Old Alts Newsletter 2021 (smallest)

President: Colin Bamford, 11 Ridge Avenue, Halebarns WA15 0AY. 0161 980 1032

Chairman: Christian James, 10 Ledward Lane, Bowdon, Cheshire. WA14 3AD

Golf Secretary: Christian James.

Secretary and Newsletter Editor: Antony Perrett. 81 Park Road, Hale, Altrincham. WA15 9LQ. 0161 904 7120

Treasurer and Membership Secretary: Ken Webb, 4 Keswick Drive, Bramhall, Stockport, SK7 1DJ. 0161 439 4583

Football Section Secretary: Brian Clark

Cricket Section Secretary: Ian Horn, 13 Willowtree Road, Hale, Altrincham, WA14 2EQ. 0161 928 1958

Annual Dinner Organiser: Stephen Perrett, 65 Langham Road, Bowdon, Cheshire WA14 3NT. 0161 941 5053

Alumni Relations Manager: Gill Williamson. 0161 928 0858

OLD ALTRINCHAMIANS

Newsletter 2020 - 2021Dear Old Altrinchamian,

WelcometotheannualOldAlt’snewsle3er. Ihopeyou,yourfamilyandfriendsandeveryone in theAGSBCommunity have remained safe andwell during this difficultCme.

“It always seems impossible unCl it’s done”. This quote from Nelson Mandela hasresonatedwithmethroughouttheacademicyear2020-21.Althoughthishasprovedtobeachallengingyear,wecanbeextremelyproudofwhathasbeenachieved.TheChristmasTermwasdominatedbytrackandtraceandpupilshavingtoself-isolate–someforupto30daysintotal.FromJanuary3rd2021,boyswerestudyingonlineasthenaConal lockdownconCnuedbutbymid-Marchwehadreturnedtoclassrooms,thesportspitcheswerefullofhappyfaces,musicwasbeingplayedandmuchmorewasgoingonacrosstheSchool.Throughouttheyear,wehaveseenthewholeSchoolcommunitystaystrong,supporteachother,andadapttoanever-changinglandscape.

Although exams did not take place this summer, we were able to celebrate someoutstandingachievementsbyYear13intheirAlevelsqualificaConsthissummer.AWertwo years’ hard work, themajority of our students were awarded grades that willenablethemtostudyattheirfirst-choiceuniversity. ManystudentsgainedplacestostudyatpresCgiousuniversiCesacrossthebreadthoftheUKandabroad.13studentssecured places atOxford or CambridgeUniversiCes and 32 secured places to studyMedicine,DenCstryorVeterinaryScience.

Theextra-curricularprogrammehasbeenheavilyaffectedbythepandemic,however,the AGSB House System has had an excellent second year.Many thanks go to ourcorporate House sponsors: Leavi3Walmsley Associates, Sodexo, ABCWarranty andMyerson’sfortheirsupportthroughouttheyear.AWerTa3onHousedominaCng lastyear, itwaspleasing to seeMasseyHouse takingboth themajorHouse trophies inJuly.

InJanuary2021thekeystothenewAGSBteachingcomplexwerehandedover(seea3achedimage).Itisastunningnewresourcefortheschool.Thebuildinggivesus7Englishclassrooms,2Geologyclassrooms,alibrary,acareershubandastaffarea.

(con%nuedover)

The School conCnues to place real onus on improving Alumni relaCons and it was pleasing that wewelcomed a number of Old Altrinchamians back to School last year to talk to and inspire our currentstudents.IfyouhaveanyideasoranythingyouwouldliketoseehappenforOldAltrinchamians,pleasegetintouchwithGillWilliamson–AlumniRelaConsManagerviaemail:[email protected].

Finally,followingonfromahugelysuccessfulFeasibilityStudythisterm,IamdelightedtoconfirmthatweareabouttostarttheiniCalstagesofanexciCng£1millionfundraisingcampaignthatwillseesomefantasCcaddiConsandimprovementstoouroutdoorsportsfaciliCes.IlookforwardtoinviCngOldAlt’soverthenextacademicyeartooneofaseriesofcampaignrecepConswewillbeholdingtohearmoreaboutourcampaign,‘MakingaDifference-SportforAll’andourambiCousplans.

Greame Wright Head Master

Message from the Chair of the Association

DearfellowOldAltrinchamian,

Welcometothe2021OldAltsNewsle3er,Ihopeitfindsyou,yourfriendsandfamilyallsafeandwell.

TheNewsle3ersareofcourseawayoflookingbackoverthepast12monthswhichisnotsomethingthatwouldimmediatelyfillmanypeoplewithmuchposiCvity.Andyet,inspiteofthechallenges(andinsomecasesbecauseofthem),there’ssCllsomuchtobeproudandgratefulforasanOldAltrinchamian.

Asyou’llreadintheHeadmaster’sreport,theschoolhasdoneincrediblywelltonavigatetheongoingchoppywaters,withoutstandingAlevelandGCSEresultsandafabulousnewteachingcomplextestamenttotheeffortsofallandjustsomeofthereasonstofeelhugelyopCmisCcaboutthefuture.ApersonalhighlightformewasbeinginvitedtoaddresstheYear13(Upper6th)Leaver’sBreakfast,whichwashostedintheschoolcanteen,(whatusedtobetheold6thformcommonroom….andbeforethat,theoldgym!).ApartfromcongratulaCngtheboysonshowingamazingresilienceoverthelast2years,mymessagetothemwastotakeagoodlookaroundthem;formanyofthefacestheyseewillbetheirlifelongfriends.It’soneofthegreatthingsaboutbeinganOldAlt.WhereveryouendedupgeographicallyandwhetheryoubecameaDoctor,aLawyer,aTeacher,aDesigneroraFilmmaker,weareallconnectedbythebondsformedduringourCmeatAGSB.

Whilstweweren’tabletohosttheAnnualDinnerthisyear,wedidmanagetoholdtheGolfDayatChorltonGC.ItwasfantasCctospendthedaywithacombinaConofTeachers,Pupils,ParentsandOldAltsonwhathasbecomeareallypopulareventinourcalendar.

