SAOBA NEWS

Spring 1999

A gregarious Joan Handford highlighted the presence of current and former female members of staff who joined us for the first time.. This was no doubt in some measure, a response to the fact that also for the first time we had a female speaker who as you might expect (but never necessarily guarantee these days) was not an old boy. She is however the sister of the Moriarty brothers who attended the school with intellectual distinction over a variety of years in the late 60s and 70s, the youngest of whom appeared to have been drinking lighter fuel on the night.

Frances is a successful writer, journalist and TV presenter perhaps still best known through her marriage to the former England cricketer Phil Edmonds and for her account of the England cricket team on tour with her book "Cricket XXXX Cricket". Her speech adopted the ribaldry of the book, giving us insights to the game, its characters and her experience of being brought up with the three brothers. She provided an excellent delivery and was well received by the Old Boy audience for her tales and bravery.

The roast beef was not the same animal that had been used the year previously as some had deduced by its texture. We will have a change in 1999.

Kieran Charleson  

Of all our Old Boys, Matthew Norton is unique in that he has devoted much of his life to the care of Street Children in India. Now aged 46yrs, he visited the UK in September 1998 on a fundraising mission for the children's charity that he and his wife, Bhakti, have established at the city of Vijayawada, South India. This charity, SKCV Trust (Street Kids' Community Villages), has its UK base in Sale with local trustees, some of whom are closely associated with St Ambrose.

His work has been supported and acknowledged by many including the Late Mother Theresa, Sir Nicholas Fenn, British High Commissioner to India, Kapil Dev, International cricketer, and Former Prime Minister John Major.

SKCV Trust helps homeless children by giving them not only food, shelter and clothes, but also a secure and loving home; some of the children succeed academically - three of the older children have recently been given free places at two of the most prestigious colleges in India - Loyola and Siddhartha.

After leaving St Ambrose in 1967, Matthew attended two further educational establishments, but dissatisfied with life and attracted by the then "flower-power" cult, he then travelled to London, where he ended up sleeping rough around railway stations. There he came into contact with an Indian religious group, which he joined. With their support and his own fortitude he managed to straighten out grownhis life. He eventually travelled to India to experience the life, culture and peoples there on an individual basis. He stayed at many Ashrams and other holy places and slowly became thoroughly enamoured with the deep traditions of India.

While travelling through India he arrived at the large Railway Station at Vijayawada, where he became aware of the large numbers of children living rough, as he had done. This inspired him to start helping them in a small way back in Bombay, where he had based himself to study. Later this satisfaction of helping the kids led him to set up SKCV. He finally settled there back in Vijayawada and married his Indian wife Bhakti some 15 years ago. They have two children, Madhav and Anand.

They started a scheme to rehabilitate street children in Vijayawada, which has grown into a project including Night Rescue Shelters (150 each night) with a medical unit, a purpose built village with 100 residents and non-formal school facilities, vocational training units for the non academics, a separate unit for street girls, and various income generating schemes.

Unfortunately recent floods and cyclones, together with termite damage to the village have necessitated urgent repairs and rebuilding. SKCV, which is a registered charity both in the UK and in India, is currently in need of support for this work. SKCV has an office in Sale run by Matthew's parents Dr Desmond and Tricia Norton - now very proud of the work accomplished by their son. For further information and a brochure on SKCV they can be contacted on 0161 973 5042.

SAOBA have donated £500 towards SKCV and have awarded Honorary Membership of the Association to Matthew Norton. We publish a recent email from Matthew below.

Dear Fellow Members,

Greetings from South India.

I am extremely happy to have been bestowed Honorary Membership of the Association recently. As I have lived in India amongst the poorest children (street children) for the past twenty years, I am somewhat out of touch with my own country and especially my old school.

After meeting some of the old boys at a recent fund raising meeting at St. Vincent's Church, Altrincham, I was extremely pleased to hear about our school again. It brought back many fond memories (and some not so fond!!).

