Edition 3Rd Series No

THE ASTONIAN

THE BIANNUAL NEWSLETTER OF THE ASTON EDWARDIAN ASSOCIATION

Remembrance edition {No. 12, 3rd series} November, 2014

“We lost lovely youth facing the rough clouds of war” (Simonides) CONTENTS

Editorial 3 From the Headmaster...... 4 Hall of Fame...... 5 An Astonian at Birmingham...... 6 Letters to the Editor...... 7 Aston Anecdotes 3...... 8 Aston Conquers Luxembourg...... 10 Sweet Voices Silent Now...... 12 Situations Vacant ...... 14 Our Man in Brazil 2...... 15 Reflections...... 16 Squash Club ...... 19 Rugby Club ...... 20 A Welcome Return ...... 22 Remaining Fixtures ...... 23 Anniversary Calendar ...... 24 Membership Matters ...... 26 Editorial Matters ...... 26 AEA Directory ...... 27 Booking form ...... 28

Cover photograph: BBC. Every year Jimmy Duff (Aston 1934) places a cross in the Westminster Abbey Field of Remembrance, commemorating those Aston Old Edwardians who died in the Great and World Wars.

from the Fleetwood-Walker web site

photo of Frank Hedley by the Editor

Les Woodhall as ‘The Executioner’

Ben Coates

(Upper): John Walker (Lower): Peter Dartnell

3 EDITORIAL

The Rugby Club’s 125th anniversary season got off to a fine start - with a victory for the England Womens’ Rugby XV! Aficionados will know that they are ‘managed’ by AOE Gary Street. August Bank Holiday saw Gary paying a very welcome visit to the Club, his first since opening the Charles Gilbert changing rooms in 2011. Gary’s continuing support, reported on page 22, will hearten those who have chosen to stick by the Club at this testing time. 2014 also sees the Golden Anniversary Reunion, of which we know little, of the ‘Class of 1964’. This is being organised by Roger Jeynes, Professor of Management Practice at Anglia Ruskin University, assisted by His Honour Judge Alan Parker, who sits at Leamington Spa. Page 14 gives details of six jobs requiring renewal. Members who are not currently involved are urged to give serious consideration to undertaking one of these. The Association needs more people, doing less, better. Commemorations to mark the centenary of the outbreak of the Great War are now well under way at every level of British society. King Edward’s, Aston is no exception, with its Commemoration Concert held on November 7th, the night before the 81st Commemoration Dinner. It had two principal groups as its target audience: old boys of the school; and descendants, where they could be traced, of the 120 old boys who lost their lives in that terrible conflagration. An evening of appropriate music, readings (including the names of the casualties) and a visit to the War Memorial for those unfamiliar with it, formed the content of an unusual and moving prelude to the Association’s annual commemoration. Elsewhere we report on the lives, recently ended, of two ‘giants’ of the wider Aston school community. Those accounts remind us of Watcyn Thomas’s oft-repeated mantra “You only get out of life what you put into it”.

4 TREVOR DAVIES

An Appreciation

As many of you will know, Trevor died peacefully early during the morning on Sunday, 5th October 2014, after a long period of illness, with his family at his bedside. He had been a teacher at Aston for over thirty years, being Head of French and Manton House and much else besides. Trevor played an absolutely vital role in helping to develop the ethos and values which we hold dear at Aston today. He had an absolute belief that a student’s experience at school should not just be about time spent in the classroom, believing in the importance of a full and rounded education in which students would experience in a safe environment some of the travails that they will encounter in later life. With this in mind he gave much of his time to running sports teams (he was an excellent sportsman himself, although I suspect few students were aware of this) and organised many opportunities for students to broaden their horizons, often through trips to France and beyond. But this is not the main reason why Trevor’s death has had such an impact among the school community. Being kind is an increasingly rare characteristic of people today but in all situations it was Trevor’s first response. In an age where the ability to forgive is increasingly seen as a weakness and promoting oneself the priority of each and every one of us, Trevor shone as a light to remind us that there is a different way of doing things and that

