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These pages provide copy and
photographs of Club events. Among these will be the current
Presidential address, Annual Dinner photographs and other notable events.
The London Club and
School websites also have News pages.
Recent News
The
2013 AGM
was held on Thursday 21st March when Sheriff
Frank Crowe was elected President. He thanked Louise Stevenson
for her highly successful and active Presidency, and also thanked retiring
Treasurer Peter Yellowlees for his twenty four years of service - a hard act to
follow. Peter's contribution to the Club will be celebrated at the
Committee dinner in November. Alastair Allanach, Chair
of the Finance Sub-committee for the last four years was elected (interim)
Treasurer. New committee list
here
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general view of the proceedings showing the newly elected Sheriff Frank
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Louise
Stevenson demits office |
The
Hon. Secretary with outgoing and incoming Presidents |
Outgoing and incoming Treasurers - Peter Yellowlees and Alastair
Allanach |
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The 2013 London Club Dinner was held on Friday
15th March. More news
here
The 2013 Annual dinner was held on Friday 8th March. Click
here for a report.
Douglas (Curly Bill) Mitchell died recently, aged 93.
The Evening News (thanks to Bill Lothian) ran reports on consecutive weeks, such
was the outpouring of remembrances. We've listed images
of the newspaper articles, along with photographs from our archives of the
earliest and latest XV's coached by Douglas Mitchell. Please contact
the webmaster if you require copies of the Evening News articles.
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The 1958-59 XV
captained by Jimmy Blake |
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The 1975-76 XV |
The Evening news articles, November 2012
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Includes tributes
from Charlie Bryden, Bruce Laidlaw, Alastair McIntosh, Robin Boog and
Iain Cowper |
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A second article,
this time Including more tributes, this time from Bill McCosh, Dave
Pickering and Bruce Laidlaw |
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The 2012 Prize-Giving was
held on Friday 29th June. Click
here for a report and photos
The 2012 London Club dinner
was held on Friday 23rd March in the splendid RAF Club in Piccadilly.
Captain Eric Brown delivered the principal speech,
where he captivated the audience with tales of his meetings with Nazi leaders
before and after the War.
An extensive Edinburgh contingent attended. Photographs were
taken...
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table: Captain Eric Brown RN, Rector Jane Frith, London Club
President Valerie Peay, President Louise Stevenson and School Captain
Craig Taylor |
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Eric
Brown signs a copy of his autobiography, 'Wings on my Sleeve for
Alastair Allanach |
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The 2011 Annual Dinner
was held on Friday 18th March in the Roxburghe Hotel in Edinburgh.
Speakers included former Rector Matt MacIver, current Rector Jane Frith,
Chris Crossley and Wilson Hunter. The School fiddle group once again performed, and this year
played a selection of their favourite pieces in the dining room immediately
prior to the dinner.
Photos shown below show the RHS Fiddle Group and a view of proceedings in the
bar prior to the dinner - click here to see photos.
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Twelve members of
the School Fiddle Band under direction from June Nelson |
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Diners conversing
prior to dinner... |
2010 Prize-Giving - held on Thursday 1st July.
Click here for pictures and an account of
proceedings.
The 2010 Annual Dinner
was held on Friday 5th March in the Roxburghe Hotel in Edinburgh. Speakers included
Dr John Halliday, Rector of Dundee High School, Jane Frith, the new Rector and
Austin Lafferty, a Glasgow solicitor noted for being a 'legal eagle' on Radio
Scotland. The School fiddle group once again performed, and this year
'played in' the top table, the group led by their proud Rector.
Click here to see photos.
John
Barclay's birthday party.
Dr John Barclay's 100th birthday was celebrated on St Andrews
day. John, Club President in 1980 and author of the 1999 RHS Club
memoir, was accompanied by his wife, and surrounded by many family, friends and
admirers at the event at Strachan House in Craigcrook Road, Edinburgh.
Click here for photographs
of the event. Sadly, Dr Barclay died soon after his
birthday.
2009 Committee dinner and presentation to George Smuga -
was held on Tuesday 10th November in Edinburgh's New
Club. The Committee took the opportunity to present outgoing
Rector George Smuga with a token of their thanks for his ten years service.
It was also an opportunity to meet new Rector Mrs Jane Frith. Click
here for photos.
2009 Prize-Giving - held on Thursday 2nd July.
The FP speech was delivered by Professor John Kay, and Mrs Marissa Bryden, wife
of the current President presented the prizes. Click
here to see photographs of the event.
Sad news
in April for both present and former pupils was the
deaths of two outstanding Royal High boys,
Jim Ford and
Pringle Fisher.
Both are featured on this website - click on their names to read their story.
We send our condolences to both families.
2009 AGM - on 31st March Martin Bryden was elected President.
Click here to see photos of the event.
Martin will shortly be detailing his plans for his Presidential year.
The 2009 Annual Dinner was held on Friday 27th March in the Roxburghe Hotel in Edinburgh. Speakers included The Honourable
Lady Dorrian, Acting Rector,David Simpson, London Club President Al Senter and Stewart Smith, an accomplished after dinner speaker and
freelance radio and television writer. Click
here to see photos of the event.
2008 Sixth form leavers gathering
- Click here for a report and photographs
2008 Prize-Giving -
Click here for a
report and photographs.
A Club pamphlet
explaining the history, activities, function and joining
instructions has been produced. Click
here to download a copy in
Adobe format, which when printed is intended to be presented as a tri-fold
document. The first recipients included all 126 School
Leavers in 2008
Jim Ford MC
was entertained by Lord Provost George Grubb at
the City Chambers on 12th May 2008. The story of Jim and his
brother Douglas Ford MC is told in A tale Of
Valour. Click
here for a photograph of the event.
2008 AGM -
Alastair Allanach was elected President. Alastair (a.k.a.
