RE - UNITED IN
JUBILEE JOY
Marr College's golden jubilee celebrations were a resounding success.
A re-union on Saturday night in Troon Concert Hall attracted 430 people, while a church service the following day‑ was attended by around 300.
On Friday night, about 400 former pupils toured the school, some of them seeing the modern extension for the first time.
Add a sporting flavour to the weekend golden oldies took part in hockey and rugby matches on Friday ‑ and the ingredients were there to produce a memorable weekend.
"I'm absolutely delighted with the way it went” said Gordon Brown, one of the seven‑man organising committee.
PACKED
So was everybody else that I have spoken to. It was just great."
The Concert Hall was packed full on Saturday night as old schoolmates got together to chat about the "good old days".
"The numbers for the re‑union were perfect” said Gordon. "There were actually only: 400 seats for the meal, but that wasn't any problem.”
"The biggest problem was actually getting everybody out at the end of the night. Everyone had a great time."
PLANNING
The organising committee, set up earlier this year, had been planning the celebrations for several months.
There was also a special service held on September 2nd of this year, to mark the birth of Charles Kerr Marr, who founded the school.
DISTANCE
What particularly pleased the organisers was the distance many people travelled for the re‑union. .
Former pupils came from as far as Australia, Canada, Zimbabwe and Spain, and there was a large contingent from England who made the journey north.
Organisers are hoping for a small surplus after the bills are paid and this will go towards a one‑off academic award for a Marr pupils next year.
FOLLOWING
THE FULL
STORY
THE Troon Times has been following the story of Marr College from its early, humble beginnings, being built on the site of an old farmstead on a hill.
And this week, as part of our special four page pull out marking the 50th anniversary of the school, we present the last in the series of articles on Marr, written by Stuart Beaton. It appears on the back page of this pull‑out.
Also in this special souvenir you'll find pictures which will be a permanent reminder of Marr's memorable weekend.
But, of course, tribute must be paid to the man who started It all ‑ Charles Kerr Marr, the son of a sea‑captain.
His personal life was far from happy ‑ his wife died six weeks after they married. And the fruits of his great labours in the commercial world went solely to the town of Troon, all £348,000 of it.
And at the cost of £400,000 the school was built in 1930, although for five controversial years, it remained un‑opened.
It quickly developed however as a thriving, and respected school. It remains so, and now has one of the largest Educational Trust in Britain - the Marr Trust, ‑ which provides financial help for former pupils,
Former Rector, Dr Gil Isaac, summed up the feelings of many in a speech during September's service marking the birth of Charles Kerr Marr.
"We advance forward into the next 50 years with a brave purpose and a bold confidence.”
Pictures: Norman Cunningham
Words: Jack Wright
"We advance forward into the next 50 years with a brave purpose and a bold confidence.”
Old sports!
The golden oldies rugby team, looking fine and fit ‑ and that was at half‑time!
The current Marr College rugby team who pitted their wits against their predecessors.
THE GOLDEN oldies met the youngsters on the playing fields and can hold their heads high.
For the rugby men defeated their youthful opponents, the current Marr XV. They did, however, have the advantage of unlimited substitutions something which they used with great regularity, around every two minutes in fact.
And when it came to hockey, the golden oldies held the young Marr girls to a 1-1 draw ‑ not bad against the current Scottish champions.
But the matches, played at the school playing‑fields fields last Friday were, of course, for fun, and all part of the school’s jubilee celebrations.
The ladies who made up the golden oldies’ hockey team.
Marr s all‑conquering hockey girls, who had to fight all the way against their elders.
Getting the mixture right ‑ a group of young cooks watch intently. But as for the year ‑ your guess is as good as ours.
The 1930s was probably the most popular decade, and here are some former pupils from that time meeting up.
Faces from the 50s, but most of them seem to be looking elsewhere.
