Posts about HGS (7)
Updated 21.02.2024
Updated 21.02.2024
L-R: Janet Taylor, Kathryn Shannon, Christine Bradley, Margaret Chappell, Beverley Nall
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Table of Contents
1. The Headmaster's Speech Day Report 1940-41 2. Nearing the end of HGS 3. Two leaders 4. Changing Room 1950 5. In case you missed them (1) |
6. The Appreciation of Pictures, 1963
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1. The Headmaster's Speech Day Report 1940-41
These were not happy times. The photograph was taken on the Forecourt and comes from the School Panoramic of 1939-40. Mr Hamilton became the Headmaster in 1937.
These were not happy times. The photograph was taken on the Forecourt and comes from the School Panoramic of 1939-40. Mr Hamilton became the Headmaster in 1937.
Below are the Teaching Staff of 1939-40
The photograph was taken at the front of the school and some protection can be seen.
The photograph was taken at the front of the school and some protection can be seen.
During the Second World War
An insight: The Headmaster's Speech Day Report 1940-41
An insight: The Headmaster's Speech Day Report 1940-41
Mr Hamilton
The School's contribution to the war effort figured largely in the Headmaster's annual report. He made special reference to the Hemsworth & District Squadron of the Air Training Corps, in the formation of which, he said, the school took the initiative. Mr. Hamilton said that in many Secondary Schools A.T.C. units were for members only. There were arguments for the course, but he believed that in a struggle such as we were engaged in, unity between all sections of the people, and more especially our youth, was essential if we were to win the war. In this area, at any rate, membership was open to all boys, no matter what schools they had attended, and he had no regrets for the step. From the beginning every male member of the staff volunteered to lend a hand. Though not all were called upon, most of the officers were members of the staff, and all of them willingly devoted their time to the welfare of the Squadron.
Mr. Hamilton said the school had been doing its bit for the national cause. During the last year it raised £350 from weekly collections by the children, and in war weapons week saved £2,325/19s/6d. During the summer campaign it raised £96. The number of members last year was 162. The present number was 180.
In addition the school contributed to a comforts fund. Last year it raised £69/7s/3d., which included a gift of £5 from the Old Hilmians. Useful articles of all kinds had been made and sent to hospitals. Over 200 gifts in the form of gloves and scarves had been sent to old students in the Forces. Parcels of knitted comforts have also been sent to the Merchant Navy. When Liverpool and Glasgow suffered from air raids over a hundred babies' garments were knitted and despatched to those places. Articles of clothing of all kinds, over 2,000 in all, had been collected and sent to blitzed areas. Throughout the year the school had also sent sums of money to various charities, both national and local, the total contribution being £45. Some old pupils were prisoners of war. The present pupils subscribed to a "Prisoners of War Fund", and sent approximately 10 shillings every week to the Red Cross to provide a parcel for one or other of them. The school had done a little in the "Grow More Food" campaign, having ploughed up an acre of the playing field and set potatoes, cabbages and cauliflowers. More than 234 Old Hilmians were serving with the Forces. Their war effort had still one more phase. The school offered its engineering facilities to the Government in June 1940, and three weeks later began training men and women to work in munition factories. Day and night shifts were worked, and two qualified instructors, directed by Mr. Waters, the Engineering Master, were responsible for the training. Their product was so good that an aeroplane factory had offered to take all their trainees as fast as they could turn them out. "This working at double pressure", he remarked, "has been accomplished only by much sacrifice on the part of the staff, nearly every member of which has at least one extra job of national importance. I would not say that we like it, but we realise that Hitler must be beaten, and so far, our share has been to double up our hours of work."
Further Points
a. The Headmaster said that on October 1st. there were 453 pupils at the school, compared with 429 a year before.
b. The examination results of last July were well above the average for the whole country. Successes included a County Major Scholarship, two Junior Technological Scholarships, a Junior Art Scholarship, and a County Women's Scholarship for Physical Training. Three State Bursaries in Science had been awarded.
c. After presenting the prizes, Air Commodore Chamier related some exciting experiences of the last war, when he was a member of the Air Force, and stressed the importance of the training they received at school. "Anything you learn in school, and anything that may happen to you after school, may have a tremendous effect on your lives, if you only seize the opportunities as they occur", he said.
d. A book was presented to Air Commodore Chamier.
e. The students of Holgate House presented a special cup to Annie Brammer for having accomplished the unique feat of winning the Junior Victrix Ludorum three years in succession.
