A Personal View 8
Status: 11 items 23.05.2021
Status: 11 items 23.05.2021
Umbrellas at the ready
Mr Atack and Mr Smith watch a wet Sports Day
Photo: Batey
Photo: Batey
Table of Contents
|
1. What use is Latin?
2. 1930 Homework and Health 3. 1923 the wider picture and Drama 4. Memories of the 1930s from Doris Watson 5. The Building of the Boundary Wall |
6. A positive personal view from Melvyn Thomas
7. Rose Hips 8. A tough day in 1939 but success in 1945! 9. The personality of a school 10. Slipping Away |
11.The New Gym and Science labs
|
1. What use is Latin?
Mr Jenkinson, Headmaster
From almost 100 years ago.
What Use is Latin?
Digressing from his 1922 Speech Day report, the head wanted to say something about the subject of Latin in school. He knew that many parents thought that Latin was a useless subject.
"Now most parents will agree", he continued, "that what they want for their children in sending them to a secondary school is a good practical education. But by 'practical' what is it they mean? I am afraid in many cases the parent understands by 'practical' subjects those which will enable a boy or girl to become a wage-earner quickly, but to adopt this interpretation is to miss the real meaning of education. If we only teach subjects which have an immediate cash return we shall simply turn out low grade machines doing low grade work. As a writer said: "The liftman would work his switch no worse if he were quite illiterate, and no better if he were a doctor of science. It is not as a liftman he is worth educating, but as a man."
"A 'practical' education rightly understood then," went on the headmaster, "means an education which will fit a child for the conduct of life, train it to live interestedly and intelligently, to understand things and to know what is good and what is bad, and Latin plays its part equally with other subjects. It is true that many will forget most of the Latin they will learn and the few will carry it further. That is not the point. Mathematics and Chemistry are not taught with a view to turning out accomplished mathematicians or scientists. A boy cannot sell the knowledge of geography and history acquired at the school, but that does not mean the time spent on these subjects is wasted. The child has been taught something that trains the mind, awakens latent powers and shows them how, by labour, to acquire knowledge. And if you ask me 'why can't all this be done without Latin?' the answer is two-fold: Firstly, because out of 100,000 words in the English language, no less than 60,000 are of Latin origin: secondly, Latin, by its logical precision, helps towards a habit of clear thought and expression in a way no other subject does. A teacher who did not teach Latin said: 'Latin must be kept in schools because it is the greatest training that the boy or girl can go through.' The average child's mind is a pig-sty; the child has to be taught what connected thinking is, and Latin is the only instrument that will do that. I am not going to throw over Latin for anything in the world."
"An examination held at the end of the summer term on all subjects revealed one general weakness - the inability to express clearly and concisely what was in the mind. The idea was there, but could not be produced on paper. The same criticism appeared in the reports of the different subjects - 'lack of expression,' 'no clearness of thought,' and so on. It is obvious that there are many muddled heads with plenty of good ideas in them. It is the study of Latin which will help largely to secure the clearness of expression needed."
Mr Jenkinson
What Use is Latin?
Digressing from his 1922 Speech Day report, the head wanted to say something about the subject of Latin in school. He knew that many parents thought that Latin was a useless subject.
"Now most parents will agree", he continued, "that what they want for their children in sending them to a secondary school is a good practical education. But by 'practical' what is it they mean? I am afraid in many cases the parent understands by 'practical' subjects those which will enable a boy or girl to become a wage-earner quickly, but to adopt this interpretation is to miss the real meaning of education. If we only teach subjects which have an immediate cash return we shall simply turn out low grade machines doing low grade work. As a writer said: "The liftman would work his switch no worse if he were quite illiterate, and no better if he were a doctor of science. It is not as a liftman he is worth educating, but as a man."
"A 'practical' education rightly understood then," went on the headmaster, "means an education which will fit a child for the conduct of life, train it to live interestedly and intelligently, to understand things and to know what is good and what is bad, and Latin plays its part equally with other subjects. It is true that many will forget most of the Latin they will learn and the few will carry it further. That is not the point. Mathematics and Chemistry are not taught with a view to turning out accomplished mathematicians or scientists. A boy cannot sell the knowledge of geography and history acquired at the school, but that does not mean the time spent on these subjects is wasted. The child has been taught something that trains the mind, awakens latent powers and shows them how, by labour, to acquire knowledge. And if you ask me 'why can't all this be done without Latin?' the answer is two-fold: Firstly, because out of 100,000 words in the English language, no less than 60,000 are of Latin origin: secondly, Latin, by its logical precision, helps towards a habit of clear thought and expression in a way no other subject does. A teacher who did not teach Latin said: 'Latin must be kept in schools because it is the greatest training that the boy or girl can go through.' The average child's mind is a pig-sty; the child has to be taught what connected thinking is, and Latin is the only instrument that will do that. I am not going to throw over Latin for anything in the world."
"An examination held at the end of the summer term on all subjects revealed one general weakness - the inability to express clearly and concisely what was in the mind. The idea was there, but could not be produced on paper. The same criticism appeared in the reports of the different subjects - 'lack of expression,' 'no clearness of thought,' and so on. It is obvious that there are many muddled heads with plenty of good ideas in them. It is the study of Latin which will help largely to secure the clearness of expression needed."
Mr Jenkinson
The Staff of 1922-23
Back Row L-R: Mr Storer, 2, Mr Crossland
Front Row L-R: 1, Miss Griffiths, Mr Jenkinson, Mr Dickinson, Miss Robinson
Front Row L-R: 1, Miss Griffiths, Mr Jenkinson, Mr Dickinson, Miss Robinson
"Labor Ipse Voluptas"
"Find pleasure in the work itself" was the school motto suggested by the headmaster at the 1922 Speech Day. He made the comment that he was lucky to have colleagues who readily and with enthusiasm co-operated with his every wish. They were all united in their aims, with no friction, and he failed to understand the criticisms sometimes levelled at secondary teachers concerning the work they did. At his school, the teachers could be found voluntarily working late into the evening and deserved credit for that.
Mr Jenkinson
"Find pleasure in the work itself" was the school motto suggested by the headmaster at the 1922 Speech Day. He made the comment that he was lucky to have colleagues who readily and with enthusiasm co-operated with his every wish. They were all united in their aims, with no friction, and he failed to understand the criticisms sometimes levelled at secondary teachers concerning the work they did. At his school, the teachers could be found voluntarily working late into the evening and deserved credit for that.
Mr Jenkinson
Latin 1924
Mr. Jenkinson once again returned to the subject of the teaching of Latin in school. Latin had been dropped by some pupils in Form V to allow more time for the study of French because it had been difficult for them to learn the two languages well enough in such a new school over less than four years. He hoped to make Latin an alternative subject to Science during the year preceding the School Certificate. Although the Headmaster had not changed his opinion as to the usefulness of learning Latin, he saw that the curriculum was crowded, and choices had to be made between Arts and Sciences. Pupils wanting to take an Arts degree should continue with Latin, but on the Science side this was not so necessary. At any rate, the present situation was that modern foreign languages needed extra study time in school, and particular attention had to be paid to this.
In listening to Mr. Jenkinson's descriptions of the subjects offered by the school, Sir Henry Hadow (Speech Day 1924) thought that the wide variety of serious and also lighter options was impressive. Concerning the teaching of Latin, he urged those who thought that Latin was an unnecessary luxury to think again. Some parents said they did not want their children to spend time learning something they would not use in later life, but this was not a valid objection. If parents looked back and tried to remember everything they had learned at school, they would find there was not a large amount recalled, and this was good.
Mr. Jenkinson once again returned to the subject of the teaching of Latin in school. Latin had been dropped by some pupils in Form V to allow more time for the study of French because it had been difficult for them to learn the two languages well enough in such a new school over less than four years. He hoped to make Latin an alternative subject to Science during the year preceding the School Certificate. Although the Headmaster had not changed his opinion as to the usefulness of learning Latin, he saw that the curriculum was crowded, and choices had to be made between Arts and Sciences. Pupils wanting to take an Arts degree should continue with Latin, but on the Science side this was not so necessary. At any rate, the present situation was that modern foreign languages needed extra study time in school, and particular attention had to be paid to this.
In listening to Mr. Jenkinson's descriptions of the subjects offered by the school, Sir Henry Hadow (Speech Day 1924) thought that the wide variety of serious and also lighter options was impressive. Concerning the teaching of Latin, he urged those who thought that Latin was an unnecessary luxury to think again. Some parents said they did not want their children to spend time learning something they would not use in later life, but this was not a valid objection. If parents looked back and tried to remember everything they had learned at school, they would find there was not a large amount recalled, and this was good.
