D p yS No.9 Quadrangle - George Heriot's · PDF fileWhat was perhaps my most memorable day at...

QuadrangleG E O R G E H E R I OT ’ S S C H O O L D E V E L O P M E N T N E W S L E T T E R

Issue No. 9 Spring 2006

‘PRO U D O F O U R PA S T, FO C U S E D O N OU R FU T U R E’

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Data Protection We have an obligation to ensure that data is processed fairly and lawfully. Data received by the Development Office is used to further the development of George Heriot’s School.The data will be controlled by the School DevelopmentOffice, in accordance with School policy. It will only be processed for marketing, PR, fundraising, event management and educational purposes. Any one wishing no further contact from the school should inform the Development Office.

The story of the travelling book

We would like to thank those of you who have been in touch with usto share news, memories of days at Heriot’s and make suggestions forfuture editions.Grateful thanks are due to all those who have contributed articles forthis edition of Quadrangle and please keep them coming in forfuture editions.Thanks to Alan Chalmers who very kindly checksmaterial for us prior to design and printing.We have also been delighted to welcome many visitors, both FormerPupils and families from near and far who have dropped in to theSchool and reminisced with us.

If there are any particular items you would like to see in Quadrangleplease do not hesitate to get in touch with us.

JO EASTON & MARGARET PEATDEVELOPMENT OFFICEGEORGE HERIOT’S SCHOOLPO BOX 1628EDINBURGH EH3 9WZTEL: 0131 229 7263FAX: 0131 229 6363Email: [email protected]

ALL YOUR NEWS,VIEWS and Photographs

n a quiet afternoon in the library room in the Physics building Iread a book that was enthralling. It had chapters describing howships, radios, bridges, films and other contemporary things were

made. I just had to have it! So slipping How it is Made into my army surplushaversack, I walked out of the library. It became one of the first in mycollection of well over a thousand books (of which no others were stolen).For almost fifty years and many thousands of miles, the book became part

of my life. But sitting on a shelf, it was also aconstant reminder of my early criminalactivity.

In 1945, the assigned language for the 1Bclass was German.We were a normal bunchof twelve year old boys, some bright, somenot so bright, some mischievous, somestraight laced. Our language teacher wasnicknamed “Uncle Joe”.His classroomwas our homeroom, and at times hemust have struggled with us all. But hehad his ways. What was perhaps mymost memorable day at Heriot’sstarted during the first class of the day

when “Uncle Joe” called me up to thefront of the room for not paying attention, took the belt out

of his desk drawer and gave me two of his best.Then during the maths classin the afternoon with “Tiger”Campbell, the process was repeated again.The crowning blow came during the last class of the day, when the newchemistry teacher, Roger Blamire, invited me up in the front and tookhis belt out of the desk. Looking at two very red hands, he said with a biggrin, “Stout, it looks like you have had quite a day.This is going to hurt youa lot more than it is going to hurt me” and then laid on another two. Hewas right.

In December 1948, I left Heriot’s to prepare for my family’s emigrationto the USA in March 1949.Even though our luggage was limited,the bookcould not be left behind, and it also became an émigré.While completinga BFA. in Utah, an MSc.in Illinois, working as an automobile designer forGeneral Motors and Ford Motors in Michigan, then as a toy designer forMattel in California, and finally returning to Utah for a PhD. and aprofessorship, the book always travelled along. It was a remarkablepredictor of my life. I became an industrial designer and for ten years Idesigned various types of products before being invited to become aprofessor at a major university, where my primary assignment was tocreate an industrial design degree program.The next twenty-nine yearswere spent educating and preparing several hundred students to become

product designers. One of the last accomplishments at the university wasthe creation of a course on the history of design and technology. Myeducational and professional life had come full circle, starting with the theftof a book describing how things are made, ending with a semester-longcourse on the history of how things were designed and made.

Planning to spend several months in Scotland during 2005, it seemed agood idea to finally return the book to the School, its rightful owner,confessmy misdeeds of almost fifty years ago,and take whatever punishment wouldbe meted. Hopefully, no one would take a belt from a drawer and lay ontwo of the best; surely times have changed for the better. Returning a bitembarrassed to the campus with book in hand, Margaret Peat welcomedme with warm hospitality. The book, showing signs of age and use, waskindly accepted by Margaret Cruickshank, the librarian.The presentlibrary is much larger, and books can now be checked out through anelectronic system. It is to be hoped that today’s students are more honestthan I was so long ago. Now, with a clearer conscience I can visit Heriot’s,walk the grounds, relive memories, and enjoy seeing the students, happilyboth male and female, continuing long established Heriot’s traditions.

And for me, where once I took surreptitiously, I have finally, to paraphrasethe School motto, “Contributed Cheerfullie”.

DOUG STOUT, Class of ’51

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The Development Office is continuallyseeking to find Former Pupils whom we havelost touch with and we are delighted toreport that with your help our database isgrowing.

If you are in touch with an FP who is notreceiving Quadrangle please either contactus or ask them to get in touch with us and

we will be happy to add them to ourdatabase to receive regular mailings.

The following are Former Pupils whom wehave lost touch with as recent mailingshave been returned to us by the PostOffice. If you have any information wewould be most grateful to hear from you.

CAN YOU HELP FIND?

GEORGE ELDER 1940 JOHN C ANDREWS 1975THOMAS W FORSYTH 1947 PETER BROWN 1977DONALD J FISHER 1948 STEPHEN HARRIS 1977A SCOTT EWART 1950 ROBERT G CATTO 1978COLIN G WILLIAMSON 1950 FRASER ALLAN 1986DOUGLAS D HORN 1958 KEVIN M GLASS 1986DAVID M ALEXANDER 1959 LYNN THOMSON 1986RICHARD G BROWN 1959 AMANDA S.F. ZENTIL 1987DAVID M CLYNE 1961 IAN D DOWLING 1988THOMAS D GORDON 1961 RACHAEL FARRELL 1988STUART F MUIR 1961 RICHARD P LOCKHART 1990IAN A FOTHERINGHAM 1962 RACHEL A DONNELLY 1991PHILIP G HANDLEY 1964 MARK J PRINGLE 1991THOMAS H MCCOOL 1964 WASIM ASHRAF 1992ANGUS H ORR 1964 RICHARD DAVIES 1992ALAN E WRENCH 1964 KENNETH A WALKER 1993ROGER W BISHOP 1965 PAUL LESLIE 1994GEORGE S EVANS 1966 SARAH A PATON-BUTLER 1994GILBERT C NISBET 1967 ALICIA M DESANTIS 1995CHRIS S SCOTLAND 1969 RICHARD K PRINGLE 1995DAVID J AIRD 1970 NICOLA A WIGHT 1995DAVID H GRAY 1970 STEWART WOTHERSPOON 1995ANDREW T HAXTON 1970 TORR M MARVIN 1996ALEXANDER DONALD 1971 MARTYN J CRICHTON 1997GRAHAM A LAMB 1971 LOUISA J DAWSON 1997ALAN W MAIN 1972 GILLIAN L JACK 1997RONALD BROCK 1973 STEVEN M MACKIE 1997KENNETH A HEGGIE 1973 FIONA C WHELPDALE 1997DAVID J MEEKISON 1973 ALEXANDER F DESANTIS 1998STEPHEN V YOUNG 1973 RICHARD D MACKIE 2000

Desperately Seeking…


Doug and Margaret Cruickshank in the Senior School Library

Heriot’s exists today due to the generousbequest by George Heriot.

The George Heriot’s 1628 Society exists forall those who have pledged a legacy to theSchool.We are most grateful to those of youwho have responded to our LegacyBrochure for your support. If anyone hasmade provision for the School in their willand would like to let us know,we would behappy to offer you honorary membershipof the 1628 Society.

Should you wish to receive a LegacyBrochure, or would like to discuss thepossibility of leaving a legacy to the School,please contact the Development Office.

