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Motorway driving at seventy-five, I'm in a flock of cars. Four hundred miles long, twenty-five thousand vehicles gaggling northwards. The same moving south. We are alive, but what of the cars when we drive them? Are they alive too? Processing raw materials, congregating in a flock (gaggle). What is the collective noun for cars? Even if these mechanical beasts are not alive, plenty of other things are and they all use the same raw materials to keep themselves going. They are all part of Gaia - the living earth. So they are all interconnected at a fundamental level. To find the communication channel that links all these things is a task worth pursuing. "Got ot get myself connected", goes the jingle and on a superficial level we are doing just that. The internet, mobile phoes, teleconferencing. Soon we will all be talking to everyone else in real time. This will lead to the elimination of time lag in world events and stock market reaction that responds in seconds to changes in the world! Good as this is in that it can create a global village with nothing having the chance to secretly develop to cancerous proportions before it is discovered and sniffed out by the collected ideas of a connected world, it still fails to be a real joining force. Somewhere in the quieter recesses of all of us is the shared sensibility with our fellow men and women. The audience at an opera who cry together when the heroine dies. The football crowd who cheer together when a goal is scored. The country who jingoistically goes to war. All these are examples of how we can join together at a more fundamental level than the phone. This is where we can get connected for free. This is the Gaia internet. Cheers Ron
The lads are in assembly, all's quiet. The morning is crisp with a hard frost and brilliant sun slanting low over the pond to warm the red brick. Inside the boiler throbs to give warmth, life to the old place. Christmas excitement, the play, the carol service, home, holidays, presents: sleeping just beneath the surface waiting to erupt at any moment. Changes are so rapid these days they can become lost, overlooked by the next happening. This summer we lost Ron Cowles, Ian Townsend and Margaret from the kitchens, who has retired. She's been replaced by Sheena and Carol is now assistant cook. Mike Turner leaves this back end and Egan, I believe leaves in the spring, and it is rumoured Sarah leaves at the end of this term. All are people who have put a great deal into Breck during their stay. Stewart is now Head of Care, which means the top office looks like a motor factors. Simon Hamey was hoping to buy, repair and sell motor-bikes for a living; it just reminded me. I haven't yet found a good way of creating a palatable matrix for holding the diverse bits of old boy information together, and it bothers me because it doesn't make for easy reading. Sorry - but here goes! Simon Claydon is now working as a croupier in Glasgow - Bernard Keenan used to do that many years ago. Chris Carter has been in touch. He's married to Viccky and they have two young children, Ryan (4yrs) and Callum (born 4.11.96). Chris is very happy, not playing football and working on a diamond driller. This means he drills holes with a diamond-tipped drill. Tom Noblet keeps in touch - when he can get hold of me. He's still in the Air Force learning the trade of a mechanic and liking it. Mathew - Mat tells me he is lead singer in his own band. He's living away from home, sharing a flat with five others. I don't know if he still is, but for a while John Inder was staying there too. Peter Mills has made a few changes this year. Besides running his own leisure business he's taken on full-time work as a self-employed builder/maintainance man. Also he's gutting and reshaping a house for himself. Robert Whitehead (Trud) is working with articulated lorries. In his spare time he helps his wife with their pedigree Airedales, which they show successfully, and also fits in making garden furniture. Tim (prof) Knowles is policing Goole and contemplating getting married. Sludge is still policing Snaith, and enjoying doing so. Brian Lancaster still manfully fights to overcome medication, which makes him drowsy, by walking and running when well enough and also by instigating challenging holidays - abroad! Mike Turner's Retirement from Breckenbrough : 1996 In 1968 the position of Maintainance Officer at Breckenbrough School was advertised in the Darlington and Stockton Times. I did not see the advertisement at the time but a week or two later, on looking through the paper, I saw it and applied. I recieved a reply from the then Headmaster, John Ridger, saying that they had recieved a lot of applications but that he was sorry the place was now filled and I therefore thought no more about it. Approximately twelve months to the day a letter arrived to say the postion was again vacant and, as my letter had been interesting and impressive, would I give them a ring to discuss the matter. On doing that I was invited to go to the school and look around with my family. I said I would like to work there and felt I had something to offer the boys, being an experienced and keen hill walker and caver. I was offered the job and, after the notice terminating my current