Stories from the battlefields

The grave of Geoffrey Staniland
(photo: F M N)

This article was originally published on 20 August 2015.

F M N teaches history at Boston Grammar School. Over the last year she has been involving the boys in research into some of those students of the school who lost their lives in the First World War. Some of those in whom she is interested are Thomas Comer and the Staniland brothers, Meaburn and Geoffrey. I, Simon Meeds, helped her a little with her research so I'm pleased I played a small part in this story.

In March 2015 she took two boys (Harry Hopkins and Rob Hayes) to France and Belgium on a battlefields trip. The trip was organized by the Institute of Education (IOE) and was part of the First World War Centenary project being run by the government. Each secondary school in the country is invited to send two students and one member of staff free of charge.

I'll let her continue in her own words...

When the students return they have a legacy project where they have to feedback what they have found out. The trip was amazing and really inspired me in how I teach WW1.  The staff involved and guides were fantastic (I recommended [Martin] Middlebrook’s Somme book to the guides and I know they are now reading it as they purchased it in one of the shops there).  I have enjoyed the trip and project so much. It has really made me question how I teach WW1. I think I used to have a very negative view of WW1, and of course I still appreciate that there were dreadful parts of it with a great deal of human suffering which we always wish can be avoided, but I am certainly more inclined to see the significance and not just see it as a loss and waste as I did before. I feel that I am less critical of people such as Haig and whilst seeing that his decisions did often lead to human sacrifice, I understand more why he made these decisions. I am now undergoing a programme to be a specialist leader on WW1- there was an application process, I was successful and there are fifteen of us in the country who are doing this with the IOE. Our job is to promote the trip and lead CPD [Continuing Professional Development] sessions for other teachers. I am going to use the case study of Comer and the Staniland boys to create some sample resources for other teachers.

Anyway, on the trip, we visited the grave of Thomas Comer at Lijssenthoek cemetery and we placed a cross there from BGS and Tower Road. As I am sure you will remember, Thomas’ father was the headmaster of Tower Road primary school at the time. His father unveiled a memorial plaque at the school some years after, so it must have been very emotional for him to read out his son’s name. The ex-headmaster who left last academic year (Dom Lloyd), is doing a project called “Memory Lane”, and so we are hoping to work with the school on broader historical issues that are not only related to the First World War. The two students who were involved in the trip and I visited Tower Road primary in June and they gave a presentation on their trip and donated information on Comer. There are details of all of this on our school website.

The grave of Meaburn Staniland
(photo: F M N)

Perhaps more emotive for me was when we visited the graves of Meaburn and Geoffrey Staniland, which did bring a tear to my eye. I am not sure if it was because they were BGS lads but I found that part of the trip very emotional. Our battlefield guide was amazing and I told him about all of the research that you had done and we managed to do a little more together. 

These two brothers were buried in Dranouter Churchyard and were very close together (they died in 1915 only a few months apart). Meaburn was a captain and so therefore was more of a professional soldier as he was already serving in the army prior to WW1. His brother Geoffrey was not professional in the sense that he was part of the Complete Territorial Division which was part of the BEF [British Expeditionary Force], joining up during WW1. Both men died in action. We think that Meaburn was fighting at Hooge which is in Ypres (Belgium). King George actually inspected their division on 19^th February 1915. 

We think that Geoffrey may have died in a trench raid in what was “normal trench routine”. Geoffrey was probably leading a patrol as there was possibly as few as three other men with him. 

When you read what happened to Meaburn you will see why I am so fascinated by this story. Meaburn was fighting at Hooge, where we think he was injured and later died (three months after his brother). Therefore, it is a little surprising that he is buried at Dranouter which is some distance away  There is no way that he would have ended up there to be buried unless he requested to be buried there next to his brother, as part of his dying wish. We can think of no other reason how he would have got there unless his men sorted it out for him, knowing about his brother. That perhaps is an even better story. 