'Webmaster') spells out his intentions and objectives for his
Presidential year.
2008 Annual Dinner -
Rt. Hon. George Grubb, Lord Provost of Edinburgh was among the
speakers at this years event. Click here
for a report and photographs
George Henry -
has become Honorary President in
succession to St. John Spence. George introduces himself by
explaining his long and active connection with School and Club. See
the entry below.
RHSFP Rugby History
- Hugh McKenzie has completed production of a
comprehensive record of the Club from its creation in 1868 through its transformation to RHC.
A web version, similar to but of much less substance than the hardback book has been created and while it is 'work in
progress' is improving all the time. Click
here for a link.
Index
Click on one of the items shown below
for the full story. Click back to return
here.
Honorary President - George Henry
2008 President - Alastair Allanach
2007 President - Val Tudball
2006 President - Robin Boog
2005 President -
Colin Blaikie
2004 President - Alan Grosset - welcome
to the website
2003 President - Jim Inch's plans for the
year
2012 Prize-Giving
2010 Prize-Giving
2009 Prize-Giving
2008 Prize-Giving
2007 Prize-Giving
2005 Prize-Giving
2004 Prize-Giving -The opening of the refurbished school
2008 School
Leavers Gathering
2006 November Social
Function
2006 School Leavers' Function
Welcome presentation to Form S6
Dr John Murray - His retiral pen picture
Dr John Murray - presentation
dinner in Edinburgh City Chambers
Annual Dinner 2013
Annual Dinner 2011 -
Photographs
Annual Dinner 2010 -
Photographs
Annual Dinner
2009 - Photographs
Annual Dinner
2008 - Photographs
Annual Dinner 2007 - Photographs
Annual Dinner 2006 - Photographs
Annual Dinner 2005 - photographs
Annual Dinner 2004 - Photographs
Annual Dinner 2003 - Photographs
2009 AGM
2009 Committee Dinner
A Fringe First - The
Royal High School presents
2013 London Club Dinner
The RAF Club in Piccadilly was the splendid
setting for the London Club's annual dinner. President Valerie
Peay introduced the speakers, who included Phil Edgar-Jones, currently Head of
Entertainment at Sky, but famous for overseeing Big Bother when it was on
Channel 4. Edinburgh Club President Louise Stevenson filled
the breach caused by the sad indisposition of the Rector and School Captain by
delivering a compendium address. Guests from other School Clubs in
London included Douglas Forster representing Stewarts Melville FP Club, and Aman
Agarwal representing Watsons College FP's.
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Wendy Edgar- Jones,
Valerie Peay, Alex Prentice, Louise Stevenson, Douglas Forster, Phil
Edgar-Jones |
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2013 Annual Dinner
The 2013 Annual Dinner, held on Friday 8th
March at the Roxburgh Hotel in Edinburgh was another glittering affair, top
table speeches following the usual high quality approach. Sheriff
Michael O'Grady delivered the reply from the guests, utilising his customary
lawyer-dry wit to humour the audience. An unusually high
number of photographs was taken, and all attendees should see themselves
somewhere at least once...
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Top table: The
Rector, Sheriff Michael O'Grady, Louise Stevenson, George Smuga
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Rab Forman and legal friends |
Jim Dallas, Sheriff Andrew Bell and friends |
Peter Yellowlees and friends |
David Rutherford, Raymond Paul and friends |
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The young ones - Rutherford, McIvor et al |
The Crossleys, Alex Prentice, Valerie Peay and friends |
The School table |
Ian Forrest, Tom Fraser, Gordon Smith and friends |
Ian Cowie, Graham Holton and friends |
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Keith and Colin Blaikie and friends |
Eddie and Sarah Tait and friends |
London Club
President Valerie Peay, David Ingram and Guest |
Lord Mackay, John Mitchell QC and Sheriffs O'Grady and
Crowe - a serious legal quartet |
Matt MacIver, Neil Sutherland and friends |
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Alan Grosset and A;astair Maclean |
Macmillan, Yellowlees and friends |
Jim Inch, Kenny Pollock and Val Tudball |
Ingram, Allanach and Prentice |
Ballotine, bacon,
breast of chicken and tartlet |
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Louise Stevenson and
the School Captains |
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2012 Prize-Giving
The 2012 Prize-Giving was held on Friday 29th
June. David Robb, , the distinguished actor, delivered
the Former Pupils speech.
Recognised immediately as one of the stars of Downton
Abbey, and accompanied by his wife, actress Briony McRoberts, he recollected
his schooldays, and his experiences in acting and life. One
story recalled an entry in the Funeral Order of service for the talented and
famous English Rugby player, Andy Ripley. He had said
“You can earn a living from what you get, but only get a life from what you
give”. David commended that approach to the students.
Mrs Caroline Barrett,
in her final duty after many years as a teacher, presented the prizes.
The event was chaired by Club President Louis Stevenson.
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2011 Annual Dinner
Another good turnout with around 125 diners,
including over 40 guests. The School Fiddle Orchestra
(twelve terrific young performers) played a selection of their own favourite
pieces immediately before dinner. Many thanks again to June
Nelson and her young charges. The performance is
testament to the level of musical excellence in the School.
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Chicken liver
parfait and shin of beef |
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Al Senter and
David Hunter |
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Table 11,
including Neil Shaw and George Kirkwood |
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Top table -Chris Crossley, Wilson
Hunter Martin Bryden, Matt
Maciver, and Jane Frith |
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Table 8 -
including Alec Prentice, Marissa, Jean and Charlie Bryden |
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The Lord Provost,
The Town Clerk and the Club Treasurer |
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The top table |
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School Table,
including School Captain Harmandeep Shetra |
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Table 4 -
including Gillian Crossley and Jim Dallas |
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Table 13 (The
Young Ones) including the incoming President Louise Stevenson |
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2010 Prize-Giving
The 2010 Prize-Giving was held on Thursday 2nd
July. George Pascoe-Watson, the distinguished journalist,
delivered the Former Pupils speech. He mentioned that despite
failing to leave via the memorial door 26 years previously, he had nevertheless
during his career met the Queen, The US President in the Oval Office, been
present at both Iraq Wars and in Afghanistan, but one of his fondest memories
was being invited on one of John Murray's music 'tours'. Mrs Marissa Bryden,
wife of the current President presented the prizes. The event was
chaired by Club President Martin Bryden.
