The Old RossallianSeptember 2014

Your Rossallian Club Magazine ROSSALLIAN CLUB

There will also be a Memorial Service for Stephen at Uppingham School on Sunday 21st September. Anyone wishing to attend should contact http:www.uppingham.co.uk/Memorial-Service-Dr-Stephen-Winkley or by calling 01572 820623.

A Memorial Service for Stephen will be taking place at Rossall School on Saturday 18th October at 3.00pm. As this is a ticketed occasion, anyone wishing to attend should contact Sharon Potts at s.potts@rossall.org.uk

In Memoriam

Stephen Winkley 1944-2014

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In this Issue4 President’s Message

5 A word from The Head & The Secretary

6 Branch Reports

9 Memories of Rossall (by Ros Koch)

10 Lest we forget

11 Old School Ties

12 OR Weekend

14 Where are they now?

15 Memories of Rossall (by Chris Butterworth)

16 All in a Good Cause

17 More OR Gatherings

18 Memories of Rossall (by Andrew Nicholson)

19 Announcements - Congratulations

20 In Memoriam

24 Dates for your Diary & School Sports Fixtures

‘The Rossallian’ Headlines 100 years ago• ‘Wearereadytoserveourcountryifneedbe’

• MajorTristtookpartinthefamousretreatfromMonsandisnowlyingwoundedinLondon

• AfirebrokeoutinthebuildingsgenerallyknownastheServantsQuarters,thoughttohavebeenstartedby a defective flue

• TheCorps–allmembersover17areembodiedintheInstructionalClassinanefforttobringtheiractivities as near to service conditions as possible

• GBDaviesplayedforEssexallthroughAugust.Hisaveragesinfirst-classcricketwere:batting21.30,bowling 19.72

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Our telephone number is 01253 774286

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President’s Message

I seem to have been rather busy over the last few months. The Old Rossallian Weekend in March was a great success. An exciting programme of events took place over the three days and I would justliketomentionthree.TheAGM followed its usual course with some 30 members attending. All the proposals put forward were approved by those present. The Chapel Service was reasonably well attended and, as usual, those present helped to raise the roof of the Chapel with their singing. The Dinner which followed saw 150ORsandguestsenjoyanexcellent meal. It was so pleasing to see so many young ORs there. Ross Hockey is still alive and well, although some ORs looked a little less so after their time on the sands on Sunday morning!

EarlyMaysawusgatheringatRadley for the Oxford Dinner, which was, as usual, an excellent event. On behalf of all Rossallians I have to sincerely thank Hamish Aird,who stepped down at the dinner, for his many years of unstinting service as Secretary of the Oxford Branch. We welcome Simon Barlass as the new Secretary.

A week later, some 50 members and guests gathered in the Lakes at the Lindeth Howe Hotel for a veryenjoyablelunch.FullcreditmustbegiventoEdnaFayle

and Gill and George Scarlett for organising everything. The 8th June saw 33 Rossallians and guests meeting at Ilkley Golf Club. We are looking forward to the LateSummerBBQinLondonon the 19th September followed by the Manchester Lunch on the 28th September. The Birmingham Dinner on 14th November will round off the year. You will receive details of these events nearer the time.Pleasecomeandjoinus.

We were saddened by the news of Dr Stephen Winkley’s death earlier this year. A tribute to him was published in The Horizon, the School’s new-look magazine, which I would urge you to read. He was a great man and Rossall and all Rossallians will always be in his debt. At the Prize Day and Graduation Ceremony in May, Aimee Hindle, School Captain, referredinher‘ReflectionsofSchool’ to Dr Winkley’s wonderful influence on her and how indebted she was to his wisdom and understanding. It was very moving.

It was my pleasure at our last Committee Meeting on March 22nd to propose, and have accepted, Simon Thomas’ name tojointheCommittee.Simonisaqualifiedaccountant,livesinBlackpool and I feel sure will be an asset to the Club. I know that many members are not aware of who is on The Committee. Below is a list of committee members:

Roger Walker (M 57-61) President and Manchester Branch SecretaryJames Preston (MF 93-04) Vice President and Secretary Cricket TourJim Cowpe (J & DC 49-56) Secretary Rossallian ClubElaine Purves Head

Phil Brown (JS & Fn 70-83) TreasurerJonty Arundel (J & A 72-79) South & South East SecretarySimon Barlass (JS & Fn 75-85) Oxford Branch SecretaryCharles Crossley (JS & Pe 77-87) Isle of Man Branch SecretaryBen Griffiths (Pe 01-07) Scottish Branch SecretaryDavid Holroyd (R 55-58) Yorkshire Branch SecretaryJohn Whitlock (R 84-89) Birmingham Branch SecretaryRoger Eaves (JS & F 58-67) Rossallian Masonic LodgeLiam Morrow (O & Pe 88-95) OR CricketIan Preston (J & Pe 66-73) Ross HockeyGeorge Ayres (M 50-55) Past PresidentHazel Trapnell Honorary Life Vice PresidentSimon Thomas (JS & MC 95-06) Co-opted

Lastly I must say thank you to three people who all left Rossall at the end of last term for pastures new and we wish them well in the future. Firstly to our Bursar, Stephen Palmer, who has done a wonderfuljobfortheSchoolandhas worked so well over the last nine months with our Club. To his wife Jane, in the Foundation Office,whohasbeensosupportiveof the Club. Finally, to Anton Maree, Deputy Head, for all the effort he has put into researching Rossallians and WW1. He has uncovered some very interesting facts which hopefully will be put into book form in the future. We need an Archivist to ensure this information is catalogued correctly. Is there anyone who can help?

I look forward to meeting you at future OR events.

Roger Walker (M 57-61)

“He was a great man and all Rossallians will always be in his debt”

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A word from The Head, Elaine PurvesAsmyfirstyearatRossallspeedstowards completion, it is a pleasure to be writing to you no longer as the‘newgirl’!Therehasbeenalot to take in and I have to admit to still being very hazy on the rules of RossHockey, but I do feel very much at home already. Indeed, as I mentioned on Prize Day, I have already gone native with my football allegiance and am a very happy Fleetwood Town FC supporter!

Ithasbeenamostenjoyableyearand a pleasure to meet so many ORs, both former staff and pupils in a wide variety of contexts. It has been great to see so many of you back at Rossall for events and special occasions such as the Carol Service, Rededication of the newly restored Archway and our very successful OR Weekend back in March. Sharon and Jane did a marvellousjobwiththeorganisationfor the weekend and plans are already underway for 2015 and beyond. It has also been lovely to welcome back so many ORs to share their expertise in school, for example talking about their

professional life and careers. I have alsothoroughlyenjoyedmeetingORs at regional dinners as well as whenIhavebeen‘outandabout’;I don’t think I have been to a single event yet where there hasn’t been at least one person with a direct orcloseconnectionwithRossall–and this includes conferences and meetings in London, Windsor and Glasgow.

Work has begun over the summer halftermonournewMUGA–amulti-use games area which will be used primarily for netball, tennis, basketball and football. The MUGA is due to be completed in time for the start of the Michaelmas Term. We are enormously grateful to the family of the late Douglas Peters (MC 44-48), whose generous donation has enabled us to create this new facility. Work also continues on the restoration of our external stone and brickwork –thesouthsideoftheSquare,the Gymnasium and Dragon are currently shrouded in scaffold. I do wonder whether there will ever be a time when there will be no

scaffoldingatRossall–itisaverypositive sign though that we are both investing in and preserving our beautiful heritage.

Ihopethatyouareallenjoyinga good summer. I have to say that the Summer Term at Rossall issuperb–wehavehadsomeglorious weather and what a treat tolivelessthanfiftymetersfroma cricket square and rounders’ pitches. Please do feel free to come andvisit;summerorwinter,awarmwelcome awaits.

