OUR APOLOGIES

The 2013 Reunion & AGM

With sincere apologies to all of our former pupils, we have to announce that we will not be organising a reunion at the old school this year.

The role of President requires a virtual full-time commitment, and is one that Graeme has managed for the last ten years. Other commitments have arisen during the last two years, however, that mean that Graeme and Wendy simply don't have the time or energy (despite having the motivation) to organise a reunion this year. We hope that this doesn't create too much disappointment, and that our friends and members will understand the reasons for the decision.

This doesn't mean that our Association is at risk of winding down - far from it. A newsletter will go out to our subscribing members this weekend, and an update regarding next year's subscription will appear here in the next few days.

Obituary

Dr. John Swift, former teacher at the Moseley School of Art, has passed to us the very sad news that his wife, Jacquie passed away on the 23rd. January following a very long and determined battle with cancer. Although she never taught at our school, Jacquie was known to many of our students and members of staff, through helping on school trips on the Norfolk Broads. Our sincerest condolences go to John and his family on their sad loss.

John says that Jacquie was an exhibited artist both here and abroad, and was a sharp academic in art history, theory and literature. She also edited a series of academic books on art education derived from international conferences, and in her later days was a skilled poet and writer. She was also a highly respected teacher and lecturer, as may be vouched for by the number of ex-students who were still in regular touch with her right up to the end. She was a great companion and wife to John and mother to their two sons.

Obituary

We've been informed that Christopher Reed (Christopher Hufton Scott-Reed), who attended the Moseley School of Art between 1957-60 passed away during the Autumn of 2012.

Obituary

Graham Williams, our Year Representative for the 1957 leavers has informed us that John Spall, the former Head Boy in 1957, passed away on Wednesday, 27th. February 2013 following a long illness. John leaves a wife, Olivia, two sons and four grandchildren.

His funeral took take place on the 15th. March 2013. A private cremation service was followed by a Service of Thanksgiving at 2.30pm at St. David's Church, Church Street, Moreton-in-Marsh GL56 0LN.

Obituary

We have been informed that Christopher Samways, who attended our school between 1954-57, passed away in March 2012. Further details will be provided as we receive them.

Obituary

We have been informed by Sara Orford that her mother, former Head Girl Jeannette Bailey (Orford), who attended our school between 1950-53, passed away suddenly on the 22nd. December 2012. We are informed by Sara that her mother was delighted to discover our website last November, and to see herself and friends on the 1953 year photograph.

Happy New Year!

We wish you a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year!

The Norovirus unfortunately prevented us from getting our usual Christmas card newsletter out this year, which has been particularly busy for Wendy and myself. I must apologise for any disappointment this may have caused - we know how much our Christmas cards mean to our former students. On this occasion, we'll be issuing a New Year Newsletter - this will reach you in the next week or two (as long as you're a paid-up subscribing member - if you aren't, you can download a subscription form HERE )

The Newsletter will contain information following on from the successful exhibition of works by former students at Hanbury Hall, Droitwich last September - discussions are about to be held to examine the possibility of another exhibition, this time opened to a wider spread of MSA year groups, at the same venue.

If you're interested in exhibiting works at this prestigious venue in September 2013, please contact us HERE as soon as possible. This will help us to gauge interest and make appropriate planning decisions.

Class of 1960 Annual Luncheon 2012

Ron Carter has informed us that this year's Class of 1960 Reunion Lunch took place at their regular venue, The Plough and Harrow Hotel, Edbaston, on Sunday, 11th. November. Those who attended enjoyed a cordon bleu menu, and a great time was had by all!

The Class of 1961 have held successful annual luncheon reunions for many years - a great way of keeping in touch with the friends they had at Moseley Art School more than fifty years ago!

Anyone who would like to join them for their next annual lunch should contact Ron HERE

THE 2012 REUNION

An account of the 2012 Reunion has been uploaded to our 'Reunion' webpage - you can check it out HERE

Obituary

We have been informed by Pat Chaplin that her husband Steve Chaplin, who attended our school between 1957-60, passed away following a heart attack on the 23rd. May 2012. His funeral took place on the 8th. June. Further details will be posted here when received.

Former Teacher Mr. Alan Rees

We are grateful to Phil Westwood ('61) for letting us know that former teacher Alan Rees, who taught at MSA for some years during the 1960's (and was, later a lecturer at Stourbridge College of Art) has suffered a decline in his health and has now entered a nursing home. His wife, Myfanwy has devoted the last 10 years to the care of her husband since Alan became ill with Parkinson's Disease.

We're sure that all former pupils who attended MSA during the 1960's would wish to join us in wishing Alan, a very popular teacher, and Myfanwy our very best wishes at this testing time.

THE 2012 REUNION & AGM FURTHER FURTHER UPDATE

Nick Kane ('78) flies in from Tokyo to be with us

The big day is tomorrow, and we've just learned that Nick Kane ('78) is flying over to meet up with old friends - we hope that some of his friends will be there to join him. Nick now lives and works in Japan in the Automotive Design field after starting his design career at Rover Birmingham.

Join us if you can!

Just a day to go to our 2012 Reunion and AGM at the old school on Sunday, 20th. May, and we're looking forward to seeing all of those familiar faces once again! Join us if you can - you'll receive a very warm welcome, regardless of the years you attended our special old school.

2012 Subscriptions - Download a Standing Order Please remember to subscribe - we can't remain in existence without your support! If you aren't certain whether you're up to date with your subscriptions, just download a Standing Order form HERE and forward it to the address on the form. If you already have a standing order arrangement, it will be automatically cancelled by this new one.

Our 2012 Reunion will be the tenth we've held at the school, and we're looking forward to seeing all of those familiar faces once again! Early indications are that we should have a very good attendance, and former pupils from overseas have already informed us that they'll be flying in to join us. If you're a former pupil (whether a member or not) of the Moseley School of Art (or later the Highgate School), you'll receive a very warm welcome.

The gates will open at 11am., and you'll be able to enjoy coffee and biscuits before the AGM starts at around 12.00. We'll be discussing the progress with grant funding of the refurbishment of the once-beautiful facade of the school building, and other issues. It's important that you're there so that your views can be aired.

Our sumptuous buffet lunch will be served from 1.30pm, and you'll have the opportunity to roam the building and meet old friends and, perhaps, some of our former teachers for the rest of the day.

PRE-REGISTRATION IS ESSENTIAL to help us make up security name badges, estimate catering requirements and plan seating and table layouts, so please forward your name and the year you left MSA, together with the name of anyone accompanying you straight away - you can email us HERE . . . please do it NOW!

As usual, former pupils are travelling from halfway across the world to join us - let’s make sure that there are plenty of old friends for them to meet! If they’ve travelled up to 6,000 miles to see us, isn’t it only fair that we should travel for an hour or two to meet them

As usual, we try to avoid getting into the game of 'Who's Coming', but just a few of the people who'll be travelling great distances to be with us are Brian Bailey ('46) who is travelling from California, Graham Mould ('55) from Australia, Bob Sedgley ('58) from Spain, John Blunn ('59) from Bournemouth, Barbara Haines ('62) from Cornwall, Lyle Ellard ('57) from Kent, and Judi Wainwright ('68) from N. Ireland. We'll also be seeing Phillip Westwood and many of the other leavers from 1961 who are putting on an exciting exhibition of works at Hanbury Hall, near Droitwich.

Subscribing members will, as usual, gain free admission and lunch for two persons, and for non-subscribing members, admission, including lunch, will be just £7 per person.

Former Teacher Bob Ashby to have Exhibition 1st - 20th May 2012

Former teacher T.H.W. (Bob) Ashby is to have a retrospective exhibition of his works, painted between 1947 - 2012.

Bob, who now lives in the Cotswolds with his charming wife, Joy, is an accomplished artist and has exhibited widely throughout his career. With the exception of last year's event, he has attended every one of our reunions, and has served as our Arts Secretary since the foundation of the Association.

His exhibition will be held at THE NORDEN FARM CENTRE FOR THE ARTS, Altwood Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 4PF, running from the 1st. - 20th. May.

Wendy and I will be visiting - we hope you will too.

Moseley Road Swimming Baths Re-opens

Those of our members who were lucky enough to be able to use the Baths opposite our school before it was closed will be delighted to hear that this gem of Edwardian architecture has re-opened following a series of repairs.

The Baths, built in 1907, are Grade II* listed (like our school) and one of only three such swimming pools still in operation in Britain. More importantly, perhaps, is the fact that they are the last completely intact Edwardian swimming baths in Britain. For further information, please take a look at the Birmingham Post article HERE.

Obituary

We have been informed by Mike Richardson, the Year Representative for the 1949 leavers, that Ray Norton, who attended our school between 1946 - 1949, passed away on the 17th. February 2012 following a short illness. Ray was a modeller, attending Vittoria Street, following which he was employed at the firm of J. R. Gaunt, producing badges and medals. He then established his own substantial jewellery business.

Ray's funeral will take place on Thursday, 1st. March at Redditch Crematorium, Bordeseley Lane, Redditch B97 6RR. Donations to the Alzheimers Society in lieu of floral tributes would be welcome.

Ted (Moggy) Mason

We have received the very sad news that Ted ('Moggy') Mason, former teacher at the Moseley School of Art, passed away peacefully at home on the 8th. February 2012 following a long illness.

His funeral took place at a private family ceremony on the 22nd. February. 'Moggy' was a highly respected man and one of the most popular teachers at our school. More details will be provided here as they come to hand.

'Moggy' joined the school shortly after the end of World War II, in which he served as a fighter pilot in the RAF, flying American 'Mustang' fighter aeroplanes. His widow, Hazel, was also a teacher at MSA, teaching Sports. We were privileged to welcome and meet him at a number of our reunions. He continued painting until relatively recently, selling his works at exhibitions he had organised himself.

Ted's widow, Hazel, also taught at Moseley Art School on a part-time basis, taking our girls for Games. Having met Ted at Birmingham Art College, she too was an Art teacher.

Ted provided us with some recollections of his time at MSA here

Obituary

We are saddened to learn of the death of Don Clarke at Mijas, Spain on the 16th. January 2012 following a long illness. Don attended the Moseley School of Art between 1944-47 .

Don became a student at the Birmingham College of Art after leaving MSA, then spent ten years working as an illustrator at Central Studios, Birmingham. He then moved to Rome, where he worked as a restorer of fine Renaissance paintings.

He moved to Spain in 1973, after which his real talent as a painter of international status began to emerge. The influences of his exposure to paintings from the Renaissance period are clearly evident in his work, as is the precision of his brushwork from his time as an illustrator. His work evolved into a highly developed style of realism permeated with enigmatic, occasionally surreal themes.

Don was a member of a large number of former pupils of the school who have achieved a worldwide reputation as practising artists. As such, he was testimony to the value of the school. The fine body of work left by Don should serve as another reminder to the City of Birmingham of the far-sighted education policies of our Victorian forefathers.

An obituary to Don was included in the Birmingham Post on the 26th. January 2012.

Some of Don's work (including "Morning", above) may be seen by visiting the Stephen Howes website.

Obituary

We have received the sad news that Eileen Wheeler (Aston), who attended the Moseley School of Art between 1963-69, passed away on the 6th. December 2011 after a long illness.

Obituary

It is with sadness that we have to inform members of the passing of Chris Harmer, who attended the Moseley School of Art between 1952-55. Chris died on Saturday, 14th. January 2012, just short of his 72nd. birthday.

His time at our school was interrupted by a stay in Davos to assist with his asthma, the trip being paid for by the famous Birmingham-based cake manufacturers Kunzle & Co. During his last year at MSA, Chris was a member of 'Zeke' Hardwick's metalworkers class, and became an apprentice at Swain & Claydon & Co. in Legge Lane, in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter, as an enameller and hand painter. He later established himself in business as Harban & Co., enamellers and painters to the trade, in Spencer Street, Hockley. He later formed a partnership after buying the remains of his former employer to form the company SHC Limoges Art Co. in Albion Street, Hockley. Chris later transferred his professional interests to property development and refurbishment, moving to Ilfracombe where he stayed until his death. He leaves a widow, also named Chris.

Obituary

We are very sad to announce the passing of BARBARA BALL (MINCHIN) on the 8th. January 2011. Barbara attended the Moseley School of Art between 1931-34, where she met her future husband, Robert Ball, who died in 2008. We were delighted to be able to reunite Barbara with her former best friend, Muriel Reay who she had not seen for more than 70 years - the story and photos made the front page of the Birmingham Post.

Friends of Moseley Road Swimming Baths Exhibition at the Old School

The Friends of Moseley Road Swimming Baths are hosting a one-day art exhibition at our old school on Saturday, 29th. October 2011. The exhibition will be open between 12am - 4pm - all former pupils of the school are cordially invited to attend. The exhibition is not large, but there will also be a local history event next door at the former Butchers Transfers factory on the same day, so there will be plenty to see - I hope you'll be able to attend. Further details may be seen at the Friends' website

Friends of Moseley Road Swimming Baths - Call for Works

The Friends of Moseley Road Swimming Baths are holding a one-day Art Exhibition at the Moseley School of Art building on Saturday, 29th. October 2011 between 12am - 4pm. For more information contact Jennifer Austin, the Project Coordinator, at memories@friendsofmrb.co.uk

The Friends are hoping that artists will submit works in any medium inspired by the Moseley Road Baths for this year's Memories and Memorabilia Day. The event is part of the Friends' Heritage Lottery funded Pool of Memories Oral History Project and there is a possibility that works submitted will be included in the book and associated website.

If you would like to contribute your personal memories of the baths to this worthwhile project, they would love to hear from you at memories@friendsofmrb.co.uk

Vintage Piece of MSA Memorabilia for Sale

We've been contacted by someone who would like to sell a piece of MSA memorabilia which came into his possession some thirty years ago. The piece is a silver bowl (pictured) inscribed "A token of affection to Winifred K. Parnell from the boys and girls of the Moseley Junior School of Arts and Crafts - July 1929". The bowl weighs 216g.

If you are interested in buying the bowl, the seller is looking for £300, and I will pass on any enquiries on your behalf.

Obituary

We are sad to announce the passing of John Wilson, who attended the Moseley School of Art between 1948-51. Miss Ann Wilson, John's twin sister, informs us that John suffered a massive coronary attack on the 25th. September 2010.

Looking for Old Friends

We've been contacted by Sion Vair, formerly MALCOLM BOSTOCK, who attended the Moseley School of Art between 1962-67 - he says he'd love to contact his old friends. Sion now lives in Cumbria. If you'd like to contact him, please let us know so that we can forward his contact details.

Obituary

We have received the sad news that Derek Allwood, who attended the Moseley School of Art between 1951-54, passed away on the 16th. April 2011. Derek followed a career as an Illustrator and lived in Yardley, Birmingham. Any further details we receive will be posted here on receipt.

Obituary

It is with sadness that we have to announce the passing of Michael Harvey, who attended the Moseley School of Art between 1953-56. Michael, who lived in Blaenau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd, passed away in his sleep on the 11th. June 2011. It is hoped that further details will be posted here when received.

Happy Birthday, Tina!

Tina Oppenheimer's birthday, on Tuesday, was made all the more special when she received a large batch of email greetings from our members from all over the world. A nice gesture is always enjoyed more when it's not expected, and Tina, who left our school in 1970 to return to the United States, wasn't expecting the number of emails she received, many of them from ex-MSA students she hasn't (yet) met. You can read Tina's profile HERE and see her Facebook page HERE Well done, guys. Proud of you.

Obituary

We are extremely sad to have to announce the passing of our most senior former pupil, Nora Potts (Grimley). Nora died on the 12th. June 2011 aged 97 years. Nora attended the Moseley School of Art between 1926-29, and her daughter, Celia has told us that throughout her entire life her mother spoke of the happiness she enjoyed during the time she spent at our school. She was a lovely lady, and attended a number of our recent reunion meetings, radiating beauty and happiness.

Her funeral will take place at St. Augustine's Church, Edgbaston B16 9JN at 12pm on Thursday, 30th June. (former teacher and headmaster Harry Adams, an accomplished artist in his own right, was responsible for some of the paintings at the church in the 1950's). Wendy and I will make every effort to be there, and I hope that we may be joined by any other members who can make it.

Butchers Transfers

Everyone who attended our school will remember the firm of Butcher Transfers Ltd., who occupied the building immediately adjacent to the school building. Mr. J. H. Butcher founded the family firm in the 1700's, and the company were among the world leaders in design and production of slide transfers and screen printing, having brought the technology to Birmingham from Germany, the USA and elsewhere. They ceased production of the outmoded transfer business many years ago, and became known as 'BBP' - Butchers Printed Products. The company occupied their site long before MSA was built, and erected a new frontage in a sympathetic 'Roman' style to complement the architecture of the school shortly after the school was built. The building is listed as Grade II. Many of the students from MSA in the 1920's, 1930's and later became employed at Butchers as designers.

We have now been informed that the building has been acquired by a charitable group who have converted the factory into studio spaces which are available for rental by working artists and artisans. Individual spaces are available from £60 per week, and may be shared to reduce costs. The aim is to promote the regeneration of the creation of handmade finely crafted goods and works of art, together with other objectives peculiar to the organisers.

Any former students who feel that they would like to know more may visit their website or contact Ian Greenwood at the Make-it Zone on 0121 449 0278.

Obituary

We have been informed that Derek Birch, who attended the Moseley School of Art between 1954-57 passed away peacefully on the 26th. May following a long illness. Derek will be remembered for, among other things, being a fine jeweller and teacher at the Birmingham School of Jewellery, Vittoria St., Hockley. A full obituary has been posted to our Obituary webpage.

Obituary

We are sad to announce that Martin Baker passed away June 2011 following a period of illness. Martin attended the Moseley School of Art between 1957-60, attended most of our meetings, and was an enthusiastic supporter of the Association. We will miss his presence. Our condolences go to his family and friends, and further details will appear here in due course.

The funeral service was held at 1pm on Wednesday, 22nd. June at Lodge Hill Crematorium, Selly Oak, Birmingham. Martin's wife had requested that there should be no flowers, but would prefer those attending to wear hats if possible.

Looking for Old Friends

We've been contacted by TONY DONNELLY who attended the Moseley School of Art between 1970-75 - he says he'd love to contact his old friends. Now turning 50 years old, he has his own global design company in the United States, where he now spends most of his time. He feels that our school set him on a great path for life, and is sad that there was now no such institution to which he could send his own children, who are also very creative.

Please email us - we'd be delighted to pass on your contact details.

What a Nice Surprise!

I'm used to receiving packages from Amazon and other mail order outlets, so I wasn't surprised to receive yet another package from the postman today. On opening it, though, I was very pleasantly surprised to find a book . . . not JUST a book, but a very high quality art printing entitled "Don Clarke - Memories of a British Painter". The book is beautifully presented and contains a large number of very high quality prints of Don's work.

Don was a student at the Moseley School of Art until 1947, when he became a student at Birmingham Art College, followed by ten years working as an illustrator at Central Studios, Birmingham then five years working as an art restorer in Rome. He is a highly established and respected artist and has spent much of his life living and working in Holland and Spain, where he currently lives, in Malaga.

Inside the book was a handwritten note from Don saying "Thanks, Graeme for bringing back many happy memories" and another note listing all of the staff members he could remember, together with former friends John Bullows, Peter Yeats, Fred Forrest, John Marshall, Ron Workman and Peter Price. I'm sure that there are many other former students who remember Don from his time at our school.

Don's book is available from his agent, Stephen Howes, and you can take a look at his wonderful work HERE

21.05.11

Looking for Old Friends

We've received an email from CAROL PALMER (now Kuschner) who says she attended our school between 1963-66, and would love to contact old friends from MSA. Carol now lives in Ontario, Canada - if you'd like to contact her, please drop us an email and we'll arrange contact for you.

21.05.11

2011 Reunion Summary

We had a super day at the Ramada Hotel, Bewdley - read all about it on our updated REUNION webpage!

Obituary

It is with very great sadness that we have to announce the passing of one of the mainstays of the Association, Harry Sale, who passed away on the 26th. November 2010. Harry attended the Moseley School of Art between 1941-44, and demonstrated his loyalty by attending every one of our reunions. His presence will be sadly missed. Our condolences go to his family on their loss, and further details will appear here in due course.

Harry provided us with some clear reminiscences about his time at the school - you can read them and see photos of his works at his Pupil Profile page HERE

THE 2011 AGM & REUNION - FURTHER UPDATE

Join us if you can!

Just a day to go to our 2011 Reunion, and we're looking forward to seeing all of those familiar faces once again! We'll have our super venue - the Balmoral Suite, Ramada Hotel, Bewdley all to ourselves for the day. Join us if you can - you'll receive a very warm welcome, regardless of the years you attended our special old school. Bewdley is a gorgeous little Georgian town built around a bridge on the River Severn - only a half-hour drive from Birmingham. See you there!

2011 Subscriptions - Download a Standing Order Please remember to subscribe - we can't remain in existence without your support! If you aren't certain whether you're up to date with your subscriptions, just download a Standing Order form HERE and forward it to the address on the form. If you already have a standing order arrangement, it will be automatically cancelled by the new one.

Confirmations are coming in!

As usual, we don't get into the self-defeating game of 'Who's Coming?', but, suffice to say, attendance at our one-off meeting away from the school is looking very good indeed! For those sensitive souls who wonder whether thay'll be able to make the short trip to Bewdley, just consider the number of our former pupils who would love to be with us but are going to have to miss this year because of REAL distance problems - Janet Essex ('66) whose home area of Christchurch, New Zealand has been devastated by the recent earthquake, but intends to join us next year . . . John Swift (former teacher), who, together with his wife Jacquie are not well enough to travel down from Newton Stewart, Dumfries and Galloway, Linda Drew (Boot)('64) now a sculptor and fine artist, and husband Tony Drew who now live on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Janet Hughes (Bridges)('63) also from Queensland, Colin Maneylaws ('60) and Colin Cole ('61) who also live in Australia.