ItmaybesomeCmebeforeweareabletomeetupattheschoolagain,soitwasgreattoseethepicsofthenewteachingcomplexthatwasopenedearlierthisyear–completewitharesplendentschoolcrest,kindlydonatedbytheOldAltrinchamians.Thenew‘quad’looksamazingandI’msureitwillinspirebothboysandteacherstoevengreaterheights!

Havingsaidthat,wearehopefulthatwewillhavetheAnnualDinnerintheSpring.Sopleasecrossyourfingersandsavethedate:Friday4thMarch2022.Alldetailstobesharedinduecoursebutassumeit’saneveningevent.

I’dliketoendwithathankyoutoAntonyPerre3foronceagainpullingthisnewsle3ertogether.Notaneasytask!AndthankstoColinBamford,everynewsle3erbackto1945isavailableatwww.oldalts.com.....wellwortharummage.

Finally,mythankstoallthoseontheOldAltscommi3eewhogiveuptheirCmetosupporttheAssociaCon.Theyareallamazingpeople,keepingusconnectedanduptodatewiththeschoolandeachother.JustwhattheOldAltrinchamiansisallabout.

Christian

Message from the Editor

Dearall

Welcometothe2021newsle3er,andI’mafraidthatit’sanother‘you-know-what’affectedissuesincesome(butnotall)ofoursocialgatheringshavebeencancelledagain,sothereisnoannualdinnertoreport.Hopefullyvaccines/normalisaCon/complacency(deleteasapplic.)willhaveusbacktogethernextyear.

ThedisrupConinnormalserviceoverthelastcoupleofissueshasgivenmetheopportunitytore-evaluatethenewsle3erfuncCon,andthisissuewillseeaslightchangeoffocus,whichI’mhopingwillworkwellandbe3erposiConthenewsle3erforthefuture.

Thenewsle3ergoesbackdecadesandobviouslystartedasawaytocommunicateitemsofinteresttoformerpupils.Overtheyearstherehasbeentheoddformatchangehereandthere,butithasbroadlyconCnuedinthismannereversince.That’swhatIpickedupwhenIstartedthisroleroughly10yearsago.

Howeverourmembersincreasinglyrelyonourothersources,predominantlythewebsiteandon-linechannels-Facebook,etal-meaningthatthenewsle3erisincreasinglybecoming“Yesterday’sNews”,andthereforeripeforre-engineering.SofromthisissueonwardsI’mincludingsomepieceswherecurrencyislesssignificant-propereditorialcontentyoumightsay-andletouron-lineoutletsreportnewsitemsofimmediateinterest.FearnotthoughbecauseI’llsCllconCnuewithmuchoftheusualcontent:dinnerreports(whenwehaveone!),sportsreportsandtheobituariessecCon,plusofcoursetheusualintroductorysecCons.

Iamdelightedtohavetwonoteworthycontributorsthisissue-andmyheart-feltthanksgotostaffmemberTimLoweandpupilEdwardLythgoefortheirexcellentandthought-provokingarCcles.BothputinalotofCmetoproducetheircontribuConsandI’mhopingyouenjoyboththeirwords,andtheslightchangeofemphasisthatthisheraldstoo.

SoIwillendbymakingamodifiedversionofmyusualsign-offplea.Iamespeciallyinterestedtosecurecontributorsforthe2021/22newsle3er-WhatI’dreallyliketodoissomethingaboutnotableschoolbands-gigreports,photos,thatkindofthing.PersonallyIremembermyfirstevergigin(about)1980heldinthe6thformcommonroom-“TheSurgicalSupports”-theynevermadethebigCme,buttheexperiencechangedmyoutlookforever!.Ifyouhaveanybandstories-pleaseletmehavethem.

SofeelfreetochipinwithanythingyouthinkmightinterestotherOldAlts.YouareanarCculatebunchwithinteresCnglivesandinteresCngthingstosay-howaboutsharing?Pleasecontactmedirectly([email protected]).

Currentand(many)pastnewsle3erscanbedownloadedfromthewebsiteatanyCme.

There.….notasinglemenConofmotorbikes………(damn!That’stornit!)

Antony

Annual Dinner 2021We really hoped to have a dinner this year - dates were pencilled-in but had to be abandoned.

We tried really hard to find a way, but in the end decided that it was all just too uncertain to commit to a dinner.

Fingers crossed for 4th March 2022, and hopefully a bit of built-up demand that will help us have a get-together to remember.

I asked “absolute legend” Tim Lowe to contribute a piece about how teaching has changed during his long and varied career …… ED

NowI’mnotaFrenchteacherbutevenmydusty,cobweb-coveredOlevelqualificaConcancopewithtranslaCngtheabove.I’vea3endedoldboysdinnersinvariouscapaciCesovertheyearsandhavelistenedtoHeadmasters’state-of-thenaConreportstotheassembledalumni,detailingtheschool’spastyear’sachievementsacademically,onthesportsfieldandculturally.I’veevengivenacoupleofsuchaddresseswhenIwasheadoftheBuryCollegeAlevelcentreatStand(formerlyStandGrammarSchool–someofyoumayhaveplayedfootballagainstthemwhenyouwerebrightyoungthings).TheapproachwhichHeadmasterstakeonsuchoccasionsistoshowtheprogresswhichtheschoolismakingwhileatthesameCmestressingtheconCnuitywithpreviousgeneraCons:thingsmoveonbutthebestispreservedandpersists.

Thepre-SocraCcthinkerHeraclituscoinedwhathasbecomeafamousmetaphortoexpresstheunderstandingthatourexistenceissubjecttotherelentlessdynamicofchange,noCngthatone‘cannotstepintothesamerivertwice.’Platolaterconcludedthatitis‘ma3er’,therawmaterialoutofwhichthingsaremade,initsfundamentalnaturewhichisthesourceofchangeinthisworld.PermanenceandconCnuitywastobefoundinthetranscendent,eternal‘forms’.Plato’spupilAristotle,rejectedhisteacher’sthesisofa‘transcendentrealmofforms’,insteadsiCng‘forms’enCrelywithineachindividualthingorbeing.

