Dear Old Lathallian,

Lathallan School Old Lathallians' Newsletter - October 2014
 

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Old Lathallians' New Website

http://www.lathallan.org.uk/old-lathallians/old-lathallians-members-website

Please log on and add your details! We are working through the card index as no register exists.
Why are we asking all Old Lathallians to add on their details?
 

• OL's from 1930-1948 no records existed except mentions in Lathallan Magazine
• Lathallan now all through School, needs proper register of OL's, needs to engage OL's from the "Prep School" days as they are valued
• OL's need a forum exclusive to them
• School needs a proper record of its former pupils, the oldest will now be 90+, centenary of School not too far away in 2030, need to record memories of those at the Fife location before too late
• So far 700 entries on website, almost finished MAC's. Target end of year for all OL's to be on it in it in some fashion
• When basic entries on - names, dates of birth, house, entry and leaving dates -we will try to populate it with more contact details
• So far have logged 87 who went to Glenalmond, 81 Strathallan, 67 Fettes, 51 Merchiston
• Many interesting and successful people went to Lathallan, the new website allows for their achievements to be recorded.
• Website will allow reunions to be better organised and more inclusive, for instance all pipe band members will be searchable
• A symbol of Lathallan's resurgence, our interest in the past

Thanks so much to Alastair Shepherd (1968-1973), Chairman of Old Lathallian Association for all his help!

Emily Ketchen

Emily Ketchen (1977-1979) was one of the original girls at Lathallan! She visited the school from her home in California. Emily loved her tour around the school and the grounds and it brought back many happy memories. She is now Vice President, PPS Worldwide of Hewlett- Packard.

Old Lathallians meet in Afghanistan

Sean Tribbeck (1997-1999), Royal Marines got in touch to send a picture of himself and a Lathallan Old Boy he had met while on duty in Afghanistan! Company Commander with the Royal Highland Fusiliers 2nd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland - Matthew Sheldrick (1983-1989) wrote to me in Sept 2011! I recalled this and was able to pass this on to Sean Tribbeck. Both were pupils in Nelson House! What an amazing chance meeting! Two very brave men serving our country!


 

Chris Davidson (1967-1972) speaks to his mum, Matron Jean Booth (1950-1955)

Jean Davidson (nee Booth)
Matron at Lathallan, 1950-1955
Jean Davidson, aged 90, shared memories of her time as matron of Lathallan from 1950-55 with her son, Chris who was at Lathallan from 1967-72.

Chris – Mum, when did you start at Lathallan?

Jean - In the Autumn term of 1950. My father knew Charles Alexander (who sold Brotherton Castle to the school)  and he recommended me to the headmaster, Mr Nock. I was offered the position without an interview and joined at the same time as Donald and Eileen King. Raymond and Win Burton had moved with the school from Fife the previous year.  Gordon (“RAGS”)Stuart  also joined whilst I was there. All these people became good friends over the years and also taught you.

Chris - Who else was on the staff?

Jean - I was taken aback when Mr Nock told me that the new assistant matron was 45! I was in my 20s but Mrs Forrest and I got on very well. You will remember her from your time at Lathallan. Later on, your uncle, the late Dr John Sorley became doctor to the school and of course his son, Patrick, was at Lathallan at the same time as you.

Chris – Mrs Forrest was a strict disciplinarian with us but she really was a caring person.

Jean – There was also Peter Marshall, the houseman, and Jim Smith, who ran the carpentry workshop. He taught you to make those wooden  trays that we still have.

Chris – What was life like at the school?

Jean  – Probably very similar to when you were there.  The staff had breakfast and lunch in the dining room with the boys (I remember one April Fool’s Day they put Bovril in the staff tea pots); then the boys ran up the drive before school assembly; classes “on the other side”; rugby, hockey or cricket in the afternoon; prep after tea  and early lights out. Tuck was on Wednesdays and Sundays.

Chris – What about the school uniform?