2. 1930 Homework and Health
The headmaster, Mr Jenkinson, had seen letters in the press, many of them from doctors, claiming that homework in their opinion had a harmful effect on the health of many girls. He had personally been told by a doctor that he had seen every ounce of strength taken out of girls in the upper Forms of many Girls' schools, with who could say what result in later life. Mr. Jenkinson laid the blame for this situation firmly at the door of the examining bodies, who demanded too much. Also culpable were the school authorities who have to satisfy those demands, and parents who allow their children to work too long at home. He believed that a certain amount of homework was useful because it demanded initiative in the pupil, but it was the duty of parents to watch for the signs of overpressure at home, and not allow their children to spend more than the stipulated time set for homework.
As long as examinations had to be passed and examining bodies insisted on so wide a course, homework was indispensable in the higher forms, merely to cover the syllabus in the time. In the lower forms the case was different, and he had tried to keep the time allotted for homework to a minimum. The ideal system was doubtless for preparation to be done in school under supervision, but as Hemsworth Secondary School was a day school where pupils travelled long distances, that system was impractical.
As long as examinations had to be passed and examining bodies insisted on so wide a course, homework was indispensable in the higher forms, merely to cover the syllabus in the time. In the lower forms the case was different, and he had tried to keep the time allotted for homework to a minimum. The ideal system was doubtless for preparation to be done in school under supervision, but as Hemsworth Secondary School was a day school where pupils travelled long distances, that system was impractical.
Comment and conversation
David McKenzie
I really did not like doing Homework. I do not think it affected my physical health but socially it was devastating. Sometimes I could not find the time to meet my friends or weight train at the Youth Club. When the family came round for an evening playing cards or whatever, I usually had to shut myself away. Not always, and I enjoyed those rare times. As I got older, the books got thicker and my social time got less.
I really did not like doing Homework. I do not think it affected my physical health but socially it was devastating. Sometimes I could not find the time to meet my friends or weight train at the Youth Club. When the family came round for an evening playing cards or whatever, I usually had to shut myself away. Not always, and I enjoyed those rare times. As I got older, the books got thicker and my social time got less.
Linda Bona
I didn't mind homework. I went out with my friends on a weekend evening, and during the week if I finished my homework early. I don't remember feeling deprived of a social life, and managed to hold down a Saturday shop job once I turned 16.
I didn't mind homework. I went out with my friends on a weekend evening, and during the week if I finished my homework early. I don't remember feeling deprived of a social life, and managed to hold down a Saturday shop job once I turned 16.
David McKenzie
Parental social life at that time was either family or the Upton Pit Welfare Bingo. It seemed as if the "whole village" went to the Bingo. Obviously not, but my parents did not go to the 3 Working Men' Clubs - Brookside, Wrangbrook and the Crow's Nest or the local pub (Greenfield Hotel). The "Family Nights" were round the kitchen table and were very congenial. Smoking was the norm (no alcohol) and card games like Newmarket or Queenie were very popular. We would bet one or two pennies each game and the Kitty would build up. Oh the raptures if it was won. Such nights!!! Simple pleasures and no television (1950s). Sometimes we would have Race Nights with Escalado. Brilliant.
Linda Bona
I was a bit younger so we did have a TV but there were only 2 channels. We would go for a walk round the village and maybe get a bag of chips. My parents didn't go out, no Bingo or pub or club!. We played board games or jigsaws. I helped mum in the house or dad in the garden.
David McKenzie
Yes I can relate to what you have said. We were lucky to have a chip shop (Parrot's) quite near. Entertainment at home was low key but marvellous. Then there was homework which usually took around two hours. I guess the clever kids could do it quicker. Even if I did it relatively quickly, I was suspicious and had to check it!
Linda Bona
By the time we got the bus home it was after 4.30, then tea, then homework. I suppose that was most of the evening. Was it really 4 sets every night - I don't remember. I do remember handing it in every morning.
David McKenzie
Yes, Maths took the longest as I was not the least bit Mathematical in Years 1-3. Mr Pacy helped a lot in Years 4 and 5. You are right, evenings tended to follow a similar pattern. If I did finish "early", I would go (run) to the Youth Club and use the weights there two or three times per week. My time schedule was always tight.
Linda Bona
There was no youth club in Shafton. I was lucky, Maths was my best subject. I hated sports and PE. Mr Pacy was one of my favourite teachers. I had him from Year 2 then as our Form Teacher in the 5th form.
David McKenzie
It looks as if we were complete opposites! PE for me. I remember you saying, perhaps in an email, that Maths was your best subject. Mr Pacy was a very good teacher, from South Kirkby. I met him in 2005 at a reunion and said "Thank you" for his Maths work with me as well as Rugby, of course. They were two things I had to do. He remembered I played Prop Forward. Amazing. We propped against each other in two Staff matches.
Parental social life at that time was either family or the Upton Pit Welfare Bingo. It seemed as if the "whole village" went to the Bingo. Obviously not, but my parents did not go to the 3 Working Men' Clubs - Brookside, Wrangbrook and the Crow's Nest or the local pub (Greenfield Hotel). The "Family Nights" were round the kitchen table and were very congenial. Smoking was the norm (no alcohol) and card games like Newmarket or Queenie were very popular. We would bet one or two pennies each game and the Kitty would build up. Oh the raptures if it was won. Such nights!!! Simple pleasures and no television (1950s). Sometimes we would have Race Nights with Escalado. Brilliant.
Linda Bona
I was a bit younger so we did have a TV but there were only 2 channels. We would go for a walk round the village and maybe get a bag of chips. My parents didn't go out, no Bingo or pub or club!. We played board games or jigsaws. I helped mum in the house or dad in the garden.
David McKenzie
Yes I can relate to what you have said. We were lucky to have a chip shop (Parrot's) quite near. Entertainment at home was low key but marvellous. Then there was homework which usually took around two hours. I guess the clever kids could do it quicker. Even if I did it relatively quickly, I was suspicious and had to check it!
Linda Bona
By the time we got the bus home it was after 4.30, then tea, then homework. I suppose that was most of the evening. Was it really 4 sets every night - I don't remember. I do remember handing it in every morning.
David McKenzie
Yes, Maths took the longest as I was not the least bit Mathematical in Years 1-3. Mr Pacy helped a lot in Years 4 and 5. You are right, evenings tended to follow a similar pattern. If I did finish "early", I would go (run) to the Youth Club and use the weights there two or three times per week. My time schedule was always tight.
Linda Bona
There was no youth club in Shafton. I was lucky, Maths was my best subject. I hated sports and PE. Mr Pacy was one of my favourite teachers. I had him from Year 2 then as our Form Teacher in the 5th form.
David McKenzie
It looks as if we were complete opposites! PE for me. I remember you saying, perhaps in an email, that Maths was your best subject. Mr Pacy was a very good teacher, from South Kirkby. I met him in 2005 at a reunion and said "Thank you" for his Maths work with me as well as Rugby, of course. They were two things I had to do. He remembered I played Prop Forward. Amazing. We propped against each other in two Staff matches.
Val Mollison
I thought we had 3 sets of homework, Monday Tuesday, Thursday, less on Wednesdays I think none initially, but it started maybe in Year 3 as then I had to stop going to Girl Guides. We probably had more on a Friday. But it was a long time ago so I am not sure how accurate my memory is. As you know, Linda, Maths and Sciences were my best subjects too as we did A level Double Maths and Physics together (the only 2 girls out of 30(?) doing Physics). I also remember having some sort of after school club most evenings - choirs, country dancing, Moor and Mountain club, etc. I loved the dancing but didn't like PE.
I thought we had 3 sets of homework, Monday Tuesday, Thursday, less on Wednesdays I think none initially, but it started maybe in Year 3 as then I had to stop going to Girl Guides. We probably had more on a Friday. But it was a long time ago so I am not sure how accurate my memory is. As you know, Linda, Maths and Sciences were my best subjects too as we did A level Double Maths and Physics together (the only 2 girls out of 30(?) doing Physics). I also remember having some sort of after school club most evenings - choirs, country dancing, Moor and Mountain club, etc. I loved the dancing but didn't like PE.
Linda Bona
Hi Val,
I remember walking down to the Shafton Two Gates chippy with you and Ros and Carol for a chat and a bag of chips some evenings, so must not have had too much. Yes, doing Double Maths and Physics, then choirs with Mr Cooling and Miss Evans, Mr Bavister with Moor and Mountain Club, then Friday Club and coffee bar in the 6th form. Did we go to Guides in the little church hall opposite the farm? I can remember Brownies.
Hi Val,
I remember walking down to the Shafton Two Gates chippy with you and Ros and Carol for a chat and a bag of chips some evenings, so must not have had too much. Yes, doing Double Maths and Physics, then choirs with Mr Cooling and Miss Evans, Mr Bavister with Moor and Mountain Club, then Friday Club and coffee bar in the 6th form. Did we go to Guides in the little church hall opposite the farm? I can remember Brownies.