AccordingtoAristotle,allthingscontainwithinthemcountlessformswhichexistinastateofabeyance.Theseformsdeterminewhatathingcanbecome.Anacorncanbecomeanoaktreebecauseitpossesseswithinitselftheformof‘oaktree’(ratherthanbeechtree,sycamoretreeor…).EmployingthelanguageofAristotle,anacornisactuallyanacornandpoten%allyanoaktree.Ifitdoesbecomeanoaktreethenitwillactuallybeanoaktree.Whetherthetheacorndoesgrowintotheoaktreedependsuponexposuretotherightenvironmentalfactorsandappropriatecatalysts:ferClesoil,water,sunlightetc.IftheacornisdeprivedofsuchposiCvecondiCons,itwillnothavetheopportunitytofulfilitspotenCal.So,accordingtoAristotle,changeoccursbecausethingstransiConfromoneactualitytoanotherandbecausetheyhavethepotenCaltodoso.

Iwasappointedtomyfirstteachingpost,inacomparaCvelydeprived11-16mixedcomprehensiveschoolinCrewe,in1978.ManyofthepupilscamefromthekindsofbackgroundswhereeducaConwasn’tvalued,wheretherewerefewbooksandquietroomsinwhichtostudy.Theirhorizonsdidn’tstretchbeyondworkingontheshopfloorforRollsRoyceorontherailwaysatCreweWorks.Universityandtheprofessionswerefundamentallyalientothem.Therewasli3lechanceofsuchboysandgirlsgrowinginto‘oaktrees’,despitethededicaConandprofessionalismoftheirteachers.ItisourvocaContoenablenewactualiCestoemergefromwithinthosepupilswhomweteach;tohelpallofthemtorealisetheirpotenCal.Thishasbeentheconstantamongmycolleaguesthroughoutmyteachingcareer.

Whathaschanged?CertainlyatAGSBtherehasbeenademographicevoluCon.Thenumberofpupilshasincreased.Wehavemovedfromafiveformentrytosixandnowseven.Thesixthformhasincreasedcorrespondingly.Theculturalmixamongtheboysisconsiderablymorediversethanitwastwentyyearsago.Amongthestaffthegenderbalancehasalteredradically,evenintheSciencesandMaths.Thenumberofadminandsupportstaffhasexploded.

PlusçaChange,Plusc'estlaMêmeChose

ThereareotherobviousthingsbutIsuspectthatmanyofthemaresuperficialandtechnological.WhoremembersworksheetschurnedoutonBandamachines?ThesmellofthespiritwasintoxicaCng.Colleaguesnowwordprocesstheirownworksheets;ourprinCngcostshavesoared.Goneareblackboardsandnot,assomeanC-wokersmightclaim,forreasonsofpoliCcalcorrectness.It’sprobablygotsomethingtodowithchalkdust.Incamewhiteboards,andtheheadyallureoftheinkfromthepens.AndthencameinteracCvewhiteboardswithmagicinklesspens.They’venotreallycaughton.Theelectronicboardswereamajorstepforward,notsomuchasaresultoftheirinteracCvitybutbecausetheyonlyworkwhena3achedtoadesktoporlaptop.I’llcomebacktothat.

I’msuremanyofyouwillrememberwhenTheTVfirstarrivedinschool.Inmyfirstappointments,therewasonlyoneoftheminthebuilding.Ithadtobebookedinadvanceandwheeledinonatrolleybyatechnician.IseemtorememberitcamewithaprimiCveVHStapeplayer,whichseemedstate-of-the-artattheCme,althoughitregularlycheweduptapes.WhenIfirststartedatAGSBin1998,mydepartmentwassitedinaprefabatthefrontoftheschoolnearthesciencelabs.Wehadtwoclassroomswithastockroomsandwichedbetweenthem.BythatstageinthehistoryoftwenCethcenturyeducaCon,wehadourowndepartmentaltv.ItwasstoredinthestockroombutwassCllwheeledinandoutofeitherclassroomonatrolley.Thedisturbingthingwasthatinwinter,theunheatedstockroominthecentre,withfan-heatedclassroomsateitherendoftheprefab,wassuscepCbletoseverecondensaCon.Thisruinedthestockandmeantwhenthetvwasbroughtoutforuseinlessons,itwasregularlydrippingwet.Itthenhadtobepluggedin!

Asmanyofyouwillbeaware,wehavejustseenthecompleConofthenewtwostoreyteachingblockwhichjoinsontotheendoftheColemanHall,effecCvelyturningthespaceoverlookedbytheHeadmaster’sroomintoaquadrangle.Theclassroomsinthenewblockallhavemotoroperatedblinds.InteracCvewhiteboardsarenowpassésoeachroomisfi3edwithalargetvscreen.Asyouwillhavedoubtlessalreadyworkedout,eachoneisa3achedtoitsownnetworkedcomputer.Thismeansthatwecanpreparelessonmaterialsinadvanceandaccessthemremotely.Weregularlyaccessteachingmaterialsfromtheinternet,weregularlymakeuseofYouTube,PowerPointpresentaConsareubiquitous–afarcryfromwhenIusedtocomeintoschoolearlytowritenotesonablackboardinCmeforalessonlaterintheday.EvenUSBsCcksarenowrarelyseeninschool.Theriverisflowingfasterandfaster.

