Snippets
27.07.2022
27.07.2022
Two long-serving Staff Members, Mr Atack (left) and Mr Collette, chat by the Science Block at Sports Day 1967.
Photo: Batey
Photo: Batey
Summer had its share of events too; Sports Day and its excitement; the Country Dance Festival and its gaiety and prettiness. The many people walking about the grounds, the gaily-coloured dresses under the brilliant sun which usually favoured us, the races, the tug-of-war, the exhibitions, the tennis and cricket matches, all went to make everlastingly memorable occasions. And then the night of the Country Dance Festival with hundreds of people dancing on the Cricket Pitch, the Maypole, the Sword-Dances, the popular "Goddesses", "Picking-up-Sticks" and finally the many circles of cheery, laughing people dancing "Sellenger's Round". One summer term we saw a play, in one scene of which the couch from the Girl Prefects' Room was used. The heroine sat on it and patted it as an invitation to the hero to sit beside her. Do you remember the howls as clouds of dust rose as a result of her gentle patting? Then pictures of our lovely, envied grounds come into my mind. I see them transformed into a fairyland in winter. The branches and delicate twigs of the huge trees suddenly form lacy patterns with pure, soft snow. The plot between the two paths to School is ceaselessly beautiful. It makes a carpet for the frail, shy snowdrops, then come the triumphant golden daffodils, and the deep, glorious colour of masses of bluebells and the warm gold and mauve of overwhelming beauty, the honey suckle, roses, rhododendrons, the stately waving borders of lupins and delphiniums, and the wild beauty of the quarry from its tall shrubs and trees to the daisies which cover the lawn. Memories of all these flowers rush into my mind. I can see them in the brilliant sunshine, under cloudless skies and also standing brave and firm on warm, wet, dark days when the sombre, heavy green of the trees and lawns form an entirely different background.”
Audrey Jenkinson (Summer 1938)
Audrey Jenkinson (Summer 1938)
1. This term began on September 15th., 1937 when we welcomed our new Head, Mr. R.W. Hamilton, who comes to us from Bishop Auckland. We would offer to him our best wishes for his happiness here with us, and we hope his reign may be marked by years of successful progress in all the real things for which our School stands.
From the School Magazine
2. My last memory of RWH was seeing him at the top of the stairs by room 10. It was the last day of the Christmas term 1967 and everyone had gone home. I think I may have been the last person to see him looking down over what had been his pride and joy for 30 years. I suspect he was thinking how it had been and not how it was at that time.
Terry McCroakam, HGS 1949-57 and Staff member of HGS.
3. When war started the Metalwork Room was taken over for the manufacture of munitions, and we were not allowed into it. Certain ladies came each day to work on munitions as part of the war effort.
Stuart Walker, HGS 1935-40
4. A room upstairs was set aside for PE and country dancing. One day, as we were in the middle of 'Gathering Peascods', an urgent knocking could be heard on the door, the floor rocked with our dancing and the messenger said that the ceiling was in danger of collapsing on to the floor below. This put an end to dancing upstairs.
Marion Finch, HGS 1921-25
5. In the February of 1922 the Governors decided to adopt the white rose as the emblem of the school (perhaps as a result of the lack of progress about the requested coat of arms from Barnsley?) and plans had appeared for the building of the Headmaster's house which the Governors decided to recommend to the County Authority for approval, with the suggestion that a reasonable rent should be fixed. A sum of £1,530 was allocated for the erection of the house.
From the School History Section
6. In April 1923 Hetty Littlewood and Barker E.J. successfully produced the first issue of the School Magazine. It contained "a comprehensive survey of the history and various activities of the school." Miss D.L. Prince (photo left), one of the teachers, designed the artistic cover, and a featured article was "Scout's Corner". Mr. Sydney Clift, also a member of staff, submitted some very smart sketches, and there were many original contributions by the scholars, including an amusing description in blank verse of the final rehearsal of the school play. It was felt that a high standard had been set by this first issue, an example of which would have great rarity value today!
