Reports of the Year’s Events 1 Secretary’s Report 36 2 Treasurer’s Report 38 3 FCFPA Officers 2015-6 41 4 Vice Presidents’ Profiles 45 5 Dates for Your Diary & Forthcoming Events 49 6 Social Functions and Gatherings 2015 53 Notices (births/marriages) Notes and News 69 Obituaries 72 Past Presidents FCOBA 84 Past Presidents LHSOGA 86 Joint Presidents FCFPA 88

Your Contributions Reminiscences of an Old Foyle Boy Dick Shannon 90

Conclusion of the Quest for the Missing Sister School 93

Foyle College School Chapel 1872-7 Jim Heasley 97

From The Archive Notes on progress 101

The Girl who attended Victoria High School 103

Rugby Caps 106

Standing Order Mandate for those who wish to have a hard copy of the magazine

1 2 Editorial Note

Welcome to the 2016 edition of the Former Pupils Magazine.

The year past has been a busy one for our joint presidents with the usual round of social events. These duties are shared by our two sets of joint presidents as the handover of these offices takes place at the May AGM.

In spring, Lowry Cunningham and Phenella Black attended both the Belfast Luncheon in Malone Golf Club and the Spring Luncheon in the Belfray. In April we had an additional function when a London Dinner was held in the most pleasant surroundings of The Farmers’ Club in Whitehall, courtesy of Lowry’s membership of that club. All these events were well supported and more detailed reports follow in this edition.

After the AGM held in Duncreggan House in early May, Phenella and Lowry passed their chains of office to Ann Watson and Denis Connolly. A small social event followed the ceremony and Yvonne Smyth née Hamilton gave a short address as incoming Vice-President. David Turner was appointed as the Joint Vice-President but could not be present.

Since taking over office, Ann and Denis have presided over an excellent and well supported Annual Dinner in the City Hotel at the end of September, attended the school Prize Distribution in the Guildhall and the Armistice Service in November where they laid a wreath on the War Memorial on behalf of the Former Pupils Association. Details and photographs of these events follow.

A number of reunions were also held during the year, significantly the Class of ’83 who were the first ‘year group’ to join the newly amalgamated school in 1976.

The current year will see a number of significant events marking anniversaries of the Battle of the Somme, the Easter Rising and the 40th Anniversary of the creation of the co-educational school. Little did the governors, staff and pupils know back in 1976 that it would take forty years before the two schools would unite on a single campus.

Many staff have come and gone over the forty years of the amalgamated school and last August saw the departure of three long-serving teachers. Pamela Coughlin née Moore, who taught German and French and was Head of Year 8 (Form 1) and Kenny Given, Head of Chemistry and Examinations Officer both retired. Due to a scarcity of chemistry graduates in the teaching profession, Kenny has kindly extended his teaching duties in the school this year until a suitable replacement can be found. Susan Thomas née McCaul, also retired and is taking a change of direction after many years of teaching art. We wish all of them well in their retirements and new career paths.

The move to the new school on Springham Campus is now eagerly anticipated, especially since tangible evidence of its construction is clearly visible. The appointed builders, Heron Bros, have made great progress – a report follows in this edition. That progress can be viewed from Limavady Road, from a birds-eye view taken from a webcam on top of the flagpole donated by the US Navy who formerly occupied the site, and from drone flyovers. The latter can be viewed on the school’s website. It is

3 most significant that the handover of the completed school in September 2017 will coincide with the 400th Anniversary.

To mark this momentous year a committee has been set up to coordinate and organise events throughout 2017. Next year’s magazine will be a special edition and will include details of all these events. A list of events will appear later this year on the school’s website and we are hopeful that all former pupils will have an opportunity to attend as many of them as possible.

A number of interesting contributions appear in this edition but we are always grateful for more. Please keep us updated about careers, births and marriages or any other news that you would like to share. I am grateful to those who provided us with detailed obituaries of former pupils who passed away in the last year and in the absence of those details we have tried to put together information from school records and other sources. I would like to thank Robert Montgomery for his substantial contribution to the obituary section for many years. He continues to oversee the school’s archive with the assistance of Ken Gamble and they have welcomed an increasing number of visitors over the past year.

I am most grateful to my editorial team – Mildred Deans who is responsible for putting so much of the magazine together and without whose help it would not be possible, and Sean McMahon for his meticulous proof-reading of completed work.

Finally I would like to thank our advertisers without whose support the production of the magazine would not be possible. Many of you will be reading this online but if you wish to join those who have hard copies mailed to them please complete and return to the Bursar, the Standing Order Mandate at the end of this copy.

I very much hope that you enjoy keeping abreast of school news and progress, and maintaining contact with other former pupils. William M Lynn Editor

4 Useful Contact Addresses

Foyle College Duncreggan Road Londonderry BT48 0AW Tel: (028) 71269321 School Website: www.foylenet.org.uk

You can also contact us and submit news and information to:

Mrs Mildred Deans 18 Altrest Road Cullion Londonderry BT47 2SJ Tel: (028)71841454 [email protected]

For submitting contact information: [email protected]

Find us on Facebook www.facebook.com/foylecollegefpa

5 6 Board of Governors 2015

Governor’s Name Electing Body

Mr R Young The Honourable The Irish Society

Mrs K Jackson, Mrs D Leeson, Mr P Howie Parents’ Representatives

Mrs S Guthrie, Mrs S McLaughlin, Mr T Nutt Staff Representatives

Mr W M Lynn, Mr C Jeffrey, Former Pupils’ Representatives Mrs I McNally, Mrs J McClintock

Rev Dr R Craig Presbytery of Derry and Strabane Representative

Rev M R K Ferry Church of Ireland Diocesan Representative

Professor D Heenan University of Ulster Representative

Mr B Dougherty, Mrs D Fleming, Department of Education Mrs J Young, Mrs S O’Kane, Representatives Mr R McCullough, Mr R McCaughey, Ms L Quigley, Mrs J Stewart, Mr J Templeton

Mr G Killeen, Dr R Manning, Foundation Nominated Mrs C Gilliland, Mr I McCarter Representatives

Mr P W J Allen Principal

Mr N Stewart Clerk to Governors

Governors tenable 2013 - 17

7 Teaching Staff 2015-16

Headmaster Mr P W J Allen

Vice Principal Mr P G Gault Mr G S Mercer

Art & Design Mr K F Ward (Head of Department) Mrs C J Kane

Biology Mrs I A Hannaway (Head of Department) Mrs L J Hand (Head of Junior Science) Mr P T Farmer

Business Studies Mrs H Eakin (Head of Department) Mrs B B McGowan

Careers Mr P T Farmer (Head of Department) Mrs H Eakin Miss N S Sloane

Chemistry Mrs J Millen (Head of Department)

Design & Technology Mr A C Moorcroft (Head of Department) Mr A J Manning Mrs K R McShane

English Mrs A B Mercer (Head of Department) Mr P G Gault Mrs E O Steele Mr D R Keown Mrs K O Knox Mr B J Duffy

Geography Mrs S J E Guthrie (Head of Department) Ms K Eakin Miss C M Moore Mr D T Gallagher Mrs L Wylie Mrs C Johnston

Geology Miss N S Sloane (Head of Department)

History Mrs M Dougherty (Head of Department) Mr C Duffy Mr B Quigley

Home Economics Mrs F Feeney (Head of Department) Miss N C Doyle

8 ICT Mrs S McLaughlin (Head of Department) Miss E Kivlehan Mrs K R McShane Mr A J Manning Mrs M M Leonard

Mathematics Mr T S Nutt (Head of Department) Mr G S Mercer Mrs B B McGowan Mrs B A Gillen Mrs C R Lynn Mrs L E Buchanan Mrs K H Jauzion

Music Mrs B O’Somachain (Head of Department) Miss E R Barr

Modern Languages Ms L D McAuley (Head of French) Mrs H Kane-Craig (Head of Spanish) Mrs J L Campbell Mrs C A Lynch Mr G Young

Physics Mrs S M O’Connell (Head of Department) Mr D B Phillips Miss L M Carlin

Physical Education Mr D A Barnett (Head of Department) Ms K Eakin Mrs C M Moore Mr A J Ferguson Mrs L Wylie

Religious Studies Mrs J M Allen (Head of Department) Mrs S Moore

SENCo Mrs B B McGowan

Visiting: Miss A Quigley Mr G Moran Mr I Scott Miss S Campbell Mr C Kerrigan

9 FOYLEFOYLE COACHESCOACHES Redcastle, Co. Donegal

Providing transport for Foyle and Londonderry College

Minibus and coach hire at competitive rates

All vehicles meet high standards of safety and comfort

All enquiries to Foyle Coaches -

Tel. 00353 74 93 82116 Mobile: 00353 86 2600265 Fax: 00353 74 93 82619

Web: www.foylecoaches.com

Support Staff 2015-2016

School Bursar Mr Neil Stewart BSc

Principal’s Personal Assistant Mrs J Galbraith

School Secretaries Mrs W Nutt (Duncreggan) Mrs J Cole (Springtown)

Clerical Officers (Duncreggan) Mrs J Gallagher Mrs L McGeady

Library Mr P Walker Mr P Wright

Sixth Form Study Supervisor Mr K Quigg

Junior School Study Supervisor Mrs M Thompson

Classroom Assistants Mrs A Callaghan Mr P Coyle Mrs P Feathers Mrs D Kelly Miss J Leitch Miss J Lynch Mrs P McCandless Mrs C McShane Mrs D Miller Miss N Mullan Mrs C Murphy Mrs C Ward Gallagher Mrs R Wilson

Reprographics/Premises Officer Mr G Balmer

Network Manager Mr S Hamilton

Technicians Mrs C Hume Mrs M Mullan Mrs J Woods

Estates Manager Mr C Austin

Grounds Staff Mr N Cole

Duncreggan Canteen Mrs A Burton (Head Cook) Mrs L Murray (Assistant Cook) Mrs V Bratton 11

Support Staff 2015-2016

School Bursar Mr Neil Stewart BSc

Principal’s Personal Assistant Mrs J Galbraith

School Secretaries Mrs W Nutt (Duncreggan) Mrs J Cole (Springtown)

Clerical Officers (Duncreggan) Mrs J Gallagher Mrs L McGeady

Library Mr P Walker Mr P Wright

Sixth Form Study Supervisor Mr K Quigg

Junior School Study Supervisor Mrs M Thompson

Reprographics/Premises Officer Mr G Balmer

Network Manager Mr S Hamilton

Technicians Mrs C Hume Mrs M Mullan Mrs J Woods

Estates Manager Mr C Austin

Grounds Staff Mr N Cole

Duncreggan Canteen Mrs A Burton (Head Cook) Mrs L Murray (Assistant Cook) Mrs V Bratton Mrs S Coyle Mr J Geslak Ms B McCallion Mrs C Page Mrs D Smith Mrs H Wright

Springtown Canteen Ms V Hockley (Head Cook) Mrs J Doherty (Assistant Cook) Mrs M Duddy Mrs A Wilson Mr S Powell

Duncreggan Cleaners Mrs M Bignol Mr J Ferguson Mrs M Ferguson Mr J Geslak Mr G McNulty Mr R Nesbitt Mrs H Wright

Springtown Cleaners Mrs V Bratton Mrs M Cooke Mrs V Lynch Mrs M Lynn Mrs P McColgan Mrs D Smith

12 PRIZE-GIVING 2015

HEADMASTER’S SPEECH

Mr Chairman, Governors, Honoured Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen and, of course, Pupils, It is once again a pleasure to welcome so many of you here this evening to join us for our annual Prize Distribution. I would also like to extend my welcome to Mr Ray Menown who has stepped in at very short notice to present this evening’s prizes. After 13 years at Foyle which saw him rise from classroom teacher to Year Head, to Senior Teacher and finally to Pastoral Vice-Principal, Ray has left us for bigger, but definitely not better, things taking up a post as Vice-Principal of RBAI. Ray took the opportunities that Foyle afforded him to excel whilst at the same time nurturing and developing many of those sitting in the hall this evening along with countless others over the years, and as such he understands Foyle College and its pupils perfectly and as such is the perfect ‘sub’ to help us to celebrate their achievements and efforts. This evening we will endeavour to recognise as many pupils, in as many areas of school life as possible; however, the core business of our school remains learning and teaching so let us turn our attention to this year’s performances in the public examinations. At GCSE the pass rate across all subjects was 91% with 38% of grades achieved being either A* or A. Overall 85% of pupils achieved seven or more GCSEs at Grades A-C including Maths and English. Of particular note, and worthy of individual mention are Catherine Leeson and Susanne Marshall who each achieved 11A*s. Also worthy of an individual mention are Abigail Baird, Shannon Brown, Amy Campbell, Jordan Campbell, Stephanie Crawford, Sophie Doherty, Aimee Duncan, Gillian Dunn, Rebekah Ferry, Daisy Hannaway, Emily Higgins, Esther Hume, Caoimhe Lincoln, Matthew Magee, Adam McCarter, Darcy McCay, Adam McElhinney, Chloe Mitchell, Mark Robinson, Jessica Thompson and Hollie Wallace who all achieved at least nine grades at A* or A and who represent almost one fifth of the year group. Neither must we overlook the 54 pupils who sat their GCSE Maths in one year in Year 11 achieving a pass rate of over 99% and with 24 of them achieving the top A* grade. For Year 13 pupils the AS pass rate was 96% across all subjects with 75% of pupils currently holding three grades at A-C and putting themselves in a strong position for university applications. Worthy of individual mention are Amy Caldwell, Harry Chambers, Lydia Cullen, Jane Fulton, Sarah Gwyne, Aaron McFarland, Roise McSorley, Craig Reid, Cormac Ruiz-Byrne, Robert Smyth and Amy Young who each achieved four A grades. Chloe Appleby, Andrew Austin, Kathy Crown, Jordan Finlay, Rory Gilliland, David Jackson, Hannah McGarrigle and Courtney Simpson, each achieved at least three A grades. As always it is wonderful to see so many of those who have just completed Year 14 joining us this evening. It is an indicator of their connection with the school, and with their peers, that so many have chosen to be here this evening and I am delighted to welcome them for what really is their final Foyle College event. This year’s cohort achieved an A-Level pass rate of over 99% with a current figure of 79% achieving three A*-C grades which should see Foyle College placed above the Northern Ireland average for grammar schools. You will notice that I say current figure as we have

13 applied for a significant number of re-marks, and those which have been returned have so far resulted in improved grades. I must say I find this an extremely worrying trend as the competition for places at the best universities can only be described as fierce and pupils run the risk of losing out due to unacceptable margins of error by examination boards. Currently these results have allowed 75% of students to gain places on the courses for which they were holding firm or insurance offers. Worthy of individual mention are Ruth Allen and Sarah Ferry who each achieved three A*s and an A. Sarah is going on to read Natural Science at Robinson College, Cambridge, whilst Ruth is to read pharmacy at Queen’s University, Belfast. Also worthy of an individual mention are Alex Browne, Frank Duffy, Jacob Galbraith, Jade Gould, Ethan Lapsley, Rodger Long, Andrew Martin, Wasi Quereshi and Jack Taylor who each achieved three A grades or better. I always like to make the point that the recognition of those that I have named this evening is not intended to diminish the individual achievements of any of those who are here this evening or, indeed, of any pupil of the school. Foyle College is about fostering opportunities for young learners to excel on a personal level and that is what each of our leavers has done in his or her own way. For me, the highlight of our results this year was not those who achieved the top grades, although I’m delighted for them and what those achievements mean for their future. For me the top performer this year was a young man who achieved two Bs and seven Cs in his GCSEs, a very modest performance to be mentioned at prize distribution some of you might be thinking; however, three years ago when he was in Year 10 if you had told this young man’s parents and me that this is what he would achieve, we simply wouldn’t have believed you. Through hard work on his part, through the support of his parents, through the hard work and support of his teachers and through the support of outside agencies this young man has managed to achieve a meaningful set of results that have greatly enhanced his life chances, opening up opportunities that he might not otherwise have had. For some of our leavers it will also have been a personal triumph to achieve the grades required to gain a university place. Many will have faced up to, and overcome, personal difficulties at some point in their seven years at Foyle, difficulties that aren’t reflected in statistics and league tables. The vast majority of our pupils will have seized the opportunities that the school has offered them and leave us as enriched and enhanced contributors to society. I wish them the best of luck as they begin the next phase of their lives and hope that they will keep in touch and let us know how they are getting on. The aim of our school is to help pupils to grow academically, athletically and artistically by fostering opportunities for them to excel. I believe that I have already shown this evening that Foyle College can, and does, compete with the very best in terms of the academic excellence that our pupils are able to attain but I also believe that what happens outside the classroom is equally, if not more important in terms of the overall development of each individual pupil. As always for this occasion we have asked our Head Boy and Head Girl to report to you on the range of activities that they engage in and as always they will illustrate the old adage that you get out of life what you put in. Whilst schools such as ours tend to be best known for traditional sporting activities such as rugby, hockey and cricket we also foster many other opportunities for pupils to excel either as individuals or as part of a team or group who share a common interest. An excellent example of where pupils have an opportunity to develop their interests outside the classroom begins in Year 8 where pupils have the chance to meet up

14 weekly after school to participate in the STEM club under the guidance of Mrs Hand. This club provided pupils with the chance to enjoy a more practical science experience through hands-on experiments which included such things as making bath bombs or dissecting owl pellets to investigate their diet. There were plenty of other opportunities for KS3 pupils to develop their interest in, and enjoyment of, science before the rigours of GCSE and A-Level study. 8C had the opportunity to work along with staff from the Nerve Centre to engage in an exciting initiative to find out how green screen technology, iMovie and stop motion animation could help their understanding in the classroom. Mark McLoughlin proved to be a very animated ‘Dr I Ball’ when he was given the opportunity to demonstrate his understanding of the structure and function of the human eye. Pupils also found that constructing a movie of light rays moving through a convex lens using stop motion animation helped their understanding of the process. Under the guidance of Mrs Millen, Jessica Love and Alex Greer from Year 8 along with Michael Downey and Angus McGeady from Year 9 entered, and won, the Salters Festival of Chemistry held at the North West Regional College. The team competed against schools from all over the northwest in a series of experiments to identify an unknown substance. Michael also featured, along with Jessica Crawford and Molly Gallagher from Year 9, in a team which entered the Seagate sponsored SciFest where they had the freedom to engage in their own investigative science projects which were then presented to a panel of judges in June with the team winning the Maths in Science Award for their efforts. A group of Year 10 pupils attended the Seagate Science Conference, held at St Mary’s in October, before the whole year group had the opportunity to attend our own ‘Choosing Science Careers’ event in February. This gave pupils the opportunity to attend a selection of workshops designed to engage and inform them about STEM based career opportunities both locally and further afield so helping them make informed subject choices for their GCSE studies. But it’s not just Key Stage 3 pupils who have the opportunity to develop investigative skills; Sixth Form pupils, guided by Mr David Phillips, have the chance to participate in the Sentinus Team Research and Development Project. Pupils have the opportunity to enjoy research experiences not only in school but also in workshops run through links with a local company and through accessing facilities at the University of Ulster at Jordanstown. The project allows them significantly to increase their understanding of the science and technology behind engineering and to develop their research and communication skills, and this year’s team of Adam Feathers, Tom Hegarty, Cameron McCracken and Craig Reid were successful in being awarded the British Science Association’s CREST Gold Award. Perhaps it is the type of opportunities that I have described that have encouraged 65% of this year’s leavers to apply for degrees related to science, technology, engineering and/or maths. Normally we think of rugby as being a boys sport but last year saw the re-emergence of girls rugby. On average 30 girls from Years 8-12 attended training throughout the winter with sessions, focusing on contact rugby, being taken by Glenda Mellon from the Ulster Branch. Here was an opportunity for the girls to try something new, something that they wouldn’t normally expect to play. Foyle hosted the North-West regional blitz with over 100 girls playing a series of matches and also participated in workshop sessions on key aspects of the game. In February we entered two teams for the Ulster Schools Girls Tag Tournament and, competing against much older teams from a number of other schools, finished runners up in the NW section, narrowly missing out on a semi-final place. Led by Mrs Guthrie the girls hope to build on their energy and enthusiasm during the course of this year; unfortunately the Ulster Branch,

15 in their wisdom, has decided that grass roots rugby isn’t the future and have ended the role of their development officers – where they think the Ulster players of the future are going to come from is anyone’s guess. Since coming to Foyle I have been struck by the depth and breadth of musical and dramatic talent that pupils exhibit and as always this year many of the highlights have been provided by the performing arts. As has been the case for a number of years now our first highlight was provided by participation in the Shakespeare Schools Festival where a cast of 25 pupils, under the direction of Mrs Johnston and Mr Keown, put on a wonderful performance of Henry V in the Waterside Theatre supported not only by friends and family but also many members of staff. For those who aren’t familiar with the festival it uses condensed, 30-minute versions to encourage both primary and secondary pupils to engage with, better understand and enjoy the works of Shakespeare. In the Music Department as always the Carol Service and Easter Concert, which last year involved almost one third of the school population showcased the talent that exists among our pupils but it was two events behind the scenes that really provided pupils with an opportunity to explore their creativity and talents. In September, 40 senior choir members took part in an innovative Ulster Youth Choir choral workshop under the direction of Greg Beardsell, the Artistic Director of the Irish Youth Choir and Deputy Artistic Director of the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain. Following the workshop members were invited to audition for memberships in UYC Training Choir and, reflecting the talent that we have amongst our pupils, 12 Foyle students were offered places. Unfortunately, due to other commitments over the summer months only three, Caoimhe Greenberg, Megan Strain and Rachel Miller, were in a position to accept their offers. Caoimhe, Rachel and Megan attended a week-long summer residential course with the Ulster Youth Choir in Campbell College Belfast which ended with a full a-capella choral performance led by the renowned, and critically acclaimed, conductor Dominic Peckham, who has recently been appointed as the choir’s artistic director.

Also this year as part of the City of Derry Jazz Festival 2015 we were proud hosts of a ‘Jazz in the Community’ Workshop which was held in association with the Outer West Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership, the Department of Culture, Arts & Leisure and The Nerve Centre. The event included performances from Foyle College’s Senior Jazz Band. Guests included Neil Cowley, contemporary jazz pianist and keyboard player with the Brand New Heavies, who was musician in residence for the UK City of Culture, and David Lyttle, drummer and the Nerve Centre’s musician in residence. Other performers included saxophonist Meliana Gillard, Aideen McGinn, Marty Coyle, Paddy Danagher and former pupil Glen Rossborough. This was a very special event in the music department calendar as it gave our pupils the opportunity to listen to and talk to inspiring musicians of the highest calibre about the music industry and other career related opportunities. The event also included a performance of an untitled composition written by David Lyttle and Year 14 pupil Joseph Leighton. This composition will be released later this year by David’s record label LYTE records. Joseph also had the opportunity to perform for the Master Merchant Taylor, Peter Watkins, and his wife during their visit to the school at the end of January. Both were so taken with Joseph’s performance of the Londonderry Air that initially they requested a disc of Joseph’s performances and have recently flown him to London to perform at a gathering which they were hosting in The Merchant Taylors’ Hall.