I have been in touch with Allan, the guide, since the trip and he has told their story several times since. Of course the other twist is that Meaburn’s  son was killed in WW2.  Again we have done some more research on him - he was killed in Normandy. When Allan next passes this cemetery he is going to get a photo for us.

As I have said to you before, you have really inspired me to find out more about local history and going on this trip and seeing me first hand really made it all the more touching.  I am taking the two lads into Sibsey Primary in November where we shall be telling the Staniland story.

Annual Dinner 2018

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Old Bostonian Association Quiz Night 2017 - results

Quiz Master, Richard Anderson

Thanks go to Richard Anderson for continuing his role as quiz master for the 2017 Quiz Night. Scores were ably and efficiently recorded by Harry Hopkins (BGS Year 10). Photographs with thanks to Howard Charlton.

There was a good turn-out at the OBA Quiz Night this year: 11 teams filled the whole Boston and County Club dining room.

Scores were out of a total of 100, so scores are percentages.

Team results:

1st	Urban Bunny	89.5
2nd	Camalamadingdong	88
3rd	Freiston Sure	82
4th	The Cunning Linguists	79
5th	Rennies and Us	77.5
6th	Quiz In His Pants!	72.5
7th	Spaceballs	64
8th	Rose's Rebels	63.5
9th	Mummy's Boys	62
10th	Foundations	45. 5
11th	I thought it was Speed Dating!	36

In the buzzer and light finale Camalamadingdong beat Urban Bunny 240-190, a reversal of last year's result.

Winners: Camalamadingdong - Judy Cammack, Nicola Cammack,
Oli Cammack and Richard Cammack

Runners up: Urban Bunny - Nick Charlton, Howard Charlton,
Pat Everitt and Colin Clark

Walter Burnet - RIP

Walter Burnet (BGS 1937-42)

Walter Burnet passed away 1 March 2017 aged 91. The former owner of a model shop in West Street (see photo), he leaves his wife Sylvia, daughter Heather and son Paul.

For funeral details please contact F.E Addlesee & Son Ltd, 44 Castle Street Boston 01205 311303

Lance Cooper - RIP

Lance Cooper (BGS 1949-55)

Lance Cooper passed away in February 2017 at the age of 78 in Mandurah, Western Australia. After his education at Boston Grammar School he had a career in the RAF, which he completed at the age of 39, then emigrating to Australia with his family.

Thanks and condolences go to his brother Barrie, who informed us of Lance's death.

Alec William Houlden - RIP

Alec William Houlden (BGS 1942-47)

AW Holden died on 7 January 2017.

Bas Rippin - RIP

Bas Rippin (BGS 1943-50)

Bas Rippin died on 19 January 2017.

More details will follow.

Roger Mason - Obituary

Roger Mason (BGS 1979-86)

We have heard that Roger Mason passed away on 23 December 2016 following a short illness.

The funeral will be on Thursday 12 January 2017, 11:30 am at Boston Crematorium. There will be a gathering at The Sportsman Bar, Roseberry Avenue after the funeral.

BGS old boy, Adam Mullen wrote a tribute to Roger...