5 hubris awaits all those who inflate their own self-importance and worth. Trevor always underplayed his own very obvious abilities in languages and sport, often relaying anecdotes at his own expense and, while he marvelled at the standards achieved by the school’s most able student linguists and sportsmen, he had equal time and patience for those with more limited ability. Most will not realise but in many situations Trevor was the champion of the underdog. That is a situation we all find ourselves in at some time and, with Trevor’s passing, we have all lost our champion. Underpinning Trevor’s approach to life, and all that he did, was a deep and unswerving Christian faith which he promoted in school as much by how he acted as what he said. A reminder to all of us that holding a deep religious faith can be an entirely positive attribute rather than the negative force it is so often portrayed. Trevor was only too aware that any status possessed as a teacher is fleeting and limited to those students encountered along the way. What Trevor perhaps underestimated is the impact on those that he did encounter, and his passing has taken away a much-loved friend and colleague. The response to his ‘blog’ during the latter stages of his illness showed his very real impact in so many ways on so many people, both students and colleagues. He will be greatly missed.

C. Parker, Headmaster

ASTON’S ‘HALL OF FAME’

Latest admissions include Derrick Anderson CBE (1968), Chief Executive of Lambeth Council, and Herb Sewell (1966), Professor of Microbiology, Nottingham University. Nominations of further candidates can be made to the Headmaster.

6 AN ASTONIAN AT BIRMINGHAM

My first impression of starting University was positive. In a short period of time you have to become used to many new protocols. To guide us through this process each first year medical student is assigned to a medic ‘parent’ - a second year medical student who ensures the transition from sixth form to university is smooth sailing. Making friends at university comes naturally: freshers’ week helps with that by organising meet and greet events. Interestingly enough you will find that many students from the other King Edward VI schools are studying in the medical school too. You get to meet people from many different backgrounds and slowly, as the year goes by, you will be in a clique of your own. Balancing social life and work takes practice as the workload for Medicine at the University of Birmingham is quite intense, with most days starting at 9am. and ending at 6pm., but I feel as an Old Edwardian studying at Aston has helped me perfect the balance. Studying Medicine at Birmingham you will learn to appreciate the large size of your cohort. With 350 students in your year there are plenty of people you are able to meet during your course. The cohort is quite diverse with 40 students coming from across the globe from places such as: Malaysia, India, Barbados, Japan, Dubai and many other places. Clinical contact comes early at Birmingham. In first year you have the opportunity to go to primary care facilities once every fortnight across the West Midlands, where your theory can be put into practice. Eliciting histories, taking blood pressure and performing examinations are some of the skills that are taught to you in the first year alone. Once you start University time flies so fast you won’t even realise that you’re graduating next year.

Ojas Pujji (2011)

7 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dear Sir or Madman,

As a regular reader of your publication I notice that your popular feature ‘An Astonian at …’ seems, so far at least, to cover Universities in alphabetical order - e.g. Aberdeen, Aberystwyth, Aston, Birmingham, Cambridge ... I mention this because, as a student at Yarmouth College of Welding and Animal Husbandry, it could be several decades before we get a mention. In fact, I could even have paid off most of my student loan. For a while I thought I might ask you to consider degree courses in alphabetical order rather than the actual university, but then again I am studying Zoology. Clearly first name or surname would be no advantage to me (see below). I have recently suggested to the Principal of my college that we merge with Alabama State University or the Armitage Shanks Plumbing Academy to give us a chance, but this could take time and may be considered, by some, to be rather silly. Yours sincerely, in hope rather than anticipation,

Xang Zwan Yeung

P.S.: My Zoology Professor has just come in and asked me to do some research into Aardvarks - now, surely, that must help?

We note Mr Yeung’s observations and will endeavour to be less alphabetical henceforward. Ed.