A word from The Secretary, Jim Cowpe I am delighted to report that the Club continues to flourish in a most satisfactory manner. Our Management Committee has met on a regular basis and keeps a close watch on everyday affairs.

Since the last magazine, the highlighthasbeenourfirsteverOld Rossallian Weekend which

was brilliantly organised and managed by Sharon and Jane. Well over 200 people returned to the School and participated in a host of activities. On Saturday eveningweenjoyedasuperbdinnerinaresplendentandwarmDiningHall;seventeenbanquetingtables

were hired in for the occasion and a red carpet ran the length of the Hall. For me, with my long connection with Rossall, the most satisfying aspect of recent events is the attendance of so many younger ORs who attendedRossallwithinthelast20years;theyappearto take great delight in coming back and meeting up with their peers. This certainly wasn’t the case several decades ago and we hope that this trend continues.

Tofinishonapersonalnote,itiswonderfultoseeRossall looking so good today. It is a great testament to all those people who are charged with the running of the School. More and more people are returning to their Alma Mater and all their comments are very favourable. If you have not been back for some time, why not make the effort? You will be made most welcome.

“He was a great man and all Rossallians will always be in his debt” “We are both investing in and preserving our beautiful heritage”

6 “No-one can take as much credit for the ties as Hamish”

Branch reportsOxford Dinner (by Simon Barlass)

As regular and committed readers of this column will already know, Hamish Aird has organised the Oxford branch dinner for more than 33 years. The Rossall/Radley connection is strong and has many origins but no-one can take as much credit for the sustained andmutuallybeneficialtiesbetweenthetwoillustriousschools as Hamish. His flair for making people feel welcome and comfortable, his gift for entertaining and for remembering names and faces, and his sustained belief that such events are hugely important have helped to give the dinner a broad and consistent fan base. It was my pleasure to present Hamish with a lovely framed print of Rossall School. Having observed his inimitable style for 22 of those years, it was a great pleasure to take over responsibility for the event this year. We were all delighted to see a large and distinguished turnout, on a disappointingly chilly May evening, of 44 ORs and their partners. I think ourmostseniorguestwasPeterEsnouf(JSandF1938-48) and our most recent OR was Mimi Avery (W 87-88). It was wonderful to welcome a wide range ofloyalsupportersoftheClub;RogerandChristineWalker, Hazel Trapnell, Steve James and Chris and PimmHolt,andtomeetsomefirsttimebuyerswho,I very much hope, will come back in the future. We werealsodelightedtowelcomeElainePurveswhogave an eloquent and encouraging account not only of her initial impressions after two terms as Head, but also of the ethos and atmosphere in the School and how smoothly things seemed to be going on so many fronts. The refreshments were very well received, merriment prevailed and I would like to thank Kirstie Matthews and the Barlass clan for all their help with the organisation and smooth running of the evening.

Special thanks must also go to John Harrop who has been Treasurer for over 40 years and who, along with his wife Liz, has been a staunch supporter of the dinner. Please get in touch if you are interested in next year’s dinner (sb@radley.org.uk)

The following ORs and guests attended: Hamish Aird, Robin Aird, Carol Aird, Mimi Avery, Simon Barlass, Norman Barlass, Ann Barlass, Nigel Barlass, Helen Barlass. David Bell, Antoinette Bell, Dick Bland, Peter Esnouf,RichardFarrell,MichaelGuilbride,JanetGuilbride, Tom Gover, John Harrop, Liz Harrop, John Hickie, Chris Holt, Pimm Holt, Gyde Horrocks, Steve James, Clive Littler, Brian Midgley, John Milne, Peter Moffatt, Richard Parry, Keith Pawson, Annie Plant, SharonPotts,ElainePurves,GlynRees,TheresaRees, Alf Tansey, Sandie Tansey, David Tonks, Daphne Tonks, Hazel Trapnell, Tony Westhead, Roger Walker, Christine Walker and Ian Whittle.

Lakes Lunch (by Roger Walker)

Another year has flown by and 49 Rossallians from all parts of the country gathered at the Lindeth Howe Hotel near Windermere on Saturday Lunchtime to meet, chat and eat. The weather was not very good but that did not dampen the enthusiasm of those present. The meal was up to its usual high standard. AfterlunchTheHead,ElainePurves,spokeabouther impressions of the School and her vision of the future. Her enthusiasm was tangible to all present. ORNickHadfieldthensharedhisexperiencesofhisdaughterEmily’stimeatRossall.FinallyRogerWalker,President of the Club reported on the progress being

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Yorkshire Lunch by (David Holroyd)

It was another glorious sunny day for the gathering of ORs, wives and friends for the Branch Lunch at Ilkley Golf Club. It was a thoroughly successful and happy occasion arranged by David Holroyd, ably assisted by his wife Sue. Thirty four members and guests sat down to a splendid lunch and we weredelightedthatthenewHead,ElainePurves,whowascompletingherfirstfullyearatSchool,wasabletogiveusa positive talk on Rossall 2014. She was well received by all those present. Stephen Palmer and his wife Jane together with son James, who is studying at Leeds University, were present prior to Stephen and Jane’s retirement in August. HazelTrapnellwhohadexperiencedaninjurywhilstattendingthe Lakes gathering some four weeks earlier made a brave effort in attending. James Garnett said Grace. Peter Crabtree proposedtheLoyalToast.ElainePurvesgaveherreportonSchoolandfinallyRogerWalkergaveusaninformativeaddress relating to the Rossallian Club in 2014.

In conclusion the Carmen was heartily sung by all those present accompanied by John Marshall on his violin.

ThelunchconfirmedthatbetterdaysforboththeSchoolandtheRossallianClubarewithus.

Those present were David and Angela Aspinall, Mick Brown, Richard Clark, Jim and Moira Cowpe, Peter and PeggyCrabtree,NickandMichelleEllaby,AndrewForman,JamesandGlennyGarnett,PhilipGarnettandhisfiancéeLaurenAllen,DavidandSueHolroyd,RichardandDotMarriott,JohnMarshall,RossNewton,StephenandJanePalmer,JamesPalmer,ElainePurves,BruceandAudreyRaper,NevilleandElizabethSheard,AlfTansey, Hazel Trapnell and Roger and Chris Walker.

For a list of forthcoming events, please see the back page of this magazine. AllOldRossalliansandtheirguestsarewelcometojoinus.

“No-one can take as much credit for the ties as Hamish” “It confirmed that better days for both the School and the Club are with us”

Branch reportsmade by the Club with the School and also the great success achieved in March with the OR Weekend. TheproceedingsfinishedwitheveryonesingingTheCarmen, accompanied by James Garnett on piano and John Marshall on the violin.

Those attending were Jim Atkinson, Patti Bennett, Martin and Joan Brown, Anne Brown, Bill Bowker, Andrew Cadman, Betty Cormack, Jim and Moira Cowpe,DavidCroft,EdnaandSallyFayle,KenandKeira Fayle, Peter and Marilyn Frost, James and GlennyGarnett,NickandMaureenHadfield,Nancy

Hallam, Pauline Hargreaves, Linda Hastings, David Hjort,SimonandSarahHockings,VivienneIvell,KatieLee,PeterandMarjorieMadge,JohnMarshall,RichardandSueNewbold,ElainePurves,Richardand Stephanie Rhodes, George and Gill Scarlett, Anne Shepherd, David and Judith Shingler, Alf and Sandy Tansey, Allan Townsend, Nanette Trueman, Roger and Christine Walker and Paul Warren. Finally, abig‘thankyou’mustbegiventoEdnaFayleandGill and George Scarlett for organising another very enjoyableoccasion.