I am now back in India and struggling to clear up our Children's Village after the recent floods (for which I was in the UK recently raising funds). Now I am happy to say we have things under control and now have to get set raising all we will need to replace everything lost.

My wife's name is Bhakti (meaning Devotion to God) and we have two sons, Madhav and Anand. We are at present caring for over four hundred young and homeless children in the coastal Andhra Pradesh area of South India. Some of our work is listed on the Internet under an "SKCV" search.

I would appreciate hearing from any of you, and will certainly reply to you.

Lots of love

Dr. Matthew Norton

Bhakti and family

Web site: www.skcv.com

Email: skcv@hotmail.com

Fax: +91 (0)866 579079.

SKCV, Santosh Bhavan,

Gandhinagar, Vijayawada,

AP. 520003. India

I would like to begin by congratulating the committee and all concerned for their considerable success during the year and this is solely attributable to the efforts instilled by one and all.

The year saw our first collaborative function with the Parents Association at the summer function. The Old Boys involvement was strongly welcomed and appreciated and contributed fully in what was a superb evening with a great band and good food.

Another tremendously well supported and popular event is our Annual Golf Day which was again held at Reddish Vale. John Kelsey and his operatives are to be congratulated and thanked most sincerely by us all for their efforts in organising this superb day's golf followed by an excellent Dinner. I have no hesitation in recommending this event to any of our golfing or non golfing members. It has become established and I look forward to next year's event.

Tony Moriarty is to be thanked for all his efforts in organising the Old Boys Cricket XI and Soccer XI versus Staff, I st XI and Parents. Unfortunately the cricket day was a wash out this year and although the soccer team put on some brave performances, we will have to look to this year perhaps for some glory.

Our main function of the year, the Annual Dinner, was held on Saturday September 12th. This was an incredibly successful evening to mark the 3rd full year in the existence of the Association. There was a wonderful turn out of Old Boys from far and wide to prove that the spirit and soul of the old St Ambrose is alive and well and flourishing. This year we departed from the tried and trusted trips down memory lane provided in the last two years by Old Boys, we went for an outside speaker from the ranks of the Professional After Dinner Speaking Club, Frances Edmonds. All that attended will, I believe, agree with me in saying that the gamble paid off handsomely as Frances delighted us with a dry and humorous speech.

She was not however, the only lady there on the night - yet another first for our Annual Dinner. We had Mrs Handford there as well as four female staff members. They were all extremely welcome - I hope they will return this year. The whole evening was a great success for the Association and I would like to thank everybody involved for their considerable efforts in delivering another unforgettable evening for us all to enjoy.

I thank Adrian Lee for organising the Old Boys Mass and also Fr. Philip Whitmore for celebrating Mass. It was good to see so many attend to give thanks and to reflect on all that had gone before us and to remember our deceased members.

Last year the committee unanimously decided to award all staff members who had served over twenty years at the college with an Honorary Membership of our Association. I wish to thank Sean Fleming for his detective work and welcome all those staff members abroad - we have a great deal to be thankful to you for.

To reiterate an important point I have made in previous years, the continued success of this now firmly established Association depends to a great extent on the enthusiasm and loyalty of the membership and in particular the Committee.

I would be delighted to hear from anybody that can increase our number or who wishes to become more directly involved in our Association by joining the committee. On that point may I express a warm welcome to Neil Peden who joined recently.

I know there are still many Old Boys out there in the local vicinity who may be nervous or lethargic in reconnecting old links, but I assure them that not only is it very rewarding but it is a great deal of fun. Therefore, all existing members, please enlighten them!

I thank the committee for all their efforts and the large amounts of free time spent in ensuring the continued success of the St Ambrose Old Boys Association.

I thank on behalf of the Association, the Head Master Mr Hester and his staff for their support, particularly at the Dinner and for allowing us the use of the facilities of the College during the year.

Finally, may I thank you all most sincerely for your generous support and loyalty and wish you and your families health and prosperity for 1999.

