Email Dip 4
Updated 23.08.2026
Updated 23.08.2026
Photo: Batey
Table of Contents
1. Caroline Colley, HGS 1955-58
2. Jenny Cocksedge, HGS 1961-65
3. Roger Poole, HGS 1958-67
1. Caroline Colley, HGS 1955-58
2. Jenny Cocksedge, HGS 1961-65
3. Roger Poole, HGS 1958-67
1. Caroline Colley, HGS 1955-58
Caroline Colley
Dear Dave,
Having been informed from the other side of the world by my younger brother that this site existed, I am using my somewhat scant IT knowledge to attempt to find out if any of my ex form-mates are still in the land of the living! It would be great to hear from anyone who remembers me - what about Kath Priestly, Gaynor Vaughn-Birch, Joan Hayward, Jenny Kelly, all out of the same year as I was, plus others from different years, such as Ellen Toulson, Pat Beevers, Ruth Green, Pat Griffiths, etc. and then in the Upper VI at the time, such "Lords of Creation" (to quote R.W. Hamilton) as Sid Kenningham, Bob Moore, Roy Homer, Tony Gough, Dave Toulson, and, as they say, many, many more!!
Having been informed from the other side of the world by my younger brother that this site existed, I am using my somewhat scant IT knowledge to attempt to find out if any of my ex form-mates are still in the land of the living! It would be great to hear from anyone who remembers me - what about Kath Priestly, Gaynor Vaughn-Birch, Joan Hayward, Jenny Kelly, all out of the same year as I was, plus others from different years, such as Ellen Toulson, Pat Beevers, Ruth Green, Pat Griffiths, etc. and then in the Upper VI at the time, such "Lords of Creation" (to quote R.W. Hamilton) as Sid Kenningham, Bob Moore, Roy Homer, Tony Gough, Dave Toulson, and, as they say, many, many more!!
Kath Priestly
Pat Beevers
Roy Homer
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Gaynor Vaughn-Birch
Ruth Green
Tony Gough
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Joan Hayward
Pat Griffiths
Dave Toulson
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Jenny Kelly
Sid Kenningham
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Ellen Toulson
Bob (Brian) Moore
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John Colley, HGS 1955-62
Mac,
I have been living in Australia for the last 34 years with the odd year in Indonesia, after getting married in S. Africa. I’m still working as an engineer specialising in geotechnical works, bridges etc. I spend my leisure time playing golf, riding motorcycles and pushbikes and succumbing to my wife’s demands for visits to wineries. I still come regularly to the UK and often go to the Hemsworth Rugby Club where I see Brian May. I stopped playing rugby (well, a sort of rugby - golden oldies) nine years ago but I am still passionately interested in the game and go to all the Wallabies matches when they are scheduled in Perth. I have maintained close links with a number of former pupils over the years such as Dick Bateman and Dave Thorpe. Looking back to HGS, two teachers who particularly impressed me were Les Tate and George Pacy. I haven’t caught up with your brother again on the golf course, but no doubt will when I spend more time down in Mandurah.
Cheers,
Jes Colley (August 2005)
Mac,
I have been living in Australia for the last 34 years with the odd year in Indonesia, after getting married in S. Africa. I’m still working as an engineer specialising in geotechnical works, bridges etc. I spend my leisure time playing golf, riding motorcycles and pushbikes and succumbing to my wife’s demands for visits to wineries. I still come regularly to the UK and often go to the Hemsworth Rugby Club where I see Brian May. I stopped playing rugby (well, a sort of rugby - golden oldies) nine years ago but I am still passionately interested in the game and go to all the Wallabies matches when they are scheduled in Perth. I have maintained close links with a number of former pupils over the years such as Dick Bateman and Dave Thorpe. Looking back to HGS, two teachers who particularly impressed me were Les Tate and George Pacy. I haven’t caught up with your brother again on the golf course, but no doubt will when I spend more time down in Mandurah.
Cheers,
Jes Colley (August 2005)
Caroline's email continued:
I lived for many years in Manchester but I am now back in S. Yorkshire, and would be really interested to find out more! I left HGS in1958, after a year in L6R, and have lost touch with virtually everyone apart from Sue Butcher, who, like me, moved on to pastures new. We meet every couple of years or so. My younger brother is John (otherwise known as Jez or Jes). John and I joined the school later than most, having had our education changed rather a lot, due to our parents’ moving around - HGS was my third grammar school. We arrived at the end of the 1955 school year. John went into 1C and I was put into 4C. The following year I was in 5T, and I remember our form room was the Chemistry Lab and our form master was Mr. Owen. We had some really good times. Anyone remember the bus strike, and Sue Butcher coming to school on her horse, from Crofton, and having her picture in the paper? I am trying to locate old form photographs, but due to several changes of address over the years, I may have to go and plunder the family archives in my mother’s loft!! Names I remember: John Mansfield, T. Edwards, Terry Lockett, Peter Lockett, Bob Bacon, Winnie Taylor, Kath Ratcliffe, Mavis Bradbury and June Croft. They are not all from my year but I am sure at least some of these names must be remembered. Older than we were Helen Guest, Howard Peel, John Riggot, Gloria and John Farnsworth, Alec Wall, Tony Gough, Tony Pickering, and many, many more.
Incidentally, before closing down, I must add that John and I were both in Price - and I would like to know when these Danes, Celts etc. arrived on the scene!!
Caroline
(January 2003)
Incidentally, before closing down, I must add that John and I were both in Price - and I would like to know when these Danes, Celts etc. arrived on the scene!!
Caroline
(January 2003)
John Mansfield
Winnie Taylor
Howard Peel
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T. Edwards
Kath Ratcliffe
John Riggot
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Terry Lockett
Mavis Bradbury
Gloria Farnsworth
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Peter Lockett
June Croft
John Farnsworth
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Bob Bacon
Helen Guest
Alec Wall
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Tony Pickering
Initial Emails from ....
Helen Guest
Thank you for such a first class website. Having been to four secondary schools before I had the good fortune of attending H.G.S. for the Sixth Form, I can say the experience far surpassed all previous schools. I have fond memories of the inspirational staff and the other sixth form students. Long live Grammar Schools!
Helen Guest, Talbot House, HGS 1957-59 (October 2007)
Thank you for such a first class website. Having been to four secondary schools before I had the good fortune of attending H.G.S. for the Sixth Form, I can say the experience far surpassed all previous schools. I have fond memories of the inspirational staff and the other sixth form students. Long live Grammar Schools!
