Old Bootleians Newsletter March 2024
2024 Events
George Vernon Annual Golf Competition
A date is yet to be confirmed for this year’s event although it is expected to be scheduled for October, further details will be circulated in due course.
For further information about participation, please contact:
Alan Murch (Tel: 0151 342 4222 Email: alan.murch@btinternet.com).
AGM & Hot Pot Supper
Confirmed for Friday 15th November at West Lancs Golf Club, further information will be circulated nearer the date.
2025 Events
Provisional bookings for your diary:-
Annual Reunion Dinner Friday 2nd May 2025
AGM & Hotpot Supper Friday 14th November 2025
Docklands Trail/Prospice 21
Les Ellis reports the Docklands Trail is currently striving to expand its exhibition content at Collingwood. Initially this will involve the imminent acquisition of an additional customised shipping container that will inform of the history of Merseybeat and its origins. Top experts on this subject have agreed to assist us with this presentation.
Allied to the foregoing, funding is being sought to obtain a further container to exhibit the presence and effects of American GI's over here during WW11.
A further development is the introduction of a self-guided docklands walk. This will start at the Beatles statue at the pierhead, proceed along Regent Road, and terminate at our centre at Collingwood, with an informative guide of the various points of interest en-route.
Further information can be found on the Charity’s website at: https://docklandstrail.co.uk .
Bereavements
Since the last Newsletter, the passing way of the following members have been notified:-
Fred Lowe (1949) – see tribute below, Albert Radcliffe (1952) and Stan Warren (1951 – late notification he died in Oct 2022).
Report of the 2023 Annual General Meeting & Hot Pot Supper
50 members and guests attended the 72nd (Recorded) Annual General Meeting at West
Lancashire Golf Club on 17th November 2023 for a slightly earlier start than usual.
See the full report here.
Magazine - 2024
Note: due to lack of contributions received so far/editor vacancy, publication of this edition is currently postponed. Please send all contributions (articles, reminiscences, photos) to: old.bootleians@gmail.com
In view of the magazine postponement this edition of the Newsletter contains an expanded section to compensate in the hiatus, including tributes to a couple of distinguished members who have passed away recently. The Committee looks forward to seeing many old friends and new for the Annual Reunion Dinner.
Day at the Races – Haydock Park 23rd September 2022
Frank Mahon Association Chairman organised a day out and sponsored 3 races:-
1st race The Old Bootleians Nursery Handicap Stakes, 4th race Docklands Trail Liverpool Maiden Fillies Stakes and 7th race Prospice21 Apprentice Handicap Stakes. The 1st race was broadcast live nationally on ITV.
Some of the members with Roy Redman (1954) presenting the prize for the 1st race.
Fred Lowe (1930 - 2023)
in his own words on becoming President of The Old Bootleians (2008-9):-
“Born Frederick Lowe on 20th November 1930. Started at Christ Church School in 1935, along with Old Boys Harry Harwood, Reg Atkins and Ken Chadderton among others. Won scholarship to the then Bootle Secondary School for Boys in 1941. Played for school teams at football, tennis, badminton and athletics. School Captain in 1948-49.
Attended Liverpool University from 1950-54, graduating with a B.Sc degree in Maths in 1953 and Certificate of Education in 1954. Obtained University Colours in soccer and played for the side that won the University Athletic Union Football Championship in 1953. Represented English Universities against Ireland Universities in 1953.
Did National Service in the Royal Signals 1954-56, serving in Germany both in field communications and as a PTI.
Joined the staff at, by then, Bootle Grammar School for Boys in 1956. Became Head of Maths in 1961. Retired from teaching in 1985 and joined Causeway Press as Maths Editor and Director. Took full time retirement in 1992. Have been a member of the Association since 1950 and am proud to be an Old Bootleian”.
Fred still winning Golf trophies in 2017
Tributes from members & pupils of Fred:-
‘Thank you for letting us know about the sad passing of Fred Lowe. As you rightly say he was a pillar of our Association for so many years. I nevertheless confirm those respects to you and to all the members of this amazing fraternity. Kindest Regards’. Gordon Redding (1955).