Legacy

Forthcoming Events:Further details may be obtainedfrom the Development Office

1-3 March, 7.00pmJunior School Musical Bugsy MaloneGeorge Heriot’s SchoolWednesday 22 March, 7.30pmGreyfriars Concert Greyfriars KirkTuesday 28 March, 7.30pmBand ConcertQueen’s HallThursday 25 May, 7.30pmJunior School ConcertQueen’s HallFriday 2 June, 7.00pm50th Anniversary Reunionfor the Class of ’56 George Heriot’s SchoolMonday 5 June, 10.00amJune DayGeorge Heriot’s SchoolSaturday 17 JuneSports DayGoldenacre21-24 June, 7.30pmSenior School PlayCarouselGeorge Square TheatreSaturday 28 October, 7.00pm25th Anniversary Reunionfor the Class of ’81 George Heriot’s School

uadrangle goes from strength to strength – welcome to our ninth edition.

It has been a busy few months in the Development Office. A number ofReunions have taken place. It is always good to welcome former pupils backto the School to reminisce and catch up together. Planning has begun forthis year’s 25th and 50th Anniversary Reunions and we hope that manyformer pupils will attend. We receive many emails/letters from formerpupils and relations of those who attended the School with various requests from putting them in touch with others to researchinghistory – if you have any such requests please do not hesitate to contact theDevelopment Office.

The 2005/06 Annual Fund was launched in October. Now in our thirdyear we hope to build on the success of previous years and increase bothfunds raised and donor participation.We are grateful for all contributions,no matter how small – all are important and will help benefit our pupils.AGift Form is enclosed with this issue should you wish to make a donation.


Development Office Update


Please contact the Development Officeif you would like further informationabout the Annual Fund, Legacies orother ways of investing in the School.

The Development Office ChristmasCards designed by four Junior Schoolpupils sold well and over £800 wasraised to benefit the Annual Fund.

Quadrangle is your magazine –please keep in touch with us withyour news and stories and let usknow of any events which youwish us to publicise in futureeditions.

Jo Easton and Margaret Peat

HFROM THE HEADMASTER

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he School was saddened to hear of thedeath of Allan McDonald, formerHeadmaster, just before the end of last

term. Sadly for me, as his frailty prevented himfrom travelling to join us at Heriot’s occasionsin recent years, I had not had the opportunityto get to know him during my time as Head. Iwish I had, but through the tributes paid to himon his death, through meeting his family andpeople who knew him well, I feel I know himmuch better now, and it is easy for me to seewhy he was held in such affection and esteem inthe Heriot’s community.

The tributes have brought to mind the stormytimes through which it was his task to guideHeriot’s in the 1970s and early 80s.The removalof local authority grant aid, the inexorable risein fees, the political machinations that sought tobring Heriot’s under local authority control –resisted in the famous ‘Hands off Heriot’s’campaign and the resultant move towards fullindependence – and the change to co-educationat Heriot’s: this was a momentous period in the history of the School. It was, essentially,the time when the modern Heriot’s, now a fully fledged independent co-educational dayschool, was born.

With this identity Heriot’s is flourishing.Academic standards are high and theachievements of Heriot’s pupils in extra-curricular activities are wide-ranging andimpressive.The Heriot’s ethos of encouragingexcellence without arrogance is strong. Butthe School cannot rest on its laurels, and westill face challenges. Some of these echo theissues of Allan McDonald’s time: newlegislation may not be as overt a threat as

in the 1970s, but it all adds demands andconstraints to the running of the School, and thepressures on costs and fees remain high.

We cannot afford to relax in our investment inthe staff and facilities necessary to meet theneeds of education in the 21st Century.Excitingdevelopments are afoot with regard to buildingsat Lauriston Place, about which I hope to be able to write to you in detail very soon.With the Trust’s ongoing commitment to theFoundation,expanding its provision of bursariesfor less well off families, and encouraging themost able pupils with scholarships, the financial

challenges are considerable. Fee income alonewill not be enough to enable the School toachieve its aims in the coming years, and this iswhy we have turned to generating additionalincome streams for the School, such as theAnnual Fund. To those of you who aresupporting the 2005/2006 Annual Fund,whether through continuing your giving fromlast year or as a new donor, may I take thisopportunity to express the School’s heartfeltthanks for your support. If you are not as yetparticipating in the Annual Fund,please will youthink about doing so.Whatever the size of a giftand whoever its donor, it will make a difference.The enclosed leaflet explains the scheme inmore detail.

Also in this copy of Quadrangle there is a flierabout membership of the Heriot Club. Therelationship between the School and the HeriotClub is an important one, and the Heriot Clubhas a significant part to play in encouragingcontacts between Former Pupils, through itssocial events and the activities of the daughterand sporting clubs, and fostering support forHeriot’s. The Heriot Club has made significantgroup donations to the Annual Fund, for whichthe School is very grateful. May I draw yourattention in particular to all the information

about the Heriot Club, as well as thedaughter clubs and sporting clubs,contained in this edition,and if you are nota member I do ask you to consider joining.

Enjoy your reading of this edition ofQuadrangle – yet another bumper issue!

ALISTAIR HECTOR

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Forming a new Heriot’s Business Owners ClubCALLING ALL BUSINESS OWNERS, I KNOW YOU’RE OUT THERE SOMEWHERE!

Last November I attended a 25-year reunion and bumped into an old friend,Cameron Robertson.We discovered that our lives had followed similarpaths;leaving school for university (where we became very good at snookerand drinking beer but not much else), dropping out and having a go atseveral jobs. We returned to further education and decided thatemployment was not for us and started up our own businesses.

Having made contact with a number of former pupils at our 25 year reunion,it turns out that there are a few entrepreneurs among us.We wondered ifthere was a club for ‘Dragons’ – turns out there isn’t.You’re well cateredfor if you play golf, but not if you run a business. So, in true entrepreneurialspirit, having spotted the opportunity, we decided to see if it would beworthwhile filling the gap in the market by launching a new club.

We identified a number of mutual benefits in creating a forum forconnecting business owners and the professions. We could also supportthose in the Heriot’s community thinking of starting up businesses andperhaps pass on our experiences to school leavers. After all, as we havefound, there is an alternative to the school-university-profession careerpathway.There are bound to be some budding entrepreneurs just dying toget into the ‘Dragons Den’.

We approached the School, and they are keen to help. So if you are at allinterested in forming a Business Owners Club, please pass on your contactdetails to the Development Office and they will pass them on to me.

ALAN BRADSHAW, Class of ’80

The Development Office is most grateful to Rennie McElroy who has kindly donated his copies of The Herioter to us. Rennie attended Heriot’sfrom 1957 to 1963 and has passed over a complete set of Herioters from December 1958 to Summer 2005. These will be tremendously useful forresearch purposes for reunions and various enquiries we receive. It is wonderful to have all this information right to hand.

Rennie said, “I’ve always enjoyed reading The Herioter.When I was at School, I would turn first to the satirical ‘Culled from the classes’ (Sadly, nomore. What about a revival?); then I’d read the society and House reports, then the prose and verse contributions of my contemporaries. Since I left,it has been a welcome source of information on many fronts: developments at Heriot’s generally, news of former teachers, how Castle House is fairing,and the doings of fellow FPs. And it has been goodto look back at old issuesoccasionally and to reminisce. So,I read my Herioters and I kept them;I didn’t build a collection consciously,just added each issue to the pile in thebookcase until, almost by default, I hada collection worth keeping. My workingbackground is in libraries and that mighthave had something to do with it – we allhave a bit of the anorak in us!

“But over the years, bookshelves have allbut taken over our house and it becamemore and more difficult to withstand mywife’s argument that we needed a ‘review’(ie, a clear out!). One day, she pointed outthat, the older I became, the further back inthe file of Herioters I would go each time Ilooked at them. It was time for them to go!But it was hard to commit them directly toblack plastic sacks, so I asked Margaret Peatin the Development Office if she knew of apotential home for them. Passing the buck,really. But I’m pleased that they have found ahome and have some useful life left in them. Andif anyone reading this is tracked down and askedfor help by the School,or summoned to a reunion,because of my action, I won’t be sorry!” RENNIE MCELROY, Class of ’63

The HERIOTER

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Many will have been saddened on hearing of the death on 10 December,2005, of Allan McDonald, former Headmaster of the School from 1970 to 1983.