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Martin Bryden and Jane Frith |
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All the Brydens, Martin, Marissa and Charlie |
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David Rutherford, Martin Bryden, Senior Vice-President
Louise Stevenson, David Simpson and London Club representative Eddie
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2010 Annual
Dinner
A good turnout this year with around 125
Diners. The school fiddle group provided no fewer than 10 players
this year, and even 'piped in' the top table. Their Rector must have
been very proud. Many thanks to the pupils and June
Nelson for the organisation.
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Dr John Barclay's 100th Birthday
party
St Andrews Day 2009 saw the 100th birthday
celebration of Dr John Barclay. John, accompanied by his wife
was treated to a splendid occasion, involving the delivery of letters of
congratulation from the Queen and the Prime Minister. He also
received a present of a laptop computer from the owners of Strachan House to
allow him to continue producing the monthly newsletter, which he has been doing
for the last nine years. So much for computing being the
domain of youngsters. The Club and School were represented and
honorary membership was conferred on him. Many happy
returns John!
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Barclay is presented with Honorary Membership of the RHS Club by the
School Vice-Captain in the presence of the Lord Provost and Rector Jane
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Dr
Barclay (resplendent in highland dress) with his birthday cake.
He had asked just for a simple cup cake, so the Strachan House kitchen
created a cake out of many cup cakes! |
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2009 Committee Dinner
The annual committee dinner was graced this
year by the presence of no fewer than four Rectors.
George Smuga was presented with a silver tray as a token of his ten years
outstanding service as Rector, and Mrs Jane Frith was introduced to those
present. A selection of photographs is shown below.
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Mrs George Smuga and Club President Martin Bryden |
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Four
Rectors in one photo!. David Simpson and George Smuga are
joined by Mrs Jane Frith and Matt McIver |
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The
attendees gather prior to the dinner |
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Mr and
Mrs George Smuga, Val Tudball and Chris Crossley on the New Club
balcony, overlooking the tram works and the RSA |
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2009 Prize-Giving
The 2009 Prize-Giving was held on Thursday 2nd
July. Professor John Kay, the distinguished economist,
delivered the Former Pupils speech and Mrs Marissa Bryden, wife of the current
President presented the prizes. The event was chaired by Lord
Provost George Grubb.
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The platform party |
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The platform party including Martin and Marissa Bryden |
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The Rector shakes hands with pupils as they leave the
School through the memorial doors |
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Pupils, guests and parents leave the event |
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Committee member Chris Crossley 'on duty' at the FP's
stand at the lunch in the clubhouse after the PG |
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2009 AGM
The 2009 AGM was held in the Scottish Arts
Club, Rutland Square in Edinburgh. Martin Bryden was elected
President, and received the Chain of Office from Alastair Allanach, the outgoing
President.
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A general view prior to the meeting |
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President Alastair Allanach passing the Chain of Office
to the new President |
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'Big' brother Charlie Bryden, (1997 President)
congratulates little brother Martin |
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New Vice-President Chris Crossley and new committee
member Stewart McFarlane |
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2009 Dinner
The 2009 Annual Dinner was held on Friday 27th March in the Roxburghe Hotel in Edinburgh. Speakers included The Honourable
Lady Dorrian, Acting Rector David Simpson, London Club President
Al Senter and Stewart Smith, an accomplished after dinner speaker and
freelance radio and television writer. Around 125 members and
guests attended, and were royally entertained prior to the event by a fiddle
sextet consisting entirely of Royal High School pupils. The
slide show from the RHS Club website was resumed after an absence last year.
Thanks to the Roxburghe hotel for great food and service, and for providing the
screen for the slideshow.
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Leek, lamb and lemon on the menu |
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The Acting Rector with School Captain, Joseph Ghaemi, and
Vice-Captains Rebecca Powell and Patrick Saddler |
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The School Fiddle Sextet play Homecoming music |
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Stewart McFarlane, Pringle Fisher, Ally Black, Alan Mann
and Hugh Mackenzie |
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The Top Table: Acting Rector David Simpson, Lady
Dorrian, President Allanach, Stewart Smith, London Club President Al
Senter |
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Stuart Macmillan and Jimmy Dignall, with Matt McIver in
the background |
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President Allanach and Hon. Secretary Rab Forman |
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Ex-President David Rutherford with son and daughter
Michael and Claire |
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Tina Woolnough (Chair of the School Council), Jock,
George Smuga and guest |
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The School table: three Captains, six teachers and Jock |
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2008 School Leavers Gathering
Around thirty sixth form leavers attended the
function on 8th August, the third annual event hosted by the Club.
Finger food and refreshments were enjoyed along with a programme of DVD's
including Shona Thomson's splendid 'RHS Club through the years', and the 2009
Prize-Giving recorded by the School Audio-Visual specialist.
Still photographs taken during the Prize-Giving were also on display.
The School teaching staff were also represented.
A selection of photographs from the event are
shown below.
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general view of the event |
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Another
general view of the event ! |
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Chris
Crossley and Stuart Macmillan shouldering the burden for the Committee |
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Still
photographs from the Prize-Giving were on show and on sale |
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2008 Prize-Giving
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2008 Dinner
The 2008 Dinner was
held on Friday 14th March in the Roxburghe Hotel
when the principal speakers were Rt. Hon George Grubb, Lord Provost of
Edinburgh, Councillor Louise Lang and the traditional after dinner
speech being provided by Peter Brown. Rector George Smuga made
what may be his last rectorial speech as he has been seconded to the Scottish
Government.