Helen Guest, Talbot House, HGS 1957-59 (October 2007)
Howard Peel
What a great surprise to find this site. Passed on by my great friend Mel Wheatcroft in Whangarei. I tried to find some contact about a year ago via Hemsworth and South Elmsall Express, the Scots owners said they would pass on a message but nothing eventuated. It was great to wallow in nostalgia looking at the pics on the site; I have unearthed several from the family pics that Mum and Dad gave me when they moved out to N.Z. and as soon as I get back from our end of term break I will scan them and get them to you. I have pics of some form I cannot identify as they didn’t put little indicator boards as they do now. A good pic of the Festival of Britain Trip. All Males! Possibly they didn’t trust this group with girls. Also the School Choir, Prefects, several school plays and a second 15 Rugby photo. Never made the number ones. Recently retired from teaching but am still active at school as Teacher Advisor and Science Tech. I have very happy memories of my time at H.G.S. Grew in confidence, made many friends, and I am sure it was the school and it’s influence that led me into my career as a Secondary School Teacher. My contempories along with Mel were Brian Toulson, Barry Longden, Alec Wall, Tony Gough, Tony Pickering, Peter Donaldson, just to mention a few. I hope the site continues to grow. Good Luck.
Best wishes to all Hilmians.
Howard Peel, 1949-57, Started in 1949 in 1B. Guest House (September 2003)
What a great surprise to find this site. Passed on by my great friend Mel Wheatcroft in Whangarei. I tried to find some contact about a year ago via Hemsworth and South Elmsall Express, the Scots owners said they would pass on a message but nothing eventuated. It was great to wallow in nostalgia looking at the pics on the site; I have unearthed several from the family pics that Mum and Dad gave me when they moved out to N.Z. and as soon as I get back from our end of term break I will scan them and get them to you. I have pics of some form I cannot identify as they didn’t put little indicator boards as they do now. A good pic of the Festival of Britain Trip. All Males! Possibly they didn’t trust this group with girls. Also the School Choir, Prefects, several school plays and a second 15 Rugby photo. Never made the number ones. Recently retired from teaching but am still active at school as Teacher Advisor and Science Tech. I have very happy memories of my time at H.G.S. Grew in confidence, made many friends, and I am sure it was the school and it’s influence that led me into my career as a Secondary School Teacher. My contempories along with Mel were Brian Toulson, Barry Longden, Alec Wall, Tony Gough, Tony Pickering, Peter Donaldson, just to mention a few. I hope the site continues to grow. Good Luck.
Best wishes to all Hilmians.
Howard Peel, 1949-57, Started in 1949 in 1B. Guest House (September 2003)
Mel Wheatcroft
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Brian Toulson
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Barry Longden
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Peter Donaldson
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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 et al. This did not hinder 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 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 - I just hope my elder daughter enjoys medical practice as much as I have. 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)
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 et al. This did not hinder 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 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 - I just hope my elder daughter enjoys medical practice as much as I have. 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)
Ray Noble
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Jean Snookes
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My reply to Caroline:
Dear Caroline,
Thank you for contacting the site. Lovely to hear from you and I hope you have enjoyed your visit. The site is still in its infancy but growing steadily. John was in my form in 1C, 3A, 4S, 5S, L6S and U6S. We played rugby for the school in the same teams. There are photos on the site which he will probably have seen. You mention names that are very familiar. They contributed a great deal to the life of the school. If you could obtain those photos and/or describe some of your experiences at the school, I am sure that many of our audience would be very interested. Hopefully some ex form-mates will get in touch.
Best wishes,
Dave McKenzie
Dear Caroline,
Thank you for contacting the site. Lovely to hear from you and I hope you have enjoyed your visit. The site is still in its infancy but growing steadily. John was in my form in 1C, 3A, 4S, 5S, L6S and U6S. We played rugby for the school in the same teams. There are photos on the site which he will probably have seen. You mention names that are very familiar. They contributed a great deal to the life of the school. If you could obtain those photos and/or describe some of your experiences at the school, I am sure that many of our audience would be very interested. Hopefully some ex form-mates will get in touch.
Best wishes,
Dave McKenzie
2. Jenny Cocksedge, HGS 1961-65
Jenny Cocksedge
I started at Hemsworth Grammar School in September 1961 and my first year was spent in the Celts class. My house at school was Talbot. I lived in Upton and as far as I know, at that time there was only myself and another girl my age called Christine Eades from my village (she was in Price house I think) who attended Hemsworth Grammar School. Looking at the website has brought back a lot of memories. I recognise some (not many) of the faces in some photos and seeing names have also jogged my memory.
Christine Eades
HGS Celts 1961-62
Back Row L-R: Lorna Cavanagh, Joyce Barraclough, Janet Crow, Catherine Long, Elizabeth Atkinson
Third Row L-R: Arthur Gilbert, Martin Horobin, Jones R., Glyn Baugh, Milton Wainwright, Evans J., Stephen Godbold
Second Row L-R: P. Shepherd, Denise Longley, Carol Speight, Linda Hazel, C. Needham, Miss Couperthwaite, Parrish R., G. Barnett, Jenny Cocksedge, P. Jones, J. Smallman
Front Row L-R: Graham Lockwood, David Gothard, Roy Walker, Vincent Rushworth, Peter Gundhill, John Bouskill
Graham Lockwood received the Form Prize
Third Row L-R: Arthur Gilbert, Martin Horobin, Jones R., Glyn Baugh, Milton Wainwright, Evans J., Stephen Godbold
Second Row L-R: P. Shepherd, Denise Longley, Carol Speight, Linda Hazel, C. Needham, Miss Couperthwaite, Parrish R., G. Barnett, Jenny Cocksedge, P. Jones, J. Smallman
Front Row L-R: Graham Lockwood, David Gothard, Roy Walker, Vincent Rushworth, Peter Gundhill, John Bouskill
Graham Lockwood received the Form Prize
The two movement corrections are:
Third Row 4 is Glyn Baugh
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Second Row 3 is Carol Speight
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Pupils who started at HGS in September 1961
Boys
Evans W., Sutcliffe N., Bridgewater A., Hickin J., Sykes G., Kenningley C.D., Blount J.V., Walters J., Clarke D., Tyrrell G., Baugh G., Evans J.H., Gilbert A., Godbold S., Gothard D., Gundill P., Horobin M.W., Jones R.A., Jones T.T., Lockwood G., Parish A., Rushworth V., Seal G.R., Stenson A.J., Wainwright M., Walker K., Bouskill J., Covell C.L., Coxall C.L., Crow J.D., Dearnley J.C., Dyson R., Grace A., Griffin C., Harrison B., Hemingway R.D., Jackson S.N., Johnson F.R., Jones P., Lowery C., Marston J., Mills T.J., Nickerson J.G., Bennion J.A., Cooper S., Doyle R.A., Fagge P.E., Gawthorpe P.A., Harris P.D., Hewitt C.K., Lloyd P., Lunn R., Martin T.P., Matthews J.J., Newton P.C., Steel R., Ward D., Baxendale D.P., Carey B., Dodd P., Donaldson W.D., Duckett J., Duprey C.H., Firth A., Foster R.P., Grimes K., Hammond T., Horsfall P.A., Mair C.E.D., Moore J.G., Poulton F.T., Rowbotham J.K., Ward R.