Mr. Hamilton said the school had been doing its bit for the national cause. During the last year it raised £350 from weekly collections by the children, and in war weapons week saved £2,325/19s/6d. During the summer campaign it raised £96. The number of members last year was 162. The present number was 180.
In addition the school contributed to a comforts fund. Last year it raised £69/7s/3d., which included a gift of £5 from the Old Hilmians. Useful articles of all kinds had been made and sent to hospitals. Over 200 gifts in the form of gloves and scarves had been sent to old students in the Forces. Parcels of knitted comforts have also been sent to the Merchant Navy. When Liverpool and Glasgow suffered from air raids over a hundred babies' garments were knitted and despatched to those places. Articles of clothing of all kinds, over 2,000 in all, had been collected and sent to blitzed areas. Throughout the year the school had also sent sums of money to various charities, both national and local, the total contribution being £45. Some old pupils were prisoners of war. The present pupils subscribed to a "Prisoners of War Fund", and sent approximately 10 shillings every week to the Red Cross to provide a parcel for one or other of them. The school had done a little in the "Grow More Food" campaign, having ploughed up an acre of the playing field and set potatoes, cabbages and cauliflowers. More than 234 Old Hilmians were serving with the Forces. Their war effort had still one more phase. The school offered its engineering facilities to the Government in June 1940, and three weeks later began training men and women to work in munition factories. Day and night shifts were worked, and two qualified instructors, directed by Mr. Waters, the Engineering Master, were responsible for the training. Their product was so good that an aeroplane factory had offered to take all their trainees as fast as they could turn them out. "This working at double pressure", he remarked, "has been accomplished only by much sacrifice on the part of the staff, nearly every member of which has at least one extra job of national importance. I would not say that we like it, but we realise that Hitler must be beaten, and so far, our share has been to double up our hours of work."
Further Points
a. The Headmaster said that on October 1st. there were 453 pupils at the school, compared with 429 a year before.
b. The examination results of last July were well above the average for the whole country. Successes included a County Major Scholarship, two Junior Technological Scholarships, a Junior Art Scholarship, and a County Women's Scholarship for Physical Training. Three State Bursaries in Science had been awarded.
c. After presenting the prizes, Air Commodore Chamier related some exciting experiences of the last war, when he was a member of the Air Force, and stressed the importance of the training they received at school. "Anything you learn in school, and anything that may happen to you after school, may have a tremendous effect on your lives, if you only seize the opportunities as they occur", he said.
d. A book was presented to Air Commodore Chamier.
e. The students of Holgate House presented a special cup to Annie Brammer for having accomplished the unique feat of winning the Junior Victrix Ludorum three years in succession.
Annie Brammer
2. Nearing the end of HGS
The extract comes from the School Magazine Report on Speech Day 1967
November 9th. 1967
“Hemsworth Grammar School is at the end of its existence,” said Mr. R. W. Hamilton at the school’s 46th Annual Speech Day yesterday. Mr. Hamilton, who was giving his last report before his retirement at the end of this year, said that next September the school would cease to be, and its place would be taken by a new kind of school. “It is my earnest hope,” he said, “that the best of the grammar school will live on to enrich the life of the new school and that the opportunities the new school will afford all its pupils will, for all of them, be no less good than those offered to the pupils of the grammar school.” Mr. Hamilton said that in last year’s report he said that the changes, the difficulties in staffing and accommodation would be as nothing compared with the upheaval that lay ahead, but they need not be dismayed. They had a splendid staff and an efficient and helpful administration at their divisional office. The future could be every bit as bright as the past, and if all concerned played their part, it would be. “The events of the year just passed have vindicated what I said a year ago,” he went on, “From September to December 1966 school affairs were fairly normal. But from January to July 1967, school life became increasingly abnormal. The architect had warned us that school life would be almost intolerable. He was right! So much so that the Education Authority agreed to our closing the school for the summer vacation a week earlier than usual.” At the moment working in the school had become a little easier but they were still subject to sudden and unexpected moves which made life still difficult. They could, however, see, if only dimly, the end of disorganisation in the existing buildings. Next term ought to see them relieved of most of the upset, and that would make teaching and learning easier. Their thoughts, however, would inevitably be concerned with the great re-organisation scheduled for next September.
