Fwd: Letter from Bill Mann

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Brian Screaton 
Date: Fri, 18 Sept 2026 at 11:32
Subject: Letter from Bill Mann

I came across a letter from Bill and thought that I should share it. Could you put the following on the website and FB, along with the attached scan of the letter? Many thanks.

A Letter from Bill Mann

Whilst sorting through some old papers relating to the rescue of the War Memorial Boards, and the raising of funds to pay for their renovation in 2007, I was surprised to come across a letter from Bill, dated 12th February of that year. I wondered why I had kept it, but when I got to the third paragraph, I knew exactly. Remarkably Bill recalls when he first met me 'after break on a Friday at Elbow Lane for Physics', forty-seven years previously. I have no memory of this, and it's incredible that Bill should remember me, a very quiet and shy pupil, after all those years.

I have made a scan of the letter, but in case it is difficult to read, it goes as follows:

Dear Brian,

Herewith a small contribution to the War Memorials Appeal. I hope the appeal goes well. I find it very sad that the two boards were removed from the walls of the entrance Hall at COLS (Downing Drive) and were then 'dumped' in the boiler room. The young lady responsible for their recovery has kept me informed as she likes a drink and a 'fag' in the Dove at lunchtime when I am having a meal - without alcohol!

I hope the Wyvernians' plans will not be affected in the longer term by the news in the Mercury last week that Age Concern may be forced to leave Clarence House as the City Council have raised their rent to almost £100,000 per year!

Does it seem 47 years since we first met after break on a Friday at Elbow Lane for Physics. When one views the tape of old School Films many memories flood back particularly DJS blowing into a manometer.

With every good wish and with appreciation of your contribution to the Wyvernians.

Regards,

Bill Mann 

Family History Society Event

Here are some of photos taken at the Family History event at Clarence House 

                                                    on 14/9/26:-

The representatives of the Old Wyvernians at the event, pictured in front of the Memorial Boards, were L-R  

Tony Baxter, Brian Screaton, Dave Zanker and David Sharp.

The Family History Society put on a superb exhibition about Clarence House 

and the names on the Memorial Boards.

Brian keeping the Wyvernians flag flying!

Entertaining the audience were:-

Tony Donovan (Executive Director of AgeUK Leics and Rutland) seated on the left, blue shirt,

Brian Screaton (Old Wyves), centre, standing, 

and Sue Lester (Family History Society) on the right, standing, and telling the audience about an article that Brian had written about the rescue of the Memorial Boards.

   

Fwd: Latest News

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Brian Screaton 
Date: Tue, 15 Sept 2026 at 21:20
Subject: Latest News
To: 

Hello All,

Quite a few things to report this time. Here they are in no particular order:

- The Quarter Peal of bells at St Denys Church in Evington, on Sunday last, in memory of Bill Mann went well. More details can be found here -  https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/view.php?id=2008562. I hope Bill was listening.

- In case you haven't looked at the website or our Facebook page, it is my sad duty to report that Mike Ratcliff (1958-64) has passed away. His funeral will be at Great Glen Crematorium, 9 London Rd, Great Glen, Leicester LE8 9DJ on Wednesday 30th September at 1.30pm and afterwards at The Yews, 29 London Rd, Great Glen, Leicester LE8 9FL. All are welcome.

- The Family History Society's event at Clarence House on Monday last attracted a very good crowd - if fact it was oversubscribed. The Society has done a fantastic job of researching the family histories of many of the soldiers listed on both the City Boys War Memorial plaques, and put on a very interesting and professional display. The school was represented at the event by myself, Dave Zanker, David Sharp and Tony Baxter. For those who weren't there some photos of the event can be found on our website here:-

https://cbs-latest-news.blogspot.com/.../fwd-family...

Also I am trying to arrange for the display to be on show in the cafe when we have our Lunch on October 14th, which of course is another good reason to come to the Lunch - I'm pleased to say that the numbers have risen to 28, but there are still a few spaces. Just let me know. 

- Lastly, Dave Lawrence needs a lift to get to and from the Lunch. Dave lives in Market Harborough. If you live that way it would be great if you could help him. I hope someone will volunteer.

Best wishes,

Brian

Re: A Couple of items from Brian:

Panoramic photos

More panoramic City Boys photos from the 1960s are for sale on eBay - I think the seller is Doc Burrows' son. If you use ebay just put 'City of Leicester Boys School photograph' in the eBay search box and they should come up

The Quarter Peal for Bill Mann

Chris Glenton reports that the Quarter Peal which was rung at St Denys Church on Sunday, in memory of Bill Mann, went well. Bill was surely listening. Here is the report from Bellboard . https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/view.php?id=2008562

Fwd:

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Brian Screaton 
Date: Sat, 12 Sept 2026 at 15:52
Subject:Mike Ratcliff (1958-64) RIP

Mike Ratcliff

It is with great sadness that I report the death of Mike Ratcliff (1958-64). Mike was the 'official' photographer at many of the Reunions, and assisted Andy Marlow in the production of the book about the City Boys school in 2012. On a personal level, Mike was a good friend of mine, and without his help I don't think I could have ever produced the three local history books that I have written. Nothing was too much trouble for Mike. I shall miss him greatly. As soon as I have details of the funeral arrangements I will circulate them.

Brian Screaton

Fwd: The bells, the bells.....

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Brian Screaton 
Date: Wed, 9 Sept 2026 at 13:08
Subject: The bells, the bells.....

Bill's Bells

The following is a link to the publication on Bellboard of the bellringing that took place after Bill's funeral - https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/view.php?id=2006591 The same ringers will also be ringing a quarter peal in his memory this Sunday at 3.00pm, which will also be published. As I'm sure you all know , a quarter peal it is a set of 1260 unique changes, non-stop with no mistakes and takes 40 to 45 minutes to complete.

Brian

Fwd: Bill's Funeral

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Brian Screaton 
Date: Wed, 9 Sept 2026 at 10:43
Subject: Bill's Funeral

Hello All,

This time yesterday I was attending Bill Mann's funeral at St Denys Church in Evington, where Bill worshipped and was the Tower Captain for the bellringers. It was an excellent and well thought out service, conducted by the Reverend Canon Dr Stephen Foster, who began the proceedings with a story about Bill's final hours. Stephen said he had been called out to administer the last rites to Bill, who then of course promptly recovered, but not for very long, sadly.

There was a congregation of about fifty to sixty, with a good representation of Old Wyvernians, some of whom had travelled considerable distances to be there, which shows how popular and memorable Bill was as a teacher. Mick Wilkins, Bill's second cousin and godson, gave two tributes, firstly about Bill's life and personal reflections, and secondly about Bill's time as a magistrate. Old Wyvernian and former teacher Alan Rudge contributed the story of Bill's teaching career. Appropriately, after the service, the church bells were rung for Bill. The wake was in the parish centre, which is attached to the church, and housed a very generous spread of food and drinks. The Order of Service can soon be seen on our website (www.wyvernians.org.uk) or on our Facebook page, and includes some endearing photos of Bill.

Whilst writing I'm pleased to report that the numbers for the Old Wyves Lunch on 14th October are now up to 27 which is great, but there's still room for  a few more! Just let me know if you would like to come.

Kind regards,

Brian