CLAVIANMagazine of the Grammar School, Bury

THE

2

3

The Editor’s warmest thanks are extended to all who

have contributed to this year’s edition of The Clavian.

Special mention should be made of those upon whose

shoulders a particularly onerous burden has fallen:

Mrs McCoy, who again translated the arcane

hieroglyphics of boys (and staff) into golden print; Mr

Koziura for his marathon trawl through much of the

School’s sporting achievement, cast into honeyed

prose; Mr Marshall who also has written or organised

a multitude of articles amid his many other

responsibilities; Nathan Chandler and Mrs Grundy

who have contributed photographs of a professional

standard for several articles; the staff of the

Development Office who have kept me abreast of a

variety of matters; and Nigel Reece and the staff at

Jarvis Print who have again successfully produced a

splendid publication and also continued to sponsor the

Clavian competitions.

DSB

Editorial

4

From the HeadmasterINDEPENDENCE

In an article in The Independent inSeptember, columnist DominicLawson wrote: ‘Don’t complainabout private schools. Learn fromthem.’ Lawson said that Britain’sindependent schools are the bestschools in the world. His judgementis borne out by the Organization forEconomic Cooperation andDevelopment’s Programme forInternational Student Assessment. Inthis assessment, UK independentschools achieved the highest score ininternational comparisons of reading,in the year 2000, and shared the topplaces with independent schools inKorea and New Zealand in the 2003maths survey and the 2006 sciencesurvey.

Lawson’s view was reflected in aMORI survey, published in June thisyear, which found that independenteducation is more popular than ever.Nearly three in five of all parents saidthat they would send their child to anindependent school if they couldafford to do so. That is the highestlevel since the survey began in 1997and is up by 20% on the last surveyin 2004.

The popularity of the independentsector is due in part to its academicsuccess. Independent schools in theUK produce nearly two-thirds of theA* grades in single subject science atGCSE – from only 7% of the schoolpopulation – and around half of the Agrades at A Level in subjects such asmaths, physics, chemistry andmodern foreign languages. As MartinStephen, the High Master of St Paul’sSchool, London, said recently: ‘Theknowledge economy of the UK iskept alive by independent schools.’

But it is not, I believe, onlyacademic success that accounts forthe popularity of the independentsector. I believe that the key reasonwhy independent schools are sopopular is their commitment toproviding an all-round education.

This education embraces not onlyacademic rigour but also a richdiversity of extra-curricular activities– sport, music, drama, debating,outdoor pursuits and communityservice. And the result of thisemphasis on an all-round education isnot only a rich experience while boysand girls are at school. Formerindependent school pupils accountedfor 37.3% of Britain’s medals at theBeijing Olympics.

At this year’s HMC conference,we were presented with researchcarried out at the Centre forEducation and Employment Researchat the University of Buckingham. Theresearch showed that the success ofindependent schools cannot beattributed just to selective intake andsocial advantage. On selection, theresearch shows that HMC schoolsachieve better A Level results in 24out of 30 subjects than maintainedgrammar schools – despite the factthat most maintained grammarschools have a more selective intake.And the research also shows thatpupils at independent schools are justas likely to come from low incomehomes as those at the top 200comprehensive schools, but that theydecidedly outscore them.

The research suggests that thesuccess of independent schools stemsfrom their independence andautonomy. Across a range ofcountries, independent schools dobetter than government-run schools.Interviews with Heads indicate thatthe key advantage of independenceand autonomy is that they enableteaching and learning decisions to betaken close to the classroom ratherthan being handed down throughcentral directives. While one mayregard the independent sector as anunlikely godparent of a revolution ineducation, the Government’sAcademies programme in themaintained sector is, perhaps, a signthat the maintained sector isfollowing where the independent

sector has led.I am beginning to sermonize – a

particular danger when a Head is alsoa cleric. So, one final point aboutindependence and autonomy – andthat is that with independence andautonomy must come responsibility.A responsibility to be prophetic – tobuild schools which are not mirrors ofsociety but mirrors to society; schoolswhich seek to nurture in those in ourcare a view of life which challengesselfishness and greed.

It is one of the aims of this schoolthat the boys will leave with a desireand a determination to make acontribution to the betterment of thesociety of which they are part. I hopethat the seeds of that desire and thatdetermination are sown and nurturedwhile the boys are with us. Thecharitable projects, which were amajor part of our first WorldChallenge expedition to Mongoliathis summer, were life-changing forthose who took part in that expedition– a lesson that it is in concern for, andpractical help of, others that ourdeepest happiness and fulfilment areto be found.

We were inspired in Februarywhen Mr Robert Forrester, an OldBoy who was Captain of School in1946, came to speak to us inAssembly about how he wasproposing to celebrate his 80th

birthday. His intention was to climb80 peaks in the Lake District andNorth Wales in 80 days. He explainedthat he was seeking sponsorship forhis climbs to support the work ofWaterAid in Tanzania. His target was£10,000. We decided that we wouldsupport him through a non-uniformday. Very sadly, soon after speakingto us in February, Mr Forresterbecame seriously ill; and he died inMay – without being able to attemptany of the 80 climbs. We did,however, hold the non-uniform dayand sent £1300 to WaterAid.

Other charitable activitiesincluded a non-uniform day for the

5

BBC’s Children in Need Appeal; aSweet Sale in support of World AidsDay; a Sponsored Silence, in whichseven boys in last year’s 2UC raised£200 for World Vision; and aSponsored Read in aid of ‘Book Aid

International’, which raised £455 andenabled 350 books to be sent tochildren in developing countries.

I commend the boys for theircharitable activities – which last yearraised almost £6000. And I hope that

their participation in such activitieswill help to nurture in the boys that‘desire and determination to make acontribution to the betterment of thesociety of which they are part.’

Steven Harvey

This year’s successful Oxbridge candidates.Back row, from left to right: Richard Stanton, Shantanu Kafle, Christopher Stanton.

Front row: Scott Mody, Richard Chew, Richard Barker, Christopher Bryant.

6

DEPARTING STAFFMALCOLM CURTIS

Malcolm Curtis came to BuryGrammar School in September 1973.To put that into some kind ofperspective, David Armsbey had beenat school for three years and a goodnumber of the current staff had noteven been born.

35 years is a long time in anyinstitution and well over half alifetime away for Malcolm. I havebeen privileged to spend twenty ofthose working with him and duringthat time he has proven to be awonderful colleague and a loyalfriend.

Malcolm was born in Kettering,educated in Derbyshire and hestudied for his degree in Economicsand Economic History at theUniversity of Liverpool from 1966-1969 when he graduated. From therehe moved to Lancaster where he didhis Teacher Training at St. Martin’sCollege, and carried out his teachingpractice at a school in Burnage,Manchester. Although his time therepredates the antics of Noel and LiamGallagher, so grim did he find it thathe resolved never to set foot in thecity limits again.

From Manchester, then, Malcolmmoved to the relative tranquillity ofthe Fylde when he obtained his firstteaching post at King Edward’s,Lytham. After two years and a term,however, in the autumn of 1973, hemoved to Bury, just nine miles northof the Manchester he had vowednever to revisit, to join John Robson,

David Armsbey, David Wilson andothers at the Grammar School.

Malcolm was initially employedhere to teach Economic and PublicAffairs, a mixture of Economics andPolitics, but when that syllabusdisappeared in 1996, he discontinuedthe teaching of the Politics andconcentrated on Economics andBusiness Studies, which KeithRichards wanted to introduce as aGCSE subject. The inevitableconsequence of this was that it wouldhave to be made available at A level:the words Malcolm Curtis andtrailblazer might seem to be unlikelybedfellows but Malcolm was, in fact,the first Head of Department tointroduce modular A levels in BuryGrammar School with BusinessStudies, much to Graham Simpson’shorror. As a result of all this,Malcolm has spent much of his timeat BGS teaching older pupils,although he has taught a fair amountof Lower School History too. Inwhatever he has done, however, hehas shown huge enthusiasm andcommitment and he has alwaysdeveloped a tremendous rapport withhis students, who have found him tobe easy-going, approachable,knowledgeable and engaging.

His lessons have also beenemotionally challenging. People,well, one person…Malcolm himself,actually…have been moved to tearsof grief at his account of theexecution of Mary, Queen of Scots,and the devotion shown by herfaithful dog at her beheading and wein the Common Room would waitwith bated breath when the end of thelesson came in which Malcolm hadtold the story to see whether or not hehad had to resort to the Kleenex andwould be in need of solace.

In 35 years, Malcolm has beenHead of Economics and BusinessStudies, but he has also done so muchmore to enrich the life of the School.He ran the Tuck Shop when it stillexisted, but found that he was farbetter suited to the running of theCross-Country Club, which he hasmanaged with great vigour, skill and,indeed, love since his first few daysat BGS. The fact that he came to be

in charge of the sport at all is ratherremarkable: when applying for thepost at BGS he believed that his CVwas somewhat thin, and, as he hadjogged once or twice around the sanddunes at St. Annes, he thought that hewould put running down as aninterest of his. Who would havethought that 35 years later he wouldstill be in charge of such a successfulclub and one of which formermembers speak so fondly whenremembering their time at school?

I know that the Cross-CountryClub has provided Malcolm withsome of his fondest memories ofBury Grammar School. Theescapades at Helsington, the School’sown outdoor centre in the Lakes,provide a bank of memories for him:how he would take groups of boystwice a year for cross-country andhow he had to explain anddemonstrate – not literally, I trust –how to use a chemical toilet. Suchwas the impression that Malcolm’sinstructions and squats made on theboys that when Helsington closed,they rescued one of theaforementioned loos and presentedMalcolm with the seat, a souvenirwhich hangs in his summer house tothis day.

Helsington also providedMalcolm with other tests: theorienteering event always required amember of staff to ask the boys tobring an object back to base camp.One former colleague, not MJC Imight add, asked his charges to bringback a live creature, but instead of thebeetle or grub the Master had desired,one lunatic brought back a live rabbitfrom a pet shop in Kendal. Malcolmasked the members of his group tobring back a house brick.Unbeknown to him, a lady in anearby village was having anextension on the back of her houseand, finding a hoard of boys takingeasy pickings from a stack of brickson her lawn which were about to beused in the construction of her newconservatory, she promptly turned herire on a hapless Mr. Curtis, accusinghim of gross irresponsibility.

Malcolm is, however, and hasalways been, a truly marvellous

7

teacher during his career and onewho, for me, embodies the true spiritof the School, with his selflessdevotion to it through 35 years. Hehas always gone about his business ina modest, quiet, unassuming way, buthas never shirked responsibility orbeen afraid to stand up for what hebelieves in. Malcolm is not a fan ofbureaucracy or of change for the sakeof change: he has always had theinterests of those he teaches and thosehe cares for at heart. He may well besurprised to learn that he shares theopinions of Microsoft supremo BillGates, who remarked: ‘Technology isjust a tool. In terms of getting the

kids working together and motivatingthem, the teacher is the mostimportant.’

This is certainly true of Malcolm’steaching, a fact borne out bycountless boys who have spoken withme about what a good teacher andgenuinely good man he is. It is,however, not just the boys who havebenefited from his companionship.There are several people in theCommon Room, both past andpresent, whose lives have beendirectly touched and enriched byMalcolm Curtis and I personally havemuch to thank him for. My life atBGS next year will certainly be

infinitely poorer without the companyof Malcolm and indeed those othercolleagues who are retiring this year.

Malcolm now plans to pursue hiskeen interest in gardening, birdwatching and skiing, interests whichBGS has, of course, allowed him tocultivate on Friday AfternoonActivities, together with cookery – Iknow he aims to cook every recipe inat least one of his very manycookbooks. He goes on his way withour very warmest wishes for a happyand healthy retirement.

DRL

As I have aided, or more likelyhindered, Tony for the last years in thegiant Su Doku office known as theTimetable Office, I will start there. Ofcourse he has provided moaningmaterial – “Oh God, not the secondyear from hell last thing on a Friday!”– for much longer. It was in 1976 thathe began to learn the ropes with thethen Headmaster, John Robson,Graham Simpson and Roger Foster.Being locked up with Tony for five tosix weeks is very strange!Conversations have been varied,funny or downright weird. One dayhe burst out with: “I want to becremated,” so I said, “Get your coat,let’s go.” I must say, however, that ithas been a fascinating experience andprivilege putting together the Schooltimetable. The information containedin his head alone is quite staggering.

Tony is a Bolton lad through andthrough, except for his Austrianmother who somehow waltzed into

his father’s life. He was educated atSt. George’s Primary School, now apub, Johnson Fold Junior School andSmithills Grammar School where hewas a classmate of Dave Spikey – thatexplains a lot – and where he followedin the footsteps of Sandra Glancy.From there he went to BedfordCollege at London University wherehe obtained a first class degree inMathematics followed a year later byan MSc, also in Mathematics. Tony,not being one for writing essays onthe theory of education, or having runout of money, decided to skip hisPGCE and apply for jobs nearerhome. So it was in September 1975that he joined the staff here at BGS.

Sadly I know little of his earlyyears here, or of his exploits with thestaff cricket team, or of his refereeing;but he hasn’t just taught maths. For14 years on Friday afternoons hetaught car maintenance, giving boysand girls their first taste of the internalcombustion engine. Eventually in thisever-increasingly litigious world,Health and Safety issues forced him topark up and close the garage.

Tony quickly settled into life atBGS and his legendary sense ofhumour soon surfaced as heconvinced the younger boys that hiswife was indeed Chinese and calledEgg Fu Young. He told one form:“The volume of a prism is found bymultiplying the area of the cross-section by the length, this being anexample of a Long Prism Sentence.”

Tony’s organisational andmanagement skills were recognised in1988 when he was appointed Head ofMathematics following Graham

Simpson’s promotion to SecondMaster.

In 1995 our roles were reversedand I found myself in the quiteintimidating situation of being Headof Department to two former heads ofdepartment. I need not have feared, asboth were incredibly supportive somaybe it is somewhat ironic that Tonyshould spend his last year at BGS asmy Head of Department yet again.

Tony’s skills as an organiser andsolver of puzzles and problems werenot overlooked for long. In fact theywere never overlooked at all by StuartBrady who regularly brought Physicsproblems to be solved in the mathsoffice. While the rest of us tried tohide on hearing Stuart’s impendingarrival, Tony was always game for achallenge. His organisational abilitybecame even more apparent when,just four years after relinquishing thehead of department post, he wasappointed Director of Studies, whoseduties he has carried out with theutmost conscientiousness andefficiency ever since.

There have been aspects of Tony’slife that few will know about. He andhis wife, Pauline, were at one timemembers of SPICE, the “High LifeAdventure Club”. Activities such aswater skiing, abseiling, driving ahovercraft and freefall parachutejumping were undertaken. They skiedextensively on the slopes of NorthAmerica and Canada for a number ofyears until a serious knee injury toPauline forced a premature retirementfrom the pistes. They are great catlovers and also sponsor donkeys thatgive rides to disabled children.

TONY YOUNG

8

An Old Boy of Burnley G.S andalumnus of St. Edmund Hall, Oxford,John Kendall joined the Frenchdepartment in September 1975, but itwas largely thanks to our often muchmaligned postal services that he didnot go elsewhere, for the letterinviting him to come for interviewwas incorrectly addressed, bearing notown, only the street and the county,Oxfordshire. Somehow the letterfound him in Wantage, where he wasdoing teaching practice, just in timefor him to make hasty arrangements

to travel north the next day.Somewhere else’s loss was very

definitely Bury Grammar School’sgain, for John Kendall has givenoutstanding service over the last 33years. His early responsibilitiesincluded being in charge ofreprographics and the tuck shop, inboth of which areas his efficiency andcommon-sense approach led tosignificant improvements.

With the arrival of Keith Richardsin 1990 and the creation of the postsof Heads of Section, John wasappointed Head of Lower Schoolwith responsibility for the pastoralcare of some 300 boys in years 1 to 3,a post which he held until morerecent reorganisation led to theappointment of separate Heads ofYear. It was in this role that he trulycame into his own. He always made ithis business to get to know all theboys in his care, and he never passeda boy in the corridor withoutspeaking to him, occasionally givinga reprimand, if needed, but moreoften than not a cheery greeting.Although a huge success as Head ofLower School, John would have beenequally effective as Head of MiddleSchool or Head of Sixth Form; for

him, long before the phrase becamefashionable, every child did matter. Iam sure that generations of BGS boysremember him with enormousaffection.

France, of course, is the love ofJohn’s life and there are few placesthat he has not visited in his extensivetravels in that country. As a studenthe worked as an assistant in south-west France. In the summer of 1976he participated in the Bury townexchange visit to Angoulême and insubsequent years accompaniedvarious French department trips toNormandy, Paris, Versailles, Alsaceand Provence. John took overresponsibility for the French trips in1992 and continued right up until2006 to organise holidays in manyparts of France, including the LoireValley and the Alps as well as theareas mentioned above. Every yearhis French holidays were fullysubscribed and hundreds of boyshave fond memories of the happytimes they spent on what was oftentheir first visit to the country.

In more recent years, Johnorganised the joint BGSB and BGSGsixth form exchange visits to Dijonwhich have proved to be of such

JOHN KENDALL

Nowadays, having exchanged bikesfor motorbikes, T and P can be foundimpersonating Carl Foggertythroughout the Trough of Bowlandmost Sundays.

Tony has benefited hugely fromthe only perk we get at BGS: freeschool dinners. Tony Two Puds, aswe affectionately refer to him in themaths office, has enjoyed his meatand two veg, and multiple puddings,especially apple pie and rice pudding– not together of course. Theabolition of the self-service counterwas something of a blow. He is theone who polishes off the bourbonbiscuits in the common room in themorning. He likes his food and I’veenjoyed many meals served up chezYoung. Pauline does the cooking butTony digs out the liqueurs from hisextensive cabinet.

Cars have always featuredstrongly in Tony’s life. There have, ofcourse, been the numerous assemblieson racing drivers, racing cars, racingcircuits and determined attempts tobreak any number of land speed

records. In his more active days heand Pauline used to take off for sixweeks with car and tent discoveringmany parts of Europe. He’s evendriven through Death Valley in themiddle of summer and he has driven,Jeremy Clarkson style, Formula Fordcars round the Aintree racing circuit.But I will remember the kit cars heand Pauline spent thousands of manand woman hours on. I believe hecompleted four from scratch, not onlyputting them together but alsodesigning his own wiring systems.It’s all the more remarkable when yourealise that Tony’s manual skills areakin to an elephant wearing boxinggloves.

Tony has given 33 years of loyalservice to the School, theMastersingers and, more recently, theChoral Society. He could have beenthe schoolmaster characterised in theT.V. series To Serve Them All OurDays, he has given so much to theSchool. He is the one we in the mathsdepartment have always turned to foradvice or confirmation. Tony is,

without fear of contradiction, thestrongest mathematician in thedepartment. He will be missed by theboys. Many, many pupils haveregarded him as their favouriteteacher and I’ve never heard aderogatory word spoken about him.Generations of mechanics pupils willremember his reference to sexeducation: “Every Couple has itsMoment but there is no Resultant.”

Tony is a thoroughly selfless man.I know that he would have beenabsolutely devastated if he had beenunable to donate one of his kidneys inorder to keep Pauline off dialysis.The operation was a great success andwe wish both of them a long andhealthy retirement together. Tony did,however, hint that he might like apart-time post-retirement job, perhapsas a driver. May I suggest he triesbeing a dustbin man; they only seemto work one day a week. Tony will bemissed by boys and staff alike -except for his puns maybe.

MJS

9

enormous value to our older students.In 1998, John was appointed Head

of French and led the department byexample for the last 10 years. As aFrench teacher John has no equals.Someone once said he was the bestFrench teacher in England, astatement difficult to prove, but youwould have to go a long way to findsomeone not only with the subjectknowledge, but with the imagination,the sense of humour, the ability tocontrol a class, and the sheerdetermination to get the best out ofboys that John has shown in theclassroom throughout his career. Yearin, year out, for a third of a century,his pupils have achieved excellentresults. Generations of BGS boyshave been grateful to him for havingpushed them to their limits.

Mrs. Georghiou referred to Johnearlier this year as “The Colossus ofFounders’ Day”. She was lamentingthe fact that he would not be presentat the Junior School Service, becausehe was singing in the choir at theParish Church. Music, of course, is

the other great love of his life; a finepianist and sometime cellist, hismusical knowledge is extensive. Hehas been a leading figure in BuryChoral Society for many years and ifhe is not at home when you call, thechances are that he will be at hisbeloved Bridgewater Hall. Hiscontribution to the musical life of theSchool is unparalleled. For over 30years he has been the mainstay of thetenor section of the Choral Society,appearing in countless productions,including Ruddigore, Pirates ofPenzance, Fiddler on the Roof,Yeomen of the Guard, which he alsoproduced on another occasion, andOrpheus in the Underworld.

Apart from the big productions, healso provided excellent entertainmentas compere of an Old Time MusicHall evening held in the Girls’ Schoolmany years ago. He performed ininnumerable concerts and he will besorely missed in the Choral Society.

A colossus of Founders’ Day, agargantuan presence in the classroom,the Placido Domingo of the choir,

John Kendall certainly made a super-sized contribution to the life of BGS,but for this writer arguably hisgreatest talent was that of giving anassembly. Taking his inspiration froma wide range of sources, from offbeatnewspaper articles to themasterpieces of classical music, Johnconstructed assemblies which werevastly entertaining, laced withhumour, ranging from the sublime tothe ridiculous, but always carrying aserious message, which often inrecent years related to rights andresponsibilities. His assemblies hadsomething for everyone, from the 11-year old on the front row to thewizened old cynics in the staff seats.In his hands assembly-giving becamean art form.

John Kendall truly has been acolossus in all the areas in which hehas contributed to the life of BGS andI am sure that all who have beenprivileged to work with or learn fromhim will wish him, as I do, a long,happy and healthy retirement.

DAW

Mr. Michael Byrne retired from hispost in the Junior School at the end ofthe academic year, 2008.

Michael was a late entrant toteaching. Following his earlyeducation at Thornleigh College,Bolton, he had joined the civilservice, and had worked there for aconsiderable period before decidingon a change of career. In itself, thatcannot have been an easy decision, asMichael had three children still athome, but it is, perhaps, a measure of

the resolve and determination thatwas to see him establish himself as ahighly-regarded member of the BuryGrammar School Boys’ CommonRoom.

Michael actually joined theSchool in 1989, following severalyears’ teaching at Elton PrimarySchool. He became a Transitus formmaster, under the leadership of thelate Mr. T. H. Hill. Havingspecialised in Geography at the Cityof Manchester College, Michaelbrought both specialist knowledgeand a high academic level to hisclassroom. After the Junior Schoolbecame a separate entity in 1992,Michael was appointed DeputyHeadmaster, a post which he held fora short time before relinquishing it,and continuing as the respected formmaster of Exitus Scarlet for theremainder of his career.

When Michael came to the Schoolhe began to play for the Old Boys’football team. In the season 1993-4he played in the 3rd team, alongsideMike Sherlock and Peter Kozuira,that won the Lancashire AmateurLeague title, winning every awaygame. Michael achieved a long-

standing ambition to play alongsidehis son John who, at 17, was aregular member of the same team.

At an even higher level ofachievement stands his contributionto the legendary staff football teamwhere he and the aforementioned MrSherlock formed the heart of thehardest and meanest defence ever tograce the battlefields of BuckleyWells and the Astroturf.

He was just as ready to donspotless cricketing flannels when MrKozuira resurrected the Casuals, thestaff cricketing XI, some years ago.His slow right arm over the wicketproved a thorn in the side of many anopposing batsman. He was a much-valued member of the side whichwent on to lift the hugely prestigiousManchester Tax League Shield in1998 when the Casuals were at theheight of their powers.

Within the Junior School, Michaelhas the reputation of being a first-ratecoach of Association Football: manyof the trophies currently gracing theJunior School Trophy Cabinet werewon regularly under his tutelage.Michael also coached Cricket andAthletics, but his strongest interest

MICHAEL BYRNE

10

has always been the theatre. In 1990,in conjunction with Mr. David Lee,Michael produced the Senior Schoolplay, Animal Farm. Thereafter, hefollowed it up with severalmemorable Junior Schoolproductions, in partnership with Mr.John Edwards, the then Head ofMusic. He has taken great pride inthe success which his daughter,Elianne, has enjoyed in pursuing aprofessional career on the stage.

The sports field and the stage arejust two of the widely contrastingfacets of a highly cultivated and all-round man. He has a love ofliterature, and has been able totransmit this to many of the boys inhis charge. He is also a keen listenerto music, particularly the popularstyles of the ‘60s and other ‘pre-historic’ decades, and was often to befound in the audience at a variety of

local concerts. This passion for theperforming arts extended to manyother areas: he is now a regularattender at the annual EdinburghFestival, with its hugely diverse rangeof acts and art forms, whilst hisdedication to radio comedy reached azenith when he was able to attend alive performance of Radio 4’s I’mSorry I haven’t a Clue shortly beforethe death of its revered chairman,Humphrey Littleton. Michael’s ever-ready, razor-sharp wit always had thebest of role models.

Michael has always been a firstrate form master and subject teacher.Those boys whom he has taught havealways found his enthusiasminfectious and inspiring, whatever thelesson, whatever the topic beingtaught. The walls of his form roomhave constantly borne testimony ofhis ever-imaginative approach with

displays on matters as diverse as theplays of Shakespeare and the popularculture of 1960s England. Membersof his form have always found him anideal model for life: well organisedand firmly disciplined, yet alwayssympathetic to an individual boy’sworries and problems, always asmuch a friend as a member of staff.

From my personal point of view,Michael has been a cheerful and anenthusiastic colleague. I haveappreciated his ready assistance inwhatever task, and I shall continue tovalue his friendship. It is for me tooffer Michael, his wife, Diane, andtheir family our very best wishes, andit is for us all to hope that Michaelhimself will have many years ofpeace and prosperity in which toenjoy his retirement.

PGN

In January 1992 John Darling wasunwell. We needed supply cover.The response to our adverts was notencouraging – the man with thepsychology degree who said, “I lovereading history books,” was perhapsthe least bad. Then came the phonecall from a lady in Whitefield whohad recently resigned from a ratherhigh powered post in Rochdale.

Sandra was exactly what weneeded – a gifted and experiencedteacher who was availableimmediately. Bury Grammar Schoolhas benefited from her enthusiasm,talent, wit and sheer professionalismever since.

A native of Bolton, she attendedSmithills Grammar School whereTony Young, her junior, remembers a

particularly determined and “bossy”Head Girl. Thwarted in her firstambition of becoming a ballet dancer,Sandra studied at the University ofNottingham for her B.Ed and wasawarded the Wortley Prize inEducation. There have always beenmany strings to this lady’s bow.Clearly a talented dancer and anaccomplished singer, Sandra has apassion for poetry and the expressivearts but less well known is herinterest in Indian bead-making!

Since September 1992 Sandra hasbeen a permanent member of staffand she became full-time thefollowing year. In 1993 she becamea 4th year form tutor – a position shehas filled with distinction ever since.Sandra’s style is idiosyncratic –references to “Lawrie’s café”,questions about whether an offendermight value his knee-caps andappeals, often falling on deaf ears, tochivalry etc.

Sandra has never shied away fromhard work. She had been allocatedwhat is now UP as a form room. Sheasked me what needed to be doneover the summer and I told her that,since resources were stretched, thecleaning staff would probably not getaround to giving the room a thoroughbottoming. I thought no more aboutthis but towards the end of theholiday I discovered Sandra in hermarigolds wielding a Vax carpet-

shampooer she had brought fromhome!

In September 1994 she assumedresponsibility for school publicity,securing very full coverage in theBury Times when she realised thatthe secret to publication was toprovide the copy herself! InSeptember 1995 BGS acquired itsfirst female House Master whenSandra succeeded John Bisson inHulme House. Sandra led the Houseto considerable success. Only lastJune were we reminded of thepassion and enthusiasm she broughtto that post as she cheered Hulmecompetitors home in the SchoolAthletics Sports.

In 1998 she relinquishedresponsibility for Hulme House inorder to become School Librarian.She soon stamped her own markupon that august institution, seeingher task as raising the profile of theLibrary and, that most difficult of alltasks, persuading teenage boys toread.

She introduced special days andevents. The “Bug Man”, writingworkshops, Carnegie shadowingexercises and various “meet theAuthor” days, perhaps the mostimpressive being when, allegedly, wehad a visit from ex-SAS soldier AndyMcNab - although, since nophotographs were allowed and sinceno pictures of him are in the public

SANDRA GLANCY

11

domain, we only have Mrs Glancy’sword that the hunk who so impressedthe ladies in the office was who heclaimed to be!

One of the two landmarkdevelopments in this school in thepast decade has been the LearningResource Centre. Sandra’scontribution to the detailed planningand launch of this showpiece wasimmense.

Nevertheless all the above palesinto insignificance beside hercontribution to the HistoryDepartment. When John Darling didreturn, briefly, he did not know whathad hit us! On the day of the GCSEexam he came to me in a ratherperplexed state – “Sandra’s enthusingabout the ‘Stimulus material’,” hesaid. “What does she mean?”

“I think you will find she meansthe map!”

She has played a welcome part inmany School trips. All who havespent time with Sandra will readilyacknowledge what an agreeablecompanion she is. Until, that is, she

is denied access to food. Twoexamples will serve:

i) Arras, Northern France, at theend of an exhausting and somewhatemotional day. We find a baker’sshop, shortly before closing time.Mrs Glancy declares her desire forpizza, she is outmanoeuvred byRichard Johnson who purchases theone remaining slice. Feet arestamped, knee caps threatened butour Economist friend munches awayin oblivion – probably very fortunatenot to be despatched there.

ii) The train home after a 6thForm History & Politics trip. MrsGlancy had entrusted her M&S tunapasta salad to a boy earlier in the day.When she asked him for the meal ithad gone. Nothing could be done toplacate Madame – the journey homewas hellish as she resurrected all thehurt and bitterness of the Arras pizzaincident.

So, just a brief insight intoSandra’s time in BGSB. Never a dullmoment, never afraid to take on eventhe most awkward of young men –

usually able to defuse even the mostdifficult of situations.

On a personal note. I could nothave wished for a better colleague.Sandra has been a rock. Always agood listener, always having time.Sandra’s strong Christian faith clearlyunderpins her actions. She has realvalues to which she always adheres.Hers is a practical Christianity – shebelongs to “the church militant” andSandra is probably the only memberof our Common Room in theMothers’ Union. She is a keengardener and has a passion for theoutdoors. She embraces the arts andenjoys travel but, above all, she looksout for people.

