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".