Roger Mason (photo 1981-82) I was immensely saddened to hear of the passing away of Roger Mason. I spent most of my Boston Grammar School years in the company of Roger. We’d meet at the junction of Sleaford Road and South Parade with Graham Kemp to cycle the two and a half miles to school and then meet up at the end of the school day to ‘race’ home. At the end of the ‘race’ home Rog would turn left and I’d turn right off Sleaford road before we would meet up an hour or so later to kick a football on Roseberry Avenue playing fields or at Roger’s house. Mr and Mrs Mason and Roger’s sister Miche must have had the patience of saints with our games of indoor football with one of those full size sponge balls, using the living room door frames and radiators as goals. Many a toe was bruised kicking those door jambs! ‘Race’ is an apt word for Roger as he was hugely competitive and very good at any sport he chose to partake in. We spent every Saturday morning representing BGS at football from the U12’s through to Mr Dunn and Mr Wainwrights 1st Eleven. If I remember correctly as 4th year boys four of us broke into the 1st Eleven but Roger was the first to achieve this. Rog had a natural ability to play exciting creative football and had that magic which saw the ball ‘stick’ to his feet. Whilst not being the biggest of players, in a 50-50 challenge Rog would always come away with the ball. He had ‘that touch’ and was at the centre of our teams’ creativity, leading the way to victory in the Pitcher Cup final in 1983. Saturdays were for representing BGS football teams and Sundays were spent ‘racing’ in cross-country fixtures under the guidance of Mr Anderson. We regularly won the South Holland championships and went on to represent the school at the first ‘Milk in Action All England Schools Cross Country’ finals in Redditch. After competing in races on a Sunday morning we’d cycle back home to then meet up in the afternoon and kick a ball on Roseberry Ave playing fields. Then there was circuit training, athletics, table-tennis and snooker on Rog’s mini table but football was his biggest passion and he excelled in it, standing out as our year's best player. We shared adventures to the Lake District and cycling holidays, with the likes of BGS old boys Graham Kemp, Shane Wakefield and Mark Hopkins, and Roger joined us on many a family trip to the City Ground. Roger standing with us in the Forest end in matches against his beloved Liverpool. He was one of the first of us school boys to have a car, driving us around to football fixtures in his little burgundy Mini. I left Boston for higher education but upon returning we linked up again playing for the Carpenters Arms Sunday league football team. In my late twenties I left town, later got married had children and regrettably lost contact with my childhood friend, like many of us so often do. Yet when I’d return to Boston to visit my parents I’d always ask them if they’d bumped into Roger and if they knew what he was up to. Little did we know of Roger’s recent illness but that ‘asking after’ Roger was because of that special camaraderie I shared, like so many others, with Roger. Even though he excelled frequently he never boasted or revelled in his sporting successes. Roger lived for his sports; highly competitive, Rog enjoyed winning and did so in the right way. We may move from place to place and experience many changing tides in our lives but its friendships that we remember and I’m glad to have shared my childhood school years and twenties with our friend Roger. A quote from the film ‘Standby me’ comes to mind “I never had friends like the ones I had when I was twelve… does anyone?” Rest in Peace my friend Rog. by Adam Mullen

Old Boys' Cross Country Event 2017

"The Six Knot Sign"

There has been some discussion about a possible Cross Country running  /jogging / walking event involving alumni of Boston Grammar School. Originally it was suggested it might happen in the summer of 2016 but due to lack of motivation / effort / commitment it did not happen. Discussion has recently restarted and there seems to be some enthusiasm to get something organised in 2017.

If you are interested in taking part in the event, please read the rest of this article, then fill in our simple questionnaire to register your interest.

"The Dip", now a model boat marina
and not navigable by runners

Here are some random thoughts that have been expressed:

• Base the course on the 1980s BGS senior cross country course, which was 3.5 miles, mainly on the drain and river banks, though it may be slightly shorter
• Hold the event on 25 March 2017, since this is also the date of the Old Bostonian Association Annual Dinner, and visitors to Boston could combine both events. The weather is likely to be cool, which some consider more appropriate for running
• Hold the event in the summer June / July 2017 since the weather will be warmer, and it gives longer for those taking part to prepare / train
• BGS old boy, Pete Rochford, is now in charge at The Napoleon pub ("The Nap") on Fishtoft Road. This could be a congregation point before the run, and Pete would be happy for those taking part to use the pub for food and drink afterwards 
• While it may be possible to arrange for marshalls to help the smooth running of the event, it must be stipulated that each person taking part is responsible for his or her own safety, e.g. crossing the road at Mount Bridge. The organisers and marshalls are not responsible for any loss or injury incurred (this will of course be officially stated at a later date)
• The organisers reserve the right to place a limit on the number of people taking part in the event in order to avoid issues of safety or public order (or perceived issues thereof)

Here is a first suggestion of a route. Sorry about the quality of the map. An improved map will be produced as things progress. The route shown, according to the route app I have on my phone (I walked the route in March 2016), is 3.10 miles.

