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, , 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

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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.

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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 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. Mike Hamilton

Rev George Goodall (1935-40) Died 28 November 2016 Eric Bodger writes: “George Goodall was a neighbour of my family in Brizlincote Lane, and was always very kind and friendly. He helped conduct my father’s funeral, and offered sympathy and practical help to my mother.”

Colin Copestake (1950-58) Died 22 October 2016 Colin was married to High School alumna Jennifer (née Yeomans) for 54 years, having met in a combined schools choir in their mid-teens, when they also played in the local schools orchestra. Colin’s interest in music was profound; he sang in the BGS choir, and at Stapenhill Parish church, and gave solo performances around the area. That did not get in the way of playing Rugby and Cricket for the school. Encouraged by one of the music masters (P V Appleton?), he gained a Choral →

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Scholarship at Gonville and Caaius College, Cambridge, where he read Spanish and French. As well as singing each day in the college chapel, he took advantage of the vibrant musical life of the city, singing with many eminent conductors and musicians. After graduating in 1961, he took a PGCE at Nottingham, becoming languages master at (Haberdashers’) Monmouth School, remaining in the town for the rest of his life. His next appointment was as headmaster of The Grange (prep school to Monmouth), which he combined with teaching French and Spanish at the main school. After seven years in The Grange, he became housemaster at School House, where Jennifer was Matron; jobs they combined with bringing up three children. He was granted Freedom of the City of London and of the Haberdashers’ Company, in recognition of his service to the School and to education. Terry Bentley adds: Colin “Bert” Copestake and I were in the Sixth Form together. We were taught by K.T.Harris (Spanish), H.C.Wood (French) Colin in 1957 and Cyril Edlin (Eng Lit). Bert was an excellent singer and obtained a Choral Scholarship to Cambridge. My best memory of him: he was no great soccer player but was persuaded to play in goal in he annual Staff v Prefects match. He was the hero of the hour when he tipped a goal bound shot over the bar. This was no mean feat as we were using rugby posts! Philip Andrew James Hutchinson (26 Jan 1951 - 3 Jan 2018) Passed away suddenly at Queen's Hospital on 3rd January 2018, following a stroke, aged 66 years. Much loved brother to Brigid, Phil was a very popular man within the local community and the Labour constituency, who will be sadly missed by many friends and colleagues. He was a well-liked member of CAMRA, and there was a "memorial crawl" between two of his favourite pubs (The Roebuck Inn and the Burton Bridge Inn) on 3 February to celebrate his life. Paul Walker, chairman of the Burton Labour Party, said: "Phil was a dedicated socialist, he fought against injustice and would always fight for the common man. His passion was the NHS and he played a prominent role in the bed push through Burton in protest against the Burton hospital merger with Derby. He wanted the NHS to remain the NHS. He was a really good activist.”

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L Don Ewers (1935-41) died 14 Nov 2016 Don’s colleague Roger writes: “Those of us who had the good fortune to work for the Bass group met many wonderful people; Don Ewers was amongst the very best. A life of 90 years which began in the age of steam and finished in the digital age. He was a local boy born in Rolleston on the 16th May 1926. Don left the Grammar School at the age of 15, partly because his father did not believe in further education and partly because Don hated both Latin and the Latin Master. He started work with Bass before doing National Service in the Navy, having been in the Sea Cadets. He was trained as a radio mechanic and then posted to Alexandria and then on to Malta, where he spent two sunny and happy years. Whilst there he was promoted to Petty Officer. He was demobbed in 1947 and arrived back in Britain during the terrible winter of that year. He spent his demob money on a correspondence course to become a Chartered Secretary. He sat and passed the final exams at Birmingham University only to be told by his boss “It won`t do you any good here lad” Consequently, he left to work for The British Tabulating Machine Company, but was later invited back to Bass as Assistant Secretary. Promotions followed and he became Company Secretary at Bass Worthington and James Eadie Ltd. At one stage, he was Insurance Manager at Mitchell’s and Butlers at Cape Hill in Birmingham. He also qualified to become a member of the Institute of Personnel Managers. In 1970, he was appointed Personnel Manager of Bass Worthington (Midlands) Ltd., as well as honorary Personnel Manager for Augustus Barnett (wine merchants of London). Unlike other personnel managers who would just give me advice on what I should do, when I sought his advice he would always say “leave it to me.” Don married Jean in 1950. They had two boys: Andrew, who sadly died 7 years ago and David. Don and Jean were happily married for 66 years. Don loved his garden and his allotment. He once told me how quiet and peaceful the allotment was but I suspect that was because the nearest neighbour was the Cemetery! Don enjoyed reading, mostly novels and dinghy sailing at Chasewater. Jean steadfastly refused to jump aboard. He kept bees, inherited from his father and his grandfather. Much of his honey he gave away or sold it for a nominal amount. Unbelievably, one day a “jobsworth” from the Town Hall knocked on his door with a complaint about the bees. A lady had complained, not because she had been stung but because she said that his bees had been drinking water from her miniature pond. Typically, Don being so easy going, moved the hives to another location. Don was a great DIY man, kitchens, bathrooms, you name it! Towards the end, Don suffered several years of severe rheumatoid arthritis. A damaged immune system left him prone to recurrent infections leading to many trips to the Hospital. His final admission was to Derby Hospital for possible surgery. A further infection progressed to pneumonia and Don died on the 14th of November 2016. Don who passed away peacefully and uncomplaining to the end. Thus passed away a true English Gentleman."