Allan was born in August 1922 in Glasgow and was brought up inEdinburgh and Glasgow, attending the Royal High School,Giffnock and Eastwood Academies. He was muchinfluenced by his languages teacher in his senior years atEastwood and determined to study French and Germanfurther. Allan’s time at the University of Glasgowcoincided with service as a lieutenant in the 21st ArmyGroup Signals, serving in France, Belgium andGermany.

Following post-graduate study at Glasgow and a yearat the Sorbonne, Allan trained as a teacher atJordanhill College and took up his first post atJohnstone High School in 1948. He had beenencouraged to consider an academic career at GlasgowUniversity. However, at this juncture, he marriedMargaret Adams and opted with enthusiasm for the morefinancially viable alternative of school teaching, earning theprincely sum of £400 per annum! He was soon tempted back tohis old school, Eastwood, before moving to Fortrose, teaching modernlanguages. However, the appeal of a larger department led him to apply to George Heriot’s School for the post of Principal Teacher of German, towhich he was appointed in 1959. The German language had never beenseen as an easy option by pupils but Allan’s enthusiasm for his subject andpupils was infectious and he rapidly gained respect from pupils and staffalike for the way in which he made an inherently hard subject interesting and manageable. He made his mark as being helpful andencouraging, praising rather than criticising, making things happen for the individual pupil.

Allan committed himself fully to the life of Heriot’s. He participated inrugby and athletics training within the timetable and beyond including“overtime” at Goldenacre on Saturday mornings. He organised ‘ForeignExchanges’ that gave great pleasure and created lasting friendships.

Despite strong competition,Allan McDonald was chosen to become DeputeHeadmaster of the School in 1967, while retaining, as was custom,leadership of his own German department. Three years in this new postwas long enough to show he could more than cope with a top job. He wasa hard and effective worker and was meticulous over detail. Thesecharacteristics, allied to his warmth of relationships and marked sincerityand approachability,proved a powerful combination.And so,with the retiralof Bill Dewar in 1970, Allan was the obvious but nonetheless inspiredchoice as Headmaster.

A new era had begun. Despite the onerous demands now made on him andthe traditions to be respected, the man remained the same and his valuesstayed constant. His style of leadership reflected his open and democraticcharacter. Pupils, staff and parents were listened to patiently. Outdatedschool rules were revised, staff had more say on policy and the parents wereencouraged to set up an Association, which soon proved its value.

The 1970s were to prove a difficult time for grant-aided schools like Heriot’sas the Labour Government gave them an ultimatum on their future.Eschewing the state system and believing too that joining the Merchant

Company was not an attractive proposition, the Headmaster andGovernors determined the School should go independent.This

decision, however, was challenged by the Labour majority onLothian Regional Council, which attempted to take over

the School. A fraught time ensued as Allan, along withothers in the Heriot community, galvanised andsuccessfully defeated this bid.

Running a large, prominent School is, at the best oftimes, a formidable task. For Allan, it became evenmore problematic during these years of uncertainty.The toll on him was discernible.Yet he still had theenergy and enthusiasm to throw his considerableinfluence behind the growing support for co-

education, and it was absolutely the right time for itsintroduction in 1979.The culture of Heriot’s changed for

ever as the first 112 girls entered.

Allan, of course, had other major issues to tackle during hisHeadship including the Green Paper on Promoted Posts in 1972.

He persuaded the Governors to accept its recommendations whichreorganised the structure of the School and gave a number of younger staffthe opportunity to take on more responsibilities.Allan welcomed the chanceto create openings for colleagues in order to enable them to develop andachieve professionally. He genuinely cared about people in general and hisstaff in particular.

Allan believed that it was possible to cling too long to a position of authorityand felt it best to go when he had accomplished certain cherished plans.With the future of the School safe and co-education a success, Allan,although only approaching sixty, determined to retire in 1983.Throughouthis career he had been the consummate professional and, with his constantgood-nature and unfailing sense of humour, had won many admirers.TheParents’Association made Allan and Margaret their first honorary members– and he would be the first to admit how much he owed to his belovedMargaret.The Governors in their thanks to him for a job well-done stressed“his sympathetic attitude towards the welfare of all to do with Heriot’s”.Asfor staff and pupils - for them,he had always been a real Christian gentleman.

Following his retiral, Allan and Margaret moved to Dalbeatie where theyenjoyed many happy years. Allan pursued avidly his life-long interest ingardens and also became a stalwart of the local Art Club. He remained ahard-working elder of the Church and continued to influence the lives ofall around him. In later life,Allan and Margaret moved to Laurencekirk tolive with family.The last two years were more difficult as Allan struggledwith both mind and body.Yet the warm smile would still appear and hesteadfastly refused to even mention his discomfort, quite simply becausethat might have been discouraging to others.

He is survived by Margaret and their children, Maggie, Jim and Susan.

BRIAN LOCKHART, Class of ’63

Mr Allan McDonald

AN APPRECIATION OF

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‘PRO U D O F O U R PA S T, FO C U S E D O N OU R FU T U R E’ 4

hen I look back on my thirteen years at Heriot’s and thinkabout all the wonderful things that I have experienced I feelvery privileged to have spent such an important part of my

life in a school which is so dedicated to helping its pupils fulfil their fullpotential.

I joined the Junior School in Primary One. As I progressed through myprimary years I developed new interests which play leading roles in mylife today. I played rugby for the first time in Primary Five, and by the timeI reached the JA1’s coached by Mr Adams I quickly discovered what itwas I wanted to do all day every day, and who can blame me after receivingmy first taste of the luxurious lifestyle of a professional rugby player –being paid in Coke and crisps after beating Dollar Academy.

I cherish my early memories of rugby at Heriot’s and also my firstperformance on stage as one of Fagin’s boy thieves in the Upper Primaryproduction of Oliver! in Primary Six. I also got the chance to performmusically in my first of many House Music Competitions and I rememberfeeling slightly nervous about competing against classical players who hadbeen taught their instruments having taught myself the guitar, sitting in myroom and trying to figure out how exactly Jimi Hendrix made the guitarsound the way it did – I later realised he had been playing with his teeth.

Senior School allowed both my academic and extra curricular activities toprogress. In Second Year I joined the C.C.F. and I was impressed by howmuch was on offer to me at such an early stage. From my first summercamp I was hooked, and I will never forget what the C.C.F. has done forme. My involvement with Drama also increased and led me to being apart of some breathtaking productions such as The Caucasian ChalkCircle and Macbeth. Rugby also began to pick up, and I am luckyenough to have embarked on rugby tours to England in 2002 andAustralia in 2003 which helped prepare me for 1st XV rugby inFourth Year.

Among the things I look forward to most in my SixthYear are this year’s production of Carouselin which I will play the role of “Billy Biggelow” andmaking the most of my final games of school rugby.

When my time at Heriot’s comes to an end Iintend to study Sport and Exercise Science atStirling University.What Heriot’s has done forme stretches far beyond the classroom and myextra curricular interests and I will foreverbe indebted to the staff and pupils of theSchool for making my time at Heriot’s asspecial as it was.

JORDAN HEPBURN

eorge Heriot’s School has been and still is the most significantinfluence in my life. On writing this article, I found it hard toexpress exactly what aspects of the School I admire and after

attending the School for thirteen years, I assumed this would come easily.What I realised is that, to me, Heriot’s is always changing. I am alwaysfinding new and intriguing opportunities that are being made available andbecause of this, Heriot’s never held me back.

Perhaps this new perception of the School began with the film productionproject I have embarked on with Mr Scott in which my classmates and Iare making a film about Heriot’s – Not another Private School. In many ways,I agree with this title. Heriot’s has never been an average school.

