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Eric Evans (Aston 1956)
Emeritus Professor of History, Lancaster University.
During his time at Aston, Eric was the School Recorder. Fate casting a long shadow perhaps?
Photograph: University of Lancaster |
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Jeffrey Richards (Aston 1957)
Professor of Cultural History, Lancaster University and Chairman, Ruskin Centre Management Committee.
Photograph: Education Guardian |
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John (Nathan) Turner (1947 - 2002) (Aston 1958)
Longest serving producer of BBC TV's 'Dr Who', from 1980 - 89.
Whilst at school he also worked as a television extra. This stopped - abruptly - when Mrs Brandon spotted him on television two nights in a row!
Photograph: BBC TV |
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Bernard Ford* (Aston 1959)
With his partner, Diane Towler, Bernard became world ice dance champion in 1966 - before anyone had heard of Torvill and Dean! He was awarded the M.B.E. in 1969.
Photograph: Tony Duffy |
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Les Meakin (aka Ross) (Aston 1960)
Hugely comical DJ, nowadays on BBC Radio WM.
Photograph: BBC Radio WM |
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David Moran* (Aston 1961)
David starred in the TV soap 'Crossroads'.
Photograph: Crossroads Appreciation Society |
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Nick (Vaughan-) Barratt LVO (Aston 1961)
Head of BBC TV's Events department, Nick was awarded the LVO (Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order - in the personal gift of HM Queen) for creating the 'Party at the Palace' rock concert.
Photograph: BBC Press Office |
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Jeff Rawle* (Aston 1962)
A regular on tv and the stage, probably best known for his role in the TV comedy 'Drop the Dead Donkey'.
Photograph: BBC TV |
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Patrick Burns (Aston 1964)
Political editor, BBCtv Midlands and Bailiff of the Foundation, 2006.
"A usefully menacing bowler in School XIs of the late1960s"
Photograph: BBC |
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Derrick Anderson, CBE (Aston 1968)
Chief Executive, Wolverhampton City Council since 1996.
Awarded a CBE in 2003 for 'services to local government'.
Derrick became Chief Executive of Lambeth Council in March 2006.
Photograph: Wolverhampton City Council |
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Nigel J Robinson (Aston 1971)
Professor of Molecular Genetics, University of Newcastle.
Photograph: University of Newcastle upon Tyne |
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Gary Street (Aston 1979)
Coach to the England Ladies' Rugby XV.
Photograph: RFU |
*Information provided - with grateful thanks - by Jean (John) Thierry (1962 Manton House).
I am indebted to Martin Baker (1961) for ferreting out many of the photographs of the more recent alumni.
Malcolm Cormack (1946, School Captain 1953/4) Recently retired Curator of Paul Mellon Collection at Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, USA. Prolific writer on British artists, including Constable, Gainsborough, Bonington.
By the time I reached the Sixth form 'Len' was measuring the academic success of the school by the number of pupils who got places at the 'crumbling stone' universities: he clearly took 'red brick' admissions for granted.
Oxbridge: John Donnelly, Ken Tickle, John Bowles.
Imperial College: John Clarke, Peter Chan
Ph.Ds.: Richard Horobin (Chemistry - Sheffield), Ken Tickle (Chemistry - Oxford), Frank Wolstencroft, John Newnham (Metallurgy - Birmingham), Howard Wearing (Biology? - Imperial College, London), Malcolm Carpenter (Mathematics - King's College, London), Tony Colleraine (Physics - Princeton).
The world of dentistry has been strengthened by Bill Cooper (1951) and R H 'Bob' McGowan (1950), son of AOE father Steve (1923). David Evans (1951) followed Peter W Lindley (Aston 1948) to the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth. By 1983 David was a Commander in the Falklands. He got back in time for the school's centenary celebrations - and in one piece.
Many of the deeds recorded here, and more, appear on the Honours Boards in Big School.
At the last count Aston has produced ten knights of the Realm, even more professors, three Fellows of Royal Societies, two Lord Mayors of Birmingham, two Mayors, a Bishop and a Major-General. Not bad for a suburban grammar school!
Whenever I re-read these pages I am struck by two things: the diversity and excellence of achievement of AOEs. Aston was a school that opened many doors to its pupils. While some doors were favoured more than others you chose the ones you wanted to walk through. But whichever you chose the same standard was expected: excellent. The teachers changed from time to time, and the boys annually, but this feature was - and, I suspect, remains - unchanging.
This standard of excellence wasn't achieved by all of us, but I would rather have been an 'also ran' at Aston than 'cock o' th' walk' at a lesser institution.