BGSOBA Newsletter 2018
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Burton Grammar School Old Boys’ Association Founded 1921 Newsletter Number 45 Published: March 2018 by the committee of the BGS Old Boys’ Association 2 Letter from the President Elect: ….. I was pleasantly surprised to be elected Vice President of the BGSOBA at the AGM in May 2017 as I had not been an active member of the committee prior to this appointment. My main commitment over the last twenty plus years has been as a trustee, and for the last ten years as the Chairman of the Beyne School Foundation Charity. The charity was founded to support pupils from the Grammar School and the Girls High School. This is now distributed between the four Secondary Schools within the old Burton borough. This support is ongoing due to income from the charities investments and rental from four properties. This experience has enabled me to interact with the successors of the old Burton Grammar School. I have enjoyed my year as Vice President and look forward to serving the Association as your President in 2018/2019. Remembrance Day Service – Friday 10th November 2017 President John Ash was one of twelve Old Boys who attended the Remembrance service. As usual, it was very professionally and sensitively delivered by the head teacher, Annabel Stoddart, seen here with representatives of the Association. Old Boys in attendance were: David Leese; Malcolm Watson; Graham Marshment; Robert Andrews; Peter Appleby; John Ash (President); Deryck Barker; John Taylor (VP); Richard Bell; Richard Wain. To the right of Annabel Stoddart are Peter Evanson and Andrew Gentles. 3 Sad news of the President: John Ash …. We are sorry to report that John died on 25 March. At the time this newsletter went to press, we knew only that he was severely ill, and had entered St Giles hospice, passing his OBA duties on to John Taylor. His funeral is at St Peter’s, Stapenhill, at 1:15pm on 12 April. The editor would welcome information and stories about John’s life for an obituary in the 2019 newsletter. His support of the OBA deserves better recognition than is possible in this brief update. John began his working life as an apprentice at FNF in Burton, which closed around 1965. He then started a successful 30-year career in the Merchant Navy, and has been involved in local rowing clubs for many years. Officers of the Burton Grammar School Old Boys’ Association 2016-17 President. Mr John Ash 1950-56 Vice President Mr John Taylor 1950-55 Hon Secretary Mr Andrew Gentles 1972-79 Archivist Mr RF Andrews 1952-58 Hon Treasurer Mr S Wilcox 1963-68 Hon Sports (Golf) Secretary Mr S Wilcox 1963-68 Newsletter Editor and BGS Database email: [email protected] Mr Eric Bodger 1956-62 Other Records : email: [email protected] Hon Membership Officer Mr KB Large 1967-72 Executive Committee President, Past Presidents, Vice President, Secretary. Treasurer, Newsletter Editor, Membership Officer. Newsletter Committee Executive Committee and volunteers Web site: www.burtongrammar.co.uk Kevin Gallagher Association’s AGM & Dinner Friday 18h May 2018 - at the Pavilion, Branston. Marston’s Brewery Tour: Friday 18th May 2018 at 2pm Guests are welcome at the Brewery Tour and at the Dinner 4 The condolence and sympathy of the Association is expressed to the relatives and families of recently deceased Grammar School Old Boys & Staff. John Mayger (1943-51) Died 21 July 2017 John’s tragic death, following a fall that prevented his attending last year’s reunion, marks the end of an era. He was the last of five Mayger boys who had attended Burton Grammar School, and it was with sorrow that none of the committee was able to attend his funeral in Buckinghamshire. The eulogy at his funeral gives some measure of the man: John was a very hardworking, kind and generous man. He was born and grew up in Burton on Trent, the second youngest of five brothers. This also where he started his career working in the breweries as a clerk. He was soon to be promoted and quickly started a path of progression which lead to his becoming a Business Systems Analyst. Burton also provided the backdrop for the start of his family. John was a fanatical sportsman and it was whilst attending the Thursday night swimming club meetings that he met Eileen. The two were married at St Chad's in Burton in 1959 and went on to have their two children Paula and Richard. Their dynasty now runs to three grandchildren as well as ten nieces and nephews. As John's career began