16 As a school we also seek opportunities to develop our young people as contributors to society. April of this year was the second time for the Cycle Against Suicide peloton to pass through Northern Ireland, and we were privileged to host the team with over 400 cyclists parking their bicycles with us overnight. The event held on the following morning for the whole senior school was a great opportunity to bring their message that ‘It's OK not to feel OK and it's absolutely OK to ask for help’ to pupils. There were speakers from outside agencies and healthcare providers, personal messages from adults who have experience of loss through suicide, and words of wisdom and encouragement from the irrepressible Jim Breen, the entrepreneur behind the CAS. Spurred on by the school's involvement in the 2014 Cycle, the Middle School Councillors have successfully organised a Mental Health Awareness Week for the past two years, earning us Ambassador School status. All pupils in Years 11 and 12 participated in a range of activities including workshops by organisations concerned with promoting their mental health and exercise classes to promote a healthy lifestyle. Although the Cycle will not come to Derry in 2016 we believe that it has left a strong legacy and in Foyle the legacy lives on. This legacy was already evident when Year 14 pupils had the opportunity to engage with Youth Philanthropy Initiative. Each form class had to research a local charity that they wished to support and prepare a presentation for a panel of judges on why that particular charity deserved to receive a donation of £3,000 and what the charity would use the money for. Nominated charities included ZEST, Foyle Search and Rescue and Men’s Action Network but the presentation which impressed the judges most was for Aware Defeat Depression. As one of the judging panel, what stood out for me was the prevalence of mental health charities, a clear indicator that our young people are only too aware of the pressures that they can find themselves under and what the outcomes may be. So what are the potential outcomes of all these personal development opportunities that so many of the pupils enjoy? To illustrate let me refer back to an email that I received in May from the Lawrenceville School in New Jersey USA enquiring if we might like to nominate a pupil to benefit from their Protégés of Peace Scholarship. The Scholarship’s mission is to enable two students from Northern Ireland, from different community backgrounds, to spend a year living and learning in the highly diverse and opportunity rich environment of the Lawrenceville School. Founded in 1999 the Scholarship has sent high-achievers who show great promise, leadership and interest in study abroad across to Lawrenceville where they have gained unique experiences living and learning amongst other young people from across the US and the world. Having gone through an accelerated application process Jack Taylor was successful in being offered a place alongside a pupil from St Columb’s College. Having deferred his university entry Jack will now spend this academic year taking a range of courses in areas of study that particularly interest him and relate to the degree he will return to take along with the opportunity to take classes in topics outside his A-Level subjects. Including flights, tuition fees and accommodation this wonderful opportunity is valued at some $60,000 I have provided just a taster of the experiences and opportunities enjoyed by pupils at Foyle College over the past school year and how I believe it helps them to develop as members of the school community and contributors to society as a whole. I must apologise to those staff and pupils that I have not been able to include but to report on the total breadth and variety of achievements and activities that have taken place in our school would simply take too much time. This variety relies on a single common factor – the members of staff who are prepared to give so generously of their time and

17 expertise before school, at lunchtime, after school, at weekends and in some cases during their holidays to support and develop the pupils of Foyle; time, expertise and commitment that, dare I say it, are not always appreciated by some of those who benefit. Once again this year we have seen significant changes in staffing; some as individuals take up new opportunities and some forced on us because of budget cuts brought about because the Northern Ireland Executive can’t reach agreement on welfare reform and the invidious manipulation of school budgets by the Minister for Education and his officials at the Department of Education. Mrs Pamela Coughlin and Mrs Susan Thomas were both successful in applying for early retirement. Mr Richard McKeegan has decided to leave the teaching profession and to follow other interests by returning to full time education to read for a degree in pharmacy. Mr Jim McBride has also left the teaching profession early due to ongoing health issues, Mrs Catherine Johnston has moved on to take up a post as Head of Drama at Omagh High School, whilst, as I’ve already indicated, Mr Menown has moved to become Curriculum Vice-Principal at RBAI. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of these teachers for their contributions both inside and outside the classroom, for the interest that they have taken in the development of the pupils of Foyle College and to wish them all the very best for the future. Mrs Claire Robinson and Ms Siobhan Bollard have both taken a career break for the current school year; Mrs Robinson to undertake youth work with her church and Ms Bollard to look after her young family. Joining our school staff this year are Mrs Carol Johnston in the Geography Department and Mr Graeme Young in Modern Languages, and we welcome them to our school community. As has been the practice in previous years I have asked the Head Girl and Head Boy to report principally on those areas of school life in which they have had involvement. These two young people embody all that is best about grammar school education as they have seized the opportunities presented to them and I would encourage pupils of all ages to follow their example during their time at Foyle College. I will now hand you over to our Head Girl, Roise McSorley who will be followed by the Head Boy, David Jackson.

18 HEAD GIRL’S SPEECH

‘Education is not preparation for life, education is life itself’. For me Foyle College has always been more than having exam success. Although that is massively important, the extensive extra-curricular activities on offer have allowed many students to excel out of the classroom. I am honoured to be speaking to you this evening, and I hope David and I can highlight the many triumphs of our school over the past year.

For the first year ever the First XI hockey team was led by co-captains, Tara Mackey and Tory Lapsley. The First XI lost many skilled players and so changes to the squad meant that the team had an unsettled start to the season. However we managed to turn it around and beat Antrim in the second round of the cup and were delighted to make it to the third round where we were defeated by Banbridge, who proceeded on to the final of the schools’ cup.

The seconds had a successful season, captained by Cody Chambers. The team worked well together bonding on and off the pitch and were fortunate to make it to the quarter finals of the plate, defeating Strabane Grammar and Grosvenor.

The thirds also had an enjoyable season with many players showing great promise for future years at Foyle College. The U16 A team, captained by Esther Hume were delighted to win the North-West Hockey League.

This year the first and second squad had a great opportunity to travel to Dublin and stay overnight to watch the Irish hockey team play in the world cup qualifying matches. This season the Irish Hockey team was captained by past pupil Megan Fraser.

From sticks to swords. The school fencing team was once again very busy travelling around the world to places such as Luxembourg, Riga, Budapest, Copenhagen and Finland. The fencers were lucky to be given grant aid by Northern Irish Sport to help them pay for their adventures. Jonathan Burnside, Brian Murray and Rosie McGonagle all represented the Irish fencing team at two world cups and the European Championships, while Brian Murray and Kathryn Marshall represented our school at the UK school games. Four of our school fencers won Irish National Championships. Ross Patton was also successful in many fights and represented Ireland in a Cadet European competition.

Our intermediate tennis team had a great season, with Emma Neil-Smith, Esther Hume, Rishika Gidwani and Catherine Leeson all reaching the semi-finals of the league cup but sadly losing out on a place in the finals to Down High.

Once again our school took part in the Shakespeare Schools’ festival. A cast of both senior and junior school pupils put on a short adaptation of Shakespeare’s Henry V at the Waterside Theatre. The entire cast played very convincing roles with James Neilly himself playing the challenging character of Henry.

Foyle College has had a long reputation of having a very talented music department, and I can tell you that our students did not let us down last year. The city hosted the

19 Annual Jazz Festival, and for the second year in a row the jazz band played in the second line parade. They also played to a huge crowd at the Guildhall Square during the jazz festival. One of my personal highlights of the year is the PTFA jazz night in the Waterfoot Hotel which is always an evening that doesn’t disappoint. The senior choir also competed in the international Derry Choral Festival at St Columb’s Hall. After competing with many teams our school came third overall.

Last year Mrs Dougherty and Mrs Johnson travelled to Laganside Magistrates Courts where some senior school pupils competed in the National Bar Mock Trial. Both the prosecution and defence won all their cases, but unfortunately narrowly missed out on an overall win; however many students are eager to compete this year again having gained experience from last year. The teams were glad to have the chance to work with a qualified barrister in the run up to the competition and appreciated the experience they achieved out of this.

For the first year ever Foyle put together a team of eight which competed in the Young Enterprise competition. Lead by Rory Gilliland, the team successfully established a jewellery-making business and represented the school at a local meet generating an overall profit of £300. However the team were unlucky not to continue further in the competition.

Just before I conclude my speech I would like to thank all teaching staff for their dedication and commitment, because without their help and support none of the extracurricular activities would be possible. I have thoroughly enjoyed my years at Foyle College and I hope I have shown you that Foyle is not just about academic success but so much more. I will now hand over to David so he can highlight more of our school’s success over the past year. Roise McSorley

20 HEAD BOY’S SPEECH

Ladies and gentlemen, I’d like to welcome you all to Foyle College prize-giving 2015. It is a great honour to be able to represent my school here tonight. On this stage, 35 years ago this month, Field Day Theatre Company performed Brian Friel’s play, Translations, for the very first time. In the play Captain Yolland says to Máire, ‘Say anything at all - I love the sound of your speech’. I’m hoping you share his sentiments.

While we are all here to celebrate the achievements of the prize winners, we are also here to celebrate Foyle as a school. Foyle provides its students with a complete education through various extra-curricular activities. I can’t do justice to the hard work and commitment of our school’s entire community but I hope by the end of my speech here tonight you will appreciate what Foyle is truly about.

The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme continued to be a popular option with over 150 pupils spread over Bronze, Silver and Gold. For Bronze and Silver you have to hike through the Sperrins but when you reach Gold level you have the option of cycling through Donegal. Personally, I found all three levels to be extremely rewarding but surprisingly, I found the hardest part to be the organising and completing my skill and volunteering sections. The actual expedition, I found enjoyable.

Foyle impressed once again on the sports field. The 1st XV was captained by Alex McDonnell who proved to be an excellent captain and an even better player. We proved to be extremely tough to play against and managed to finish what had been started by the 1st XV the year before by going a year unbeaten at home. Sadly, we were not able to win any silverware but reached the semi-final of the Ulster Schools Bowl losing narrowly to Rainey away from home.

The 2nd XV was captained by Matthew Orr, who I hope will be as influential for the 1st XV this year as he was for the ‘Mighty 2s’ last year. This young team showed great character and determination throughout the season. However, due to injuries the team lost momentum and only made it to the quarter final of the bowl competition.

The junior teams put in a lot of effort throughout the year showing great commitment and dedication. There is a lot of hope that the upcoming Medallion team will continue with their good form shown at U14 level and manage to win some silverware. Leading from the front will be Keelin Coyle and Jack Kelly who were involved with the Ulster Schools’ U16 Development Squad.

The cricket teams excelled once again. The 1st XI, captained by Rodger Long, had a fantastic season making it to the semi-final of the Schools Cup, losing out to Campbell College. Andrew Austin was a key player and even made it into Ireland’s U17 and U19 teams. However, the most successful cricket team this year was Mr Stewart’s U13 team. This team won the Slemish and Moyallen Cups under their captain Kyle Magee.

There are three soccer teams at Foyle: an U14 team, an U16 team and an U18 team. This year the most success was had by the U18s who were victorious 4-0 in the final

21 of the Ulster Schools Plate against local rivals St Joseph’s. Last year’s captain, Stephen Mills, will be hoping to lead the U18s to further success in the upcoming year.

The cross-country team seems to be growing more popular within the school, with many pupils using it to improve their fitness. The hard work throughout the year paid off with star performers including Rhys Hughes, Andrew Porter and Joshua Lyle.

The cadets had a very busy year. At the Northern Ireland Cadet Rifle Meeting, Adam Feathers became the Champion at Arms for 2015. The team also attended the Bisley shooting competition at which they retained the Inniskillings Cup. At Bisley, Hannah Keys won the Wellington Cup, Adam Feathers the Wellington Tankard and Jamie Price won both the Iveagh Cup and the McQueen Sniper competition. Jamie Bankhead was awarded the Commanding Officer’s Coin and took part in a cadet exchange over the summer, which meant that the poor boy had to spend a whole month in Canada.

The Public Speaking and Debating club was as prominent as ever within the school. Both the senior and junior sections are able to boast of success this year. There was a strong senior debating team with members including Adriana Chiquito, Jenny Boanca, James Neilly and Sarah Gwynne. However, most of the praise has to go to Blake Gray who won the individual component of the Northern Ireland Schools Debating competition. At the junior end, Chloe McCarter was placed second at the Derry Feis while Abbie Nolan was successful at the Dr McCabe Public Speaking Competition.

Some of the most memorable moments of my time at Foyle have come through the various school trips that are offered. The physics trip to Geneva this year was especially enjoyable. 26 Foyle pupils, along with eight pupils from Thornhill, went to visit the Large Hadron Collider at CERN. A great time was had by everyone, although this was not necessarily due to the physics aspects of the trip. Other trips offered throughout the year included a senior rugby tour to Dublin, a senior cricket tour to England and trips to Oxford and Cambridge Universities.

On behalf of my fellow pupils, I would like to thank all the teachers who give up the time and put in the effort to make all of these extra-curricular activities possible. I personally would like to thank the rugby coaching staff, who gave up some of their summer holiday and had us training twice a week from the start of August. Also, all the staff that make Duke of Ed possible as they put in so much hard work to ensure that we succeed. I would also like to thank all of my fellow pupils who have helped make my time at school so special; it is a true honour to represent you.

Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you very much indeed for listening. I hope Roise and I have persuaded you about what makes Foyle College such a special place and why it means so much to those of us who have had the privilege of studying here. David Jackson

22 GUEST OF HONOUR’S SPEECH

Governors, Headmaster, Staff, Pupils and Guests,

I would like to start by thanking Mr Allen for inviting me to address you this evening, as well as passing on my condolences to Mr Moore and his family in relation to their recent bereavement. I haven’t had much time to prepare, and so apologise in advance for my short and unscripted address.

It was back in September 2002 when, as a newly qualified teacher, I took up post at Foyle College. Attending for interview was actually the first time I had been in Londonderry, and so I was a little nervous and didn’t know quite what to expect. More than thirteen years later I can genuinely say that the time I spent at Foyle was immensely rewarding, both from a personal and professional perspective. In addition to teaching Geography, I was very lucky to serve in a number of different positions within the school, culminating in my role as Pastoral Vice- Principal, a position I have held for the past three years. I would also like to mention that throughout my time at Foyle I have worked alongside excellent teachers who devote their time and energy to ensure that the pupils receive the very best education possible.

I would also like to extend sincere congratulations to all of the prize winners in the audience. It has been a privilege to distribute the prizes to you this evening, and I certainly appreciate the hard work you have expended in order to gain this recognition. It is also a pleasure to distribute prizes and certificates to so many of the leavers. I have been able to witness at first-hand how, over the last seven years, you have matured into young adults who are very well placed to take advantage of the opportunities that now await you. Indeed when I look back over the last 13 years, and try to understand why I enjoyed my time at the school so much, I continually come back to the pupils whom I had the pleasure to teach, or coach in sport, or perhaps in some small way, to contribute to their pastoral welfare. I was very proud to teach at a school where the pupils are hardworking and keen to achieve their best, where the ethos of respect and tolerance permeates throughout the young people who attend and where so many of you give of your time to participate in the very wide range of extra-curricular activities for which the school is so well known. To all of the pupils, I wish you every success as you progress further with your education. I also want to re-affirm that you attend an outstanding school which will provide you with the very best opportunity to realise your ambition.

Back in April I was successful in my application to RBAI, and have now taken up the role of Curriculum Vice-Principal there. To leave Foyle was certainly one of the most difficult decisions I’ve made and I will always have a very strong bond with this school. But as many of our leavers are about to experience, I have embarked on a new adventure, and so can share in the nervous anticipation that you may be feeling about what the future holds. What I do know is that the thirteen years I have spent at this school will serve me well for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead and I want to reassure you that your time at Foyle will stand you in good stead too.

To finish, I want to wish Mr Allen, the staff and the pupils all the very best. With a new school now being constructed on the Limavady Road, exciting times lie ahead, and I have no doubt that Foyle College will continue to thrive, just as it has done for almost 400 years. Thank you and good evening. Ray Menown

23 Mr Menown and Mr Allen present The MacKillip Medal and The Lawrence Medal to Sarah Ferry and Philip Carroll, the girl and boy who contributed most to the school during their Upper Sixth Year.

Mr Menown, Jonathan Burnside, recipient of The W J Magill Cup for Fencing, Tara Mackey, recipient of The Sportsmanship Trophy, Robbie House, recipient of The Gransden Trophy, Tory Lapsley, recipient of The Sportsmanship Trophy, Alex McDonnell, recipient of The Boys’ Individual Games Cup, Mr Allen.

24 Special Prize recipients at KS3 Level L-R: Opala Siddique, Leah McGrory-Weger, Emma Ball, Amber Hamilton, Sarah Caldwell, Andrew Smyth and Jessica Love.

Mr Young, Mr Allen and Joel Rosborough, Mr Allen presenting the Speer Bursary recipient of The Lawrence Sword for Music to Joseph Leighton

25 Tel: (028) 7134 6227

Caldwell & Robinson COMMERCIAL AND PRIVATE CLIENT SOLICITORS (Celebrating 100 years – 1910-2010) Commercial Practice • local, cross border and international scope • commercial property and industrial sectors • joint ventures and corporate transactions • litigation and debt recovery

Private Client Practice • local, cross border and international scope • matrimonial and child protection • domestic house purchase • wills and estate planning

Artillery Chambers, 10-12 Artillery Street, Londonderry. BT48 6RG Tel: 028 7126 1334 • www.caldwellrobinson.com

Tel: (028) 7134 6227

Caldwell & Robinson COMMERCIAL AND PRIV26ATE CLIENT SOLICITORS (Celebrating 100 years – 1910-2010) Commercial Practice • local, cross border and international scope • commercial property and industrial sectors • joint ventures and corporate transactions • litigation and debt recovery

Private Client Practice • local, cross border and international scope • matrimonial and child protection • domestic house purchase • wills and estate planning

Artillery Chambers, 10-12 Artillery Street, Londonderry. BT48 6RG Tel: 028 7126 1334 • www.caldwellrobinson.com UPDATE ON THE NEW SCHOOL Since the date of publication of the last FPA magazine in March 2015 tenders for the construction of the new school were received from four contractors. Through this tender process Heron Bros Ltd were successful and they were awarded the contract to build both Foyle College and Ebrington Primary School at the new site on Limavady Road. The Education Minister, John O’Dowd, visited the site on 28 May 2015 to cut the first sod. He announced that the work on the shared site would be due for completion in September 2017.

The Chair of the Board of Governors of Foyle College, Robin Young, outlined the long process of acquiring a new home which has lasted some 20 years. He had fears over the plans due to cuts in the education budget and said that it was a huge relief finally to get the project under way. ‘We looked at various sites but this was one in the heart of the Waterside which is easily accessible and brings everything together on one site. Foyle College will be 400 years old in 2017 so that certainly will be a big year for us and to open the new school in the same year is a tremendous thing. To have a close association to one of our main feeder primary schools is very important to us, with benefits to the pupils of both schools’.

Ebrington Primary School principal, Nigel Dougherty, said the new building would be a far cry from running and catching rainwater in buckets. ‘I’m very excited by the announcement of the project and the awarding of the tender. It has been thirteen years of work for us so it’s fantastic that this day has finally arrived’.

Regular updates can be found by going to the school website www.foylenet.org.uk and clicking on the link, Our New School. Here you will find photographs, You Tube videos, drone footage and progress reports as the project build goes on.

The financial commitment by the Department of Education to this project from a Foyle College perspective has been considerable. We acquired the site from DSD in December 2009 at a cost of £14.5 million. Build and professional fee costs run to circa £19 million which the Department are funding. However it was evident from an early stage in the design process that even this investment was insufficient to meet the curricular and extra-curricular provision we at Foyle College would ideally require to enhance the learning opportunities and experiences for our pupils. The cost over and above the commitment from the Department in providing additional educational and sporting facilities not covered in the standard schedule is summarised below and comes in at £2,203,865.

£ Additional classrooms (7), laboratory, circulation space 1,274,741 and enlarged assembly hall Former Pupils suite which will double as the Board 469,000 Room and also a basement storage area for the archive Additional sports provision including flood lighting, kit 190,554 storage and astroturf tennis courts Facilities for Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme 113,000 Additional music provision 96,000 Provision for a coffee kiosk 60,570 Total 2,203,895

We are still some way short of this figure and require an additional £500,000 over the next 16 months to meet this financial commitment. To this end and to bridge this funding gap, could I ask you to contact me at the Senior School (02871 269321) or via email at [email protected] to make a pledge to our Development Fund.

Work on the site is progressing well with the main classroom block having the foundations in place and the steelwork erected. From a sporting and extra-curricular perspective, to be on the one site with state-of-the-art facilities will make a huge difference rather than having transportation issues and relying on the goodwill of other schools for facilities. To that end work on the four rugby pitches is due to start in February 2016 with the grass being sown in July 2016. This leaves a 12 month establishment for the surfaces and they will be available to use in the 2017/8 season. These four pitches also double up for use as 2 cricket outfields in the summer. The hockey astroturf and tennis courts are due for commencement in March 2016 with completion by July 2017.

The contractor has recently supplied the school with a revised timeline on the project with a completion date in early September 2017. Ideally we would like to be in before this and the contractor will make every effort to try to pull this back without having any impact on the quality of the build. It is anticipated that Ebrington Primary School will be completed in January 2017. Neil Stewart Bursar

Left: Education Minister John O’Dowd MLA, pictured at the cutting of the first sod at the site of the new Foyle College and Ebrington Primary School buildings at Caw. Included are, from left, Patrick Allen, Headmaster of Foyle College, Kacey Laird, a member of the school council, Luke Pentland, a P5 pupil at Ebrington Primary School, and Nigel Dougherty, Principal of Ebrington Primary School.

Edward Montgomery (The Hon. The Irish Pupils of Foyle & Ebrington schools Society) Ann Watson Denis Connolly & Peter at cutting of the first sod. Watkins (Master of Merchant Taylors Company)

28 LEAVERS’ DESTINATIONS 2015

TERTIARY EDUCATION, COMMERCE, INDUSTRY AND THE PROFESSIONS

Pupils are proceeding to Degree Courses as follows:

Birmingham City University Jasmine Smith

Coventry University Aaron Hamilton

Durham University Robbie House, Amber Smyth

Edinburgh Napier University Lauralee Barr, Jessica McClelland, Melissa Scott

Galway and Mayo Institute of Technology Mollie Friel

Glasgow Caledonian University Erin Porter

Heriot Watt University Scott Baird, Nathan Kennedy, Tara Mackey, Harry Nicholl

Leeds Beckett University Rachele Gordon

Liverpool Hope University Lynsey Callen, Zoe Kelly-Robinson, Sarah McCorkell

Liverpool John Moores University Ferdinand Lubuguin, Iona McNeilly

Manchester University Bessem Bounaaja, Frank Duffy, Jack Hanna, Alex McDonnell, Jack McNeil, Jamie Price

Newcastle University Jacob Galbraith

Northumbria University Neelan Feeney

North West Regional College Jill Graham, Adam Hamilton, Sarah Leslie, Hannah Miller, Holly Miller, Alex Milligan, Tanesha Simpson

Plymouth University Aine Laidler, Tory Lapsley

Queen Mary University of London Tamara Chiquito

Queen’s University Belfast Jonathan Alexander, Ruth Allen, Lee Brady, Alex Browne, Sam Farrell, Adam Greer, Lucy Hamilton, Benn Henderson, Mórrigan Johnston, Shania Kirk, Laura McElhinney, Ryan McIntosh, Peter McKeown, James Morrison, Wasi Qureshi, Lydia Rankin, Ryan Stanley, Jack Taylor (deferred entry),

Stranmillis University Lauren Smyth

Trinity College Dublin Robert Leeson

The Manchester Metropolitan University Anil Nagra

The University of Edinburgh Andrew Dickson, Ethan Lapsley

The University of Gloucestershire Joel Rosborough

The University of Liverpool Chloe Anderson

The University of Strathclyde Rodger Long

University College Dublin Philip Carroll, Axl Tan

University of Cambridge Sarah Ferry

University of Dundee Alice Hegarty

University of Edinburgh Ross Anderson

University of Leeds Jessica Hamilton

30 University of Leicester Ravi Muttu

University of Liverpool Jordan Greer

University of Northampton Chloe Black

University of Nottingham Jade Gould

University of South Wales Jamie Anthony

University of Surrey Kathryn Marshall

University of Ulster Jack Buchanan, Jonathan Burnside, Gillian Channing, Andrew Hetherington, Emma Keanie, Ryan Marshall, Andrew Martin, Leah McDaid, Holly Monaghan, Vanessa Montgomery, Lauren Olphert

Apprenticeship Andrew McNeely

Employment Joshua Cheung

Gap Year Jonathan Black, Jennifer Boanca, Sara Macfarland, Rana Muttu, Desarie Annadurai

(to be confirmed) Lauren Huey, Kaelen Kincaid, Joseph Leighton, Alice Leonard, Phoebe Love, Robyn McGarrigle, Andrew Porter, Stephen Walker, Callum Watson

31 GRADUATIONS 2015

Queen’s University Belfast David McDermott BSc(S) Accounting Second Class Honours Upper Division Megan J Dougherty BSc(S) Biomedical Science Second Class Honours Upper Division Rebecca Long BA(S) Drama Second Class Honours Upper Division Rachel C McKee BSc(JS) Economics with Accounting Second Class Honours Upper Division Chloe M Brown BA(JS) English and Linguistics Second Class Honours Upper Division Ryan J Curry FD(S) Mechanical Engineering Catherine McFadden BA(JD) French and History Second Class Honours Lower Division Sophie Alexander BSc(S) Psychology Second Class Honours Upper Division Sarah Hamilton MPharm Pharmacy First Class Honours Allison Moore BA History Second Class Honours Upper Division Kirsty McClelland Masters in Public Health

Ulster University Emma Bell BSc Business Studies with Opts First Class Honours & Commendation David Connolly BSc Computer Science Second Class Honours Upper Division Thomas Dacosta McDermott BSc Business Studies with Opts Second Class Honours Lower Division & Commendation Katie Dobson BSc Leisure & Events Management Second Class Honours Upper Division & Commendation Jake Doherty BSc Business Management Honours Pass John Fegan BSc Computer Science First Class Honours Annabel Graham BA Photography First Class Honours Robert Logue BSc Biology Honours Pass Michelle Lyons BSc Accounting & Human Resource Management Second Class Honours Upper Division Christopher McCleery MEng Electronic Engineering Pass with Distinction & Diploma in Industrial Studies with Commendation Natalie Montgomery BA History with Education Second Class Honours Upper Division Laura Morrison BSc Diagnostic Radiography & Imaging Second Class Honours Lower Division Andrew Snodgrass BSc Computer Science First Class Honours & Commendation Catherine Taylor BSc Nursing Adult Third Class Honours Naomi Throne BSc Optometry Second Class Honours Upper Division Naomi Campbell BSc Adult Nursing First Class Honours

Cardiff University Amy Black Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Surgery

University of Derby Rebecca Young BSc Honours Diagnostic Radiography (See also ‘Notes and News’)

University of Dundee Fergus Clarke McClean BSc Geography First Class Honours (See also ‘Notes and News’)

Durham University Christine Hamilton Masters by Research (MScR) Geography (2014) (See also ‘Notes and News’)

University of Edinburgh Rebecca Astbury Masters in Earth Science & Physical Geography First Class Honours (See also ‘Notes and News’

Northumbria University Marc Fleming PGCE Primary Joanne Pearson BSc Psychology

Note: Not all universities furnish us with their lists of graduates. If you wish to have a graduation included, please send us details using one of the contact addresses supplied.