In the spirit of co-operation the Old Boys' Association, following a meeting with the Chairman of the Parents' Association, agreed to assist in supporting and organising the Summer Dance.

The event was held, as tradition dictates, in the marquee on the Saturday of the Summer Fair Weekend.

Both committees had agreed that because of falling attendance in the previous three years that the standard of food and drink had to be increased in order for people to feel that they had value for money and a quality night out.

Roger Kinsella, now Chairman of the Parents' Association, booked a fantastic band which together with a steak dinner produced the right recipe for success.

The event was attended by approximately 200 people who, other than to eat their food, hardly left the dance floor. The atmosphere was terrific and the event is sure to be a sell-out next time.

All of the Old Boys that attended I'm sure will agree with me when on saying that, as a joint effort, this particular evening will prove to be more successful in giving everybody a good night out as well as raising valuable funds for the College.

The 1999 Summer dance will be held on Saturday, 3rd July 1999.

At rugby, the first XV are having a mixed season but the Under 12s are quite outstanding beating everyone so far. Old boys are always welcome to watch rugby matches on Saturday morning. If any Old Boy wants a sports fixture list, with all fixtures this academic year, through to the end of the cricket term, we will be pleased to send a list.

Work has started on the new technology building. Work on the Chapel will not start until next summer.

This year's entrance examination will be on 16th January 1999; there will be many applications. Old boys who have enquiries about admissions are invited to contact the head master for details.

Finally, Old boys will be pleased to hear that the spirit of humour is still alive at their old school. The following story is in every detail perfectly true. The Head Master teaches each First Form for one lesson per week to get to know them. He was telling the boys about Christmas and encouraging them to help in the home:

Head Master: Now, boys, while you are having a good time at Christmas there is someone in your house who will have to do more cooking, more shopping and more cleaning - you know who I mean, don't you?

First Former: Please, Sir, the au pair girl.

G.E.HESTER Head Master

St Ambrose Old Boy Bill Holledge, 19, has been awarded the C.S. Lewis Scholarship at Magdalene College, Cambridge after gaining a First in part one of his English Tripos.

He won the award on the 50th Anniversary of the Award's first presentation in memory of the famous author who wrote classics including The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.

This achievement follows Bill's eartier School Success (11 straight A stars at GCSE and five straight A grades at A level). He said "I am honoured to win the award. It was completely unexpected, yet a very pleasant surprise. I would like to thank my English teacher at St Ambrose, Mr Edward Friend. A current advert tells us you never forget a good teacher and Mr Friend falls very much into that Category".

Lonnie Donegan - Muleskinner Blues (Capo).

"He was, of course, the original punk rocker. The genre he created, skiffle, an amalgam of largely American styles (bluegrass, folk, blues) had a lot in common with the DIY ethos of punk, while his run-ins with the BBC over the lyrics of his single Diggin' My Potatoes (they banned it) were a precursor, albeit in a rather gentler age, to the furore over the Sex Pistols' God save the Queen.

Now aged 67, Donegan is largely revisiting past glories on this album, helped by the likes of Van Morrison and guitarist Albert Lee with backing vocals from among others, Sam Brown; it features reworkings of old tune such as Rock Island Line, aswell as a bunch of new tunes including a rather touching love song, Always from the Heart.... while Donegan's chewing gum may finally have lost its flavour over the past 40-odd years, his music certainly hasn't." David Cheal - Reviewed in the Daily Telegraph - 2. 1. 99.

Anthony (Lonnie) Donegan attended St Ambrose at its Dunham Road site in 1945. He is probably our "most famous Old Boy" although to be fair he left school the following year and wasn't on the 1947 school photograph we possess. However we have to admire his staying power- he is years ahead of even Cliff Richard. And how many of us really believe that Robbie Williams will still be releasing new music at the age of 67?