Girls
A. Poskett, J. Toone, R.L. Saley, G. Moody, L.V. Plows, M. Holdcroft, C.A. Lord, D. Sides, I. Colpitts, J. Barraclough, J.A. Cocksedge, J. Crow, C.E. Eades, L. Hazel, P. Jones, D.B. Longley, L.E. North, J.K. Shaw, P.R. Shepherd, J. Smallman, C.A. Speight, S.M. Tonge, E.A. Atkinson, G.J. Barnett, L.V. Cavanagh, M.E. Chappell, L. Crossland, J. Davies, E. Griffiths, S. Hobson, S.A. May, L.A. Milner, E. Raine, J. Ralphs, T.E. Riley, C. Wood, L. Archer, M. Bowcock, K. Brear, P. Collinwood, J. Cox, S.M. Dickinson, J. Hibbert, S.W. Lumb, C. Milnes, B.J. Nall, J.M. Perry, S. Smith, P.A. Spencer, J.B. Taylor, C.M. Andrew, A. Cook, C. Gough, J.K. Halliday, C. Hardman, J. Herbert, C.S. Long, S. Needham, M.A. Penn, L.C. Robinson, J.L. Smith, S.A. Smith, L. Spruce, C.I. Stephens, J.L. Whitfield, S. Wright
Evans W., Sutcliffe N., Bridgewater A., Hickin J., Sykes G., Kenningley C.D., Blount J.V., Walters J., Clarke D., Tyrrell G., Baugh G., Evans J.H., Gilbert A., Godbold S., Gothard D., Gundill P., Horobin M.W., Jones R.A., Jones T.T., Lockwood G., Parish A., Rushworth V., Seal G.R., Stenson A.J., Wainwright M., Walker K., Bouskill J., Covell C.L., Coxall C.L., Crow J.D., Dearnley J.C., Dyson R., Grace A., Griffin C., Harrison B., Hemingway R.D., Jackson S.N., Johnson F.R., Jones P., Lowery C., Marston J., Mills T.J., Nickerson J.G., Bennion J.A., Cooper S., Doyle R.A., Fagge P.E., Gawthorpe P.A., Harris P.D., Hewitt C.K., Lloyd P., Lunn R., Martin T.P., Matthews J.J., Newton P.C., Steel R., Ward D., Baxendale D.P., Carey B., Dodd P., Donaldson W.D., Duckett J., Duprey C.H., Firth A., Foster R.P., Grimes K., Hammond T., Horsfall P.A., Mair C.E.D., Moore J.G., Poulton F.T., Rowbotham J.K., Ward R.
Girls
A. Poskett, J. Toone, R.L. Saley, G. Moody, L.V. Plows, M. Holdcroft, C.A. Lord, D. Sides, I. Colpitts, J. Barraclough, J.A. Cocksedge, J. Crow, C.E. Eades, L. Hazel, P. Jones, D.B. Longley, L.E. North, J.K. Shaw, P.R. Shepherd, J. Smallman, C.A. Speight, S.M. Tonge, E.A. Atkinson, G.J. Barnett, L.V. Cavanagh, M.E. Chappell, L. Crossland, J. Davies, E. Griffiths, S. Hobson, S.A. May, L.A. Milner, E. Raine, J. Ralphs, T.E. Riley, C. Wood, L. Archer, M. Bowcock, K. Brear, P. Collinwood, J. Cox, S.M. Dickinson, J. Hibbert, S.W. Lumb, C. Milnes, B.J. Nall, J.M. Perry, S. Smith, P.A. Spencer, J.B. Taylor, C.M. Andrew, A. Cook, C. Gough, J.K. Halliday, C. Hardman, J. Herbert, C.S. Long, S. Needham, M.A. Penn, L.C. Robinson, J.L. Smith, S.A. Smith, L. Spruce, C.I. Stephens, J.L. Whitfield, S. Wright
Jenny's email continues ......
The only thing I remember about my first day at the school is walking past the church on the corner up to the little gate in the wall and up along the tree lined path to the side entrance. It's the little things that stick in my mind. Only being able to walk up the "up" staircase and down the "down" staircase which was much much grander. Mr Hamilton, the Head and a lady who taught French whose name I can't recall. The sick room on the first floor, the Domestic Science room overlooking the Dell. This room seemed to me to have all the mod. cons. available. Buying 3d worth of sweets from the little shop down the hill, and sometimes sneaking out for fish and chips at lunchtime. Trying to memorise the words to Cliff Richard's "The Young Ones" whilst waiting in the Boys playground for the bus to take me home.
I attended the school during the winter of 1962/63 and remember being sent home early one day because of particularly bad weather. Unfortunately it was so bad the buses stopped running and myself and Christine had to walk (in the dark and during a blizzard) from South Elmsall to our home in Upton. My parents were frantic and telephoned the school to find out where I was. My friend and I arrived home several hours later after we had been rescued by a passing motorist. I also remember The Celts, Danes etc classroom block being damaged (around 1962/63) when gales brought down a large tree onto the block.
Another memory is of my friend and I "bopping" and then "doing the twist" to pop records in the hall at lunchtimes on wet days. It is over 40 years since I started at the school and I left in 1965 when I transferred to Wakefield College. I am attaching a photo. It shows Mr Owen and what was, I believe, the School Junior Choir. I remember taking part in a concert but can't recall when or what it was for.
Regards
Jenny Cocksedge (January 2004)
I attended the school during the winter of 1962/63 and remember being sent home early one day because of particularly bad weather. Unfortunately it was so bad the buses stopped running and myself and Christine had to walk (in the dark and during a blizzard) from South Elmsall to our home in Upton. My parents were frantic and telephoned the school to find out where I was. My friend and I arrived home several hours later after we had been rescued by a passing motorist. I also remember The Celts, Danes etc classroom block being damaged (around 1962/63) when gales brought down a large tree onto the block.
Another memory is of my friend and I "bopping" and then "doing the twist" to pop records in the hall at lunchtimes on wet days. It is over 40 years since I started at the school and I left in 1965 when I transferred to Wakefield College. I am attaching a photo. It shows Mr Owen and what was, I believe, the School Junior Choir. I remember taking part in a concert but can't recall when or what it was for.
Regards
Jenny Cocksedge (January 2004)
The HGS Junior Choir 1961-62
Back Row L-R: Graham Lockwood, Susan Dickinson, Janet Crow, Mr. Owen, Susan Smith, Susan Tonge, John Evans, Vincent Rushworth
Front Row L-R: Christine Eades, Jenny Cocksedge, Janet Peace, Jean McClure, Janet Bonds, Carol Bonser, Lynn Robinson, Carol Milthorpe
Front Row L-R: Christine Eades, Jenny Cocksedge, Janet Peace, Jean McClure, Janet Bonds, Carol Bonser, Lynn Robinson, Carol Milthorpe
My reply to Jenny was:
Dear Jenny,
Thank you for contacting the site and welcome to it. Thanks also for the photo and for your thoughts on times gone by. We must have some common memories as I am also from Upton. I left HGS in 1962 so we must have travelled on the same "single decker" school bus. As you visit the site perhaps some of the memories will become clearer. That, after all, is one of the aims of the site.
