NEWSLETTER – JUNE 2020 Junior Common Room, , Bridge Road, Tenterden Street, Bury, BL9 0HN

Bury Grammar School ’ Association

I write this years Old Boys’ Association President’s Remarks newsletter under the strangest of circumstances.Guest As we Speaker all know we– Dennis are in We were delighted to welcome Old Boys’ the midst of a global panic, something Favourite Pat Newton onto the Old Boys’ which has affected our daily lives in ways Committee this year in the role of President, in we have never known. As a result of his first year Pat would like to pass on the COVID-19 the Old Boys’ Association had following message to all members of the to sadly cancel both of its annual dinners in Bury and London. We would like to association: thank all those who donated the cost of their ticket to the association in order for I was shocked and honoured to be offered the us to continue to help projects at our Presidency of the Bury Grammar School Old school. Boys’ Association. I should like to pay tribute to my predecessor Melyvn Ince and thank him for We look forward to seeing as many of you all his hard work over the past five years. at next year’s dinner and in the meantime both myself and the association would like At the time of writing, it is not possible to look to pass on our best wishes and hope you ahead with any degree of certainty, and I continue to stay safe and well. retain a deep concern for those of our schools’ young men and women whose education has Achievements been adversely affected by the prevalent pandemic. That they are being taught at all is Pat Newton was voted in as President of the testament to the wonders of our modern Bury Grammar Old Boys’ Association at systems of communication and to the Annual General Meeting and we would like to dedication of the schools’ teaching staff. welcome to his new post and wish him all the best. I am sure everyone reading this column will join me in hoping for speedy resolution to their Gus Greensmith continues to take the world immediate academic problems, and an equally by storm in the World Rally Cross swift, and ultimately successful, resumption of Championship and we wish him all the best the route to their chosen careers. this season, you can monitor his progress on our Facebook page. Best wishes,

Luis McBriar was crowned Strictly Best Foot Pat Newton Forward champion in aide of Bury Hospice with a mean Argentine Tango, sorry for the self congratulation!

NEWSLETTER – JUNE 2020 Junior Common Room, Bury Grammar School, Bridge Road, Tenterden Street, Bury, BL9 0HN

Bury Grammar Turns 450 Remembering Old Boys’ who gave their lives in the Second World War As you will know Bury Grammar celebrates its 450th anniversary since being founded. The As well as celebrating the 450th anniversary of school had planned many events to take place the founding of Bury Grammar School, we also over the course of the 2019/2020 academic year, commemorate 75 years since the end of the some of which the Old Boys’ Association was Second World War. Bury Grammar has a proud looking forward to being part of. military link from the Combined Cadet Force to those who have served in all branches of the Unfortunately many of these events have since armed forces since leaving our school. The been cancelled due to the current health crisis Second World War like the First World War saw however some events did manage to go ahead many Old Boys’ take up arms 46 of whom gave before the lockdown and some during it! their lives for King and Country.

We hope you enjoyed this year’s virtual To commemorate this anniversary we share with Founders’ Day online where we were treated to you the stories of 2 of those Old Boys who paid messages from current pupils and alumni from the ultimate sacrifice. both the Boys and Girls school, they are still available watch on the associations’ Facebook John Butterworth was born on the 18th of page, details of which can be found on the final September 1916 attended Bury Grammar School page of this newsletter. as a Kay Scholar between 1927 and 1933 and was a member of both the 1st XI Football Team On Sunday the 1st of February The Gallery @ BGS and the Athletics Squad. Sergeant Butterworth opened by the Mayor of Bury Cllr Trevor Holt was killed returning from a bombing raid on with the exhibition ‘Then and Now’, this Hanover in February 1941 when the Hamden exhibition contained the schools oldest artefacts Bomber he was travelling in was shot down by a including the Roger Kay chest and letters written German night fighter over a small village named by the schools founders. Langworth in Lincolnshire, he is buried in All Saints Churchyard in Elton. The school hopes to rearrange some of the 450 celebration events however at the time of Tom Cartman was born in 1893 and attended writing this letter we are still in the lockdown Bury Grammar School alongside his brother and therefore now such information is available, Herbert. In 1914 Tom was one of the first to those interested in any of the events should volunteer for the famous ‘Manchester Pals’ and monitor the school website and both the was awarded the Military Cross in 1917 at the schools’ and Old Boys’ social media pages. battle of Arras. Although badly wounded Captain Cartman survived the First World War, at the outbreak of the Second World War and at the age of 46 Tom Cartman reenlisted and was posted to the former cruise liner SS Arandora Star transporting POW’s to Canada. The ship was torpedoed by a German U-Boat and sank of the coast of Ireland in 1940 where Tom Cartman sadly lost his life.

