2014 GA Magazine
Transcripción
2014 GA Magazine
THE GORDONSTOUN ASSOCIATION Patron: HRH The Duke of Edinburgh KG, KT WINTER 2013/14 HAPPY 80th Gordonstoun HAPPY 90th george THE GORDONSTOUN ASSOCIATION ELGIN, MORAY, SCOTLAND IV30 5RF [email protected] www.gordonstoun.org.uk/former-students/ +44 (0) 1343 837 922 Find us on Facebook by searching for “Gordonstoun Association” Chairman’s Welcome Contents Welcome to this edition of the GA Magazine, which contains a remarkable range of articles and information which confirm the health of The Gordonstoun Association. 2 Chairman’s Welcome 3 The GA Committee 4 View from the GA Office The number of former pupils attending events continues to grow with exceptional numbers now attending the London Carol Service and the GA weekend at the School. Other events have had good support and the variety of venues is always interesting. Our farthest event this year took place in Auckland, New Zealand which has prompted suggestions of hosting events in other parts of the world including Australia. 5 Principal’s Welcome 6 Pastoral Care 7 A Butterfly flaps its wings 8 Reflections from across the water (Part I) The school is now in its 80th year. There are going to be many events taking place around the UK, with many linked to Ocean Spirit’s voyage around Britain and a schedule of her voyage will be ready in the New Year. Ocean Spirit is a wonderful vessel, a little more comfortable than some of her predecessors such as; Diligent, Henrietta, Prince Louis, Solidian, Pinta and Sea Spirit. Peter Ramsay GA Chairman Why you might ask have I focused on the school yachts, the answer is very straight forward, all the School’s vessels alongside the various cutters have contributed in their own way to the success of Gordonstoun as a school where pupils, staff and even some parents can find something about themselves through the challenges imposed on them by sailing. For those who live outside the UK and who would like to organise an event for the 80th anniversary celebration please let the office know and we can at the very least publicise it. It would also be great to get photographic feedback no matter how big or small the event. I would urge all to try and get involved where ever you can. 9 Reflections from across the water (Part II) 10 My Art Journey 11 My Passion for Art and Sculpture 12 Hooked on Rugby 13 Hook, Line and Sinker 14 Spithead Naval Review 16 The Gordonstoun Campus: A moment in time 18 A Love of Life 19 From the Ivory Tower 20 Quarkers about Physics 21 It’s all in the DNA 22 Memories of a term at Gordonstoun 23 Between Princes 24 Ultra trail du mont Blanc There have been calls for a wider choice of events that might suit those who are not of a sporty disposition. As a result, this year we launched the Gordonstoun Association Art and Literature Society (GAALS). The Society’s first event took place at the Scottish National Gallery in Edinburgh for a private tour of the Peter Doig (Windmill 1974) exhibition at the end of August. This was followed by a visit to the Tate in Liverpool for the Marc Chagall exhibition in October. Both events were extremely interesting and enjoyed by all. I am looking forward to other events being arranged and would ask that if you are active in the Art and Literature world and would like to host or arrange an event please contact the GA office at the school. 25 Romania Project 26 Empowering the disadvantaged Gordonstoun is a very young school in the independent sector, in some ways it could be said it is just entering its teenage years when you consider the age of some of the other well-known schools. Yet the loyalty it engenders amongst its alumni is truly remarkable. Having met hundreds of OGs at many different events over the last few years, I have been impressed by the diversity of professions that many OGs have chosen to go into. Words such as open, friendly, optimistic, inspirational and tenacious all spring to mind when I think of the OGs I have met along the way. Contact Information On the committee front I am pleased to announce that Alistair McNutt and Heather Glover (nee Main) were elected as new committee members. In the office Niki Pargetter is on maternity leave following the birth of her son Finlay - both are doing very well. Marina Edge, a committee member, has been covering for her. The take up of electronic copies of the GA Magazine has been good, and I thank those who opted to receive mailing electronically. I would like to see more receive the electronic version, so if you wish that format in the future, please contact the office to let them know. For various reasons we have not provided advertising in this issue of the magazine. We hope to offer advertising space in next year’s issue, so if you are interested in placing an advertisement please contact me via the office. Finally I would like to reassure members that the GA committee is your committee and it will always try to do what is best for the Association and the wider Gordonstoun Community. When there are challenges to be met we will do our best to address them. I would like to thank all the Committee, Steve Brown, Andrew Lyall, Niki Pargeter and Marina Edge who are invaluable in the on-going success of the Association together with the school. 27 From the Archives 28 Poot thaat baack 29 OGGS 30 Announcements The GA Office Gordonstoun School Elgin Moray IV30 5RF Tel: +44 (0) 1343 837922 Email: [email protected] www.gordonstoun.org.uk/former-students/ga Find us on Facebook! HELP US GO GREEN Please let us have your email address so we can email you news and events, rather than printing and sending them on paper! [email protected] The GA Committee Peter Ramsay (Windmill 1973) GA Chairman Georgie Middleton née Housman (Hopeman 1978) GA Committee Secretary Amanda Campbell Lambert née Brown (Plewlands 1991) GA Treasurer Andrew Clark (Windmill 1973) Ben Goss (Former Staff) Keeper of the Gordonstoun Family Marina Edge née Ford (Plewlands 1991) Heather Glover née Main Alistair McNutt Nicky Montgomery née Hill John Mulligan (Hopeman 1991) (Altyre 1986) (Hopeman 1980) (Altyre 1981) The GA Office Steve Brown GA Co-ordinator Andrew Lyall GA Assistant Co-ordinator Niki Pargeter GA Office Administrator Whilst every care is taken in the preparation of this publication The Gordonstoun Association cannot accept responsibility for actions or decisions taken by readers based on information supplied, that is subsequently changed or cancelled. Any opinions expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of The Gordonstoun Association or The Gordonstoun Schools. 3 THE VIEW FROM GA HQ By Steve Brown, GA Co-ordinator Gordonstoun approaches its 80th year in excellent shape. The school role is a very healthy one and there is an ambitious and exciting programme of capital development projects in place. We have seen the opening of the George Welsh Sports Centre which is now both fully functioning and hugely impressive. Indeed it is a fitting tribute to our eponymous hero in the year in which he celebrated his 90th birthday. The extension to the Ogstoun Theatre to accommodate further teaching space is almost complete and there are exciting plans for significant improvements in terms of boarding provision. The school must continue to evolve and these developments are designed to allow the delivery of a Hahnian education fit for the 21st Century. Gordonstoun continues to flourish and to evolve and we feel confident that the good Doctor would approve. As Henry Brereton wrote of Gordonstoun in the mid-1940’s “it is a living organism and, like a seed, carries with it both past and future”. We look to the future with real confidence. The past twelve months have seen the Gordonstoun Association continue to go from strength to strength. It is a vibrant and robust organisation with the committee working extremely hard on your behalf to ensure it meets the needs of its membership. There has been a full and varied programme of events and it is very gratifying to see numbers attending many of these events reaching ‘record’ levels. Both Carol Services, the London Dinner, GA Weekend and the Edinburgh Dinner are now all firm fixtures in the GA Calendar. There have also been a number of successful Gatherings outside of the UK with events in Switzerland, NZ, China and Hong Kong. Whilst the GA is always very keen to support these social occasions it also has a role to play in helping the Gordonstoun family come together in more challenging circumstances and in many ways this is when it is at its strongest. The development of a Gordonstoun Arts and Literary Society (GAALS) has been an important theme for 2013 and we have enjoyed visits to both the Scottish National Gallery in Edinburgh and the Tate, Liverpool. There are significant numbers of OGs involved in a wide spectrum of ‘arts’ based careers – painters, sculptors, actors, writers, directors (in theatre, film and television), the media, academia, musicians, singers, composers and conductors. In fact this magazine features pieces by an OG artist and gallery owner living and working in Australia, a UK based sculptor and a professor of Art History in the USA. It also features a piece by Rosemary Gillespie, who was one of the students pictured on the front of last year’s GA magazine and who is now also a Professor in the USA. There are a couple of further articles with strong connections to academia ‘across the pond’. The diversity of the school’s alumni imbued as they are with a wee dose of ‘Plus est en vous’ ensures that the range of careers in which they are involved is extraordinarily wide and the diversity of challenges they undertake is quite staggering. One of the most widely held misconceptions of Gordonstoun is that it only suits a certain ‘type’ of student. Of course nothing could be further from the truth and Kurt Hahn did all he could to create a school for all ‘types’ and it is a privilege to work in an environment where such a disparate intake are afforded the opportunity to grow both individually and collectively and in the process develop such strong bonds. In 1934, the year in which he founded Gordonstoun, he wrote the following of his students; “Now, what are you all: bookworms and practical children, gangsters and sluggards, fighters and forgivers, explorers and dreamers, builders and jesters? Must we tolerate and nurture you all until you have developed and expressed your manifold and incompatible selves?”. The answer then, as now: a resounding yes. This is what makes Gordonstoun such a special place. (I know this is true because I have come across them all in my 20 years at Gordonstoun. You know who you are!) Gordonstoun is in a strong position as it approaches its 80th birthday and we do hope that you will be able to join us at one of the many events throughout the year. We particularly hope that GA Day on Saturday 3rd May will be a very enjoyable and well attended celebration building upon the success of last year’s event. We are also very excited about this summer’s voyage by Ocean Spirit of Moray which will see it circumnavigate the UK calling in at Edinburgh, Ipswich, London, Brighton, Portsmouth, Plymouth, Bristol, Liverpool and Glasgow. We do hope you will be able to join us on board for a reminisce and there may even be some sailing opportunities for the more intrepid amongst us. Plus est en vous? News from Admissions By Chris Barton, Director of Admissions This has been another busy but successful ‘Admissions Year’ and we were delighted to welcome 178 new students into Gordonstoun and Aberlour House at the start of September. The numbers of OGs choosing to send their children to the Gordonstoun Schools, and I hasten to add that this also includes the International Summer School, continues to grow and this is a particularly positive trend. We now have over 580 young people here from Year 4 to Year 13. and kindness shown by our former students has been of huge assistance to the School and I am afraid that there are far too many individuals who fall into this category for them all to be mentioned personally. As ever, we are always open to new ideas and feedback over the admissions process, potential markets and indeed invitations and introductions to feeder schools and especially to families who might be interested in learning a little more about life at Gordonstoun. We would very much appreciate additional input from OGs in this regard. Boarding/Day/ Boy/Girl - numbers have remained virtually constant in the recent past with the only slight change being a small decrease in the numbers of Expatriate Families and the associated slight increase in those students coming from overseas. We have retained our international breadth with youngsters from 43 different countries represented within the school community. In the Senior School the fact that we are one of the very few full seven day boarding schools remains an important ‘niche’ factor. We are now right in the middle of Scholarship season having already completed the Aberlour House Assessments and we are now looking forward to the Sixth Form Scholarship Competition (16+) on the 16th/17th January and the Lower School Scholarship Competition (13+) which this year runs from 24th to the 26th February. Further details on all of the above can be found on the School website at www.gordonstoun.org.uk or from Mrs Ann Hawksley, our Admissions Secretary, by email hawksleya@ gordonstoun.org.uk We have also been very grateful for the support and advice of many OGs during our promotional visits both at home and overseas. The generosity May I conclude by issuing a sincere invitation to come and visit your old School with your families. There will be a warm welcome waiting for you here! Principal’s welcome CAmpaign update By Simon Reid, Principal of Gordonstoun Schools By Richard Devey, Campaign Director This has been a great year for the Gordonstoun Association and Gordonstoun and one of its finest markers was the GA weekend held on Saturday 4th May. About 160 people joined us for a full day and evening of events. At the risk of attracting a storm of complaint from OGs not of Round Square ilk, I should add that it was particularly good to welcome ex-members of Round Square who had, the night before, been celebrating their association with Angus Miller, their erstwhile Housemaster. The Open Day and the evening’s celebration of the school, in the company of many OGs, endorsed once again the thoughts and educational ideas which found structure in the early years of the school and continue to be part of its fabric today. Following several years of concerted effort by a huge team of supporters, we were delighted to officially open the George Welsh Sports Centre in March of this year. The facility is already proving a real Godsend to the School and local community and is in use from very early in the morning until late each evening seven days a week. It was fitting that Jockey (as I am sure most OGs know him), in his 90th year, was able to open it with two of his former pupils, OG Olympians Zara Phillips and Heather Stanning, and I know that all of us at the School who have known George for many years are delighted that this wonderful facility bears his name. Undoubtedly, the main reason for celebration was the 40th anniversary of co-education at Gordonstoun. In September 1972, the school’s doors opened to girls for the first time and many of them came back for the weekend. We were very proud to welcome back Alison Phillip, Christina Rau, Franziska Thiede and Ghislaine Friesen, four of the first girls in Hopeman House. We were also equally happy to welcome back no fewer than three former Housemistresses, including Mrs Georgie Souter, who had been with us at the school for the previous 111 terms. Many of those who were here that day – or who visited their old school before and after it – will have seen a place which, on the face of it, is changing fast. The splendid George Welsh Sports Centre was opened in March this year and alters dramatically the geography of the east end of the school; and the construction of the Ogstoun Drama and Dance Centre was well under way in early May (now completed). These are the opening stages in a series of projects which see a transformation in the schools curricular and boarding facilities over a five year period. However, some things will not alter: the principles which are part of the fabric of our school. Not all together surprisingly, these are principles which are centered in what I believe education to be. It is so tempting, to judge schools purely by their pupils academic achievement and attach importance to League Tables. These are of course very important but they are only one aspect of what a school can provide in educating the young in its care. Having spent several decades in education, I can see, as anyone can, the importance of what academic achievement produces. However, what our early 21st century world needs is far more opaque and more subtle. Education needs to foster the qualities of humility, courage, tenacity and compassion. Not by any stretch of the imagination