Fwd: Bill's Funeral

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Brian Screaton 
Date: Fri, 21 Aug 2026, 10:06
Subject: Bill's Funeral

Here are the arrangements for Bill's funeral:

FUNERAL

WILLIAM MERTON MANN JP

9th April 1938  -  5th August 2026

 St Denys Church, Evington, LE5 6FA

Tuesday 8th September at 10.30am. 

All are welcome.

Fwd: Clarence House visit

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Brian Screaton 
Date: Wed, 19 Aug 2026 at 10:48
Subject: Clarence House visit

Hello All,

Here are the details of the Family History Society's event at Clarence House (the old school on Humberstone Gate) on 14th September at 2pm. All are welcome but you need to book a place, as below. I understand that the limit of 20 people is flexible.

I am still awaiting details regarding Bill Mann's funeral, which I will pass on as soon as I have them.

I've not managed to resolve the apparent issue with .ntlworld and .blueyonder email addresses. I think my emails to those addresses are being rejected as spam. However If you have an account with those two and you do actually get this email, I'd be very glad if you would let me know.

Best wishes,

Brian

Monday 14 September

2pm
Hosted by the Leicestershire and Rutland Family History Society (LRFHS), an opportunity to visit Clarence House and
hear about its history which dates back to 1878. Designed by Edward Burgess, the building has been home to two different
schools and a further education college before being bought by its current owners Age UK.The building’s Great Hall houses 

two war memorials, commemorating former pupils of the Newarke School (WW1) and the City Boys’ School (WW2).

There will be a small exhibition including information about some of the servicemen commemorated onthe two war memorials.

In addition, there will be an opportunity to visit the LRFHS’s new research centre. 

Unfortunately the cafe won't be open due to staff cutbacks.

The tour will last approx 90 minutes. Max 20 people. To book please email publicity@lrfhs.org.uk or tel 0770 8883147.

TRIBUTES TO BILL MANN

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Den Duggan 
Date: Wed, 12 Aug 2026 at 11:06
Subject: Please Circulate To Wyvernians

TRIBUTES TO BILL MANN

At the time of writing I have received eight responses to the announcement that Bill Mann passed away recently.

He must have taught hundreds, perhaps even thousands, of pupils, so there will be an endless supply of memories worth recording.

If you can contribute something, no matter how long or short, please send it to me at djduggan2023@outlook.com

Thanks in advance,

Dennis  1959-64

Next Reunion Lunch 14/10/26

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Brian Screaton 
Date: Sat, 8 Aug 2026 at 15:30
Subject: Next Reunion Lunch 14/10/26

Hello again All,

John Hames has now heard from Michelle Wright of Age UK, and the news is as follows. Members of the staff of the cafe are being made redundant, the opening hours are being shortened, and they will not be serving hot meals. However, thankfully they are prepared to arrange for hot meals for our Lunch, and we are welcome to stay beyond 2pm which is to be their new closing time. So hopefully it will be pretty much business as usual, and we are booking a date of Wednesday 14th October for the next Old Wyves Lunch. Please let me know if you want to come - I hope we can get a good attendance to make it worthwhile for AgeUK.

A small technical matter - it seems that my third email of the other day has been rejected as 'spam' by certain email providers, particularly ntlworld.(what a cheek!) Can you all please check that my email address hasn't been blocked otherwise you won't get any more of my rambling emails. Of course, some may feel that would be a blessing... If you didn't receive it, it was a correction to Dennis's email address which should have read djduggan2023@outlook.com Apologies for the error. More haste less speed, as they say.

Look forward to hearing from you with your booking for the Lunch.

Best wishes,

Brian

Fwd: Bill Mann

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Brian Screaton Date: Wed, 5 Aug 2026 at 16:13
Subject: Bill Mann

Hello again everyone,

I'm sure you're thinking 'We hear nothing for months and then get two emails the same day'. Well, I'm sad to say that I have to tell you that former teacher Bill Mann died this morning. He was 88 and had been in end of life care for some time. 