TheHeadmasterannouncedinstaffbriefingjustthisweek,thatwearegoingtobeginexploringfundraisingopConstoenabletheinstallaConofa3GarCficialpitch.In1998therewasnoGrammarandnoall-weatherpitch.Onecouldfindbe3ertenniscourtsinlocalparksthanourswerethen.Thegymwasbarelyworthyofthename.Thefield,especiallynearesttheschoolattheendofthe1stXVpitch,wasaquagmirethroughfromNovembertoFebruary.Throughoutthewinter,crosscountrywasasubsCtuteforfootballandrugbyingameslessons.Mysecondsubjectis/wasPEandIwasCmetabledtohelpoutwithsuchlessons,aswellasvolunteeringtorunfootballteams.IknewaboutsporCngfaciliCes;Iwashorrifiedbysuchpaucity.SomemightconcludethatTrafford’spoorfundingofourschoolwasretribuConforourresistancetomergingwiththeGirls’GrammarSchool.Youmightthinkthat.Icouldn’tpossiblycomment.

Quiz: SPOT THE DIFFERENCE !! Using computer wizardry, one of these two identical photos of Tim has been modified to introduce 10 deliberate differences. See if you can spot them all. Please send your entries to:

“That’s what 30 years of teaching does to a man”, Department of Education, Whitehall.

ThankgoodnessforthevisionanddeterminaConofHeadmastersandGovernorsoverrecentdecades,whohavepushedthroughthedevelopmentofourfaciliCesandgrounds.Sports/PEhasclearlybenefi3edoutofallproporConbutsohaveotherdepartments.Aswellastherecentlyopenednewbuild,overthelasttwentyyearsIhavewitnessedtheopeningof,innoparCcularorder,theStamfordHall,SixthFormcommonroom,newArtrooms,FoodTechnologyroom,newsciencelabs,MathsblockandPhysicsblock.

AtAGSBthecurriculumhasdeveloped.Allboysatks3nowtakeFoodTechnologyaspartoftheTechnologycarouselandthesubjectisoneoftheGCSEopCons.LikewiseChineseistaughtasaGCSEopConsubject.Manyboysinyr10,thekeenersportsmenIguess,takeGCSEPE.SomegoontotakeitatAlevel.AndwenowteachAlevelPhilosophy.

IhaveseeneducaConalfashionsandiniCaCvescomeandgo,someCmesdrivenbyeducaConalists,moreoWen,probably,bypoliCcians.Inmyearlydays,classesinthesecondarysectorwerenumbered1to5andthenthe6thformfollowedonaWerthat.Nowwestartatyear7andprogressontoyears12&13.I’vewitnessedOlevelsmergewithCSEstoproduceGCSEs.I’venotedtheintroducConofA*gradesatGCSEandlateratAlevel,inbothinstancesbecauseitwasconsideredbysomeeliCststhatamereAgradedidn’tactuallyreflectthesuperiorityofsomestudentsoverthehoipolloi.Andnowwe’rebackwithGCSEgradinginnumbersratherthanle3ers,likeitwaswhenIsatOlevels,exceptthatthey’veswitchedtheorderroundgivingthehighernumbersgreaterkudosthaninmyday.AtAleveltheybroughtinASlevelsasastandalonequalificaCon,thentheyrestyledthemtomakethemthefirstpartofthefullAlevelqualificaCon,typicallysatattheendofthefirstyearofatwoyearAlevelcourse.MichaelGovewasn’thappywiththissowe’renowbackwithhowthingswereovertwentyyearsago.Rearrangingthedeckchairs?

Inthedecadesofmyteachingcareer,yes,therehavebeenmanychanges,butourcorebusinesshasremainedthesame.Weareheretoeducate,to‘leadout’fromwithineachindividualstudentwhatAristotlecalled‘actualiCes’.Thebo3omlineisthatallofus,teachers,parents,poliCciansandindeedthewholeofwidersociety,havethefundamentalmoralandsocialresponsibilitytosCmulate,provoke,guideandnurtureourchildrentorealisetheirpotenCal.

TimLowewaseducatedatManchesterGrammarSchoolandsubsequentlyTheUniversityofHullwherehereadTheology.HehastaughtatCoppenhallCountyHighSchoolinCrewe,StandCollegeandBuryCollege,wherehewaseventually

promotedoutoftheclassroomintovariousmanagementroles,includingbecomingHeadoftheAlevelcentre.HejoinedAGSBin1998asHeadofRE,adepartmentwhichhedevelopedandrestyledintotheDepartmentofReligionand

Philosophy.Here%redfromfull%meteachingin1998,buthasreturnedtoteachpart%meattheschool.Timhasonedaughterwhoqualifiesasaden%stthissummer,andadogcalledBruce,namedaPerBruceSpringsteen.Heisafanof

themusicofFrankZappaandsingsinAltrinchamChoralSociety.

Churchill’sIllnesses

Earlier in the year I got wind that distinguished Old Boy, Professor Allister Vale, had co-authored a book exploring one of our great recent figures, but with an interesting slant - by re-examining Winston Churchill from a more medical viewpoint and using this to re-assess much of what we thought we knew about the great man. I’d already decided to include something about the book in the newsletter - but how to make it more than just an ‘item of interest’ ? “How about asking one of the boys to do a book review” …. said the Head Master …. “I know just the chap”

So in stepped Edward Lythgoe - now in his final year at the school - Ed has reviewed the book, and for good measure interviewed Allister too. So huge thanks to both Allister and Ed for taking the time - and I hope that readers find it as interesting as I did…… ED

HowisitpossibletosayanythingnewaboutamanwhoselifehasbeenanalysedandinterpretedinexacCngdetailbyamulCtudeofeminenthistoriansovermanydecades?TheanswerliesinVale’sandSkedding’snewbook“WinstonChurchill’sIllnesses”.TheydescribeWinstonChurchill’sinfluenceoversomeofthemostmomentouseventsofthelatenineteenthandtwenCethcenturiesthroughtheprismofaphysician'seyeprovidinganewhistoricalperspecCve.