33 34 Reports of the Year’s Events

35 HONORARY SECRETARY’S REPORT

The committee of the FCFPA met on six occasions throughout the year. Mrs Phenella Black and Mr Lowry Cunningham were elected as the 3rd Joint Presidents of the association.

As George Bernard Shaw said, ‘Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything’. Thankfully under the chairmanship of Mr William Lynn, the committee of the FCFPA embraced this change, marrying old with new for the betterment of all members.

The first function of the year was a BBQ and Jazz evening held in Duncreggan in late June. This turned out to be a most successful night with many of the Year 14 leavers attending. This joint event organised with the support of the PTFA, will hopefully take place biannually as it is an excellent way to encourage our Year 14 pupils to join the association, whilst marking their moving on. The committee would like to extend a word of thanks to Mr Robert Goodman and the Foyle Jazz Band for their musical expertise on the night.

Our Joint Presidents, Mrs Phenella Black and Mr Lowry Cunningham attended a number of functions on behalf of the association. These included dinners and lunches of various organisations, the annual prize distribution in the Guildhall, the Remembrance Service in Springtown and the Colours Award Ceremony in Duncreggan. Our sincere thanks is extended to both for the time given to representing the association.

The committee endeavoured to put in place a structure to the year with a greater emphasis on the use of the internet and social media to publicise events. Due to the increased expense of postage, a final posting was sent to all members in September 2014. The cost of mailing over 1500 members is now prohibitive so it was decided to communicate news and developments including association functions and events via foylenet.org and email. This database continues to grow and grow and we would encourage any member who has yet to do so, to send us an email so that we can add them to the list.

The former pupil’s magazine under the watchful eye of our Chairman, Mr William Lynn, was published in February 2015. A special word of thanks is expressed to Mrs Mildred Deans who supported William in the production of this most informative and interesting magazine. The magazine is again available on the FPA website for all members to read at their leisure. A number of our members still prefer the good old ‘hard copy’ and this is still available via the school bursar, Mr Neil Stewart, at a cost of £4.

Apart from the previously well-established functions, there was an increasing number of new opportunities to get together with former school friends, through joint functions such as the annual dinner in the City Hotel, the Belfast lunch at Malone Golf Club, the Belfray lunch, the London dinner and the less formal reunions.

It is very encouraging to see the numbers swell at the annual dinner in the City Hotel and the Malone lunch. It is excellent to see these now joint functions and events

36 blossom with more young members in attendance. The committee continues to monitor and evaluate all functions to ensure they meet the needs of our members. With this in mind, a review of the Belfray lunch has taken place and changes are in place for next year.

The London dinner of the FCFPA that was held in the Farmers Club, Whitehall, was a glowing example of the way forward. This evening proved to be one of the highlights of the year for all who attended, with former pupils from both side of the Irish Sea meeting for a most pleasant evening. The outstanding setting, the humorous speakers and the excellent food and company made the evening a resounding success. All were in total agreement that this function should become an annual event for the association. A massive vote of thanks must be extended to Mr Lowry Cunningham for his energy, time and effort that he put in to ensuring a most successful evening was had by all.

Finally a word of thanks to the committee and our Joint Presidents for their endeavours throughout the year. Without their time, their effort and their commitment the FCFPA would simply not function. They certainly epitomised the quote by John F Kennedy ‘Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future’. To the future of the FCFPA. Marshall Kilgore

24-26 Carlisle Road,

Londonderry.

Tel: (028) 7126 6994

Email: [email protected] Sproule’s

37 Prestige DRY CLEANERS

Specialists in Dry Cleaning

48 Clooney Terrace

Waterside, L’derry

Tel: (028) 7134 8332

HONORARY TREASURER’S REPORT

FOYLE COLLEGE FORMER PUPILS ASSOCIATION FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2015

Foyle College Former Pupils Association Income & Expenditure Account For the Year Ended 31 March 2015

Year Ended 31 March Year Ended 31 March 2014 2015

Income Magazine Sales 501.00 497.00 Magazine adverts 1,120.00 1,020.00 Sundry Receipts 0.61 - Annual Dinner – Note 1 2,597.25 1,369.45 Spring Lunch - Note 1 760.00 1,100.00 Belfast Lunch - Note 1 825.00 Reunion Dinners – Note 1 2,256.00 1,299.46 Wine & Cheese evening – 105.00 265.00 Note 1 President’s Fund - 1,000.00 Deposit Interest 99.14 83.16 8,264.00 6,634.07

Expenditure Magazine 1,505.00 1,600.00 Calligraphy 30.00 15.00 Letterheads - 39.00 Annual Dinner – Note 1 2,681.75 1,580.95 Spring Lunch – Note 1 756.75 1,066.65 Belfast Lunch – Note 1 680.00 - Reunion Dinners – Note 1 2,173.23 1,200.00 Wine & Cheese evening – 82.39 190.04 Note 1 Photos - 50.00 Postage 404.85 160.15 Bank fees 110.11 99.94 Corporation Tax 20.40 20.20 President’s Fund - Bursaries - -8,444.48 - -6,021.93

Surplus /(Deficit) -180.48 612.14

Foyle College Former Pupils Association Balance Sheet As at 31 March 2015

31 March 2015 31 March 2014

Current Assets Ulster Bank Limited 5,332.92 5,364.92 Ulster Bank Limited 4,995.78 2,005.40 Progressive Building Society – President’s Fund 9,008.71 8,909.57 Sundry debtor 89.99 89.99 Stock 1,296.00 1,479.00 20,723.40 17,848.88

Current Liabilities Cash received in advance 3,055.00 -3,055.00 -

Net Current Assets 17,668.40 17,848.88

Represented By:

Balance b/f 17,848.88 17,236.74 Net movement -180.48 612.14 17,668.40 17,848.88

Treasurer’s Report I have pleasure in presenting the above Income & Expenditure Account and Balance Sheet for the year ended 31 March 2015.

Neil Stewart – (Hon Treasurer) – Neil W. Stewart

Auditors’ Report We have examined the above accounts as at 31 March 2015, along with the respective receipts, vouchers and bank statements, and hereby certify them to be correct.

Signed: (Hon Auditors)

B Peoples: Brian V. Peoples

R Young: Robin J. B. Young

39 Note 1 - Functions Income & Expenditure Annual Dinner 2014 Income 72 Guests @ £35 (less £25 underpaid) 2,495.00 President’s Pre Dinner a/c 102.25 2,597.25 Less Expenditure Music / Singer 200.00 Room for speaker 102.00 Meals 83 x £26.50 2,199.50 President’s Pre Dinner Drinks 102.25 Menus 78.00 -2,681.75 Deficit -84.50

Belfast Lunch 2014 Income 33 @ £35 825.00

Less Expenditure Malone Golf Club 34 @ £20 -680.00 Surplus 145.00

Spring Lunch 2014 Income 38 @ £20 760.00

Less Expenditure Belfray Country Inn -756.75 Surplus 3.25

1971 Reunion Income 975.00

Less expenditure White Horse Hotel 867.05 Expenses 73.88 -940.93 Surplus 34.07

1977 Reunion Income 1,281.00 Less Expenditure City Hotel -1,232.30 Surplus 48.70

Wine & Cheese Income 105.00 Less expenditure Wine 29.00 Cheese etc 53.39 -82.39 Surplus 22.61

Foyle College Former Pupils’ Association

OFFICERS May 2015 – May 2016

Presidents Miss Ann Watson and Mr Denis Connolly

Vice Presidents His Honour Judge David Turner QC and Mrs Yvonne Smyth

Chairperson Mrs Cathy Arthur

Vice-Chairperson Mr Paul Curtis

Hon Secretary Mr Marshall Kilgore

Hon Treasurer FoyleMr College Neil Stewart Former Pupils’ Association

Members of Executive CommitteeOFFICERS May 2015 – May 2016

PresidentsMrs Jennifer McClintock Miss Ann Watson and Mr Denis Connolly

ViceMrs IsabelPresidents McNally His Honour Judge David Turner QC and Mrs Yvonne Smyth

ChairpersonMr Colin Jeffrey Mrs Cathy Arthur

ViceMr William-Chairperson Lynn Mr Paul Curtis

HonMrs HelenSecretary Alexander Mr Marshall Kilgore

HonMr Peter Treasurer McCartney Mr Neil Stewart

MembersMrs Laura ofHegarty Executive Committee

Mrs Jennifer McClintock Mr Alastair Manning Mrs Isabel McNally MrsMr Alastair Jennifer Manning McClintock Mrs Laura Hegarty Mr William Lynn Mr Colin Jeffrey

Mr Peter McCartney MrsMs Nicole Isabel SloaneMcNally Mrs Helen Alexander Ms Nicole Sloane

MrHon Colin Auditors Jeffrey Mr Robin Young and Mr Brian Peoples

Mr William Lynn

Mrs Helen Alexander

Mr Peter McCartney

Mrs Laura Hegarty

Mr Alastair Manning

Ms Nicole Sloane

Hon Auditors Mr Robin Young and Mr Brian Peoples

Ann Watson Denis Connolly

41 AGM 2015

Ann as newly appointed President Cathy Arthur Ann Watson Helen Alexander & Joy Coskery

Lowry, Denis, Ann & Phenella

Isabel McNally Rosaleen Ramsey & Betty Hamilton Joan Milliken Phenella Black

42 AGM 2015

Newly installed Joint Presidents Denis & Ann Outgoing & Incoming Lady Presidents

Cathy Arthur and William Lynn make presentations to the outgoing Joint Presidents

Shelagh Hunter, Andrena Ramsey, Lynn Young Yvonne Smyth gives her Vice President’s address

43 Fire Alarms CCTV Systems Intruder Alarm Systems Domestic, Commercial & Industrial

Unit 26 Glendermott Valley Business Park, Waterside, Londonderry. BT47 3LR Tel: (028) 7134 7699

44 Vice-Presidents’ Profiles

Yvonne Mary Smyth (née Hamilton) - LHSOGA London chairwoman I was born in November 1952, to Elma and Bruce Hamilton. The Hamilton family arrived in Derry in the early 1800s having been ‘planted’ in Donegal a century earlier. In 1940 my mother (née Davison) had come from a farm at Castledawson to study at Northlands School of Housewifery. Between the year of my birth and my departure in 1971 I had a wonderful childhood. My parents firmly believed that children should be kept busy and as an only child I was to be kept exceptionally busy.

I entered LHS in 1964, preceded by the Model Primary School and the Hawkin Street Nursery School. At LHS we were blessed with teachers who took a real interest in helping us to grow into articulate, confident adults. My talents were fairly modest in a number of subjects but one was never put down. I was also blessed with very good friends who pulled me along in their slipstream. Outside of the classroom I participated in sport, drama, debating and singing. Having been publicly admonished in the Guildhall by my ballet teacher Miss Watson for ‘dancing like an elephant’, I abandoned dance for horse riding; much to my mother’s relief because she was not fond of sewing all the costumes required. As a family we attended First Derry church where I was involved in Brownies, then Guides, the Church Choir and Sunday School teaching. In 1968 I represented NI at an International Guiding Jamboree in Sweden and became a Queen’s Guide.

Sixth form opened up new possibilities. Along with my dear friend Lynne Kerr, I was appointed deputy head girl. The first inter-schools drama competition took place in 1970 and was judged by the late Brian Friel. I was then invited to play a part in Arthur Miller’s The Crucible staged by the City of Derry Dramatic Society. In the spring of that year I responded to a challenge thrown down by my friends. In assembly Miss Cowper had read out a letter from the Sports Council of NI. It described a mountaineering expedition to the Hindu Kush Mountains of Afghanistan which was to take place in the summer of 1971. ‘Go on’, they said, ‘that sounds just like the kind of thing you would do’. ‘Hmm’, was my father’s only comment when I said that he should not worry and that I was unlikely to be selected given that my experience was confined to walking the hills of Donegal. That summer I worked in a canning factory in Blairgowrie to make the money needed to cover my personal contribution. During the year school friends helped in many ways towards the general fundraising. The sums involved could not have been raised without their efforts. I do hope I said a big thank you at the time.

I returned from Afghanistan in August 1971, tore up my confirmed place at the law school of QUB and headed off to the relatively unknown entity of The City of London Polytechnic to study business law. Life in London could not have been more different in every possible way. Having completed my first degree I undertook a course in shorthand and typing – the latter at my father’s request because he found my handwriting impossible to read. I intended to work as a legal secretary in order to fund a postgraduate law degree at the LSE. At the last minute I was ‘handed’ a position teaching O and A level law at a further education college. My mother was most amused because I had always rebuffed her suggestions of a teaching career. As was so often the case, she was right. After two years of teaching and part-time evening study I concluded that I rather enjoyed teaching. I remained an academic law teacher and

45 researcher for the rest of my professional career, always based at universities in London but travelling to Russia, Greece and Nigeria either to monitor postgraduate law programmes I had established in those countries or present papers.

Along the way I married Seamus, a South African Irishman whom I met at the LSE. When one of his partners expressed concern at two lawyers getting married he responded, ‘No problem, Yvonne just deals in theories which never need to be put into practice’. We have three sons, as irreverent as their father, Adam a freelance writer and choral singer, Jacob currently redirecting his career into law and Zachary a captain in the Royal Regiment of Scotland. Adam married Fiona last year. I am not aware of having any grandchildren. We live in a very small town, West Malling in Kent, with a very long history. I am a trustee and director of the Pilsdon Community, sit on the Parish Council and every four years fail to get a seat on the Borough Council.

I described my first year away from teaching as a senior gap year and waited for my sons to fund my travel plans as I had funded theirs. Nothing happened. Now I am retired. I am delighted to find myself the president elect for 2016-17, jointly with my friend David Turner. Two children of First Derry church and subsequently lawyers, we’ll make a formidable team. An LHS old girl asked me what significant thing did I intend to achieve during my year as joint president. I expect to have a full diary but my reply to the effect that I aimed to attend all old girls, old boys and former pupils’ lunches, tea parties and dinners etc. throughout the land did not appear to impress her. So, let me turn the question over to you – polite answers on a postcard or more practically by email to [email protected] Bye for now!

Yvonne Smyth

His Honour Judge David Turner QC Fifty years, almost to the day, have passed since 1965 when I arrived at Foyle from Ebrington Primary School. I followed my father, George Turner, who had begun in the 1920s and was, for a time before he died, a member of the Board of Governors. My first, and still vivid, memory is of the booming masculinity of the voices in the assembly hall at Lawrence Hill incanting the Lord’s Prayer.

Lawrence Hill was, of course, full of history and character but also crumbling and impractical. Our last day there was the 3 March 1967. I garnered (Berlin Wall-style) a piece of plaster from room 4 (Graham Craig’s) which I still have! It is hard to believe that the school is now to move again, to what promises to be fine new premises for a truly new chapter. Having grown up in Caw Park, the ‘American Base’ has always been in my consciousness - a place of mystery, strictly ‘off-limits’ to locals. I look forward soon to sweeping confidently up the already forming drive to visit the 21st century Foyle - still (just) with its ‘view the Foyle commanding’.

The Americans were generous in 1969 to the Foyle College Players production of Herman Wouk’s The Caine Mutiny Court Martial and came across with authentic (schoolboy sized) uniforms and court room props which made Paul Shepherd’s direction (and my own modest efforts as the mentally unstable, ball bearing clicking, Lt Cdr Queeg) much acclaimed. Courtroom drama of the kind which has occupied me for the last almost forty years was, at that time, far from my mind! The annual play was, for me, always a highlight and I was in a good number from Hamlet in 1966 through to JP Donleavy’s Peach Shoes in 1971. Drama got me Colours, something alas, sport at Foyle was never destined to do. ‘Turner, it’s a question of making the best of what you’ve got’, was Roy Seddon’s wise and realistic advice! By contrast, the annual cross country run was something to be endured, not enjoyed. Such, too, was my resistance to falling over during rugby in the first three years, that mother used to joke that my kit needed only a termly wash.

The Geographical Society and the Scripture Union were the things I enjoyed most. Curzon Mowbray’s 1969 Compiegne trip was unforgettable. The Prefects Council was a useful early taste of the rough and ready administration of justice and I was proud (like my immediate predecessors Lowry Cunningham and Denis Connolly) to make Deputy Head Boy in my last year. A chance remark by my father steered me away from the thought (grounded in a love of field work and the utterly inspirational encouragement of Stan Huey) that I might read geography at university. Decent ‘O’ levels and underwhelming ‘A’ levels were then (but now no longer) sufficient to take me to the law faculty at King’s College, London in 1972. I graduated in 1975 with an LLB and the AKC (Associateship of King’s College) - a basic theological qualification.

The bar exams followed. I had never considered that I would do other than be a barrister. JB Mullin’s nephew, Hezlett Colgan, himself an old boy and later a judge, was the first real barrister I ever met in London. It all seemed tremendously exotic to a nineteen year old! I joined Gray’s Inn in 1973, was called to the bar in 1976, and have been made a Bencher of the Inn in 2015. Sir John Megaw, Treasurer of the Inn in 1976, was an Ulsterman and a school contemporary of JS Connolly which (serendipitously) added value to the occasion of my call. Pupillage followed. My

47 (now) wife Jean shared a flat with the daughter of a judge, Bill Kee, (brother of distinguished historian and broadcaster Robert Kee) who pointed me in the right direction. My entire career thereafter at the bar was spent in chambers in Gray’s Inn, of which I was ultimately head from 2003 until my appointment as a Circuit Judge in 2004. I became an assistant Recorder in 1997, a Recorder and Deputy High Court judge in 2000 and also Queen’s Counsel in 2000. Having spent the first decade of practice in general common law work and crime, I was latterly exclusively a family law specialist. I appeared in many heavy family and child abuse cases and inquiries and, early in silk, represented the London Borough of Brent in the Victoria Climbie inquiry. On the bench I now divide my time between family and criminal work in London and in Chelmsford in Essex. The last eleven years have been in many respects the happiest period of my career and I have been fortunate to have many fine colleagues and friends.

Church life in London has always been important. All Souls, Langham Place, has been a spiritual home now for some forty three years. I have been Reader since 1981 and was Churchwarden from 1983-2006. One of my most interesting roles in the wider Church of England has been as Chancellor of the Diocese of Chester (an ecclesiastical judgeship) from 1998; I have also been deputy Chancellor of Liverpool (2001-2) and, since 2002, deputy Chancellor of London. I sit as a tribunal Chair for the Clergy Discipline Commission and was a member of the church’s Legal Advisory Commission (2007-10).

I have been married to Jean for 37 years and we have two sons (one, to our delight, married to a Royal School, Dungannon wife) and two grandchildren. We live in north London.

I count it truly an enormous honour to have been elected vice-president of the FPA. It is a particular delight for me to share that position with Yvonne Smyth (formerly Hamilton) – a friend, a contemporary, a fellow lawyer and an old mate from First Derry Sunday School!

David Turner

Dates for Your Diary

Event Venue Date

Former Pupils’ Association The Everglades Hotel 9 April 2016 Spring Lunch & Reunion Londonderry 12.30 for 1.00 pm

Belfast Lunch Malone Golf Club 23 April 2016 12.30 for 1.00 pm

Former Pupils’ Association Duncreggan House 6 May 2016 Annual General Meeting 7.30 pm

Former Pupils’ Association City Hotel 24 September 2016 Annual Dinner Londonderry

Note: London Dinner - this is to become a biannual event so the next one will be held in Spring 2017.

FORMER PUPILS ASSOCIATION EVENTS 2016

SPRING LUNCH – SATURDAY 9 APRIL 2016 at 12. 00 NOON EvergladesHotel, Londonderry Cost: £20 (cheques can be sent to the Treasurer, FCFPA, Foyle College, Duncreggan Road, Londonderry BT48 0AW) All replies to the Secretary, Marshall Kilgore, via email by Monday 21 March 2016 – [email protected]

BELFAST LUNCH – SATURDAY 23 APRIL 2016 at 12.30 PM Malone Golf Club, Belfast Cost: £25 (cheques can be sent to the Treasurer, FCFPA, Foyle College, Duncreggan, Londonderry BT48 0AW) All replies to the Secretary, Marshall Kilgore, via email by Monday 18 April 2016 – [email protected]

ANNUAL DINNER – FRIDAY 23 SEPTEMBER 2016 at 7.00 PM City Hotel, Londonderry Cost: £35 (cheques can be sent to the Treasurer, FCFPA, Foyle College, Duncreggan, Londonderry BT48 0AW) All replies to the Hon Secretary, Marshall Kilgore, 41A Limavady Road, Londonderry BT47 6LP or via email on or before Friday, 16 September 2016 – [email protected]

Londonderry High School Boarders Reunion Weekend details on separate sheet 24-26 September 2016

LHSOGA – LONDON

SENDING YOU VERY BEST WISHES FOR THE NEW YEAR 2016

* * * * * *

60th – DIAMOND - ANNIVERSARY Founding of the LONDON BRANCH LHSOGA

LONDON INVITES YOU TO KEEP THE FOLLOWING DATE FREE:

SATURDAY 16 APRIL 2016 A LUNCH PARTY AT CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL CROMWELL RD LONDON

* * * * * *

Come to London for the day or make a weekend of it! YVONNE SMYTH (nee HAMILTON 1964-71) Chairwoman LHSOGA - London

JOINT PRESIDENT ELECT for 2016-17 (May - May) representing LHSOGA and FCFPA

Formal lunch invitations will be dispatched to ALL LHSOGAs for whom we have contact details, in late February, by our secretary, Ann Seaton. If you know of any old girls of any vintage who are ‘new’ to the wide footprint covered by the London branch do encourage them to make contact with me [email protected]

London branch members will also receive an agenda and paperwork for our AGM with your formal invitation.

