THE OLD WALLASEYANS NEWSLETTER NO 51

THE 78th ANNUAL DINNER OF THE OLD WALLASEYANS WORLDWIDE

ON FRIDAY 16th October 2009

There were seventy-two at table for the Old Wallaseyans' 77th London Dinner.  Not for many a year has the         annual event been so well attended.  The members of your Dinner committee were very pleased to see so many     "new faces" amongst the Old Boys -  along with our regular attendees.At top table with our Chairman our guests     this year were Principal Guest John Stoddart, CBE       (OW); Kevin Harding, President of the Wallaseyans' Club,        Grove Road , and his wife Wendy; Phil Duffy, Head Teacher, Wallasey School; Rosie Birch, Head Girl and Dennis Padi, Deputy Head Boy.

We were delighted to have with us a further four members of Wallasey School; Rob Hughes (Deputy Head Teacher) and Linda McMullen (Business & Facilities Development Manager) from the staff, and two Deputy Head Girls: Sarah AlAdely and Phyllida O'Neil.

Completing the "Wallasey contingent" were two ex-Presidents of the Club: Jerry Brace and Tony Fraser, accompanied by their wives.It was good to see our home town so well represented.

Absent Friends were remembered, and the Chairman mentioned in particular Bob Leach (WGS 1930-1935) who sadly passed away some months ago. Bob was a stalwart member of the Dinner committee for many years:  Athlete, author and musician - and always good company.   All who had the privilege of knowing Bob would remember him as a true gentleman.

John Stoddart, our Guest Speaker, is one of those rare individuals who have been not only a pupil but also a teacher at the school, where he shone as an oarsman.  In an interesting talk he took us on a journey through his career, from his schooldays to his position as Vice-Chancellor of Sheffield Hallam University, and gave us his views on the way education has benefited  - and suffered - from the changes that have taken place during those years.

At his second London Dinner since taking up the headship of the school, Phil Duffy gave us another inspiring short talk.  Again he expressed his strong belief in Wallasey School and in its pupils, and pleased Old Wallaseyans by repeating his view that it is important for the school to maintain its links with the past.  We were delighted with his news that Wallasey School was judged "Outstanding" in Citizenship in a recent Ofsted report.  All four senior pupils then said a few words about the school and about their ambitions.  They spoke with confidence, and their enthusiasm for the school came across strongly.  It was a great pleasure to have these young people with us.

Past Chairman of the Dinner Committee, Tony Simpson, presented Andrew Watson (who was his predecessor as Chairman) with the "Grand Old Man" of the Evening Award - a wood carving made by Tony himself showing a young athlete in action.  Andrew was a keen athlete during his years at WGS (1930-1936), and has been a keen sportsman all his life - still wind-surfing well into his eighties!

Once again, the RAF Club "did us proud", with an excellent meal served by a team of attentive staff.  As sponsor of the event it gives me great pleasure to be able to pass on to my Club the many appreciative comments I received. 

The RAF Club is again the venue for the 2009 Dinner on Friday16th October.

Stan Lawrence (O.W.)

 

Those attending the 77th Dinner were:  John Stoddart 1950-57, Philip Duffy Headteacher, Rob Hughes Deputy Headteacher, Linda McMullen former PA, Dennis Paddi Deputy Head Boy, Rosie Birch Head Girl, Sarah Al-Adely Deputy Head Girl, Phyllida O'Neil Deputy Head Girl, Kevin Harding President WC, Wendy Harding, Douglas Addison Committee, Don Atherton 1941-47, Mary Winward, Prof. John Bennett 1943-52, Helen Bennett, Alan Berry Membership Secretary, Jamila Berry, Georgina Berry, Ralph Bibby 1954-61, Brian Blacoe, 1943-49, Ann Blacoe, Jerry Brace Past President OWC, Elizabeth Brace, David Browne 1955-62, Maggi Browne, Bob Bryans1954-61 Chairman and Webmaster, Andrew Bryans 1957-64, Brian Clay 1942-50, Sheila Clay, Michael Elder1951-58, Peter Fawcett, Margaret Fawcett, Brian Forgham, Mavis Rimmer, Anthony J (Tony) Fraser 1938-44 Past President OWC, Rita  Fraser, Don Fraser 1938-44, Doris Fraser, George Johnston 1938-45, Brian Stan Jones 1934-42, Celia Jones, Dr Nigel Knowles 1957-62, Ann Knowles, Peter Bramah 1955-63, Sara Bramah, Vic Green 1931-40 Secretary, Phil Samuel, Winne Roll Exchange 1963, Capt Stan Lawrence 1944-50 Committee, Sponsor of Dinner, Jessica Lawrence, Ken Lawton 1938-44, Clive Lewis-Jones 1960-67 Treasurer, Helen Lewis-Jones, George McVicar 1936-39, Tricia McVicar, Tony Simpson 1942-46 Editor of Newsletter, Committee, Sabina Simpson, Arthur Stanley 1944-49, Sue Stanley, Les Stockton 1944-50, Heather Stockton, Roy Swinbank1941-48 Past Treasurer, Joyce Swinbank, David Trapnell 1956-64 Captain of Boats 1963-64, Derek Verdin 1944-51, Jeanette Lawson, Andrew Watson GM 1930-36 Committee, Mary Watson, Derek West 1952-57 Publicity Officer, Jenny West, John Williams 1954-61, Sue Williams.