November 9th. 1967
“Hemsworth Grammar School is at the end of its existence,” said Mr. R. W. Hamilton at the school’s 46th Annual Speech Day yesterday. Mr. Hamilton, who was giving his last report before his retirement at the end of this year, said that next September the school would cease to be, and its place would be taken by a new kind of school. “It is my earnest hope,” he said, “that the best of the grammar school will live on to enrich the life of the new school and that the opportunities the new school will afford all its pupils will, for all of them, be no less good than those offered to the pupils of the grammar school.” Mr. Hamilton said that in last year’s report he said that the changes, the difficulties in staffing and accommodation would be as nothing compared with the upheaval that lay ahead, but they need not be dismayed. They had a splendid staff and an efficient and helpful administration at their divisional office. The future could be every bit as bright as the past, and if all concerned played their part, it would be. “The events of the year just passed have vindicated what I said a year ago,” he went on, “From September to December 1966 school affairs were fairly normal. But from January to July 1967, school life became increasingly abnormal. The architect had warned us that school life would be almost intolerable. He was right! So much so that the Education Authority agreed to our closing the school for the summer vacation a week earlier than usual.” At the moment working in the school had become a little easier but they were still subject to sudden and unexpected moves which made life still difficult. They could, however, see, if only dimly, the end of disorganisation in the existing buildings. Next term ought to see them relieved of most of the upset, and that would make teaching and learning easier. Their thoughts, however, would inevitably be concerned with the great re-organisation scheduled for next September.
Mr Hamilton (Headmaster) surveys the physical changes to the HGS site.
Linda Bona
My "O" level year!! Major upheavals, noise, rebuilding. I don't think we realised how different it was going to be when we went back into the 6th Form.
My "O" level year!! Major upheavals, noise, rebuilding. I don't think we realised how different it was going to be when we went back into the 6th Form.
Tony Horsfall
I lived through that period but don't remember all the upheaval described, but it must have affected learning.
I lived through that period but don't remember all the upheaval described, but it must have affected learning.
Terry McCroakam
How right Mr Hamilton was. He knew what was coming ie. the end of Grammar Schools in the future. Once the last of the Grammar School intake had left, it changed even more.
How right Mr Hamilton was. He knew what was coming ie. the end of Grammar Schools in the future. Once the last of the Grammar School intake had left, it changed even more.
3. Two leaders
Just a photo from 1947. Mr. Hamilton had been the Headmaster for 10 years. Miss Smith had been at the school for 1 year. They would work together successfully for the next 20 years.
"Looking back after over half a century that which one recalls most vividly about Russell Hamilton was his penetrating gaze, his almost piercing examination of the face of whoever was in conversation with him, be he or she a member of staff, a pupil or his own Secretary. Permanently he had an air of quiet, calm authority yet one knew that when he spoke it would be with a kindly voice whether in reply to a point raised or in giving his next instruction. It was this kindness and understanding that enabled me to write my shorthand in my notebook knowing that he would rarely begin the next sentence until he had seen me write each Pitman full stop. A classical scholar of his learning and eminence could have dictated his letters or his annual report for Speech Day at a much greater speed than my 80/90 words per minute. It is safe to say that when I was addressing Headmasters' Conferences north of the border in the 1970s, I did not have Thomas Arnold of Rugby nor F.W. Sanderson of Oundle nor Edward Thring of Uppingham in mind. I am sure I based my ideas of great headmastership on Arthur Jenkinson and his successor, R.W. Hamilton, M.A., M.Litt. (Durham)."