When I complete my last school year in June, there will be certain aspectsof the School which I am sure I will always value. For example, the greatvariety of friends I have made here – many of whom I will almost certainlykeep in contact with for many,many years ahead.Additionally, the numberof activities I have taken part in such as choir,swimming,hockey,art,Dukeof Edinburgh and most importantly drama – now a possible career path– illustrate opportunities that every pupil has at George Heriot’s.

GILLIAN MACKIE

SCHOOL CAPTAINS 2005/06

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cadets,who paraded on the East Lawns adjacent to the War Memorial,wereof the highest standard of turnout and drill, which was admired by all,particularly by the Wing Commander.

After the inspection, Mark Andrew, of the Battle of Britain HistoricalSociety, made a poignant speech which portrayed the lives of the men andtheir courageous contribution to the Second World War.I was then honouredto accept on behalf of the Heriot’s CCF, as the Senior RAF cadet on parade,the Commemoration Plaque,from the Lord Provost.The Wing Commanderthen addressed the visitors with a moving account of the importance of theRAF during the Second World War, highlighting the significance of eachindividual’s involvement during such a time.

The Combined Cadet Force was very privileged to have had this opportunityto express their gratitude to the men who lost their lives for Great Britainand to have been an integral part of the Commemoration Ceremony. On apersonal level, I felt deeply moved by the experience, and I’m grateful toall of the guests who made our Act of Remembrance such a special occasion.

FLIGHT SERGEANT MICHAEL RICHARDSON, S6 Pupil

Commemoration Ceremonyn Friday 11th of November, the George Heriot’s Combined CadetForce had the honour of commemorating those who died in the“Battle of Britain” in 1940. The focus of the ceremony was to

remember the three Heriot’s former pupils:Henry Britton,AlexanderLaing and Bruce Sharp, who bravely died whilst serving in the Royal Air Force.

Heriot’s extended a warm welcome to all who attended the parade,including the family members of Henry Britton, before the ceremonycommenced in the Council Room. I was assigned to creating acommemorative display of photographs depicting the George Heriot’sCombined Cadet Force, which I thoroughly enjoyed as it gave me an insightinto military life 70 years ago. I would like to take the opportunity to thankMr Simm from the Heriot’s Trust for his support and expert knowledgewith regard to the preparation of this event.

To further honour the men, the CCF was privileged to have as guests, theLord Provost of Edinburgh and Wing Commander Beaton fromNo. 603 City of Edinburgh Squadron; both of whom inspected the cadetsin the RAF and Army Sections, as well as the Pipes and Drums. All 123

‘PRO U D O F O U R PA S T, FO C U S E D O N OU R FU T U R E’ ‘PRO U D O F O U R PA S T, FO C U S E D O N OU R FU T U R E’5

HERIOT’S BOYS AND THE War Effortattended Heriot’s during secondary school from 1939-1945 – precisely the duration of the Second World War.

Senior boys took turns at fire watching. This consisted ofsleeping for a night on camp beds in the Council Chambercomplete with steel helmets, gas masks,buckets of sand, longshovels and stirrup pumps. I still have a set of cigarette cardscalled “Air Raid Precautions” which show all the equipmentfor air raid wardens and fire watchers. If the siren soundedwhile we were on duty we were supposed to go up on to theroof of the “old building” and watch for incendiary bombs, underthe direction of one of the masters who wisely opted to sleep inanother building altogether, so that he need not concern himself with thehigh jinks that would be going on in the Prefects’ Room and the CouncilChamber! On one occasion my shift experimented with one of the big fireextinguishers, and managed to send an enormous and apparentlyinterminable flood of water and foam down one of the turret staircases.We watched helpless and horrified because there was just no way ofstopping it, once started.

I had no idea that these things contained so much! We cleared the mess andconfessed our sin the next morning because of course it would have beentotally irresponsible in war time to have left a fire extinguisher empty.Wewere not punished: just told not to do it again!

From about the age of 15 nearly every boy was expected to join one of thecadet forces – army, navy or air. I joined the air cadets because my

burning ambition was to be a Spitfire pilot. So I learned drill, Morsecode, aircraft recognition, navigation and how to shoot small borerifles. I also spent many weeks at Easter and summer camps at airforce bases, during which I got several flights, including oneparticularly memorable one in an open cockpit, biplane, torpedobomber – the Fairey Swordfish (the “Stringbag” because of all the

wires between the wings) – like the ones that torpedoed theBismarck.

The other service boys could give was to spend a month or so eachsummer at either harvest camp or timber camp.Because so many men werein the Forces there was a great shortage of labour and accordingly the workof schoolboys was badly needed on the farms at harvest time. And it wassometimes hard, uncomfortable work.Timber camp was more exciting,with all those big axes and two handled saws,and also more fun – especiallywhen we could organise a ceilidh with the local Land Army girls!

I left school expecting to be called up to fight in the Far East or on Japanesebeaches. However, the war ended unexpectedly after the atomic bombswere dropped. So in October I was off to lectures at Edinburgh University.

RONNIE CRAMOND,Class of ’45

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OBATTLE OF BRITAIN

n September 2005 I journeyed to Turkey for the first time to visit an areawhich now, as was the case 90 years ago, is little known or visited –Gallipoli. I was part of a small tour party making the pilgrimage to the

battlefields and cemeteries on that small peninsula at the mouth of theDardanelles.We were combining a holiday to a beautiful part of Turkey witha commemoration of the battles which took place and of the men who losttheir lives there 90 years ago.

In early 1915 the Gallipoli campaign was launched by allied forces in anattempt to end the stalemate on the Western Front.The campaign was toprove ill-fated with a staggering 21,255 British servicemen, together with8709 Australians, 9874 Frenchmen and 2701 New Zealanders losing theirlives. Many of the British servicemen were Scottish; indeed, it was only onstudying the Heriot’s Roll of Honour for the First World War that it becameapparent that 46 former pupils of the School had made the ultimate sacrificefor their country in Gallipoli. In addition to this, another former pupil, 17year old John Malone,was killed in the Gretna rail disaster whilst travellingwith his battalion to Liverpool, en route for Gallipoli.The Roll of Honour,published in 1921, is a remarkable book and contains a photograph of everyHeriot’s F.P. who fell in the First World War together with a short summaryof their school career and wartime service (including when and, if known,where they were killed).

It was in looking at the photographs of the fresh-faced youthful Herioterswho were killed in Gallipoli, many of whom were, when they died, youngerthan I am now, that the true tragedy of the conflict and the sacrifice that wasmade by that generation struck home.The roll disclosed that Gallipoli hadclaimed the life of the Dux of the School of 1899, Samuel S Anderson,aged 33, on 30th December 1915, while he was serving as a 2nd Lieutenantin the 5th Battalion of the Royal Scots Fusiliers. His body is buried in TwelveTree Copse Cemetery, a beautiful and peaceful spot and where I laid a smallcross on his grave in remembrance of the untimely end to such an obviouslytalented former pupil’s life.

The Gallipoli battlefields are now a National Park in order to preserve thehistorically important sites which would still be recognisable to the Tommieswho fought and died there all those years ago. In sweltering heat we walkedover the rolling fields which those Herioters had crossed 90 years before.The open nature of the terrain meant that one could easily imagine theterrible destruction the Turkish machine guns would have been able to inflicton the Scots charging towards them. Many of the former pupils who werekilled in this action have no known graves and their names are nowcommemorated on the beautiful Helles Memorial to the missing which iswhere our party’s pilgrimage ended.

The central pillar of the memorial is surrounded by thepanels of names of the missing, each split into theregiment in which the deceased were serving.The rather exposed nature of the mainpart of the memorial made it

impossible to leave any token of remembrance. However, quite fittingly, themost sheltered spot was that opposite the names of the missing Royal Scots,the regiment most closely associated with the School. It was at this spot thatI decided to say a few words to the small gathering before laying a wreathfrom the School. On my journey to Turkey, I had struggled to think of theright words for such an occasion but,on seeing the number of former pupils’names, it was the words of the old school song which flooded back to meand which prompted me to say the following:

“In June every year, the staff, pupils, parents and a number offormer pupils gather at George Heriot’s School in Edinburgh’sOld Town to pay tribute to the founder of the school, GeorgeHeriot. Floral tributes are laid and the school song is sung, theopening lines of which read as follows:

‘In the merry month of June of sunny days and flowers;

Sets every heart in tune and leads the lightsome hours;’.