Sandra Glancy has played amassive role in the life of this schoolover the past 16 years. It is not anunderstatement to say that she will bemissed hugely. She goes with ourlove and our very best wishes for along, healthy, happy and fulfillingretirement.

DEA

When I arrived at BGS in 1989, TonyHarrison was already wellestablished. In post for an impressivesix years, which in those days was aquarter of my lifespan, he haddecided to take up a position at BGSin September 1983, instead of a placeat Oxford University to read for anMPhil in English Literature; asensible decision at last (Je neregrette rien) after squandering muchof the 70s as a disaffected computerprogrammer. His First ClassHonours from Lancaster Universityin English (1982) confirmedsuspicions that Antony Harrison wasbrighter than he was letting on.

Tony has an impressive record ofachievement at BGS, which he has

listed for me in great detail in orderto write this article. I shall be givinga faithful account of his manycontributions to School life, just incase anyone was unaware of hisdedication and unbounded selflessenergy.

In 1983, Tony became manager-coach of the U15 Football Team. Hewas an inspirational figurehead andsteered his side to many victories; hestepped down in 1994, a man still atthe top of his game. The 1980s wasthe decade of the yuppie (youngupwardly–mobile professional), andTony…..well….. he became editor ofThe Clavian and Staff Liaison Officerwith the JCR Committee, roles whichdemanded much of his time for thebest part of five years. Many OldBoys who were at school between1985 and 2007 will remember MrHarrison as their Form Master in thefourth and fifth years; a caring andapproachable figure, greatlyrespected. I met an Old Boy at awedding a few years ago, andchatting about the old days (Idesperately trying to remember hisname) he asked whether ‘Harrison’was ‘still there’. I said that he was.‘He was all right, Harrison was,’mused the Old Boy, ‘a lot of ‘em

(staff) were a bit mad. You could talkto him like a normal person.’ It’sfunny how Old Boys’ memories ofschool are so often distorted andunreliable. In 1990 Tony waspromoted to Head of General Studiesand Coordinator of Friday Activities.He was also appointed as Chairmanof the Anglo-Israeli Committee, butby whom remains a mystery. Theworkings of this body was neverreally made public and this has led tomuch rumour and speculation –wholly without foundation, MrHarrison maintains.

Tony has contributed a great dealto School productions over the years.He directed several plays: A Servantof Two Masters (1985), the eerilytitled Harvey (1987), Oliver (1995)and A Midsummer Night’s Dream(2004). Every other year he has beeninvolved backstage as props or stagemanager. The amount of time andenergy needed to make a success ofthese productions is phenomenal,especially when the teaching load isat maximum level. Tony’s showswere always of the highest standard;there was a real sense ofprofessionalism, as one might expectfrom an MA in TV and RadioScriptwriting (Salford University)

TONY HARRISON

12

and a member of The RoyalExchange Theatre Writers’ Exchange.Tony has written many plays (asmany as E. Wise, in fact) and we aregrateful that he has kept them largelyto himself and not tried to give theman airing via the annual schoolproduction.

Tony has always been about adecade and a bit ahead of me in age.He provided me with a positive rolemodel of what life was going to belike in my thirties, and then in myforties and so on. I lost interest in2005 when Tony had a hipreplacement. The operation wassuccessful, but Tony must now acceptthat his best running days are over.However, he can look back on the

glory days of the Piccadilly Marathon(1989) which he completed in ascorching 3hrs 30mins. Tony is alsogood at golf, playing off an enviablehandicap of 14. Apart from literatureand sport, Tony has a serious interestin film. He will watch hours andhours of arty nonsense as well asproper ones with proper actors. Tonyalso loves music: Dylan, Sinatra,Springsteen (when in acoustic mode),and many others.

The best thing about working withTony is his sense of fun. In a schoolsuch as BGS there is plenty of rawmaterial to inspire humour, and thishas kept us going through somepretty tough times. So what now forTony? BGS has been lucky to secure

his outstanding talents for all thistime, and it is no surprise that he feelsthe need to explore new possibilities.He intends to read for a PhD and isseeking teaching opportunities inHigher Education. I would not besurprised to see some of Tony’s workin print or on stage in the near future.As Danny Boon in Billy Liar wouldsay: ‘Good luck …..and remember…..keep writing!’ Tony isn’t a bitlike that loser, Billy Fisher, though.Just need to make that quite clear.

LWR

Carole Stirzaker, or Carole Johnsonas she was known, is an Old Girl ofthe School, or at least the femalebranch, having attended BGSB underthe formidable leadership of MissLester, who was known as the Queento the girls. Whilst at BGSG Carolemet Mark Stirzaker, who was in themale branch, and later became Mrs S.The family connections with BGS donot of course end there: the presentwriter remembers teaching Mark’syounger brother, Ian, in the SixthForm, and it is only three years agothat Carole and Mark’s son, Richard,completed his time at BGS beforegoing up to Cambridge. But to returnto Carole: she read French atSouthampton University, consideredgetting a job in industry – indeed sheobtained a post as “technicalcomputer programmer” with PlesseyElectronics which she never took up– but then teacher trained, beforereturning north to spend 10 years at

Failsworth School, teaching mainlyFrench with some Spanish. Whilst atFailsworth she also worked asexaminations officer, and was Headof Sixth Form and Head of French.When Failsworth lost its Sixth FormCarole decided, since she did notwant to lose the sixth form teaching,to move. In 1991 Failsworth’s losswas BGS’s certain gain.

Whilst at BGS Carole fulfilled alarge number of roles: at varioustimes a form tutor of first, second andthird forms, a teacher of Frenchthroughout the School and Latin andGerman to younger boys, GCSEexaminations officer, flower arrangerextraordinaire, a lion tamer onholidays in France and Belgium, and,last but not least, Chairman of theCommon Room. A goodly list ofresponsibilities held, but such a listby itself can give only an incompleteidea of the person who has performedthe tasks. So what can be said aboutCarole? First of all, that she hasalways taken all her responsibilitiesseriously and discharged themconscientiously and effectively.Whether dealing with spottyadolescents, who are not always theeasiest of beasts, at times aredownright awkward, or withmembers of the Common Room, whoare not always the easiest of beasts, attimes downright awkward, she hasbeen understanding, usually patientand firmly polite. She has taughtFrench very successfully at all levels,and has been concerned to get thevery best out of the boys in her

charge.In particular the boys who have

studied A level French with her haveinvariably profited from her absolutemastery of her subject and many havegrown to share her enthusiasm forand understanding of Frenchliterature largely through herinspiring teaching. A recent,particularly talented set of studentswere rewarded for the spectacularprogress several of them had made intheir studies by being rewarded, notonly with the customary Mars bars,which formed a regular prize fordeserving pupils, but also by beingintroduced to the murkiest depths ofthe subjunctive mood – a higheraccolade could not be imagined!

She has wrestled (wo)manfullyand successfully with the increasingintricacies of the examination system,tiers of entry, extra time, newregulations, and has been a model ofefficiency, ensuring that theexamination season runs smoothly.The whole operation now seems tooffer the logistical nightmares of afull-scale military campaign, butMajor Stirzaker has been more thanequal to the task.

She has never been a lady lackingin courage, a fact amplydemonstrated two years ago upon theretirement of a couple ofdistinguished members of staff. Suchevents have traditionally beenmarked by the resurrection of theMastersingers, the staff choir, toperform a specially dedicated musicalitem. Carole had been begged by a

CAROLE STIRZAKER

13

number of colleagues to participate,but when it came to the first rehearsalMajor Stirzaker decided to pull rankupon the motley crew of juniorofficers assembled in LQ anddeclared her lack of confidence intaking part. Sadly her would-befellow choristers watched her departand were more than a little surprisedwhen she re-appeared only a minutelater. Her flight had been spotted byMajor General Armsbey, on his wayto said rehearsal, and he had dulyarrested her and frogmarched herback with firm orders to fly the flag.And that she did with admirableresolution and characteristic sangfroid.

Outside school Carole’s interests

have been many and varied. Her loveof classical music has often taken herto Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall forconcerts, while her regular attendanceat School musical events has beenmuch appreciated by the boys andmembers of the Music department.She is a veritable sorceress of thekitchen: the Common Room hasfrequently had reason to be gratefulfor Carole’s culinary expertise on themany occasions when she hascontributed magnificent cakes tofund-raising events at morningbreaks. And many of her pupils andcolleagues are fully aware of herdevotion to her springer spaniels,three of whom at present govern thefamily residence.

Carole has been a delightfulcolleague in the French Department,and in the wider School community,and we are grateful to her for all shehas done for the School in the 17years she has spent with us. She willbe greatly missed. We have hadmany opportunities to admire herskill and flair in flower arranging atoccasions such as Prizegiving andFounders’ Day, and she leaves withour warmest wishes as she sets out todevelop even further herunderstanding and love of floristry.We wish her, Mark and Richard everysuccess and happiness in the future.

JK

Mark Bradley joined the GeographyDepartment at BGS in September1994 straight from his PGCE coursetaken at Liverpool University. A pupilat QEGS, Blackburn, he was furthereducated at Manchester Universitywhere he obtained his joint honoursdegree in Geography and Geology.

From the start, he has been hugelycommitted to school life. The list isalmost endless. He is a keensportsman and managed rugby andcricket teams, to a varied level of

success. He has organised and led theSchool ski trips for the past 8 years toresorts in Canada, the Alps andColorado. He has been responsible forthe scenery of numerous stageproductions, and even written,produced and acted in the inauguralstaff pantomime of Cinderella. For thepast two years, he has taken on boardthe position of Chairman of theCommon Room, which is a totallythankless task. He cannot even drinkat the Retirement Dinners!

MARK BRADLEY

Catherine, Catherine de la Simone, asshe was in 1991, came to our aid in adifficult situation. She had spent theschool year 1989-1990 as assistanteon the other side of Bridge Road, andhad then decided to stay in England,fortunately for us. In September1990 we had acquired a new assistantby the name of José whose serviceswe had had to dispense with.

Catherine stepped into the breach,and has stayed with us through thickand thin to the present time, first asan extremely committed assistante,and then, since 1998, as a mostconscientious and committed teacher.Of course, Mlle de la Simone is nolonger Mlle de la Simone, but ratherMrs Schofield, married to Andy, andthe doting mother of Emma andLouise.

Juggling the demands of bringingup a young family - and both of thegirls have had more than their fairshare of health problems – with thosewhich adolescent boys can makecannot be easy, but Catherine hassoldiered on. I remember one daywhen I had almost to order her to gohome because she had been up allnight with one of the girls and shewas almost out on her feet.

She has taught throughout the

School, from Exitus to the 7th form,and has always had the best interestsof her pupils at heart. Over the yearsshe has brought a lot of enthusiasm toher teaching, and the boys haveclearly benefited from this and thefact that she is a native speaker. Outof the classroom she helped to run aFrench Club for the younger boys,and she accompanied us on one ofour holidays to Normandy.

We are grateful for all thatCatherine has done for the many boyswhom she has taught over all theseyears. We hope that she will have theopportunity to put her enthusiasm forteaching to good, productive use inthe years to come and we wish her,Andy and the girls every happiness inthe future.

JK

CATHERINE SCHOFIELD

14

Gerry joined Bury Grammar Schoolas a part-time teacher of Art in 1995after stints as an Artist in Residence

in our Junior School.Gerry is a former Head of Art at

Rivington and Blackrod High Schooland worked there from 1978 toSeptember 1990, at which point hedecided to grasp the paintbrush bythe handle and become a full timeartist working in a real atelier!

Since joining us, Gerry has been agreat asset to our team, helping us torun Open Days and the Art/CDTParents’ Evening.

Gerry has also contributedenormously to the Art education ofour pupils, from Junior School boys

right through to the sixth formstudents.

Gerry was also a great help in theprocess of developing and then themoving to the new Art Facility.

Gerry tells me he is going tospend more time painting in hisstudio and promoting his art.

It has been a pleasure to workwith Gerry during the last thirteenyears and I would like to thank himfor all his hard work and wish himand his wife, Pam, all the very bestfor the future.

TAB

GERRY HALPIN

He is a first rate teacher and wasvery popular with the boys. Under hisguidance many boys have developedtheir interest in geography andgeology and a significant numberhave gone on to study these subjectsfurther at university. He has been a4th/5th year form master for most ofhis time here and his form havealways appreciated his genuinepastoral care and interest – usually inthe form of a bottle of single maltwhisky!

In 2002 he was promoted to Headof Geography and has taken thedepartment forward, particularly inICT provision where the mainteaching rooms now all have laptopsand ceiling mounted projectors. Hehas always been conscious of theteaching and learning environment,making a considerable effort tomaintain the departmental rooms in asgood a condition as possible.

However, my most memorableexperiences of Mark have occurred onfield courses. It is on field courses thathis love for his subjects and for theoutdoors are most apparent. In thepast 14 years he has spent a total ofseven months on residential fieldcourses plus countless day trips. Hehas taken trips to Arran, Saas Fee(Switzerland), the French Alps andWeymouth. It was Mark whoinstigated the much-sought-after FieldTrip Certificates, including the Townand Country Award, presented to thestudent for whom the words “thecountryside” and “at home in” seemthe most unfortunate of matches.

Mark has also been activelyinvolved in Outdoor Education atBGS. In his first few years he wentalong to Lakeside with the second andthen the third years and he was one ofthe few staff who actually enjoyed theovernight bivouac, even when the

temperature plummeted to belowzero. The Junior School has alsoappreciated his commitments to theirself-reliant journeys. More recentlyhe has been more than willing to helpout on Duke of Edinburgh trainingand assessment expeditions.However, perhaps his greatest legacyis the setting up of the WorldChallenge programme. He hassurrendered a month of his lastsummer holiday to go as a SchoolLeader with 17 boys on an expeditionto Mongolia. After two years ofplanning and preparation, Mark iscertainly leaving the School on thepinnacle of his achievements.

Mark moves to take up a post asHead of Faculty at Rossall School.Their gain is certainly our loss. Hehas been a dedicated and professionalteacher and I wish him every successin the future.

DAB

Helen Smith arrived at BGS alongwith the new millennium. She hadpreviously taught at Barlow RC HighSchool for four years where her talentfor the pastoral side of teaching wasquickly recognised and she was dulypromoted to Assistant Head of Year11. This expertise was greatly valued

at BGS and she was to become Headof First Year in 2002. Helen’ssympathetic nature and keen sense ofdiscipline ensured that the new boyshad a strong framework to rely on intheir first experiences of life at BGS.

Helen was educated atLoughborough High School andGiggleswick School, then readEnglish at Newcastle University. Heracademic knowledge is considerableand she is able to teach to the highestlevel; she took the position at BGSprimarily for the opportunity of ALevel teaching. Whether at GCSE orA Level, Helen’s classes alwaysprospered and achieved excellentresults.

Helen is a keen singer. She was avalued member of the choir and also

one of the illustrious Master Singers.Helen also contributed greatly tomany other extra-curricular activitieswithin the department, such ascoaching boys to help them enter themany literary competitions at the endof each year.

I have enjoyed working withHelen, and so have all members of thedepartment. She has always broughtgood humour to the staffroom and shewill be missed. Helen has resigned inorder to spend her time with her twoyoung children, Zara and Samuel. Ifever she decided to return to teaching,the school able to secure her serviceswould be fortunate indeed.

LWR

HELEN SMITH

15

Don Hennessy joined BGS in 2002.He was employed to teach Science inthe Lower School and Biology at Alevel standard. A happy go luckyIrishman with a love of all sports, hewas popular with boys and colleaguesalike.

At the end of the academic year2006-7, Don took a leave of absenceand set out to New Zealand with hiswife and young children. He intendedto live and work in NZ for one yearonly, to sample adventure with hisfamily and learn new skills teachingin a Montessori school. Howeverthose of us that knew Don well werenot surprised that, along with Emmahis wife, they have decided to stay inNZ and give the lifestyle out there ago for a little longer. So a year afterhis departure I am charged with

writing this leaving article.Don loved to travel and since

being a young man and leaving homehas rarely looked back. In the past hehas lived and worked in America forsubstantial periods of time. As wellas the States, he has called Australiahome and of course England.

His love of travelling was onlysurpassed by the deep passion he hadfor all sports. Indeed, in his time atBGS Don ran a football team,organised badminton for senior boysand took his true passion, golf, fromstrength to strength within theSchool. Having played golf with Donon a number of occasions, I believehe enjoyed it so much, because itreminded him of his teenage years inhis native Ireland where he was avery competent exponent of the game

of hurling, and golf is just likehurling, without the running orphysical contact; OK so they bothinvolve a stick.

Don loved to provoke debate andwas always able to turn any argumentupside down. So Don, it is not what Ihave written about you; it’s how youinterpret it that’s important!

Good luck to you and your familyfor the future, wherever you may findyourself.

G. A. Ferguson

DON HENNESSY

The English Department hasexperienced considerable upheavaland changes in personnel during thepast year or so. We are grateful toAubrey for helping us in this verydifficult period.

A native of Northumbria, Aubreycame south for his higher education,graduating from Bolton Institute inEnglish and Philosophy. He workedin a number of high schools before

coming to BGSB from GeorgeTomlinson School, Kearsley, Bolton.

Although only with us for a year,Aubrey made a considerable mark onthe life of BGSB. He was a caringform tutor who was prepared to spendtime getting to know the boys in hiscare. He took temporaryresponsibility for our public speakingteam while he coached and managedthe U13 X1 with great enthusiasm,

dedication and more than a little flair.Aubrey quickly became a popularmember of the Common Room andhis erstwhile colleagues wish himwell.

DEA

AUBREY MATTHEWS

16

I received the very sad news whilst in Mongolia,through Mark Bradley and our World ChallengeExpedition Leader, that Sean had been killed in SouthAfrica whilst he himself was leading a schoolexpedition. The fact that we were on our ownexpedition made us appreciate the extra risks, butperhaps they need to be taken to get the most out oflife. Sean certainly ensured that he got as much out ofhis life as possible, grasping any opportunities thatcame his way. I would like to recall some of thememories that I have of Sean as his geology andgeography teacher, his CCF officer and his rugbycoach.

Sean attended Bury Grammar School from 1995 to2002, but it was when he was in the Sixth Form that Igot to know him and it was then that he began todevelop his skills in outdoor activities and his love ofthe “great outdoors” was ignited. In the CCF and inthe School’s Outdoor Education Programme he learntto kayak, climb and go on hill-walking trips. Heattained the rank of CSM in the CCF and he was anNCO on his last two summer camps to St. Martin’sPlain in 2001 and Wathgill in 2002. As an NCO itwas very apparent that he had the potential to be anexcellent leader. He gained the full respect of thecadets and he was always concerned for their welfare.He led his cadets by example and he had the habit ofvolunteering his section for the most challengingtasks. At St. Martin’s Plain, Sean typically chose themost difficult route for his section to provide“covering fire” during an ambush. The route took himand his younger boys up probably the steepest hill inKent in full combat gear. With his cajoling, all of hissection reached the top to the total surprise of theenemy.

It was on the geology field trips to the LakeDistrict and to Derbyshire that I have most vividmemories. He was one of six geologists whom Iremember being a very tightly-knit group who got onextremely well together. Mr. Bradley and I areagreed that they were one of the most enjoyablegroups to teach. And the most fun. Sean and theothers were always playing practical jokes on eachother. At one time I suspected Sean of locking DavidBroadbent into Treak Cliff Cavern whilst the guidehad gone to turn the lights off. The photograph shownhere was taken on the trip to the Mam-Tor Landslde.Sean is the “M”, wearing his favourite geologicalhelmet which for some reason was in the style of aWorld War II German helmet. Sean and the geologistsof 2000-2002 signed this helmet and it is still on showin the geology teaching room. Other “cheesy” teamphotos included one taken on top of the Bowder Stonein Borrowdale, which naturally Sean had had to berestrained from trying to climb.

Sean also went on the geography trip to Arran inSeptember 2001, on which he won the coveted“Action Man” award. There was one moment that

will always be etched on my memory. On the ferryback on the eleventh day of that month, I rememberSean running up to me and the rest of the staff andsaying, “Sir! Have you seen the TV. You won’tbelieve this.....”

In his final year at School, Sean decided to take uprugby. He was strong and resilient, surviving a wholeseason playing at prop, although he had never playedthe game before. Once again, as his rugby coach, Icame to appreciate his commitment, reliability andmental strength. Sean was a bright student and a joyto teach, but my most abiding memory was that hewas fun to be around. He made some good friends atSchool who continued to keep in touch. He will besadly missed by all connected with BGS, but I wouldlike to finish with Sean’s own words in a Clavianarticle that he wrote in 2001. It shows how Sean ledhis life, positive with a sense of fun.

“I have been a proud member of the BGS CCF,which has always proved itself to be among the best atany of the camps we visit, for five years. I wouldrecommend it to anyone who enjoys the outdoors andphysical and mental challenges, and for those whoaren’t sure there is the increasing number of femalerecruits joining – so go for it!”

DAB

We are sad to report the deaths of thefollowing Old Boys:

Andrew J Bonsor (1979 leaver)

Michael J Busby (1949 leaver)

H Trever Forrester (1944 leaver)

Robert H Forrester (1948 leaver)

Stuart W Hope (1944 leaver)

Wayne P Parker (1993 leaver)

ObituarySEAN FOXCROFT

17

2008

School Awards 2008The Oliver Entwistle Prize for the Captain of the School..................................C J McCaugheyThe Mary Forrester Prize..........................................................................................S T K ModyThe Cecil Heap Memorial Prize.................................................................................C J StantonThe Maxwell Barlow CCF Prize...................................................................................S S KafleThe Hodgkiss Library Prize ................................................................C J Stanton / R O StantonThe Warburton Cup for Sport .....................................................................A M Jones-BradburnThe C E Lord Cricket Trophy......................................................................................D J TaylorThe Atherton Plate for Rifle Shooting.................................................................H J SwinnertonThe Marcus Cup for Drama ......................................................................................J P J FindonThe Carrigan Trophy for Creative Writing .........................................................B R TretheweyThe Kevin Hill Trophy for Outstanding Achievement in the CCF...............................S S KafleThe W R Douglas Prize for Classics ............................................................................R J ChewThe Walton Prize for Classical Studies .......................................................................M A SalimThe Richard Byrom Prize for Mathematics ..............................................................C M BryantThe Farraday Prize for Mathematics ...........................................................................R J BarkerThe Henry Webb Memorial Prize for Physics ..........................................................J E L TaylorThe Farraday Prizes for Physics:

Upper Sixth ..........................................................................C M BryantFifth Form .............................................................................A J JacksonFourth Form.....................................................................M J Lancashire

The Cecil John Turrell Cronshaw Prizes for Chemistry:Upper Sixth ............................................................................R J BarkerFifth Form.........................................................................N S HobhouseFourth Form ..............................................................................A Pahade

The H T Farrar Prize for Biology................................................................................R J BarkerThe Seymour Prize for English ................................................................................S T K ModyThe Ryan Prize for English............................................................................................O J DeanThe Sir John Wrigley Prize for History .....................................................................C J StantonThe Dr Young Prizes for Geography:

Upper Sixth .............................................................................A J HoyleFifth Form......................................................................M R A Grindrod

The J L Norton Prize for French ..................................................................................A J HoyleThe Mitchell Prize for German...........................................................................J M GreenwoodThe Samuel and Elizabeth Lord Prize for Economics..............................................J E L TaylorThe R P Calrow Prize for Politics.................................................................................R J ChewThe Milliken Prize for Business Studies ...................................................................P D BartlettThe Rector’s Prize for Religious Knowledge................................................................O J DeanThe Peacock Memorial Prize for General Studies..............................................J C K MarchantThe McDonald Prize for Computing ................................................................D R P FieldenThe Peter M Skinner Prize for Design Technology ..................................................J L RedfordThe Taylor Poetry Prize ............................................................................................R D PicardoThe Old Clavian’s Reading Prize...........................................................................J M SchofieldThe Farraday Music Prize.......................................................................................M T HarrisonThe Rose-Slaney Music Prize ...................................................................................D J LiveseyThe Jack Aspden Prize for Outdoor Pursuits ......................................................M Shabbir RiazThe H H Openshaw Verse Speaking Prizes: ...............................................................S Hickford

.................................................................................................N GhoshalThe Christopher Ali Fifth Form Prize ..................................................................M R BradshawThe Terry McBride Golf Trophy ..................................................................................J E NearyThe Percy Howarth Music Prizes:

Vocal: Broken Voice.....................................................................................J J P FindonVocal: Junior ..............................................................................................R MahmoodInstrumental: .........................................................................................................

String Instrument (Senior) ..............................................R D HernandezString Instrument (Junior)......................................................J J S RigbyWind Instrument (Senior) ........................................................A O BennWind Instrument (Junior).......................................................J J S RigbyBrass Instrument (Senior) .......................................................J I ScholesBrass Instrument (Junior)...........................................................C BinnsPiano (Senior)......................................................................C C ParsonsPiano (Junior)...........................................................................D J CahillPercussion (Senior) ........................................................J M GreenwoodPercussion (Junior) ..........................................................B R Trethewey

18

The Strickland Prizes for CDT:Senior ...................................................................................P R PhillipsSecond Form ....................................................................R D K CheungFirst Form.............................................................................R D Picardo

The Harold Riley Art Prize....................................................................................A Bacci-EversThe Headmaster’s Prizes for Art:

Senior ...............................................................................J F RichardsonJunior .................................................................................T W Townson

The R B Wilson Prize for Medical Training..............................................................R A J LittleThe Openshaw Scholarships:.....................................................................................C M Bryant

..................................................................................................R J Chew..................................................................................................A J Hoyle..............................................................................................S T K Mody..............................................................................................J E L Taylor

The Mellor Scholarships:.........................................................................................T E J Brooks.............................................................................................J R I Okhiria..............................................................................................R O Stanton

The Haworth Scholarship ...................................................................................C J McCaughey

Biology .............................S J Glover Geology ..................................B T Crossley Business Studies ...............G S Gill German........................................S J GloverChemistry .........................J I Scholes Greek .............................................C T LeesComputing ........................L H Mervin History .........................................A A Khan Economics .........................A Y T Lau Latin...............................................C T LeesEnglish ..............................D J Taylor Mathematics .................................M J Page French................................C T Lees Physics ........................................J I ScholesFurther Mathematics ........J I Scholes Politics..........................................A A KhanGeography ........................W C Leach Religious Studies........................O N Banks

SIXTH FORM SUBJECT PRIZES

FIFTH FORM G.C.S.E. PRIZEST P Barling A J Jackson J F RichardsonE C S Clough S J W James H S SahniM C K Cocker M J Latham R J ThorndykeM R A Grindrod B N Long J Y S TsimJ K M Hau C M Long J Y C TsimR D Hernandez J W G Martin E R R TurckN S Hobhouse S D Powell J J E Watkinson

4LB S D P Fielden ......................................................................S W Hesketh4LE I Nisar.......................................................................................Z A Patel4LI A J E Adler ......................................................................M J Lancashire4LJ Z H Bhatti..............................................................................D A Lomax4UV A Pahade...........................................................................N Mamoowala3LD J R McGowan............................................................................O Khalid3LF A M Trafford...........................................................................E S Clarke3UA G E Grey............................................................................T W Townson3UR J Patel ......................................................................................S D Hoyle2LC N Ghoshal ...............................................................................L Bridges2LG T F Pickersgill ..................................................................R D K Cheung2UC C R Hobhouse .........................................................................B J Stoker2UL H M Aglan .........................................................................M E Rainbow1LA G Morcos .................................................................................D Jackson1UH A A Khan .....................................................................................H Awan1UK L W Arnold ................................................................................M Booth1UQ R D Picardo ...........................................................................M J Bowen

FORM PRIZES

19

The Armsbey Merit Cup .....................................................................................................DerbyThe West Cup for Music ........................................................................................................KayThe Wike Football Cup ........................................................................................................KayThe A L Hyde Six-a-Side Football Trophy......................................................................HowlettThe Canon Blackburne Cricket Cup Years 1 – 4..................................................................KayThe Hutchinson Swimming Cup......................................................................................HowlettThe Mark Oakden Swimming Cup....................................................................................HulmeThe Henry Whitehead Athletics Cup Seniors.................................................................HowlettThe R P Calrow Junior Athletics Cup ................................................................................DerbyThe Taylor Relay Cup Years 1 – 4 ..................................................................................DerbyThe Douglas Cross-Country Cup...........................................................................................KayThe Foote-Wood Senior Cross-Country Cup...................................................................HowlettThe Cullens Junior Cross-Country Cup ...........................................................................DerbyThe Parkinson Rugby Cup...............................................................................................HowlettThe Mellor Cup for Rifle Shooting........................................................................................KayThe Bostock Basketball Trophy..........................................................................................DerbyThe Alexander Tennis Trophy ...........................................................................Howlett and Kay

Seventy-two Seventh Form students made 234 Advanced Level subject entries. Of these, 96 were A Grades, 73 wereB Grades, 34 were C Grades, 20 were D Grades and 9 were E Grades. 98.8% of all A level entries in academic subjects

produced pass grades A-E; 70.4% of all entries resulted in A and B Grades.

Twenty-six of the seventy-two candidates also chose to take A level General Studies; there were 7 A Grades,7 B Grades, 3 C Grades, 5 D Grades and 3 E Grades.