W.G. Branford, (RWH's pupil secretary 1937-39)
W.G. Branford, (RWH's pupil secretary 1937-39)
Dear Sheila,
I wanted to write a few words about Miss. Smith the Deputy Head, without whose aid and wise experience the school could not have run so smoothly. Initially I was a little intimidated by this quite formidable lady. She ruled with a mixture of gentleness, kindness, and exceptional caring attitude. It may not have seemed so for the girls for she had an eagle eye, spotting the exceptions to the school uniform code. If the skirt length was above the knee she had the offenders into her room to provide a firm rebuke and reminder to their parents. My abiding memory of Miss. Smith was her patrolling in the corridors of the school, never in the same place at early morning school, breaks and dinner hours. Whenever I passed her I would momentarily think of my dishevelled tie, my clothes covered in chalk dust and my unpolished shoes in case she might mention them to me privately. Unconsciously I smartened up after about 3 months; I think mainly to set an example, as most of the male staff did. The ladies were always neat and immaculately dressed. It is always interesting to know that Miss. Smith's remonstrations were inevitably successful and most girls returned to conform at least for a few weeks because I do not think they wanted to land up in her room again for a further ticking off. In my thoughts Miss. Smith had a reputation that was worse than that of my drill sergeant whilst I was on National Service in Worcester. But she was more understanding than the drill sergeant was, and very forgiving. She always backed RWH in any new projects that he wished to put forward because he was a man of great insight and imagination.
Ken Sale, HGS Staff 1955-61
I wanted to write a few words about Miss. Smith the Deputy Head, without whose aid and wise experience the school could not have run so smoothly. Initially I was a little intimidated by this quite formidable lady. She ruled with a mixture of gentleness, kindness, and exceptional caring attitude. It may not have seemed so for the girls for she had an eagle eye, spotting the exceptions to the school uniform code. If the skirt length was above the knee she had the offenders into her room to provide a firm rebuke and reminder to their parents. My abiding memory of Miss. Smith was her patrolling in the corridors of the school, never in the same place at early morning school, breaks and dinner hours. Whenever I passed her I would momentarily think of my dishevelled tie, my clothes covered in chalk dust and my unpolished shoes in case she might mention them to me privately. Unconsciously I smartened up after about 3 months; I think mainly to set an example, as most of the male staff did. The ladies were always neat and immaculately dressed. It is always interesting to know that Miss. Smith's remonstrations were inevitably successful and most girls returned to conform at least for a few weeks because I do not think they wanted to land up in her room again for a further ticking off. In my thoughts Miss. Smith had a reputation that was worse than that of my drill sergeant whilst I was on National Service in Worcester. But she was more understanding than the drill sergeant was, and very forgiving. She always backed RWH in any new projects that he wished to put forward because he was a man of great insight and imagination.
Ken Sale, HGS Staff 1955-61
Comment
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Pupil
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Teacher
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Terry McCroakam
I new them from the classroom as a student and later as a Teacher at HGS. I had great respect for them, from each of my times there.
I new them from the classroom as a student and later as a Teacher at HGS. I had great respect for them, from each of my times there.
Melvyn Thomas
A great deal is owed to them both.
A great deal is owed to them both.
4. Changing Room 1950 and a need for the New Gym
This will surely bring back memories of what Mr. Hamilton calls the Black Hole of Calcutta. Funny, that's not how I remember it. But by today's standards .... but then, we knew nothing different.
Geoff Govier
Geoff Govier
The black, wooden changing room
This was adjacent to the Craft Block on the right of the aerial view below. It was best to get there early for P.E. and especially Games lessons to secure a place. Space was also in short supply for after school activities such as House matches. The showers were taken up with pupils getting changed - usually clean going out and dirty or muddy coming back in. Then off we would rush to the next lesson and try to concentrate on e.g. Quadratic Equations or French Grammar. It could be quite stressful. The New Gym and changing rooms were much appreciated when they were ready in 1957.
