OLD WALLASEYANS  WORLDWIDE

NEWSLETTER No. 49 MARCH 2008 for former pupils of Wallasey School, Henry Meoles, Oxley and WGS

Editor: Tony Simpson:Secretary: Vic Green: <vic.green@blueyonder.co.uk>

Chairman and Webmaster: Bob Bryans,      <robert.bryans@homecall.co.uk>

Treasurer: Clive Lewis-Jones,<clive@lewis-jones.co.uk>  07

THE 77TH ANNUAL DINNER OF THE OLD WALLASEYANS WORLDWIDE WILL BE HELD AT THE RAF CLUB 128 PICCADILLY LONDON   W1V OPY

ON FRIDAY 17th OCTOBER 2008

A message from the editor, Tony Simpson

I have been a Committee Member for 25 years; 15 as Chairman and 24 as Newsletter Editor.  I have beside me Newsletter No. 1 dated March 1984.  This comprises two double-sided sheets and contains 11 contributions.  My wife typed the original on an ancient, massive Remington typewriter and I got the copies duplicated on the office machine.  It was posted to about 40 OWs -  I forget the exact number.  We now have 320 on the mailing list; half by email, half by surface mail.  We restyled ourselves "Worldwide" when it became abundantly clear that this was indeed the case.  Since the first London O.W. dinner in 1931 we now welcome more and more members who have discovered us by Google. 

   Roy Swinbank was our Treasurer for many years, and like myself, has handed over to a younger man.  Our new Treasurer is Clive Lewis-Jones who, despite being very busy professionally has kindly accepted this position.  This means that the business of the O.W. W's continues in the safe keeping of a strong Committee.  I am delighted to welcome George McVicar to the Committee; he was at WGS pre- and during World War II.  It is a pleasure to include his contribution in this issue.  To return to Roy Swinbank; I have known him throughout his term of office and have the greatest respect for the way in which he has handled our finances.  It seemed that he guarded OWW's money assiduously than his own!  He always kept us up to date in great detail, literally to the nearest penny.   His crowning success was the handling of the 2006 House of Lords Dinner.  This onerous task was completed having covered our costs with something to spare; a great achievement.  I am sorry that Roy has retired from the Committee, but I fully sympathise with his reasons.  But  - old friendships never die!  

   The School moved from Withens lane to Leasowe in 1967.  Since then we have endeavoured to keep in touch with staff and pupils by inviting the Head Teacher and Head Boy and Head Girl to our Annual Dinner.  Headmaster Alex Bruce presided over the move to Leasowe during the period 1965 to 1968.  Peter Johnson succeeded him until his untimely death in 1998.  Then came Martin Pope who took early retirement due to ill health.  We now have forged a firm connection with the present Head Teacher Phil Duffy whom we were pleased to welcome to the 2007 Dinner together with the Head Boy, Head Girl and their deputies.

OWW's now include past pupils of WGS, Henry Meoles and Oxley Schools and past and present members of Wallasey School.

 Andrew Watson was my predecessor as Chairman and is now in his 90th year - and recently married   His contribution is in                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

this issue.  You will notice from our heading that I have no email address - this is because I have no computer.  Our secretary Vic Green produces this newsletter, which he has done for more years than I can remember.  Without him there would be no newsletter and we owe him a debt of gratitude.  I really enjoy contact with O.W.'s and am always pleased to receive phone calls or surface mail.

For newsletter contributions or just a friendly chat, myself, Bob Bryans and Vic Green will always be pleased to hear from you.

   For old boys of WGS, The History of Wallasey Grammar School   1595-1970 by Maurice Eggleshaw MA will be of great interest.  It was produced to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the founding of the School.  It is available for purchase from The Librarian, Wallasey School, Birket Avenue, Moreton, Wirral   CH46 1RB   Tel. 0151 677 875 <office@wallasey.wirral.sch.uk>

Your Editor, Tony Simpson

 

The 76th London Dinner

After our visit to "another place" for our 75th Anniversary Dinner last year, we were back at the RAF Club for this year's event.