Cate Hadley ('73) can't be with us because she will be in the middle of preparing for an exhibition of her works - please take a look at the Bury St. Edmunds Festival brochure (pp44-45) HERE

Among those supporting our reunion will be Terry Savin ('68), who has attended all but one of our reunions(!), Ivan and Marie Haycock ('44), who do such a good job of organising things for all of the leavers who left before 1946, Judi Wainwright (fresh from Zimbabwe!), who is also a great organiser, and our first ex-student to book in for an overnight stay at the hotel is Barbara Regan (Haines)('62).

GREAT NEWS Great news for those who have made representations to me for many years that they would rather have our Annual Reunion at a more comfortable venue, preferably with licensed bar facilities! For this, our 10th. Reunion, our meeting will not be taking place at the old school . . .

Our 2011 Reunion has been organised to take place on Sunday, 15th. May 2011 at the beautiful Victorian

The Balmoral Suite, Ramada Hotel, Bewdley, Worcestershire

(just a 30-minute drive from Birmingham)

Set in 20 acres of countryside, the well-appointed Ramada is immediately adjacent to the historic riverside Georgian town of Bewdley, and very close to the West Midlands Safari Park. There is already considerable interest among former pupils - please pre-register your intention to attend HERE straight away so that we can reserve your place(s) for you.

We've managed to secure a favourable deal with the hotel, and the charge for your attendance will be the same as when we meet at the school - admission will be FREE for each subscribing member and one partner, and only £7 per person for those ex-pupils who don't pay an annual subscription fee. To simplify matters, the hotel will provide and charge separately for tea and coffee by the cup. Full details of the Reunion and the Ramada Hotel facilities will be circulated in the Spring Newsletter which is due to go out in the next few days, but here are a few items of information:

• Venue: The Kensington and Balmoral Suites, Ramada Hotel, Habberley Road, Bewdley DY12 1LA

• Time: Coffee Reception served at 11am - AGM 11.30am followed by Luncheon - meeting will disperse at 5pm

• Admission: Subscribing Members (and one partner) FREE / Non-subscribers £7 per person

• Dedicated Licensed Bar within meeting room

• Full buffet luncheon included in admission fee

• Exhibition of Works by former Students: It's hoped that this may be negotiated with the hotel management - more to follow

• Easy rail links from Birmingham International Airport to Kidderminster (2 miles)

• Overnight Accommodation: Approx. £75 for double room (please book directly with hotel)

More details will be added here as we move closer to the reunion date - please bookmark and visit this webpage regularly to stay informed.

Obituary

We are sad to announce that Dennis King, who attended the Moseley School of Art between 1947-50 passed away following a long illness on the 27th. February 2011. The funeral service was held at 12.30pm on Thursday, 10th. March at Coleshill Crematorium, and a reception was afterward at Coleshill Social Club. A full obituary has been posted to our Obituary webpage.

What a Great Day!

Our 9th. Annual Reunion took place at the old school on Sunday, 16th. May amidst warm bright sunshine. The numbers attending exceeded expectations, with visitors from as far afield as Perth, Western Australia. Several of those who attended did so for the first time, and have vowed to make it an annual pilgrimage for future years.

Click HERE to visit our Reunion webpage.

Peter Deakin (1957-59)

We're delighted to have been contacted by Peter, who now lives in Georgia, USA. He'd be delighted to hear from any former friends - for contact details, please contact us at the email link above.

Obituary

It is with sadness that we announce that David Baker, who attended the Moseley School of Art between 1942-45 passed away after a long battle with cancer on the 26th. December 2009, aged 80. A full obituary has been posted to our Obituary webpage.

Obituary

We are very sad to announce that Veronica Torkington (Simmonds)(1942) passed away on the 13th. May 2009. We are informed by Veronica's husband of more than sixty years that she suffered badly from Alzheimers Disease for the last ten years of her life.

Only ONE WEEK to go!

Only one week to go to our 2010 Reunion on the 16th. May!

We'd love you to join us - it's going to be a great day! but this is your last chance to pre-register your attendance so that we can estimate catering and seating requirements - your help is needed to make the day a success.

If people who travelled from overseas last year are keen enough to want to come back again this year, we must be getting something right! Just let us know by Email your name and year of leaving MSA, together with the name(s) of anyone else who'll be coming with you - we look forward to seeing you.

Obituary

We are sad to announce that Roy Hartley, who attended the Moseley School of Art between 1954-57 passed away in August 2009. Further details have been posted to our Obituary webpage. Roy was a close friend of Melvin Freear, who also died last year.

Obituary

We have been informed by his son, Peter that his father, Peter Nash, who attended the Moseley School of Art between 1950-53 died on the 29th. March 2010 at St. Mary's Hospice, Selly Oak following a long battle with lung cancer.

Obituary

We are sad to announce the passing of Arthur Workman, who attended the Moseley School of Art between 1939-43. Arthur died at Selly Oak Hospital, Birmingham on the 16th. November 2009 following a short illness. We are informed by his eldest son, Paul that Arthur was immensely proud of his time at the school, and often regaled his sons with fond memories of those times. Our condolences go to Arthur's widow, Joy and sons following their unexpected loss.

The 2010 Annual Reunion

We're pleased to announce that the 2010 Annual Reunion will be held at the old school on Sunday, 16th. May. The doors will open at 11am.

We are a unique and finite resource - they're not making any more of us ! The very best way to support the Association and to keep Moseley Art alive is to attend our reunions. Every year, ex-pupils travel thousands of miles to be with us - travelling from the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Africa, Japan, Canada and mainland Europe, only to find that many of the old friends who only live an hour away couldn’t be bothered to join them. The people who travel always feel it was well worth the trip, even from the other side of the world - but how much more exciting to have more of their old friends join them.

Please do try to join us - you'll have a very warm welcome, and it'll be a day to remember!

The doors will be opened and registration will commence at 11.00am. Our superb buffet lunch will be served from 12.30 onwards, and we'll be dispersing at around 4.30pm.

Please remember - people will be travelling from all over the world, literally, to be there to meet YOU - and it may be the only chance you'll ever get to meet them. There's always the possibility that there may not be a reunion next year, so please help us to hit that record attendance figure!

Admission Fees Just a gentle reminder – with the exception of subscribing members, who are entitled to free admission, EVERYONE who attends the reunion will be expected to pay £7 per person at the door at the time of admission as the excellent luncheon and other costs have to be covered. If you haven't already joined, we'd be delighted to welcome you as a subscribing member - you just need to download and return the form available HERE. 

Pre-registration is essential to enable us to calculate catering requirements, prepare name badges and organise seating. Please remember that without pre-registering, there'll be a queue for up to half an hour to process your admission. Just e-mail your full name, year of leaving, the number and full names of each of the people in your party, including any under 15 years old ( who will be admitted free ). If you can't e mail, just phone your message to 01562 741777 - don't forget to leave the name of your partner as badges will be required for everyone attending - the badges will act as proof of membership or payment on admission. Let's keep those pre-registrations coming in - and if you know someone who wants to come but doesn't have E Mail contact, please let them have details of how they can pre-register.

Format for the Day Once again, Jan Williams (Cox)(1960) will be organising exhibition hanging space for those who would like to bring in their works for exhibition on the day. Please let us know if you would like to exhibit something so that we can provide adequate display space. We will also have some entertaining speakers on the day - details to follow. We're hoping that former teachers Mr. Jack "Butch" Taylor, Mr. Bob Ashby, Mr. John Swift, Mr. Ted "Moggy" Mason, Mr. Stan Vlahovic and Mr. Alan Rees will again be joining us - and no doubt they'll be looking forward to meeting you again.

Open Design Competition for Former Students

One of the projects with which our President, Graeme Collins has been involved for the last six months is the creation of a memorial to those who have either given or hazarded their lives to protect the freedom of the people of Britain. The feature will also honour those who are at present serving in the armed forces.

This is a project very close to Graeme's heart, as he feels that not only should we be grateful for the selfless sacrifice by the many who made Britain great, it should be a reminder that their sacrifices should not have been made in vain by allowing the freedom and prosperity we have hitherto enjoyed to be needlessly eroded. It has already been agreed that the memorial will be created on a public open site in Bromsgrove, just south of Birmingham and be maintained in perpetuity by Bromsgrove District Council.

Why Bromsgrove? Graeme, who has social links with the town, was informed during conversation with the Chairman of Bromsgrove District Council that no memorial to the fallen was ever provided in a public place within the town - an astonishing anomaly. Graeme, together with a small committee which includes a retired Army major and a practising barrister is preparing the way to raise support and funding for the project. The campaign committee will be named THANKSS - in allusion to honouring those who have been killed and who are still serving within our armed forces.

The Competition A great deal of public relations, advertising, fundraising and marketing will be needed over the next two years or so, and the organisation, which is currently undergoing transition to a registered charity, will need an effective logo that can be used in the many forms necessary - and that's where, it's hoped, members of the Association will come up trumps ! Based on the above, Graeme would like to invite former pupils to enter a design competition for a logo containing the letters THANKSS that will :

• be easily readable and recogniseable, on anything from a large banner to a small form such as printing on a wristband or a business card
• convey the idea of energy and enthusiasm
• be suitable for reproduction in mono or colour

Entries (no limit on the number of entries!) should be brought to the 2010 Reunion and AGM at the school on Sunday, the 16th. May where they will be exhibited for the judging process. A First Prize of £50 is offered for the winning entry, which will be reported in the press.

Thanks for your support!

Obituary

We have been informed by Mair Derrick that her husband, Malcolm Derrick sadly passed away last November following a very long and severe illness. Malcolm attended the Moseley School of Art between 1947-50 and worked, for over 40 years, as a Theatrical Agent dealing with many of the most famous names in show business.

Obituary

It is with sadness that we have to announce the passing of Carol Annan, who was a pupil of the Moseley School of Art between 1953-56. Carol's funeral will take place at 2.30pm on Friday, 16th. April at the Robin Hood Cemetary, Hall Green, Birmingham. The family have requested donations to the Myton Hospice, where Carol was cared for during the latter part of her life, instead of flowers. Further information will be posted to our Obituary webpage when received.

John Walker (1955)

John Walker, who attended MSA between 1952-55, continues to enjoy success in his painting.

(With Acknowledgements to the Birmingham Post)

"Birmingham-born John is one of Britain’s most internationally renowned postwar painters, but you wouldn’t necessarily think so to judge from his recent profile in London.

His 2009 exhibition at Chelsea’s Offer Waterman Gallery was his first in the UK since 1984, when he had a major exhibition of paintings from a recent residency in Australia at the Hayward Gallery running concurrently with a retrospective of his prints at the Tate. The following year he was nominated for the Turner Prize, but since then little has been seen of him in this country. That is largely explained by the fact that Walker, 71 this year, is a long-time US resident. He runs the postgraduate painting programme at Boston University, and has a home on the Maine coast where he hosts outdoor painting summer schools for his students.

Asked why he hasn’t shown his work in Britain for a quarter of a century, he has a simple answer: “No one asked me,” he says. “I’m not one of those artists who goes round promoting himself. The art world has been kind to me, but I can’t go out there and tell people and show my work. This exhibition came about because a dealer from New York came and wanted pictures, and he knew this other dealer and it was fixed that way.”

The National Gallery of Art in Washington is currently showing a huge painting from 2008 which it has recently bought from Walker. Twenty years ago, when Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery had yet to acquire a painting by this native of Weoley Castle, I remember counting up how many museums worldwide had work by him in their collections: there were 22 in the US alone. The latest count (not necessarily complete) is 25, and Walker has the rare distinction of being represented both in the Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, and the Yale Center for British Art, New Haven, Connecticut. Now Birmingham has caught up, and owns three paintings by Walker – one from the 1960s, one from the 1990s and a recent addition from 2006.

As it turns out, Walker wasn’t aware of this. On his last visit to the Museum & Art Gallery he wasn’t that impressed: “It seemed as though it hadn’t changed at all. I even felt I was walking on the same carpets that were there for 40 years.”
He is pleased to hear that there are moves towards establishing a new museum of contemporary art in his home town, and suggests it should be located “in Selly Oak, or somewhere where the people are.”

He recalls his own introduction to art, which came just around the end of the Second World War. “My father was a postman. He used to collect mail out of the pillar boxes and I used to travel around with him. I would be about seven. He would open the door of the Barber Institute and tell the woman at the counter that he would be back for me in half an hour. “He was doing it for convenience, but that was really my introduction to art.”

Later he became a pupil at Moseley School of Art where he actually shared a desk with Peter Phillips, who became one of Britain’s leading Pop artists in the early 1960s. “That was a great little art school,” he says. “Meredith Hawes, head of the Birmingham College of Art, would come around and if he spotted someone good he would get them to go there. I remember waiting for him to ask me, and he did – but he never forgave me for not being as famous as David Hockney!”

Walker was part of the generation which caught the full impact of postwar American painting – abstract expressionism and its subsequent derivations. It meant big canvases which hung directly on the wall. He is usually thought of as an abstract painter, but there was always a tendency for his paintings to focus on some kind of visual hook which sometimes took on an explicit form – for example, the skull which appears in his Australian paintings. Other recognisable devices, including lettering, have continued to figure in his subsequent work.

Usually associated with large paintings like the Juggernaut series from the 1970s, Walker has turned to a miniature scale for his latest exhibition. This was prompted by a move to a new studio in a former community hall, where he found a pile of discarded bingo cards. “They were almost the only thing left,” he recalls. “I piled them up and put them in black garbage bags to throw away." But then it struck him that it might be interesting to make small paintings on the cards. His first idea was to use the backs of them, but then he turned them over and started using the numbers to jump-start the paintings.

Walker tends to talk about his recent work in terms of landscape. “I spend a lot of time sitting outside painting landscapes these days. You know what they say about English artists – if you cut them you don’t draw blood, you draw a landscape.”

Fifty years ago the tendency of British abstract painters to make references to landscape and illusionary space earned the disapproval of the renowned American critic Clement Greenberg, the leading theorist of American abstraction, with his philosophical insistence on the flatness of the picture surface. “Greenberg always complained about my painting, but actually he was very kind to me and very supportive,” Walker says. “I think it went back to the days of the John Moores exhibition, when he was a judge and I was given a prize. He was always very interested in my art but I wasn’t one of his close confidantes.”

Painting may not have the dominance or the close stylistic focus it once had within American art, but Walker believes there is still plenty of life in it. “It’s slowed down a bit in the last two or three years because of the economy, but it seems to be extremely important and young people seem to be flooding into graduate schools. At Boston we have 500-600 applications for 15 places. We do specialise in painting because that’s what I’m good at - teaching. A lot of art schools do very little, so we get all the kids who want to paint, and we can select the best.

“I keep saying I like to wake up in the morning and see what people are doing. That’s very important, that I can see what young people are doing.”

Meredith Hawes - Former Principal, Birmingham College of Art

We thought it would be of interest to the large number of our members who were also students at Birmingham Art College to provide news of the life of Meredith Hawes, who was Principal of the College for many years.

Meredith Hawes: Artist and Educationalist :

MEREDITH HAWES spent the whole of his life in art and teaching.

He was a passionate educator for whom art was as much a mission as a profession. "Paint what you see, not what you know. Look at it with your eye not your brains" was his invariable advice. He listed the subject matter of his own pictures as "landscapes, sea and water, harvest scenes, boats and architecture".

Hawes was born in 1905 at Thornton Heath in Surrey. The young Meredith's original intention was to become a scientist, and after attending Selhurst Grammar School in Croydon he was about to take up a place at University College London to read Chemistry. At the last moment however he decided that his future lay in art - although his headmaster prophesied "dire results" - and studied instead from 1922 to 1924 at Croydon School of Art.

He then went to the Royal College of Art, where his contemporaries included Edward Bawden, Eric Ravilious and Ceri Richards. Although working on book illustration which required small, detailed drawings, at the same time Hawes became involved in the RCA's theatrical society for which he both designed and painted scenery. This large-scale work was to lead to some exceptional projects.

During his first post as a teaching assistant at Bournemouth School of Art Hawes received his first commission, for a decorative panel in the house of a doctor in Manchester. Other commissions followed: panels for a restaurant and a ballroom, then a scheme for a new cinema in Poole; painting the foyer and auditorium was an enormous task although by now he had a number of helpers.

After a short period at Derby College of Art as head of the design department Hawes moved to the College of Art in Hull as Vice Principal. One day he was called in to the mayor's office where he was asked to come up with a scheme for the city centre of Hull to commemorate the Coronation of George VI. This was a huge undertaking; after completion it took three days and the valiant assistance of the fire service to get all the decorations into place.

Subsequently Hawes was appointed Principal in turn of the Bournville School of Art and Crafts, Birmingham, in 1938, Portsmouth College of Art in 1945, and finally Birmingham College of Art, where he was also Director of the Branch Schools, including the Moseley School of Art.

In Birmingham the city council initiated a "Plays in the Park" scheme which involved Hawes in working yet again on an enormous scale in order to decorate the 200ft-long, 20ft-high side of Birmingham Town Hall. Panels nine feet square were painted in an aircraft hangar and fitted together on site while Hawes was in constant dread lest one of his assistants fell from or through it.

Hawes was an amusing raconteur, and one of his less successful commissions featured in a story he used to tell against himself about the 40ft mock- up of a whale done for a Chelsea Arts Ball of the 1940s: when he got it on to the stage the whale just disintegrated.

Despite his heavy teaching commitments Hawes still managed to find time to do graphic work for publishers including John Murray, the Oxford University Press and Jonathan Cape. He also designed for the Gas Council and the Electricity Board.
As an artist he worked within the English landscape tradition but his pictures are always strong, vivid and solidly structured. Although he made use of several media, by choice he worked in gouache or bodycolour (opaque watercolour); this preference began as a student when he became interested in medieval illuminated manuscripts and Persian and Indian miniatures.

Towards the end of his life he returned to the strong colours - vibrant greens and pinks and yellows - he had favoured in the 1930s. Although his sight eventually began to fail he never wore glasses but preferred to make use of his own, typically individual, arrangement of two magnifying glasses sellotaped together. Hawes was a genial figure, ample in girth, strong in his views; with his long side-whiskers he might have been taken for a bucolic West Country farmer or a landlord.

In 1934 Hawes married Edith Sylvia Kirkland, who had been a student at Bournemouth College of Art. She died of cancer in 1959. There were three children. Margaret, whom he married in 1963, was a senior lecturer in art history.
Hawes made his last home at Torpoint in Cornwall from where, together with his wife Margaret, he ran classes for the Extra-Mural Department of Exeter University, and painted scenes of the River Lynher.

In 1952 he was made a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths for his services to the Arts. He was involved with many institutions, and was a member of both the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists (who held a large retrospective of his work in July 1997) and the Royal Watercolour Society. He sold two of the three pictures he exhibited at the spring show of the RWS in 1999, whilst in May 1999 Abbott & Holder in Bloomsbury held an exhibition of his work mostly from the 1920s and 1930s. An unfinished drawing was on his easel at the time of his death.

Meredith William Hawes, artist: born Thornton Heath, Surrey 17 April 1905; three times married (one son, two daughters, three stepdaughters); died Torpoint, Cornwall 7 July 1999.

Joyce Birch (Cooper)('46)

The funeral of Joyce Birch (Cooper)('46) took place on Tuesday, 9th. February 2010 at Lodge Hill Crematorium, Birmingham. The service was well attended by members of her family and friends, and the President and Wendy Collins attended to represent the Moseley School of Art Association, leaving a floral tribute on behalf of our members. Joyce died following a long battle with cancer. Joyce attended the Moseley School of Art between 1943-6 and her infectious enthusiasm will be missed by all who met her at our reunions.

Looking for Derek Drinkwater ('72)

We've received an enquiry for contact details for Derek from his old friend John Pallett, who now lives in Australia. Derek, whose brother David also attended MSA hasn't as yet been in contact with the Association, so if anyone knows how he can be contacted, please ask him to contact us so that we can let him have John's contact details.

The Birmingham Grid

Dave Allen, who conceived and led the successful Birmingham Grid project from its inception, has informed us that the exhibition at the Mailbox, Birmingham has now been demounted following the progress with works involving demolition of a wall within the Mailbox which formed part of the exhibition space. Dave felt elated when the Mailbox management agreed to host the exhibition - he couldn't have dreamt that it would still be there 14 months later!

We look forward to hearing what Dave is planning next - another grid? Somewhere a little more exotic than Birmingham? I'm certain that whatever and wherever it is, Dave will ensure that it will be as successful as The Birmingham Grid has been, and that he will be able to rely on members of our Association to help to achieve another great success.

Obituary

We are sad to inform members that John Thompson, who attended the Moseley School of Art between 1958-61 died in 2004. We are awaiting further details from John's daughter, Nicola, which will be reported here when received.

Obituary

We are sad to inform members that Harry Freeman, who also attended the Moseley School of Art between 1958-61 died some years ago. Further details are not yet known but will be posted here when received.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

We wish all former pupils of the Moseley School of Art a Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year!

The New Year Newsletter is nearing completion, and will be mailed out shortly to subscribing members. If you aren't yet a subscribing member, please consider joining. It's great value for money, and we're a diminishing resource - they're not making any more of us!

The annual subscription of £17.50 entitles you not only to our newsletters, but to free entry to our Annual Reunion and Association AGM, and includes a lavish buffet lunch for yourself and your partner!

You can download a copy of our membership form HERE

You'll need to have Adobe Reader installed - simplicity itself with a free download from HERE

Irene German has found us!

We're sure that anyone who attended the Moseley School of Art during the early 1960's will remember Irene, who attended MSA between 1959-62. I never saw her without a smile on her face, and it seems she hasn't lost that smile or her good looks - here she is, pictured in 2008 with her son, Tom.