The turning point at the south eastern tip of the route is marked by a bench, shown in this photograph.

A suggested route

The turning point

OBA Annual Dinner 2017

Guest speaker, Daryl Upsall FInstF

I am pleased to be able to announce details of the 2017 OBA Annual Dinner. It will be held at the Boston & County Club, and the guest speaker this year will be Daryl Upsall FInstF.

You can order your dinner tickets on-line using the form at the bottom of this post.

Soon after graduating from Cambridge University with a degree in Social and Political Sciences, Daryl began his career working in the national and international charity sector since when he has spent some 34 years working with over 240 non-profits in some 66 countries.

He has worked with such figures as Neil Kinnock, Harold Pinter, Julie Christie and Elton John. He was kissed by General Manuel Noriega in the midst of the Nicaraguan Revolution; Harold Pinter asked him to read and comment on his latest play; he introduced Graham Greene to Peter Gabriel; he collected an award from George Michael at the MTV Awards. He says he has never had a dull moment professionally.

Since 2001 Daryl has lived in Madrid. He owns a number of consulting and recruitment agencies in Spain and elsewhere that work for the world’s largest international charities, Red Cross and UN agencies.

Daryl Upsall FInstF is one of the few Fellows of the UK Institute of Fundraising and the outgoing Vice-Chair of the Association of Fundraising Professionals based in Washington, DC. His proudest moment in fundraising was being personally thanked by Nelson Mandela for raising over US$2.5 million in 6 months for his election campaign...with a zero budget.

Andy Taylor - Obituary

Andrew James Taylor (BGS 1975-80)

Andy Taylor died on 27 October 2016, aged 53.

Andy was born on 2 September 1963. His father, Ralph was a paint sprayer and his mother, Martha was a hospital supervisor. His education started at Tower Road School before he moved on to Boston Grammar School.

He was a keen sportsman and a member of the sea cadets, where his interest in ships and engineering probably started.

After leaving BGS, Andy had a variety of jobs with local garages and other businesses. He even became a Master Butcher at the Co-Op.

Eventually he returned to engineering and travelled around the globe rebuilding and repairing ship engines. Simon Moore remembers him talking about rebuilding an oil tanker's engine in Ecuador - the piston was as large as a dustbin.

He then moved to Manchester and worked as a self-employed engineer on a large generation plant and often travelled to Ireland to repair generators.

The family decided to move to Spain soon after losing his mother to cancer and spent some time travelling before finally settling near Castell de Ferro where Andy raised goats and walked the mountains when he wasn't engineering.

In 2015 a fire broke out and Andy was referred to the local hospital with severe smoke inhalation. Unfortunately the X-Rays showed some dark areas on his lungs. Andy knew he had to return to the UK for treatment. In November 2015 Andy finally arrived back in Boston after a friend collected him and his belongings.

Andy sought work with his nephew, Simon Moore who has a haulage business, as a General Maintenance Engineer.

This helped Andy whilst undergoing investigations as to the cause of the shadows.

In early 2016 Andy was diagnosed with lung cancer. Treatment commenced during the summer. He was responding to Radiotherapy and chemotherapy and the future looked promising. However while the tumour in his chest had shrunk, the cancer had spread to most parts of his body.

The most serious cancer had reached his brain and a tumour had been growing which had already took a hold despite the treatment he had received. Andy bravely fought it over a period of approximately six weeks, finally losing the battle on 27 October 2016 aged 53.

Andy was an inspiration to many who he met. He had a free spirit and was a well educated individual. He had a keen interest in music, motorbikes, cooking, fishing, reading and writing. At the time of his death, he was writing a book, which the family hope to put together and publish. He was fascinated by how things worked and felt the need to research what interested him.

Andy wanted to be remembered by the bright colours he wore and the hats which he always wore. He said all I want to do is ensure I put a smile on people's faces and be remembered by being different.

