APRIL 1977 STOCKPORT GRAMMAR SCHOOL Patron THE PRIME WARDEN OF THE WORSHIPFUL COMPANY OF GOLDSMITHS Governors J. C. MOULT. ESQ., Chairman D. BLANK, ESQ., LL.B., Vice-Chairman ]. H. AVERY, ESQ., M.A. COUNCILLOR MRS. E. A. MOSLEY, LIEUT.-COL. J. A. CHRISTIE-MILLER, O.B.E., J.P. C.B.E., T.D., D.L. PROFESSOR H. H. ROSENBROCK, COUNCILLOR R. G. CROOK, Ph.D., D.Sc., F.I.E.E., M.I.Chem.E. A.C.I.I., F.C.I.B. H. SIDEBOTHAM, ESQ., LL.M. COUNCILLOR E. D. FOULKES, LL.B. MRS. J. P. SINCLAIR THE REV. CANON W. GARLICK, J. S. SOUTHWORTH, ESQ. M.A., B.Sc. THE WORSHIPFUL THE MAYOR W. A. KERSHAW, ESQ. OF STOCKPORT COUNCILLOR T. B. LECK, J.P. WG.-CDR. J. M. GILCHRIST, M.B.E. COUNCILLOR J. G. LEE (Clerk to the Governors) COUNCILLOR J. A. McCARRON, B.A. Headmaster F. W. SCOTT, M.A. Second Master D. J. ROBERTS, M.A. Staff C. R. DALTON, D.L.C., B.A. MRS. S. M. MELLOR, M.A., M.Sc. MRS. A. L. DAVIES, B.A. R. J. NASH, B.A. I. G. DURNALL, B.Sc., F.R.G.S. MRS. S. C. RENSHAW, B.Sc. }. G. GOSLING H. D. ROBINSON, B.A. R. L. HAND, M.Sc. D. SHORT, B.Sc. A. C. HEATH, B.Sc. P. SHUFFLEBOTTOM, B.A. D. HEFFER, B.Sc. A. P. SMITH, B.A. N. G. HENSHALL, M.A. I. T. STANLEY, D.A. W. HERMAN, M.A. J. M. SWALLOW, M.A. K. A. HOLLIN, M.Sc., Ph.D. R. M. TAYLOR, M.A. I. D. HOLLOWS M. G. THATCHER, M.A. P. J. HOLMES, B.A., M.Sc.,Ph.D. J. J. TOWERS, B.A. L. P. KYNASTON A. E. WHITTAKER, M.Sc. D. S. MARTIN, B.A. A. M. WRIGHT, B.Sc. J. MARTIN, B.Sc., Ph.D. MISS S. M. J. VOLK, B.A. Junior School R. D. H. REEMAN, B.A., Master in Charge MRS. V. C. BOLDING, M.A. MRS. J. ROBINSON, B.A. MRS. D. COLCLOUGH P. ROEBUCK, B.Sc. MRS. M. E. HOAD, B.A. MRS. P. A. SPILLER, B.A. Bursar: WG.-CDR. J. M. GILCHRIST, M.B.E. Senior Prefect: J. E. F. BARROW Vice- Captains: W. R. HARDY, R. J. HOOLEY Prefects: S. J. ALLEN, M. R. KNOWLES D. R. BATHAM I. MARSHALL D. S. BENGER I. M. RADFORD C. P. BENNETT I. D. RIGG P. M. CROALL S. J. ROBERTS M. J. GREGG A. P. STUBBS R. J. HASZELDINE D. H. W. TURNER M. W. HODGSON D. F. WHITE R. M. HUMBLES J. C. WRIGHT CONTENTS EDITORIAL DE OMNIBUS REBUS 2 ORIGINAL ARTICLES COUNCILLOR WALTER KNIGHT 5 COUNCILLOR LEONARD SMITH 6 J. H. AVERY 6 DURHAM 1976 7 CORSICA 1976 7 TRAVELS WITHOUT A DONKEY 9 LUDWIGSBURG 1976 10 THE EASTER CRUISE 1976 10 SALCOMBE 1976 10 THE END OF AN ERA - GREECE 1976 11 BEZIERS 1976 12 WASDALE 1976 13 THE SOCIAL SIDE 550 SQAUADRON, A.T.C 14 CHESS CLUB 15 BRIDGE CLUB 15 DEBATING AND LITERARY SOCIETY 16 VENTURERS 16 DRAMATIC SOCIETY 17 LIBRARY REPORT 17 MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY 17 PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY 18 RAILWAY SOCIETY 18 BUSINESS GAME 19 MUSIC 19 WARGAMES SOCIETY 20 SIXTH FORM COMMON ROOM 20 SPORTS AND GAMES RUGBY 21 LACROSSE 24 CRICKET 26 TENNIS 28 ROUND THE HOUSES ARDEN 29 NICHOLSON 30 VERNON 31 WARREN 32 JUNIOR SCHOOL 33 OLD STOPFORDIANS' ASSOCIATION 34 THE STOPFORDIAN Editor: No 121 J. C. WRIGHT February, 1977 EDITORIAL Since the last appearance of this magazine in December 1975 the school has seen many changes. Some of these have come from within, others from without. For the first time the boys we welcome into the first-forms in September are without the benefits of the Direct Grant. The full effects of this situation have yet to make themselves felt, yet we are confident that the school can pass through this difficult period of transition not onfy with its stature undiminished but even with new achievements to its credit. We should regard it not as a time when the validity of our past accomplishments is to be put to the test, but as a time which offers a golden opportunity for the attainment of new ones. The staff has undergone many arrivals and departures. This is, in itself, a healthy sign and shows that the school is still very much an evolving and expanding institution. In the last edition of the Stopfordian we bade farewell to Mr. Johnston, Mr. Morris and Mr. Cassie. In the present edition it is to Mr. Avery, a master whose contribution to the school has been no less immense, that we must say goodbye. We wish Mr. Roberts well in his appointment as second master and extend a cordial welcome to all those members of staff who have come, for the first time, or returned, after long absence, to the school during the last twelve months. Finally, I would like to thank my colleagues on the magazine committee, which, this year, has consisted of Roger Hooley, Mark Knowles, Ian