Best wishes,
Dave McKenzie
Dear Jenny,
Thank you for contacting the site and welcome to it. Thanks also for the photo and for your thoughts on times gone by. We must have some common memories as I am also from Upton. I left HGS in 1962 so we must have travelled on the same "single decker" school bus. As you visit the site perhaps some of the memories will become clearer. That, after all, is one of the aims of the site.
Best wishes,
Dave McKenzie
3. Roger Poole, HGS 1958-67
Roger Poole
Dave,
Just had a quick look at the new website and flicked to "Prefects 1960's" (because I wanted to be reminded what I once looked like) and noticed a couple of errors in the names.
1965/66 Prefects
Second row extreme left should be Michael Walker.
1966/67 Prefects
Back row extreme right should also be Michael Walker.
Keep up the good work. I don't know how you find time to do it. I'm retired now, but I don't seem to have any more free time than before. Still, next time I have an hour to spare, I'll be able to delve deeper into the site and remind myself how good it was then.
All the best,
Roger Poole, Feb 19, 2012
Just had a quick look at the new website and flicked to "Prefects 1960's" (because I wanted to be reminded what I once looked like) and noticed a couple of errors in the names.
1965/66 Prefects
Second row extreme left should be Michael Walker.
1966/67 Prefects
Back row extreme right should also be Michael Walker.
Keep up the good work. I don't know how you find time to do it. I'm retired now, but I don't seem to have any more free time than before. Still, next time I have an hour to spare, I'll be able to delve deeper into the site and remind myself how good it was then.
All the best,
Roger Poole, Feb 19, 2012
Pupils who started at HGS in September 1958
Boys
Horobin P.F., Hedley T., Key B.A., Morrell K., Hudson N.A., Riley P., Newitt R., Elliot C., Steele D., Thorpe P., Lascelles A.D., Potts C.S., Farmer B., Scott R.J., Bancroft R.A., Biggs D.F., Coop D., Hart J.L., Jones S.A., Littleboy R.J., Moody J.S., Mozley T., Orange P.D., Pearson D., Robinson P.R., Stephenson T.G., Tyrrell G.K., Arnold E., Coope A.G., Edwards M.J., Hancock R., Jordan P.W., King J.M., McGrath P., Schofield P., Senior P.A., Shaw R., Taylor B., Thackray F., Tulley C.J., Wilkin V.P., Asquith G.P., Briggs A., Brook K.G.H., Dawson C., Fowler R.W., Johnson K., Maw D.J., Oxley J.D., Poole R.N., Soar E., Sunderland D., Sutcliffe R.M., Taylor E., Thompson G.J., Blackwell F., Buttle K., Byrom J.H., Chadwick K., Fearnley G.A., Fearnside D.M., Hudson A.J., Ingham A.D.R., Morrison R., Shaw D., Smith P.A., Stevens S.G., Waring B., Yoxall C., Archer A., Barker R., Ellis E.A., Fairclough J.F., Goodhall P., Limb J.F., Logan T.M., Miles H., Squires D., Thorpe B., Watson J.L., Winter T., Wood D.
Girls
M. Evans, S. Evans, J. Moore, G. Neal, D.E. Reevell, S.A. Williamson, J. Simpson, J.A. Simpson, K. Bluff, S.M. Bristow, J.M.Edson, K. Greasley, W.A. Hawkin, D.E. Head, R.D. Hearst, S.E. Holder, R. Horn, E.M. Horsewood, H.J. Jennings, H. Laycock, M. Mathers, S.I. Riley, D.E. Sell, S. Taylor, A. Williamson, J.M. Wroe, M.A. Anderson, K.P. Baggley, E.T.T. Dickson, C.A. Doughty, K.B. Hughes, M. Ibbeson, C.M. Longfield, P. Nunn, K.R. Perry, B. Poskett, K.D. Styring, J.E. Thornton, C. Wassell, B. White, M. Wigham, J.J. Wilkinson, S. Wingfield, A.M. Vamplew, K.N. Appleton, C. Atherton, A. Bradfield, C.V. Brunt, V. Evans, J. Gaskell, A. Grundy, D.M. Lee, L. Murtagh, J.P. Padley, B. Reading, S. Round, C.E. Savage, P.A. Scorah, V. Townend, P. Walton, A. Wood, V.J. Anderson, K. Brown, S.E. Cartwright, D.M. Dennett, E.M. Fraser, P.R. Guest, S.M. Lawton, P.A. Massey, S.J. Muschamp, J.S. Nye, P. Ogley, P. Rhodes, S. Robinson, J. Scott, B. Speight, R.A. Sykes, S. Taylor, A. Wainwright, J. Adams, S.M. Bateman, J.A. Brewin, J.M. Davies, K. Dickinson, J. Exley, J. Fearon, P.A. Freeman, B. Gill, L. Griffiths, P.A. Howard, L. Hunt, C. Jackson, E.A.M. Jones, M. Jones, I. Lacey, S.L. Peel, E. Robinson.
Horobin P.F., Hedley T., Key B.A., Morrell K., Hudson N.A., Riley P., Newitt R., Elliot C., Steele D., Thorpe P., Lascelles A.D., Potts C.S., Farmer B., Scott R.J., Bancroft R.A., Biggs D.F., Coop D., Hart J.L., Jones S.A., Littleboy R.J., Moody J.S., Mozley T., Orange P.D., Pearson D., Robinson P.R., Stephenson T.G., Tyrrell G.K., Arnold E., Coope A.G., Edwards M.J., Hancock R., Jordan P.W., King J.M., McGrath P., Schofield P., Senior P.A., Shaw R., Taylor B., Thackray F., Tulley C.J., Wilkin V.P., Asquith G.P., Briggs A., Brook K.G.H., Dawson C., Fowler R.W., Johnson K., Maw D.J., Oxley J.D., Poole R.N., Soar E., Sunderland D., Sutcliffe R.M., Taylor E., Thompson G.J., Blackwell F., Buttle K., Byrom J.H., Chadwick K., Fearnley G.A., Fearnside D.M., Hudson A.J., Ingham A.D.R., Morrison R., Shaw D., Smith P.A., Stevens S.G., Waring B., Yoxall C., Archer A., Barker R., Ellis E.A., Fairclough J.F., Goodhall P., Limb J.F., Logan T.M., Miles H., Squires D., Thorpe B., Watson J.L., Winter T., Wood D.