Andy leaves two children from his first marriage: Adam and Natasha Taylor, and one child from his second: Andrew Austin. His sister, Rosalind Moore is a horse breeder and farmer in Boston.

This obituary was put together based on information provided by Simon Moore, who finished his tribute with the words: "God bless you Andy, we will remember you. X X X X".

Richard Mountain - Obituary

Richard Harry Mountain (ex-BGS, 1945-2016)

Richard Mountain died in September following a short illness. He grew up in Amber Hill and after attending Boston Grammar School all he wanted to was drive trucks. His funeral was at Brothertoft Church with burial at Amber Hill.

This tribute was paid to Richard on Facebook by "GEH Trucking" on 30 September 2016.

Sadly last week GEH lost the services of Uncle Richard after a short illness. Richard Mountain was recommended to us by another sadly departed ex GEH and JMI driver, Christian Underwood. When we needed someone to fly out and take a truck on to Portugal. Richard completed the job and as soon as a job came up he was the man to call. In the 10 years I have worked with Richard I can honestly say hand on heart we have never had a cross word and for me the only way I can describe him is irreplaceable. He worked for many high profile haulage companies in his native Lincolnshire area but most people will remember him for blazing the North African trail for John Mann. His laid-back attitude to any day-to-day situation is a lesson to us all; this is by no means detrimental to the man who worked daily to be the best of the best and to me there is no doubt he proved and achieved this on a daily basis until he was taken ill. Richard will sadly be missed by anyone that ever had the privilege to meet him as he always had a smile and a kind word. If there is life on the other side and God wanted a driver to do a job whose patience and ability will be tested every day he has taken the right man for the job – Richard Harry Mountain 1945-2016 (Uncle Richard).

Richard Laight - Obituary

Richard Laight (ex-BGS)

Richard Laight died on 2 September 2016, at home, in the company of his wife Lindy, and daughters Sami, 30, Vicki, 28, and Georgi, 25. He was 55.

The grandfather to three (with another on the way) had been terminally ill, having been diagnosed with lung cancer in October 2015.

He spent much of the year supporting two causes close to his heart – Macmillan Cancer Support and Blackfriars Theatre and Arts Centre – and his family say in that time about £15,000 was raised for the pair.

Speaking to The Standard, Lindy, 55, said: “I have been with him for 35 years and I can’t have wished for a better 35 years.”

She said the family have been left ‘absolutely devastated’ by their loss.

Vicki said: “He is going to leave a massive hole in a lot of people’s hearts.”

The family spoke of Richard’s courage following his diagnosis.

“He just took it on the chin and got on with it,” Vicki said. “His words were ‘we will fight this’. He did show the utmost courage and that’s why we are so proud of him.”

“He never moaned about anything,” said Sami. “He looked forward, he never looked back.”

Richard Laight (centre) in a BGS production
of Treasure Island c1975 with David Rodwell (right)

Richard was a director at Blackfriars and had been heavily involved in the Spain Lane venue for many years. He had also taken responsibility for Health and Safety in the theatre in the past few years. His knowledge of Blackfriars was extensive – he first performed in Blackfriars as a child, and had been an active member of BOS Musical Theatre Group for twenty years, taking both principal and chorus parts. He directed and produced several successful shows with them, including Annie, Oliver and Miracle on 34th Street. His production of “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way…” was nominated for a NODA Award. He also trod the boards with Playgoers, and was in the occasional “Blackfriars” production such as Corpus Castle. He made a very good Dame in Panto. In addition he was a skilled set builder, had extensive knowledge of sound and lighting, and was an efficient Stage Manager and backstage hand. In other words he had a passion for all aspects of theatre.

Following his death, Blackfriars chairman Stuart Bull said: “Richard was still a relatively young man who still had a lot to give, and Blackfriars Theatre and Arts Centre has lost a great friend.”

The family thanked the St Barnabas Hospice and Marie Curie charities for their support, as well as the vast number of people who have shared messages of sympathy with them.

They also wanted to send a message to people of Richard’s age to prompt them to consider cancer if they notice changes in their body to help with early diagnosis.