employment had expired, I started at Breckenbrough in the last week of July, 1969. My family and I lived at Home Farm Cottage for twelve months, and then moved to Breckenbrough Cottages where we lived for a number of years before moving into Thirsk. My first wife, Jean, also worked at the school as a seamstress until her death. During her last illness I found the security and compassion of my colleagues at the school a great comfort. In 1972, as I was already taking boys out on expeditions, it was suggested by the then Headmaster, Roy Laing, that I spend some time in Scotland at Glenmore Lodge obtaining the Scottish Mountain Leadership Certificate. Over the years I have been taking boys out one day each week walking or caving. I have also been on Summer Camps and mountain backpacking in the Lake District and Wales. We also went up to Scotland and camped on Lewis where we did a bit of climbing. From 1973 I have kept a record of all the walks and epeditions with names and places. Here are a few excerpts from my log book: 11.2.73: was my first recorded walk. Clapham and Ingleborough Summit. Tataryn,
Leadbetter, Rose, Fellows, Jackson, Trudgill, Stewart, my son Clive and myself. On a quick calculation, sinse I started at the school, I have taken the boys out on just over 1000 walks.I have either been flattered or not by some of the names I have been called, e.g. Mr. T, Grandad and occasionally ogre! Another boy who springs to mind is James Steele who was very keen and I taught him to navigate. I was pleased when he went on to Leeds University. When I re-married, Doreen and I were fortunate enough to have the reception, which was well executed by Linda and her ladies, at the school. Over the years I have seen many changes at Breckenbrough, 4 headmasters and numerous staff. I have made some very good friends. Some of my work can be counted by the number of plain sheets of glass in the windows as opposed to the original leaded lights. A few points I would like to make: It was nice to meet Simon Richardson one day at North Shields, he having telephoned me previously just to have a chat. David Hunt, another pupil, always sends us a card at Christmas and a letter letting us know what he is doing : one pupil who turned out a really good citizen. During my working life I have had a number of varied jobs - cabinet maker, shot firer in a coal mine, estate farming, water board reservoir keeper - but none so rewarding as Breckenbrough. I would like to thank all at Breckenbrough for enriching my life and making me part of the school. I am now looking forward to my retirement with Doreen and hope we will be able to do all the things and visit places which a working life hinders. A very sincere thank-you to everyone at Breckenbrough, past and present, and all good wishes to everyone, and I most sincerely hope the school flourishes. After last year's Newsletter, Ian McElligott got in touch. He has risen through the ranks, no mean feat, to the rank of captain. He is Director of Music for the Parachute Regiment - a long way from the silver cornet player in Corkishes brass band at Breck. Brilliant eh! Adam Hayes. I don't know if things have changed, Adam, but when we last had contact with you, you had been accepted at college for this academic year to take Media Studies. Hope it's going O.K. I've seen Simon Richardson this year, now sporting a beard and weilding a stick. The stick is to overcome weakness left by a heart attack. He showed me some cartoon strips he had designed which made heavy health information palatable and understandable. Jamie McLaughlan came to the Carol Service last year with his girlfriend. Good to hear he is in full-time work as a builder and nice to see him at school with quite a few others. Brian Barton also came to the Carol Service. Brian's still working as an Industrial Radiographer, which involves detecting cracks and leaks in pipes that are underground. Andrew McGregor also turned up. He's still with Mercedes and has recently remarried. Martin Kelly made his annual pilgrimage to Breck to see the Christmas play which was its usual brilliant impromptu ad lib of humerous quips, starring Gavin Bannister who personally added about half an hour on to the play's time. Anyway, Martin is studying Media and taking 'A' level Theatre. He has also earned the distinction of being the only pupil at the College to be allowed to make live broadcasts over the College radio. I've not heard from Chris Mattinson since last Christmas but then he was attending a local school to take G.C.S.E.'s and making a good effort. Try to let us know what you are doing, Chris, if possible. James Clarke is in full-time employment, has passed his driving test and is much more settled now. Bernard Lockyear is still unemployed after his brain haemorrhage surgery. But he sounds cheerful. This is a recipe of his, created by him and highly recommended: Chicken breast, cubed and fried Baked beans Two onions Mix in casserole dish Cook for 1 and half hours Serve with garlic rice and croutons Simeon Jackson passed the new two-part driving test first time. He has regular work, plays rugby, has lots of friends and girlfriends and is generally doing fine and is happy. Simon Gilmour is again on civvy street and was talking about going to live in London. Mark Ellison is very happy and