Girls
M. Evans, S. Evans, J. Moore, G. Neal, D.E. Reevell, S.A. Williamson, J. Simpson, J.A. Simpson, K. Bluff, S.M. Bristow, J.M.Edson, K. Greasley, W.A. Hawkin, D.E. Head, R.D. Hearst, S.E. Holder, R. Horn, E.M. Horsewood, H.J. Jennings, H. Laycock, M. Mathers, S.I. Riley, D.E. Sell, S. Taylor, A. Williamson, J.M. Wroe, M.A. Anderson, K.P. Baggley, E.T.T. Dickson, C.A. Doughty, K.B. Hughes, M. Ibbeson, C.M. Longfield, P. Nunn, K.R. Perry, B. Poskett, K.D. Styring, J.E. Thornton, C. Wassell, B. White, M. Wigham, J.J. Wilkinson, S. Wingfield, A.M. Vamplew, K.N. Appleton, C. Atherton, A. Bradfield, C.V. Brunt, V. Evans, J. Gaskell, A. Grundy, D.M. Lee, L. Murtagh, J.P. Padley, B. Reading, S. Round, C.E. Savage, P.A. Scorah, V. Townend, P. Walton, A. Wood, V.J. Anderson, K. Brown, S.E. Cartwright, D.M. Dennett, E.M. Fraser, P.R. Guest, S.M. Lawton, P.A. Massey, S.J. Muschamp, J.S. Nye, P. Ogley, P. Rhodes, S. Robinson, J. Scott, B. Speight, R.A. Sykes, S. Taylor, A. Wainwright, J. Adams, S.M. Bateman, J.A. Brewin, J.M. Davies, K. Dickinson, J. Exley, J. Fearon, P.A. Freeman, B. Gill, L. Griffiths, P.A. Howard, L. Hunt, C. Jackson, E.A.M. Jones, M. Jones, I. Lacey, S.L. Peel, E. Robinson.
HGS Normans 1958-59
Photo from Roger Poole. Thank you.
Back Row L-R: Roger Poole, Alan Briggs, Geoff Thompson, Colin Dawson, David Shaw, Michael Sutcliffe
Third Row L-R: Sault D., David Sunderland, Pat Walton, Celia Brunt, Anne Bradfield, Janet Padley, Linda Murtagh, Ken Johnson, Peter Asquith
Second Row L-R: D. Lee, Valerie Townend, June Gaskell, Ann Scorah, B. Reading, Carolyn Atherton, Audrey Grundy, V. Evans
Front Row L-R: Sandra Round, A. Wood, Kath Appleton, Mr. Lock, Barry Taylor, Robert Fowler, Jim Oxley
Form Prize awarded to Kathleen Appleton
Back Row L-R: Roger Poole, Alan Briggs, Geoff Thompson, Colin Dawson, David Shaw, Michael Sutcliffe
Third Row L-R: Sault D., David Sunderland, Pat Walton, Celia Brunt, Anne Bradfield, Janet Padley, Linda Murtagh, Ken Johnson, Peter Asquith
Second Row L-R: D. Lee, Valerie Townend, June Gaskell, Ann Scorah, B. Reading, Carolyn Atherton, Audrey Grundy, V. Evans
Front Row L-R: Sandra Round, A. Wood, Kath Appleton, Mr. Lock, Barry Taylor, Robert Fowler, Jim Oxley
Form Prize awarded to Kathleen Appleton
HGS Prefects 1965-66
Photo sent in by Roger Poole. Thank you, Roger.
Thanks go to Roger Poole and Anthony (Bud) Abbott for the names.
Back Row L-R: Neil Stone, John Burbeck, Keith Shelley, Michael Osborne, David Biggs, David Cooper
Third Row L-R: Paul Dyson, Alan Howey, Tony Senior, Alan Jones, Roger Parton, Tony Abbott, Roger Poole, Stuart Haigh, Antony Stead
Second Row L-R: Michael Walker, Ken Johnson, Margaret Merrington, Margaret Beaumont, Maureen Dearden, Janice Hanwell, Pat Walton, Kathleen Lowe, Pat Kilvington, Kathleen Greasley, Angela Deighton, Jack Marston.
First Row L-R: Gillian Hawcroft, Jean Kilvington, Veronica Brett, David Fearnside, Miss. Smith, Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Groome, Susan Holder, Pat Rhodes, Hilary Atherton, Susan Crawshaw
Thanks go to Roger Poole and Anthony (Bud) Abbott for the names.
Back Row L-R: Neil Stone, John Burbeck, Keith Shelley, Michael Osborne, David Biggs, David Cooper
Third Row L-R: Paul Dyson, Alan Howey, Tony Senior, Alan Jones, Roger Parton, Tony Abbott, Roger Poole, Stuart Haigh, Antony Stead
Second Row L-R: Michael Walker, Ken Johnson, Margaret Merrington, Margaret Beaumont, Maureen Dearden, Janice Hanwell, Pat Walton, Kathleen Lowe, Pat Kilvington, Kathleen Greasley, Angela Deighton, Jack Marston.
First Row L-R: Gillian Hawcroft, Jean Kilvington, Veronica Brett, David Fearnside, Miss. Smith, Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Groome, Susan Holder, Pat Rhodes, Hilary Atherton, Susan Crawshaw
Prefects 1966-67
The last Prefects of Hemsworth Grammar School
The last Prefects of Hemsworth Grammar School
Photo sent in by Roger Poole. Thank you, Roger.
Back Row L-R: Dave Rowley, Alan Bridgewater, Stephen Brunt, George Upson, Roger Poole, Lewis Jackson, Stephen Batey, David Smith, Robert Moxon, Brian Buckingham, Michael Walker
Second Row L-R: Henry Wilkinson, Beryl Green, Susan Wren, Jennifer Jones, Dianne Sell, Marilyn Smith, Carol Beggs, Jenny Swift, Keith Adams, Kenneth Bates
First Row L-R: Therese Gardner, Diane Lees, Beverley McDonald, John Foster, Miss. Smith, Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Groome, Margaret Preece, Ann Hamilton, Ruth Saley, Judith Bancroft
Back Row L-R: Dave Rowley, Alan Bridgewater, Stephen Brunt, George Upson, Roger Poole, Lewis Jackson, Stephen Batey, David Smith, Robert Moxon, Brian Buckingham, Michael Walker
Second Row L-R: Henry Wilkinson, Beryl Green, Susan Wren, Jennifer Jones, Dianne Sell, Marilyn Smith, Carol Beggs, Jenny Swift, Keith Adams, Kenneth Bates
First Row L-R: Therese Gardner, Diane Lees, Beverley McDonald, John Foster, Miss. Smith, Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Groome, Margaret Preece, Ann Hamilton, Ruth Saley, Judith Bancroft
HGS website comments from the Prefects
George Upson, HGS 1964-67
Dear Dave,
With reference to the 5A photo of 1965, to the best of my memory I believe that these are the missing names for that year (names provided). Please let me know if you need any further information. I will look for the date of the next reunion and try to get there.
Keep up the good work.
George (March 2004)
Dear George,
Thank you very much for the information. I will get it on the site as soon as possible. There was a great reunion of Hilmians on Wednesday (24/03/04) evening. I took Miss. Ward to the reunion. There were so many very pleasant people there who are still united by HGS.