Based on an article in the Boston Standard

Boston Grammar School Head of Science to serve on national committee

Boston Grammar school's Head of Science, Emma Winter, has been awarded Chartered Science Teacher status in recognition of her commitment and contribution to Science education and has landed a key appointment to serve as a member of the Association for Science Education's 11-19 Committee.
Emma says ‘I am delighted to have been awarded CSciTeach, I have been a member of the ASE for a long time and have enjoyed the opportunities it allows to work collaboratively with others to develop as a teacher.’

The Committee advises and supports teachers in secondary schools on a large range of topics and is interested in all aspects of the science curriculum. Emma views being co-opted onto the national board for the subject as ‘an opportunity to give something back to science education and bring cutting edge science education developments to the students at BGS.’

Emma says ‘There is a huge demand for science, technology, engineering and mathematics careers. I believe the skills the students develop to read things objectively and to make their own judgements based on the evidence available is important. At BGS we promote transferrable skills across subjects often with the science subjects being pivotal to this. The science community works best when it works together and it starts with science education.’

Article from Boston Grammar School website

Duncan Pitcher - RIP

Duncan Pitcher (BGS 1983-90)

Duncan Pitcher of Swineshead died on 10 July 2016 aged 44. Duncan had been suffering from a brain tumour for a number of years. During his illness he had moved back to live with his parents. He leaves parents David and Juliette, and brother Martin. His funeral took place at South Lincolnshire Crematorium.

Boston Grammar School old boy, Mark Capps said "Known him since we were born. Sad times".

Richard Budge - Obituary

Richard John Budge (BGS 1958-65)

19 April 1947 - 18 July 2016

Richard Budge died on Monday 18 July 2016, at the age of 69 after suffering from prostate cancer for nine years. He was nicknamed “King Coal” after successfully spear-heading the purchase of State-owned British Coal’s mining assets when the industry was privatised over 20 years ago, .

Richard, a generous supporter of the Old Bostonian Association, attended Boston Grammar school and went on to Manchester University to study Fine Arts. He left to join the Retford-based company AF Budge owned by his late brother Tony, which was involved in civil engineering projects, constructing major motorway interchanges and extracting coal from seams lying close to the surface.

Almost half a century later when privatisation of the coal mining industry was completed, Richard’s Doncaster-based RJB Mining company bought 17 of the 19 remaining deep mines.

The three English coalfield packages embracing 17 deep mines, 30 surface mines, over 400 million tonnes of reserves and nearly 50,000 acres of land, cost RJB Mining, of which Budge was Chief Executive, £815 million. £700 million was paid to the government on completion on December 30, 1994, and the remaining bank acquisition debt was paid off within two years.

In 1992, he bought the Opencast Coal and Plant Division from the family business. He bought a small deep mine in Northumberland, contracted for surface mine sites, and rescued three deep mines which British Coal had decided would play no part in the privatisation process. These “lease and licence” mines went on to produce almost 20 million tonnes of coal for power stations and industry before they closed.

RJB Mining was transformed from a relatively small company to the biggest independently owned coal production business in Europe.

Armed with contracts to supply power stations in the Midlands, Yorkshire and the North East at guaranteed prices for three years, Mr Budge launched a campaign, convincing employees that he was in it for the long-term. There was investment in both deep and surface mines, new machinery accessing millions of tonnes of reserves and a determination to maintain and improve health and safety standards.

Following a slump in energy prices in the late 90s as coal supply contracts were being renegotiated , Richard quit as the company’s Chief Executive in the summer of 2001.

He invested his energies and much of his personal wealth in securing a future for Hatfield, a colliery near Doncaster with substantial reserves and the potential to pioneer carbon capture technology seen as an environmental life-line for coal. He secured foreign investment, but little was forthcoming from the EU or the UK government which by then was promoting “renewable” energies as the way forward.