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Dr Roy Bentley (1938-44) Died November 2017 Bert Young (1940-45) writes: Roy was a friend of mine for 78 years; we attended the Grammar School together and since leaving – apart from the 10 years I was in Bermuda – saw each other with our families frequently. He had a short illness and died in his sleep. He was 90 years old and lived in Wales (Cardigan) since he retired from ICI. After school he went to Sheffield University, where he obtained his PhD; he joined ICI immediately afterwards, initially with the ICI's Explosive Division in Scotland. He subsequently moved with them to Cheshire where he became one of the key scientists working on aircraft lubricants. After his early retirement he bought a farm near Cardigan which he tended with his son Simon. He sold this to enjoy a quiet retired life surrounded by his family. I first met Roy in 1939. He was 2 years ahead of me at school and for his last year became a Prefect. During our school years we lived very close together in Stanton, travelling on the bus to Burton with Oscar DeVille and Tibby Warren. Of course I have many (extremely private!) stories of my long friendship with Roy – we often chased the same girls! Basically Roy was on the shy side and liked others to take the lead; nevertheless his formidable mind gave him a quiet strength and independence. He missed doing National Service because his science studies put him in a “reserved status”; had he chosen, he would have gone into the RAF because at school he was a keen member of the ATC. “Nick” Nicholson – the Chemistry master, was largely influential in the direction of Roy's career; the two of them were good matches in the jokes they told. I recall the first time we smoked pipes together and had no idea what tobacco to buy; the chap at the local shop took one look at us and decided to teach us a lesson. He advised us to buy something called “Shag”; it was a hard block of black tobacco that had to be carved up and rubbed before stuffing into a pipe. We followed his instructions, lit up and then smoked our pipes while cycling our way to Burton (we were to meet my mother and help her back with her shopping); on arrival we were both white in the face and horribly sick!. It was the only time we bought Shag. Roy was a keen “Brexiteer” who had little time or sympathy with the EU; restoring our independence he believed was the keynote of our future success. Ken F Crocker (1951-57) Terry Bentley writes: Ken was a good all-round sportsman. A scrum half, he played for schools. I played with him on many occasions, including at BRFC. Bob Knight, Denis Minns and Vic Roebuck were in the same team. Regrettably none of the aforementioned are still with us.

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Graham Shaw (1974-81) Died May 2016 Graham was in the last BGS intake of September 1974 and later became Head Boy of the Abbot Beyne School. On leaving school he went up to Queens’ College Cambridge to read Veterinary Science. He subsequently became a partner in the Springfield veterinary practice in Burton before changing his career direction completely by taking a further degree in Art and becoming a lecturer in History of Art at Nottingham University. Although he specialised in the sciences in the Sixth Form, he showed considerable talent in all areas of the curriculum, being a gifted musician and having an aptitude for languages. He was also a member of the school hockey XI and a very keen follower of cricket. His sudden death at the age of 53 came as a huge shock to his many friends and acquaintances. His funeral was attended by many of his former fellow-pupils and teachers.

Sheila Jones, widow of Norman, former Head of Chemistry Passed away in January 2017, aged 86. Their son Graham is an old boy of the school, entering the first year in 1971.