As an "Old Boy" of both WGS and the RAF - going back to the days of leather helmets and joysticks - it gives me great pleasure to be able to arrange for our annual event to be held in my Service Club in Piccadilly.  Once again we sat at table in the splendid ballroom, and as ever, the evening was greatly enjoyed by all those present.  In fact, Old Wallaseyans were overheard commenting that this was one of the best dinners yet!  Good food, good companionship, and good speeches all contributed to make it a memorable occasion. 

We were delighted to welcome this year the new Head Teacher of Wallasey School, Phil Duffy, who was accompanied by Rob Hughes (Deputy Head), Anthony Pude (Head Boy), Amy Harding (Head Girl), Isaac Kershaw (Deputy Head Boy) and Jenny Daniels (Deputy Head Girl).  This was the first time we have had such a large contingent from the school, and their presence was stimulating.  We were also pleased to welcome as guests Jerry Brace, President of the Wallaseyans' Club in Grove Road, and his wife Elizabeth.

Absent friends were remembered, and particular mention was made of Bob Leach (WGS 1930-1935) a stalwart supporter over many years, who suffered heart trouble shortly before the Dinner, and was forced to declare himself unserviceable for the evening, We raised our glasses to all our Absent Friends in the traditional manner.

"TRADITION" was the theme of the evening's speeches.  Our Chairman, Bob Bryans, introduced the subject in this toast to the schools.  We were all greatly heartened by the response of the Head Teacher, Phil Duffy.  In an interesting and well-received speech he spoke of his belief in Wallasey School, and of his firm opinion that tradition had a very important part to play in creating a connection with the past for today's pupils.  All four senior pupils then said a few words on how much the school means to them, and their enthusiasm - and their obvious respect for their Head - came across loud and clear.

In conversation with Bob Bryans and other members of the dinner committee after the meal, Phil Duffy let us know that not only had he thoroughly enjoyed the evening, but that he looks forward to attending future dinners and hopes to bring with him representatives of the staff as well as the senior pupils.  This was great news, as our link with the present school had been temporarily severed in recent years. 

It is good to be able to report that a long-standing TRADITION has been re-established.

Stan Lawrence

Those attending: Douglas Addison 1948-55 Committee; Rose & Rodney Arthur 1941-45; Mary Winyard & Don Atherton 1941-47; Elizabeth & Jerry Brace President OWC; Janice & Graham Boston Past President OWC; Wendy and Bob Bryans 1954-61 Chairman and Webmaster; Sheila & Brian Clay 1942-50; Katherine & Don Cropp 1946-53; Jenny Daniels Deputy Head Girl Wallasey School; June & Peter Doyle 1951-55 Past President OWC; Philip Duffy Headteacher The Wallasey School; Rita &Anthony Fraser; Doris & Don Fraser 1938-44; Peter Fawcett 1961-64 Staff; Philomena Samuel & Vic Green 1931-40 Secretary; Amy Harding Head Girl Wallasey School; Rob Hughes Deputy Headteacher The Wallasey School; George Johnston 1938-45; Isaac Kershaw Deputy Head Boy Wallasey School; Jessica & Capt. Stan Lawrence 1944-50 Sponsor of Dinner; Helen & Clive Lewis-Jones 1960-67 Treasurer; Anthony Pude  Head Boy Wallasey School; Winne Roll Exchange 1963, Retired Kriminal Direktor; Sabina & Tony Simpson 1942-46, Editor of Newsletter, Committee;  Sue & Arthur Stanley 1944-49; Jeanette Lawson & Derek Verdin 1944-51; Mary and Andrew Watson GM 1930-36 Committee; Jenny & Derek West 1952-57 Publicity Officer; Clive Whatling 1958-65; Sue & John Williams1954-61; Sheila and James Woodend 1943-49.