Apologies for absence: Alex F Burr1928-34, Gordon Davies 1931-33, Peter Doyle 1951-53 Past President OWC, Derek Jackson   Past President OWC, John Lambie 1930-39, WM (Bill) Wise 1950-65 (Staff),  J R Wood 1922-24 & 1929-31.

News from Members

Found the link to the site and am interested to get in touch with old friends.  Went to good old Henry Meoles thru' to 1987 - great school, great teachers and set me up for life.  Have done relatively well and work as an exec for a global it company.  Expect that others in my year have done exceptionally as all seemed to have a distinct level of skill and confidence given by the school.

Brian W Forgham   1939-41; 1944-48   .

Since I last attended a London OW Dinner, my wife, Joan, has died.  I am attending this year with Joan's sister, Mavis, who was widowed four years ago.

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

It was good to see that Peter Fawcett, Latin master 1961-64, attended the 2007 annual dinner. Peter is an accomplished pianist and in this connection I remember the last day of term, probably December 1963.  After the usual formalities of Assembly were over, we remained in our places for some musical entertainment.  Undoubtedly the highlight was a duet on the grand piano of that old favourite "English Country Gardens" played by Paul Somerscales, music master, and Peter.  This old English folk song was quite popular at that time - I think Jimmy Rogers recorded it on a 7" single.  Their performance was ecstatically received and, my memory may be fading, but I think it received two encores.

On a sadder note I came across the obituary of Stan Woolley on the LSE alumni website and acknowledge this as the source of much of the following information:  Stan was a member of the

WGS crew, which won the Public School Fours at Marlow Regatta in 1953 - see Eggleshaw's book pages 233-5.  I reckon Stan must have been at school from 1946 to 1953.  He died in January 2007, aged 71, and survived by his wife Angela and their son Nick.

After five years service with the Royal Signals, and two and a half years as a meteorologist in the Falklands and Antarctic, he read economics at LSE, rowing for both LSE and University of London.  From 1965 to 1980 he taught economics and was Master i/c Water (what a marvellous title) at Westminster School where he coached the school boat club in many successful seasons.  From 1980 to 1990 he taught economics at Stowe School and revived the school sculling club.  In the best tradition of Bill Tilman OW, Stan was also a mountaineer and expedition leader and led various expeditions to Greenland and Iceland.  In recognition of his achievements Stan was elected a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society in 1977, a Churchill Fellow in 1978, and was awarded the Polar Medal in 1991.  On retirement in 1990 he moved with his wife Angela to Brittany where he finished writing his book "Greenland Ventures", published in 2004, being an account of his various expeditions to Greenland.

Derek Jackson  

Due to a prior commitment I am unable to attend this years dinner and send my best wishes to all.  Now that the former Old Wallaseyans' Club has dropped the "Old" I would hate to have the initials WC shown after my name in the Newsletter.  [Don't worry, you are still the Past President of the OWC!  - Ed]

Brian G Stan Jones   1934-42 

Our tour to Slovenia etc went very well with friends from International Caravanning Association (we have a motor caravan) .  We do not travel together, but meet up at pre-arranged campsites to a well-organised programme or DIY.  We enjoyed Slovenia and Switzerland very much, but did not think much of Lake Garda in Italy: Far too many tourists and cars.  However we found two very good gardens.  In Switzerland from our campsites we could gaze up to the Eiger, Monch , and the Jungfrau, highest point in Europe to which we ascended - by train: A wonderful experience.  Next week we are off to Neider Rhein and the Netherlands for three weeks.  As always the Newsletter makes interesting, and brings back long forgotten names and memories.  I wonder how many remember the wartime farming camps and aching backs?