Other Condolences The Association also extends its sympathy to the relations and friends of the following, about whom we do not have material for obituaries: Peter Huckerby, who died on 8 Dec 2015 Alan (Toff) Neal (1950-57) David Oakden (1937-44) Sadly missed as a father, grandfather and great-grandfather Edwin Say (1941-46) John Waters, (1931-36) whose death was reported in June 2016 Howard Wilson (1935-40)

11 News from Abbot Beyne School It has been another successful year at Abbot Beyne. Ofsted visited us in May and confirmed what we all knew – we are a good school in every respect. This was further underlined by excellent examination results at both GCSE and A Level. Progress measures at GCSE made us top of the town – an honour that we are truly proud of. Students remember many aspects of their school life, and this is evidenced when the Old Boys join us for our Remembrance Service and talk at length about past Masters and lessons they loved. Lessons are key to the success of our youngsters, as are the many other opportunities that enrich life at Abbot Beyne. In September we celebrated our first successful Duke of Edinburgh cohort. Students who completed all four aspects of the Award: Expedition, Volunteering, Fitness & Skill were awarded their Bronze. Several have now progressed to Silver and we have a new cohort beginning Bronze. A range of trips helped broaden the horizons of our young people  BBC News Day including a visit to the BBC studio  Ski visit to Andorra  The Big Bang STEM visit  Jaguar Land Rover  Birmingham Symphony Hall Success has also been experienced in Sport. Our Year 11 Boys made it to the Futsal final. For those of you who don’t know what Futsal is, it’s a 5-aside football game usually played indoors. Our boys have played many matches and were triumphant against De Ferrers. They then represented Burton Albion at The Midlands Regional Futsal Cup in Birmingham. Our House system continued to be led by our Sixth Form Sport and House Captains. In regular Assemblies they instil House Pride and seek to inspire success in House events. In addition, each House has an identified Charity that they raise money for. The Annual Easter Fayre raised over £2000 this year. Finally our annual Productions are always a joy.

Annabel Stoddart Headteacher March 2018

12 Are any of these people familiar to you?

John Newton (1947-53) kindly donated a collection of photographs to the Association. In the one below, he identified Capt H E Smith in the back row, and Ted Ufton at the left of the second row, and would like help with filling in a few more names.

If you can help, either with names, or details of the event where this picture was taken, please let the editor know at [email protected].

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More of John Newton’s photographs from 1952

Both these shots outside Bond Street school are marked March 1952

From around the same time, below is Drake House

14 April 17 to March 2018: MEMORIES FROM BGS OLD BOYS Nigel Radford (1959-66) writes... Since 1981 my family and I have lived in Australia, and since 1984, in Perth, WA I was intrigued by the photo of a BGS rugby cap from 1931-32 on the front cover of the recent newsletter and the fascinating story about how it came into the Association’s possession. I enclose a photo of a rugby cap in my possession from the 1922-23 season. It belonged to my Father, Trevor Radford, who attended BGS from approximately 1917 to 1923. He played hooker for the first team in those days. He had an identical twin bother, Stanley, and between them they were known at school as Radford 7 and Radford 8, there being several older brothers and cousins at school in those days — Radfords 1 to 6. I was struck to wonder when the tradition of giving real caps to sportsmen in school actually began. In my day those “capped” for sport got to wear braiding round their jackets, similar to the prefects, except the sports braiding did not cover the top of the breast pocket. We all wore caps outside school and woe betide anyone caught not wearing their cap in the street. I wonder if any Old Boys have caps going back further in time, and if anyone knows when the tradition came in. Trevor and Stanley were very mischievous youngsters. Trevor was the rugby player, and Stan was a good swimmer. They decided that it would be “nice” if Trevor could win a sports award for swimming, and if Stan could play rugby for the school. So they swapped identities. It was easy because the were absolutely identical. Even I often mistook them at a distance in latter life. So Trevor called himself Stan and played rugby, whilst Stan, calling himself Trevor, took part in the swimming carnival. Their ruse succeeded and they both won awards. Later they told their Mother about their successes. She was horrified and promptly frog-marched them to school where they had to admit their prank to the Headmaster and had to hand their awards back. Granny took no prisoners!! As for me, I’ve been lucky enough to work as a geologist in the mining industry all my working life. I’ve travelled to many interesting parts of the world at my employers’