8 ASTON ANECDOTES 3

‘Twisty Bill’

FWOE Bernard Fleetwood Walker, known as ‘Twisty Bill’ for reasons still unfathomed, taught Art at Aston from 1919-29, when he left for Birmingham College of Art. He remained there for the rest of his career, during which he became a Royal Academician. A web site dedicated to him has been created by his family at www.fleetwood-walker.co.uk

The late John Castle (1929) told two anecdotes about ‘Twisty Bill’:

He had told his students to go out and buy themselves a box of watercolour paints. The wealthier ones came to the next lesson with Windsor & Newton’s finest, whilst one of the poorer lads had been to Woolworth’s. TB took one look at this and threw it out of the Art Room window (now wasted as Room E9) into Frederick Road.

The embryonic author W E Allen used to hide away in a room off the staircase up to Big School (now the Library), and once put his doormat over the banister to dry out. It fell off just as TB was passing by below. Thereafter, whenever he saw Allen, TB would shout at him “Throw another mat at me!”

The curious incident of the missing coffin In 2011 Aston and Handsworth staged a joint production of ‘Oliver!’ For added authenticity a real coffin was obtained from a local funeral parlour for use in the undertaker’s scene. For weeks after the production the coffin remained on the stage, with no one

9 taking much notice, until one day its return was requested and it was nowhere to be found. We were fast approaching the last day at school for Year 13 (Upper Sixth in old money) and their involvement was almost certain but, as hard as we tried, no trace could be found of the coffin. In such instances the services of Mr. Eustace* always prove to be indispensable and the coffin was eventually found in an area between the loft and ceiling. On his reporting this to me, I told Frank Hedley (the then Deputy Headmaster) that we could have some fun with this. It was removed surreptitiously, but not without difficulty, through a hatch that had been tightly screwed down. So, with the coffin safely returned to the funeral parlour, Frank launched an investigation. Eventually a small group of boys admitted their guilt and, with Frank at the bottom of the ladder, were made to go into the loft space to retrieve the coffin. To this day Frank does not know how he kept a straight face when, first one and then a second ashen-faced boy told him that the coffin was not there. Frank could always flare his nostrils and develop to good effect a more than usual menacing tone in his voice and the boys were told to find the coffin or else. The last words spoken on the matter were Frank saying “Do you know how much a real coffin costs?” The coffin was never found. The boys suspected but were never told. It was one of the most memorable moments of my partnership with Frank. Colin Parker

* The Estate Manager, who would have been known to earlier generations as the School Porter. Ed. 10 ASTON CONQUERS LUXEMBOURG

An expatriate writes:

I have long maintained that my dear (meaning both beloved and expensive) wife of many years’ standing (we were married in August 1963 and, like Johnny Walker, are still going strong) has eyes like a hawk. Should I have a hair out of place (although there’s not many of them left these days), or should I have a soup-stain on my tie (bang go another 7 euros at the dry cleaners), or should I inadvertently have brought into the house a gobbet of mud from the garden on my shoes, those eagle eyes will home in on the offending article like a flash and will ensure that the status quo ante (thank you, my erstwhile Latin teachers) is restored in a trice - whatever a ‘trice’ may be; where are all the English teachers when you need one? Not, I hasten to add, that this trait is necessarily a negative attribute, Heaven forfend! It may also have a positive effect, as I am about to relate (Voice at the back: “Oh, get on with it!”). So it was, in late June or thereabouts (V.a.t.b.: “He’s at it again”), that my nearest and dearest was perusing the latest edition of the “Luxembourg City Agenda” (and my French teachers warned me about “agenda” being a “faux ami”, so thanks again to them) - which is the Grand Duchy’s equivalent of “Time Out” - when she suddenly emitted a whoop of … what shall I call it? Perhaps ‘pleasant surprise’ might best describe it. “Guess what?” she said. “The Villa have signed somebody really good?” I surmised. “Close,” she said, “but not close enough. And when did the Villa last sign anybody really good?” That stumped me. “But,” she said, “Aston is involved”, and she read out a blurb noting that, at 4 p.m. on Tuesday 8th July, the ‘King Edward VI Aston Music Group’