TD

I thought Old Boys might be amused to learn that I wrote a novel for BBC Books, published in January. Contemporaries of mine (1973-1980) may remember I was a "Doctor Who" enthusiast, and read all the books based on the TV series. Well, the BBC invited me to write an original story for their new series of books, and "Doctor Who: Kursaal" was published in early 1998 to positive press reviews - Peter Anghelides (1973-80)

PRESS RELEASE: 'Doctor Who: Kursaal' by Peter Anghelides was recently published by BBC Books. "I'd heard that they were trying to relaunch the long-running TV programme, and were planning to create a lot of new merchandise - videos, audio tapes, and so on," said Peter. "When I saw they were commissioning new novels, I thought I'd have a go."

The story stars the latest incarnation of the Doctor, as played by actor Paul McGann in the big-budget TV film. "I had to use that character, and his new companion Sam Jones," explained Peter. "All the other characters are my own. I always enjoyed the TV stories where the Doctor fought familiar Hammer Horror monsters. And I thought that after more than three decades he ought to come up against a race of werewolves."

Previously, Peter's science fiction short stories have appeared in Virgin Publishing's 'Decalog' series. He now works at computer company IBM's software development laboratory near Winchester as manager of a documentation group. "But this book's not a busman's holiday," he admits. "It makes a change from technical writing, even though it meant spending more time typing on my computer at home.

Will he be writing more fiction? "I think it's my wife, Anne Summerfield's turn to write her novel," he explained. "She won the Asham Award for her short fiction last year. That was published by Serpent's Tail in 'The Catch', and broadcast on BBC Radio 4. She's already got another short story in a Virago collection later in the year."

Fr. Michael Lloyd

I have read SAOBA news with interest and I think that perhaps you would be interested in another old boy, may he rest in peace.

I write of Father Michael Lloyd who was in the same year as myself at St. Ambrose. He was ordained on 1 November 1980 and died 1 April 1984, age 28. A priest of the Shrewsbury Diocese. At the time, he was in Canada on a course and was found in the chapel of the Sacred Heart in the convent where he used to pray, a great person, very shy but a beautiful priest. He died of a heart attack though nobody was aware that he had any health problems, the good Lord just took him while he was praying.

Requiescat in pace.

Anthony Brady

I enjoyed your piece in the Spring 1998 SAOBA news regarding famous old boys. In answer to your queries, Andy Rourke of The Smiths did attend the school. I think he left in 1981. I'm fairly certain none of the Charlatans attended. Only two of the band are from the Cheshire area (Northwich) and the manager says that they both went to local schools. Record Sleeve Design - History is repeating itself where record sleeve design is concerned. I am the head of design at Universal Music and have recently designed covers for Ocean Colour Scene, The Seahorses and previously for the Stone Roses. In late 1998 I started work on the new Charlatans album. The legacy of Herbie Hancock lives on.

Peter Kelsey

Setting my self doubt aside I prepared myself for the task ahead with a hearty breakfast of toast and "Frosties". After one final check of the kitbag I set off to collect my running partners at 5:00am and took comfort in the fact that these Old Ambrosians were fitness experts and my preparation could not have been in better hands. These experts were Paul and Michael Breen - aka "The Dangerous Brothers" - however, when I had to shake them from Guinness induced slumber, as they had spent the previous day and evening at the Rugby Club, it struck me that what I had thought to be a mistake was rapidly becoming a health threatening disaster.

We finally headed off for the North East and despite sleeping all the way my travelling companions provided wind assisted motoring and we arrived at the outskirts of Newcastle a full four hours ahead of the race start time. Paul assured me that his sports science degree had covered dietary requirements in great details and it was with authority that we ordered three Big Breakfasts from the Drive-Thru McDonald's as our high energy pre-race meal. This last supper concentrated our thoughts on what was to come and it was with a mixture of fear and excitement that we slowly made our way to the start line.

At this stage I pondered that despite being with two running companions among a further 40,000 protagonists, the Great North Run would be a very individual experience. So with a slight lack of confidence we took up residence towards the back of the field and waited for the off. I was not alone in my fears that the dual-carriageway embankment had become a large public lavatory. I thought I had found a secluded area only to find another runner squatting beneath a bush. I apologised immediately explaining that "I'm sorry I didn't realise I was in the ladies!" With the speed that this lady sped off I realised she was clearly on for a sub-90 minute race.