OneofthethingsIlearntwasthesheerweightchancehasovertheunfoldingcourseofhistory.AnexampleofthisisemphasisedbyValeandScaddingintheinjurysustainedbyWinstonChurchillonthe2ndofOctober1896.WhilstdisembarkingearlyfromtheP&OSteamshipBritanniainBombayasanofficerinthe4thHussarsChurchillsustainedawrenchinginjurytohisrightshoulderwhichwithoutsurgicalintervenConremainedaphysicalweaknessofhisfortherestofhislife(somuchsothathealmostdislocatedtheshoulderinananimatedaddresstotheHouseofCommonsyearslater).Churchillhimselfevenbelievedthatthisinjurymaywellhavesavedhislifelateratthefamousba3leofOmdurmanasitpreventedhimfromwieldingasabrefromahorseinafrontalchargeandmadehimreliantonthedischargeofapistol;“Perhaps”helaterwrote,“ifinthechargeofOmdurmanIhadbeenabletouseasword,insteadofhavingtoadoptamodernweaponlikeaMauserpistol,mystorymightnothavegotasfarasthetelling………Lifeisawhole,andluckisawhole,andnopartofthemcanbeseparatedfromtherest”.

Oneisalsostruckthroughoutthebookofthesheerphysicalstoicismandenduranceoftheman.Eveninthefaceofsevereillhealth,ChurchillneverfailedtocarryouthisduCesasprimeministerduringsomeofthiscountry’smosttesCngandtroublesomedays,doingsowithgreatdignityandsuccess.Thisisaptlyillustratedinthechapter10enCtled“PneumoniaandAtrialFibrillaConinDecember1943inCarthage”.ChurchilliniCallyfeltunwellduringajourneytoa3enduponhisChiefsofStaffinMaltainNovember1943.DespitebeingveryunwellChurchill’sDeputySecretaryoftheWarCabinet,GeneralHasCngs“Pug”Ismaywroteofhim“Evenifhehadbeenatdeath’sdoor,hewouldnothaveforegonethechanceofatalkwiththecommandersintheMediterranean”.DespitehisillhealthChurchilllatera3endedinthatmonththeimportantconferencesofMaltaandTehran.Churchilllaterwentontocontractpneumonia(anillnesswhichkilledasignificantpercentageofpeoplewhocontracteditatthisCme)andsufferfromtheabovemedicallynamedirregularheartbeatlaterinDecemberofthatyear.InspiteofthisheremainedanacCveparCcipantintheconferenceinvolvingbothBriCshandUSseniormilitarystaffincludingGeneralEisenhower.IndeedsounwellwasChurchillthathispersonalphysicianDrCharlesMoranindicatedthathethoughthispaCentwasgoingtodieonthenightofthe14thDecember1943.This,though,neverheldhimback.JustoneexampleofthemanydiscussedhealthproblemsChurchilldealtwithwhilstcarryingtheweightofthecountryonhisback,ithighlightsjusthowwellValeandScaddingpaintanewperspecCveofhisexperiences.

HowdifferentcouldtheworldhavebeenhadChurchillsuccumbedtohisvariousillnessesisaquesConIaskedmyselfonvariousoccasions.Thebookhoweverisawonderfulportrayalofasuperbleaderofpeopletriumphingandremainingincommanddespitethebodilytravailsheendured.ThebookdescribesthemanymomentouseventsnavigatedbyChurchillthroughamedicallens,describingamanwhosimplyrefusedtobeovercomebyhisphysicalfrailCesunClheconsideredhisaimsandambiConshadbeenachieved.AninteresCngandengagingread,Iwouldhighlyrecommendthisbook.

If you would like a personalised and signed copy (by Allister Vale) for £23.50 including postage, please contact him by email: [email protected]

NotonlydidIreadthebook,butIwasalsoluckyenoughtospeaktooneoftheauthors,andoldAltrinchamian,AllisterVale.IwasabletoaskhimaplethoraofinteresCngquesConsthataroseinmyminduponreadingthebookitselfandlearnedagreatdealmorenotonlyaboutthefinishedproduct,butalsoaboutthebackgroundofthewriCngofit,aswellasaboutAllisterastheauthor.Aninsigh{ulandengaginginterview,hereisasummaryofourdiscourse.

FollowingintroducCons,IlearnedthatAllisterhadhadalong-lasCnginterestandfascinaConinChurchill,insightedasaboybyhisfather’sadulaConoftheman,butnotlaterre-ignitedunCltheearly1980’sfollowinghis

discoveryofhisenjoymentofreadingaroundChurchillinthelibrary,starCngasequenceofthepurchaseofmanybooksandarCclesabouthim,includingallofChurchill’sownworks.Adoctorhimself,AllisterbelievedthathisgreatunderstandingofmedicinewouldhelptoprovideadefiniCveaccountofChurchill’sstruggleswithhishealth.Alifelongpassion,itwasonlyinthelast8yearsthatAllister’sreducednaConalprofessionalresponsibiliCesgavehimtheopportunitytowritethebook.HavingknownJohnScadding,hisco-author,forabout30years,theirinsightandrelaConshiphelpstoproduceafantasCcpieceofacademicliterature.AsideofChurchill’scharacterthatAllisterbelievedtohavepreviouslybeentotallyunexplored,heandScaddingwereenthusiasCctoproduceauniquepieceofworkthatoffersanewperspecCveononeofhistory’smostwell-knownfigures.

AsweconCnued,Allister’sadmiraConforChurchillshonethrough,withgreatemphasisbeingputonthesignificanceofhishealthproblemsduringoffice,andhowthis,coupledwithhisprogrammeoftravellingseveralhundredthousandsofmilesinunpressurisedaircraWto“placeswithallkindsofinfecCons”tovariousvitalmeeCngsstretchingthroughoutthedayandnight,thingswhichwouldhave“pole-axedanordinaryperson”,alladdtotheforCtudeanddeterminismthatwenowassociatewithChurchill.ItisthesequaliCes,alongwithhisburningdesiretosucceedthatAllisterbelieveswecouldalllearnfromasyoungmenatAGSB,butalsoaspeopleingeneral,andcarryintooureverydaylivesandourcareers.ThisaforemenConedforCtude,Allisternotes,isencapsulatedbyChurchill’sabilitytoconCnueevenwhenhewasplacedundersuchverygreatpressureduringWWII.AlthoughitisbelievedbysomethatChurchillsufferedfromdepression,oWenreferredtoas“TheBlackDog”,ValeandScaddingbelievethistobefalse.