Radford, John Oldham and John Evans. Special thanks are due to Mr. Roberts who has given us invaluable advice and assistance. J.C.W. Page One DE OMNIBUS REBUS GOVERNORS We regret to announce the deaths of two Governors, Councillor W. C. Knight and Councillor L. Smith. Articles appear below. Canon R. Simpson, formerly Rector of St. Mary's Church, Stockport, and Rural Dean, has retired from the Board and we thank him for his service to the School. We have known him in many capacities, as a parent, as Rector of St. Mary's conducting the Founder's Day service, as staff representative on the Governing Body, and latterly as a co-opted member. We have shared in his joy over his son's work for the Church in Africa. (Robert, 1943/53, gave the Founder's Day address in 1968.) We wish Canon Simpson a continued happy retirement. We welcome to the Board Councillor J. Harvey Cooke, J.P., the Mayor of Stockport, and Councillor E. D. Foulkes, representing the Metropolitan Borough, and Councillor J. G. Lee, representing Cheshire County Council. We welcome back Mr. J. H. Avery, who has been appointed the staff representa- tive in place of Canon W. Garlick, who happily remains on the Board as a co-opted member. The staff are grateful to him for the time and service he has given to them. STAFF Last summer Mr. Avery retired. An article appears below. Four other masters left in July for other schools. Mr. J. W. Dickenson moved to Sale, Mr. J. Gowan to Ilkley, Mr. K. I. Mathieson to Diss and Mr. M. S. Whalley to Bredbury. At Christmas Mr. I. D. Johnson moved to Hazel Grove. We thank them all for their work at the School and offer them our best wishes for the future. We welcome seven new members of staff. Mr. R. L. Hand of Bristol and Sheffield Universities comes to us from Manchester Grammar School as Head of Physics; Mr. R. M. Taylor of Oxford University, an Old Stopfordian, comes from Leeds Grammar School as Head of English; Mr. J. J. Towers of Durham University, from Bishop Wordsworth's School, Salisbury, is Director of Music; Mrs. S. M. Mellor of Oxford and Liverpool Universities teaches Biology; Mr. R. J. Nash of Cambridge University teaches English; Mr. D. S. Martin of Oxford University comes from Long Eaton Grammar School to teach Geography; Miss S. M. J. Volk of Birmingham University teaches English and History. We also welcome back Mrs. J. Samuelson, who is teaching Geography two afternoons a week. We congratulate Mr. and Mrs. Shufflebottom oh their marriage in the Christmas holiday. We also congratulate Dr. Holmes on the award of the Ph.D. degree of Cambridge University and Mr. Dalton on that of B.A. Of the Open University. Our oldest retired member of staff, Mrs. C. A. Edge, died last May aged ninety-seven. She taught in the Junior Forms of the new School from 1917 to 1933 and saw her son, Leonard, (1915/23), achieve distinction in Mathematics as Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, and Professor at Edinburgh. We also regret to record the deaths of Mrs. Goddard in April and Mrs. Varley in October. Page Two COUNCILLOR WALTER C. KNIGHT J. H. AVERY T. K.Dunham BOYS Paul Gringras of 3A has been awarded a testimonial by the Royal Humane Society for bravery in rescuing his younger brother Clive from drowning in a deep pool in North Wales. Last winter Jackson again played for England at rugby; Holt and Mayall played against Baltimore at lacrosse and Goodson played for the North against the South. In the summer Pagan played for Cheshire at tennis; at cricket Cash played for England Schools, Taylor for the North of England, Torkington, Caro, Reeman and Beesley for various Cheshire teams. THE FUTURE The School has entered its first year of independence with every sign of strength and confidence. The daily life of the School does not appear to have changed. The Stopfordian Trust has been formed to gather and hold funds initially to finance bursaries, and generous gifts have already been received. Other gifts from industry, charitable trusts and individuals have been made for a variety of purposes. They include a generous grant from the Hallam Trust, which is being used for the purchase of teaching equipment. On July 2nd a Grand Reunion will be held to which we invite all Old Stopfordians. We hope to have the School filled with exhibitions, to produce a play for the occasion, and on the same day to enjoy the O.S.