 

News from Members

Prof. John Bennett   1943-52   <jrbennett@dsl.pipex.com>

Thanks for the email and prompt about the newsletter, which I enjoyed as always.  I'll make sure I get a copy of the DVD.  Sorry I won't get to this year's dinner, either, as I shall be abroad (travelling by boat, so no conscience about MY carbon footprint).  I'll be at the 2nd Wall reunion, though, and also the LVRC Golden Oldies.  Best wishes for a successful dinner.

Foster Berry   55-61  <fosberry8@hotmail.com>

I was mesmerised by the DVD!  M & I watched it the other evening then I looked at several parts again by myself at half or quarter speed to try to ID more.  It had such an impact on me that I woke up at 4:30 the next morning and couldn't go back to sleep for thinking about WGS!    Good pic of me in the sports day section near the pavilion - I am on extreme RHS of screen in my blue track suit, my face almost front on then turned to side.  Observe the HAIR! What a quiff!  I am sure my mum was serving at one of the stalls when the Coro St pair came, but I can't see her.   Saw many I knew incl David Brown, Knowles, David Noble (dark vest in Cross country at Moreton foreshore) and others whose names I can't recall.  Then there's Dinham, Dugdale, Lochner, Wise, Livesey, seen again after all those years!  I will show it to Douglas and Gregory when they come, I'll be interested in their reaction to seeing how I went to school!  I was also in the cycle polo one year, but can't see me in that one.  Off to Galapagos next week!

Brian Blacoe   43-49  <brianblacoe@btinternet.com>  

Thank you for your recent newsletter-----interesting as usual particularly the contributions from contemporaries.  Unfortunately we will not be able to attend this year's dinner, as we will be away.    I do hope you enjoy your first dinner as Chairman and I would be grateful if you would give my best wishes to Brian & Sheila Clay, Stan & Jessica Lawrence, Roy Swinbank and Frank Carlisle and anybody else who remembers me!!!

Ben Dobson    1993-1997   < ben.dobson@hotmail.co.uk>

I am a former Wallasey School pupil, between 1993 and 1997.  I found this site by accident but found it very interesting as it brought back a lot of memories of my time at the Wallasey School and at the Wallasey Sixth Form.   I remember being taught physics by Rob Hughes and I can still remember a lot of teachers who taught me at that time.   I still keep in contact with a couple of the students from that time; however, I am interested in finding or contacting other pupils from that time who have lost contact. 

Peter Fawcett   1961-64 (Former Latin Master )       <Peter.Fawcett@tesco.net>

Just a note to thank you for making me so welcome at the Dinner last Friday.  It was a splendid occasion and I am very pleased that I attended.

Edward John Godfrey    1959-66  <ejgodfrey@netcabo.pt>    

Thanks for putting together another excellent newsletter.

I am working on a contribution/mini-biography about Frank Parr - almost the only Old Wallaseyan to play first class cricket regularly - for Lancashire in the early 1950s.  MSE mentions Frank on pps 185/187 of the OW 'bible'.  Do you know if Frank is still alive?  He was born in 1928 so he will be nearly 80.  Sorry I can't come to the dinner - maybe next year.

[We put Edward in touch with Derek Wardle 1938-46, an authority on cricket who has played 47 games for the MCC.  Derek says that Frank Parr is alive and lives in London and can find his address - Ed.]

Terry  Goodall    1954-1960        <terryali@xtra.co.nz>

Long story (aren't they always!) but I've just been given details (pure fluke) of your website, so at the risk of really stretching the network, I'm asking for another far-flung connection to be set up to NZ (we live 15 miles north of Auckland. City.)

I survived WGS 1954-1960 (Rake Lane??), and much more besides, & would love to hear about fellow survivors, so wish to "sign up". [We have put Terry in touch with Ron Brightmore 1958-1964, who also lives in Auckland - Ed.]

Re the photo…

It's a Long Shot, but  - possibly  - the "gentleman in white singlet may be a rare sighting of the infamous "Gobbo" Robinson, who rowed at #5 in the WGS VIII of '58.  Don't know his real first name (probably never did!), but by now he's probably President-for-Life  of some remote dictatorship.  The dapper-boater-wearer on his left could be the #3, Robin Thomas, who escaped to Reading University in 1960.  (I rowed #4).