15 expense and had a thoroughly rewarding career. My wife Linda spent many years looking after her mother, who suffered from Motor Neurone Disease. After her mother’s death, she trained as a school teacher specialising in Primary School Art teaching. We both retired in 2013 and since then have been so busy we have no idea how we ever had the time to work. I should credit Geoff (Gaff) Henton and Ron Illingworth with kindling my interest in geography and ultimately in geology. Without that stimulus who knows what my career would have been or where I would have gone. I have no regrets. BGS set my life in the right direction and I’ve always been grateful. Michael Cooke (1949-56) writes... It is just over fifty years now since I left my first job in Harlow and moved with my wife Valerie and elder son to Scotland, switching from manufacturing industry to the NHS. I joined what was then the Regional Physics Department of the Western Regional Hospital Board in Glasgow. Since then, there have been tremendous changes in both the scope of Clinical Physics and in the City of Glasgow. The development of microelectronics has resulted in sophisticated equipment compact enough to be placed in operating theatres, at the patient's bedside and outpatient clinics ,while new imaging modalities have transformed diagnosis. These developments generated the need for physics staff and their technical teams to be based in the hospitals, rather than working from a central laboratory. I spent the final twenty years of my Glasgow career as Physicist at the Victoria Infirmary in Glasgow, developing the Nuclear Medicine service and the Electro•medical Equipment Maintenance and Management service with two technical teams before retiring in 2001 Meantime, Glasgow had transformed itself from a smoky city based on heavy industry into a modern clean city of diverse businesses and with a strong cultural heritage. We have lived in Bishopbriggs, northeast of Glasgow, since moving to Scotland ,and our second son was born here. Bishopbriggs lies between the City boundary and the Forth and Clyde canal, beyond which lies open country to the Campsie Hills . I was offered the opportunity of a secondment in the USA to work on a project at a Veterans Administration Hospital, and in 1970 we moved to Chicago for two and a half years . A colleague advised camping as the best way to see the National and State Parks. We bought a tent and travelled extensively from the Appalachians to the Rockies eventually returning home to the UK via Canada with all our camping gear. Shortly after our return we moved to our second Bishopbriggs home where we remained until last year when we decided it was time to downsize and moved to a local new build retirement flat. We are well settled in and it is a very friendly community. I am currently Chairman of the Homeowners' Association. I have been an Elder in our local Church of Scotland for the past 43 years and belong to the Caledonian Philatelic Society, an interest originally fostered in the Stamp Club which was active in the School in the early 1950's.

16 Duncan Bradley (1960-68) writes... I am still enjoying retirement from teaching, although I still do some examining for GCSE Music. If nothing else, it keeps my hand in and allows me to continue a pastime of "collecting howlers!" Having said that, I am reducing a lot of my music activities, playing now for the occasional service at St Mary's Church, Southampton and giving the occasional recital. Other than that, I am kept very busy working as a Licensed Lay Minister in Southampton City Centre Parish which means migrating between the two Anglican Churches in the City Centre, St Mary's which is the oldest site of Christian worship in the City, the birthplace of Southampton Football Club in 1885, and which houses one of the finest Willis organs in the South of England; the other church is St Michael the Archangel, the oldest building in the city. I am also involved with 424 Squadron (Southampton) Air Cadets.

BURTON GRAMMAR SCHOOL The school was founded about the year 1520 by Abbott William Beyne of Burton Abbey. He re-established the school, already flourishing within the Abbey walls, as a separate entity, and endowed it with lands in 1529. His action ensured that the School did not perish when the Abbey was dissolved in 1541. It is known that boys from the School were sent up to Cambridge, and probably to Oxford, before 1530. During the centuries, further endowments were added, and in 1869, all the revenues were amalgamated and the Burton Endowed Schools came into being. In 1877, it moved from Friars Walk to the premises in Bond Street that some of us remember. In 1957, the school moved to a new building in , where it remained until 1975, when it was absorbed into the Abbot Beyne comprehensive. The most famous of the School's known Old Boys was John Jervis, Admiral Lord St. Vincent, under whom Nelson served.

