The HGS Noticeboard Index
Open Format
Updated 22.01.2026
Open Format
Updated 22.01.2026
Happy on the front steps
The Art Club 1952-53
Meet the participants
The Art Club 1952-53
Meet the participants
Back Row L-R: David Law, Roy Linstead, Johnny Johnson, Mr. Combs, Christopher Gascoigne, John Winter.
Front Row L-R: Jean Cowlishaw, Margaret Connolly, Joan Taylor, Irene Doughty, Maureen Elvidge
Front Row L-R: Jean Cowlishaw, Margaret Connolly, Joan Taylor, Irene Doughty, Maureen Elvidge
Mr. J. D. Combs - a Tribute.
Mr. J. D. Combs, A.T.D., began his teaching career at Hemsworth Grammar School on the 1st September, 1949. He died on the 26th February, 1956. He was a few months short of 34 years of age. A short life, a very short teaching career, yet he accomplished much. No one who was taught by him will ever forget him. We, his colleagues, will always remember him.
After his early years as a boy at school, Mr. Combs studied Art at Swindon, at West Bromwich, and, finally, at the Brighton College of Arts and Crafts, when he took the Art Teachers' Diploma. For five years, from October 1941, to October 1946, he served in the Royal Corps of Signals.
In his 6.5 years with us, we learned to appreciate the essential kindness of one of Nature's gentlemen. Kindliness and goodness were his outstanding qualities. He was a good teacher; he taught with a professional skill that inspired even the less gifted of his pupils, but it was his kindliness and his intense interest in people for which he will be remembered.
As Art Master, he was regularly responsible for the settings of School and Staff Plays. From December 1949, to 1955, there were 7 School Plays. Mr. Combs did the setting for 6 of them. In December 1950, he not only did the scenery for "Let's Make an Opera", but took one of the leading roles. In the same period of time there have been 6 Staff Plays. In 3 of them he was responsible for the scenery and in 2 of them was a member of the Cast. He ran an Art Class on Friday evenings and even managed on occasions to find time to turn out for the Staff Cricket XI. His interest in Music had been to take part in the Male Voice Choir and in the Four-Part Choir. If ever a man pulled his weight in a school, certainly Mr. Combs did so. He was interested in all our activities, even when time or inclination did not allow him to play a part directly. He was a grand schoolmaster. The profession of teaching is the poorer by his death.
Goodness, kindliness and fun; these qualities, allied to his keenness for his job as schoolmaster both from the narrow and the broad point of view, will always be uppermost in our mind, at the mention of his name. He was, indeed, a. real Christian gentleman, or, as Chaucer would say, "A verray, parfit gentil Knight".
The Headmaster
From the School Magazine 1956
After his early years as a boy at school, Mr. Combs studied Art at Swindon, at West Bromwich, and, finally, at the Brighton College of Arts and Crafts, when he took the Art Teachers' Diploma. For five years, from October 1941, to October 1946, he served in the Royal Corps of Signals.
In his 6.5 years with us, we learned to appreciate the essential kindness of one of Nature's gentlemen. Kindliness and goodness were his outstanding qualities. He was a good teacher; he taught with a professional skill that inspired even the less gifted of his pupils, but it was his kindliness and his intense interest in people for which he will be remembered.
As Art Master, he was regularly responsible for the settings of School and Staff Plays. From December 1949, to 1955, there were 7 School Plays. Mr. Combs did the setting for 6 of them. In December 1950, he not only did the scenery for "Let's Make an Opera", but took one of the leading roles. In the same period of time there have been 6 Staff Plays. In 3 of them he was responsible for the scenery and in 2 of them was a member of the Cast. He ran an Art Class on Friday evenings and even managed on occasions to find time to turn out for the Staff Cricket XI. His interest in Music had been to take part in the Male Voice Choir and in the Four-Part Choir. If ever a man pulled his weight in a school, certainly Mr. Combs did so. He was interested in all our activities, even when time or inclination did not allow him to play a part directly. He was a grand schoolmaster. The profession of teaching is the poorer by his death.
Goodness, kindliness and fun; these qualities, allied to his keenness for his job as schoolmaster both from the narrow and the broad point of view, will always be uppermost in our mind, at the mention of his name. He was, indeed, a. real Christian gentleman, or, as Chaucer would say, "A verray, parfit gentil Knight".
The Headmaster
From the School Magazine 1956
11.01.2026
The HGS Noticeboard 2 has been updated.
The HGS Noticeboard 2 has been updated.
20.12.20205
The Home page and The HGS Noticeboard Index have been updates.
The Home page and The HGS Noticeboard Index have been updates.