Duringtheinterview,wealsodiscussedthecontroversialtopicofChurchill’srelaConshipwithalcohol.AllisterpointedoutthatChurchillneversufferingfromthemedicalcondiConAlcoholwithdrawalsyndrome,whichsupportstheviewthathewasnotanalcoholic.HealsonotedthatitwasonlyontwooccasionsthatChurchilleverappearedtobeinebriated,somethingthatisquiteremarkable.ItwasextremelyinteresCngtohearAllisterspeakofthecontemporaryperspecCvesofmanyofthepeoplethatwerearoundChurchillattheCme,confirminghisviewthattheideaofChurchillbeinganalcoholabuserisahugemisconcepCon.

IwentontoaskAllisterwhohimselfandScadding’stargetaudiencewas,andheexplainedthatitwasnotonlyaimedatamedicalaudience.HeandJohnScaddinghadmadeagreatefforttomakethemedicalevidenceunderstandabletoalayaudienceandsoabookaccessibleandappealingtoChurchilliansofallkinds.AllisterwentontostatethathisbookwouldbeanenjoyablereadforallthosestudentsatAGSBwhoareinterestedinhistory,aswellasthoseinterestedinbiographicalwriCng.

WefinishedourinterviewwithadiscussiononlifeatAGSB.Allisterdescribedhisexperienceattheschoolas“averyhappyCme”andaposiCvelychallengingCme,sayingthatheandhispeerspushedeachotherforwardandencouragedeachothertoagreatextent,allstrivingforambiCousgoals,somethingthatgalvanisedhimintofurtheracademicendeavours.Ifoundthistobesomethingthatreallyresonatedwithme,havinghadaverysimilarposiCveexperience.ItwasreallyinteresCngtohearsuchasimilargreatexperiencefromaformerpupil.

IwouldliketohugelythankAllisterforgivinguphisCmetohaveachatwithme.IfoundittobeatrulyfantasCcthingtobeapartof!

Edward’sInterviewwithProfessorAllisterVale

….andothercommentsonthebook…

Allister Vale and John Scadding have written the definitive account of Churchill's illnesses. Their expertise as physicians has been brought to bear on the interpretation of the evidence, much of it available for the first time…Vale and Scadding have produced a well-researched and highly readable book that will be essential reading for Churchillians and other historians of the period, as it provides so much new material and many new insights. Randolph Churchill From the Foreword

In this meticulously researched volume, Allister Vale and John Scadding provide a uniquely comprehensive and readable account of Churchill’s many medical

problems, from childhood to his terminal illness, set in the context of his life as one of the greatest statesmen of the twentieth century. Drawing on many medical and

non-medical sources, the clinical, political and personal aspects of his many illnesses are woven seamlessly together. A superbly rounded account of the great

man emerges in a most engaging narrative. Andrew Roberts

Author of Churchill: Walking with Destiny

Much has been written about Churchill’s health and much has been rumour and speculation. This is the definitive work on the subject, written by experts and grounded in the evidence. Allen Packwood OBE, Director Churchill College Archives Author of How Churchill Waged War

Winston Churchill’s Illnesses is a tour de force of scholarship. Vale and Scadding have conducted exhaustive research and brought to

light much previously unpublished material. Their meticulous and scientific analysis of Winston Churchill’s health makes this one of the

most historically significant and important books ever published in the field of Churchill studies.

David Freeman Editor Finest Hour, Journal of the International Churchill Society

Just reading the sleeve notes, the forward by Randolph Churchill and the introduction by the authors I realised I was about to read a book of great significance. I was not disappointed as I quickly became enthralled by the incredible detail, often intimate and always revealing, that Allister and John have documented.

Sir Winston’s courage, resilience and determination is convincingly proven as he battled through the complexities of his personal, professional life as well as surviving his many recurring health issues and illnesses. This meticulously researched and highly readable book will delight those with an interest in all things Churchillian. I found the Medical Aspects at the end of each chapter particularly interesting. Throughout the book I was also pleased to be able to gain a completely new insight into the life and times of this remarkable statesman.

Congratulations to Allister for his dedication in bringing us this unique masterpiece. Ted Roylance (AGSB 1954 to 1961)

Allister and his colleague have published a book which is both readable and informative. You do not need to be medically trained to appreciate this book, but if you are then appended to each chapter is

a short in-depth medical analysis. As the story of each of Churchill’s illnesses unfolds, in passing the reader gleans many interesting details of history; for instance, we have all heard of his 1945 conference in Yalta with F.D. Roosevelt and Stalin. How many of us know that Churchill flew via

Malta for a pre-meeting with the Americans, and that a second aeroplane carrying more of our officials crashed near Sicily on the way?

We must congratulate Allister for writing a remarkable book which readers will find quite fascinating.

David Smith (AGSB 1956 – 1963)

Football - Old Altrinchamians FC

Likeeveryoneelse,OldAltsFootballClubhasbeenseverelyaffectedbytheCovidpandemic.Season2019/20startedbutwasbroughttoaprematureconclusion.The2020/21seasonstartedbutwassuspendedforfivemonthsleavingnoCmetocompletetheLeagueprogrammes,althoughthe1stand2ndXIsdidbothplayinhasClyarrangedcupcompeCConsbutneitherteamqualifiedfortheknock-outstages.

BoththeVeteransteamsfaredsomewhatbe3erandmanagedtocompletesomewhattruncatedseasonswiththeOver35sfinishingin2ndplace,remainingundefeatedallseasonwhiletheOver45sfinishedin3rdplacewith5wins,3drawsand2defeatsfromtheir10fixtures.

Itisneverclearpreciselywhenthisnewsle3erwillhitmembers’inboxessobythewondersofmoderntechnology,Iamprovidinglinksbelowforanyonewhoisinterestedtochecktheprogressofanyofourfourteamsforthecurrent2021/22season.Byfollowingthelink,youwillbeabletoseeanup-to-dateleaguetable,recentresultsandforthcomingfixturesforeachofourteams.