a full-time Care Worker. He's been there for three years and is now second-in-charge. He's got 'A' level Sociology and Psychology and is now studying for a N.V.Q. in Health and Social Care. I've heard that Jamie Dodd is now at Durham University, but thats all I know. Smashing, Jamie! John Wilkin came up to Sports Day with Tom. John's presently on invalid pay but otherwise is in good heart. Andy Blackwell also came to Sports Day. He's changed course from being a soldier to taking one of the sports orientated courses. He's really enjoying life at present. Tim Marston last year passed at 'A' level Computing, Physics and Maths. He's hoping to improve his Maths grade to take a place he was offered at Manchester University. Kris Braeme has changed direction from hairdressing and is presently on a Y.T.S.-type scheme which provides work in a variety of places. Richard Lea, I believe, is working in an electrical shop and doing well while he awaits his para-medics course. Andy Cunningham is in his second year at Salford University taking a Business Operational Course. It is a four year course, one of which is an exchange year with Toledo University and a final year based in industry. As with most of this news it is a year old by the time I write this. Simon Hargraves last year passed Maths, Physics and Computing with A's at 'A' level. He chose to work in an accountants and is responsible for System Computing and Engineering. He is meantime taking day-release in H.N.D. Computing. He's now 6'2" and enjoys a rich social life. This year we were contacted by Andrew Peckham who told us he has built up his own small business which is a garage, I believe. Paul Batten is now working for a builder and enjoying life. Mark Hewitt is leading a rich social life, playing five-a-side soccer, has a girlfriend and has been working for the las two years as an optical technician. When I last had contact with Chris Leake he was still living in York and working temporarily as a kitchen assistant at the hospital. Tony Gibbon has moved to Bude in Cornwall by doing a council house swap with which he is delighted. His wife, who has M.S., has just given birth to their third child on the 21.6.96., Alexander Jonathan weighing 7lbs 10oz. So Tony is living next door to David McLean-Thorne. Had a long letter from Brandon Killey then working in a hotel in Hereford and hoping to spend the Summer in Jersey working as last year with his girlfriend. If they can save enough money they would like to spend some time in Australia where they both have relatives. After a long break I heard from Bernard Atherton. Bernard has a degree in Sociology and Social Work. He, unfortunately, does not have good health but he has been working since October last year as the Practice Manager for a surgery. David Stubbs also contacted me recently. He's out of work but turning his hand to some useful things. He has three children, eleven, seven and six - a bit older now. Jamie Burton, as far as I know, is still on his Catering Course and doing well, as we expected he would. Ryan Durnall is enjoying life fully and sandwiching in a Course of C.F.E. Sports Study. Tom Foster has moved into a flat and is said to be enjoying life. James Skupham, when last contacted, was going to swap from a Computer Course to one to get higher grades in G.C.S.E.'s. He's got a part-time job and loads of friends of both sexes. Philip Morris, long unheard of, has surfaced. A friend told me he has married and spent the last seven years working in America with computerised lathes. He's now doing the same in Amsterdam. Andrew Cortes visited school recently and we learn he is a forklift truck driver at Heathrow. Andy Crawshaw has had a very full and interesting year. He's been Morris Dancing, and he has been involved with puppet modelling with the Accessible Art Club. Also he's been helping with productions at the Barbican and with props for this years cycle of Mystery Plays. Jermaine Ayoola is to have a trial for Middlesborough - best of luck Jermaine. Darren Booth is presently out of work, somewhat invalided by knife wounds he recieved when he went to the aid of a woman being attacked by a man under the influence of drugs. Luckily he's looked after by a lovely wife and supported by three sons, Jamie, Jordan and Conor. Darren Salt, though not actually going out to work, is putting in a lot of hours at the computer. In May he was at the Computer Show in Wakefield helping out the Warm Silence Software stand for whom he wrote two support packs for their emulators. That means nothing to me, unfortunately, but I do know he's a very clever lad, and believe this could be merely the start. Adam Colley is still living alone in York and, similar to Darren, employs his time with computers, bits of which he has skilfully repaired or modified. Bob Willoughby is much the same, full of facts, food and geniality. He's not working full-time but does a few bits and pieces helping others out. Mark Smith (Bradford) is currently doing an Access Course in TV and Video production. His girlfriend is at University and intends taking him back to Ireland with her. Martin Rogers is working with Hull Northern Businesses but looking for a place on an NVQ course in computers. Danny Worthington is at college studying PE and Psychology, aiming at 'A' levels. He plays