Jean – Suits were worn everyday when I arrived but after discussion with some Aberdeen mothers, and with Mr Nock’s agreement, we changed to corduroy trousers and Braemar jumpers with kilts or suits on Sundays. From the photos you showed me, the red and grey uniform colours have changed.

Chris – Was there anything else that you changed?

Jean – I was astonished that each boy still had a bedpan. I removed these immediately, against Mr Nock’s wishes, and had a pact with the boys that they would tiptoe along the floorboards if they had to relieve themselves. I also introduced the nightly “Tick List” which you will remember.

Chris – Which boys do you remember?

Jean – I remember the three Donald brothers, Herbert, Brian and Sydney, whose family owned “His Majesty’s Theatre in Aberdeen; the Purser brothers – you showed me the article about John Purser  on the school website and Fran ten Bos. I remember one summer when the boys were surreptiously heading out for a midnight feast, ten Bos placed a bar of chocolate under my bedroom door so that I would cast a blind eye.
There were boys whose parents lived overseas.  I accompanied one to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary to have an emergency appendix removal and was rather anxious as I signed the consent forms for the operation. I was glad it was a success.

Chris – what about corporal punishment?

Jean – I think Mr Nock occasionally used a cane. I remember him telling a story about when he was preparing to beat a boy and the boy’s father, a vet in Fife, unexpectedly telephoned. Mr Nock asked the father “How do you catch your son? – he’s running around my study!”.

Chris – RB used a slipper - I experienced it once.

Chris - Did you ever have epidemics in the school?

Jean – In the Easter term of 1955, half the school had mumps and I caught it as well so I was not much help then.

Chris – So when did you leave Lathallan?

Jean  - In 1955, to marry your father. When  Mr Nock read in the papers that I was engaged, he phoned me saying  I should tell my fiancée that if he ever came down the drive, he would meet him with a shotgun!

Chris – So what are your abiding memories of Lathallan?

Jean – It was a very happy school with a good headmaster and committed staff. The ethos was right. That continued under Raymond and Win and from what you tell me, it is still there today. You can tell me all about the school after the Pipe Band reunion in August. I would love to hear about “boys” who were under my charge.
 

Neil Macmillan visit in September 2014

Memories of Lathallan
(September 1955 – June 1960)
 
Looking at my time at Lathallan with over well over 50 years of hindsight, I feel a very profound sense of gratitude for the excellence of the intellectual, physical and moral education I received there – an education that has stood me in tremendously good stead until now.
 
While Lathallan’s beautiful buildings and surroundings are a great part of its charm, the primary credit for its excellence in those days, I feel, must go to its founder, the stern J.H. (Harry) Nock, who must have made excellent choices in his staff.
 
The other key figure in those days was the Assistant Headmaster, the extremely congenial Raymond Burton. These two were extremely complementary with Mr. Nock upholding high standards of excellence in the classroom and strict discipline throughout the school, and Mr. Burton fostering a succession of extremely successful sports teams in rugby, hockey and cricket.
 
While Mr. Nock taught French and maths and Mr. Burton taught maths, other leading masters that I remember were Mr. King (history), Mr. Rodgers (classics) and Mr. Eadie (English). We also had excellent female teaching staff for art and the youngest classes (including Mr. Burton’s wife), plus a motherly matron, a kind nurse and an efficient headmaster’s secretary.
 
I was personally fortunate that I excelled both in class (winning what was, I believe, Lathallan’s first scholarship to Strathallan) and on the sports field (two years in the rugby XV, two years in the hockey XI, one year in the cricket XI and success in cross-country and the 440).
 
While most Lathallians in those days chose to go on to one of the Edinburgh schools like Fettes and Merchiston or schools like Glenalmond or Gordonstoun, I chose Strathallan, whom we also played at rugby.
 
I had similar success at Strathallan, where I again benefited from outstanding staff before going up to King’s College, Cambridge in September 1965.
 
I have had an extremely interesting life since leaving Cambridge, which has involved emigrating to Canada, spending more than 15 years in Africa, and then enjoying a late career as the owner of a successful French-to-English translation company in Canada (thank you again, Mr. Nock!).
 