The1stXIh3ps://fullCme.thefa.com/index.html;jsessionid=C08B79C5BB40E36FFBE8086DFBE2BE15?selectedSeason=79963758&selectedFixtureGroupAgeGroup=0&selectedDivision=806704277&selectedCompeCCon=0The2ndXIh3ps://fullCme.thefa.com/index.html?selectedSeason=79963758&selectedFixtureGroupAgeGroup=0&selectedDivision=262610858&selectedCompeCCon=0TheOver35Veteransh3ps://fullCme.thefa.com/index.html?selectedSeason=567911196&selectedFixtureGroupAgeGroup=0&selectedDivision=611595628&selectedCompeCCon=0TheOver45Veteransh3ps://fullCme.thefa.com/index.html?selectedSeason=567911196&selectedFixtureGroupAgeGroup=0&selectedDivision=165802556&selectedCompeCCon=0

Ifyouspotahomefixturethatyouwouldliketowatch,youareverywelcometojoinusatCrossfordBridge,SaleandaWerthegameinourclubroomwherefoodanddrinkwillbeavailable.

ThemostdisappoinCngeffectofCovidwasthatourannualSportsman’sDinnerhadtobecancelled.ThiswastohaveaveryspecialDinnertomarktheCentenaryoftheClub,whichwasformedin1920andhasplayfootballineveryseasonsinceitsformaConapartfromtheseasons,whichwereduringthe2ndWorldWar.However,wearesCllhopingthatitmaybepossibletoholdabelatedCentenaryCelebraConDinnerearlyin2022.

Ididmanagetocompleteahistoryofthefootballclub,whichiscalled“ACenturyofFootball”.ThiswaspublishedinJuly2020andreceivedanenthusiasCcresponsewithsalesnotonlyinmanypartsoftheUKbutalsoinAustralia,USAandCanada.Italso

generatedopportuniCesformetorenewacquaintanceswithmanyOldBoysthatIhadnotseeninover50years.

TheClubhasbenefi3edfromover£800fromsalesofthebook,thecoverofwhichisshownalongside.Ifanyonefeelsthattheyhavemissedout,therearejust4copiesremainingatapriceof£10.00with£5.00fromeachsalegoingtoclubfunds.P&Pis£[email protected]

WehaveexcellentfaciliCesatCrossfordBridgebutalthoughthishasbeenourhomegroundnowfor44years,wehaveneverhadsecurityoftenure,renewingourconCnueduseeveryseason.However,thisyearwehavebeeninvolvedinprotracteddiscussionswithTraffordMBCinordertosecurea25-yearlease,whichwillalsomeanthatweareinamuchstrongerposiContoreceivedevelopmentfundingfromorganizaConssuchastheFootballFoundaCon.Itishopedthatthesediscussionswillbearfruitbeforetheendofthiscalendaryear.

WearealwayslookingfornewplayerstojointheClubandingreatneedofvolunteerstohelpinanywaybehindthescenes.Anyone,whomightbeinterestedinfulfillingeitherrole,cancontactmeattheemailaddressabove.

BrianClark(1954–62)

Golf

The annual inter-school match was held in July at Bramhall Park GC. Old Hulmeians won (189 points), Old Stopfordians were 2nd (167 points) with Old Alts 3rd (165) - not bad considering the Old Alts only fielded 5 players. Stephen Perrett was the top scorer for Old Alts with 42.

Next year’s fixture is Wednesday 6th July 2022 - we could do with some more players. Contact Martin Leake if you’d like to play ([email protected])

The Society golf day was also in July at Chorton-cum-Hardy GC. The was a super attendance: 20 Old Alts and similar number of teachers/pupils played. The golfers played with a great spirit under sunny summer skies.

HowWellDoYouknowAGSB?I wanted to include something that informed readers about the current status of AGSB and remind you of some of its history - and rather than trot out a list of facts, I thought a quiz might be a more fun way to achieve the same. So with enormous thanks to Gill Williamson, and her merry band of contributors, here is an AGSB-themed quiz. Answers overleaf. Ed.

Question 1. Which Act of Parliament was the catalyst for the formation of the school ?

a. The Board of Education Act (1899)b. The Balfour Act (1902)c. The Education (Provision of Meals) Act (1906)d. The Education (Choice of Employment) Act (1910)

Question 2. What was the School’s original name when it opened ?

a. Altrincham Academy for Boysb. Altrincham and District Grammar Schoolc. Cheshire Grammar School for Boysd. Altrincham County High School for Boys

Question 3. Who officially opened the School on Saturday April 12th 1912 ?

a. Sir Alfred Hopkinsonb. Walter Runcimanc. Jack Peased. R. A. Butler

Question 4. How many pupils did the school have in its first year ?

a. 57b. 99c. 46d. 261

Question 5: What is the School’s motto ?

a. Acta non verbab. Dulce periculumc. Carpe vinumd. Labor omnia vincit

Question 6: In what year was the School awarded special language status ?

a. 1999b. 2001c. 2003d. 2007

Question 7. How many edition of ‘The Word’ have been published since its creation 11 years ago ?

a. 11b. 22c. 33d. 44

What are the four key School values ?

a. Honesty, integrity, hard work, reliabilityb. Stand up straight boy !, South bogs, No talking at the back, The dog ate my homeworkc. Respect, care for each other, truthfulness, probityd. Love of learning, responsibility, resilience, respect

Answers to quiz: Q1 - b, Q2 - d, Q3 - a, Q4 - a, Q5 - d, Q6 - c, Q7 - c, Q8 - d

ContactswiththeAssociaRon

TheSchoolLGBTQ+grouparewanCngtofindawayofengagingwithformerstudentsforafewreasons:

1. Theyarehopingtofindpaststudentsthatcouldactasambassadors/rolemodelsfromtheQueercommunityinsomewaythattheycouldcalluponinthefuture(theyhavenosetplansbutpossiblyintheformofcomingtoasocietymeeCngwithinschool-toshareexperiencesinacontrolledenvironment/offersupportoradviceandforincreasedgeneralvisibility).