(Photo Brighouse Echo)

Richard served in both regional and national capacities as Chairman and President of the Coal Trade Benevolent Association He provided support and was Chairman of the Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation and many organisations and activities popular in traditional mining communities. He was a trustee of the National Coal Mining Museum for England, the former Caphouse colliery at Wakefield, and for many years, was with Nottinghamshire Enterprises, a job creation agency helping regenerate one of the coalfields hit hard by pit closures.

He was the driving force behind the foundation of the Confederation of UK Coal Producers, a campaign group which for the first time gave independent producers a voice in the corridors of power. It had many successes but failed to secure government and EU investment in clean coal carbon capture and storage technology. The decision marked the end of the British coal industry, and the country’s last deep mine, once owned and developed by Richard’s RJB Mining, ceased production at the end of 2015. Richard had been declared bankrupt in 2013.

As a young man Richard's passion for motor racing was put into practice behind the wheel of several high-powered Chevron historic sports cars, winning races and championships and being crowned Thundersports Gold Cup winner at Oulton Park in 1983.

Richard, who treasured his privacy, leave his wife, Ros, their sons Grant and Kurt and their five grandchildren.

Based on an article from the Brighouse Echo

That's what the Bardney scene was all about...

This article from the Boston Standard of Friday 2 June 1972 may not be directly related to Boston Grammar School, nor is the school mentioned in it, but it is about the Bardney Pop Festival of that year, a festival founded by BGS old boy, Barry Spikings (BGS 1950-55) who went on to be a Hollywood Producer, winning the Best Film Oscar in 1978 for The Deer Hunter.

This clipping among others from the collection of Philip Johnston (BGS head 1970-78) can now be found in the Old Bostonian Association museum at the school.

There are a few short sections of the article missing, marked with [...].

I don't think the reviewer really appreciated the festival as much as we might hope and some of his comments will prove very controversial in hindsight, and maybe even were at the time.