NEWSLETTER – JUNE 2020 Junior Common Room, Bury Grammar School, Bridge Road, Tenterden Street, Bury, BL9 0HN

Obituaries October 2019 Greg Patterson – Class of 1989 – Greg enjoyed many activities whilst at BGS, such as It is with great sadness that I must inform you of the Brass Group, he played the trumpet, Duke of deaths of the following Old Boys’ who will all be Edinburgh and he was a member of the CCF. sadly missed and will evoke memories of school days March 2020 for many of you. Geoff Bennett – Class of 1950 – Left BGS to study Classics at Birmingham University, Jonathan Ali – Class of 1987 - May 2019 whilst there he represented Birmingham in soccer and A reporter for the BBC for over 25 years, Jonathan athletics. Geoff took part in National Service 1953-55 and was commissioned into the Lancashire Fusiliers reported on many of ’s biggest st stories; the IRA bombing of 96, MUFC’s treble of 99, and he served with the 1 Battalion in Germany. He the Oldham race riots in 2001 and more recently the came back to teach Classics in 1958, during which time aftermath of the 2017 MEN bombing. He also wrote he was Hulme House Master, Games Master and OC in a book about soldiers from Hawkshaw, Bury during the CCF. He was promoted to Lt Col in 1974 and WWI called ‘Our Boys: The Great War in a Lancashire retired from teaching in 1991. He continued to Village’. support the School and became OBA President in 1998. – Class of 1944 – April 2020 Christopher Neal – Class of 1956 – July 2019 Derek Hodgkiss Chris and a few of his classmates all helped to Derek joined BGS as a history teacher in 1953, during establish the German Exchange in 1955. They were which time he served as Games Master, Librarian, 15/16 and the Germans were 4/5 years older. 2015 Head of History and was involved in the School was the 60 year anniversary of the exchange and Orchestra and Choral society. He took numerous Chris attended a reunion organised by the parties of pupils to Switzerland and Kendal for walking Development Office, held at School. excursions. Having spent his last 12 years with BGS as Second Master, he retired in 1988. Keith Marsden – Class of 1954 – July 2019 Preston Hulse – Class of 1969 – April 2020 After work in the Civil Service and Nursing at Bury General Hospital, Keith was in the Ministry of the Preston was School Captain in his final year and was Methodist Church since 1956, retiring in 2007. famously pictured in Lancashire Life when they did an article on the Boys’ School. He left for Durham Peter Greenhalgh – Class of 1964 – August 2019 University to read Theology but chose a career in social Peter won a scholarship to King’s College, Cambridge work. More recently he was a member of Bury Parish where he gained an MA & PhD in Classics and Church choir and a Governor of Holy Trinity Primary Ancient History. His varied career has spanned both School. academic and business life, from a professorship at Jeffrey Albert Ackroyd (Bert) – Class of 1952 – April Cape Town to directorships of several merchant 2020 banks. He has also written several books and radio On leaving BGS, Bert did two years National Service in plays. Peter was CSM in the CCF, has become a nd member of the OBA and is a great supporter of Germany, Hildesheim, with the 2 Regiment Royal school. Horse Artillery, then went on to spend his working life in the paper industry. He kept connected to the School David Hutton – Class of 1967 – September 2019 through the OBA, as an excellent fullback in the Old During his time at School David got involved with Boys 1st XI team and playing golf with the Old Clavians’ many sports, such as football, and running Golf Society. and became Sport’s Captain, he was also a member Philip Barlow – Class of 1967 – April 2020 of the CCF. Left BGS for Kings College, Cambridge and went on to Greg Patterson – Class of 1989 – October 2019 teach Classics at a school in Dulwich, South London. Greg enjoyed many activities whilst at BGS, such as

Brass Group, he played the trumpet, Duke of May 2020 Edinburgh and he was a member of the CCF. Steven McEvoy – Class of 1982 – Steven left BGS and went to Maidstone College of Art.