Hwfa Jones    1960-1966    <hwfa.jones@googlemail.com>

I was interested to see the Old Wallaseyans Website which I found by chance on the Net whilst looking for a book about the Climber Menlove Edwards* - a friend of Maurice Eggleshaw in his younger climbing days.   I was at WGS 1960-1966 and was pleased to see there still so many who remember the school with affection as I do and have set up the website.

After leaving the School I went to Liverpool University then to the Antarctic.  When I returned in 1972 I missed the place and I suppose some of the excitement of the continent.  I was amazed that in Antarctica we were actually allowed to risk our lives on a daily basis without someone stopping us.  I quickly absorbed the realities on my first sledging trip across the plateau with the 'mountaineers' who had endless tales of climbing and so it was that when I returned to Wallasey I decided to and try climbing the rock faces of North Wales as so many had done before me.  I met Maurice by chance at the Rugby Club and he told me about his climbing days in Wales with all the great inter-war climbers including Menlove Edwards.  Maurice showed me a picture of himself and Menlove at the foot of Dinas Cromlech in the Llamberis Valley - Menlove was on the rocks and Maurice casually standing there with a few coils of rope in his hand.  That was the first ascent of what they named 'Spiral Stairs' ** and Maurice was on it; though this is not recorded in any of the climbing books as far as I 'm aware.

I often wonder where that historic picture ended up and how lucky we were to have been taught by people who had been modest pioneers in so many fields.

But all that is 30+ years ago.  I now live in Penkett Road at the back of the old Withens' Lane School and not far from the Headmaster's house, which is being restored but still has the School Coat of Arms visible painted on the gable.

I'm fit and well and spend a lot of time wildfowling on the Dee marshes.

*The book is called 'Samson' - written by Menlove Edward's friends after his suicide - long out of print if anyone has a copy lying around I'd like to read it!

**Spiral Stairs is a fine climb rated today as just 'Very Difficult' which is one of the easiest grades of climb but the exposure is (to use the word) 'awesome' and I wouldn't attempt it without ropes for that reason alone.

John Lambie   1930-39

I am a year into Parkinson's Disease and I do not feel able to attend this year, but have a good dinner.

George McVicar   1936-39  
I attended WGS with my two elder brothers, Donald and Neil.  We lived in Trinity Road, so it was easy for brother Neil and I to attend WGS in the summer holidays to play fives - this was rewarded in due course when he was runner up in the Senior Fives championship, and I was runner up in the Junior! 

My father moved to London in 1939 - we lived in Wimbledon and the nearest school was Rutlish where the Headmaster duly interviewed me.  "And how is your Latin, McVicar", he said.  When it was explained that I was taking French and German at WGS, he threw up his hands and said "We couldn't possibly take you at Rutlish without Latin!"  I was subsequently allotted a place at a brand new secondary school called Raynes Park County School (opened about 10 years previously).  The difference to WGS was unbelievable!  I could not understand the headlong rush to leave when the bell went at 4.30 - in 10 minutes the school was empty!  At WGS there was always plenty of activity from Fives to Gym to numerous societies and the school was frequently occupied until well past 7 pm!  Having left Wallasey in the summer of 1939, I was always puzzled as to why the Withens Lane school was closed and moved out to Leasowe - formerly the home of Rugby pitches, with tin baths for post game ablutions.  I gather that there was some active politicking from people jealous of the WGS excellent scholastic and games reputation but I would be glad to hear the real story behind the closure of Withens Lane!

I remember that the fete held on the back pitch raised the colossal sum of £ 600 to purchase a new organ - a fantastic amount in those days!  Fond memories also of a 2 week holiday on the "Norfolk Broads" in midsummer 1939 with Derek Mallard, his father and 'SES' Coleman (cousin) & returning home to have my mother ask "What do you think of the Crisis?" and my classic reply "What Crisis?"

Alan Stears    1954-61   <alan.stears@blueyonder.co.uk>    

I have changed my email address to that given above, having finally taken the plunge into broadband.