From the School History Section
7. The children from South Elmsall came by train to Hemsworth Station and entered the school grounds from the Station Road end. They also stayed for dinner. The local pupils went home for their midday meal. This new school was a God-send for the district. It provided opportunities for children who would have otherwise been denied. The cost for fee paying pupils was 2 guineas per term, rising later to 3 guineas. This enabled my parents to send more of the family as soon as they were old enough. At one time, I think there were five sisters, including me, from our family attending the Hemsworth Secondary School.
Marion Finch, HGS 1921-25
8. At my interview Mr. Hamilton took me through my particulars and when it came to where I was going to live, the answer being some 19 to 20 miles away, travelling to and fro by car, one of the gentlemen behind me jumped in with, "Tha mun not forget to put plenty or oil in thi engine!", at which the whole room fell about with laughter. Mr. Hamilton apologised for any embarrassment caused by a private joke, and the meeting quickly decided, in the absence of anybody else, I suppose, to give me the job.
Mr. Hodson, Staff member from 1956 for 33 years
9. Mr. Hamilton (and his Family) treated me with a sensitivity and kindness that I have never forgotten and organised my journey home (from Camp) immediately. Iwas treated as though I was his own son, and it wasn't until many years later that it dawned on me that we were his Family and were treated accordingly. A truly remarkable man.
Geoff Booth, HGS 1939-45
10. I want to bring to your attention the meticulous coverage by RWH of events, incidents, Staff, games, pupils, and games results that he had tabulated for each year of his 'reign' in the exercise books of the day. I know he did that as I went to him about a subsidy to take the Lower Sixth to Malham Tarn which of course he granted, and waiting for him to enter the Saturday results in one of his games books for the year. This is why he was able to churn out a wondrous mass of data at the annual Speech Day where school prizes were distributed by 'famous' personalities at the time. He returned the book to a cupboard behind his desk to the right of the chair where I was sitting to discuss with him. There on various shelves he had amassed a mighty archive of information. What would be interesting is to inquire if such books are still around on a dusty shelf somewhere in the school. It is only a thought but he knew, believe it or not, all his pupils individually, where they lived, their parents, addresses, when they entered the school, their individual successes and achievements - including the Staff, and external examinations. He had an enormous database even before computers all written by hand. For me he was an object lesson which I never forgot. No pupil was allowed to be anonymous. To permit him to perform the enormous admin role that he had, people like Les Collette and Cyril Owen constructed the mighty tasks of timetable admin after being instructed by him of the criteria that were to be followed. When you meet up with some of the 1955-60 oldies, do mention that I remember them with great affection and pride. It was a privilege to work among and alongside so many of them. They are forever etched on my mind.
Ken Sale, HGS Staff 1955-61
11. I wonder how many remember the very last end-of-term Grammar School Assembly in July 1968, held in the new Sports Hall? Mr. Hamilton had retired in 1967 and the new Head showed scant regard for the Grammar School and its traditions in his preparations for September 1968. History is littered with tales of spontaneous uprisings: there was a mini one at HGS on that last afternoon of the Grammar School’s life. The Headmaster cut short the final Assembly and walked out, leaving Staff and pupils to follow. No-one moved. The whole school stayed put and sang the School Song with an enthusiasm and intensity I guess had never been experienced before. Mr. Hamilton would have been very proud at the sincerity of that final rendering.