‘So sorry to hear the news of Fred Lowe’s death. He was my first form master and best maths teacher’. John Macaskill - 1956/61
‘Mr Lowe - always ‘Mr’ in my mind but occasionally referred to amongst ourselves, when feeling a bit cheeky, as ‘Freddie’ - was our Form Master in my IVth year and Maths teacher in my Vth if memory serves me well. My year was one of the last few Grammar School intakes in 1969 and of course we became a comprehensive at the start of the school year 1972-1973.
Mr Lowe was one of those Grammar School teachers who stayed on after we merged with Warwick Bolam and despite the rather chaotic environment which endured, certainly for the rest of my time at the school, he retained his calm demeanour, a sense of humour, was slow to anger and resorted to use of the ’slipper’ on only rare occasions invariably with good reason! Although he was not one of the more tyrannical and disciplinary-minded masters, one always knew, precisely, who was in charge during his lessons and he needed to raise his voice only occasionally. At West Lancashire Golf Club when playing there as a guest I was occasionally able to say ‘hello’ to Mr Lowe. He had in fact been a pupil at the Grammar School at the same time as my Dad whom he recalled with a kindly tolerance‘.
Ian Walker (1974).
‘Such a great teacher... Respected by all. RIP Mr Lowe’. Regards Les Cook (1969).
Ian Cockbain (1958 – 2022)
Ian attended the School (1969-74) and his abilities as an all round sportsman but especially as a cricketer were immediately apparent. He played in the school Cricket 1st X1 at 12. He was born in Bootle in April 1958 and he followed in the footsteps of his late father Ron (1951) who captained Bootle C.C. for many years in the sixties and seventies. Ian made his debut for Bootle in 1972 age 14. He played for Lancashire County Cricket Club (1979-1983) playing in 47 first class matches.
In 1984 Ian left Lancashire and returned to play for Bootle as captain in 1986. He later captained Cheshire in the Minor Counties (1994-2001) and also went on to revive the fortunes of both Bootle Cricket Club and Formby Cricket Club. For over thirty years, Ian played his club cricket at Bootle CC in the Liverpool Competition before retiring at the end of the 2008 at the age of 50. During this time Ian broke many records with his batting well as bowling and led Bootle to numerous titles and cups in the different formats played. During the winter of 2012-2013 he came out of retirement and joined Formby C.C. to captain the side in 2014 and, with his vast experience, Formby were proclaimed champions on the last day of the 2014 season, taking them into the ECB Premier League for 2015, the year of the club's 150th anniversary. He was also passionate about golf, donating a lot of his time and talent on the green to support many charity events. Off the sports field, he was a fervent Everton FC supporter. Ian also worked financial services since the 1990s and in 2016 teamed up with his business partner to open an office in Formby bearing his name and now employing more than 30 staff.
Ian in his Lancashire C.C. days
Bootle C.C. posted this tribute to Ian: ‘Very many happy times have been had with Ian throughout his life within our cricket community both on and off the pitch and he will forever hold and remain in a special place in all our hearts’.
Cockbain & Associates posted this tribute : ‘Those who had the pleasure of Ian’s company over the years will have got to know his unique character which we will always remember. His warm enigmatic personality along with his ability to tell a great story will be dearly missed.’
And finally …
Distinguished member Dr. Eddie Boyes has contacted the Association about an interesting, informative and entertaining video he has posted on his Youtube channel:-
Eddie writes:
‘I thought some folk in the "Association" might be interested in a video I have just put up on YouTube at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaOyh_FqgUA
It's a bit long - so don't feel obliged to watch it. The first 7 minutes or so are more or less about "The Beatles", or rather about some of us from Bootle who in 1962 were probably the first to 'cover' a Beatles' song. However, the video then goes on to a detailed history of Bootle... looking at the years between 1800-1962, and focussing on the "Poets' Streets" and St Leonard's Church on Peel Road.’
Alan Lawson
Membership Secretary, the Old Bootleians Association.