Professor Roy Storer   1939-45  

It is hard to believe that in September of this year it will be 70 years since I became a third former at Wallasey Grammar School.  My primary education had been at St. George's Road Junior School in Wallasey Village.  There was a scholarship examination taken by all 11-year-old pupils in Wallasey primary schools, which determined at which school they would receive their secondary education.

For boys, this could be Wallasey Grammar School, Oldershaw Grammar School, Wallasey Central School or the senior department of their primary school.  I recall that 12 of us from St George's won places in 1939 at WGS. 

What excitement lay ahead!  A splendid new uniform, no classes on Wednesday afternoons when all boys in the fourth, lower, middle and upper fifth forms would participate in cross country running  - led by the Headmaster!  Teaching time was made up by attendance on Saturday mornings.  WGS was different from other schools in Wallasey. 

But how different my first term turned out to be!  The outbreak of war with Germany on 3 September caused immense problems for the Headmaster and his staff although preparations had been initiated in the early part of August.  As Merseyside was felt to be a likely target for air attack, the school buildings could not be used for normal activities until air raid shelters had been provided.  A skeleton timetable was introduced.  For the first two months or so, boys in the upper forms visited the school for a few hours each week and were given private study to undertake in their homes.  This was gradually increased as surface shelters were built surrounding the pitch at the rear of the school.  The new intake third formers met in small groups in private houses with cellars for a few weeks until larger and safe accommodation was found in other buildings in Wallasey.

By the end of November, it was possible for the whole school to return to Withens Lane and for normal timetables to be resumed.  This included morning assembly and prayers each day in the school hall.  The boys walked in silence from their form rooms to designated places in the hall.   The service began with a hymn, a bible lesson read by a prefect and prayers said by the Headmaster.  Then followed the Head's report on school matters, and the results of first team matches against other schools given by the various captains who would also announce, when appropriate, the names of those boys who had been awarded full school colours.  As we assembled, Mr F L Allan, the Headmaster, was standing at the back of the hall.  He had white hair but his appearance was one of black - shoes, suit, gown and mortar board.  To a small third former, he appeared to be about ten feet tall - he was god of all he surveyed at WGS.  However, the 1939 intake did not know Mr Allan for long because during the Summer Term of 1940 he rejoined the Army at the War Office with the rank of Major.  Mr F C Morris was appointed Acting Headmaster and Mr R Baldwin as Acting Second Master.  Including Mr Allan, 8 masters were away from the school on war duty for the duration of the war.  A big difference between teaching in primary schools and WGS around 1939 was that at WGS it was done by men - and they wore gowns!  There were some lady staff members during the war including Miss Silvey from the Junior School, Miss Merriman and Miss Doyle.  In contrast to primary schools, class sizes were smaller - 30 compared with 45 plus in primary schools.  Air raids began in the latter part of 1940 and continued unabated until May 1941.  They were invariably at night and all Merseyside was under attack.  Each night, I slept under the stairs in my parent's home and then early the following morning went out searching for shrapnel!  Then off to school as if nothing had happened! As with the rest of Merseyside, Wallasey was heavily blitzed during the period September 1940 to May 1941 with many civilian casualties.   Happily, the school was undamaged, apart from some broken windows, but many roads around the school were, particularly Urmson Road that led from Rake Lane to Withens Lane. 

It is difficult to remember what boys in my year thought about the war.  Media coverage consisted only of newspapers and radio whereas now wars are fought on television.  Because of censorship, we were protected from knowing much of what as happening and we were made very much aware that 'careless talk costs lives'. The school magazine, The Wallaseyan, continued to be published during the war and gave details of old boys who were serving their country and Rolls of Honour of those who had been killed in action.  The 1939 intake moved up the school and I suppose none of us had any doubt that our country would be victorious. 

I read Will Howard's contribution in Newsletter 47.  His comments about many members of staff , most of whom I knew, were both true and, in the main, complementary.  May I add one quotation from Dapper Danson, our Latin master.  The UVA Latin Set boys, including myself, were preparing for the School Certificate examination and one day the class performance was poor.  Dapper looked at us and said in measured tones 'the cream of Wallasey has gone sour!'

My wife Mary and I together with our two daughters and son moved from Wallasey to the north-east in 1968 on my appointment to a Chair of Dentistry at Newcastle University.  I was Dean of Dentistry from 1977 until my retirement in 1992.  I was fortunate to have had a happy and satisfying academic career and I have no doubt that the educational grounding I received at WGS was paramount to me during my professional life.  Soon after arriving at Newcastle, I met Dr Ian Scoins who was a Senior Lecturer in the Computing Laboratory.  We had last met when he was Head of School during the year 1944-45 - also my last year at WGS.