Both wild guesses, esp as I don't recognise any of the others in the shot - but it may help corroborate (or confuse) the opinions of more confident witnesses.

Looking forward to exploring the website, & "joining in".

Noel Grigg  (Griggy)  <ngrigg@bigpond.net.au>

Hello my name is Noel Grigg, and I live in Melbourne, Australia.  I was a friend of W D (Derrick) Roles, who attended WGS in the 1930's.  I have in my possession a book titled "The Epic of Mount Everest" which was presented to Derrick by the Headmaster F Wilkinson as a prize for French in Form 3, Midsummer 1933.  I was wondering if the school would have any interest in my returning the book to them.  Otherwise, it will sadly be going to the local version of Oxfam.

Rachael Kennedy   <Rachael_88xx@hotmail.com>

Hi it's Rachael Kennedy here.  I contacted you a while ago about anyone starting Wallasey School in 1999.  I was just wondering if you have found anyone who started in that year.

Thanks for all your help.

George McVicar 1936-1939      <george@mcvicar.tv>   

I attended WGS 1936-39 having previously been to Egerton Grove School for about six years.  Only 2 scholarships a year from Egerton Grove went to the top scholars each year - having failed to pass this (but "promoted" to Oldershaw after an interview having passed to go to the Central School)   and joined the Grammar School (and  my two  brothers  Donald and Neil) as a fee payer.                                  

             "Fives" was my favourite sport (& as we lived in Withens Lane (Trinity Road) it was easy for brother Neil and I to gain access to the Fives Courts before term started so I had an edge! and consequently was runner up in the Junior Fives championships in my first year! While brother Neil was runner up in the SENIOR competition.  It gave the Boss (see below) great pleasure to award runners up medals   to the McVicars - Junior and Senior!

   I also loved RUGBY and played fly half for the BANTAMS down at Leasowe - also a bit of cricket for the COLTS. 

   It was a great help to have two elder brothers at the school so I was given every advantage to do well.  One of the many things I remember with pleasure was the nicknames awarded to virtually ALL the masters starting with the HEADMASTER (F L ALLEN "The BOSS"), 'CISSIE' HALES, "BILLY" BARKER, 'SEEDY' (C.D) DANSON, 'WORGLES' EGGLESHAW, 'SPUDDY' WIDLAKE are the ones I remember but ALL the masters had one!

   My father was in the Civil Service and was promoted to London in 1939 shortly before the WAR.  Consequently I had to leave the Grammar School.  Before that, however, I had a wonderful holiday on the NORFOLK BROADS with fellow Wallaseyans DEREK MALLARD, his father and cousin in perfect weather on "THE PERFECT LADY" - a superb memory to carry through the war.  (I always remember arriving home  & my brother asking me "What do you think of the crisis?" and my reply "What crisis?"

   An interview with RUTLISH school (where we lived) as being their nearest equivalent to WGS - at the interview with the Headmaster he asked me "How was my Latin?"  When I explained that I had taken French and German for my first 3 years, the Head said "We couldn't take you at RUTLISH without Latin!" and consequently I joined RAYNES PARK COUNTY SCHOOL, which had opened just 10 years before!  The contrast with WGS was amazing - one of the lasting memories was how quickly the school emptied on the final bell - at WGS there were endless activities, which took place after 4.15!

    The Blitz in 1940/41 eventually sent me up to stay with relatives near Glasgow but Hitler's invasion of NORWAY put the LUFTWAFFE in relatively easy reach of Scotland so I eventually went back to London and started to work for a Ships' Provision Merchant in Fenchurch Street. 

   In 1941 I was 17 and liable to be conscripted  (or possibly sent down the mines) so I volunteered and was accepted for AIRCREW TRAINING in the RAF.    Enlisted, I was in, given an RAF number  & told to go back to civvy street to await call up.  This didn't come until the War ended and I went into the RAF for 3 1/2 years, serving in Training Command as a WOP (air) returning to Civvy in 1947 to join the Publishing Department at VOGUE - but that's another story!