I played rugby until I was 49 years, but had to stop on medical advice because of damage to my neck after so many years as a wing forward.
 
Along the way, I met my dearly loved wife, Jane, in London in 1967, She is a ballet teacher and a visual artist, and we have four sons and three grandchildren.
 
The three main differences that I see in Lathallan today compared with the school in the 1950s and 1960s are (1) the addition of girl pupils; (2) the addition of day pupils; (3)  the increase in the number of pupils from the immediate catchment area (in my day, there were only two other pupils from Aberdeen), and (4) the evolution into a full secondary school with students up to the age of 18, I believe.
 

Richard Mill (1996-2000)

I wanted to let my old school know - I have been selected to play for the full Scotland 7s side at the European Championships in Lyon, France.
 
I can't believe it - this has been a dream of mine to gain a full cap for my country 7s or 15s since I was a wee boy! I am not going to rest on my laurels and kick on. I feel very proud and lucky but wanted to let you know.
 
I hope all is well at school.
 

Capt Lewis Archibald Gibson MM LRDG (1930-1934)

One of the original 5 pupils in 1930
Served Long Range Desert Group, 2WW
Awarded Military Medal
Agricultural Enginerr 1952
Member of Magic Circle
Official piper to Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands 1933
Made Jewellery
Street trader in Belgium, Portugal
Started Crieff folk festival
Author, Psychotherapist and Teacher
Died 4 April 2005 - obituary in Scotsman
 
 
Born: 8 November, 1919, in Crieff.
Died: 4 April, 2005, in Perth, aged 85.
AS A young man Archie Gibson was a strikingly handsome, tall, athletic figure. He had great personal warmth and a friendly, outgoing personality. A highly intelligent man with artistic and entrepreneurial flair, he also had wanderlust in spadefuls.
Archie was always making unexpected moves; always looking for adventure, he had no intention of being a bank manager, like his grandfather and father. He loved being outdoors; he enjoyed sports; but above all, he craved a motorbike and the freedom and opportunities it could provide.
In due course he became a soldier, husband, father, businessman, traveller, artist, musician and friend to many.
He was a fine singer and could play many musical instruments. At the age of 14 he played the pipes for Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands when, in the early 1930s, she used to take up temporary residence in St Fillans. Archie played his pipes upon her arrival and he played outside her dining room in the evenings. He accompanied her to the lochside - carrying her painting equipment. When she left in 1933, Archie was given an ornate envelope. Expecting some monetary reward, he opened it after he had "piped her awa" to find a certificate confirming him "official piper to Her Majesty Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands", but alas no money.
The Gibson family have long banking and military traditions. Archie was born a year after his father’s return from the First World War.
He joined the Scots Guards as a teenager, and when war was declared in 1939 he was already serving with the Long Range Desert Group in north Africa, covertly monitoring the Italian military build-up in the Middle East.
His unit was closely involved with the formation of the Special Air Service commando unit under David Stirling. He and Stirling often travelled together, with Archie driving through the desert nights in enemy-occupied territory to infiltrate enemy aerodromes, destroy their planes, and cut supply lines. Archie was still just 22 years old.