Contacts: JimCowpe,SecretaryT:01253774286E:cowpejim@uwclub.net

SharonPotts,AlumniOfficerT:01253774288E:s.potts@rossall.org.uk

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Sports reportGolfThe 2014 Midlands Public School Golf Society meeting took place at Little Aston Golf Club on Wednesday 25th June. Rossall have had a team in the event every year for the more than 60 years The Society has been meeting. This years team came a creditablefifthoutofthethirteenschoolscompeting,behind the overall winners Wrekin. The day consists of 36 holes of golf on the wonderful Little Aston course, punctuated by an excellent lunch and the opportunity to catch up with friends from Rossall as well as other competing schools. The Rossall team has been organised in recent years by David Wilkinson (F65–69)butinthebestinterestsoftheteaminthefuture this should now pass to a younger generation. JamesWoods(P83–88)acceptedtotakeontheorganisers role for 2015. MPSGS is a handicap event so any Rossallian with a handicap of 18 or below

can participate. The team is always looking for new members so if you would like to take part (provisional date for 2015 is Wednesday 24th June) please contactJamesatjmgwoods6@gmail.com

David Wilkinson (F 65-69)

It is the oldest cricket tour in the country

OR Cricket Tour

The2014Tourbeganwithour45thfixtureagainsttheOldHurstjohniansatHurstpierpointCollege.TheORs lost the toss on what is renowned to be a strong battingwicket;soontheOHJsamassed320-5decfrom54overs.Fourhoursoffieldingintheheathadtaken its toll on the OR top order as we slumped to 22-4. The situation looked bleak until Jonty Arundel steadied the ship with an excellent 80. Despite Jonty’s innings, the ORs succumbed and lost by 60 runs.

The next day saw the ORs travel to the picturesque SheffieldParktoplaytheOldAmplefordiansonwhatwasonceLordSheffield’sprivatecricketground,setinside a National Trust park and previously host to a number of Australian touring XIs and greats (excluding the OR top order) including WG Grace. Again the ORs lost the toss and were invited to take to the field.ChristoArundelmadeearlyinroadsintotheOAtoporder,andatlunchtheORshadafirmgriponthe match. Some late hitting brought the OAs to a respectable total before Rob Dingle mopped up the tail. The run chase started in a good manner with the ORs coasting to victory with contributions from all the top order, however some choice umpiring late in the afternoon sun resulted in a series of dubious decisions and put pay to the OR hopes, and handed to OAs theirfirstvictoryinanumberofyears.

ThethirdandfinalmatchwasagainsttheCrypticsat Ardingley College. The ORs batted well on what was a tricky pitch. Two early wickets fell before a

cameo Arundel father and son partnership saw the completionoftheinningschangewithaquickfire50.An excellent 60 from Simon Thomas followed and some aggressive batting from Josh Manning down the order saw the ORs post 235-9 dec from 52 overs. The ORs once again proved too strong with the ball reducing the Cryptics to 66-5 and 84-7, with wickets from C Arundel, L Williams and J Manning. Despite some strong batting from the Cryptic’s tail, Christo Arundel was able to take the 10th wicket, concluding an excellent match and rounding the tour off in style.

Tourists included H Green, A Green, J Arundel. C Arundel, M Arundel, J Preston, R Dingle, H Fajemirokun,SThomas,MDryden,JMorrison,LWilliams,GEmmett,BCooke,SEdwards,JManning,M Laverty, T Wilson and G Barber.

We would also like to thank ORs D Taylor, C Holt, M Craven and I Lundberg for their support during the week.

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Memories of Rossall

HavingspentmyentirefirstyearatRossalltryingtobe‘thesame’inorder to survive, it became easier in my later years to be different and to indulge in ways of discovering my own individuality. I’m sure that’s partly as a result of everyone simply‘growingup’and‘gettingon’. But it was also due to the vast number of opportunities afforded by Rossall life and to the staff members committed to bringing out the best in us. One day I could be dressed up smart, playing my cello in the orchestra, imagining I could be the next Jaqueline Du Pré.ThenextdayIwascoveredin‘camcream’asanNCO,leadingmy army section across Holcombe Moore in the dead of night, soaked to the skin and sleep-deprived, but high on the adrenalin of hunting down an enemy gun. Whichever way you turned, effort, enthusiasm, commitment and excellence were encouraged. On the hockey field,Iwasprivilegedenoughtoplay alongside players who were cappedfortheircountry;playerswho led us to the National Hockey Championships in Birmingham where we were cheered on by all

whom we competed against, and beat,inordertogettothefinal.EventheHeadmasterhimself,whohad followed our progress and journeyedwithustoCannockforthe National Tournament, shed tears of pride at our achievement as runners-up.

Therearetoomanymemoriestofitontothisonepageanddojusticeto the influence Rossall has had on my later life. But, if I were to sum it up, I would have to say that, above all, Rossall taught me both how to adapt to my surrounds and also how to stay true to myself. Since leaving Rossall I have had the honour of dining with both princes and paupers. Not only have I experienced the heady heights of academia, reading law at Oxford University, but also the opportunity to be taught by the most inspirational young people in some of the poorest, most disadvantaged communities in South Africa. I have had the privilege of flying solo, high and free above the mountains of the

WesternCape;butIhavealsofeltthe suffocating claustrophobia, danger and depression that lie inside one of the most overpopulated prisons in South Africa. I have lived in bustling, colourful cities in the midst of upheaval and change. And I have lived on a remote wine farm, where I had to teach myself how to farm, fightfiresandevenhowtocatchthe occasional snake!

Sure, I have had to make some sacrificesalongtheway;leavingloved ones and dreams behind. But, in doing so, I know I have gained more loved ones - created my own family, even - and built on new dreams. It is by facing up to these challenges, armed with the grit and determination I developed on those distant shores of Lancashire, that I have had one hell of a good adventure in this life. I can only hope that what years remainarejustasfullofexcitementand adventure.

Ros Koch (nee Avery) (Wr 89-94)

It is the oldest cricket tour in the country “There are too many memories to fit onto this one page”

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Pupils from Rossall recently undertook a trip to Ypres and the Somme as part of their History syllabus, visiting tragically historic landmarks such as Tyne Cot, the Menin Gate, and a cemetery, Canada Farm, where the grave of OR Gwynne Lewis Broadhurst James (MC 1905-10) lies. Whilst there, pupils set a wreath down in remembrance of him.

He came to Rossall in 1905 and, although not a scholar, he made his mark with his sporting prowess. As a gymnast, he twice represented the School at Aldershot, having previously won the Championship. He gained his cricket colours in 1909, featuring top of both the batting and bowling averages. He then went on in 1910 to captain one of the finestcricketsidesRossallhadseenforyears.Butperhapshismostnotable feat was in athletics when, in 1910, he beat two previous schoolrecords,winningthelongjumpandtheweight.Healsosecuredthe100yards,quartermile,hurdlesandhighjump.

When war broke out he was teaching in Canada, but soon found his way home and obtained a commission in the Irish Guards. In June 1916,hewasinjuredwhen3sandbags,flungupbyashell,fellonhisback. He remained on duty until the doctor found him and promptly senthimhome.HewasbynowafullLieutenantand,despitehisinjury,returned to the Front and, after only one week, was killed on 18th July 1917 by a shell falling on the top of his dug-out.

Lest we forgetBorn in Rock Ferry on the Wirrall in 1888, Old Rossallian William Reid ( Anchor 1903-1905) was working asaCivilEngineerinPort Arthur, Ontario, Canada at the outbreak of WW1. He enlisted in the Canadian Army and returnedtoEngland,wherehejoinedthe newly formed Royal Flying Corps

and learned to fly. Posted to Lille with Squadron 2, he was shot down and badly wounded by the GermanAirAce,MaxImmelmannin1916;hewasImmelmann’sfirstcombatvictim,thisfeatearninghimthe Iron Cross.

