THE MAGAZINE FOR ACADEMICALS ACROSS THE GLOBE ISSUE 25(a ) | 2 017 ACADEMICAL FEATURES THIS ISSUE: ARCHIE CAMPBELL SCIENCE AMY SHEN ENGINEERING ROBERT SCOTT MEDICINE RICHARD ALLEN FINANCE ADAM EDWARDS LAW XAVIER DENNERY ENTREPRENEUR CATHERINE BACKHOUSE MUSIC DAVID AIKMAN ARTS MIKE LAIRD ADVENTURE JAMES FONTANA MUNRO CHALLENGE E d i t o r ’s Welcome Contents Dear Academicals, It’s now over a year since I took the reigns as Alumni Relations Officer and what 07 an incredible year it’s been. What strikes me most is the passion that Academicals share for the School and just how much your time here positively impacted your lives. Over the years, Academicals’ achievements have been out-standing 15 and 2016 proved no exception. Last year our very own Michael Kosterlitz (EA 1959–62), received the Nobel Prize for Physics! With the aim of increasing engagement not only in the UK but globally, I am delighted to announce that we have over 13 new 17 Academical representatives spanning the globe. This year we launched your new networking platform exclusively for our Academicals. Academicals Connect allows you to find and reminisce with classmates, create events, news stories, add photographs, and facilitate networking and opportunities for those of you wishing to grow 30 your professional network. In 2016, the Senior School added golfing facilities including a putting green and driving stalls. Thank you to all of our generous donors who made this valuable practice space available to our keen young golfers. 36 Last August we held a reunion for the Classes of 1960–70s wel- coming back Academicals and former teaching staff back to Henderson Row from Australia, the US, Europe and of course from all over the UK. 02 The Academical Club Report Owing to the success of this reunion we hope to hold further decade reunions. 05 Court of Directors Report Finally, I would like to welcome new EAC President, Charles Robertson 07 Academical Features (EA 1972–85) who succeeds Colin Innes (EA 1972–86). With Charles at the helm the Edinburgh Academical Club is looking forward to building 15 Mike Laird: A Winter in Russia an attractive events programme that will appeal to a wide range of Academicals. In addition, I am very grateful to those who have taken the 17 James Fontana: Munro Challenge time to contribute to, or be featured in The Academical this year. 18 Global Academicals Floreat Academia! 20 Satellite Reunions Alison Wardrop 22 Senior School News Alumni Relations Officer 24 Junior School Report 26 School Reports Contact us 28 Events & Reunions Report [email protected] 29 Upcoming Events 0131 624 4958 30 Reunion: Classes of 1960–70 @AcademicalClub 34 The Edinburgh Academy Archive /theacademicalclub 36 Eminent Academicals: Lord Blanesburgh Changed address recently? 38 Academical Staff Please let us know if your address has changed. Contact the Alumni office on +44 (0)131 624 4958 or at [email protected] 40 Staff Valete Sponsored & published by the Edinburgh Academy Development Department 46 Sports Club Reports 42 Henderson Row, Edinburgh EH3 5BL 50 News of Academicals No part of this publication may be reproduced without the prior written consent of the publishers. The views expressed in its features are those of the contributors and do not necessarily represent those of the Edinburgh Academy. The Edinburgh Academy is a charitable body registered in Scotland, number SC016999. THE ACADEMICAL / 25(a) 1 The Academical Club PRESIDENT’S REPORT, BY CHARLES ROBERTSON ollowing in the footsteps of Colin Innes as School, Gavin Calder. In April, Rector, Marco I would also like to thank the Rector, the Club President is no easy task. They are big Longmore, met Academicals based in Hong members of the Council and Alison Wardrop for Fshoes to fill! The Club has relied on Colin’s Kong for reception as part of a School trip to the hard work, support and advice they have technical knowledge for many years in order China. Later that month, Lesley Boyd (Director provided this year. The Council will continue to to steer it through the issues it has faced. The of Development) and Alison Wardrop (Alumni work closely with the Development Department service he has so tirelessly provided has been Relations Officer) met up for an Academicals and the school in order to meet the objectives outstanding and I am extremely grateful that he get-together in Cambridge and attended the of The Club. has agreed to stay on as an office bearer for a London Edinburgh Academical Club dinner. In further term in order to continue to address the August, a reunion was held for the Classes of We raised a dram to the man – For Alex from Gus, challenges that will arise as the Club evolves. 