Obituary

DEREK VICTOR WALMSLEY (1926-2011)

It is with deep regret that the Association has to announce the passing of Derek Walmsley, on 21st November 2011, at the age of 84.

Derek was in Miller House and attended the School between 1937 and 1945. On leaving, he joined the Marines, before studying History at the University of Manchester . He then worked in the County Offices , Preston, before finally entering employment in the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (working out of Warrington ), where he ‘headed up’ their Pensions Team. In his personal life he had a long and active interest in politics, and he was also well-known as a Judge of Afghan Hounds at Dog Shows.

Derek was a keen supporter of the Association and its events. He was an enthusiastic participant on the last visit to the PNE Ground, and he always attended the Annual Dinner with his brother Rod, who is also a member of the Association. Whilst his table will seem somewhat ‘empty’ next year, we shall nevertheless look forward to seeing Rod again.

The Funeral Service and Interment will be held at All Saints Church, Higher Walton, on Tuesday 6th December at 11am.

Derek will be sorely missed by his friends in the Association, and our thoughts go out to his family and other friends at this sad time.

Obituary

Obituary: Richard Sunderland (Goodair 1935 - 1940)

It is with deep regret that the Association has to announce the passing of Richard Sunderland (Goodair, 1935-1940), on Saturday 5th November 2011, at the age of 87 years.

Richard had long been a member of the Executive Council, having been President in 1984/85, and although he had been unable to attend meetings for some time, I had the privilege of being able to maintain written and telephone contact with him. He was a regular contributor to the Newsletters, and he always kept an interest in the affairs of the Association.

There will be a Family cremation on Thursday 17th November at 9am, followed by a Remembrance and Thanksgiving Service at St Michael and All Angels Church, Ashton, at 10.30am.

He will be sorely missed by his colleagues on the Council and friends in the Association, and our thoughts go out to his family and other friends at this sad time.

Remembrance Service

This will take place at the Minster Church of St John the Evangelist in Preston at 3:00pm on Sunday 13th November. Refreshments will be served after the service.

November Hotpot Supper

This is a little earlier this year! It will take place on Friday 11th November from 7:30pm (Hotpot from 8:30pm) at Fulwood Conservative Club (on Blackpool Road). All are welcome (male and female); cost £5 per head (pay on the night). No need to book but Charlie would appreciate prior notification of numbers to help plan the catering!

Masters Golf Competition 2011

Venue Myerscough Golf Academy

Day Wednesday

Date September 7 th 2011

First Tee 10 am

Format

Members

Guests
Compete for the World Famous Framed Tenner which the winner retains.

On the day

Cost
Golf £10
Pizza and Peroni £5

                        Total £15

This is what to do….


     Phone
     01995 640106

     Email
     tony.olivine@btinternet.com

     Snail Mail
     Spring Cottage
     Church Lane
     Bilsborrow
     Preston
     Lancs
     PR3 0RL

Obituary

Obituary: J E G (“Joe”) Hodgson (Harris, 1933-1938)

The following message was received from Ian Yates (Harris, 1956-1963):

“It is with deep regret that I have to inform the Association that my father -in-law, Joseph Hodgson, passed away on Sunday 21st August 2011, aged 90. Joe had the advantage of being in Harris house whilst he was at school 1933-1938, a fact of which as a former Harris house captain I thoroughly approved. He was a great supporter of the Association, and had been attending Annual Dinners for many years, including last year's. He also contributed an article re The Vimy Ridge War Memorial to a recent Association magazine, and was heavily involved in the war records of Old Boys, and instrumental in re-locating the Roll of Honour to the Minster. He was a military historian of some note.

His funeral will be at Fulwood Methodist Church , Watling St Road , Fulwood at 1pm on Wed 31st August, followed by committal at Preston Crematorium.”



I should like to add that I got to know Joe very well over the last few years, largely through his active membership of the Association. Always very helpful, he not only contributed to the Newsletter as outlined by Ian above, he also gave me much encouragement, support and factual information when I was researching other historical material, such as the article on Gordon Knight Richardson. Joe provided support on the Association visits to Fulwood Barracks (he was a volunteer there), and he attended most other events, not just the Annual Dinners but also the Hot Pot Suppers and the Remembrance Sunday Services.

He will be greatly missed by the Association and those Members who knew him, and the Association would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge Joe for his enthusiastic participation and valuable contributions. The thoughts of the Association also go out to his family and friends at this sad time.

Obituary

It is with deep regret that the Association has to announce the sudden passing, at the age of 82, of Cliff Shaw (Miller, 1940-46). A lifelong aircraft enthusiast and an expert on the subject, Cliff worked for the British Aircraft Corporation (often abroad), and he had been a keen member of the Air Training Corps. Through this activity he knew "Splints" Woodall and, in particular, George ("Bash") Benson very well, and spent a lot of time in the company of the latter.

The funeral service and committal will be held at Preston Crematorium on Monday 1st August, at 11.15am. The thoughts of the Association go out to his family and friends at this sad time.

