Colin Gilchrist 2008

PRESIDENT 2008

COLIN GILCHRIST BGGS 1961 – 1968

Welcome to the 2008 OBA Newsletter.  I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself – my name is Colin Gilchrist, and I should like to say how very pleased and honoured I am to be elected as your President this year, despite being an “out of town” member who is unable to visit Barrow as often as I would like.

I attended Barrow Grammar School from 1961 to 1968, when the late Sam Price was headmaster – at least until 1967, when he was succeeded by Fred Robinson, who had been deputy head for many years at the School.  I managed to make the “A” stream throughout my years in the Lower School, and that meant that I sat the GCE “O-Level” exams a year early, giving me three years in the 6^th Form.  I was always rubbish at Sport, which was never a strong interest of mine.  My main interest at School was music, and I enjoyed my time in the School orchestra and choir.  I played the violin and became one of the leaders of the orchestra.  The music masters in those days were first Mr England, and then John Cranston who led the Junior Choir to many prizes at the music festivals around the North West of England.  Alan Garnett, who taught me French, was the resident accompanist.  I also remember working as an assistant in the School library under the supervision of Wilf Kimber.

In 1968 after completing my third year in the 6^th Form, I commenced reading Electrical Engineering at Queen Mary College, London.  During my time at QMC, I continued my musical activities, playing in both the College and University of London orchestras.  Sadly, I stopped playing the violin after I left university.

For various reasons I “dropped out” of university, and found work in the City of London with a firm of insurance brokers called Bland Welch & Co.  I qualified as a Fellow of the Chartered Insurance Institute and specialised in marine insurance.  I have not moved employers since, although the company name keeps changing through mergers and acquisitions, and I am now employed by Marsh Ltd and work in an office next to the Tower of London.

At one time, in the days of British Shipbuilders, I found myself looking after the marine aspects of our shipbuilding clients, and this took me around the UK visiting all the different shipyards, including Barrow.  From an insurance point of view, shipbuilding is always very interesting – land meets water and there is a need for almost every type and class of insurance imaginable.

I have been married to Jill, a London girl, for over 30 years, and we have two children who are both in their 20s.

On arrival in London, I started to attend the then London Branch of the OBA, which was organised by the late Jack Bentham, who I believe had connections with Barrow Cricket Club.  We used to meet after work at Verry’s Bar in Regent Street on the first Friday of the month, and held two dinners each year -  the main dinner being held on the evening of the Rugby League Cup Final, when many Old Barrovians would make the journey South from Barrow.  Jack persuaded me to take over his role of Branch Secretary and I worked with Billy Albion, the Branch Treasurer.  It was always difficult to persuade younger Old Boys to join or attend our gatherings, and eventually Billy and I were the only two regular attendees, so we decided to wind up the London Branch and remit the Branch funds to Barrow.

Some years ago, Arthur Crook started the new Southern Branch holding two lunches each year.  Graham Currie and I took over running these lunches when Arthur decided he wanted to hand over.  Whilst many of the members are getting older and find attending more difficult, it is good to see younger members coming along, and Graham and I are finding these younger members are of our own era at School – the late 1950s and the 1960s.

The May lunch was held at the Royal Overseas League and was attended by 20 members.  The next lunch will be held on Wednesday, 5^th November, again at the ROL.  However we intend to hold the lunch in May 2009 at Gatwick for the benefit of those members who live south of the Thames and find it difficult to travel into the centre of London.

I accept my position of President with pride and honour and I shall endeavour to continue the good work of my predecessors.

Colin died in 2012 at the age of 62.