b'Its a Family AffairIt is not often that one family produces five brothers who all attend the same local grammar school; but the Weir brothers are one such family group. During their time at HGS they made such an impression that, decades later, we still have photographs featuring the brothers up in the entrance to the sports centre, and one brothers name is permanently etched on the Governors Award board in Big School. The Weir family were obviously quite remarkable and even now are well known in Handsworth. Year 13s Nathan Weir writes about his famous family:I have just finished studying Economics, Psychology and Religious Studies at Handsworth Grammar School after joining the sixth form. In doing so, I have followed in the footsteps of my father and four uncles, who attended the school during the 1970s and 1980s; there was even a period in the late 70s when all five Weir brothers were in the school at the same time. During the 14 years the Weir brothers were attending Handsworth Grammar School, they competed and excelled in many different sports. There are still photos of old school sports teams including the Weir brothers in the PE area.Robert Weir, the eldest, joined HGS in 1972 and left in 1979 with three A Levels. He represented England in hammer and discus and played water polo for Warwickshire as well as breaking a number of school records. When Robert left HGS he initially had a job as a trainee banker; at the same time, he was a member of Birchfield Harriers and threw discus and hammer for Great Britain as a junior. He left the UK for the USA in 1980 to study and take advantageMy dad, Winston, obtained a degree in Biochemistry from Liverpool of the exceptional training facilities out there. He joined SouthernUniversity. Before leaving HGS he was awarded a Governors Leaving Methodist University and obtained a degree in Business Studies.Award which can be seen in the assembly hall. He first became an Robert went on to become a three-time Olympian and to winaccountant working in the public sector, but later moved into the Commonwealth gold medals in hammer and discus; eventually hehealth sector, becoming one of the NHSs first black finance directors. went back to athletics as a coach for strength, conditioning andAfter leaving the NHS he started his own consultancy business which field events. Robert still enjoys coaching, and works for a universitycontinues today.based in Utah. As the eldest brother, Robert set high standards for hisWindell, now known as Akin, enjoyed competing in athletics during brothers to match growing up. his time at HGS. After leaving school in 1984, he obtained a degree in Chemistry & Biochemistry from Sheffield University, for whom he won the universitys Athletic Union basketball championship in 1987. Akin later became a science teacher, then went on to run an Afro-Caribbean Arts gallery in Nottingham. He is married to Leslee and now runs his own company in Nottingham.Robert was followed by Raymond, Peter and the twins Winston and Windell. Raymond, the second eldest, was a keen swimmer and also played water polo and rugby, which he later played at university. As a teenager he competed in the English Schools Athletics. RaymondMy dad and my uncles all arrived at Handsworth Grammar School went on to become an industrial biochemist, based in New York,from humble beginnings in Handsworth, and they all used their where he was involved in blood screening and research includingeducation at HGS as a platform for their future careers and life. Aids/HIV. He then moved to New Mexico, then Texas, and now livesThey all appreciated the working discipline that the school instilled in Nashville with his wife, Yolanda.and reflect on the school with mixed memories and funny stories of Peter left HGS in 1982 and started a degree in Chemical Engineering,teachers of the day. They tell me that the school is different today, transferring to Southern Methodist University in Texas with a sportshaving invested in remarkable science, IT and business facilities. scholarship in 1983. Peter was an all-round sportsman, representingPersonally, I plan to do Sports Science at university while continuing the school in basketball, football, table tennis, cricket and athletics.to focus on a career in football. Most recently I have played for West He won the discus competition for English schools while at HGS andMidlands County and Halesowen Town.As I prepare to leave HGS competed for Great Britain as an U20. Peter was always spoken ofand go into my adult life, I realise that I have some remarkable role as being far ahead of others of his age in terms of his athletic ability,models in my dad and my uncles. They have set high expectations and it was only through injury that his athletic career came to an end.for me, which I hope to fulfil.Peter studied Electrical Engineering and, after graduating, joinedI am proud to be the latest addition to the Weirs of Handsworth a New York telephone company as an engineer where he workedGrammar School.for his entire career. Sadly, Peter passed away in 2016 in New York following a heart attack; he is survived by his wife, Jeralyn. Nathan Weir40'