He went on to serve throughout the war and fought with distinction in some of the most difficult and challenging war zones. He was parachuted into Yugoslavia to wage guerrilla war with Tito’s partisans, and he served in many other European operations. Archie had progressively earned promotion to the rank of captain. He was mentioned in despatches and decorated for bravery.
When coming up through Italy in 1943, Archie went to a hospital to see his sister, who was there with the Queen Alexandra Nursing Service. It was there that he met Joan, also a nurse, and so began a partnership that lasted until her death last year.
When Archie was demobbed, he bought a second-hand Rolls Royce in London with his demob money. He drove back north home to civilian life - broke, but in great style.
He and Joan were married in 1946 in a simple, unconventional ceremony that cost the equivalent of 35p for the certificate and 50p for the book token as a present for the minister. In due course Archie started his own hardware wholesale business. His son, Paul, born in 1956, went into the business with Archie, and when he was old enough to take charge, Archie was off.
While Joan started an antiques business, Archie reinvented himself as a free born man - a man with many interests and guises. He travelled extensively and lived in various European countries, then in Ireland for 15 years.
Archie designed, made and sold jewellery. He was a street trader in Portugal, Belgium and elsewhere. He was a hippy and travelling magician. He organised and managed the Crieff and Comrie folk clubs, and the highly successful Crieff Folk Festival in the 1960s. He became a professional solo entertainer - and with his flute, or whistle and his guitar, coupled with his good singing voice, he developed a routine that ensured continuous solo engagements in concerts and with leading folk groups. Billy Connolly, The Corries, The Dubliners, Archie Fisher, and many other famous names were all regular visitors to Gleniffer in Crieff.
Joan periodically joined him and they had great times together. He moved continuously by motorbike, car or van, complete with wood-burning stove and chimney. The van was his workshop and his home. He slept wherever night fell.
Archie later re-invented himself again and became an author. He trained as a psychotherapist, and became a teacher.
Archie’s life was full to overflowing. It was unconventional, varied and happy. He was blessed with Joan, a wonderful, tolerant wife. Archie saw things in an individual and different way to most people - reflected in his dress; his variety of headwear; the spring-loaded toy rat he kept in his pocket or inside his shirt for when he wished to attract attention.
Instead of a tip for a waitress, he’d give her earrings. He made and delivered jewellery to be sold for the Marie Curie cancer care charity and he sported their daffodil symbol. For his 75th birthday, Archie bought himself a Harley Davidson.
Archie’s father originally painted the boulder dragon emerging from the wood just outside St Fillans, and to the delight of many children, Archie re-painted it. It’s an interesting and humorous landmark. Archie wrote verse and limericks. He was always making notes and sketches. He loved to quote lines of his own and others.
In recent years his body became frail but his intellect, his mind and his sense of humour remained as sharp as ever. Archie was buried in a wicker coffin, with the urn containing Joan’s ashes by his side, covered by his army duffle coat and his LRDG cap.
He is survived by his son, Paul, granddaughter, Emma, and sisters, Paddy and Eva.
 

