The Owl 2020

The Owl 2020
Former Pupils’ News
very popular occasions, with around 50
members attending. There is usually a summer
lunch at the Royal Portrush GC in August, but
it was cancelled this year due to the pandemic.
Lunches are currently suspended.
Photo: monthly lunch at Royal Belfast Yacht Club on
14 th November, 2019.
NETWORKING BREAKFASTS
Each year, the Old Boys' Association plans to
make a financial contribution to the School to
support particular projects. In 2019-20, the
Association, with the guidance of the
Principal, donated £4,250 to purchase various
items. These included physics apparatus to
equip a laboratory in school in memory of
Professor James Stirling, and £600 towards the
new hockey video tower.
It is worth noting that the Association has
donated over £25,000 to fund various projects
in School over the past number of years.
The photograph shows Moore Dickson, OBA
President, presenting the cheque to the
Principal. Also in the photograph are Trevor
Sturgess, Senior Vice President, and Nik
Simon, Hon. Treasurer.
The planned dates for 2021 golf
competitions are:
- Picken Cup at Malone GC on Thursday
17 th June 2021.
- Captain’s Day to be held at Royal Belfast
GC on Friday 10 th September 2021.
MONTHLY LUNCHES
Robin Reid instigated and co-ordinated these
lunches for many years. Early this year, Robin
decided to step down, and we are very grateful
to him for establishing this programme. Robb
Fletcher took over the coordinating role – with
the assistance of a local member in each club.
These monthly lunches are held mostly in golf
clubs around the greater Belfast area. They are
Photo: Michael McDowell, Clare McDowell, Anne
Madden, Jonathon McAlpine & Louise Brogan.
The Old Boys’ Association, together with the
Old Girls’ Association, organised a
Networking Breakfast on 13 th February, 2020.
Our Thanks to Michael McDowell, Clare
McDowell & Louise Brogan for their efforts.
These events are scheduled around a breakfast
so that working past pupils can attend for
breakfast, listen to two short presentations, and
then go on to their jobs. It is unlikely any more
breakfasts can be scheduled for some time.
The Breakfast on 13 th February, 2020, was held
at the Ten Square Hotel, and the speakers were
Anne Madden, Communications Manager,
Sustrans, and Jonathon McAlpine, Chief
Executive, East Belfast Enterprise.
OLD BOYS’ ASSOCIATION
DONATION TO THE SCHOOL
2019-20
OLD BOYS’ ASSOCIATION
DONATION TO THE CAPTAIN
TOM MOORE NHS APPEAL
The Committee made a donation of £1,000 to
the NHS Appeal organised by Captain Tom
Moore.
SUPPORTING THE BRA OLD
GIRLS’ QUIZ
The OBA was delighted to be asked to assist
with the Old Girls’ “2020 Quiz Night” held on
the 28 th , February, 2020 at the Academy Club,
Mallusk. A lot of fun was had by all concerned.
Photos: (1) Moore Dickson, OBA President getting
things started. (2) Adrian Brown as Quiz-master & (3)
Gareth Davis & Adrian Brown doing the audios and
number crunching.
OLD BOYS’ WEBSITE
The new Old Boys’ website emerged last year
from a major re-write, led by Martin Blake.
Bobby Gray has now taken over as Editor –
with support from an editorial team. Our
thanks to Bobby for all the work he has put into
this in the course of this year. The new website
www.braoba.com is now active.
Michael McDowell promotes the Association
on Social Media through the Old Boys’ Twitter
account @TheBRAoldboys.
Jim Carolan has become the Alumni Officer,
and will liaise between the Association and the
school.
Please inform the Alumni Office at
alumni@belfastroyalacademy.net of any
items of news for inclusion in The Owl and
the Old Boys’ Association website. Any
notification of births, marriages, deaths or
career developments etc. will be very
welcome and of considerable interests to
other Old Boys.
Obituaries: Thomas Henry McClelland
BAag, MIBiol, FRAhS who attended BRA
from 1942 to 1953, starting in Wingfield after
the war. Henry (Harry) died in Braco
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