   For many years I have wondered what happened to WGS and particularly WHY it was closed?  But no longer having any contact with Wallasey for such a long period didn't know who to get in touch with - thanks to GOOGLE ,  discovered that the OWs were alive and well & might even be interested in my belated biog!!                                                              

   Particular greetings to Derek Mallard (though I believe he left for higher things) & any others from LVA 1939 that might remember G. McV!

P.S.  Am I right in thinking that WGS was older than Eaton? [Yes - Ed.]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

Don Malcolmson   1958-65     

My apologies for not being able to make the Annual Dinner last week.  Again, in mitigation, I plead the tyranny of distance, and promise to try harder next year.

A person highlight from earlier in the year was spending a whole evening glued to the TV, watching the WGS DVD, and trying to identify various people from various scenes.

I was particularly struck by the 1959 4th Form plays, where I recognised Michael Brace, John Evans and Barry Holland strutting their youthful stuff across the Withens Lane stage.

It's almost 50 years ago since they (and I) trod those boards.  Tempus Fugit!

Alan Moffat   1963-1969   <hopper8271@hotmail.com>

Many thanks for the DVD which, although it concentrated on the years prior to my time, brought back many happy memories.  The school play of 1962 featured some faces that I recognised, Steve Walker, P R Probert and Barry Holland.  As mentioned in the commentary, all female roles were played by the boys who had been expertly made up by Mr Oxenbould and his team.  In 1967 the school broke with tradition and a joint venture with the Wallasey High was proposed.  The play was to be a Moliere farce entitled 'A doctor in spite of himself'

And I decided to audition for the lead role of  'Scanarelle'.  I had two reasons for this, firstly I was a bit of a show-off in those days and secondly I had noticed that a certain amount of 'fondling' of one of the girls was required at some point in the piece.  Sadly, Miss Slade the Headmistress at WHS had also read the work and gave this particular saucy scene the 'red pencil'.  Nevertheless I stayed with it and, along with my old school mate Graham Kean, shared the Anderson Stevens prize for dramatic work.  Is it still awarded? 

I played 1st team rugby and cricket in my final year before leaving in 1969.  I have some great memories of the rugby matches that we played that season but the one that stands out most is the defeat of an OW's XV one evening at Reeds Lane.  They included many county players including Messrs Townsend, Horner G, Taylor EF, Treganza et al.  Maurice was so pleased his new boys had beaten his old boys that he brought the beer for most of the evening!

   My time spent 'strutting and fretting' on stage may have had a bearing on my becoming a BBC cameraman when I left school.  I trained at the BBC engineering college in Evesham; there I met another OW sadly no longer with us, Phil Dunn was a fine cricketer and an even better drummer in his opinion! 

   Before finishing, I will tell you of a chance meeting with another OW.  In 1970 I was working at the TV Centre in London on a play called 'I can't see my little Willy!'    As the title suggests it revolved around the saucy seaside postcards of Donald McGill.  The director was a chap called Alan Clarke.  Now the only Alan Clarke that I knew at the time either sang with the 'Hollies' or scored goals for Leicester City.  After three days in the studio we finished the play and a drinks party ensued, it only emerged after chatting over a glass or two that we were both products of WGS.  We spent the next few hours talking of our respective schooldays and the masters that were common to us both.  The last time I saw him that evening he was trying, unsuccessfully, to entice the leading lady back up to her dressing room, happy days!  Sad to say that Alan died aged 55 in 1990.

Norman (Gillie) Morrison   40-44  

It was very thoughtful for Derek to write and inform me about the DVD of WGS.  I do not have a computer although a couple of friends have and I can make use of them if necessary!