Mr. Hodson, Staff member from 1956 for 33 years
12. RWH was a terrific Head. To parody Louis XIV, his leadership was a case of ‘L’ecole, c’est moi’. He worked at it ‘morning, noon and night’. The school was his life. Commenting on his retirement, Mr. Collette (Senior Master) told us, “The first thing Russell will have to do is learn to live with his wife again!”. He was great to work for. If you needed help professionally or personally, it was always an encouraging “come in, sit down. How can I help?” Whatever was going on in school, he made a point of being there, if only for a short time if he was busy. It mattered to him that the Staff knew that he knew what they were doing or not doing, and that he appreciated their efforts and offered them thanks and encouragement. It mattered to him that the pupils knew who he was and that he cared. This dedication did not prevent him from friendly circulation: up in the Staffroom having a friendly chat and a joke over a cup of coffee, or on the touchline, at a Music Concert or whatever. How different it became in the new regime where you had to make an appointment to see the Head, where a parent complained his daughter had been at the school for five years and did not know who the Head was, and where I was reprimanded for producing Orders of Merit which “served no useful purpose”. I have a great respect for Mr. Hamilton. He retired at the right time.
Mr. Hodson, Staff member from 1956 for 33 years
13. One of my contemporaries, Stuart Walker, contacted me , and remembered swinging his pick too hard when we were digging the Air Raid Shelters, with the result that I received a tear in my trousers which had to be dealt with by the Home Economics Department.
Wesley Kenworthy, HGS 1935-40
14. I did not teach Geoffrey Boycott. I admired his prowess from the umpire’s stance at various House and School matches. Mr. Hassall (RE) and I enjoyed a collection of apocryphal stories of his run-scoring ability. Try this one:
Mr Hassall - “Right then lads. We’ve got to stop now. My bus goes in 10 mins. It’s a DRAW!”
Boycott - “But Sir. We only need 50 to win. Give us another 5 minutes. “
Mr. Hassall – “Another 5 minutes? Fifty? You’ll have to be quick.”
Boycott – “Bang! Bang! Bang! etc
Shouts from the boundary: “Hurrah! We’ve won! Well done Geoff! Well done Mr. Hassall. He caught his bus!
Mr. Hodson, Staff member from 1956 for 33 years
15. I always found HGS friendly but overwhelming and a bit intimidating – especially you rowdy lot in the Sixth Form! How wonderful HGS was became clear when I had to spend a term at another Grammar. Even though at the time I was too shy to take advantage, I knew HGS was the best – more so than any other place of education.
Tony Clay, HGS 1955-62
16. During the winter of 1960-61 the School closed early one afternoon due to heavy snow. I lived in Fitzwilliam, and the West Riding ‘bus could not get up the hill past the church. The ‘bus went via Ackworth cross roads to Wragby, but the driver refused to return to Fitzwilliam and Kinsley, so a group of us had to walk from Wragby. I remember getting home fairly late and feeling very cold. I am almost certain that along with other pupils from Fitzwilliam, I walked into School the following day. I remember the high banks of snow on both sides of the road, especially around Vale Head.
Thank you for continuing to build a remarkable history of the School.
Tony White, HGS 1957-64
17. I expect you remember Mr Swinbank – Alf Swinbank of Latin, Classical Studies, History, and of course his hearing aid. When the world around him got too much to bear, he would say, ‘Going out now’, and switch off. He had been deafened in North Africa during the War by a loud report from a gun. When I first arrived at HGS it was around the time of the opening of the new Science Block and the new Gym. People still talked about the ‘big joke’ – a Science Block with sides but no roof after what happened one stormy night. Also, a Science Block, complete now, with lovely concrete floors, except that the builders had forgotten about the pipes and drains, soN.you’ve guessed it, those concrete floors had to be cut up rather a lot for the laying of services! I think your work for the HGS website has been tremendous. I do admire your efforts and results.
Mr Hodson, Staff member from 1956 for 33 years
18. The school photographer came each year to take a composite picture with the school facade behind. It took a whole morning to get all the chairs, benches and tables in position so that each pupil could be clearly seen. The staff, as always, were resplendent in their gowns, as they were for every morning assembly. In A. G. Jenkinson's time he always came in with his mortar board on, removing it for worship, and replacing it to go out from the school hall. R.W.H. did not seem to sport a mortar board, and we did not accord him the same amount of respect.