is this achieved by academic endeavour alone. “Never let formal education get in the way of your learning,” said Mark Twain and he implies neatly what is important about the challenges of mountaineering; or the leadership of others to find the best pitch on a cliff or in musical arrangement; or the service achievements of conversation with a person whose medical condition means they cannot remember your name from yesterday; or, indeed, the influences on the future of cultural understanding built into living alongside students who have travelled the globe to attend this school. These experiences and many others that a Gordonstoun education provides, ensure that its impact remains with you throughout life. We look forward to welcoming OGs to this year’s GA Day for the School’s 80th Anniversary on Saturday 3rd May 2014. However, as is the way with Gordonstoun, little time was taken to draw breath before the next exciting developments got under way. At the time of writing the new major extension to the Ogstoun Theatre, which houses dance studios, rehearsal spaces and classrooms, is almost open, and we are delighted that on this occasion we have not had to head out in to the wider Gordonstoun family for support with this project, but have funded it through careful budgeting and sound financial management. Next on the cards is the beginning of the boarding and academic re-structuring as outlined by the Principal in his letter of May 2012; changes which are probably as significant as any undertaken in the last 80 years. With a projected cost of £9 million for all that is planned it is certain that we will need the help and support of more of the Gordonstoun family than at any time in the past, and I do hope that, when the call comes, you will be keen to help your alma mater. There is little doubt that these are exciting times to be involved in the Development of Gordonstoun, and I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible at events over the course of the next few years as the projects progress. Ocean Spirit Summer 2014 By Ian Lerner, Sail Training Co-ordinator Ocean Spirit will be touring the UK during the summer of 2014 to help celebrate the school’s eightieth birthday. There are visits planned for Leith, Ipswich, London, Brighton, Portsmouth, Plymouth, Bristol, Liverpool and Glasgow, with events on board for OG’s. We will be publishing the full programme shortly and hope to run a week long OG voyage from Glasgow to Plockton mid-August - please let us know if you would be interested in participating in this. We hope to bring you further news of dates, events and chances to help us celebrate this special anniversary early in the new-year. pastoral care at gordonstoun By Diana Monteith Recently a member of staff at Gordonstoun brought her 15 year old son to a rock concert at the school; he attended a local state school, and had various prejudices about where ‘Mum’ rather embarrassingly worked. He left converted and eager to apply for a sixth form place. As a keen guitarist and ‘rock’ fan, he was astonished to discover that the whole school turned out to support their friends in their endeavours and greeted each act, no matter who was performing, and no matter what year group they were from, with enthusiastic cheering and clapping. A rich array of performance greets you every day at Gordonstoun and I never cease to be amazed at the apparent (and it is apparent) ease with which performers get up in chapel, or appear on the stage in the Ogstoun Theatre, or in the Tennant Room, to make presentations, to play musical instruments, to act, to sing, or to dance - and wherever this occurs the support the students give each other is heartfelt, genuine and appreciative. This whole culture is indicative of the health of the community – one in which students feel safe and secure with their peers and with adults alike. This culture of support begins every (yes, every!) morning in chapel. Here not just staff, but also students give presentations about their projects, their trips, their services, their clubs and societies, their interests, or their beliefs. Getting up in front of 500 teenagers and about 30 staff to give a presentation is no mean feat. But here we see the second unique feature of Gordonstoun – the staff are also prepared to put themselves in this ‘risky’ and vulnerable situation. And of course, this is not just in ‘performance’ in chapel, it is also on mountain expeditions, or sea voyages, or in conducting service to the community, or on an International Project. My focus though is not physical ‘risk’, but the emotional, social risk of performance in public where understanding and support is vital for success. Feeling exposed is a daily experience for everyone at the Gordonstoun community, but its reward is the daily reassurance of the support the community gives. Another very public place is the refectory: recently we had a visiting team for dinner. When someone dropped a plate and it smashed, I was appalled to hear a cheer and a giggle from behind me. Jumping up to quell this, and suggest that the person laughing might like to help the unfortunate person pick up the plate, I was astonished to find it was the visiting team. Their teacher took no notice, and seemed not to care. Our students, as usual, came to help clear up the mess, and once again, I was reminded of the extraordinary culture of support that we do manage to engender amongst our students and how different this is to what occurs elsewhere. Not always of course. Students come to us from all over the UK, but also from all over the world. It takes a few weeks for them to understand our behaviour in chapel, or the refectory. We often have a little spate of hymn book slamming at the start of the year and staff sometimes have to remind students about not mocking the plate droppers in the refectory, but it doesn’t take long for the respect to sink in and the behaviour to change. In fact it is rare the staff need to step in, house captains, CBs, those around the new students will soon make it clear that chapel is a special place for all of us and somewhere to be respected by all. Or they will rush to help out the embarrassed junior with the broken plate. Peer support is so much a part of the culture it is easy to think it just comes naturally, but, of course, it doesn’t. There are currently about 80 students in the school who are peer mentors - volunteers, trained in counselling, available to help and listen to those who need a student’s listening ear. We also have senior students buddied up with juniors in boarding houses who need extra help with organising themselves: through the learning support department, a personalised programme is developed, for instance, checking the prep and the school bag each night. In many houses senior students, expert in a particular subject, are available to help lower school students stuck on their prep. The boarding houses work hard to engender the family atmosphere so vital to our students, through their house captains, and captains of juniors, brews and house events and house expeds. If there are ever instances of bullying I can pretty much guarantee to have heard about it within hours, often from many different sources, and usually from students. They don’t tolerate unkindness amongst each other and will step in to help if they can, or report it to staff if they need to. The boarding house is the ‘home from home’ for all our students. Run by a remarkable HM, who moves in with family and pets to share their lives with 60 teenagers, helped by the live in assistant HM, and by matron who is there each day to provide help with the day to day practicalities of living away from home, a listening ear, and lots of hot chocolate. The house is a sanctuary in the very very busy life of any student at Gordonstoun. All full time staff – and many part timers – are tutors in a boarding house, which contributes to the boarding house family atmosphere. In-house evenings, brews, house councils, games rooms, kitchens, all help the student to feel that this is their home for the time they are at school. Having worked in a school where houses were organised horizontally, and as students moved up the school, they changed houses, I am absolutely convinced that we get this right. The HM and house staff form a very strong bond with the members of their house – the boys and girls ‘look out’ for each other and a sense of belonging is created. I have taught in 5 different schools, including a boys’ school, a girls’ school, an international school, a state school, and a mix of boarding and day schools, and of course, have visited a myriad of others, but nowhere else have I ever found a community in which the individuals are so honestly, absolutely and entirely supportive of each other on a daily basis in such a public place as our chapel, or where the daily test of that support is tried in so many arenas. 6 Kurt Hahn when speaking about the Gordonstoun Services expressed a wish that in a young man’s life compassion would become ‘the master motive ...’ and the school still regularly listens to the parable of The Good Samaritan – Hahn’s favourite bible reading. I believe Hahn would be proud of the school community he would find at Gordonstoun in 2013, and would truly see his vision of a school in which service to others, appreciation of others and compassion for others is realised. A story to tell: my career at the bbc by Liz MacKean (Hopeman, 1992) I left the BBC this Spring after an amazing twenty-four years there as a journalist. It was a job where you could honestly say that no two days were the same. It was always eventful; particularly in the months leading up to my departure - I’ll return to that! After university I took a postgraduate course in broadcast journalism. It was a very technical course, essential for mastering the ability to edit by cutting tape with a razor blade - no-one was talking digital back then. I began working shifts at Radio Manchester where my first “big” interview was with the doyenne of traditional Labour politics, Dame Barbara Castle. The interview had gone well. On my way back to the studio I thought I’d listen back to the tape. Silence. Then panic. No new reporter wants to tell their editor they haven’t got the story. I turned the car around, walked into the Labour meeting, which was by now in full swing. I remember saying: “I couldn’t be more sorry, but....” A minute later, Dame Barbara had agreed to redo the entire thing. It was a lesson I would never forget: if you are in a fix you have to sort it out. Oh, and always check the sound. was also one of the most fun. The easiest politician to interview was Martin McGuiness, now Northern Ireland’s Deputy First Minister. William Hague, the Foreign Secretary, came a close second. I took a close interest in events in Northern Ireland leading up to the peace process. I carried this on when I transferred to the main BBC newsroom and then Newsnight. The programme was a steep learning curve. One night you might be reporting on the Middle East; the next it could be American politics. And all the while you might end up in the studio to be questioned by the most famous TV interrogator of all: Jeremy Paxman. He enjoys putting colleagues on the spot. Once I was asked to explain about a leadership crisis among the Liberal Democrats. At the end Paxman turned to me, with his trademark raised eyebrow, and demanded: “Do you actually know what any of this means?” I loved the challenge of the job, and I’m sure this can be traced back to my days at Gordonstoun - that “have a go” spirit or, as someone once put it: “Plus et en vous”! The ability to talk to anyone, vital to a journalist, is also something fostered at the school. A few years ago I went to Ivory Coast in West Africa to investigate the dumping of toxic waste in the main city. Our reports helped establish it was done deliberately and compensation was paid out. For a couple of years I followed a group of teenagers in care looking at their lives and the difficulties they faced growing up. I’ve never done anything that got so much public support and interest and a commitment by the incoming government to improve things. My next contract was at Radio Cumbria, then Hereford and Worcester. Part of the job was to write and present news bulletins. Finding stories was a challenge in these rural stations. A big set of roadworks could make the lunchtime news alongside fighting in Israel and political storms at Westminster. Time was often tight; writing up until the last minute, mistakes could be made. The famous golfer Mark McCumber was introduced by me as Mark “Cucumber”. My editor, a sports fan, told me he’d nearly driven off the road in surprise. My next job was at Radio Solent. The stories seemed to get bigger. At the end of the first Gulf War I was sent to Gibraltar and steamed back aboard HMS Cardiff commentating as the ship made land. The crowds of families lining Portsmouth dock and the emotion of the sailors after many months at sea is something I’ll never forget. “ I moved into television and got a job on BBC1’s Breakfast News in London. For a couple of years I was one of the presenters, getting up at half-past three in the morning. I never minded it - it was always such fun to get into work and see what was going on. Working for the BBC is a great privilege: doors open. The most famous person I interviewed during this time was probably George Clooney. He Working for the BBC is a great privilege: doors open. Then, I embarked on what was potentially the biggest story of my career: the exposure of BBC presenter Jimmy Savile as an abuser of children. As newspaper headlines recorded, my bosses dropped the story, in controversial circumstances. An independent inquiry later found the story should have run. After these events I decided to move on and I now work for Channel 4 on Dispatches, a documentary programme. When I reflect on my time at the BBC I feel so fortunate for the opportunities and endless interest it’s given me. And, who knows, I may go back? 7 reflections from across the water Part I by Andrew McClellan (Duffus, 1975) As a university-based art historian for the last thirty years, I would say my life has been spent in the art world more than in the arts. I don’t practice the arts, I teach them and write about them; and my writing, to be more precise, concentrates more on the history of art criticism, collecting and museums than on practicing artists. Nevertheless I love what I do and I owe Gordonstoun a good deal for putting me on my way. Looking back on my years at school, it feels like I spent so much of my time – and certainly every Saturday – on a playing field somewhere in northern Scotland or on a bus getting us there, winding through beautiful landscapes and many a forlorn town. But in the end a more lasting influence was exerted in the tired old Nissen huts near Cumming House that served as the school’s fine arts hub. I was a hopeless artist – couldn’t paint a lick and my pottery wasn’t much better, but it was there that I first studied the history of art with Messrs. Paterson and Waddell (better known as Ali P and Willy Waddell). Mr. Waddell in particular, who taught architecture, was a delight. He enjoyed teaching and, beyond dates and terminology, he conveyed a sense of style, taste and the importance of aesthetic standards. Despite the coming of the first girls, it was still an austere and macho school back then, and the freedom to study art history at A level in the company of my fine fellow students, Doug Quin and Sally Lincoln (both fellow Americans, curiously), was a welcome respite from the rigoUrs of outward bound. Also important, I should add, were some adventures in theatre under the provocative supervision of Jim Wingate, who pushed to find the creative “plus est en vous” in each of us. Fresh from Oxford, he made the prospect of going to university seem exciting, a little daring even. I relished my time at Gordonstoun but after five invigorating years in the Highlands I was done with public school and the wilderness. I was accepted at various universities, including Yale back home, but I couldn’t resist the lure of London and the chance to study art history and philosophy at UCL. London was, and always will be, an art lover’s paradise and I consumed the city’s rich art and architectural heritage. I spent holidays travelling rough and cheap in Europe (thank you, school expeditions!) and a summer tour of Italy before my final year left me certain that art was in my life for good. After university I landed a job working with school groups at the National Gallery and selling post cards in the shop. I got to know every painting in the collection, but a year of retail and children was enough. I decided to pursue a PhD in art history and entered the Courtauld Institute of Art. than vaguely aware of what I was up to. Winning the Booker Prize half way through my time at the Courtauld did nothing to increase her attentiveness. I remember she once said to me: “Don’t let art history become a substitute