Please send me a copy of the DVD and my cheque for £ 12 is enclosed.  One of my friends told me that on your website you are seeking help in identification. Perhaps I might be able to recall some faces.    I recall that during the war the cine camera was quite active and some of the films were shown from time to time in the hall and I appeared in one of them purely as a          spectator on the back pitch watching the pole vault.  I recall a ginger-headed athlete, I think his name was Hibbart, performing the task and I was very taken with his skill.  When I tried to do it I nearly pulled my arms from their sockets.  Bamboo poles in those days had very little spring in them.   

Gillie writes later: 

It was with great sorrow for me to learn of the death of Denis Hazlehurst.  He and I had been friends for many years and in the early days Denis was a leading light and a very good singer with the local operatic society.  I recall seeing performances in the Floral Pavilion of Mozart's Marriage of Figero, Smetana's Bartered Bride, Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel and a rare opportunity to see Hugh the Drover by Vaughan Williams.    With regard to the latter two, I recall Denis coming to hear recordings when I was living in The Oval. As is so often the case, we went our separate ways and it was only through the Floral Pavilion being refurbished that we got in touch as he had attended the performance. 

To remind him of the old times, I constructed a compact disc of the recordings I had played to him all those years ago.  He told me that he was very pleased to receive them.  Two months later he died.  I also sent him a copy of a broadcast from the Floral Pavilion made on the 3rd August 1950.  I was the proud possessor of a disc-recording machine.  Part of the broadcast was from the Tivoli Theatre and part from Melody Inn.  This, as many of your readers will recall, was a summer show presented by Jackson Earle with Billy Eaves, Frank and Peggy Naylor, Nita Valerie and Doreen Davies with Jack Rodney as Music Director.  The BBC commentator was David Southwood.  Peggy Naylor later split from her husband and married     Jackson Earle.                                                                               

I have written on a previous occasion of my dislike of Cross Country running and how I regarded those who actually enjoyed it as sadists.     Then, in a recent newsletter, my good friend Bob Leach (I have met him in the Savage Club in London) writes that he liked the ecstasy of running muddy cross-country in the pouring rain.  I can only think of the words sung by Gerontius (Dream of Gerontius by Elgar)  which apply - "take me away".                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

 

Simon Owens   <whatshisname@unforgettable.com>

I have in my possession a couple of photos taken of all the pupils and staff of Wallasey Grammar School, one dates from 1936 and the other from 1938.  I'm prepared to pass them on to any Old Wallaseyan who might be interested.  They used to belong to my father Ronald Jerome (Jerry) Owens, 1921 - 1995 who went to the school in the later part of the 1930s.  I'd be happy to post the two rolls to an address provided to me.

Later:  Glad to know that the school photos got to Tony Simpson.  I certainly hope that a few of my father's contempories who might turn up to your upcoming dinner will get pleasure seeing them and trying to identify themselves and school mates.

   My father, Jerry Owens, was of that generation who enlisted straight from school because of WW2.  He trained to be a pilot in the RAF in South Africa & Bulawayo , Rhodesia before being posted to Mombasa, Kenya.  After finishing his national service he went to Downing College, Cambridge to study under F R Lewis largely as a result of the influence of his English teacher at WGS, Paul Ellison, who himself had been at Downing.  On graduating and deciding on teaching as a career but unable to secure a job with the British Council at that time  (1949) he took up a position at an English school in Lima, Peru.  There he met and married another teacher at the same school, my mother.  If you wish, you can learn more about my father's life in the obituary published by Downing College and to be found in the obituaries section of this page:

http://www.dow.cam.ac.uk/dow_server/info/danl/DANL96.html.  Consequently I grew up in Peru & later Jamaica, and so never went to school in Wallasey.  That said my grandparents lived the latter part of their lives in Wallasey , and I still have an aunt, Felice, who lives there.  She and her husband (my favourite uncle) Roy Humphries -Jones were regularly to be found at the Old Wals club so you could well have known them.