*indicates the highest possible grade in a subject

7LK: J W Ainscow (Geog, Mus, Elec, Pol, GS), D Chadwick (Hist, Class Civ, Rel St), E J Chadwick (Eng Lt,Geog, Econ), N A Chandler (Biol, Fr, Comp), D R P Fielden (Biol, Chem, Comp*), R M Freeman (Geog*,Latin*, Class Civ), B P Jennings (Geog*, Comp, Bus St*), P A Kumeta (Biol*, Chem, Phy), L T Sam (Chem,Maths, Comp), M E N Slowey (Eng Lt, Latin, Econ*, Comp*, GS), C J Stanton (Hist*, Greek, Latin, Pol*,GS*), R O Stanton (Eng Lt*, Hist*, Latin*, Rel St*)

7SB: A Bacci-Evers (Art, Geog, Geol*), D M P Gordon (Chem, Maths*, Phy*, GS), B W T Heffernan (Chem,Geol, Maths, GS), G N Karaaziz (Biol*, Chem, Maths, GS), D Kenyon (Chem, Phy, Class Civ, GS), L Lau(Biol, Chem, Maths*), R A J Little (Biol*, Chem*, Maths), D J Livesey (Chem, Music, Maths, Phy), J R IOkhiria (Biol*, Chem*, Latin*, Phy*), M H Wright (Hist, Maths, GS)

7SI: M A Afzal (Biol, Chem, Eng Lt), R J Barker (Biol*, Chem*, Maths*), C R G Collins (Biol, Geol, Phy), ADin (Biol, Chem, Maths*, GS), M J Evenson (Biol, Chem, Geog*, Maths), S Gore (Biol, Class Civ, Rel St),A M Jones-Bradburn (Biol, Geog*, Maths*, Phy), S S Kafle (Chem*, Hist*, Pol*), J R Lee (Econ, Class Civ,Rel St), J J P Mallon (Biol*, Maths*, Phy*, GS), J C K Marchant (Biol, Chem, Eng Lt, GS*), D Ng (Maths,Econ, Bus St), R Watson (Biol, Geog, Geol)

7UE: M Arshad (Art, Maths, Phy), Z Baig (Maths, Econ, Bus St), C M Bryant (Chem*, Maths*, Phy*, F Maths*,Add F Maths*), M Couchman (Geog, Geol, Maths, Phy), R I Ferguson (Biol, Geog, Maths*), M T Harrison(Music*, Greek, Maths, GS), M N Howarth (Geog, Econ, Bus St*, GS), A J Hoyle (Fr*, Geog*, Maths*,Econ*, GS*), J P Latham (Chem, Maths*, F Maths), D M Page (Fr, Maths, Econ*), J L Redford (Maths*,Phy*, Elec, F Maths, GS), N A Shotton (Chem*, Maths*, Phy, F Maths), J E L Taylor (Maths*, Econ*, Phy*,Pol*, GS*)

7UJ: P D Bartlett (Geog, Rel St, Bus St*), J Cheung (Eng Lt, Geog, Bus St), J R A Garside (Geog*, Econ*, Pol*),C A Gaydon (Eng Lt, Class Civ, Rel St*), O W Harrison (Art, Geog), M A Salim (Class Civ, Rel St*, BusSt*), O Shafiq (Econ, Bus St), H R Tattersall (Eng Lt, Geog, Econ, GS), H J Woods (Art, Geog*, Bus St), MD Woolfe (Hist, Rel St*, Bus St), O Wren (Eng Lt, Econ, Bus St)

7UN: T E J Brooks (Ger*, Fr*, Hist*, Pol*, GS), R J Chew (Fr*, Latin*, Phy*, Pol*, GS*), A D Cohen (Eng Lt,Rel St), O J Dean (Eng Lt*, Hist, Rel St*), L A J Drogan (Maths, Econ, Bus St), N J Gaffney (Fr*, Latin*,Rel St*), J M Greenwood (Biol, Ger*, Fr*, GS), C J McCaughey (Fr, Geog*, Hist*, Pol*, GS*), E Moazzezi(Eng Lt, Fr, Pol, GS), S T K Mody (Ger*, Eng Lt*, Hist*, Latin*, GS*), U Sohail (Biol*, Fr*, Maths*), A JTaylor (Fr, Geog*, Pol*, GS), D L Wells (Biol, Chem, Fr, GS)

G.C.E. ADVANCED LEVEL RESULTS 2008

SCHOOL TROPHIES

20

21

Ninety-seven Fifth Form pupils made 957 subject entries. There were 180 A* Grades, 328 A Grades, 283 B Grades,130 C Grades and 28 D Grades. The overall percentage of entries graded A*-C was 96.2%.

The following pupils achieved at least seven A* to C Grades:

5SC: M Z A K Abdullatif, J Ahmed, T P Barling, G R B Barnes, J C Bower, M R Bradshaw, C J Broadfield, A JCarling, R W P Feeney, J Glass, R L Harman, S J W James, A Khan, M J Latham, T A Massey, J L Paterson,S C Schulz, H J Swinnerton, J J Taylor, E R R Turck

5UB: J A E Campion, S W Eyre, M G Fitzpatrick, E A French, M C Hagan, R E Harper, W J Holt, A J Humphreys,P L Johnson, B N Long, C M Long, T T Magill, J F Richardson, R N Y Singer, S J Warchal

5UD: M O A Ahmad, C U Arshad, M E Beswick, E C S Clough, E A Dakin, M J Farley, K J Hardman, N SHobhouse, J I Kopman, A J Langhorn, C Mackenzie, J W G Martin, T J McKenna, P R Phillips, H S Sahni,M A Shafiq, R J Thorndyke, J Y C Tsim, J J P Yiasoumis

5UI: M P Cranshaw, M R A Grindrod, J K M Hau, R D Hernandez, G H Hornby, A J Jackson, M M H Li, C JLloyd, D M Lyon, S H Mahmood, J A McBriar, R O Mervin, N Natarajan, S D Powell, C S Preston, ASullivan, S J Summers, J Y S Tsim, J J E Watkinson, D J West

5UU: J F Ainscow, A J Anderson, N A Bradley, PA Brearley, M C K Cocker, M Cromey, S F Essap, W A Hazlehurst,A McKinnon, S J Niebel, C T Palmer, H L Pang, N J R Riley, A A S T Roberts, M J Rogers, G Scully, HShuell, S J Tetlow, D L Wild, S L Willis

G.C.S.E. RESULTS 2008

NON-ACADEMIC DISTINCTIONSAssociation Football: William Doyle and Jordan McBriar (U18) and Alistair Dickson (U16) have been selected torepresent the Independent Schools FA (North). Luke Simpson has become a member of the Oldham Athletic Academy.

Ahtletics: Luke Taylor finished second in an U13 international triathlon event in Florida, USA.

Cricket: Thomas Parton was selected for the Lancashire squad (U13) for the second year in succession. Matthew Bowenwas selected for the U12 squad.

Music: Alex Benn became principal Bassoonist in the Hallé Youth Orchestra.

Swimming: Callum Donaldson was selected for both the Lancashire and North West Region teams.

Simon Benger (1993-2003) has been awarded an MA, with Distinction, in Music from the University of Durham.

Andrew Higginson (1968-1975), Finance and Strategy Director, Tesco plc has been appointed Chief Executive of TescoBank.

T W Keene (1998-2005) has gained First Class Honours in Music at the University of York.

A BGS Old Boy has been appointed Head of the National Terrorist Finance Investigation Unit (Special Branch).

OLD BOYS’ DISTINCTIONS

M Arif Afzal Pharmacology, Bradford UniversityJoseph Ainscow Geography, Aberystwyth UniversityMuqim Arshad Architecture, Liverpool John Moores UniversityAlessio Bacci-Evers Geography, Manchester UniversityZoheb Baig Management and Leisure, Nottingham Trent UniversityRichard Barker Natural Sciences, Magdalene College, CambridgePeter Bartlett Business Studies, Lancaster UniversityThomas Brooks French and German, Durham UniversityChristopher Bryant Mathematics, Trinity College, Cambridge

A LEVEL LEAVERS’ DESTINATIONS 2008

22

Dean Chadwick History, York St John UniversityEdward Chadwick EmploymentNathan Chandler Self-employmentJustin Cheung Business with International Business, Northumbria UniversityRichard Chew Classics, Emmanuel College, CambridgeAlexander Cohen Birmingham School of ActingCameron Collins Biology, Plymouth UniversityMatthew Couchman Geophysics, Edinburgh UniversityOliver Dean English, Manchester UniversityAzfar Din Gap YearLuke Drogan Employment/ResittingMatthew Evenson Biology, Durham UniversityRobert Ferguson Environmental Science, Sheffield UniversityDaniel Fielden Biochemistry, Nottingham UniversityRobert Freeman Classics, King’s College, LondonNiall Gaffney ReapplyingJoshua Garside Real Estate, Reading UniversityCarl Gaydon Psychology, University of Central LancashireDuncan Gordon General Engineering, Warwick UniversitySamuel Gore Podiatry, Huddersfield UniversityJohn Greenwood German and Russian, Sheffield UniversityMark Harrison Music and Performance Studies, Royal Northern College of MusicOliver Harrison Geography, Leeds Metropolitan UniversityBenjamin Heffernan Geology, Leeds UniversityMichael Howarth Business Management, Newcastle UniversityAndrew Hoyle Economics, Durham UniversityBenjamin Jennings Business Studies, Lancaster UniversityAdam Jones-Bradburn Mechanical Engineering, Sheffield UniversityShantanu Kafle Law, Magdalene College, CambridgeGarrett Karaaziz Biomedical Sciences, St George’s College, LondonDaniel Kenyon Chemistry, Leicester UniversityPaul Kumeta Biochemistry, Liverpool UniversityJack Latham Mathematics, Sheffield UniversityLaurence Lau Pharmacy, BathJoshua Lee Psychology with Sociology, Nottingham Trent UniversityRoss Little Medicine, Liverpool UniversityDaniel Livesey Mathematics, Newcastle UniversityJames Mallon Mathematics, Manchester UniversityJames Marchant Biological Sciences, Keele UniversityCiaran McCaughey History and Politics, Warwick UniversityEhsan Moazzezi International Business, Nottingham Trent UniversityScott Mody English, Christ Church, OxfordDaryl Ng Gap YearJoshua Okhiria Medicine, Edinburgh UniversityDavid Page Business Studies, Manchester UniversityJoshua Redford Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Imperial College, LondonMukhtar Salim Law, Liverpool UniversityL Theophilus Sam Computer Science, King’s College, LondonOmer Shafiq Marketing, Liverpool John Moores UniversityNicholas Shotton Mathematics, York UniversityMark Slowey Software Engineering, Durham UniversityUsamah Sohail Mathematics and Economics, Nottingham UniversityChristopher Stanton History, Peterhouse College, CambridgeRichard Stanton Theology, Pembroke College, CambridgeHoward Tattersall Geography and Planning, Sheffield Hallam UniversityAdam Taylor EmploymentJoshua Taylor Physics, Manchester UniversityRoss Watson Geography, Loughborough UniversityDaniel Wells Joining the RAFHarrison Woods Gap YearMarc Woolfe ReapplyingOliver Wren Business Management, Manchester Metropolitan UniversityMax Wright War Studies, Coventry University

23

Activities in the Learning Resource CentreA keynote of the last year in theLearning Resource Centre has beendeveloping the ways in which thefacility co-operates with the differentdepartments in the School to enrichand complement the teachingprogramme. Part of this has been anincrease in the number of authors,poets and illustrators who have cometo talk to and inspire groups ofstudents.

William NicholsonThe first of several “Meet theAuthor” events took place on 26thSeptember, when BGS was visited byinternationally acclaimed Hollywoodscreenwriter and children’s author,William Nicholson. Advertising forthis event was undertaken by fifthform librarians Alex Jackson andDavid Winterbottom, and this waswell-rewarded by the high turnout onthe day. William Nicholson was agreat hit with pupils, talking aboutthe themes and inspirations for hiswork. An eye-catching and colourfuldisplay was produced by 3URfollowing his visit.

National Poetry Day and MikeGarryThe School’s annual celebration ofNational Poetry Day at the start ofOctober included the librarians’production of a display on “dreams”,which was this year’s designatedtheme. Fourth form librarians JoeSchofield and Stephen Fielden wereresponsible for much of the publicityfor the events, which included a visitby performance poet Mike Garry,whose work celebrates the “beautifulugliness of the city”. His fresh andirreverent style appealed to his

audience and inspired entries in thepoetry competition organised to markthe day, which was won by MatthewBuckley of 1LA.

Man Booker ShadowingOnce again staff members and sixthformers formed a Man BookerShadowing Group to read the booksshortlisted for the 2007 Man BookerPrize for Fiction. The group, whichconsisted of Mr Lee, Mr Matthews,Mrs Glancy, Scott Mody, ChristopherStanton and Jordaan Wolfson,selected Moshin Hamid’s TheReluctant Fundamentalist as theirfavourite novel. They were lessimpressed with the eventual winner,The Gathering by Ann Enright,which was savaged by BGS as an“angry and turgid read”.

Anne FineFormer Children’s Laureate AnneFine was the guest speaker at theNorth-West nominations eveninghosted by the LRC in October for theCILIP Carnegie Medal. Third andseventh formers joined invited guestsfor a reception followed by aninformative and entertaining talkfrom the successful author.

Adam LinleyIn November we welcomed Old Boyand aspiring author/illustrator AdamLinley, who led workshops in theLRC for lower school boys whichtaught them something about theprocess of writing and illustrating anovel. Joe Schofield and StephenFielden were the librariansresponsible for producing thepublicity for this event.

TES Literary QuizFor the fourth year in successionBGS entered a team of first andsecond formers to participate in theTimes Educational Supplement’sLiterary Quiz, a global competition.Our team, consisting of MatthewBowen, Subodh Kafle, CasparHobhouse and Luis McBriar,competed in the regional heats held atthe University of Bolton, andperformed well against strongopposition to emerge a respectablefifth out of 33 participating teams.

World Book DayThe unusually short spring termmeant that time was at a premium,but once again the highlight of theterm was the School’s celebration ofWorld Book Day, which this yearmoved into its second decade.Preliminary work was undertaken bysecond form librarians Luis McBriar,Ben Stoker and Edward Lees whoproduced “author profiles” for thespecial £1 WBD publications byRobert Muchamore and Neil Gaiman.Visually engaging posters designedby Joe Schofield, assisted by StephenFielden and James Harrison (all of4LB), marketed the day to the schoolcommunity, and complemented the“sponsored read” in aid of the charityBook Aid International, which theSchool has supported for severalyears. The organisation of thesponsored read was a large operationwhich required a team effort fromseveral librarians working together,and was well-rewarded when the firstand second formers raised a splendidtotal of £455, which will put morethan 350 books in the hands ofchildren in developing countries.The sponsored reading “champion”was Lawrence Arnold of 1UK, whoraised the impressive sum of £54. Onthe morning of World Book Day, theSchool assembly was given by MrsGlancy on the theme, “Reading opensdoors”.

John MalamThe LRC welcomed John Malam, anon-fiction author with over 200published titles to his name, on thefollowing day, when the World Book

Poet Mike Garry

William Nicholson

24

Day celebrations were continued withrole-playing workshops for the entirefirst year, in which groups of fourpupils produced their own ‘book’,with each team member taking one ofthe tasks of author, illustrator, editorand publisher. This was well-received and gave an insight into theprocedure behind moving knowledgefrom brain to bookshelf.

Fifth BirthdayFive years after the LRC wasofficially opened by BBC broadcasterMartin Henfield in February 2003, abirthday display celebrated thebuilding of one of the highlights ofthe School, and much interest wasshown in the photographs whichcatalogued its construction over thecourse of the year 2001-2.

John HegleyAn event for the first formers in Aprilwas the visit of John Hegley, arenowned poet and comedian whobegan his session with a song on hismandolin. During a question-and-answer session he made up songsabout biology, pyjamas, PS3s andkebabs! A book signing andafternoon workshop completed theday which was co-ordinated by theEnglish department.

Tom PalmerThe week after Founders’ Day sawthe School welcome author TomPalmer, who used the LRC as part ofthe promotional tour for his new bookFoul Play, the first in his series of‘Football Detective’ novels. This wasboth the first and last time that goalposts will be allowed to appear in theLibrary!

Carnegie ShadowingThe Summer Term was dominated byshadowing the judging for theCarnegie Medal. The School’s groupthis year consisted of fourth formersAlex Adler, Joe Schofield and PhilStandley, second formers BenKaufman, Sam Lyth and Ben Stoker,and first formers Anthony Storer,Subodh Kafle, George Morcos,William Sarbutts and JohnLuscombe. Although our shadowingteam’s favourite novel was Apacheby Tanya Landman, the winner of the2008 award was Philip Reeve’s HereLies Arthur.

Ave Atque ValeThe end of the academic year broughtthe retirement of Mrs Glancy, whohas been associated with the Librarysince 1998, first as Master-in-Chargein the old Walmsley Library and thenas Library Co-ordinator following themove to the new LRC in September2002. Although she has beennotoriously camera-shy and reluctantto take any credit for herself, herretirement cannot pass without aword of appreciation for everythingthat she has done to promote readingin the School. Mrs Glancy’s workwith scores of student librarians overthe years has been a source ofsatisfaction to her as an opportunityto meet boys away from theclassroom. A happy presentationevening in July, at which the speakerwas eminent Old Boy, historian andauthor Geoffrey Moorhouse, markedthe end of ten years’ work which waswell-summarised by the lady herselfwhen she said in a School assembly,“Reading can provide us with endlesshours of pleasure and entertainment.”For the sharing of her own pleasurewe thank her.

Christopher and Richard Stanton

Poet John Hegley

Author Tom Palmer

25

Prefects’ DinnerThe Upper Sixth Form Prefects enjoyed a verypleasant evening at the annual Prefects’ Dinner,prior to starting their study leave. This event washeld in the main hall at school, when the studentsjoined with senior members of the pastoral staffand upper sixth form tutors for a lovely four coursemeal, provided by the school catering staff. Theatmosphere was informal and relaxed, with thestudents reminiscing over their time spent atBGSB.

This was well complemented by the guestspeaker, Mr. Ian Riggs, a highly regarded localsolicitor and a former Captain of School. Mr. Riggsentertained with stories about his time at schooland as the first Captain to be appointed by theprevious Headmaster, Mr. Keith Richards.However the boys were most entertained by Mr.Riggs’ anecdotal stories of some of the more seniormembers of staff present at thedinner. GAF

I am delighted to report that over £2.7 million has nowbeen raised towards our target; this is a wonderfulachievement and we are deeply grateful to everyone whohas made a contribution.

After two years in the making, our new Kindergartenhas opened its doors to our youngest pupils. This newschool, completed in September, is testament to theoverwhelming support we received from the BGScommunity towards our Building Fund. It offers the finestfacilities available for the education of our youngsters – asplendid octagonal assembly hall, music room, library andcomputer suite, sports hall and, the crowning glory, arooftop playground offering the most incredible views ofthe whole borough. We have extended our early years’education to a pre-school class which accommodates 40children in a spacious building designed specifically tomeet their needs. We chose to name this group Cygnets, asthese children will become the swans of the future.

Over the last few years, kind donations towards ourBursary Fund have enabled us to offer more than 40 giftedyoung students the life-changing opportunity of aneducation at BGS. These bursaries were made possiblethanks to the generous support of individual sponsors, aswell as a pool of monthly and one-off donations. We takegreat pleasure in providing our sponsors with reports onthe progress of our bursary recipients, whoseachievements undoubtedly reflect the worthiness of thisscheme.

To complete the single vision which addresses theneeds of our youngest and oldest pupils we must now look

forward to the next phase of our development plan – abrand new Sixth Form Centre for the pupils of bothschools. New facilities will include a multi-purposelecture theatre and drama studio, seminar rooms, quietstudy areas with integrated ICT, a refectory openthroughout the day and a central sixth form entrancebeneath the bell tower.This modern college-style facilitywill significantly enhance the education of our oldestpupils, enabling us to provide them with a more variedcurriculum and a full pre-university experience.

However, it is vital that we maintain the momentum ofthe Appeal if we are to achieve our goal. We mustgenerate further support for this new building and we urgethe whole BGS community – governors, staff, alumni,parents, former parents, suppliers and friends of theSchool – to help us reach our target. Donations can bemade in many tax-efficient ways. A number of supporterswho do not have cash to spare have chosen to make aninvestment in our future by remembering the Schools intheir wills. However you choose to donate, each andevery gift will take us one step further.

If you would like to arrange a tour of the School,receive further information about the Appeal, or to discusshow to make your donation, please do not hesitate tocontact Francine Healey, Development Officer, by emailto francine@bgsdev.demon.co.uk or telephone 0161 7641733.

Francince Healey

THE WAY FORWARD APPEAL

26

This year seems to have passed byvery quickly. Over the year we havecared for the boys, we havechallenged them in many ways andthey have been helped to be creative,both in and out of the classroom.

We offer the boys a broadcurriculum that not only encompassesall the academic subjects but alsoenables them to participate in a widevariety of activities and challenges.This gives them life experiences,skills, confidence and self-reliance,which we feel are very important. Italso gives the boys a solid foundationin all aspects of their learning. On theacademic side the boys cover all theNational Curriculum and our English,Mathematics and Science results havebeen pleasing. The project work inGeography, History, ReligiousStudies and IT has been very good ashas that in Art and DesignTechnology, particularly the workthat the boys did in their shoeprojects, Delftware pottery, iron menand hand puppets.

We have continued the individualtargets. Each boy is set a target foreach term. These targets areattainable for boys but they alsorequire a certain amount of effort andthe boys have to prove they can attainthe target more than once. We haveheld three Achievement Assemblieswhere we have presented certificatesto those boys who have reached theirtargets.

Last September we welcomed MrsHartwell to the Junior School and shesoon settled into the Junior Schoolway of life. In May, Miss Monaghanjoined the staff as the After SchoolClub manager.

In October we welcomed AndrewHigginson, an Old Boy, who is nowthe financial director of Tescos, topresent the prizes at the SeniorSchool Prizegiving and the next dayhe opened our newly refurbished Artand Science rooms.

The Christmas concert was heldon 13th December and a packedhouse enjoyed traditional, and somenot so traditional, carols andreadings. The Introitus play, as usual,

was highly entertaining. TheChristmas parties were great fun andthe party games can get verycompetitive, particularly in musicalchairs when a member of staff isplaying against you or, worst still,playing as your partner!

The inaugural House quiz

competition was held at lunchtimesand the winning House was Kay. TheLakes General Knowledge Cup waspresented for the first time.

Our collections for charity thisyear have been very successful. Wehad non-uniform days for Children inNeed and Bob Forrester. At theFounders’ Day service our collectionin aid of Bury Hospice raised£122.15. Finally, our annual summerevent was the ‘Football Scoring’which was great fun. The boys had toshoot as many goals as possible infive minutes and we raised £3,900.90.Nikhil Sood presented half the moneyto Cancer Research and we sent theother half to Water Aid. This year’scharities were chosen by Exitus. Iwould like to thank all the parentswho helped on the day and providedsponsorship for the boys.

Our Book Week was held inMarch and we took over £1200. Thishelps to promote reading and to buysome new books for the library. Storyteller John Harris visited school; heheld the boys spellbound during hisstories then signed his books.

Founders’ Day was a fine day; ourservice was held by Rev. John Taylor.He brought in some bananas and one

or two members of staff had to eat abanana. John spoke about how eachone was unique, no matter what itscolour - green, yellow or brown - orsize, yet at the same time inside theywere all the same and that was likeus.

The Outdoor Activity programmestarted in the autumn term withTransitus II visiting Ambleside tokayak, climb, tunnel and gorge walk.In the summer term Introitus had aproblem solving day at BuckleyWells. Transitus I went to Rivingtonorienteering. In the afternoon theyhad great fun rolling down the pike.They also visited Gordale Scar andwalked across the limestonepavement at the top of Malham Cove;only one boy managed to get his footstuck in a gryke. This year weswapped the timings of the Exitustrips, so the Edale residential visitwas in May. It was a great experiencefor the boys; the weather was kindand many of them achieved personalgoals during the week. One or twoboys thought they were very popularwith a girl from the other school bygetting her phone number, only tolearn that she had been giving it outto everyone! A valuable lesson in life,boys! It was also good to see themall playing together in the grounds.

The self-reliant journeys tookplace in June and we had some reallygood weather despite leaving Bury inthe pouring rain. The boys thoroughlyenjoyed planning, preparing and

Junior School

27

executing their cooking plans andsome of the food did look as if it hadbeen executed; but they didn’t gohungry. The boys had a reallyenjoyable experience and thestandard of navigation was excellent.My thanks must go to all the staff fortheir time and help which makes allthe activities so enjoyable.

To enrich the curriculum manyeducational visits have beenorganised over the year. The boyshave been to the Fusiliers Musuem,the War Museum, Chester and theParish Church. The whole schoolwent in convoy along the M62 toinvade Yorkshire for our form trips.We went to Bradford PhotographicMuseum, Leeds Armoury and theNational Mining Musuem at Halifax.Transitus II had a very enjoyable daylearning about different learning andthinking styles. They also visitedCrucial Crew to learn about how tokeep themselves safe outside ofschool. They had great fun when thefire engine visited school as didIntroitus when an ambulance arrived,but everyone also learnt about theserious side of what the crews have todo. Maths Day was challenging forthe boys; each class rotated roundeight different practical problem-solving tasks. Our Artist in Residencethis year was Hugh Templeton; all theboys painted two water colours. Imust say the standard of work wasoutstanding and we could have madea handsome profit by framing thefinished paintings and selling themon Bury market. I would like to thankMartin Entwistle, Peter Boys andMark Smith for coming into school aspart of the Exitus PHSE programme,to talk about their occupations andexperiences in their work places. Aspart of our links to the communityprogramme we had fourteenFoundation for Learning Nursery pre-school children visit us to use our ITfacility. Exitus boys helped them tocolour in Tellytubbies pictures byusing the mouse. I was very kindlypresented by Imran Hashmi andRobert Sumner with my very ownTellytubbies picture entitled Mr.Crouch Marching!

Our annual collection of Tescocomputer vouchers amassed 12,000vouchers that we are exchanging for acamcorder and recordingmicrophone. Again we collected the

vouchers by Houses and the winningHouse was Kay.

On the musical side we held acombined Junior and Senior SchoolOpen Evening in March during whichthe boys performed a short concertand parents were able to talk to theirson’s music teachers. Form concertsat the beginning of the summer termare always entertaining and theyclearly show the progress the boysmake in music over four years. Thewind group, percussion group, choirand the orchestra have beenpractising throughout the year, and asyou have heard, the orchestra andchoir are doing extremely well underthe guidance of Mrs. Gundy and Miss

Stuart. Miss Stuart ran a verysuccessful musical workshop forIntroitus and Transitus I. MrsGrundy and Miss Stuart adjudicatedthe House Music Competition and the

standard of performance wasexcellent. The House songs were verygood with each House trying to outdothe others with secret practices andby adding actions to the songs! ThePercy Howarth Music Cup was wonby Kay. Again this year we had manysuccesses in both the AssociatedBoard and Guildhall examinations.Many boys have passed with eithermerits or distinctions and that reflectson how hard the boys practise andalso the high quality teaching of ourperipatetic staff. I would like tothank particularly Mrs Grundy, MrHyde, Mr Benger and all theperipatetic staff for their hard workover the year.

Our programme of sportencompasses all the boys and theyhave the opportunity to represent theSchool or their House in a variety ofdifferent sports. It has not been asuccessful year in terms of silverwarein football and cricket but the boyshave enjoyed their sport. Our Housesporting competitions have been verykeenly contested with as many boysas possible taking part. The footballwas won by Derby, the cross-countryby Hulme and the cricket by Hulmeand Howlett. The Swimming Sportswas held at the end of the springterm. The Radcliffe Cup was won byHulme. Both the swimmers and theboys watching played their part inmaking it a very exciting and noisyevent. Mr. Armsbey presented thecertificates to the winners. Sports

28

Day went very smoothly and manyparents enjoyed watching their sonscompeting in the races. Stefan Fuchs,Alex Walker, Rahan Udwadia,Nathan Crowther and the Derbycannon relay team broke Schoolrecords. Howlett won the ArthurPrice Athletics Trophy. TheHeadmaster presented the certificatesto the winners.

We are the Bury Junior SchoolsWinners for the Swimming League,the Boys’ Road Relay, the Boys’ andGirls’ joint trophy and the Athleticstrophy.

In the Association of JuniorIndependent Schools knock-out cupcompetitions we were knocked out inthe quarter-finals of the cricket andthe football. At the cross-country wecame fifth in the Under 11s and thirdin the Under 10s. In the athleticsLawrence Adlum came 2nd in theUnder 10 cricket ball and the Under11 relay squad came 3rd. The star ofthe athletics again was Tunmise Ojobecause he won the Under 11 80metres and came 3rd in the LongJump.

In the Verse SpeakingCompetition, which was heldrecently, we were entertained allafternoon. The standard of speakingis very high indeed and for thesecond year running Stefan Fuchswon the Lomas Verse SpeakingShield.

In the Clavian LiteraryCompetition this year the boys weregiven a picture of hot air balloons andthey had to write a story or poem.The Exitus and Transitus II sectionwas won by Adam Alwin and theTransitus I and Introitus section byArif Khaliq. The Art Competition

involved drawing a water colour.Many of the paintings were excellentand that made judging very difficult;Exitus and Transitus II was won byJosef Langweisser, Transitus I andIntroitus by Saleem Raza.

The Work Cup is for the Housewhich gains the most House pointsover the whole year and the winnerwas Derby, 197 House points aheadof Hulme. Considering the boysamassed nearly 124,000 over the yearit was a very close competition!

We held the Leavers’ Disco withthe Girls’ Junior School and it was avery entertaining evening; everyoneseemed to have had a memorabletime.

Prizegiving was a lovelyafternoon during which we celebratedthe School’s successes over the year.We were entertained by the versespeaking and the individual musicwinners and the prizes werepresented by John Kendall. Johnspoke to the boys about thefriendships in school and about tryingto do your best.

We do go to many places over theyear and many visitors come intoschool. We nearly always getcomplimented on how polite and howwell behaved the boys are – they aregreat ambassadors for the School.

After School Club supervisor, MrsHolland, left at the end of the termand we thank her for all her work inestablishing the club. Mrs Gundy isgiving up her classroom teaching butwill still be very much involved inperipatetic work and the JuniorSchool groups. Mrs Wilson finishes

her maternity leave cover and wethank her for all her hard work. Wewelcome back Mrs Faulkner and wethank Mrs Harrison for being actingDeputy Head this term. Finally MrByrne retires after 19 years of serviceand we wish him and his wife, Diane,a long and happy retirement.

Exitus boys leave us. Many ofthem have been with us for four yearsand even those boys who have beenwith us only a year say the samethings; that they have been reallyhappy and have enjoyed their time inthe Junior School. It is good to knowthat nearly all the boys are continuingon into the Senior School. We will besad to see them go and we wish allthe leavers every success in thefuture.

I would like to thank theGovernors and the Headmaster fortheir continued support and the stafffor all their enthusiasm and hardwork. Finally, I would like to thankparents for their excellent support forthe School, and, more importantly,for their sons.