The carnival is over. The Bardney pop circus has rolled up its canvas and left only the deep-rutted rubbish tip of Tupholme Manor estate and the memory of the half-hearted cheer when John Peel announced another festival to be held in August at or near the same site. It would have been nice to have been able to say things like "the world came to Bardney at the weekend" but only the odd corner turned up. About a quarter of the unofficial pre-festival crowd estimates actually came. But the general estimate of 50,000 was somewhere around the figure given by the organisers before the festival, and it was a manageable number. Friday's festivities were kicked off by Alexis Korner and his new band consituting [sic] ex-members of King Crimson. They played a solid opening set in high winds and showers. Instrumentally faultless, but not to everyone's liking, maybe because of the weather,  Real Blues  Doctor Ross, the one-man blues band, who mostly works on the assembly lines of General Motors these days, doing only the occasional tour, was the second of the four Friday acts. I missed most of his set while sheltering from the rain but he was well received by the plastic-sheeted audience, and [...] another set on Saturday and he really ripped it out for one of the best sets of the first two days.  Gallagher enjoys his work so much and he feeds his enthusiasm to the crowd. Saturday's bill had a lot of high spots to choose from. The rain came down again in the morning and Nazareth's "roadies" were screaming to the band not to touch their microphones which were "live". They had to back off for the last two numbers and turn them into instrumentals. Head, Hands and Feet, closely followed by Wishbone Ash, played magnificent sets in much drier weather which held out for the rest of the day. Both were much appreciated by a wind-dried crowd who needed something to get them over the rain and the insipid roxy music and locomotive GT.  Heavy Line-up The Strawbs, with a heavy line-up, gave a nice selection of sounds to a now de-plasticated audience who were just beginning to get into the right frame of mind to appreciate some music. Not that festival audiences are truly appreciative. They are mostly just good handclappers shouting for the quieter bands to get off stage. But when they're feeling warm and dry, anything goes.  Then we came to the crux of the day - Stone the Crows and The Faces. This was Stone the Crows first appearance since Les Harvey was electrocuted on stage in Swansea nearly a [...] Brewers Droop played some good-time funky music mixed with much bawdy humour. The music was happy and smiling but the humour degenerated in their last number. Spencer Davis made his first appearance in Britain for two years accompanied by the superb pedal steel guitarist, sneaky Pete Kleinow, formerly of the Flying Burrito Brothers. He was poorly received by a crowd knowing nothing more than heavy walls of sound, but we were treated to one of the nicer sets of the festival with a beautiful balance of country blues and country rock. Then we had some magic. The Incredible String Band started it. Robin Williamson's burring accent makes everyone feel relaxed and happy and their music adds to the sensation.  Lindisfarne followed and it seemed that the entire poulation of Newcastle was there to greet them. They played one of the most enjoyable sets of the weekend. The crowd went wild at the end and the ovation was deafening.  The Average White Band were not memorable, but The Persuasions, without instruments, sang some marvellous harmonies despite a temporary break in electonics during the first number.  Flying Circus Slade, for some peculiar reason, brought the house down with their harsh sound. They even got two encores, and brought an embarrassed Stanley Baker on stage to say a few [words.] Then we had a real treat. Three of the Monty Python's Flying Circus did a set and brought roars of "more" at the end of their jokes.  Last act of the day was the Beach Boys. They started badly with a lengthy tuning session but quickly had the audience on their feet with a mixture of their new, heavier style and the old surfing songs, plus some old time greats. The final day was mostly dry and the acts were mostly very good. I only heard the last bit of the last Jackson Heights number but John Peel said it was a grand set, so take it from him, Vinegar Joe was gutsy and rocked beautifully with Elkie Brooks ripping out the vocals. Atomic Rooster were horribly tedious, but The Sutherland Bothers and Genesis were excellent, though scarcely apprectated. The semi-classical Genesis were too much for a hard rock audience.  Funky Sound Don McLean was little short of brilliant and surprisingly his beautiful guitar playing and lyrics were well received. Status Quo were very loud and very ordinary.  Humble Pie really socked it to them and now that Clem Clempson has joined on guitar to team up with Marriott they are one of the best little funky bands around.  Sha-Na-Na did their usual thing - pure rock and roll and stage athletics and got the best reception of the festival, doing [...]. Joe Cocker climaxed the weekend, and played a two-hour set. He went down well, but there was something lacking. Perhaps it was that so many people were leaving, or perhaps it was that memories of his old numbers have yet to fade to leave room for the new ones to come in.  In any event, I left the arena after an hour and a half feeling very tired and not quite up to listening in depth. Mike Cartwright

1981-82 Boston Grammar School football reunion

This photograph shows the 1981-82 Boston Grammar School football team. If you are on the photograph or if you were involved with BGS football around that time you are invited to a reunion at the White Hart Hotel, Boston on 11 June 2016  starting at 6:30pm for 8:00pm.

The reunion is being organised by Kevin Reeson. If you would like to attend the reunion then please contact Kevin either directly or via the webmaster.

The people on the photograph are:

Back Row

Chris Peall, Nick Pogson, Mark Craven, Jim McCullough, Steve Shipp, Martin Brooks, Philip Bullen, Rod Dunn

Front Row

Doug Laver, Shaun Frestle, John Allen, Mick Lyon, Kevin Reeson, Mick Smith

You can also find this photograph and list of names on the Old Bostonian Association wiki.

David Hillman - RIP

David Hillman in 1962

David Hillman of Old Leake passed away recently following a long illness, aged 65 years.

A funeral service will take place at Boston Crematorium, Friday 29 April 2016 at 10:30am. Family flowers only. Donations to St Barnabas Hospice and Lincs Air Ambulance may be sent to FE Addlesee & Son Ltd, 44 Castle St, Boston, PE21 8PN.

Pete Milsom (BGS 1961-66), who was a school friend of David, said "I met up with him only last month and to me he seemed well despite recent health problems and I’m still shocked to hear the sad news. Dave as those who knew him will know, was an intelligent, thoughtful, gentle guy and a good friend.". Pete will represent the Old Bostonian Association at the funeral. I'm sure he would be pleased to be joined by other BGS alumni who knew David.