Rolfe Porter   1972-77  <rolfeporter@btinternet.com>

I don't know how up to date the Old Wallaseyans website is, or whether anyone is still looking for my email address  (http://oldwallaseyans.co.uk/Lost_Ows/lost_ows.html)

But the one you have just received this from is the best one to contact me.  I am in Plymouth, Devon now.    However, I am in between houses at the moment, selling one and not bought another yet.  So email is the best way to contact me and as IT is my job, I am always logged on from somewhere.

Roy Swinbank   41-48   <r.swinbank@tesco.net>   65

…….Although Joyce's medication is now settled it leaves her very tired and I'm afraid that she is not up to London late night travel at present.  This is rather disappointing as if memory serves me right this will be the first dinner I have missed since returning from Zambia in 1970.

Derek Wardle   38-46       

The sudden death of Denis Haslehurst was a dreadful blow, for we have been close friends since we met at the WGSA Junior School in 1938.  We have been present at each other's twenty first birthday parties, weddings (two in Denis's case), and indeed there was a close bond between us - we were even together in Seacombe House at school   Terry Mckivragen has been in our group at WGS, and has been well liked.    I learned that Terry is an artist and paints in his studio every day. His wife died some ten years ago and he has two sons who both live in Scotland.  [Terry McKivragen RI has a website:  www.terrymckivragen.com  - Ed.]

   At WGS, I was fortunate enough to come under the considerable influence of dear old Dapper Danson.  Happily I was able to gain a place in the school 1st XI for1945-46.  Our captain in 1945 was Colin Cameron, a very talented all-rounder, who was in the  Ist XI for four seasons 1942-45.  My family home in Wallasey was within half a mile of the Oval, home of Wallasey Cricket Club - I had been a member from the age of 8.  On being demobbed from the forces (National Service) in 1949, I was picked to play for Wallasey CC.  Colin Cannon was in the side, as was well-known Old Walls, Val Rowe, Reg Radcliffe, Ronnie Smith, Harry Hall and Harold Flinn.  I was lucky enough to take part in several Derby games against New Brighton, and then in 1951 my employer, J Bibby and Sons Ltd, moved me to Penrith in Cumbria.  I was there for some years during which time I played both cricket and rugby for Penrith.  In 1956 soon after our marriage, we were moved to Worcester, a lovely city, where our son was born in 1958.  During this time I played for Worcester City.  Quite a number of our fixtures were played on the County Ground at New Road.  In 1961 we were on the move again, this time to Stone, where our daughter was born in 1962 - and we have been there ever since!  For 20 seasons, I played for Barleston C.C. home of the Wedgwood factory, several seasons with the Staffordshire Gentlemen, and in 1965 I was fortunate enough to qualify for MCC.  I was a member for 46 years and retired from Lord's when I finished playing cricket aged 52.  I have been extremely lucky throughout my lengthy cricket career, for I played with or against 20 Test players, but most importantly on a number of occasions, in the same side as our son.  He is still playing and will be 50 next June.

   Whilst we much enjoyed our visit to the House of Lords - we don't care much for visiting London.  My wife is a Cumbrian of farming stock, and she has a fair few relations up yonder who are still farming - hence we journey up the M6 for preference - a) to visit relations and b) to enjoy the wonderful scenery.   

The DVLA decided in their wisdom, that I was no longer able to drive; hence they revoked my licence some 5 years ago.  We are therefore entirely in Peggie's hands if we wish to drive anywhere.  We are fairly central here in Stone, and often referred to by our family as Half Way House!  Happily our daughter and her husband and their four girls all live in Stafford only six miles from here.  Our son Richard lives with his third wife (all legal!) in Malpas, Cheshire some 40 miles away - alas he has no children.

We wish you well on Friday, and hope that the Old Wals dinner is a huge success. 

 

Andrew Page Watson GM  30-36 <apwatson13@hotmail.com>   

…Brian Ellis is still living at the same address - 138 Gathurst Lane, Shevington, Wigan, and for his age is in reasonable health.  Mary and I stayed with him earlier this year.