for your life.” The trouble was I wanted art history to be my life, or at least my career. R.G. Waddell (ca.1975 I vividly remember the moment my outlook and fortunes changed. Sifting through historical documents at the Bibliothèque Nationale in Paris, I came across a list of instructions issued during the French Revolution on how to protect monuments and works of art against the destructive turmoil unleashed after 1789. The document felt so modern. The consciousness of history and coordinated effort to preserve the past even as the future of politics and society were being remade was utterly compelling. One document led to another and they all pointed to the creation of the first public art museum at the Louvre, which became the subject of my thesis and first book, still in print after twenty years. It was unusual at that time to write about something other than a famous artist, but it was a fortuitous decision that has fuelled a happy and productive scholarly career writing about museums, art connoisseurship and collecting. But thanks to varied interests and a certain humility engrained at school, I like to think I have prevented art history from taking over my life. SHARE YOUR PHOTOS! If you’ve got any old photos you’d like to share with the readers of the Gordonstoun Association Magazine, please send them by post or email to the GA office and we’ll feature them in these pages! A bastion of the art establishment, the Courtauld was at a low ebb when I arrived. With some exceptions, professors left their students to sink or swim; there was little esprit de corps. I was interested in eighteenth century art and assigned to Anita Brookner, who was then morphing from art historian to successful novelist. She was kindly but distant and never more Andrew McClellan, Douglas Quin and Margot Turcotte in Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme (ca.1974) Part II by Douglas Quinn (Altyre, 1975) As I reflect on the legacy of the arts in my life and the formative experiences at Gordonstoun, I realise that the influence has been profound and nuanced, ebbing and flowing through all that I have done professionally over the years. What I both appreciated during my years at school, and what has coalesced in the fullness of time, is how creativity and discipline were fostered and threaded through our experience—and not solely in the arts. We certainly had some good teachers, including Mr. Waddell. I can still smell the kilns firing and see his long graceful fingers turning pots on the wheels and getting slip on his jacket as he patiently instructed. He was a character, too—as were many of our teachers. Like Andrew McClellan, I appreciated the haven he provided, the value he placed on the arts as important and worthy of study, as well as inculcating aesthetic judgment and that illusive notion of good taste. Douglas Quin & Dane Hardine sculpting a bust (ca.1975 We both fondly remember Jim Wingate who instilled a sense of passion and excitement about literature and theatre. In addition to his teaching, Mr. Wingate organised poetry and play readings, theatre improvisation games, and took a group of us to London for the university student theatre festival. While the arts certainly provided a key foundation for me, the embrace of our education was holistic and reflected Kurt Hahn’s profound educational philosophy, which I have distilled to a valuing of the whole person. Studying the natural sciences with Bex Richter, Angus MacKnight—who worked directly with Hahn—Mary Byatt, Neil Cowx and Sheila Fraser-Moody instilled in me a sense of wonder and curiosity about the natural world. This persists in my work and I continue to be fascinated by landscape, animals and the natural soundscape. The many expeditions we undertook were of tremendous value as were encounters outside of classes and sanctioned activities. Weekend naturalist jaunts along the Moray coast with Mr. Richter and helping Ms. Byatt in the biology lab were notable because these were teachers who cared to get to know me. Likewise, the premium placed on service is something that was ingrained at school. I looked forward to spending an afternoon every week at the Junior or Senior Occupational Centre or at the pensioners’ home in Elgin. It was important to connect with a community outside of school and to be made to feel that one could make a difference in the lives of others. I still undertake service—from volunteering with cultural and arts organisations to lending a hand with community-based environmental initiatives. So, while the arts were an indispensible part of my education at Gordonstoun, it was their integration into a greater educational vision that has left the most enduring impression on me as an artist—and inspired me as a teacher. Let me share a few choice arts-related reminiscences from my school days; they remain vivid in my mind as affirming moments in what has become a wonderful adventure of a life in the arts. I have a memory of rehearsing several scenes from Macbeth at Duffus Castle: I played McDuff and Andrew played Banquo. It was a beautiful summer evening and, as we wrapped up our final lines and collapsed, exhausted onto the grass, several swans flew overhead. It was so still that we could hear the edge tones from their wings. It was truly a magical moment; we all felt so alive, relishing in the fact that we were acting these scenes just miles from where the story took place in a motte-and-bailey castle that was built in the 12th century (thank you, Mr. Waddell, for making sure we knew our architecture). Another memory that I have is playing music with Jonathan Hill. One day, as we leafed through Melody Maker—a now-defunct music publication— we saw a call for a music competition. Successful bands would receive cash, gear and a possible recording contract. Our eyes grew large with excitement. The rub was that we had classes and little time to rehearse. So, we made an appointment to see the Headmaster, John Kempe, to ask if we could miss some activities to practice and also a few days of school to travel to Glasgow for the competition. Much to our delight (and surprise, I might add) he agreed and was keen. We didn’t win anything, but being encouraged and supported meant the world to us. Plus est en vous, indeed! Jonathan is a gifted songwriter and can be heard in pubs and at cèilidhs across the Highlands and islands of Scotland. Finally, I remember walking up the North Lawn to the cliffs talking with Andrew about where we might find ourselves as adults. Why I remember this, I am not sure, but the conversation had the import of a pact—we would go on to follow our bliss, to quote mythologist Joseph Campbell. Looking back on it, we were lucky: as 14-year olds we had a pretty clear sense of what we wanted to do. I knew I would be involved in something creative—art or music. Andrew was, and still is, the consummate scholar. So, here we are 40 years on and still doing what we love. After leaving Gordonstoun, I returned to the US and went on to receive a BA in Art from Oberlin College, where I also studied electronic music. I continued my studies earning an MFA from the School of the Boston Museum of Fine Arts and Tufts University—where Andrew is currently a professor. There I continued my studies in music composition and sound art. After teaching Art and Art History at a Jesuit boys’ public school for 11 years, I returned to school and received my PhD in Acoustic Ecology from the Union Institute. All the while, I slowly built my career as a composer and sound artist, touring, performing and working variously in museum exhibit design, film sound, music composition, recording, and bioacoustics. Over the years, my work has been performed at numerous festivals and venues internationally and nationally including Merkin Hall at Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and Spoleto Festival USA. I am the grateful recipient of numerous awards and grants including the Ars Acustica International prize, Meet the Composer, multiple fellowships in music composition from the National Endowment for the Arts, and support from the National Science Foundation. Among other recent projects, I have composed music for the Kronos Quartet, created the sound design for and mixed Werner Herzog’s Academy Award® nominated film, Encounters At the End of the World and worked on exhibits for the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History, American Museum of Natural History and the Polish Academy of Sciences, among others. I continue to work professionally in music and sound and, after a 15-year hiatus, returned to teaching as an associate professor in the Television, Radio and Film Department of the Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. I love what I do in both the arts and education and have Gordonstoun to thank for a gift that keeps on giving. my art journey by Mike Banks (Cumming, 1976 Gordonstoun’s motto, Plus est en Vous - from the influential noble van Gruuthuuse family, based in Bruges (Flanders), literally the motto means: There is more in you; and I felt this when leaving Gordonstoun. I felt capable of doing anything I set my mind to. The only trouble was I hadn’t a clue what I wanted to do back in 1977. All I knew was that it had to be creative. I have recently returned from an eleven day art research trip to the outback of Australia, to an area called Ruby Gap, about 135kms (85 miles) east of Alice Springs, I am now preparing for an exhibition in Brisbane to be held in October. Ruby Gap National Park is a ruggedly handsome place. It is situated in some of the driest and most inhospitable regions on the planet. It is so dry, it is as though every drop of water has been wrung out of the place and then blow-dried to be certain. Every twig, leaf and blade of grass crunched, cracked and crackled under foot, and every thirsty fly from miles around congregated in the creases of my skin, to suck on the smallest amount of moisture, before it evaporated into the dryness. The days were hot and the nights very cold, as is typical of the desert at the time of year (June and Winter), dropping to 2 degrees most nights. I know this, because I slept a few nights out of my tent in a ‘swag’, under the moon and shooting stars. With an exhibition in mind, I settled into my environment to paint. My palette for the trip was a glorious cobalt blue sky, jagged vermilion escarpment, sitting upon twisted and buckled yellow ochre sandstone strata, with thin-leaved trees, grasses and scrubby bushes of thirsty green, deep rich alizarin Blood Gum sap, and stark white of the Ghost Gum. I have been asked to write a short piece for the Gordonstoun Association magazine because I am an old Gordonstoun boy, who now makes a living as an Artist and co-owns an Art Gallery in Brisbane, Australia. 10 Gordonstoun was, without a doubt, a great experience and offered so many possibilities and opportunities, which led me to be sitting, painting, in front of a massive escarpment in the middle of the Australian outback. It is a journey that has taken me from Sri Lanka (where I was born), to England, Scotland, London, Wales, New Zealand and finally to my adopted home in Australia… and now to Ruby Gap. Art is in my family. My late parents wrote and illustrated three books on Sri Lankan Birds, Butterflies and Animals, that are all still in print today. Encouraged by my parent’s success at writing and illustrating books, my partner Kaye Fox and I wrote and illustrated a children’s book called Meg A. Feather and the Forest Games, which we published for the New Zealand market, and I have illustrated another children’s book in Australia, as a freelance illustrator. My aunt also paints on commission, Campaign Scenes for regiments of the British Army, when they need a historical record of a particular battle depicted. However, the path of an artist is never straightforward, even when the genes are there. The journey usually has a few more side-tracks than most other more traditional vocations. I did many jobs in the past like waiter, chef, accountant at Hamleys, cabinetmaker and carpenter, selling vacuum cleaners in Wales and mobile phones in New Zealand. As things turned out, I wouldn’t change a thing, as the path I took has led me to this point; I can now call myself an Artist. When I left Gordonstoun, I spent the last term as an exchange student at The Southport School, on the Gold Coast, Australia. It was perhaps one of the most important terms of my life, as it gave me the opportunity to see this great country, Australia, where I would eventually live and call home, and where I would find my Element and be in my element (from the book The Element by Sir Ken Robinson) and make my living doing what I truly love. It is never too late to find your metier and follow your bliss. Who knows what surprising twists and turns, diversions and U-turns, you’ll experience along the way – much like the 4WD journey into the unknown outback terrain of Ruby Gap - an amazing, sometimes bumpy journey to a challenging, fulfilling and awesome destination. As with all journeys, mine was not done in isolation, and I wish to thank my dear departed parents for their sacrifices in sending me to a great school, Gordonstoun; also my partner Kaye, for her enthusiastic encouragement, and Gordonstoun itself, for instilling in me the motto, Plus est en Vous, without which, I wouldn’t be where I am today. The Ruby Gap Exhibition, hosted by Moving Canvas Gallery, Foyer of Central Plaza One, Brisbane CBD. October 16th to 25th October 2013. My passion for art and sculpture by James Eddy (Cumming 1993) The journey of being an artist, I have found is seldom a straightforward path and is filled with many surprises and twists. In comparing many artists’ careers, certain common themes and patterns can be apparent, however in practice no two artists careers are ever the same. My journey in the arts started becoming apparent at Redruth secondary school whilst studying GCSE Art, taught by a wonderful teacher, a very relaxed surfer and VW camper van owner. Around the same time I learnt from my brother the art of making Airfix models. And joking aside I consider the time I spent making WW2 aircraft as a serious and invaluable grounding for my future career. Not only in learning key art skills, but also in developing huge amounts of patience! At the time of joining Gordonstoun I was keen to become an RAF pilot, another influence from my elder brother, and as such my A-level choices were quite sensible for someone who thought they ought to get a proper job in life. However one of my most endearing memories of that time, is one of desperately trying to fit in A-level Art as a fourth subject. My attempt inevitably failed, so I settled for joining the schools Arts club instead. Fate however ensured that a full time career in the armed forces never materialised. Although my love of nature and being outdoors did lead me to studying Environmental science at university and a short spell as a countryside ranger. This knowledge of the natural world and my experiences of working as a woodsman, have inspired my art work ever since. At university I always returned to Cornwall between terms, preferring to be on the sea or the beach to city life. A friend I had met during one summer holiday, convinced me to volunteer for a month long community theatre project, run by Kneehigh theatre company. This experience helped me to understand that a career in the arts was actually very possible indeed and it was certainly the main inspiration for me in becoming a professional artist. So upon graduating in 1999, I returned to live in Cornwall and promptly booked an exhibition space in Falmouth and over the next six months I created a body of work to exhibit. The work was an eclectic mix of painting, sculpture and photography, inspired by poetry, much of which I had written whilst at Gordonstoun. The exhibition also saw the first incarnation of my fish shoal sculptures. The inspiration for these sculptures came from watching David Attenborough’s ‘Blue Planet’ footage of dolphins herding pelagic fish, tight together into a furiously moving bait ball. In 2011 perhaps my apprenticeship ended and my international career started to blossom. As well as having my sculptures represented in galleries, I received an invitation to work as artist in residence at the Lost gardens of Heligan. This year long residency led to me being able to realise several large outdoor land art sculptures. Since that first exhibition I have practised extensively as a portfolio artist, as well as having the necessary supporting part-time work. In hindsight, the subsequent ten years until 2010, was in effect the serving of a long apprenticeship. Learning from other artists and by making my own mistakes. I developed my painting and Land art is one of my favoured types of work. Land art in the context of my work is the creation of sculptures and installations using natural materials, often only using hand tools and applying the Japanese aesthetic principles of wabi-sabi. Wabi-sabi can be loosely defined as having a simple preference for natural beauty that embraces the impermanence of things. sculpting skills, and took part in a number of exhibitions. During the same period I also worked on a broad spectrum of arts projects and commissions, both private and public. Creating all manner of works including amphitheatres, murals, mosaics, sculptures and gardens. One commission of note was working as a project manager for the African sculptor El Anatsui, producing a sculpture for the tropical dome at the Eden Project. The opportunity of working with an international artist of great experience taught me the importance of planning and logistics in the creation of large sculptures. Since 2011 opportunities have flowed thick and fast and my artistic journey has become a little more certain, however I’m sure there are many surprises to come. I do I prefer being an artist that has many strings to his bow, the challenge of creating art works by learning new skills and ways to express oneself is an exciting and rewarding journey… 11 hooked on rugby by Donald Macleod, President, Scottish Rugby Union (Cumming, 1959) I attended Gordonstoun from 1955 to 1959, starting in Hopeman Lodge for two years with Mr Whitby before moving to Windmill Lodge for one year with Mr Syme. My last year was split with two term as House Helper in Gordonstoun House where Mr McComish was Housemaster and my last term was at Cumming House, again as House Helper, with Dr McKnight. On leaving school, I went to Edinburgh University to study Medicine before training in Surgery. I was appointed a Consultant General Surgeon with a special interest in Accident and Emergency in West Lothian on 1st April, 1976, retiring from clinical practice in 2001. I continued as Associate Post-graduate Dean [Surgery] at the Edinburgh Post-graduate Board for Medicine until 2004 and served as VicePresident of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh from 2001 to 2004. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at school, on call with the Fire Service as well as playing rugby and hockey. I wasn’t interested in summer sports, much preferring the ethos and camaraderie of team games. I was brought up in Selkirk, in the Borders, before my parents moved to Edinburgh. It was shortly thereafter, on 18th March, 1950 that I attended my first rugby international at Murrayfield. Scotland was playing England for the Calcutta Cup. Scotland won by 13 points to 11 points with a dramatic conversion at the final whistle. Three of the players that day were medical students from Edinburgh University and I was fortunate to meet them later that evening. Subsequently I have been “Hooked on Rugby”. I started my playing career at the Edinburgh Academy before moving to Gordonstoun. I progressed through the years finishing as wing-forward in the First Fifteen. On one particularly memorable and uncomfortable occasion I broke my left clavicle at the bottom of a pile up of players. It was a home match and I was taken to Dr Gray’s Hospital where the diagnosis was confirmed and a “Figure of Eight” bandage applied round my shoulders. I was given a lift back to Gordonstoun but had to get my bike back to Hopeman, so I cycled. No one seemed to think that was inappropriate! Gordonstoun’s motto has remained with me and I still keep fit by cycling, hillwalking, orienteering and fishing. I started my surgical training working for Professor Sir John Bruce in Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. I had managed to keep playing rugby for Edinburgh Academicals as an undergraduate and occasionally thereafter until 1969. Sir John was invited serve as Match Doctor at Scotland’s home internationals and he asked me to prepare a suitable medical bag. His Senior Lecturer and I accompanied him to the matches, starting in 1967. We sat on the bench at the side of the pitch while Sir John was comfortably seated in the stand. It was raining particularly heavily on 22nd February, 1969 and the Senior Lecturer opted for the stand. We were playing Ireland. I was in charge and it was mayhem with one player concussed, one with a dislocated shoulder and two cuts, one of which needing careful suturing. That was my baptism as Scotland’s Match Doctor. Incidentally, we lost. I had the amazing good fortune during my 25 years as team doctor with Scotland to win two Grand Slams[ 1984 and 1990], attend two Rugby World Cups and one Sevens Rugby World Cup and travel with the British and Irish Lions in 1983 to New Zealand. The management of that tour consisted of a manager, a coach, a doctor and a physiotherapist. Somewhat different from the management of the recent tour to Australia. My last duties as team doctor were in Pretoria in the 1995 Rugby World Cup. We were knocked out of the tournament in the quarter final by New Zealand. The decision that rugby was becoming a full time professional sport in 1995 meant that I could no longer balance my professional life as a Consultant Surgeon with the demands of a professional sport. I remained Medical Advisor to the Scottish Rugby Union and served on the Medical Advisory Committee of the International Rugby Board until 2003. During my time in Rugby and through experience gathered running a Sports Medicine Clinic I became increasingly involved in the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of sports injuries. Scotland hosted a series of major international conferences on aspects of Sports Medicine. Subsequently a group of like-minded doctors from a range of sports worked hard with the Post-graduate Medical and Surgical Royal Colleges, the Sports Councils and the Department of Health and, as a result, Sport and Exercise Medicine is recognised a specialty in the UK, with equal status to Cardiology or Orthopaedics etc. Her Royal Highness the Princes Royal is Patron of the Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine as well as the Scottish Rugby Union and Chancellor of Edinburgh University. Following retiring from Surgery, Post-graduate Medicine and the Scottish Rugby Union I returned to the Borders and my first love, amateur rugby, joining the committee of Selkirk Rugby Club. I was President of the club from 2009 to 2011. I was then invited to stand for election as Vice-President of the Scottish Rugby Union and was elected unopposed in June 2012. I have recently been confirmed as President and will serve for one year covering the season 2013 / 2014. Accordingly I have come full circle from a school and club player usually on my bicycle to travelling on the Team Bus as team doctor and nowadays on the Committee Bus. Rugby has changed dramatically with professionalism. Amateur rugby remains a contact sport with the clubhouse after the match being as important as the match itself. Professional rugby is a collision, high intensity, gladiatorial contest requiring enormous commitment from the players and everyone involved with them. It is the most dramatic of all team sports with increasing world-wide media interest. The medical and scientific support necessary to ensure professional players can perform at the expected level is beyond the wildest dreams of amateur clubs. Modern, often full-time, medical teams support their players from a background of appropriate qualifications, training and experience. They have the benefit of rapid access to modern diagnostic techniques and a wide range of Specialists. The medical team has a responsibility to protect players from “burn-out” as a result of too many high intensity matches as well as repeated, potentially serious injuries to their soft tissues, joints and concussion. They work closely with Sports Scientists to ensure their players are at the peak of fitness and good health. Changed days from turning up at an International in the 1960s having borrowed some equipment from the hospital. In spite of all the changes, I remain “Hooked on Rugby”. Hook, Line and Sinker by Hugh Coulson (Duffus, 1998) The 2012 season on the Varzuga may possibly go down as the most productive season ever for the number of fish caught to the number of rods fishing, to the number of fish caught for any salmon river in the world. I was lucky enough to be manager at Middle Varzuga when all the key elements for a record breaking season fell into place…. The Varzuga flows north to south for 168 miles, crossing the Arctic Circle roughly at its midpoint and drains 3,794 square miles of pristine tundra out into the White Sea. The season starts at the beginning of May just after the covering of ice breaks, allowing the fish to start their run up river. This year however the river “broke” late and with the heavy snow falls from the previous winter the river was still clogged with ice and grossly swollen. These factors made the first week all but a washout with more ice bergs caught than salmon as the system vented its winter cloak. Then right on the last day when most had conceded defeat to the fishing gods, a Varzuga veteran who was fishing at the bottom of the beat hit a huge run of fish making their way up through the frigid depths. He landed an astonishing 42 salmon to his rod in the last few hours of the day, his best ever haul by some considerable margin and more than doubling his tally for the week in a few frantic adrenaline fuelled hours. The fish had arrived in unprecedented numbers and the record season on the Varzuga had begun. will get just rewards, all the more remarkable then that the 12 rods finished the week with 1277 fish between them. The question was now, how long would the run last? There is always a degree of one-upmanship in fishing and so as the new set of Scottish clients replaced the exhausted outgoing, mainly English group, it was unsurprising that they too were chomping at the bit to wet their fly as soon as the chopper had cleared. The weather was warming rapidly and spring comes to the Varzuga in the blink of an eye and as the water heated up so did the action. This group too fished like men possessed and by the final morning had landed a jaw dropping 1360 fish for their week with one angler having landed a record 67 fish in a single day; these are figures that may never be bettered. The run of fish did inevitably slow down for the last three weeks of the season as summer came to the peninsula but still pods of fresh fish poured into the system right until the last week. All told 4766 salmon were landed in just six short weeks. It is heartening to see one of nature’s great phenomenon’s still in such good health and to see a strict catch and release police and good husbandry of the land pay such dividends and bring joy to so many passionate anglers over the years, it has certainly been a privilege to witness it and I recommend salmon fishing to one and all. Anyone who has fished before will tell you that timing is everything and so it was with heavy hearts that the guests boarded the helicopters the next morning knowing that they had been on the cusp of fishing nirvana, but their loss would be the next groups gain. The next group arrived, all old hands to the rigors of fishing Russia’s frozen north but also charged by the news of what might be told to them by the rueful outgoing clients they had met at Murmansk airport. They were all hurriedly setting up rods as soon as the chopper was clear and raced to get to their favourite spots. They fished hard, with some fishing close to 15hrs a day and with the water temperature at 2oC and wading in a swollen river; these early weeks are not for the faint hearted and they had to work for every fish. This was certainly not a case of shooting fish in a barrel and for anyone who says that catching this many fish isn’t fun, well they probably haven’t tried it. The Varzuga is a big powerful river and only a skilled angler 13 Spithead naval review by Alec Provan (Gordonstoun, 1953) Queen Elizabeth’s accession to the throne occurred in February 1952; however, the Coronation Ceremony did not take place until June 2, 1953, to be followed soon after by the imposing spectacle of the Spithead Naval Review on June 15. In order to celebrate the Coronation a fleet of over 300 vessels assembled in the waters of the Solent, adjacent to the major ports of Portsmouth and Southampton. The fleet consisted of major and minor warships representing the UK, Commonwealth and a number of foreign countries including the USA and Russia. In addition there were numerous merchant vessels, fishing vessels and private yachts – all assembled in assigned rows and/or specific areas where they could be reviewed by Her Majesty and Prince Philip from the bridge of the Royal Yacht, “HMS Surprise”. Planning for this great event had commenced many months in advance and somewhere along the way it was decided that Gordonstoun, the school where Prince Philip had received his education, should be represented at Spithead by an appropriate vessel. The choice of suitable candidates was severely limited as the schooner “Prince Louis”, the former Gordonstoun sail-training vessel, had been assigned to the Outward Bound Sea School at Burghead, leaving the ketch-rigged “Salt Horse”, owned by the seamanship master, Commander A.H. Godwin, as the next best choice. During the winter and spring of 1953, many Seamanship classes were devoted to the preparation of the ketch for her voyage from the Moray Firth to the English Channel. Hull, topsides, rigging and sails were overhauled and “Salt Horse” was in every respect “shipshape and Bristol fashion” by the time she left on her intended mission. Alec Provan Jim Richmond Commander Godwin and Mr. Stokes Danny Main On Saturday, May 23d, we sailed from Hopeman Harbour for the first leg of our journey, a short trip to Inverness at the entrance to the Caledonian Canal. Mr. Danny Main, harbourmaster and seamanship instructor was in charge, assisted by Mr. Stokes as mate and a crew consisting of Gordonstoun students. With a favourable wind we made good progress until the afternoon westerlies sprang up and we resorted to the venerable diesel engine to propel us the rest of the way. This engine had its own peculiarities; in particular the direct drive to the propeller i.e. when the engine turned over so did the propeller. As the engine turned only in one direction we had no means of stopping or going astern without resorting to some fancy footwork by the crew, especially in the confined spaces of the canal locks and similar locations. The normal procedure when approaching a berth was to stop the engine at a suitable distance from the berth and glide to a stop with the aid of a stern line secured to a convenient bollard, piling or lamp-post, occasionally assisted by an unsuspecting bystander. Unfortunately this didn’t work too well in the stop and go transit of the canal locks as the engine could not be trusted to restart when the time came to leave the lock! By skilful manipulation of the mooring lines we were able to keep the engine ticking over when secured to the lock walls and we transited the Caledonian Canal with only one major incident. Jimmy Richmond became the hero of the day when he dived into the icy waters of the canal to clear a fouled propeller. This was accomplished under the admiring gaze of spectators standing on the sides of the lock! While alongside in Inverness, Commander Godwin relieved Mr. Main and assumed charge of the vessel for the remainder of the trip. Departing from Corpach at the south end of the canal, we proceeded down Loch Linnhe and the Firth of Lorne, then by way of Islay Sound to the open waters of the North Channel and Irish Sea where, only four months earlier, the ferry “Princess of Victoria” had gone down during a major North Atlantic storm, with the loss of over 100 lives. On Friday, 29 May we celebrated Commander Godwin’s birthday with cake on the quarterdeck. For reasons that I don’t recollect, but which probably had something to do with weather and tides, we bypassed our next intended stopover at Aberdovey and proceeded to Fishguard near the southwest tip of Wales. At Fishguard we had a crew change, with the arrival of students, identified in my skimpy, illegible notes as Robinson and Plant, and the departure of Arnold, Pern and Richmond. Colin MacDonald spent some time tending to our unpredictable engine, ably assisted by John Swallow. Leaving Fishguard under sail on June 1st, we ran into a tidal race off Strumble Head and I had an involuntary dip up to my waist as the bowsprit submerged into the chilly waters just as we were in the process of hoisting additional sail. In the process of hanging on to whatever might be available I accidentally dropped a shackle into the ocean. I expected to be severely castigated for my carelessness, however, no abuse came my way. Looking back over the years I suspect that Commander Godwin was so relieved to see his bowsprit and crew member emerging from the wave into which we had plunged, apparently with no permanent damage to either, that the loss of a shackle was the least of his concerns! Eventually we had to resort to our much maligned engine to get us out of trouble and propel us across the