11 would be giving a free concert in the Place d’Armes, Luxembourg’s equivalent of Victoria Square (only without the statue of the Dear Old Queen, the fountains and the view to Big Brum). “Did you say ‘free’”? I asked. “Then we’ll go!” And - noblesse oblige - go we did, despite the rain. (Rain? In Luxembourg? In July? Really?) As we walked on to the Place d’Armes, site of the Bandstand where the performers would strut their stuff, our ears were assailed by the deafening cacophony of an orchestra tuning up. Never mind, even the best orchestras sound vile before the conductor taps his baton on his music stand to demand obedience. And so it proved. No sooner had Mr Daniel called for order than the concert was under way. Like Caesar’s Gaul, the concert was divided into three parts, and it was a joy to hear: the musicians played with much enthusiasm and more than a little competence (says he who has, in the past - beginning with ‘The Mikado’ in 1952 - frequently been subject to the havoc caused by amateur orchestras). The brass were very impressive, the strings well tuned, the full orchestra rounded and harmonious. The selection of items was suitably eclectic, ranging from Kurt Weill through Astor Piazzolla and George Gershwin to Michael Jackson. However, for me, the music was merely one aspect of what turned out to be a most delightful afternoon, as I got to meet and chat to various members of staff and, more enchantingly, some of the musicians. Those to whom I talked were unfailingly courteous, self-confident and genuinely interested in exchanging views with an ‘old boy’ of their school (old enough to be their grandfather). To a man, they were a credit to KEGS Aston. I was most impressed. The concert, and our meeting, was over much too quickly, and soon they were heading back to their coach for the return trip to Valkenburg, hoping that the weather would not put paid to their gig the next day in Vaals. It was a brilliant afternoon: I do hope that they will come back to Luxembourg and play again. Leslie Woodhall (1951)

12 SWEET VOICES SILENT NOW

Joy Collis Joy was born in London before relocating to Devon. When war was declared she volunteered for the Land Army and in 2008, rather belatedly, received a medal and certificate for her work. Joy met Eric in a Devon pub on Christmas Eve 1941. They were engaged seven days later and married the following October. Post war they moved to Birmingham where Joy taught in several schools before devoting herself to her family. As the family grew up, Joy began to put her considerable energy and independence of mind to a host of other things whilst still supporting Eric, the children and the Aston Old Eds. At St Mark’s church, Erdington, she set up several social groups including the Girls Friendly Society, Table Tennis and the Friday Tea Dance Club. Her 90th birthday celebrations were many and varied and showed the love and affection in which she was held. She eventually lived at St Anthony’s Residential Home where, once again, she was instrumental in setting up new activities including starring in a promotional video! Her legacies are many. A broad, diverse family with strong, fun values is of course to the fore. However, her happiness and joie de vivre, combined with a vast amount of energy, meant that she touched the lives of thousands in a positive and fun way.

Peter Harvey

(Joy died on 27th August 2014, aged 93. Ed.)

13 A G Kendall

Alfred ‘Alfie’ Kendall died on 9th September in Hemel Hempstead. He was a member of the ‘Class of 1950’ and had been suffering from poor health for some time. He is best remembered by his contemporaries for his height and cheerful disposition. He had secured a place at Keele University to read Chemical Engineering, provided he obtained an ‘O’ level in French. When he left school he had taken this exam. for a seventh time!

T A Davies

Trevor Davies, who taught French at Aston for 31 years, lost his second battle with cancer on Sunday 5th October 2014. He came to the school six weeks before the death of L G Brandon in 1980. As a junior member of staff he was given the task, in 1983, of creating an exhibition to mark the school’s centenary. Perhaps this gave him a lasting affinity with the place, because he remained there for the whole of his working life. An alumnus of Hereford Cathedral School and Bangor University, there seemed to be no extramural activity in which he did not participate. There is hardly an edition of the school’s annual magazine, ‘The Record’, which does not contain a photograph of Trevor doing something amusing, light-hearted or charitable. His excellence in the classroom followed in the fine traditions of Billy Lumb, Arthur Smith and Joe Entwistle. In the fullness of time he became Manton Housemaster, where he presided, with his characteristic cheerfulness, over its lean years.