50 CALLING ALL BOARDERS OF LONDONDERRY HIGH SCHOOL BOARDERS REUNION 23 - 25 SEPTEMBER 2016

I am planning a reunion for weekend 23 - 25 September 2016, for all who like me boarded at Londonderry High School.

The school is relocating to the former American Naval and late British Army Base on the Limavady Road at the end of the Academic Year 2016-17.

I thought many of you would like to take this last opportunity to revisit Duncreggan and Dunseverick and meet up with fellow boarders before the move.

OUTLINE FOR THE WEEK END

Friday Evening Dinner with the Former Pupils in the City Hotel 7pm for 7.30pm. Cost £35. An opportunity for you to meet up with day girls and Foyle boys.

Saturday Lunch In the Duncreggan building 12 - 2pm. Cost £10. The school will be open 10am – 12.00 and 2-4 pm for your own private tours. This will also allow you to explore the city in the morning or the afternoon.

Saturday Evening Meal in the City Hotel 7pm for 7.30pm. Cost £20.

Sunday Morning depart or take a City Tour.

CITY HOTEL www.cityhotelderry.com Tel: 02871365800 The City Hotel where the two evening events are being held is offering a special rate of £99 BB per double room, per night, or £89 BB per single room, per night. Rooms can be reserved until six weeks prior to the week-end. Book direct with the hotel and name the event to get your discount.

My greatest difficulty is finding and making contact with former boarders so I am relying on you when you read this letter to make contact with former boarders and also to send me their details plus your own as I am trying to compile a database.

Name Address email address Telephone number

I plan to use email but if you want to be contacted by Royal Mail I ask when replying that you enclose a stamped self-addressed envelope.

Please feel free to contact me. I can be contacted via email [email protected] or Isabel McNally, Wellington Villa, 15 Limavady Road, Londonderry BT47 6JU. Telephone 02871342339.

Also check out the progress of the new school on www.foylenet.org.uk - Our New School. You can also sign up to Foyle Former Pupils’ Association on Facebook. We are all automatic members of the association as we attended Londonderry High School.

51 Over the weekend you do not have to partake in all the activities so I ask you to fill in the reply slip and send monies to Neil Stewart, Foyle College, Duncreggan Road, Londonderry BT48 OAW. Telephone 02871269321.

I look forward to seeing you in September 2016.

Isabel McNally née Mitchell 1965-1969

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Boarders Reunion 23 - 25 September 2016 Reply and Payment Slip

Please detach and return slip on completion by 19 August 2016

Name …………………………………………………….

Address ………………………………………………….

…………………………………………………………... email …………………………………………………….

Event Cost Yes No Friday 23 September City Hotel 7.00pm for 7.30pm £35 Saturday 24 September. Lunch at School 12.00 – 2.00pm £10 Saturday 24 September City Hotel 7pm for 7.30pm £20 I enclose a cheque for

Cheques to be made payable to Foyle College and sent to: Neil Stewart, Foyle College Duncreggan Road Londonderry BT48 OAW Telephone 0287126932 or email [email protected]

Social Functions and Gatherings during 2015

Foyle College Former Pupils Association Belfast Lunch 2015 The Former Pupils’ Belfast Lunch was held in Malone Golf Club on Saturday, 21 February 2015. Thirty members were present and proceedings were presided over by Joint Presidents, Phenella Black and Lowry Cunningham. Following a short drinks reception, members were seated and Grace said by Rev Dr Bert Tosh. The meal was to the usual high standard and after a short break Lowry welcomed members and all settled in for a number of relatively short but entertaining speeches.

Professor George Carruthers proposed the Toast to the School, recounting the six happy years he had spent there before going on to Queen’s to qualify in medicine and his subsequent distinguished years in Canada and the United Arab Emirates. George was President of the Old Boys Association in 1992-3. Patrick Allen replied to the toast and gave his usual detailed account of the schools’ academic, sporting and social achievements for the past year.

Lowry proposed the toast to our guests and gave a brief summary of the events which he and Phenella had attended during the year to date. He confirmed that they were both looking forward to a number of forthcoming events before their term of office ends in May. Mr Robin Walsh, formerly of the Belfast Telegraph, Ulster Television and the BBC, and a former President of the Irish Cricket Union, replied on behalf of the guests. He pointed out that he had spent his early years at Foyle before transferring to RBAI to complete his studies, remarking that ‘although I attended RBAI, I was educated at Foyle’ – a sentiment that was reversed when speaking to old Instonians!

Proceedings were brought to a close with Winston Irwin’s rendering of the ‘School Song’ with all present joining in the chorus. W M Lynn

London Reunion Dinner – 24 April 2015 The first London Reunion Dinner of the FCFPA was held in the Farmers Club, Whitehall Court, on the evening of 24 April 2015 and was a most enjoyable and successful event. The Farmers Club proved to be an excellent venue and we are grateful to our President, Lowry Cunningham, a member of the club, for making it available to the association at a most reasonable cost. The club is ideally placed in central London, overlooking the River Thames and Victoria Gardens. The charm and elegance of the location added greatly to the occasion.

Forty members attended on the evening, with a dozen or so more travelling from Northern Ireland and they were able to avail of most reasonable rates for accommodation in the venue. Dinner on the Friday evening was preceded by a drinks reception in an adjacent room where former pupils of Foyle, LHS and FLC had an opportunity to renew old acquaintance and to make new friends.

The reception was followed by a sumptuous five-course dinner accompanied by wines and port. David Turner QC said grace followed by a welcome from President, Lowry

53 BELFAST LUNCHEON

Winston Irwin & Derek Shuter Belfast Luncheon

LONDON DINNER

Guests attending the London Dinner 2015 Andrew Buchanan, Ian Sterritt, Sharon McLeod, & Simon Funston

Stephen Jackson, Ella King, Claire Rankin, Isabel McNally, Richard Glenn, Claire Rankin, Richard Glenn Ella Beard (King)

54 Isabel McNally, Rosie Turner, William Lynn, John Patton, Ann Watson & David Turner Alison Kilgore, Marshall Kilgore

Lesley Wall, David Turner, Ann Watson, John, Peter Magill, Lynn Young, Liz Cunningham, Heather & Tom Patton Patrick Allen

Rosie Turner & William Lynn Rosie Turner, William Lynn, Alison & Marshall Kilgore & Elma Lynn

55 Cunningham. After dinner and the Loyal Toast proposed by Lowry, Rosie Turner, a former Head Girl – the first in that office after amalgamation in 1976 – proposed the Toast to the School. She regaled the company with her experiences of amalgamation (her speech is attached at the end of the report).

The Headmaster, Patrick Allen, replied to the toast and gave a detailed report on all aspects of school life and progress with the new build which is due to commence this spring. The final speaker was Peter Jackson, sports journalist and contemporary of the president and many of those present. He reminisced about his time at Foyle and the antics of some of his colleagues. He recounted some of his many humorous experiences of sporting events he had covered.

When the speeches were concluded the president made some closing comments including thanks to the Farmers’ Club and members of the organising committee, especially Marshall Kilgore, William Lynn and Neil Stewart. Presentations were made to the two guest speakers and the company repaired to the lounge and terrace for after-dinner drinks and an extended period of socialising which continued late into the night, especially for those who were resident.

A debt of gratitude is owed to Lowry for the meticulous level of organisation that went into all stages of the event and for providing us with such a wonderful venue. We are hopeful that we can build on the success of this event to repeat it in future years. W M Lynn

Toast to Foyle College proposed by Rosie Turner Headmaster, Ladies and Gentlemen It is my pleasure and privilege to propose a toast to the school – but as Lowry has asked me to speak for at least five minutes I’ve been racking my brains for content to reflect that unique period of time back in 1976-7 when Foyle College and Londonderry High School amalgamated and some of us were introduced to the trials and tribulations of co-education for the first time. I had the honour of being Head Girl for that first year of the joint enterprise but it’s difficult to describe the impact of amalgamation in those early days. Various thoughts are documented in the brilliant book A View the Foyle Commanding which I urge you to purchase if you haven’t already. I’ve already written about the noisy, unruly presence that the arrival of boys created but to be honest I think that our anticipation of their arrival was much more traumatic than amalgamation itself. At the time I seem to remember amalgamation was a divisive issue – while a coalition made sense on paper not everyone was in favour of it in practice. Two schools, distinctive in ethos, with totally different regimes of discipline, codes of behaviour and traditions. I mean, on the one hand Londonderry High School’s motto ‘As ever in my great taskmaster’s eye’ was reflected in a light touch of management by staff, an emphasis on manners and etiquette, epitomised by Miss Christie’s Hospitality Committee who certainly understood the importance of linen napkins and where to place a fish knife. On the other hand, at Foyle, control was allegedly maintained by the flinging of wooden blackboard dusters, the tweaking of sidelocks, or the flushing of dissenters’ heads in the lavatories! Frankly my first experience of the Prefects’ Council in the amalgamated school was tantamount to Guantanamo Bay - to say it was a culture shock doesn’t come close!

Still it was an education in all senses of the word. And it didn’t take long to coalesce – for we girls to teach the boys a few manners and for the boys to introduce us to a few of the grubbier fringes of male society. In that one year together I distinctly remember learning how cricket works and the purpose of a Scrum Half (thank you to my life-long friend Ali Rowan for those gems). Boys in the Prefects Room taught me that if you leave a coffee mug unwashed for a sufficiently long time it morphs into a rainbow of fur and fungus – well they always say that boys have the edge on girls when it comes to science. I also learned that the ‘F’- word wasn’t Fruit and the ‘W’- word had nothing to do with finance – now that was useful! But mostly I learned that boys and girls were not that different and that given that men share the planet with us they might as well share the classroom and the corridor.

So for my toast to the success of our school now almost 40 years later, I thought I’d take my inspiration from the theme ‘When Two become One’ – which seemed a catchy and memorable phrase. However thanks to Google it has emerged that is actually a lyric from a pop song by the Spice Girls, so while some of us may have very fond memories of Geri Halliwell in her Union Jack frock, it’s hardly reflective of the education we received at school. I thought I’d better try to think of something a bit more meaningful.

Then I thought I would write a poem on the theme of amalgamation – what rhymes with Amalgamation? Crustacean ….. constipation….. disintegration! No not the right lines at all. Frustration, flirtation, temptation, intoxication – well – all certainly becoming more relevant to my theme, and reflective of my experience way back then. Cooperation, socialization, exhilaration, rejuvenation; surely these words come close to summing up our experience of what happened when two became one?

Those boys and girls became men and women, those two seemingly different schools melded into one. The next stage of course is that the two premises of Springtown and Duncreggan will relocate and come together as a brand new school on the Limavady Road – then two really will have become one. This final stage has been a long time in preparation but it really is a fantastically exciting leap towards the future.

So to propose the Toast to the School I return to my poetic endeavours. Ladies and Gentlemen This is a wonderful celebration of our schools’ amalgamation. We are looking to the future and a change of our location. Please raise your glass and join me in unanimous ovation – To our School - Foyle College - so ‘Cheers’ on this occasion!

Report of Annual Dinner – City Hotel – 25 September 2015 The Annual Dinner was held, once again, in the City Hotel with a very pleasing turnout of 75 members of the association and guests. The latter included Presidents of Belfast Royal Academy, Coleraine Academical Institution, Royal Belfast Academical Institution, St Columb’s College, Royal School Portora, Methodist College and the Principal of Raphoe and Prior Royal School. The school was represented by the Headmaster, Mr Patrick Allen and the Head Boy and Head Girl, and the Guest Speaker was Mrs Anita Robinson, teacher, writer and broadcaster.

The Joint Presidents, Ann Watson and Denis Connolly, presided over a drinks reception in the Writer’s Room welcoming guests, whilst members assembled in the bar area and were entertained by Nicholas Morton playing the grand piano. Nicholas is a former pupil presently studying music at the University of Ulster, the Music Department of which is housed in Old Foyle College, Lawrence Hill, and boasts state of the art facilities for music, dance and drama.

Top table guests and Joint Presidents were welcomed and the company was seated. Denis read the list of members who had passed away since the previous dinner – information can be found in the Obituary section of this magazine. Rev Dr Bert Tosh said grace and all enjoyed an excellent dinner after which Denis paid a short tribute to Billy Hegan and invited him to propose the Toast to the School. Billy reminisced about his time at Foyle and how it had prepared him and his two brothers for their various career paths in later life.

The Headmaster replied to the Toast to the School giving a most favourable report on recent examinations results, the wide range of extra-curricular activities and an update on the new build in the Waterside. He paid tribute to John Arthur and Robin Young, past and present chairs of governors, and to Jack Magill, his predecessor, who was greatly involved in the design and planning stages of the project. He informed the company that the construction company, Heron Brothers, had moved on site in July and with a 24/26 month construction period, would hand over in September 2017 in time for the 400th anniversary celebrations.

A musical interlude followed and Ann introduced Simon Mowbray (flautist) and Nicky Morton (piano) both of whom gave superb renditions of several musical items including ‘The Mountains of Mourne’ and ‘Danny Boy’ with the company invited to join in song. Ann thanked the musicians and congratulated Simon on his appointment to the post of principal of Devenish College, Fermanagh, wishing him every success.

Denis proposed the Toast to our Guests, welcoming visiting presidents from other associations, our Guest Speaker, Anita Robinson, Head Boy, David Jackson and Head Girl, Roise McSorley. Ann gave a short résumé of Anita’s career in teaching, writing and broadcasting and invited her to reply on behalf of the guests.

Anita’s speech was wide ranging, thoroughly researched and both humorous and thought-provoking. She had delved into the 400th Anniversary book, A View the Foyle Commanding, and felt that the sections that had impressed her most were the trials and tribulations of amalgamation forty years on, and remembrances of former pupils who had contributed their experiences of their various times at Foyle College, Londonderry High School and Foyle and Londonderry College. At the close of her speech the company rose in standing ovation as Ann and Denis made presentations to the two speakers.

Denis brought proceedings to a close thanking the hotel, our musicians and the organising committee and asking Stanley Huey to accompany all in the singing of the school song. Members then repaired to the bar for social interaction which for some, went on into the small hours of the night. It was a most enjoyable and successful evening and for those of you who would like to attend next year, the Annual Dinner will take place in the City Hotel on Friday, 23 September 2016. W M Lynn

58 David Turner, Robin & Lynn Young George & Isabel McNally, Chris Henderson

Keith & Laura Hegarty, Pearl Mowbray, Jeremy, Harry, John & Cathy Arthur

Marshall, Alison & Matthew Kilgore, Presidents Ann Watson & Denis Connolly with William Lynn, Pamela Coughlin, Annette Stewart Guest Presidents of Other Associations

59 Robert Montgomery, William Miller & Roise McSorley, Patrick Allen, David Jackson, Robert Murtland Denis Connolly, Anita Robinson, Ann Watson, Billy Hegan

Presidents Denis Connolly & Ann Watson with Past Presidents

Rosie Turner, Susan Thomas, Lowry Cunningham Simon Mowbray & Nicky Morton

60 61 Amalgamation Year Reunion We started Foyle and Londonderry College when it first took that name in 1976. We knew we were special, causing consternation to many a teacher used to one sex or the other. Most of us made it through to 1983 and despite occasional yearnings for a reunion (mostly from Heather Anthony) we didn’t get round to it at 25 years or even 30 years. So why not something different – a 32 year reunion – on the pretext that it is the year in which we all turn 50? Seven optimists who still live in Londonderry (going for all maiden names for the girls here) – Laura Mowbray, Fiona Williamson, Jos McCaul, Gail Huey, Alan Rodden, David McClements and John Woods – met up and talked of possibilities. Then they kept meeting and a beautiful golden reunion was born.

The main event was a dinner and disco on Saturday, 9 May 2015, in the White Horse Hotel. Some of us extrovert mathematicians had figured out that there was not going to be enough time to get reacquainted with everyone in one evening so we were very glad of extra events. On the Friday evening about 20 of us met up in the City Hotel. We had a great time chatting and catching up, there were some who hadn’t seen each other for 32 years. On Saturday morning we were treated to a tour of Duncreggan by our very own Peter Gault, Vice-Principal. The one-hour planned tour took about three hours as there were stories to share and laugh at, at every stage – in the assembly hall, the cloakrooms, the dining room and the various classrooms, and Mr Gault had put together a brilliant slide show for us. We were treated to tea and scones in the staffroom and left to get ready for the next part of the marathon weekend.

The main event had welcome drinks, name badges, a Sentinel photographer (as we are so special), delicious meal, speakers who had good memories or had done a lot of homework (thanks to David Preece and Ruth Eakin). We thought of those who couldn’t be with us and we had a running slide show of school-era photographs, and eighties music. We were glad of the name badges but it seemed most people hadn’t changed. Maybe we all looked like 50 year olds when we were at school! I was amazed at other people’s memories of things I had completely forgotten. As we chatted together these memories were added together and built up the picture again – or some sort of idyllic picture of our wonderful school years together!

Sincere thanks are due to all those who organised it, though I understand they had way too much fun doing so. It was great to get so many of us together for the main evening and there have been reports of many subsequent mini-gatherings as friendships have been rekindled. Susan Lawson née Brown

62 Foyle and Londonderry College Class of 1983 Reunion 9 May 2015 in the White Horse Hotel

Inspired by the success of other year groups who had reunions to celebrate 25 or 30 years since leaving Foyle and Londonderry College, a small committee from the class of ’83 decided that a 32-year reunion, whilst unconventional, would still be a good idea. As all of us were born in 1964 or ’65, we notched up our half centuries during the 2014-5 academic year and this seemed like a good enough excuse. The committee members were (and I’m using maiden names for the ladies to aid identification) Jocelyn McCaul, Gail Huey, Laura Mowbray, Fiona Williamson, Johnny Woods, Alan Rodden and David McClements. After several hours of high level discussion the second weekend in May was chosen, with the White Horse Hotel as the venue.

A great deal of effort went into tracking down old classmates. Facebook, Google, LinkedIn and other online sources revealed the whereabouts of most, and almost everyone was eventually found. It was immediately clear that many wanted to attend and some committed very quickly to travelling from all parts of Ireland, north and south, Scotland, England and Wales. Steven Hay will want to claim he came the furthest, as he is based in Western Australia, but as he was in the UK on a career break, the award for the honour of coming the greatest distance goes to Roberta Hamilton who travelled from Germany.

There was an informal gathering in the City Hotel on the Friday night as a warm-up and quite a few turned up for this to renew old friendships. On Saturday morning there was a tour of the Duncreggan site, which allowed us to reminisce over unforgettable venues like Jack Bogle’s mathematics room, the canteen with its memories of bean flan and the assembly hall, crime scene for all those school discos and for the school formal. The annals of Falcon and the former pupils’ newsletters were scoured to produce a presentation detailing the seven years of school life enjoyed by the first set of pupils to experience Foyle and Londonderry College as a co-educational school for their entire school careers. The sports reports were quite entertaining, with the key words for girls hockey and athletics mainly being ‘victorious’ and ‘record-breaking’ whilst for the boys in all sports, ‘disappointing’ was the theme. Your correspondent was a ‘blow-in’ in 1980 but as I have the keys for the school and was able to enlist the help of our archivists, this part of the weekend was my contribution.

The main reunion took place on Saturday night; a glass of wine and a name tag were provided for everyone and as more and more former pupils arrived, two phrases were repeated again and again; it was either a case of ‘you haven’t changed a bit’ or ‘I wouldn’t have known who you were but for the name tag’ with it being fair to say the first one was a better conversation opener than the second. We enjoyed a buffet meal and a few anecdotes and reminiscences, mainly to do with what went on outside the classrooms. There were a few poignant moments as David Preece and Ruth Eakin reminded us of our absent friends, including our Head Girl, Laurie Hamilton and Deputy Head Boy, Shaun Gillespie, before going on to speak of happier matters. Further chances to embarrass ourselves came when the music began. The DJ had been firmly instructed to play only late 70s and early 80s tunes and we relived school discos once more. Old friendships were renewed and at least one new one began, but this is not a publication for what I believe we used to call ‘scandal’. . . The soundtrack

63 of our youth continued until the early hours and then there was still some catching up to be done as memories of our glory days were shared.

On behalf of everyone I’d like to thank the committee for organising the event, the White Horse Hotel for being such an accommodating venue and our school archivists for providing me with the material for the presentation. Peter Gault

Editorial Note: I thought readers would enjoy both reports – two minds with but a single thought perhaps

Foyle and Londonderry College Class of 1983 Re-union: May 9th 2015 in the White Horse Hotel

64 Greetings from Coleraine Branch Coleraine members met on two occasions during 2015. On 19 May, 23 Old Girls were present at our Annual Buffet Supper in the home of Rosaleen Ramsey. We were delighted to have our President, Ann Watson, with us. Isabel McNally from Londonderry also attended, as well as three members from the Belfast Branch. Thanks to our guests for joining us. Everyone enjoyed a superb meal with lots of fun and chat!

On 7 December, 14 Old Girls attended the Annual Get-Together with a Christmas Supper at the home of Rosaleen Ramsey. On this occasion we were pleased to have Yvonne Smyth née Hamilton, with us. Yvonne is Chairwoman of the London Branch and Joint President Elect for 2016-7. Yvonne brought greetings from the London Branch and we thank her very much for attending, and look forward to seeing her at events during her year of office

During the year members attended functions and events arranged by other branches as well as functions in Londonderry and we extend our thanks to all those who arrange these other events. Our members always enjoy meeting up with old school friends.

Best Wishes to all Old Girls and Former Pupils for 2016. Rosaleen Ramsey née McClements Honorary Secretary/Treasurer

Rosaleen Ramsey 76a Charlotte Street Ballymoney Co Antrim BT53 6AZ

65 Belfast Old Girls Branch Report In May, Betty Hamilton, Phenella Black and Joan Milliken attended the Coleraine Supper which was held at the home of Rosaleen Ramsey. As always the food was superb and the company was great fun.

In June, thirty-three old girls attended the afternoon tea at Dunadry Hotel. This was the largest number we have ever had for this event and the Sun Lounge was at its full capacity. We were joined by Yvonne Smyth from London who is President Elect, as well as Ann Watson, our current president. She was accompanied by Elma Lynn, also from Londonderry.

On 3 October 2015 we held our lunch and AGM at the Stormont Hotel. Old girls from all the branches were in attendance and we appreciated this very much. Ann Watson gave us a very interesting outline of her upbringing in Scotland before she became a pupil and later a teacher at the school. Joan Milliken

Dates of Events in 2016 Afternoon Tea Saturday 4 June Annual Lunch Saturday 1 October

Phenella Black and Ann Watson Linda Bruce and Betty Baxter

Gertrude Aiken, Lily Swinson and Joy McCartney Hilary Scott and Yvonne Smyth

66 Tel: (028) 7134 1947 • Fax: (028) 7131 1150

67 68

Notices (Births/Marriages), Notes and News

Births To Ian and Rachel Goldby (née Sinclair), a daughter, Anna Elizabeth, born 22 July 2015, a sister for Luke and Joel.

To Jillian (Wilson) and Killian a daughter, Dara Lily, born 1 August 2015.

Marriages 17 October 2015 – McFeely, Peter William, son of Mark and Sally, to Ashley Edwards Knapp of New York. The wedding took place in Areias Do Seixo, A Dos Cunhados, Portugal.

Notes and News

Michael Allen who was formerly Vice Principal of Limavady High School has been appointed Principal of Lisneal College.