entrance to the Bristol Channel, assisted by a strong northerly breeze. On June 2nd we rounded Land’s End and proceeded up the English Channel accompanied by numerous freighters and coasters. Later in the day we heard Her Majesty’s radio broadcast, following her Coronation ceremony. We also heard that Everest had been conquered by Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay. The following day we entered Weymouth harbour and secured at the coaling wharf, where we would restore the vessel to her pristine condition before embarking on the final leg of our journey to the Solent. During our one week stay in Weymouth crew members Mann, Plant and Robinson left us to return to Gordonstoun and were replaced by Weatherall, Swallow, Broadbent and McGillivray, who would be with us for the remainder of the voyage. We left Weymouth on the evening of June 10th, and proceeded along the south coast with a fresh northwest wind. Around noon on the following day “Salt Horse” passed the Needles at the entrance to the Solent, and continued on to Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight, where we secured to pilings around 1700hrs. The next day we continued up the Solent under full sail, with a close-up view of the fleet that had assembled for the Review. The foreign vessels included an Italian square-rigged sailing vessel and the Russian cruiser “Sverdlov”. “Salt Horse” entered Portsmouth harbour in drizzling rain, and along with several other yachts which were replenishing their fresh water tanks, we tied up alongside the former Royal Yacht “Victoria and Albert”. The Royal Barge was also alongside, with gleaming paintwork and varnish. The whole crew took advantage of our stay in Portsmouth to visit “HMS Victory” and were greatly impressed by the complexities of the rigging and construction. Leaving Portsmouth, we crossed the Solent to Cowes where we anchored for the night in the company of numerous other yachts gathering for the Review. On Sunday June 14, we proceeded to our assigned anchorage and undertook some last minute chores prior to the next day’s sail past. Monday, June 15 dawned overcast and dull; however, the presence of so many vessels of all description, dressed overall for the occasion, provided a colourful and festive atmosphere. During the morning we were joined by a dozen or so former pupils, who shared our ringside seat and privileged view of the Royal couple as the Royal Yacht, “HMS Surprise”, made her way along the ranks of the assembled fleet. As she passed each vessel, the crew, standing smartly at attention on deck, joined in three hearty cheers for the Queen and Prince Philip. Later in the afternoon we enjoyed a flypast of naval aircraft including helicopters and fighter jets. As darkness fell the fleet was illuminated by streamers of lights which replaced the flags shown during the day. Promptly at 2240 hrs. the lights were extinguished and we were treated to a fireworks display which lit up the whole surreal scene. Most of our visitors had departed by this time but a few stragglers spent the night on board and were sent ashore in the morning by means of a passing patrol vessel. With a favourable tide we weighed anchor and proceeded down the Solent to Yarmouth, passing close by “RMS Queen Mary” enroute. From Yarmouth we had an uneventful cruise to Weymouth, where the “Salt Horse” received a final cleanup before the crew disembarked for the return trip by rail to Gordonstoun. No doubt there was a public relations aspect to this particular cruise, but for those of us who went on to follow a career at sea, the voyage provided excellent hands-on practice in navigation and seamanship, especially the requirement to be vigilant at all times and to have a sound knowledge of the marine version of “The Rules of the Road”. Radar was still in its infancy at that time and other aids to navigation such as Decca Navigator, echosounder and Loran were reserved for warships and larger vessels of the Merchant Marine. Satellites and Global positioning systems were something for the future, so we relied on our paper charts, magnetic compass and hand leadline, supplemented by visual landmarks and lighthouse flashes, to keep track of our position. I have no recollection of a two-way radio on board, but we did have a battery-operated broadcast receiver, which enabled us to listen to the BBC marine weather forecasts and major news items. Later that summer I took part in a cruise to Kristiansand South in Norway on board the “Prince Louis”; however, the “Salt Horse” cruise was undoubtedly the highlight of my eventful year as a Gordonstoun student. I still feel very privileged to have been a crew member on that occasion, and for the once in a lifetime opportunity to view the magnificent Naval Review which celebrated the Coronation of our present Head of State, Queen Elizabeth. My one regret is that I didn’t make a better record of the trip, especially the names of all the students and staff involved – perhaps if I had known that 60 years down the road I would be writing an article about it I might have done better! An internet search on “Spithead Review 1953” turns up a great deal of information including media film footage. On the other hand, a search for “Salt Horse” reveals only that this was the name given by sailors to the brine-pickled beef and pork which formed a major part of their diet prior to the introduction of refrigeration. If you precede “Salt Horse” with the word “ketch”, you may find a brief reference to our Spithead adventure, immortalised on the “Nauticapedia” website. Salt Horse. John Swallow Commander Godwin Weymouth (Commander Godwin, Alec Provan, John Swallow, Weatherall, McGillivray) 15 the gordonstoun campus: by James Byatt (Son of David & Mary Byatt) In July of 2012 the Gordonstoun Association approached noted landscape architect, James Byatt, to produce a drawing of the Gordonstoun estate. It was to show Duffus House, first residence of the school, which will be vacated soon and rebuilt within the school grounds. Research for the drawing began in the autumn, a time of cold winds and rain showers. Considerable time was spent sitting in the car waiting for the weather to improve to enable sketching. During this time James became very familiar with the car parks next to Cumming House and the Sports Centre. The final work on site was carried out wearing woollen mitts – a definite first for James! The drawing was produced in four stages. Firstly, a pencil sketch was made based on an Ordnance Survey map with individual trees, shrubs and particular landscape features drawn and annotated. This work took considerable time and involved long walks around the estate to areas not visited by most students such as the sewage reed beds and Coronation Wood. Hugh Brown, Financial Director, was of enormous help providing background historical information such as the Gordonstoun Historic Designed Landscape Management Plan of 2006. James’ family has a long association with Gordonstoun. As well as being an Aberlour House student himself, his great uncle Keir Campbell was one of the first masters at the school in 1934. His grandmother, Keir’s sister, came to live in Elgin the same year and knew Kurt Hahn well, sending all three of her sons to the newly established school. Security, too, came to know James; a Duffus boy reported a man in a strange hat walking the grounds! Other staff appeared not to notice him and he was able to walk backwards and forwards across Sweethillocks for some two hours without being questioned by a man marking out white lines for the pitches. James was pleased to accept the occasional lift on the estate team’s golf buggy. James’ father, David Byatt, was a pupil both at Wester Elchies and Gordonstoun and was Guardian in 1951. He returned to the school in 1971 as Second Master and finally Warden in 1991. Both James’ parents taught biology and retired in 1993. The sketching took many months to complete and was interrupted by inclement weather and, more significantly, the death of James’ father, David Byatt. A memorial service was held for David in St Christopher’s chapel on 03.10.12 16 Having completed the detailed sketch of the estate, a black ink a moment in time copy was made by overlaying the pencil sketch with tracing paper. Additional drawings were added of the houses, Ocean Spirit and other features of special interest. Stage three involved copying the drawing from tracing paper to plain paper and colouring the drawing with Letraset Promarker pens. The colours used indicate the different terrain, with paths, trees and water being coloured appropriately. Finally, the drawing was scanned and printed with ultra-violet light resistant inks to improve longevity. The completed drawing was first shown at the GA weekend in May of this year & was well received. It is a highly detailed work of art and will remind all OG’s of their time at Gordonstoun. The drawing has been reproduced in three sizes [515 x 980 mm £75, 415 x 800 mm £50, 215 x 410 mm (A3) £20] It can be purchased from the school shop or ordered by post from James Byatt at www. jamesbyatt.com (postage £6.99) Further information about James’ work as an estate cartographer can be found on his web site. a love of life by Rosemary Gillespie (Hopeman, 1975) in the USA. This was exactly what I would have loved to do! The research used spiders to explore ecological decisions that animals make. While social pressures at the time expected that I find a “real job” I had been instilled with the philosophy of endeavor. Thus, I applied to graduate school at the University of Tennessee and headed off into a very alien environment – holding on firmly to the ideals espoused by Kurt Hahn of the importance of an “undefeatable spirit” and “tenacity in pursuit”. A product of an all-girl’s boarding school for 6 years, I remember the move to Gordonstoun being exciting, daring – and very intimidating. Plus est en vous – what did that mean? The utter exhilaration of the next couple of years was unexpected. Forty years on I’m cuddled up in my sleeping bag high in the forest of Molokai, Hawaii, staring out of a small, cracked window pane at the relentless soft rain, and I think back on my first camping trip through Glen Affric as part of my Duke of Edinburgh Award. Back on Molokai, after a night collecting spiders, we come back to the cabin and get the propane stove ready to cook dinner. As we talk about the night’s activities, I’m reminded of a winter trip to the Cairngorms and coming back to a bothy near Aviemore, cold and wet, before building a huge fire and talking and laughing in the warmth of the flames. How little things have changed. However, there’s a reason for that: Gordonstoun was where I learned not only to value the beauty of the natural world and appreciate what it had to offer but also that I could – and should - live up to my dreams. It was with Mr Cowx that I had my first taste of research: We went on a trip to the Summer Isles to trap small mammals. I recall the feeling that we were discovering the inner secrets of this seemingly barren landscape as we quietly measured and weighed the little animals in the darkness of the bothy lamplight before releasing them back into the night. I felt tremendously privileged to be given such insights into the natural world and I wanted to learn more. Studying zoology at the University of Edinburgh was a natural next step. It was during my final year at Edinburgh that I learned of research being done at the University of Tennessee As a graduate student in Tennessee I did my research at a site in the Smoky Mountains in an area of outstanding beauty and tranquility allowing me to explore the bounds of scientific creativity. I experienced the necessary frustration of being unable to key-out a spider or insect, interspersed by the few moments of euphoria on figuring out what one specimen was; the panic at being told to do my homework on a computer at a time when I didn’t even know what a computer looked like! However, over the course of my graduate career, despite being far from home and with a very uncertain future, I caught a glimpse of academic life and the possibility of living my dream. I left the University of Tennessee to take a postdoctoral position at the University of Hawaii on the feeding behaviour of the aptly named “happy face spider”. However, after just a couple of days in the field I happened upon something truly extraordinary: close relatives of the long jawed spiders, on which I had done my PhD in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, were in great abundance in the Hawaiian forests and the diversity of species – in terms of their form, behaviour, and ecology - was utterly inconceivable. But my funding was for only 6 months. So I spent the next few years scrounging up (really) small pots of funding to allow me to keep working on this heretofore unknown and largely undescribed “adaptive radiation”. A product of the Gordonstoun education, I couldn’t possibly turn my back on such a rich research opportunity. It took me 4 years before I published my first papers on the Hawaiian spider diversity, with much of that time almost living in the field. However, that period was invaluable and gave me deep insights into the radiation paving the way for the subsequent 25+ years of my research. I was offered a position at the University of Hawaii in the early 1990’s, joined there by my husband and fellow biologist, George Roderick, in 1993. In 1999 we moved to the University of California at Berkeley with our young children, William and Melrose. Coming to the present the boys are almost grown up and off to university. But the nature of my work has changed little with my research still based in the high mountains of Hawaii as well as Tahiti, Fiji and other little isolated spots in the Pacific where the diversity of life has taken entirely unique trajectories. Perhaps most importantly, I still love what I do – my work is my passion, my hobby, my life. What more could anyone ask for – plus est en vous. from the ivory tower by Leonid Peisakhin (Cumming 1999) Victorian-era textbooks copied and recopied since the time of the Russian Empire (I must have sounded rather like that famous Bram Stoker character; in fact, I was even cast as a sort of Bond villain in a Cumming House play in 1995). However, Mrs Clutton (my third form English teacher) and Mr Gabb (the housemaster at Cumming) were not about to be daunted by that and soon put me right. Despite my rapidly improving English, I might have tried to make a dash for the Russian Embassy had that railway line to Lossiemouth still been in place! Soon, though, things were back on track, and the Gordonstoun years turned out to be some of the happiest and most interesting thus far. More importantly, the healthy injection of internationalism that I acquired at Gordonstoun was absolutely pivotal in shaping my professional development and career choices. A proud owner of a small cartload of academic degrees in political science from Harvard, Oxford, and Yale, I am currently completing my As I sit down to write this, it dawns on me that it has been nineteen years almost to the day since I first set foot at Gordonstoun—a mere trifle from the perspective of those sharing fascinating reminiscences about the School in the 1940s, but an eternity when considered form the point of a view of a thirteen year-old making his first trip abroad, as I was then. The vivid detail of those first few weeks and months is unlikely ever to fade. In August 1994, I arrived in Scotland with my mother in tow—that was my first trip ever outside of Russia. A greater contrast than that between the post-Soviet dilapidation of what was back then an urban dystopia of St. Petersburg and the multicultural splendor of vibrant London or the rural idyll of Morayshire can scarcely be imagined. We were not fully conversant with all the local mores, and the idea that large tracts of land should be privately owned without right of access seemed particularly difficult to digest. As we had a few days to spare before the start of term and knew next to nothing of local attractions, it seemed like a good idea to wander into one of the local verdant fields for a bit of sunbathing (it was one of those all too rare sunny and warm Scottish summers). Within twenty minutes we, being in a state of some undress, found ourselves surrounded by a group of men in full tweeds (in 32C degree heat!), on horseback, and wielding shotguns; the hounds must have been suffering from a heat stroke. An idyll interrupted… final year of a post-doctoral research fellowship in Madrid. My research The next few months proved equally challenging, as I struggled to get my bearings. It transpired that the few English sentences that I was capable of mustering in a rather frightening accent were hopelessly outdated, as Russian schools still relied on what were effectively from the most mundane daily routines to the most momentous decisions is centred on the exploration of causes of political and economic behavior. Specifically, I