3. 1923 the wider picture and Drama
The Hemsworth of 1923 would have had roughly 12,000 inhabitants, and there was a steadily increasing influx of families arriving from Wales, Scotland, the North-East and the Midland counties to find work in the growing Mining and Building Industries. The spread of the railway network had made travelling easier, and the West Riding County Council, the Hemsworth Rural District Council and the Hemsworth Urban District Council, formed only two years earlier, were all busily engaged in improving the roads, the water supplies, the fire service, the welfare services and the educational facilities for everyone.
Elsewhere in the country the 1920's were a time of youthful revolution which challenged the Victorian attitudes towards women - how they behaved, how they dressed and their role in society. The 'bright young things' of the 20's were known as 'flappers' and they were demanding the freedom to live their own lives. They wore provocative make-up, showed their knees, and abandoned themselves to the wild rhythms of Jazz and the Charleston. While their elders considered such behaviour reckless and irresponsible, the young people listened to the songs of Duke Ellington, Al Jolson and Fanny Brice, and marvelled at the dancing of Isadora Duncan. It was an era of post war frivolity and optimism.
To emphasise their new-found freedom, women threw away their corsets, cut their hair, wore trousers, smoked cigarettes and drove fast cars. Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, prohibition in America was forcing people into 'speakeasies' in search of illegal alcohol, and a gangland subculture of guns, police raids and bootlegged whisky was created. Life at Hemsworth Secondary School in 1923, however, was settling into a routine which exhibited few of these extremes.
Throughout 1923 there had been a problem with cattle straying onto the school's grounds from an adjacent field, and by the month of June, action was taken to notify the responsible authority, which was the Hemsworth School Sport Association. Mr. W. Moody, the secretary of the Association was notified, and asked to urge his committee to strengthen the fencing. Messrs. F. Cressey and J. Peckett, (who as members of the Grounds sub-committee of the Governors had previously opposed Mr. Jenkinson's wishes to asphalt part of the garden) were involved in this, at a time when by rotation they were both re-appointed to that committee.
A repeat performance of the scenes from Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" was staged on the nights of June 31st and July 1st 1923 probably at the school in the quarry area, although this is not specified in the contemporary accounts. It had been originally intended to stage a repeat of these scenes at the end of the previous January, using the quarry area as a grotto for the performance, but it was felt that not enough time had elapsed from the original staging to hope for a financial success. The weather that year may have also had some influence on the postponement, as outdoors in January can be unpredictable, not to mention chilly! The summertime Wednesday and Thursday evening's entertainment incurred both expense and labour which were much appreciated by the audience, and a plea was made in the local newspaper as follows, "The prices were perhaps a little prohibitive for the majority of Hemsworth folk. A third evening with lowered charges for admission would no doubt have attracted a large crowd of those people who have never yet had the opportunity of enjoying the legacy of wit and poetry left them by the world's greatest poet."
Elsewhere in the country the 1920's were a time of youthful revolution which challenged the Victorian attitudes towards women - how they behaved, how they dressed and their role in society. The 'bright young things' of the 20's were known as 'flappers' and they were demanding the freedom to live their own lives. They wore provocative make-up, showed their knees, and abandoned themselves to the wild rhythms of Jazz and the Charleston. While their elders considered such behaviour reckless and irresponsible, the young people listened to the songs of Duke Ellington, Al Jolson and Fanny Brice, and marvelled at the dancing of Isadora Duncan. It was an era of post war frivolity and optimism.
To emphasise their new-found freedom, women threw away their corsets, cut their hair, wore trousers, smoked cigarettes and drove fast cars. Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, prohibition in America was forcing people into 'speakeasies' in search of illegal alcohol, and a gangland subculture of guns, police raids and bootlegged whisky was created. Life at Hemsworth Secondary School in 1923, however, was settling into a routine which exhibited few of these extremes.
Throughout 1923 there had been a problem with cattle straying onto the school's grounds from an adjacent field, and by the month of June, action was taken to notify the responsible authority, which was the Hemsworth School Sport Association. Mr. W. Moody, the secretary of the Association was notified, and asked to urge his committee to strengthen the fencing. Messrs. F. Cressey and J. Peckett, (who as members of the Grounds sub-committee of the Governors had previously opposed Mr. Jenkinson's wishes to asphalt part of the garden) were involved in this, at a time when by rotation they were both re-appointed to that committee.
A repeat performance of the scenes from Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" was staged on the nights of June 31st and July 1st 1923 probably at the school in the quarry area, although this is not specified in the contemporary accounts. It had been originally intended to stage a repeat of these scenes at the end of the previous January, using the quarry area as a grotto for the performance, but it was felt that not enough time had elapsed from the original staging to hope for a financial success. The weather that year may have also had some influence on the postponement, as outdoors in January can be unpredictable, not to mention chilly! The summertime Wednesday and Thursday evening's entertainment incurred both expense and labour which were much appreciated by the audience, and a plea was made in the local newspaper as follows, "The prices were perhaps a little prohibitive for the majority of Hemsworth folk. A third evening with lowered charges for admission would no doubt have attracted a large crowd of those people who have never yet had the opportunity of enjoying the legacy of wit and poetry left them by the world's greatest poet."
Midsummer Night's Dream in the Quarry Garden 1923
Titania: "And kiss thy fair large ears, my gentle joy."
4. Memories of the 1930s from Doris Watson
Doris Watson
I attended Hemsworth (Secondary) Grammar School (as Doris Watson) from 1931-37 and was Head Girl in my last year.
School Dinners
The thirties were a lean time for most families. We had never had school dinners before. We sat waiting round the table for the master (Mr. Crossland) to come in. What seemed to me an enormous joint of beef placed in front of him. He carved and plates were passed round and we helped ourselves to vegetables. I don’t remember how long this went on for but a new dining room was built and it was never the same again.
Size of School
To us from tiny village schools, the school seemed very big. There were rooms for physics, domestic science and chemistry labs, two tennis courts, a netball pitch, hockey and rugby fields and even a cricket pitch. But every teacher knew every child.
Nickname
When the school changed its name from Hemsworth Secondary School (HSS) we were no longer teased at the bus stop as being at Hemsworth Sausage Shop.
Doris Watson
Head Girl 1936 to 1937
(Mr Jenkinson's final year as Head)
School Dinners
The thirties were a lean time for most families. We had never had school dinners before. We sat waiting round the table for the master (Mr. Crossland) to come in. What seemed to me an enormous joint of beef placed in front of him. He carved and plates were passed round and we helped ourselves to vegetables. I don’t remember how long this went on for but a new dining room was built and it was never the same again.
Size of School
To us from tiny village schools, the school seemed very big. There were rooms for physics, domestic science and chemistry labs, two tennis courts, a netball pitch, hockey and rugby fields and even a cricket pitch. But every teacher knew every child.
Nickname
When the school changed its name from Hemsworth Secondary School (HSS) we were no longer teased at the bus stop as being at Hemsworth Sausage Shop.
Doris Watson
Head Girl 1936 to 1937
(Mr Jenkinson's final year as Head)
Daphne Hart
Dave,
Doris (Watson/Vamplew) was my mum’s best friend at HGS, and they used to meet up once a month until shortly before my mum’s death in 2009. I would pick up mum and take her to see Doris or take Doris to mum’s and her friend would take them home, two nice old ladies who lived through so much.
Dave,
Doris (Watson/Vamplew) was my mum’s best friend at HGS, and they used to meet up once a month until shortly before my mum’s death in 2009. I would pick up mum and take her to see Doris or take Doris to mum’s and her friend would take them home, two nice old ladies who lived through so much.
Dave McKenzie
I went to see Mrs Vamplew in South Hiendley when I started the website. She was a mine of information and so "with it". While I was there Wray phoned from Scotland and we had a three-way conversation. She spoke of teaching in Brierley with just a curtain between the two classes and much more. I regard the visit as one of the many benefits of running the website. I have met so many people. For example people who had come from Australia and California. Brilliant. All connected through HGS and a common feeling of warmth and the belief that it was a good education.
I went to see Mrs Vamplew in South Hiendley when I started the website. She was a mine of information and so "with it". While I was there Wray phoned from Scotland and we had a three-way conversation. She spoke of teaching in Brierley with just a curtain between the two classes and much more. I regard the visit as one of the many benefits of running the website. I have met so many people. For example people who had come from Australia and California. Brilliant. All connected through HGS and a common feeling of warmth and the belief that it was a good education.