Stuart Walker, HGS 1935-40
19. As I remember it the school record for eating prunes was 41, by a lad from Grimethorpe called Johnny Orange. The skivvies were bringing in prunes from all over the room when he went for the record - I cannot recall it being broken while I was there. The Staff menu was much better than ours and when their trolley trundled from the kitchen to their table, it was like a scene from Oliver. As First Formers, we were amazed at the amount of food Mr Waters, Maths Teacher, was able to get onto his fork! There was a twist to school dinners in that you could take your own if you wished. These were consumed in the Domestic Science room at the end of the corridor next to the Main Hall. Crockery was supplied from the main Dining Hall. It was a Prefect’s job to collect and return a basketful of this every day. I had a spell of about a year doing my own food and I remember that dried egg sandwiches figured prominently. As a Prefect, I finally graduated to having a table of my own in the Dining Hall, but the only skivvy I can remember was a cheeky young First Former by the name of Eric Sale. To be fair, the kitchen staff worked miracles really, especially as things became in short supply towards the end of the war and the early years of peace. If I remember correctly, the head cook was Mrs. Cliffe who was the wife of the School Caretaker.
Eric Jones, HGS 1942-49
From the School Magazine
2. My last memory of RWH was seeing him at the top of the stairs by room 10. It was the last day of the Christmas term 1967 and everyone had gone home. I think I may have been the last person to see him looking down over what had been his pride and joy for 30 years. I suspect he was thinking how it had been and not how it was at that time.
Terry McCroakam, HGS 1949-57 and Staff member of HGS.
3. When war started the Metalwork Room was taken over for the manufacture of munitions, and we were not allowed into it. Certain ladies came each day to work on munitions as part of the war effort.
Stuart Walker, HGS 1935-40
4. A room upstairs was set aside for PE and country dancing. One day, as we were in the middle of 'Gathering Peascods', an urgent knocking could be heard on the door, the floor rocked with our dancing and the messenger said that the ceiling was in danger of collapsing on to the floor below. This put an end to dancing upstairs.
Marion Finch, HGS 1921-25
5. In the February of 1922 the Governors decided to adopt the white rose as the emblem of the school (perhaps as a result of the lack of progress about the requested coat of arms from Barnsley?) and plans had appeared for the building of the Headmaster's house which the Governors decided to recommend to the County Authority for approval, with the suggestion that a reasonable rent should be fixed. A sum of £1,530 was allocated for the erection of the house.
From the School History Section
6. In April 1923 Hetty Littlewood and Barker E.J. successfully produced the first issue of the School Magazine. It contained "a comprehensive survey of the history and various activities of the school." Miss D.L. Prince (photo left), one of the teachers, designed the artistic cover, and a featured article was "Scout's Corner". Mr. Sydney Clift, also a member of staff, submitted some very smart sketches, and there were many original contributions by the scholars, including an amusing description in blank verse of the final rehearsal of the school play. It was felt that a high standard had been set by this first issue, an example of which would have great rarity value today!
From the School History Section
7. The children from South Elmsall came by train to Hemsworth Station and entered the school grounds from the Station Road end. They also stayed for dinner. The local pupils went home for their midday meal. This new school was a God-send for the district. It provided opportunities for children who would have otherwise been denied. The cost for fee paying pupils was 2 guineas per term, rising later to 3 guineas. This enabled my parents to send more of the family as soon as they were old enough. At one time, I think there were five sisters, including me, from our family attending the Hemsworth Secondary School.
Marion Finch, HGS 1921-25
8. At my interview Mr. Hamilton took me through my particulars and when it came to where I was going to live, the answer being some 19 to 20 miles away, travelling to and fro by car, one of the gentlemen behind me jumped in with, "Tha mun not forget to put plenty or oil in thi engine!", at which the whole room fell about with laughter. Mr. Hamilton apologised for any embarrassment caused by a private joke, and the meeting quickly decided, in the absence of anybody else, I suppose, to give me the job.