14 In an all too brief retirement he continued to indulge his hobbies of cycling and table tennis. The former involved going with his erstwhile colleagues Bill Gurney, Mike Ramsden and Mike Lynn on an incident packed ride to Paris, cycling against the clock so that Bill could get back to teach at school! A near neighbour of mine, he often called round to see me only to find me ‘out’ - until we discovered he was going to the wrong house! Throughout life, and his two illnesses, he was sustained by his Christian faith, which he particularly enjoyed discussing with his Muslim students, whom he considered to be exceptionally well versed in the tenets of their faith. When told that all that was left was palliative care, Trevor wrote (because he could no longer speak) ‘I gave it my best shot’: a fitting epitaph to this kindly polymath.

Jim Perkins

The Association offers its condolences to the families of these, our departed friends. SITS. VAC.

The Secretary of the Association has indicated his wish to step down, as has the Editor of this journal. The post of Membership Coordinator remains unfilled, as does that of Facilities Manager. For several years the Commemoration Dinners have been organised by a Dinner Planning Group. This august title conceals the fact that it is a triumvirate, two thirds of whom are geriatric and more than ready to retire, lest the dreaded charge ‘Seb Blatter’ be levelled against them. If you are under 75, underemployed, or even interested, please consider replacing them. Those contemplating the first four vacancies are asked to contact the Chairman. Details of the last two can be obtained from the Editor, whose discretion is legendary.

15 OUR MAN IN BRAZIL 2

Edward Parton (L) and Ben Coates at the Arena Amazonia in Manaus (just before England’s game against Italy) Having moved to live and work in Rio de Janeiro at the start of 2012, the football World Cup was something I had been looking forward to for a long time. Being a teacher, I was even more delighted when I discovered that the Brazilian government would be moving the school holidays to coincide with the whole duration of the tournament. A few of the people I know in Rio who don’t like football had made the decision to leave Brazil for the duration of the tournament. In the days leading up to the tournament, their decision made sense as the country became awash with yellow and green. So, on 12th June, the waiting was finally over as the hosts Brazil kicked off the tournament by beating Croatia in an entertaining match. The very next day I, along with thousands of others, headed down to Copacabana beach to watch the day’s

16 matches on the giant screen. People of all ages and nationalities gathered on the sand to watch Holland destroy reigning champions Spain in one of the best games of the tournament. One of the things that stood out for me that day, and during the World Cup itself, was seeing supporters of opposing teams drinking together and sharing banter: a sight all too rare amongst football fans. Going to all of England’s matches, unfortunately, proved to be a disappointment. Fortunately, I didn’t ‘suffer’ alone, as fellow AOE Edward Parton parted with his money to come out to Brazil for the majority of the tournament. Both of us were among the thousands of England supporters who gave the team a standing ovation after their final match against Costa Rica. We felt that the early elimination wasn’t due to a lack of effort or pride from the players. We simply lost to teams that were better than us. One evening that will live long in the memory is the way Germany simply ripped Brazil apart on the way to becoming champions. In fairness to the Brazilians, they took it in good humour as even they realised they had witnessed something extraordinary. Ben Coates

REFLECTIONS

(on life as a 1939 evacuee and the results)

It is hard to believe that 75 years ago I was a new evacuee in Ashby-de-la-Zouch from KEGS Aston, Birmingham at the commencement of my high school life. I was a stranger in many ways. I knew no one at the school and suddenly was placed in what became a very caring Ashby family. I think I was the child they did not have.