Rebecca Astbury is continuing her studies with a PhD in Volcanology at the university of Perugia (Università degli Studi) Italy.

Naomi Campbell has taken up a post as Staff Nurse in the A&E Department of Royal Victoria Hospital Belfast.

Rev Stella Campbell is Minister of Skene Parish Church of Scotland and Trinity Church. Stella was chosen Ashleywith &four Peter others take their for vows the recruitment video for young Ministers to the Church of Scotland. The recruitment video was launched in Edinburgh on 17Notices May 2015 (Births/Marriages), at Heart and Sole. Notes and News

BirthsPeter Eyre has designed the new €2.4 million Shannon class lifeboat which will be Tooperated Ian and by Rachel Lough Goldby Swilly (néeRNLI. Sinclair), In April a daughter, this year Anna more Eliz thanabeth, a thousand born 22 Julypeople 2015,assembled a sister on for Buncrana’s Luke and Joel.pier to see the new lifeboat sail across the Swilly escorted by an impressive flotilla of boats. In designing the vessel, Peter was tasked to find Tosomething Jillian (Wilson) small and and lightweight Killian a daughter,which would Dara work Lily, inborn adverse 1 August sea conditions.2015. Five designs were chosen and tested, and Peter’s won out. Marriages 17James October Fleming 2015 is– currentlyMcFeely , PresidentPeter William, of City son of ofDerry Mark Rugby and Sally,Club. to Marshall Ashley EdwardsKilgoreMarianne Knappis currently McNally, of New Laura Senior York. Taggart, Vice The President. wedding tookThe placeMcFeely in Family Areias at the Do wedding Seixo, of PeterA Dos to Cunhados, Lisa Portugal. Philson & Joanne Love Ashley Knapp Jim Goodman has received a British Empire Medal in the New Year Honours List for his services to music throughNotes the and Britannia News Band and Londonderry Musical Society. Jim retired from teaching in Foyle College in 2011 and his former Michaelcolleagues Allen and who friends was formerlyextend warm Vice congPrincipalratulations of Limavady to him Highon this School well has-deserved been appointedhonour. Principal of Lisneal College.

RebeccaChristine Astbury Hamilton is whocontinuing gained aher BSc studies 2:1 Honours with a in PhD Geography in Volc atanology Bristol inat 2013the universityand completed of Perugia her Masters (Università by Research degli Studi) at Durh Italy.am in 2014, has recently begun a PhD at Liverpool John Moores University where she is continuing on the strand of Naomi Campbell has taken up a post as Staff Nurse in the A&E Department of Royal Victoria Hospital Belfast.

Rev Stella Campbell is Minister of Skene Parish Church of Scotland and Trinity 69 Church. Stella was chosen with four others for the recruitment video for young Ministers to the Church of Scotland. The recruitment video was launched in Edinburgh on 17 May 2015 at Heart and Sole.

Peter Eyre has designed the new €2.4 million Shannon class lifeboat which will be operated by Lough Swilly RNLI. In April this year more than a thousand people assembled on Buncrana’s pier to see the new lifeboat sail across the Swilly escorted by an impressive flotilla of boats. In designing the vessel, Peter was tasked to find something small and lightweight which would work in adverse sea conditions. Five designs were chosen and tested, and Peter’s won out.

James Fleming is currently President of City of Derry Rugby Club. Marshall Kilgore is currently Senior Vice President.

Jim Goodman has received a British Empire Medal in the New Year Honours List for his services to music through the Britannia Band and Londonderry Musical Society. Jim retired from teaching in Foyle College in 2011 and his former colleagues and friends extend warm congratulations to him on this well-deserved honour.

Notices (Births/Marriages), Notes and News

Births To Ian and Rachel Goldby (née Sinclair), a daughter, Anna Elizabeth, born 22 July 2015, a sister for Luke and Joel.

To Jillian (Wilson) and Killian a daughter, Dara Lily, born 1 August 2015.

Marriages 17 October 2015 – McFeely, Peter William, son of Mark and Sally, to Ashley Edwards Knapp of New York. The wedding took place in Areias Do Seixo, A Dos Cunhados, Portugal.

Notes and News

Michael Allen who was formerly Vice Principal of Limavady High School has been appointed Principal of Lisneal College.

Rebecca Astbury is continuing her studies with a PhD in Volcanology at the university of Perugia (Università degli Studi) Italy.

Naomi Campbell has taken up a post as Staff Nurse in the A&E Department of Royal Victoria Hospital Belfast.

Rev Stella Campbell is Minister of Skene Parish Church of Scotland and Trinity Church. Stella was chosen with four others for the recruitment video for young Ministers to the Church of Scotland. The recruitment video was launched in Edinburgh on 17 May 2015 at Heart and Sole.

James Fleming is currently President of City of Derry Rugby Club. Marshall Kilgore is currently Senior Vice President.

Christine Hamilton who gained a BSc 2:1 Honours in Geography at Bristol in 2013 and completed her Masters by Research at Durham in 2014, has recently begun a PhD at Liverpool John Moores University where she is continuing on the strand of research reconstructing past changes in sea level and coastal evolution to enhance understanding of what may happen in the future.

Sarah Hamilton who obtained her MPharm from Queen’s University this year is currently undertaking her pre-registration year in Murphy’s Pharmacy in the city.

Fergus McClean has been invited to study for a PhD in Flood Modelling and Management using ‘Big Data’ at Newcastle University.

Kirsty McClelland is continuing her studies at Queen’s.

Dr. Ian Mills has been Organist and Master of Choristers at St Columb’s Cathedral since 2006. Having graduated with Bachelor and Master’s degrees in Music from Queen’s University, he has subsequently completed his doctoral thesis on the organ music of J S Bach under the supervision of Professor Yo Tomita. Ian has now embarked on a course of study in Theology in Dublin.

Allison Moore is studying for an MA in American History at Queen’s.

Simon Mowbray who was formerly Vice-Principal of Castlederg High School has been appointed Principal of Devenish College, Enniskillen.

Billy Platt is pleased to announce that following the publication of his book History of Cricket at Foyle College he has been able to donate the sum of £400 to SANDSNI in memory of Daisy.

Gareth Reid is currently Chair of the Junior Chamber of Commerce in the city.

Andrew Simpson is currently starring in the70 RTE production Rebellion, a drama about the 1916 Rising. This follows on from his successful roles in the films Song for a Raggy Boy and Notes on a Scandal where he starred with Cate Blanchett and Judi Dench.

Stewart Smith gained his Masters Degree in Music from Ulster University.

Rebecca Young has taken up an appointment as radiographer with Nottingham Health Trust. research reconstructing past changes in sea level and coastal evolution to enhance understanding of what may happen in the future.

Sarah Hamilton who obtained her MPharm from Queen’s University this year is currently undertaking her pre-registration year in Murphy’s Pharmacy in the city.

Fergus McClean has been invited to study for a PhD in Flood Modelling and Management using ‘Big Data’ at Newcastle University.

Kirsty McClelland is continuing her studies at Queen’s.

Allison Moore is studying for an MA in American History at Queen’s.

Simon Mowbray who was formerly Vice-Principal of Castlederg High School has been appointed Principal of Devenish College, Enniskillen.

Billy Platt is pleased to announce that following the publication of his book History of Cricket at Foyle College he has been able to donate the sum of £400 to SANDSNI in memory of Daisy.

Gareth Reid is currently Chair of the Junior Chamber of Commerce in the city.

Andrew Simpson is currently starring in the RTE production Rebellion, a drama about the 1916 Rising. This follows on from his successful roles in the films Song for a Raggy Boy and Notes on a Scandal where he starred with Cate Blanchett and Judi Dench.

Stewart Smith gained his Masters Degree in Music from Ulster University.

Rebecca Young has taken up an appointment as radiographer with Nottingham Health Trust.

Obituaries George Robert Acheson George was born on 6 February 1929. He entered Foyle in September 1940 when the family were living at Tullyarden, Culmore. It is recorded that he played for the 2nd XV during the years of 1944/5/6 and that he was elected prefect in his final year, 1946.

He proceeded to Trinity College, Dublin, where he obtained a BA in 1950. He taught at Annadale Grammar School and lived in Rugby Road Belfast. He held the post of schoolmaster in Methodist College in 1956. George died on 7 January 2015.

Desmond Norman Orr Boal QC Desmond Boal was born on 6 August 1928. The family lived at St Columb’s Court and Desmond served as a boy chorister in St Columb’s Cathedral.

Desmond entered Foyle College in September 1941 and it is recorded that he played for the First XI in 1945 and for the First XV in 1945/6. He was also elected a prefect in 1945/6. From Foyle he went on to Portora Royal School and then to Trinity College, Dublin, where he qualified in law.

He continued his legal studies in London at the Inner Temple before finally being called to the Northern Ireland Bar in Belfast. He became Queen’s Counsel in 1973 and Senior Counsel in the Republic of Ireland from 1987. Desmond was one of Northern Ireland’s finest legal minds and one of the most articulate advocates at the Bar, with a phenomenal capacity to memorise every detail of the case in which he was involved and conduct the defence without the slightest note. He featured in many of the most high profile criminal trials during the Troubles and was a much sought after defence advocate.

Desmond also had a most interesting career in politics in that he served as an Ulster Unionist MP for Shankill in the old Stormont Parliament from 1960-72.

Desmond died at his home in County Down on 23 April 2015. His funeral service took place in the Parish Church of Saint Phillip and Saint James, Holywood. He is survived by his wife, Annette, and by his sisters, Kathleen, Maureen, Oonagh and Dierdre.

Gladys Margaret Boyd née Black Gladys Black was born on 3 March 1923 in Newtownstewart, County Tyrone. She attended Londonderry High School from 1935 until 1942.

In 1953 she married William Boyd, a former pupil of Foyle College, who later qualified as a doctor and practised in Ballymoney. They lived in Coleraine and had three daughters, Susan, Christina and Jennifer, and three grandchildren.

Gladys was a keen golfer for much of her life and played up until recently. She was predeceased by her husband. Gladys died on 9 September 2015.

72 Edmund Charles Coulter Edward was the ninth of ten siblings born to William and Margaret Coulter. He attended Foyle College with his twin brother, David, from 1948-55. He took an active role in the Gilbert and Sullivan operas performed by the school in the Guildhall, graduating from the girls chorus in HMS Pinafore in 1950 to major roles, both male and female, in The Gondoliers, Patience, Pirates of Penzance, The Mikado and finally in Ruddigore in 1954. He was awarded colours for Music and Drama, and having gained his Senior Certificate in 1955 he graduated to the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London and spent the next three years there.

After completing his studies, Edmund joined a series of repertory companies mostly in London but touring extensively in the wider area. In 1967 he was appointed tutor to the children of the Ruler of Qatar. This sheikdom had not developed into the oil rich extravagance it would later become but the ruling family was very wealthy even at that time and Edmund travelled with the family extensively. Following an internal family coup the sheik and his family moved to Dubai and Edmund went with them. In Dubai he established a local dramatic society through which he met his future wife, May Jo Long, an American citizen, but with ancestral roots in Londonderry. They married in 1986 and moved to Dallas, Texas, in the early 1990s. They had a summer residence in Souterna Island in Vancouver Bay, Canada, and would have liked to retire there but could not secure a residency permit. Preferring the moderate climate of the northwest USA to the extremes of Texas, they finally settled near Seattle in Washington State.

Edmund is survived by his twin brother, David, and older siblings Margaret and Ernest. His older sister, Anne, died in October 2015. His sisters, Alexandra, Anne, Helen and Margaret all attended Londonderry High School. Edmund died on 28 March 2015, aged 79.

Anne Doreen Stewart Courtney née Coulter Born on 14 October 1923, Anne was the third of ten siblings born to William and Margaret Coulter in Limavady. The family moved to Marlborough Street and Anne attended Londonderry High School from 1936 until 1940 along with her three sisters, Alexandra, Helen and Margaret. Having left LHS she worked during the war years in the Londonderry Telephone Exchange but her vocation was nursing and she subsequently trained in nursing and midwifery at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Glasgow. On completion of her studies she took up a post in Forest Gate Maternity Hospital in East London. Here she spent the next thirty years and for the greater part of that she was Night Supervising Sister.

Apart from her nursing duties and responsibilities, she enjoyed travel and meeting people, and she especially enjoyed visits to her extended family scattered throughout the United Kingdom and abroad. She married Alfred Courtney late in life (he predeceased her by 10 years). They had no children but Anne’s great sense of fun and enjoyment in organising outings, picnics, etc., made her ever popular with her many nephews and nieces. When any of them visited her in London there was always an extensive and interesting itinerary to be followed. Although she spent most of her life in London she loved her visits home to Derry and the beaches of Donegal, often bringing some of her nursing colleagues to share the experience.

73 Anne died on 12 October 2015, two days before her 92nd birthday. Her ashes were interred in the family grave at Altnagelvin in December. She is survived by her sister, Margaret and brothers, Ernest and David, and she is fondly remembered by her many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

John Alexander (Jack) Gamble Jack Gamble, the son of J A Gamble, Eden Terrace, Strabane, was born on 20 March 1936 and entered Foyle College in September 1948. On leaving the school in March 1953 he joined the Belfast Bank and worked in Cookstown, Dungannon, Ballymena and Enniskillen.

While in Enniskillen he married Jean and together they decided to give up Jack’s secure banking career and pursue his lifelong ambition to open a bookshop. He was assisted in establishing this business by Hugh Greer, a well known bookman in Smithfield who was retiring, and it evolved into the prominent bookshop Emerald Isle Books on the Antrim Road, Belfast.

In later life, Jack was the leading bookman in the province and was able to contribute to many libraries particularly in Europe and America. When the Princess Grace Library was set up in Monaco he was contacted and gave advice regarding the building of its collection of Irish printed books over many years.

He was a committed member of the Methodist church and served as a teacher and later as superintendent of Cavehill Methodist Sunday School.

Following some years of chronic ill-health Jack died in hospital on 3 March 2015. A Service of Thanksgiving was held in Cavehill Methodist Church on 7 March and there was a private family burial in Carmoney Cemetery on 9 March. Jack is survived by his wife, Jean, his sons, Ian and David, and his daughter, Libby.

Lynn Christine Haslett née Kerr 3 June 1953 – 26 February 2015 See ‘Reminiscences of my friend’ at the end of this Obituary Section

David Irwin Kilgore David Kilgore was born on 14 April 1943 son of Rev James Kilgore, Minister of Claremont Presbyterian Church, and Mrs Margaret Kilgore.

David attended Foyle College, entering the school in 1955 and on leaving, entered the RAF. His career was unfortunately cut short when, as a Flight Lieutenant, he suffered a serious illness and had to take early retirement on medical grounds. Despite his disability he continued to enjoy his life and his hobbies.

David who lived in Portskewett, Monmouthshire, died in the Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport, South Wales, on 4 November 2015. His funeral service was held at Gwent Crematorium on 19 November. He is survived by his daughters, Shelly and Suzie.

Ian Maurice Reginald Lee Ian ‘Dixie’ Lee passed away peacefully on the 22 December 2015 in Dundee where he had been living for the past nine years. Originally from Garden City and

74 Shantallow, Ian was a pupil at Foyle College from 1956-1963. Whilst at Foyle he played a leading part in many sports teams, most notably rugby and athletics. He was an active member of the Foyle College Scout group, 12th Londonderry, was awarded the Queen’s Badge and was the first in Londonderry to be awarded the Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award.

He graduated from Stranmillis Teacher Training College in Belfast in Physical Education and Maths with early jobs teaching in Faughan Valley and Strabane High School. A post as a youth officer in Omagh followed. Ian and family moved to the north coast in 1973 where he took up a position as Recreation Officer with Coleraine Borough Council. Ian will be remembered for his huge contribution to sport and leisure in that area. He retired in 2001 from Coleraine Borough Council as Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Leisure Services after 28 years service. His role was extensive from helping to organise community level sporting events to international youth football tournaments (Milk Cup), the Northwest 200 and many golf tournaments. Leisure services for locals and tourists were award-winning and well received and used by all. He was awarded an MBE in 2006 for his contribution to tourism in Northern Ireland. He continued with his contributions to local and Northern Ireland society with membership of school boards, local groups and national organisations including the Northern Ireland Sports Council.

Ian's love of sport continued throughout his life. His rugby career flourished and he played for Kings Scholars and City of Derry, and was selected for Ulster before even playing his first senior game. Ian organised and ran many successful sporting trips abroad and was renowned for the large group skiing trips to the Alps and eastern USA. He came from a farming family and learned to ride at an early age. He was an accomplished horseman and frequently participated in point-to-point races and show- jumping competitions. He was a keen golfer and continued to play regularly even through his recent illness.

Ian and his wife Rosemary moved to Scotland in 2006 to be closer to their growing family. It is typical of Ian that since his move to Scotland, he integrated completely into his local community and made many friends through activities at church, walking groups, golf club and Probus. At the time of his death, Ian was President of Monifieth Probus Club.

Ian is survived by his wife Rosemary (née Galbraith - Londonderry High School 1956-1963), their daughters Gillian and Sharon, son Jonathan, and five adored grandchildren. He is deeply missed by his family and many friends. Ian had a ‘life well lived' and will be remembered as a true gentleman.

David Reid Marshall Reid was born on 10 April 1919, the eldest of a family of five in Ballyhaskey, Newtowncunningham, where the family farm ran down to the shores of Lough Swilly. After primary education at a local school he entered Foyle College in September 1933 and it is recorded that he was a member of the First XV in 1936/7. From Foyle he proceeded to Dublin Veterinary College where he gained his MRCVS in 1942.

Having practised for a period of time in Londonderry he moved to Coleraine where he acquired a veterinary practice and became a familiar figure in the farmyards of the

75 ‘Triangle area’ where he was held in high regard as a skilled and diligent practitioner. He worked in partnership with John Ramsey for several years and finished his working life in the service of the Department of Agriculture.

On moving to Coleraine, Reid had joined the congregation of Terrace Row Presbyterian Church. There he met Evelyn Young whom he married in 1946. They shared almost 68 years together and had four sons, David, Alan, John and Richard, 11 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. In 1968 Reid was elected to the Kirk Session of Terrace Row and both he and Evelyn were generous with their time and money in support of the church, particularly so in 1981 when major repairs to the front of the church were completed.

He had a keen interest in a range of sports but having played rugby for Ulster Schools, rugby was a special passion. He followed the sporting careers of his sons closely and had particular pride in his grandson, Luke, a young Irish internationalist.

Reid Marshall died on 16 December 2014 aged 95 having been predeceased by Evelyn. He is survived by his four sons, his brother, Stephen, but his sister, Hazel (Mrs McIlroy), a former pupil of Londonderry High School, has since passed away also.

Amanda Sonia (Mandy) Ross née McAllister Mandy McAllister was born on 27 April 1962, daughter of Samuel and May McAllister of Prehen. Mandy entered Londonderry High School in 1973 and witnessed the historic amalgamation with Foyle College three years later. Her father had been an old boy of Foyle Prep and the senior school at Lawrence Hill. From Foyle and Londonderry College Mandy proceeded to the University of Ulster obtaining an Honours degree in Education. Her teaching career began at Ebrington Primary School followed by a lengthy spell at Fort James Primary School. The family re-located to Belfast in the mid-nineties, Mandy managing to juggle the many demands of family life with teaching at Harding Memorial Primary School. Her final post was at Dundela Primary School in East Belfast where her people skills were soon recognised and rewarded by her appointment as SENCO co-ordinator. Mandy was a natural in the classroom, popular with colleagues and pupils alike, always ready to take a full part in extracurricular activities and staff social events. Kind, thoughtful and gentle by nature she was a truly wonderful wife, mother and friend, evidenced by the large number of mourners who made the trip to Londonderry for her funeral. Mandy is survived by her husband, Chris, and daughters, April and Holly. Her older siblings Penny White, Linda McNee and Alan McAllister are all former pupils, as are her nephews, Matthew and Philip Parke, and Andrew McAllister. Mandy Ross passed away at home on 3 January 2015.

John Lithgow McFarland John Lithgow McFarland was born on 22 September 1922 the third son of a County Londonderry farmer. He was a pupil of Foyle College from September 1935 until June 1939.

John did an apprenticeship in Ireland’s oldest pharmacy. He tried to join the RAFVR in 1940 as an Air Observer but there were too many applicants so he and his brother joined the LDV (Home Guard). He was called up in June 1941 and after a number of

76 stations in England and Scotland he was sent to Canada. He went to Moncton via New York and then to Winnipeg where he started Air Observer School on Ansons. After completing training he was posted to Millom in Cumberland where he was told he would be joining No 75 (NZ) Squadron, flying Stirling bombers which were built in Belfast.

Returning from a mission to bomb the German shipping port of Keil his aircraft was badly damaged by a night fighter. He was ordered to bale out over Denmark and landed safely in a field. Two other crew members survived but the remaining four died. At dawn he knocked on a farmhouse door, asked for help, was taken in and got a fry for his breakfast. However it was not long before he was captured by the Germans and spent the rest of the war in the infamous prisoner-of-war camp, Stalag- Luft 3 which was the scene of the break-out dramatised in the film The Great Escape.

After the war he returned to civilian life resuming his career in pharmacy with a shop in Shaftesbury Square. When the troubles started in 1969 his shop was set on fire and all stock was destroyed. He was out of business. He later bought a shop in Donegall Pass and he was back in business.

John died on 29 April 2015. He is survived by his wife Elsie and sons, David, who as a judge is the Recorder of Belfast and John, who is a GP.

Hazel Isobel McIlroy née Marshall Hazel Marshall was born in Newtowncunningham, County Donegal, on 27 October 1925. She attended Londonderry High School from 1938 until 1944.

She later married Jack McIlroy who farmed at Rossdowney in the Waterside area of Londonderry. They had two children, John and Ann, (who are former pupils of the school) and four grandchildren. As the city expanded the family moved from the farm at Rossdowney to Carn overlooking the Faughan and Foyle Valleys.

Hazel was predeceased by her husband and lived laterally at Melvin Court, Limavady Road. She died on 10 May 2015.

Herbert Douglas Miller Douglas Miller was born on 7 August 1928 when the family lived in the Gransha area. He entered Foyle College in September 1940 leaving again in June 1945. He studied in Magee College in 1946, gained a BA degree in Modern History in Trinity College, Dublin in 1952 and an H Dip Ed. Douglas died on 3 June 2015 in England.

Anne Margaret Montgomery née McFarland Anne McFarland was born on 13 May 1940, the eldest child of Andrew and Annie McFarland, Killycorr, Claudy, and sister of Arthur and Jack. She was educated at Londonderry High School and Stranmillis College, Belfast, qualifying as a primary school teacher. Her first teaching post was at Cumber Upper Primary School.

In 1961 she married Samuel Montgomery with whom she shared a passion for dancing and gardening. She continued with her teaching career at Fort James CPS, as a supply teacher based at Ebrington CPS and Killaloo CPS. After taking early

77 retirement she continued in education becoming an NVQ assessor, a position she held for a number of years.

She was heavily involved in the Women’s Institute both locally and at national level, being on the Northern Ireland Executive Committee where she enjoyed renewing acquaintance with old friends from Stranmillis. Drama and music were always interests and she was heavily involved in these areas in her teaching career, and also in the organisation of Speech, Drama and Music Festivals for the WI. She was an active member of a number of dancing groups and led a weekly dance session for older people in the local community. She delighted in learning new skills and pursued these to a high level. In particular she was skilled in flower arranging, calligraphy and sugercraft making many beautiful wedding cakes for friends and family.

Following a relatively short illness she died on 9 January 2016. She is survived by her two daughters and sons-in-law, Helen and Colm Hodge, Lucy Miller-White and Paul Mitchell and by her three grandchildren, Elizabeth and Catherine Hodge and Oliver Mitchell. Helen and Lucy are former pupils of Foyle and Londonderry College.