Some of the photographs suffered from an
overdose of high-tech camera complexity (i.e. your website photographer doesn't
understand the new camera's settings), and we apologise for those which are out
of focus. We are hoping for focussed versions from other attendees.
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Pre-dinner drinks |
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'Educationalists' Martin Bryden, David Simpson,
Matt McIver and George Smuga |
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London Club President Al Senter enlightens the
School representatives about the function of the London Club |
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At the bar |
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A Council meeting. The Lord Provost,
The Director of Corporate Services and Councillor Lang mull over
proceedings discussed in the Council Chamber earlier in the day |
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John Mitchell QC, Prof Eddie Spiers, Prof John Kay, Hon
Secy Rab Forman |
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John Mitchell, Vice-President Douglas Forman, Committee
Member Jim Dallas |
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Shona Thomson, Hugh Mackenzie, Alistair Maclean.
What has Alistair just said to Hugh? |
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Alastair Allanach |
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At the 2008 AGM, Alastair Allanach was elected President.
Alastair has the following message for the website.
As website administrator, it has been my
privilege for the last five years to construct the website entry (from supplied
text) for the incoming President. This year I have to
construct my own entry, and I apologise in advance for its brevity.
I have been involved in Royal High committee
work for the past seven years, and have been particularly occupied with the
memorabilia sub-committee with Val Tudball and Stuart Macmillan.
I have been the webmaster and website creator for the last five years, assisted
by the web sub-committee.
From this base, I have been able to see more
clearly the work that the Royal High Club does to assist the Royal High School,
and the many ways in which it enables connectivity between School students,
teachers and the Rector, with all those who have passed through the famous
Memorial Doors on their way to the first
afternoon of the rest of their lives. I have come to know the
Rector and several teachers well, and appreciate enormously their efforts to
continue to make the school (which I remember fondly and well) a leader in
Edinburgh and Scotland. I have been working closely with
the Acting Rector, David Simpson to
continue the excellent relationship which the Club has with the Head of School,
most notably recently with George Smuga.
I recently spent a couple of hours in the
exalted company of Matt McIver, Chief Executive and Registrar of the General
Teaching Council of Scotland, initiating the compilation of his archive during
his tenure as Rector of the School. This archive will appear
on these pages in due course. I have spent many hours in
the last year working with Hugh Mackenzie to create the
draft history of the Royal High FP Rugby Club.
These projects, along with many hours spent assisting with the project to ensure
we do our best to secure the memorabilia of the last 175 years of the 'modern'
High School, have been ones which I have enjoyed enormously and hope to
continue.
My Presidential year will be marked by
occasions like the Prize-Giving, Remembrance Day Service, Annual Dinner and
attendance at the School Council. I intend to keep a log (blog?)
of these events and record them on the website.
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After a distinguished career and long
connection with the School and Club, George became Honorary President in
succession to W. St. John Spence in April 2007. George has
prepared this short introduction to himself.
I have
every reason to be grateful for my years spent at the Royal High School.
I went to
the Preparatory School at Northfield Broadway as a 5 year old in 1935,
and emerged at 18 from the Senior School in Regent Road certainly a
wiser and hopefully a better boy. Academically I was not brilliant,
but nevertheless adequate, and my only distinction was at the age of
twelve when I was Dux of the Preparatory School. I was rather better
on the sports field, and played for five years in the 1st
Cricket XI ending up as captain. I also played in the 1st
Rugby XV for two years and was captain of basketball. More important
than any of these achievements, such as they were, was that I really
enjoyed my school years despite six of those years being dominated by
the Second Wold War. To my amazement, and the even greater amazement
of my parents and classmates was my appointment as School Captain in
1947/48, perhaps my proudest school achievement.
I had many
good and lasting friendships throughout my school years, and still value
many of these to this day.
On leaving
school, I went to Edinburgh University to study law and attained an MA
LLB in 1953, For three years during my University course, I served a
concurrent legal apprenticeship with Lindsay Howe WS.
National
Service was still compulsory at this time and I served in the Army from
1954 to 1956 rising to the dizzy rank of 2nd Lieutenant.
On my demob, I joined Fyfe Ireland WS becoming a partner in 1959 and
Writer to the Signet in 1964. I spent the rest of my legal career with
Fyfe Ireland eventually becoming the Senior Partner.
Throughout
my professional career, I maintained my contacts with the School through
the Royal High School Club, Rugby and Cricket Clubs, and served for many
years on the Club and other committees, including a time as Secretary
and Treasurer of the Trust which ran the School Boarding House until its
sale. I was Captain of the
FP Cricket Club in 1961, the Centenary year and was privileged to
play against many famous cricketers.
I became
president of the Royal High School Club in 1977, and in April 2007 was
honoured to succeed my lifelong friend St. John Spence as Honorary
president.
I retired
in 1991 and since then my time has been fully occupied by my family of a
daughter, son and four grandchildren. In between times I play golf,
bowls and bridge, and watch sport. I have been an active member of
Luffness Golf Club for many years where I still play badly but
enjoyably, and was Captain there in 1984. Although in common with
many of my contemporaries I now creak a bit, I am still fairly active,
and hope that my golf handicap will decrease and that there are many
grand slams to be made on the bridge table.
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2007 President
Val Tudball |
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| At the 2007 AGM, Val
Tudball MBE was elected President.
Val has the following message for the website.
May I welcome you all to the Club website. I
am enormously proud to be elected President of this venerable Club, and
trust that I will be able to emulate my forebears, many of whom I am
pleased to say are good friends.