War was apparently far more civilised then, and Immelmann dropped a note over British lines to the effect that Reid had been shot down and taken prisoner. The message landed in the very trench

where his brother Alec was stationed. His left elbow was very badly damaged by two or three bullets and he always said that a British doctor would have amputated his arm but the German surgeons saved it.DeemedbytheGermanstobeunfitforfurthercombat, he was interned in Switzerland where he went on to marry his Swiss nurse and seemed to have a not unpleasant war.

OnhisreturntoEnglandhetaughtTheQueen’sfather to fly at RAF Cranwell. His daughter Joan, now aged 94, lives in Anglesey and was introduced to Prince Charles when he was visiting William and Kate, WilliambeingstationedthenatRAFValley.Joanmentioned this to Charles and he promptly replied, “I never knew the old bugger could fly!” William died aged 88 in 1976.

His son Philip, born 1925, followed in his father’s footsteps and attended Rossall, initially in Anchor and latterly in Pelican, when the School decamped to NaworthCastleduringWW2.Heleftin1943tojointheRNVR.Philipdiedin2012aged86.GrandsonsAP Smith, AW & JD Reid also attended the School, again in Anchor House.

On his return to England he taught The Queen’s father to fly

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Visitors to RossallWe have, once again, been delighted to welcome Old Rossallian visitors back to Rossall, including:

Hyla Holden (P 65-70)

Anthony Petch (P 56-61)

Mark Dearden (R 81 – 86)

Melanie Atwell (nee Wilson) (R 84-94)

Rachel Foster (Dn 84-96)

Mike Openshaw (DC 45-49)

Rossall CCF needs you!We are looking for OR support for our cadet force to help out on Mondays between 3.30pm and 5.20pm. If you have time to spare and would like to share your skills and experience, please contact Ian McLeary or EmmaWilliamsatRossallSchoolforfurtherdetails.Tel:01253774201.

Tim Worrall (O&DC 73-80) visited from Australia withhisdaughter,Emma.TimnowlivesinVictoria,Australia, and would love to hear from other ORs who might be interested in meeting up. Contact Tim at worralltim@gmail.com

Simon Elliott (SE 58-67) visited with his wife, Susan, after previously attending the

OR Weekend in March.

On his return to England he taught The Queen’s father to fly Networking with fellow Rossallians can be a catalyst for business growth

Old School TiesNo one really leaves Rossall. You may have completed your education and taken off you blazer for the last time, butRossalliswithyoufortherestofyourlife.Youbecomepartofanetworkthatistruly‘worldwide’.Whetheryou are a recent leaver looking for help to get on the career ladder, part way through a career and perhaps looking for a change of direction or simply wanting to grow your business and promote your services, help and support is out there. The Club is therefore holding a

Business 2 Business Networking Event on

Thursday 27th November, 3.00pm-7.00pm at

Rossall School, FleetwoodNetworking with fellow Rossallians can be a catalyst for business growth. Talking to like-minded individuals who share

thesameambitionscanbefruitfulindevelopingbusinesspartnershipsandbeneficiallongtermrelationships.

If you would like to exhibit your business at this event, there will be a charge of £20 to cover the cost of equipment and refreshments. If you wish to attend this event, entry is FREE to all Old Rossallians and parents of current pupils.

For further details and to book, please contact Sharon Potts, Rossall School T: 01253 774288 E: s.potts@rossall.org.uk

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OR WeekendOvertwohundredguestsjoinedusforthefirsteverOld Rossallian Weekend, held at the School in March. During the three day event, visitors were treated to an exciting programme of activities including a CCF Display, wine tasting, a WW1 Seminar, tours, Social Media Workshops and a dedicated Chapel Service and Dinner on the Saturday evening. Sunday’s activities were dominated by sporting events including an early game of RossHockey on the shore (for those who were brave enough), a ladies’ hockey tournament, a men’s hockey match and an impromptu Fives session.

It was delightful to see so many ORs of different ages (ranging from 18 to 81) back at the School and bothpupilsandORsenjoyedsharingtheirRossallexperiences. Our thanks to all those involved in organising this event, particularly Sharon Potts, Alumni OfficerandJanePalmer,FoundationOfficer.

Following the huge success of the weekend, we are already planning next year’s event which will take place in March 2015. We hope that many of you who missedthisyear’sweekendwillbeabletojoinusthen.

“Over 200 guests joined us; we hope that many of you who missed this year will be able to join us next year”

13“Over 200 guests joined us; we hope that many of you who missed this year will be able to join us next year”

14Can you name the Rossall Masters in this photograph, taken on an

annual school cruise circa 1965? (answer on page 17).

Where are they now?We are often asked by Old Rossallians what happened to former members of Common Room, so Jim Cowpe, Rossallian Club Secretary, has kindly provided an update on some familiar names:

John Goode - after retirement, John moved to an apartmentjustoutsideLancasterwherehelivedavery active life until his death a couple of years ago.

Andrew Cadman - lives in the village of Upper Kellett (justofftheM6atCarnforth).Heisstillveryactiveandpursuing his life-long hobby of bird-watching. He was at Rossall for the 2013 OR Carol Service and is in regular touch with the School and former colleagues.

Peter Frost - re-married after the death of his wife, Kay, and lives in Ambleside. He maintains contact with several former members of Common Room who also live in the Lake District.

Aerwyn Watson - left Rossall in the late 90’s. He remained in the locality of the School for several years and was much involved with Fleetwood RUFC.

George Scarlett (and Gill) - live in Ambleside. They organise the annual Lake District Gathering for ORs, togetherwithEdnaFayle(widowofCyril).Theyplayan active role in life in and around around Ambleside.

Hugh Crust - retired to live in North Wales, near Wrexham. He maintains contact with the School and former colleagues.

Bob Clapp - Left Rossall in the 1990’s to take up another teaching post. Contact is maintained through his daughter, Catherine, who is an OR.

Alan Clube - after leaving Rossall, Alan went on to teach for a short while in Australia. He now lives in Northamptonshire with his wife, Gillian. He still keeps in touch with former colleagues and the School.

Rev. Graham Canham - now lives in North Wales and maintains contact with many Rossallians. He has hosted several OR gatherings at his home.

John Broadbent - sadly died in 1994, shortly after organisingtheRoyalVisitoftheQueenandPrincePhillip to celebrate Rossall’s 150th Anniversary . He worked tirelessly and organised many events including ballsandfetesandalsoplayedamajorpartinsavingthe Grand Theatre, Blackpool.

This picture was kindly sent in by OR Simon Elliott

15“All in all, Rossall was a fantastic 14 year education for me”

Memories of RossallMy memories of what I had for lunch yesterday are foggy, at best, so how I get on with what occurred nearly 4 decades ago will be sketchy, but the headlines arethatIthoroughlyenjoyedeverymomentofmyschooldaysatRossall.

Pre-Prep was ably led by Mrs Kirk-Smith who was a very fair and lovely lady. Mrs Ivell was, and still is I am sure, a unique teacher and even now, when I meet her at OR do’s, she manages to name my peers and ask after their welfare.Idon’trememberdoingany‘work’stuffinthePre-prepanditwasawhole load of fun. Something mildly academic must have gone in though as, whenIleftat8yearsold,IwassufficientlyproficientinthethreeR’stogainaplace at the Junior School.