Albert White Moore Albert was born in Argyle Street, Londonderry, on 14 August 1937. He attended the Model Primary School and entered Foyle College in September 1949. He was a member of the Dramatic Society in 1953 and 1954, and played for the First XI in 1954/5. He proceeded to Stranmillis College where he trained as a teacher and in 1959 he was appointed to Garvagh Secondary School to teach PE, Games and Geography.

He married Rosemary Doak in 1965 and moved to Faughan Valley High School where he continued his career under the headship of Russell McKay. He was enthusiastic in his coaching of pupils in the skills of football, cricket, basketball and rugby. He quickly became head of the Geography Department and later Vice Principal.

Albert’s passion for sport continued throughout his life. He became player/manager of Churchill United in the 1960s, and managed and coached Derry City Reserves in the dark days of the 70s. He was a keen gymnast at the YMCA and was well known for his demanding training schedules as fitness trainer with the City of Derry Rugby Club. He was a lifelong and hardworking member of Brigade Cricket Club where he was secretary and scorer for over twenty years and he found time to represent his cricket club at the North West Cricket Union. His love for Tottenham Hotspur and his enthusiasm for their style of play lead to many an argument round the coffee table.

As a young man, Albert attended Christ Church. He joined the scout troop and became a Queen’s Scout. After his marriage he joined All Saints’ Clooney and among his other commitments there he meticulously maintained the In Memoriam Register. Other interests included the Peace and Reconciliation Group at the Ebrington Centre and he was privileged to visit the Messines Peace School in Belgium.

78 Albert died on 29 December 2015. He is survived by his widow, Rosemary, who attended Londonderry High School, and by his son, Richard, and daughter, Kathryn, both of whom attended Foyle and Londonderry College.

Richard Stanley Moore Richard was born on 24 June 1941 and lived in Rosemount Avenue. He entered Foyle College in September 1953, was a school prefect in 1958-9 and was a member of the First XV in 1959-60 and the First XI for each of these years.

At the age of 19 Richard joined the Post Office in London as a basic grade clerk. When the Post Office expanded into Europe, Richard was able to employ his knowledge of French to good advantage. He remained grateful that the French he learned at Foyle when attending Mr W J Walker’s classes was later to prove so useful in his career. He was quickly promoted to the National Savings Department and transferred to Durham in 1964. Further promotions took him to HMSO in Norwich as Director of Reprographics and then to a much enjoyed four years in Edinburgh as Director Scotland, finally returning to Norwich as Director of Sales which completed a career of 38 years in the Civil Service.

Sport was a driving force and constant interest throughout his life. In London he was a member of a local football team and the Civil Service Cricket Team. In Durham he captained the Civil Service Rugby Team for the area and played table tennis for County Durham. In Edinburgh he played golf and this sport was a constant enjoyment for the rest of his life and he was delighted to reduce his handicap to nine. Returning to Norwich, he became Captain of Eaton Golf Club in 1998. He kept a watchful eye on results of Rangers Football Club and once settled in Norwich he followed Norwich City, attending some of their matches.

Richard died on 8 January 2015. He leaves a widow, Stella, two sons, Ian and David and two grandchildren.

Samuel Victor Moore Victor Moore was born on 4 June 1933 when the family lived in the Rosemount area. He attended Christ Church Primary School and entered Foyle College in September 1946. He left in 1951 and it is recorded that he was a prefect in his final year. From Foyle he proceeded to Queen’s University Belfast where he obtained a BA degree in 1954 after which he became a primary school teacher and taught for many years in Christ Church Primary School.

Victor Moore died in the Ulster Hospital, Dundonald, on 31 July 2014. He was buried in Altnagelvin Cemetery on 6 August 2014 after a service in Christ Church.

Irene Elizabeth (Iris) Neely née Lynn Iris was born on 6 May 1927 at Creevagh, the youngest of three siblings. She had an idyllic childhood on the family farm but the death of their father when they were all young meant that Iris, her sister, Maud, and brother, Morris, had to share the responsibilities and tasks on the farm with their mother.

Iris attended Londonderry High School from 1939 until 1944 where she excelled in English and Art, skills which she carried with her throughout her life. During the war

79 she met her future husband, Charlie Neely, then serving in the RAF. After the war he qualified in Civil Engineering at Trinity College, Dublin, and they married in 1951. They had three children, Lynn, Christopher and Laura, all born in Omagh where Charlie was County Surveyor for Tyrone. They all attended Omagh Academy where Iris was a governor for many years. The family enjoyed holidays at Portnablagh, Co Donegal, which remained a favourite location for them all, especially Iris.

Life changed abruptly in 1972 when Charlie was killed in a car accident leaving Iris to bring up three school-age children. She had always had an interest in antiques, especially jewellery, and she established a small business from home buying and selling it. In due course the family left school to follow their various qualifications and professions in Belfast and Iris moved to join them there in 1988. She spent the remainder of her life living near her three children and nine grandchildren in South Belfast and she continued with her antique jewellery business.

By the early 2000s the onset of Alzheimer’s became evident, necessitating specialist care as time progressed. In spite of this she remained cheerful and content to the end. She passed away peacefully on 4 January 2016 aged 88 years. The funeral service in St Nicholas’ Parish Church, Lisburn Road, was well attended and a private family committal was held later that day in Omagh. Iris is survived by her brother, Morris, children Lynn, Christopher and Laura, and nine grandchildren.

Kathleen Roulstone (Joan) Simpson née Gallick Joan was born on 6 June 1935 one of six siblings, the others being Margaret, Alec, Gerald, Millie and Valerie. She attended Londonderry High School from 1946 until 1951. After leaving school she held a number of secretarial and organisational posts at Welch Margetsons Arntz Belting and Du Pont where she was a PA.

Financial organisation was Joan’s strength both in her workplace and in the wider community. She ran a number of fundraising schemes for local charities, especially ‘Chest Heart and Stroke’ and ‘Save the Children’, and she ran a most popular annual Christmas Fair from her own home for many years. She was much involved in the initial fundraising for the construction of St Peter’s Parish Church on the Culmore Road and remained church treasurer for a considerable period of time.

Joan married Ronald Simpson and they had a son, Kieran, who attended Foyle and Londonderry College from 1980 until 1987. He was elected Head Boy in his final year. Kieran is currently Global Public Affairs Manager for Heineken and lives in Amsterdam.

Joan died on 30 August 2015. She is survived by Kieran, her brother, Gerald, and sister, Millie. Joan’s funeral service was held in her beloved St Peter’s Church on 2 September 2015.

John Wilson Taggart Jack Taggart was the son of John and Rebecca Taggart of Northland Avenue, Londonderry. Jack entered Foyle College in September 1937 when part of the school was located in Academy Road. His early career was spent in the city accountant’s office. Later he transferred to the Education Office and for a short period was the City Housing Manager, an exceptionally challenging job carried out during extremely

80 difficult times. In 1969 he joined the staff of the then New University of Ulster, based at Magee University College, as the Administrator. In 1983 Jack was promoted to the position of Establishment Officer over the personnel departments of the three university campuses. He retired following the merger of the university with the Ulster Polytechnic.

Jack’s great passion outside of his family and career was his music. This gift had been obvious since his childhood and during his early twenties he became an Associate of the Trinity College of Music in London. This qualification was in the teaching and management of organ music. He was appointed permanent organist of First Derry Presbyterian Church in 1953 and remained in that post for 21 years during which time the church choir included seven members of the famous Loughlin family. There were many sound and television broadcasts at that time and Jack was often invited to conduct at choral festivals. Additionally, he was conductor of the LMS male voice choir which was well known throughout the province. This choir won the challenge cup for advanced male voice choirs in several successive years at the Londonderry Feis. Later Jack became a member of the Feis committee and was also an honorary accompanist.

He played the fine Guildhall organ and performed for various members of the royal family. During the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Year, Jack was awarded a special Queen’s Prize for his contributions to music within the community. However it was not all serious music and some years before, he had formed a singing quartet called ‘The Four Comrades’ a very popular group which gave concerts and broadcasts throughout Northern Ireland.

Jack was a person with a strong community spirit who was both charitable and generous with his time. He was Honorary Chair of Coleraine Multiple Sclerosis Group for eleven years and raised many thousands of pounds in the organisation of concerts and other fundraising events.

He served on the Board of Governors of Foyle and Londonderry College for a period of ten years and was also a member of the Old Boys Association. Additionally, he was a member of the management committee of Groarty Primary School. He was an active Rotarian, initially in Londonderry and later in Coleraine. He was an Elder in First Derry Presbyterian Church and also served as Honorary Secretary of the Congregational Committee.

Jack and his wife, Pearlie, were well travelled and visited many places where their sons, Christopher and Wilson, lived and worked, including Thailand, Singapore, Egypt and Texas. Jack had numerous friends and as is often the case, sadly outlived many of them. He was never short of ‘a few words’ at public and social events. He was, in fact, an excellent public speaker, being both witty and intelligent, and his verbal contributions were well received.

Jack died on 28 July 2015. He is survived by his wife, three children and three grandchildren. His sons, C J Taggart and W D Taggart, are both life members of Foyle College OBA as is his brother-in-law, Mr J C Wilson. His brother-in-law, the late Dr Henry P Swann, was also an old boy of Foyle College. Jack’s wife is a past President of the LHS Old Girls Association and his daughter, Caroline Burns, is a life member of the LHS Old Girls Association. 81

Reminiscences of my friend: LYNNE CHRISTINE HASLETT (née Kerr) 3 June 1953 – 26 February 2015 Insert Photo ‘The life of one we love is never lost. Its influence goes on through all the lives it ever touched’. (K. Ashley)

We first met at the Model Primary school. The Kerr family were English and had spent the previous year in the USA. She was different, already displaying a level of confidence which American schools instil in their pupils. She wore colourful American dresses which contrasted sharply with our own. Producing from her school bag intriguing little parcels wrapped in tissue several times each day. Gosh, lucky girl, all those biscuits. I soon learnt there was a high price to be paid for those biscuits. Lynne had been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes before her third birthday. Those biscuits were not treats but a necessary part of the daily regime she had to follow.

We survived the rigours of P7. There really is no other way to describe that year. For light relief we were permitted needlework once the 11-plus was successfully completed, the knitting of socks with the instructions being called out stitch by dreaded stitch. Lynne had white wool. Her first sock emerged grey and half the size of the second slightly whiter sock. Tension. With great relief we left the Model school in June 1964 and looked forward to starting High School in September. Before 1964 closed the Kerr family was involved in a serious car crash. Lynne’s little sister Shalan died almost immediately and her father Donald spent many months in hospital.

Our lives became more intertwined when we started our O level course in the ‘L’ for literature and languages stream. We each had our academic strengths and evolved a pattern of studying and supporting each other. Our shared passion was for the English language in poetry, literature and most of all the spoken word. Our love of Yeats, and later Heaney, was encouraged by our wonderful English teacher, Fran Overend. We were avid ‘people watchers’. The turns of phrase from teachers and classmates caught our attention. Lynne was a good mimic and I was a receptive audience.

In September 1969 we entered sixth form. We had one A level subject in common – English. Life was fun, in and out of school. For anything that involved treading the boards of a stage we were ready and willing. We acted, debated and sang. Lynne was much in demand for Foyle College (boys school!) drama productions. We were equally happy to watch others on a stage and took every school trip to the Abbey Theatre in Dublin. These involved staying in some ‘interesting’ B&Bs and offered yet more opportunities to listen to my countrymen and women.

A highlight of reaching sixth form was the School Formal. Certain standards of decorum were required and this was supposedly delivered by insisting on ‘formal’ President of the LHS Old Girls Association and his daughter, Caroline Burns, is a life member of the LHS Old Girls Association.

That quotation closed the service in memory of Lynne which took place on 11 March 2015. It is hard to write this because I struggle to accept that she has died. She thwarted death on a number of occasions and‘The I just life expected of one her we to dolove so again.is never lost. Its influence goes on We first met at the Model Primary school.through The Kerr all family the lives were itEnglish ever and had Presidentspent the of previous the LHS year Old inGirls the AssociationUSA. She was and different,his daughter, already Caroline displaying Burns, a islevel a life of memberconfidence of the which LHS OldAmerican Girls Association. schools instil touched.’ in their pupils. She wore colourful American dresses which contrasted sharply with our own. Producing from her school bag intriguing little parcels wrapped in tissue(K. severalAshley) times each day. Gosh, lucky girl, all Reminiscencesthose biscuits. ofI soonmy friend: learnt there LYNNE was CHRISTINEa high price to HASLETT be paid for (née those Kerr) biscuits. Lynne had been diagnosed3 Jun withe 1953 type – 261 diabetesFebruary before 2015 her third birthday. Those biscuits were not treats but a necessaryInsert part Photo of the daily regime she had to follow. ‘The life of one we love is never lost. Its influence goes on through all the lives it ever touched’We survived. (K. Ashley) the rigours of P7. There really is no other way to describe that year. For light relief we were permitted needlework once the 11-plus was successfully Thatcompleted, quotation the closed knitting the serviceof socks in memorywith the ofinst Lynneructions which being took called place onout 11 stitch March by 2015.dreaded It isstitch. hard Lynneto write had this white because wool. I Herstruggle first sockto accept emerged that grey she and has half died. the She size thwartedof the second death on slightly a number whiter of occasions sock. Tension. and I just With expected great herrelief to dowe so left again. the Model school in June 1964 and looked forward to starting High School in September. Before We1964 first closed met theat the Kerr Model family Primary was involved school. inThe a serious Kerr family car crash. were Lynne’s English little and sisterhad spentShalan the died previous almost year immediately in the USA and. Sheher fatherwas different, Donald spent already many displaying months ina levelhospital. of confidence which American schools instil in their pupils. She wore colourful AmericanOur lives dressesbecame which more contrastedintertwined sharply when we with started our own. our OProducing level course from in her the school ‘L’ for bagliterature intriguing and littlelanguages parcels stream. wrapped We in eachtissue had several our academictimes each strengths day. Gosh, and lucky evolved girl, a allpattern those ofbiscuits. studying I andsoon supporting learnt there each was other. a high Our price shared to bepassion paid wasfor thosefor the biscuits. English Lynnelanguage had in been poetry, diagnosed literature with and typemost 1of diabetesall the spoke beforen word. her thirdOur lovebirthday. of Yeats Those, and biscuitslater Heaney were not, was treats encouraged but a necessary by our pwonderfulart of the dailyEnglish regime teacher, she hadFran to Overend. follow. We were avid ‘people watchers’. The turns of phrase from teachers and classmates caught Weour survived attention. the Lynne rigours was of a P7. good There mimic really and is I wasno other a receptive way to audience.describe that year. For light relief we were permitted needlework once the 11-plus was successfully completed,In September the 1969knitting we enteredof socks sixth with form. the Weinst hadructions one Abeing level calledsubject out in commonstitch by – dreadedEnglish. stitch. Life was Lynne fun, had in whiteand out wool. of school. Her first For sock anything emerged that grey involved and half treading the size the ofboards the second of a stage slightly we were whiter ready sock. and Tension.willing. We With acted, great debated relief and we sang. left the Lynne Model was schoolmuch inin June demand 1964 forand Foylelooked College forward (boysto starting school!) High dramaSchool productions. in September. We Before were 1964equally closed happy the toKerr watch family others was oninvolved a stage in and a serious took every car crash. school Lynne’s trip to little the Abbeysister ShalanTheatre died in Dublin.almost immediatelyThese involved and staying her father in someDonald ‘interesting’ spent many B&Bs months and in offered hospital. yet more opportunities to listen to my countrymen and women. Our lives became more intertwined when we started our O level course in the ‘L’ for literatureA highlight and languagesof reaching stream. sixth Weform each was had the our School academic Formal. strengths Certain and standards evolved aof patterndecorum of studyingwere required and supporting and this eachwas supposedlyother. Our shareddelivered passion by insistingwas for theon English‘formal’ language in poetry, literature and most of all the spoken word. Our love of Yeats, and later Heaney, was encouraged by our wonderful English teacher, Fran Overend. We were avid ‘people watchers’. The turns of phrase from teachers and classmates caught our attention. Lynne was a good mimic and I was a receptive audience.

In September 1969 we entered sixth form. We82 had one A level subject in common – English. Life was fun, in and out of school. For anything that involved treading the boards of a stage we were ready and willing. We acted, debated and sang. Lynne was much in demand for Foyle College (boys school!) drama productions. We were equally happy to watch others on a stage and took every school trip to the Abbey Theatre in Dublin. These involved staying in some ‘interesting’ B&Bs and offered yet more opportunities to listen to my countrymen and women.

A highlight of reaching sixth form was the School Formal. Certain standards of decorum were required and this was supposedly delivered by insisting on ‘formal’ dancing for much of the evening, before riotously taking off round the school corridors doing the conga. No easy matter in full length dresses. This being the late 1960s few of us had experience, theoretical or practical, of the waltz, foxtrot etc. It fell to the unfortunate PE teacher to instruct us in these fine arts. Lynne was petite. I was very tall. The night of the Formal arrived. Lynne sailed serenely around the assembly floor in the arms of her ‘beau’. My partner was her next door neighbour who had nobly agreed to come along as an extra. We took to the floor. A few minutes later he politely inquired, ‘Would you mind if I did the man’s part?’ ‘Not at all,’ I replied, ‘but I only know your part, Lynne learnt the other.’ I was duly ‘steered’ around the room.

In our final year we were appointed joint deputy head girls. We were intrigued and amused. Two minds but with a single thought? (The Zancig Code).

Our paths separated in September 1971. We kept in touch with birthday and Christmas cards. Our studies, careers and, in due course, marriage and children kept us apart but as retirement beckoned we made plans and picked up the threads of our friendship. A trip to the National Theatre for my 60th birthday to see a visiting production of Juno and the Paycock by the Abbey Theatre seemed most appropriate. It was undoubtedly a good performance but we decided that we had lost our love of O’Casey and would see something a little lighter next time …

I am blessed to have been Lynne’s friend. Yvonne Mary Smyth (née Hamilton)

Past Presidents of Foyle College Old Boys’ Association

1928 - 29 The Right Hon Sir John Ross Bart 1929 - 30 Alfred Moore Munn BA 1930 - 31 His Honour Judge John Fitzpatrick Cooke KC DL 1931 - 32 Sir Samuel Thompson Irwin CBE BA MB MCh FRCS DLMP 1932 - 33 Major James Sproule Myles MC TD 1933 - 34 Professor Charles Gibson Lowry MD FRCS FRCOG 1934 - 35 John Gallagher Michaels 1935 - 36 The Very Rev James Gilbert Paton MC MA DD 1936 - 37 Sir James McElmunn Wilton MC 1937 - 38 Thomas Carnwath DSO BA MB DSc DPH 1938 - 39 Isaac J Trew Colquhoun BA 1939 - 40 The Right Hon Mr Justice William Lowry 1940 - 41 John Blakeney Gillies LDS 1941 - 42 Thomas Taggart LLD 1942 - 43 His Honour Judge Marcus Dill Begley QC 1943 - 44 The Very Reverend William Corkey MA DD 1944 - 45 Sir William Athlestane Meredith Good KBE 1945 - 46 Robert Foster Dill MA 1946 - 47 Professor Frances James Brown, MS DSc FRCS (Ed) FRCOG 1947 - 48 Sir John Herbert McCutcheon Craig KCVO CB LLD 1948 - 49 Rupert William Jeffares 1949 - 50 Samuel Milligan 1950 - 51 Samuel Russell Foster MC Croix de Guerre MB 1951 - 52 John Foster Caldwell CB QC LLM JP 1952 - 53 The Very Rev Thomas McCurdy Barker MA DD 1953 - 54 The Right Hon Sir David Callender Campbell PC KBE CMG MP 1954 - 55 William Cecil Glover MBE 1955 - 56 Henry Cooke Porter Cresswell 1956 - 57 Sir Robert Gransden CBE 1957 - 58 Charles Wilson BA 1958 - 59 Samuel Maxwell Alexander Lowry 1959 - 60 John Thomas Irwin AMIEE 1960 - 61 William Staveley Ferguson BA 1961 - 62 Major James Alexander Glen CBE ERD MA 1962 - 63 Joseph Boyd Irwin CSI CIE DSO MC BA 1963 - 64 Joseph Charles Eaton DL JP 1964 - 65 Prof Charles Horner Greer McAfee CBE DSc MB FRCS FRCIS & FRCOG 1965 - 66 Samuel Douglas Irons 1966 - 67 The Right Hon Sir Herbert McVeigh Lord Justice of Appeal 1967 - 68 The Very Rev Austin A Fulton MA PhD DD 1968 - 69 Senator John C Drennan CBE HML JP 1969 - 70 The Very Rev Samuel James Park MA DD 1970 - 71 Armour Hamilton Matthews LDS RCS 1971 - 72 Colonel Oswald W Gilmour MA MAI CEng FICE 1972 - 73 The Right Hon Sir Robert Porter QC MP 1973 - 74 The Very Rev William Alexander Albert Park MA DD

84 1974 - 75 David Alan Eccles Roberts MA 1975 - 76 John Alexander Crockett 1976 - 77 James Stewart Connolly MA LLB 1977 - 78 Professor Emeritus ACP Campbell MB ChB FRC Path FRCPE 1978 - 79 Professor J C Goligher MB ChM FRCSE FRCS (Edin) 1979 - 80 J B Mullin BA HDipEd 1980 - 81 Rev R K Greer MA BD 1981 - 82 R N Crawford CBE BCommSc FCA FRSA FBIM 1982 - 83 Real Admiral W J McClune CB MSc MIEE 1983 - 84 J Piggot,MB BCh FRCS 1984 - 85 A E Barbour BSc FBCO 1985 - 86 J Kincade CBE MA BLitt PhD 1986 - 87 D C G Craig BA 1987 - 88 S A Hunter BSc C Eng FIEE 1988 - 89 H W Young OBE MA 1989 - 90 J C Lapsley BSc DLC DASE 1990 - 91 T H Armstrong BA DipEd 1991 - 92 R J Magowan BA, DASE MSc 1992 - 93 Prof S G Carruthers MD FRCPC 1993 - 94 N J Henderson BSc 1994 - 95 J H Y Fergusson 1995 - 96 A G Kennedy BA 1996 - 97 Prof R J McClelland MD PhD FRCPSYCH 1997 - 98 D R Craig B Arch ARIBA DIP TP MRTPI 1998 - 99 The Very Rev D C Orr MA 1999 - 00 E W Hamilton 2000 - 01 J E Bigger MA DASE 2001 - 02 H W Gillespie BA DASE 2002 - 03 A W Roulston CA 2003 - 04 J Cowan BA Dip Ed DASE 2004 - 05 I M Piggot 2005 - 06 J V Arthur BSc (Est Man) FRICS IRRV 2006 - 07 E S Marshall BA FRSA MA LGSM ALCM 2007 - 08 R S Tosh BSc BD PhD 2008 - 09 J A S Kelso BS MS PhD 2009 –10 J A C McFarland BSc C Eng FICE 2010 -11 J S M Huey BA Dip Ed 2011 -12 R C Montgomery MB BCh BAO DMH DHMSA

85 Londonderry High School Old Girls’ Association Founded 1935 Presidents LHS OGA

1935-45 Miss M F McIlroy 1946 Mrs H M Williams 1947 Mrs Killen MA 1948 Mrs E R Gordon 1949 Miss Osborne OBE JP 1950 Mrs H Robinson 1951 Mrs Doreen McConnell BA 1952 Miss M K M Aiken BA BLLB 1953 Mrs John Watson MBE 1954 Mrs B H Lynn FRCS 1955 Mrs B Roe MBE 1956 Dr Elsie Johnston 1957 Mrs S Dowds 1958 Dr Violet Breakey 1959 Mrs N Young 1960 Mrs H J Clarke 1961 Mrs J C Eaton 1962 Miss Grace Armstrong 1963 Mrs Jean L’Amie MA 1964 Marie Loullier OBE MA 1965 Mrs Olive McLaughlin BA 1966 Mrs R R Hunter 1967 Mrs G R Joscelyne 1968 Mrs J G Colhoun 1969 Miss Alice Rowan 1970 Miss E A Park BSc 1971 Mrs Mary Britton 1972 Miss M R Colhoun 1973 Mrs K Gillis 1974 Miss A E Stirling MA 1975 Miss M W Cunningham MA 1976 Miss M Anderson 1977 Mrs E W M Marr 1978 Mrs T R Berry 1979 Mrs M B Seaward 1980 Mrs M B Seaward 1981 Mrs R J Aiken 1982 Mrs J Moore 1983 Mrs J McCandless 1984 Mrs E Clay 1985 Mrs E Finlay 1986 Mrs M Welch 1987 Mrs J W Taggart 1988 Mrs D Stuart 1989 Mrs Gladys Black 1990 Mrs K Stewart

86 1991 Mrs E Whiteside 1992 Mrs Lorna Knox 1993 Mrs W Burns 1994 Miss Anne Wilson 1995 Mrs M Phillips 1996 Miss G Simpson 1997 Mrs R Ramsey 1998 Mrs B Hamilton 1999 Mrs J Y Coskery 2000 Mrs Helen Hilson 2001 Mrs C Corrigan 2002 Mrs J Milliken 2003 Mrs Thelma Arthur 2004 Mrs N Foss 2005 Mrs Molly Kennedy 2006 Mrs Elma McDevitt 2007 Mrs Isabel McNally CBE 2008 Mrs Molly Sutton 2009 Mrs Phyllis Logan 2010 Mrs Ruth Hamilton 2011 Mrs Pamela Jackson 2012 Dr Kanchan McAllister (née Chada)

87 Foyle College Former Pupils’ Association Joint Presidents

2012 – 2013 Dr Kanchan McAllister MB Bch BAO R C Montgomery MB BCh BAO DMH DHMSA 2013 – 2014 Mrs E F Swinson BDS W S F Young MA 2014 – 2015 Mrs P A Black BA W L Cunningham B Agr 2015 – 2016 Miss I A Watson Cert.Ed B Ed J D R Connolly MB BCh FFARCSI

Your Contributions

89 Reminiscences of an Old Foyle Boy More than sixty years have passed since I entered the hallowed portals of Foyle College on Lawrence Hill and although many of my memories are hazy yet many still stand out in my recollections.