Some of the organising committee who worked so hard to stage the celebrations ‑ Robert McCarrison (current rector), Helen Rhind
Working was never this much fun ‑ life's a bed of roses for these Marr College art students. The car in the background suggests the 1940's. .
Straight from swinging 60s ‑ former pupils from The Beatles era stand at the stall set up by Brodie the Chemist.
We meet
again
PEOPLE from four continents and many from all over Britain re‑lived schoolday memories in Troon on Saturday night.
They were among the 430 who turned up for the Marr College re‑union for former pupils, which was held in the Concert Hall.
And there were a number of teachers there, too, who were taking lessons when the school opened its doors 5O years ago.
Everyone flocked to their sections of the hall, where their respective decades were marked out. Local businesses sponsored the stalls for each one, most notably the 1960s, where James Brodie, local chemist, had arranged an impressive and interesting array of old school pictures which led many down Marr's memory lane.
All in all, it was a night to remember for the school's former pupils, and a worthy celebration of 50 successful years.
PE the way it was meant to be! Strict discipline for these boys in the early days of Marr College.
The 1940s in focus ‑ a smile for the camera from this group of old schoolmates.
The younger generation ‑ former pupils of the 1970s.
Committee member Alastair Murison, Marr's first dux and son of the original rector, with Graham Mann, who was the chairman of the committee.
Two of the furthest travelled FPs – Clayre Tennant who travelled across the African continent from her Zimbabwe home, and Charles Cromer, who made the journey from Spain for the re-union.
MARR COLLEGE JUBILEE SOUVENIR – 4 -
The people behind this
palace of
a school
DID the College have to prove itself? Many may have thought so but certainly not the staff, nor the Rector.
Four of Marr’s original teachers who attended the re-union – J. B. Baxter, Eleanor Nicholson, R. W. Boon and John Bennett
From the outset they merely acted normally and the end product was beyond reproach, academically, vocationally, or otherwise; and the life ‑ of the school, club wise or on the playing fields, made its individual hallmark, to the credit of everyone.
So far as the pupils were concerned, success in their own particular sphere was always a matter of vital importance, regardless of whether they were to emerge as surgeons, joiners, seamen, nurses, farmers or whatever, provided that personal gratification and a modicum of merit were achieved; and those who attended Marr were undoubtedly pointed in the right direction.
It must not be forgotten, however, that the primary schools of the Troon and Loans outback were the springboards which launched all budding scholars into secondary education and the college on the hill continued the treatment.
Teachers
were
hand
picked
The teachers were handpicked, though happily not infallible but the Rector was a man apart. Chucky Peebles always with a twinkle in his eye, imbued every class with confidence; J. D. Cairns, highly talented, pawky and dry of wit; J. B. Baxter, popular, prolific, and clipped on tone; Miss Robertson (Old Peg), a lady of the first water, sympathetic, kind, and thorough; Miss Mary Young, impeccable, never allowed Chaucer to be taken lightly; Hugh G. Fraser, one in a million, a truly remarkable man.
Robert (Johnny) Houston, a very serious classic gentleman; Dr Le Harivel, who knew the difference between Chateauneuf and Niersteiner, though his pupils didn't, but their French was immaculate; Miss Paterson, a very fluent, gentle lady; Miss I MacDonald disciplinarian of the 'old school', her pupils learned in spite of themselves; John Bennett, brilliant and young; Alex P. Arrol (Barney), a tower of strength, something of a genius; Wilfred Whalley, a large very distinguished gentleman, who always made his point; David McCreadie, cautious, meticulous, and thorough; Miss E. C. Stewart, naive, attractive and extremely competent.