Shortley after my close encounter Status Quo began to perform live, ostensibly to add to the carnival atmosphere. Unfortunately this merely added to my sense of gloom and I was glad to hear the starting pistol when it finally came.

The race itself has fortunately faded in detail from my memory. I can however remember pain, thirst, cold and being overtaken by the Pink Panther which added to the despair I was feeling at the 12 mile mark. Fortunately we finished intact and smiling in a time I'm not willing to disclose. I am pleased to report all the effort paid off and with generous support from family, friends and Old Boys I raised over £1,000 for NW New Heart New Start Appeal.

Mike Tully also took part but I am sure his experience is as far from mine as his creditable 1 hour 40 minutes time was ahead of mine. He confided that the cross-country runs at St Ambrose down to the Bollin had stood him in good stead. Congratulations to Mike for his fine performance and thanks to you all for your support.

Donations welcome to NW New Heart New Start Appeal, c/o Paul Thompson, St Ambrose College, Wicker Lane, Hale Barns, WA15 0HE.

Paul Thompson

Mike Ainsworth, 67-69

Mark Ainsworth, 75-86

John Ainsworth, Old Boy

John Andrews, MC

Carl Aspinwall, Teacher

Mike Bee, 76-83

David Binns, 77-79

Chris Broadbent, 68-75

Peter Brooman, Guest

Richard Brown, 73-80

Tony Brown, 82-89

Peter Budd, 75-86

Tim Burgess, 66-74

Robert Burke, 82-89 & Teacher

Paul Burns, 69-81 & Teacher

Barry Butler, Teacher

Ben Caldwell, Old Boy

John Cameron, Guest

Domenico Centeleghe, 69-80

Elio Centeleghe, Parent

Kieran Charleson, 68-75

Dermot Charleson, 72-79

Eric Clark, Teacher

Martin Cleary, Guest

Frank Coan, Teacher

James Coghlan, 75-86

Mike Coghlan, 77-88

Dr. Coghlan, Parent

Brian Coghlan, 81-88

Michael Collins, Guest

Joesph Connor, 71-76

Sean Connors, Old Boy

Amanda Daley, Teacher

Matthew Daulby, 79-86

Anne Davies, Teacher

Chris Davies, Guest

Nick Devine, Guest

Gerrard Diamond, 68-73

Anthony Dixon, 69-80

Mike Dobson, 78-86

Philip Doherty, 67-71

Stephen Donovan, 72-77

Peter Dooley, Guest

Michael Duffy, 47-52

John Eardley, 66-71

Mike Edgecombe, 70-77

Frances Edmonds, Guest speaker

Phil Edwards, 79-86

Bernard Elliott, Guest

Mike Ellis, 73-80

Rod Ellis, 79-86

Sean Fleming, Teacher

Paul Fleming, 82-89

Stephen Foulkes, 66-77

William Franks, 69-78

Eddie Friend, Teacher

Mark Gallimore, 70-77

Terry Gallimore, Parent

Simon Gallimore, 70-79

John Garbutt, 68-80

Tony Gill, Guest

Stephen Goddard, Guest

Andy Gosling, Old Boy

Shaun Grady, 72-79

Frank Grady, Parent

Brendan Grady, 75-82

Alistair Gray, Guest

Neale Gunning, 68-78

Mark Hammon, 71-77

Joan Handford, Teacher

Timothy Handford, 65-70

Nigel Handy, Teacher

Peter Hardiman, 52-59

Michael Hardiman, 46-54

Tony Harper, 70-77

David Harrison, 78-80

Anthony Harrison, 78-80

Simon Harrop, 73-80

Lawrence Harrop, Parent

David Harvey, 72-79

Christopher Hawley, Parent

Paul Haworth, Teacher

Paul Heap, 71-77

Eric Hester, Head Master of Grammar School