Mr. Hodson, Staff member from 1956 for 33 years
9. Mr. Hamilton (and his Family) treated me with a sensitivity and kindness that I have never forgotten and organised my journey home (from Camp) immediately. Iwas treated as though I was his own son, and it wasn't until many years later that it dawned on me that we were his Family and were treated accordingly. A truly remarkable man.
Geoff Booth, HGS 1939-45
10. I want to bring to your attention the meticulous coverage by RWH of events, incidents, Staff, games, pupils, and games results that he had tabulated for each year of his 'reign' in the exercise books of the day. I know he did that as I went to him about a subsidy to take the Lower Sixth to Malham Tarn which of course he granted, and waiting for him to enter the Saturday results in one of his games books for the year. This is why he was able to churn out a wondrous mass of data at the annual Speech Day where school prizes were distributed by 'famous' personalities at the time. He returned the book to a cupboard behind his desk to the right of the chair where I was sitting to discuss with him. There on various shelves he had amassed a mighty archive of information. What would be interesting is to inquire if such books are still around on a dusty shelf somewhere in the school. It is only a thought but he knew, believe it or not, all his pupils individually, where they lived, their parents, addresses, when they entered the school, their individual successes and achievements - including the Staff, and external examinations. He had an enormous database even before computers all written by hand. For me he was an object lesson which I never forgot. No pupil was allowed to be anonymous. To permit him to perform the enormous admin role that he had, people like Les Collette and Cyril Owen constructed the mighty tasks of timetable admin after being instructed by him of the criteria that were to be followed. When you meet up with some of the 1955-60 oldies, do mention that I remember them with great affection and pride. It was a privilege to work among and alongside so many of them. They are forever etched on my mind.
Ken Sale, HGS Staff 1955-61
11. I wonder how many remember the very last end-of-term Grammar School Assembly in July 1968, held in the new Sports Hall? Mr. Hamilton had retired in 1967 and the new Head showed scant regard for the Grammar School and its traditions in his preparations for September 1968. History is littered with tales of spontaneous uprisings: there was a mini one at HGS on that last afternoon of the Grammar School’s life. The Headmaster cut short the final Assembly and walked out, leaving Staff and pupils to follow. No-one moved. The whole school stayed put and sang the School Song with an enthusiasm and intensity I guess had never been experienced before. Mr. Hamilton would have been very proud at the sincerity of that final rendering.
Mr. Hodson, Staff member from 1956 for 33 years
12. RWH was a terrific Head. To parody Louis XIV, his leadership was a case of ‘L’ecole, c’est moi’. He worked at it ‘morning, noon and night’. The school was his life. Commenting on his retirement, Mr. Collette (Senior Master) told us, “The first thing Russell will have to do is learn to live with his wife again!”. He was great to work for. If you needed help professionally or personally, it was always an encouraging “come in, sit down. How can I help?” Whatever was going on in school, he made a point of being there, if only for a short time if he was busy. It mattered to him that the Staff knew that he knew what they were doing or not doing, and that he appreciated their efforts and offered them thanks and encouragement. It mattered to him that the pupils knew who he was and that he cared. This dedication did not prevent him from friendly circulation: up in the Staffroom having a friendly chat and a joke over a cup of coffee, or on the touchline, at a Music Concert or whatever. How different it became in the new regime where you had to make an appointment to see the Head, where a parent complained his daughter had been at the school for five years and did not know who the Head was, and where I was reprimanded for producing Orders of Merit which “served no useful purpose”. I have a great respect for Mr. Hamilton. He retired at the right time.
Mr. Hodson, Staff member from 1956 for 33 years
13. One of my contemporaries, Stuart Walker, contacted me , and remembered swinging his pick too hard when we were digging the Air Raid Shelters, with the result that I received a tear in my trousers which had to be dealt with by the Home Economics Department.