David Crouch

29

Introitus GoldPrize For Attainment: Daanesh BehranaPrize For Effort: Harry SumnerPrize For Progress: Edward HoltOpenshaw Verse Speaking: Harry Baxter

Introitus OrangePrize For Attainment: Joseph EdgarPrize For Effort: Casey BrownPrize For Progress: James GoodchildOpenshaw Verse Speaking: Krishna Doshi

Transitus I NavyPrize For Attainment: Benjamin CroftsPrize For Effort: Dominic ScottPrize For Progress: Richard CatterallOpenshaw Verse Speaking: Christian Fuchs

Transitus I RoyalPrize For Attainment: Thomas FitzGeraldPrize For Effort: Jacob DuftonPrize For Progress: Shaun HarrisOpenshaw Verse Speaking: John Ripley

Transitus II EmeraldPrize For Attainment: Ashish RamuniPrize For Effort: Matthew Schofield and Charles Spencer Prize For Progress: Joshua RainbowOpenshaw Verse Speaking: Ben Wilkinson

Transitus II JadePrize For Attainment: Joseph PatelPrize For Effort: Luke CollisterPrize For Progress: Darius KarbaleyOpenshaw Verse Speaking: Luke Collister

Exitus BurgundyPrize For Attainment: Robert SumnerPrize For Effort: Peter ConcannonPrize For Progress: Thomas GortonOpenshaw Verse Speaking: Robert Sumner

Exitus ScarletPrize For Attainment: Adam SuePrize For Effort: Samuel MillingtonPrize For Progress: Sameer SarfrazOpenshaw Verse Speaking: Samuel Millington

Certificate for Junior School Club CompetitionWinners:

Pool: Ibrahim YakubuChess: Samuel MillingtonTable-tennis: Samuel Millington

Certificate and Prize for Junior School MusicCompetition Individual Winners:

Brass: Kieran RajasansirWoodwind: Brendan HarrisonDrums: Imran HashmiVoice: Rehan UdwadiaStrings: Jack LittlerPiano: Nikhil Sood

Dunford Junior Music Prize: Nikhil SoodClavian Literary Competition:Arif Khaliq and Adam Alwin

Clavian Art Competition:M. Saleem Raza and Josef LangwieserHeadmaster’s Prize for Art: Shaw Labrianidis-KennyStrickland Prize for Craft: Peter ConcannonR H Lye Junior School Science: Robert SumnerLomas Shield for Verse Speaking: Christian FuchsTrafford Cup for Sport: Tunmise OjoShefali Henry Cup for Outstanding Contribution toSchool Life: Imran Hashmi

Bury Junior Schools Sports AssociationSwimming League: WinnersRoad Relay Boys: WinnersRoad Relay Boys and Girls (joint): Winners

House CompetitionsArthur Price House Athletics Shield: HowlettRadcliffe A.S.A. House Swimming Cup: HulmeHorsfield and Smith House Cricket Cup: Hulme andHowlettThe McDonald House Football Cup: DerbyHouse Cross-Country Cup: HulmePercy Howarth House Music Cup: KayThe Lakes House Knowledge Trophy: KayHouse Work Cup: DerbyChampion House: Hulme

LIST OF PRIZE WINNERS

The Art Society

30

The Art Society has been verywell attended this year. Tuesdayevenings and particularly Thursdaylunchtimes have been very popular.

Many boys have benefited fromthe art facility including several whoare taking part in the Duke ofEdinburgh Award scheme.

Early mornings have also beenpopular with many boys making useof an early start by Mr Burns.

As the G.C.S.E., AS and A levelexhibitions approached an extra nightwas added and the examinees tookfull advantage of the time!

Regular meetings are Wednesdayevenings and Thursday lunchtimesand artists and non-artists are alwayswelcome.

TAB

The Art Society

Excursions2008

Excursions2008

32

‘PILLARS OF FIRE’:

2008 Battlefields TourThe 14th annual Boys’ Schoolbattlefields tour was one of a seriescommemorating the 90th anniversaryof the First World War and the fortypupils and five members of staffvisited sites connected mainly withthe 1917 battles of Messines andPasschendaele near Ypres in Belgium.1917 was the year that Russiacollapsed into revolution and theFrench army into mutiny. As a resultthe burden of the war effort on thecrucial Western Front fell on theforces of Britain and her Empire. Itwas also the costliest year of the warfor Bury Grammar School. In all 35Old Boys died, 29 of them in thefighting in France and Belgium.

We arrived in Ypres on Fridaymorning. For many of the tour party,which included a large number ofveterans of previous tours, it was areturn to familiar territory. For othersit was their first visit to the townwhich, more than any other,personifies the British part in the FirstWorld War. After visits to thebeautiful Ramparts Cemetery and themagnificent Menin Gate Memorial,our afternoon excursion took us backto the early days of Britishinvolvement in the Ypres area in theautumn of 1914. Then the British andFrench armies stubbornly resisted thefirst German attempts to take thetown and push on to the Channelports. One of the units holding theline was 1st Battalion Irish Guards,including Private NathanielHeatherington, great-great uncle ofparty member Kiefer Heatherington.Using the revolutionary new‘Linesman’ computer software ,which matches Great War trenchmaps with modern GPS references,we were able to visit the exact areawhere Private Heatherington waskilled on 6th November 1914. Beforegoing to our hotel, the Munchenhof atLangemark, we visited the sombreGerman cemetery on the outskirts ofthe village.

On Saturday we saw the scars onthe landscape caused by thedetonation of 19 huge mines underGerman positions at the start of thebattle of Messines. These now water

filled craters are the peacefulremnants of the largest man-madeexplosion up to that point in historyas the mines were detonatedsimultaneously in the small hours of7th June 1917. It is difficult to believethat fishing lakes such as theCaterpillar Crater, now in the middleof a quiet wood, are actually the massgraves of their German defenders.After a very interesting tour of theMessines Museum, guided by itsenthusiastic young curator, we paidour traditional visit to the remarkableTalbot House in Poperinge. Thisliving museum recreates theatmosphere of the ‘all ranks club’founded by the Reverend ‘Tubby’Clayton in 1915. Mrs Honeentertained visitors to the house byplaying a selection of Great War tunesand classical pieces on the originalwartime piano. She was joined bymembers of the BGS male voicechoir, who gave spirited and largelytuneful renditions of ‘It’s A Long WayTo Tipperary’ and ‘Pack Up YourTroubles’. The day concluded whenCCF Senior Cadet Shantanu Kafleand 2 i/c John Greenwood, bothveterans of several battlefield tours,laid a wreath on the grave ofLieutenant Colonel ThomasBoardman DSO at Brandhoek NewMilitary Cemetery. Tom Boardmanwas the most senior BGS Old Boy todie in the Great War when he waskilled in August 1917 commanding

8th Battalion the Royal InniskillingFusiliers. As a boy he had been afounder member of the BGS CadetCorps in 1892 and later as a teacherhelped found the Christ’s HospitalSchool Cadet Corps which he wenton to command. He is buried close tothe famous double VC winnerCaptain Noel Chavasse. Last Postwas sounded at Brandhoek and nextday at Tyne Cot by our excellentCadet buglers Chris Parsons andPeter Phillips.

On Sunday we retraced the attackof a locally-raised battalion of theLancashire Fusiliers nearPasschendaele on 9th October 1917in the company of our old friend,Belgian archaeologist and re-enactorKristof Blieck. The battalion includedseveral Old Boys of the School,including Captain Frank Bentley whowon the Military Cross for hisgallantry that day. Kristof was able toshow us the exact spot where hisarchaeological team discovered thebody of an unidentified LancashireFusilier soldier in 2006. The Fusilier,who had been killed in the 9th

October battle, was re-buried in thenearby Tyne Cot Cemetery in July2007. Kristof gave us his usualfascinating demonstration of originalweaponry and equipment and aguided tour of the new Tyne CotVisitor Centre, which he helped tocreate. One of the men whosephotograph and name are

remembered in the audio-visualdisplay at the Visitor Centre is formerBGS pupil, Captain Austin Hudson,one of eight Old Boys buried orcommemorated at Tyne Cot. We hadan excellent lunch at the nearby farmowned by our old friend CharlotteCardoen-Descamps. Charlotte wenton to show us some of the vastamount of weaponry and unexplodedmunitions that, incredibly, she andher husband are still unearthing 90years after the battle. On the last

night of the tour, members of theCCF took part for the ninth time inthe world famous Menin Gate LastPost ceremony in Ypres. As well asour usual school poppy wreath,Shantanu Kafle, who is of Nepalesedescent, laid a beautiful wreath ofreal flowers, made by Mrs Stirzaker,in memory of the Gurkhas who fellon the Western front in the FirstWorld War. At the end of theceremony the boys werecongratulated by a former sergeant-

major in the Grenadier Guards andSandhurst instructor who said thatthey were a credit to the cadet forceand their school.

MJH

33

34

WENGEN, SWITZERLANDAs I get older, I seem to notice thattime does pass by with alarmingrapidity. It seemed no sooner werewe back from Colorado than we werecatching the coach to head to Wengenin Switzerland, home of theLauberhorn downhill run and “Wall.”

The journey passed surprisinglyquickly for once and before long wewere having breakfast at a café inSwitzerland. I don’t know whatimpressed me most about the boyshere. It could have been their lack ofany conversational German, whichwas the same for the staff, or it couldhave been their mistaken belief thateverything in Switzerland was free,which would explain why some ofthem did not pay for breakfast!

The hotel in Wilderswill wasowned by Urs Raber who was WorldCup downhill champion in 1984. Itwas obvious from the deferential wayhe treated us that he was in thepresence of elite skiers!

It is not often that a resort isstunning to look at, but Wengen is theexception. It is perched on an Alp,high above the Lauterbrunnen Valley,below the towering peak of the Eiger.Learning to ski or board in thisenvironment made us all look farmore stylish than we actually were.The trains up to the Eigergletscherran with typical Swiss efficiency,dropping us off in the morning readyto tackle the day. The pick-up wassomewhat more hit and miss; Iremember as Mark Howorth randown the platform of a lonely station,not on the same train as the rest of thegroup. His cry of “MrCawtherleeeeeeeeee!” is still admiredto this day as one of the finestexamples of yodelling that has everbeen heard on that Alp!

The weather during the week wasfantastic and this was a key factor inthe rapid development of the skiingand boarding. Mr Cawtherley andCameron Collins did not mind fallingdown as much, we all seemed to gofaster and runs were less intimidatingin the bright sunshine. Mr Fergusonneeds to be congratulated for hisrecovery on the “Wall”. He was

surprised to say the least when hetook off unexpectedly and theimpression he did of a mansimultaneously winding down twowindows will long stick in my mind.We skied at not only Wengen, butalso at Grindelwald and Murren.Murren is the home of the Piz Gloriarestaurant. This is the revolvingrestaurant where On Her Majesty’sSecret Service was filmed. Aftereating James Bond spaghetti the boystook to the slopes in the style of 007,or, in the case of our top skiers, HighSchool Musical. They skied the blackrun from the top suavely, led by Peter“Racing Snowplough” Bartlett.

The evening entertainmentpackage was not all that it wascracked up to be. Shopping inGrindelwald was fun as none of theshops was open; likewise atInterlaken when we went there forsome retail therapy. Ice skating wasaltogether more successful for theboys. Robert Plant decided thatsliding through the legs of skaters onhis stomach was a good thing to do.We watched in admiration as “Planty”did the decent thing and collapsed ashe tried this manoeuvre. SamHesketh also has a lot to answer foras he told me that he would teach myson to skate. By skating, youngHesketh meant throwing my son onthe floor and then diving on top ofhim.

I must mention Mr Curtis. This ishis last trip with BGSB as he retiresthis year. He has been a regular onthe ski trip for over 30 years, 10 ofthem with me. Skiing is a terrifichobby and skiing with Malc has beena memorable experience. I have beenable to ski all over Europe and NorthAmerica with him, sampling the bestlocal drinks in slope-side bars! Hisconstant support and guidance havealways been greatly appreciated and Ithank him. It is a measure of hisstanding with the boys that they paidfor him to fly around the Eiger,Monch and Jungfrau mountains in ahelicopter.

As usual, all good things mustcome to an end and it was not long

before we had to return home toEngland, sporting the classic skiers’“panda eyes”. The trip, as ever, wasmade by the boys. Their constantgood humour and behaviour singledthem out for praise by all those whocame into contact with them duringthe week. I always marvel at howquickly the boys progress and this canbe exemplified in no finer way thanby Matthew Couchman. At the startof week, Bambi looked morecomfortable on skis! At the end ofthe week, I passed “Couchy” on theLauberhorn and on his face was amixture of joy, fear and exhilaration.It is this that makes the ski trip worthrunning.

I would also like to thank MrFerguson, Mr Cawtherley, MrsBradley, Mr Sherlock, Mr Bishop andof course Mr Curtis for all their hardwork and support during the trip, aswell as the boys. I am already jealousthat I won’t be joining them next yearin Tignes!

MEB

35

Sir John Charnley Science LectureOn Tuesday 10th June studentsstudying Science at the BuryGrammar Schools were delighted toattend a most informative lecturegiven by Chris Faux, a formercolleague of Sir John Charnley andChairman of Trustees for the Sir JohnCharnley Trust. Chris Faux spokepassionately about the ground-breaking research and work of SirJohn, who developed a pioneeringmethod of hip and joint replacementsduring his time working atWrightington in the 1970s. His life-transforming surgery was at thecutting edge of technology and histechniques are still in practice to thisday.

Sir John Charnley was born atHeywood Street in Bury in 1911.Along with his sister, Mary, he waseducated at Bury Grammar School,gaining a place to study Medicine atManchester University in 1929. Atthe outbreak of war he volunteered forarmy service, enlisting in the RoyalArmy Medical Corps and was posted

to the Middle East. It was thiswartime experience which sparked hisinterest in orthopaedics as hedeveloped various types of applianceswhich enabled injured soldiers toreturn home to their families.

Working as an orthopaedicconsultant he became a specialist inthe treatment of arthritis, a cripplingcondition for some patients. In 1960he elected to head a team atWrightington Hospital, devoting histime to the development of a new hipreplacement technique.

Chris gave a hands-ondemonstration which captivated thestudent audience, many of whom haveambitions to study medicinethemselves, and learning of the workof a fellow pupil was inspirational.Students were shown examples ofTeflon Arthroplasty, where a couplingof plastic and metal is made in orderto cement the bone into position in thepelvic bone. The ingenuity of SirJohn was clearly evident as thestudents learned of further inventions

- a brush to clean the inside of thebone before securing the replacementjoint and a new ‘clean air’ operatingsystem which drastically reducedinfection rates from 10% to 0.4%.

Chris Faux gave a mostentertaining and informative accountof the life and work of Sir JohnCharnley, the importance of whichhas been acknowledged world wide,resulting in many accolades, but nonemeant more to him than being granted‘The Freedom of Bury’. We are proudthat his education at BGS gave himthe self-belief to realise his dreams.

R N Marshall and Francine Healey

36

Belgian Music TripDuring the final week of term a 60strong group of musicians from boththe boys’ and girls’ schools embarkedon a trip to Belgium. Two groupsmade the treacherous crossing toCalais from Dover: the danceorchestra and concert band. After along, although rather amusing, tripdown to Dover (made all the longerby the late arrival of one of our‘trombonists’, owing to hisextravagant birthday celebrations thenight before), we boarded themorning ferry to France. Next camethe two hour journey through Franceto the land of frites, beer, and whatwas soon to be great music.

Upon arrival at Die Loyale youthhostel we were pleasantly surprisedby the seemingly luxuriousaccommodation, especially comparedto our last hostelling experience inEdinburgh. Having ditched our bagsand sorted ourselves into suitablesleeping groups, we were treated to ameal of traditional Belgian spag bolfollowed by some famous Belgian icecream. Later in the evening manyfrom the group set down to play thetraditional game of mass football.This essentially involves a few keyplayers storming up and down thepitch while the rest make futileattempts to steal the ball. As this fiercegame began to die down many of thesixth formers set out to explore thetown and sample some of Belgium’sstaggeringly large varieties of beer.

Our first full day in Belgiumbrought with it our first concert.Unfortunately our original concertvenue, a large bandstand in the mainsquare of Oostende, had collapsed theweek before we were due to play.Praying this disaster would notprovide the theme of our trip, wetravelled to Leopold Park, a large areain the centre of Oostende, with plentyof green open space, a meanderingstream and a large bandstand whichwas to accommodate our firstperformance. The dance band kickedoff the proceedings with a set lastingaround 45 minutes and including suchclassics as April in Paris, In the Moodand St. Louis Blues. Next came the

concert band, which rounded off theconcert with another 45 minute setfeaturing arrangements of Beatlesclassics and several famous marchessuch as Dam Busters and The LibertyBell. Our audience, although smallerthan we would have liked, wasappreciative, with a couple of veryenthusiastic locals even getting up todance!

Having safely got back on thecoach we then moved on to one ofBelgium’s main cities, Bruges. Herewe explored the old streets, samplingthe renowned Belgian chocolate(which came in ALL shapes and sizes)and sat in cafés on the main square,watching the horse-drawn carriagesferry tourists around the area. We thenwent back to our coach, passing underthe old stone archway whichtraditionally marked the entrance tothe city. The hour-long journey backto the hostel passed without event andupon our return we were greeted withanother excellent meal, this timeconsisting of Austrian-style schnitzel.

That evening the intrepid sixthform explorers once again venturedforth into the surprisingly busy town,with several of our members takingpart in dances with some of the moreexuberant, although not necessarilyyouthful, locals. Other members ofthe group stayed at the hotel and tookpart in more football, basketball andtable tennis, making full use of theextensive sports facilities provided.

The next day marked our last fullday in Belgium. Much of it was spentat Belgium’s premier (and possiblyonly) theme park, Bobbejaan Land.After arriving at the park we wereguided to a pavilion to change into ourconcert dress. This proved achallenging logistical exercise as theone-roomed pavilion was notsufficient to accommodate both theboys and girls. After suitablechanging formalities had been agreed,we assembled our instruments andmoved off to our stage, a tentpositioned next to a majorthoroughfare. Unfortunately just aswe set down to play the heavensopened and the wind whipped up,

sending music flying. However, themusic continued as clothes pegs weredistributed to tame the flying paper.The dance band was once again thefirst band on and, despite the weather,managed to draw people to themakeshift dance floor (even if theywere members of the concert bandpress-ganged into this by athreatening look from Mr. Southcott,the dance band director). The concertband followed with another variety-packed program: everything fromQueen to the music from The Lord ofthe Rings. After the concert and whenthe weather had thankfullybrightened, we were let loose on therides. This bettered our admittedlylow expectations of the park’s qualityand some even grudgingly admittedthat they were impressed with anumber of the rides, including tworollercoasters, one with a verticalclimb to the summit!

Tired from the day’s exertions, wereturned to the hostel only to berevitalised by an impromptu waterfight. Unfortunately this was broughtto what many thought was apremature close owing to Miss Brittonbecoming a casualty of the intensefighting.

This brought an end to our time inBelgium, and the next morning wepacked the coach and were on ourway back home.

The trip was a great success andenjoyed by all and many thanks aredue to the staff who made it possible:Mr. Hyde and Mr. Stacey from theBoys’ School, Mr. Castell and MissBritton from the Girls’ School, andMr. D. Southcott.

Alex Benn

37

AndalusiaIt’s work experience week for thewhole of the lower sixth and I’m herebasking in the Andalusian sunshine.Suddenly the bright red of my closedeyes eclipses into darkness as a largefigure shadows me. I open my eyes:Mr Burns. “David,” he says, “I havea task for you.”

It is at this point that I shouldexplain to you what I’m doing here.Why am I sunbathing whilst all mypeers are sitting in various offices inGreater Manchester making cups oftea? The answer makes me feelrather guilty, as I shall explain soon.

This, of course, is the annual ArtDepartment tour to Finca El Cerrillo,Southern Spain. Every year MrBurns organizes the trip for A Levelstudents who use the time to makepreliminary studies for next year’sprojects, as well as experiencing newcultural encounters. Okay, now forthe guilty bit – I don’t do A Level Art;I shouldn’t really be here. But, afterspending most of my GCSE Artcourse speaking to Mr Burns aboutChinese food I entered his goodbooks and when a student droppedout earlier this year, I was firstreserve.

So, everybody is working hard togather primary sources for theirprojects; taking photographs of,drawing and painting various viewsaround the Finca. I, however, amsunbathing. I guess it was only fairthen that Mr Burns asked me to dothis – this report is that task…

We arrived at Malaga Airport onSunday afternoon and then weredriven out of the city by Pepe andMari and up into the mountains ofAndalusia along precarious windingroads. We arrived at the Finca atabout four o’clock and met Gordonand Sue, the owners, who gave us aquick guide of the place. Afterdumping our luggage in our roomswe rushed down to the pool area andtook in the last of the afternoon’srays, before cooling down in thewater and then having to go and getready for dinner. We went for a mealin the local village of Canillas thatnight and an early night followed a

long day of travelling.On Monday we were shown

properly the studio by Gordon andMr Burns; a lovely, cool extension onthe first floor of the Finca whichoverlooked the whole grounds to thesouth and from which you could starenorth and disappear into the vastmountains. After sorting ourequipment it was time to startworking, and everybody beganmaking sketches, watercolourpaintings or oil pastel recordings ofthe buildings, flora and scenery of theFinca and its surroundings. Theweather was beautiful, perhaps toohot at times, and we all made greatuse of the honesty bar (some peopledeveloping a gripping addiction toFanta Limon!). A lot of work wasdone on the first day and theenthusiasm and effort of the groupwere rewarded by Mr Burns, whomade us continue working well intothe late afternoon. Cheers, Sir.Anyway, we finally put down ourbrushes about five o’clock and had aquick dip in the pool before a lovelydinner in the Finca.

The next day we were up brightand early for breakfast and then tookthe jeeps to Canillas, a beautiful littlewhite village settled on the side of amountain. We got out at the top ofthe road at the church where theviews of the countryside were

stunning. Everybody began to makesketches of the architecture and thenarrow passageways which ambledpast each other down to the bottom ofthe road and into the village square.The white buildings in front of theblue sky and the shadows theyproduce provide perfect ammunitionfor any artist looking to capture theessence of Spanish life. It was herewhere we witnessed ‘Real Spain’: aslow old town that appears as thoughit slept through the twentieth century– legend has it that some oldsenoritas in Canillas have never seenthe seaside! The casual way of lifewas refreshing for a group of ladsfrom Manchester.

The afternoon was spent back atthe Finca with another fabulous mealprepared by Rene.

Wednesday saw the group travelback down the mountains intoMalaga. In the morning we visitedthe Alcazaba, a 14th Century Moorishfort, built on the crest of the city. Thebuilding was magnificent, and thearchitecture provided an alternativeobservation point to the commonwhite villages. The flora andvegetation in the castle were alsostunning, as were the breathtakingviews over the city – once valuablevantage points, the walkways on thewalls of the Alcazaba now enabletourists (and artists) to observe the

38

vast metropolis that is Malaga, fromthe hotels on the south west shore tothe community of tower blocksinland and to the east.

After having lunch in a tapas barand window shopping on the highstreet we carried on towards thePalacio de Buenavista, which housesthe collection of the Museo PicassoMalaga. Located in the heart of thecity, the building is a magnificentexample of 16th century Andalusianarchitecture – and the exhibitionsinside were wonderful. We followedthe chronological trail of Picasso’swork, and then visited the specialexhibition Moments and Gazes:Picasso as Seen by Otero, a vastdisplay of photographs of the famousartist, taken by his close friendRobert Otero. The photographsprovided an intimate insight into thelife and work of one of the mostfamous artists ever – we were allgrateful to have had the chance to seethis exhibition, as well as the other,more permanent displays in themuseum.

On Thursday we again weredriven into the wilderness by Gordonand Sue, and our destination was theFabrica de la Luz National Park. Weused the time to take sketches andpaintings of the natural beauty aroundus, and the fast stream provided agreat source for a quick pastelpainting. The dense woodlandaround us carried on for miles,increasing the sense of isolation; butafter a month of AS examinations, itwasn’t such a bad thing. Thepeaceful morning was capped with apicnic before we returned to the Fincain the afternoon to carry on our workthere.

Friday was our last day. All thatwas left to do after packing ourluggage was to display our work inthe studio for the other guests whowere staying at the Finca toobserve.When we had all finishedarranging our sheets and stood back,we surprised each other with thework we had done over the week – itwas a very good collective portfolioand all the guests were impressed.

We travelled back to Manchesterthat afternoon, after a very

resourceful week for the five A Levelartists, a great cultural experience(and a half-hearted art holiday) forme, and I’m sure Mr Burns and MissGore enjoyed it just as much as wedid too.

All the boys would like to thankMr Burns and Miss Gore forarranging the trip, and of courseGordon and Sue for their abundanthospitality.

David Taylor

39

AS FIELD COURSE TO SHROPSHIREThe aim of this vital trip for AS levelGeology to Shropshire was toreinforce all that we had been taughtduring our AS year at BGS. It beganwith an unexpected wait for a certainMr Andrew Lord, who thought itwasn’t worthwhile attending. Afterthis “no show” we embarked on a 2hour journey on the infamous “BigWhite Fun Bus”. We thought thatafter this we would arrive at theyouth hostel and relax; instead wedisembarked at the Stiperstones.There was a thick veil of cloud whichconcealed the extent of the walk tothe top of the ridge. Mysteriousshapes loomed out of the mist as weclimbed higher and higher. These“shapes” were our first geologicalsites – tors of hard quartzite,representing 400 million year oldbeaches. After this we visited anearby quirky tea room and ate localcakes.

Our second site of the dayinvolved a geological conundrum –was the Cordon Intrusion a dyke, sill,phaccolith or a loppolith? (Themysteries of geology!) This site alsotaught us that geology out in the fieldrequired a good level of fitness andappropriate footwear as we slid downsteep grassy slopes. Karl Simpsonstruggled the most, finding tractiondifficult in his slick, trendy trainers.On the way back to the BWFB (theBig White Fun Bus) Mr. Bishop tookus to see Mitchell’s Stone Circlewhere local Shropshire druids stillperform ceremonies at Halloweenand on the Midsummer solstice. TheNeolithic site was also shrouded in aspooky mist that added atmosphere.We were more than happy to return tothe BWFB.

After this we went to an old leadworks, where over 2,000 peopleworked as recently as 75 years ago.Nowadays there are only a few localkids on mountain bikes andgeologists like ourselves. Themountain bikers’ attempts atintimidating Mr. Bradley by doingpathetic stunts in front of him wereparticularly amusing. From here weat last proceeded to the youth hostel.

Bridges Youth Hostel was actuallynot as bad as expected; all the ladstucked into fish and chips with mushypeas. After this we returned to theroom, where we listened to music andplayed poker with Connect 4 chips.Throughout this Jack Campbell

insisted on overplaying Dave Pearceand his classic trance anthems.

The next day we headed toMortimer Forest where we followedthe world-famous geological trail.The mysteries of the Silurian wereunravelled. In a nearby stream wewere given an incentive to look fortrilobites, as the person with the bestreceived a Mars bar. This wasclaimed by Aron Kirsh for his “find”,a complete trilobite cephalon(trilobite head for the non-geologist!).From here the BWFB proceeded totake us to the Onny Valley Trail. Thewalk started at a nice leisurely pace,but as the boys tired we sloweddown. The geological significance ofthe trail is that it is a walk throughtime, in fact 60 million years of theOrdovician. Mr. Bishop gave usmore geological mysteries to solve.For lunch we continued to thehistorical market town of Ludlowwhere we had more chips, eventhough there was a Michelin starredrestaurant. However, Karl reckonedthat the chips were the best that hehad ever had. Lewis and Aronbought recorders to annoy the rest ofthe group and busk in the streets ofLudlow. Lordy was sadly not here towatch us busk, as he thought it wasnot worth it.

Later in the day we went to see aneccentric woman who had built ageological museum in her farmhouse. Her enthusiasm for the localgeology and environment wasadmirable and we appreciated herefforts to teach us about the area,particularly as it was free! Oppositethe farm house we walked up a largehill to gain fantastic views of thewhole of Shropshire. On the waydown, the rugby lads, Karl and Chris,decided to spear tackle Lewis to thefloor for no apparent reason. Lewissustained no injuries, but he wascovered in sheep droppings. Wefinally headed back to the youthhostel for dinner. We had green pastaand tomato sauce.

That evening, since there was nophone signal, radio signal, ortelevision, we decided to climb a verylarge hill in an attempt to find aphone signal. An hour and a halflater we returned, having got lost inthe pitch black. This part ofShropshire does not even have streetlighting.

The next day we eventually

arrived at Ercall Quarry (the Wrekin)after Mr. Bishop’s exceedingly slowdriving. We walked along the traillooking at 200 million years of earthhistory and one of the most obviousunconformities that can be seen in theUK. Mr. Bishop boasted that he onlytook us to the very best sites on hisgeology tours. We sketched variousrock faces and solved theenvironment of deposition mystery ofthe rock.

The trusty Fun Bus took us to IronBridge Gorge (the first iron bridge tobe built in the world). Mr. Bradleygave an impromptu lecture on thehistory of coal mining in the area andon the construction of the bridge. Hisability to make up accurate andenthralling stories will be missed nextyear when the students of Rossall willbe the fortunate audience. He will ofcourse repeat the same stories and noone will know!

At the end of this we headedhome. The trip had drainedeveryone’s energy and all the boyscaught up on some much-neededsleep.

Overall the trip taught us the mostvaluable field work examples neededfor the exam, and gave us a realinsight into what we had learnt inclass. The trip was also fun and wetook away some good memories.Finally, we wish to thank Mr. Bishopand Mr. Bradley. We would also liketo wish Mr. Bradley well in the futureand thank him for all that he has doneto make our first year of geology soenjoyable. (We honestly do find hisstories interesting and, mostly,believable.)

Lewis Mervin and the rest of theGeology set 2008

40

Köln AustauschDuring October last year, 19 boys and girls from BGS tookpart in what is now one of the longest running exchanges ofits kind in Europe, that between our school and the Köln-Deutz Gymnasium in Cologne. The exchange gives pupilsthe chance to meet real live Germans in a safe, controlledenvironment.

This year it was Bury’s turn to host the exchange. TheGermans arrived at Manchester Airport in the earlyevening, but, owing to the speed of Manchester’s famouslyslow baggage handlers, they appeared as shadowy figuresbehind a screen of frosted glass. Each time the doorsopened, many of the younger boys took in a sharp breath,in the hope that they would not be landed with the socialrecluse of the group.

Many of us had met our exchange partners the yearbefore while we were in Cologne, and were thereforefeeling somewhat smug. The fears were soon laid to rest,and some of the 6th and 7th formers decided to take theGermans out for a typical English meal – naturally we wentto the local Italian restaurant.

The weekend was left to us. We had to plan activitiesto keep the German guests entertained and engaged for theSaturday and Sunday. On Saturday we went and watchedManchester City play a distinctly uninspiring game offootball which saw City lose 2-0. That evening was thenight of the Rugby World Cup Final, and so most of thegroup met up again at the pub to watch it – none of us hadreally considered the fact that the Germans would be totallybemused by a game foreign to most of them, whichseemingly consists of two opposing groups of men fightingto gain control of an over-sized egg.