I feel extremely honoured to be
this years President, and the committee
and I in liaison with the school shall
promote the interests of the school to form a strong link between the
pupils past and present and to ensure continuing co-operation between
former pupils and the school in matters concerning the welfare of the
school.
We will promote educational, sport and leisure activities as well as
social, cultural and pastoral interests and also act as the parent
club to all Royal High School clubs throughout the UK and abroad.
We have an extremely successful club and we will ensure that this is
maintained and encouraged.
I have already attended the sixth formers' RHS Club
introduction presented by my fellow committee member Louise Stevenson,
and intend to be a regular attendee at the School Board meetings.
I am looking forward to Chairing the Annual Prize-Giving on 29th June.
I will also be at the Remembrance service on Friday 9th
November, along with the other events such as the Annual Dinner and the
London Dinner. I recently met with the Government Schools
Inspectors and brought them up to date with the close links between the
School and RHS Club.
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A Fringe First - The
Royal High School Presents
The Royal High School has a long musical tradition
covering classical concerts, choir recitals, the KT Christmas singers,
the musical link with our partner school in Munich and the annual
performance song and dance spectacular that is the Secret Policeman’s
Ball.
Never before has the Royal High School put on a show as
part of the official Festival Fringe. The staff and pupils
worked incredibly hard preparing for what
was the musical event of the year,
the schools production of WE WILL ROCK YOU.
Sell-out audiences attended all the performances.
With a cast of over 100 singers and dancers this
was, by
far, our most ambitious project to date.
We thank the many people who came along and enjoyed what
was a unique event.
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2007 Prize-Giving
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2007 Dinner
The 2007 Dinner was
held on Friday 16th March in the Roxburghe Hotel when
the principal speakers were
Mike Mavor, Headmaster of Loretto, and Sandy Strang, the well known after dinner
speaker and ex-Deputy Head of Hutcheson's Grammar School. The
toast to the Guests was by Shona Gillies (leaving year 1999).
The now customary computer slide show from the Club's photographic archive was
shown before and after the dinner in the bar area.
On view for the first time in many
years was the 'Eagle' lectern which was used at morning assembly in
Regent Road. It was presented by booksellers Dr Robert and
James Thin on 26th July 1925. They had been pupils in the
1870's and 1860's respectively. A photo is shown below. The Club
is indebted to George Smuga and Stuart Macmillan for its safe arrival at
the function.
Around 120 guests attended, and the following photographs
show some of the 'revels'.
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Speakers (and the menu) |
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General view in the bar before the dinner |
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The
top table (at rest) |
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The
eagle lectern |
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Diners converse |
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2006 November Social function |
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The inaugural November social function was held on 23rd
November.
This inaugural event was held in
Frazers Bar, an impressive art deco bar within the Dome in George
Street, central Edinburgh. The event, attended by over
thirty FP's and guests, including a number of committee members, was
advertised as a casual pre-Christmas social.
As can be seen from the photos below, a wide age-range attended.
In future, this event may take the form of a drinks and snacks event for
a small charge, but on this occasion it was decided to make it a pay as
you go occasion.
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Shona Thomson, Mark Bowman and
guests |
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Kirsty Gillies, Lynn
Davidson and guest |
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Euan Rae, Hugh McKenzie
and guests, with Badger in the background at the bar |
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Jim Dallas, Ian
Willox, exp-Club President Colin Blaikie and guest |
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The exterior of
the Dome, widely considered to be the most impressive of Edinburgh's
'bank-to-bar' conversions |
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2006 School Leavers function |
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The third annual Sixth form School Leavers function was
hosted by the Club on Thursday 24th August in the Clubhouse.
The objective of the event is to make
and maintain contact with those who passed through the memorial doors a
few months previously (in this case on Friday 30th June).
All teachers are invited along with Club Committee members.
Around twenty five Leavers (including
the past School Captain), several teachers and representatives from the
Club committee enjoyed an informal wine and canapés function which
lasted for around two hours. A video
presentation prepared by Shona Thomson (our resident cinematographer)
ran throughout the event. This multimedia presentation
features video footage from the 2006 prize-giving incorporated with
still images from our photo archives.
Canapés were prepared by the resident
Chef (Robin Boog) and contact details obtained from the ex-students will
be used to maintain contact with them in the coming years.
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A general view of the function |
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Guests viewing a video of the
prize-giving and historical events |
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Ex President
Stuart Macmillan, Senior Vice President Val Tudball, President Robin
Boog and Depute Rector Sheila Paton, |
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President Robin
in the kitchen preparing the canapés (a.k.a. somosas and sausages) |
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| At the 2006 AGM, Robin Boog was elected President.
Robin has the following message for the website.
As President of the Royal High School Club this year can I welcome you
all to the website, introduce myself, and explain what I see as the main
priorities for my year in office.
I attended the Royal High from 1963 until 1969 which means that I had
the pleasure of sampling the delights of both Regent Road and Barnton.
After a sixth year spent mainly either in the gym or on the rugby
field I went to Herriot Watt University to do Economics. My working
life since then has been spent in the Life Assurance industry. After
a spell away from Edinburgh I returned in 1983 and since then have been
heavily involved with both the rugby club and the Athletic club at
Barnton. I have also been involved in a number of other areas relating
to the school, particularly the provision of sporting facilities.
Having attended both the Edinburgh and London Dinners this year I am
pleased to report that both were very successful. During the remainder
of my tenure I will be attending meetings of the School Board, the end
of school year prize-giving and the leavers Function which will be held
in August. Outwith these my main objective for the year will be to
see how the FP Club can assist the school with the provision of sport
for the pupils, a topic on which much press coverage and Government time
is currently being expended. I would also like to try and ensure that as
many of the current Leavers as possible join the FP Club.
With the Club Website we have an ideal opportunity not only to let
members know what is going on but also to give members a means of
communicating and keeping in touch with friends. That only works of
course if the information provided is accurate and up to date and I
would ask all members, when moving house or changing Email name to keep
us informed.