soccer for a local club and works in a Theme Park at the week-ends. Peter James is attending the same college as Danny, taking a GNVQ Course. Richard Dickens is at Flyde College, doing what I don't know. He has a paper round, goes swimming and has generally settled well into home life. And, finally, Geoff Turner has moved back to civilisation from Leeds. I wonder, do United's fortunes follow Geoff. Sports Day was boring as usual. Not that I find the activities on that day boring, but for some awkward reason you find yourself looking forward to an afternoon off school, then to be confronted with an afternoon of constant activity that to most feels like the run up to death under the watchful (somewhat annoying on an afternoon of absolute tension), eye of the blistering hot sun. There was the absolute certainty that Gary Smith would win the senior pentathalon. He did, and Magnus Frykman won jointly with Stephen Fitzgerald the junior pentathalon. I was one point behind Gary and if I hadn't come fifth in the senior discus I would have one it. Greens, captained by Ian Pitts, won the relay for the first time in a few years. The Greens eventually won Sports Day with Wayne Rigden and Magnus Frykman putting in excellent performances with the junior and senior high jumps. Well, onward from the long gone time of the 1996 Sports Day. Other things have happened. As well as Jamie Murphy leaving the school of his own choice months before the summer holiday, another lad, Jonathan Durrant, never returned after the summer holiday and is now having a go at mainstream education. The school has aquired more new boys, 2 in year 9, 2 in year 7 and 2 in year 8. Some of the new lads from years 7 and 8 find difficulty in doing their turn in serving at meal times, which is understandable. The motorbike track has now been completed though the bikes need constant maitenance. The task of making the bikes usable is mainly accomplished by Stephen Fitzgerald, Graham Rogers and Stuart Edwards, with other lads lending a hand as well. The second stage of the play area for the lower years is not installed yet and the third stage has to wait until that is finished, but Trev told me that he would like to try and install the second stage during the Christmas holidays. The tennis court has recently been re-surfaced and will be marked out next summer. At the date I am typing this, the Christmas play script is undergoing completion. Ian Webb and Trev had to
write a new script for the Hound of the Samuelsons because the original was nowhere to be found (a case for the famous
Sherlock Holmes perhaps). Mark Ashberry
The Board of Management "Fift-seven old farts", was the description applied by Will Carling to the governing body of Rugby Union. Well, the Board of Governors at Breck numbers fourteen or so, and not all of its members are old! Eleven members are appointed by the Yorkshire General Meeting of the Society of Friends (Quakers), one is co-opted to the Board and three are appointed by Local Education Authorities. In addition Trevor attends Board meetings in his capacity as Head and Glynis attends as the Staff Representative. Finally, John takes the minutes of meetings in his capacity as Bursar and keeps members up-to-date on the physical and financial state of the school. The Board has a duty to the Charity Commissioners to run the affairs of the school as carefully as members run their own affairs and, primarily, that means not letting the school go bust. The school's income comes purely from fees which are, in the main, paid for by the Local Authorities who send boys to Breck. Through the Treasurer of the Board, together with the Bursar, members have to make sure that the books balance for although the school is non-profit making it still has to pay the butcher, the baker, staff salaries and make proper provision for the physical and educational well-being of its pupils. The other main duty of the Board is to lay down the policy of the school, and it does this with the help of the Head (who has the responsibility of the day-to-day running of the place), and in consultation with the staff. Thus, meetings are of two types: Financial and General Purpose (F&GP)and Full Board meetings. The first named meetings deal with cash and with the practical running of the school - but only insofar as policy is concerned. The Full Boardmeetings recieve reports from the F&GP Committee and deals with the overall running of the school as opposed to the nitty-gritty stuff. Additionally, there is a seperate After-Care Committee which is not an official part of the school but which is a unique service peculiar to Breck. No other school in the country has this facility available to ex-pupils of whatever age. Brig, known to you all, is the human face of this committee! There you have it. Think back to the time when you saw what appeared to be animated geriatrics invading the dining room and know now that they were there taking a genuine interest in what went on within those walls.
That's it for another year. Take care of yourselves, be happy, try not to kick the dog and have a good Christmas. I can't think of a deeply significant message for this year so I'll just say Cheerio and lots of good wishes from me and all the staff, old and new. Brig
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