James R. Gilfillan, superlative artist, humane, patient, tolerant, and understanding; J. M. Mackie, dedicated, an architectural connoisseur; T. Bonar Lyon, inspiring Picasso of the drawing board; Miss McKirdy, a capital type, who wondered about humour, highly efficient; Miss Hiddlestone, who abhorred sloth in cookery and cloth, Cordon bleu; Miss Vallance, an expert in embroidery and samplers, she turned an egg well; W. N. MacQuarrie, Mr Music, ever harmonious; Miss E. M. Dunlop, tall stately and blonde, her glottals were beyond reproach; R. W. Boon master of the dead ball in rugby he knew it all, a wizard; Miss A. Milne, a charming, vigorous lady, who made women out of girls; Miss I. Reid, efficiency personified, but she had the human touch.
Some of the wives of original Marr college teachers: Mrs Helen Baxter, Mrs Doris Boon and Mrs Jean Milligan.
Miss Lilias Hamilton, a veritable 'dolly bird’, and she cooked to perfection; 1936/37; A. D. J. Scott, strict and fair, in hockey he had quite a flair; J. C. Frame, an expert on logs and specialist in camps; J. N. C. Clark, brilliant, a Classic conjugator.
Janitor number one was J. M. Lindsay, who ruled his kingdom, and was highly respected; number two was J. F. Shaw, approachable, who often turned a blind eye.
The library benefited from Sir Alex Walker's generous gift of 2,000 volumes, and the museum contributed to yet another aspect of the school. Prior to the war the 'potted pageant' presented by the maters, was unforgettable.
The first Dux was Alastair Murison, and the first magazine was produced in 1937, the pupils editorial committee being ‑ Nan Laing, Amy Ayles, Maryn Murphy, Joe Buchanan, W. McCormack, N. McArthur, Nita Jamieson, and Cameron Marshall; and the lino‑cut on the editorial page was created by Winifred S. Williamson it having been a fluctuating feature ever since.
The staff contributed in various ways to the smooth running of the establishment; and one of such, in a particular respect, must here be mentioned in despatches, namely James Mauchline Mackie, who was a pioneer in many things. As an assistant‑principal at Hamilton Academy, prior to his appointment as a principal teacher at Marr, his many theses in handwork and engineering paved the way to a personal ambition, that technical subjects should be presented on the higher level, his ardent view being that this was an indispensable need relative to pupils whose careers lay within the spheres of craft and industry.
Untiring efforts
It was mainly due to his untiring efforts and negotiation that this came to pass at Marr College during the session 1938/39; the special prize that year being awarded to Walter M. Donald (not the former Provost).
J. M. Mackie became the first Scoutmaster of the Marr College Troop of Boy Scouts (the 29th Ayrshire), formed in 1936, J. B. Baxter being the Assistant Scoutmaster, and both participated in many camps, Knockdoun for example, J. M. contributed much of his artistic talent towards magazine design; had elaborate wooden toys produced, with the help of pupils, during the war, whose sale ensured that FPs in the services received a Christmas Card and a five‑shilling postal order from their Alma Mater.
Sport: In hindsight, no one can dispute that Marr College is a rugby school of some distinction, but it must have begun somewhere. It should be recalled that the pupils who initially arrived at the hilltop site of learning were products of the football field and the necessary transition had to be made. The right man was there, however, at the right time, namely Ronnie W. Boon, and though his stay was to be short, a mere three years, the impression which he made was utterly indelible.
His success was due to his infectious enthusiasm, to his complete mastery of every facet of the game, kind to his international reputation.
Douglas Cairns was another pillar of strength in the proper manipulation of the oval ball, his help being invaluable; and the ever available support and unerring guidance of Jimmy Cotter, yet another top bracket international, must likewise be placed on record.
The late Ian Mackintosh, historian of note, and J. D. Stewart, were also two of the team's most ardent fans, but honourable mention must be made of one pupil in particular, namely Neil Turner, for his inspired leadership during this early period. He excelled in everything, only to be cut off in his prime, like many others, during the holocaust to come.
Something
out of the
ordinary
Douglas Fraser was to be the first captain of the earliest rugby 1st XV, Betty Gray was to lead the first competitive hockey Xl, while Neil captained in cricket, rugby later, and also in athletics. He was something out of the ordinary.