Irene, who now lives in New Zealand, has contacted us to ask if any of her old friends would like to get in touch. She mentions the first names that came to mind - Jackie Harper, Margaret Atkinson, Andy Upson, Michael Driscoll, Frank Devine and Leonie Webb - but would love to be contacted by any of her old friends.

Please contact me for her email address.

Happy 90th. Birthday to Auntie Ruby!

We're sure that you'd like to join us in wishing former student Ruby Colson (Summers), better known to us as "Auntie Ruby", a very Happy Birthday on achieving her 90th. today, Thursday, 26th. November 2009.

Ruby attended the Moseley School of Art between 1932-35 . . . to put that in perspective, that was the time that Hitler came to power in Germany (although there is no evidence that the two events were related).

A stalwart supporter of our Association, she is also the Aunt of Sally Somersby (Leach), who attended MSA between 1956-59, and is the Year Rep for the 1959 leavers.

We look forward to seeing Ruby at our 2010 Reunion at the school on Sunday, 16th. May.

Obituary

It is with sadness that we have to announce the passing of Melvin Freear, a student at the Moseley School of Art from 1954-57. Melvin's widow has informed us that he had suffered an aggressive form of cancer and passed away peacefully in Bronglais hospital, Aberyswyth with all of his family around him on Friday 30th October 2009. He was interred on Monday, 9th. November at Darowen, Powys, Wales.

Class of 1960 Annual Luncheon

Jan Williams (Cox) and Ron Carter organised yet another successful Annual Luncheon Reunion for all those who left the Moseley School of Art in July, 1960 on Sunday, 18th. October 2009 at the Plough and Harrow Hotel, Hagley Rd., Birmingham. It was an extra special occasion inasmuch as everyone was celebrating their own 65th. birthday year.

Jan says:

"Well, what can I say except 'thank you' to everyone who came and made the 1960 leavers 65th birthday reunion such a success!

We were very pleased to have former teacher Bob Ashby and his wife, Joy join us, much to the surprise of the boys, who were very surprised to see him after such a long time. We were disappointed to hear that former Head Jack Taylor wouldn't be able to join us due to his wife's illness, but we were delighted to be joined by Barbara Faulkner (Woodward) who left MSA in 1961 and later returned as a teacher. We also had two new ex-Moseley pupils join us this year, Norman Hutton, who lives half/most of his year in Spain and Rob Pardue, who said he had been wondering where we were (he has found us now and there is no escape!).

Mary Pendleton brought along her MSA school folder which she had found in her loft, much to the delight of the girls - we remembered the time we worked on our own folders.

This years photo includes the 'other halves' - after so many reunions they must feel like 'ex Moseleyites' and, once again - many thanks to them for their support.

Thanks once again to everyone for coming, and, for those who couldn`t make it, your names are down for next year!
It was wonderful to see you again.

Jan Williams (Cox)"

Nick Kane ('78)

Nick, who left MSA in 1978 and now lives in Japan, has uploaded some new paintings to his website at www.nkpaintings .com The works are varied and fall into the categories of landscape, abstract, motor racing and still life, and are for sale via the site. Nice work - take a look!

Philip Galley ('61)

Philip has contacted us from his home in Nairobi, Kenya, to say that he'd be delighted to make contact with any of the former members of the Year of '61.

He lists a whole list of friends he'd like to catch up with, so please let me know if you'd like his email address.

Philip has become a well known wildlife and landscape artist, and has exhibited at Christies Wildlife Art Auction, the Mall Galleries, London, and other leading galleries.

He visits the UK occasionally, and has held workshop exhibitions in Chichester, York, Harrogate and other venues.

Barbara Regan (Haines) ('62)

Barbara has contacted us with a request for a copy of the 1962 Class Photo on which she appeared. She was absent when the whole school photo was taken, and would love to have a copy of the Class photograph on which she did appear that included all her friends.

Please do contact us if you have a copy of the photo. We can copy it to professional standards and return it to you within a week.

The same invitation goes anyone who has ANY photographs, relating to ANY period of the Moseley School of Art.

Nick Kane ('78)

Nick took time out to travel all the way from his home in Hiroshima, Japan to join us at our 2008 Reunion - quite a commitment. Nick has taken up painting again, and has now contacted us to let us know that his new website is completed. He is asking if everyone could visit the site and give him feedback - in particular, design, layout, ease of use, image quality, download time, spelling mistakes and of course, content. You can visit his website by clicking HERE

Free Website Update Notification - FollowSite.com

Fed up not knowing if something new has been added to this website?

One way of making sure you're made aware of a change immediately its made is to use the free FollowSite.com facility. Just go to their website and follow the simple instructions. The address to enter for this webpage is -

http://www.moseley-art-school.co.uk/news.html

Setting this up takes only a minute or two, and once set up you'll receive an email notifying you every time this webpage is updated. You can, of course, enter as many webpages to their service as you want, from this or any other website.

For fine Masonic Photography visit MasterFoto

2009 Reunion - See our Reunion Page

The account of our 2009 Reunion has now been uploaded and can be seen HERE

Obituary

It is with great sadness that we have to inform our members that Susan Jones (Pimm) died on the 21st. December 2008 following a long illness. The news that Susan had died was passed to the Association by Paul Sankey on the day of the 2009 Reunion. A pupil at the school between 1960-63, Susan had been a personal friend of the President, Graeme Collins.

Reunion Update

We have now finalised the format for the day at our AGM and Reunion on Sunday, 17th. May at the old school.

FORMAT FOR THE DAY, COMMENCING 11 am :

11.00 RECEPTION

11.30 AGM COMMENCES

Welcome
1.  Apologies
2.  Obituary
3.  Minutes of the Last Meeting
4.  Financial Statement
5.  Election of Officers:

a.  President
b.  Treasurer
c.  Academic Officer
d.  Exhibitions Secretary

6.  Subscription Fee Review
7.  David Allen ('75) – Presentation of photographs taken in the Birmingham Grid Project

8.  Bruce Sabin ('74) – Illustrated Retrospective of His Fascinating Career in Visual Media
9.  Presentation of Bouquet to Most Senior Member Present
10.  Roy Dalton - The Chandelier Ceremonial Switch-on (Attended by Press)

1.00 LUNCH

PRE-REGISTRATIONS:

Pre-registrations continue to rise, but we want that really big landmark attendance that will beat our previous best - we look forward to seeing everyone on the 17th. for a great day!

Look who's coming!

The list of former students attending our Reunion on the 17th.May is building nicely, but remember . . . there may not be a Reunion next year, so please make sure that you use this special opportunity to meet up with old friends who are travelling from all over the world to be there!

The Big Switch-On . . . thanks to Roy Dalton ('62)

It has become a custom to present the owners of the school with a cheque at our Reunion meetings as a means of supporting them with the overheads of maintaining the school building. This year will see a completely different approach to supporting the owners, thanks, in no small part, to the generosity of Roy Dalton ('62). Whilst in conversation with the owners, they mentioned that they are completely re-wiring the building, and that they wanted to install a light fitting above the short landing at the head of the dual staircase. I took the opportunity of offering, on behalf of the Association, a feature light fitting of our choice in keeping with the character of the building, this instead of presenting a cheque. I felt that our members would be happier in making a contribution in a form that they can actually see.

Roy, who owns West Midlands Lighting Ltd., a company which specialises in wholesaling and retailing light fittings, very generously offered to provide a chandelier fitting at below cost, and, following agreement on the design with the owners, the fitting, which has a retail value of £2,200.00, was supplied and is now fitted. We, accompanied by the press, will perform an official "Switching On" of the chandelier at our Reunion.

Obituary - former teacher Mr. Ernie Price

We are extremely sad to announce that Ernie, who taught at our school for 16 years and was a staunch supporter of the Association, has passed away. We have been informed that his funeral took place last week.

A full obituary will be posted to our Obituary Webpage shortly.

01.05.09

Membership Standing Order Forms

Having received a number of requests for copies of the Standing Order Form, just a reminder - you can download a copy from our website HERE

You'll need to have Adobe Reader installed - simplicity itself with a free download from HERE

Reunion Attendees from Overseas

The latest notifications of attendance from overseas to join us at our Reunion on the 17th. May have come from DENNIS GREEN ('58), who will be flying over from his home in Perth, Western Australia, and BOB SEDGLEY (also '58), who now lives in Villalonga, near Valencia, Spain.

I have asked that everyone intending to join us should pre-register (just let me know your name and the name(s) of anyone attending with you, and the years you attended) so that we can estimate catering requirements and prepare name badges without the customary last-minute rush that places a great deal of unnecessary pressure on us.

I'm grateful to those who have already pre-registered . . . please send us yours if you haven't done so already - Thanks !

Moseley School of Art Association - Tasmania Branch 2009

WONDER WHAT THE CHANCES ARE OF THIS HAPPENING AGAIN?

Ivan and Marie Haycock ('44) decided to pay a visit to Tasmania during their recent trip to Australia and New Zealand. Their friend had mentioned a friend they knew who lived in Tasmania and owned a cottage which they rented out. They duly arrived and moved into the cottage after meeting one of the owners, Barbara Lawson. They saw little of her husband as he only returned home from work at weekends. It was only on the sixteenth and final day of their stay at the cottage that they met her husband, Eric, who hails from Birmingham.

It was only on the night before their departure from Tasmania that Ivan and Marie finally met Eric, when they got together for a farewell drink. During conversation, Ivan mentioned that he and Marie had attended school in Birmingham, and Eric asked which school that was . . . you can guess the rest - Eric Lawson also attended the Moseley School of Art, leaving in 1961.

Eric is well known to us as a former pupil - photos of him can be found HERE - but neither Ivan or Marie had ever heard of him.

Waking the following morning still finding it difficult to believe that they had managed to accidentally find (probably) the only ex-Moseleyite in Tasmania, Ivan and Marie stepped outside to find Eric with the sign (he must have been up most of the night making it) depicted in the photo below, which made their day.

Ivan and Marie, pictured with Eric (right)

If any members would like to contact Eric with a view to booking a holiday stay, I'm sure he'd be delighted to hear from you - contact details from me at the Email link above.

Peter Maddocks ('43)

Does anyone remember Peter, who left our school in 1943?

He subequently joined the Merchant Navy until 1949, when he entered the world of cartooning. Peter worked for many of the top Fleet Street newspapers, then formed his own production company producing animated cartoons for the BBC and GMTV. Another achievement was the establishment of the London School of Cartooning in 1977. Peter retired to Southern Spain in 2000, and now enjoys experimenting with different painting styles. Some of his work can be seen on his website

Update: Cancellation of 2009 Spring Exhibition

- Reunion to Go Ahead as Arranged

Having allowed a further two weeks for potential exhibitors to express their wish to exhibit works at our proposed Spring Exhibition, I am sad to announce that we have had only a few further statements of interest. The forms which enabled former students to provide us with a statement of interest were sent out to everyone for whom we have a postal address, so we have to assume that there is no appetite for an exhibition this year. We enjoy the goodwill of the school owners, and it would be detrimental to our relationship with them if, after booking the school for two weeks, we failed to go ahead without giving them a decent period of notice, which would prevent them from taking alternative bookings.

It is therefore with regret that, in consultation with Jan Williams, our hardworking Assistant Exhibitions Secretary we have reluctantly taken the decision to cancel this year's exhibition. The organisation of an exhibition involves a massive amount of work, not only for myself, but for the small but dedicated group of helpers. It also involves a considerable amount of cost, which has to be recouped from the commission on sales before we can show a profit. I'm glad that I forwarded "Statement of Interest" forms with our last newsletter - it's helped us to avoid an even more disappointing situation. Our thanks go to those few former students who pledged works - I'm sure you'll be as disappointed as us that our show won't be going ahead.

The Whole School Reunion will definitely go ahead as planned on Sunday, 17th. May. Unlike the exhibition, the indications are that we should have a very good Reunion attendance with, once again, a number of people travelling from overseas to join us.

Jan is very keen to organise a one-day display of works and items of interest on Reunion Day, and is appealing for members to bring works with them on the day which can be displayed and, if you wish, be offered for sale. There will be plenty of hanging space, so please do bring something along - we'll be doing plenty of photography for the website and archive.

For fine Masonic Photography visit MasterFoto

06.03.09

Obituary

We have received a message from Mrs. Claire Bullock informing us that her mother, MARGARET HICKINBOTHAM (EYLES) who attended our shool between 1935-38 has passed away. It is hoped that we will receive further details in due course.

Obituary

We have been informed by Carl Downe ('49) that TREVOR CHARLTON, who attended MSA between 1945-48, passed away in February 2009, aged 77 years. Further detail will be posted shortly.

Obituary

We have been informed that PETER ROBINS, who attended the school between 1948-51, passed away on the 19th. November 2007. Further details will be posted shortly.

Trevor Ashby ('59)

Trevor became a fine art photographer following his career in teaching. He currently has an exhibition of his recent work at the Lensky Gallery, Little Elms, The Square, Stow on the Wold, Gloucestershire GL54 1AF. The exhibition is based on the series of super black and white images he created at the Eden Project, Cornwall. You can preview the exhibition by visiting http://lenskygallery.com/trevor_ashby09.php

The 2009 Reunion and Spring Exhibition - Update

Plans are progressing toward our Annual Reunion, and we're looking forward to a very large attendance!

The response to our call for works for the exhibition, however, has been disappointing. It seems that the Credit Crunch and Recession have dealt a blow to the morale of prospective exhibitors for our exhibition. The call for works has been less than encouraging, and it's looking at the present moment as though the exhibition won’t proceed as organising the stands, signage and admin for an exhibition is a very large commitment in terms of cost, and the time and labour of our committed group of volunteers. A final decision hasn't yet been made, but it's unlikely that the exhibition will go ahead unless we receive a substantial increase in the number of works pledged as exhibits.

The Reunion will definitely go ahead as planned on Sunday 17th. May - details as previously circulated.

22.02.09

Terry Neal (1950)

Members will be sad to learn that Terry, a highly respected contributor to the Association, is experiencing severe health problems.

Terry entered hospital last July for a comparatively routine operation but suffered a massive stroke whilst under the anaesthetic. Whilst remaining in hospital for treatment, he contracted an infection which caused septicaemia, as a result of which he had to have his bowel removed. Terry has remained in hospital in Rowley Regis for the last seven months. He has lost his ability to speak, and has severely impaired use of the limbs on one side of his body. Terry's wife, Diane, has asked me to relate the above to our members, and hopes that his friends from the Association will feel like contacting him with a little support.

I hope that you will feel like sending a card or a note to Terry - it would make a great difference. If you'd like to send him something, please contact me via the email link above for his address.

16.01.09

Robert (Bob) Ball (1933)

An obituary has been uploaded for Bob, who passed away last year. To view the obituary, please go to http://www.moseley-art-school.co.uk/page8.html

The 1960 Leavers Mini Reunion

The leavers of 1960 enjoyed another great Reunion on Sunday, 19th. October 2008, which was organised by Jan Williams and Ron Carter.

Jan writes :

"Our 1960 leavers had a very enjoyable Sunday afternoon at the Plough and Harrow Hotel, Hagley Road, Birmingham meeting up again with our old friends from MSA.
This year it was wonderful to welcome two new `Fags` who joined us - our `old` head boy Derek (Ned) Spall and Barbara (Woodward) Faulkner.
 
Derek trained as an Interior Designer which gave him a lifetime of doing what he loves best, including designing interiors, furniture, decoration and fittings for a number of Palaces and Residences for the Saudi Royal Family. He now enjoys living with his wife Chris near to Loch Lomond, overlooking the Clyde. Derek was located by Graeme Collins via the MSAA "Missing Persons" scheme.

"Barbara Faulkner (Woodward) also came along. Although Barbara left MSA in 1961, she asked if she could join us, as she remembers a lot of people from our year. Many would remember Barbara as she spent seven years teaching back at Moseley. After more successful years as head of Art at other schools, she found she had a panache for the knitting machine, which resulted in her having a very successful company designing and making exclusive ladies wear.

Sheila Fawkes (Ravenscroft) has had a very successful year and must be congratulated on obtaining a MA (with distinction) in Fine Art. Well done, Sheila! Watch this space - who knows what she will get up to next . . . ? It was very gratifying to me to know that the 1960 leavers took the time to come along and to still want to be a part of the old school. Thank you all again, and thanks to the families, wives, husbands and partners too - with their support we are able to indulge ourselves and to  continue with our reunions. As a last note: if anyone knows of the whereabouts of any other 1960 leavers, PLEASE get in touch with Graeme, via the web site, who will pass a message on to either Ron or myself. Wishing you all a Happy Christmas and a Happy and Healthy (knowing our ages, bits start to fall off) New Year. Till 2009 - see you then!"

Jan and Ron

Preliminary Call for Works

The MSAA 2009 Spring Exhibition

The 2009 Spring Exhibition will take place at the Moseley School of Art building, 496 Moseley Road, Birmingham B12 9AH

from

Sunday, 17th. to Saturday, 23rd. May 2009

Submission of works is invited from former pupils and teachers of the school, together with all students, present or past, of the Birmingham College of Art.

Outline details, which are subject to minor change, are as follows :

Reception of Works Day :

11am – 2pm, Saturday, 9th May (provisional). For those who can’t make that day / time, arrangements have been made for works to be deposited and stored securely at Gale & Co. Ltd., 12 Lee Bank Business Centre, 55 Holloway Head, Birmingham B1 1HP, a local reputable framer (established 1845) who will deliver works on your behalf on Reception Day (modest fee payable, approx. £12)

Prize Awards :

Prizes will be awarded for the 3 works created during previous 2 years (regardless of medium) judged to be best by a panel of judges on Reception Day

Exhibition Fee :

An exhibition fee will be payable for each work exhibited, payable on presentation of the work(s). The fee will be refunded if the work is sold. The fee is yet to be finalised, but is likely to be in the order of £5 per work / £15 larger works. Self contained free-standing displays of reasonable size will be charged at £55

Commission on Sales :

25% of sale price. Exibitors are reminded that realistic prices result in sales.

Preparation of Exhibition Spaces :

Mon 11th May – Sat 16th May inclusive, 10am – 2pm daily (there’ll be some flexibility, depending on needs at time) Volunteers are needed - your help would be most welcome. Please email us at the Email us above with your availability

Opening :

The Exhibition will open immediatley following the Annual General Meeting of the Association at 11am, Sunday 17th May 2009

Exhibition closes :

2.30pm, Saturday 23rd (all unsold works to be collected by then unless other arrangements made)

Categories of Works :

Paintings, Drawings, Sculpture, Photography, Fabrics, Ceramics, Pottery, Metalware, Multimedia, Fashion, Jewellery. It is regretted that, in deference to the wishes of the Muslim owners of the building, works should not depict the naked human form.

For further details, please contact the President, Graeme Collins at the Email Link above. It is with regret that we have to announce that Ron Carter has resigned from his office as Exhibitions Secretary for family and professional reasons.

For fine Masonic Photography visit MasterFoto

From Nick Kane - Tokyo, Japan

Nick, who left MSA in 1978, now lives in Tokyo whilst working in Germany in the automotive design industry. He has sent us the following set of reminiscences following his time at our school and at our 2008 Reunion . . .

The Journey . . .

Industrial Design? Automotive Industry?  Graham "Eddie" Pepall was standing in our old form room (where Mary Wills used to take our class 2W) giving a lecture about his  book "It's About You". Imagine going to a school reunion for the first time and meeting your old boss . . . never realizing  that we had both attended the same school? I recalled our time together at International Automotive Design in Worthing, West Sussex  and in particular, nervously walking into his office one day,to ask for a pay rise. Attending a school reunion is a strange affair. For me, it also meant visiting a country I left 20 plus years ago. All of a sudden you are sitting with your classmates retelling old stories, enquiring about others. It was Groundhog Day. I particularly enjoyed Paul Taylor's (1978) story about being "arrested" by Constable Ian Freeman (also 1978) for not paying his bus fare. He was then frog-marched back to his house much to the alarm of his wife, before the laughter got the better of them. So there we were, sitting upstairs in the Art rooms attending to the business of the Moseley School of Art Association and listening to the guest speakers. The efforts of the committee must be acknowledged here for putting on a very well structured day for our enjoyment. All the speakers, Dave Allen "The Birmingham Grid", Eddie Pepall and Michael Richardson "Careless Talk" all added to the general mood towards reflection and re-visiting the past. Even before the doors opened I was reflecting on that small, timid barely 11 year-old boy trying to navigate his way across the city.
Now, thanks to the speakers, I was also re-evaluating my schooling and it's influence on my adult life. Those first journeys to school were often traumatic. I was frequently late. I missed buses, got off at the wrong stops, and failing to understand the difference between a 27 and a 27A nearly brought me to tears. Even now, I hate being late for appointments. Soon though, I found myself branching out and finding new routes to school. Was this the start of some adventurous spirit in me? The journeys then took on a social aspect, meeting friends from Moseley and other schools on the way. Again I started veering off my quickest route to be with some mates. Andrew Mason(?) 1977(?) number 35 bus, if I recall correctly, always seemed to have something to sell. A penknife, football cards, mini screw driver kits - all at unbeatable prices. I seemed to spend half the journey declining his wares. Did this provoke in me a general dislike of salesmen? Toward the end of my time at MSA I had settled on the easiest, though not shortest, route. Three buses incorporating two teminii. This route yielded the most mates per bus return than any other. I  never considered going to MSA as being unusual in any way. As a child I tended to accept things very easily. Looking back, I believe we enjoyed a unique experience in education which, sadly, no longer exists. I left school fortunate enough to find a job in an art and design related field. Not only that but I became a leading authority on Bus routes of southern Birmingham. Yes, that timid boy still exists, he still paints and he still goes about his life in much the same way.Thanks again to the organizing committee for bringing a few class mates together again and thanks Eddie for that pay rise all those years ago.
         

Nick  Kane

Nick intends to join us again at our next reunion on the 17th. May 2009. We look forward to seeing him then.