We also want to hear from members as to what they think of the Website,
what the Club should be doing, and anything else they feel is relevant.
This can be done via the website or direct to myself at
robinboog@aol.com.
Lastly, a word of thanks to all the members who do so much work behind
the scenes for the club, much of which is unknown to most people.
Without them the Club would not be the success it undoubtedly is.
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2005 Prize-Giving |
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The Annual School Prize-Giving was
held on Friday 1st July. A small selection of
photographs are shown below. Kate Wheaton,
retiring after many years teaching at the School presented the prizes. |
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The platform
guests gather in the staff room |
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Kate Wheaton showing off her hat after
presenting the prizes |
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The Rector and
other principal guests |
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London Club
President Simon Card and (now) Senior Vice-President Val Tudball
with leaving pupils |
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2006 Annual Dinner |
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The 2006 Annual Dinner was held in the Roxburghe Hotel,
Edinburgh, on Friday 10th March.
Around 140 members and guests
contributed to a memorable evening, hosted by President Robin Boog.
Club and School were toasted by Gareth Edwards, principal of George
Watson's College, while replies for the School and Guests were by Rector
George Smuga and Simon Card (President of the London Club) respectively.
The website photographer recorded a few images, shown below. |
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| Committee member Louise Stevenson recently
visited the School and addressed form S6 with the purpose of introducing
them to the Aims, Objectives and work of the Royal High Club committee.
This is an extract from her presentation.
As members of The Royal High School Club, we are always
looking for ways to encourage younger FPs to become involved. In August
2004, for the first time, we held a drinks reception in the clubhouse
for new leavers. This was well attended and allowed an informal
opportunity for new FPs to meet committee members and find out more
about the club.
This year we decided
to go one step further and speak to S6 pupils before they become FPs.
As a representative of the committee I visited the S6 year group during
their weekly hour of PSE (personal and social education) in school. In
preparation for their leave taking ceremony on July 1st 2005
I spoke to them about the history and traditions of the school and club,
and the point when they would become FPs.
All sixth year
pupils were invited to join, and become involved in, the club; both in
Edinburgh and London. I also invited them to attend a few key events in
the coming year. These include the 2005 S6 Leavers Drinks Reception in
August 2005 and the annual RHS Club Dinner in March 2006.
All S6 pupils were
issued with information about the club web-site to encourage them to
visit and keep up with events. A suggestion was made by a pupil that
FPs might be interested to hear about events happening in school, such
as shows or sporting events. In the future we will try to advertise
these on the web-site.
Only time will tell
if these presentations are beneficial in encouraging new FPs to take
part in the Royal High Club. It was a pleasure to meet the current S6
and I look forward to seeing them at future events.
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The 2005 Annual Dinner was held in the Roxburghe Hotel,
Edinburgh, on Friday 11th March. Around 140 members and guests
contributed to a memorable evening, hosted by President Colin Blaikie, and
addressed by several speakers including Dr Ian Jardine, Douglas May QC and Peter
Brown. We were also
pleased to see Eddie Tait from the London Club at the dinner.
Included are a few
photographs kindly taken and supplied by Committee Member Mark Bowman.
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The Top Table George Smuga,
Simon Card, Dr Ian Jardine, Colin Blaikie, Douglas May QC, Peter Brown |
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The president and
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John Ellis and
daughter Kirsty. John retired this year after many
years teaching PE at the school, latterly as Sports Coordinator.
John took over from Dougie Mitchell in 1979 |
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Some of the more
mature guests |
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Messers Dewar, Smuga
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Everyone wants to be in the picture... |
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Roy Cowper and guests (David Graham and Stewart Clark) |
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David Huggan, guest, Shona
Thomson, Mark Bowman
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At the 2005 AGM, Colin Blaikie was elected President.
Colin has the following message for his
presidential year.
As
President of The Royal High School Club, I welcome all visitors to the
web site and hope what you find here will be of interest.
I am
writing this piece part way through my year of office. As President, I
am responsible for chairing the Edinburgh Dinner and attending (and
speaking at) the London Dinner, and I am pleased to report that both of
these were well attended. I was particularly taken with the more
informal format of the London Dinner and will be discussing with my
committee ways in which the Edinburgh Dinner (and the Club generally)
could evolve to meet the needs of the younger generation of members who
are coming through.
Of course, not everyone who
leaves the school automatically becomes a member, since they have to be
around at the end of the term that they leave and pay a one-off
subscription fee to join as lifetime members and to receive a copy of
School’s History. I wonder whether in 2005 (when many leavers in fact
leave prior to the end of the school year) if this is the way to
maximise Club membership and would like to see if we can investigate
alternative methods of joining the Club and maintaining membership
during my time as President.
The Club
website potentially makes it easier for members to keep in touch with
the Club and other members and I am anxious that the Club keeps in touch
with as many members as possible. I would like to encourage members (or
leavers who are non-members !) who have any views on what the Club
should be doing to contact me at
colin@colinblaikie.co.uk
As far as the remainder
of my Presidential year is concerned, I am attending meetings of School
Board (having previously been a member some years ago) and I am looking
forward to the annual prizegiving ceremony at the end of the summer term
and a second School Leaver’s function that the Club hopes to organise in
August of 2005.
For those who remember
me (and those that do not !) I attended The Royal High Primary School at
Jock’s Lodge and thereafter went to Barnton between 1971 and 1977 where
amongst many other excellent teachers, I was taught by Jock Dewar and
John Murray. I had a great time at school, playing senior rugby in my
final three years, captaining the school in my final year and managing
to fit in many other extra curricular activities, including the school
Jazz Band and Choir.
I read law at Edinburgh
university and qualified as a Solicitor in 1984 before setting up my own
legal and estate agency practice in 1988. I retired from playing rugby
some years ago and now find it safer to sponsor RHC ! I am married
with three children and still have a passion for old Lancias !