Wesley Kenworthy, HGS 1935-40
14. I did not teach Geoffrey Boycott. I admired his prowess from the umpire’s stance at various House and School matches. Mr. Hassall (RE) and I enjoyed a collection of apocryphal stories of his run-scoring ability. Try this one:
Mr Hassall - “Right then lads. We’ve got to stop now. My bus goes in 10 mins. It’s a DRAW!”
Boycott - “But Sir. We only need 50 to win. Give us another 5 minutes. “
Mr. Hassall – “Another 5 minutes? Fifty? You’ll have to be quick.”
Boycott – “Bang! Bang! Bang! etc
Shouts from the boundary: “Hurrah! We’ve won! Well done Geoff! Well done Mr. Hassall. He caught his bus!
Mr. Hodson, Staff member from 1956 for 33 years
15. I always found HGS friendly but overwhelming and a bit intimidating – especially you rowdy lot in the Sixth Form! How wonderful HGS was became clear when I had to spend a term at another Grammar. Even though at the time I was too shy to take advantage, I knew HGS was the best – more so than any other place of education.
Tony Clay, HGS 1955-62
16. During the winter of 1960-61 the School closed early one afternoon due to heavy snow. I lived in Fitzwilliam, and the West Riding ‘bus could not get up the hill past the church. The ‘bus went via Ackworth cross roads to Wragby, but the driver refused to return to Fitzwilliam and Kinsley, so a group of us had to walk from Wragby. I remember getting home fairly late and feeling very cold. I am almost certain that along with other pupils from Fitzwilliam, I walked into School the following day. I remember the high banks of snow on both sides of the road, especially around Vale Head.
Thank you for continuing to build a remarkable history of the School.
Tony White, HGS 1957-64
17. I expect you remember Mr Swinbank – Alf Swinbank of Latin, Classical Studies, History, and of course his hearing aid. When the world around him got too much to bear, he would say, ‘Going out now’, and switch off. He had been deafened in North Africa during the War by a loud report from a gun. When I first arrived at HGS it was around the time of the opening of the new Science Block and the new Gym. People still talked about the ‘big joke’ – a Science Block with sides but no roof after what happened one stormy night. Also, a Science Block, complete now, with lovely concrete floors, except that the builders had forgotten about the pipes and drains, soN.you’ve guessed it, those concrete floors had to be cut up rather a lot for the laying of services! I think your work for the HGS website has been tremendous. I do admire your efforts and results.
Mr Hodson, Staff member from 1956 for 33 years
18. The school photographer came each year to take a composite picture with the school facade behind. It took a whole morning to get all the chairs, benches and tables in position so that each pupil could be clearly seen. The staff, as always, were resplendent in their gowns, as they were for every morning assembly. In A. G. Jenkinson's time he always came in with his mortar board on, removing it for worship, and replacing it to go out from the school hall. R.W.H. did not seem to sport a mortar board, and we did not accord him the same amount of respect.
Stuart Walker, HGS 1935-40
19. As I remember it the school record for eating prunes was 41, by a lad from Grimethorpe called Johnny Orange. The skivvies were bringing in prunes from all over the room when he went for the record - I cannot recall it being broken while I was there. The Staff menu was much better than ours and when their trolley trundled from the kitchen to their table, it was like a scene from Oliver. As First Formers, we were amazed at the amount of food Mr Waters, Maths Teacher, was able to get onto his fork! There was a twist to school dinners in that you could take your own if you wished. These were consumed in the Domestic Science room at the end of the corridor next to the Main Hall. Crockery was supplied from the main Dining Hall. It was a Prefect’s job to collect and return a basketful of this every day. I had a spell of about a year doing my own food and I remember that dried egg sandwiches figured prominently. As a Prefect, I finally graduated to having a table of my own in the Dining Hall, but the only skivvy I can remember was a cheeky young First Former by the name of Eric Sale. To be fair, the kitchen staff worked miracles really, especially as things became in short supply towards the end of the war and the early years of peace. If I remember correctly, the head cook was Mrs. Cliffe who was the wife of the School Caretaker.
Eric Jones, HGS 1942-49