Best wishes,
Dave
Dear Dave,
With reference to the 5A photo of 1965, to the best of my memory I believe that these are the missing names for that year (names provided). Please let me know if you need any further information. I will look for the date of the next reunion and try to get there.
Keep up the good work.
George (March 2004)
Dear George,
Thank you very much for the information. I will get it on the site as soon as possible. There was a great reunion of Hilmians on Wednesday (24/03/04) evening. I took Miss. Ward to the reunion. There were so many very pleasant people there who are still united by HGS.
Best wishes,
Dave
Diane Lees, HGS 1960-67
Lovely to see the school and some of the staff. Not many photos of students from my era, though. I attended from 1960 to 1967 and was in Talbot House. The site is great - look forward to seeing it develop.
Diane Lees (November 2005)
Lovely to see the school and some of the staff. Not many photos of students from my era, though. I attended from 1960 to 1967 and was in Talbot House. The site is great - look forward to seeing it develop.
Diane Lees (November 2005)
Dianne Sell, HGS 1960-67
Your brilliant site is so addictive! Well done and thank you for the wonderful memories. My time at school was devoted to membership of quite a number of clubs and societies. Most of my education came later.
Di Sell (October 2005)
Your brilliant site is so addictive! Well done and thank you for the wonderful memories. My time at school was devoted to membership of quite a number of clubs and societies. Most of my education came later.
Di Sell (October 2005)
24.08.2026: More HGS Prefects' website comments are to follow from: David Biggs, Stephen Batey, John Foster
Dave
Dave
Ken Johnson, HGS 1958-66
Hi Dave,
I have logged on quite regularly and witnessed, with great interest, the development and growth of your website. You are to be congratulated and the range of contributions give a comprehensive reflection of what life was like at HGS. I have a few photographs, mainly of a sporting nature, that I will get to you. I know you are still fighting the good fight at Willowgarth HS, so I will pop in to see you when I come over to visit my mother. I know Andy Coope and Andy Hudson have been in touch about the class of 65’s recent reunion and will be providing you with suitable photos and information. It was awesome to meet old friends that I had not seen for some 36 years. A few of us are having a gathering on Friday night as Dave Fearnside is visiting the UK. I’ll let you have a piece and a few snaps.
Keep up the good work, it is riveting stuff and I’ll be in touch.
Cheers,
Ken Johnson (October 2002)
Hi Dave,
I have logged on quite regularly and witnessed, with great interest, the development and growth of your website. You are to be congratulated and the range of contributions give a comprehensive reflection of what life was like at HGS. I have a few photographs, mainly of a sporting nature, that I will get to you. I know you are still fighting the good fight at Willowgarth HS, so I will pop in to see you when I come over to visit my mother. I know Andy Coope and Andy Hudson have been in touch about the class of 65’s recent reunion and will be providing you with suitable photos and information. It was awesome to meet old friends that I had not seen for some 36 years. A few of us are having a gathering on Friday night as Dave Fearnside is visiting the UK. I’ll let you have a piece and a few snaps.
Keep up the good work, it is riveting stuff and I’ll be in touch.
Cheers,
Ken Johnson (October 2002)
Dear Ken,
Thank you for getting in touch and for your very kind comments about our site. You do feature quite a bit! Your photos will certainly be very welcome. We still have a long way to go before HGS is truly captured. Just about everyone has positive things to say about HGS. What an institution! Let me know when you can visit Willowgarth. It will be great to catch up on all those intervening years. Please give your mother my best wishes. We often had a word about you when we met. I look forward to hearing about your other reunions.
Great to have contact after all this time,
As ever,
Dave
Dear Sheila,
Many thanks for your e-mail. I’m intrigued to know your sources of all these sporting facts from years gone by. I have many very memorable recollections of the rugby teams, their achievements and the players. I think winning the Ilkley Sevens in 1966, at the end of an undefeated season, probably stands out above the rest. I’ll have a look at the site and find time to let you have some of my thoughts about it. Unfortunately I do not have any photographic record of the successful team but perhaps someone else has.
I’ll be in touch.
Ken Johnson
Thank you for getting in touch and for your very kind comments about our site. You do feature quite a bit! Your photos will certainly be very welcome. We still have a long way to go before HGS is truly captured. Just about everyone has positive things to say about HGS. What an institution! Let me know when you can visit Willowgarth. It will be great to catch up on all those intervening years. Please give your mother my best wishes. We often had a word about you when we met. I look forward to hearing about your other reunions.
Great to have contact after all this time,
As ever,
Dave
Dear Sheila,
Many thanks for your e-mail. I’m intrigued to know your sources of all these sporting facts from years gone by. I have many very memorable recollections of the rugby teams, their achievements and the players. I think winning the Ilkley Sevens in 1966, at the end of an undefeated season, probably stands out above the rest. I’ll have a look at the site and find time to let you have some of my thoughts about it. Unfortunately I do not have any photographic record of the successful team but perhaps someone else has.
I’ll be in touch.
Ken Johnson
The HGS unbeaten First XV 1965-66
Photo from Roger Poole. Thank you, Roger.
Back Row L-R: Dave Fearnside, Peter Ryan, Keith Shelley, Neil Stone, Alan Howey
Middle Row L-R: Peter Hryschko, Dave Smith, Jack Burbeck, John Fradgely, Tony Abbott, Roger Poole, Bob Moxon, Mick Osborne
Front Row L-R: Mr. G. Pacy, Mr. R. Hamilton, Jack Marston, Ken Johnson, Terry Mills, Mr. D. Wilkinson, Mr. D. Howdle.
This article comes from Terry Mills. Thank you, Terry.
The 1st XV have had an excellent season, being undefeated in their matches. The team soon developed into a good all round combination at the beginning of the season. The only real position with any doubt was scrum-half. However, after the Christmas vacation the position was most admirably filled by Terry Mills who adapted himself very well in a position in which he was somewhat of a stranger. One of the highlights of the season was the defeat of Pontefract K.S. by 18 pts.- 6 pts. The 1st XV was determined to avenge the defeats of the previous two seasons and certainly rose to the occasion, the pack dominating most of the set pieces and giving the three-quarters plenty of possession which they used fully to their advantage. However, we must also congratulate Pontefract on a great game. It is very hard to single out individual members in a team that played so well together but special mention must go to Fearnside and Marston who in my opinion formed the best centre combination in the county. Fearnside an elusive and more elaborate player and Marston a straight-forward hard-tackler but also a strong runner with the ball. In the forwards special mention should go to Poole, Fradgley, Burbeck and Osborne. Poole was undoubtedly the most experienced player in the pack and was a fine example to the less experienced players in the forwards. Fradgley was our main worker in the loose and always made his presence felt through the game. Finally Burbeck and Osborne, two members of a very successful back row, who, when the chance arose, often ran and sidestepped as well as most of the three-quarters.