In June 90 years ago this year 26 former pupils of George Heriot’sSchool laid down their lives in the service of their country herein Gallipoli.By the end of that year a total of 46 Herioters weredestined never to return to Scotland from these shores.

I lay this wreath in tribute to the fallen on behalf of the Schooland all of its former pupils.”

One of the members of the tour party then read the exhortation and I laidthe wreath at the base of the memorial.

I hope that this article is of some interest to pupils and former pupils of theSchool and would thoroughly recommend a trip to Gallipoli as it is not onlya truly beautiful place but also one which gives an opportunity to remembera past generation, without whose sacrifice we would not enjoy the world inwhich we live today.

EUAN CLUNESS,Class of ’96

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HERIOTERS AT GALLIPOLI

90th Anniversary

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Euan laying a Cross of Remembrance at the grave ofSamuel S Anderson,Twelve Tree Copse Cemetery

Thanks to Robert Dickson who edited Euan’sarticle for Quadrangle.Euan’s complete article canbe viewed on the School’s web site under FP News– www.george-heriots.com


50TH ANNIVERSARY REUNION FOR THE CLASS OF ’56AND S5 LEAVERS OF ’56

Friday 2 June

The Development Office is organising a reunion for all those wholeft Heriot’s in 1956.We gathered names from the School Class Listsof those who are the Class of ’56, which is those who left from FifthForm in 1955, Sixth Form in 1956, and also those who left from FifthForm in 1956 as we understand this was the main point of leavingschool. Part of the success is down to valuable help from FPs ingathering names and addresses for their classmates.The DevelopmentOffice is seeking help and would ask everyone to spread the word –please let us know if you hear of anyone not receiving Quadrangle.There is a full list on the School website FP Section under Reunionsof all those from this year group we are seeking to find.We wouldgreatly appreciate your help if you know of their whereabouts.Wewill be gathering names and addresses,and plan to send out invitationsmid April.

Message from James McVicar, S5 leaver in 1956 On receipt of the last excellent Quadrangle newsletter, I realisedthat in 2006 I became a 50 year ago “leaver”….a sobering thought.I unearthed four class photographs….the jewel in the crown MissMcKenzie’s Class A for 1943-44. I can fully name all but one of the28 boys, and would implore you all to come along on the 2nd Junein the hope that one of you can let me get a full night’s sleep!!!

I was surprised to discover, from the School’s latest list that 20 ofthese “wee boys”completed the course and left in 1956….I also recallthat 3 left to join elder brothers at (whisper it quietly) Watson’s.

If anybody is interested, I also have Miss Redman’s Class C 1944-45, where we seem to have grown from 28 to 38 in number. I cannotname 6 and wonder if my memory was already starting to fade??

I also have Class 1A 1950-51 and whatever Class 4? I was in in 1953-54. I cannot name many of 1A and even less of 4?….You can,perhaps,spot the progression that has continued ever since!!!

I, of course, realised eventuallythat I was a 63 year ago “starter”,so sobering a thought that Ipoured myself a drink….Whilestaring into it morosely my wifewas kind enough to point out“well you are, of course, olderthan Victor Meldrew”….thathelped a lot!!

I have through these photographsbeen in touch with the Schooland been amazed by the effortand enthusiasm expended to tryand trace as many of you fellow“Victor Meldrews” as possible.Not only would the evening beenhanced by your presence butit would be an encouragementand some reward for theDevelopment Team’s hardwork.

25TH ANNIVERSARY REUNION FOR THE CLASS OF ’81

Saturday 28 October

25 years is a long time but my ownmemories of Heriot’s schooldays remainvivid – Victorian classroom furniture(splinters as standard), teachers of realcharacter and the excitement of thearrival of the first batch of girls! The 25-year reunion planned for Saturday 28October 2006 presents a greatopportunity to catch up with past andcurrent friends and re-live thesememories, as well as discovering howkind time has been to all of us.

This should be a hugely enjoyable event and I hope that as many aspossible of the “class of 1981” will be there. Many former pupils willhave lost touch with the Heriot community over the years and if youknow of any who fall into this category please pass on their details tothe Development Office and encourage them to come along.

Best wishes to you all – see you in October.

CRAIG MURISON, School Captain 1980-81

FORTHCOMINGReunions

8‘PRO U D O F O U R PA S T, FO C U S E D O N OU R FU T U R E’

CLASS OF ’80 REUNION

7

25TH ANNIVERSARY REUNION FOR THE CLASS OF ’80

It was a shock to be invited to the Reunion of the First Girls after 25years last November, but I’d had time to get used to the idea for the Classof 1980 Reunion, although, of course, I haven’t yet turned 30!

On arrival, the first thing to hit me was the volume of chatter and laughtercoming from the Pend. Twenty-five years on, the “boys” had certainlyturned out to be confident and outgoing and I even recognised some ofthem, generally the ones with hair! We started the evening with a tourof the school, David Stott’s old classroom, the chapel (where MarkWatson and I got married, but not to each other!), and then round someof the newer parts of the school emerging from what, in our day, was thefront door of the Senior Janitor’s house!

On to drinks and a speech from the “new” Headmaster in the Staff Room.One of the catering staff asked if I was all right given there were so manymen, but I was able to reassure her that that’s what it was like 25 yearsago; I reckoned I could cope. Besides, there were three (out of the six) ofus, Fiona Wilson (Leckie), Susan Ferguson (“Giggly Sue” Lindsay)and myself.

Then to a lovely meal and catch up session, with both fellow pupils andstaff. Mark’s witty speech reminisced, updated us on those unable toattend and then, sadly, acknowledged those who had passed away.A quietmoment in an otherwise exuberant evening.

After a brief visit to a deafening, subterranean bar in Chambers Street,those who were left,acting our true age,escaped to the Greyfriars Bobby,only to leave when the bar staff put on their coats. It was a great night,full of humour and genuine interest but no cut-throat competitivenessor jealous sniping… and it’s a long time since I’ve been manhandled byso many delightful, charming gentlemen in the course of one evening!

HARRIET HARRIS (nee Dennis)

CLASS OF ’80 – S2

CLASS C 1944-45

CLASS OF 2005 – CHRISTMAS RECEPTION

On Wednesday 14 December the Development Office hosted aReception for the School’s recent leavers. Almost 100 members fromthe Class of 2005 came back to Heriot’s to catch up with classmates andstaff. They came from far and wide: the furthest travelled was TriciaMunro who had just returned from South Africa. Stories of the first fewmonths of university or college courses along with news of employmentand gap year adventures were shared.

On 30 September 2005, the Class of 1995 met for their 10Year Reunion,in the luxurious confines of Goldenacre.

A cast of thousands made the pilgrimage back to the site of many enjoyablesports days, this time confining their efforts to the relaxed consumptionof various liquid refreshments, and the occasional burst of dancing to thekickin’ sounds of Ace of Base.

The highlight of the evening was a group rendition of The Merry Month ofJune, albeit three months late. The wonderful vocal exertions ofChristopher Borthwick, now a noted operatic tenor, wereappreciated by all, with the possible exception of those who had to cleanup after his over enthusiastic performance. During the evening £55.32was raised for Marie Curie.

Thanks go to all who attended, but particularly to Blythe, Eilidh,Fiona, Nikki and Roger, who did such a marvellous job of organisingthe event. In addition to the group picture, shown here, some photos from the evening are available at the following link,http://uk.msnusers.com/GeorgeHeriotsClassof1995Reunion/, a sitewhich also contains a discussion forum where the Class of ’95 can keepup the relationships refreshed at the event.

BLYTHE ROBERTSON

WERE YOU IN PRIMARY CLASS A, B, C OR D IN 1946?