This was a great time and the School was headed by Mr Gordon-Jones. The sportsfieldwaswhereIenjoyedmyselfthemostandItoleratedclasstoplaysport. This was mainly rugby, hockey, cricket and tennis but Marling Waldron andothersuchgameswerealsoenjoyedwithenthusiasm.TheonethingIhavelearntsinceleavingwasthatwhen we were 8 years old, a damp sodden tennis ball was struck into the air and your name was called out. Ifyoucaughtit,youwereintheAteamforeverything;ifyoudidn’tyouplayedMarlingWaldronandRounderswiththegirls.Oneofmygoodfriendsdidn’tcatchtheballsodidn’tplayfirstXVrugbyfromtheageof8to18.He did however go on to captain Grey College at Durham and also played for Durham University so maybe he wasn’t too bad! My Mum, Aisha Butterworth, was very much involved in the accompaniment of drama and musical productions at the JS. Unfortunately, I inherited the artistic genes of my Dad, John, so rarely performed ‘with’myMum.

ImanagedtopasstheCommonEntranceandlefttheJuniorSchoolaftertheLentTermof1984,joiningFalconHouse in the Senior School in April 1984. If the Junior School fuelled my appetite for competitive sport then the Senior School added napalm to it (that analogy doesn’t really work but you get the drift). Being a day pupil at what was a predominantly boarding school was, in my opinion, the perfect combination. I was generally at school for over 12 hours a day but could return to my parents in the evening to the home comforts that Rossall mimicked but could never replicate. My parents were relatively strict but we had a very good understanding of each other and I was afforded a lot more leniency than my boarding friends. A number of them used to come for Sunday lunches or stay over on Saturday nights after we hadplayedvarioussportingmatches-RugbyXVs,VIIs,Fives,Tennis, Squash, Hockey or Ross Hockey. At the end of Senior School,ImanagedtoachievesufficientOLevels(althoughthatdates me - we were the last year of O Levels!) to carry on and complete 4 A Levels.

All in all, Rossall was a fantastic 14 year education for me. Becausetherewassomuchgoingon;youcouldneverbebored and in my opinion everybody excelled at something. This meant they went to the next stage of their academic career with aninnateconfidencewhichwillnodoubthavehelpedthemin later life. I had my bumps and scrapes through school but I don’t think my teachers would say I was naughty. Mischievous, adventurous,hedonistic;butnotnaughty.Notalothaschangedreally!

Chris Butterworth (Pre Prep, JS and FN 75 - 89)

16

Chris Heaton (JS &R 67-76) Ran 30 marathons in 30 days, alternating between the Windermere Marathon course and the Great Langdale Marathon course. Both are regarded as difficultcourses,with the Great Langdale course

billed as the toughest in the world. Chris admits that he was not noted as an athlete of any kind during his time at Rossall but, on reflection, thinks that Rossall cross-countryjustwasn’tlongenough!Thepurposeof this mammoth challenge was to raise £30,000 for BrathayTrustandtherefore‘Challenge30’began.It was extremely physically and mentally demanding andChrispickedupseveralinjuriesalongtheway.In total, Chris raised £53,594 which means that many disadvantaged children will now be given life transforming opportunities. Chris is especially grateful to fellow ORs for support and sponsorship including NickSpaven(JS&SE63-73),JonathanSpaven(JS&SE66-76),BillGott(JS&R66-76)Nigel,RossandNickOldham(allJ&A)JamieBoot(JS&SE)andMarkTowers (O&R 70-78). Mark also cycled alongside Chrisforthefinalmilesofday30.Forfurtherdetailsplease visit www.challenge30.net. Congratulations Chris!

In September, Nick Young (Pe 82-89), is attempting toswimtheEnglishChanneltoraisemoneyforhisniece,Bel.Belisnow12yearsold,butjustonemonth before her 9th Birthday, she fell from a climbing frameandwasleftwithseverespinalinjuries.Thishasleftherparalyzedfromtheneckdown,confinedto a wheelchair, reliant on a ventilator for much of the time and requiring 24 hour care. Despite this, she is a brave and inspirational little girl and endures up to two hours a day of tough physiotherapy. Nick has set himselfthegoalofraising£50,000;enoughmoneytofund a hydrotherapy pool for her at home. Swimming hasneverbeenNick’sthing;henormallyrunsamilefrom cold water, so the prospect of a 21 mile swim in choppywaters,whilstdodgingjellyfishandcross-channel ferries, does not excite him. However, he knows that a big target requires a big challenge. He has been training for over 12 months, swimming at his local pool during the evenings and weekends. If you would like to know more about Nick’s challenge, please visit www.nickyoungchannelswim.com Good luck Nick!

Swimming has never been his thing; he normally runs a mile from cold water

All in a Good CauseIt is always a delight to hear of the passion our Old Rossallian community displays when it comes to helping others. Here are a few examples of some recent fundraising activites.

Jake Thompson (MC 00-09) was recently amongst the only British team this year to complete a trek to the North Pole to raise money for his chosen charity, The Colourful Life Foundation. So far, Jake’s efforts have raised over £27,000 andalreadybenefittingchildrenlivinginArusha,Tanzania.Tofindoutmoreplease visit www.colourfullife.org. Jake was also kind enough to take a Rossall flag to the North Pole for a photo opportunity as well as singing The Carmen in sub-zero temperatures! Well done Jake!

17

It is perhaps quite appropriate that the email addressreads‘@rossall.org.uk’becausethe‘org’bithasworkedquitewell.VisitingIrelandinSeptember to attend a conference and having thechancetovisitEireforthefirsttime,Irealisedthat I knew no-one there. So a quick appeal to the School’sFoundationOfficebroughtforthacontactortwo;theresultwasamostenjoyablelunchata

delightful hostelry in the company of 3 ORs, John Jowett(M45-48),NormanWilliams(SE46-51)andPeter Walsh (R 45-54). The most extraordinary thing is that we really didn’t know each other that well before hand! Of course they were all younger than me, but that simply led to even more reminiscences that brought back war time memories as well as life at Rossall in those days. It was particularly good to meet Norman who, through inability with Parkinson’s,rarelygetsout;butwiththeableassistance of his daughter, Judy, made great efforts. His loyalty to Rossall and his vast collection of memorabilia are a testament of what the School has achieved.Itwasaverymemorableoccasion–youshould try it sometime!

By Peter Rollason (MC 43-45)

Since this article was written, we received the sad news that Norman Williams passed away in February 2014.

Swimming has never been his thing; he normally runs a mile from cold water “A quick appeal to the Foundation Office brought forth a contact or two”

More OR GatheringsEarlierthisyeartherewasareunionofaratherunusual group of Old Rossallians. Almost 45 years to the day after producing two short musicalplaysintheMuseumTheatre–‘Cox&Box’and‘TheProdigalSon’,formermathematicsmaster and gifted musician Douglas Butler (CR 68-69) and his wife, Margaret, hosted the three lead performers at their home in Oundle: Roger Curtis (JS & MC 59-69), Russell Kett (JS & R 61-71) and Ken Sykes (A 64-69), unsurprisingly knownasEricwhilstatschool.

Itwasajoyousoccasion,marredonlybythefailure to be able to recall the names of some of our contemporaries as we studied various photographs of the production, the Rossall choir and other groups. Our other regret was not to have held the reunion sooner.

As a memento of the occasion, Douglas kindly presented us with our original copies of the musical score, complete with annotations and rehearsal schedules, as well as an electronic copy of a sound recording of both plays which he had made on a reel-to-reel tape recorder at the time, and which had lain undisturbed for nearly half a century. It sounded like only yesterday...

By Russell Kett ( JS&R 61-71)

Photos show L-R: Roger Curtis (‘Cox’), Ken Sykes (‘Bouncer’, the landlord) & Russell Kett (‘Box’);

Dr Peter Nightingale (JS &R 60-69) sent a letter of apology for not replying to one of our recent letters a littlemorepromptly–hishomeinSomersethadbeenunderwaterfor8weeks!HispredicamenthadcometolightfromacommunicationfromPhilipCorran(JS&M60-69),whohadseenPeteronTVsurveyinghisfloodedestate from an airplane.