Mike Burden passed on this news to me and will no doubt also pass on the funeral arrangements when these are known which I will of course circulate.

It occurred to me that it would be nice if you could send your memories of Bill to Dennis  for inclusion in the next OWT, and perhaps some could be read out at the funeral.

Kind regards,

Brian

Bill Mann

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Brian Screaton 
Date: Sat, 11 Apr 2026, 11:38
Subject: Bill Mann
To:  CBS 

Hi 

Mike Burden has sent me the attached photo of him and Bill celebrating Bill's 88th Birthday on Thursday 9th April - which, by coincidence, is also my birthday, so Bill is exactly 10 years older than me. Mike is happy for you to put it on the website and FB. Mike says he found Bill bright and cheerful.

Hope all is well 

Regards,

Brian

Fwd: Old Wyves Lunch 18/3/26

From: Brian Screaton 
Date: Sun, 29 Mar 2026, 12:13
Subject: Old Wyves Lunch 18/3

Hi 

The Old Wyves Lunch on 18^th March was a most enjoyable event, with an outstanding attendance of 32, including several former teachers. The buzz of conversations and laughter was a delight to hear. Several Old Wyves travelled considerable distances to be at the Lunch, and I thank them for making the effort to be there. It was agreed that we must have another Lunch so we are looking at a date in early October. I'll let everyone know as soon as we have fixed a date.

Your reporter, Phil Space.

Kind regards,

Brian

Fwd: Last Call and Last Post

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Brian Screaton 
Date: Sat, 28 Feb 2026 at 11:15
Subject: Last Call and Last Post

Good morning all,

Places for the Lunch on 18th March are now at a premium - we have 30 old boys booked in so the room is reaching capacity. But I'm sure we could squeeze in a few last minute bookings if you'd like to be there - just drop me an email. To those who have already booked - we usually receive the menu about a week or ten days before the event so as soon as I have it I will circulate it so you can notify me of your choices.

So if that's the Last Call, then what is the 'Last Post' all about? Well, I support a charity here in Leicester called the 'Leicester City, County & Rutland At Risk War Memorials Project', which is a bit of a mouthful but they carry out some excellent work in rescuing war memorials which would otherwise have been lost or destroyed. Their website is atriskwarmemorials.co.uk if you want to see what they are all about.

They produce an online magazine called 'Last Post', for which I have written a couple of articles, the most recent one being about the rescue of the City Boys war memorials, their restoration, and eventual return to the back of the Great Hall of Clarence House, where they always were. You can read about this here - my article is on pages 10-12 - https://www.atriskwarmemorials.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Last-Post-18-Final-pt.1-p1-12.pdf

The other article is a bit more esoteric and reflects one of my other interests - the article in this issue is on pages 8-9 - https://www.atriskwarmemorials.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Last-Post-17-Final.pdf

Links are also on our Facebook page, thanks to the magic of Frank Smith.

Kind regards,

Brian

Terry Holt (CBS 54-59) RIP

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Brian Screaton 
Date: Sun, 25 Jan 2026 at 10:43
Subject: Terry Holt (CBS 54-59) RIP

Hi .......

we've been asked to announce the passing of a former pupil - a chap called Terry Holt who was 82, ..... Could you put this on the website and/or Facebook? ......... Here's the details:

RIP Terry - condolences to family & friends.

.......

Brian

 

Fwd: Next CBS Lunch

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Brian Screaton 
Date: Sat, 17 Jan 2026 at 13:53
Subject: Next CBS Lunch

Hello All,

A belated Happy New Year to everyone! We have now got a date for the next Lunch which will be at the usual venue - the Cafe at what is now AgeUK, formerly the School building on Humberstone Gate. The date is Wednesday 18th March. We will gather in the private room off the Cafe from about 12 noon and lunch will begin at about 12.30pm.