1960 Leavers Luncheon Reunion - Sunday, 19th. October

The former pupils of Moseley School of Art who left in 1960 are to hold a Leavers Luncheon Reunion Meeting at 1.30pm on Sunday, 19th. October 2008 at the Plough and Harrow Hotel, Hagley Rd., Birmingham. Anyone attending is assured of a great time - if you'd like further information, please email Jan Williams (Cox) HERE

It is hoped that Derek Spall who was found via the Association's "Missing Persons" facility will be able to attend. (Please see the item below for information about how to find old friends)

The "Birmingham Grid" to open at the Birmingham Mailbox

Those members who were lucky enough to attend our 2008 reunion and AGM at the school will remember the presentation on the fantastic Birmingham Grid project created out by former student Dave Allen, who left the school in 1975. The Birmingham Grid is now to receive a public showing at one of Birmingham's premier visitor sites.

The show commences at the Mailbox on Saturday, 1st. November and will feature the first ever presentation of the whole grid on a single wall. For the first two weeks of the show individual photographs will be presented on a 60 inch plasma screen.

The show, which is presented in association with THE MAILBOX, THE IKON GALLERY and RETAIL BIRMINGHAM, is sponsored by London advertising agency BEATTIE MCGUINNESS BUNGAY, whose Creative director is Trevor Beattie, a former student of the Moseley School of Art.

The project comprises a systematic look at Birmingham within Birmingham's Number 11 bus route. It consists of 340 photographs which correspond to precise points on a map grid taken mainly during 2007 by people who work in Birmingham, live there, grew up there, go to school there or have some other connection with the city. Over a third of the photographs were taken by former students of the Moseley School of Art.

We hope you'll make a special effort to support Dave by visiting the show - find out more by visiting his website at www.birmingham-photographic-grid.org.uk/

If you haven't visited the Mailbox before, take a look at their website at www.mailboxlife.com/

Fancy a day out at Stourport on Severn?

One of our 1957 leavers, Janice Rowlatt (nee Hines) has asked if we could publicise an exhibition of works for sale organised by the Great Witley Art Group which will be held on Sunday 26th. October 2008 at the village hall, Great Witley, which is a few miles outside Stourport on Severn, Worcestershire.

Admission is free and tea, coffee and cakes will be available. The exhibition will be open for one day only, and will run from 10.30 till 4.30pm. There is plenty of parking at the front of the hall.
 
The Great Witley Art Group are enthusiastic amateur artists who create paintings and works in a variety of other media and this will be an opportunity to acquire a work of art at modest cost.
 
If you'd like to make a full day day of it, the stunning yet little-known Witley Church is only five minutes way. It has magnificent baroque ceiling paintings, and it really is like stepping inside a gilded work of art, as a visit to the website http://www.360spin.co.uk/portfolio/church.htm will show.

Immediately adjacent is Witley Court, the stately home built by the Earl of Dudley, now owned by English Heritage - also well worth a visit. http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.16927

Janice and her friends look forward to seeing old friends from Moseley Art School on the day.

Missing Persons - time's running out !

The Association has already managed to reunite many hundreds of old friends, and there's still time to find some more - using our limited-time search facility. Just let us have a full name and a likely location (town, county etc.) and we'll see if we can make you as happy as Brian Wilson, who's just had the fantastic experience of meeting with his old schoolfriend from MSA, Ken Holt for the first time since they left school 57 years ago.

Obituary

It is with great sadness that we have to announce that Maggi Davis, who left our school in 1965, has died after a long illness.

A funeral service took place on Wednesday, 20th. August 2008 at Haycombe Crematorium, near Bath, at 12.30pm., and was followed by a reception at the family home. Condolences were offered on behalf of our members, and a floral tribute from the Association was provided. A full obituary notice will be posted shortly to our Obituary Webpage.

Missing Persons - find your former friends from MSA!

If, like all of the other former students of the Moseley School of Art, you've ever wondered how you can locate those special friends from your time at the school, you now have a search facility available to you that enables you to do just that. The facility is only available for a fixed period, and extends only to searches for people living in the UK.

If you let us have the first name, last name and location of your friend, we'll run a check which may well result in a phone number or address. We've already found hundreds of former pupils using this facility. The search is, of course, much more fruitful when searching for males as females tend to change name when marrying, although this is sometimes reversed following divorce when the maiden name is resumed. Correct spelling of names is of course very important, and the 'location' can include suburb name, village, town, city or county. The more unusual or less common the name, the more likely that the search will be successful. It's extremely unlikely that 'Roy Wood' will still be found at a 1960's address at 'Kitts Green', for example, so please make sure that you provide a recent, realistic location.

Please forward your enquiry to us at the EMail address at the top of this page. It's going to be interesting to see how many nuts we can shake out of the tree !

Roberta Lippett ('68)

Judith Wainwright, the Year Rep for the leavers of 1968 is busy trying to trace all of her old friends who haven't already been traced. In particular, she's anxious to trace Roberta (uncertain of spelling of her surname) who was a special friend. If you attended the Moseley School of Art between 1962-8, or indeed any other period, and would like to make contact with the host of members already on our Register of Former Pupils, please contact us via the Email address above.

The 2008 AGM & Reunion

An account of the proceedings has been uploaded to our Reunion page.

Obituary

A full obituary for Paul Nicholas, who left the Moseley School of Art in 1971, has now been posted to our Obituary Webpage at www.moseley-art-school.co.uk/page4_OB.htm

Obituary

A full obituary for Valerie Burton, who left the Moseley School of Art in 1952, has now been posted to our Obituary Webpage at www.moseley-art-school.co.uk/page4_OB.htm

1958 Leavers 50th. Anniversary ! It's 50 years since the class of '58 listened to the final whistle in July 1958, and went their separate ways. That year's hit parade featured, among others, bestselling records by Jerry Lee Lewis (Great Balls of Fire), Elvis Presley (Jailhouse Rock), Conway Twittey (It's Only Make Believe), Connie Francis (Who's Sorry Now), and Perry Como (Magic Moments). At the movies, new releases included 'The Vikings', 'Gigi', 'South Pacific'. Oscar for best film went to 'Gigi', while the Oscar for best actor went to David Niven. The Empire Games were held in Cardiff, and Nikita Kruschev became Soviet leader. It was also the year of the Munich Air Disaster in which 8 Manchester United players lost their lives.

How many of the 1958 leavers will join us for their 50th. anniversary reunion ?

Pre-Registration Please keep those Pre-Registrations coming in ! It enables us to prepare name badges, estimate the catering requirements and help to liaise with others who are travelling long distances. Our numbers are looking very good - let's make it a record attendance !

Dr. John Swift Former teacher John has asked me to let you know that his book, "AN ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF MOSELEY ART SCHOOL: ART EDUCATION IN BIRMINGHAM 1800- 1975" will be on sale at the reunion at the discounted price of £20.00 a copy on the day, and £25.00 by post after the event.

2008 Reunion Update (i)

Pre-Registrations are now rolling in at a rate that indicates we are going to have a very good attendance - probably larger than last year !

If you intend to join us, PLEASE pre-register as soon as possible, stating your full name (inc. maiden name where applicable), year left MSA and the names of anyone you'll be bringing so that we can prepare name badges for admission. There are going to be large numbers attending, so please pre-register early and give us plenty of time to prepare.

Former Pupils from All Years are now pre-registering their attendance for our Reunion - great news for a high attendance, which means that there will be more possibilities of meeting old friends. Among those attending will be :

1968 leavers Sue Dowsett (Hammon), Gloria Lightwood and Terry Savin will be attending and have asked that as many as possible of their old schoolfriends attend the Reunion.

Ruby Colson (Summers) ('35) "Auntie" Ruby is a great favourite, personifying the character of the school in the pre-war years. We have recently lost a leading light from that period (Bob Ball), and it would be marvellous if we could find another few former students from that era . . . .

Maggie Timoney-Giles ('78) is one of many former pupils who will be flying in from abroad to be with us. Maggie is travelling from Dubai, and hopes that she, Joy Parsons, Hazel Gleadall, Caroline Sandall and Fiona Maclean will be able to meet up with as many old friends as possible !

Nick Kane ('78) is another former pupil who intends to travel from the other side of the world to be with us for our special day. Nick will be travelling from Japan - he would like to meet as many old friends as possible on the day. Paul 'Spud' Taylor ('78) will have a shorter journey - he still lives locally.

John Stevens ('54), Pat Surman (Barton)('54), Graham Pepall and Ken Wood ('54) and other leavers from their year hope that there'll be many more familiar old faces on the day.

1962 leavers Frank Devine, Pat Roberts, Graham Fernie, Roy Dalton, Cliff Northam, Barbara Regan (Haines) and others are all looking forward to meeting up with Dave Woodcock when he flies in from New York. They're hoping that there will be many more from their year

The Downing Sisters - Beryl ('59) & Jill ('65) are both attending and would be most upset if all their old friends didn't turn out to meet up with them.

The 2008 Reunion- Format for the Day

Agenda for the AGM   The agenda will, as usual, be fairly straightforward and will include the election of officers.  It will be necessary for us to appoint a new Exhibitions Secretary, and I would be grateful if anyone who feels they could organise a Spring Exhibition for 2009 could contact me as soon as possible.   We will also need to propose and second candidates for the other offices; President, Treasurer and Academic Officer.

Format for the Day :

11.30  Annual General Meeting of Subscribing Members      

1.      Apologies
2.      Obituary
3.      Minutes of the Last Meeting & Matters Arising
4.      Election of Officers :                            

• President (Nominations invited)
• Treasurer (Nominations invited)
• Academic Officer (Mr. T. H. W. (Bob) Ashby for re-election)
• Exhibitions Secretary (Vacant – Applications Invited)

5.      To receive an outline of matters of significance from the President :

• The Spring Exhibition
• Review of the Aims & Objectives of the Association
• Proposal to include former students of Birmingham College of Art to become affiliated members
• Membership & Subscriptions

6.      Financial Statement & presentation of cheque to School Owners
7.      Progress report on refurbishment of School
8.      Any other business                

          12.00   “It's About You” with Graham Pepall

Graham Pepall,  who left the school in 1954, became a transport designer and his brother, Lynford who also attended MSA, is a product designer now based in Holland at Philips Electrical. Graham has written a book intriguingly entitled "It's About You" and his presentation will relate to his life before, during and after his time at MSA, culminating in a run through his newly-published book.

12.30  “The Birmingham Grid" with Dave Allen

Dave Allen left MSA in 1975 to embark on a career as a teacher. Those who attended our reunion last year will remember that we asked for volunteers to assist Dave in his project to photograph all of the area of Birmingham within the No. 11 Outer Circle route based on a series of grid references. The project has now been successfully concluded, our members having taken around one third of the total number of photographs. Using visual aids, Dave will present a background to the project, together with an outline for the future for the project. The Grid can be seen at Dave's website at http://www.birmingham-photographic-grid.org.uk

1.00   Lunch

2.00  “Careless Talk" with Michael Richardson

Michael Richardson  was a pupil at Moseley Art School from 1946 to 1949 and found it a particularly memorable and enriching period of his early life. The "Balsley School of Art" of the book, although clearly not Moseley, does bear a resemblance to it. Mike, who is the year representative for the leavers of 1949, will provide us with an insightful perspective of his life as a pupil at our school in the period immediately following the end of World War II, his career to date, and the background to his latest book.

Graham Pepall ('54)

Members will be interested to know that Graham, whose brother Lynford also attended the school, has recently published a book entitled "It's About You" ISBN-13: 9781847995001, which looks to be a good read, and mentions our school several times. The book is available from Amazon price £12.91.

Graham and his wife will be attending the 2008 Reunion on the 18th. May and will give us a brief resume of his life and work, together with an outline of his book.

We look forward to seeing him then.

Colin Cole ('61)

We are delighted to have been contacted by Colin, who now lives and plays in Australia. More at our our Pupil Profile webpage.

The 2008 Annual Reunion

We're pleased to announce that the 2008 Annual Reunion will be held at the old school on Sunday, 18th. May. The doors will open at 11am. Will this be your last opportunity to meet those special old friends you may not have seen for 30, 40, 50, 60 or more years ?

The very best way to support the Association and to keep Moseley Art alive is to attend our reunions. Every year, ex-pupils travel from the four corners of the world - the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Canada and Europe to be with us, only to find that many of their old friends couldn’t be bothered to travel for an hour to join them.   For them, of course, it was a one-off, and there may not be a second chance to meet their old classmates or former teachers. Please do try to be there – our 2008 AGM & Reunion is planned, as always for the third Sunday in May.

The doors will be opened and registration will commence at 11.00am. The superb buffet lunch will be served from 12.30 onwards, and we'll be dispersing at around 4.30pm.

Please remember - people will be travelling from all over the world, literally, to be there to meet YOU - and it may be the only chance you'll get to meet them. There's a possibility that there may not be a reunion next year, so please make sure you help us to hit that record attendance figure along with all of the new faces who've found us during the last year!

Admission Fees Just a gentle reminder – with the exception of subscribing members, EVERYONE who attends the reunion will be expected to pay £6 per person at the door at the time of admission as luncheon and other costs have to be covered.  It seems that you can take the child out of the school, but you can’t, sometimes, take the school out of the child.  Time and again we have people turn up saying “I didn’t know there was a charge” (who do they think pays for everything?), “I only want to come in – I won’t be having lunch” (they are then seen eating more than anyone else), “Can I pay a pound and just have a cup of tea?” (same), “I’ve no cash – do you accept Barclaycard?”,  “I’m sure I paid my subscription” (when they haven’t), “I paid at the other door”, “I only want to look around to see if there’s anyone I know” and many more gems.  The most insulting tactic of all, though, is that of just attempting to breeze past our door attendants to try to have a free ride at everyone else’s expense.  On behalf of the other people who feel that our reunions are excellent value for money and pay happily, I have to say that only people who are subscribing members or who pay at the door will be allowed into the building.

Pre-registration is essential to enable us to calculate catering requirements, prepare name badges and organise seating. Please remember that without pre-registering, there'll be a queue for up to half an hour to process your admission. Just e-mail your full name, year of leaving, the number and full names of each of the people in your party, including any under 15 years old ( who will be admitted free ). If you can't e mail, just phone your message to 01562 741777 - don't forget to leave the name of your partner as badges will be required for everyone attending - the badges will act as proof of membership or payment on admission. Let's keep those pre-registrations coming in - and if you know someone who wants to come but doesn't have E Mail contact, please let them have details of how they can pre-register.

Format for the Day It is planned that we will have some entertaining speakers on the day.  One of these will be Mike Richardson, who left MSA in 1949.  Mike has become an author, and will provide us with an entertaining insight into his time at MSA, his career since leaving, and his embarkation on his new career.  It had been hoped that John Ward would be able to provide us with the final instalment of his 2007 presentation, but this won’t now be possible – another time, perhaps . . . but there will be other speakers on the day. We're hoping that former teachers Mr. Jack "Butch" Taylor, Mr. Bob Ashby, Mr. John Swift, Mr. Ted "Moggy" Mason, Mr. Ernie "Prango" Price, Mr. Stan Vlahovic and Mr. Alan Rees will again be joining us, together with, for the first time, Mr. Martin Burford.

Payment of Subscriptions by Standing Order

Many thanks - the majority of our members are now paying their Annual Subscription by means of our Standing Order form.

This has made administration of your £15 annual subscription much easier and has removed the necessity for us to write to members with renewal requests. If you haven't already completed and returned your Standing Order, please download a copy HERE and return it to our acting Treasurer (not to your bank) as soon as possible at the following address:

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

The following officers were elected for the year 2007/8:

President : Graeme Collins    

Treasurer : Roy Dalton

Exhibition Secretary : No nominations or appointment

Academic Officer : T. H. W. (Bob) Ashby

The offices of President, Treasurer and Exhibitions Secretary will become vacant on the day of the Reunion.

Members who feel they have the appropriate aptitude and skills are strongly encouraged to consider putting their names forward for any of the above offices.

Auction Event As there were no nominations last year for the office of Exhibitions Secretary, it hasn’t been possible to mount any form of exhibition this year. As a special event, however, ALL FORMER PUPILS are invited to bring in a work of art in any form to be auctioned on the day, the proceeds to go to the Treasurer to support the Association’s funds.

Email Addresses

PLEASE drop an email in our inbox at the email address above – whether you think we have it on record or not.  It will update and confirm your contact details, which may have changed since we last met.  This means YOU!  Ever wondered how many messages you’ve missed?   Have any of your friends who are former pupils moved home without telling us?

A Final Note . . .

As a final note, we all have a great time at our reunions, but the organisation and administration of the Association and its meetings falls to just a few people who get a lot of satisfaction – just from knowing that they’re doing their bit to keep Moseley Art School alive.   Nearly all of the catering arrangements on the day will be undertaken by unsung heroes like Jan Williams (Cox), Pat Surman (Barton), Pat Reynolds (Mann), John Norton and my ever suffering wife, Wendy  – would YOU like to join them by offering an hour of your time on the day to make it a success?  We could also do with a number of helpers to take a turn lending a hand with the entry process.   Please let me know on 01562 741777.

We look forward to seeing you on the 18th. May – let’s make it the biggest and best yet !

Amelia Shaw-Hastings - new website

Amelia has informed us that she now has a new website where her works can be seen. Give her a visit at www.sketchbook.plus.com

Obituary

We are sad to announce the passing of Dennis Evans, a former student at Moseley School of Art between 1948-51, who passed away unexpectedly after a long illness on the 30th. November 2007. Following his time at MSA, Dennis entered the printing trade as an apprentice, and later became an Advertising Manager. Deciding on a change of direction, he studied for and attained a degree in Art and Education and became an art teacher. An enthusiastic supporter of the Association and our reunions, he is survived by his widow Maureen, two children and two grandchildren. Further details are available at our Obituary webpage.

Pupil Profile - Dave Woodcock (1962)

We're delighted to have been contacted by Dave, who was a conspicuous member of the class of 1962. Dave has had an interesting life since leaving the caring bosom of Miss Squires, and now lives in the USA. He's aiming to make it to our 2008 AGM & Reunion and would love to hear from all his old friends (whatever happened to Barry Brittle?). An outline of his time since he left Britain may be seen in his Pupil Profile.

Obituary

It is with sadness that we have to announce that Vincent McCann, a student at the Moseley School of Art from 1942-45, passed away on the 20th. April 2007 following a long illness. His attendance at MSA was interrupted by the war, and he was evacuated to Dursley, Gloucestershire, later attending the School of of Industrial Design at Margaret Street. He later became a partner in the family business, and then moved to Paignton, Devon, where he became Mayor of Torbay in 1998-9. An extremely popular and respected man, he was afforded a funeral with full civil honours by the townspeople. Further details are available from our 'Obituary' webpage.

Pupil Profile - Tina Oppenheimer (1967-8)

Imagine living in the American wilds of Arkansas on a mountaintop in a cabin you built yourself . . . That's where an email was written by Tina, a native of the USA who came to study at the Moseley School of Art back in the 1960's, so that she could touch base with us again. It was great to hear from Tina, who would love to hear from her old friends, Susan Ryan, Susan Mead, Heather Botrill, Naomi Joseph, and anyone else who remembers her. She has sent us a Pupil Profile - be sure to take a look.

Obituary

It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Robert 'Bob' Ball on the 21st. February 2008. Bob, who attended the Moseley School of Art between 1930 and 1933, was our second oldest member. An enthusiastic supporter of the Association, Bob was a prolific and successful artist throughout his life, and, after attending Birmingham College of Art, became a teacher at MSA and elsewhere, finally becoming the Principal of the Stroud College of Art for many years. Our sincere condolences go to his widow, Barbara, and to his sister Dorothea, who also both attended MSA. As always, an Association wreath was delivered to the funeral on behalf of our members. Further details are available from our 'Obituary' webpage.

Invitation to an Exhibition

You are warmly invited to attend a Textile Art Exhibition which is being held at :

Gallery 2

Jane Powell Art Studio, KENILWORTH CV8 1LZ

until Saturday 23rd. February 2008

The invitation comes from June Palmer (Wood) who attended MSA between 1960 and 1964, and is one of the 6 exhibitors. Wendy and I were aiming to go on Sunday, the 17th. February - unfortunately, I've just been informed that the show won't now be open on Sunday, but will be open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and will close on Saturday 23rd. February.

Obituary

It is with sadness that we announce the death of Michael Broughton, who attended the Moseley School of Art between 1950 and 1953. Michael passed away on Monday, 7th. January. His funeral took place at Sutton Coldfield Crematorium on the 18th. January. Further details have been posted on our Obituary webpage.

Professor Peter (P. A. J.)(Jim) Waddington (1963)

Peter ( or Professor Jim Waddington, as he now prefers to be known ) was always a larger-than-life pupil. "Peter" Waddington has become Professor P. A. J. Waddington, also known as "Tank" Waddington, and is now the Professor of Social Policy at the Policy Research Institute, University of Wolverhampton. He is Director of the 40 staff and 50 postgraduate research students who comprise the History and Governance Research Institute ( HAGRI ) at the University. He is also General Editor of the Oxford Journals publication "Policing - a Journal of Policy & Practice". He took up his appointment following his time as Professor of Political Sociology and Warden of Windsor Hall at Reading University.

In the aftermath of the July 2005 London terrorist bombings he was invited to chair the Metropolitan Police Authority's consultation exercise on 'Policing Terror Together' at Central Hall, Westminster. He has also given invited talks at the Labour Party Conference and Police Federation Conference. He is a founder member of a 13-country academic research collaboration (the International Consortium on Police Use of Force), elected as co-editor of the monograph Police Talking About Force, published by Springer in 2008.