1960–70. Over 80 guests attended the various Nick, Al, Sarah and Che. events that took place which included the There are many issues associated with the opening of the New Field Pavilions, and a tour of course of action chosen by Academicals in the School, the Archive and dinner. In October, relation to the long lease granted to the Raeburn Marco Longmore and Lesley Boyd made the Place Foundation and the development of the journey to the States meeting Academicals in sporting facilities at Raeburn Place. It remains both the East and West Coasts. a sensitive issue both within the Academical community and the Stockbridge community. The Club Constitution In 2017/8 we are looking forward to an exciting The Academical Council continue to work hard to has been amended secure the long term future of sport at Raeburn programme of events including an EAC Pub Place. The Club Constitution has been amended Quiz and a further trip to visit our State-side to reflect some of to reflect some of the changes taking place, and Academicals in November 2017. In December, to shorten and simplify what is a rather lengthy we are holding a drinks reception for all of our the changes taking document. The Constitution Council welcomed 2017 Leavers after the Christmas Carol Concert. comments from the Academical community February 2018 sees our London-based Young place, and to shorten before presenting the updated version for Accies get-together and in March the Edinburgh and simplify what consideration and approval at The Club AGM. Academy Pipe Band 21st Anniversary Annual Fundraising Dinner ‘Beef on the Bone’. In April is a rather lengthy I am delighted that there have been a number we welcome back the ‘Classes of’ 1970–80s for of Academical events to report on in 2016. a reunion at Henderson Row. Please do get in document. There was the Academical Burns’ Supper touch if you are interested in attending any of where 100 guests were entertained by the these events: [email protected] Immortal Memory given by Head of the Junior or 0131 624 4958. Former EAC President, Colin Innes (EA 1972–86) welcoming 2016 Leavers into the Edinburgh Academical Club. 2 WWW.EDINBURGHACADEMY.ORG.UK PRO PATRIA MORI THE EDINBURGH ACADEMY AT WAR 1914 –1918 A CHRONICLE OF ACADEMICALS LOST IN THE GREAT WAR £20.00 | 292 pages (185mm x 245mm) To order please contact Enterprises at 0131 624 4919 or [email protected] The Watt Memorial Trust The Watt Trust was set up in 1983 in memory of Rob Watt Academical recipients for 2015–16 included: and his wife Barbara. He was a distinguished Fettesian whose teaching career ended as Rector of The Academy James Hardie’s grant was for another year at Oxford, to study for a between 1951 and 1962. In retirement he went back to Masters (within British 18th century music), and continue his prolific musical output. He has already been able to make a formidable Fettes as Keeper of the Register. The purpose of the Trust impact on Oxford musical life. He has been Assistant Director of is to give financial help to past and present members of The Music at St Alban’s Church, Director of the Henry Ley Singers and Edinburgh Academy and Fettes, to enable them to: Musical Director of Theatron Novum. Theatron Novum was only formed recently but staged three operas last year on period instruments, as well as providing workshops for students and local schools. James was ‘advance their education or professional training beyond President of Keble College Musical Society in 2015/16, and continues the point at which public funds or university scholarships to direct the Keble Early Music Festival, now in its third year. His are available, or when private or family sources alone are main interest is in British music of the 17th and 18th centuries, and in neglected Scottish and English composers. not quite adequate for the purpose.’ Alastair Benn was helped to embark on an M. Phil. in Classics at In the past year we have helped with a number of projects, Cambridge, relating 21st century international politics to the political in different parts of the world. insights and institutions of antiquity. Douglas Morgan’s objective was a Masters in Medical Humanities We welcome applications for any kind of financial at King’s College, London, exploring narratives which profess to represent autistic identity, and preparing for a potential academic need in completing your education or training. Your future in Medical Humanities and Literary and Cultural Disability project may be spectacular or it may be quite mundane, Studies. but if you’re genuinely short of funds, consider applying to the Watt Trust. Deadline for next set of applications is Barney Paton was given a grant to spend seven months studying August 31st 2017. Further information from Robert Philp at Mandarin full-time at Nankai University in mainland China.