Please let me know that you will be coming. There are no advance payments - we pay on the day at the Cafe counter. I will circulate the menu a week or so before the date.

Best wishes,

Brian

Fwd: More News

From: Brian Screaton 
Date: Fri, 5 Dec 2025 at 11:20
Subject: More News

Hello,

Some more snippets of news for you. Firstly a report and photographs of the Special Viewing of Peter Robinson's wonderful Photographic Exhibition can be found on our Facebook page and also on the website (https://www.wyvernians.org.uk). Hope I've got it right this time! The exhibition,which includes many of Peter's iconic sports photos, is titled 'Keep off the Grass'. It will be open to the public free of charge until 10 January 2026 from Monday to Friday, 10am to 5pm, and on Saturdays from midday to 5pm and is in the Leicester Gallery of the Vijay Patel Building, on the campus of De Montfort University, Mill Lane, Leicester, LE2 7PT. It is well worth making the effort to see the exhibition, and also how the DMU campus has changed.

Secondly, Bob Childs reports that he has donated further documents relating to the school in its various guises to the Record Office for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland at Long Street Wigston LE18 2AH. It will however take some time for them to be catalogued and available for inspection. The Record Office website is at https://www.recordoffice.org.uk, which gives details of opening hours. Further information about the recent donation can be obtained from Bob at bobchilds@hotmail.co.uk. The Record Office has provided Bob with a list of the items that they hold, which have been catalogued, and this is attached 

(Here is the link:-

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MyyeAbjctxzFyJk7gF0tmHapHy2M44Rk/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=115400439193701550126&rtpof=true&sd=true   )

The Record Office provided the following information regarding access - "It is easy to access the records here. All you have to do is to bring in two forms of identification with a full name, address and signature on, in order to be registered. There are two forms of registration; one is a day pass if you think it is a one-off visit. For visitors who think their visits will be ongoing they are advised to obtain an ARA card that lasts for five years and can be used in most county record offices around the country. This latter method will require us to take a photograph of yourself which goes on our database of registrations".

I realise that this is not of great interest to those who live abroad, and as far as I know none of the items listed have been digitised as yet. However the Record Office staff are very good at answering emails or telephone enquiries (recordoffice@leics.gov.uk or 0116 2571080).

Lastly, if it's not too early, may I wish you all a merry Christmas and a happy and peaceful New Year. I've just realised - 2025 marked the sixtieth year since I left City Boys, just before the move to Downing Drive - where have the years gone?

Kind regards,

Brian

Fwd: Peter's Exhibition

It's taken a few days but attached is a report on Peter Robinson's photo exhibition at the DMU . Also there are some photos - Peter is the one in the red jacket:

Here's a report of the event:-

‘Keep off the Grass’ – Old Wyvernian Peter Robinson’s Photographic Exhibition

On Friday 14th November, as Storm Claudia raged outside, eight Old Wyvernians gathered in an

oasis of tranquillity, better known as The Gallery in the Vijay Patel building in the De Montfort

University Campus (DMU). Peter Robinson had kindly arranged a Special Viewing of his

Photographic Exhibition and those who braved the storm were Chris Jinks, John Hames, Geoff

Bodycote, Kev Wilde, Alan Cockbill, Chris Wigginton, Brian Screaton, and of course Peter

himself.

Peter related that after leaving City Boys he went on to study photography at the Leicester

College of Art and Design (now DMU) and after a few different jobs he was taken on by a firm,

not far away from where DMU is now, who produced a weekly magazine called ‘Football League

Review’, for which Peter became the photographer. From there his career blossomed and

included covering thirteen World Cups as well as becoming FIFA’s official photographer.

So it was a joy and an honour to have Peter with us, telling us where his photos were taken and

how they came about, as well as casual asides about things such as having lunch with Johan

Cruyff and Franz Beckenbauer in New York, and visiting Pele’s house. All present agreed that it

was a splendid morning and well worth battling the elements to get there. Our thanks to Peter

for taking the time to guide us around his outstanding exhibition.