Ian Hilliker, 71-80

Damian Hinds, 80-87

Bernard Holt, Teacher

Chris Jones, 79-86

Kevin Jones, 76-83

Timothy Kearns, 70-76

John Kelsey, 77-84

Peter kelsey, 78-85

John Kennedy, 67-78

Joe Kennedy, Parent

Paul Kennedy, 74-77

Eamonn Kennedy, 71-82

Paul King, 68-75

Roger Kinsella, Chairman PA

Adrian Lee, 70-77

Damien Leyland, 72-79

Dr Colm Litting, Governor of Prep

Michael Lochery, Head Master of Prep

James Loughrey, 68-75

Kevin Lynch, 72-77

Mike Martin, 62-69

James McCarthy, Guest

Stuart McCracken, Guest

Ian McCrow, Guest

Chris McGoff, 83-90

David McGoff, 82-89

Danny McGowan, 68-75

Daniel McGuiness, 83-90

Randall McRandall, Parent

Antionio Mion, 75-82

Jim Mooney, 70-77

Anthony Moriarty, 67-77

Brendan Moriarty, 62-71

Kieran Moriarty, 59-69

Peter Morris, 63-71

Martin Moylan, Parent

Conrad Nelstrop, 48-55

John Nodding, 82-89

Phil Nodding, 69-76

Steve O'Connor, 68-75

Janet O'Donnell, Teacher

John O'Regan, Teacher

John O'Reilly, 63-70

Peter O'Brien, 68-75

Manu Patel, Guest

Mark Payne, 69-78

Nicholas Pearson, 74-78

Neil Peden, 71-78

Marcus, Quiligotti, 66-75

Simon Quiligotti, 68-76

Bruno Quiligotti, 72-77

Barney Quinn, Teacher

Joe Ravening, 46-52

Peter Riley, 70-78

Phil Riley, Guest

John Ronan, Teacher

Michael, Rooney, Guest

Mark Rossiter, 81-87

Robert Ryan, 82-89

Stephen Ryder, 82-89

Phil Sanville, Guest

Vincent Scappaticci, 66-75,

Stephen Scappaticci, 75-82

Paul Sheridan, 72-79

Damian Sides, 71-78

Jeremy Simpson, 67-78

Peter Simpson, 63-75

Richard Simpson, 67-80

Rod Simpson, Parent

Bernard Stafford 47-52

Neil Start, Guest

Ciaran Stokes, 77-89

Mike Thom, 56-66

Brian Thomas, Guest

Paul Thompson, 80-87

Simon Thompson, 79-86

Brian Todd, Guest

George Tsiantar, 67-77

Michael Tully, 71-78

George Turner, Guest

Robert Whitcombe, 86-96

Chris Whitcombe, Parent

Peter Whiting, Teacher

Philip Whitmore, 70-77

Colum Wilde, 68-76

Andrew Wrenshaw, Guest

Andrew Wright, Guest

Mr B Butler, is teaching at St Ambrose and has given 20 years of service.

Mr G Cain, is teaching at St Ambrose and has given 20 years of service.

Mr E Clark, now retired from teaching but gave many years of service to the College.

Mr F Coan, is teaching at St Ambrose and has given 20 years of service.

Mr J Fallon, an Old Boy who has been teaching at St Ambrose Preparatory School for many years.

Mr S Fleming, is teaching at St Ambrose and has given over 35 years of service.

Mr E Friend, is teaching at St Ambrose and has given 20 years of service.

Mr A Furlong, is teaching at St Ambrose and has given 20 years of service.

Mr D Hallas, now retired from teaching but gave many years of service to the College.

Mr D Hancock, now retired from teaching but gave many years of service to the College.

Mrs J Handford, now retired from teaching but gave many years of service to the College.

Mr G E Hester, current Head Master of St Ambrose College

Mr J Kennedy, the father of five Old Boys. Mr Kennedy has made many significant contributions towards the development of St Ambrose College.