5. The Building of the Boundary Wall (1933)
Part of the Boundary Wall (Green Gate area) in 2002
The Facts
In February 1933 the County Authority approved the estimate of £215. 0s. 0d from W. Hanley and Sons of Hemsworth for the rebuilding of a portion of the boundary wall in front of the School alongside the main Hemsworth - Pontefract Road. The height of the wall was to be approximately 8 feet and the length 85 yards. The Letter - In June 1933, the Director of Education for the West Riding forwarded copy of a letter he had received from Coun. Isaac Burns (one of the Governors) concerning the building of the School's boundary wall, and he invited the comments of the Governors. The letter read:
"Numerous comments denote that the people of Hemsworth are not favourable to the restoration of a high wall on the wayside, thus blocking out a very picturesque view of the school and grounds. A high wall, it is said, gives the impression of a barracks, a prison, or an asylum. A low wall, with ornamental railings, will add to the beauty on Station Road, enhance the dignity and respect of the school and would be in conformity with local desires and modern art. The West Riding County Council put up a sound and beautiful low wall with ornamental railings in front of our Vale Head Park, thus giving delight to the people here. Mr. Hallam, please give us a low wall and thus place the people of Hemsworth under a debt of gratitude to you."
The County Architect reported that the contractor had already started the work and the level for practically the whole of the frontage was now 3ft 6ins. and 4 feet above road level. It would be possible to put on a coping and railings for a length of about 80 yards as suggested by Coun. Burns, and this would open up the view of the grounds and school from the road. Doubtless this course of action would improve the appearance from the road, and may possibly give the pupils approaching the Green Gate from the path a view of the traffic passing on the road. The main disadvantages would be the loss of privacy within the grounds, and an extra expenditure of around £50. 0s. 0d.
The Headmaster's Opinion - Compromise!
If the wall is built to a height of six feet instead of eight, with a low railing along the top, then this would allow the grounds to be seen from the road while at the same time preserving some privacy. A low railing would also be more in keeping with the older part of the wall which would be remaining. Mr. Jenkinson said that they already had a large number of trespassers on the school grounds, which were more attractive than any other secondary school in the county.
The Chairman's Suggestion
Before a vote can be taken on this alteration to the specification, an inspection of the wall should be made. This was duly carried out, and afterwards a vote was taken, which decided by five votes to three to affirm the contract to rebuild the wall to its intended height of eight feet. Hemsworth Urban District Council's July request - The Governors were called upon by Hemsworth UDC to reconsider their refusal to reduce of the height of the boundary wall from eight feet in height to six feet, with additional railings on top. A meeting was held to consider this, at which the polarised opinions were aired.
Arguments for:
No doubt strongly influenced by Coun. Isaac Burns, the Urban Council, along with a few of the Governors, felt that it was selfish to cut off the view of the school from the people of Hemsworth, and that the reduction in height would not interfere with the education of the students or the administration of the school. After all, the boundary wall was probably built 200 or 300 years ago, and in those days, the height was justifiable for protection rather than privacy. Ugly high walls were no longer necessary, and lessons given in the grounds near the boundary wall were few and far between, and so pupils would not be disturbed.
Arguments against:
Mr. Jenkinson thought that the suggested lowering would give the wall a patchwork look and spoil the dignity of the front of the school. He stated that it was not the intention of the West Riding Education Committee or the Governors that the grounds should be regarded as a public park. There were many occasions when the public had free access to the grounds, and he would expect that the school and Staff were entitled to the utmost privacy when carrying out their work. Mrs. N. Leatham remarked that a lower wall would lead to more trespassing in the grounds. Mrs. A. Schorah said that the estate had not been bought so that the residents of Hemsworth would have a beauty spot to look at. She agreed that Hemsworth helped to maintain the school, but so did other townships. Hemsworth ought to regard itself as fortunate to have the school within its boundary.
A Personal Attack:
As a final and ill-tempered jibe at Mr. Jenkinson, Coun. Burns claimed that he differed from the Headmaster on all the points he had mentioned, and added: "He says he will only be here for a few more years, but we shall be here, and we shall have to be looking at an ugly wall if this amendment is lost. If he is not going to be here very long, he ought to leave this matter to us who will be here after he is gone."
The Result of the Vote
For the amendment to reduce the height - six votes:
Mrs. Garstang, Ald. Price, Messrs. Burns, Dunleavy, Pointon, Flavell.
For the resolution to proceed as planned - seven votes:
Mrs. Schorah, Mrs. Leatham, Capt. Hallam, Messrs. W.H. Beetham, W. Exley, C.E. Jagger and W. Peckett.
It was decided to send a letter to the Hemsworth Urban District Council informing them of the decision of the Governors to stick to the original plan of building the boundary wall eight feet high.
It's not over yet!
The next meeting of the Hemsworth Urban District Council lasted an unusually long time, as the members expressed resentment at the failure of the School Governors to comply with their wishes. They had received the Governors' letter stating that in the best interest and privacy of the school the wall was to be rebuilt to its original height. Coun. Burns called the decision 'reactionary'. He felt they were having 80 to 100 years of ugliness imposed on them (the wall is 75 years old at the time of writing in 2008) by people, not one of whom resided in Hemsworth, and some of whom had not been elected by democratic vote. "If ever it is my luck," he added, "to win the Irish Sweep, I will blow that wall down and put it up again at my own expense." He said he had two boys who had attended the school, and neither of them had ever had any lessons near the boundary wall, and on his many visits to the school he had never seen any pupils receiving lessons there. Coun. C. Smalley expressed the opinion that there had been antagonism against the Council's suggestion simply because it came from Coun. Burns, "They have passed a wicked resolution in hiding the beauties of nature from the people of Hemsworth. It is a scandal when they take no notice of the local authority." Coun. A. Richards suggested that if the Governors wanted privacy they should build the wall twelve yards high all round. Were they aiming at creating a prison, not a school? That was objectionable. Coun. G.H. Cooper said that the people who voted to build the high wall not only slighted the Council, but imposed a drabness on the people of Hemsworth that ought not to be tolerated for a moment. All the members agreed that they could not let the matter rest there without strongly protesting, and so it was decided to send a further letter of protest to the Governors without delay. The wall was nevertheless finished to its original height, and without railings.
In February 1933 the County Authority approved the estimate of £215. 0s. 0d from W. Hanley and Sons of Hemsworth for the rebuilding of a portion of the boundary wall in front of the School alongside the main Hemsworth - Pontefract Road. The height of the wall was to be approximately 8 feet and the length 85 yards. The Letter - In June 1933, the Director of Education for the West Riding forwarded copy of a letter he had received from Coun. Isaac Burns (one of the Governors) concerning the building of the School's boundary wall, and he invited the comments of the Governors. The letter read:
"Numerous comments denote that the people of Hemsworth are not favourable to the restoration of a high wall on the wayside, thus blocking out a very picturesque view of the school and grounds. A high wall, it is said, gives the impression of a barracks, a prison, or an asylum. A low wall, with ornamental railings, will add to the beauty on Station Road, enhance the dignity and respect of the school and would be in conformity with local desires and modern art. The West Riding County Council put up a sound and beautiful low wall with ornamental railings in front of our Vale Head Park, thus giving delight to the people here. Mr. Hallam, please give us a low wall and thus place the people of Hemsworth under a debt of gratitude to you."
The County Architect reported that the contractor had already started the work and the level for practically the whole of the frontage was now 3ft 6ins. and 4 feet above road level. It would be possible to put on a coping and railings for a length of about 80 yards as suggested by Coun. Burns, and this would open up the view of the grounds and school from the road. Doubtless this course of action would improve the appearance from the road, and may possibly give the pupils approaching the Green Gate from the path a view of the traffic passing on the road. The main disadvantages would be the loss of privacy within the grounds, and an extra expenditure of around £50. 0s. 0d.
The Headmaster's Opinion - Compromise!
If the wall is built to a height of six feet instead of eight, with a low railing along the top, then this would allow the grounds to be seen from the road while at the same time preserving some privacy. A low railing would also be more in keeping with the older part of the wall which would be remaining. Mr. Jenkinson said that they already had a large number of trespassers on the school grounds, which were more attractive than any other secondary school in the county.
The Chairman's Suggestion
Before a vote can be taken on this alteration to the specification, an inspection of the wall should be made. This was duly carried out, and afterwards a vote was taken, which decided by five votes to three to affirm the contract to rebuild the wall to its intended height of eight feet. Hemsworth Urban District Council's July request - The Governors were called upon by Hemsworth UDC to reconsider their refusal to reduce of the height of the boundary wall from eight feet in height to six feet, with additional railings on top. A meeting was held to consider this, at which the polarised opinions were aired.
Arguments for:
No doubt strongly influenced by Coun. Isaac Burns, the Urban Council, along with a few of the Governors, felt that it was selfish to cut off the view of the school from the people of Hemsworth, and that the reduction in height would not interfere with the education of the students or the administration of the school. After all, the boundary wall was probably built 200 or 300 years ago, and in those days, the height was justifiable for protection rather than privacy. Ugly high walls were no longer necessary, and lessons given in the grounds near the boundary wall were few and far between, and so pupils would not be disturbed.