Later:   As I enter my 90th year, apart from shortness of breath I can play table tennis most weeks and enjoy a leisurely swim.  I enjoyed going up to Wallasey to attend the Centenary of the Wallasey Harriers and my medals (and Tony Simpson's) were put on display in Earlston Library.  Cross Country stood me in good stead when I was called up in July 1939 and I was able to train a team that won the Divisional Championships in Burma in 1943.

I learned to swim in the late twenties at my prep school when two lads took me to a local pool, one grabbed my ankles and one my wrists and dumped me in the deep end, promising to practice life saving.  I can still se the bubbles as I came up, and indeed they got me ashore.  They repeated this exercise twice more when to their surprise (and mine) I found I could swim. 

I still store my windsurfing board behind the bushes in my garden.  I took it up as a sport after I retired in 1982, became an instructor in 1984 and set up a school in 1985.  I took part in several marathons round Hayling Island - 5 hours on the water covering about 22 miles.  History!

I had a lot of fun in the 1950's and sixties studying bats - in the good old days BC (Before Conservation).  I was able to train one or two in the hope that after release in their normal habitat they would remember me! (They didn't!)  In those days one went to the office in a bowler hat - ideal storage for the latest (temporary) winged friend.  My suits had zip pockets bats for the use of.  I was for a time Bat Secretary for the Mammal Society in the days when each "bat worker" jealously protected his own patch - but I got invited to some unlikely places as a guest.  I was taken down mines and caves, shown ancient grottos and follies and scrambled round dusty lofts.  When a professor visited from the USA he sent me some Vampires, which caused quite a stir - in more ways than one.  I asked him what they ate: "Just blood" he said.  "Stir it with your hand and chuck the thick stuff away to avoid coagulation.

I had to fix with a local knackers yard for a regular supply and the butcher in charge wanted to know what I was going to use it for.  I wasn't going to tell him that it as to feed vampires, so I explained that I was being visited by  a Zulu and he accepted that.  Half a crown Tuesdays and Fridays left under a thermos, and "the boys would see me safe.  Funny how you can remember the old days but I have to scratch my head to remember what I did yesterday!  At School I was known as Page Watson - the army changed it to Andy!  All the best to anyone who remembers me.

Douglas Watts   1932-40   

Joyce tells us that recently Doug has gone downhill quite fast, following a bout of bronchitis.  His memory is quite poor, and he asks the same question many times.  He has added folic acid to his regime, which may be helping.  We had a stair lift installed and this allows him to be taken out for daily drives.

[Alan Watts 1930-36 is at Glebe Court Nursing Home, Glebe Way, West Wickham, Kent   BR4 0AZ.    Marjorie Watts died on the 24th October 2005]                              

  Samantha Owen   <Samantha.Owen@IrwinMitchell.com>

We represent David Lawrence (Robbie) Robinson in a claim for personal injury damages following his diagnosis of an asbestos related condition, mesothelioma.  We allege that Mr Robinson was negligently exposed to asbestos in the course of his employment in the shipping industry.  Mr Robinson attended WGS from around 1942 to 1948, when he left school aged 17.  We are in the process of trying to trace some potential witnesses for Mr Robinson's claim.  One witness we are trying to trace is Mr Robinson's former WGS friend and work colleague Peter Moore, about 1942-48.  Unfortunately Mr Robinson and Mr Moore have lost contact.

I would be grateful if you could help to find Mr Moore.

Obituary

Geoff Worsp (1950-57) on December 31 ^st 2007

The 2008 Dinner Committee

Douglas R Addison   1948-55

Alan Berry 67-72 Membership Secretary

Bob Bryans 1954-61 Chairman & Webmaster

Vic Green 1931-40 Secretary

Capt. Stan Lawrence   1944-50 

 Sponsor of the Dinner at the RAF Club

Clive Lewis-Jones   1960-67 Treasurer

George McVicar   1936-39

Tony Simpson   1942-46   Editor of the Newsletter

Andrew Page Watson   GM  1930-36

Derek West   1951-58    Publicity Officer and Deputy Chairman