His bruising battle with Barry Brittle after sports one afternoon at Billesley in 1962 is one of the most memorable events for many of the boys who attended the school at that time. Around fifty boys from the 1962 and 1963 years watched the two heavyweights shape up to exchange blows over a period of what seemed like hours. Unusually civilised, the contest remained vertical, with neither boy falling at any stage. After trading punches for some time, Waddington resorted to demonstrating some of the martial arts skills he had recently acquired at the Kyu Shin Kan judo school. (Having, since, run my own accredited martial arts school for five years in the '70's, I would advise Waddington to ask for his money back !) Hostilities became deflated with the onset of fatigue and the proximity of "Popeye" starting on TV, so both parties agreed to congratulate each other on their inability to deliver a decisive punch, and parted unbeaten.

His latest book is entitled :

"The Violent Workplace"  Authors : P. A. J. Waddington, Douglas Badger and Ray Bull. Publisher: Willan Publishing. ISBN-10: 1843921685: ISBN-13: 978-1843921684

His recent publications include :

• Public Order: then and now" in Transformations of Policing, edited by Alistair Henry and David J.Smith, Aldershot: Ashgate.2007
• "Cognitive interviewing as a research technique" in Social Research Update, edited by Nigel Gilbert: University of Surrey, 2007. (with Ray Bull)
• "In proportion: race and police stop and search." British Journal of Criminology vol 44: pp 889-914, 2004 (with Kevin Stenson and David Don)
• "Appraising the inclusive definition of 'violence' " British Journal of Criminology vol 45: pp 141-164, 2005 (with Doug Badger and Ray Bull)
• "Slippery slopes and civil libertarian pessimism" Policing and Society vol 15: pp 353-375, 2005
• "Policing public order and political contention" in Handbook of Policing, edited by Tim Newburn. Collumpton: Willan. 2003
• "Police (canteen) sub-culture: an appreciation" British Journal of Criminology vol. 39: pp286-308. 1999

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year !

The Christmas Newsletter . . .

It's been quite a few days - we've been sorting the problems we've had due to a computer virus causing our computer to crash. This has, unfortunately made it impossible to mailmerge the newsletter and Christmas cards to our members as usual. Our sincere apologies - we'll have our new computer fully functioning within the next few days, and will be sending out our newsletter just after Christmas. We know how disappointed our members will be, and hope that they'll understand.

In the meantime, we wish you a peaceful and happy Christmas, and a healthy and prosperous New Year.

Still awaiting your news . . .

Hi, everyone. The Christmas newsletter is about to go to print - last minute call for entries !

We're happy to upload anything of interest to our members. Are you looking for an old schoolfriend or sweetheart? Would you like to tell us what you're up to these days? Would you like to organise a reunion for members from your year at the Moseley School of Art? Did you know anyone who has since achieved fame or notoriety? The Christmas Newsletter is due to go out imminently, so if you would like to add something to the sum of our knowledge, Email us by clicking on the email link at the top of this page . . . .

Pupil Profiles

We'd love to see many more pupil profiles - every one is interesting. A number of our former pupils have been extremely successful in their chosen careers, and we'd love to hear from them . . . but the most important stories are those from former students who haven't ascended to those ethereal heights where they feel that contact with lesser mortals is beneath them. This website is very successful, averaging around 30,000 hits per month, and we know that there are many more readers than contributors. We'd love to hear from you - your contribution doesn't have to be a literary masterpiece!

It will probably help you to recollect your experiences if you use the following list of pointers:

We are also seeking any and all photographs, especially those showing yourself, the interior and exterior of the building including classrooms in use, and works made by yourself or others during your time at the school. We guarantee the safe return of any documents and photographs within seven days.

Mike Richardson's Latest Novel . . .

Mike Richardson, who left MSA in 1949, has posted us details of his latest novel.

"CARELESS TALK"

"Careless Talk, the long-awaited sequel to Michael Richardson’s prize winning debut novel The Pig Bin, is now available from bookshops, www.tindalstreet.co.uk and other online booksellers at £7.99.

"Michael was a pupil at Moseley Art School from 1946 to 1949 and found it a particularly memorable and enriching period of his early life. The Balsley School of Art of the book, although clearly not Moseley, does bear a resemblance to it.

"David Nobbs (The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin) describes Careless Talk as, ‘A moving and very funny account of the painful adolescence of a young art student just after the end of the Second World War . . . such is the author’s skill and accuracy I ended up caring very much about Morley Charles’

"WILLIAM PALMER in the Independent says, ‘ . . . It can make you laugh out loud. The dialogue is brilliantly lively and the period scene-setting beautifully rendered’

‘Offbeat, moving and hilarious’ The Independent

"Morley Charles is a charming comic creation. Wartime atmosphere is spot on, and there’s at least a smile on every page’ Time Out

News from the 1960 Leavers Mini Reunion . . .

From Jannette Williams (Cox) 2nd. November 2007 . . .

"The 1960 Moseley leaver’s held their second mini reunion on Sunday 14th October at the Plough & Harrow Hotel, even though we are all pensioners and a year older than last year, it was still wonderful to feel 16 again.

This year all of the previous ex-pupils attended, even Joy Tomey (Bradshaw) who came home from holiday the previous evening, along with 5 others who made it for the first time, which was exciting for all concerned. Ian Fletcher, Steve Chaplin, Georgie Bates, Mary Parsons (Court) and Alison Guest (Schwind) all added to our numbers. During the course of the year we had heard from Bob Bates and Norman Hutton, who could not make it this year, but who will be there in 2008.

Pictured (Right) : Jo Phillips (Ashen), Joy Bradshaw (Tomey), Jo Webster (Dutton)

Sadly, Tony Withers (‘the Wiz’) wasn’t there, and everyone said how they missed him, and how he would have loved meeting everyone, and of course there were lots of ‘Wiz’ stories. 

Sheila Ravenscroft treated us to an impromptu song – wow! What a voice, and, without the group she sings with.  What a star, love her to bits.  For those who would love to hear her perform, she is taking part in the ‘Oxfam Stomp’ in the New Year, in Birmingham City Centre, will let you know details when I get them.

I must mention, ‘the other halves’ again, excellent job by all of them, very supportive to us `kids` I hope they are feeling more involved, now they are getting to know us all.

Pictured (Left) : Val Benger (Dodd), Alison Schwind (Guest)

So again, thank you all for coming and making the day one to be remembered, and I look forward to seeing you in May at the Association Reunion and again next year, at our 3rd mini reunion, and who knows we may have made contact with other ex Moselyites.

Love to all

Jan Williams (Cox)

For UB40 fans . . .

Fans of former pupils Ali Campbell & Co. who formed the legendary Reggae band UB40 can listen to the soundtrack of a Radio WM interview with Les Ross by clicking on:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/aod/mainframe.shtml?http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/aod/wm.shtml

The interview starts at 60 mins. into the 180 min. show, and lasts for around half an hour. The interview is designed to promote the band's latest tour, which will include an appearance at the NEC on the 20th. and 21st. December 2007.

You are Invited to a Literary Launch Party!

Michael Richardson, Year Rep for the 1949 leavers, has written a second book, this time set in Moseley Art School. The book is entitled "Careless Talk" and is published by Tindal Street Press.

A book launch party has been organised, to which all members of the Moseley School of Art Association are invited, on

Thursday 25th October 2007

7.00pm onwards at the

Round Room

Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, Chamberlain Square, B3 3DH

We hope that every former pupil who can make it on the evening will take the opportunity of obtaining a copy of the book, duly signed by the author. Mike has been a solid supporter of the Association since its formation, and has generously contributed his time to our meetings and exhibitions on many occasions. Let's support him by making it a reunion evening of Old Moseleyites at this special venue that helped so many of us, from our earliest years, to establish our love of Art.

Fancy a day out at Stourport on Severn?

One of our 1957 leavers, Janice Rowlatt (nee Hines) has asked if we could publicise an exhibition of works for sale organised by the Great Witley Art Group which will be held on Saturday, 27th. October 2007 at the village hall, Great Witley, which is a few miles outside Stourport on Severn, Worcestershire.

Admission is free and tea, coffee and cakes will be available. The exhibition will be open for one day only, and will run from 10.30 till 4.30pm. There is plenty of parking at the front of the hall.
 
The Great Witley Art Group are enthusiastic amateur artists who create paintings and works in a variety of other media and this will be an opportunity to acquire a work of art at modest cost.
 
If you'd like to make a full day day of it, the stunning yet little-known Witley Church is only five minutes way. It has magnificent baroque ceiling paintings, and it really is like stepping inside a gilded work of art, as a visit to the website http://www.360spin.co.uk/portfolio/church.htm will show.

Immediately adjacent is Witley Court, the stately home built by the Earl of Dudley, now owned by English Heritage - also well worth a visit. http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.16927

Janice and her friends look forward to seeing old friends from Moseley Art School on the day.

Obituary

It is with sadness that we announce that Anthony "Tony" Withers, who attended the Moseley School of Art between 1957 and 1960, passed away on Monday, 30th. July 2007. His funeral took place at the Robin Hood Crematorium on the 8th. August and was attended by a number of former schoolfriends from MSA. Further details will appear on our Obituary webpage.

Change of Contact Email Address

Just a line to let everyone know that if you wish to contact our President, the Email address graeme_collins@btinternet.com is no longer useable. Graeme Collins has a new Email address, which is :

Please amend your address book / contact list (and that's an "L" after "graeme").

An Appeal by Michael Brassington ('58)

Like everyone else who attended our Reunion on the 20th. May, Michael thoroughly enjoyed himself. Unfortunately, he can't now find the cloth school blazer badge (MSA within palette version) he took to the meeting. If anyone has found the badge, which may have been dropped somewhere in or around the school, Michael would be extremely grateful for a phone call on 01827 383007.

Michael is devastated and has already made a large number of phone calls - he has also revisited the school - please give him a ring if you can help.

The 2007 AGM & Whole School Reunion . . .

Everyone said it on the day, and the phone calls and emails we've received since confirm it . . . Our 2007 Reunion last Sunday was the BEST EVER!

If you weren't there, you missed an amazing day . . . beautifully sunny and warm, the former pupils and teachers started arriving even earlier than our early starting time of 10.30. It was great to see lots of new faces, attending for the first time, and the enthusiasm of those attending from abroad was infectious. Within minutes of arriving, everyone felt that it didn't matter what years they had attended, they were among friends and the ice was very quickly broken.

The format for the day was completely different, and everyone has asked that we should repeat the process next year - something we're already planning. We were joined on the day by former teachers Bob Ashby and Ernie (Prango) Price, and a very special ovation was given to former teacher and, later, Headmaster Jack (Butch) Taylor when he arrived after lunch.

Please see our Reunion webpage for a full account of the day's proceedings.

The 2007 AGM & Whole School Reunion

- Last minute reminder . . .

Our former teacher and Headmaster has contacted me to say that he is going to make every effort to be with us on Sunday afternoon. For those who haven't met Jack "Butch" Taylor since leaving our school, I'm sure you won't want to miss this special opportunity of seeing him again after all those years.

Our numbers are looking good, and we'll be having a beautiful buffet lunch. See you there - the doors open at 10.30 . . . masonic photography

The 2007 AGM & Whole School Reunion - Update

The 2007 AGM & Whole School Reunion

Spring is here – it’s that time again when we hope we’ll be able to meet those ex-pupils who we may not have seen for 30, 40, 50, 60 or more years at our Annual Reunion.   This year’s AGM and Annual Reunion will take place at the old school on Sunday, 20th. May.

The doors will open at 10.30, and we’ve found new former pupils who will be attending.  Please Pre-Register TODAY your intention of attending to help us to calculate catering and seating arrangements and to enable us to prepare your name badges - Simply return the Pre-Registration form. Please remember that you'll waste valuable time standing in queues if you don't pre-register, and our volunteers would also like to get on with meeting their own friends, too. As an alternative, you can also email your pre-registration, giving the details requested on the form.

The reunion will be another disappointment for many, if YOU aren’t going to be there. 

Every year, there are many stories of people who have travelled from as far away as the USA and Australia to meet up with their old classmates, only to find that their friends came the previous year and are having a year off . . . and for those who have travelled furthest, it may be their only opportunity to attend a reunion with their old friends and members of the teaching staff.

Agenda for the AGM   The agenda will, as usual, be fairly straightforward and will include the election of officers.  It will be necessary for us to appoint a new Exhibitions Secretary, and I would be grateful if anyone who feels they could do a professional job for our 2008 Spring Exhibition could contact me as soon as possible.   We will also need to discuss all of the other offices, including that of President.

Format for the Day :

11.15  Annual General Meeting of Subscribing Members      

1.      Apologies
2.      Obituary
3.      Minutes of the Last Meeting & Matters Arising
4.      Election of Officers :                            

• President (Nominations invited)
• Treasurer (Roy Dalton for re-election)
• Academic Officer (Mr. T. H. W. (Bob) Ashby for re-election)
• Exhibitions Secretary (Vacant – Applications Invited)

5.      To receive an outline of matters of significance from the President :

• Membership & Subscriptions
• Review of the Aims & Objectives of the Association
• The Spring Exhibition

6.      Financial Statement & presentation of cheque to School Owners
7.      Progress report on refurbishment of School
8.      Any other business                

          12.15   “Childhood – On Offer Once Only” with John Ward

John Ward,  who left the school in 1953, is a regular and enthusiastic attendee of our reunions.  John has followed a career in art education, and has acquired expertise in a number of art-related disciplines.  He intriguingly describes his presentation “Childhood – On Offer Once Only“ as “an affectionate but penetrating look, using both two- and three-dimensional aids, at the inventive, random and capricious nature of humankind in its headlong rush to produce gadgetry and devices to, supposedly, improve the quality of life (Handicraft – where are you now ?)”

1.00   Lunch

2.00  “A 30 Minute Audience with Marjorie Yates”

Marjorie Yates who left MSA in 1957 to follow a highly successful acting career in Theatre, Radio, TV and Films, has very kindly agreed to provide us with a highly entertaining interactive presentation “A 30 Minute Audience with Marjorie Yates” during which she will reflect on her time at MSA and provide us with an insight into her acting career.  Marjorie has acted alongside most of Britain’s finest actors.   A former member of the Royal Shakespeare Company, Birmingham Rep and other leading theatrical institutions, she is currently starring as “Carol” in Channel 4’s BAFTA Award – winning TV series  “Shameless” with David Threlfall.

Year Representatives  Once again, we’re very grateful to our year representatives for maintaining contact and enthusiasm with their year members.  I hope that all of our year reps will remember to phone around as many of their year members as possible to encourage them to make the 2007 Reunion – a few phone calls makes a world of difference to our attendance figures. 

The 2007 Spring Exhibition   For the reasons previously notified, there will be no formally arranged exhibition this year, but, following on from an idea by David Walton (’59), we do hope that as many people as possible will bring in as many of their own works as they can manage, together with their own easels so that they can be displayed in the first floor Drawing Room - Exhibitors will then be able to take their works away at the end of the day. Let’s turn the clock back by filling the first floor with our work – I’ll be bringing some of my own.  masonic photography

Please remember to bring label cards to let people know the name of the artist, title, medium etc.

Email Correspondence   One of the problems associated with website management is that I am now receiving in excess of 2,000 spam or junk emails every day, and no longer have time to visually run through my junk mail folder.   I still welcome emails as the most efficient method of correspondence, but I would ask that you ensure that the subject line mentions “Moseley School of Art” so that I can easily identify genuine emails.

Subscriptions and Pre-Registration   Our Standing Orders are still by far the most preferable way of receiving subscriptions as they require the minimum of time for us to process, and I would appeal to all members to pay by this method.   Please remember that the members voted for an annual subscription of £15 (amended to £17.50 at the 2009 AGM) at the 2006 AGM, and that (if you haven’t done so already) a new Standing Order mandate (obtain a copy) needs to be completed and returned to us by the 26th. April to ensure your subscription is up to date.  If you’re in any doubt as to whether your subscription is up to date, just forward a new mandate as it will cancel all previous mandates.  By becoming a paid up member, you will be entitled to streamlined free admission to the Reunion for yourself and your partner by means of the coded name badge which will be prepared for you and available on your arrival at the Reunion (please remember to Pre-Register so that we can prepare a badge for your partner).  You will also receive our quarterly newsletters and will be entitled to vote at our AGM.

Wendy and I hope that our 2007 AGM and Reunion will be the biggest and best yet – we look forward to seeing you and all of our old friends at the old school on the 20th. May.

 

Obituary

It is with great sadness that we have learned of the death of Janet Phillips (Taylor). Janet attended the Moseley School of art between and 1958 and 1961. Further details are provided at our Obituary webpage.

The Rev. Christine Musser

The Rev. Christine left our school in 1970 and, on becoming an Anglican Priest at Boscastle, Cornwall, starred in the BBC TV series "Seaside Parish", attracting millions of viewers per episode.

Chris is about to leave Boscastle after four and a half years after accepting an offer of a new post as priest at Pirbright, Surrey so that she can join her husband Brett who has been appointed Head of Music at the Priory School, in Dorking, Surrey.

The "Seaside Parish" series of programmes spotlighted the work of Christine, including caring for parishioners after the flood of August 2004 which had a devastating effect on Boscastle. She says that it will be a "huge wrench" to leave Boscastle.

Obituary

An Appeal for Information

The following email has been received from the granddaughter of one of our former pupils. If you can help with her enquiries, please reply directly to Ms. Smith.

Stop Press : Janet Bridges (1964)

The following headline appeared on Australian ABC News a few days ago as a sequel to the events that led to national news coverage regarding Janet a few weeks ago -

Man accused of stalking far north MP

A man has been charged with stalking Cook MP Jason O'Brien and his electoral officer Janet Hughes (Bridges) three weeks after a hostage drama at their Cairns office in far north Queensland.

Last month, a 44-year-old man was charged after allegedly taking Ms Hughes hostage while armed with a rifle in Mr O'Brien's office in Cairns.

Police arrested another man after he allegedly threatened Ms Hughes at the office last Thursday.

Jeffrey Francis Leech, 40, appeared in court on Friday charged with unlawful stalking and was remanded in custody to reappear again today."

RIGHT: Janet Hughes (Bridges) (centre) with Hilary Rigby (Coleman) and Linda Etherington(Court) at an earlier reunion

The story followed an earlier drama, when Janet was taken hostage by a gunman in the electoral office of Labour MP Jason O'Brien in Cairns, Queensland. Janet was held for several hours before her captor, who was armed with a loaded rifle, was arrested.

The School History

Those former pupils who regularly attend our reunions will know that Professor John Swift, a former teacher at the school, has authored a book entitled "An Illustrated History of Moseley School of Art: Art Education in Birmingham 1800-1975". We were very disappointed to learn that Professor Swift will not be available (for family reasons) to provide a presentation on the history of the school at our Annual Reunion on the 20th. May 2007. He has, however, agreed to provide what promises to be an extremely interesting presentation at our 2008 reunion.

Professor Swift has given his kind permission for an (abbreviated) serialisation of his work on our website, and the first episode will appear here a few weeks from now.

'Sharing Our Past'

A lengthy account of life as a youngster in Birmingham and life at MSA during the 1950's has been submitted by William (Bill) Hall, who attended the school between 1956-9.

Bill's story is essential reading and has been uploaded to our Pupil Profile pages.

The 2007 AGM and Reunion - Sunday, 20th. May

We have finally received confirmation from the school owners that we may hold our AGM and Annual Reunion at the old school building - newsletters will be going out within the next week or two.

Amelia Shaw-Hastings (1939)

One of our most senior former pupils has been honoured with a six-week retrospective of her life's work at the Cheltenham Art Gallery and Museum. The exhibition runs from Saturday 10th. February until the 24th. March 2007, and further details can be obtained from the Cheltenham Art Gallery's website at: www.cheltenhammuseum.org.uk/exhibitions4.aspx

Wendy and I intended to join Amelia for her pre-exhibition private view on the 9th. February, but that was made impossible by the gridlocked road conditions caused by snow. We did, however enjoy a superb day out at her exhibition on Wednesday, 21st. February - the gallery has a varied and interesting collection and is well worth a visit anyway.

The exhibition includes many of her works executed while she was a pupil at the Moseley School of Art, and a good number of her original works and prints are available for purchase. The whole exhibition is superbly presented and is a credit to Amelia and the gallery.

Amelia attended MSA between 1936-9, then attended the first ever Industrial Design course at Birmingham College of Art. She has had a varied and interesting career, and, at around 86 years young, is still a very highly motivated artist. Her work includes original drawings, paintings, prints and sculpture.

We felt that the exhibition was well worth the visit - I hope that as many of our former pupils as possible will support Amelia by attending her exhibition. As mentioned above, the gallery is a very interesting visit in its own right, and we concluded our visit with a very nice light lunch from the range of freshly made meals and drinks that are available at reasonable cost in the gallery's cafe on the top floor.

An Appeal for Information

The following appeal for information has been received. If you can help, please reply direct by email to Christopher Marsden.

" Dear Graeme

"I am writing to ask for your help in my search for memories of three Birmingham students. Fritz Steller (Birmingham College of Art 1959-65), Sonya Ferris (1963-5) and Gwyn Roberts (Birmingham School of Architecture 1963-5) were key to the design of the 1970 Queensgate Market, Huddersfield (see www.huddersfieldgem.org for details).

"I am researching the development of this now listed building. I would be very grateful for any memories of Gwyn (full name, Gwynfor Edwards Jones), Fritz, or Sonya (who married Fritz) from their times as a students in Birmingham.

"Fritz is living and working near Munster. I have just completed a 7,000 word article on his architectural ceramics for the forthcoming Vol 13 of Journal of The Tiles and Architectural Ceramics Society. Sonya specialised in textiles, she is retired and living in Scotland, Sadly Gwyn died in 2004. His widow Sheila and children are helping me with my memories but understandably know little of his training and professional development.

"If anyone has any memory of Fritz and his passion for sculpting, Sonya and their friend Gwyn I would be very grateful if you would get in touch. Gwyn’s 1965 thesis was Services to Industrialised Building. I can send photos of all three from the 1960s, if it helps. If you knew none of them please accept my apologies for troubling you.