Arguments against:
Mr. Jenkinson thought that the suggested lowering would give the wall a patchwork look and spoil the dignity of the front of the school. He stated that it was not the intention of the West Riding Education Committee or the Governors that the grounds should be regarded as a public park. There were many occasions when the public had free access to the grounds, and he would expect that the school and Staff were entitled to the utmost privacy when carrying out their work. Mrs. N. Leatham remarked that a lower wall would lead to more trespassing in the grounds. Mrs. A. Schorah said that the estate had not been bought so that the residents of Hemsworth would have a beauty spot to look at. She agreed that Hemsworth helped to maintain the school, but so did other townships. Hemsworth ought to regard itself as fortunate to have the school within its boundary.
A Personal Attack:
As a final and ill-tempered jibe at Mr. Jenkinson, Coun. Burns claimed that he differed from the Headmaster on all the points he had mentioned, and added: "He says he will only be here for a few more years, but we shall be here, and we shall have to be looking at an ugly wall if this amendment is lost. If he is not going to be here very long, he ought to leave this matter to us who will be here after he is gone."
The Result of the Vote
For the amendment to reduce the height - six votes:
Mrs. Garstang, Ald. Price, Messrs. Burns, Dunleavy, Pointon, Flavell.
For the resolution to proceed as planned - seven votes:
Mrs. Schorah, Mrs. Leatham, Capt. Hallam, Messrs. W.H. Beetham, W. Exley, C.E. Jagger and W. Peckett.
It was decided to send a letter to the Hemsworth Urban District Council informing them of the decision of the Governors to stick to the original plan of building the boundary wall eight feet high.
It's not over yet!
The next meeting of the Hemsworth Urban District Council lasted an unusually long time, as the members expressed resentment at the failure of the School Governors to comply with their wishes. They had received the Governors' letter stating that in the best interest and privacy of the school the wall was to be rebuilt to its original height. Coun. Burns called the decision 'reactionary'. He felt they were having 80 to 100 years of ugliness imposed on them (the wall is 75 years old at the time of writing in 2008) by people, not one of whom resided in Hemsworth, and some of whom had not been elected by democratic vote. "If ever it is my luck," he added, "to win the Irish Sweep, I will blow that wall down and put it up again at my own expense." He said he had two boys who had attended the school, and neither of them had ever had any lessons near the boundary wall, and on his many visits to the school he had never seen any pupils receiving lessons there. Coun. C. Smalley expressed the opinion that there had been antagonism against the Council's suggestion simply because it came from Coun. Burns, "They have passed a wicked resolution in hiding the beauties of nature from the people of Hemsworth. It is a scandal when they take no notice of the local authority." Coun. A. Richards suggested that if the Governors wanted privacy they should build the wall twelve yards high all round. Were they aiming at creating a prison, not a school? That was objectionable. Coun. G.H. Cooper said that the people who voted to build the high wall not only slighted the Council, but imposed a drabness on the people of Hemsworth that ought not to be tolerated for a moment. All the members agreed that they could not let the matter rest there without strongly protesting, and so it was decided to send a further letter of protest to the Governors without delay. The wall was nevertheless finished to its original height, and without railings.
The drawing below shows the Green Gate from the School Grounds and the joint path before the split into Boys' (South Walk) and Girls' Walks
The photo below shows the boundary wall by Station Road
Photos: McKenzie 2002
The Result
These 2002 photographs above show some of the stretch of wall which was finally created. Sad to say, later architects of the 1960's added a 'carbuncle' of an extension to the beautiful frontage of the school, making the residents of Hemsworth only too glad to have the high walls to shield their eyes from the ugliness of the view within. Coun. Burns and his colleagues could not have predicted this!
These 2002 photographs above show some of the stretch of wall which was finally created. Sad to say, later architects of the 1960's added a 'carbuncle' of an extension to the beautiful frontage of the school, making the residents of Hemsworth only too glad to have the high walls to shield their eyes from the ugliness of the view within. Coun. Burns and his colleagues could not have predicted this!
6. A positive personal view from Melvyn Thomas
Hi Dave,
What a brilliant archive you and Sheila have here. I asked my granddaughter to look up my school when she had finished showing me pictures of her new school. I was pleasantly surprised to find your site with all the information gathered in one place. The change from H.G.S. to Hemsworth High School happened while I was a pupil there. I still say H.G.S. when asked about my education. I think that the best thing that I gained from school was an inquiring mind. Even now, I still need to know Why? When? and How? I located the only school photograph of me in existence Normans 1 1964-1965 (above). Thank you for that.
I wonder what happened to everyone else, occasionally. Looking back I wish I had been a more diligent pupil, especially in languages. I still refer to Latin, French and Esperanto, all learned at Hemsworth. Quite regularly now I hear younger people saying "I cannot remember that! I haven't been in school for x years." and yet I retain much of the principles and facts installed as part of my education. I'm on Facebook with Hemsworth Grammar School listed as my secondary education. No doubt I will be browsing the site again. I'll PDF my school report if you think it would add anything.
Many thanks and regards,
Melvyn Thomas.
Sept 13, 2013
Dear Melvyn,
Thank you for contacting the site and for sharing some of your thoughts about HGS. Thank you also for the "pdf" offer. I will bear that in mind. If you would like to add any memories in text form, just send them in to us.
Best wishes,
Dave
Hi Dave,
Looking at the school photos it's amazing what names you remember and what you forget. People who you met everyday but cannot now put a name to them. Most lads just called each other by nickname more than anything else, proper names were for registration. Or maybe we remember people because some went on to be more notable in our later lives. What HGS left me with is a broad base of knowledge, a good amount of confidence and a desire to find out how things worked. For this I am grateful. These things alone have made sure that I can solve most of the problems that I have encountered, by returning to the firm foundation provided. I didn't realise it at the time, but I have done for many years. As part of my job I give training courses. One of the power point slides includes my education and the School Motto "Labor Ipse Voluptas" and I can honestly say, most of the time it has.
Melvyn Thomas.
Oct 2, 2013
What a brilliant archive you and Sheila have here. I asked my granddaughter to look up my school when she had finished showing me pictures of her new school. I was pleasantly surprised to find your site with all the information gathered in one place. The change from H.G.S. to Hemsworth High School happened while I was a pupil there. I still say H.G.S. when asked about my education. I think that the best thing that I gained from school was an inquiring mind. Even now, I still need to know Why? When? and How? I located the only school photograph of me in existence Normans 1 1964-1965 (above). Thank you for that.
I wonder what happened to everyone else, occasionally. Looking back I wish I had been a more diligent pupil, especially in languages. I still refer to Latin, French and Esperanto, all learned at Hemsworth. Quite regularly now I hear younger people saying "I cannot remember that! I haven't been in school for x years." and yet I retain much of the principles and facts installed as part of my education. I'm on Facebook with Hemsworth Grammar School listed as my secondary education. No doubt I will be browsing the site again. I'll PDF my school report if you think it would add anything.
Many thanks and regards,
Melvyn Thomas.
Sept 13, 2013
Dear Melvyn,
Thank you for contacting the site and for sharing some of your thoughts about HGS. Thank you also for the "pdf" offer. I will bear that in mind. If you would like to add any memories in text form, just send them in to us.
Best wishes,
Dave
Hi Dave,
Looking at the school photos it's amazing what names you remember and what you forget. People who you met everyday but cannot now put a name to them. Most lads just called each other by nickname more than anything else, proper names were for registration. Or maybe we remember people because some went on to be more notable in our later lives. What HGS left me with is a broad base of knowledge, a good amount of confidence and a desire to find out how things worked. For this I am grateful. These things alone have made sure that I can solve most of the problems that I have encountered, by returning to the firm foundation provided. I didn't realise it at the time, but I have done for many years. As part of my job I give training courses. One of the power point slides includes my education and the School Motto "Labor Ipse Voluptas" and I can honestly say, most of the time it has.
Melvyn Thomas.
Oct 2, 2013
7. Rose Hips
Miss Metcalfe
When we were in the lower forms I remember Miss Metcalfe (photo above) made a request for the children of HGS to collect Rose Hips and bring them to the Domestic Science room for weighing. We were given a few pence per pound for them, and they were to be used in the making of Rose Hip Syrup. It was obviously a seasonal activity, during late September/October, and I recall my friends used to come over to Shafton during the October half-term holiday, and together we would go into the hedgerows down the "Blackety" (a local footpath through fields) with my Mum's old shopping bag or an old pot basin, and reach up to harvest the crop. We did take gloves to protect our hands from the thorns, but they were made of wool, and were soon discarded because they slowed up the procedure by snagging themselves in the bushes. We arrived home with scratched arms, faces and hands, but the anticipation of earning our own coppers alleviated the pain. That, and Germolene! Usually the gloves had been lost, and we were saying how we would remember for next year where the most heavily-laden bushes were. At the end of the collection season, the Headmaster used to announce in Assembly the total weight of hips collected. I wonder does anyone else remember this?