Norman Morrison and Norman Irons plan a get together over theweekend of 9/10 September 2006 (provisional date) including awelcome reception, reunion dinner, separate spouses programmeetc.If you were in Primary School Classes A, B, C or D in 1946 pleaseexpress interest to:[email protected] Tel: 01822 [email protected] Tel: 0131 337 6154

- Reunions -CLASS OF 1995 – 10 YEAR REUNION

‘PRO U D O F O U R PA S T, FO C U S E D O N OU R FU T U R E’ 10‘PRO U D O F O U R PA S T, FO C U S E D O N OU R FU T U R E’‘PRO U D O F O U R PA S T, FO C U S E D O N OU R FU T U R E’9

HERIOT CLUBS

Heriot’s FP Cricket Club HERIOT’S FP GOLF CLUBHeriot’s FP Golf Club was formed 115 years agoand with 171 members is by far the most active FPgolf club in Scotland – our annual dinner aloneattracts more people than ‘Sonians, Accies &Stewarts combined.

Club competitions run throughout the year, including a hole in hole,A and B championships, foursomes throughout the summer andgreensomes in the winter, giving members a chance to play courses allover Scotland.We also have matches against other clubs, golf’s uniquehandicap system giving players of all abilities the chance to representthe Heriot badge. In recent years the scratch teams have performedwell winning the Grafton Morrisch trophy at Hunstanton, TheCoronation Schools here in Edinburgh and of course the DispatchTrophy.

There are three outings each year, playing a links course in the spring(Monifieth 30th April), Muirfield for the summer meeting, then in theautumn we go inland (Ladybank 8th September). Every three years theautumn outing takes the shape of a tour. Last year twenty one of us,ages ranging from thirties to eighties, abilities from 2 to 22, enjoyed avery successful trip to Royal Dornoch, while taking in Brora and Tainalong the way.

The social side is never neglected. There is a formal dinner in earlyOctober (13th this year) at Goldenacre. In July we held a fun eveningat the old course in Musselburgh, where members and partners had tonegotiate round the historic links using old hickory clubs at certainholes, followed by a meal and suitable refreshments.

Over the years the club has produced not only some of the great golfersof the Lothians, but many of the leading administrators in the game,indeed the immediate past president of the Scottish Golf UnionGraham Ewart is a member, as is Peter Dawson secretary of theRoyal and Ancient of St Andrews.

Subscription £20.00 p.a. Further information contactCOLIN DEMPSTER, Secretary,Tel: 0131 220 5379 or Email:[email protected]

Heriot’s has succeeded in the top flight of Scottish cricket for decades.Illustrious internationalists like George Goddard, Hamish Moreand Euan McIntyre, who provided the back bone of Heriot’s cricketfor over 30 years, have retired and passed the mantle to a young andtalented team. Gavin McIntyre and Robert More, for example,will continue to make a lot of runs for the club.

We are open to non-Herioters and attract many excellent players.We currently have two players in the national Saltires team – SeanWeeraratna and Dewald Nel.The picture shows Gill Gray, Salesand Marketing Director of CALA Homes, and the 1st XI, which hasbeen sponsored by CALA Homes for the past two seasons.

Please visit Goldenacre to support the team.There’s nothing better thanenjoying a drink at Goldie watching the cricket! Fixtures can be accessed via – www.georgeheriotsfp.play-cricket.com.

We run three senior teams and are looking for new players, membersand sponsorship. If you want more information please contact the ClubSecretary, Gavin McIntyre ([email protected]), ormyself ([email protected]).

We also have under 13’s and under 15’s teams and plan to organise KwikCricket for the Under 11 age group. Ex-President, Andy McKinlayruns this, and is keen to recruit more young players.We do winter andsummer coaching (pre-season – 4 Sundays in March 11am-1pm).Wewould love to hear from you if you could assist in running any aspect ofyouth cricket. Please contact Andy ([email protected]) forfurther details.

Here’s to another successful season in 2006. I hope to see you at Goldenacre!

PETER CRAIGIE, President

This best describes the Rifle Club, not referring to the stature ofmembers (well maybe some!), but the “tone” of the group.Although westill compete in various leagues, the emphasis is on personal

improvement, developing concentration andtechnique. There is a relaxed atmosphere and

more experienced members are oftenseen coaching others.

Social events come

and go – those dreaded decade birthdays that everyone seems to knowabout and our two main annual activities – The Outdoor Shoot at Perthand the Annual Dinner and Prize Giving.We like to ring the changes andventure beyond the city to dine in Fife or East Lothian. For those wholike dates, the range was gifted by “The Old Boys” in 1914.The club wasresurrected in1924 as a Daughter Club. A Golden Jubilee Dinner washeld in 1974. Among our current members we have two representingLothian County and one in the winning British police team. Clubequipment is available for new members to use. Our meeting nights areMonday and Thursday evenings, and we are always pleased to welcomenew faces especially if they bring new jokes!

Further information from:STEWART MACKENZIE, Club Captain, 0131 334 6690

George Heriot’s FP Rifle Club SMALL BUT FRIENDLY!

– Annual Dinner –O F T H E H E R I O T C L U B

Saturday 3 June, Old Refectory, George Heriot’s SchoolContact: Ken Cramond, tel: 0131 447 1525,email: [email protected] Sandy Wake, tel: 0131 667 4843, email: [email protected]

HERIOT CLUBS

NOTICE CALLING ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Thursday 27 April 2006 at 7.00pmThe Annual General Meeting of the Heriot Club will be held

in the Council Room at George Heriot’s School

HERIOT CLUB OF TORONTOCelebrates 25 Years

The 25th Anniversary Dinner took place on the 21st October 2005 atSt George’s Golf and Country Club appropriately held in the “Founder’sRoom” and was attended by club members and their wives.

Following a cocktail hour Alastair Robertson,President,welcomedeveryone to the dinner and Bill Kirkpatrick, Secretary, presentedeach lady with a long stemmed red rose from the club. “And floralofferings bring which at his feet we lay.”

Following the meal the President spoke to the group about the cluband the origin of same. He explained how the Montreal group, duringtheir 50th anniversary, had challenged Bill Kirkpatrickto start a Toronto chapter and here we are today.The group gave a voteof thanks to Bill.

A slide presentation began and Bill explained various slides includinga portrait of the Founder, Sir Henry Raeburn, the Montreal 50th group, the Heriot Loving Cup and then passed the control toAlastair who followed on with a series of group photographs of theToronto Group over the 25 years. The presentation ended with Billexplaining the new format of Founder’s Day this year and showingslides of same including the Headmaster, Norman Baum, pastmember of Toronto, the Pipe Band and Toronto drum, the Cadet Forceand assembled School on the east lawn.

Next Bill reminisced about school days we could all relate to and gavesome examples of the fun times.He spoke of the success of well-knownHerioters, for example Raeburn, Norman Dott, at least fourScottish full backs, Foundationers in our own group, etc.The legacywe take for granted after 350 plus years,the foresight of Heriot,survivalof the School in political times, and the contribution to Scotland. Asone ages sentiments increase and Bill and Norma were very impressed,during their recent visit to the School, by the people they met, thetraditions which survive and the contributions to society still beingmade by the Heriot community.

Joe Howieson was reminded of an event that happened during his final year at the school whilst on fire watch during the war.He amused us all by recounting the event, whereby a bell chiming,reminded, and terrified, his group of a horror movie they had seen.He also explained to the group that he knew of at least two ghosts stillreputed to haunt the Hospital.

The men then formed a choir and sang both School songs, which the ladies enjoyed.

The evening ended with a social mingling and agreement to repeat theevent with spouses again in the not-too-distant future.