17 The transition had been carefully planned well in advance, finding homes for all the students whose parents approved of the move. Other parents chose their sons to remain in the Aston buildings. Looking back now, if I had remained behind and attended Aston classes, I would have had two sets of friends: one set near home in Walmley, Sutton Coldfield and the other set of friends nearer to the Aston buildings. In Ashby all my new friends attended the same Ashby Grammar School buildings and it made for warm friendships and many other local ones. It has led me to wonder if being an evacuee created a feeling of self dependence, more able to explore this new area and having to make my own choices in daily life which has led to later attraction in life to move on to other new jobs and places. I should add that I often went ‘home’ by bus on a weekend to keep contact with my own Sutton family, so was not isolated from them. At other times I cycled all the way there and back, slowly gaining confidence. The family I lived with in Ashby had all their family in the town and were all very kind and friendly to me. One family owned the fish and chip shop where I spent mornings preparing the potatoes. The other side of the family owned the shoe shop where I went for my Saturday hot bath. My host Ted Gilbert saw my pleasure in building model aircraft so that he, too, began to learn the hobby. This interest in aircraft has continued through many years. Later during my life in Ashby I got to know other locals including Geoff Beardsmore who had printing equipment at home including lead font type. I learned to set type from right to left and the names of the equipment. When he was later drafted to the army I lost touch with him. The war seemed far away during those school years. Male teachers would be drafted and female teachers took their places. Occasionally, 50ft. long air force trailers would pass through

18 Market Street loaded with damaged aircraft on their way to be repaired, or heavy army tanks on trailers. After three school years at Ashby my parents felt that bombing had reduced in Birmingham and I would be safe back home. After one more school year in the Aston buildings it led to my being transferred to Saltley Grammar School* for more learning. Wartime travel was restricted. I am sad that I had no opportunity to revisit Ashby until many years later. By this time my hosts had passed away. A year at Birmingham University, and two spent in the army working in a large army transmitter station and then some evening classes. My years at Saltley gave me my wonderful wife, Audrey, who has been my best friend for over 68 years. Later, joining a self-build cooperative in Sutton of 28 members, gave us a new house on Northside Drive that still stands today. 1953 saw me working for a Birmingham company making fuel controls for many jet engines, less than 10 years after the evolution of the first jets. With two children we moved on to Canada, Toronto, me again in the jet engine field. Pumps designed to create high pressure in jet fuel became adapted to pump oil at high pressure to power machinery and I remained in this field for the rest of my working years. Changing jobs took us on to Calgary and then finally to the west coast of Canada which has a climate similar to Britain. I still have fond memories of the Ashby days. It was a growing up period of discovery. This has continued, taking me and our family many miles from where we began, but we have the good fortune to have our two children living near to us with their families. Geoff Reed

* There was no Sixth Form at Aston during the war. Ed. 19 SQUASH 2014

Yes, we are still here. Membership We have won some members and lost some members. Some of those are Rugby players who have changed clubs There are now four lady members to add a little glamour. There are two new top class players to add little finesse The Racketball is being played on a more regular basis to add a little fitness. Some of you older players should join and get those arthritic joints working again. The Table Tennis is still a favourite for those who can't run. KEASTON have been using the courts regularly during the year. The courts are available for hire by Schools, parent groups, fitness classes and companies. Free coaching is available. Two coaches are CRB checked for those junior players who play. Equipment is available for all beginners.

Try it, you might like it.

Derek Coles, Chairman and Secretary (0121 353 8077, 07721 40 77 57)

ERRATA

(Latin for cock-ups)

In the last edition: the article about the cancelled fixture should have read ‘Rugger off’; the chap who looks after the school facilities does not steal vehicles - it should have read ‘care taker’.