Where are they now? Answer: Messrs Gill, Owen and Self

L-R Peter Walsh, Norman Williams, Peter Rollason and John Jowett

18

Memories of RossallEveryoneremembersthefirsttimetheywalkupthemaindriveintoschool,past the Museum Theatre and then the Archway comes into view. As a 3 year old this was a particularly daunting experience. Rossall was very different in 1990 to how it is today. The Nursery (where I started) was in what is now the Rosshop. Pre-Prep was located in what is now part of the Astronomy Centre atthebackoftheHall(thecurrentPre-Prepbuildingwasn’tfinishedyet).Rossall is so much more than a school. It is a way of life, and for 15 years, it was my life. Perhaps the biggest event of my early time at Rossall was in 1994whenTheQueenvisitedtheSchool.IwasinYear2atthetime,MrsIvell’sVioletClass.ItwasthedayIdancedforTheQueen.Manypeopledon’tbelievemewhenItellthemaboutit;thatisuntilmyMumgetsthephotosout!SomepeopletalkaboutthedayMrsIvellmetTheQueen.Icorrectthemonthispoint,asitwasthedaythatTheQueenmetMrsIvell!

Awayfromtheclassroom,mytimewasspenteitheronthesportsfieldorintheMusicSchool.Ontherugbypitchafterplayingintheagegroups,myseniortime(despiteahandfulofappearancesintheRed1stXVjersey)wasspentinthe2ndXV.Thiswasoftenchallenging(albeitenjoyable)asthe2swasmadeuplargelyofISCstudents who hadn’t even seen a rugby ball before, never mind played the game. A particular highlight was havingtotranslatelineoutcallsintoGermansothatour6’5”lockforwardJonasknewwhethertojump.Imayjokeaboutit,butJonaswentonthefollowingseasontoplayinthe1stXV.Westruggledresultswisebuttheundoubted highlight was going to Merchant Taylors (where we had been on the wrong end of many a hiding) and beating them.

On the cricket pitch my 1st XI debut was made in Year 10 against the MCC and I was lucky enough to go on 3 cricketfestivals;Lorretto,CranleighandMerchantTaylorsNorthwood.Theundoubtedhighlighthoweverwasthe 2003 tour to South Africa. This is something that I will never forget. Throughout my time in senior school I was also a member of the School Choir and in my U6th year was Head Chorister. We performed at York Minster, Durham Cathedral and toured Prague. Since leaving I have made several guest appearances with the Choir,whichisalwaysenjoyable.

Therewasthereforeonlyonechoiceofvenueformyweddinglastyear.IfirstshowedmythenFiancéearoundthe Chapel when I was playing cricket for the Northern Nomads against the School. She instantly saw why it wassuchaspecialplacetome.AnumberofORfriendsjoinedusonourspecialday,alongwithseveralformerteachers. Stuart Corrie played the organ. Margaret Young organised a Chamber Choir to perform and former School Chaplain Helen Houston officiated.

I now live in Stone, Staffordshire and, after graduating in Biology and International Relations at Keele University, I am working as an In-play Sports Trader for bet365 in Stoke on Trent. I still visit my parents in FleetwoodregularlyandIwillalwayslookfondlyonmytimeatRossall;ittook me all over the world. From singing on the Steps of St Thomas’ Old Town square in Prague, to the stalls of York Minster. From the cricket pitches of Cape Town and Durban to the Ski Slopes of Mont St Anne in Quebec;evenjustanormalschooldayoftenstartedwithaswimat7amand ended in my study doing prep at gone 8pm. To many people school is somewhere you arrive at 8:30am, leave at 3:30pm and don’t think about it in between. Rossall is different. As I said earlier it is a way of life and as the saying goes, Rossall really will be what you make it.

Andrew Nicholson (JS&Pe 90-05)

“The biggest event of my early time at Rossall was when The Queen visited”

19“The biggest event of my early time at Rossall was when The Queen visited” If you have any announcements, please email s.potts@rossall.co.uk

Announcements – CongratulationsTo Laura Hignett (Dn 97-03) and her partner Daniel on the birth of their daughter, Poppy.

To Jake Thompson (MC 00-07) and Hannah Bennett (R 05-09) on their recent engagement.

To Jessica Craine (O 94-95) who married Martin W Hill on the 21st June at Lincoln’s Inn (where they were both called to the Bar).

To Harry Davies (SE 98-07) and his band JamJar, who have been signed up by Pete Waterman and have beenrecordingtheirfirstalbuminLondon.

To Joshua Lee (JS & MF 98-12), elected Captain of Aberdeen Universities’ Polo Club.

To Ben Griffiths (J & Pe 01-07)whohasjoinedCornelianAssetManagersasInvestmentManager.BasedinEdinburgh,Benwillbelookingafterportfoliosforprivateclients,charities,trustsandpensionfunds.HewouldbedelightedtohearfromORs–ben.griffiths@cornelianam.comor01312402768.

To Dave (Stitch) Taylor (DC 80-89) who, after 22 years of dedicated service in the Royal Artillery (RA), has beengrantedaQueen’sCommissionandisnowaBatteryCaptain,SecondinCommandof1stBattery,14Regiment RA, Larkhill.

To Julian Anderson, a member of the Thompson Dynasty (Blackpool Pleasure Beach) who attended RJS in the70’s,receivedcriticalacclaimforhisopera‘Thebans’,whichhewrotefortheEnglishNationalOperaandpremieredatTheColiseumearlierthisyear.IttookJulian3yearstocompleteandthethree-act‘Thebans’combineallthreeplaysofSophocles.Itishisfirstopera.

To Rev. Ian Faulds (SE 62-66), who is a minor canon and Precentor of Peel Cathedral, Isle of Man, He is also VicarofPeel.

To Janine Schofield (R 03-11) who has recently been offered a 3 year training contract with PwC in Guernsey. Havingbeenjobhuntingforthepastyear,shesawapostontheRossallAlumniFacebookpagebyORDavidDavieswhowasrecruitingforpositionswithPwC.JanineislookingforwardtostartinghernewjobinGuernseyand hopes that one day she will be able to help other ORs out. She said, “I will be ever indebted to Rossall for the wonderful start it gave me.”

To Alex Andrejevic (MF 03-05) who is now a Gynaecologist in the Delivery Suite of Bürgerhospital in Frankfurt, Germany. If any ORs would like advice on entering the medical profession, contact Alex at alex@andrejevic.de

To Jennifer Cooper (Dn 00-08) who will be taking up a new position of EnglishTeacheratLordWandsworthCollegeinHampshire(whoseHeadisRossall’s former Deputy Head, Fergus Livingstone). Jennie also played the leadinaproductionofGilbertandSullivan’s‘Ruddigore’inMayatTheWildeTheatre in Bracknell.

To David Ferguson (JS & SE 91-99) who married his girlfriend of 7 years, Becky, on 26th April in Kent. His brother James (JS & SE 92-01) wasbestmanandtheywerejoinedbyORfriendsincluding Francis Woods, Tom Bruck, Charles Ingham, Richard Pilling and James Barrow. They are currently living in Wandsworth, SW London, and would love to hear from any ORs living in the area. Contact David on fergie@mail.com

L-R James Barrow, Richard Pilling, David Ferguson

& Charles Ingham

20

In MemoriamMichael Melluish OBE (SE 40-51)

MichaelMelluishwasbornin1932;thefamilymovingtoShropshireshortlyaftertheoutbreakofwar.Fromthere,hewenttoschoolatRossall.Excellingatcricket,hescored in his last term the highest recorded run total of any public school boy in one term (this record stood until 2004). His captaincy of the 1st XI and also the School instilled in him his outstanding qualities of leadership, encouragement of the young and his delightful sense of humour.