The exhibition is open from Monday to Friday between 10.00am and 5.00pm, and on Saturdays

from 12 noon to 5.00pm, continuing until 10th January 2026. It is well worth a visit.

Fwd: Peter Robinson's Photo Exhibition

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Brian Screaton 
Date: Sun, 9 Nov 2025, 14:41
Subject: Peter Robinson's Photo Exhibition

  Hello All,

The Special Viewing of Old Wyvernian Peter Robinson's Exhibition of his Sports Photos has been arranged for Friday the 14th November at 10.30am. It will be hosted by Peter himself and we will meet in the Gallery of the Vijay Patel building in the De Montfort University campus - see the following: https://www.dmu.ac.uk/about-dmu/estates-facilities/buildings-on-dmu-campus/vijay-patel-building.aspx (it's worth looking at this even if you're unable to come, just to see how the DMU campus has changed)

A good number of Old Wyves have recorded their interest in this Viewing, and I hope this date is suitable for them. If you haven't contacted me, that's no problem, please feel free to come along anyway and enjoy what should be an interesting morning.

I look forward to seeing all those who can attend.

Kind regards,

Brian

P.S. My apologies for messing up our website address in my previous email. I got a virtual rap on the knuckles from our tech expert Frank Smith, who advised that I 'misspelt the website and .uk is missing -  http://www.wyverians.org should read https://www.wyvernians.org.uk ' So if you don't hear from me for a while I shall be in detention....

Fwd: Latest Wyvernians News

---------- Forwarded message ---------
Date: Thu, 6 Nov 2025 at 14:46
Subject: Latest Wyvernians News

  Hello All,

I don't know about you but I can hardly believe that we're in November - I don't know where this year has gone. Anyway, the first item of news is that the latest edition of OWT will be on the website ( https://www.wyvernians.org.uk) and our Facebook page shortly, with some interesting contributions, especially about Bunny Hutchinson. More contributions on any subject, including your life after you left City Boys, are always welcome - please send them to Dennis at djduggan2023@outlook.com

Bob Childs sends us the following news - 'Thanks to Mike Burden my second and third donations of COLS Archives are now with the Record Office at Wigston awaiting cataloguing. They include the famous Tony Baxter hand drawn full timetable for 1980-81! When completed the Record Office will have an impressive range of material covering City Boys Humberstone Gate and Downing Drive, the City of Leicester School and City of Leicester College! So well done to all Wyvernians and I believe it is now the longest  and deepest archive collection they have for any secondary school'. Bob will send me a link once the items have been processed by the Record Office - which may take some time! I will pass the information on when I receive it from Bob, in case anyone wants to have a look at the items.

Chris Jinks sent me a report about the reunion of the 1967 intake, organised by Clive Langley and held at the Dove public house, just down the road from the former site of the School. Chris reports that 'We had 12 turn up for this event which everyone seemed to enjoy. At the reunion I also touched on the possibility of arranging a Mayflower Junior School reunion in Summer 2027 as that will represent 60 years since we all finished there! Many pupils in our year started off at Evington Valley Infants, went on to Mayflower Junior and then on to City Boys (Downing Drive)'. Contact Chris on chris.jinks1@btinternet.com if this is of interest. So, one reunion leads to another...

Lastly, a goodly number of Old Wyves have expressed an interest in attending the Special Viewing of Peter Robinson's sports photos, hosted by Peter himself, at De Montfort University. Peter is just sorting out a suitable date which I will pass on when received.

(examples of Peter's work can be found at https://www.thesaturdayman.com )

Hope all is well with you.

