A.O.S.A. 2005 ANNUAL REPORT

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From 1986 to early 1988, in preparation for the 1988 AOSA Centenary Reunion celebrations, Gill Jackson and Arthur Grainge contacted most of their 1940s to 50s class, persuading (or cajoling) them to write about their lives since leaving Ayton. The result was a very interesting 20-page book with 32 separate contributions, edited by Gill. On Reunion Sunday, a copy was presented to Evelyn Nicholson, which she much enjoyed and which possibly started Evelyn thinking: “Gillian Jackson? We need an Annual Report editor; she’s just the person!” And how right she was.

Gill’s first Annual Report (affectionately known as “The Mag”) was the 1990 edition. She quickly identified the News of Old Scholars as the heart of Annual Reports and started to expand contacts with old scholars from the “Teen Years” to present day. In her first Mag, News was but eight pages, with a Mag total of 44-pages. It didn't take long for the Mag to expand and settle at 64-pages (often with a bit of a squeeze and occasionally expanding to 68-pages), with News filling around 30 pages; a natural consequence of Gill’s enthusiasm and countless hours of writing and telephoning OS, in turn generating a renewed interest among Members to read about their Ayton friends, wherever they might now be.

When e-mail and the Internet caught up with Gill, this made News gathering a lot quicker and easier but whereas e-mail is so easy to send, on the other hand, as it came flowing in from all around the world, not so easy to acknowledge, welcome as it was. Whatever it was, there was a flow of information both direct and through a network of “informers” to Gill’s News’ file. Then, during each January, collating News began, with the demanding and time-consuming task of stringing items of News one to the other, all to make a flowing and interesting read.

After the Presidential Address, AGM Minutes, Accounts, and Reports were presented, Gill’s editorial flair stood her in good stead in choosing a diverse range of contributors. Reunion Report authors were carefully chosen to inform and - hopefully - encourage attendance for next year, but among the hundreds of regular “in-touch” OS, there are many with a good story to tell and a way with words, reflected in a fine mix of old and new, and lots of “I didn't know that!” sort of article.

News of School’s closure in 1997 came as a severe shock, and after the ’97 Mag had gone to press. Full coverage was not possible, therefore, until 1998. It was thought by some that, following closure, the Old Scholars’ Association might follow the same way, but happily this was not so; the Mag then came into its own as a focus for OS., and the strong message was “Ayton Old Scholars’ Association is still very much in business.” If anything, OS interest increased.

As the years passed, Gill’s knock-on problems from a very bad bout of ME in the mid ‘90s, caused her more and more joint and muscular discomfort to her hands and back in particular, which made continued computer keyboard work and writing very difficult and, in 2003, she advised the Committee she would be stepping down as Annual Report Editor after the production of this 2005 edition. She wanted to give plenty of time for a successor to be found, and to work with him. Gill’s successor is a “him;” Jim Slater (1974-78) and we wish him well.

In conclusion, Gill brought an editorial professionalism to the Ayton Old Scholars’ Annual Report, acknowledged by many in commercial publishing. She is a stickler for correct grammar and has set a very high standard for others to follow and maintain. On behalf of all Ayton Old Scholars’ our grateful thanks Gill for all sixteen years of your very hard but much appreciated work and a lasting legacy.

Dick Dennis (1944-52)

I received this gracious tribute from Dick Dennis, for inclusion in this year's magazine. As I will still be the editor until this goes to press, I feel more than a little awkward, but the committee has pointed out that such a tribute is traditional when somebody who has served for so long, retires. They said that to wait another year would be too long after the event. Thank you ever so much Dick, and the rest of the committee, for your very kind words.

Gill Jackson (Hinds 1950-55)

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