This season the school entered six Sevens Tournaments. After sixteen years of endeavour the school seven won the Ilkley Sevens which has so often eluded them in the past. This was the one tournament we most wanted to win and the pinnacle of a most enjoyable and highly successful season, and our success would not have been achieved without the enthusiastic support of the 150 members or so of the school who went to Ilkley. We also won the Hipperholme Sevens and reached the semi-final in the Loughborough Sevens and Heath O.B. Sevens and the quarter finals of the Bridlington, and Llanelli Sevens.
I would just like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Wilkinson, Mr. Pacy and Mr. Howdle who have given up their spare time throughout the season to coach and train the team, and I'm sure that after some of Mr. Howdle's training sessions we have learned some of the finer arts of keeping fit. I wish next year's captain and team every success and I hope they enjoy their rugby as much as we have done this season.
Ilkley Sevens Team: Fradgley, Osborne, Burbeck, Mills, Johnson, Fearnside, Marston.
Repeat Colours: Fearnside, Coop, Johnson.
New Colours: Stone, Marston, Poole, Fradgley, Osborne, Shelley, Burbeck.
South Yorkshire: Stone, Smith, Marston, Fearnside, Coop, Johnson, Moxon, Poole, Hryschko, Shelley, Orborne, Fradgley.
Yorkshire: Fearnside, Johnson.
Back Row L-R: Dave Fearnside, Peter Ryan, Keith Shelley, Neil Stone, Alan Howey
Middle Row L-R: Peter Hryschko, Dave Smith, Jack Burbeck, John Fradgely, Tony Abbott, Roger Poole, Bob Moxon, Mick Osborne
Front Row L-R: Mr. G. Pacy, Mr. R. Hamilton, Jack Marston, Ken Johnson, Terry Mills, Mr. D. Wilkinson, Mr. D. Howdle.
This article comes from Terry Mills. Thank you, Terry.
The 1st XV have had an excellent season, being undefeated in their matches. The team soon developed into a good all round combination at the beginning of the season. The only real position with any doubt was scrum-half. However, after the Christmas vacation the position was most admirably filled by Terry Mills who adapted himself very well in a position in which he was somewhat of a stranger. One of the highlights of the season was the defeat of Pontefract K.S. by 18 pts.- 6 pts. The 1st XV was determined to avenge the defeats of the previous two seasons and certainly rose to the occasion, the pack dominating most of the set pieces and giving the three-quarters plenty of possession which they used fully to their advantage. However, we must also congratulate Pontefract on a great game. It is very hard to single out individual members in a team that played so well together but special mention must go to Fearnside and Marston who in my opinion formed the best centre combination in the county. Fearnside an elusive and more elaborate player and Marston a straight-forward hard-tackler but also a strong runner with the ball. In the forwards special mention should go to Poole, Fradgley, Burbeck and Osborne. Poole was undoubtedly the most experienced player in the pack and was a fine example to the less experienced players in the forwards. Fradgley was our main worker in the loose and always made his presence felt through the game. Finally Burbeck and Osborne, two members of a very successful back row, who, when the chance arose, often ran and sidestepped as well as most of the three-quarters.
This season the school entered six Sevens Tournaments. After sixteen years of endeavour the school seven won the Ilkley Sevens which has so often eluded them in the past. This was the one tournament we most wanted to win and the pinnacle of a most enjoyable and highly successful season, and our success would not have been achieved without the enthusiastic support of the 150 members or so of the school who went to Ilkley. We also won the Hipperholme Sevens and reached the semi-final in the Loughborough Sevens and Heath O.B. Sevens and the quarter finals of the Bridlington, and Llanelli Sevens.
I would just like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Wilkinson, Mr. Pacy and Mr. Howdle who have given up their spare time throughout the season to coach and train the team, and I'm sure that after some of Mr. Howdle's training sessions we have learned some of the finer arts of keeping fit. I wish next year's captain and team every success and I hope they enjoy their rugby as much as we have done this season.
Ilkley Sevens Team: Fradgley, Osborne, Burbeck, Mills, Johnson, Fearnside, Marston.
Repeat Colours: Fearnside, Coop, Johnson.
New Colours: Stone, Marston, Poole, Fradgley, Osborne, Shelley, Burbeck.
South Yorkshire: Stone, Smith, Marston, Fearnside, Coop, Johnson, Moxon, Poole, Hryschko, Shelley, Orborne, Fradgley.
Yorkshire: Fearnside, Johnson.
Ilkley Sevens Team
The image comes from Mr. Howdle. Thank you.
Back Row L-R: Jack Burbeck, Mick Osborne, John Fradgely, Dave Fearnside
Front Row L-R: Jack Marston, Mr. D. Howdle, Ken Johnson, Mr. D. Wilkinson, Terry Mills
Back Row L-R: Jack Burbeck, Mick Osborne, John Fradgely, Dave Fearnside
Front Row L-R: Jack Marston, Mr. D. Howdle, Ken Johnson, Mr. D. Wilkinson, Terry Mills
Keith Shelley, HGS 1959-66
Dear Mac,
Great site providing hours of enjoyment! My memories of H.G.S. are still so vivid so here goes. Hope they are of interest. I first went to school as a very young child to watch my dad, Harry Shelley, play cricket for the Old Hilmians. He’s still going at the age of 85 years so he must be one of the oldest former pupils still alive. He attended from 1930 to 1933 when he left to join the Merchant Navy. He remembers Mr. Jenkinson and was in the first ever 1st form, all boys. Prior to that there had only been 2nd year forms etc. Anyway I remember running down into the magical Den when the cricketers had their tea break in the Domestic Science room. My first ever car journey was in Mr Hamilton’s car to a cricket match in the mid 1950s.
Having broken the school record for ‘Throwing the Cricket Ball’ in 1960 (10 points to Price House!) you, Mac, showed me how to putt the shot (I remember that also! Dave McK.), something I continued to do for the school athletics and college teams. Many thanks. Rugby at H.G.S. was a ‘religion’ for me and many other lads. In my final year the 1st XV, captained by Kenny Johnson, went undefeated. Some of the highlights included beating King’s School, Pontefract at home. I’ll never forget the rousing, passionate pre-match team talk given to us by Mr Wilkinson. Travelling down to Llanelli, Wales, for the prestigious 7s tournament was a chance for us to sing all the rugby songs we had ever learnt! ‘An Engineer’s Daughter’ was a particular favourite. At that tournament playing for the posh school, Millfield, was quite a good player called Gareth Edwards! His team won.
The Friday Club: As a member of the Committee in our final year, Dave Fearnside, Dave Cooper and myself wrote the annual ‘Trial’. This was a much looked forward to occasion. We performed the ‘Trial of Henry VIII’. Dave Cooper was the presiding judge and yours truly played Henry in full costume and brandishing a water pistol which I used on the unsuspecting audience with vigour.
I do have some memorabilia, including a number of South Yorkshire U15 and U19 Rugby Programmes which should provide some memory searches. I’ll send them soon.