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This year's truly impressive
annual prize-giving was augmented by a ceremony marking the official
opening of the refurbished school. Sarah Boyack MSP, a
former pupil, performed the opening ceremony before the assembled
audience of pupils, parents, teachers, dignitaries and a number of Royal
High School Club committee members. We have included a
series of photographs of the official opening event. For
pictures of the Prize-giving, please see the
School
website.
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Photo includes Councillor Rev Ewen Aitken, Sarah Boyack, Ms Small,
The Rector, |
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The
official party in front of the Memorial Doors. These
were re-sited from Regent Road |
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2004 President with Miss Small who presented the prizes this year |
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Some old favourites including Badger, Louise Stevenson, Rab Forman,
Stuart Macmillan |
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At the 2004 AGM, Alan Grosset was elected President.
Alan has the following message for his
presidential year.
As President of the
Royal High School Club this year, I
welcome you all to the website, and would like to
introduce myself and explain some of my objectives for my year as President.
An early objective is to repeat the
requirement stated by my predecessor Jim Inch which is to simplify and
shorten the speeches at the Annual Dinner. To this end,
the format will change, with
only one reply to the Toast to the Club, and a
celebrity speaker.
In terms of the
year ahead, I am sure that the Rector will agree that it is good that the
PPP Project is now finished and the school can look forward with some
confidence to the future. The Club itself is in good heart and I hope that
the 2004 Dinner will again be well supported. The format has been updated
slightly as I have previously explained, and I
hope members and their guests will enjoy the evening.
We are hopeful
of arranging a function aimed at school leavers in
the summer and the Committee, working resolutely as
always, are having a look at various other alterations
in the way the Club might be run
in the future. I am grateful to Alastair Allanach
and his sub-committee for work on the website, also to Alastair, Stuart
McMillan and Val Tudball for their work on Royal High archives. Most
importantly, our indefatigable secretary, Rab Forman is perpetually
deserving of our thanks. I hope that all our attempts to move forward and
in particular strengthen the Club's links with the School continue to bear
success.
On a personal note, I left
school in 1959, having served as a prefect and captained the school tennis
and badminton team. I went on
to Edinburgh University, graduating MA LLB before joining Alex
Morison & Co WS in 1965. I became a Partner in
1970 and retired in 2002, although I remains with
the Firm as a Consultant at the moment. Some of my
career at school can be seen elsewhere on the website in photographic form
including "Waiting in the Wings" a record of the 1953 Usher Hall School
Concert.
While
I was involved with a busy Edinburgh legal firm as
a commercial partner and sports law specialist, I
have also been heavily involved in the
administration of sport outwith his legal practice. Among the posts
I have held are President, Scottish Lawn Tennis
Association 1983/84; Captain, Duddingston Golf Club 1992/94; and eighteen
years service as a member with the Scottish Sports Council (now
Sportscotland), the last eight years as Vice Chairman. I
have just demitted office as the Chairman of the Confederation of
British Sport, the Federation of the Governing Body umbrella bodies in the
UK and still serve as the Vice Chairman of the Sports Dispute Resolution
Panel Limited, a body which I helped to set up
some years ago along with lawyer friends from the British Olympic
Association and the Central Council of Physical Recreation.
Back
The 2004 Annual Dinner was held in the Roxburghe Hotel,
Edinburgh, on Friday 12th March. Around 140 members and guests
contributed to a memorable evening, hosted by President Alan Grosset, and
addressed by several speakers including Chief Constable Peter Wilson of Fife
Constabulary who toasted the Club and School. Other speakers
included the Rector, new committee member David Williamson and Brian Donald of
BBC Scotland fame who had the mixed audience laughing in the aisles with many of
the best and cleanest gags they had heard in years. For those
who missed the event, the menu and toast list is featured below along with a few
photographs (kindly taken and supplied by 2002 President Stuart Macmillan).
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Melon, Soup, Beef
and Citrus Tart followed by Toast(s) |
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The Top Table -
Janette Scantelbury, George Smuga, Peter Wilson, Alan Grosset, David
Williamson, Brian Donald |
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More of the top
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The young ones |
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More young ones... |
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The old ones,
featuring Brian Ronaldson |
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More old ones,
featuring Pringle Fisher, Ally Black, Graham Acaster, Roy Cowper |
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General view of the
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Dr Murray
recently retired from the School after 32 years of service for many of
which he was Deputy Rector and Principal Teacher of Music.
He was interviewed by the website team. Pictures from
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Dr John Murray
BA, PhD, GRSM, ARMCM, LRAM
This description of John Murray describes his life in the
Royal High School, where he has made an immense contribution during the
last thirty two years to many aspects of school life including its
management, excellence in Music and sport, and the forging of links with
European schools. It also describes some of his time away from the
school, including his education, musical involvement and life in France.
John, a Liverpudlian,
graduated from the Royal Manchester College of Music (gaining GRSM) and
taught in a secondary School in Liverpool for four years before coming
to the Royal High in 1971 where he was appointed principal teacher of
Music. He was appointed Assistant Rector in 1979 and elevated to
(sole) Depute Rector in 1985. He was an experienced Senior Manager,
responsible for the day-to-day running of the School, timetabling and 5th
and 6th form curriculum. He is remembered for intolerantly
issuing ‘Yufties’ to teachers to babysit classes for those teachers who
fell ill or absent (Yuftie translates as “you have to…take that
class”). He is also recollected as committed and enthusiastic,
compassionate and understanding.
