,even if we were noted for our ability togrind down opponents through our great persistence rather more than ourskill or style!

Graham was quietly spoken at schoolbut always very perceptive, and he could be extremely witty. Academically,Graham excelled at English, winning the School Prize in the Upper Sixth. His great love of English Literature and grammar continued throughout his life, and he had great plans to carrythis forward.

After leaving school Graham completedan English degree at Leeds University, andwas then accepted by Queens’ College,Cambridge, for his postgraduate teachingqualification. I kept some contact withGraham for a while, but post-university,we lost touch. At university, Graham’stennis flourished, reaching new heightsin skill and style, and at Cambridge heplayed in the University team.

After Cambridge, Graham embarked ona successful teaching career spanningseveral schools in the Cleveland andNorth Yorkshire area, and including aspell as the North Yorkshire CountyCouncil’s lead schools advisor forEnglish. In his most recent post, Grahamwas Headmaster at WensleydaleSchool in Leyburn, North Yorkshire.

Following Graham’s untimely death on 7 April 2015, many tributes were made

by fellow teachers and former pupils,giving testimony to the fact that Grahamwas no ordinary teacher. Numerousreferences were made to an inspirationaland enthusiastic teacher who succeededin having a transformational impact onmany of his pupils’ lives. A memorialservice held in Northallerton on May BankHoliday Monday was attended by nearly500 people, including many formercolleagues and pupils.

Graham always retained his passion fortennis. He was on countless occasionsthe men’s club champion at Yarm, hislocal tennis club, and for a brief spell inthe mid 90s, tennis became hisprofessional career, when he took thehelm at the Topspin Tennis Centre. Forthe last 18 years his league matches andtournaments were played at ThirskTennis Club. At both clubs he was apopular and enthusiastic member.

Teaching was however in his blood and he became head of English atConyers School, Yarm before moving toNunthorpeSchool, and finally TheWensleydale School in 2012.

Graham married Alison in 2003 and they have three children, Will, Meganand James. Graham’s sudden deathfrom a heart attack whilst walking withhis family at Roseberry Topping is a greatloss to us all. He touched the lives ofmany of us, and will be greatly missed.His parents, John and Marjorie, still live inCochrane Park, Newcastle, close to theUniversity’s tennis courts where Grahamand I had often played. His death isuntimely, but we should be thankful forthe good that he brought to many people,which continues today and in the future.

By Nick Jeffreys (75-82)

17 ONA – Old Novocastrians Association MagazineAutumn 2015

Noel Morgan Atkinson (33-44) born1926, died 1 August 2015, aged 88.

Colin Carmichael (36-43) born 1926,died 19 June 2015, aged 88.

John Stephen Fenwick (51-61) born1943, died 13 January 2015, aged 71.

Andrew Murray (53-63) born 1944,died 2 March 2015, aged 70.

Clifford Clive Patterson (68-78) born1960, died 9 July 2015, aged 55.

Charles Lionel Ross (24- 33) born1924, died 2 August 2015, aged 99.

Judge James ‘Jim’ Stephenson(44-51) born 1932, died 26 July 2015,aged 83.

James ‘Alan’ Wardropper (40-48),born 1929, died 26 July 2015, aged 85.

Jack Young (38-46) born 1928, died24 October 2014, aged 86.

Correction (Issue 94)Page 19. We spelt brothers Donald‘Spitty’ (24-65) and Laurie ‘Stoker’Meaken’s (31-74) surname incorrectly as Meakin.

Page 3. We stated that £70,000would fund almost 70 bursaries perannum where in fact the correct figureis almost 7.

Dr Michael Waddell MC (37-40)Born 27 December 1922, died 22 May 2015, aged 92

For some extraordinary reason he lived in a hut in the driveway withChallis (Anthony Challis (31-40));both were Prefects. They tamed half a dozen jackdaws which flew with themto the bottom of Graham Street andawaited their return. Some became illand could not caw properly, so theyhad their throats painted with iodineand soon all was well!

He was a member of the school boxingteam and reputedly boxed and beatGeorge Hume (later Cardinal BasilHume) at Ampleforth.