I travelled from St Johnston on the bus to the Great Northern Station then walked along Foyle Street, past the Guildhall, through Waterloo Place (with the Golden Teapot) and along the Strand past the RUC Station and Ulsterbus Depot, past the Strand Cinema and the Strand Church to Lawrence Hill. I was accompanied on that walk with Mervyn McClure who had travelled from Convoy, we were the only Foyle boys on that bus at that time although many more came in later years; others from Co Donegal came on the Lough Swilly bus from the Newtoncunningham and Letterkenny areas, Tommy Rankin, Raymond Doherty and Frank Lyttle. That walk from the GNR Station to Lawrence Hill had to be brisk as the bus normally arrived at the GNR Station at about 8.40am and we had to reach Lawrence Hill by 9am. Fortunately there were very few occasions, if any, when we were late.

Many changes have occurred since then especially along Foyle Road; the buildings along the River Foyle have gone, the City Hotel has vanished to another site, new buildings in the form of shopping arcades have been erected; the RUC Station has gone and the Strand Church has closed - tempora mutantur as the Romans would have said.

My first days at Foyle were a shock to the system as I was coming from a small primary school of about 30 pupils to a large secondary school of over 300. I was assigned to Form 1a and knew none of the others in that form although many of them knew each other as they had been at the Model School in Derry. I think that Tommy McBride was elected form captain although it may have been Victor Arbuckle.

I remember having French lessons in Room 14 with Mr Walker, Latin in Room 3 with Mr Mitchell, History with Mr Moe Craig, English with Mr Tom Parker, Mathematics with Mr Nick Smith, Chemistry with Mr Ross, Geography with Mr Mitchell and Art with a lady in the Tech. I was not particularly keen on drawing and the only thing I have been able to draw has been cheques. On a recent visit to the city I was able to go round the building again and little has changed although it is now part of the University of Ulster.

In my first and only year of French I was reasonably successful coming first or second in the class but the comments by Mr Walker on my report card at the yearend were ‘his accent needs improving’. Apropos of that remark I may add that when learning Cantonese in Hong Kong my Chinese teacher, Philip Shiu, said that he thought I was tone deaf. I may also add that in his biography of Sir Henry Lawrence, Sir John Lawrence opined that although both Sir Henry and Lord John were tone deaf they nevertheless became fluent in Urdu and Hindi.

Instead of French I was assigned to the Greek class which was a small class consisting of Victor Mathews, Ken Cushion, Lindsay Montgomery, Fred Dougherty, Graeme McMorris and myself. We were under the tutelage of Mr Ferguson and Mr Mullin (whose chart on the sequence of tenses was invaluable) although on one occasion we had the privilege of the Headmaster, Archie McConnell, who was an eminent Greek

90 scholar. Being in the Greek class we also had the opportunity to study Greek New Testament on a Tuesday morning rather than attend the RI assembly. On one occasion I was fortunate to earn a prize of five pounds as a prize in the Greek New Testament examination (a big sum in those days).

In my early days of studying Latin I raised a huge roar from the other pupils when I had to translate "I am a freeman from a free state" as I was supposedly from the Free State although I had indeed been born in Derry. Mr. Mitchell was not amused. In my first year I had lunch at Upper Foyle although that facility was closed the following year which meant that we had to find alternative places to have lunch, the most probable being Yanarellis further along the Strand Road.

My introduction to classical music was at the Gramophone Club which took place once a week in the library under the aegis of Mr Helliwell and although supposedly tone deaf I now enjoy listening to the classics at least an hour daily.

My first recollection of Rugby was seeing the game between The Old Boys XV against the School XV where Noel Henderson kicked a penalty from the halfway line. I enjoyed the weekly games at Springtown and the house games on a Saturday morning. Later I played some games for the Third XV and after leaving Foyle I was a member of the St Pauli Rugby Club in Hamburg, the Hong Kong Rugby Club, the Nomads Sports Club in Manila and the Montreal Irish in Canada. Thus Rugby gave me the opportunity to make many friends in various countries.

One of my keenest interests was in the Army Cadet Force which I joined in my second year. I had difficulty in the first six months until I learned my left hand from my right. However I learnt many aspects of life that I might not have had I not joined. My five years as a cadet of the Foyle College Platoon, 1st Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers were extremely enjoyable: weapons training, drill, map-reading, camps at weekend at Omagh, summer camps at Ballykinlar and Altcar near Formby in Liverpool. I was pleased to see that a picture of the early members of the ACF is included in the book A View the Foyle Commanding. Also in the last few years I became reacquainted with the work being done by Sandes Homes both in Northern Ireland and England as it was one of the charities supported by my Church of England church in Orpington, Kent. In Sandes Homes in Ballykinlar I had my first taste of Coca Cola, which is a very common drink here in the Philippines but which many blame for the high incidence of diabetes among the population.

In my final year I had the privilege of studying mathematics in George Gillander's class and English Literature with Stewart Connolly. One of my class mates said ‘Why does he have to do A-Level mathematics as he is going into banking’? However, I found that my knowledge of that subject was extremely useful when having to convert pound sterling into Hong Kong dollars at a rate of one Hong Kong Dollar being the equivalent of one shilling and two pence and 29/32 of a penny (1/2 29/32); also a knowledge of calculus is useful to understand the Black/Scholes formulae for pricing derivates.

My activities after school consisted in a variety of pursuits: a walk along the quay with some of my classmates like Victor Mathews (who was a specialist in the ships anchored there) and others like Fred Dougherty, Lindsay Montgomery and Jim Foster,

91 an afternoon in the Strand, City or Rialto cinemas or listening to the jukebox in ‘Yans’ and on Friday afternoons our weekly ACF drill and lectures.

In retrospect I feel that we owe a deep gratitude to all our teachers for the time and effort they spent in our development. My memories may be summarized in a few lines from a poem by WF Marshall the Bard of Tyrone:

‘For while my yesterdays are strangely dim and clouded in recall, The far back things are vivid to my gaze and joyous is my welcome to them all.’ Dick Shannon

Dick Shannon

Conclusion of ‘The Quest for the missing sister school to the Lawrence School, Sanawar’ (detailed in emails sent to William Lynn by Prabhsharan Singh Kang)

This set of 2013 emails has been called by many encouraging names including fascinating and a thriller. The Pakistani Lawrence School had put it on the Internet. I'm sending the set to those who may know or have heard of The Lawrence School at Sanawar – the first of four sister-schools that were set up as the world's first network of co-ed, residential schools. Do read it and then see the pictures through the given link.

In early 19th century India, only the children of British officers in India could go back for schooling while all others, including those of British soldiers, had no chance of a modern education. Career soldier, then administrator, statesman and Major General, Sir Henry Lawrence set his heart on getting permission for space and funds to set up what he called an ‘Asylum’ in India's hills for British soldiers' children, to bring them up away from the heat, diseases and roughness of the cantonments, while imparting an English education. Orphans were admitted on a no-fee basis while others paid fees in proportion to their parents' wages/pensions. He finally set up a school at Sanawar (Simla Hills) in 1847 and seven years later a second one at Mt Abu. Two more schools were set up as memorials to him, in Lovedale and Ghora Gali respectively. The schools quickly became well-known. Sanawar had got the King's colours (the longest retained by any school, anywhere) while both Sanawar and Lovedale were later given the title of ‘Royal Military School’.

Below is a synopsis of three emails that I sent to the Lawrence Schools, who circulated them to thousands of their old students, and to the alumni of the erstwhile Abu Lawrence School.

11 August 2013 Somewhere during our school days in the 1950s, one heard that there had been another Lawrence School, at Mt Abu, but since no-one talked or wrote about it one assumed that one’s betters knew the details. One gathered that all four schools went through a trauma in 1947, two were reinvented in India and the third in Pakistan, in new avatars, but the fourth was shut down.

Two years ago I was asked by the Old Sanawarian Society to expedite production of the ambitious Sanawar Coffee Table Book that was slated for launch at Founder's Day 2011. While wading through masses of data from Sanawar, Lovedale, Ghora Gali and fellow OS, I was shocked to find that none of them ever mentioned more about Mt Abu than that the school was the second one after Sanawar, was started in the 1850s and that Lady Honoria Lawrence died and was buried there in 1854. (Ghora Gali, though, had used an Abu old boy’s personal story taken from the Internet).

The Sanawar book A Legacy Sustained was launched on schedule and immediately became popular, but I was uneasy. How could everything about a Lawrence School just disappear? Nearly two years of frustrating enquiry followed. Sir Henry’s family said they had no records. Sanawar was supportive as were Lovedale and Ghora Gali but what was truly heartening was the immediate support from every OS contacted.

93 The Internet was useful, the National Police Academy that functioned in the school’s campus for sometime after Independence helped, as did its successor, the CRPF’s Internal Security Academy. All contacts were facilitated by OS.

Our UK Chapter helped to follow-up a lead and an OS visited a 1945 batch Abuite in London with a laptop and scanner, getting us our first ever Mt Abu Headmaster’s Annual Report from Founder’s Day 1945 (a copy is now in the Sanawar library). From there we located two other Abuite’s each in UK and Australia respectively, plus a Sindhi ex-neighbour and friend of the Bhuttos of Larkana, Pakistan, who had joined the school in 1947. All have shared memories, photos and descriptions of their days in school.

Abu Lawrence School (ALS for short) was smaller than the other three (capacity for 40 girls and 60 boys, in 11 classes), so there was no government funding. Fees and donations were the only income. Sanawar’s Founder’s Day church service collection was one annual contribution. In 1947 almost everything stopped and the school struggled for survival till 1950 and then gave up. The police rented the premises from a trust based in the church next to the school, as did the CRPF’s ISA. In 1979 the campus was finally sold to the ISA. Google maps shows the ISA while St Saviour’s church is incorrectly named Lawrence School.

Investigations and research are targeted for completion by October. Information is trickling in now as more people find out about the quest, hence this letter. Everyone seems to know something or knows someone else who knows something about ALS. Hopefully, the data inflow will become a flood. As I reminded Sanawar, the senior- most Lawrence school has to take the responsibility to collate and store this data. The work is pro-bono but we will record everything in a final document.

In October I'm scheduled to go to Mt Abu as guest of the IS Academy, to record all that still exists and conclude the quest. With the past OS support and what I hope will come in now, we should be able to compile a decent history of ALS. It’s a quest as good as any and, I believe, ideal for every Sanawarian to help with. Answering questions just yet is difficult, the final document should do the needful. Till then, please write to me with leads and information that you may find.

The Abuites are naturally happy with our efforts and one’s self-satisfaction is its own reward. Of course, like the other three schools, ALS has the Lawrence crest and Sir Henry's never give in.

15 August 2013 I had sent the above email to all OS on Sanawarnet, four days ago. Around then, I started checking with an acquaintance in Jaipur who was a Church of North India member, the son of an Indian Police Service officer and had the same surname (Singha) as the police officer who signed the Sale Deed for Abu Lawrence School in 1975. By an amazing co-incidence he turned out to be the son of that same IPS officer and had some ALS papers that belonged to his late father. I asked how I could see these, so he offered to bring them to Delhi with him on August 14 (yesterday). We met at the American Chamber of Commerce in India office and I spent three hours going through five books:

94 1 Visitors' Book recording comments by official visitors to the school from October 1855 to August 1938. It also includes the Admission Roll of all students admitted from January 1854 to August 1916. 2 Committee Proceedings (Vol. 3) 1876-96. 3 Official Correspondence with PWD and other government departments 1863-81. 4 Annual School Reports 1865-6 to 1904-5. (I had the attached School Plan dated 1866 scanned from this). 5 Annual School Reports 1936-7 to 1945-6.

Mr. Singha collects old artefacts. I told him that I did a history book for Sanawar and am doing research for a book on the sister school, Abu Lawrence School. As such I was planning to visit the campus and would like to use references from his collection. We agreed that I could photocopy the books at his office in Delhi for my work and gift a copy to Sanawar's museum for posterity.

29 October 2013 The long-planned visit to Mt. Abu of 11 – 15 October 2013 achieved more than everything I had hoped for and concludes the long, meandering and full-of-surprises ‘Quest’. The Abu Lawrence School is not missing any more. It may not have remained a school like the three others, but everything else is intact: campus, buildings, proud and sentimental ex-students, documents on it's history, its nearby church (predated the school but was rebuilt and enlarged to accommodate the schoolchildren), Sir Henry's memorials, his office and residence as the Governor- General's Agent to Rajpootana and the biggest surprise of all, records of Lady Honoria's death and burial, plus her actual grave.

So many people and offices have pieces that fit the ‘information’ jigsaw puzzle and all, without exception, are eager to know more than just their personal link. The pieces have now been collected, the final picture is apparent and they can be fitted in to their places with necessary explanatory texts. The content is enough for many articles and at least one book and one film.

Without listing individual names, acknowledgements for assistance are necessary to fellow Lawrence alumni, Sanawarian, Lawrencian, Gallian and most of all the Abuites in UK, Australia, and the first student after India's Independence in 1947; the Lawrence Schools at Sanawar, Lovedale, Ghora Gali and the Internal Security Academy at Mt Abu; several officers of the Indian Police Service; the pastor and parish of St Saviour church; the family of the late trustee of the school; officials, families of ex-officials and the encouraging residents of Mt Abu. This time with the name, I am indebted to my wife, Bina, who was always beside me to sort documents and emails, store the information and then accompany me to Mt Abu, while also taking photographs.

As a visual sampler of the school and related documents, below is a link to pictures, four folders from Mt Abu and the fifth from the Visitors' Book in Jaipur. (Abuites will separately receive pictures of the campus including what were their dormitories, classrooms, dining rooms, gymnasium, hospital, surroundings, etc.) (Link no longer working, will replace).

95 Timeline for the Abu Lawrence School January 1853: Sir Henry Lawrence appointed Agent to the Governor-General for Rajpootana. 15 January 1854: Death of Lady Honoria in Mt Abu. 13 December 1854: Abu Asylum and School opened with seven children (four girls and three boys) of British soldiers. March-April 1855: Another 11 children admitted, strength grew to 60 in 10 years under Headmaster A Wolfe (eventually expanded to 100 students). 1858: British Government set up a managing committee, the year after Sir Henry's death at Lucknow. 1859: School main building completed. Mid-1860s: School in high demand for admissions but constrained in space because of its central location. August 1947: First child of non-British parentage admitted. 1948: Drastic depletion in school strength, governing ‘trust’ set up. December 1950: School closed, Central Police Training College rented campus. February 1975: Police Academy moved to Hyderabad. Central Reserve Police Force bought campus to establish the Internal Security Academy.

Prabhsharan Singh Kang

Memorial Tablet to Henry Lawrence in Calcutta Anglican Cathedral

Foyle College - School Chapel 1872-7 The Rev W Percy Robinson MA DD who was Headmaster of Foyle from 1866 to 1873 wished to mould Foyle on the lines of an English public school. As a chapel was an essential part of such a school, Dr Robinson was anxious that Foyle too should have its chapel. He therefore had a room constructed at the back of the Lawrence Hill building with a gallery above for school servants and an alcove for an organ. The chapel was dedicated to St Patrick and was in use for public worship from 1872 until his departure in 1873. He was followed by the Rev Benjamin Moffett MA who served from 1873 until 1876 and it was during his period as headmaster that a major calamity befell the chapel.

The article below has been submitted by Jim Heasley, former Head of History at the school.

Fire at Foyle College Chapel By the time the engine from the West of England Fire Insurance Company arrived some gentlemen had already extinguished the fire which broke out around seven o’clock that Wednesday evening of 11 February 1874. Next day the Londonderry Sentinel Foylereported College that the -c hapelSchool organ Chapel and communion 1872-7 plate had been destroyed in the blazeThe which Rev seemingly W Percy hadRobinson begun inMA the DD heating who apparatus.was Headmaster The c hapelof Foyle however from 1866 to continued1873 in use wished for ato few mould more Foyle years on and the lodged lines of in an the English archive publ of icFoyle school. College As a chapel today arewas a number an essential of books part associatedof such a school, with the Dr servi Robinsonces held was there anxious up to that 1876. Foyle The too should archivistshave are pleasedits chapel. to have He therefore discover edhad recently a room thatconstructed the table at which the back was of part the ofLawrence the Hill chapel furniture,building and with formerly a gallery stood above in the for staff school entrance servants at Lawrence and an al Hill,cove nowfor anstands organ. The in the frontchapel hall wasat Springtown. dedicated to ASt small Patrick brass and plate was inattached use for to public the table worship supports from its 1872 until origin withhis this departure inscription: in 1873. He was followed by the Rev Benjamin Moffett MA who THIS TABLE BELONGED TO served from 1873THE until CHAPEL 1876 and OF FOYLEit was during COLLEGE his period as headmaster that a major calamity befell the chapel. 1872 -7

The article below has been submitted by Jim Heasley, former Head of History at the Some of theschool. archive material connected with the chapel at Foyle College The prayer book of course is from the time of a United Anglican Church Fire at Foyle College Chapel By the time the engine from the West of England Fire Insurance Company arrived The Revsome William gentleme Percyn hadRobinson already was extinguished a keen musician the fire andwhich had broke been outstrongly around seven involved o’clockin choral that work Wednesday when Headmaster evening inof Sligo11 February before coming 1874. toNext Foyle day College the Londonderry in 1866. GivenSentinel his passionreported for that music the candhapel his organ aim toand make communion Foyle something plate had of been a public destroyed in school it theis notblaze surprising which seemingly that he had had built begun on toin the collegeheating aapparatus. chapel complete The chapel with however gallery andcontinued an alcove in usefor forthe aorgan. few more According years and to noteslodged in inthe the school archive archive of Foyle the College foundationtoday stone are for a numberthe chapel of wasbooks laid associated in May 1871 with and the theservi building,ces held dedicated there up to 1876.St The Patrick, archivistswas licensed are pleasedfor public to have worship discover on ed30 recently April thatof the the followtable whiching year. was partIt of the remainedchapel in use furniture, during the and rest formerly of Rev stoodRobin inson’s the staffheadship entrance and alsoat Lawrence during the Hill, time now stands of his successorin the front Rev hallBenjamin at Springtown. Moffett who A small left in brass December plate attached 1876. Not to the only table was supports it its used for prayersorigin with at 7.45 this ininscription: the morning and at 9 in the evening but it was certainly on one occasion used for a service of ordination.THIS TABLE A BELONGEDreport in the TO Londonderry Sentinel shows that on Sunday 8 June 1873THE CHAPELthe Bishop OF FOYLE of Derry, COLLEGE the Rt Rev William Alexander, held a service in Foyle College Chapel1872 where -7 over 18 men were ordained into the Church of Ireland, among them Mr Gaul who was then an assistant master at the college. Some of the archive material connected with the chapel at Foyle College The prayer book of course is from the time of a United Anglican Church

97 The Rev William Percy Robinson was a keen musician and had been strongly involved in choral work when Headmaster in Sligo before coming to Foyle College in 1866. Given his passion for music and his aim to make Foyle something of a public school it is not surprising that he had built on to the college a chapel complete with gallery and an alcove for the organ. According to notes in the school archive the foundation stone for the chapel was laid in May 1871 and the building, dedicated to St Patrick, was licensed for public worship on 30 April of the following year. It remained in use during the rest of Rev Robinson’s headship and also during the time of his successor Rev Benjamin Moffett who left in December 1876. Not only was it used for prayers at 7.45 in the morning and at 9 in the evening but it was certainly on one occasion used for a service of ordination. A report in the Londonderry Sentinel shows that on Sunday 8 June 1873 the Bishop of Derry, the Rt Rev William Alexander, held a service in Foyle College Chapel where over 18 men were ordained into the Church of Ireland, among them Mr Gaul who was then an assistant master at the college.

The article below has been submitted by Jim Heasley, former Head of History at the school.

Some of the archive material connected with the chapel at Foyle College The prayer book of course is from the time of a United Anglican Church

The Rev William Percy Robinson was a keen musician and had been strongly involved in choral work when Headmaster in Sligo before coming to Foyle College in 1866. Given his passion for music and his aim to make Foyle something of a public school it is not surprising that he had built on to the college a chapel complete with gallery and an alcove for the organ. According to notes in the school archive the foundation stone for the chapel was laid in May 1871 and the building, dedicated to St Patrick, was licensed for public worship on 30 April of the following year. It remained in use during the rest of Rev Robinson’s headship and also during the time of his successor Rev Benjamin Moffett who left in December 1876. Not only was it used for prayers at 7.45 in the morning and at 9 in the evening but it was certainly on one occasion used for a service of ordination. A report in the Londonderry Sentinel shows that on Sunday 8 June 1873 the Bishop of Derry, the Rt Rev William Alexander, held a service in Foyle College Chapel where over 18 men were ordained into the Church of Ireland, among them Mr Gaul who was then an assistant master at the college.

The location of the chapel can be seen on this map of 1873

In April 1869 within a few years of becoming headmaster of Foyle College the Rev Robinson had the pleasant duty of welcoming an important visitor to the school. Resplendent in academic regalia along with other masters he stood at the entrance to the college to greet Prince Arthur, the third son of Queen Victoria. While the practicalities of this royal visit around the school and its dormitories were no doubt on his mind other more serious matters pressed on him, challenging his vision of education. The Londonderry Academical Institution, a school where the Presbyterian influence was very strong, had recently been established in the city and it was soon to prove a formidable rival for Foyle. Perhaps his greatest concern though would have been the Irish Church Bill, then passing through parliament. When passed in 1869 this measure would disestablish the Anglican Church in Ireland to which he was so devoted and have implications for the management of Foyle College. The Foyle College Act of I874 illustrated this change in that diocesan control was now much diminished and it was no coincidence that the Rev Robinson left Foyle before its implementation, taking up the post of Warden at Glenalmond School in Scotland. His departure from Foyle, which he much r98egretted, marked the demise of diocesan influence and in many ways can be considered a turning point in the history of the school. Although his successor Moffett was also in Holy Orders it was only a matter of a few years before Foyle had Hime as its lay Headmaster and though Robinson never lived to see it the amalgamation with the Academical Institution in 1896 ended his great vision for Foyle.