ask whether the choices that shape our lives— at the highest levels of politics and business—are shaped by material interests, institutional rules, or culture. In many ways, my interest in this set of issues was first sparked at Gordonstoun while observing young people of over fifteen different nationalities negotiate the often-complex realities of communal life. The search for answers to these near-intractable questions has taken me from the long-forgotten borderlands of the Russian Empire, to Korean War veterans’ homes in Taiwan, by way of the slums of Mumbai and New Delhi and the Roma villages of Wallachia. While I am not much nearer to answers, I certainly do feel a lot wiser for having undertaken the search. One thing that strikes me again and again on my travels is how large and omnipresent the Gordonstoun community is. On a recent trip to Saõ Paulo, I was hosted by the family of Victor Cvintal, a dear friend from the Cumming days. In New York, my first port of call is always YoHan Cho’s charming home. And even at my tiny institute in Madrid there is an old Gordonstounian—Andrew Richards, who was at the School in the mid-1980s. Wonderful fruit has sprung from Hahn’s commitment to internationalism, and the School is much stronger for it going into the 21st century. Perhaps it is time to add “Soyez chez vous dans le monde” (Be at home in the world!) to our usual “Plus Est en Vous” 19 Quarkers About Physics by Chris Monahan (Altyre, 2001) I fell into physics, really. I’d like to say that I’d always dreamed of being a physicist, but that isn’t quite true. I certainly knew that I enjoyed science and as a teenager I was inspired by popular science accounts of the discoveries and insights of the great physicists. But as University applications loomed, I had a hard time choosing what to study -- Maths, Physics or Chemisty? I enjoyed all of them and managed most of the homework most of the time. And so, when I finally came to fill in the application form, I fell back on that trusted teenage guide: which subject was the coolest? Here the answer was clear: only one of those three subjects was taught by a teacher that not only rock climbed (the continuing passion of mine that first started at Gordonstoun), but also rode a motorbike. “ Perhaps not coincidentally, that teacher, Mr. Tattersall, made physics not only interesting but exciting. Something about his classes - the combination of mathematics, problem solving and thinking about how the universe really works - inspired me and helped me realise that physics was probably the right choice for me. Mr tattersall made physics not only interesting but exciting After a year abroad, spent mostly working and climbing in New Zealand, I moved on to study physics at the University of Edinburgh. I enjoyed the first two years, but it took a year on exchange at the University of California, Berkeley for my desire to study physics to really catch fire. There at Berkeley I met fellow students who not only loved to party, but to study too, and both the lecturers who taught me and the friends I made there inspired me to pursue a PhD. The summer after my degree ended I was awarded a Royal Society fellowship to pursue three months of research in particle physics. That lead, after yet another year, this time spent in Europe and Asia (Gordonstoun instilled in me not only a desire to work hard to achieve my goals, but also a deep love of travel and adventure and putting off that hard work for a year at a time), to Cambridge. My three years at Trinity College resulted in a PhD from the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics and a fiancée, Kelcie, who I met through the ultimate frisbee team, a sport I picked up to fill the void left by the lack of climbing in the Fens. This still seems like an excellent return, all things considered. My research focuses on the study of quarks, which are one of the fundamental building blocks of the universe, and how we can predict their properties. Quarks make up protons and neutrons, which in turn make up atoms, molecules and ultimately, us. The mathematical framework that describes how quarks behave is called Quantum Chromodynamics, or QCD for short, and is unfortunately too complicated to solve on a piece of paper by hand. So physicists use supercomputers to model how quarks behave and the results are compared to experimental data to test our understanding of QCD. The ultimate goal is to find some discrepancies or tensions that might lead us to new theories that describe the universe at the smallest scales. In my thesis I considered how you can interpret these computer models of quarks and relate the results to the real world of particle physics colliders, which is sadly a lot messier and more complicated than computer simulations. 20 After finishing my PhD I moved once again, to the College of William and Mary in Virginia, USA, where I am a postdoctoral researcher. This year I was awarded the JSA Postdoctoral Research Prize by Jefferson Lab, a national physics laboratory in southeastern Virginia, for my work on new methods to extract information from computer calculations of QCD and I am currently preparing that work for publication. My research has taken me all over the world, to meet other scientists and present my work, from Australia to China and I have been fortunate enough to live in beautiful cities, from Edinburgh to Cambridge to here in Virginia. I will be starting a new postdoctoral position next year and can’t wait for the next stage of my physics adventure. So while I would like to say I’d always dreamed of being a physicist, really it all started with that motorbike. It’s all in the DNA by Vitor Pinheiro (Cumming, 1996) My Gordonstoun story started in 1994, as a lower sixth student in Cumming House, in what was meant to be a gap year. It was my first time away from Brazil (for any meaningful amount of time) and first time in a place where people were measured in hundreds rather than millions (as opposed to São Paulo) – a time of many firsts and an opportunity to broaden horizons. Needless to say, reality turned out far more interesting and unexpected. It was time to leave Cambridge after the PhD. In science today, to stay in one place is to forego the opportunity to learn from the shortcomings of a different culture and it is usually seen as a career disadvantage. At least I made it to a different part of town. I stayed in Cambridge working at the Laboratory of Molecular Biology at the Medical Research Centre in a career-making project: displacing DNA and RNA from their pedestal as the only genetic systems on Earth. I took two sciences (Chemistry and Physics), a broader A-level (Economics and Business Studies) and an AS Maths, just to keep those little grey cells ticking. Still within my first term at Gordonstoun, I dropped out of Economics and changed gears in Mathematics, leaving me with a (nearly) complete set of Science A-levels: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Further Mathematics (to get the A-level done in one year). Biology being a key word missing here... By using directed evolution to re-engineer enzymes that in nature carry out DNA replication, I expanded their substrate repertoire. Thus, rather than making DNA out of DNA, these enzymes started making a number of novel molecules that could store genetic information – generically called xeno- nucleic acids or XNA. This was the first demonstration that DNA and RNA are not the only molecules capable of acting as genetic materials, with implications to our understanding of life and its origin on Earth. However, XNAs are not a mere scientific curiosity: they can be the source of a new class of anti-cancer and anti-viral drugs. Tempted by the prospect of applying to Cambridge, a gap year became two, to gain full A-levels. When choosing what subject to study at university, I ignored my natural ability in Maths and the career prospects of Engineering, in favour of Physics - quantum physics. Yet, somehow, it made sense at the time to apply to do Genetics in Cambridge because of the flexibility of their Natural Sciences Tripos which would allow me to take both Physics and Genetics forward for at least some time. Despite applying to study Genetics without a Biology A-level, and telling the Cambridge interviewer that they should have read my application, I was given a place in Churchill College, in what was to become my home in Cambridge through four degrees (BA, MSci, MA and PhD). But I did not do Physics. I took my inability to stay awake in Physics lectures as an omen that my career ought to lie elsewhere: first I pursued Chemistry, and then due to a clerical error, Biochemistry. I bring many very good memories from my time as an undergraduate in Cambridge and although I was academically successful, occasionally, I think that I could have become a better biochemist if I had attended a different university. On the other hand, I took a very important lesson from my undergraduate degree: the difference between ‘good’ and ‘exceptional’ scientists is very small. Although tempted by careers in finance and management consultancy taken by many of my peers, I decided to stick it out and make the transition from learning about what other people discovered to discovering the answers myself: I decided to do a PhD. I didn’t want to spend six or more long years in the US and I felt that I needed to be among friends (if I was considering spending three years working stupid hours). Funding was another constraint; being Brazilian and having graduated from the UK greatly limited the number of available funding sources. However, I was in the right place at the right time to apply for a Cambridge Gates Trust Fellowship and through them I got a place in the right lab for the wrong reasons. It took me four and a half years to complete my PhD investigating how the bacteria that cause the bubonic plague (Yersinia pestis) evolved from a “mere” human gut pathogen (Y. pseudotuberculosis) – these results are still (!) to be published. But it was trying to answer that question that got me thinking about evolution and its molecular mechanisms. And here, my earlier training in Mathematics started paying dividends: the evolutionary process is counterintuitive because probability can be counterintuitive. Or to misquote a great book – evolution works not simply because the watchmaker is blind, it works because he’s a tinkerer and keeps making new watches. I greatly enjoyed my second spell in Cambridge and finished my doctoral training ready to answer more questions, bigger questions. Still, in hindsight, I occasionally wonder why it took six years to get that far. So much of the project was obvious when approached from certain directions and so much time was wasted fighting with referees, collaborators and editors! Nevertheless, we succeeded and the research was well received: only the occasional misinterpretation and misrepresentation. The advantage of founding a new field is that suddenly there are too many questions to be addressed by a single group, which made my decision to take the next step in my career easy – it was time to not only find answers, but to also set the questions. The progression turned out to be easier than expected, albeit only because life at the time was so busy that I can hardly remember those few months that I lived on chocolate and coffee. I now find myself setting up my own research team at UCL and Birkbeck in London, building on the tools I developed in my post-doctoral research to re-engineer how bacterial cells maintain and interpret genetic information. In my view, human exploitation of biology as chemical factories is inevitable. However, there are understandable concerns around safety and containment of these engineered organisms. By storing genetic information in molecules that do not exist (and cannot be easily synthesised) in nature (XNA) and by altering how the genetic information is interpreted by the cell (modifying the genetic code), my hope is that a new generation of engineered organisms can be developed – one that cannot survive in the environment and that cannot exchange information with natural organisms. I don’t know what the future will hold, but I do hope that it will continue to be unpredictable, challenging and incredibly rewarding. 21 memories of a term at gordonstoun by Henry Florin (Altyre, 1985) Often my thoughts about life and happiness but also skills, stamina and ability take me back to 1985. That year I was lucky to stay for one term at Gordonstoun School. Altyre House, the old barracks, proved to be a splendid surrounding to explore life far away from home, only being limited by Mr Lofthouse, our housemaster. My mother – herself a former Salem pupil - asked me whether I would be prepared to go to Gordonstoun. This adventure provided me with a break, in my otherwise German state school education, which had a longlasting influence. Being German myself, hardly a day went passed at Gordonstoun when I was not reminded by fellow pupils that Germany lost the war! This made me strong since I had to learn straight away to reply in proper English that I was not part of that war. This was sometimes met with ignorance, but more often in interesting conversations. Soon I made some good friends. Together we explored the width and depths of experiences at Gordonstoun: In my case this was Mountain Rescue Training sometimes meeting emergency calls in the Grampian Mountains; a marvellous sea trip on board Sea Spirit around Scotland with a short visit to the Orkney Islands; Scottish Dancing in the main hall at Gordonstoun House and plenty of sport. I took particular joy playing the flute in the School Orchestra. 22 Looking back to this short but intense time I am very grateful to my parents who provided me with this chance at exactly the right time. My self-confidence rose to a high and carried me through the next two years back in Germany finishing my German A-Levels. After finishing School, my Gordonstoun experience was still so influential that I was prepared to choose a two-year army career with NATO, finishing as Lieutenant and Technical Officer for Nuclear Warhead Sections travelling throughout Europe. This training improved my English language skills further and allowed me to start Engineering at Imperial College London (Royal School of Mines). What a joy: as a student I spent as much time exploring London as I did in the lecture rooms. However, soon I felt that something was missing in my studies and I was worried that my studies were far too one-sided. I discovered that I was also interested in Economics. That was the moment when I remembered: plus est en vous. With my Bachelor in hand I participated successfully in the French Concours to gain one of the few places at Ecole Nationale des Mines de Paris, a Grande Ecole in Paris, France. I remember cooking my first French dinner for my then French girl friend in my field kitchen I still had from my Mountain Rescue Training at Gordonstoun. She was not impressed! It did allow me thereafter to focus on my studies in Economics! After two rewarding years in Paris I enrolled for a PhD in Berlin at the Technical University. Looking back to my university education I am proud to admit that the self-confidence and stamina with which I completed my training came from what I learnt at Gordonstoun. exhausting working hours. This lasted until I started my first professional career with Preussag AG, a German conglomerate in natural resources and energy not knowing that I would soon work for that company in the City of London. There it was again: London and Great Britain, where I had already enjoyed my University days following on from my Gordonstoun experience. I was trained as a broker on the trading floor of the London Metal Exchange. Soon I was called back to the mother company to lead the Business Development team with projects in Canada, Australia, Malaysia and the UK. In my spare time I enjoyed mountaineering with friends in the Midlands; in Scotland – on old tracks I had first come across during my time at Gordonstoun – and in Cornwall. Those trips Resources and Energy. gave me strength to cope with long and 2002 when I met Agnes, my wife. Though we had met before in Germany it was in London that we were reunited and got engaged on the London Eye, Cabin 16, 135 metres above Westminster. We decided to stop working at once and to travel extensively until our wedding celebrations later that year. After our honeymoon in Spain we settled in Germany where we still live with our three children. Several management positions within the international natural resources and energy utility industry followed. In parallel to my professional career in industry I also have the special honour to be a Visiting Professor at Freiberg University, Germany, lecturing Economics of Today, the whole family enjoys receiving regular news from Gordonstoun and its Association and learning about recent developments. The children consume the news in the form of plenty of eye catching pictures and I focus on reading about campus