2. Makesurepaststudentsknowthisgroupknowsexistsandismakingsomestepstomakingamoreinclusiveenvironment.Whichmayforsomepaststudentsoffersomesmallcomforttounderstandwhatchangesarehappening.

3. Ifpaststudentsknowofthegroup,theymaybeabletoofferadviceorhelpinawaythatwehaven'tconsidered.

Ifyouwouldliketomakecontact,[email protected]

WRoyDeem,died11thJune2021.A3endedABGS1948-1955

RolandWardale.(1952-2021).Rolanda3endedAltrinchamGrammarSchoolfrom1963-70.HewentontodoaDegreeattheUniversityofWales,Bangor.HesubsequentlymovedtoLondon,whereheworkedinComputerProgramming.HeeventuallymovedtoGermany,workinginI.T.,andlivinginMunichandStu3gart.

AlanLaver,died30thJuly2021.Afullobituaryisonthewebsite

BillAstorga,diedJuly2021.A3endedABGS1937-1945

KenTuWlebee,died19thJanuary2021.A3endedABGS1943-1948.AWerschoolKendidtwoyearsNaConalServiceintheRAF.DuringthisCmehisparentsmovedfromHaledowntoSouthend-on-Sea.KenworkedattheHeadOfficeofthePrudenCalinHolbornBarsinLondonfrom1950unClhereCredin1991aWerbecomingheadofthemortgagedepartment.KenalwaysfondlyrememberedhisCmeattheschool,andindeedrevisitedin2013,andbychancemettheheadmasterwhoverykindlygaveatouroftheschool.

GeorgeThornton,died10thNovember2020.ThisisareprintfromashortpiecewriTenin2000byRoyColeman,describingGeorge…

In1942li3leGeorgeThornton(washeeversmall?)stoodonourschoolstagesingingpatrioCcsongsinacub-scoutshow.Li3ledidherealise,then,thatthiswasthestartof50years’associaConwithAltrinchamGrammarSchool.

From1944to1951hewasapupil.AWer‘A’levelsinMathsandScienceheleWAGSforteachertraininginLondonbutviamanyportsintheMediterranean,forfirsthehadtoundertakeNaConalServiceintheRoyalNavy.Itwastherethathedidhisfirstteaching,takinggroupsofseamenforBasicEnglish–plentyofscopethereIshouldthink!

Asateacher,Georgedidn’tseemtohaveanydisciplinaryproblems!HewasfirmandthoroughandasanumberofboyswilltesCfy,hehadhandslikeoakboards.Georgewasalistenerandacounsellor–longbeforethetermbecamejargon.Hespoketoyou,notatyou.HewasessenCallypaternal.

EarlyinhisteachingcareerGeorgesetouttobecomedeeplyinvolvedinschoolaffairs.ThehabitneverleWhim.HerantheUnderXVteamforyears.Hebuiltscenery.HewasinthelaunchpartyoftheSailingClub,buildingtheschool’sHerondingy.HespenthoursatTa3onunClthechillywaterscooledhisardour.Hebecamethelinchpinofschoolcampandinitslastfewyearsorganisedthewholething.

Heplayedinthestaffrugby(aCtanicCght-headprop)schoolfootball(abustlingback)stafftug-of-war(anchorman–andtheonlyCmeswe’vegotontopofhis)andstaffcricketwherehewaspluckyandlucky–tobelikenedtoaTrabantratherthanaRollsRoyce.Whateverhedidhewasgoodtohaveonyourside.HegavetheopposiConthatsinkingfeeling.InonefootballgameanunknownopponentfellheavilyandGeorgerushedtohisaid,sweepinghimupinhisbrawnyarmslikeahoneymooner.Laterwe

Obituaries

heardthattheinjuredonehadbrokenribs–wesClldon’tknowifthathappenedbeforeoraWerGeorgepickedhimup.

Inthemid-60sGeorgejoinedtheCommi3eeoftheParentsAssociaConandcontributedmorethananyonetowardsitssuccess.Hehelpedtoproducesixtyfairs,madeequipment,mendedequipmentandbecametheman,justasinthetug-of-war,thateveryonefellbackon.

Inthemid-70sGeorgestudiedatManchesterforayearbeforetakinghisHonoursDegreeinEducaCon.

Inthemid-80shebecameaStaffGovernor.

In1987,whenKeithNoddingwasappointedHeadmaster,GeorgebecameSecondDeputyHeadmasteroftheSchool.ThisappointmentcoincidedwiththeimposiConofLMSandacomputerisedoffice.WithoutfussGeorgedevotedhoursofhisownCmetomasteringtheSIMSsystemandkeepingtabsonthefinances.Hewasagodsendtotheofficestaff.ItwastouchingandcomforCngtoseethisbear-likemanstrokingthekeyboardwithsuchdexterity.

Allthisinvolvementwithprint-outs,passwords,backingup,reconciliaConandallthatdidn’tstopGeorgegoingheadfirstdownadrainifsomeonedroppedtheircarkeys!Neitherdidithinderhiscareerastheunofficialbuilder,converter,painter,joiner,locksmithanddemoliConexpertintheschool.Themainoffice,themedicalroomandthemusicroomarelargelyofhisdesignandcreaCon–andfundedbytheParents’AssociaCon.IneveryroomthereissomethingthathehasgarneredfromsomewhereinTrafford–tables,desks,screens,noCceboards,cupboardsandshelves.Georgehasstrippedmanyabuilding(quitelegallyofcourse)withhissledgehammer,jemmyandgroupofboys.WherewewouldhavebeenwithoutthisuniqueandextraordinaryeffortandenterpriseIdreadtothink.

GeorgeThorntonisoneoftheoldschoolwitharecordofdedicaConanddevoConrareinanycontext.Whateverhestartsheseesthroughtotheend.Heisstubborn.Heiskindlydisposedtowardshisfellowmen.Heisapowerfulmanwithagentlenature.