Grania Hickley visit

Lathallan welcomed Grania Hickley to the school on Saturday 31 May. Grania was visiting from Sydney, Australia and returned to Lathallan where her father John Hickley taught Geography and French from 1965 to 1969. Known also as 'The Commander', Mr Hickley was employed by Headmaster Raymond Burton. He also enjoyed teaching cricket.
Grania was taken back to her roots as we visited North Lodge house at the top of the grounds and met the current occupants!
Grania visited the school before in 1980 for the 50th Anniversary dinner of Lathallan and hopes to return in 2030 for the 100th Anniversary!
If you have any memories of Mr Hickley, please contact Andrea Watt on 01561 362220 or email andreawatt@lathallan.org.uk
 

First Senior School Graduates

Adele Brownlee and Suzanne Ruby (2009-2010) visited the school in June.  Graduating in 2014
First Graduates along with Holly Masson (1998-2011)  of the Senior School!
Well done girls!

George MacDonald Haig (1968-1973)

I had a wonderful time wandering around the grounds, it brought back to me many happy memories of my time at Lathallan.
I have great memories of all the sporting activities, and how we used to run as a school en masse to Gourdon when the pitches were frozen or flooded. The stragglers would be rounded up by a schoolmaster (on a bicycle as I remember!)
Gardening with Mrs Burton was a pleasure and a pleasant change from academic studies, groups and individuals would have gardening projects on the walled terrace where you now have an eco garden. Sweets (tuck) were rationed and dispensed to the pupils in the tuck queue from the tuck cupboard in the turret room at the corner of the dining room twice a week. Those who could make the boiled sweets in their bag last for a few days would enjoy an elevated status compared to those who had eaten them all at once and could even use them as a bribe for assistance with prep work etc. School work was done using a nib pen which was filled from an ink well in the corner of each desk, ballpoint pens were not permitted for school work, and large amounts of ink and blotting paper were consumed, most of it during ragging. Ragging activities normally involved a scuffle of some kind between a classroom or a dormitory and another, using blobs of wet blotting paper and ink (or pillows in the case of a dormitory rag.)
A teacher who took a short absence from the classroom could return to find a full scale ink and peashooter conflict going on, which would be dealt with by giving the offenders stripes (a note of bad behaviour) or worse, lines, detention or even worse, a beating with the Heads cricket shoe. Stars (notes of good behaviour) were also given for achievement and shown on a chart near the assembly hall. The three houses, Nelson, Scott, and Livingstone, inspired a lot of loyalty amongst the pupils, and also rivalry between them, sporting tournaments were passionately played out in cricket, rugby and hockey as well as swimming in the pool at Montrose.
I remember one winter the was a wild dark storm which lasted for a day or so, and was so violent that all the pupils were confined indoors for safety. There was no deliveries to the school that day, the weather was so bad, the electricity cut off, and rivers of water ran down the school drive and down the steps on the path to the classrooms. The next day we were all amazed to see balls of foam from the brine of the sea sitting in the branches of the trees and in the bushes in the school grounds. There were also great lumps of lard all along the shore and railway line, all that was left from the cargo of a ship wrecked near Johnshaven during the second world war.
Thank you again for the opportunity to visit Lathallan.
 

Ian Steven (1942-1948)

Ian Steven paid a visit to Brotherton Castle having only ever been a pupil at the previous Lathallan site at Largoward in Fife. A former Scottish Universities Captain of Skiing Team and Chairman of the Alpine Committee of the Ski Federation, and a keen sailor and curler Mr Steven was a lawyer by profession. He recalled Mr Burton and Mr Pearson in the time of only 32 boy pupils and the time the school shook from the bombing at Red Burn. Mr Steven is pictured here in front of the white pavilion at the sports pitches at Brotherton Castle. This was a classroom at the former school and moved with the school to its new location in 1949.

Old Lathallians in touch

• Alan Roy (1960-1964) donated a Clavinova piano to the school. He attended the 50^th Anniversary dinner in 2013.
• Charles Forbes (1984-1986) contacted re looking for photographs. Now Hotel Manager in Manchester.
• Current S6 pupil Patrick Kinnear, who recently gained five A Grades at his Highers (below left) met up with Lucas Jacobs (2006-2011) at the Commonwealth Games. They were both Clyde-siders at the Barry Buddon Shooting Centre in Carnoustie.

Future Events

Diary Dates 2015

Saturday 25th April
5th Annual Rugby 7s Tournament - all welcome!
Advertising and Sponsorship opportunities are available

Sportsman's Dinner and Old Lathallian Reunion for all Old Lathallians across the years!
Saturday 25 April, 7pm
Lathallan School
Three course dinner and guest speaker
£50 per ticket. Please contact Andrea Watt, andreawatt@lathallan.org.uk or 01561 362220 to book your ticket.

Lathallan Foundation

The school has ambitious plans to improve and develop its facilities and to enhance the experience of Lathallan pupils, staff and visitors.

We also plan to make a Lathallan education more accessible to gifted children whose families might not be in a financial position to send them. Therefore we wish to create more bursaries and scholarships.

Our fees alone will not allow us to achieve all that we plan in order to ensure that the reputation of Lathallan as a school of educational excellence continues to grow into the future. That is why we have developed the Lathallan Foundation.

It will be a focus of fundraising for school projects, and we are asking former pupils, former and present families, former staff and all friends of Lathallan to give what they can to the Lathallan Foundation. If you are able to support the school in any way, please get in touch.

If you wish to meet with the Headmaster, Mr Richard Toley, to discuss the Lathallan Foundation and how you may help, Please contact Andrea Watt, Head of Development and Alumni Relations to arrange a meeting andreawatt@lathallan.org.uk (01561 362220) and indeed for any enquiries about the Foundation, Bursaries, Legacy giving and ongoing support.