Welcome to New Members At the reunion dinner in May 2017, the Association was pleased to welcome:

Tim Hill (1956-63) David (1956-62) and Robert Somekh. Many members will remember their father, Ezra, who enriched the teaching of Physics for many years. His book on Practical Physics is available on the free archive site at https://archive.org/details/SomekhE.M.PracticalPhysics1965

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Marston’s Brewery Tour — 2pm on 18 May 2018

There will be no Lowe Golf Tournament this year, so Graham Marshment has kindly arranged a special tour of the Shobnall road brewery on the day of our AGM, for Old Boys and their guests. Marston’s description of the tour is given below, but we should add a warning that there are lots of stairs. We are also promised a tour of the new DE14 “nano-brewery” . There’s no secret to how they brew some of the finest ales in the land! If any BGS Old Boy would like to come along and see how they make their ales, why not join us on our exclusive a tour of the brewery? Cost £8.50 (Includes 3 free halves in the bar afterwards) Tour starts at 14:00 hrs (2.0 pm in old money!)

More details at www.marstonsbrewery.co.uk/tours/tour-info/

18 BGS OBA Past Presidents

1921-22 AH Yeomans 1968-69 W.T.Burman 1922-23 F.Evershed 1969-70 F.W.Fawkes 1923-24 W.Shelley 1970-71 W.H.Gillian 1924-25 A.Slator 1971-72 R.L.Knight 1925-26 R. Samble 1972-73 B.E.Warren 1926-27 W.P.Lowe 1973-74 J.H.Mander 1927-28 H.Leigh-Newton 1974-75 N.A.Binns 1928-29 J.H.Moir 1975-76 D.G.Hardwick 1929-30 C.F.Gothard 1976-77 R.A.Clark 1930-31 F.J.Manners 1977-78 A.Fallon 1931-32 F.Newton-Husbands 1978-79 G.M.Hamilton 1932-33 J.H.Birch 1979-80 A.T.Cole 1933-34 W.E.Briggs 1980-81 P.Minns 1934-35 J.D.Robertson 1981-82 J.A.Woolley 1935-36 B.F.Sadle 1982-83 R.Outhwaite 1936-37 F.J.Hodges 1983-89 G.T.Milnes 1937-38 Col.D.H.Mason 1989-90 H.E.Smith 1938-39 R.T.Robinson 1990-91 E.A.Bailey 1939-40 B.C.Newbold 1991-92 D.A.Sharatt 1940-41 R.C.Sims 1992-93 B.Clements 1941-42 J.B.Smith 1993-94 G.Starbuck 1942-43 F.T.Shelley 1994-95 N.A.Tomkins 1943-44 T.W.Parkin 1995-96 T.A.Trigg 1944-45 P.J.Williams 1996-97 J.M.Illingworth 1945-46 E.J.Dallard 1997-98 J.P.Hartley 1946-47 H.J.Wain 1998-99 R.Deacon 1947-48 G.W.Britton 1999-00 L.S.Dunkerly 1948-49 F.E.James 2000-01 P.G.Booth 1949-50 B.L.Hubbard 2001-02 G.K.Rushton 1950-51 L.A.Haywood 2002-03 S.A.Neal 1951-52 R.P.Stevenson 2003-04 J.S.Pickering 1952-53 G.H.Cooper 2004-05 R.J.Wain 1953-54 L.E.Churchill 2005-06 F.Toon 1954-55 J.D.Rowland 2006-07 Rev. R.Gilbert 1955-56 D.P.Haywood 2007-08 M. E. Watson 1956-57 J.F.Rose 2008-09 G. P. Evans. 1957-58 W.R.Souster 2009-10 R.F.Andrews 1958-59 F.C.Jenks 2010-11 D.J.Grimsley 1959-60 H.H.Pitchford 2011-12 K.B. Large 1960-61 D.J.Grimsley 2012-13 R.F. Kerry 1961-62 A.E.G.Hardwick 2013-14 M. Brown 1962-63 A.C.Bowden 2014-15 G.S. Marshment 1963-64 R.H.Eggington 2015-16 A. Gentles 1964-65 K.A.Stanyon 2016-17 S Wilcox 1965-66 D.M.Davies 2017-18 J. Ash 1966-67 H.E.C.Weston 2018-19 J. A. Taylor 1967-68 W.F.Howarth

19 Burton Grammar School Old Boys’ Association Annual General Meeting to be held on 18th May 2018

AGENDA

 Introduction and Apologies  Names of Old Boys who have passed away during the last twelve months. Silence to be observed for one minute.  Minutes of the last AGM held 19h May 2017  Treasurer’s report  Welcome to new members  John Taylor to be inducted as President  Incoming President’s remarks  Election of Vice-president and Officers. Nominees are: Secretary, Graham Marshment ; Treasurer, Steve Wilcox; Database and Newsletter Editor, Eric Bodger. For co-option: Keith Large, Andrew Gentles  Report from OBA representative on the Beyne Foundation  Dates of 2019 AGM and of School Remembrance Service (9 Nov 2018)  AOB