BILL KIRKPATRICK, Class of ’55

Heriot’s Rugby ClubAll Herioters, their relatives, friends, neighbours, work colleagues,parents of school children and their friends, colleagues and so on areinvited to join the Rugby Club. Still interested in playing? We run threesides catering for the serious and social player alike.For information on the club, membership, news of thisseason’s fixtures and how to book hospitality for ourleague matches and also for Six Nations Championshipmatches – contact the Secretary, George Lambie,on 0131 552 5925 or 07720 704900 or email:[email protected] visit our websites www.heriotsrugbyclub.co.uk

DAUGHTER CLUBS

BORDERS HERIOT CLUBAGM, April – date to be arrangedGolf Day, Friday 2 June,The Hirsel Golf Club, ColdstreamAnnual Dinner, Friday 3 November, at The Lodge, CarfraemillContact: Jim McFarlane, tel: 01573 225802,email: [email protected] AND CHESHIRE HERIOT CLUBSpring/Summer Event, to be arrangedContact: Stuart Patrick, tel: 0161 427 4282,email: [email protected] LONDON HERIOT CLUBMonthly Meetings, second Wednesday of every month,from 6.45pm – 8.30pm at the Caledonian ClubAnnual Dinner, Friday 24 February, 6.30pm for 7.15pm,Caledonian ClubFounder’s Day Service, Monday 5 June at midday at St Martin in the Fields, London. Followed by lunch at a local hostelry.Contact: Secretary and Treasurer: Jeffrey Maccabe,tel: 020 8693 2127, e-mail: [email protected] HERIOT CLUBAnnual Dinner, Saturday 13 May, tbc.Contact: Ian Miller, tel: 01564 778186,email: [email protected] HERIOT CLUBGolf Day, Thursday 14 September, Bradford Golf Club, GuiseleyContact: David Henderson, tel: 01943 878935,email: [email protected] LUNCH CLUBMeets 1st Tuesday of each month at 12.00 noon in theStarbank Inn (at the corner of Starbank Road and Laverock BankRoad), Edinburgh.All are very welcome to attend.

‘PRO U D O F O U R PA S T, FO C U S E D O N OU R FU T U R E’ 12

HFORMER PUPIL News

rich diet of cream and meat led to poor digestion.These days we import a lot more than rhubarbfrom China, but education expertise remains oneof our unparalleled exports – Heriot’s has playeda small part in that.

For more information about the work Andy isinvolved in, go to:www.gbep.orgwww.camb-ed.com

first came to China in 1986 when it was stillcalled “Red China”. In one of those curiouspieces of serendipity one of the first people I

bumped into was a fellow Scot who lived in thesame street in Edinburgh! China then was strangeand, culturally, completely alien. Though atourist, I found that I was often the centre ofattraction and a stroll after dinner would usuallyfind me accompanied by up to 20 spectatorsfascinated at their first sight of a real “big nose”.

Now,nearly 20 years later,China is a second homefor me with a Chinese wife,half Chinese daughterand enough understanding of the language andculture to make my way around.My path to Chinastarted in my last years at Heriot’s. It was thenthat I read a book about China which fascinatedme and set me to thinking about travellingthere. China was only just opening up afternearly 20 years of self imposed isolation.Verylittle was known about it – Lonely Planets onlypublished their first guide for China in 1984.

A year after graduating from theUniversity of York, I found a job teaching English at XiamenUniversity in the southeast ofChina. I had over 200 studentssome of whom had adopted verystrange English names (Record,Rabbit, Hope and Wish beingamong the more memorable). Itwas such a different experience –no English spoken, no knowledgeof the West (Britain was a small island mainly dependent on sheep farming,my students thought) – it’s veryimpenetrability made it irresistible.After my return to the UK I kept upmy contacts with China and since 1997have been working here for CambridgeEducation, an education consultancy.

My job has been mainly working onbehalf of the British Government tohelp local education authorities inGansu Province in the west of China to

Andy was Head Boy at Heriot’s in 1979/1980. He was recently awarded the Dunhuang Prize by theGovernment of Gansu Province,China for his work in basic education in Gansu.In 2003 he was namedIndividual Consultant of the Year by the British Construction and Consultants Bureau (BCCB) for hiswork in Gansu. Here, he reflects on his path to China.

test new ways of getting more poor and minoritychildren into school and improve the quality ofthe schooling they receive. Going to school forsix years can give children a chance to step up onerung on the ladder that leads out of poverty.Though it may seem curious that the Britishgovernment still gives development aid to China,when you learn that Gansu has a population of 25million and poverty on a par with Cameroon,youmay understand why.

Interestingly, Gansu has an unusual connectionwith Scotland that dates back to the 19th Century when the province was a key

source for rhubarb extract – anexcellent laxative (allegedly!).This was a much sought-aftercommodity for Scots whose

ANDY BROCK, Class of ’80

Andy, holding Dunhuang Award, with wife,Yang Jing and daughter Hannah.

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‘PRO U D O F O U R PA S T, FO C U S E D O N OU R FU T U R E’11

ntil reunited by a recent Google search which led me throughcyberspace to www.george-heriots.com, I have been out of touchwith The School since emigrating to England fifty years ago.

Although my theatre career brought me regularly back toEdinburgh, the short visits were so intense that there was littletime for much beyond work,eat and sleep.From time to timeI caught reassuring glimpses of ‘The Wark’ but never quitebecame adjusted to the sight of Herioters in skirts.However,walking once again round the terrace and into thequadrangle, I experienced little feeling of ever having beenaway.Such is the power of an institution that has been thrivingsince 1659.

I became a Herioter in September 1939, the year and month thatthe war started.With only some of the School’s air raid shelters ready,we younger pupils (I was 8) met for the first few weeks in teachers’houses,half the class in the morning and the other half in the afternoon. But, apartfrom practice air raid alerts, something approaching normality was soonresumed – even swimming, initially suspended in the interest of fastclassroom evacuation to the shelters, soon restarted. However, the namesof FPs killed in action were almost a daily feature of HeadmasterCarnon’s morning announcements to the assembled senior school.Including the last year of Gentle and the first of Dewar, my nine yearssaw three headmasters – all great individual characters,their only similaritybeing the shared christian name of William.These were the days before aCombined Cadet Force: so Fridays were very colourful with a largeproportion of senior pupils in naval, air force and army uniform.Otherwise, Herioters then looked much the same as they do now exceptthat we carried gas masks.

I found some difficulty in embracing the School’s sporting traditions. Itried. I really did. I played rugby, even ascending to the dizzy heights ofcaptaining the fourteenth XV, but I never seemed to be on the same partof the pitch as the ball and I frequently ended the game on the most muddyof days without significant need for laundry. It would have been wonderfuljust once to clear a single hurdle or perhaps even reach the sandpit in thelong jump. In the gym, just as I was about to succeed in vaulting over thetop of the horse, its legs were raised an inch every, yes every, time.

But participation in the school plays under the inspired directionof Ian Wishart, FP and BBC Radio Producer, opened a windowon a culture which I embraced as more profound than winningraces.There was no drama in the curriculum in these days – just anannual play plus sketches for the ‘Lit Socials’.The ‘Lit’ was theLiterary & Dramatic Society which met every Friday eveningin the OPLR (Old Physics Lecture Room).Alas, searching atthe foot of the chemistry stairs for this rather grand tieredlecture theatre which housed my first tentative attempts atpublic speaking, I found only a computer lab.

However, I discovered that the backstage rooms of the Hall thatI must now learn to call ‘Castle’ rather than ‘Junior’, have beencolonised by a new thriving drama department.After fifty years ofdaily working on stages, with a little bit of drama school teaching onthe side, I can recognise the energy and commitment which buzzes in asuccessful drama studio – and I felt that tingle the moment Julia Douglasopened the doors of her Heriot Drama powerhouse. I then experienced

another rather different,but still very special, sensation.This was the tingleof déjà vu when I once again strutted the stage upon which, sixty years

ago, I made my acting debut as Covetousness, one of the Seven DeadlySins in Marlowe’s Dr Faustus. The previous year’s school play had

been Shaw’s St Joan, perhaps not the obvious choice for boys’school but drama thrives on taking risks.That production madesuch an impression that I was determined to be part of thismystic world.

I sat my Highers in the year of the very first Edinburgh Festivaland sitting in the gods of the King’s, Lyceum and Usher Hall

at 16,I was ripe for discovery of the wonders of the performingarts. During my final school year, with a permanent booking

(B15) in the Lyceum gallery, I saw a different play every Saturdaynight.A life in the theatre was becoming inevitable and the decision

was made easier by failure to graduate after reading biology for four yearsat Edinburgh University – something of a record for a Herioter, I suspect!