With best wishes.

Yours,

Christopher Marsden"

Email huddersfieldgem@hotmail.com

An Unexpected Reunion

Our Treasurer, Roy Dalton ('62) was treated to a surprise 60th. birthday party by his children at the Thistle Hotel, Birmingham on Saturday, the 17th. February. Roy's son, Rob phoned to ask if any of hisfather's old schoolfriends would be able to make it, so a few enquiries were made and Wendy and I were joined by Graham Fernie ('62) and John Greenway ('62) and their wives.

Roy had no idea that a party was planned (he thought they were going on to a casino). He arrived at the hotel with his son and was shown into a darkened room where around 120 friends and relatives lay in wait. The barrage of flash photography as he entered made Roy think that he'd walked into a firing squad! A great night was had by all, especially Roy, who is clearly a very popular guy.

Roy went into electrical engineering after leaving MSA and subsequently formed his own company in 1972 - the party was also the 35th anniversary of his founding of the company. He developed and patented an energy-saving light fitting, which has given rise to the company name - Lightsaver.co.uk. Nowadays, Roy and his family have a sizeable operation including other electrical appliances which are marketed online.

Obituary

The Christmas Newsletter

The following is an extract from the Christmas Newsletter which was sent out by post to all subscribing members before Christmas.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The 2007 Annual General Meeting and Reunion   The very best way to support the Association and to keep Moseley Art alive is to attend our reunions . . . every year, ex-pupils travel from the four corners of the world - the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Canada to be with us, only to find that their old friends couldn’t be bothered to travel for an hour to join them.   For them, of course it was a one-off, and there probably won’t be a second chance to meet their old classmates.   Please do try to be there – our 2007 AGM & Reunion is planned, as always for the third Sunday in May – which will be Sunday, 20th. May 2007 at the old school.

The 2007 Spring Exhibition  The Spring Exhibition is a happy opportunity to provide our former pupils with the chance to show and sell their works in the school which nurtured their sense of creativity, and to provide a visual focal point for our reunions.  Our Exhibitions Secretary, Pamela Headford (Gilbert) has said that she’s reluctant to organise another exhibition at the school, and suggested that we stage our next exhibition at the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists gallery.  This has proved to be unviable as there would be a cost of £1,000 - £1,500, there would be diluted attendance as the exhibition would take place at a different venue to the Reunion, and, last but not least, there are in any case no available dates before Spring 2008.   
Pamela's reasons were :

1. “The censorship imposed by the present owners of the school building”.  This  relates to the condition imposed by the owners of the school building,  a Muslim association, that there must be no depiction of the naked human form in any of the works.
2. “The lamentable security to the exhibition room”.
3. “The school building is a difficult location to attract the public”.   The character of the area around the school is certainly less than attractive, and it is agreed that the general condition of the building’s facade is a disgrace.

I wouldn’t disagree that the above factors present frustrations and difficulties for anyone intending to stage a prestige exhibition at the school, but these are, unfortunately the constraints within which we have to operate.  The Spring Exhibition must take place at the same time and in the same building as the AGM and Reunion, so it seems obvious that the exhibition must remain at the school building.   Given that an exhibition at the RBSA isn’t possible next year, I invited Pamela to let us have her proposals for our 2007 Spring Exhibition. Pamela has now resigned and, having already publicly thanked her for the contribution made to the 2005 exhibition, and am happy to reiterate my thanks here.

If anyone feels that they could do a good job for us next May, please me.   In the event that no-one steps forward, next year’s exhibition will, of necessity be cancelled, and, taking on board the excellent suggestion by David Walton (1959), I will suggest that members will be invited to exhibit their works on an informal basis for the day only, by bringing in their own easel(s).

Obituary We have been informed by Graham Williams, the Year Representative for the 1957 leavers that Margaret Davies (Webster), known as "Chutty" to her friends, passed away on Monday, 30th. October after suffering  ill health for a very long time.  Further details from our Obituary webpage. We have been informed by Beryl Dignam (1945) that John Dignam, her brother in law and classmate, passed away during September 2006 following a long illness. John attended the Moseley School of Art between 1942 and 1945 and had previously been a director of a successful signmaking company. Beryl Dignam has also informed us of the passing of another of her schoolfriends. Fred Smith, who also attended the school between 1942 and 1945, died suddenly during September 2006. Fred had worked as a commercial artist and in later years had indulged his passion for showing horses.

Robert Sedgley - Painting in Spain If anyone is interested in a short break of a week or two and the opportunity to paint in Spain with a small group of other MSAA members, you may wish to contact Robert Sedgley, who left our school in 1958. He writes -

" DATES: For as many days as you wish between Saturday 9th to Saturday 23rd June and/or Saturday 8th to Saturday 22nd September 2007.

LOCATION: Villalonga, Valencia.  Villalonga is a village of about 4000 people, situated in an orange growing region 10 kilometres inland from Gandia. The streets in the older parts of the village (where we live) offer some paintable subjects and there are interesting mountain views in the area.  The nearby historic city of Valencia with many monuments, museums and galleries is an hours train ride from Gandia,  also an interesting town with the palace of the Borgias amongst its historic monuments. The beach is 12Km away and can be reached by bus. There are very attractive drives and another historic town, Jativa with a splendid castle, is a 40 min. drive away.

GETTING TO VILLALONGA:  Cheap flights are available to Valencia (80K) and Alicante (120K) airports.  Thompsonfly, Easijet, Ryanair and Clickair fly to Valencia From Valencia: a short taxi or bus ride takes you to the train station where trains run 2/3 per hour to Gandia, where you could be picked up. Driving here: In addition to the usual Channel crossings P&O run a ferry service from Portsmouth to Bilbao. I can suggest routes through France and Spain.

ACCOMMODATION and facilities: We live in a large village house and can accommodate 3-4 house guests.  There is also bed and breakfast accommodation in the village.  Cost will be approx. £20 per person per day for half board.  Allow £5-7.00 for main (evening or lunch) meal.  I have a large 84 sq metre studio where we could meet, work and discus etc.   I also have a number of sketching easels and can get in a supply of canvases (cheaper than the UK) for anyone who wants to work in oils.
More details are available via the MSAA News webpage – for more specific enquiries, please contact me directly".

Email: robertsedgley@hotmail.com
Phone: 0034 96 280 5074
Write: Calle Santos Reyes 9
46720 Villalonga
Valencia, SPAIN

Amelia Shaw-Hastings One of our most senior former pupils, having left the school in 1939, Amelia is being honoured with a retrospective of her life's work at the Cheltenham Art Gallery and Museum.  An enormous amount of work is going into preparation for the event, and I'm sure you'd like to congratulate her and, hopefully, support her in whatever ways you can.   I have authorised the payment of £100 from our funds toward the £1500 printing costs of the official catalogue.

Amelia, who is now in her eighties, won't, I’m sure mind me saying that she has not enjoyed financial security, having lived alone for many years.  She is an absolute delight - a sparkling, vivacious woman, full of life and motivation, although her age prevents her from doing all of the things she would like to do.  

She is a lovely lady and an important part of our past, and I hope that we can support her exhibition, which will run for six weeks, from the 10th. February to the 24th. March 2007. What can we do to help her?  We’ve been offered the opportunity of a special preview evening – would there be sufficient support to warrant an organised coach trip ?  Please email me if you'd like to attend a special preview or to let me have any other suggestions you may have.  I'd love to hear from you.

Robin Wilson (1955) Robin, who was a friend of Peter Phillips and John Walker (both of whom have become artists with an international reputation) has contacted us from his home in Australia.  After leaving the school in 1955, he attended Birmingham College of Art then went through National Service.  He then entered show business, and became a member of the popular "Three Monarchs" comedy musical act (remember Cedrick, the one with the goatee beard?). Robin hopes to join us at our 2008 reunion.

Wayne Barratt (1970-77)  Wayne (pictured right) recently visited the school from his home in Ontario, Canada.  Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to coordinate his visit with a reunion, but he did drop by the old school for a trip down memory lane.  Please also see below. You can reach him at waynebarratt@msn.com

Free Webpage for Your Art Works  Please remember that as a subscribing member, you’re welcome to forward details of your career in the arts for uploading to your own dedicated webpage, together with images of your works. Please look at PEOPLE for ideas. You are strongly encouraged to take advantage of this free feature for subscribing members.

Subscriptions – New Standing Order Form  Following the proposal by the members that the annual subscription should be increased to £15, a revised Bankers Standing Order Form has been prepared.  Copies of the form can be downloaded HERE. Please complete as soon as possible and return to our Treasurer :

Roy Dalton, 14 Hawthorn Brook Way, Erdington, Birmingham B23 5LF

Newspaper Feature  I hope I’ll be forgiven for mentioning that one of my works was featured in the Worcester News a few weeks ago, following the hanging of a portrait I painted of the Provincial Grand Master of the Masonic Province of Worcestershire at the Worcester Masonic Temple.  

The portrait (pictured right, with me in the foreground) is approximately life size, three-quarter length, painted in oils on canvas.  I’m delighted to say that I’ve received an important commission as a result of this, and will be very busy for the next few months.

Year Representatives As always, we’re very grateful to our year representatives for maintaining contact and enthusiasm with their year members. Once again, particular thanks go to Ivan and Marie (who also attended MSA) Haycock who take care of all of our members who left before 1946. Year Representatives like them are absolutely pivotal to the success of the Association - without them, the Association has no future. The need for personal contact between reps and their year members is essential prior to reunions as this greatly affects attendance figures, as was seen by the relative attendances for the different years represented at our last reunion. We still need Year Representatives for the leaving years – 1945, 1948, 1951, 1953, 1955, 1965, 1974 and 1975. Please email me if you'd like to do something to contribute to the Association. Your help would be really appreciated.

Next Reunion and Annual General Meeting The date of the next AGM and Reunion is Sunday, 20th. May 2007 - please do make a note in your diary.

Obituary

We have been informed by Beryl Dignam (1945) that her brother in law and classmate, John Dignam passed away during September 2006 following a long illness. John attended the Moseley School of Art between 1942 and 1945 and had previously been a director of a successful signmaking company.

Beryl Dignam has also informed us of the passing of another of her schoolfriends. Fred Smith, who also attended the school between 1942 and 1945, died suddenly during September 2006. Fred had worked as a commercial artist and in later years had indulged his passion for showing horses.

Who is this ?

Nearly ten years after I started, I've finally found someone who was a conspicuous friend in my own form.

He gave me a guided tour of the school on my very first day, and I assumed that he was the Head Boy as he was so much bigger than me, so I was amazed that he was actually the same age as me and a member of the same form. He's achieved a great deal since leaving our school and I look forward to being able to meet up with him.

I wonder if anyone else can guess who it is, 43 years after leaving the Moseley School of Art ?

Perhaps you can turn your memory back to the days of Elvis Presley, Bobby Vee, Del Shannon, The Shadows, Acker Bilk, and Duane Eddy . . . The time of the Cuba Missile Crisis ? "That Was the Week That Was"? "The Avengers"? "77 Sunset Strip"? He was, like me, a friend of Garth Logie.

He has, actually changed very little . . . except for the hairline, which, like so many of his contemporaries, hasn't stood the test of time.

He was a big chap, measuring around six feet tall at the age of thirteen. I was a good friend of his, although there was a good twelve inches difference in our respective height.

Answer : Peter Waddington ! No wonder I couldn't find him - he's now known as Professor Peter (Tank) Waddington, also known as Professor PAJ Waddington and is Professor of Social Policy at the Policy Research Institute at the University of Wolverhampton.

Professor Peter (Tank) Waddington attained a BSc degree in Sociology from London University and later attained an MA and PhD from Leeds University. He recently left the University of Reading, where he held the appointment of Professor of Political Sociology and Warden of Windsor Hall.

Professor PAJ Waddington is the author of Policing Citizens (UCL Press 1999), Liberty and Order (UCL Press 1994), and Strong Arm of the Law (Clarendon 1991) and numerous articles on a wide range of policing issues. He headed an international inquiry into the policing of the Boipatong massacre in South Africa (1992) and has recently been consulted by the US Department of Defence on the use of non-lethal weapons for riot–control purposes. He is currently completing a book entitled The Violent Workplace. Professor P.A.J. Waddington is clearly an accomplished author.

I'm compiling a biography of Peter which will be added to our PEOPLE section in due course - if you have any photos or recollections of Peter, please let me know.

Obituary

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Margaret Davies (Webster). Margaret was a pupil at the Moseley School of Art between 1954 and 1957. Further details may be found on our Obituary Page.

The 1960 Leavers Mini-Reunion

Writes Jannette Williams (Cox) -

"Gosh! What a way to spend a Sunday afternoon . . . being 16 years old again.

"That was how it felt for the fourteen 1960 leavers when we had a 'mini' reunion on Sunday 19th. November at the Plough and Harrow Hotel, Hagley Road, Birmingham.

It was great to see those who could make it - Val Dodd, Mary Pendleton, Gillian Taylor, Sheila O'Rourke, Jannette Cox, Jo Dutton, Sheila Ravenscroft, Joy Tomey, Jo Ashen, Martin Baker, Stewart Millington, Ron Carter, Tony Withers, Stuart Green and Peter Owen.

"Sheila Ravenscroft was there being typically Sheila - dressed in some kind of 'French Growbag' - for the girls it was a sort of triangle, waist to floor, with feet holes in each corner. If she'd designed it in Polly Perkins' class, she'd have preceded Mary Quant as a famous designer.

"Friends who hadn't seen each other for years met with, I'm sure, a tear in their eyes, remembering the happy days of our youth at Moseley Art, which, with hindsight made us all veryspecial people. Now, as then, two groups evolved - boys at the one end, girls at the other ("Ma" Squires has a lot to answer for). I can't speak for the boys, but it was as if we were sitting in the cloakroom at our old school, all remembering, with many "Oh's" and "I never knew that" exclamations. We all seem to have gone on to succeed in our chosen careers, many of us still involved in Art in one way or another. Although none of us are famous, Art has provided us with a lot of enjoyment over the years. Most of us are now grandparents, and Sheila O'Rourke is going to be a great-grandmother, even though she doesn't look old enough. None of us seemed to look any older than than we were when we left the Moseley School of Art 46 years ago.

"By the evening, some of us, having realised we hadn't eaten all afternoon, made our way to an Italian Restaurant for sustenance, and many faced a long journey home. Everyone felt that we had all had a wonderful time and looked forward to meeting again at the May 2007 reunion at the school. We were grateful to our "other halves" who were golden, keeping themselves amused by talking about golf (a male thing) and, of course, taking photos of us.

"The thing that made the meeting special for us all (especially Ron Carter, who also went to Secondary school with him ) was seeing Tony (the wiz) Withers, who overcame the effects of recent  chemotherapy to make the meeting, and he was in good form as usual, recalling some of the scrapes we got into, teachers we loved/abused ( poor old Stan ) and recapping on his career as a Brum Beat rock 'n roll star (well, almost). We all wish him well for a complete recovery.

"In conclusion, I would like to say a huge "thank you" to those who came, as it was only possible because YOU made the effort to be there. I hope you all keep well 'til we meet again (I'm sure I'm beginning to sound like "Ma" Squires!).

Love to all, Jannette Williams (Cox)

The Autumn Newsletter

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Wayne ('Claude') Barratt (1970-77)

Wayne couldn't make the AGM and Reunion in May, but has managed a quick visit to Birmingham to visit his family.

He found time to drop in to the old school, and had a look around outside, but couldn't find anyone to allow him inside. Wayne was friends with Trevor Beattie, Robert Allen, Paul Johnston, Lynn Boden, Tony Donnelly, Steven Yorke and William Rushton.

Wayne was very disappointed not to have been able to catch up with any of them during his trip. He moved to Ontario, Canada 17 years ago after starting work as a Car Body Stylist with Chrysler UK and working in a succession of related jobs.

He married Debra twenty years ago, and has two dughters. He now owns his own freelance company in Trenton, Ontario, designing promotional vehicles and prototyping for car manufacturers.

Wayne would love to meet up with any old friends from the school he loved next time he is over on a visit, and is hoping to make it for our 2007 AGM and Reunion on Sunday, 20th. May. In the meantime, please drop him an email if you'd like to catch up with him. His email address is available on request.

One of the things that rolled away the years for Wayne was the discovery of the inscriptions on the brick wall of the lavatory in the boys playground. He found inscriptions dating back thirty years that had been made by his friends 'Trobe', 'Skill', and 'Bone' (you know who you are !)

If you can identify any of these inscriptions, let us know - we'll upload the identities of the names on the 'Wailing Wall'.

Does anyone know the identity of 'HAZE', the name inscribed during the early 1960's on walls, ceilings, buses - anything moveable or immoveable?

We have obtained a confession from the engraver of the "J.M. 1954-7" on the bottom left brick . . . perpetrated by none other than our old friend John Mackay, who has done us so many favours with his knowledge and skills in the world of printing.

Re Terry Wofford (Gilbert) ('59)

Further to my Email of the 18th. July, thanks to those who managed to make it to the Robin Hood Cemetery, Hall Green, Birmingham the following day to support Terry at the funeral of her Mum. Terry, pictured left, is a successful artist and has lived in the USA since shortly after leaving MSA in 1959 and attending Birmingham College of Art.

She lost Bob, her husband of 38 years just a short time ago after nursing him through a long illness, and her Mum was her only living relative. If you knew Teresa at our school, she'd be delighted to hear from you. She was a very close friend of Sally Somersby (Leach), who attended the funeral, and Christine McVie (Perfect).

Terry returns to the US on the 27th. July - it'd be nice if she returned to some Emails ! Please let me know if you'd like her Email address.

A Letter Re 'The Perishers'

You may remember that I included a mention of the Daily Mirror 'The Perishers' strip cartoon (below) and the famous 'Eyeballs in the Sky' sub-series. On hearing that the creator of the strip, Maurice Dodd had recently died at the age of 83 years, I wrote a short message of condolence and thanks to his family. Here is what I received in reply :

"Dear Graeme,

Many thanks for your kind message, which I have passed on to the family. My father was 83 and had recently celebrated 60 years of marriage to my mother, Daphne. He died on the evening of December 31, 2005, after suffering a brain haemorrhage at his home in Shepperton, Middlesex. We have been greatly cheered and comforted by all the messages we have received from fans of The Perishers who have recounted the pleasure they got from my father’s work. It is good for all of us to know that the time he spent in his studio, snapping pencils and working to make jokes work, was well spent. I know my father would have been pleased by your message as well, as he always appreciated hearing from readers, and replied to each letter, card, or even, on occasion, gift, as long as there was an address available.

My father was also quite keen on reunions, especially with his old comrades from the Servicing Commando, although in the last couple of years he became quite distressed by the fact that fewer and fewer were well enough to attend, and that the Grim Reaper was also exacting his toll.

I, too always enjoyed the "Eyeballs in the Sky" – as did my father, who rather regarded it as a way of escaping from the usual constraints of good taste and letting his imagination, and his taste for puns and gruesome word-play, run riot. We always knew when he was doing the Eyeballs – it was the time of year when you could hear him falling about in his studio laughing at his own unspeakable jokes about science, politics, 'claw and order' and so on.

Again, my thanks for your message. We have all been surprised, pleased and comforted by the trouble people have taken to let us know that they, too, mourn the passing of a fine and creative artist and writer.

Best wishes,

Mike Dodd

The 2006 Annual Reunion & AGM Meeting

Sunday, 21st. May at the old school, Moseley Road, Birmingham

A full account of the Reunion and Annual General Meeting has been added to our 'Reunion' webpage.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Tomorrow's the BIG DAY ! ! !

We're going to have a great day - Who's coming ?

WHY SHOULD YOU BE THERE ?

Just for once, this is an opportunity for YOU to put something back. We've got ex pupils flying in from all over the world, former teachers who'd love to hear what you've been doing since you left, and, of course, everyone is hoping for their own best friend to appear. Our numbers are slowly dwindling . . . It's important that YOU should be there - we should meet while we can. There are many, many around the world who would dearly love to be with us tomorrow who can't be there - please contact everyone you know who attended - we need a MAXIMUM ATTENDANCE.

Anyone who intends to be there should Email to pre-register.

We've had an excellent response to our request for pre-registrations, and we're expecting hundreds to attend. This is an unmissable opportunity for you to meet the special friends you had when you attended the school. From the huge list of pre-registrations, and quite apart from the 14 couples who married following their meeting at the school, we have picked just a few of those attending (totally at random) - there's Eileen Huckett ( nee Weaver ) who is coming from New Zealand, who left the school in 1972 . . . Antonia Ajao ('72), Warren (Lefty) Hands ('50), Bob Hewson ('57 - and most of the rest of his year by the looks of things, thanks to Graham Williams), Ernie Price (teacher), Mary Green (Drover) ('38), Tony Donnelly ('75) who's coming from the USA, Maria Cataldo ('76), Gary Stewart and Keith Piper ('79), Rob Hall ('69) who is coming from Switzerland, Terry Savin ('68), Bob Ashby (teacher), Tony Light ('47), Nora Potts ('29) . . . yes, that's 1929!, Elaine Emery (Richards)('74), Roy Reynolds ('44), Malcolm Kendrick ('61), Jannette Williams (Cox)('59), Jim Baker ('55), John Swift (teacher), Brian Lapworth ('51), most of the leavers of '44 thanks to Ivan Haycock, Colin Ashford ('56), Celebrity ex pupils ? Who knows.

Update . . . 14th. May

Only 7 days to go !

The Leavers of '68(ish) . . .

What was it like to be there in 1968?

Well, a lot of the pupils who started after the first '11+' entry left . . . Dave Drinkwater, Terry Savin, John Fieldhouse (deceased), Kevin Twittey and Roger Mear to name but a few.