All the best,

Brian

Fwd: Latest News

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Brian Screaton 
Date: Wed, 22 Oct 2025 at 11:58
Subject: Latest News
To: All 

Hello all,

Firstly a message to all our antipodean Old Wyvernians. John O'Grady, who lives in Victoria, Australia would like to contact all the other Old Wyves who are resident 'down under' with a view to setting up perhaps a whatsapp group or a Facebook page for 'Old Wyves in Australia'. John's email address is wattlegully@gmail.com

Turning to more local matters, don't forget to contact me if you would like to come to the Special Viewing of Peter Robinson's sports photos, hosted by Peter, at De Montfort University. Quite a few of you at the Lunch indicated your interest but I didn't take any names, so please just drop me an email to confirm your interest asap.

Talking of the Lunches, Tony Baxter emailed me to note the success of the Lunches and said 'I found there wasn't time to chat to everyone and again these lunches are an excellent way for stirring up old  memories and old friendships'. Maybe we ought to combine the Lunch with an Afternoon Tea next time! Anyway, many thanks Tony, it's always good to see you at the Lunches.

Kind regards,

Brian

Fwd: Lunch and a Special Viewing

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Brian Screaton 
Date: Fri, 17 Oct 2025 at 12:23
Subject: Lunch and a Special Viewing

Hello Everyone,

I hope this email finds you well. The Old Wyves Lunch on Wednesday was excellent, with twenty-seven present and a great buzz of conversations and laughter. We even had an Old Wyve all the way from Australia present - that's dedication for you! No seriously, he happened to be on an extended holiday in the UK. The next Lunch will be in March 2026. I'll let you know the date soon.

Some of you may know Peter Robinson, an Old Wyvernian who went on to find great fame as a sports photographer. If you don't then just google his name and 'sports photographer'. He specialised in football photos, and was described by the New York Times as 'The world's greatest living soccer photographer'. He was also an official FIFA photographer for 24 years, and was at 13 World Cups and 9 Olympic Games. Peter currently has an exhibition of his work, called 'Keep off the Grass',  on display at De Montfort University in Leicester and has kindly offered to host a Special Viewing for the Old Wyvernians, at a date to be agreed.

If you are interested in going to the Special Viewing of Peter's work, then please let me know in the next week or so and we will make the necessary arrangements. If you prefer to go under your own steam then the exhibition is open from 10am to 5pm Monday to Friday, and 12 noon to 5 pm on Saturdays. It is in the Leicester Gallery of the Vijay Patel Building at DMU. 

I realise that those of you in far-flung places will not be able to go, but hopefully we will put some photos on the website and our facebook page.

Best wishes,

Brian

PS examples of Peter Robinson's work can be found at https://www.thesaturdayman.com

Fwd: Bunny

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Brian Screaton 
Date: Fri, 3 Oct 2025 at 13:06
Subject: Mr Hutchinson RIP
To: Frank Smith 

Brian Screaton attended the Memorial Service for former woodwork teacher Frank Hutchinson. Here's his feedback:-

"Four Old Wyvernians attended the Thanksgiving for the Life of Frank Hutchinson at St John the Baptist Church in Cold Overton on Wednesday 1st October. They were John Williams, David Billsdon, Stephen Thompson and myself. The church was absolutely full with extra seating filling every possible space. The service was conducted by the Reverend Canon Philip Norwood, and the tributes to Frank (or Fred or Bunny, as we knew him) were led by Sir Mark Prescot Bt, a long time friend of Frank's and a horse trainer with over 2,000 wins to his credit. We learnt much about Frank's 'other life' as a jockey and a poem read by Frank's wife, Jane, called 'When the Riding's done' was particularly poignant.  The wake was held in the Tea Rooms at Gates Garden Centre in the village and was very well catered. A toast was drunk to the life of dear old Fred."

Bob Fionda also attended the funeral. Here's his feedback:-

Fred's Funeral - Summary

The funeral service went very well with about 165 people attending. He had many friends with varying backgrounds, including many from the horse racing world with a personal tribute delivered from the lectern from Sir Mark Prescott the famous trainer who won the Prix De L'Arc du Triomphe ( probably the most prestigious race in the world)  a couple of years ago. He also received an e-mail from Gary Lineker offering his condolences and explaining he would be unable to attend because of filming commitments in Europe.

