---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Den Duggan
Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2026 at 14:50
Subject: OWT November 2026
From: Den Duggan
Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2026 at 14:50
Subject: OWT November 2026
OLD WYVES' TALES
THE ONLINE VERSION
NOVEMBER 2026
EDITED BY DENNIS J DUGGAN
THE ONLINE VERSION
NOVEMBER 2026
EDITED BY DENNIS J DUGGAN
EDITORIAL The final 'official' reunion of 2023 marked the 25th anniversary of Wyvernians. It was a wise decision to go out on a high, rather than the inevitable whimper had we soldiered on with the old, familiar format. But it was a sharp cut-off, and what a shame it would have been to shut down overnight. So Brian's inspired idea to move to regular lunch meetings hit the bulls eye. I have always maintained that the main reason for our success was the use of Clarence House which, although much altered over the years, retains enough features from the old school to invoke memories of those far-off days as pupils.
I am pleased to note the lunches are so popular, and hopefully there will be sufficient interest to keep them going until 2028. That will be the 30th anniversary of the first informal get-together at The Harrow, Thurmaston, which was initially for the 1959-intake only!
To my great regret it is impractical for me to attend the lunches, much as I would love to do so. But for me, like so many others, age and circumstances mean that f'ings ain't what they used to be'! Anyway, long may they continue...
FROM DAVE CLARKE I was sorry to hear of Bill Mann's passing. He came to the school a year or so before I left in 1961. I remember Bill for one particular event. He refereed the match between CBS and Market Harborough Grammar School at Grace Road, which we won 19 to 1. He called time early to save the opposition from further punishment. He was a really nice guy even then, and from recent correspondence that continued throughout his career at the school.
OBITUARIES Mike Ratcliff (1958-64) passed away September 2026
Clive Barnett writes: Michael John Page, who lived in Suffolk for the past twenty six years, passed away at home on the night of Thursday August 6th with the support of his husband and a wonderful band of hospice staff. At his request there was no funeral.
Doug Grace tells us that his older brother, Brian, passed away August 2026.
AND FINALLY... Is it really sixty seven years since my first day at the City of Leicester Boys' Grammar School? Short trousers, shiny leather satchel, my first solo trip on a Leicester Corporation bus. It was the number 24, from the top of Saffron Lane, fare 2d. We lived at 5 Tamerton Road, on the Monsell. My first form was 1 Alpha, but I was way out of my depth, and following lots of problems (Including playing truant several times) was transferred to the 'A' stream then to the 'B' stream. I still have lots of memories, good and bad. Joining the school orchestra; winning a prize for English; Founder's Day at the cathedral; prize giving at De Montfort Hall; lunchtime meetings of The Crusaders, with Alan Mercer; school dinners; the outside toilets at Elbow Lane; walking in a crocodile from Elbow Lane to Humberstone Gate, accompanied by a Prefect; Vestry Street baths; cross country at Rushey Fields; Bill Sykes booting me out of the orchestra; the Lee Circle huts, demolished to make way for the multi-storey car park; Basher Brewin reducing me to tears; being knocked unconscious by a heavy waterlogged leather football at Grace Road; the splintery wooden floor of the changing rooms at Grace Road - to name but a few, good and not so good.
Dennis J Duggan 1959-64
I am pleased to note the lunches are so popular, and hopefully there will be sufficient interest to keep them going until 2028. That will be the 30th anniversary of the first informal get-together at The Harrow, Thurmaston, which was initially for the 1959-intake only!
To my great regret it is impractical for me to attend the lunches, much as I would love to do so. But for me, like so many others, age and circumstances mean that f'ings ain't what they used to be'! Anyway, long may they continue...
FROM DAVE CLARKE I was sorry to hear of Bill Mann's passing. He came to the school a year or so before I left in 1961. I remember Bill for one particular event. He refereed the match between CBS and Market Harborough Grammar School at Grace Road, which we won 19 to 1. He called time early to save the opposition from further punishment. He was a really nice guy even then, and from recent correspondence that continued throughout his career at the school.
OBITUARIES Mike Ratcliff (1958-64) passed away September 2026
Clive Barnett writes: Michael John Page, who lived in Suffolk for the past twenty six years, passed away at home on the night of Thursday August 6th with the support of his husband and a wonderful band of hospice staff. At his request there was no funeral.
Doug Grace tells us that his older brother, Brian, passed away August 2026.
AND FINALLY... Is it really sixty seven years since my first day at the City of Leicester Boys' Grammar School? Short trousers, shiny leather satchel, my first solo trip on a Leicester Corporation bus. It was the number 24, from the top of Saffron Lane, fare 2d. We lived at 5 Tamerton Road, on the Monsell. My first form was 1 Alpha, but I was way out of my depth, and following lots of problems (Including playing truant several times) was transferred to the 'A' stream then to the 'B' stream. I still have lots of memories, good and bad. Joining the school orchestra; winning a prize for English; Founder's Day at the cathedral; prize giving at De Montfort Hall; lunchtime meetings of The Crusaders, with Alan Mercer; school dinners; the outside toilets at Elbow Lane; walking in a crocodile from Elbow Lane to Humberstone Gate, accompanied by a Prefect; Vestry Street baths; cross country at Rushey Fields; Bill Sykes booting me out of the orchestra; the Lee Circle huts, demolished to make way for the multi-storey car park; Basher Brewin reducing me to tears; being knocked unconscious by a heavy waterlogged leather football at Grace Road; the splintery wooden floor of the changing rooms at Grace Road - to name but a few, good and not so good.
Dennis J Duggan 1959-64