I have been in contact with several other old boys of WGS.  For over twenty-five years I have been in regular telephone communication with Derek Wardle.  The calls are usually lengthy and invariably involve cricket!  We were both first eleven cricketers at school and were in the same house - Seacombe - that was the only house to have a Latin motto - 'Si cum unitate laboremus'.  When the house was winning everything in competition with the other four houses in 1944-46, the motto was changed to 'Nulli secundus'!  In those days, participation in house affairs was an important part of our education. After leaving school, Derek and I went on to play club cricket for Wallasey and New Brighton Cricket Clubs respectively.

It has been good to have contact over the years with Vic Tyndall, who played rugby for England in 1951, Brian Clay and Brian Forgham, and more recently with Gillie Morrison and Keith Farrelly.

 I spoke to Tony Simpson and Bob Bryans in October.  They, and others, are to be congratulated on the success of Old Wallaseyans Worldwide.  It does seem that Wallasey School is doing well. There are now 1,200 students in the coeducational school, which makes any whole school assembly out of the question - but there are now other means of communication!  Probably I am not alone at regretting the loss of the word Grammar in the name of the school.  Readers will remember that WGS became The Henry Meoles School in the early seventies, and then Wallasey School in 1988 - I suppose that is progress!  However it was a real honour for me to be invited to present the prizes at the Speech Day of The Henry Meoles School in 1982 and, as used to be the custom, ask for an extra day's holiday for the school!  I am a great hoarder and I still have my school reports, a bound collection of the school magazine, The Wallaseyan, from 1939-1945, and my striped colours blazer awarded for cricket in 1944 and 1945.  Happy memories!        I end this letter by extending my best wishes to all members of Old Wallaseyans Worldwide and enclose a contribution towards production costs.

Robert J Whitburn     1947-53     <maxton@Maxton.eclipse.co.uk>

I wonder if any leaving in 1953 are still in touch. [We are in touch with Frank Barlow, Peter Cochrane, Don Cropp, Terry Darlow, John A Mullen, Colin Stewart, Jack Waller & John Westlake - Ed.]

I remember teachers Messrs Lavender, Ord, Silvey, Eggleshaw, and Oxenbould the art master who had me painted in oils, and Mr Allan the Head. I was in a couple of plays including Pilgrims Progress.  Happy Days.

W (Bill) M Wise   1950-65 (Staff)   My best wishes to Old Wallaseyans of my time and of course the Old Boys who played at New Brighton.  Always glad to read about their activities.                        

J R Wood   Junior School 1922 -24;   Senior School 1929-31   Moreton Hill Care Centre, Standish, Nr Stonehouse, Glos  GL10 3BZ    Tel. 01453 791 919

I am no longer able to travel and have moved into a centre for the elderly.  (I am now in my ninety-sixth year.)  I attended the school junior department in Penkett Road in 1922 and left it when I went to Liverpool College in 1924 until 1927 when I returned to WGS.  At Liverpool College F Wilkinson was the history master and left to become the Headmaster of WGS.  I re-entered WGS in Sept 1929 and left to go to Liverpool University in 1931.  I always think of WGS as 'my school' and am grateful for my education there.  I will not have many contemporaries who will remember those long passed years but I enjoy reading of the successful careers of OW's and their successors in the newsletters.  Thank you for your work for the OW's.

Obituary

Colin Armstrong     1952-59   Died  11.11.2008

Douglas Watts 1932-40   Died 8.2.2008

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Editor: Tony Simpson   97 Fairdene Road, Coulsdon, Surrey   CR5 1RJ   Tel. 01737 553 462

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 <vic.green@blueyonder.co.uk>

Chairman and Webmaster: Bob Bryans   Hillside, Mill Hill, Keysoe, Beds   MK44 2HP

Tel. 01234 708 815   <Robert.Bryans@oldwallaseyans.co.uk>

Treasurer: Clive Lewis-Jones   50 Westhall Road, Warlingham,  Surrey   CR6 9BH

Tel. 01883 627 607  <clive@lewis-jones.co.uk>

www.oldwallaseyans.co.uk

Information on the Wallaseyans' Club at 142 Grove Road, Wallasey   CH45 0JF (Tel. 0151-639 2832) and its activities can now be found at the website <www.wallaseyans.com>