From Rossall he was commissioned into the Royal Artillery as a national service officer;hisabilityatcricketprobablykeepinghimfrombeingpostedtotheKoreanWar. Then on to Cambridge, where he read law and was selected for the University XI for each of his 3 years as wicket keeper and, initially as opening batsman and being captain in his last (the summer of 1956). Also In that year, he played for the GentlemenofEnglandagainstthePlayers,bothatLord’sandatScarborough.Heplayed one County Championship match for Middlesex in 1957 and he regularly represented the MCC, captaining the Club on a tour to the Netherlands and Denmark in 1963.

OnmovingfromCambridge,hejoinedArthurBrownandCompany,asmalloilcompanywithwhichhehadfamily connections. After several years, which included early business trips to China, Michael moved to the investment management arm of Singer and Friedlander, a City of London Merchant Bank. Here he made many

friendsandenjoyedamostsuccessfulcareer,findingtime however to serve on the committee of MCC from 1974 until 2002. He was President in 1991/92 and, in the same year, president of the ICC, then a trustee of the MCC Foundation. He was awarded an OBEin1999forservicestocricket.

Work with schools was for him another abiding passion, governing for many years Rossall, Radley and Hazelwood prep school. He also loved theatre, musicandallsortsofentertainment.Heenjoyedlifehugelywithawonderful‘glasshalffull’wayoflooking at the world.

He died in February 2014, leaving the world a poorer place.

Michael, pictured left, with Jim Parks at the opening of the Dick Richards Pavilion

“He scored the highest recorded run total of any public school boy in one term” “A true gentleman, with an irrepressible appetite and enthusiasm for life”

Captain of the Rossall 1st XI, 1951

21

In MemoriamJohn Pickering (MC 52-57)

John Pickering, who died on 6th December 2013 after a long illness, wasone(hisbrotherDavidjoinedhimin1955)ofagangofCheshirefarmers in Maltese Cross House (known as Claytons in those days) in the 1950’s.

Life in the house was as it must have been at Rugby School at the time of Tom Brown, for its Housemaster, Alan Clayton (Cloggy) was very‘oldschool’,andbelievedthattheoldadage‘thatyoucantakeahorsetowater,butyoucannot.......’wasutternonsense.Everyboy, he thought, could be made to work and play very hard indeed by forceful means if they dared to challenge his belief! John Pickering andhisgreatfarmingfriend,EdwardFearnall,weretwosuchboys,and in constant trouble for it! However, at age 16 they were both much too big and strong for him to dare tangle with, and they proved a worthy pair of guardians, and counter balance for the younger boys in the house.

John, always affectionately known as Picko, was never going to reach academic stardom at Rossall. We were all very sad when he left before starting his sixth form year and returned home to help his father on the farm at Rough Hill, Chester. Had he remained at school, he would

certainlyhaveplayedtherestofhisyearsintheschool1stXV.Asitwas,Rossall’slosswasChester’sgain-whereheplayedatpropforwardforthe1stXVformanyyearsandwaslateragenerousbenefactor.Allthosewho propped against him, including some famous Welsh Internationals, always knew they’d been in a scrap!

HavingleftRossallandqualifiedasaCharteredAccountant,John’sbrother,David(MC55-60,)joinedhiminthe business in the mid 60’s and they worked together for over 50 years, expanding their dairy farm into a multi dairy product business - Bodfari Foods which they sold to Northern Foods in the early 90’s. But there wasnorestingonlaurels;theywerequicklyupandrunningagainandwithanotherclosefriendandbusinessassociate, started another business, Meadow Foods, which they expanded successfully to become the largest, independently owned dairy business in the UK. While busy with all this, John also set up Bell Meadow, a residential building business, which enabled him to indulge his flare and talent for building beautiful houses, mostly in the Tarporley/Manley area of Cheshire.

But really, John was a farmer and family man at heart. He married his gorgeous wife Joey in 1969 and their children Chrissie and Alec followed soon afterwards, and subsequently their four grandchildren. Their many dogs(asshootinginwintermonthswashisgreatpastime)completedJohn’sinfectioushappiness;especiallywhen at Dulas, their wonderful Anglesey estate, where he was recently able to rebuild the original estate hall - andmakeamagnificentjobofittoo.

John was a true gentleman, with an irrepressible appetite and enthusiasm for life. He was successful in all his many endeavours, but never took himself too seriously. He was extremely generous and kind and always considerateofthoselessfortunatethanhimself.Heenjoyedlifetothefullanddidhisutmosttohelpallthosearoundhimtojoininthefun.HewasagreatsupporterofRossallandservedontheCouncilforfiveyearsinthe90’sbeforeretiringtobecomeaverydistinguishedHighSheriffofCheshirein1995.Itwasagreatjoyto him when his son Alec, who was also in MC at Rossall, became a very powerful and popular prop in the successful1stXVof1988/1989.

John will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

By Arthur Stephenson (MC 54-61)

“He scored the highest recorded run total of any public school boy in one term” “A true gentleman, with an irrepressible appetite and enthusiasm for life”

22

In MemoriamMargaret ‘Margie’ Byers (Dn 97-00)

Margie, who sadly passed away on the 21st January 2014, aged 34, spent her early years in Seattle, USA, beforemovingtotheFyldeCoastandjoiningRossallSchoolinJanuary1997.ShecompletedherstudiesatRossall and was then accepted to study oboe at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. After a year and a half, she left RNCM and went to work in food testing and merchandising for the Co-operative Group.Afterseveralyears,shefinallydecidedthatnursingwasherchosencareer.SheattendedtheSchoolofNursing at the University of Manchester and received her Diploma in Professional Studies in Nursing. She lived with her family in Haslington, Cheshire and is survived by her parents, William and Charlotte, husband Marc and young daughter Mathilda.

Antony Cooke (JS & Pe 51-62)

AntonyTillardCooke(1943–2013)attendedtheJuniorSchool1951-57andPelican1957-62,andwasHeadofSchoolinbothinstances.HecaptainedaverysuccessfulRugby1stXVandwas,inRoyWoodcock’swords,a‘livelyopeningbat’forthe1stXI.

After coming down from Oxford, he began a highly successful career in education as a stop-gap teacher of French at Charterhouse - where he remained for 24 years, the last twelve as a well-respected housemaster. In 1990, he was appointed Headmaster of Kamuzu Academy, Malawi, followed by positions of responsibility with theAgaKhanEducationServiceinEastAfricafortenyears.Finally,hewasFoundingPrincipalatRivieraHighSchool, Rwanda.

Enormouslyhard-working,hegaveunstintinglyofhistime,energyandencouragementtoothersandisremembered by pupils, colleagues and employers alike for his calm, unassuming, common sense leadership, humanity,helpfulnessandsenseoffun–andaboveall,asawise,considerateandsupportivefriend.

Amongst his many interests were vintage cars, motorbikes and motor- racing, about which he was extremely knowledgeable.Agoodmechanic,hemaintainedhisownvehicles,includinghisbelovedVelocetteTTReplicamotorbikes.

Antony was robbed of a long overdue and richly deserved retirement by cancer of the oesophagus, to which he succumbed after a gruelling 9 month battle. He retained his concern for others, sense of humour and above all the courage that had been so conspicuous a feature of his whole life, to the bitter end.

Heleavesfourchildrenbyhisfirstmarriage,andawidow,twostep-daughtersandasoninKenya.