Dave
Dave
A memorandum by Mr. R. W. Hamilton, Headmaster of Hemsworth Grammar School, stressing the need for improved changing facilities at the school, was sent to the County's Chief Education Officer. The memorandum pointed out that the present changing room had only 32 ft. of seating, giving a maximum seating capacity for 25 boys. Owing to the increased size of the school the number of boys to change for games might be as high as 72. Because of the increasing complexity of time-table organisation, physical training sometimes occurred at the same time as games, when as many as 103 boys had to change at the same time. The floor space of 337 sq. ft. was completely inadequate, and to put over 100 boys into the hut, the ventilation, which consisted of three small windows which opened seven inches, was rather reminiscent of the "Black Hole of Calcutta". The result of this congestion, the memo went on, was that many boys had to change for games in winter in the cricket pavilion, where there were no washing facilities and no heating. The washing facilities were obviously inadequate. Three showers, a small foot-bath and four wash-basins could not meet the needs of over 70 boys coming in muddy from games. The result was that most boys had to put their ordinary clothes on over their mud until they could get home to wash properly.
Mr. Hamilton said a new changing room should be built for games with accommodation for at least 80 senior boys, full shower and washing facilities, and an adequate supply of hot water. In addition, the showers in the present changing room should be converted to a shower corridor (the expense of this work should not be excessive), and the boiler feeding the showers should be renewed and improved to give adequate hot water to them. If the cost of the proposals was prohibitive the present changing room should be extended with the following objectives: Increasing the available floor space and seating facilities, and improving the ventilation, washing facilities (entailing a better supply of hot water, as the present boiler is too small to meet constant demand), and the lighting of the room. If the extension was approved the improvement could only be regarded as a temporary measure to alleviate the changing conditions until money is available to tackle the problem properly.
Mr. Hamilton said a new changing room should be built for games with accommodation for at least 80 senior boys, full shower and washing facilities, and an adequate supply of hot water. In addition, the showers in the present changing room should be converted to a shower corridor (the expense of this work should not be excessive), and the boiler feeding the showers should be renewed and improved to give adequate hot water to them. If the cost of the proposals was prohibitive the present changing room should be extended with the following objectives: Increasing the available floor space and seating facilities, and improving the ventilation, washing facilities (entailing a better supply of hot water, as the present boiler is too small to meet constant demand), and the lighting of the room. If the extension was approved the improvement could only be regarded as a temporary measure to alleviate the changing conditions until money is available to tackle the problem properly.
Frank Morley
If my memory from nearly 50 years ago serves me correct, it was highly unlikely that anyone (boys at least) got a shower before the new Gym was built. The changing rooms were two wooden huts (one for boys, the other for girls) on the right before reaching the New Block. (Maybe adjoining the stable block) The milk crates were on a table outside these huts. They weren't so big, even when there were only about 30 boys doing PT, but when the whole year group got in for Games, there was certainly no room for showering - worse still when it was 5th and 6th form games, which were joint in those days. There were open shower cubicles, but every bit of space, even in the cubicles, was taken with boys clothing. There were some filthy kids going home on the buses after games lessons!!
Frank Morley, HGS 1953-60 and HGS Staff Member
Frank Morley, HGS 1953-60 and HGS Staff Member
5. In case you missed them (1): Ready for Action
1966-67 Staff v School Hockey
The photo was provided by Terry McCroakam. The girls' names have come from Dianne Sell. Thank you.
Back Row L-R: Derek Wilkinson, Maurice Shelton, Frank Morley, J. Murray, John Smith, B. Alliot, Mrs Smith (Miss Williams), Kath Lowe, Gordon Knox, Linda Lindley, Mr. Hamilton, Terry McCroakam, Sue Wren, Pat Glenn
Front Row L-R: Jenny Swift, Carol Millthorpe, Cath Griffiths, Sue Radford, Anne Parkes, Kath Byra, Jean Kilvington, Dianne Sell, Marrion Pearson, Sue Holder
Back Row L-R: Derek Wilkinson, Maurice Shelton, Frank Morley, J. Murray, John Smith, B. Alliot, Mrs Smith (Miss Williams), Kath Lowe, Gordon Knox, Linda Lindley, Mr. Hamilton, Terry McCroakam, Sue Wren, Pat Glenn
Front Row L-R: Jenny Swift, Carol Millthorpe, Cath Griffiths, Sue Radford, Anne Parkes, Kath Byra, Jean Kilvington, Dianne Sell, Marrion Pearson, Sue Holder
HGS before the Ilkley Final in 1952
Photo from Mike Schofield. Thank you, Mike.