Sheila
Sheila
Christine Evans
Hello Sheila,
I do love catching up with the HGS site occasionally. It brings back so many happy memories of what now seems to be a bygone age. I am writing in response to a feature about collecting rosehips. My hazy recollection from the early Sixties is that Miss Metcalfe weighed the rosehips and paid 4d per pound, and that the rosehips were sent to Delrosa, manufacturers of rosehip syrup. I must add that I never actually collected any myself but think I may have helped with the weighing.
Kind regards and thank you for your work on the site. It is much appreciated.
Christine Evans
April 2013
I do love catching up with the HGS site occasionally. It brings back so many happy memories of what now seems to be a bygone age. I am writing in response to a feature about collecting rosehips. My hazy recollection from the early Sixties is that Miss Metcalfe weighed the rosehips and paid 4d per pound, and that the rosehips were sent to Delrosa, manufacturers of rosehip syrup. I must add that I never actually collected any myself but think I may have helped with the weighing.
Kind regards and thank you for your work on the site. It is much appreciated.
Christine Evans
April 2013
Sheila Kelsall
Hello Christine,
Many thanks for your memory of the autumn collections of rose hips. How rural it all sounds nowadays! I remember the scratched hands and arms involved in collecting those hips from the hedgerows of the Blackety (Lane) in Shafton! I haven't seen any Delrosa in the shops for ages, though it may still be sold in health food outlets. We left HGS in 1962. I wonder how long the collections continued after that?
Your compliment about the site is much appreciated. There must be many Hilmians like yourself who log on to the site and take pleasure from the memories without necessarily contacting us right away. Still, it's a pleasure to hear from you, and I hope you continue to give comment on what we are doing.
Best Wishes
Sheila
Many thanks for your memory of the autumn collections of rose hips. How rural it all sounds nowadays! I remember the scratched hands and arms involved in collecting those hips from the hedgerows of the Blackety (Lane) in Shafton! I haven't seen any Delrosa in the shops for ages, though it may still be sold in health food outlets. We left HGS in 1962. I wonder how long the collections continued after that?
Your compliment about the site is much appreciated. There must be many Hilmians like yourself who log on to the site and take pleasure from the memories without necessarily contacting us right away. Still, it's a pleasure to hear from you, and I hope you continue to give comment on what we are doing.
Best Wishes
Sheila
Hi Sheila,
Lovely to hear from you. I think the collection was still going on when I left in 1965 after O Levels. I will continue to check in to the site periodically, and thanks again for keeping things going. I have nothing but the happiest memories of our wonderful school.
Regards,
Christine
Lovely to hear from you. I think the collection was still going on when I left in 1965 after O Levels. I will continue to check in to the site periodically, and thanks again for keeping things going. I have nothing but the happiest memories of our wonderful school.
Regards,
Christine
8. A tough day at Fartown in 1939 but success in 1945!
Hemsworth won the first three Huddersfield meetings and generally competed well in the others. It was a prestigious schools competitive meeting. Sometimes in Athletics, however, things do not always go to plan.
The HGS Huddersfield Inter-School Athletics Team 1939
Back Row L-R: Jimmy Halsall, John R. Brailsford, Alwynne Younge, Thorpe, Duffy J., Geoffrey Harwood, Dean, Gerald Marshall, Bill Marsden
Middle Row L-R: Donald McAllister, Maurice Chapman, Ernest Skinner, Hall H., Frank Mugglestone, Cyril Mellor, John Bell, Leslie Wright
Front Row L-R: Les Tate, Allan Smith, Daley, Belfield, Norman Fox, Norman Jefferson
Middle Row L-R: Donald McAllister, Maurice Chapman, Ernest Skinner, Hall H., Frank Mugglestone, Cyril Mellor, John Bell, Leslie Wright
Front Row L-R: Les Tate, Allan Smith, Daley, Belfield, Norman Fox, Norman Jefferson
The greatest success that the School can claim in the Inter-School Sports at Huddersfield is that they won the Senior Boys' Relay Race in the record time of one minute, thirty and one fifth seconds. This is all the more praiseworthy as the record had stood unbeaten for five years. Apart from this however, though the runners tried hard, they could not achieve any other real successes. They were dogged by a number of accidents which seemed to happen just at the most unpropitious moments.
Hall got third place in the senior boys hundred yards, but was spiked on a bend in the 220 yards, in this race McAllister ran into second place. In the 440 yards Brailsford, in his first year as a senior got fourth place. In the future he will, we may hope, do better. Mellor, our entrant in the mile race, running rather out of his class, by sheer determination managed to run into fifth place. The same ill-luck happened in the Middles. Harwood lost his shoe in both the two-twenty and hundred yards finals. He ran on in each, and managed to get second place in the hundred despite his handicap. Again, in the two-twenty Younge was struck in the ribs at a bend when he was in what appeared to be a winning position. He made up for this ill-luck in the high jump, getting second place with a jump of four feet nine inches. Only two places were gained by the junior boys, Jefferson was third in the high jump, and Daley fourth in the two-twenty. The only place gained by the girls was a fourth in the senior relay. We should congratulate our relay team of Hall, Duffy, Skinner and Thorpe in their determined effort, which showed that, although this year we had no outstanding athletes, yet, in an event requiring determination and team spirit Hemsworth could still win.
A.G. Wilson
Hall got third place in the senior boys hundred yards, but was spiked on a bend in the 220 yards, in this race McAllister ran into second place. In the 440 yards Brailsford, in his first year as a senior got fourth place. In the future he will, we may hope, do better. Mellor, our entrant in the mile race, running rather out of his class, by sheer determination managed to run into fifth place. The same ill-luck happened in the Middles. Harwood lost his shoe in both the two-twenty and hundred yards finals. He ran on in each, and managed to get second place in the hundred despite his handicap. Again, in the two-twenty Younge was struck in the ribs at a bend when he was in what appeared to be a winning position. He made up for this ill-luck in the high jump, getting second place with a jump of four feet nine inches. Only two places were gained by the junior boys, Jefferson was third in the high jump, and Daley fourth in the two-twenty. The only place gained by the girls was a fourth in the senior relay. We should congratulate our relay team of Hall, Duffy, Skinner and Thorpe in their determined effort, which showed that, although this year we had no outstanding athletes, yet, in an event requiring determination and team spirit Hemsworth could still win.
A.G. Wilson
Leslie Tate
Six years later, one of the young boys on the front row capped a wonderful school year in 1944-45. He was the Head Boy of HGS, set the try scoring record (39) for Rugby in an unbeaten 1st XV, won the Senior Victor Ludorum for the third time in a row and won the Northern Counties Public Schools 100 yards Sprint Title in 10.6 seconds from 48 other well-qualified competitors. 11 years later he became the Physical Education Master at Hemsworth Grammar School.
L-R: Leslie Tate (100 yards Champion), Mr Leonard (Sports Master at HGS), Clifford Hale (440 yards Champion)
Northern Counties Public Schools Athletics Championships 1945
A team representing Hemsworth Grammar School did exceptionally well in the Northern Public Schools athletic championships at Fallowfield, Manchester, on Saturday. The team consisted of Leslie Tate (Captain), Cliff Hale, G. Rogers, Derek Birkin, G. Davies, Derek Wilkinson, Alan Harper, A. Ogley and Robert Atkinson.
A team representing Hemsworth Grammar School did exceptionally well in the Northern Public Schools athletic championships at Fallowfield, Manchester, on Saturday. The team consisted of Leslie Tate (Captain), Cliff Hale, G. Rogers, Derek Birkin, G. Davies, Derek Wilkinson, Alan Harper, A. Ogley and Robert Atkinson.
The Team
Back Row L-R: Alan Ogley, George Rodgers, Mr. Leonard, G. Davies, Robert Atkinson
Middle Row L-R: Derek Wilkinson, Les Tate, Cliff Hale
Front Row L-R: Alan Harper, Derek Birkin
Middle Row L-R: Derek Wilkinson, Les Tate, Cliff Hale
Front Row L-R: Alan Harper, Derek Birkin
Eight events were entered, and places were obtained in the following events: 100 yards - Tate, First out of 48 competitors; 440 yards - Hale, First in 38; Long Jump - Tate, Second in 39; Hop, Step & Jump - Tate, Fourth in 23, Javelin - Wilkinson, Fifth in 21; Half Mile - Birkin, Sixth in 24; Hurdles - Harper, Sixth in 24. Out of the nine competitors representing Hemsworth against the cream of the Northern Public Schools athletes, seven won through to the finals of their events. Special honour has been brought to the school by Tate and Hale (photo above). The former is the new holder of the Northern Public Schools 100 yards championship with a time of 10.6 seconds, and the C. B. Holmes Trophy was presented to him by the donor, who is the Olympic Games champion. Cliff Hale is the new holder of the Northern Public Schools quarter mile championship, and after winning his heat in the best time of the day, he ran a very fine race to win the final by nine yards with a time of 54.6 secs.
