A.O.S.A. 2006 ANNUAL REPORT - NEWS OF OLD SCHOLARS

[Page ten]

After speculating three years ago as to what had become of PHILIP SHAKESBY (1993-97) following an article on him in a local paper, sent to me by Wendy Smith, it was good to have further news of his career from Philip himself last year……. “Nine years down the line and I'm STILL in a school of sorts. In an attempt to extend adolescence beyond all reasonable boundaries I'm now in my 7th year of student-dom. After spells in York and Manchester I am now loosely based in London studying at the Benjamin Britten International Opera School (part of the Royal College of Music). Having spent recent summers involved in operatic productions abroad in Italy, Lithuania and Scotland, summer 2005 was spent in actual employment singing in the chorus of ! the Glyndebourne Festival Opera which was a great experience. Since arriving at the BBIOS I have played the (non-singing) role of Frosch in Strauss's 'Die Fledermaus' - (comedy drunken jailer) and June will see my singing debut there as Don Inigo Gomez in Ravel's 'L'Heure Espagnole'. Any curious parties wishing to come and see it or just to get back in touch, do get in touch……I have moved around rather a lot lately but the following address is where my parents live and rather more permanent:11 The Brambles, Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, LN8 3NS. My e-mail address is philipshakesby@mac.com”

It would appear, that despite my best endeavours, I got it wrong for KATIE BELL (1990-97) again last year. I am reluctant to make any further statements in case of yet more error. Suffice it to say, I don’t think she went on to study at Nunthorpe after leaving Ayton. Sorree Katy!

DOROTHY NEWBY (DANBY 1934-39) sent me the following e-mail in October, relating to the work of a teacher from the 1930s…… “A Michael Gates left a message in the OS Website Visitors’ Book, asking for information about DOROTHY LAWRENSON. He is researching a picture of hers, "Two Children Sitting at a Table" which is to be auctioned at the Canterbury Auction Rooms and which he hopes to buy. It was hung in the Royal Academy from 1935 to 40. Miss Lawrenson taught Art at Ayton from 1921-27! and 1934-36, and another painting of hers, “An Ayton School Boy” also hung in the Royal Academy. The boy was HARRY BANKS (1932-40), brother of MARY (1932-38), and it was I, who, several years ago, sent the information about it to Dick.” …. Despite Dick and me (GJ) e-mailing Michael Gates on more than one occasion, we had no reply and thus, sadly, are unable to report whether or not he is the new owner of “Two Children Sitting at a Table.”

From his son Geoff, at the end of November, came the sad news of the death of RALPH RODWELL (biology staff 1952-53), “who passed away peacefully at home in Clacton on Sea, Essex, on 29th September 2005, aged 80, leaving a wife Janet, three sons and Grandchildren. The Cremation was attended to overflowing by many friends, including ex-pupils of Clacton County High School, which he joined as a Biology teacher, before promotion to Head of Biology, and from then many years as Head of Science, before enjoying early retirement.” Ralph paid a visit to the school in June 1995 and wrote the reunion report for me that year. I was pleased to be able to put him in touch, some years later, with his old friend from his days at Ayton, NORMAN GRAHAM (RE and Games Staff 1952-55) and though the two were in regular communication, sadly, I don’t think they ever managed to meet. Our sympathies go to Geoff and all the Rodwell family.

NORMAN GRAHAM and his wife Christine attended the summer reunion in 2005 and seemed to enjoy their visit; so much so, that they have promised to return in 2006. Along with AUDREY DAVIES (SEDDON 1944-51) and ABDUL IRVANI (1979-81), I joined Norman and Christine in a walk around Ayton on the Saturday afternoon, trying to unravel the clues in DIZ DEXTER (1960-65) and SUZANNE POTTER (MORGAN’S 1960-67) wonderful Treasure Hunt. Even though we answered all the questions, and got all the clues right, I think we came in last. I guess we spent too much time dawdling, chatting and taking photographs. Perhaps we just lacked the competitive spirit?

WENDY SMITH (ARNOLD 1959-65) sent JIM SLATER (1974-78) a cutting from the ‘Stockton and Darlington Times of 15th Sept. 05, and Jim sent it on to me…. “ A couple who have raised more than £60,000 for charity over the last eleven years, celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary last week. As well as commemorating 50 years of married life this year, MARGARET (Sociology Staff 1974-79) and PETER WHITTLE (English and Drama Staff 1960-79), hope to reach the £70,000 with their fundraising. The couple, who lived in Great Ayton for nearly 20 years, where Mr. Whittle was a village correspondent for the D & S Times, now spend much of their time making crafts for the annual charity sale at their home near Banbury, the proceeds of which go to nearby Katherine House Hospice.” The article went on to give details of the Whittles’ life in and beyond Ayton and was accompanied by a delightful photograph of them both. Belated congratulations to them on their Golden Anniversary.

Again from Wendy, via James, came another cutting, this time from the ‘Independent’ newspaper, which gave the very sad news of the untimely death of the former Head of English PETER RUSHFORTH (1971-95), who went on to become a best selling author….. “ Peter Scott Rushforth, writer and teacher, born Gateshead Co. Durham, 15th February, 1945, died, Blakey Ridge, North Yorkshire, 25th September, 2005….Death rarely seems timely, but the sudden death of the novelist Peter Rushforth, while walking on the North Yorkshire Moors is peculiarly unkind. It came when Rushforth’s life as writer was blossoming. He was due at the Vancouver International Writer’s Festival this week, a year after publishing his second novel Pinkerton’s Sister, with its successor, A Dead Language, due out next spring. Pinkerton’s Sister appeared twenty-five years after his first novel, Kindergarten, had won the Hawthornden Prize. The long gap was due to Rushforth’s struggle to combine the writing he loved with the job he enjoyed as Head of English at the Friends’ School, Great Ayton, North Yorkshire.”… Although I never knew Peter, ironically, we ‘met’ through cyberspace, when he wrote for me the tribute to his great friend and colleague LARRY CLENNELL(1987-97) who also died tragically young, in May 2003. Through his e-mails, I came to know Peter and still have one from him, sent last year. I, too, feel as though I have lost a close friend - GJ.

MARTIN ESSEX (MUSIC STAFF 1974-94) was the conductor at a concert given by the Teesside Symphony Orchestra in the parish Church, Stokesley on 19th November 2005. Martin regularly plays the double bass in the TSO, and for the past few years has also conducted one of their two annual concerts. The programme notes had this to say of his career…… “ Martin studied music and education at Dartington in South Devon and has taught in schools since 1967. He was assistant Director of Music at Sevenoaks School in Kent, before moving to the North East as Director of Music at the Friends’ School, Great Ayton in 1974. In 1994 he was appointed Director of Music at Seaford College, West Sussex and remained there until his retirement from fulltime teaching in 2000, when he returned to Yorkshire. He has conducted choral and orchestral works and services in distinguished venues throughout the country, including the cathedrals of Durham, Chichester, Winchester, Arundel and St. Paul’s in London. In 1997 the British Council invited the Seaford College Choir, under his direction, to tour Ecuador and Colombia. Martin now works for the North Yorkshire Music Service, teaching double bass, and keyboard. He is a member of the Cleveland Chamber Orchestra and the Cleveland Philharmonic orchestra.”

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