The leavers of '68 will be delighted to know that Judith Scott (Wainwright) has just taken up the office of Year Representative. Judi will be looking for support from the members of her year to help her create the largest group of former pupils possible. If you were in the year of the first 11+ starters, it doesn't matter what year you left - help Judi by contacting her via our email address instead of waiting for her to contact you !

Among the notable events in 1968 were the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., as well as that of Senator Robert Kennedy. Kylie Minogue was borne in Melbourne, Australia, and Enoch Powell M.P. makes his 'Rivers of Blood' speech about the necessity of limiting immigration. The films of the year were 'Rosemary's Baby', 'Once Upon a Time in the West', 'The Lion in Winter' and 'The Swimmer' starring Burt Lancaster. Top of the Pops ? Perhaps you'll remember some of these . . . 'What A Wonderful World' by Louis Armstrong, 'Cant Take My Eyes Off You' by Andy Williams, 'Hey Jude' by The Beatles, and the father of the bride's favourite at the karaoke - 'She Wears My Ring' by Solomon King.

Please don't forget to send in your pre-registration now - we need names and numbers so that we can prepare name badges for everyone (including your guests), calculate catering requirements, and estimate seating requirements.

Update . . . 7th. May

Only 2 weeks to go !

Please Pre-Register NOW to confirm that you are going to attend ! - it's essential that you let us have the names and numbers of everyone attending so that we can prepare name badges and so that we can estimate the catering requirements for the day. Have you phoned your friends to let them know you're going?

If you're going to be there, how about lending just a little of your time to helping with admissions, laying out the buffet etc.? We all want to enjoy ourselves - the more offers of help we get, the less we all have to do ! Please let me know if you'll muck in for half an hour . . . !

The Leavers of '62 . . .

They say that if you can remember the '60's, you weren't there. Well, as a reminder, 1962 was the year that Roy (Wizzard) Wood left MSA, the orbit of the Earth by US astronaut John Glenn, the Cuban Missile Crisis, Harold MacMillan's night of the long knives, Algeria's independence from France, the launching of Telstar, the death of Marilyn Monroe, the premieres of 'Laurence of Arabia', 'West Side Story' and 'Splendor in the Grass' . . . while the charts had hits like 'The Twist' by Chubby Checker, 'I Remember You' by Frank Ifield, 'The Young Ones' by Cliff Richard, 'Moon River' by Danny Williams and 'Sealed with a Kiss' by Brian Hyland.

Great news for the '62 leavers - Roy Dalton has taken up the office of Year Rep and things are already happening. He's looking to create a bumper attendance from the year of '62 at our Reunion - if you'd like to contact him, leave an Email for immediate forwarding. Roy has shared some of his memories of his time at MSA among our Pupil Profiles - well worth a LOOK

The most popular newspaper in the '60s was the Daily Mirror, which not only featured the addictive strip cartoon 'The Perishers' (Below) but was also the publisher of 'Jane' . . . the creation of Norman Pett, one of the teachers at the Moseley School of Art.

Spring Newsletter The Spring Newsletter is on it's way to everyone with an outline of what's happening in the lead up to the Reunion. The Newsletter is primarily aimed at those ex pupils who don't have Email contact, and those who do have Email but have forgotten to inform us of changed Email addresses - mostly due to a change over to Broadband ! PLEASE let us have your current Email address by clicking HERE

To view the newsletter in PDF format, click HERE

Brian Sewell . . .

The well-known Evening Standard art critic and TV personality has contacted us to apologise that he will not be able to join us at the reunion - he is currently suffering from a recurrent problem with his back, and his doctor has advised him to avoid any movement for at least four weeks. Needless to say, however disappointed we are, we understand that a round trip up from London in a day would be impossible.

After liaising directly with him, we had high expectations that Brian would have been joining us as a guest celebrity speaker at our meeting. However disappointed we are, it was a pleasure to hear his voice on the telephooooooooone, charming as ever and genuinely concerned that we may feel let down.

It is hoped that we may be able to secure a booking with him at a future meeting.

Sheila Fawkes (Ravenscroft) ('60) . . .

Sheila has resumed her Art studies and will be holding a show of her work at Bourneville on the 12th. June - if you'd like more details, Email me and I'll arrange contact with Sheila for you. It would be great if she got some support. Sheila is quite coy about the show content, but, as anyone who knew Sheila at school will know, it's going to challenge convention !

Update . . . 5th. May

The special theme for the reunion will be . . . Romance !

See our Reunion webpage for details of our special theme - former pupils who married after a romance that started at Moseley Art School.

Update . . . 1st. May

Only 3 weeks to go to our Reunion !

The pre-registrations are coming in . . . but not quickly enough! We want EVERY former pupil who can travel to be there! Send YOUR pre-registration now . . . don't be one of those who wasn't there to meet friends you may never be able to meet again. Each reunion is unique in that there will be people there who may never get together again . . . ever. We want 1,000 people there on the day - make sure you're one of them, whether you attended during the '70's. the '60's, the '50's, the '40's, the '30's . . . is it possible that we may have any former pupils who attended during the 1920's !!!!!!!! ? May we have a surprise or two on the day? The early Summer brings a special vitality - Isn't it worth coming just because you're proud to be British?

We all forged very close friendships, although some may now be forgotten, that will never be replicated during our time at the school. During that time, we went through the most profound stages in our own personal development . . . progressive changes to our appearance that could be catalogued on a monthly basis - shooting up in height, with muscles appearing, whiskers sprouting . . . and that was just the girls ! We made the transition from children into young adults, discovered music and dancing, and probably had our first heady experience of attraction to the opposite sex. A very high number of relationships that were formed during that led to marriage - many of those couples will be there on the day . . .

Every one of our former schoolfriends is important, valued and significant . . . a part of our own personal history as well as that of a very special school, unlike any other in the country. If we liken Life to a steady uphill journey, you eventually get to a stage when you feel like taking a moment to take a brief moment to pause and look back over your shoulder at the journey you've made, and at the distance you have travelled.

That's the Reunion . . . be one of the thousand ex-pupils who cram into the school on the day.

Update . . . 19th. April

I'm sorry to say that one of our former teachers, Stanisa Vlahovic, will not be able to attend the Reunion as he is currently having back problems. He wrote the following letter in reply to our invitation -

" I am very much honoured by your invitation to attend the Reunion on the 21st. May. Unfortunately, my back - as I am getting too old - is letting me down badly. I have almost continuous aching, sometimes pain as well. For this reason, with great regret, I'll have to miss your happy gathering.

Please give my best wishes to all of the members, and have a good time on that great day. I admire your efforts and your dedication which inspires you to be together on the Reunion day.

With kindest regards to all our friends,

Yours ever, Stanisa

I hope to visit Stan soon to take some details of his time at Moseley. ( I just hope he doesn't remember how much grief I caused him when I was a pupil . . . )

Stan is pictured here with Jo Phillips (Ashen) (1960) who visited him at home in Moseley last year following our Reunion. Jo now lives with husband Adrian in a beautiful place known as "Little England Beyond Wales" in West Pembrokeshire.

Update . . . 15th. April

Interest in the 2006 Reunion has taken off, and a large number of enquiries from as far away as New Zealand, Canada and the USA (to say nothing of Selly Oak and Acocks Green) have been received via Email about specific matters. A newsletter will be sent out via Email and post to all subscribing members which will contain full details, together with an agenda for the A.G.M.

A superb buffet lunch will be provided on the day, and one of the difficulties we always have is estimating the amount of food to order - if you intend to be there, would you be please be kind enough to pre-register by Emailing us with numbers attending. We're looking forward to a maximum attendance, so please do phone friends, especially those who don't have Email contact to encourage them to be there on the 21st. May.

We are finding new contacts from among our list of missing former pupils all the time - what a shame it would be if they came along (some from the other side of the world) to meet people who haven't made the effort to be there . . . You may have noticed the obituary notice for David Pearson (1952), who passed away last September. His widow, Jean has told us how pleased he was to have attended the 2005 Reunion and to have met old schoolfriends just four months before.

Never mind who might be there who you'd like to meet - it's 'them' who want to meet YOU !

We're receiving offers of help already, which is great news, but we can always do with extra pairs of hands, so please Email if you feel like joining in for a while on the day - all offers gratefully received.

"Memories of Moseley"

Ivan Haycock's book 'Memories of Moseley' covers the experiences of a number of present and now deceased members of the school between the years following the First World War and the end of the Second World War - a period of depression, hardship and austerity . . . but one full of humour, lasting friendships and in many cases remarkable achievements.

Ivan says that among the unsolicited letters he has received from those who have read the book are:-

" Excellent! Now, having read your creation from the first capital to the last full stop I have nothing but praise for your superb archive documentation ".

" Moseley's influence on those of us who were fortunate to be part of the ethos of the school, comes though again and again ".

" Reading it through brought lumps to my throat ".

The book costs £4.00 including postage from:

Ivan Haycock
The Hornbeams
17, Springwood Walk,
ST. ALBANS, Herts.,
AL4 9UN

A limited number of copies will be available at the forthcoming reunion on the 21st. May.

Preliminary announcement . . .

I have received confirmation from the owners of the school building that we may have the use of the old school building for our 2006 Annual Reunion & AGM Meeting. As per our constitution, the meeting will be held on the third Sunday in May . . . Sunday, 21st. May . . . so please make a note in your diary and tell everyone you know who might want to attend - let's make this one the biggest yet - we're aiming for an attendance of 1,000 !

The doors will be opened and registration will commence at 11.30am. The super buffet lunch will be served from 12.30 onwards, and we'll be dispersing at around 4.30pm. As usual, the preparation will fall to the faithful few . . . Many hands make light work, so if you'd like to contribute just a small amount of time on the day to helping, email me for a list of things that will need doing on the day and you'll be able to take your pick. All offers gratefully received.

Full details will be forwarded via Email to all members within the next few days, and regular updates will be posted here and on the Reunion webpage . . . Please update your Email contact details so that we can keep you informed !

Please remember - people will be travelling from all over the world, literally, to be there to meet YOU - and it may be the only chance you'll get to meet them. There's a possibility that there may not be a reunion next year, so please make sure you help us to hit that 1,000 attendance figure along with all of the new faces who've found us during the last year!

Members who are FRIENDSREUNITED subscribers will be receiving Emails telling them that the Reunion is on the 1st May - THIS IS INCORRECT and was thrown up by their own automated systems. Sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused - I have had details of the Reunion removed from their website and will be severing connections with them. More at our AGM.

Payment of Subscriptions by Standing Order

Many thanks - the majority of our members are now paying their Annual Subscription by means of our Standing Order form.

This has made administration of your £17.50 annual subscription much easier and has removed the necessity for us to write to members with renewal requests. If you haven't already completed and returned your Standing Order, please download a copy HERE and return it to our Acting Treasurer (not to your bank) as soon as possible at the following address:

"Memories of Moseley"

One of the things I'd like to update you on is the completion of Ivan Haycock's (1944) small book "Memories of Moseley" . . . a 60-page booklet (A4 folded A5) packed with facts, accounts and reminiscences from many contributors who were generous with their time in helping Ivan (and his wife, Marie, no doubt - she also attended our school), all drawn together by Ivan's own perspective of the school around the general period he attended. Ivan has been kind enough to provide all of the many contributors with a complementary copy of the book, and further copies are available direct from him. Timing is everything, and, unfortunately Ivan and Marie will be away for four months, leaving in the next few days. I'll see what can be done about letting you have details re availability as soon as possible.

Please watch this space - further updates will be appearing soon, and I'm already making inroads into the mountain of correspondence - sorry if you've been waiting for a reply.

Re: Steve Ajao - former pupil 1964-70 Update

It's now been a year since Steve had his serious accident (report below). He was run over by a car driven by a 19 year-old while crossing the road near his home on a pedestrian crossing, and sustained extensive injuries to his head and legs, remaining unconscious for two weeks. It is understood that the driver of the car is facing prosecution over the incident and the matter is therefore sub judice. It's great to hear that Steve is now slowly on the mend from his life-threatening accident - his injuries are still debilitating and he's due to have knee replacement surgery, but things are steadily improving. Steve is grateful to everyone who has supported him during his ordeal and is hoping to join us at the school for our 2006 Reunion on the 21st. May - we're looking forward to seeing him.

Steve, one of Britain's top Blues and Jazz musicians, is gradually resuming his playing career and if you'd like to support him, he'd love you to come along to the 'Club Be Bop' Blues and Jazz jam sessions he and his band have now resumed at the Moseley Arms Pub, Ravenhurst Street, Digbeth, every Friday - 10pm until late (late licence).

HAPPY NEW YEAR !

Best wishes for a happy, healthy and prosperous 2006 - a New Year that will bring you and your family everything you would wish for.

I'm afraid that things relating to the Association have slowed due to me (Graeme Collins) having to become involved more or less full time at short notice in a family property develpment project some six months earlier than planned. There's lots to do and we're starting the New Year with renewed optimism and energy. Thanks to everyone who was thoughtful enough to send a personal Christmas card. Very much appreciated - sorry if you were one of those who didn't receive one in return.

Re: Steve Ajao - former pupil 1964-70

The benefit gig on Sunday, 3rd. July at the Prince of Wales pub in Moseley was a great success, with a large number of friends and supporters from the world of music managing to raise more than £7,500 for Steve. The warm sunny day was spent listening to Blues, Rock and Jazz bands too numerous to mention, including raffle prizes donated by members of UB40.

Steve, who is a very likeable and popular guy, suffered severe head and facial injuries, and is still in hospital. As he will be unable to work for some considerable time, I wonder if you might want to join me in donating a few pounds to his fund . . . ? Donations may be sent to the "Steve Ajao Benefit Appeal" c/o 136 Salisbury Road, Moseley, Birmingham B13 8JZ. For more information, phone Ade Wakelin on 07831 099951.

For fine Masonic Photography visit MasterFoto

Steve Ajao - former pupil 1964-70

It is with great regret that we announce that one of our former pupils, Steve Ajao – a top Jazz & Blues Musician player suffered serious head and leg injuries following a hit-and-run road accident in Birmingham on Monday 6th. June and is unlikely to be able to work for some considerable time. Steve left the Moseley School of Art in 1970 - his sister Antonia (who we were delighted to see at our Reunion on the 15th. May) and brother Nicky also attended the school.

Musicians from all over the Midlands will be joining together to play a benefit gig to raise funds to support Steve - a great way for you to support Steve would be to attend the all day gig at the beer garden at one of Steve’s favourite pubs, the Prince of Wales in Moseley, on Sunday 3 July.

Doors open at 12.30 and there will be a full day of fantastic Jazz, Blues, Reggae, Rock and Acoustic music with many top names from Moseley and the wider Midlands area already lending their support. A full line up and programme will be announced nearer the date.

Event organiser Ade Wakelin said "there will be a £5 admission charge for everyone, including all of the musicians, artists, caterers and volunteers, but if anybody feels able to donate a little more, then we will be most grateful! All of the money collected will be donated to help Steve with
absolutely no costs taken out."

Two of Moseley’s top Restaurants, K2 and The Bistro Lyonnais, will be providing the food for what promises to be a tremendous day out featuring some of Moseley and Birmingham’s best music. Many kind messages of love and support for Steve have been received and are greatly appreciated. However, the hospital has said it is very important that only close family visit Steve while he is in intensive care.

Friends who want to keep in touch and send a message to Steve can visit his web site at www.steveajao.com

Anyone wishing to make a donation can send a cheque payable to Steve Ajao
c/o 136 Salisbury Road, Moseley, B13 8JZ.

For more information, please contact Ade Wakelin direct at :

E Mail: ade@smokinguitars.co.uk

07831 099 951

The 2005 Reunion & Spring Exhibition

The 2005 Reunion and Spring Exhibition took place at the school as planned between the 15th. and 21st. May.

The Annual General Meeting

The business before the meeting was as follows :

ELECTIONS:

President: There being no other nominations, Graeme Collins was re-elected.

Treasurer: There being no other nominations, John Sermon was re-elected.

Exhibitions Secretary: There being no other nominations, Pamela Headford was re-elected.

ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS: The Annual Subscription will remain unchanged at £10 for the ensuing year ending 1st. May 2006.

The Reunion

The Reunion took place on a very warm sunny day and we had an excellent attendance. The idea of asking everyone to pre-register took much of the work out of the admissions process, which commenced slightly later than planned due to difficulties with the electronic locking system on the refrigerated food van at the outset of the day. We are very grateful to those former pupils who assisted us - Val Burton, Pat Freeman (Greaves), Patti Reynolds (Mann), Pat Surman (Barton), David Walton and everyone else who pitched in. It was very noticeable that the average age of those who attended was higher than before - many more of our more senior members, at the expense of our younger leavers - particularly those who left after around 1968. Everyone who attended agreed that the atmosphere was the most enjoyable they had experienced so far. Among the people who attended from far afield, we were joined on the day by Graham Newman ('70) who is now an airline pilot and lives in San Ramon, California, and John Jones ('67), now Operations Manager for QANTAS Airlines who flew in from Sydney, Australia for (literally) a couple of days just to be with us.

The meeting, which also comprised the Annual General Meeting of the Association and preview of the Spring Exhibition, started with everyone standing in silence for a few moments to remember not only those former friends and teachers who are no longer with us, but those who would have loved to be there but were unable to make the trip. It was a pleasure to see so many new faces.

The President, Graeme Collins, then announced that 117 apologies had been received, and mentioned a few specific apologies including Mr. Jack Taylor (former head), Mr. Stan Vlahovic (former teacher), the Rev. Christine Musser (Brudenell) ('70 - the vicar of Boscastle and star of the recent T.V. series on the Boscastle floods), John Sermon, our Treasurer, and Terry Wofford (Gilbert), a former pupil ('59) who now lives in Arizona. Graeme then provided everyone with an update of what has taken place during the previous year. The representative of the school's owners, Mr. Javed Arain, was then invited to update the meeting on progress toward refurbishment of the school's facade.

Graeme was delighted to be able to highlight the fact that a number of ex pupils who left the school more than 70 years ago were being reunited at the meeting. Nora Potts (Grimley)('29), Barbara Ball (Minchin)('34), Bob Ball ('33), Muriel Reay ('34), Ruby Colson (Summers)('35) and Dorothy Fisher (Docker)('31) managed to make it, and reporters from the Birmingham Evening Mail and Birmingham Post covered the story with photo pieces in both newspapers the following day. It was unfortunate that Poppy Grainger (Rowley)('34) and Walter Quicke ('30) were unable to be there on the day. Walter, like Bob Ball, has phenomenal recall and is always very entertaining.

There was much information to relate to the meeting, following which everyone was invited to tuck into the magnificent buffet lunch which had been prepared in the former Silversmithing Room. It says much for the quality of the catering that we have received several letters and e mails from appreciative ex pupils asking us to compliment those who worked so hard to please everyone - Richard, Pat Surman (Barton), Patti Reynolds, Vikki and Kieran.

The 2005 Spring Exhibition

Organisation and development of the 2005 Exhibition was undertaken by our new Exhibitions Secretary, Pam Headford. We didn't have the luxury of having a former pupil offer to provide and erect our exhibition display stands (as was the case in 2003 when the brilliant Dave Drinkwater and Terry Savin ('68) were generous enough to donate their services). A small but able and very dedicated and enthusiastic team got together to build the exhibition stands from scratch during the week preceding the exhibition. As well as Pam Headford and Terry Neal ('50), our Assistant Exhibitions Secretary, we were assisted by Patti Reynolds (Mann)('49), Pam's husband Brian, David Smith ('70), Robert Sedgley ('58), Ivan Perkins ('51), Tony Light ('47), Mike Richardson ('49), Roger Smith ('49) and Richard Collins.

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2 RE: Peter Phillips and John Walker (left 1955)

Peter Phillips and John Walker both attended the Moseley School of Art, leaving in 1955 to become students at the Birmingham College of Art.

Peter went on to the Royal College of Art and became an icon of 20th. century art as one of the four acknowledged founders of the Pop Art movement.

John has since studied and taught all over the world and is now Professor of Painting, Visual Arts Division of School for the Arts, Boston University.

We are in the process of compiling a brief biography of both former pupils. If you feel you can add anything interesting to the exercise, please let us know.

3 THE REUNION LUNCH FOR PUPILS WHO LEFT IN 1957

4 CONFIRMATION - 2005 Reunion, AGM & Spring Exhibition Dates !

5 The Veterans' Lunch

6 URGENT - Call for Works - The 2005 Spring Exhibition

Our last Spring Exhibition was a great success, with many exhibitors being delighted with the cash return on sales and the wider exposure of their works.

The Winter Newsletter which was sent out to all of our contacts contained a Registration of Interest form that should be used to pre-register the intention of potential exhibitors for our 2005 exhibition next May.

Pam Headford, our Exhibitions Secretary, has received a healthy number of returns, but we are aiming for a blockbuster entry, and urge EVERYONE who would like to sell their work to contact Pam NOW so that we can prepare plans for the Exhibition. You'll be guaranteed a level of publicity and exposure that is normally reserved for more established artists, and you'll have the enjoyment of having your works exhibited at the old school.

Please send your completed form to Pam as soon as possible. If you didn't for some reason receive a form, please download a copy HERE and return it as soon as possible.

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7 Subscriptions - Standing Orders

Many thanks - the majority of our members are now paying their Annual Subscription by means of our Standing Order form.

This has made administration of your £10 annual subscription much easier and has removed the necessity for us to write to members with renewal requests. If you haven't already completed and returned your Standing Order, please download a copy HERE and return it to our acting Treasurer (not to your bank) as soon as possible at the following address:

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8 School Photographs

Paul Sankey (1964) has prepared reproductions of the annual ("panoramic") school photographs in the form of 'composites' - a single large print incorporating each of the annual photos to cover a student's years at the school. Prints of your years at the school can be ordered by email from me - email address at head of this page. Part of the proceeds will go to the Association.