Cheers, Mac, and continued success with the site.
Keith (June 2002)
Dear Keith, Thank you for contacting the site and for sending such an interesting message. You pitched into many facets HGS life with typical energy. The site is, as far as I am aware, the only one on the internet concerning HGS. There are superficial references to HGS on the internet, but nothing substantial. That is where I hope people who contact the site can help. Those locked away memories such as you have already mentioned will make fascinating reading for many ex pupils. The overall picture of HGS will gradually emerge from staff and pupils’ memories, experiences and memorabilia.
Dave McKenzie
Dear Mac,
Great site providing hours of enjoyment! My memories of H.G.S. are still so vivid so here goes. Hope they are of interest. I first went to school as a very young child to watch my dad, Harry Shelley, play cricket for the Old Hilmians. He’s still going at the age of 85 years so he must be one of the oldest former pupils still alive. He attended from 1930 to 1933 when he left to join the Merchant Navy. He remembers Mr. Jenkinson and was in the first ever 1st form, all boys. Prior to that there had only been 2nd year forms etc. Anyway I remember running down into the magical Den when the cricketers had their tea break in the Domestic Science room. My first ever car journey was in Mr Hamilton’s car to a cricket match in the mid 1950s.
Having broken the school record for ‘Throwing the Cricket Ball’ in 1960 (10 points to Price House!) you, Mac, showed me how to putt the shot (I remember that also! Dave McK.), something I continued to do for the school athletics and college teams. Many thanks. Rugby at H.G.S. was a ‘religion’ for me and many other lads. In my final year the 1st XV, captained by Kenny Johnson, went undefeated. Some of the highlights included beating King’s School, Pontefract at home. I’ll never forget the rousing, passionate pre-match team talk given to us by Mr Wilkinson. Travelling down to Llanelli, Wales, for the prestigious 7s tournament was a chance for us to sing all the rugby songs we had ever learnt! ‘An Engineer’s Daughter’ was a particular favourite. At that tournament playing for the posh school, Millfield, was quite a good player called Gareth Edwards! His team won.
The Friday Club: As a member of the Committee in our final year, Dave Fearnside, Dave Cooper and myself wrote the annual ‘Trial’. This was a much looked forward to occasion. We performed the ‘Trial of Henry VIII’. Dave Cooper was the presiding judge and yours truly played Henry in full costume and brandishing a water pistol which I used on the unsuspecting audience with vigour.
I do have some memorabilia, including a number of South Yorkshire U15 and U19 Rugby Programmes which should provide some memory searches. I’ll send them soon.
Cheers, Mac, and continued success with the site.
Keith (June 2002)
Dear Keith, Thank you for contacting the site and for sending such an interesting message. You pitched into many facets HGS life with typical energy. The site is, as far as I am aware, the only one on the internet concerning HGS. There are superficial references to HGS on the internet, but nothing substantial. That is where I hope people who contact the site can help. Those locked away memories such as you have already mentioned will make fascinating reading for many ex pupils. The overall picture of HGS will gradually emerge from staff and pupils’ memories, experiences and memorabilia.
Dave McKenzie
Dave Fearnside, HGS 1958-66
Dear Dave,
I have some old School memorabilia which you can have. I'll be in Yorkshire for a week in August and hope to meet up with Kenny Johnson. Maybe, I could pass them to you via him. The "George Pacy's Unknown Form" photo is 3B in 1961.
Dave Fearnside (June 2004)
Dear Dave,
Thank you for getting in touch with the website and thank you for the information. Your memorabilia will be very welcome. I have met Ken Johnson a couple of times recently and he has let the site have lots of material. He is just as I remembered him. You and I have not met since you went with the Willowgarth Geography Department to Derbyshire in the Seventies. It seems like yesterday. I do hope you will maintain contact with the site. You must have lots of memories which will be of great interest to our audience around the World.
Best wishes,
Dave McKenzie
Dave,
It was very kind of you to reply to my 'note'. Please excuse me, as it was remiss of me not to congratulate you on all your considerable efforts in producing such a comprehensive website. It was only recently that Kenny was expressing his shock at seeing a photo of me not only on a Willowgarth field trip, but with the long hair. What particularly interested me on the HGS site was one of the links to www.hemsworth.org. There it states that of the 8,000 or so 'wards' in England, Hemsworth ranks round about the 300 level in the Index of Deprivation: 1 being the worst deprivation; so 8,000 is pretty affluent. I haven't lived in Hemsworth for nigh on 38 years, but have been back very regularly so I am quite aware of how folk have to exist there. Of course, when we were at school, folk were also poor and deprived, but we knew nothing else and weren't surrounded by wealth, but HGS gave us a step-up. By reading your website or 'Friends Reunited', you realise that many Old Hilmians have done very well for themselves. I wonder if there is now some way our concerted efforts could help the poor generation that has known nothing but benefits and hopelessness, and likely to have to do so ad infinitum. I don't know what the answer is. I would just like to start the ball rolling and see if anybody else feels strongly enough to pick up on it.
Regards,
Dave Fearnside
Dear Dave,
I have some old School memorabilia which you can have. I'll be in Yorkshire for a week in August and hope to meet up with Kenny Johnson. Maybe, I could pass them to you via him. The "George Pacy's Unknown Form" photo is 3B in 1961.
Dave Fearnside (June 2004)
Dear Dave,
Thank you for getting in touch with the website and thank you for the information. Your memorabilia will be very welcome. I have met Ken Johnson a couple of times recently and he has let the site have lots of material. He is just as I remembered him. You and I have not met since you went with the Willowgarth Geography Department to Derbyshire in the Seventies. It seems like yesterday. I do hope you will maintain contact with the site. You must have lots of memories which will be of great interest to our audience around the World.
Best wishes,
Dave McKenzie
Dave,
It was very kind of you to reply to my 'note'. Please excuse me, as it was remiss of me not to congratulate you on all your considerable efforts in producing such a comprehensive website. It was only recently that Kenny was expressing his shock at seeing a photo of me not only on a Willowgarth field trip, but with the long hair. What particularly interested me on the HGS site was one of the links to www.hemsworth.org. There it states that of the 8,000 or so 'wards' in England, Hemsworth ranks round about the 300 level in the Index of Deprivation: 1 being the worst deprivation; so 8,000 is pretty affluent. I haven't lived in Hemsworth for nigh on 38 years, but have been back very regularly so I am quite aware of how folk have to exist there. Of course, when we were at school, folk were also poor and deprived, but we knew nothing else and weren't surrounded by wealth, but HGS gave us a step-up. By reading your website or 'Friends Reunited', you realise that many Old Hilmians have done very well for themselves. I wonder if there is now some way our concerted efforts could help the poor generation that has known nothing but benefits and hopelessness, and likely to have to do so ad infinitum. I don't know what the answer is. I would just like to start the ball rolling and see if anybody else feels strongly enough to pick up on it.
Regards,
Dave Fearnside