Throughout my life, I have been constantly aware of just how extremelylucky I was to be educated at Heriot’s. It was a happy and stimulatingexperience and a great springboard into life’s jungle.

PS: I have a hunch that it might be rather fun to have a reunion of DramaticHerioters. Anyone agree? If so, register your interest, please, with theDevelopment Office.

FRANCIS REID,Class of ’48

UNostalgic visit to the Drama Department

‘PRO U D O F O U R PA S T, FO C U S E D O N OU R FU T U R E’ ‘PRO U D O F O U R PA S T, FO C U S E D O N OU R FU T U R E’13

I joined Heriot’s in 1979 – the first year that girlswere admitted to the School – and wastherefore fortunate to witnessand be a part of a new era in thehistory of Heriot’s. It was adaunting experience for me as Ijoined to complete my Fifth andSixth years, having spent myprevious school years at an “all-girls” school! However, after theinitial shock of discovering that Iwas one of six girls in a year of 120boys I soon settled into my new lifeand, now looking back, enjoyed thebest two years of my entire schoollife.

It took a bit of time for both staff andpupils to adjust to the demands of thenew female arrivals as I, for one,wanted to study four languages ratherthan sciences and so a fair amount ofcurriculum shuffling went on! In theend, I concentrated on French, Latinand a crash course in Spanish in mySixth Year - a great class as it was justtwo of us and Mr Buchanan! I alsoenjoyed taking part in the school dramaproductions and the choir which, alongwith the orchestra, took me toSwitzerland.

After leaving Heriot’s I ventured north tostudy French (and a smattering ofSpanish) at Aberdeen University andgraduated in 1986 with an MA Honsdegree. I was fortunate to have benefitedfrom a university bursary from Heriot’s. Duringmy degree I spent a year abroad in Tours andChinon in France which may well have planted theseed for my future career in tourism (although atthe time I was considering teaching – I think 40wild French kids soon put me off that idea!).However, it was probably my summer job in theTourist Information Centre in Edinburgh thatreally gave me an insight into the world of tourismand selling Scotland’s number one destination tothe world!

I returned to live and work in Edinburgh and metmy husband, Ian, here – although he actually wentto Aberdeen at the same time but our paths didn'tcross until we both ended up in Edinburgh. Myfirst job was with the National Trust for Scotland,marketing their wonderful array of properties andself-catering holiday homes. I then spent aneventful three years with Scotland’s HeritageHotels, a group of independent quality hotelsthroughout Scotland.In addition to putting on lotsof weight having to experience their finehospitality I also had the great fortune of seeingmany parts of Scotland and began to travelabroad to promote the hotels and the countryitself.

This led to a 14-year career with Edinburgh andLothians Tourist Board which has afforded me theopportunity to travel far and wide and meet somany different people. I focused on the marketingside and can honestly say that Edinburgh has to beone of the best destinations in the world topromote – it really makes me proud to wax lyricalon the charms of Edinburgh to a wide variety ofaudiences and, to this day, I still get a lump in my

throat when I hear the skirl of the pipes during anoverseas promotion – who says we should give upour tartan and shortbread image? We ignore thesestrong icons at our peril. It still makes me smile,though, when I am reminded of one commentfrom a US visitor to our Tourist InformationCentre who said:“I think it’s really quaint the wayyou built your castle so close to the railroadstation”!

Having enjoyed such a varied and challengingcareer I am now moving on to pastures new andstriving to find a better work/life balance with myfamily.My life-long interests in music and workingwith children (from setting up the Brownies atHeriot’s to teaching in a French nursery) areinfluencing my next career move. However I willalways continue to “sell” Edinburgh to anyonewho'll listen and, when on a guided tour of thecity with visitors, never fail to point out theHeriot’s building from the ramparts of EdinburghCastle – a part of Edinburgh’s history and a partof my own.

I am very much looking forward to catching upwith class mates at the 25th Anniversary

Reunion for the Class of ’81 onSaturday 28 October – hope to see youthere.

ALISON RANKIN, Class of ’81 TAKES A NEW CAREER PATH

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I have been quite lucky in that I have always knownwhich career path to follow.Since I was very youngI have wanted to be a vet and Heriot’s gave me theopportunity to progress to University and achievemy lifelong goal. I enjoyed school and have greatmemories of it, especially of the D.O.E.expeditions and being part of the swimming club.When it came to the end of 6th year though, I wasready to move on to bigger things at University. Ifound it difficult to choose which University to goto – stay at home in the ‘Burgh’ or move west tothe ‘Weige’. Fortunately my decision was madeeasy as I was accepted by Glasgow and not byEdinburgh! So I packed up and off I went.

University was brilliant. ‘Vet School’ is small, soeverybody knows everybody else and I made areally close bunch of friends who will remain myfriends for life. During my time at vet school, Idecided I wanted to be a ‘mixed’vet,one that dealswith all animals, a true James Herriot so to speak.This all changed in final year (a fully practical year)when I decided to do equine work, then cattlework, and then I was confused again! It wasJanuary, five months prior to qualifying, before Imade my final decision.

I had previously undertaken vet work in SouthAfrica and California, both places appealed to me (plenty of sunshine!), but I also wanted tosample New Zealand – the dairy capital of theworld. My girlfriend Katie was also keen to travel so we enquired about job availability in New Zealand. One of the farm animal residentsat Glasgow University is a Kiwi and we managed,with her help, to get our first jobs as dairy cattle vets.

NZ has a similar population to Scotland, but withthe land-mass of the entire UK, so there is plentyof untouched countryside waiting to be explored

on my weekends off. Dairy cattle medicine is veryseasonal, with the quiet season in the summermonths of December and January. There areplenty of outdoor pursuits right on our doorstep.We live on a farm just outside Hamilton in NorthIsland, only a couple of hours away from surfbeaches,ski slopes,hill walking and lakes for watersports. People are a lot more laid-back here, notallowing work to run their lives.The local townhas sports events most nights and we go along toclub tennis on Mondays,touch rugby on Thursdaysand occasionally beach volleyball on Wednesdays.It’s all supposed to be ‘social’ standard but sometake it more seriously than others!

I frequently chat with friends working in the UK,and the relaxed outdoorsy lifestyle in NZ seemsto make veterinary life less stressful than at home.If you are a true city slicker, then NZ may just bea nice place to travel to, but I’m thoroughlyenjoying living here!

So here I am, on the other side of the world,living in the countryside and working as a dairy cattle vet. Not at all what I had expectedwhen I left Heriot’s. It just proves that although I had my life mapped out and career path chosenyou cannot really predict what the future will hold.

MICHAEL DENHOLM, BVMS MRCVS, Class of 2000 WORKING IN NEW ZELAND

Oly had another successful season this year racing in the Auto TraderMini Cooper Challenge. He raced in Scotland, England, Ireland andItaly. He was crowned champion in October, winning this televisedchampionship in his first year. He received his championship trophyat the Balmoral Hotel in November; he was also presented with theBorder Motor Racing Club Champion of Champions Trophy for thesecond year running.This is the trophy for the most wins in a seasonin Scottish Motor Racing.The first person to receive this trophy wasFormula One driver Jim Clark in 1957. Part of his championshipprize was an invitation by BMW to take part in the Mini Cooper SWorld Championship – a 3 day event in Misano in Italy, representingScotland.This was a multi discipline event which included Karting,Quad Biking, Race and Slalom in 220 bHP Works Cooper S Minis.The cars were all run by the BMW racing team.The 21 drivers whotook part were all champions who were representing countries fromall over the world. Although Oly was disadvantaged because of hislack of experience in left hand drive cars, he finished 6th overall –the nearest English opposition finished 12th overall. Oly thoroughlyenjoyed this experience, especially driving at night at 145mph.

Oly still has ambitions to race in the British Touring CarChampionship.These successes will hopefully help him along the way.

OLY MORTIMER, Class of 2000 MOTOR RACING UPDATE

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