Income and Expenditure Statement for Year Ended 31 December 2017

Income 2016 2017 Expenditure 2016 2017 Dining receipts/donations £1968 £1743 Newsletter/postages £407 £401 Golf entry £0 £0 Dining costs £1534 £1534 Engraving £47 £22 Miscellaneous £200 £67 Charity £0 £50 Total £1968 £1743 £2188 £2074

Excess income over expenditure for year ending 31 December (£220) (£331) Balance at bank as at 31 December £2301 £1970 Cash in hand £98 £98 Total reserves at 31 December £2399 £2068

20 Minutes of the AGM 19th May 2017 held at the Branston Golf & Country Club

1. President Steve Wilcox welcomed Old Boys. 2. The President then asked the Secretary to read the apologies, including Peter Appleby, David Atkin, Andrew Bauer, Roy Biddulph, Andrew Bodger, Michael Bond, Duncan Bradley, Ian Carrington-Porter, Alan Cloves, John Clubb, Lionel Cooper, Steve Cort, Roger Deacon, Tony Fisher, Brian Gee, Raymond Gilbert, Ian Gilchrist, Mike Green, Tony Hardwick, John Hodgson, Bob James, Bernard Johnson, Michael Keen, Roger Kerry, Graham Marchment, Roy Marsh, Colin Marsland, Steve Mason, John Mayger, David Mortlock, Jonathan Murphy, Alan Neal, Gordon Neale, Roger Newman, Colin Norris, Peter Orton, Michael Prevett, Prof Roy Pryce, Howard Rees, Clifford Rose, Keith Rushton, Graham Staley, Mike E Smith, Ken Stanyon, Charlie Statham, Brig Bill Strong, Keith Stuart-Smith, Alan Thompson, Mike Threse, Bob Throssell, John Toplis, Richard Tudor, Johnny van der Merwe, George Wigley, Howard Wilson, Mike Wilson, Alan Winfield, Gerry Woodburn, David Woodcock, and the Head of Abbot Beyne, Annabel Stoddart. The President commented on the number of apologies for the A.G.M & Dinner, which demonstrates members’ engagement with the Association, despite their being unable to attend this year. 3. A minute’s silence was observed after a roll-call of old boys who had sadly passed away during the past twelve months. These were: S. Burke; B.C. Copestake; K.F. Crocker; D. Ewers; R. Graham; Rev G Goodall; D P. Huckerby; D. Oakdean; J. Rabbets; Handover from E. Say; S.Taylor; C. Twigg. Steve Wilcox to

John Ash 4. The President asked for approval of the minutes of the AGM held 19th May 2016. Proposed by Martin Cooper, and seconded Rob Andrews, and passed unanimously. 5. The Treasurer, Steve Wilcox, circulated the Annual Income & Expenditure Statement for the year to 31st December 2016. The Association remains in a strong financial position, with many members unable to attend the AGM & Dinner opting to make a donation in lieu He asked that the accounts be adopted: Proposed by John Taylor, Seconded: Andrew Gentles, and carried unanimously.

21 6. Beyne Foundation Report, was presented by John Taylor, who gave a brief insight into the history of the Foundation – founded in the 1920’s with the beneficiaries originally being the Boys Grammar School and Girls High School. Changes in the constitution allowed distribution of funds to four local secondary schools including the Abbot Beyne who must receive no less than 25% of distributed funds. In the past 12 months this amounted to circa £3000 per term. Income is generated from rental revenue from the four properties it owns. 7. The outgoing President extended his personal thanks to his Committee for their support during his term of office along with the co-opted members, Eric Bodger for publishing the newsletter and Kevin Gallagher for maintaining the website. As is typical for Steve, he delivered a most humorous review of his year as President, packed with amusing anecdotes. He reminded the members that the Committee recommended to the membership that the Association works towards the schools 500th Anniversary in 2020, which coincides with the centenary of the decision to form the Old Boys Association. As with many of his predecessors Steve noted that his participation at the Abbot Beyne assembly of Remembrance was a memorable occasion and was impressed by the respect shown by the pupils in attendance. He wished John Ash every success in his role as the incoming President of The Association. 8. Incoming President John Ash extended his thanks to Steve for the work he had done during the year in office, and thanked the membership for the opportunity to be their president for the coming year. 9. Election of Officers: the following were elected en bloc: Vice President John Taylor Secretary Andrew Gentles Treasurer Steve Wilcox Co-opted Members Keith Large; Graham Marshment, and Eric Bodger 10. There being no further business, the President closed the meeting and the members convened for Dinner where they were entertained by their guest speaker, Sir Trevor Soar KCB,OBE who had commanded various submarines and ships, including the aircraft carrier HMS Invincible, before becoming Commander-in-chief Fleet in the Royal Navy. 11. Date of next meeting 18th May 2018.