Back Row L-R: Sale, Frost, Whitehead, Stead
Front Row L-R: Schofield, Manning, Bruce
Back Row L-R: Sale, Frost, Whitehead, Stead
Front Row L-R: Schofield, Manning, Bruce
Back Row L-R: Eric Sale, Roy Frost, Dave Whitehead, Geoff Manning
Middle Row L-R: James Stead, Mr. Swinbank, Keith Bruce
Front Row L-R: Peter Schofield
Middle Row L-R: James Stead, Mr. Swinbank, Keith Bruce
Front Row L-R: Peter Schofield
Report
32 of the premier rugby-playing schools of Yorkshire and Durham took part in the 3rd Annual Tournament at Ilkley On April 5th. The standard of play in this competition has improved greatly as schools have come to regard this as a regular event in the sports calendar in spite of this, however, Hemsworth won and deserved a place in the final. There were a few moments of doubt in the first round against Hymers College, Hull, when the score was 10-10, but the greater stamina of the Hemsworth team brought the 6 further points in the last few minutes. Gaining confidence from this success, the Hemsworth team went on to play delightful football in defeating Otley (11-0), Rothwell (16-0), and Silcoates (16-5). Their heavy defeat of Rothwell was particularly praiseworthy since Rothwell had previously eliminated last year's finalists, Wakefield, by 3-0. The Hemsworth success was due not to one or two individuals but to the unselfish way in which all kept the ball moving and did everything possible to avoid being tackled in possession. After giving the backs a good share of the ball from both scrum and line-out the forwards backed up well and there were occasions when the ball passed through every pair of hands on its way to the line. Heath G.S. had won the competition in 1951 and they still had 5 of last year's team available. Moreover, they had been given a bye into the second round and so had played only 3 games (v. Harrogate, Barnard Castle, and Keighley) to Hemsworth's 4 to reach the Final. Hemsworth was twice in the lead but, in the end, Heath won 11-6. They had one or two backs who were faster than anyone on the Hemsworth side but they had been kept in check by resolute tackling particularly by Stead and Sale, until the last few minutes. The Final is of longer duration than the other rounds and the fresher Heath team lasted the extra time better. They were greatly assisted too by vocal support from the touchline of greater volume than Hemsworth could provide. Bruce, Manning, Frost, Schofield (capt.), Stead, Sale and Whitehead represented the school.
32 of the premier rugby-playing schools of Yorkshire and Durham took part in the 3rd Annual Tournament at Ilkley On April 5th. The standard of play in this competition has improved greatly as schools have come to regard this as a regular event in the sports calendar in spite of this, however, Hemsworth won and deserved a place in the final. There were a few moments of doubt in the first round against Hymers College, Hull, when the score was 10-10, but the greater stamina of the Hemsworth team brought the 6 further points in the last few minutes. Gaining confidence from this success, the Hemsworth team went on to play delightful football in defeating Otley (11-0), Rothwell (16-0), and Silcoates (16-5). Their heavy defeat of Rothwell was particularly praiseworthy since Rothwell had previously eliminated last year's finalists, Wakefield, by 3-0. The Hemsworth success was due not to one or two individuals but to the unselfish way in which all kept the ball moving and did everything possible to avoid being tackled in possession. After giving the backs a good share of the ball from both scrum and line-out the forwards backed up well and there were occasions when the ball passed through every pair of hands on its way to the line. Heath G.S. had won the competition in 1951 and they still had 5 of last year's team available. Moreover, they had been given a bye into the second round and so had played only 3 games (v. Harrogate, Barnard Castle, and Keighley) to Hemsworth's 4 to reach the Final. Hemsworth was twice in the lead but, in the end, Heath won 11-6. They had one or two backs who were faster than anyone on the Hemsworth side but they had been kept in check by resolute tackling particularly by Stead and Sale, until the last few minutes. The Final is of longer duration than the other rounds and the fresher Heath team lasted the extra time better. They were greatly assisted too by vocal support from the touchline of greater volume than Hemsworth could provide. Bruce, Manning, Frost, Schofield (capt.), Stead, Sale and Whitehead represented the school.