Maurice Hime, the layman who succeeded the Rev Moffett in 1877, felt it necessary some time later to explain in the school magazine what eventually happened to the chapel. As a layman he could not officiate in the chapel and as none of the masters at Foyle were in Holy Orders discussions were held as to its future use. It appears that Hime and the Bishop of Derry had hoped that the room might be used as a diocesan

The current archive at Foyle College holds a Foyle Chapel Bible dated 1872 as well as a Chapel Report Book and Chapel Register for the year 1876 although it is believed that records began as early as August 1874. While the register simply records the name of the reader at morning and evening prayers and indicates that the collections taken were placed into the organ fund it is the report book which gives much more detail about the chapel services. Not only are the numbers of those attending the morning and evening prayers given but also the names of boys who were late and those who were absent. Mrs Crossle, the college matron, was in regular attendance along with the college music master though there were never more than eight or ten boys present on average. There were times when no services were held, the reason being ‘no boys in the house’, explained by the fact that the vacation had begun or the boys were attending the cathedral, such as on Good Friday 14 April 1876. Occasionally the boys went to St Augustine’s for evening prayers and for reasons that are unknown sometimes morning prayers were held in the dining hall. Inserted into the records at the end of each term and half term were the Latin words ‘Laus Deo’. a sentimentThe current no archive doubt echoedat Foyle today College by all holds teachers a Foyle thankful Chapel at theBible beginning dated 1872 of a asschool well holiday.as a Chapel Report Book and Chapel Register for the year 1876 although it is believed that records began as early as August 1874. While the register simply records the name of the reader at morning and evening prayers and indicates that the collections Thetaken locat wereion ofplaced the chapel into canthe be organ seen onfund this itmap is ofthe 1873 report book which gives much more detail about the chapel services. Not only are the numbers of those attending the Inmorning April 1869and eveningwithin aprayers few years given of becomibut alsong the headmaster names of of boys Foyle who College were latethe Revand Robinsonthose who hadwere the abse pleasantnt. Mrs duty Crossle, of welcoming the college an m importantatron, was visitorin regular to theattendance school. Resplendentalong with the in collegeacademic music regalia master along tho withugh otherthere masterswere never he stood more atthan the eightentrance or ten to theboys c ollegepresent toon greetaverage. Prince There Arthur, were thetimes third when son no of services Queen wereVictoria. held, Whilethe reason the practicalitiesbeing ‘no boys of inthis the royal house’, visit explained around the by school the fact and that its thedormitories vacation werehad begunno doubt or theon hisboys mind were other atten moreding seriousthe cathedral, matters suchpressed as onon him,Good challenging Friday 14 hisApril vision 1876. of education.Occasionally The the Londonderry boys went to Academical St Augustine’s Institution, for evening a school prayers where and the for Presbyterianreasons that influenceare unknown was sometimesvery strong, morning had recently prayers been were established held in the in thedining city hall.and it Inserted was soon into to provethe records a formidable at the end rival of eaforch Foyle. term and Perhaps half term his greatestwere the concern Latin words though ‘Laus would Deo’. have a beensentiment the Irish no doubt Church echoed Bill, todaythen passingby all teachers through thankful parliament. at the Whenbeginning passed of ain school 1869 thisholiday. measure would disestablish the Anglican Church in Ireland to which he was so devoted and have implications for the management of Foyle College. The Foyle College Act of I874 illustrated this change in that diocesan control was now much diminishedThe location ofand the itchapel was canno becoincidence seen on this mapthat ofthe 1873 Rev Robinson left Foyle before its implementation, taking up the post of Warden at Glenalmond School in Scotland. His departureIn April 1869 from within Foyle, a fewwhich years he ofmuch becomi regretted,ng headmaster marked ofthe Foyle demise College of d theiocesan Rev influenceRobinson andhad inthe many pleasant ways duty can beof consideredwelcoming aan turning important point visitor in the tohistory the school. of the school.Resplendent Although in academic his successor regalia Moffett along with was otheralso inmasters Holy Ordershe stood it wasat the only entrance a matter to ofthe a cfewollege years to beforegreet PrinceFoyle hadArthur, Hime the as thirdits lay son Headmaster of Queen and Victoria. though WhileRobinson the neverpracticalities lived to of see this it royalthe amalgamation visit around thewith school the Academical and its dormitories Institution were in no1896 doubt ended on his greatmind vision other for more Foyle. serious matters pressed on him, challenging his vision of education. The Londonderry Academical Institution, a school where the Presbyterian Mauriceinfluence Hime, was very the strong,layman had who recently succeeded been the established Rev Moffett in the in city1877, and felt it itwas necessary soon to someprove timea formidable later to explainrival for in Foyle. the school Perhaps magazine his greatest what concerneventually though happened would to have the chapel.been the As Irish a layman Church he Bill, could then not passingofficiate through in the chapel parliament. and as Whennone of passed the masters in 1869 at Foylethis measure were in would Holy Ordersdisestablish discussions the Anglican were held Church as to in its Ireland future touse. which It appears he was that so Himedevoted and and the haveBishop implications of Derry had for hoped the management that the room of might Foyle be College. used as Thea diocesa Foylen College Act of I874 illustrated this change in that diocesan control was now much diminished and it was no coincidence that the Rev Robinson left Foyle before its implementation, taking up the post of Warden at Glenalmond School in Scotland. His departure from Foyle, which he much regretted, marked the demise of diocesan influence and in many ways can be considered a turning point in the history of the school. Although his successor Moffett was also in Holy Orders it was only a matter of a few yearsRev. before William Foyle Percy had Robinson Hime as its layRev. Headmaster Benjamin Moffett and though Robinson never lived to see Headmaster it the amalgamation of Foyle College with the Headmaster Academical of Foyle Institution College in 1896 ended 1866 - 1874 1874 - 1876 his great vision for Foyle.

That might seem to be the end of the story but perhaps the final word rests with the old boys. In 1914 in the school magazine one of them wrote this intriguing account of his time at the school some 40 years earlier:

I remember well when the organ was set up in the large school room; it had two manuals and was a very good instrument, though not a new one. The Headmaster was very musical and played well, as also did one of the masters, Mr Gaul, afterwards Bishop of Mashonaland. Often when he had a boy in detention he used to make99 him come and blow the organ, instead of doing so many lines. We preferred the lines. Sometimes he would play all evening into the wee small hours of the morning, and as the noise disturbed the boarders, they held a council of war as to the best way of preventing it. Lots were drawn and it fell to three boys to go down in the middle of the night and rip up the bellows. This they did so effectively that for some time the organ was silent, but as a result one boy was expelled. Soon afterwards the chapel was completed and the organ repaired and moved to it. But the boys had a dead set on that instrument, and one night the chapel and organ were burnt out. It was reported that the stove used for heating purposes had become overheated and set fire to the place, but I am afraid that was hardly the case. I do not remember the names of all the boys who had a part in these deeds, but some have since died and some are filling very high appointments under the king.

In researching this story use was made of reports from the Londonderry Sentinel held on microfilm in the Central Library as well as the archive material now gathered in the college and in drawing attention to the latter I must acknowledge the research work done earlier by others. It was a short piece about the college chapel written for the school magazine in 1948 by the late W S Ferguson which first caught my interest and his notes proved most useful. Together with the late Alan Roberts he had amassed a considerable amount of material about Foyle and also contributed often to its magazine.

A great deal of gratitude is owed to these men, and also to the archivists currently at work in the college, for their meticulous and patient labours in the custody of material which proved so valuable in the production of an illustrated history of the school, A View the Foyle Commanding, which was published in 2013.

The structure of the old chapel is now marked by the addition of a modern fire escape!

Note: When the chapel closed the pulpit and table were donated to Desertegney Parish Church, Inishowen. The church was deconsecrated in 1972 and is now in a state of ruin. library but instead it was deconsecrated and converted into a schoolroom and later as a gymnasium.

I remember well when the organ was set up in the large school room; it had two manuals and was a very good instrument, though not a new one. The Headmaster was very musical and played well, as also did one of the masters, Mr Gaul, afterwards Bishop of Mashonaland. Often when he had a boy in detention he used to make him come and blow the organ, instead of doing so many lines. We preferred the lines. Sometimes he would play all evening into the wee small hours of the morning, and as the noise disturbed the boarders, they held a council of war as to the best way of preventing it. Lots were drawn and it fell to three boys to go down in the middle of the night and rip up the bellows. This they did so effectively that for some time the organ was silent, but as a result one boy was expelled. Soon afterwards the chapel was completed and the organ repaired and moved to it. But the boys had a dead set on that instrument, and one night the chapel and organ were burnt out. It was reported that the stove used for heating purposes had become overheated and set fire to the place, but I am afraid that was hardly the case. I do not remember the names of all the boys who had a part in these deeds, but some have since died and some are filling very high appointments under the king.

The structure of the old chapel is now marked by the addition of a modern fire escape!

Note: When the chapel closed the pulpit and table were donated to Desertegney Parish Church, Inishowen. The church was deconsecrated in 1972 and is now in a state of ruin.

100 From the Archive

Notes on Progress Research into the history of the school is ongoing and we are pleased that the Former Pupils website now displays a list of some of the contents currently held in the archive and which you may find interesting. Further information will shortly be added. The work of uncovering and cataloguing this comprehensive collection continues with the archive team in school each Tuesday morning, and visitors are welcome by appointment. Arrangements may be made by contacting the school and speaking to Mrs Jenny Galbraith, Principal’s PA.

Dr Robert Montgomery and Mr Ken Gamble have been joined by Mr Sean McMahon who edited A View the Foyle Commanding and has stayed to contribute much valuable information and assistance to their endeavours.

Visitors to the Archive in 2015 have included:-

Mr Peter Watkins, Master of the Merchant Taylors’ Company Rear Admiral Nick Harris, Clerk of the Merchant Taylors’ Company Dr Brian Reid Dr Fionnuala C Williams Mrs Margaret Llewellyn OBE Dr Sean Beattie Mr James Tait Huston Mr Ken McCormack Mrs Isabel McNally CBE Dr Kanchan McAllister née Chada Dr Victor Ward Mr Jack Magill

The archivists have also been pleased to welcome some of the present day History classes with their teachers and hope to be able to provide valuable resources for future use in classes.

The visit of Mrs Margaret Llewellyn OBE and friend with Robin Young, Chair of Governors

101 10 Rossdowney Road, L’Derry. BT47 6NS

Tel: (028) 7134 3434 Web: www.nichedrinks.com

102 The Girl who attended Victoria High School In the list of visitors to the Archive in 2015 you will see the name of James Tait Huston. Mr Huston contacted the school in October 2015 to enquire if there would be pupil records from around the late 1890s to the early 1900s. He had traced family on the census of that time which indicated that they were attending Victoria High School.

Mr Huston was invited to come into the Archive and was pleased to find that it did indeed have the information he sought which confirmed that his greataunt, Dr Martha Jane Moody Stewart, was one of three sisters who attended the school. Registers show that Martha attended VHS from 1897 until 1901, that Maud entered in 1900 and Dorothy in 1912. Mr Huston contributed the article below based on his research into the life of his greataunt who went on to distinguish herself in the field of medicine during and after the First World War.

NOTES ON DR MARTHA STEWART WEBB 5 February 1884 – 20 October 1965 In May 1916, Dr Louise Aldrich-Blake, Surgeon at the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Hospital and Dean of the London School of Medicine for Women, approached all the women on the Medical Register asking them to say if they would be willing to serve with the Royal Army Medical Corps. From the replies received, 48 lady doctors were enrolled. The first 22 medical women embarked for Malta on 2 August 1916; another 16 lady doctors embarked on the hospital ship HS Gloucester Castle on 12 August 1916.

The Director General Army Medical Services, Sir Alfred Keogh, was responsible for employing medical women and for dealing with illness among them. Women doctors, also referred to as lady doctors, were classed as civilian surgeons attached to the RAMC. Women serving as fulltime doctors in the army and doing precisely the same work as their male colleagues had neither military rank nor status, but received the same pay, rations, travelling allowances and gratuity as temporary commissioned male officers of the Royal Army Medical Corps. A uniform was not introduced until after April 1918. This was similar in appearance to that worn by the Queen Mary’s Auxiliary Army Corps (QMAAC) but with an RAMC badge on both lapels.

In October 1916, on hearing from the War Office that fifty more medical women were needed for service with the RAMC in English hospitals, Aldrich-Blake again negotiated with all the women who had qualified in the preceding ten years, and secured the requisite number in a very short time. On 20 October 1916 eleven medical women embarked on HS Britannic for Malta.

The casualties from operations in Gallipoli (25 April 1915 – 9 January 1916) and Salonica (October 1915 – 30 September 1918), were initially treated in Malta and Egypt, but in 1917, submarine attacks on hospital ships made it unsafe to evacuate from Salonica and five general hospitals, Nos 61, 62, 63, 64 and 65, mobilized in Malta for service in Salonica to which the medical women were attached.

Between August 1916 and July 1917, 82 lady doctors served in war hospitals in Malta. They worked alongside their RAMC colleagues and carried out all but administrative duties. Their assistance was very highly appreciated. Their work was recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours list of June 1918 when Dr Barbara Martin Cunningham MB ChB Military Hospital Mtarfa, Mrs Katharine Rosebery Drinkwater

103 MB BS, in charge of Military Families Staff and Department Malta and Miss May Thorne MD, in charge of Sisters’ Hospital and Staff Department Malta, were awarded the Order of the British Empire for services rendered during the war.

Service Record – Martha Jane Moody Stewart Dr Martha Jane Moody Stewart was the third daughter of Mr W J Stewart and Mrs Stewart of the Manor House, Castlefin, Co Donegal, Ireland. After taking a BSc degree at the College of Science in Dublin, she went to Queen’s University, Belfast, and graduated MB BCh at a special war examination in December 1914. She also became a Bachelor of Obstetrics (BAO). Dr Martha J M Stewart held the post of House Surgeon at the Birmingham Maternity Hospital and Worcester General Infirmary. The Medical Directory of 1923 lists her address as Laurel Hill, Castlefin, County Donegal.

1 April 1915 Joined Mrs St Clair Stobart’s tented hospital in Kragujevatz, Serbia, under the auspices of the Serbian Relief Fund. Dr Martha J M Stewart was in charge of a surgery in the country until recalled to Kragujevatz in October 1915, when the country was overrun by German and Austrian troops. The hospital was evacuated at the end of October. The unit retreated over the border of Montenegro and Albania with part of the Serbian Army and other doctors and nurses, eventually arriving back in London on 23 December.

The Serbian Relief Fund (SRF) maintained in Serbia five complete hospital units – Lady Paget’s, Cornelia Lady Wimborne’s, Mrs Stobart’s, the First and Second British Farmer’s Hospitals. The last three were mobile units specially organised and equipped to deal with either wounded soldiers or infectious diseases like typhus. In addition, the SRF sent nurses to Mrs Hardy’s Hospital at Kragujevatz, and a contingent of nurses to the typhus colony formed by Lady Paget at Skopje.

Dr Martha J M Stewart was awarded the Order of St Sava by the King of the Serbs, Croats and Slovenes for her work in Serbia.

July 1916 Contracted to work for twelve months as a civilian surgeon attached to the RAMC her salary was 24 shillings a day including allowances, but excluding duty transport. A gratuity of £60 was awarded at the end of the contract provided employment was not terminated for misconduct. Most of the medical women were invited to renew their contracts at the expiry of their first year’s work.

12 August Embarked from Southampton for Malta on the hospital ship HS Gloucester Castle as part of the Women’s Medical Unit RAMC.

1 June 1917 – 31 August 1918 Served at Salonica. Relinquished her contract on 31 August. After the war Dr Martha J M Stewart had a practice in London for a short time but soon married Dr Webb and settled at 47 Garden Road, Orchards, Johannesburg. She had two daughters. When her husband became Assistant General Manager of the Standard Bank in Pretoria they went to live there and on his retirement returned to Johannesburg.

104 20 October 1965 Dr Martha J M Stewart-Webb died in hospital in Johannesburg aged 82 years. She had been a skilful and sympathetic doctor and a highly respected citizen of Johannesburg. She left a husband and two daughters, both married.

Her Obituary Notice as printed in the British Medical Journal of 18 December 1965 is displayed below.

105 Rugby Caps Among the items in the school archive we have an important collection of rugby caps which have been presented to the school by their owners over the past century. Most of them are in good order, indeed one or two could be described as pristine. A few were rather threadbare but have now been repaired and restored to their former glory. They form a rather attractive display and we hope to have them on permanent view in their own cabinet when the school moves next year to the Limavady Road. We have photographed them and two of the images are highlighted in this short article.

The oldest cap is the one which is first left in the front row. It is a Londonderry Academical Institution (LAI) cap, dated 1890-1 and was presented by its owner Rupert W Jeffares when he became President of the Old Boys Association (OBA) in 1959-60. It was the school custom to award two and sometimes three honour caps voted for by the 1st XV each year, a practice which continued till 1939. Rupert Jeffares, a Dubliner, was a boarder at the Academy and was highly regarded by both staff and pupils. On moving back home to Dublin, he joined Lansdowne RFC and became in turn its captain, secretary and president. In the seasons 1907-9 he was an international rugby referee. He was appointed assistant secretary of the IRFU 1910- 25 and finally secretary in 25 until retirement in 1951.

The third LAI cap (1894-5) third from the left in the front row, was donated by Samuel Thompson Irwin. He was captain of both rugby and cricket in the last two years of the existence of the Adacemy as a separate school. He played rugby for Ulster Schools and the Ulster Senior Team and won nine Irish caps between 1900 and 1903. He was president of the Ulster Branch of the IRFU in 1907-8 and also president of the IRFU in 1935-6. He represented Queen’s University as MP at Stormont 1948-1961 and was knighted in 1957. He was elected president of the Old Boys Association in 1931-2.

The two Foyle College honour caps 1907-8 and 1908-9, on the left of the photograph were gifted in 1947 by Captain H P Williams MC. Captain Williams was one of four brothers who had volunteered for service in World War I and he was the only survivor. All four had been keen sportsmen and rugby players before the war. Captain C B Williams, Captain E J Williams and Lieutenant J A Williams were killed in action. The 1907-8 cap was gained by Captain H P Williams and the other in the following season by Captain E J Williams.

Oldest Cap 1890-91 Collection of Caps in School Archive

106 Perhaps the most important, and rare, cap in the collection was presented to the school in 1947 by Major J Sproule Myles MC TD, from Ballyshannon. He too was a boarder at LAI in the 1890s, leaving in 1895. Major Myles has been a generous benefactor to the school but the item we treasure most is, I think, the Irish International Rugby Cap which was awarded to him as a member of the first Irish touring XV which toured Canada in September and October 1899. Only 17 players made this tour so I assume the cap is one of the 17. I wonder where the other 16 are today. Unfortunately he suffered a broken leg in the very first game in Canada, an event which ended his international career. Myles enlisted in the 11th Royal Inniskillen Fusiliers at the beginning of the Great War, won the MC at the Somme and was promoted to major. After returning home he represented Donegal in the Irish Parliament for 20 years 1923-43. He was elected President of the Old Boys Association for the year 1932-3.

The 1910 Irish Cap was presented to the school by its proud owner, Alexander Roulston Foster. He captained Foyle 1st XV in 1906-7, then Queen’s University and Ulster before gaining his international cap in 1910. Between 1910 and 1921 he played for Ireland on 17 occasions, captaining the team thrice. He returned as a player in 1921 and within a year was appointed as an Irish selector. He was elected president of the Ulster Branch of the IRFU for the season 1925-6. After a distinguishedPerhaps the most academic important, caree andr at rare,Queen’s, cap in Alex the collectiontaught as Foylewas presented College andto the Glasgow school Highin 1947 School by Major before J Sproulehis appointment Myles MC as TD,headmaster from Ballyshannon. of Belfast Royal He Academytoo was a boarderin 1923 at theLAI age in theof 33. 1890s, leaving in 1895. Major Myles has been a generous benefactor to the school but the item we treasure most is, I think, the Irish International Rugby Cap Thewhich third was Irish awarded cap was to presentedhim as a tomember the school of the by firstNorman Irish G touring Ross who XV was which captain toured of FoyleCanada 1 stin XV September in 1920 -and1 and October also played 1899. for Only the 17Ulster players Schools made XV this in tour the so same I assume year. Afterthe cap winning is one ofhis the Irish 17 .cap I wonderis 1927 where he emigrated the other to 16 Australia are today. where Unfortunately he became he a successfulsuffered a sheepbroken farmer. leg in the very first game in Canada, an event which ended his th international career. Myles enlisted in the 11 Royal Inniskillen Fusiliers at the Ifbeginning you know of theof any Great other War, honour won thecaps MC which at the would Somme enhance and was our promoted present collection, to major. wAftere would returning be delighted home heto hearrepresented from you. Donegal in the Irish Parliament for 20 years Ken1923 Gamble-43. He was elected President of the Old Boys Association for the year 1932-3. Foyle College 1950-7 The 1910 Irish Cap was presented to the school by its proud owner, Alexander Roulston Foster. He captained Foyle 1st XV in 1906-7, then Queen’s University and Ulster before gaining his international cap in 1910. Between 1910 and 1921 he played for Ireland on 17 occasions, captaining the team thrice.N.G. HeRoss returned as a playerA. R. inFoster 1921 and within a year was appointed as an Irish selector. He was elected president of the Ulster Branch of the IRFU for the season 1925-6. After a distinguished academic career at Queen’s, Alex taught as Foyle College and Glasgow High School before his appointment as headmaster of Belfast Royal Academy in 1923 at the age of 33.

The third Irish cap was presented to the school by Norman G Ross who was captain of Foyle 1st XV in 1920-1 and also played for the Ulster SchoolsMajor J.XV Sproule in the sameMyles year. After winning his Irish cap is 1927 he emigrated to Australia where he became a successful sheep farmer.

If you know of any other honour caps which would enhance our present collection, we would be delighted to hear from you. Ken Gamble Foyle College 1950-7

107 BABINGTON & CROASDAILE S O L I C I T O R S

For All Your Legal Requirements

9 LIMAVADY ROAD, LONDONDERRY Tel: (028) 7131 0600 Fax: (028) 7134 5785

23 NEW ROW, COLERAINE Tel: (028) 7034 2007 Fax: (028) 7034 4277

108 109 FOYLE COLLEGE FORMER PUPILS’ MAGAZINE PRINTED COPY This magazine is currently available on the school’s website – simply click on the Former Pupils icon on the web page. In the editorial you will note that from this year it will be available principally on line and copies will only be provided and posted to those who return the mandate below. The increasing cost of publishing and postage has made this course of action essential. By filling in and returning the standing order mandate for £5 to be paid annually, a copy will be posted to you in future years and the editors will know how many copies to order from the publishers.

If you want to secure a copy in future, the mandate form below should be returned to: The Bursar Foyle College Duncreggan Road Londonderry BT48 0AW

Note: If you have already completed one of these and receive a copy of the magazine there is no need to complete another one. The standing order remains in place until you cancel it. ------Standing Order Mandate To: The Manager (full name Your & address of your bank – in Name: block capitals) Address: Name: Address:

Postcode: Postcode:

Please Pay From My A/C - Name

Account Number Sort Code:

£5 - Annually Commencing On / /

To Credit Foyle College Former Pupils Association Ulster Bank Limited – Culmore Road Sort Code: 98-09-80 Account Number : 77863014

Signed: Date: / /

110 Notes

111 Notes

112

Table of Contents