Obituary

It is with great regret that the Association has to announce the passing of Robin Robinson (Miller, 1945-1954), on Sunday 10th July 2011 at Royal Preston Hospital. He had been ill for some time, but as he appeared to be on the mend, it can only be described as rather sudden.

Robin had been active in the Association for a number of years, and despite difficulties with mobility, he never failed to attend events. He would invariably travel several miles on his motor scooter every year (negotiating some steep hills along the way), in order to attend the Annual Dinner! In 2009 he was elected to the Executive Council, and contributed much to the ongoing well-being of the Association.

He will be missed by his colleagues on the Council and friends in the Association, and our thoughts go out to his family and other friends at this sad time.

Picture from the Past

The following is taken from the Lancashire Evening Post of June 30th 2011.

LEP Article - Open Flies

Roebuck Cup

The PGSA  Annual Bowling Championship for the Roebuck Cup will take place on Wednesday, July 13th at The Roebuck Hotel, Bilsborrow.

Arrangements for the day

 Arrive 1100 …..coffee available in the bar.

• Practice session
• Buffet Lunch, 12 (ish) onwards. During this time the draw for the afternoon competition will take place along the lines of the FA Cup Ties
• The Tournament 1300 onwards – those eliminated to arrange friendly [?] matches among themselves
• Cost  £10   which is made up of  £8 for food [including coffee on arrival] and £2 for use of the green

Please note

1. Buy your own drinks !
2. I have arranged for a limited number of bowls to be available
3. For catering purposes, The Roebuck needs to know numbers by July 6th, so, if you intend joining in this fun event, please let me (Tony Olivine) know by, at the very latest, 1800 hrs on July 5th

I do hope that you will come and support this new event – the weather intervened last year – so all who enter have a chance of being the very first holder of The Roebuck Cup, which is a perpetual trophy. The winner and runner up will each receive a souvenir medal which is certain to become a collector’s item with the passage of time.

Contact   [in whichever way you find most convenient]

Tony Olivine    

Spring Cottage, Church Lane, Bilsborrow, Preston, Lancs PR3 0RL                      

Tel  01995  640106              E-mail  tony.olivine@btinternet.com

Obituary

JAMES SADDLER TREASURE OBE (13th AUGUST 1921-15th MAY 2011)

It is with great regret that the Association has to announce the passing of Jim Treasure (as he was known to us all), at the age of 89, on 15th May 2011. The service was conducted at Preston Crematorium on Monday 23rd May 2011, and was attended by several representatives of the Association.

Jim was at the Grammar School from 1932 to 1936 (his two brothers also attended), and he later played for the Old Boys at football, as well as becoming a stalwart of the Association for many years. He was elected President in 1991, and was a prominent Member of the Executive Council. An engineer by trade, he built up a business from scratch, held national positions, and was awarded the OBE for services to his profession. On retiring, he devoted himself to family life.

Those who knew Jim will remember him as a ‘gentle giant’ with a twinkle in his eye, and he always made other Members of the Association, particularly newer and younger ones, feel welcome and at home in any environment. He and his son, David, brought a formidable yet eminently friendly presence to the table at many an Annual Dinner!

Due to the onset of illness, Jim had not been able to attend Association functions for some time, but he always maintained an interest when he could, and David assures us that he retained that twinkle in his eye right to the end! The Service, whilst moving, was an appropriate celebration of Jim’s life.

The thoughts of the Association and of its Members go out to Jim’s family at this sad time

Raising Money for Macmillan Cancer Support

PGSA Treasurer (and Webmaster) is featured in a short article in The Crosby Herald covering his forthcoming haircut for charity.

(Article from Crosby Herald 12/05/11; photograph by Gareth Jones, Trinity Mirror Group.)

Website Developments

A willing volunteer has been found to help with the website! David Swindlehurst is currently developing a page to act as the focal point for new photographic material and communications relating to various proposed activities. This is being set up and organised as we speak and will soon go live. When it does links will be placed here on the website to allow for ease of navigation.

Remembrance Service

Just a reminder that the annual Remembrance Service will take place at the Minster on Sunday 14th November at 3:00pm followed by light refreshments. As usual, all are welcome to this service.

Holy Honour

Father Timothy Lipscomb, vicar of Preston, is about to be honoured by the Bishop of Blackburn for the work he has done within the church and the community. He will be made a canon at Blackburn Cathedral on 17th October.

Obituary

It is with deep regret that we have to announce the death, on 17th September 2010, of Association Member Frank Wilkinson Durigan, at the age of 88.

Frank, who lived at Grange-over-Sands in Cumbria, was at PGS from 1933 to 1940, where he had been in Thornley House. He had kept in touch with other Old Boys, notably Bob Simpson, Ron King and Geoff Barnes. Together they walked the Lakes, an activity so popular that Bob and Ron moved to Grange, and Geoff stayed with the others in turn! Sadly, Frank was the last survivor from this group, which probably had its origins in the School Camp.