6. The Appreciation of Pictures, 1963
Mr. Burnell
From the School Magazine 1963
A series of twelve lectures was given by Mr. Burnell to senior forms during the winter term, finishing in March. These lectures, given on Thursday nights and usually lasting about an hour, attempted to break down the complexities of Art Appreciation into more easily digested portions: the artist's medium, line and linear construction, etc. The first four lectures were concerned with technique, showing some of the methods by which a painter achieves his effects. The later lectures discussed in some detail the ways in which pictures may be grouped by (a) subject matter and (b) content, pointing out that paintings by different artists, each depicting the same subject, such as "The Crucifixion', could have a very different content and a very different emotional effect on the observer. One lecture was devoted to the development of portrait painting, another to genre paintings, showing everyday scenes of working and middle class life. The final lecture was devoted to Modern Art, that reaction against realism which took place roughly at the beginning of this century. Any attempt to analyse this subject effectively would need much more than the hour given to it, but even so, the idea of the many different forms lumped together as 'Modern Art' was conveyed. The film strips compiled by Anthony Bertram, were in full colour and a pleasure to see. The success of this new venture was due to the way in which Mr. Burnell tackled his aim of removing prejudices and clarifying hazy notions in the minds of his audiences about the essential value and intention of Art. His material was obviously carefully prepared and he did not allow his specialised knowledge of his subject to make him lose contact with the more uninitiated of his listeners.
All who attended would agree that they were provided with a worth-while experience and we look forward to the course of eight lectures in modern painting promised for next year.
Anon
A series of twelve lectures was given by Mr. Burnell to senior forms during the winter term, finishing in March. These lectures, given on Thursday nights and usually lasting about an hour, attempted to break down the complexities of Art Appreciation into more easily digested portions: the artist's medium, line and linear construction, etc. The first four lectures were concerned with technique, showing some of the methods by which a painter achieves his effects. The later lectures discussed in some detail the ways in which pictures may be grouped by (a) subject matter and (b) content, pointing out that paintings by different artists, each depicting the same subject, such as "The Crucifixion', could have a very different content and a very different emotional effect on the observer. One lecture was devoted to the development of portrait painting, another to genre paintings, showing everyday scenes of working and middle class life. The final lecture was devoted to Modern Art, that reaction against realism which took place roughly at the beginning of this century. Any attempt to analyse this subject effectively would need much more than the hour given to it, but even so, the idea of the many different forms lumped together as 'Modern Art' was conveyed. The film strips compiled by Anthony Bertram, were in full colour and a pleasure to see. The success of this new venture was due to the way in which Mr. Burnell tackled his aim of removing prejudices and clarifying hazy notions in the minds of his audiences about the essential value and intention of Art. His material was obviously carefully prepared and he did not allow his specialised knowledge of his subject to make him lose contact with the more uninitiated of his listeners.
All who attended would agree that they were provided with a worth-while experience and we look forward to the course of eight lectures in modern painting promised for next year.
Anon
Mr Burnell applies the makeup to Mr Hamilton before his final Staff Play in 1967, "My Three Angels". Mr Hamilton played Gaston Lemare with ease and confidence.
The photographs below have been provided by Tony Senior. Thank you.
This photo is from October 1967.
Comments
Bourne-Savage Alan
I would have enjoyed listening to them. He helped me with my art and even supplied me with materials on going to Art College. A decent man.
I would have enjoyed listening to them. He helped me with my art and even supplied me with materials on going to Art College. A decent man.
Dharmananda Dh
"Dad", as in Daddio, was a refreshingly different teacher. I was only a sprog when these lectures were given, would have enjoyed them in later school years.
"Dad", as in Daddio, was a refreshingly different teacher. I was only a sprog when these lectures were given, would have enjoyed them in later school years.
Sheila Radford
An inspirational teacher with a wry sense of humour too.
An inspirational teacher with a wry sense of humour too.
John Fradgley
Mr Burnell, a brilliant man and very funny. In one lesson he told us that when he was a student, he shared digs with Peter O'Toole.
Mr Burnell, a brilliant man and very funny. In one lesson he told us that when he was a student, he shared digs with Peter O'Toole.