D. B. Fraser and D. G. O'Brien represented Scotland in the golf International match against the Auld Enemy in 1936, well coached by the inimitable Hughie Fraser.
There was then such a host of sporting talent (though later years were by no means to diminish it, Keir Hardie and Betty McColl being outstanding), that it may seem unjust to mention merely a few. George Boyd, however, house captain of Lothian from 1935 to 1939, and an outstanding member of the rugby 1st XV during all of these years, could never be omitted. He was also the Ayrshire Schools' County Rep. v St Andrew's University in 1938, and became a notable FP par in later years.
There were Len Johnstone, Leonard Holt, Wallace Stevenson, Francis Ayles, Hugh Elliott, Ian McChristie, Ian Gemmell, and Joe Buchanan, a representative few of the best, not forgetting Betty McColl, Peggy Bates, Betty Jones, Ina Fairbairn, the Frame sisters, Isobel Buntain and Paddy Gilmore; athletes every one of them, who of course played a different game, with future years to continue the good work in spheres – sporting and otherwise.
But Shona Stewart (later Cameron), concentrated on food, to the ultimate benefit of everyone. Graham and Gordon Mann, Cecil Buick, Bobby Kirkpatrick and J. D. Morrison scored the odd six or removed the occasional bail from time to time. Tennis came late on the scene, but 1937 was to produce such stars as Dorothy Scott, Betty Gray, Ina Fairbairn, Meta Brown, Betty Jones and Nan Laing.
There was the Scottish Schoolboys’ cruise to the northern capitals in 1938, under the care of the Rev. J. L. Cairns being in charge of sport and entertainment, Robert Bottomley took his 'ticket' in wireless telegraphy that year.
The Marr College FP Rugby Club was formed in 1942/43, becoming the FP Rugby Club in 1967/68, with occasional annual dances in the Portland Arms then to the Concert Hall. A hockey club was also formed, and a cricket club for a short time, while 1971 saw the move to the new associated playing fields at Fullarton, of indispensable value in many ways ever since. Success in sport, nevertheless, has an inseparable relationship with similar effort in class, and the Rector was a stickler for such coordination; there being few who did not get the message.
End of a
great era
But the close of session 1956/57 was to end an unforgettable era for Marr, with the retirement of Dr Murison, and he died 11 years later. He would not now ask for more to be said on his behalf: 'Si monumentum requiris circumspice.’ ‘If you require a monument, merely look around.' Consider the 27 years of his Rectorship regard closely pupils and parents both past and present. Should an epitaph be needed for A. R. M. simply 'look around.'
It may well be that much of relevance has been omitted from this brief history of Marr College. There are names which remain unquoted, but so many FPs have made so much commendable progress in various ways, in all walks of life, that it seems best to mention no one in particular.
Many changes have taken place at this hilltop school.
Eight commodious huts now embellish the College rear, the school‑leaving age has risen, members of staff have come and gone; and Marr has maintained a record through the years which is second to none.
In 1978 the College became a Strathclyde establishment during the course of transition whereby an extension for a further 600 pupils was added in the permanence of stone the entire business of change being carried out by the authorities in a manner which was courteous, smooth, and considerate, to the satisfaction of everyone; and the Founder's school has one of the largest Educational Trusts in Britain, controlled by its own Board of Governors; while the pupil population has risen from an approximate 400 in 1935 to a precise 1,373 in October, 1985.
Mr John Gray was last head janitor, Mr Drew Lyall now having filled that roll for the last two decades, and the present School Secretary is Mr O'Neill.
There remains, however the necessity of adding the names of the Rectors who followed in the wake of Dr A. R. Murison, each one an individual with his own particular brand of success - Mr Robert Kennedy, 1957‑1968; Dr Gil. Isaac, 1968‑1978; and Mr Robert McCarrison, 1978 and beyond.
Grass does not grow on busy street.