9. The personality of a school
|
|
|
Mr Jenkinson (Headmaster 1921-37)
|
Miss Griffiths
|
From the HGS Speech Day 1932 Headmaster’s Address
After stating that the staff had undergone some changes, the headmaster tendered thanks to Miss Griffiths (Senior Mistress) and Mr. Crossland (Assistant Master) and every member of the staff for another year of loyal service and ungrudging support. "As the school grows more extensive," he proceeded, "discipline does not become easier, and it is only the watchfulness and promptitude of every member of my staff that good order is maintained.
To all parents I tender my thanks for their confidence in me and their interest in the school, and I can assure them that they will always find me ready to give them any help I can. To the chairman of the Governors I take this opportunity of offering the school's congratulations on his election as Member of Parliament for the Hemsworth Division and our best wishes for his successful career. I can certainly say that if he serves the nation as well as he has served this school the House of Commons will be the richer for his presence in it. Unfortunately he cannot now devote so much of his time to his duties as chairman of the Governors of this school, and we are very fortunate in having so able a vice-chairman as Capt. Hallam to officiate in his absence. I am most grateful to him and to all the Governors for their sympathetic and ready support.
In spite of present difficulties and anxieties I hope and believe that this school, now fully equipped up to an accommodation of 450, will continue to supply the educational needs of this district in an adequate manner, and that it will endeavour to uphold the best traditions of English education.
What is of real importance in a school is its personality. Every school must have its own individual personality, and this maxim applies to schools whether they are 500 or 50 or 5 years old. Any new school may rapidly make its mark if it has a good personality, acquired by means of good traditions. It has been my endeavour during the short history of this school to achieve this end, and I shall continue to use every endeavour to achieve it."
After stating that the staff had undergone some changes, the headmaster tendered thanks to Miss Griffiths (Senior Mistress) and Mr. Crossland (Assistant Master) and every member of the staff for another year of loyal service and ungrudging support. "As the school grows more extensive," he proceeded, "discipline does not become easier, and it is only the watchfulness and promptitude of every member of my staff that good order is maintained.
To all parents I tender my thanks for their confidence in me and their interest in the school, and I can assure them that they will always find me ready to give them any help I can. To the chairman of the Governors I take this opportunity of offering the school's congratulations on his election as Member of Parliament for the Hemsworth Division and our best wishes for his successful career. I can certainly say that if he serves the nation as well as he has served this school the House of Commons will be the richer for his presence in it. Unfortunately he cannot now devote so much of his time to his duties as chairman of the Governors of this school, and we are very fortunate in having so able a vice-chairman as Capt. Hallam to officiate in his absence. I am most grateful to him and to all the Governors for their sympathetic and ready support.
In spite of present difficulties and anxieties I hope and believe that this school, now fully equipped up to an accommodation of 450, will continue to supply the educational needs of this district in an adequate manner, and that it will endeavour to uphold the best traditions of English education.
What is of real importance in a school is its personality. Every school must have its own individual personality, and this maxim applies to schools whether they are 500 or 50 or 5 years old. Any new school may rapidly make its mark if it has a good personality, acquired by means of good traditions. It has been my endeavour during the short history of this school to achieve this end, and I shall continue to use every endeavour to achieve it."
Below are messages that reflect the views and feelings of so many.
Tony Pickering
Hi Dave,
Many thanks to Ray Noble for putting me in contact with this site. Universal themes in all the comments on the site are the fond memories and gratitude to Hemsworth Grammar School; in this regard I am no exception.
As a transfer scholar from the Modern School I had a lot of catching up to do - missing out 5th year and joining L6S and the competition of Jean Snookes (Head Girl 1956-57) et al. This did not hinder me from taking part in other school activities such as Colts rugby XV, 1st rugby XV, Tennis, Athletics, School Play and Inter-House competitions - all with great enjoyment apart from the cross-country run! Against this background of secondary education, I am eternally grateful to the old school in helping me to gain entrance to the Medical School of Edinburgh University.
This month I have retired from clinical practice after 37 years, latterly spent as Consultant Eye-Surgeon here in Swansea. Time now for more travel and golf, and to contemplate with my male contemporaries, the prospect of being called an O.A.P. next year!!
Best wishes,
Tony Pickering
Price House, HGS 1952-58
August 2003
Many thanks to Ray Noble for putting me in contact with this site. Universal themes in all the comments on the site are the fond memories and gratitude to Hemsworth Grammar School; in this regard I am no exception.
As a transfer scholar from the Modern School I had a lot of catching up to do - missing out 5th year and joining L6S and the competition of Jean Snookes (Head Girl 1956-57) et al. This did not hinder me from taking part in other school activities such as Colts rugby XV, 1st rugby XV, Tennis, Athletics, School Play and Inter-House competitions - all with great enjoyment apart from the cross-country run! Against this background of secondary education, I am eternally grateful to the old school in helping me to gain entrance to the Medical School of Edinburgh University.
This month I have retired from clinical practice after 37 years, latterly spent as Consultant Eye-Surgeon here in Swansea. Time now for more travel and golf, and to contemplate with my male contemporaries, the prospect of being called an O.A.P. next year!!
Best wishes,
Tony Pickering
Price House, HGS 1952-58
August 2003
Jean Snookes (Head Girl 1956-57)
Email 1
Dear Dave,
This is just fabulous to find this site. For seven years I loved going to that place, HGS. As I've been exploring the site, I am amazed at how much comes flooding in, generalities and very detailed memories. Let's see, at the moment I recall and would love to be in touch with: Eileen Hurst, Edith Horbury, Enid Horton, Wendy Jennings, Margaret Duprey, Kathleen Corcoran, Diana Glew, Gloria Farnsworth, Tony Pickering, John Abbott, Alan Ardon, Clive Goodwin, Ray Noble, Alec Wall, Geoff Marston and Jeff Hudson.
I went to Manchester University from school, in 1957; taught sciences for two years in Yorkshire then left for Ghana. I was there teaching for four years and met an American physician there. We went onto Nigeria for three years (eradicating smallpox!!), arrived in the U.S. of A in 1969 and have lived here ever since. I currently work part time as Consulting Associate Professor of Science Education at Stanford University.
I would like both to contribute to the site (see my email suggesting I send copies of lots of old photos) and to connect with old friends.
All good wishes,
Jean Snookes .. aka Jeannie (HGS 1950-57)
(March 2003)
Email 2
Dear Dave,
What a blast ... that you were in 2A when I was Head Girl. It brings a memory to mind immediately. Remember that Prefects, before being officially appointed had to recite a pledge, from the stage, in front of the whole school? We said:
"I promise, God helping me, to be a faithful servant of the school, without fear and without reproach. I pledge myself to put the school first in everything, to uphold its best traditions, actively to oppose what is wrong, to protect the weak, and to be humble in my office. I will do my utmost to leave the school, better than I found it."
I can't tell you how often that oath has come back to me. I have been in education, as teacher, researcher and professor in England, Ghana, Nigeria, New York, Virginia, Wisconsin, Massachusetts and California. It has seemed to me that the Prefects' Pledge tells of a place called school that is so particularly and peculiarly, so quintessentially, British.
Looking forward to being in touch with HGS for a long time.
Cheers,
Jeannie
(April 2003)
Dear Dave,
This is just fabulous to find this site. For seven years I loved going to that place, HGS. As I've been exploring the site, I am amazed at how much comes flooding in, generalities and very detailed memories. Let's see, at the moment I recall and would love to be in touch with: Eileen Hurst, Edith Horbury, Enid Horton, Wendy Jennings, Margaret Duprey, Kathleen Corcoran, Diana Glew, Gloria Farnsworth, Tony Pickering, John Abbott, Alan Ardon, Clive Goodwin, Ray Noble, Alec Wall, Geoff Marston and Jeff Hudson.
I went to Manchester University from school, in 1957; taught sciences for two years in Yorkshire then left for Ghana. I was there teaching for four years and met an American physician there. We went onto Nigeria for three years (eradicating smallpox!!), arrived in the U.S. of A in 1969 and have lived here ever since. I currently work part time as Consulting Associate Professor of Science Education at Stanford University.
I would like both to contribute to the site (see my email suggesting I send copies of lots of old photos) and to connect with old friends.