Frank went to Manchester University for two years before being called up for War Service. He joined the Royal Navy and served in India and Ceylon, reaching the rank of Lieutenant, and becoming a Chartered Electrical Engineer. After the War he returned to Manchester to finish his Degree, and then worked for the CEGB, where he met his wife, Joyce. He remained with the Electricity Board and its successors until his retirement in 1980.

A keen sportsman, Frank represented the University of Manchester at Rugby on a tour of Canada. He leaves behind five grandchildren, who are all at University themselves. Joyce believes that at least he passed on his brain!

His funeral is at 1pm, at St Paul’s Church, Grange, on Monday 27th September 2010. Any Old Boys wishing to attend are welcome to do so. The thoughts of the Association go with Joyce, and his family and friends at this difficult time.

Obituary

It is with regret that we have to inform you that Fred (Frederick Henry) Westrope passed away on 6th September 2010. Fred was at School from (around) 1933 to 1938, and was in Thornley House. He became an Architect, having been 'articled' at the Lancashire County Offices on leaving School. A long-term Life Member of the Association, he had lived in Sheffield for many years. Our condolences go to his family and friends.

Obituary

It is with regret that we have to announce the death of T R (Tim) Jemson in late July 2010. Tim joined the Association a few years ago, and was one of our overseas members, living in Messinia, Greece. He was at School from 1958 to 1963, and was in Goodair.

His son, Nicholas has offered to answer any questions that anyone might have. This can be done through Charlie, or he can put you in touch with him (with his permission of course).

The Association wishes to extend its deep sympathies to Nicholas, and to the rest of Tim's family and friends

PGSA FC

The following article is taken from LEP, 9th September 2010. The title says it all!

It's Golf Time Again!

Our Autumn Golf Tournament – aka “The Masters” - will take place on Wednesday, September 8 th, at Goosnargh Golf, a pleasant nine-hole course on the main road between Inglewhite and Longridge.


0930 onwards Arrival and coffee
1000 First Tee
1300 [approx] Buffet Lunch at The Green Man, Inglewhite

Cost £14 [£8 golf, £5.50 Buffet, 50p Sundries]

If you wish to take part, and I hope that lots of you do, please contact me in whatever way suits you, by Sunday, September 3 rd [ “The day war broke out…” as Rob Wilton used to say]

Look forward to hearing from you.


Spring Cottage, Church Lane, Bilsborrow, Preston, Lancs, PR3 0RL
Tel: 01995 640106               E-mail:  tony.olivine@btinternet.com

Inaugural Bowling Competition

This will take place on July 14th 2010. Full details including format, venue, cost and an overview for the day are available on the site. Just go to the Calendar Page and follow the submenu to Events. I have reproduced Tony Olivine's detailed instructions and information brief there.

Obituary

It is with great regret that the Association has to announce the death of David Ian Morgan, aged 78, in hospital, on Monday 31st May 2010. The funeral will take place at Preston Crematorium this Friday (4th June 2010) at 3:00 pm.

Spring Golf Tournament - The PGSA

Fortified with coffee and Bacon Barms, 28 golfers set out to challenge the deceptively simple nine holes at the Myerscough Golf Academy. For once, our Spring Tournament, which has been renamed “The PGA” started in warm and sunny conditions, although it did cloud over and become a little cooler as the day wore on.

The field was made up of a mixture of Old Boys and their guests, and included the Head Professional and his Assistant from Myerscough. One cannot help but reflect how this competition has developed since it was revived in 2007, when just 6 Members took part at Mere Brow. The current blend of Members and Guests playing for two separate trophies under the same “Rules”, seems to be approaching the right formula, though the long wait that the early starters now experience after they have completed their round before the presentation and food, needs to be addressed.

The tournament, as usual, was played quite seriously, though in a good-natured way with plenty of light-hearted banter taking place. All participants were promised a prize. On this occasion, all were to become scratch golfers, and they were duly given a scratch card on the completion of their round – some actually won some cash !
The winner of the Guests Competition was Maurice Holden and he was duly presented with the “World Famous Framed Tenner” by PGSA President, John Whalley, who also presented The Silver Chalice to a rather embarrassed Tony Olivine, the winner of the Members Competition, who had organised the event.

The day was completed by Pizza and Peroni [Italian Pie and a Pint] at Guy’s Italian Restaurant, where we were overloaded with food to such an extent that several took advantage of the ‘doggy-bag’ service which the restaurant kindly provided.

Several people helped make the day a success ; Harry Moore, who always handles the cards quickly and efficiently ; Dick Bettess, handled the money, and then disappeared – one hopes that these two facts are not related ; Brian McVann, whose stentorian tones woke the neighbourhood, but ensured competitors started on time ; and Myerscough Golf Academy, which, through the good offices of John Barclay and Tom Davies, provided a challenging course and some impressive state of the art technology.

And finally, a big thank you to Members and Guests for joining in and making the day such fun, and so memorable for me.

Tony Olivine

(A selection of photos from this event, taken by Dick Bettess and Terry Baldwin, can be viewed by clicking on the following link - please use your back button to return to this website if these do not open in a new window webmaster)

2010 Spring Golf Tournament