Fwd: Peter Robinson's New Exhibition

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Brian Screaton 
Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2026 at 16:59
Subject: Peter Robinson's New Exhibition

Hello All,

Some news for you about a new exhibition of Peter's wonderful Sport and Social History Photographs:-

Old Wyvernian Peter Robinson was once hailed as ‘arguably the world’s greatest football photographer’ Not bad for a New Parks lad – and in his honour the New Parks Library is now running an exhibition of his work. After leaving City Boys Peter went on to do a photography course at what is now De Montfort University, where you may remember there was an exhibition of his photographs earlier this year.

Peter’s photographic gems are well worth seeing and the exhibition at New Parks Library is open as follows:

Monday 1pm -3pm

Tuesday 1pm -5pm

Wednesday 10am -1pm

Thursday 10am -5pm

Friday – Closed

Saturday – 10am -1pm, except for the 1^st Saturday of the month.

The exhibition runs until March 2027. The library recommends that you phone them first to ensure that the exhibition is open before travelling, as sometimes the room may be needed for other purposes.

The address of the Library is 321 Aikman Avenue, Leicester, LE3 9PW. The phone number is 0116 454 0370. The Library does not open until 10.00am.

Best wishes,

Brian

Part of Peter's Robinson's Exhibition at De Montfort University, earlier this year:-

Next Old Wyves Lunch

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From: Brian Screaton 
Date: Sat, 24 Oct 2026, 16:14
Subject: Next Old Wyves Lunch

Hello All,

Just to be sure that everyone is aware, I am writing to say that we have booked the next Lunch for Wednesday 24th March 2027, so that you have plenty of notice of the date. There's no need to book your place yet, unless you really want to. I intend to start taking names in the New Year. The Lunch held this month went really well, and John Hames and I are looking forward to another convivial event in 2027.

Best wishes,

Brian

Old Wyves Lunch

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From: Brian Screaton 
Date: Mon, 19 Oct 2026 at 15:56
Subject: Old Wyves Lunch: 

Another Great Old Wyves Lunch!

Old Boys from near and far returned to Clarence House for the Wyvernians Lunch last Wednesday (14/10), and all had a most enjoyable time. The buzz of conversation and laughter was amazing, and I think many old friendships were revived and new contacts made. The lunch served by Sharon and her staff was excellent with very generous portions – I shouldn’t think anyone went home hungry – certainly I didn’t need to eat again until the following day! The room was immaculately set out, with white tablecloths, and the food was served to us, rather than us queueing at the counter, which worked well. Well done, AgeUK!

The Leicestershire and Rutland Family History Society, who are now based at Clarence House, also did us proud by kindly re-showing their fascinating exhibition about Clarence House, and their research on the names on the Memorial Boards in the Great Hall. Apparently one of their members alone has researched about thirty of the names. If you need help in tracing your family tree the Society has excellent resources. Their Research Centre at Clarence House is on the second floor (there is a lift) and they are open from 10.30am and 3.00pm on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Their website is https://lrfhs.org.uk

Stop Press news is that we have booked the date for the next Lunch at Clarence House, which is Wednesday 24^th March 2027, so make a note and add it to your diary! John and I look forward to seeing everyone then.

Brian

Fwd: Panoramic photo 1961

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From: Brian Screaton

A 1961 panoramic photograph of the City Boys school pupils is for sale on eBay for £9.73 plus postage, if anyone is looking for one. Just put 'City of Leicester Boys School panoramic photograph 1961' in the eBay search box and it should come up.

Mike Ratcliff

From: Brian Screaton 

Mike Ratcliff RIP

The funeral of Mike Ratcliff was held at Great Glen crematorium yesterday (30th September).The Wyvernians were represented by Andy Marlow and myself, both of whom had been the fortunate recipients of Mike's friendship and his generous expert help in producing books and other printed matter in recent years. I had the honour of paying a tribute to Mike, in which I included Andy's tribute which is on our Facebook page. Should you wish to make a donation to Loros in memory of Mike, the link is michaelratcliff.muchloved.com

Brian Screaton

 

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. 

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.