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

Fwd: Some News

From: Brian Screaton 
Date: Thu, 27 Aug 2026 at 11:34
Subject: Some News
To: 

Hello All,

A few varied news items that I thought I would pass on. Firstly, if any of you are looking for the panoramic school photos there are some for sale on eBay at present, for years 1958, 1961, 1963 and 1968. Put 'City of Leicester Boys School photographs' in the eBay search box.

Secondly, the response to the next Old Wyves Lunch has been a bit disappointing. Currently only 12 people have booked, and I think we really need 25-30 to make it worthwhile for AgeUK to put on a special hot meal for us. If you've been thinking about coming, please book your place asap. Thanks.

Lastly, the 'ntlworld' saga continues. As you may recall, it seems that my emails (not all, but most) sent to those with virginmedia, ntlworld and blueyonder addresses are being blocked for no apparent reason. Currently I have 48 'Delivery Status Notifications' of which 33 state that my emails have been blocked and the others say that there is a temporary problem with my emails, going back nearly a week. Our Tech guru Frank Smith and myself have not been able to find a fix. Any thoughts would be welcome.

Now, a stop press item!

"Hi, we are organising a reunion in 2027 for Linden Junior School, Evington, 1973 leavers. We know a number of boys went on to City Boys on Downing Drive. If anyone would be interested in attending, please could they contact:-

Nick Slack nickslack7@btinternet.com;         Helen Appleton happleton62@hotmail.com or

 Lisa Driver (nee Vanderweele) lisadriver72@gmail.com. 

This would apply to those leaving City Boys in 1978 after O levels, or 1980 after A levels"

Hope all is well with you,

Best wishes,

    Brian