Sunday brought with it a game of Laser Quest. Aftermuch deliberation amongst the English, it was deemed “nottasteless” to have a game between England and Germany inwhich two opposing factions fire at each other ruthlesslywith laser rifles. On the English side, such entertainingnames as “I.P.Daily” were chosen, whereas on the Germanside somewhat more worryingly one of the team memberssuggested that he would call himself “Adolf”, and anotherone “Heinrich”. Naturally England won.

Thankfully, the week was planned out for us. AltonTowers, a trip to Manchester and a visit to the Mayor ofBury were all pencilled in for the Germans and theirEnglish counterparts. The trip to Alton Towers wasenjoyed by all, and it was particularly entertaining to seethat my exchange partner, a six-foot-something stone-facedbloke, was in fact scared of roller-coasters. The trip toManchester allowed us to meet up with Mr Ellison(formerly of BGS fame) for a guided tour – which took insuch sights as China Town, Cathedral Gardens, Chetham’sSchool of Music and the Royal Exchange Theatre. Thiswas followed by an afternoon’s shopping and to my delighta small group of us ventured to Harvey Nichols, even ifmost of the entertainment was provided by ChristopherParsons’ facial expressions every time he read a price tag.

And naturally the exchange would not be the same

without the traditional football match between the twonations. The match, like the one of the previous year, wasincredibly close, and the German English teacher, Herr vanDeest, had apparently promised their headmaster that theywould return triumphant. However this was not to be.Thanks to a stunning performance by Scott Mody, ChrisParsons’ inspiring team talks, and, indeed my ownineptitude, the BGS team won 4-3. Needless to say Herrvan Deest was left visibly shaken.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all ofthose involved in this year’s exchange, not least themembers of staff who organised and helped run it – MrLee, Mrs Livesey, Mr Boyd, Mr Joyce and indeed MrEllison for the tour. Many of the students will be returningto Cologne in October 2008 for the return leg of what hasonce again been a memorable exchange.

John Greenwood

41

DIJON EXCHANGEWhen the group of 18 BGS studentswas waiting at Bury Interchange fortheir French correspondents it waswith a certain amount of trepidation.In most cases this was unwarranted.The French students were to spend aweek in England – staying withEnglish host families, spending timein school and visiting regionalhighlights. After a week’s respite theEnglish students would then go toDijon and spend a week samplingFrench life.

After an evening getting to knowour correspondents, the next morningwas spent in lessons: we can onlyapologise to those correspondentswho were put through the ordeal thatis triple maths. In the afternoon theFrench were pencilled in to meet theMayor of Bury at the Town Hall, onlyto be stood up as the Mayor wasdelayed. Nonetheless, high spiritswere restored that evening when weall went to a comedy night at The Metin Bury; several local comedians hada field day, alert to the fact that a highproportion of the audience wasforeign.

Friday’s daytrip to Manchesterallowed the French students to seeBury Interchange in its full daytimeglory, before visiting Urbis and theImperial War Museum. Thisprovided ample opportunity for theFrench to pick up some usefulEnglish expressions with reference toUrbis’ modern art collection.

Most of Saturday was spent enmasse looking round Manchester,while most people went on a trip toYork or Blackpool with their familieson the Sunday. One French studentparticularly excelled himself thisweekend. Suspicions were raised asto his state of mind when he listedDIY and Lego as two of his interestsand these entirely well-founded fearswere only increased by Valentin’spurchase – a fully functioning replicamediaeval crossbow. When asked,quite understandably, why he boughtthis, the answer was, “To shoot zeebirds which keep me awake at night,”and, “I don’t have enough money tobuy a sword.”

The remaining two days of thehome-leg of the exchange were spent

in Liverpool, the European Capital ofCulture, and then back in school. Ashosts, we all took our correspondentsout for dinner together for traditionalEnglish cuisine – curry – to thankthem for what was an entertaining ifbizarre week, before their return toFrance.

Most were eagerly anticipating thereturn-leg of the exchange, but I feelanticlimax is the only way to describethe excursions organised by theFrench. They took us to a cheesefactory which was predictably smelly;the clock museum in snowyBesancon apparently used to haveinteresting things but they’ve gonenow; while the glorified pond, whichthey claimed to be the source of theRiver Seine, was interesting only forthat single fact. Not only were theyall bereft of entertainment, but theywere also remarkably far apart fromeach other. Luckily Valentin’s regularantics kept everyone well amused onthe long coach journeys between eachof these cultural hotspots.

Friday morning was spent inlessons at the imaginatively titledLycée Charles de Gaulle. Lessonsincluded French, which was relativelyinteresting and well-taught, andChemistry which was chaotic as theteacher seemed unaware that only onemember of the class was listening toher. The two hour duration of theselessons was yet another thing whichmade all the English students realisethat BGS isn’t so bad after all! Wespent the afternoon in Dijon, whichturned out to be a picturesque citywith a range of attractions such as aminiature Arc de Triomphe. Thatevening there was a mostlycommunal trip to the cinema, apartfrom the people staying with Frenchboarders who were locked into theLycée after lessons finished at 6!

All bar one of us, who had clearlydrawn the short straw in hiscorrespondent, Pierre-Marie, went toParis on Saturday. Pierre-Marie, whowasn’t the most dynamic traveller,having left both passport and wallet athome before coming to England,preferred to stay put and watch thelowly Dijon FC cruise to a 1-0 defeat.Meanwhile in Paris, Anglo-French

relations reached an all-time low afteronly one hour in the capital.Unhappy with ‘Tour-Clémétine’, theEnglish students split from theFrench, preferring the well-culturedand more flexible ‘Tour-Ciaran’.Visits to the Eiffel Tower, Louvre andMusée D’Orsay were definitely thehighlight of the exchange. We not somuch drove as rattled our way backto Dijon in a double-decker trainwhich wouldn’t be out of place in anantique shop. This wasindeterminably long though usefulinsight into French political culturewas gained as we watched a drunkenracaille’s description of how much headored Monsieur Sarkozy.

The remaining two days werespent en famille. Despite nearlyeveryone paying a visit to theHospices de Beaune, bad luck musthave been fated as no one managed tomeet a fellow Englishman at thissocial hub. The Easter weekend ofspeaking non-stop French washowever great for all our languageskills. When we finally had to leaveour French correspondents for the lasttime it was with differing degrees ofremorse, ranging from sheer elationto be back on a train to ‘civilisation’to sadness marked by chocolates anda single rose. Some were just lookingforward to playing the familiar ProEvo football rather than thecontinentally preferred FIFA game.

Although the trip definitely had itsups and downs, the French exchangewas a greatly enjoyable and almostcertainly unique experience; hostfamilies were pleasant and we werecertainly well fed. There were realcharacters among the French studentsand this provided plentiful banter andhelped to both widen our Frenchvocabulary and improve fluency ofspeech. We would particularly like tothank Mr. Kendall for organising hislast exchange before his retirement.

Richard Chew & Andrew Hoyle

42

As part of the Ogden partnership the “Lab in a Lorry”project visited BGSB in April. All 91 boys in the thirdyear participated in the event and took part in two out ofthree experiments.

Experiment 1: Resonant wine glass In this experiment the boys used vibrations of sound to tryand get a wine glass to resonate so violently that it couldshatter! We all have in mind the “mythic” image of anopera singer breaking the glass. This famous experimentis actually very challenging to recreate in a lab – but whatis even better than breaking the glass is what happens to itas you illuminate it with a strobe light (the very fastflashing lights used in nightclubs). The strobe effectivelyreveals that the glass is changing shape, so the circle of thetop of the glass becomes slightly deformed and the glassappears to wobble like a clay pot on a potter’s wheel!People don’t expect glass to flex in this way as it seems avery solid and brittle material.

Experiment 2: The reluctant oil well experimentThis experiment let the boys discover how one gets oil outof the ground. Certain types of oil are a really thick,viscous fluid that rarely spurts out of the ground the way itdoes in the movies! Most of the oil collected is pumpedout from tiny pores in the rock. To push the oil out youneed to pump gas or a thinner fluid in. In real life watercan be used to push oil out of the rock. In this experimentstudents are recreating this oil extraction using air as waterand bright green glycerol as oil. The students have todiscover the most efficient method of getting the most oilout in the least time. The oil well used on the lorry is a 2-dimensional model called a Hele-Shaw cell. The studentsalso have great fun exploring fractal patterns and thebehaviour of air bubbles floating up through the gloopyglycerol.

Experiment 3: The scattering experimentStudents were able to recreate their own mini blue-skyeffect right inside the lorry! Using ordinary DettolTM inwater to mimic the particles in the atmosphere, light isshone through a tube to show why the sky is blue andsunsets are red. By adding fructose (a type of sugar) to themix the light gets twisted by different amounts up the tube,resulting in a beautiful 3D spiral rainbow.

The event was a great success, supported by Scienceteaching staff and Science technicians, and enjoyed by allboys who participated.

R N Marshall

BOLTON BOOK AWARD

43

FIFTH FORM CLASSICS TRIP TO LONDONThe Classics Department set off forits usual trip to the big city at the endof the Spring Term. We hoped for theusual clement weather and we werenot disappointed, although it was alittle colder than it was last year.

Boys and staff assembled atPiccadilly Station at a reasonablehour of the morning and, surprisingly,we were all on time. The trainjourney turned out to be rather morestressful than usual, as Virgin Trainsseemed to have reserved each seat formore than one person; this resulted ina first half hour which felt likemusical chairs and a few disgruntledpassengers. Eventually we allmanaged to secure ourselves seats,but it was a less than auspiciousbeginning and the omens proved to beonly too accurate later that day.

Having arrived at Euston, wemade our way on foot to the BritishMuseum for our experience of allthings classical: the Elgin Marbles,the Greek vase collection, the Romangalleries and the coffee shop! We hadenlisted the help of the R.S. andHistory departments: Mr Hone was

doing his great impression of amuseum guide in the Roman galleriesand Mr Stacey was circulating tomake sure all students were in theright place at the right time (though Isuspect he spent a little time in theBuddhist galleries too). I hope therewas some infusion of awareness ofGreek sculpture, Black and Red-Figure vase painting, and Romaneveryday life by the time the boyshad finished their carousel.

A relaxing lunch under thecolonnade of the BM followed andthen another walk to the NationalGallery. Here the theme was classicalinfluence in art: we looked at Titian’sBacchus and Ariadne, Leonardo’sVirgin of the Rocks and Botticelli’sMars and Venus. The boys wereallowed to wander at leisure after theformal part of the tour and manyseemed to enjoy the wealth of arttreasures in this stunning gallery.

We always leave time for a morepopular London experience at the endof this tour and so, as is our wont,headed to Covent Garden for ourevening meal. The street magicians

and shops there provided enoughentertainment to keep most of ournumber happy for an hour or so.

We all arrived safely back atEuston and I was about to breathethat sigh of relief which is customaryfor any teacher when the head counton the train home reveals the rightnumber of bodies, but – rememberthose omens – while my back wasturned for five minutes I lost thewhole party: they had boarded thewrong train! I managed to find themand – in true Hollywood style – gotthem off the wrong train and onto theright one in the nick of time. I thinkwe did have about thirty seconds tospare! However, in the words of thegreat bard, ‘All’s well that ends well’,and it did. Thanks to all concernedfor another good trip – the trainadventures notwithstanding!

JH

BOLTON BOOK AWARDThe 16 boys from 2LG who took part in the Bolton BookAward were quite disappointed by the judges’ decision togive the prize to Derek Landy for Skulduggery, when theyfound out the result on Monday 23rd June. Theoverwhelming winner, as far as our boys were concerned,was Jill Hucklesby’s Deeper than Blue, which romped to a12-4 victory over its nearest rival, The Black Book ofSecrets by F.E. Higgins.

Over the course of the Bolton Book Award the boyshad completed several activities to help them make theirdecision: designing new book covers for the short-listednovels, making book marks, writing reviews andcompleting assessment sheets, which allowed them to giveindividual feedback on the novels to the authorsthemselves.

Six of the boys were also given the opportunity toattend an afternoon session at Bolton University, wherefour of the authors read from their works and gave us aninsight into their creations. The highlight of the afternoonfor all involved, including the other authors, was CatWeatherill’s performance of a chapter from her novel. Amember of the Society of Storytellers, she quite simplycaptivated everyone with her animated antics and her deftwordplay, at times scaring the audience and at others

drawing them into her fantasy world with whispers andwhimsy. If there had been a prize for reading, she wouldhave won it. She proved that reading, and listening toothers read, is anything but boring.

AJM

44

The Excitement of ScienceOn the 24th of June, four members ofthe fourth form (Stephen Cass, JoshuaHilton, Jake Neary and JamesSchilfer), accompanied by MrDavidson, took part in the 2008Excitement of Science lectures at theRoyal Institution in London’s Mayfairdistrict.

In order to get to London for themorning lecture (and to avoid theworst of the rush hour traffic) theboys had to meet up with studentsfrom other local schools at BuryCentral Library at four a.m. and thengrab whatever sleep they could on thetrip south.

Whilst at the Royal Institution(originally established by HenryCavendish and made famous by theChristmas lectures of MichaelFarraday) the boys were treated to anexplosive presentation about‘Chemistry and Life’ by Dr John P.

Kilcoyne (famous to many as the Fizzor Bang Man from Sky TV’s BrainiacScience Abuse series).

Dr Kilcoyne kept everyoneenthralled and awaiting the next bang,fizz, whop or crash as hedemonstrated a series of reactions thatwere not for the faint-hearted. It washard to believe that he had been onstage for nearly two hours when hefinally brought his talk to an end. Inits long history the Institution canseldom have witnessed such a well-received talk.

After lunch the pupils wereengaged in two lectures on the maintheme of the day, ‘The Excitement ofMarine Science’, delivered by Dr KenCollins and Dr Simon Boxall ofSouthampton University.

These two lectures covered thework of both marine biologists andocean climatologists and provided

thought-provoking insights into howtheir research is being used by thosetrying to gain a greater insight intothe effects of global warming andclimate change.

After a few minutes posing forphotographs (Mr Davidson mainly)the Bury students were back in theirbus and heading North again.

Detours created by a Bon Joviconcert in the Midlands ensured thatit was after ten before the bus reachedits final destination back at BuryCentral Library, but the experienceand the opportunity to savour thehistory of the Royal Institution hadbeen worth the time on the road.

Many thanks must go to the BuryRotary Club who paid for andarranged the transport, refreshmentsand lectures and we look forward tobeing involved again next year.

CD

BOLTON BUSINESS SCHOOL ANGELS ANDDRAGONS COMPETITION

On Wednesday 11th June a BGS team, consisting ofWilliam Leach, Jo Dunleavy, Azar Khan, Alex Lau,Tom Bower and Mark Ghobrial, took part in the firstheat of the Bolton Business School Angels andDragons Competition, based on the T.V. programmeDragons’ Den. They had three hours to produce apowerpoint presentation lasting ten minutes. Theirtask was to persuade the ‘Dragons’ to invest in abusiness involved in house building, open cast miningand commercial property rental. The most challenging

part was fielding questions from the judges after thepresentation.

The Dragons – a solicitor, a bank manager, anaccountant and a university lecturer – were clearlyimpressed by the BGS team which beat off stiffcompetition from Withington Girls’ School and BoltonSchool. The Dragons particularly appreciated theteam work and quick thinking of the BGS students.

MJC

Salters’ Festivals of ChemistryLast May Tom Pickersgill, NishanGhoshal, Elliot Fairclough andCasper Hobhouse took part in theSalters’ Festivals of Chemistry, whichwas hosted this year by LiverpoolJohn Moores University.

The purpose of this event is toraise the profile of Chemistry andencourage bright young people toconsider studying what is withoutdoubt one of the most sought-afterqualifications, but also the mostexpensive of university departments

to fund. It is not unusual forundergraduates to work routinelywith equipment worth hundreds ofthousands of pounds. For this reasonmany university departments in theUK are under threat.

The boys had the opportunity towork closely as a team in order tosolve problems posed by theuniversity staff. The standard oftheir forensic science writtensubmission was clear and concise andthis secured them a highly creditable

third place in the Salters’ challenge.The boys have therefore securedfunding for more books for the LRC.

The boys thoroughly enjoyedthemselves and have benefitedenormously from having participatedin this nationally recognized andhugely popular event.

DPC

45

Year 5 Taster Day - ScienceMonday 30th June and Tuesday 1st July saw 145 keenyear 5 pupils from local primary schools visit BGSB totake part in Science Taster Day. Led by all ten members ofthe Science Departments and ably assisted by Lower SixthForm students, pupils were engaged in practical activitiesin all three scientific disciplines.

In Biology, boys became microbiologists, investigatingmicroorganisms found in puddles and rain water. Boyswere amazed when some of the bigger 'beasts' made anappearance under the electronic microscope, linked to ourdigital projector.

There was also a chance to meet Watson and Crick, theguinea pigs, not the eminent scientists. Watson and Crickliked one boy so much, that they even made him lunch!

In Chemistry, pupils explored the link betweenastronauts on a space walk and babies by investigating adesigner chemical used to make an item of clothing thatboth would wear: a nappy. Pupils explored how effectivelythe chemical found in nappies absorbed water [not urine!]

and assessed how suitable this designer chemical was atdoing its job.

The boys then all had the opportunity to make and playwith slime, experimenting with its properties and itslimitations.

In Physics boys investigated speed and momentum,calibrating a gently sloping track to ‘fire’ a steel ballbearing at a target. The boys enjoyed the competitiveelement of the task and some even hit the bullseye!

I am extremely grateful to Science teaching staff fortheir enthusiasm and energy over these two days. I mustalso thank Mrs Bailey, Mrs Grearson and Mr Marshall(Senior!), who prepared and refreshed the equipment overboth days and without whom the entire event wouldsimply not be possible.

RN Marshall

46

Buddhist ConferenceYour starter for 10: Can truehappiness ever be attained?

If this is the kind of question thatexcites your curiosity then you wouldhave blended in well with around 100sixth and seventh form students in themain hall of the Boys’ School onFriday, 23 November. The event wasa conference on Buddhism, designedto motivate and inform their studiesof the subject at A Level. Studentsarrived from as far afield asDerbyshire and were treated to a dayof stimulating lectures amidst anatmosphere of friendly rivalry, asgroups were invited to come up withresponses to some of life’s mostperplexing issues.

None of this was out of theordinary for our visiting speakers, allof whom are practising Buddhists andexperienced lecturers on the subject.Munisha, who works as EducationOfficer representing the Clear VisionTrust, based at the Manchester

Buddhist Centre on Turner Street, ledthe day. She introduced us to three ofher associates, who gave talks onmajor aspects of the Buddhist A Levelsyllabus. Nagapriya (who alsolectures at Manchester University)opened the day by speaking about thesimilarities and differences betweenTheravada and Mahayana Buddhism.After morning break, Ratnaguna led aworkshop on the Three Marks ofExistence, whilst the afternoonsession was conducted by WendyRidley, of the Jamyang BuddhistCentre in Leeds, who spoke about thechief features of the Buddhist Sangha,or Community.

The emphasis throughout was oninteractivity and the studentsresponded enthusiastically to themany opportunities for participation.On more than one occasion, ourvisitors were taken aback by thedepth of the questions with whichthey had to deal. Happily, they rose

admirably to the challenge andeveryone concerned ended the dayfeeling that it had been wellworthwhile.

Our guests were impressed by thequality of the facilities at theirdisposal and were able to make gooduse of their multi-mediapresentations. Needless to say, IanLangley, our hard-working cateringmanager, did us proud with break andlunch arrangements. A word of praiseis also in order for our caretakers,John and Brendan, who were keen toensure that everything in the hall wasarranged to suit our particular needs.Talk of possible future events isalready underway.

ALS

Ogden TrustSeventeen boys from the third formwere the guests of the OgdenFoundation at Spaceport inMerseyside.

The boys teamed up with studentsfrom four other local schools as theymade their way around theexhibitions and interactivedemonstrations.

Opinions were split as towhether the highlight of the visit wasthe Day in the life of an AstronautIMAX cinema presentation or themotion simulator Journey through theSolar System.

After an iconic ferry across theMersey the boys returned to lessexotic Bury.

Mr Davidson would like toexpress his thanks to the boys whorepresented the School and also toMrs Gill and the staff whoaccompanied them.

CD

Chem QuizOn Tuesday 18th March, Miss Martintook Nishan Ghoshal 2LC, JamesAndrew 3LF, Stephen Fielden 4LBand Ethan Clough 5UD toManchester Metropolitan Universityto take part in the annual Chem Quiz,sponsored by the Royal Society ofChemistry and CIMA.

The day comprised threeactivities: multimedia, lab exerciseand a quiz. Completion of eachactivity required all four boys to workwell together as a team and answerthe various tasks and problems

presented to them. Each activity wasmarked and at the end of the day thescores for all three activities werecollated.

Prizes were awarded to the threeschools with the highest overallscores, as well as to the best threescores in the individual activities. Atotal of 40 schools took part in thecompetition and our boys managed toachieve a very respectable 4th placeoverall, missing out on a higherranking by relatively few marks.They were also awarded the runners

up prize for the multimedia activity.Well done to all who took part and

thank you to Miss Martin (now MrsShan) for supervising the visit.

R N Marshall

47

Inaugural Science Christmas Lecture

Thursday 7th December saw the firstInaugural Science Christmas Lecture,led this year by a company calledScience Made Simple. Science MadeSimple, as the name suggests, is acompany that enjoys explaining thecomplexities of science to a wideraudience, aiming to inspire the nextgeneration of scientists. Thedemonstration entitled “Music to yourears” was led by Becky Holmes. ascience communicator from ScienceMade Simple, who had actuallydelivered this demonstration on anational and international level priorto visiting Bury Grammar SchoolBoys.

During the day there was anopportunity for pupils from the JuniorSchool, BGSG and our own first andsecond years to preview the eveningdemonstration as part of the Ogdenpartnership. It was testament toBecky Holmes and the quality of thedemonstration itself that many ofthose who attended during the dayalso made up some of the 120 strongaudience who braved the torrentialrain to attended that evening.

The evening lecture was enjoyedby parents, staff and boys whoattended and it was nice to see bothboys and parents participating atevery opportunity. The eveningfinished with an excellent vote ofthanks by 7th form student JohnGreenwood and seasonalrefreshments provided by the ParentsAssociation.

Overall an outstandingdemonstration and a very enjoyableevening that has set the bar high fornext year’s lecture.

Thank you to everyone whosupported the event.

R N Marshall

49

2007-8 was a busy year as alwaysfor the Music department.Prizegiving at Victoria Hall saw thesenior brass quartet starting theproceedings in the Walker Suite,playing to the evening’s specialguests before the dance orchestrapreceded the events in the main hallwith three items including Valero,arranged by 7th former MarkHarrison. During the evening theaudience was regaled with MrBenger’s Slavonic Dance played bythe senior orchestra, the choirsinging two American songs and theconcert band performing WonderfulWorld and a medley of Queen songs.

For the Christmas concerts inBury Parish Church we were joinedonce again by BGSG for twoevenings of secular and sacredmusic with a cast of over 120 pupils.The highlight of the evenings wasthe joint choir and orchestraperforming Vaughan Williams’Fantasia on Christmas Carols.Other items included music fromconcert band, dance orchestra andvarious smaller groups. Theaudience carols were sung with theusual gusto and the nights wererounded off with spirited renditionsof We Wish You a Merry Christmas,mulled wine and mince pies.

The Music department moved enmasse once again on Friday 7thMarch to present the lunchtimeconcert. A scintillating eventincluded a very high standard ofsolo items from boys in the 5th, 6thand 7th years and music from thebrass quartet, string ensemble, brassensemble, sax quartet and danceorchestra. The concert was verywell received by a good andknowledgeable audience. The mainevent of the spring term was LesMiserables, about which a report iswritten elsewhere.

The new venture in the summerterm was a concert of winners andrunners-up from the House MusicCompetition, with 24 boys from allyears providing an excellentevening’s entertainment. This was achance for many to play solo infront of an audience for the firsttime and once again the standardwas very high.

My thanks to all those pupils andstaff who continue to make theSchool resound to the sound ofmusic.

CNJH

MusicMusic

On 27th July 2008, 17 boys and four teachers met atschool for the start of the World Challenge expedition toMongolia. This trip had been planned for over a year anda half and every challenger had raised over £3000 in orderto be a part of it. It didn’t disappoint...

After flights to Beijing and then on to Ulaan Bataar,the capital of Mongolia, the group split up into two teamswhich each went its separate ways…

Firstly, both teams worked on projects in and aroundUlaan Bataar…

My team worked on the Verbist Care Centre summercamp. This involved living with and helping the sixtyorphaned children who were there, including smashing upwood for their cooking fires and working on theirenormous potato patch! The humility and joy we feltinteracting so closely with such unprivileged but won-derful people was one of the highlights of the entire trip.

“Our time at the Verbist Centre really brought home tome the fact that you can always be happy, no matter yoursituation”

The other team also worked on a summer camp, thisone linked to the Christina Noble Foundation in the verypoor suburbs of UB. They entertained the children with avariety of physical challenges. One of these, the self-explanatory “pull up competition”, remained a firmfavourite throughout the trip. The team was so moved bytheir experience that they gave $900 of their own moneyto buy and erect a new ger (the traditional Mongolian feltdwelling) for the camp.

After the projects, the teams set out on their respectivetreks. This phase was the core of the expedition andprovided everyone with a number of unforgettableexperiences…

My team went north to Khovsgol Nuur, the deepestlake in Central Asia. It took a full two days to get there onsome of the worst roads any of us are ever likely to see.The absence of tarmac was bad enough; the unsuitabilityof our steadily disintegrating minibus compounded the

50

The Experience

“Our time at the Verbist Centre reallybrought home to me the fact that youcan always be happy, no matter yoursituation”

“The opportunity withwhich we werepresented showed us aglimpse into the societyof a country a worldapart from our own. Yetdespite the differencesin lifestyle, I havenever seen such levelsof generosity and theyshowed to all themembers of our grouphow kindness can crossany boundaries oflanguage.”

51

problem! Our trek involved five days on horse back andfour days on foot. Without a doubt, galloping full tiltacross the Mongolia steppe is an experience that will livewith us all forever. We were all stunned by the self-sufficiency and generosity of our Mongolian guides: theymade the most of their very limited means and had us allfeeling incredibly spoiled and rather foolish when it wasour turn to chop wood for the fire! Particularly memorablewere the two occasions on which they slaughtered andbutchered a sheep, and then threw the liver fresh onto thefire for a quick and surprisingly delicious snack! Thatreally taught us where our meat comes from!

The other team went off into the drier centralMongolia. They also had a number of unforgettable dayson horseback, despite the discomfort of the traditionalwooden Mongolian saddles. To give themselves an extrachallenge, they completed the foot trek with their fullrucksacks, rather than walking with just their day sacks.The end result for many of them was an essential trip to amassage parlour after the trek to get their backs sortedout! They were also very fortunate to witness a traditionalNaadaam festival whilst on trek and had the opportunity tobrand a horse!

After the treks, the two teams reunited in UB and had afew days of rest and relaxation. We all then flew back toBeijing for a spectacular final two days: we visited theForbidden City, took a day trip out to the Great Wall ofChina and were out on the streets with the rest of thepeople in Beijing to enjoy the fireworks of the Olympicclosing ceremony!

The trip taught us so much about different cultures andabout ourselves. The incredible experiences we sharedhave helped to forge very strong friendships between allof us who went. By the end of the trip we were allexhausted but could each say without risk of over-exaggeration that it was the best month any of us had everhad!

Nico Hobhouse

Of a Lifetime ...

“An amazing and eyeopening experiencewhich has helped me toappreciate the nicetiesin life much more.”

“I got to do things Iwould've never done inEngland and willprobably never doagain!”

This year’s joint production with theGirls’ School would be AlainBoubil’s and Claude-MichelSchonberg’s musical Les Misérables,based on the book by Victor Hugo. Itwas one of the largest musicalsperformed in the last few years. Witha cast of almost 70, Les Misérablesprovided a massive success. Set inearly 19th century France, itdescribes the struggling times tosurvive and the student uprising ledby Enjolras that is eventually crushedafter a long fight on the barricades.Another key storyline in the musicalis the rivalry between Jean Valjeanand the policeman, Javert. Thisclimaxes in Javert committing suicideafter a lifetime of chasing his bitterrival. Robbie Hernandez playedMarius who had the romatic role ofthe lover of Cosette, a girl givenaway at an early age by her mother,Fantine.

Rehearsals had begun right fromthe first week in September andwould lead to the culmination ofmonths of hard work in mid-March

over four nights. There was a goodnumber of representatives from theBoys’ School in large roles. JohnFindon starred as Jean Valjean, anescaped convict who had been part ofthe infamous chain gang. Valjeandecided to start his life anew afterhearing the humbling words of theBishop of Digne. Mark Harrisonexpertly portrayed Valjean’s constanttorment, the policeman Javert.

Many well known musicalnumbers featured. Stunning soloswere sung by Liz Hampson (Fantine),John Findon (Jean Valjean), MarkHarrison (Javert), Alexander Cohenand Ellen Shaw (Monsieur andMadame Thénardier), Sam Patchick(Eponine), Liz Cunliffe (Cosette),Robbie Hernandez (Marius) andDaniel Livesey (Enjolras). Otherimportant parts played by boysincluded Christopher Parsons (Bishopof Digne and Prouvaire), Alex Benn(Policeman and Sailor) and JontyRigby (Pimp). Christopher and Alexnot only performed on the stage butalso in the band.

The band was also an integral partof proceedings, supplying theaccompaniment to the singing. Ledunder the experienced hand of MissBritton, a 20 strong group, includingMr Stacey, Mr Hyde and Mr Castell,performed exceptionally well. Theywere positioned at the back of thestage, surrounded by the wonderfulscenery that had been brought inespecially for this production. Overthe four nights the Roger Kay Hallwas transformed into a theatrecontaining around 200 tiered seats, ofwhich all 200 sold out within thespace of 30 minutes for all fournights. A professional lighting andsound company was used to furtherenhance the professional nature ofthis performance.

Not only were the singers and theband instrumental in the smoothrunning of the show; a specialmention and thank you must be madeto all the stage crew and make-upteams. Without their excellentplanning, the performance would nothave been as good.

The final night was ratheremotional for all, as we realised itwas over and all our hard work andpractice had triumphed in producingwhat many have described as a‘professional performance’. Thankswere given on the night to theteachers involved, but I would liketo thank them again. Mrs Hammond

was a wonderful director and MissBritton, Mr Hyde and Mr Castellwere excellent on the musical front ofthe production. We now lookforward to beginning this year ’smusical, The Sound of Music, whichwe hope to make even more of asuccess than Les Misérables.