Dr C Litting, Formerly Chairman of Governors of St Ambrose College and currently Chariman of Governors of St Ambrose Preparatory School. Dr Litting has been a Governor for over 35 years.

Mr M Lochery, current Head Master of St Ambrose Preparatory School

Mr D McAllister, is teaching at St Ambrose and has given 20 years of service.

Rev A Morris, now retired from teaching but gave many years of service to the College.

Dr M Norton, Founder of the SKCV charity (see the article in this newsletter).

Mr J O'Regan, now retired from teaching but gave many years of service to the College.

Mr B Quinn, now retired from teaching but gave many years of service to the College.

Mr N Wilkinson, now retired from teaching but gave many years of service to the College.

Far from the maddening crowd on a glorious Friday in May the St Ambrose OId Boys golfers again pitted their skill and finesse against the unforgiving terrain of Reddish Vale. Over the course of a long hot afternoon thirty eight golfers were to employ thirty eight vastly different methods of working the ball around the course while the members bemusedly looked on....

We were delighted Brother Sheehan could be with us again. However his first sighting of the hill/mountain face up to the 18th green, for once, rendered him speechless and his game was never to really recover from such an early shock.

The reigning champion Mike Tully drove off magnificently down the first hole only to be equalled by one of his playing companions Glen Earlam. A titanic battle was to take place over the next four hours between these two golfing legends. Across the fairway Marcus Quiligotti, a former member of Reddish Vale, was to use his local knowledge to great effect putting together a fine round of golf.

After an intensive year remoulding his swing and temperament Brian Coglan was playing out of his skin. Having holed a great long putt on the last Brian was leader in the club house and had to sweat it out while the rest of the field challenged his score. However it was Glen "Gringo" Earlam inspired by Mike Tully who was to triumph and become the Champion Old Boy Golfer. Marcus Quiligotti was to finish second with Brian Coglan in third place.

Almost as important was that Brother Sheehan did make it up the final hill to the 18th green and several drinks later.... after another great dinner put on by the golf club, we were treated to a great anecdotal speech of his time at St Ambrose. Skirting past his time as King Cigarette Confiscator he spoke warmly and affectionately about the bond between the boys at the school and how much he looked forward to the St Ambrose Golf Day.

The evening concluded with some more bonding back at Mimis in Altrincham and golfing hard luck stories were in notoriously high supply. This year's event is at Didsbury Golf Club on the 14th May and promises to be awesome. All golfers are welcome and it will beat any Friday you will have in the office.

Individual Winners:

1. Glenn Earlam

2. Marcus Quiligotti

3. Brian Coglan

Winning Team:

Glen Earlam, Mike Tully, John Wilde, John Kelsey

Nearest the Pin:

Pete Kelsey - 20ins

Longest Drive:

Glen Earlam - 293 yds

(contributed by John Kelsey)

Rugby Union:

The annual Allied Dunbar Old Boys match was played on a warm autumnal day with both sides evenly matched.

The Old Boys scored first from a typical strong, jinking run from Christopher Savage which was converted by Sean Ferguson. The school team soon hit back with a good try by Andrew Westbrook after good work from the pack. However, the Old Boys increased their lead with another fine try by Savage again converted by Ferguson. A penalty by Peter Flynn brought the school side back in contention then, after a series of rucks, scrum half Colin Dixon went blind to set up a try for James Binder.

With the heat starting to tell on several players the game started to open up. Both sides were able to keep the ball alive with positive running and passing and inevitably a try was scored for the Old Boys by Adrian Moorhead. With minutes to go the school side worked their way up the pitch only to see Westbrook have the ball knocked out of his hands as he reached to put the ball down over the line. A superb passage of play down the left wing with several well times passes saw Broadbent score the try of the game converted by Mark Perkins. Philip Glennon from Allied Dunbar awarded Colin Dixon the man of the match award for the school team whilst Mark Tueart gained the Old Boys award. Head Master Eric Hester presented the Brother Ring Memorial Trophy to Old Boys captain Simon Raiswell.

Paul Burns