20 RUGBY

The mood of a Rugby club is often set by the success or failure of its 1st XV and club members may see things black and white. However, Aston Old Edwardians is more than just its 1st XV and in adversity is developing and planning for the future. In April the 1st XV was relegated from Midlands 2 West (North) division, having lost all its matches. There has followed an exodus of players who had showed tremendous character in fulfilling the fixtures, but felt unable to commit themselves to the cause of bouncing back to the higher League. Those players who have stayed have found life tough and we have a completely new team made up of veterans, Colts and players new to the Club. This, coupled with a new Coach, has meant the team is taking longer to find some form. The new committee is learning all the time and has put in place some initiatives that will bring rewards in time. We have entered into a partnership with Birmingham City University and we already have many students registered to play for us. Many of our Colts have played for the 1st XV and as a team they are currently top of their League. We have a Fitness Room in the changing rooms made possible by a generous donation from Neil Crase. Our Junior ranks are ever increasing with three age group teams and our Minis are growing even faster. The Minis recently competed in a tournament at Leicester Tigers and acquitted themselves very well. And it’s not just the men and boys who are gracing our fields; a Women’s section has started (perhaps encouraged by the success of Gary Street’s World Cup Winners) and has been regularly training before playing in tournaments. The 125th Season events started on 18th October with a Past Players’ Lunch and there are events planned throughout the season, including celebration matches and a Dinner at Villa Park

21 1st XV vs. Oadby

2nd XV vs. Camp Hill

22 on 28th March 2015. Details of all events are on the Rugby Club website and page 24 of this journal. Lastly, the new Committee has been keen to plan for the future and a 125 Legacy Fund has been set up for members to make contributions for the future development of the Rugby Club. Anyone wishing to make a donation should contact John Silverwood ([email protected]) or Tim Baldock ([email protected]) and a standing order form will be sent to you. John Silverwood A WELCOME RETURN

Gary Street made a triumphal homecoming to the Memorial Ground on the evening of Sunday 24th August. There was a large turn out (which was good to see) and a most convivial time was had by all. I even managed to touch a Rugby World Cup Winner’s Medal - which I don’t suppose I will ever repeat! In the general euphoria, it was impossible to extract Gary from his adoring public for any meaningful length of time which, otherwise, may have permitted me to conduct some sort of interview for an ‘Astonian’ article. So my initiation into the role of a ‘Roving Reporter’ failed miserably! Andy Hart

23 REMAINING FIXTURES

First XI

15 Nov Harborne A 14 Feb Kings Norton A 22 Nov Newcastle H 21 Feb Handsworth A 29 Nov Warley H 28 Feb Harborne H 6 Dec Uttoxeter A 7 Mar Newcastle A 13 Dec Wednesbury H 14 Mar Warley A 20 Dec Bloxwich H 21 Mar Uttoxeter H 10 Jan Burntwood A 28 Mar Wednesbury A 17 Jan Clee Hill H 11 Apr Willenhall H 31 Jan Eccleshall A 18 Apr O.Yardleians A 7 Feb Edwardians H

Second XI

15 Nov O. Salts. III A 7 Feb Wyvern A 22 Nov Edwardians II H 21 Feb Y & D II H 6 Dec Woodrush II H 28 Feb Exiles II A 13 Dec FWOE II A 7 Mar O Salts. III H 20 Dec Spartans III A 21 Mar Edwardians II A 3 Jan Camp Hill III A 28 Mar O.Yardleians H 10 Jan Civil Service II A 11 Apr Kings Norton II A 24 Jan Wednesbury II A 18 Apr Veseyans II H 31 Jan Harborne II H

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

See page 24.

24 ASTON OLD EDWARDIANS 125 YEARS OF RUGBY

This season sees the Rugby Club celebrate its 125th Anniversary, and a number of special events have been arranged to mark the occasion. The first of the Player Reunion lunches was held on 18th October, aimed at players from 2000 onwards. The next two are on:

Saturday 13th December 2014 @ 12.00 - aimed at players from the 1980s and 90s Saturday 7th February 2015 @ 12.00 - for players of all vintages

The lunches will be informal, with a hot meal available on the day for just a couple of pounds - leaving as much time as possible for reminiscing with former team mates. We have already had a great response from those wishing to attend, but if you have not already done so, please complete the form on page 28, or email either Glyn Brazell ([email protected]) or Brendan Mulligan ([email protected]) to reserve your place at either of the two lunches.