He left Penrith in July 1940 and was,for nearly two years, an agriculturalstudent at King’s College, DurhamUniversity, when he decided to join the Army. He was then a sergeant inthe UTC (University Training Corp). At first he was not allowed to leave asfarming was a reserved occupation.However, he left and joined the RoyalTank Regiment. He was commissionedat Blackdown and was soon on his wayto the Middle East on an unescortedQueen Mary around the Cape. He thensaw service in North Africa; Sicily,where he received an Immediate MC;Italy and Greece.

On return to the UK, he read Medicineand married Elizabeth Charlton fromSunderland who was in the medicalyear ahead of him. They had threechildren and practised in variousplaces, including Vermont in NorthAmerica. He retired first to Exton,where he built his own catamaran andmade fine rocking horses! Eventuallythey moved to Wall near Hexham.

By Robert Waddell (37-45)

In Penrith, he was first billeted inBrougham Street, Castletown withDrake (Anthony Drake (34-41)),Bolam (Kenneth Bolam (37-44)),myself and the three Clemo brothers(Roger Clemo (31-41), Philip Clemo(34-44) and John Clemo (35-45)).This was an experience in itself. Thebath was an iron tub in the attic with a cold-water tap only and a gas ringunderneath to give some warmth! After some hilarious months inBrougham Street, with Mrs Baines(there was a very old tortoise in thebasement kitchen which hibernated in a cupboard; it spent its life on a stone floor) he went to Beaumont inGraham Street.

ONA Diary dates

The ONA 90thAnnual DinnerFriday 16 October 2015 RGS, Newcastle upon TyneGuest Speaker: Mr Jonathan Webb (74-81)

Jonathan Webb is a consultant orthopaedicsurgeon who specialises in knee surgery andsports medicine. He successfully combinedhis medical training with a first class rugbycareer, playing for Bristol and Bath RugbyClubs. He played 33 times for England,winning two Five Nations Grand Slams andreaching the Rugby World Cup Final in 1991.In 1992 he was voted Rothmans RugbyPlayer of the Year. His sporting backgroundgives him an invaluable insight into thepressures faced by top class sportsmen andwomen when they suffer injury. He is aFounder member of Fortius OrthopaedicClinic, working in Bristol and London.

Price: £35/£25 (£25 if you are aged 25 oryounger, or aged 80 and over). The priceincludes the drinks reception at which you willbe entertained by the RGS Jazz Band andString Quartet; dinner, and a choice of wine.

The deadline for bookings is Wednesday7 October 2015. For details please email:ona@rgs.newcastle.sch.uk.

RGS Community ChoirThursdays 6.30pm until 8.00pmPA Centre, RGS, Newcastle upon TyneThe RGS Community Choir is looking for new members following on from itssuccessful first year. We are looking for adults (male voices are especiallyneeded) who enjoy singing and love learning about music. All abilitieswelcome. For more information, please contact Zlatan Fazic, head of Performing Arts and director of Music by email atz.fazlic@rgs.newcastle.sch.uk.

John Elders (57-82 and 92-96), a name synonymous with rugby andof course, the RGS. With John’spassing, came a wave of appreciationfor everything John had achieved inhis exceptional life and career. Aninspiration to many, Novos RFC andthe ONA decided to team together to pay our respects in the only waywe know how, through rugby.

The clubhouse is sure to be full, withmany familiar faces already confirmedas playing. If you wish to take part,please contact ona@rgs.newcastle.sch.uk. Many non-playingONs have confirmed they’ll bewatching the game from the famous

Novos balconies taking in the New Zealand match on the bigscreen afterwards.

The following day at Novos RFC(Saturday), sees the RGS 1st XV take on GSAL at 11.00am.Scotland also take on South Africa in Newcastle at 4.45pm and weexpect many visitors from bothcountries throughout the day.

It would be wonderful to see youdown at Novos in the future as thelinks between club, school and ONAgrow ever stronger. Please check ourwebsite (www.novos.co.uk) forregular updates and to view ourRWC 2015 video, which features theschool and ex-Scottish international,Jim Pollock (67-77).

Chris WardNovos RFC Communications Officer

Photograph ©Nick Posner (75-85)

John Elders Memorial Match Novos Veterans v ONAFriday 2 October 2015, 6.30pm Kick OffNovos RFC, Sutherland Park