life and developments. From my perspective Gordonstoun has one important asset which is special about it: within a co-educational environment everybody at Gordonstoun has a fair chance to strengthen his/her self-confidence and stamina, ready to share, which carries through private and professional life. Looking back, this is quite something. Will I be able to transfer some of this spirit to my children? between princes by Irene Heywood Jones (Wife of Llewellyn Heywood Jones, Hopeman Lodge, 1955) For the man on the Clapham omnibus Gordonstoun is linked to royalty, so it is fascinating to hear Llewellyn recount his education at ‘their’ school. ‘Between princes!’, interjects wife Irene. In 1951 at Gordonstoun the common entrance examination was not required and, indeed, some pupils transferred from academic hot-houses like Eton. For the interview Llewellyn Heywood Jones and mother Perena flew from Northolt airport and, slightly pushed timewise, the plane was held for them! Subsequently he travelled on the school train from King’s Cross to Scotland with his contemporaries, when their greatest fun was to unscrew light bulbs in the carriages. Boys eh, never change, helps their moulding. Llew’s trunk arrived separately, with labelled clothing as dictated by the list, ration book and an allowance for the term. Post-war years with food rationing were not kind to hungry growing teenage boys. Llew recalls his luxurious pleasure in Hopeman village going for an egg and bacon high tea for five old shillings. Back at school the boys developed a neat trick. The server collected breakfast for the group, would rush to toss the contents from the tray onto the table to enable a dash back for ‘seconds’. However in the evenings the perceptive cook always left out toasted bread for the ‘starving’ boys to ‘steal’. Four years after leaving Gordonstoun, Llewellyn espied Dr Hahn on Banbury station and introduced himself as an Old Boy. Dr Hahn entered into hearty conversation and insisted they travel together to London, joining Heywood Jones in a third class carriage despite having a first class ticket. It seemed the longest ever journey as teacher quizzed pupil about his current life and studies, recommending suitable reading material. Some months later, much to Llew’s amazement, he received three books sent personally by the good doctor. This inspirational man sounds rather special, totally passionate about teaching and his boys – with his spirit obviously living on to this day. Ah, but there was the glitch. Pubescent boys were kept clear of the ‘opposition’, as co-education in the independent sector was rare in the 50’s - although no doubt some clandestine cuddling could be sought off premises by the brave. Llew remembers one tragedy at Altye House in 1951/2. Two boys were digging in a sandy bank, one boy entered the tunnel which then collapsed and suffocated the child who lost his life. At 18 Heywood Jones joined the Merchant Navy to become a Master Mariner and travel the world, seeing lots of ports but still no women in another male-dominated environment. He had honed his sailing skills at Gordonstoun with the coastguard service, also with a trip to Norway on the school sailing ship, Prince Louis of Battenburg (known to all as ‘spewy Lewy’). The boys had decided to quickly wash the cutlery by collecting it in a net and dipping it over the side. The net broke, cutlery was lost, and the rest of the journey was a finger buffet. One of Llew’s responsibilities was taking a shift to man the Gordonstoun switchboard, run largely by the boys, using the now historic plug in system to make contact. As seen in black and white films of the 40’s and 50’s This Llewy gained a useful ‘O’ level in navigation, which together with A few years ago the magical internet traced Llewellyn as one of the ‘lost old boys’ with an invitation to Nigel Rimmer’s fabulous annual London dinner. It is always great to catch up with acquaintances, especially to discuss respective school days - we think the young people have things called ‘facebook’ and ‘friends reunited’? develop into a rounded, considerate human being with a profound degree From 1951 to 1952 Llew spent happy days at Altyre House, then until 1955 at Hopeman Lodge, when Kurt Hahn was still headmaster. lately drunk alcohol in school time. A boy raised his hand, ‘Sir, while Jack (known as Jock) MacGregor was housemaster at Hopeman Lodge and his wife housemistress. Jock was an ex Blue Funnel Line Master Mariner and taught navigation in the nautical school. Like many sailors in the war he had lost a leg and wore a prosthetic replacement. All boys wore slippers in the house and Heywood Jones had a habit of removing them during dinner. Reaching to retrieve his slipper, the poor boy found it pinned to the floor and had to bend down to free it by shifting the prosthetic limb. Llewellyn finally came ashore to work for the U.S Navy as a Marine No namby pamby school bus for boys who cycled to school all year round, continuing to be dressed in shorts until they were 18! I think ‘elf and safety’ might like a word now – and the fashion police. One occasion Bielby, the Guardian of Altyre House, discovered that his car, an Austin Seven, had been placed up high on the porch over the front entrance. It remains a mystery to this day – unless dear reader you know better. Several boys spent a fun-filled Coronation Day in June 1953 poaching trout in a nearby river, as they knew the gillie would be otherwise occupied. Tut tut. such experience gave one year’s remission from the sea time required by his apprenticeship with Shell Tankers. The ‘Scottish School’ helped him of responsibility, honest work ethic, discipline and time keeping (being a Virgo probably helped!). One incident involved Mr Brereton, the headmaster who followed Kurt Hahn. At school assembly everyone was asked to be honest if they had serving in the headmaster’s dining room I drained the half empty glasses’. Transportation Specialist spanning 30 years, being involved in both Gulf wars. He found a lively Aries nurse tutor from south London (a place his mother had warned him to avoid!) who went to a co-educational grammar school. Married in 1976 on the hottest day for 300 years they moved to the safer environs of Pinner, north London. Irene and Llew’s two children went to the excellent Haydon comprehensive school, while managing to imbibe the best qualities from each parent’s personality and schooling styles – making us an eclectic family schoolwise. At Warwick University daughter Perena met Susie Wheeldon, sixth form Plewlands House 1996. Susie is the little star who cycled around the world to raise funds for the charity Solar Aid, her article featured in a recent GA magazine. Perena and Susie accompanied us oldies on a trip to Borneo and we delighted in their company. Llewellyn Heywood Jones not only saw beyond the harbour walls but, finally after 50 years, met his girl from Gordonstoun – oh bliss. 23 ultra trail du mont blanc by Tristan Bamford (Cumming, 2007) This summer I ran the Camino de Santiago, covering 20 marathons in 18 days. When I finished, it took me less than ten minutes to ask myself, what’s next? The Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc (UTMB) is considered the hardest ultra-marathon in Europe, combining the distance of 4 marathons with the same height gain of climbing Everest from sea level. There was one small snag: there is a very strict entry qualification process, so I wouldn’t be able to join the official race. Completing the route unsupported, in the official cut off time of 46 hours, would be a huge achievement even for an experienced ultra marathon runner. Having never run an ultra-marathon in my life, the idea of attempting this UTMB was pretty fool hardy. Probably why it appealed to me so much! When I arrived in Chamonix the whole town was in a frenzy of excitement as the official race had just set off. The first runners finished in just over 24 hours. They were physically extremely intimidating and I started to doubt myself. At 7pm after a huge evening meal I tried to get some sleep but I soon gave up and walked out to the finish line. As runner after runner crossed the line, tears streaming down their faces, with their families, loved ones and strangers cheering them on, it struck me what a special event this really is. I set off a little after midnight. The first 8km wound gently through flat pine forest. I tried to control my pace while the adrenaline pulsing through my body spurred me on. I began to feel very isolated; cold and fatigue bit at my legs. All I could see were eyes staring at me from deep within the forest, which did little to keep my pace in check. 24 When I finally crossed over the snowfields at the top of the first major col and sun began to defrost my face, things were looking up – for a short while! Having foolishly not checked the map, I took what I thought was the main path towards the valley floor. After an hour of fantastic running, alarm bells started ringing! I had gone off route, and could either retrace my steps back to the top of the col or add on an extra 20km or so. At that point I seriously considered calling the whole run off and having a nap in the lush valley meadows. The sun was now in full force and I was struggling to stay hydrated. The way down to Courmayeur was hard going on my joints. I was exhausted and desperately craving calories After a few more hours the darkness set in again and the wind picked up. I felt very alone and the weather seemed to be deteriorating along with my body. Despite this I had now made up any time lost on my “scenic detour” and was set to finish in well below 36 hours. So when I came across a cosy mountain hut with a log fire, it was a no brainer! It’s common on these sorts of events to take power naps for an hour or so. I struggled inside and the hut guardian showed me to a bed, where I fell into a comatose sleep for what I thought would be a 2-hour nap, setting off again at 1.30am. To my horror, I woke up to sunlight streaming through the window and I immediately knew my dream was over. My first reaction was to fall back asleep and forget the whole thing. It quickly dawned on me that this was a pathetic way to give up. In less than 5 minutes I was out the door, a man on a mission. I had a new mind set: finish in 46 hours or collapse trying. The first 5km were hard going as I had completely stiffened up overnight, but this soon wore off and the next 20km flew by. I ran over col after col and surprisingly I seemed to get quicker and quicker. Finally, I was standing at sunset looking down on Chamonix. Only one more mountain to climb and I would be finished. I pushed on at an even faster pace, despite my legs almost giving way as I ran. I finally hobbled into Chamonix in a time of 46 hours 35 minutes. A few locals in the only bar still open on a Sunday night came out to clap me in. The feeling of immense exhaustion vanished, replaced by sheer relief and pride. Yes, I was a little disappointed not to finish under the time limit, but I know I’ll manage it when I run the official race! romania project july 2013 by Chloe Drury (Year 13 Hopeman) I was lucky enough to be given the chance to go on tour to Capetown, South Africa with the dance and music department. It was truly a once in a life-time experience, we got to spend 10 days in the beautiful city, and performed several times in different Round Square schools and theatres in and around the city. However my most memorable moment of the whole tour was visiting the Langa Township, performing for the children there and even being treated to a performance from them. It was such a humbling experience seeing how simple things made them happy. It really made me appreciate my time here at Gordonstoun even more and made me realise just how lucky I am to be part of this school and having all these amazing adventures and experiences. I was very fortunate to be offered a scholarship in order to attend Gordonstoun and in September 2012 I started as a new year 12. Starting the school was very nerve racking knowing it would be so different from anything I had already experienced but I have thoroughly enjoyed my first year here and have had so many wonderful experiences along the way. My first big experience at the school was STV and after only being at the school for a week it was something I was both nervous and excited about. However it was a great way to get to know some of my year, which was quite daunting to start with and although it was a big challenge, having never done anything like that before, I was amazed at how much I enjoyed it and still count it as one of the best things I have done at the school. I have been very heavily involved in dance and drama at Gordonstoun, as it is something I have always enjoyed and continue to do so. I feel as if it has helped me be more involved and a part of the school community especially when I first started. It has been a gateway to many amazing experiences this past year. That brings me to my last big adventure of the year. At the end of the summer, with the help of funding from the GA, I got to fly to Sibiu as part of the 2013 Gordonstoun Romania Service Project. We spent two weeks working at Little John’s Orphanage running a summer school for the children who live there and in the surrounding area. It is definitely something I will never forget and was an experience I took a lot from. I met lots of very special children who actually taught me a lot and made me think about my own life. Every day we would run different activities like painting, colouring, arts and crafts and various sports. Seeing all the children get so much pleasure from these simple things really made me appreciate all the things I have, and reminded me how much happiness there is in life, and how much enjoyment you can get from simple things. Communication was one the biggest challenges we faced whist there. The children spoke no English or some a little English and some who didn’t have any language skills at all. However this was all part of the project and one way or another we found a way around it and I think it made the bonds we all formed stronger, and it really made me value just how important communication is. We did lots of other things while out there like our weekend spent in Brasov experiencing the Romanian culture and our trip to a traditional Romanian restaurant. Overall the project was really successful. As well as enriching the lives of these wonderful children we learnt key skills like teamwork, and got to experience a completely different culture which I think are things Gordonstoun tries to teach us in everything we do. My first year here has definitely been eventful, it has taught me so much and although it was very strange at first it has definitely grown on me. I honestly think my time here at Gordonstoun will stay with me forever. 