Charles Anthony Smith (F 48-52)

Although Tony came to Rossall a year later than I, he soon caught up with the 1947 intake and we were in the same form together for the rest of our time. Tony was, of course, a rebel and spent many a Ted Harrop lesson outsidetheclassroomformisbehaving;itwasthereIhadsomeonetotalktoandwewereoftenalsojoinedby Richard Shepherd. Tony was also well known for being at the top of the Common Room Smokers’ list! Despitethis,heenjoyedtwoyearsintheCricketXIasanopeningbatsman,partneringMichaelMelluishonaregular basis and getting the innings off to a good start. In 1952, he was the senior colour and captain of the side.

Hisfamilybusinesswasthemanufactureofchildren’sknitwear,butinlaterlifeTonyjoinedanengineeringcompanyaspurchasingmanager.WeenjoyednoisySaturdayeveningdancesatTheBellHotelinLeicestershire.ThelasttimeIsawTonywasshortlybeforehisstroke;hewaswithhiswifeandanotherladyataservice station on the A1. His sense of humour was still to the fore as he explained to me that he liked to travel witha‘sparewife’!Sadlyhishealthdeterioratedinhisfinalyearsandhepassedawayon31stJanuary2013.

By Roger Fewkes (F 47-50) and Robert Benbow (F 48-52 )

“He was a ‘lively opening bat’ for the 1st XI”

23“He arrived at Rossall as a scholar from Arnside and left as School Captain”

In MemoriamPeter Anthony Webb (Pe 55-58)

Peter, who died on the 14th December 2013, aged 72, was one of the many regular 50’s intakes from Red House,MoorMonkton;oneofthemany‘feeder’prep-schoolsforRossall.HeworkedforBOCformostofhiscareer,finishingastheManageroftheirStHelensoperations.Hewasakeenandcompetentsportsman,gaininghisschoolboxingcoloursandplayingformost,probablyall,ofPelicanHousefirstteams.Whenworking in London shortly after leaving Rossall, he played for one of the Wasps subordinate teams, then later forEcclesRUFC.HewasalsoamemberofLancashireCCCandavidlyfollowedthesport.HappilymarriedtoBarbara since 1956, they had two children, Andrew and Sarah (who very sadly predeceased him). A lifelong personal friend, he was also good company. A modest and unassuming Rossallian gentleman.

By Richard Bland (Pe 54-58)

Christopher Bradley ( M51-56)

Christopher Bradley arrived at Rossall as a scholar from Arnside and left as School Captain in 1956. He must rank as one of Rossall’s best mathematicians and he always gave Keith Melluish much of the credit for his scholarshiptoClareCollege,Cambridge.Hewasanoutstandingsprinter;hisSchoolRecordof53.7secondsfor the 440 yards was outstanding, especially as it was achieved on grass. He also bowled wickedly tantalizing leg breaks for the 2nd XI. At Cambridge, Christopher achieved a First with Distinction in Part II of the Tripos. He won the Mayhew Prize for what he described as a “stout performance” in Part III. He migrated to Oxford for his DPhil in 1963 and was eventually elected a fellow of Jesus College, as well as achieving a university lectureship. He became Senior Tutor at Jesus and then moved to teach at both Christ’s Hospital and Clifton, where he became Head of Mathematics. He also found time to compete in Maths Olympiads in Moscow, Istanbul and Toronto. The UK Mathematics Trust published a number of his books and there can be no doubt about his considerable contribution to the world of mathematics. Christopher passed away on the 11th July 2013.

By Tom Gover (SE 50-55 )

AnthonyEdwinUttley(R43-45) GDKCheall(M41-44)

James Salmon (MC 32-35) Mark Hamer (Pe 42-48)

JohnHardiman(R62-67) NormanWilliams(SE46-51)

GeorgeWorthington(DC45-53) SurenRampal(SE51-53)

G L Shottin (MC 48-51) Coyle Marl (MC 53-57)

JAKelly(SE52-55) DrRichardRobinson(MC54-59)

Roderick Keay (Pe 60-65) Tim Roper (F 47-52) (CR)

George Lucas (M 44-46) Meyrick Finch (Pe 51-57)

William Walker (F 53-57) Robert (Bob) Johnston (DC 37-48)

NOTE FROM THE EDITOR:

We aim to print all announcements as accurately as possible, based on the information provided. Any omissions or errors will be amended and re-printed in the next edition.

Dates for your diaryDate Venue Contact

2014Friday 12th September Farrell Society Book Launch - Sharon Potts The Murder of Patience Brooke, s.potts@rossall.org.uk (Featuring Charles Dickens) by Jean Briggs Rossall School

Friday 19th September Late Summer Barbeque Sharon Potts The Oriental Club, London s.potts@rossall.org.uk

Sunday 28th September Manchester Lunch Roger Walker The Stanneylands Hotel, Wilmslow chrisandroger@metronet.co.uk

Saturday 18th October OR Drinks Reception Sharon Potts Rome, Italy s.potts@rossall.org.uk

Saturday 25th October OR Drinks Reception Sharon Potts Hong Kong s.potts@rossall.org.uk

Sunday 9th November WW1 Commemoration Service Sharon Potts 3.30pm Rossall School s.potts@rossall.org.uk

Tuesday 11th November Remembrance Service Sharon Potts Rossall School s.potts@rossall.org.uk

Friday 14th November Birmingham Dinner John Whitlock thewhitlocks@blueyonder.co.uk

Wednesday 26th November AnA-ZofRossall-ArtExhibition SharonPotts by TL Briggs s.potts@rossall.org.uk

Thursday 27th November Business2BusinessNetworkingEvent SharonPotts Rossall School s.potts@rossall.org.uk

Sunday 21st December Carol Service Sharon Potts Rossall School s.potts@rossall.org.uk

2015Saturday 21st to OR Weekend Sharon Potts Sunday 22nd March s.potts@rossall.org.uk

Friday 19th June OR Dinner at Twickenham Sharon Potts s.potts@rossall.org.uk

2016Saturday 16th to OR Weekend & Triennial Dinner Sharon Potts Sunday 17th April s.potts@rossall.org.uk

School sports fixturesRUGBYSeptember:Saturday 6th Sedbergh1st,2ndXV(a)Saturday 20th St.EdwardsCollege,Liverpool 1st XV,2ndXV(a)Wednesday 24th Bolton1st,2nd,3rdXV(a)Saturday 27th St. Bees 1st XV,2ndXV(h)October:Saturday 4th Stonyhurst1stXV(h)Saturday 11th Audenshaw 1st XV,2ndXV(a) Wednesday 15th QueenElizabeth1stXV (a) Saturday 18th Rishworth1stXV,2ndXV(h)November:Saturday 8th AltrinchamGS1stXV,2ndXV(a)Saturday 15th Giggleswick1stXV2ndXV(a)Saturday 22nd Silcoates1stXV,2ndXV(a)Saturday 29th QEGSBlackburn1stXV(a)

GIRLS HOCKEYSeptember:Saturday 6th Sedbergh, 1st XI (a)Saturday 20th Giggleswick 1st, 2nd XI (h)Wednesday 24th KingsMacclesfield1stXI(a)Saturday 27th Rydal Penrhos 1st XI (h)November:Saturday 8th AKS, 1st XI (h)Saturday 15th Kirkham 1st XI (h)Saturday 22nd Austin Friars 1st,2nd XI (h)Saturday 29th Stonyhurst 1st,2nd XI (a)

BOYS HOCKEYSeptemberThursday 25th MGS and Lancaster (a)Sunday 28th North Wales at Wrexham (a)Tuesday 30th Merchant Taylors and Bolton (a)

OctoberSunday 9th Bolton and Baines (a)NovemberTuesday 11th Bolton and Baines (h)Tuesday 25th MGS and Bolton (a)Thursday 27th Merchant Taylors (h)