25 The major event of the anniversary year will be a Dinner at Villa Park on Saturday 28th March 2015, where we are delighted to have secured World Cup Winning Coach Gary Street as the main speaker, with a(nother) professional comedian to round off the evening. Gary is also an ambassador for the 2015 World Cup, and Birmingham Rugby Partnership are hoping to use our Dinner as a launch pad for the World Cup activities in Birmingham, including the two matches at Villa Park in October, so we may well have other headline speakers on the night.

Tickets are available from either Glyn Brazell (by completing the form on page 28) or from behind the Bar. Numbers are strictly limited, and we expect the event to sell out well in advance, so please book your tickets as soon as possible. Recognising the support and contribution of our better halves and also the friendships that have been forged over many years, wives and partners are more than welcome to help us celebrate (although it’s probably best to only bring one or the other). We hope that as many past players, spectators and club members as possible will attend one or more of the functions, so please book your places, and spread the word amongst your contemporaries. Glyn Brazell

26 MEMBERSHIP MATTERS

If reading this has given you a guilty conscience, it is probably because you haven’t paid your subs., which became due on 1st September 2014 and are now outstanding. Please send them ASAP to the Membership Coordinator, c/o AEA Ltd., Memorial Ground, Sunnybank Avenue, BIRMINGHAM B44 0HP.

EDITORIAL MATTERS

Copy date for the next edition: 15th May 2015

Members who have given the Association an email address will be notified of the availability of electronic versions of ‘The Astonian’ via www.jimperkins.co.uk/page409.html. They are free to opt out of this system, receiving ‘hard’ copies instead.

Editorial Office: 23 Poundley Close, BIRMINGHAM B36 9SZ

Editorial email: [email protected]

Feature writers: Glyn Brazell, Ben Coates, Ojas Pujji, Geoff Reed, Les Woodhall

Proof reader: Roy William Shakespeare (Eagle-eyed Old Salt., cousin of the Editor, and fine upstanding chap.)

The help of all contributors is gratefully acknowledged.

Now that we exist in electronic form, contributors may be vulnerable if we publish too many email addresses. Readers wishing to contact contributors and others are invited to do so, in the first instance, via the Editor.

27 AEA DIRECTORY

Unless otherwise stated, officials and sections can be contacted c/o Aston Edwardian Association Ltd., Memorial Ground, Sunnybank Avenue, BIRMINGHAM B44 0HP (Tel.: 373 5746).

Officer/Section/Club Contact President Maurice Felton Chairman (chairman@…etc) Brendan Mulligan Secretary ([email protected]) Gary Smith Treasurer Trevor Bomber Membership Coordinator (membership@…) John Pollard Facilities Manager TBA AOE FC Tim Baldock SQUASH Derek Coles AOE GOLF David Roberts & Nigel Gowing AOE MASONIC LODGE (No 3857) Peter Cox (745 1968) Mine hostess Aileen Baldock Web sites: AEA www.astonedwardians.co.uk

AOE FC www.astonoldeds.com

Printed for AEA Ltd. by Print People, 598 Kingsbury Road, BIRMINGHAM B24 9PJ. Tel.: 0121 350 0136

28 125th ANNIVERSARY ORDER FORM

Please complete and return to Glyn Brazell, 3 Bagshawe Croft, New Oscott, Birmingham B23 5YR (07931 526189) [email protected]

Name & Address ______

I would like to order:

Number Total Reserved place at the Lunch on Pay on 13 December 2014 Day Reserved place at the Lunch on Pay on 7th February 2015 Day Tickets for the Dinner on 28th £40 March 2015 A copy of the Club History * £10 AOE 125 Tie * £10 Commemorative Paperweight* £10 *Where applicable P&P £3 Total Enclosed Please make cheques payable to AOE RFC

Please indicate any special dietary requirements, and also the names of others you may wish to be seated with at the Dinner. ______