He was an accomplished musician – bass guitar.

NEWSLETTER – JUNE 2020 Junior Common Room, Bury Grammar School, Bridge Road, Tenterden Street, Bury, BL9 0HN

OLD CLAVIANS GOLFING SOCIETY Old Boys Football

I have been passed the following message from Like many other sporting events and leagues the John Yates, Secretary to the Old Clavians: Lancashire Amateur League has been suspended ‘Gentlemen as a result of COVID-19 however at the postponement of the season the Bury Grammar First and foremost, our Captain, Andy Myers, and Old Boys’ teams were at the following positions I trust that each of you and your family remain in the table: well.

Having of course cancelled the School fixture at 1st XI stood at 4th in Division One with 37 points the end of April, we had hoped to proceed with the Invitation/Open Day on Sunday 31st May. 2nd XI stood at 12th in Division Two with 1 point Whilst today's belated reopening of golf courses, albeit on a restricted basis, is encouraging, there 3rd XI stood at 11th in Division Five with 6 points is no possibility of gathering or socializing together for the time being. Nor is there any Bridge Club prospect of the Rossendale clubhouse being open by this month end. Accordingly, I regret to The Bridge Club meet on the first Wednesday of advise that Invitation/Open Day is cancelled. the month between September and May (except However, the season is not yet lost! The Society's during school holidays) if you require any further two main events are: information please contact me. * Challenge Trophy at Nelson Golf Club on Friday 24th July and * Captain's Trophy at Bury Golf Club on Sunday Table Tennis 16th August. As in the case of the football team the table In the firm expectation that restrictions will be tennis team has seen their leagues postponed removed over the next ten weeks, I urge you to alongside all cup competitions such as the Dwyer plan to attend at least one of the above and Cup due to the current pandemic, however their enjoy a long awaited return to an Old Boys golf positions are as follows: day. Detailed arrangements will be circulated in due A Team sit 1st in Division 3 with 115 points course, until when retain your Old Boys sense of humour and stay well.’ B Team sit 7th in Division 4 on 76 points New members are always welcome in the society and are essential to continuation of the Old Clavians. If you are interest in joining please Information on joining any Old Boys’ team or contact the Secretary, John Yates, at association can be obtained through myself, [email protected] or 0n 01706 229907. details of how to contact are at the end of this newsletter.

NEWSLETTER – JUNE 2020 Junior Common Room, Bury Grammar School, Bridge Road, Tenterden Street, Bury, BL9 0HN

School News STAY IN TOUCH

Despite current lockdown restrictions Bury Grammar has begun to return to normal and Follow BGS Old Boys Association on twitter: pupils from some years are now attending @BuryGSOldBoys classes at school as opposed to previously doing these virtually through computers from home. And the Football Club @bgsob_official

Many Old Boys will remember being part of the FIND US ON FACEBOOK: annual Battlefield Tours whilst being a student at Bury Grammar School Old Boys Association Bury Grammar School, Mr Hone this year led his trip to Arnhem, the famous site of Operation Please update us with any changes to your Market Garden. email addresses and contact details.

The annual school production this year was the classic musical Miss Saigon, it was a great success and those who were lucky enough to attend saw some exceptional performances

Pupils and teaching staff joined the national This is my final newsletter as Secretary of the effort to combat COVID-19 by producing their Old Boys’ Association, and I would like to own visors to be given to frontline workers in thank all those who have sent through need of equipment. achievements and information relating to

alumni. Bury Grammar School was awarded Independent

School of the Year in 2019. I look forward to seeing you soon.

MERCHANDISE: Best regards,

BGSOB ties are available priced at £7.00 + £1.00 postage and packaging. Luis McBriar – Secretary

Cufflinks are also available. They are priced at [email protected]

£25.00 plus £3.50 postage and packaging. 07805 664538

12 Bury Road, Tottington, Bury, BL8 3HB

We have located additional copies of Ian Fallows book, “Bury Grammar School - A History c1570 –

1976” and it is available for £15.00 + £5.00 postage and packaging.

All items are available for pick up from School or delivery. Please contact Sharon Blakelock at [email protected] or on 0161 764 1733.