Christopher Parsons

52

The Clavian

Art and Literary

Competitions

53

The Clavian

Art and Literary

Competitions

54

The Junior School Literary Competition had the title “Hot Air Balloon”;for the Art Competition the boys were asked to paint a water colour picture.

The Senior School Art Competition title was “The Great Outdoors”; that for theSenior Literary Competition was “Time”

Left:Saleem Raza, Transitus I Navy,Winner of the Lower Junior School ArtCompetition

Below:Casey Brown, Introitus Orange,Runner-up of the Lower Junior SchoolArt Competition

55

Above:Haider Ashfaq, Transitus I Navy,

Runner-up of the Lower Junior SchoolArt Competition

Right:Ben Crofts, Transitus I Navy,

Runner-up of the Lower Junior SchoolArt Competition

56

Above:Josef Langwieser, Transitus II Jade,Winner of the Upper Junior School Art Competition

Below:Jordan Miller, Transitus II Jade,Runner-up of the Upper Junior School Art Competition

57

Above:Tom Gorton, Exitus Burgundy,Runner-up of the Upper Junior School Art Competition Below:

Shawe Labrianidis, Exitus BurgundyRunner-up of the Upper Junior School Art Competition

58

First Year Art

M. Bates, 1UK, Winner of the 1st Year Clavian Art Competition

59

W. Bolton, 1UQ, Runner-up of the 1st Year Clavian Art Competition

60

J. Hutchinson, 1UQ, 1st Year Clavian Art Competition

61

A. J. Rennie, 1UQ, 1st Year Clavian Art Competition

62

Z. Hamayoun, 1UI, 1st Year Clavian Art Competition

63

Second Year Art

H. Bearn, 2LI, Winner of the 2nd Year Clavian Art Competition

64

S. Whittaker, 2LC, Runner-up of the 2nd Year Clavian Art Competition

65

D. Porter, 2LA, 2nd Year Clavian Art Competition

66

B. Hardwick, 2LC, 2nd Year Clavian Art Competition

67

R. Picardo, 2LI, 2nd Year Clavian Art Competition

68

C. Beck, 2LA, 2nd Year Clavian Art Competition

69

This was the last time. It was the lasttime I would let customers in. It wasthe last time I would close the shop.It was the last time I would ever seetime pieces in such splendour and Iwas devastated. I was in pieces whenI’d heard that we had to close. Thisdusty, antique watch shop had beenmy home for the last seven years. Iwas not ready to let go. I let mymind wander as I drifted about thevarious passages separated bycounters. I thought back to how allthis could have been avoided.

I had of course heard the moneytroubles before. My Uncle Morris,who ran the shop on weekdays, hadhad trouble with the bank for months.“Too many people going digital,” heused to say. “Could break the wholeindustry.” One morning there wastalk with an accountant in his office.Well, it was more of a shout with anaccountant, after which he left,without even buying a watch.

My heart sank as I lifted the lastwatch off the shelf. To my surprise Ipulled my hand back. The watch wasfreezing. I looked around for whatmight have caused it, but foundnothing. I decided to show it to myUncle Morris in the morning. Thatnight I did not sleep easily.

Next morning the sun was shiningoutside. Out on lawns, children wereshouting as I walked past towardsMorris’ house. I checked the watchwas still in my pocket, then took itout and clicked it to change the time.There was silence. It seemed to melike the whole street had disappeared,but there were the people standingmotionless, halfway through washinga car or mowing a lawn. I keptwalking, trying not to look at thepeople. I met one on the walk toMorris’ house. He stared at me. Istared back, until I could bear it nolonger and shouted at him to ask whathe was doing. He stared onwards.There was clearly something goingon.

I decided that if I was goinganywhere, it was Morris’ house. Hewould know what was happening. Ihurriedly stumbled on up the street,not turning around. I turned thecorner up my Uncle’s drive to have

my fears confirmed. There wasMorris, motionless, dead, but notpale, behind the wheel of his car. Ifell to the floor, and realised I wasstill holding the watch. The time hadstopped.

Ben Trethewey, Winner of the SeniorSchool Third Year Literary

Competition

Literary Writing “Time”

S. Reynolds, 2LI, 2nd Year Clavian Art Competition

TIME

Time can fly like a soaring birdTime can slither like a slow, slimy

snailTime can give you limitationsTime can give you absolute freedomTime keeps moving, it never stopsBut time always moves steady never

too fast.Time can change across the worldBut time is always as sturdy as a rockTime can bring lots of changeTime can destroy a world or create a

new oneTime can heal a sick person’s woundsAnd time can rot a dead person into

soilWho knows what time has in store for

usWho knows what kind of changes it

will bringWho know whether it will be good or

bad But always remember, never forgetThat time will be as steady as a rockAnd nothing anyone can do will ever

make it go fast.

Nishan Ghoshal, Winner of theSenior School Second Year

Literary Competition

OH I WISH

Oh I wish to be free, not stuck doingsums. Up there is where I belong, butfor now I walk around with my feetfirmly on the ground. I want to growwings and fly or float in a hot air bal-loon forever, not to walk or run but tofly. Up there is a place of peace andsanity but down here is the war zoneof life and the never-ending battle ofliving. When you are on holiday youfeel free from work but sometime youwill have to go home but I wish to bein the sky forever. The pure freedom.Oh I Wish.

Adam Alwin, Exitus Scarlet, Winner of the Upper Junior School

Literary Competition

70

K. Irion, 1UK, 1st Year Clavian Art Competition

71

IT'S TIME

Time to love me or leave meTime to think and actNot time to pretend and play moregamesNot time to fake things you don'tfeel.Time to save the worldTime to score a goalNot time to sit downNot time to be depressed.Time, time, time,Time to fast forwardTime to rewindTime to get rid of all the bad thingsthat have happened.Time to sing to the worldTime to celebrate and clap handsTime to fill our hearts with joyTime to remember again and againthatTime can bring you loss or gain.

Matthew Buckley, 1LA, Winner of theSenior School First Year Literary

Competition

M. Fozdar, 1UI, 1st Year Clavian Art Competition

HOT AIR BALLOON

Amazing flyer,Going higher, Soft and round, Off the ground,Very light for its size,Slowly rising to the skies,But it eventually has to come down,And sometimes you leave it with a

frown,But do not go in dismay,You can come back some other day,That day will come very soon,Then you can go on the hot air

balloon!

John Morcos, Transitus I Navy,Runner-up of the Lower Junior

School Literary Competition

HOT AIR BALLOONS

Hot air balloons,Big or small,You can race with them, Or just travel along.

You can get them in colours,Like green, red and blue,With zig-zaggy patterns,And spirals too.

You can go with your friends,Or you can go on your own,It’s your choice if you wantTo wander alone.

You can go when it’s windy,You can go when it’s hot,But remember,Don’t let your balloon stop.

Go up, go up, Till you can’t go no more, Then gently, gently,Come down to the floor.

Sameer Sarfaz, Exitus Scarlet,Runner-up of the Upper JuniorSchool Literary Competition

72

Harris Alvi, 1UK, 1st Year Clavian Art Competition

73

THE AIR BALLOON THATWENT INTO SPACE

Our story starts with a balloon race.It was a beautiful day, lots of hot airballoons and people were gettingready for the race. They just startedand the balloons whizzed into the skyincluding me in my sporty redballoon. I was probably the fastest.After a while I looked down and waydown below me I saw the others. Isaid to myself, “I must be in thelead!” so I went to sleep.

When I woke up I felt like I wasgoing to faint. I was so scared myheart stopped. I saw the moon infront of me! Suddenly I saw theblack hole. I was going so fast theblack hole sucked my balloon in,with me.

It was black, creepy and allaround me. There was no way out,no escape; it was like hell! But then Irealised this is impossible, it must bea dream. So I closed my eyes andwhen I opened them I was floating ontop of the hole. So I directed myballoon back to earth and won therace.

Arif Khaliq, Introitus Gold,Winner of the Lower Junior School

Literary Competition

Jack D’Arcy, 2LC, 2nd Year Clavian Art Competition

74

75

CCF CAMP 2008Rather like last year’s camp, this onebegan with worries about the weather,only this year the concern was notdue to excessive heat but to theunseasonable cold wind and rain. Soat 9 o’clock sharp(ish) around 49members of the CCF gathered toclimb aboard the military issue white,luxury coaches for the long journeydown to Weymouth.

After a surprisingly painless sixhour drive we reached the camp. Wewere all pleasantly surprised at thehigh levels of refinement offered,with facilities such as carpet andplugs included. The camp was in avery unusual location, beingsandwiched between rows of civilianhousing, a fact that caused Cpt.Newton much bemusement.

The first night in camp wasuneventful, with the usual fire drillsand camp rules outline. It was also onthis night that the camp’s only realflaw was highlighted, its severelylimited NAAFI consisting of a largehall void of seating with a large flatscreen TV hung on a wall. After thisblow to morale the cadets rallied withsome improvised games of rugby onthe large field to the rear of theaccommodation.

On the second day activities gotunderway at a Royal Engineers’ campfive minutes down the road. Here welearned the crafts of watermanship.Splitting down into three groups wewere taught the basics of rope coilingand throwing (something deceptivelyhard to do with any accuracy). Therewas also a class on securing ananchor to a vessel and another intying basic marine knots, many ofwhich would be useful later thatafternoon. After lunch came raftbuilding and a race across a smallinlet to a sand dune on the other side.The cadets split into three teams andset about tightly binding planks andbarrels together in the hope offorming a platform that wouldn’tsink.

After much grunting andperspiring the three rafts were ready.Three teams of raring cadets raced totheir rafts and dashed to get them intoto the water before their opposition.Once in the water the seemingly easytask of rowing the rafts to theopposite bank was made much harderby the wake from a deliberately

positioned massive military patrolboat. Having reached the sand dunethe teams had to nominate a runner toget to the summit and back down asquickly as possible before racingback across the water to thecauseway.

That evening we were given abriefing for the 36 hour overnightexercise which was to begin thefollowing day at Jellyland.

Jellyland was actually Bovingtontraining area, where we were takenthe following morning after a brieftalk from the OC 30 Cadet TrainingTeam Captain, G.C. Smith (SAS)Royal Signals, who made sure thatwe knew the British Army was “thebest army in the world!” We beganthe exercise by setting up a harbour.This was an area where troops couldset up a temporary camp, erectingbasha shelters with ponchos andbungees, and carry out personaladmin. such as cooking and sleeping.From here the contingent (operatingas a platoon) split into its threesections and patrolled out to threestands around the area: first aid, acommand task, and a close quarterbattle stand. The first aid stand wasmade all the more entertaining by thesergeant major running it and hisstrange habit of insisting wevisualised certain people when givingthe Rescue Annie dummy CPR! Thecommand task consisted of a ‘minefield’ with safe paths running throughit marked out with mine tape. Thetask sounded simple: to get from oneend of the mine field to the nextwithout touching any tape or obstaclescattered on the path. However, all of

this had to be completed with oneblindfolded person carrying anotherperson across. The carried person didhave use of sight but could not touchthe ground and it was his job to guidehis steed safely through the minefield.The Close Quarter Battle stand wasslightly more action-packed than theother two. Here cadets were given anSA80 A2, the standard automatic rifleissued to all regular Army soldiers.We were then sent in pairs down anarrow path and warned that enemytroops were in the area. Not far downthe path an enemy soldier was to befound lying in wait. We then had toengage the enemy and make a hurriedretreat down the path to safety.

That evening, after a meal ofheated pre-cooked military rations,we were briefed that we were to carryout an ambush on an enemy patrol.This involved the contingentpatrolling from our harbour down to aForward Rendezvous; from here wewere taken in sections to the site ofthe ambush itself. After lying in waitfor what seemed like hours in thepitch dark we caught sight of theenemy. We waited as they made theirway slowly to the centre of theambush site (where the central‘killing group’ was located) beforeopening fire. The night was lit uporange from the muzzle flashes of ourrifles as we emptied a wholemagazine each into the enemy. Whenwe were sure the ambush had been asuccess, the contingent made its wayback to the harbour. Then eachsection set sentries on the entrancesand rotated them throughout the nightwhilst the rest of the contingent slept.

76

The following morning the wholecontingent was to carry out an assaulton known enemy positions. Weeventually found ourselves in a longfield and under enemy fire. Here thesenior NCOs took real control, actingas platoon commander and sergeantand section commanders. Slowly andunder their guidance we made ourway up the open ground and wereable to ‘subdue’ the enemy. Thismarked the end of the exercise andwe were given a positive debriefingby the directing staff from the regularArmy.

The next day we were on theranges. This was a day devotedalmost entirely to target shooting inan attempt to gain the highest scorepossible. We were also given theopportunity to fire the LSW (lightsupport weapon), an extended versionof the SA80 with a telescopic sight.This proved a highlight of the day formany, especially when given theopportunity to see the headmaster firethe weapon down the range, a novelexperience for all. To round off theday the two huge, moustachioed,Welsh sergeants conducting the rangeday decided we needed someexercise. So, split into teams of four,we were sent in a relay dash down therange, rolling, jumping and crawlingon command.

The sixth day saw adventuroustraining. The day was split into two,as was the contingent, one half goingclimbing and the other kayaking.These activities took place onPortland Down. After some simplewarm-ups we then moved on to somerather larger, more advanced climbswhich reached dizzying vertigo-unfriendly heights. The instructors onthe climbs made a huge difference,encouraging everyone to have a goand pushing people to go outside theircomfort zones. Their enthusiasm wascontagious, and more and more of thecadets ventured up the steep limerock face. The kayaking took place inthe sea at Portland Down, right nextto a conveniently positioned café.After a quick lesson on paddlingtechniques we took to the water. Evenat the start there were casualties, withsinking and capsizing boats all overthe place. Then we played a kind ofnetball in kayaks. This was made allthe more entertaining by the staffacting as the goals and we were givena legitimate excuse to pelt them withsoggy wet balls! We rounded off the

day by playing a game of cat andmouse on the bows of the kayaks,involving the nominated cat chasingthe mouse along the boats. Thisinevitably resulted in a flotilla ofcapsized boats and waterloggedcadets.

Friday, our last day, held the bulkof our inter-section competition. Thecontingent was divided up into sixsections to compete in a number ofchallenges to win the most points and‘best section’ award. The morningkicked off with mass drill. After anindividual kit and turnout inspectionwe were marched around the drillsquare by Major Rylance whilst othermembers of staff singled out thedifferent sections and awarded thempoints on the precision of their drill.We then launched into activities.These included a stand requiring usall to speak about ourselves and thendiscuss in small groups the qualitiesof a good leader. Another stand was aleaderless task. Our challenge was toretrieve a ‘magic bucket’ from a seaof shark-infested custard into whichno one could step, aided only by twoplanks of wood and a lot of rope.Another task consisted of orienteeringaround the camp, searching forcertain objects and landmarks usinggiven clues. Lt. Hone also conductedhis regular tactics stand. Here he gavethe cadets a military scenario, oftentrue, and asked them to find asolution to the problems involved.The last of these stands involved abucket and a lot of balls. Theparticipants split into pairs, with onepartner being blindfolded and theother standing on a chair holding anempty bucket. Meanwhile a thirdparty scattered the balls around the

surrounding area, leaving the non-blindfolded partner to direct the blindone to the balls and then to thebucket.

To round the camp off an awardsparade was held and prizes werehanded out. We managed to win theaward for best range score of theweek, meaning our combined effortsmanaged to beat all of the othercontingents on the camp. We werealso told by the camp staff that wehad set a high standard during ourweek’s training. This topped off whathad been a great camp; even theweather held out! Thanks must go toour directing staff, headed by MajorRylance, for making the good timehad by all possible. Thanks also toour Honorary Colonel Brigadier, A.Wilson OBE, and the Headmaster forhis visit.

Cadet RSM A. Benn

77

ADVENTUROUS TRAININGThe location of this year ’sAdventurous Training was SykesideCamp in the Lake District. Itcommenced just before the summerexaminations, deservedly giving allof us a temporary retirement from thelong academic year and the stressesof revision. Unfortunately, many ofus had one early exam to sit on theday we were to depart, but two of usdid not fall into this category; CSMGreenwood and Cpl Patel wereavailable to leave on Thursday 22nd

May and help prepare the camp sitethe evening before the rest of thegroup’s arrival. With the company ofCapt Newton and Major Rylance,they embarked on their first walkacross the mountains, helping preparethem for the larger challenges thatwere just 48 hours away.

The rest of the group arrived theFriday evening. Previous campingexperiences led the majority of us tobelieve that the campsite would bevery primitive. Astonishingly, weopened our worn-out-travellers’ eyesto see a beautiful and charming camp,bordered by glistening streams, steepand mountainous hills bathed insnowy clouds, and farmland. Afriendly pub was situated at the edgeof the site, and Sykeside buzzed withthe sound of merry campersembracing the simple country life.

The very second we stepped offthe minibus we were ambushed bygarden gnomes! To make mattersworse we were then told that thesegnomes would be our “rifles” and hadto be treated with extra care.Apparently, this was “a tradition tokeep us in the CCF mood”.Annoyingly, this meant we had tocarry them absolutely everywhere: tothe shops, to the pub, into theshowers (which got us some reallybizarre and puzzled expressions!).Sadly, even though we did not haveto use porta-loos, and though therestroom was within walkingdistance, the password coded doorproved a major problem! Weregularly contemplated using ourgnomes, when desperate times called

for desperate measures. The onlydrawback was that we would havehad our gnomes taken away from us,only to be given the heavy, deadly“Concrete Gnome” to carry aroundfor the rest of the weekend.

After settling down that eveningand packing our gear for the nextmorning, we decided to pass time by“pimping” our gnomes, using thecrayons Cpl Sherlock had brought.Sleep would have been luxurious inthose warm and comfortable tents,but the fates had a sadistic sense ofhumour, delivered via a certainindividual’s snores.

Saturday morning saw uskayaking. The morning weather wasdefinitely not Mancunian and werode the waves beneath an azure,cloudless sky. The first session drewto an end with the group“tombstoning” off a nearby rock intothe icy waters. We had lunchafterwards at a nearby cafe,rejuvenating our spirits. For theremainder of the afternoon we rockclimbed at a nearby town, enhancingour upper body strength, and headedback to Sykeside for a well neededrest. Cpl Wolfson and I were leadingthe group on Sunday, and we had toplan the route, breaks, and theestimated duration for the walk.

Being geographically challenged, wefound this to be a tough task, thoughconsidered child’s play by StaffSergeant Bishop.

Playtime was over as the next daycame knocking on our doors at dawnand we set off via the farm. Makingexcellent progress, onwards weadvanced up the increasingly difficultand tricky path. St Sunday’s Cragwas the highest hurdle, and our“walk” was reduced to scrambling upvertical walls of stone. The level ofeffort put in by the whole group wasimmense, and we successfullyaccomplished what had been deemedimpossible. We returned to thecampsite at 1700hrs triumphantlywith our heads held high. Sundayevening was our chance to relax andrecover. We were rewarded with aroyal barbeque prepared by Simon,the superb camp cook.

The final day was upon us, and wewere given an even harder task. Withraging winds hitting us at speeds inexcess of 60mph, loose rocks makingus trip and stumble, like warriors webattled our way across the thirdhighest peak in England, whichdefinitely put the “Hell” in MtHelvellyn. Falling prey to a myriadfalse summits, and scrambling aroundStriding Edge we encountered

78

various more problems. First of all,answering nature’s call proved verydifficult, because of the high windspeeds. Secondly, Cpl Lau had hisglasses blown away, and he had noother option than to let them go. Ithad been the most trying of thechallenges this weekend, but it wouldnot be called Adventurous Training ifthere was not an element of dangerinvolved!

Although the Training had beenarduous, both mentally andphysically, as a group we had workedtogether to adapt and overcome this.It enabled us to further develop ourtrust, communication, fitness and,most importantly, teamwork. At thesame time it had taken our minds offthe pending examinations, in anenjoyable and action-packedweekend. We would like to givethanks to the accompanying staff andSimon the cook for helping make theweekend a delightful and fulfillingexperience, and await anotheropportunity to go again!

Cpl M. Asim T. Khan

80

House Reports

2007/8 was not as successful asprevious years for Kay. Eighteencompetitions were competed for thisyear and Kay came first in a third ofthem. This was due to all the otherHouses being much more competitiveand all four were close to winning theprestigious “Overall” trophy. In theend good performances in the tennis,both senior and junior, allowed Kayto push ahead of Howlett and to, onceagain, attain first place. Secondplaces are always important as well aswinning the actual events. To besuccessful, it is essential to do as wellas possible in everything, even if it isnot possible to actually win. So nextyear Kay must push third and fourthpositions up into at least secondplace.

Kay won the cross-country again.This is very pleasing because it showsthe true strength of a House in that allthe boys in the House have to takepart and everyone contributes to theresult. Andrew Hoyle organised thesenior team and ran extremely wellhimself, achieving a commendablesecond place in a time of 23min21sec. For the third year running,competitors collected sponsorshipmoney for Oxfam. Over £2000 wasraised, which went towards aneducation project in a developingcountry.

The best result of the year was inthe football which Kay won for thefirst time in many years. The seniorteam actually managed to win someof their games, but credit should go tothe lower school teams, in particularthe talented second year squad withRichard Riley, Reece McGadie andLuke Simpson prominent.Unfortunately, the basketball waspoorly organised and any chance waslost when the seniors failed to put outa team.

For another year rugby was adisappointment for me. However, thesenior team did manage to win onegame, beating Derby in the play-offgame. It was captained well byRobert Freeman and the outgoingseventh formers, Robert, Scott Mody

and Sam Theophilus, will be sorelymissed next year. I managed to watchthe third year and first year teams intheir matches. The first year teamtried hard, but their small stature didnot help and they struggled to winany match. However, the third yearteam was much more competitive,containing several School teamplayers and the School captain, LukeHartley.

The most pleasing performancesof the year were in cricket. The resultoverall was very close, in fact bothKay and Derby ended up with 14points each, but as Kay beat Derby by2 wickets, the rules allowed Kay toretake the trophy. Again it was thesecond year team that the Houseshould thank, as they easily won alltheir games. The fourth years also didwell, beating Howlett and Derbyfairly easily and squeezing homeagainst Hulme by 10 runs.

After success in the pool last year,the House sank to bottom place(apologies about the pun). However,special mention must be made ofCallum Donaldson in 2LG who wasby far the best swimmer on show. Notonly did he win his own races, but healso came first in a couple of fourthyear races when he was roped in toswim as that year group were letdown by a couple of boys.

The Lower House Athletics wentahead this year and all the School wastaken off timetable to watch. This didnot seem to spur on the Kay runnersthough, and we came last. Again,though, there were some first rateperformances, in particular those ofJosh Mason of 3UA. Josh broke bothsprint records, running the 100m. in12.05 secs. and the 200m. in 25.62secs. The School and the House havehad some excellent sprinters in thepast, so to attain these records is nomean achievement. Josh also helpedthe third year sprint relay into firstplace, in front of Alex Trafford ofDerby once again! Other winnerswere Haroon Gauhar (third year400m), Ryan Edwards (fourth year1500m) and Richard Riley (second

year 1500m). I think that it isimportant to acknowledge the extrahelp that Mr. Phillips and AndrewLee gave me in ensuring thatcompetitors were up and ready fortheir events on time.

Kay did well in the “minor”competitions and gained first place inthe badminton and senior tennis, inwhich, thanks to Andrew Lee, not asingle game was lost. Kay also didwell to win the junior event as well,with the third year pair of StephenHoyle and Luke Finlayson beingprominent. In the senior hockeycompetion, Kay gained second place,even though Joe Ainscow assured methat we would win easily since wehad the best players. Typically, Joeblamed the referee and said that theteam was unlucky since they lost onpenalties. It must be stressed that allthese minor sports are still veryimportant and they actually involveextra commitment in that they takeplace during lunchtimes. The captainsof the relevant teams did very well toorganise their players and this is verymuch appreciated.

The final event of the year is theHouse Music Competition. Again thistook place one evening and themusicians showed their commitmentby their willingness to give up theirown time. There were some first rateperformances and Kay won thecompetition for the first time formany years. Congratulations must goto all who competed since thecompetition was close between theHouses and first position wasachieved by Kay having a musician inalmost every category, both in theLower and Upper Schools.

On behalf of the House, I wouldlike to thank Cameron Collins for hisinvaluable assistance as HouseCaptain. He started quietly, but grewinto the job and by the end of the yearhe was organising teams, helping outat House events and performing otherduties in an efficient and unflusteredmanner. I would also like to givespecial thanks to Andrew Hoyle(Cross-Country and Athletics), Robert

Kay

81

First of all, I would like to thank eachand every member of Hulme Housefor his enthusiasm this year andwilling participation in all the variousHouse Competitions. Without youreffort and team spirit, we would nothave such exciting sporting and non-sporting events throughout the Schoolyear.

The first House Competition ofthe new academic year is the Footballtournament. Hulme put in acreditable performance, finishingjoint second with Derby. As eachyear passes, our results on thefootball field have improved and nextyear we should challenge well for theHouse Football Trophy.

The House Rugby competition isoften a very close-run affair. Hulmehas a good record of victories in thisevent, as we possess some extremelytalented senior rugby players. Thisyear, we finished joint second withDerby. The first year rugby team,captained by Chris Hall, didparticularly well to win their sectionof the event.

It is very pleasing to note thatHulme has performed extremely wellon the running track in recent years.The House Cross-Countrycompetition yielded some goodperformances this year and Hulme,once again, came in a creditablesecond in this event. Congratulationsto all Hulme boys who contributed tothis fine result. Chris Long recordeda time of 28 minutes in the SeniorCross-Country.

The House Athletics event forYears 1-4 took place on Wednesday11th June 2008. On a fine summerafternoon, the whole Schoolwitnessed an exciting, closely-foughtcontest on the running track. Hulmeboys set two new School records.

George Bevan cut almost a secondfrom the old record to win the 3rdyear 1500m in 5.02 seconds andChris Hall cut a superb 6 secondsfrom the old record to win the 1styear 800m in 2 minutes 37 seconds.All Hulme runners competedextremely well and they pushed theeventual winners Derby all the way tothe final race.

Our most pleasing success thisyear was in the House SwimmingCompetition. First and second yearHulme boys put in a stirlingperformance to regain the MarkOakden Trophy, a prize that used tobe won by Hulme every year. JoeMcCardell won the first yearbackstroke event and Jack D’Arcytriumphed in the first year butterfly.There were also excellent effortsfrom George Bevan in the third yearbackstroke and Matthew Sellers inthe third year butterfly.

The House Cricket competitionwas a successful one for Hulme thisyear. Our first and third yearcricketers won their tournaments andHulme came joint first with Kay onpoints. In the final reckoning, onhead-to-head results Kay ran outnarrow winners by two wickets. Welldone to all our cricketers for comingso very close to victory.

I would like to take thisopportunity to offer my thanks to allmembers of the House, both boys andstaff, for their unstinting support thisyear in assemblies and competitions.I would particularly like to thank MrsGlancy and Mrs Stirzaker for theirhelp throughout the years and wishthem the very best for the future. Onbehalf of the House, I would like torecord my gratitude to Richard Chewfor his excellent assistance as HouseCaptain this year, as well as to all the

House prefects who have helped toorganise team events.

Our best wishes go to ChristopherParsons, the new House Captain ofHulme. We wish him well in his newduties next year. Thank you toeveryone for your support and myhope is that in 2008/2009 Hulme willhave even more success on thesporting field.

KMC

Freeman (Rugby), MatthewCouchman (Cricket) and HowardTattersall (Football) for their help,enthusiasm and willingness toparticipate. Next year, the newprefects will have even moreresponsibilities and I look forward toworking with them and with the in-coming House Captain, Matthew

Travis, who I am sure will be aworthy successor to Cameron.

To conclude, I would like to thankthe Masters that have supported theHouse and unselfishly given up theirtime to help with assemblies andevents. All the masters assigned to theHouse have helped out at varioustimes and their help is very much

appreciated and essential for thesmooth running of the House. Mycongratulations go to all for anotherenjoyable and successful year and myhope is that Kay will continue withtheir success in 2008/9.

DAB

Hulme

82

This year the boys in Howlett haveproduced impressive performancesand results in the inter-Housecompetitions. I want to praise theenthusiasm and commitment of thevast majority of the boys in Howlett.The positive attitude they have shownby volunteering to take part in theorganised events is commendable andhas delivered some excellent results.

At the end of the 2007 academicyear Howlett finished second in theoverall House competition. I wasextremely pleased with the number ofcompetitions that the boys won thisyear; these included the HutchinsonCup in swimming, the six-a-sideFootball, Rugby, Senior Athletics andJunior Tennis. We also producedstrong performance in Basketball andSwimming (the Oakden Cup) tosecure second places. These resultsillustrate the hard work andcommitment which many of the boysin Howlett have contributed; welldone.

Again this year all of the boys inthe School have collected

sponsorship for the Cross-Countryevent. I was amazed by thegenerosity and commitment of all theboys who took part in raisingsponsorship; several individualscollected over £40 each. This moneywas gratefully received by Oxfam inJanuary of this year. We intendrepeating this fundraising in theautumn of 2008. Hopefully the boyswill lend their generous support inour aim to raise funds for veryworthy causes.

This year the School hasintroduced a new House competitionwhich has been based on the numberof merits which boys have receivedfor academic excellence throughoutthe year. This year the Merit Cupwas won by Derby. I anticipate thatHowlett will challenge for primacy inthis event next year, given the massof intellect in the House.

I would like to thank AdamJones-Bradburn for his hard work andsupport as House Captain; heorganised and motivated the seniorteams this year. Without his support

my job would have been much moredifficult. Our newly appointed HouseCaptain is Alex Lau. I amanticipating that Alex will use hissporting ability and organisationalskills to guide the other boys withinHowlett.

I am sure that all departing 5thand 7th formers will look back on theHouse events with fond memories.Hopefully they will engagethemselves with sporting activitieswithin their new communities. Thiswill help them to make new and longlasting friendships. All members ofthe House wish them great success intheir future endeavours.

Finally I would like to thank allmembers of staff who have giventheir support and encouragement tothe boys during House events and inHouse assemblies this year. It hasbeen much appreciated by me, andhas helped the boys in Howlett todeliver some fine performances.

BA

It is with great pleasure that I puttogether my report on the exploits ofDerby House during a very busy aca-demic year.

With Alessio Bacci-Evers as ourHouse Captain and a band of top classprefects the House was always goingto be both in safe hands and success-ful and so it proved.

Our most outstanding perfor-mances were in the basketball whichwe won quite comfortably, withHowlett in second place, and in theSenior Hockey which Derby won byovercoming a very strong Kay team inthe final. Scott Warchall needs a spe-cial mention here for a fantastic cap-tain’s performance on the day.