to advance the family moved from Burton to Sussex as John started a job at Grand Metropolitan in Brighton. Then in 1976 John was headhunted by a firm in Brussels, the family moved to live in Belgium for five years. Headhunting was very unusual in those days and pays testament to John's dedication to his work. The family returned to the UK in 1981 and settled in Beaconsfield. John's final employment was at Unilever in High Wycombe and it was from there that he finally retired from work at 67. John had a wide circle of friends. From school days at Burton Grammar school, through to all the many sports clubs he joined and always played an active part. From swimming and water polo to rugby and finally the hockey club where he continued to umpire from 1984 right through to 2011. We extend our condolences to his widow Eileen, and children Paula and Richard. 5 Brian Turner wrote from Colorado: “I was at school with all of his brothers and his brother William was the best man at my wedding. William, John and I were on the team that represented Burton in the All England Schoolboys Water Polo championship, losing in the final to a team from Middlesbrough. We shared a table at the 2006 annual dinner, which was the last time I saw him.” Chris Palme wrote: I knew John for more than 25 years and we must have umpired hundreds of matches together. Plenty of time to talk before matches, at half-time and afterwards in the bar. The first thing you noticed was his lovely voice followed by his good manners. I remember him coming over to my house for lunch and meeting Rachel. He offered his hand with the simple greeting "John Mayger ". There was something of the 1950s about him and I thought the choice of Doris Day and Frankie Laine,at the service was spot on. In terms of hockey I remember his view that there were only two rules: 1) The umpire is always right 2). In the event of any other eventuality refer to rule 1! I remember a match which I was umpiring and where he was a spectator. There was some controversy about the way in which the opposition was taking short corners. John took it upon himself to relocate to a position just behind the short corner taker in order to coach/harass them as they took their corners. The opposition objected – quite rightly – so I walked over and said, “John, could I ask you to move back to the half way line please”. The politeness of my request resulted in a positive response, but in addition to a twinkle of the eye there was a broad grin from ear to ear! Even when behaving badly John was always impeccable! I shall miss John, a man I held in great esteem and, of whom I was very fond. Stephen Calderbank (1968-73) Died 13 May 2017 Noel Butler writes: I was at BGS with Steve for 7 years and sat next to him throughout the first 3 years. I remember Steve as having muscles in the 1st year when most us only had spots. He was a good swimmer and keen cyclist in his youth and we once went youth hostelling on our bikes for a long weekend along with another friend Carl Laxton. The trip was organised by Steve, who in his quiet way made sure everything ran smoothly and put the least able cyclist (me) first when I began to struggle. In a way that was very typical of Steve, he rather kept his light under a bushel in many ways including his dry sense of humour. I lost touch with Steve after school though I was kept up to speed with his career in Brewing through mutual friends. God bless you Steve, I'm glad I knew you. 6 Peter Farmer (1945-53) Died December 2017 Peter Farmer passed away in Derby Hospital on Sunday 10th December 2017 at the age of 82. Peter took over from his father as dispensing chemist in Tutbury before he eventually sold the practice to Dean &.Smedley about 30 years ago. In Peter and his father's time, the shop was open every day of the year including Christmas Day. Peter lived next door to the shop in High Street, Tutbury until he built a bungalow on The Balk in Tutbury where he and his wife Jean enjoyed retirement, and Peter would spend time in his extensive garden. Peter was a very keen golfer and had been both Captain and President of Ashbourne Golf CIub, the oldest Club in Derbyshire. He was very much involved in the extension of the 9-hole course to 18 holes which was officially opened in 1999. He also enjoyed his golf away days with the Burton Club. In the past Peter played badminton at the Tutbury Friday Night Badminton Club where he was a regular member. Peter will be remembered with great affection.