All good wishes,
Jean Snookes .. aka Jeannie (HGS 1950-57)
(March 2003)
Email 2
Dear Dave,
What a blast ... that you were in 2A when I was Head Girl. It brings a memory to mind immediately. Remember that Prefects, before being officially appointed had to recite a pledge, from the stage, in front of the whole school? We said:
"I promise, God helping me, to be a faithful servant of the school, without fear and without reproach. I pledge myself to put the school first in everything, to uphold its best traditions, actively to oppose what is wrong, to protect the weak, and to be humble in my office. I will do my utmost to leave the school, better than I found it."
I can't tell you how often that oath has come back to me. I have been in education, as teacher, researcher and professor in England, Ghana, Nigeria, New York, Virginia, Wisconsin, Massachusetts and California. It has seemed to me that the Prefects' Pledge tells of a place called school that is so particularly and peculiarly, so quintessentially, British.
Looking forward to being in touch with HGS for a long time.
Cheers,
Jeannie
(April 2003)
10. Slipping Away
Gabriel Price moves up and away from HSS
Gabriel Price moves up and away from HSS
Gabriel Price
Although the participants may not have recognised it at the time, the year of 1931 at Hemsworth Secondary School showed continuing signs of a slowly developing situation within the Governing Committee of the school. It had begun in June 1930, when the chairman, Ald. Price, had been unable to attend the Governors' monthly meeting. No exact reason for his unusual absence was given, though it can be assumed that as his political activities were expanding beyond Yorkshire, there were bound to be clashes of appointments and demands on his time. In the Speech Day report of the local newspaper of November 1930, for the first time the Chairman of the Governors was reported as not present "owing to his being at an important conference in London." Might this have been a meeting with Ramsay McDonald, the Prime Minister, or perhaps other members of the Government? Nor did he attend December's meeting of the Governors.
By the beginning of 1931 things seemed to be back to normal as Ald. Price resumed his regular monthly chairmanship duties. In all probability, the 1930's absences were attributable to the activities involved in assessing and confirming his suitability as the next Member of Parliament for the Hemsworth area, as the present incumbent, Mr. John Guest, seemed unlikely to continue for much longer in that position, due to illness. Confirmation of this came in November 1931, when the Headmaster announced at the school's Speech Day the sad news of the demise of Mr. John Guest MP.
Although the Governors' meetings prior to 1931 had been 'lively' affairs, as they discussed and sometimes disagreed on matters, there had always been the voice of reason in the chair to defuse tempers and ease tensions. The respect held by all the Governors for Ald. Price as chairman shone through each report of his ten re-elections to that office, yet it can be seen throughout the latter part of 1931 that the meetings held during his absences showed a polarisation of factions and some downright squabbling. The economic stringencies imposed on the school by the Government provided fuel to the fires, and it is clear that the absences of this one person had altered the tenor and atmosphere of the meetings, to the temporary detriment of the school's well-being.
In this the tenth year of the school, the Governors continued to ask for funds to extend the facilities for the pupils, and they continued to encounter resistance from the County Authority to most of their proposals. Money was not available for the long-promised tennis courts and sports pavilion, and patience was required. The attempts of the staff and pupils to raise funds themselves, as they did in former years, seem to have lapsed in 1931.
A wider view
Throughout the country, unemployment had been gradually rising to almost three million during the year, and elsewhere in Europe, the menace of Fascism was growing. In Germany the Nazis were gaining strength and systematically working towards their aim of eliminating its democratic government. The economic embarrassment caused to the United States and Europe by the Great Depression coupled with the political instability caused by World War 1 meant that these rising threats to peace were not met and eliminated. It would be some time before Hemsworth, Yorkshire and the rest of Great Britain would see matters come to a head, but in 1931 there had already begun the trickle in the stream of events which would culminate in the torrent of war.
By the beginning of 1931 things seemed to be back to normal as Ald. Price resumed his regular monthly chairmanship duties. In all probability, the 1930's absences were attributable to the activities involved in assessing and confirming his suitability as the next Member of Parliament for the Hemsworth area, as the present incumbent, Mr. John Guest, seemed unlikely to continue for much longer in that position, due to illness. Confirmation of this came in November 1931, when the Headmaster announced at the school's Speech Day the sad news of the demise of Mr. John Guest MP.
Although the Governors' meetings prior to 1931 had been 'lively' affairs, as they discussed and sometimes disagreed on matters, there had always been the voice of reason in the chair to defuse tempers and ease tensions. The respect held by all the Governors for Ald. Price as chairman shone through each report of his ten re-elections to that office, yet it can be seen throughout the latter part of 1931 that the meetings held during his absences showed a polarisation of factions and some downright squabbling. The economic stringencies imposed on the school by the Government provided fuel to the fires, and it is clear that the absences of this one person had altered the tenor and atmosphere of the meetings, to the temporary detriment of the school's well-being.
In this the tenth year of the school, the Governors continued to ask for funds to extend the facilities for the pupils, and they continued to encounter resistance from the County Authority to most of their proposals. Money was not available for the long-promised tennis courts and sports pavilion, and patience was required. The attempts of the staff and pupils to raise funds themselves, as they did in former years, seem to have lapsed in 1931.
A wider view
Throughout the country, unemployment had been gradually rising to almost three million during the year, and elsewhere in Europe, the menace of Fascism was growing. In Germany the Nazis were gaining strength and systematically working towards their aim of eliminating its democratic government. The economic embarrassment caused to the United States and Europe by the Great Depression coupled with the political instability caused by World War 1 meant that these rising threats to peace were not met and eliminated. It would be some time before Hemsworth, Yorkshire and the rest of Great Britain would see matters come to a head, but in 1931 there had already begun the trickle in the stream of events which would culminate in the torrent of war.
11. The 1957 New Gymnasium and Science Laboratories
from Mr Hamilton
from Mr Hamilton
Mr Hamilton, Headmaster
|
|
The extensions bring the existing buildings approximately up to the standard of a four form entry Grammar School. The two new independent buildings are sited to the north of the existing school building and directly overlook the playing fields. Apart from new Science and Gymnasium blocks, existing laboratories have been converted into Needlework, Art/craft and Music rooms and the kitchen and boiler house block has been reorganised and extended.
The new science block contains the Physics, Chemistry, Biology and General Science laboratories, with an additional classroom equipped for demonstrations; each laboratory has an adjacent preparation room. A staff room is included and also staff and pupils' toilets and cloaks. Direct access has been provided from the Biology laboratory to the adjoining greenhouse.
The Gymnasium block, which is linked with the Science block by a paved terrace, consists of a single gymnasium unit with changing rooms and showers for pupils and staff. Provision has been made for the storage of games equipment in a store which opens on to the playing fields. Adjoining the gymnasium an additional hard playing surface has been formed. The Gymnasium and Science laboratories are heated by radiant panels fitted in the ceiling. This enables the wall surfaces to be kept free of pipes and provides more room for equipment. Because of the very low pressure of the existing water supply, an automatic pressurising system has been incorporated and this is fed from a reserve tank situated beneath the paved gymnasium terrace.
The space available for the new buildings was severely limited by the existing playing field layout and it has been necessary to splay the angle between the two blocks to accommodate the cricket and hockey pitches. Unfortunately several large trees had to be felled before building operations could commence but new trees are to be planted to restore the balance between buildings and foliage. Shrubs and plants are to be used in the layout of the small area adjacent to the Biology laboratory and this area will be used in conjunction with the greenhouse. Groups of flower boxes are to be arranged on the terrace.
As in other new schools throughout the area, the danger of mining subsidence has been anticipated and the new buildings are built on reinforced concrete raft foundations.
RWH
The new science block contains the Physics, Chemistry, Biology and General Science laboratories, with an additional classroom equipped for demonstrations; each laboratory has an adjacent preparation room. A staff room is included and also staff and pupils' toilets and cloaks. Direct access has been provided from the Biology laboratory to the adjoining greenhouse.
The Gymnasium block, which is linked with the Science block by a paved terrace, consists of a single gymnasium unit with changing rooms and showers for pupils and staff. Provision has been made for the storage of games equipment in a store which opens on to the playing fields. Adjoining the gymnasium an additional hard playing surface has been formed. The Gymnasium and Science laboratories are heated by radiant panels fitted in the ceiling. This enables the wall surfaces to be kept free of pipes and provides more room for equipment. Because of the very low pressure of the existing water supply, an automatic pressurising system has been incorporated and this is fed from a reserve tank situated beneath the paved gymnasium terrace.
The space available for the new buildings was severely limited by the existing playing field layout and it has been necessary to splay the angle between the two blocks to accommodate the cricket and hockey pitches. Unfortunately several large trees had to be felled before building operations could commence but new trees are to be planted to restore the balance between buildings and foliage. Shrubs and plants are to be used in the layout of the small area adjacent to the Biology laboratory and this area will be used in conjunction with the greenhouse. Groups of flower boxes are to be arranged on the terrace.
As in other new schools throughout the area, the danger of mining subsidence has been anticipated and the new buildings are built on reinforced concrete raft foundations.
RWH