I had five replies from former members of staff and one from a grateful PGCE student of Fred's, who came to the service.

Bob Fionda

Fwd: City of Leicester Boys Reunion

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Clive Langley <clangleypsafinancial1@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, Sep 15, 2025 at 12:45 AM
Subject: City of Leicester Boys Reunion
To: City Boys Admin <cbsleicester@gmail.com>

Dear Sir

I wonder if you could help me. My name is Clive Langley and I am in the process of trying to organise a reunion of Old Boys who started out at the Downing Drive site in 1967

I notice you have the following pupils on your database and I would be grateful if you could contact them for me to make them aware we plan to hold a reunion Th Dove Pub on Downing Drive, Evington, Leicester  on Friday, 17th October 7~30pm

Their names are

Richard Chatham 685

Andrew Coombes 637

Glynn Curtis 120

Dennis `Sweeney 728

Nick Thornton 481

Ian Thorp 482

Lee Tracy 617

Tim Watson 611

Neil Hammonds 186

Warwick Hunt 61

Michael McShane 742

Chris Jinks 236

I was also wondering if you could also post something on the website about this. My email is clangleypsafinancial1@gmail.com 

Please ask anybody who is interested to email me

Thanks

Clive Langley

The event took place with several people attending. To view a couple of photos on Facebook click/tap HERE

Fwd: Latest News

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Brian Screaton
Date: Sat, 18 Jan 2025 at 14:50
Subject: Latest News
To: Brian Screaton

  Hello All,

Hope this finds you well. There are a few items of news which I thought I would update you on.

Firstly the date of the next Old Wyves Lunch has been fixed for Wednesday 9th April at the usual venue, AgeUK in Humberstone Gate. I shall need to know numbers so if you want to be there (and I'd highly recommend both the company and the food) then just drop me a line. Closer to the date I will send out the menu for you to let me know your choices.

Secondly Mike Burden tells me that Bill Mann has been out of hospital for some time and he is back to his pre-hospital self. He is well settled back in Welford Court, is content and well looked after, but his dementia means that his short term memory is not good.

Next, news of another Reunion - Former pupil Adrian Clive Langley is organising a CBS reunion for a specific intake at the Dove pub in Evington. The plan is to hold it on the 17th October 2025 (a Friday) at The Dove on Downing Drive. It is only for former pupils who came to the school aged 11 in 1967 and would have left aged 18 in 1974. Anyone interested or wanting more details should email

clangleypsafinancial1@gmail.com  Details are also on our website and Facebook page.

Lastly, when Bill Mann was in hospital many of you were kind enough to send me your very nice memories of him and his teaching, which I passed on to Mike Burden. Dennis would like to include these in the next OWT for everyone to share, but if you would prefer your contribution not to be included or if you want it to be anonymised, it's no problem, just contact Dennis at djduggan2023@outlook.com

Best wishes,

Brian

Fwd: School Films now on YouTube!

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Brian Screaton 
Date: Sun, 13 Oct 2024 at 09:55
Subject: School Films now on YouTube!

Good Morning All,

The School Films are now available to view on YouTube, thanks to Old Wyvernian Mick Howell. Here's the link - https://www.youtube.com/@Wyvernians/videos - hope it works! Eighteen films are there for you to binge-watch! Well, it's got to be better than watching Strictly Come Dancing or Bake-Off! The 1970 film, entitled 'The City we Live in' has already amassed 220 views and includes some rare footage of the demolition of the Bell Hotel in Humberstone Gate.

Thanks again to MIck for all his work on this. I hope you enjoy looking for yourself in the films....it's possible to slow them down on YouTube.

Best Wishes,

Brian

PS The Old Wyves Lunch last Wednesday was a cracker with a great buzz and some Old Boys from as far afield as Dorset and Yorkshire.