25 Empowering the Disadvantaged by Claire Richards (Plewlands, 1989) Post Gordonstoun I planned to take a year out but first I spent a wonderful summer, working in the art department at the Gordonstoun International Summer School. It was hard to believe that it was the same school I’d attended a few weeks earlier though Moira’s chant of ‘Put that back!’ was reassuringly familiar. Next, followed the thrill of a typing course. This was a condition my mother attached to my year out. I was expected to dress formally and sit in an ‘appropriate’ manner during tea break; needless to say my typing and my posture have served me well over the years. My surf lifesaver skills were also pressed into action that summer. I recall hours of very little happening followed by a surging wave of nausea whenever I spotted somebody in trouble. The majority of my year out was spent in London working for Wimpy homes in their marketing team. Despite having a great deal of fun in the evenings with a crowd of OGs, the days passed at an excruciatingly slow pace and I soon learned that the excellent money I was earning was not enough to get me out of bed in the morning. This was a valuable lesson: I would never again take a job for money; it would have to be something that I found challenging and that I cared about. I spent the next few years at Cambridge juggling lectures, toe-curling auditions for Footlights productions and the passion for reading that had started in Mr Spooner’s English lessons back at Gordonstoun. During that time I made no attempt to find graduate employment as I rather arrogantly assumed I’d have little problem finding a job; how things have changed for graduates today. Fortunately, I started teaching at a wonderful middle school in Hertfordshire called Greneway. It was and is an extraordinary place, where the achievement of every child is celebrated at every opportunity. In summer the whole school would turn out for athletics club and just about every staff member would get involved. Numerous notice boards were given over to the recording of personal bests and no matter the time any improvement was met with genuine delight and praise from students and staff alike. Rather like Gordonstoun, lots of responsibility was given to the students including the tending of animals on the school farm. The younger students would take great pleasure in naming litters of pigs only to wonder about their subsequent disappearance! I loved teaching and I particularly loved teaching at Greneway but I’d been living in Cambridge for 7 years and I was in danger of never trying another career. Armed with the security of my teaching experience, I moved to London to explore other options. Later that year my agency put me in touch with The ClementJames Centre where I started as a Community Worker introducing children to Carnival Arts during holiday periods, providing social opportunities for the elderly and delivering a modest homework provision. I was tasked with developing programmes to better meet the needs of this extraordinary community. Would you believe that hidden behind the leafy avenues of Holland Park is some of the most widespread poverty in Britain? In North Kensington 50% of children live in poverty, a third of the adult population have no qualifications and haven’t worked in the last 10 years. Only a third of families speak English at home. Poverty, unemployment and isolation divide and diminish any community in their grasp. We have developed programmes that deliver education and empowerment enabling people to achieve, participate and contribute. We welcome every client as an individual, nurturing potential and tailoring our approach to meet their needs. In 14 years (I still can’t quite believe it’s been that long) the team has grown from 3 to 20. We now support over 300 adults each year to improve their English; 200 more to increase their employability (70% progress to employment or training) and we work with over 1400 children and young people each and every year, increasing their attainment and raising their aspirations. (77% of our year 13s progress to university, compared to 18% nationally in receipt of school meals.) The roots of CJC are undoubtedly local, but our successes have not been limited to North Kensington. In 2007 we established a sister charity to roll out our young people’s programme ‘IntoUniversity’ across London and further afield. For the past 10 years, I have been Chief Executive of The ClementJames and I can honestly say that I love my job. My role is exhausting but every day presents a new challenge; I have the autonomy to design and develop programmes to address real need. The trustees have allowed me the flexibility to work around my children’s needs - taking them to and from school most days, then returning to work a couple of evenings a week once my husband is home. I work with a wonderful team of bright, energetic and passionate graduates, who are relentlessly positive and solution-focused. Best of all I have the privilege of serving a community that is replete with endeavour and constantly striving to improve it’s lot. It is a story that belies the pessimism one often reads about in ‘Austerity Britain’ and our successful model has generated more than a little excitement; we were recently nominated for The 26 Guardian Charity of the Year Award. from the archives 1 2 3 4 CAn you identify these characters? If you can help by letting us know the names of any faces you recognise, please get in touch! [email protected] 5 6 27 Poot thaat Baack Altyre (Forres) Moira Shearer by Marina Edge Reunion Dinner Friday 2nd May 2014 Recent Facebook chatter about Moira and the fond comments that resulted from the thread of conversations including suggestions from some that she be awarded an OBE has prompted this article. Many OGs will remember Moira with fondness not least because she is most well known for her catch phrase “Poot thaat baack!!!!” When asked what she thought most OGs would remember her for it was indeed this phrase. Moira’s refectory career started on 3rd September 1971 when she was only 16. The school was a very different place in those days. For a start there were no girls, John Kempe was Headmaster and the current refectory had not yet been built. All school meals were cooked and served in Gordonstoun House. The Kitchens took up most of the ground floor and according to Moira, “Cumming House and Bruce House were served their meals in the North and South Rooms. Round Square, Altyre and Windmill were served their meals on the top floor. Duffus House ate at Duffus House.” Although I’m sure other OGs who were around at that time might remember it differently. Moira felt daunted on first arriving at the school as a 15 year old and remembers feeling self-conscious having to eat her meals with the other refectory staff. She described them as ‘too posh’! When asked about the most memorable events that have happened during her time at the school she recalls the general hedonistic behaviour of pupils during the 1980s. The end of term always resulted in monumental food fights between the boys and girls. She also recalls numerous bomb scares which she attributed to hoax calls from students wanting to miss lessons. Moira’s on going loyalty to the School can be attributed to the fact that she maintains her job has provided her with ‘security’ and it has enabled her to pursue her love of music during the holidays. She’s a fan of David Bowie, Queen, The Rolling Stones and Rod Stewart. When David Bowie was visiting the school on one occasion she remembers feeling so star struck that all she could say was: “Are you David?” It is maybe because of her love of music that she fondly remembers a boy called Willy sitting on the back steps of Round Square strumming on his guitar. Moira and her young refectory friends sat on the steps of ‘The Bank’ (the old refectory staff house) listening to him play ‘Without You’ by Nilsson. She can’t remember Willy’s surname. Perhaps you or somebody else knows who you are? Do let us know. She had thought of pursuing a career as a secretary when she turned 18 but then she figured she might not get the generous holidays that the School offered. So, 42 years on and much music appreciation later, Moira is still at the school. In the same way that Moira gets security from her job she in turn provides OGs with a reassuringly familiar welcome when they re-visit the refectory. “Poot thaat baack!!” Moira has had her favourite pupils over the years but she has also had one or two favourite members of staff. Jerry Bridgeland sprung to mind. She also recalls fancying Richard Hadfield! However, what resonated most clearly throughout my interview with Moira is her clear fondness of the pupils that have come and gone during her time at the school. It is astonishing how many names she remembers. I asked her what the best present she could receive from the school would be and the answer was: “a meal with all my favourite OGs”. The list is being compiled as I write so be prepared for an invite if you were on her list of ‘good ones’! 28 We’ve had an excellent response to our initial email and it looks as though we will be welcoming around thirty old boys plus wives, friends etc. Probably around 70 in total. We also hope to have the pleasure of the company of John Ray, Pat Whitworth, Ian Lawson, John Gillespie and Tony White. For your interest, although many of us are reaching a difficult age to travel a great distance, we have a good excuse to come; it is 55 years for many since we left. As last time, we shall have our dinner in the Laichmoray Hotel in Elgin. There is a shortage of affordable hotels in the area that can accommodate a party our size and they did us proud last time (is it really coming up for five years?). Still to be finalised is our afterdinner programme. Jill Hollings, who so ably edited “Gordonstoun – an enduring vision”, has agreed to speak and she will hopefully have some amusing unpublished stories of the old school. We would welcome further suggestions for our after dinner entertainment - singers, musicians, raconteurs of Altyre stories especially if you have a relative or friend looking for a new audience! Please let us have their details. We will be in touch early in the New Year with a booking form and an update on what to expect on the night. It is of course the Friday of the annual Old Gordonstonians Weekend to Celebrate the first 80 years of the School. Not only will you have a night of revelry and reminiscence in the company of your old school friends, but in the next day you will have the chance to see how the old school has moved on in the intervening years. We look forward to seeing you on the night. OGGS Angus Morgan OGGS Captain (Cumming, 1962) numbers were disappointing. In September OGGS put up a team to play against Fettes Old Boys at Panmure. It was an excellent day, and to be highly recommended, though we were narrowly defeated. A further match is on the cards for 2014, and details should be available in May. Looking to 2014 we have four fixtures organised. Martin Scriven has again very kindly agreed to host the event at Ilkley on the 11th of April. Following a very enjoyable outing to Ilkley in April, hosted by the irrepressible Martin Scriven, the next fixture was the OGGS v/s School match that resulted in a drawn game. It was good to see the still cheery faces on “drookit” students and OGGS members as they made their way up the hill to the clubhouse from the 18th green, where all players enjoyed an excellent supper. The following day around 35 hearty souls took part in the Annual OGGS Competition at Spey Valley in Aviemore. The day was a true test of character; the equal of the more challenging Gordonstoun expeditions. Despite the seriously awful weather there were three golfers who scored over 30 points, and the winner was David Richmond. A quite outstanding result, when most other competitors felt they had done quite well to garner more than 20 points. The annual match at Bruntsfield was a very different affair with clement conditions and a tightly fought contest with only 3 points separating the top four, and the winner was Philip Campbell here seen receiving the Bruntsfield Trophy from OGGS Secretary, and 2012 winner, Brian O’Connor. OGGS members David White and Mike Doughty very kindly organised fixtures in the West Country and London respectively but perhaps due to lack of advanced warning, The Society has been very fortunate, through the good offices of Dr. Graeme Govan, to secure tee times at Nairn West, a Walker Cup course, for the match against the School on Thursday the 1st of May. On the following day we will be returning to Castle Stuart, venue of the Scottish Open for the last three years, for the Annual OGGS Competition. Details of both Firstly, OGGS will contribute 50% of the cost of providing expert coaching by David Torrance of Nairn Dunbar for six young golfers, Aberlour/ Year 9. Secondly, OGGS have supplied 8 wind proof “Gordonstoun” tops for the School VIII. And thirdly, in addition to entertaining the School team in the match against OGGS, at Nairn, two student players will be invited to take part in the Annual Match. At the 2013 AGM I advised that I wished to stand down as Captain. and we have agreed that I will stay on as Captain for a further year, and that the Society will elect a vice-captain at the 2014 AGM who will take over the Captaincy in 2015. Candidates required! OGGS MATCHES events are on the OGGS section of the web site. Quite a few members have signed up for both events. Tee times are limited so if any golfers are interested in joining the Society and taking part in either or both of the events they should contact the GA office. The fourth confirmed event in 2014 is the annual meeting at Bruntsfield in Edinburgh, which is scheduled for Friday the 6th of June. The OGGS committee is very keen that the fixture Mike Doughty organised at Denham, West London, takes place next year and it is hoped that golfers in London will take the opportunity to meet up at this quite excellent course. OGGS Ilkley Outing Friday 11th April 2014 - Ilkley GC OGGS Match vs the school Thursday 1st May 2014 - Nairn West OGGS Castle Stuart Tournament Friday 2nd May 2014 OGGS Bruntsfield outing Friday 6th June 2014 Finally, it has been the intention of the Society to seek to find appropriate ways to support and assist students at the School who have an For bookings & info email interest in golf, and at the OGGS AGM in May [email protected] a number of decisions were taken. £££ The GA 200 Club £££ You could be in with a chance of winning £1000!!!! The GA 200 Club requires more members. Membership of the GA 200 Club costs just £30 a year. If you join the GA 200 Club you will be doing your bit to help current students. The surplus money that the GA 200 Club generates goes into a fund known as The Student Support Fund which is available to students who require financial help in order to participate in overseas projects, such as the Thailand Water Project and Sinai Project. The annual 200 Club £1000 prize is drawn during the AGM, which this year will be held on GA Day, at the School, on Saturday 3 May 2014. As well as the £1000 prize drawn in May there is a £500 prize which is drawn in November and also a £40 prize drawn during each of the ten remaining months of the year. Please sign up as it is for such a good cause. If you are interested in becoming a 200 Club member, please contact the GA Office by email [email protected] or phone 01343 837922 to request an application form. annouNcements engagements Alice PLATTEN (Altyre 2009) engaged to Mr Mark Duncan. Met while studying at Warsash Maritime Academy marriages Patrick GILMOUR (Duffus 1998) to Nicola Grant on April 20th 2013 thomas GARDNER (Round Square 1999) to Helen Bourne on April 6th 2013 births Peter and Jayne McLaren (nee Agnew) Hopeman 2001 are happy to announce the birth of their son Duncan Arthur Agnew McLaren on 13th September 2013. A brother to Alexander, their 2 year old son, and nephew to Fiona (Hopeman 1994-1999), Alistair and Duncan Agnew (Bruce 2000-2005.) Benjamin and Louise Seeling (nee Dear) Hopeman 2002 are happy to announce the birth of their son Tobias MacIntyre in Mechelen Belgium on 13th June 2013 Jon and Caroline Overton (nee Day) Hopeman 1999 are pleased to announce the birth of their son Campbell Murray on 18th May 2013. Born to Emma Buchanan Hopeman 2009, on 8th February 2013, a son, Niko Ross Thorsager. Harry and Margaux Manners (nee Robinson) Plewlands 2003 are delighted to announce the birth of their daughter Eliza Margaux 27th October 2012. A granddaughter to Nigel Robinson (Round Square 1972), and niece to Peter Robinson (Bruce 2001). Born to Julia Markell (nee Davidson) Plewlands 1996, on 29 sep 2012, a daughter, Madisyn Olivia. OBITUARIES The Gordonstoun Association is sad to announce the deaths of the following alumni and extends its condolences to their family and friends. HELEN HARKER - Former staff JAMES D FERGUSON - Duffus 1956 FREDERIC (DERRY) GILMOUR - Altyre 1960 THE REV CANON PHILIP CROSFIELD - Former Staff MICHAEL ABRAM - Duffus 1974 C JOHN D SHACKLES - Altyre 1958 CHRISTOPHER BROWNSON - Gordonstoun 1949 EDWARD WHITING - 1946 MICHELLE RAMSAY-FRASER - Hopeman 2007 PETER EBERT - 1936 AXEL METJE BEHNSEN - 1955 DOUGAL GREIG - Former Staff FRANCIS G OLIVER - Altyre 1952 BRUCE C. ALLEN - 1944 CHARLES ALEXANDER CRUICKSHANK - Altyre 1978 GEORGE M DRAFFEN - Bruce 1962 RACHEL H A ADAMS (nee Gray) - Hopeman 1984 MICHAEL A.M. STARY - Gordonstoun 1948 LORD JOSEPH E GAINFORD - Round Square 1940 HUGH J.F. McINTYRE - Gordonstoun 1947 JAMES S DONALD - Former Staff JAN R. URBYE - Altyre 1956 Full obituaries (if available) can be seen on our website: www.gordonstoun.org.uk/former-students/ga/obituaries If you wish to share the news of your graduation, engagement, marriage, births or notify the Gordonstoun Association of a bereavement, please contact the Gordonstoun Association Office. Tel: +44 (0)1343 837922 or Email: [email protected] The Gordonstoun Association Committee request the pleasure of your company on GA Day, at Gordonstoun School Saturday 3rd May 2014 30 to celebrate the School’s 80th Anniversary There will be a range of activities during the day followed by dinner in the evening Please e-mail the GA office on [email protected] if you would like to attend ASSOCIATION EVENTS 31 UPCOMING EVENTS For up-to-date information on all events and gatherings, please see our website: www.gordonstoun.org.uk/former-students/ga/gatherings or phone the GA Office on +44 (0) 1343 837922 calcutta cup weekend edinburgh Saturday 8th February 2014 THE GA Annual london dinner Fino’s wine cellar, london Friday 14th March 2014 THE GA yorkshire Dinner ilkley April 2014 4th Altyre (Forres) Reunion Laichmoray hotel, Elgin Friday 2nd May 2014 GA Day 2014 School Saturday 3rd May 2014 GA Austrian gathering Vienna Friday 21st June 2014 OCEAN Spirit (80th Anniversary) Circumnavigation of UK June/July/August The ga annual edinburgh dinner New club, Edinburgh Saturday 16th August 2014 Do you have a story you’d like to see published in the next edition of this magazine? If so, please get in touch with the GA Office: [email protected] | +44 (0) 1343 837922