22 From the Editor:

I should like to thank all who have contributed material to this newsletter, including all the Committee members and others who have provided updates and photographs. Those who come to the annual dinner know what a delightful event that is, with excellent food as well as the opportunity to catch up with people you haven’t seen for years. So please try to persuade your friends to join you at the dinner and/or at the tour of Marston’s in the afternoon. I’ll be happy to email this package to anyone you nominate; they will be welcome guests. It will also give me a chance to encourage them to join the Association. The membership database is now in my hands, so please send any updates to me at [email protected] If you don’t wish the Association to retain your personal data, please notify me and I will remove your entry. But bear in mind that the database is the only way we can send you newsletters and invitations to our events. Data protection laws mean that we cannot supply details, but I am happy to forward emails on request, providing the person you want to reach has an email address on record. There are two anniversaries coming up: 2020 is 500 years after the school was spun off from Burton Abbey by Abbot Beyne; is also the 100th year of our Association, which was established in 1921. I hope these events can be used to recruit new members to assure the future of the Association. If not, at least we’ll go out on a high! We decided not to have an after-dinner speaker this year, and hope that this will allow members to move around and talk to people on other tables.

Seeing a Lancashire boiler during a visit to the Kennet and Avon Canal reminded me of the three boilers that used to power Everard’s Trent Brewery on Anglesey road. Although the pumping was done by electricity by my father’s time there, this steam engine was preserved as a memento of earlier days. It led to an embarrassing incident when Dad had assured a Factory inspector that it was never used, only to walk in and find Steve Calderbank’s father The heritage engine demonstrating it to a friend.

Eric Bodger (1956-62) e-mail: [email protected]

23

The AGM & Dinner to be held on the 18th May 2018

BRANSTON GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB – PAVILION

The schedule will be: 18:30 - 19:00 hrs – Guests arrive. 19:00 hrs – AGM 19:45 hrs – Guests called to Dinner 20:00 hrs – Grace, followed by Dinner

Menu Starter: Smoked salmon and crayfish timbale, cucumber galette and beetroot salad Main: Herb roasted chicken supreme ,roasted root vegetables, herb gratin potato with a rich mushroom gravy Or: Covent Garden Charlotte (medley of mixed, ribboned vegetables) (V) Dessert: Apple and Blackberry Crumble, cinnamon custard

Coffee or Tea and Dinner mints 21:30 hrs – Toast to the OBA with response from the President, John Taylor Please book for the Dinner using the form sent with this Newsletter. (Bookings requested by Friday 27th April, please).

24

Percy ‘Butch’ Barratt ‘s 2A in 1957-8 Back Row: Blackburn, Bloss, Tudor, Newey, Huckerby, Hill, Clark, Mart, B09, Flather Middle Row: Newman, Jordan, Bell, Pyatt, Waller, Bodger, Cartwright, Anderson Front Row: Booth, F02, Jackson, F04, Percy ‘Butch’ Barratt (Form master), Rees, Clark, Duncan, Taft From www.burtongrammar.co.uk/category/life-and-times/staff Can anyone identify F02 and F04 on the front row and B09 on the back row?

Marston’s Brewery Tour — 2pm on 18 May 2018 Marston’s has kindly agreed to arrange a special tour of the Shobnall road brewery on the day of our AGM, for Old Boys and their guests. Thanks are due to Graham Marshment for setting this up. We will go round the Victorian Brewery (lots of stairs) and see the new DE14 “nano-brewery”, before drinking samples of their delicious products. The price is £8.50 each, and you can book on the form enclosed with this newsletter. Details at: www.marstonsbrewery.co.uk/tours/tour-info/ DE14 nano-brewery