Our performance in the AthleticsYears 1-4 was really outstanding. Inthe first years Louis Drogan won the1500m, Tomas Heath the 100m ‘B’and Lawrence Arnold the 400m. Inthe second year Elliot Fairclough wonthe 100m ‘A’ and Ricky Cheung the100m ‘B’. Tom Pickersgill won the

400m. In the third year Tom Townsonwon the 100m ‘B’ and George Greythe 800m. Our fourth years actuallywon their section with wins for ConorMcElherron in the 100m ‘A’ and200m. Sam Mortimer won the 100m,Jamie Kettleborough the 400m andthe relay team won as well. OverallDerby won very convincingly with114 points, 25 points clear of Hulmein second.

The Derby boys must also be com-mended for finishing runners-up inthe Swimming Years 1-4, DanielMulqueen winning the third yearbreast stroke and freestyle, TomPickersgill the second year backstrokeand Adrian Wong the second year but-terfly. Derby also finished runners-upin the Senior House Six-a-side Soccerand Rugby (all years).

In the Cross-Country Derby led asthey went into the senior event but,despite the valiant efforts of DanielLivesey and David West, who fin-ished 17th and 18th respectively, we

ended up third.In the Senior House Athletics

Robbie Hernandez was outstanding,winning the 5th Year 100m and 200mand helping the relay team to victoryas again Derby finished third, just sixpoints behind the winners, Howlett.In the Years 1-4 Tennis Derby finishedthird. In the Senior House TennisDerby finished third, despite victoryover Howlett in that particular rubber.The only real disappointments werefourth position in Badminton, CricketYears 1-4 and the Mark OakdenSwimming Cup for Years 1 and 2.The House needs to work hard inthese areas to improve next year’sresults.

Well done for everybody on amemorable and extremely enjoyableyear.

PK

Howlett

Derby

83

FIRST XI

P 22 W 10 L 8 D 4

The 1st XI’s season this year can bemeasured a success in that they wonmore than they lost, amassing 10victories since September. Thisincluded an impressive run in theManchester Cup that saw the teamreach the semi-final … more of thatlater.

The season looked like it wouldgo on to fulfil Alan Hansen’sprophecy that “You don’t winanything with kids.” An inauspiciousstart against Wilmslow HS and StBede’s saw the side register twodefeats. However, a core of 7th formplayers, including Oliver Harrison,Michael Howarth, Josh Lee, EhsanMoazzezi and Ciaran McCaughey,allowed the Scholeses and theBeckhams (in a very loose sense) todevelop and begin to play confidentfootball.

The team had done excellently theprevious season to reach the semi-final of the ISFA Cup and there was afeeling within the side that we couldmake it all the way to the final this

year. Round one was against King’sChester and we had to make thejourney away from fortress BuckleyWells. The match started brightlyand superb link-up play saw DavidHowarth send the side into the lead.However it proved to be short livedas Oliver Harrison was forced toleave the pitch. With control of themidfield relinquished and defensiveweaknesses caused by a sending off,the team found itself under intensepressure. Against a well-organisedChester outfit we were always goingto struggle to overcome the oneplayer deficit and accordingly wefound ourselves out at the first hurdleafter extra-time. (King’s Chesterwent on to lose narrowly in the semi-final of the competition whichindicates that the cup-final aspirationsweren’t misplaced.)

Despite this disappointing start tothe season the team quickly settleddown and recorded impressive back-to-back victories against perennialrivals Oldham Hulme and BoltonSchool. The return of Will Doylefrom injury complemented theperformances of younger members ofthe team such as Adam Turner, Tom

Bower and Tom Ramsbottom whichcaused the team to play morecohesively as a unit. The close-fought encounters that characterisedmuch of the season will aid theseplayers immeasurably next seasonwhen they are called upon to set theexample to the new, younger batchcoming through. The season was asuccessful one and the team’sdevelopment as a whole wasparticularly pleasing. Early grind inthe form of rigorous training sessionspaid off later on and we often foundourselves the stronger side in the last10 minutes of games whichmanifested itself in expansive andattacking football from Josh Lee andWill Doyle.

Significant for their goalcontributions were Oliver Harrisonand Ehsan Moazzezi who netted 20goals between them in a partnershipthat was on the cusp of being prolific.On behalf of the team I would like tothank Mr Aston for aiding us inplaying the type of football that weknew we were capable of and for hisdedication to the 1st XI.

Ciaran McCaughey

First XI

SOCCER

Despite some heavy defeats the teamshowed really good spirit, even inadversity, and despite poor resultsstill managed to put together somereally encouraging performances.Unfortunately the season began withsix straight defeats. First came 4-2losses to Wilmslow and Parrswood.Then goals began to dry up withconfidence low. BGS played well butlost 2-0 to King’s Chester, 7-1 to avery strong Altrincham team and 6-0to St Bede’s, an even more powerfulunit.

A gritty performance at Roytonand Crompton saw BGS stop the runand record a 2-2 draw. Unfortunatelya very strong Leeds GS were nextand, despite a reasonableperformance, BGS were beaten 7-0.

However, in adversity BGSproduced the performance of theseason. Travelling to Manchester GSthey came away with not just a 2-1

victory, but also a performance tomatch. Two brilliantly created goalsfrom Luke Drogan and a magnificentteam performance saw BGS tovictory. Every player, from front toback, including substitutes, hadplayed his part.

BGS now entered a period ofsecond half jitters. In appallingconditions they led Parrswood 1-0 athalf time to lose 7-2. LeadingOldham 1-0 at half time BGSconceded three in the second half tolose 3-1. Level with Bolton School2-2 at half time BGS were sweptaway 7-2 by the final whistle.

Eventually the tide had to turn andit did so at Wilmslow. Aided by thewind and the slope BGS deservedlyled 1-0 with an Adam Collins freekick and this time an excellent secondhalf backs-against-the-wallperformance saw BGS win 1-0.

Despite a good performance BGS

were very unfortunate to lose 0-4 atKing’s Chester and the performancesuggested that the corner could beturned. It was, as BGS pulled out allthe stops to defeat arch rivals QEGSBlackburn 2-1 in a terrific game.Luke Drogan scored both goals fromfree kicks after perfect deliveriesfrom David Page.

With confidence high Audenshawwere swept away 5-1 in the finalfixture of the season. Luke Drogannetted a hat trick and Oliver Wren abrace. Luke Drogan ended up as topscorer with 11 goals for the seasonand must be congratulated.

Despite some tricky results theteam showed great spirit andcertainly enjoyed all the fixtures.Congratulations to Niall Gaffney whocaptained well and showed a matureapproach to the whole campaign.

PK

Second XI

84

The Under 15 football team had anup and down season. We played StBede’s in the first game of theseason; all the boys were up for it,against a difficult side. It was anintense game and the final score was3-3: a good start to the season.Unfortunately at the start of thesecond half Maithem Al-Attar took anasty tackle and broke his leg. Wehad no keeper and had to put other

players into the net.Sadly we were knocked out of

every cup; our best performance wasagainst St Gabriel’s whom we playedin the first round of the Bury Cup.We took the lead through OllyGaydon after 15 minutes. Then in thesecond half Ryan Edwards put a goodball into the box and ConorMcElherron got on the end of it. Atthe end of the second half St

Gabriel’s had equalised and went onto win the game 5-2.

In the last game of the season weplayed The Grange and won 6-2.

Overall I think the team playedwell and special thanks to JackMartin and Danny Scott who playedwell all season.

Conor McElherron

P 20 W 11 D 2 L 7 F 67 A 35

The Under 14s started the seasonwith optimism in an opening gameagainst St. Bede’s having beaten themtwice last season. However, the teamdefended poorly and lost 3-2 in agame they should have won. Normalorder was resumed with a 5-1 victoryagainst St. Monica’s. The team thenwent on a run of three games inwhich they did not win. The first wasa narrow loss against QEGS and thentwo draws against King’s SchoolChester and Altrincham Grammar inwhich the team surrendered leads inboth games.

A satisfying reverse was achievedagainst St. Bede’s in October 5-1 andthe team finished before half termwith a rousing 7-0 victory against St.Joseph’s. The four games beforeChristmas saw three wins and onedefeat. Parrswood High School,Hulme Grammar School andCrompton House were seen off butthe team could not beat notoriousrivals Manchester Grammar and lost2-0.

2008 started with a resoundingwin against fierce rivals BoltonSchool and probably our best footballof the season. However, adisappointing loss against WilmslowHigh School was the only other gameplayed before half term as theweather played havoc with a numberof fixtures. The final four matchesculminated in three wins and onedefeat. QEGS inflicted anotherdefeat to achieve a double over us but

King’s Chester were swept asideagain along with The Grange andBluecoat Oldham.

Once again the team entered cupcompetitions and, just like the seasonbefore, they did not do themselvesjustice. They crashed out of the BuryCup, losing 5-2 to eventual winnersSt. Gabriel’s, which was a surpriseresult considering the dominance thatthe team displayed. (This wasconveyed to me by the St. Gabriel’smanager.) The team also reached thesecond round of the ESFA Cup butlost to St. Augustine’s 3-1.

In conclusion, there are a fewpeople to mention and a few remarksto add. The team underwentsignificant change, losing threeplayers to the rugby (Why? I have noidea) and undergoing a change information which unsettled the rhythmat first but which will be beneficial inthe long run. The squad wasdramatically reduced in size but thelads pulled together and trained withenthusiasm as always.

Luke Finlayson top scored with24 (beating his haul by seven fromthe previous year) and was supportedby Josh Mason who bagged 10. AlexTrafford led the team with gusto andwas consistently excellent ineverything that he did. MarkHoworth showed his versatility andburgeoning ability by playing anumber of roles to a good standard.Furthermore, it was pleasing to seeimprovements made by LukeCostello, Haroon Gauhar and AndyFernando.

However, special mention shouldgo to George Bevan who amassed 11goals from midfield and was a highperformer in all games.

I would like to end my report bythanking Mr. Richmond. This wasthe first time I had worked withanother manager and few said itwould work, as many recalled thefailed duos of Houllier/Evans atLiverpool and the lesser knownCurbishley/Gritt at Charlton Athleticfrom the later 1980s. However, heoffered great advice and engineeredthe change in formation which was ashrewd move. He shouldered theworkload at every point and made theBGSB managerial experience moreamusing with his insights duringgames and training.

I wish the lads well and lookforward to renewing my work with anumber of them when the Schoolvisits Australia and New Zealand onthe forthcoming Rugby and Footballtour.

ASC

Under 15

Under 14

85

A good year for the Under 13 footballteam as a whole and for theencouraging improvements they havemade in both skills and teamwork.

The outstanding player has beenLuke Simpson in goal and they havebeen ably led by Todd Yearsley.Whilst all have played with verve andélan special mention must be made ofthe contributions from strikers JordanSmith and Reece McGadie, stronglysupported by the midfield quartet.There is still some area forimprovement in the back four butagain they have done better withevery game, with Luke Shackletonand Rob Jones proving particularlyeffective.

Our highest achievement was

reaching the final of the Bury Cup.The boys were very nervous,

having lost to St. Gabriel’s in theseason 5-0.

However, the team played withaplomb and forced mistakes from theopposition by constantly pressuringthem in their own half and every timethey were on the ball. As a result ofthis and the superb goalkeeping skillsof Luke Simpson we started thesecond half 0-0.

Continous pressure from themidfield meant that a goal was sureto come our way, and it did, throughthe boot of Richard Riley on 45minutes.

St. Gabriel’s pushed forward andeventually we succumbed to an

equalizer in the last minute of normaltime.

Slightly demoralised the boysfought bravely for the end of theextra time and penalties, only to havetheir tired legs fail them in the dyingminutes when St. Gabriel’s scored asecond goal.

In a sporting gesture the boysgave the winning team three cheersand clapped as they were rewardedwith the plate.

AJM

This season has seen a good start to apromising group of players. The firstmatch of the season was held at homeagainst St. Mary’s College and endedin a 5-5 draw, with Bury startingslowly but finding their feet in thesecond half of the game to drawlevel. This game epitomised BuryU12s’ season as they lost the nextthree games to Liverpool, West Hilland Bramhall Schools, all of whichwere closely fought games whereBury were slightly unlucky to lose asthey did. The game against Liverpoolparticularly demonstrated the fightingqualities of a BGSB side that foundthemselves outplayed in the first half

before coming back to win the secondhalf but still lose the game. The lastmatch of the first term brought theside’s first win against St. Bede’sSchool. A sterling performance sawthe U12s convincingly defeat theiropponents and start the New Year ona winning streak. This streak wasextended in the next game againstlocal rivals Bolton where the teamwreaked havoc in open play to scorea memorable victory over their fiercerivals. The following games againstAltringham and Arnold GrammarSchools saw the U12s narrowlybeaten in close games that could havegone either way. This team was

characterised by the strong forwardplay of Chris Hall and MatthewWhitfield, the mazy running ofMatthew Buckley, the quietperseverance of Max Booth, thephenomenal tackling of HamzaMalick and the enthusiasm of all thesquad. Overall, this has been a solidfirst season for this promising groupof players, the turning point of whichwas the match away to LiverpoolCollege, as the team improved withevery game played after that, refusingto quit until every last ounce of efforthad been given.

ADW

Under 13

Under 12

Under 11The season started with muchpromise as the squad contained manyhigh quality players, several of whomwere again taken from Year 5.

However, with the team placed ina difficult league group, qualificationfor the latter stages of the competitionwas always going to be tough.Despite good victories against St.Joseph’s, St. Mary’s, Greenmountand Old Hall, a close loss toTottington and a heavy defeat toHollins Grundy put paid to leagueaspirations.

In the AJIS Cup, the boys fell atthe first hurdle for the second seasonin succession. A hard-fought two-alldraw with King’s Macclesfield endedwith BGS losing via the dreadedpenalty shoot-out.

The Bury Schools’ Cup brought alittle more success, with the teamreaching the quarter-final stage. Herethey met eventual finalists, andleague winners, Holly Mount, whoproved just a little too strong.

Despite not quite reaching theirfull potential there were some good

moments for the team, and theyshould fare well in the summer five-a-side competition.

SHS

86

Firstly I would like to say a big thankyou to Captain of Rugby, RossWatson, Vice Captain, Rob Freeman,and senior player, Adam Jones-Bradburn. Their attitude anddetermination throughout the seasonwere inspirational to all the boysinvolved in senior rugby. I wouldalso like to thank Mr Hilton forexpertly coaching the backs andtaking charge of the sevens squad.

The 1st XV started the season bythumping QEGS 31 – 0. The packwas dominant throughout, especiallythe formidable back row combinationof James Brookes, Rob Plant andstand in Captain, Will Leach. It wasalso an opportunity for some youngermembers of the squad to show whatthey were capable of and they didn’tdisappoint. Ryan Feeney and MaxBeswick both scored tries inoutstanding displays, as well as JoeRichardson who put in a highlyaccomplished performance. Other tryscorers included John Findon, NicRiley and Jonny Ainscow. The mostpleasing aspects of the performancewere a massive effort in defence andthe gelling of boys across two yeargroups who’d had very little practiceor experience of playing togetherpreviously. This was an excellentstart and involved 22 players in all.

The first Saturday game of theseason saw an absolute demolition ofWilliam Hulme’s 1st XV in a 72 – 0victory. There were 12 tries in all,with Captain Ross Watson leading theway with six of them. He was ablysupported by the team and there werevery competent performances by 5thformers Joe Richardson, RyanFeeney, Max Beswick and George

Hornby, with the latter two bothscoring tries. The team playedstructured rugby and put WilliamHulme to the sword. Karl Simpson,Will Leach and Adam Jones-Bradburn completed the scoring. Itwas a comprehensive teamperformance; we out-played theopposition in all positions and wereruthless throughout.

A poor start to the Lancashire Cupgame against Arnold School saw us10-0 down within 10 minutes of thestart. However, tries either side of thebreak from Ross Watson and JohnFindon put us 12-10 ahead with lessthan 15 minutes to play. However wecould not convert pressure into pointsand were made to pay. With fitnesslevels deteriorating, Arnold scored 3late tries to see them to a 27 – 12victory in a valiant display from ourboys.

The team produced a competentdisplay to win the game against StMary’s College, Crosby 37 - 11. RossWatson (2), Harrison Woods (2), KarlSimpson and John Findon all scoredexcellent tries; however, the teammade hard work of it owing to sillyerrors and ill discipline. The scoreshould have been much higher!

An early try from Rob Plant gavethe side the lead against St Bede’s ina well worked passage of play, butfrom this point onwards we let theopposition back into the game. A latetry from Will Leach was noconsolation as the side went down 20– 10 with a lack of fitness andapplication; still a lot to work on!

Three defeats then followed.Firstly we lost to a well organised anddisciplined Liverpool College team.Next the boys put on a brave showagainst St Bede’s, but with a numberof key players missing ended uplosing 24 – 0. Then we were knockedout of the Lancashire Plate, goingdown 28 – 0. The score flattered theopposition as the game was muchmore even than the score linesuggested. Both sides played scrappyrugby and lacked match fitness.

The team then pulled off the gameof the season, so far, to record anoutstanding 22 – 19 win in trying

circumstances against Altrincham.The pack dominated throughout andin typical hard running style bothJames Brookes and Rob Plant crossedthe line. In the backs the youngermembers of the side came of age andput in huge performances. The teamthen ended the season on a positivenote by recording a comprehensive31 – 6 victory against Arnold School.

For the first time, the senior rugbysquad broke from tradition and the 15man game, entering two of thecountry’s biggest seven-a-sidetournaments. The U18s wereinvolved in the National SchoolsSevens Competition at Fylde oneMarch weekend. After four games onSaturday, including a 12 – 10 victoryagainst Ormskirk School, and a finalgroup match on Sunday morning, theteam progressed through to the BowlCompetition. Unfortunately,Bedstone College just edged the sideout by snatching a 21 – 19 win.

Soon after they played in theNational Schools Sevens Competitionat Rosslyn Park. After an outstandingperformance in the first game againstMedina School, winning 24 – 12, theteam lost their remaining groupmatches against three of the strongestschools sides in the country. Thepower, pace and general fitness levelsof Kirkham Grammar School, OldSwinford Hospital and PlasmwrSchool were eye-opening for ourboys. Ross Watson was inspirational,with Adam Jones-Bradburn and RobFreeman remaining determined andpositive throughout. There is alsohope for the future with theemergence of Jonathan Ainscow andMax Beswick.

Even though there were somehiccups along the way I believe that itwas a very successful season. Therewere close to 50 boys opting forrugby on a Wednesday afternoon.This has led to weekly fixtures for asecond XV being organised for nextseason. And with the introduction ofsevens the game is moving forward atBGS.

GAF

RUGBY

First XV

Having brought our numbers up tothe required fifteen by recruiting twonon-squad players then warming upfor the first Games session of theSchool year, we prepared to meet thedemands of the new season.

Under Fifteen rugby is alwaysdifficult: boys grow at different rates,and those who have been giants at alower age-group suddenly findthemselves mere mortals among theirpeers, often with a change of positionlooming as a pressing necessity.

So it proved. The jiggling andswitching took place, but in amercifully short space of time, andthe boys settled well into their newroles.

J. Kettleborough, the Captain andoutside half, did not change position.He remained a powerful force in

attack and defence throughout theseason, and, together with his deputy,N. Street, a busy forward wing, wasresponsible for the high morale of theteam throughout the season.

Everyone contributed. E.Wolstenholme was a good numbereight; the Taylor twins got through anenormous amount of work;newcomer L. Dutton impressed us allwith his sheer pace, and R.Blackman, with his physical strengthand his ability to make groundagainst all opposition, became arallying-point in adversity.

The biggest problem proved to beself-belief. Right up to the very endof the season, when the squadnumbers increased from fifteen totwenty-three, the boys did notunderstand that they had the

individual and collective talent totake on all-comers. Only after theArnold School Sevens Competitiondid that realisation dawn, and thefinal match of the season saw us losea very exciting game to Arnold by 31points to 19. The result was notimportant; the self-esteem that thegame had engendered was the prizefor which we had fought for manymonths.

PGN

Under 15

87

On the whole, this was a hugelydisappointing season for this team.Out of the 10 games played, the sideonly managed two victories, againstSt. Bede’s College, 22–19, andAltrincham Grammar School, 29–12.The most frustrating aspect of theseason was the huge lapses inconcentration at crucial times duringgames, both in attack and defence.There were also far too many tackles

missed which directly resulted in triesbeing conceded. On the positive side,there was a number of boys whoscored tries during the season. ScottMurphy was leading try scorer withsix. He was ably supported withcontributions from Elliot Wright,Matthew Sellers, Josh Coates, ZakiMalick, Ben Shedwick and skipperLuke Hartley. Luke Byrom andRobbie Stott proved to be useful late

additions to the squad and there isundoubtedly an abundance of talentwithin. In future years, this squad hasthe potential to develop into anexcellent team and will learn from theexperience of this season in the longrun.

LMH

Under 14

Unfortunately our season got off to abad start with a cup tie against RipleySt. Thomas. The scores were level athalf-time, but after the break a lack ofconcentration saw the oppositionscore twice in the space of twominutes. The lead was then too greatto claw back and we finally wentdown 17-5.

The winter fixtures did little toboost our results, our only victoriescoming at William Hulme and StBede’s. In those two games we foundthat concentration paid off as wewere able to score, stay alert and notconcede in order to maintain our lead.

As Captain I personally feel the teamhas improved since last season, asdemonstrated when we played BoltonSchool. In last year’s fixtures wesuffered an embarrassing defeat,whereas this time our forwards out-performed theirs and made it a muchharder game for them to score.Despite the best efforts of the forwardline again a lack of concentrationallowed Bolton to slip through ourdefence on too many occasions andthey put 28 points past us. Thescoreline doesn’t reflect ourperformance as we deservedsomething from the game.

As the season drew to a close, theteam’s heads were down. Heavydefeats to Liverpool College and St.Mary’s College had us dreading thelast game of the season againstArnold School. This was Mr.McWilliam’s last game in charge of aBGS team. We certainly sent him outwith a bang. With the backs and theforwards linking together, keepingour concentration and giving 100%effort, the opposition were utterlyoutclassed, BGS winning 75-0! Thisfinal victory has given us muchoptimism for next season.

I would like to thank Mr.

Under 13

88

This season was a bit of adisappointment and the team did notlive up to their expectations.

We started the season off veryslowly. Our first win was at homeagainst Elton. This gave us a boost ofconfidence. Our next win was away

to Manchester Grammar witheveryone performing well. Wescored a fine goal and were strong indefence.

We tried moving positions andformations without muchimprovement. The squad then

decided to put in some extra practiceto improve our team work. Thishelped and I can’t wait for nextseason.

Lewis Whalley

Under 12

McWilliam, Mr. Hilton and Mr.Newton for coaching us this seasonand to the parents for their supportthroughout, even when results werenot going our way.

Finally I would like to pass on amassive thanks as Captain to the teamfor their efforts and commitment andespecially my Vice Captain, ChrisBinns, for leading the forwards and

for all his tries! As a unit we shouldtake a lot of heart from this seasonand look forward to even betterresults next season.

Elliot J. Fairclough

89

The U18s commenced the season in aclose encounter against HopwoodHall. This match showed a thrillingdisplay with the team pulling throughto a 34-30 victory against the odds.

The team then came acrossManchester Grammar in adominating display with JackHarrison leading the scoring at pointguard, combining with RobertFreeman who was strong in defence.

In the next match the U18 cameacross one of our own teams, BGSU16. Thanks to another legendaryidea from PK both teams wereentered into the same league and sofaced each other head to head. In thisentertaining match the U16 pushedhard against the more experiencedplayers. The match was closethroughout and the younger teamclosed the gap towards the end withthe U16s losing out owing to theirfitness. The U18s held out to the end,winning 39-27 with Scott Mody and

Oliver Dean leading the scoring.Subsequently came Bolton

School. Again, as in previous years,they left without a victory, with theU18s continuing their running streak.In another convincing win MichaelPage hit the boards to put away astring of baskets. The score ended 66-30.

Having qualified as groupwinners, the team drew a home matchto Blackburn College. Having comeacross this team the previous year andlosing out in the semi-final the U18swere determined not to repeat history.The Blackburn team were clearly notas strong this year compared to BGSand the U18s prevailed as winners.

The U18 then failed to progresspast the first round in the North WestKnockout Cup, even with the returnof David Page, but did reach the finalof the North West League Division 2.This happened to be against PriestlyCollege, a very strong side. On the

day they were too strong for ourU18s. Our young players, TomMcKenna, Robbie Hernandez andEthan Clangh, put in strongperformances, but this was notenough. The score in the end was 48-96.

The following week saw the U18sin another final, again against PriestlyCollege. The result was to beexpected but the team never gave up.An excellent game was played by allto stop Priestly from gaining toomuch of a lead and it was a great endto the season. With many youngerplayers an integral part of the teamthis year we were given apremonition of what looks like abright future.

Even though the team gained nosilverware they did become runners-up twice and showed greatenthusiasm from start to finish.

Adam Jones-Bradburn,U18 Captain

BASKETBALL

In a fantastic rollercoaster seasonBGS, ably led by Robbie Hernandez,showed tremendous enthusiasm andteam spirit in a memorable effort.

In the Bury League comfortablewins over Elton HS and St Gabriel’sset the tone. With confidence high avery impressive victory followedagainst Thornleigh College in theU19 North West League.

Back in the Bury League BGSbeat Bury Church then lost a crucialaway match with Tottington by justfour points. Despite beating DerbyHS BGS now had the harder Buryplay-off with a very strong StMonica’s to reach the Bury Schoolsfinal. In a fantastic match bothHernandez and Clough fouled outdefending Stainton, the key Monica’s

player, and this provided to be crucialas BGS finally succumbed 34-39 in areally close encounter. St Monica’swent on to win the Championship inan excellent fifth year league.

Back in the North West LeagueBGS now found the going toughagainst older opposition. A narrowdefeat to Bolton School was followedby defeats to BGS U18, who play inthe same league, and then toManchester GS. This meant a lowposition in the league and a verytough play-off away to the winners ofPool B, Priestley College. BGS hadlittle chance against an experiencedand athletic team, losing gracefully40-100.

In the Lancashire Cup BGSplayed North Chadderton in thequarter-final and won 50-49 incontroversial circumstances when itappeared that a BGS player pushedan opponent back into his own half.The result of this was that BGS gotpossession and scored from theinbound to win from a losingposition.

In the semi-final the dramacontinued as BGS clawed their wayback into a match they were losing tobeat St James’s 39-38. A dramaticHernandez basket in the last minutesaw them home as their opponentsmissed a match-winning opportunityright on the buzzer.

The Lancashire Cup final waswith Southlands and this too was afantastic match. Points were sharedby Long, McKenna, Hernandez andLomax as the final match ended instalemate at 50-50 at the final buzzer.In overtime BGS finally ran out ofsteam and lost 51-54.

Congratulations to the wholesquad for all their efforts this year; itreally has been a monumental season.The U16 team may not have won anysilverware but they have improvedbeyond all recognition and havebecome a really good team. Successis inevitable if they continue to showthe enthusiasm seen this season.

PK

Under 18

Under 16

90

What a season of inconsistency, onethat had everything, but seldom theexpected.

From the convincing win overBury Church School in September tothe thud of a resounding loss to theDerby (who went on to the nationalfinals themselves), the season had itsshare of ups and down with everyoneplaying his part.

Danny Lomax was the mainscorer, his driving to the basket beingthe main key to his success butRitchie Blackman could be reliedupon to make some space for himselfor clear a trail for others to follow.

Anthony McCracken provedthat it was possible to score withoutever seeming to be in control of the

ball (or his feet) whilst Zain Bhattimade several shots from distance.

Captain Alex Adler, RyanEdwards and Andrew Maksymowskigave a sterling effort organising theback-court without gaining thesatisfaction of scoring points like theforwards.

It is two of the lesser lights whoprovide the final points for this reportand it poses the question as to whyStephen Lyddon waited for the end ofthe season before showing theopposition how he could ‘boss’ adefence, blocking shots and stealingpasses like it was second nature andwhy Jamie Schilfer waited until no-one on court (himself included) couldbarely raise a shot before scoring the

two double-overtime baskets thatfinally beat Tottington.

All of the boys on the teamshowed the ability to take the game tothe opposition and to play a part in awinning team. Unfortunately theyseldom did it all at the same time.

If the team can build on the goodpoints of last season and eachindividual brings his ‘A’ game tomore matches then next seasonshould take us to the later stages ofour competitions.

Match Statistics:Bury League P4 W2 L2 position

3rd of 5 in group.Lancashire Cup – lost in semi-

final.CD

Under 15

Under 14A really enjoyable season began witha 52-62 home defeat in the NationalCup to Redvales from Stockport.Redvales are linked to a club set upand in the end this was the definingfactor. Bury did however play reallywell and this promised much for thefuture.

In the Lancashire Cup Bury wonconvincingly against BluecoatOldham, 48-25. Confidence was nowrestored and Bury won their secondNational Cup match 45-23 againstMatthew Moss from Rochdale,playing very good team basketball.

In the Lancashire Cup Buryplayed Derby HS and squeezed pastthem 37-34 in a very close and tensecontest.

Bury League now began with atrip to Bury Church where BGS wereunable to secure all five league pointsbut did win the match 39-30.

In the National Cup Bury hadprogressed from the group through tothe last 32 of the whole of England.The match was at home toArchbishop Beck from Liverpoolwho were really strong and againwith strong links to a club. Burywere beaten convincingly for the onlytime in the whole season. Buryplayed well but could not scoreconsistently against a very aggressiveand organised defence.

Back in the Lancashire Cup BGS

lost 60-61 to North Chadderton in asemi-final of epic proportions. Withtwo seconds left Bury led by just onepoint and the opposition somehowgot the ball into play and put up abuzzer beater shot from an inboundon the baseline. This was heartbreakfor Bury as they had poured so muchinto the match. They had played welland were unlucky to lose the way thatthey did.

Success in the Bury League wasnow imperative if they were to winanything this season. Their oldadversaries Derby HS were next, butthis time BGS played superbly toregister a comfortable 56-49 victory.Castlebrook was a straightforwardaffair as Bury cruised home 68-17and this was followed by a reallygood match with Woodhey HS whichBury won more comfortably than the53-50 score suggests. Next came astraightforward 44-23 success overParrenthorn HS. Prestwich HS had asmall team full of Year 8 boys andBury easily dispatched them 61-17.Broadoak were much strongeropposition but BGS got better as thegame went on and won 57-41. EltonHS was another enjoyable match withBury easing to victory 59-42. Thefinal league game was away to StGabriel’s and it turned out to be acracker as Bury just held on for a 45-41 victory which clinched the Bury

League title.By pure chance BGS met St

Gabriel’s again within a few days,this time at home in the play-offs.Bury were now better prepared todeal with their opposition and wonmore convincingly by 53-43.