We are still looking to borrow copies of the original school photos for the years 1945, 1946, 1947, 1949, 1954, 1956, 1965, 1967, 1969, 1971, 1972, 1973, and 1974. If you'd like to loan your photos for copying, please email me first.

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9 Update on the "Sharing our Past" project

Following the lull for the Festive Season, it's marvellous to receive the first few submissions in the "Sharing our Past" project, and to be updated regarding others which are in the course of being prepared.

EVERYONE should forward at least a few jottings based on the headers listed in item (13) below - all submissions will be acknowledged, and may well be included in the proposed publication. It's also extremely important that you loan us your works and photographs from your time at school so that we can digitally record them - all items will be returned safely within 7 days.

Do any of the following trigger your memories of your time at MSA ? Kent's, The Alhambra, Gill Sans, the Midland Educational, Guy Mitchell, Keep's Poster Paint, Winsor & Newton Series 16 "School of Art" sable brushes, Del Shannon, Adderley Street, Ryland, Kenrick and Vittoria, Mr. Merryman, Borax, Hurlston Design, 'Pa' Jenkins, Weatheroak Press, Lou Reed, Riley Advertising (what were the names of the other employers who regularly sought ex-MSA students ?) Can anyone remind us of the name of the large pub on the corner of Edward Road (where 'Ma' Squires and Mr. Jones used to take lunch) ? Can someone throw light on what Tom "Percy" Palmer did later in life ? How was the room arranged for morning assembly ?

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10 The Christmas Mailshot

If you're on our Register of Former Pupils, you'll have received a copy of our Christmas mailshot - a Christmas card accompanied by a newsletter bringing you up to date on some of the more important things that are happening with the Association. My personal thanks go to all of those ex-MSA guys who sent me cards and E Mails - it's easier to find the time and energy when you know it's appreciated.

If you intend to exhibit at the proposed Spring Exhibition next May - PLEASE make sure that you respond to the request for statements of interest - without adequate responses, we won't be able to proceed with our plans.

On behalf of our Treasurer, John Sermon, I ask you to consider completing and returning the Bankers Standing Order so that your annual membership subscription is paid automatically for you - on time, each year. We still have people who don't subscribe, yet feel that it's perfectly alright to avail themselves of the opportunity to attend Reunions, receive communications and request information from the Register of Former Pupils. The subscription is only £10 per year - surely a small and affordable price to pay for membership when so much work is done on your behalf.

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11 Our Latest Celebrity Pupil - Chris Musser (Brudenell)

If you watched the first episode of the new serial "A Seaside Parish" on BBC2, Tuesday 28th. December, you'll probably be very surprised to know that the subject of the series, the Rev. Christine Musser, is a former pupil of the Moseley School of Art.

Chris, whose maiden name was Brudenell, attended MSA between 1965 and 1970. Now 48, Chris is relatively new to the ministry, having been ordained deacon in 2000 and priested in 2001. She was born in Somerset but grew up in Birmingham before marrying and moving to Staffordshire with her first husband in 1973. The business of raising a family meant that she did not consider the possibilities of ministry until later in her life.

Christine moved to Cornwall in 1990 with her three teenage daughters Emma, Heather and Sarah, following the break up of her marriage. She started work as a caretaker at St Ives Church and began a Youth Club, gradually finding herself being drawn into all aspects of Church life. While at the Church, she also met Brett, who was Head of Music at a local school, and they married in 1999. Brett, who originally hails from Kansas, also has three teenage children from a previous marriage.

In 1995, Christine began to explore the possibilities of vocation and began her Certificate of Theology. She left her job as a caretaker the following year and became a Special Needs Assistant at a local school. She continued her ministerial training, while acting as a Licensed Lay Worker in Torpoint, and gained a theology degree from the College of St Mark and St John in Plymouth. Within two weeks of becoming a priest in 2001, she found herself in charge of the parish of Torpoint where she worked as a curate until moving to Boscastle a year ago.

Chris has a sister, Ann, who also attended MSA and also now lives in Cornwall at St. Ives.

The BBC2 series continues with the next episode at 8pm on Monday, 3rd. January 2005.

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12 Call for Works - the 2005 Spring Exhibition

All those former pupils and teachers who wish to exhibit works for sale at the 2005 Spring Exhibition are reminded that they should apply for an Entry Form as soon as they have decided on the number and type of entries they wish to submit. Pam Headford (Gilbert) and Terry Neal are planning the format and arrangements for the exhibition - forms and other details will be available shortly.

Please note that the Receiving Day will be Sunday the 8th. May.

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Sources have informed us that the old school building is wreathed in scaffolding. Details and an update will be included in the newsletter which will go out to everyone who has become a subscribing member.

14 Graham Williams (1957) - how one Year Representative is making a difference

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Graham is the Year Rep for the leavers of 1957, having taken over from Tony Brookes, who has stood aside due to other demands on his time. We thank Tony for his contribution to the Association.

Graham took over as Year Rep for the leavers of '57 only around 7 weeks ago, and has got off to a roaring start . . . investing time and energy in his desire to contact every former pupil from his own year at the school with a view to hold an Anniversary Party some time next year. He certainly seems to have created enthusiasm for the project - other former friends from Graham's days at school have been helping him to locate the 'missing links' with great success. Graham will, no doubt, be rewarded in part for his work when the large number of people he has already located turn up to meet him at our Reunion at the school next May.

Our thanks and respect go to Graham for his dedication and enthusiasm. If any other Year Reps would like to know how he has managed to find so many of MSA's "lost souls", he'll be delighted to share his secrets with you.

15 Former MSA student wins the £20,000 "NOT the Turner Prize"

Our congratulations go to Paul Bartlett, who left the school in 1973, who has won the first prize of £20,000 in the 2004 Daily Mail "NOT the Turner Prize" competiton, beating 10,000 other entrants.

The following item is extracted from an article in the Daily Mail :

" Paul Bartlett, the winner of our £20,000 NOT The Turner Prize, describes himself as a struggling artist. ‘I’ve tried for years to make a full-time living out of painting’, he says. ‘But I would have starved to death long ago if I’d had to rely on it. Instead, I’ve taken part-time teaching jobs to help pay my way’.

"However, it’s his own fault that he finds it hard to make ends meet with his brush, for Paul says he puts so much effort into his paintings that he is reluctant to part with them, although there is no shortage of interested buyers. ‘I just can’t bring myself to sell, because it’s like losing a part of myself,’ he says. ‘Every painting takes so much out of me.’

"His prizewinning painting — of his beloved grandmother Doris Tompkins at the age of 87 took him more than two years. ‘She was a patient sitter, but I worked mostly from sketches, because I couldn’t expect a lively old lady to keep still for long periods.’

"The judges were unanimous in their praise. Chairman Andrew Lloyd Webber said: ‘The picture has a fantastic feel. You take one look at it and you feel you know her very well.’ Another judge, Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood, himself an accomplished artist had spotted Paul’s painting at an early stage in the judging and, after pulling it out of a pile of rejects, championed it through to the final. Ronnie said: ‘It is a remarkable piece of work. I felt as if I was in the same room as this lovely old lady.’ Artist Tom Coates, who coordinated the judging and is supervising the exhibition of the finalists’ paintings at the Mall Galleries in London, said: ‘You can feel the love the artist has for his grandmother - it shines through every stroke of his brush’.

"The final choice was whittled down to four paintings, with only the slenderest voting margin between them. But Paul’s picture finally emerged the winner. Paul, who is 48, plans to use the prize money to get himself a proper studio. At the moment he works out of his parents’ home in King’s Heath, Birmingham — where he still lives — and whose front room is the setting for his winning painting.

" ‘I had almost resigned myself to devoting my life to helping other people fulfil their own creative dreams,’ he says. ‘Winning this prize will change all that now.’ Paul has been an enthusiastic painter since the age of six. He says he amazed himself by passing the art entrance exam to Birmingham’s Moseley School of Art, at the age of 11, with the highest marks in his year.

" ‘Looking back at my academic work, I realise I wasn’t very good at anything except painting. Without art, I felt I was nothing.’ Later on, he won first prize in the Stowells Trophy national competition for art colleges. ‘It was before Brit Art and before the official Turner Prize changed the appreciation of art from proper paintings, and gave all the honours to unmade beds and dismembered sharks.

" ‘If these alternative forces had been in vogue when I was considering taking up art, I might have been completely thwarted from the outset. The swing away from traditional painting was disconcerting for me because I like to capture subjects exactly as I see them — and for a long time that’s been unfashionable in the professional art world.’

" Paul went on to take a fine art degree at Falmouth College of Art, Cornwall, and did postgraduate studies at London’s Royal Academy Schools and the University of Central England in Birmingham. Earlier, at 16, Paul had started exhibiting at the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists and went on to show at the National Portrait Gallery. His work, dating back to his school days, is included in more than 20 art books.

" Paul, who is unmarried, has kept almost all his paintings. Although he hates parting with them, practical needs have forced him to sell a few. His first was sold in 1987 and, five years ago, he sold another picture to a local doctor. His prize-winning painting of Doris — who sadly did not live to enjoy his achievement in coming first out of some nearly 10,000 entries — is one of several family portraits. ‘I’ve also painted my mother doing her knitting and my brother reading a newspaper,’ he says. ‘I painted my grandmother, whom we nicknamed the Queen Mother, because of my love and high regard for her.

" ‘They may be ordinary subjects, but I like to paint things I know well. I am delighted that the NOT The Turner Prize has given a platform to what I like to think is real art.’ Ironically, Doris Tompkins and the real Queen Mother narrowly missed having the same painter in common. When Paul’s painting of her was exhibited in the BP Portrait Awards, at London’s National Portrait Gallery, it was hung by chance next to the eventual winner — who was then commissioned to paint the Queen Mother proper. " ‘I still occasionally ponder how things might have been,’ laughs Paul. ‘Not many artists get to paint two Queen Mothers in their lifetime.’ "

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16 Additional General Meeting 22nd. August 2004

Following the meeting of Year Representatives and other interested parties at the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery on Sunday, 22nd. August, it is confirmed that a Spring Exhibition of works for sale, AGM and Whole School Reunion will be held at the school building during May 2005.

The meeting was called by the President, Graeme Collins primarily to ascertain the level of support for a Spring Exhibition of works for sale by former pupils and teachers next year, following the success of the 2003 Exhibition. The meeting took place in the Edwardian Tea Room at the Birmingham Art Gallery and Museum, which proved to be a delightful venue. Most of those who attended took advantage of the excellent dining facilities at the Museum prior to the meeting.

Graeme commenced by welcoming everyone who attended, some having travelled considerable distances, and provided a background to the evolution of the Association and the 2003 Spring Exhibition and Reunion. He then added that he had, in October 2003 published a "call for entries" for a proposed Exhibition in May 2004, together with a call for volunteers to assist in its organisation. He stated that there had been an inadequate positive response from prospective exhibitors and organisers to those calls, and was disappointed at having to make the reluctant decision to defer the prospect of another Spring Exhibition until 2005.

By the conclusion of the meeting, he stated that he was delighted with the level of enthusiasm and commitment shown by those who had agreed to take part in the organisation and running of the event.

Following discussion, the following items of business were resolved :

• Spring Exhibition: There will be a Spring Exhibition of Works for Sale in May 2005 - written agreement has already been sought and obtained from the school owners (preliminary details below). Given the amount of work necessary to mount events of this nature, the Spring Exhibition and Whole School Reunion will, from May 2005, be a biennial event. An Annual General Meeting and Reunion will continue to be held on an annual basis

• Appointments to Offices: Pam Headford (Gilbert) has accepted the office of Exhibitions Secretary and Terry Neal has accepted the office of Assistant Exhibitions Secretary. It was confirmed that John Sermon will undertake the office of Treasurer. Following a brief discussion regarding the necessity for an Arts Secretary, we are grateful to former teacher Bob Ashby for agreeing to accept the office. Bob will be responsible for academic matters relating to our proceedings, and will liaise with the press and media in this respect on our behalf.

• Publicity and Sponsorship: Max Lopacki (who was unavoidably delayed in Spain and couldn't attend the meeting) has stated that he is prepared to head up a team of like-minded individuals to secure corporate sponsorship for our Spring Exhibition, adding that he is prepared to donate £500 on behalf of his company to start the ball rolling. Twins Sandra and Susan Mead and Ron Carter have agreed to take on some work in this direction. If you have any experience in this area, have personal contacts at management level in major organisations, or would just like to lend a hand in this direction, please email us so that we can get details to you.

• Draft Constitution: The draft Constitution is available for preview and comment to all subscribing members. If you are a subscribing member and would like a copy, please e mail us and you will be sent a PDF (Adobe Acrobat) file. The Constitution will be formalised at our AGM next May, so please forward your comments as soon as possible. It may be necessary to hold a short "progress" meeting before then to take any amendments forward.

• The School History: Graeme reminded those present that the book by John Swift "An Illustrated History of Moseley Art School: Art Education in Birmingham 1800-1975" was now available. A number of those present had already purchased a copy, and one of these was passed around for comment. The general feeling was that it was a very good book which would be essential reading for anyone who felt passionately about the old school. Ivan Haycock is a keen devotee of MSA and acts as Year Representative to everyone who attended between 1928 and 1944 - the year he himself left the school. Ivan stated that he had obtained a copy of the book but felt that there was a place for a fresh work about the school, perhaps even in the form of a booklet or booklets, which would concentrate mainly on the personal experiences of those who attended. He elaborated on his ideas, and stated that he is undertaking the gathering of information toward that aim, which coincides with the long-overdue necessity of gathering and sharing personal accounts, documents, items of uniform and other memorabilia that will "preserve the future" of the Moseley School of Art. Please see the separate feature on Sharing our Past

• Changes of E Mail Address: Graeme said that a very large number of former pupils who had forwarded their e mail addresses had changed them without notifying us of their new address. When a block e mail is sent out to all our contacts about a reunion, an obituary etc., it's very frustrating when around two-fifths are returned with "error" or "undelivered" messages. This means that we are losing touch again with people it's taken us thirty, forty or fifty years to find !!! PLEASE make sure we have your correct e mail address and other contact details - we won't mind at all if they turn out to be the ones we already have.

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17 The 2005 Spring Exhibition, AGM & Whole School Reunion (preliminary details)

• Preparation of the school building for the Exhibition will take place between the 9th. and 14th. May

• The Receiving Day for exhibition works will be Sunday, 8th. May

• The Whole School Reunion will take place on the 15th. May at the old school building. The Reunion day will include the Annual General Meeting of subscribing members and the Preview Day of the Exhibition

• The Official Opening & Press and Media Day will be Monday, 16th. May

• The Exhibition will be open to the public between Monday, 16th. May and Saturday, 28th. May 2005, on which day any unsold works must be collected

• Further details will follow shortly. In the meantime, if you have any immediate enquiries, please e-mail us

18 Membership

Being able to communicate effectively with everyone is the most important factor in our activities. We have the website, which is a brilliant tool (we currently averaging around 800+ hits per day), but only when people remember to look at it . . . Our most effective communication tool is, of course, e-mail. Now that more and more of our former friends are getting wired, it's only a matter of time before they wonder if there's any reference to the Moseley School of Art on the internet and they find our site. We already have over 1,100 names on the Association's register of former pupils.

If you'd like your details to be added to the Association Register of former pupils, please let me have the following details - your details will not be disclosed to anyone else outside the Association.

(Contact details - partial or otherwise - that will help us to get in touch with any other former pupils also very welcome and appreciated)

Also, could you please indicate whether you wish to be contacted by other former members of the school. In the event of someone wishing to contact you, we will pass their contact information on to you. Of the contacts on our register, only one person so far has requested that her details should be witheld.

At the Annual General Meeting on the 18th May 2003, it was decided to organise a proper system of membership so that the burden of financing the Association, previously met by myself, would be shared by the membership. The members themselves elected to introduce a token annual subscription fee of £10 and I became the first paid-up member.

Membership of the Association enables you take advantage of the facilities of the Association which include :

• Eligibilty (with one partner) to attend the Reunion and Annual General Meeting at the school on the 3rd Sunday in May each year

• Information regarding events via e-mail or Royal Mail

• Exhibition of your works at future Exhibitions

• Promotion via this website for your works in the arts and crafts

• Eligibility to propose and/or vote for candidates for membership of the Council of the Association

• Propose and/or vote on other matters affecting the direction and future of the Association
  
  

Naturally, we'd like everyone to become a member. If you don't wish to become a member, we'll be happy to just enter your name on the register of former pupils, and you'll have access to the website, but we won't be able to enter into correspondence, and a contribution in the form of an admission fee to attend the Reunion will be payable.

If you'd like to become a member and be a part of keeping the Moseley School of Art alive, we'll be pleased to receive your subscription fee of £17.50. The subscription becomes payable on the 1st. May each year.

Payment by Standing Order has made administration of subscriptions much easier and has removed the necessity for us to write to members with renewal requests. Why not join the majority of members who have already opted to pay by Standing Order? You can download a copy HERE . Just complete the simple form and return it to our Hon. Treasurer (not to your bank) at the address shown on the form as soon as possible, and you need do nothing else.

If you choose to pay by cheque instead, please make your sterling cheque (drawn on a UK bank) payable to the Moseley School of Art Association, crossed "A/c payee". Standing Orders and cheques should be forwarded to our acting Treasurer:

Graeme Collins

Ambleston Lodge, 6 Eastnor Close, Kidderminster, Worcs. DY10 1YE

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19 Obituary

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20 The "Sharing our Past" Project

The former pupils have between them a vast reservoir of information about the school, the people who taught there and their fellow former pupils. We warmly encourage you to take part in our project, which will pool the recollections of everyone who attended or taught at the Moseley School of Art and preserve them as a valuable source of information for ourselves and our successors. It's important that YOU - as a former pupil, record your memories.

The following list of topics may help you to recall the sort of memories which will help us to compile a history incorporating the year-by-year happenings at the school from the point of view of the young people who attended - giving everyone the opportunity to relate the experiences of their own years at the Moseley School of Art.

On a daily basis, if you keep a pad and pen handy to make a brief note of the things you remember before the recollection disappears, it's amazing how many notes you can end up with in a short time that can be written out later in detail. Please don't assume that your memories are irrelevant or uninteresting to others - they will be valuable and interesting to others. The obvious method of recording your recollections is by writing them, but it's amazing how much more depth and detail is added if you can also record your account onto audio tape whilst referring to your notes, or in conversation with others from your time at the school. You'll not only be providing us with the details needed, but leaving a valuable record for posterity.

It will probably help you to recollect your experiences if you use the following list of pointers:

We are also seeking any and all photographs, especially those showing yourself, the interior and exterior of the building including classrooms in use, and works made by yourself or others during your time at the school. We guarantee the safe return of any documents and photographs within seven days.

Please post your written and tape-recorded recollections, together with any photographs and documents you may wish to forward, to our address above.

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21 The School History

John Swift is a former teacher at the Moseley School of Art who enjoyed great popularity among the students, and actively opposed the closure of the school.

He afterward became a leading influence in Art education in Birmingham, developing an academic interest in the history of art education and has acquired, over a very long period of time, a knowledge of his subject which is unsurpassed. John and his wife, Jacquie are now retired but are both as busy as ever, painting and exhibiting their work from their respective studios at their home at Garlieston, Newton Stewart, on the southwest coast of Scotland.

" AN ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF MOSELEY ART SCHOOL: ART EDUCATION IN BIRMINGHAM 1800- 1975

John Swift writes: "This is the first book to cover and illustrate the total history of the Moseley Art School, and place it within the social, educational and political changes affecting its progress.

"The book is illustrated throughout with black and white photographs showing buildings, plans, working spaces, students, students' work and other ancillary material. The book combines both academic rigour with a style aimed at the reader interested in art education, its history and development, specifically in relation to Birmingham and its art school provision for younger students".

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Title: "An Illustrated History of Moseley Art School: Art Education in Birmingham 1800-1975"

An Machair Press, 2004.

Paperback, 464 pp, 163 black and white illustrations.

ISBN: 0-9547703-0-7

Orders should be accompanied by payment in the form of a cheque made payable to Dr. John Swift.

Price: £25.00 mail order only. The following prices include postage and packaging -

UK :

First Class Post (1-2 days) £31.00

Parcel Post (2-3 days) £30.00

USA :

Airmail (ordinary) £53.00

Printed Papers £39.50

Surface Mail (approx. one month) £32.00

EUROPE

Airmail (ordinary) £38.00

Printed Papers £32.50

AUSTRALIA

Airmail (ordinary) £58.00

Printed Papers £39.00

Surface Mail (approx. one month) £32.00

Seaside House, 2 South Street, Garlieston, Newton Stewart DG8 8BH, Scotland

Phone (01988) 600746

jacquie.swift@virgin.net

To Pre-Register . . .

Just e-mail your name, year of leaving, number and names of people in your party, including any under 15 years old ( who will be admitted free )

If you can't e mail, phone your message to 01562 741777 - don't forget to leave the name of your partner as badges will be required for everyone attending.

We only have a limited number of helpers - please remember that it's their Reunion, too - they don't want to waste time dealing with admissions at the door while everyone else is meeting old friends - pre registering means that everyone has fast track entrance ( faster still if you pay in advance by completing the Subscription Form and sending it in advance! ) and we can all get on with enjoying ourselves.

Let's keep those pre-registrations coming in - and if you know someone who wants to come but doesn't have E Mail contact, please let them have details of how they can pre-register.

Pre-registration is essential to enable us to calculate catering requirements, prepare name badges and organise seating. You'll still be most welcome to attend without pre-registering - but there'll be a queue for up to half an hour to process your admission.

We have ex pupils travelling to the reunion from all over the world - including John Jones ('67) who is travelling from New South Wales, Australia, and is wondering how many of his old friends will be there - we're also going to have newcomer Dorothy Docker who attended the school between 1929 and 1932 and many, many more who haven't attended a reunion before.

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