A current Club committee
member (1996 leaver) remembers Dr Murray referring to the then current 3rd
year practice of leaving shirt outside trousers as “looking
like convicts from an Australian soap opera”. I was sitting beside a
classmate who was a proud Australian who disliked the reference to
convicts, and proceeded to challenge Dr. M on the subject. I cowered in
my seat as Dr. M came over to the aggrieved Australian and was relieved
when Dr M simply told him to meet him after the assembly. I was
expecting him be on eternal detention, but when Dr M apologised for any
offence that he had caused to Australians I realised that this was an
honest and fair man who was to be admired rather than feared.
He later qualified as BA, then PhD, using the life of
Rector Dr Alexander Adam (High School rector from 1771-1809) for his
thesis. Dr Adam was a celebrated teacher and writer, who taught until
the year of his death, often to classes of up to 100. His pupils
included Scott, Cockburn and Jeffrey.
John authored ‘A History of the Royal High School’ in
1997 at the behest of and with the assistance of (among many others) the
Royal High School Club committee. This definitive history of the
school is a chronological history from 1128 to the publication date, and
John’s pride in all things ‘Royal High’ is evident in this essential
read for all current and ex High Scholars. Great assistance was given
(again among others) by Dr John Barclay and the then Rector Matt
McIver. It is given to all sixth-form leavers on prize-giving day, but
see the shop entry for purchasing information if you do not have one,
and the bibliography entry for a synopsis of the volume.
John has fond memories of ‘Curly’ Bill Mitchell’s Rugby
teams, and includes Brian Scott’s unbeaten team in 1971/72 as one of the
School’s high sporting achievements.
His involvement in the biennial school European music
trips since 1975 has marked the High School as a leader in this
field. Over 1000 students have benefited from trips to Munich and
Florence, with reciprocal trips from these countries in intervening
years. The European dimension has always been a part of John’s
educational philosophy, and he as experienced as anyone in Scotland in
this area.
His involvement with the KT singers, founded in 1978 by
Kenneth Thomson, has been particularly rewarding, with well over £20,000
being donated as a result of the choir’s Christmas carol singing. John
has handed over the mentoring to a young colleague, Andrew Morley, but
will continue to participate whenever invited!
When asked, “what’s next” and “how will you survive
without the High School” he replies that he will simply do the other
things he loves – reading, music, spending time with the family,
watching rugby.
He intends to spend more time in his house in the
Dordogne when his wife Joan retires from her Music teaching post at the
Edinburgh Academy in June next year, but is also planning to spend time
in Edinburgh. His daughter Rachel works for Accenture in London while
son Ben is in his last year at St Andrews University
If anyone wishes to contact John, they can do so via the
Rector or through this
website.
See also a reminiscence of Dr John in
Where are they now?
Back
The following photographs record some of the
School and Committee personalities in addition to John Murray, the Guest
of Honour. Apologies for the Hello-esque presentation
format.
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Matt MacIver
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Rab Forman, Alan Grosset and
Jim Inch |
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Jim Inch and Peter Yellowlees |
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Jock Dewar and Kate Wheaton.
What is Kate saying about Jock? |
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Alastair Allanach and Val Tudball |
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At the 2003 AGM, James Inch was elected President.
Jim was interviewed by the web team and the following is his message for his
presidential year.
As President of the
Royal High School Club I would like to welcome you to our new website.
The last couple of
months have been a busy and enjoyable time for the Club.
The 2003 Dinner was
again held in the Roxburgh Hotel and it was fantastic to see the event
supported in such large numbers. I understand that most members were very
satisfied with the meal and the venue and generally the evening was a
success. The highlight for many was the toast made by John Murray. John
has made an invaluable contribution to school life over the years and it was
a privilege to present him at the dinner with a small token of our
appreciation.
There is a feeling,
however, that the format of the dinner needs to be updated. As a result a
sub group has been created to consider the arrangements on the night, this
includes the number of speeches and the possibility of a celebrity’ speaker
at future dinners.
As well as the Club
Dinner and the recent School Prize Giving I will also be attending School
Board meetings and various other events during my year as President. These
events will enable me to get the views of existing members and it will also
give me the opportunity to publicise the Club with a view to increasing our
membership.
Our records show that
the Club’s membership is extremely healthy and I
am delighted that the Club continues to prosper
and evolve. Whilst the Club will always embrace and
cherish its roots and traditions, like any organisation it cannot
stand still and it is reassuring to know that the push to change and
modernise is coming from within. This website for example demonstrates the
Club’s efforts to move with the times.
I
recognise that as President I am well placed to contribute to the well being
of the Club. I would like to see the Club broaden its membership base and
become more inclusive. This could be achieved by strengthening the
Club’s links with existing pupils at the school.
The future success of the Club is dependent on encouraging these pupils and
recent RHS leavers to play an active role in its
running. This is just one idea and I would be delighted if you contacted me
at
jim.inch@edinburgh.gov.uk
to discuss
this or any other Club related activity.
Finally I would like to thank all those members who work so hard to make the
Club such a success. I hope to see some of you soon.
Best
wishes
Jim Inch
Back
The 2003 Annual Dinner was held on Friday
14th March 2003. The principal speaker for the second
consecutive year was the Rt. Hon. Eric Milligan, Lord Provost of the City
of Edinburgh. Over 150 Members and Guests attended tthe dinner at the Roxburgh Hotel in Edinburgh.
Among the highlights were the Toasts and Menu, the Revellers, and the launch of
the new website. See some images below, kindly provided
by Jennifer Wright (nee Gilmour). If any other images are available
the website team would be grateful. Please
contact us.
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Menu and Toasts |
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David Huggan, Lynn Davidson, Mark Bowman, Kirsty
Gillies |
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Kirsty Gillies, David Huggan, Jennifer Wright
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Emily MacDonald, Mark Bowman, David Holmes, Kirsty
Gillies, David Huggan, Grant Bolton |
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Back
School News
This topic will be updated shortly.
Contact the School site for
further information.
Newsletter
Newsletter information will be available from this
location, hopefully in the form of downloads
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The Royal High
School Club
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