The final of the Bury School play-offs was away to Bury Church, theBury League runners-up and the onlyteam to take league points off BGS.However, BGS played really well inthis final and despite a rather hostileatmosphere weathered it well,showing experience and skill as theydominated each quarter of the gameon their way to a 46-33 win and thedouble.

The trials and tribulations of theNational and Lancashire Cups hadheld the team in good stead and theymust be congratulated on a fantasticBury Schools double which is not aneasy thing to do.

Success as champions of Burymeant that the team now progressinto the Greater ManchesterChampionships at the AmaechiCentre.

PK

This year’s cricket season was one ofmixed performances and results forthe First Eleven.

The opening fixture was aTwenty20 tournament at KingEdward VII and Queen Mary School,Lytham. On a beautiful day, the sidewas drawn against St. Bede’s in thefirst round and, after winning thetoss, batted first underneath thebeating coastal sunshine. Chris Long(80) and David Taylor (68)annihilated a poor bowling attack,helping BGSB to a colossal total of188. In reply, Bede’s managed tomake 151 for eight wickets, but theresult was never really in any doubtthanks to tight bowling from AlexGriffiths (3-31). The final was playedagainst a well-rested ManchesterGrammar School team who hadcruised to victory in their openinggame. Unfortunately, BGSB didn’thave the luxury of a rest; within halfan hour of the game against Bede’sfinishing, opening batsmen ChrisLong and Tom Barling were back inthe middle again. However, fatiguecannot be used as an excuse for whatwas a poor performance against verymediocre bowling – only Barlingprovided any real resistance, hittingthe ball hard on his way to 51. BGSBfielded poorly as MGS easily reachedtheir modest target of 122 in justthirteen overs. We were beaten by thebetter side, but did not give a goodaccount of ourselves and went homedisappointed.

The next fixture was at homeagainst Bolton School. After winningthe toss and electing to bat, the sidecapitulated to 105 all out. MarcWoolfe (34) applied himself to thetask in hand but found little supportfrom elsewhere. The oppositionreached their target in only 16 oversto complete an 8 wicket victory. Itwas another disappointing defeat andit became apparent that more workwas needed if we were to competewith teams like these.

After a long break during the

exam period, we travelled away toWilliam Hulme for a Saturdaymorning fixture. When we arrivedthere was no team to play against.Gradually, Hulme’s team arrived byvarious means of transport and thegame got underway. The home teamwere bowled out for anembarrassingly low score, with RobFerguson and Alan Brown bowlingexceptionally well. The runs wereknocked off in no time and we wereon our way home before eleveno’clock. The game was a confidencebooster but there were no illusions asto how much more difficult ourremaining games would be.

Another Saturday fixture saw ustravel to Cheadle Hulme for aTwenty20 match again. The sidemanaged to post a competitive totalof 150 for 5, with Chris Long (61)and David Taylor building a goodpartnership. The home team battedwell in reply and won with 5 balls tospare - again, wayward bowling andpoor fielding were to blame for ourdownfall. Nevertheless, the game wasa good one for the neutral and it wasenjoyable to be involved in such ahigh-scoring match.

A midweek game against OldhamHulme gave opportunities to twoyounger players in a weakenedBGSB side. Michael Farley (41) andWill Hazelhurst (22) batted well butwere not supported by the moreexperienced members of the team.The opposition reached the under-partotal of 105 in difficult conditionswith one over to spare to record a 6wicket victory.

The penultimate week of term,nicknamed ‘Cricket Week’, includedall-day fixtures at home againstQEGS Blackburn on the Tuesday andKirkham Grammar School two dayslater.

On Tuesday QEGS batted firstand posted a commanding total of238. Rob Ferguson (2-10) andMatthew Travis (2-57) were the pickof the bowlers. In reply, the team lost

too many cheap wickets throughoutthe innings and eventually crawled to108 all out. Rob Ferguson (17 notout) provided some resistancetowards the end but it wasn’t enoughto avoid a 130 run defeat.

Thursday gave stage to a full-strength BGSB side and a great gameof cricket (the last of the season)unravelled. BGSB lost the toss andwere put in to bat on a green andbowler-friendly wicket. Early wicketsput the team on the back foot andanother disappointing defeat lookedon the cards. However, a resilient,determined and brilliant innings fromMichael Howarth (119 not out) on hisreturn from injury made thescoreboard look much healthier andthe home side was able to declare on217-5. Michael Howarth was well-supported by Michael Farley (32).The opposition set about their task ina positive fashion and looked to becruising to victory until RobFerguson (4 for 31) and MatthewTravis (3 for 30) grabbed key wicketsto eventually dismiss the visitors for184 and secure a much-deserved 34run win. The victory was a great wayto end what could have been a verydisappointing season, and it wasespecially sweet for MichaelHowarth, Rob Ferguson and MarcWoolfe, who were playing their lastcricket match for BGS.

David Taylor

91

CRICKETFirst XI

92

Our season consisted of twelvegames of which five were cupmatches. We won nine and lost three,a pretty successful season overall.

We had a poor start losing toOldham Hulme on our first fixture.We then went on to play more to ourpotential, winning the next eightconsecutive games, including ourvictory over MGS. This game wasprobably our game of the season,owing to an exceptional teamperformance.

We then lost to KirkhamGrammar School (whom we beat inthe Lancashire Cup Final in theprevious season) in what was a rain-

affected game; we performed wellunder par in awful weather.

The following week ourbowlers put on a spectacularperformance against King’sMacclesfield ensuring us of victory.We lost to MGS (away) in thequarter-final of the Lancashire Cup; itwas very disappointing as we haddefeated them earlier in the season.

Special mention must go to ZakiMalick and Michael Ferguson whoboth scored runs regularly with thebat throughout the season. FahadAshfaq and Abdullah Khan bowledwell consistently. There were alsomany others who performed well

throughout the season.Thanks to all the staff who took us

for games sessions and duringmatches. Looking forward to nextseason I believe we have the potentialwithin the team to regain the countytitle.

Sam Excell

In another awkward season of wetand often very trying conditions inwhich to play cricket, the U13sacquitted themselves well, winningsix of the eleven games completed.

The most consistent batting of theseason came from Tom Parton, AlexBreckin and Jordan Smith, who allcontributed runs on a regular basis,assisted by Reece McGadie, LukeSimpson and Hassan Arain onoccasions. The batting highlightswere an opening partnership of 194between Tom Parton (94) and AlexBreckin (91 not out) against Standish

in the cup and the partnership ofLuke Simpson and Hassan Arainwhich rescued us from 36 for 5 andenabled a cup win, chasing 107against Lawton, off the penultimateball.

The bowling, led by theimpressive Alex Breckin and ablybacked up by Richard Riley, RichardWalsh, Reece McGadie and ChrisWinterburn, only lacked a spinbowler to make it a real match-winning combination.

Tom Parton captained the sidewell with immense enthusiasm and

only a rather unfortunate exit in thequarter-final of the Lancashire Cupspoiled a very successful season.

CNJH

Under 14

Under 13

This season got off to a great start.We won our first six games, beatingmajor opposition such as ManchesterGrammar, against whom AlistairDickson (72) and Danny Lomax (51)both batted strongly.

The pick of the bowlers all seasonwere Jake Neary, Ryan Edwards,James Lester, Alistair Dickson andOliver Gaydon.

Alistair Dickson, Danny Lomax

and Neville Mamoowala regularlyscored runs.

Our only down in the season wasthe loss in the cup to Bolton Schoolwhere only one batter, AlistairDickson, turned up.

Our highlight to the season wasthe crushing victory against WilliamHulme. We batted first and in only20 overs put on 321 for 1 wicket,Alistair Dickson 188 not out and

Danny Lomax 110 not out putting ona 294 run partnership.

All in all it was a great season andmy thanks go to Mr. Aston and alsoto Mr. Evans for stepping in whenMr. Aston was not here.

Danny Lomax

Under 15

93

In a very enjoyable season and withsome reasonable early summerweather BGS’s athletes performedwell.

Despite defeat to Canon Slade andSt Gabriel’s the team was successful.Hulme Grammar School wasprobably the most exciting fixture asBGS won by just one point 154-153.The most vivid memory from themeeting was Conor McElherroncatching the Hulme runner in adramatic finish in the relay whichsecured BGS’s victory.

BGS beat Woodhey 134-117,Bury Church 157-123 and DerbySchool 117-87. Incredibly theremaining fixture saw BGS andCastlebrook School tie 139 pointseach.

Key performers through theseason were as follows: for the firstyears Laraib Khan in the 100m and200m, Lawrence Arnold in the 400m,Christopher Hall and MatthewBuckley in the 800m and LouisDrogan in the 1500m; for the secondyears Elliot Fairclough, MatthewWalker and Ricky Cheung in thesprints, Danesh Sarfraz in the 400m,Charlie Foley in the 800m andRichard Riley in the 1500m. In thethird years Joshua Mason wasunbeatable in the sprints, GeorgeBevan did well in both the 400m and

1500m where George Grey chippedin with some good performances.Harry Slingsby was a competentperformer in the 800m. For thefourth years top performers wereConor McElherron in the sprints andJamie Kettleborough in the 400m.All the BGS sprint relay teams ranreally well right through the seasonand were a big factor in producing awinning set of results.

The standard of the GreaterManchester District event in Stretfordwas very high and BGS had a goodnumber of representatives who allperformed well on the day. In theBury Championships BGS had agreat day but could not retrieve thetrophy. Individually the bestperformers were Joshua Mason whobecame Bury champion in both the100m (11.08) and 200m (24.23) inthe year 8 events and George Bevanwho emulated Joshua by winning the1500m in a blistering 4.50 and alsobecame champion. Excellentperformances also came from JamieKettleborough, second in the year 11400m in 56.08, and ConorMcElherron, third in both the 100m(11.37) and the 200m year 11 events.Lawrence Arnold finished 3rd in thefirst year 200m (67.36), ElliotWolstenholme was 3rd in the javelinyear 11 event and Louis Drogan was

fourth in the year 7 1500m final.Sam Hesketh, George Grey andLaraib Khan also all performed well.

So a really good season finishedon a high after a very enjoyable andwell-organised event.

PK

ATHLETICS

The U12s have had a very successfulseason this year, winning 11 gamesand only losing two. The team alsogot to the quarter-final of theLancashire Cup where we wereclosely beaten in the last over byWest Hill.

Over the season there have beensome very impressive individualperformances. Some of these include:Dan Farley five wickets and 70 runsagainst MGS and two retirements(once against Bolton School and theother against QEGS); MatthewBowen 35 not out against LiverpoolCollege, one retirement in the gameagainst West Hill and a double wicketmaiden against Sharpies; Chris Halland Harry Bearn both taking threewickets in one over against William

Hulme; George Owen 61 againstCheadle Hulme, two stumpingsagainst Bolton and one retirementagainst West Hill; Scott Reynoldstaking three wickets in four balls in aspell which ended with excellentfigures of four wickets for six runsalso against Cheadle Hulme alongwith four wickets againstMacclesfield; and Connor Gaydontaking three wickets on two occasions(once against MGS and the otheragainst Liverpool College).

All of these contributions havehelped the team be so successful. As Imentioned before the team has won11 games but some of these weremore impressive than others.

Firstly, when we played CheadleHulme, after some great batting from

George Owen, the team ended upwith a good score of 121 for 6. Thisgave the team confidence and webowled Cheadle out for 16!

Other memorable victories cameagainst Bolton School in theLancashire Cup and Macclesfieldwhere we scored a below-par 94, butfollowed this with a great bowlingperformance in which the teamskittled the opposition out for 49.

I would like to thank the squad forall their efforts this season, MrAlldred for his management and MrHilton for his coaching in gamessessions.

Matthew Bowen

Under 12

94

CROSS-COUNTRYSome years ago I was asked by thethen Headmaster, John Robson, if Iwould look after the School’s cross-country teams. 35 years later I writemy last, and hopefully not too self-indulgent, report for the season. Nowthere are only the achievements of thesenior team to record: for over 20years there were also U12, U13 andU15 teams who, with the seniors, hadregular Saturday fixtures throughoutthe winter season. Each home coursehad to be marked out beforehand withsawdust obtained the previous dayfrom a local timber yard. As well asthe weekly training sessions it wasmade clear to me by the then cross-country captain, Alistair Burt, and hisdeputy, Martin Forster, that it wasexpected that the master in chargewould also take the teams for theusually eventful stays at the School’soutdoor centre at Helsington in theLake District. Many of the schoolswe ran against then have eitherceased to exist or no longer havecross-country teams. HuttonGrammar School and StonyhurstCollege however still remain on ourfixture list.

Enough history. What about theseason 2007-8? Well, it was aremarkably successful swan songwith only one school, the traditionallystrong Lancaster R.G.S., defeating us.The season started well with aconvincing home victory againstMerchant Taylors’ School. CaptainAndrew Hoyle gained first positionas he did in five other races thisseason. Andrew, Alex Jackson,

Alistair McKinnon and Alex Lauprovided the backbone of the teamthrough the season: these four wereusually our leading runners.Andrew’s time on the home course –after 35 years still around EltonReservoir – of 23 minutes and 16seconds was the fastest for a BGSrunner this season although T. Atkinof Lancaster secured the record of 22minutes and 43 seconds. ChrisRadcliffe, yet again, supported theteam when rugby fixtures allowedand gained several high positions andfast times, as did Harry Shuell.

The season however was notablefor the large number of pupils whowanted to represent the School andwho regularly and reliably turned outat both home and away matches andwho created a good-humoured andlively team spirit, especiallynoticeable in the School minibus onaway matches. In this regard theessential contribution to the team’ssuccess by the following should benoted: Daniel Livesey, DanielKenyon, David West, Max Wright,Daniel Wells, David Wild, MichaelCromey and Mitchell Cocker.Significant ‘guest’ appearances werealso made by Harrison Woods (threetimes) and Ciaron McCaughey(once). Some highlights of theseason were the convincing butbloody victory at Arnold School,where several runners experiencedthe cutting effects of marram grass;the narrow win on the beautiful buthilly course at Stonyhurst followedby a fine tea in the atmospheric and

ancient Hogwarts-like building; andAlex Lau not losing his trousers atHutton this year.

Finally I would like to thank allthe runners who made my finalseason such a relaxed, enjoyable andsuccessful one.

MJC

95

The annual golf match between theSchool and the Old Clavians tookplace at a damp Walmersley GolfClub on the afternoon of Friday 12thSeptember.

An inexperienced School team,captained by Jack Harrison andcontaining eight rookies, took on avastly more experienced Old Boysoutfit captained by Dave Freeman.

Under threatening skies and,thankfully, a light breeze JackHarrison and Ashley Taylor led theteam away and eventually wore downOld Clavians’ secretary Melvyn Inceand his partner, Peter Jones, to securethe first point for the School. Thenext pair of Harry Swinnerton andJames Lester were soundly beaten byGlynn Evans and Brian Holland. Thethird match was a very tense affairand finished up all square. A birdietwo on the seventeenth hole by ChrisLloyd enabled him and BradleyTaylor to secure a victory by thesmallest of margins. The fifth matchout contained the teacher pairing ofMr Feeley and Mr Sherlock whowere quickly out of the blocks andwere 5 up at the turn. HoweverAdam Collins and, in particular, JakeNeary staged a fightback to be onlytwo down with two to go. A half onthe seventeenth meant a victory for

the teachers by 2 and 1. So, thematch was all square at 2 points eachwith one game still to come in. Theexperience of Sean Willis and powerof Eliott Wolstenholme were unableto overcome the local knowledge ofDave Freeman and Rick Purser whoeventually won a tight contest infading light and heavy drizzle.Victory then to the Old Clavians’Golf Team. Individual winners of theTerry McBride cups were RaySwinnerton with 37 points and JakeNeary (El bandito) with 36 points.

After a welcome shower asumptuous dinner was eaten in a mostcordial atmosphere and the prizeswere distributed by Melvyn Ince andDave Freeman. Walmersley GolfClub was again thanked for itshospitality and the feeling of the boyswas that revenge will be had nextyear.

Game 1Jack Harrison and Ashley TaylorWon 2 and 1 overMelvyn Ince and Peter Jones

Game 2Harry Swinnerton and James LesterLost 5 and 3 toGlynn Evans and Brian Holland

Game 3Matthew Bradshaw and Jonty Rigby Halved withRay Swinnerton and John Ayers

Game 4Chris Lloyd and Bradley Taylor Won 1 up overJohn Keates and Ian Baird

Game 5Adam Collins and Jake NearyLost 2 and 1 toMr Feeley and Mr Sherlock

Game 6Sean Willis and Eliott WolstenholmeLost 2 and 1 to Dave Freeman and Rick Purser

MATCH RESULT:School 2ptsOld Clavians 3pts

MJS

GOLF

For the first time in many years,BGSB managed to assemble a teamthat could compete against otherschools. The team started theircampaign against an experienced andwell-resourced Winstanley Collegeand lost to their ‘A’ tea, 7-2.However, they made quick work ofthe ‘B’ team 9-0. The first homefixture was a tighter affair as the teamlost narrowly to Holy Cross ‘A’ 5-4and once again beat their ‘B’ teamconvincingly 8-1. The first win ofthe season came against HulmeGrammar School 7-2.

Further wins were achievedagainst Cheadle Hulme School andBolton School but the team werethrashed by the eventual winners,

Manchester Grammar School, 9-0.Many thanks should go to Ross

Little, who led the side admirably,drawing on his own talent and wealthof experience. I must thank him forgiving me numerous hints and tipsduring training on Wednesdays. JoshRedford was excellent throughoutand was a tough competitor for anyopposition. Tom Barling, HarpreetSahni and Nalin Natarajan (all 5thform pupils) performed to a highstandard and these lads should beeven stronger next year. Hopefully,BGSB can build on their mid-tableposition and make a challenge on thetitle next season.

ASC

BADMINTON

96

Family Fun Day:Staff v Boys Basketball

The Teams:Staff:Mr HiltonMr MarshallMr FergusonMr DavidsonMr AhmadMr CawtherleyMr WattsMr PhillipsDavid Page –

Upper 6th honorary staff

Boys:Jack HarrisonMichael PageRobert HernandezMatthew GrindrodEthan CloughTom McKennaLewis MervinMohammed Ahmad

The match was extremelycompetitive and a good standard ofbasketball was played by both teams.

At the end of the first quarter, thestaff led 19 – 0, thanks to some verystrong defence and a Mr Cawtherleythree point shot. The boys foughtback in quarter two and the score atthe half was 31 – 16 in favour of thestaff.

A very strong third quarterperformance by the boys, coupledwith dwindling staff energy levelssaw the lead cut still further, as thequarter ended 44 – 26. (sic - MrMarshall is a science teacher - Ed.!).The final score was 52 – 39, withstaff hanging on narrowly to theirlead.

Thank you to Jack Harrison fororganising his team and for the 5thyear boys who returned to play.

Thank you to the staff who gave

freely of their time to play,particularly Mr Ahmad, Mr Hiltonand Mr Ferguson who all managed torun other activities as well as takingpart, and to David Page for returningto play.

The staff therefore retains thetrophy for the second year running!See you next year boys!

RNM

This season, the School swimmingteam has not performed to itsmaximum potential. Out of the ninegalas that have taken place, BuryGrammar has only won one, beatingSt. Edward’s Grammar School. Verystrong opposition came fromManchester and Bolton GrammarSchools, who both showed a lot ofdetermination and skill. However,these results are not representative ofthe team performances. Many of thegalas were very close, but Buryunfortunately lack the ability toclinch the vital wins. Early in theseason, Bury narrowly lost to QueenElizabeth Grammar School, with onlyone race in it.

The 1st years have tried reallyhard this season, but a lack ofexperience has shown. However,next year I believe that this will notbe the case and hopefully more winswill be recorded. The 2nd years havebeen outstanding this season. Aspecial mention must go to CallumDavidson, who has been unbeaten inbreaststroke this year. He has evenswum two years above his age group

for the 4th years, defeating hisopponents. The senior swimmingteam has also been very strong thisyear. Cameron Collins and TomBarling have carried the side,winning most of their events.

I have really enjoyed being

swimming captain and wish all theswimmers good luck next year.

Ben Jennings

SWIMMING

97

The following are all original andauthentic quotations, unknowinglycontributed by members of the School.

Translate into Latin: Felix was writ-ing in the study.Correct version: Felix in tablinoscribebat.Pupil’s version: Felix scribaybat dansla study.

Miss is Homer’s Odyssey a Simpsonsfilm?

Japanese pastimes include martialarts, sumo wrestling and bonsaithrowing.

Sir, is the Christmas concert inFebruary?

He sent it off to Ferdé Gofer (actuallyGrofe – Editor), but there were stillblank spots. Whiteman (actuallyGershwin – Editor) – when it wastime to play the piece live – just filledin the spots with his brain and playedby ear.

William went round London andburned lots of villages. The villageswere called Sussex, Kent, Hampshire,Surrey, Middlesex and Hertfordshire.

Moses received the TenCommandments on Mount Sinai inthe middle of the dessert.

The two female singers are using theirvocals as well as the men in the back-ground.

Even at the actual concert there wereblank pages in the piano piece whichGershwin said he would compromiseon the spot.

Two girls sing and the men do the tre-bles.

Q. Which section of the orchestra con-tains the most players and why?A. The strings because if you countthe amount of instruments in thestring section it adds up to more thanthe other sections.

Q. Where did Moses receive the TenCommandments?A. Moses received the TenCommandments on a volcano calledMount Sinai.

Abdullah Khan certainly made use ofthe facilities with plenty of well-aimed bouncers. (Staff comment –That must have come as a relief!)

Q. What was the name given toPresident Woodrow Wilson’s peaceproposals of January 1918?A. The Ten Commandments.

Q. What was the American idea of‘Rugged Individualism?’A. People tried to be ‘rough aroundthe edges’.

A new style of American music?Blouse.

William the Conqueror took the indi-rect route to London to intimate theSaxons.

J’ai apprendu la grammaire enfrançais.

Q. What is the masculine equivalentof bride?A. Broom.

Q. What is the masculine equivalentof goose?A. Duck or swan.

Q. What is the past tense of seek?A. Suck.

Miss, is a bride a type of animal?

Q. What evidence is there that Harolddied with an arrow in his eye?A. It was on the video in one of MrsBrookes’ good lessons.

He died an extremely fatal death at theage of 42.

Paul McCartney’s father owned amusical hall.

(Title of a song) Sgt. Pepper’s LonelyHarts Club Band.

Q. What’s the major cause of globaldimming?A. Thick people having too manybabies.

Suddenly the clouds turned black andthe gentile breeze stopped.

Resin is usually put on the bow haresto make them grip.

To make a violin bow work you haveto put relish on it.

The Beatles formed a four memberedgroup.

History Teacher: ‘While we’re study-ing the Afghan Wars, would anyonelike to guess which fictional characterwas supposed to have been woundedat the Battle of Maiwand in 1880?’Seventh Form History Student: ‘Wasit Peter Rabbit?’

Q. Describe the relief of south westEngland.A. It is fairly high off the ground.

Q. What is the difference between acomposer and a conductor?

Intelligence Exhibition

98

A. A composer writes the music andthe conductor tells the band where tobreathe.

(About Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at anExhibition”)Mussorgsky attended the exhibitionand was inspired to write 10 pianopieces each describing the paint fromthis exhibition.

Quiz Master: By what name isCharles Edward Stuart better known?Keen Pupil: Cheerful Charlie.

She is always very sticky to her joband propagates trustworthiness.

Modeste was a Russian who compost-ed music.

Even though he would be dead he fellto his knees and had a wounded head,but he was still standing up.

Q. Why did Martin Luther King fightracism?A. Because when he was a young manhe was black as well.

(Heard at Founders’ Day)He was crucified for us under PontiusPilates.

Question asked during a French examwhere pupil was struggling to reachthe word limit:Student: Miss, if you write numbersdo they count as words?Miss: Only if you write them asFrench words.Student: Miss, do the French havenumbers?Later same pupil, same exam: Canyou tell me how to spell a word?Miss: No!

The Catholic Church was founded inA.D. 33 by Jesus Christ.

The blue-ringed octopus is 20cm longwith its testacles outstretched.

Answers given by seemingly intelli-gent Seventh Formers in an end ofyear quiz:

Mr Hone: In what country isDarjeeling tea grown?Boy: Er…Africa?

Mr Hone: In what decade was Gandhiassassinated?Boy: Was it the 20th?

Mr Hone: How many cents make up aEuro?Boy: I think it’s about 50.

Mr Hone: What is the second largestof the British Isles?Boy: Guernsey?

Mr Hone: What is the actor GaryOldman’s real first name – Leonard orHoward?Boy: It’s got to be one or the other…

Mr Hone: Who was Michael Douglas’co-star in the 1984 film Romancingthe Stone?Boy: Sharon Stone?Mr Hone: No, it was Kathleen Turner.Did you know the answer Ollie?Boy: Was it Sharon Stone?

When I am sat watching the waterfights, I enjoy them. I feel I canexpose myself to the others who arethere.

99

DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S AWARDThis was the second year of runningthe Award at Bronze level at BGSB,and after the success of last year therewas a good deal of interest amongstthe fourth year boys in pursuing theAward.

To achieve the Award, candidateshave to complete at least six monthsof participation and progress in fourareas: Physical Recreation, Skill,Service and Expedition. Each of theboys had to secure his own activitiesin the first three areas and, once again,this resulted in a wide variety ofchoices.

The Expedition training was in twoparts: planning sessions during schooltime coupled with training activitiesduring weekends. These started inJanuary with a cold and very windyexperience at Lyme Park. Boysstarted off on the short orienteeringcourse, but after some tuition in thebasics of navigation soon sawthemselves completing the morecomplicated longer courses. This wasfollowed by a first aid day held atschool, which enabled boys to learnabout the Safe Airway Position, HeartMassage and how to safely andconfidently deal with more commoninjuries.

Following a day walk fromRamsbottom swimming pool to PeelTower, we ventured north to the

countryside surrounding Clitheroe topractise walking with full expeditionrucksacks. This was certainly an eyeopener as navigation skills weretested, sometimes successfully, andgroups had to dig deep to maintainmorale when things weren’t alwaysgoing to plan.

This equipped the boys for theirsecond training expedition in theYorkshire Dales, walking fromMalham to Gargrave with a stopoverin Cracoe during a generally sunnyweekend in early June. Finally theassessed expedition in the PeakDistrict was a very wet affair. Onceagain the boys had to show resilienceand determination to battle their waythrough the worst the British summercould throw at them. I think it is safeto say they were happy to reach theend of their walk at Lyme Park whereit had all began.

I would like to thank the boys fortheir character, determination andgood humour, parents for their supportin all its forms and, as ever, the largegroup of staff who make this allpossible. Let’s hope next year bringssome slightly better weather!

AED

The Duke of Edinburgh Award hasbeen a tough yet well rewarding ride.It involves boys and girls walkingendless kilometres each day and thenhaving to use a combination of quickthinking, teamwork and intelligenceto get through the horrendousconditions, in the form of making atent and cooking soggy pasta in thepouring rain.

If you were to write downeverything that could have gonewrong on a single piece of paper, Ithink it’s safe to say that we did it. Wehad to battle through adverse weatherconditions and help several groupmembers with injuries sustained byslipping. This drove us on and madevictory at the end that little bit sweeterand more satisfying.

As a group we have learnt manynew skills. We have learnt to get onbetter and not to argue when times aretough. We have learnt to navigateourselves across moors with blisteringwinds but, most importantly, we havelearnt to make ourselves one of themost satisfying hot-chocolates on acold, bleak Sunday morning.

Alex Adler

Sword of Honour for School CadetThe Royal Regiment of Fusiliershonoured the schools by presentingan officer’s sword to a Bury GrammarSchool student after the annualGallipoli parade on Sunday 27thApril.

Senior Cadet, Shantanu Kafle,from the School’s combined cadetforce (CCF), received the sword fromColonel Brian Gorski. Founded in1892, the School’s CCF is one of theoldest in the country and has beenclosely linked with the LancashireFusiliers.

As well as marking the 93rdanniversary of the landings atGallipoli, the award commemoratedthe 40th anniversary of the Royal

Regiment of Fusiliers.Headmaster, the Reverend Steven

Harvey, said, “The Bury GrammarSchool CCF is greatly honoured bythe presentation of this sword. Wegreatly value our historic links withthe Fusiliers and the sword will be anenduring and much treasured symbolof this association.”

The Senior Cadet wore the swordfor the first time on Founders’ Dayand the tradition will be continued inyears to come.

PrePress Equipment• 4 Apple Macintosh G5 Workstations• Screen Trueflow with Flatworker imposition software• 2 Epson Pro 7600 Proofers • 1 Epson Pro 4600 Proofer• Lab Proof SE proofing system• Enviromentally friendly CTP System - No Chemicals just Water• Fuji Pro-T thermal plates

Press Equipment• Komori Lithrone S29 B2 5 Colour Auto Plate Change, Auto Wash-up,

Computer Colour Management 15000 IPH max sheet size 520 x 736mm The Ultimate medium run printing press.(Runs Enviromentally friendly, Alcohol free Soya based inks)

• Heidelberg Speedmaster 52 B3, prints 2 Colour in line or perfects 1 colourover 1, excellent rolling power, short to medium runs.

• Heidelberg Printmaster 46, SRA3 2 colour printing Press

Digital Print Equipment• Océ Varioprint 6250 duplex mono digital printing machine. With triple multi-unit paper

input feeders and high capacity stacker. Producing the equivalent of 15000 x A4 2-sidedimages per hour to offset quality standard. Fully integrated into our repro department workflowsystems for optimal production capability.

• Océ CPS900 Platinum digital colour press. Producing equivalent of 2000 consistently colourcalibrated A4 images per hour on a wide range of materials. Fully integrated into our repro departmentworkflow systems for optimal production capability.

PostPress Equipment• Euro-Bind 384 Automatic Perfect Binding Machine. Producing high

quantity binding in individual or short to medium run lengths, inapprox 3mm to 35mm spine thickness range.

• Horizon SPF-20A, 20 Station Booklet Maker• Polar 92 ED, Digital Programmable Guillotine

• Heidelberg Cylinder Cut and Creaser,size 540 x 770mm

• MBO T-500P, Folder• UFO, Folder

Unit 5Parkway Four

Longbridge RoadTrafford ParkManchester

M17 1SN

t 0161 872 2228f 0161 877 5283

e quotations@jarvisprint.com