"Styles and smiles" from HGS 1936
"Styles and smiles" from HGS 1946
"Styles and smiles" from HGS 1955
"Styles and smiles" from HGS 1963
Photos from my Fifth Year at HGS.
Happy times - then there were "O" level exams!
Dave
Happy times - then there were "O" level exams!
Dave
5A 1959-60 (May 1960)
Photo contributed by Susan Marsh. Thanks, Susan.
Back Row L-R: Bob Field, Gordon Bond, Brian Denham, David Hart, Brian Pawson, Arthur Street, Mr. D. Hudson
Second Row L-R: Doreen Tyrrell, Pat Miles, Pat Cockburn, Helena Gascoigne, Pat Snow, Marlene Hollinworth, Janet Marston, Christine Whittaker, Margaret Birkin
Front Row L-R: Pat Whitehall, Christine Graham, Geraldine Walker, Susan Marsh, Doris Sykes, Sandra Strutt, Sheila Kelsall, Pat Stollard, Catherine Dooley
Form Prize awarded to Patricia Cockburn.
Back Row L-R: Bob Field, Gordon Bond, Brian Denham, David Hart, Brian Pawson, Arthur Street, Mr. D. Hudson
Second Row L-R: Doreen Tyrrell, Pat Miles, Pat Cockburn, Helena Gascoigne, Pat Snow, Marlene Hollinworth, Janet Marston, Christine Whittaker, Margaret Birkin
Front Row L-R: Pat Whitehall, Christine Graham, Geraldine Walker, Susan Marsh, Doris Sykes, Sandra Strutt, Sheila Kelsall, Pat Stollard, Catherine Dooley
Form Prize awarded to Patricia Cockburn.
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Pat relaxes at Lunchtime.
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A busy Sports Day is over once again.
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All Staff were on duty during Sports Day and some helped with the management of the Sports Events.
A Star photograph
First three in the 1957 100 yards race on Sports Day.
L-R: Miss. Woodward (Mrs. Owen), Miss. Elliott (Mrs. Whittaker), Miss. Hampshire, Brenda Nettleton, Ellen Toulson, Pat Cockburn.
The photo comes from Brenda Nettleton. Thank you. Brenda.
L-R: Miss. Woodward (Mrs. Owen), Miss. Elliott (Mrs. Whittaker), Miss. Hampshire, Brenda Nettleton, Ellen Toulson, Pat Cockburn.
The photo comes from Brenda Nettleton. Thank you. Brenda.
Dear Dave,
To say that I was surprised to receive your e-mail is certainly an understatement! I had not realised that you had set up the school web site. It was with some excitement (and trepidation) that I scrolled the pages and memories flooded back. How embarrassing to see oneself 40 years ago with pig-tails! It was brilliant to see people I was so close to and know the link is now there. Peter Kaye always the budding actor, Sheila Kelsall my rival on the athletics track, Janet Marston our goalie for hockey matches, yourself for your prowess on the sports field and Margaret Birkin (who I would love to get in touch with again). I have old school Speech Day programmes, photos galore, athletics, hockey, orchestra, Form groups and of course good old Green Report Book. I have many fond memories of H.G.S , a beautiful building with those gorgeous magnolias as you walked up the driveway, the shuttered windows and that impressive staircase. The Green Gate was the entry to a special world. During the Summer I sat with a fellow Old Hilmian (two years my senior Barrie Longden) in Durban, South Africa reminiscing about pupils that we both knew and members of staff. It was amazing just how much we had both remembered - one name sparked off another. I often wondered what happened to Gordon Knox - the Science teacher. If you organise another re-union then please let me know.
Sorry if this seems to be rambling ... it could be the shock factor!
Best Wishes to all,
Pat Cockburn
(January 2003)
To say that I was surprised to receive your e-mail is certainly an understatement! I had not realised that you had set up the school web site. It was with some excitement (and trepidation) that I scrolled the pages and memories flooded back. How embarrassing to see oneself 40 years ago with pig-tails! It was brilliant to see people I was so close to and know the link is now there. Peter Kaye always the budding actor, Sheila Kelsall my rival on the athletics track, Janet Marston our goalie for hockey matches, yourself for your prowess on the sports field and Margaret Birkin (who I would love to get in touch with again). I have old school Speech Day programmes, photos galore, athletics, hockey, orchestra, Form groups and of course good old Green Report Book. I have many fond memories of H.G.S , a beautiful building with those gorgeous magnolias as you walked up the driveway, the shuttered windows and that impressive staircase. The Green Gate was the entry to a special world. During the Summer I sat with a fellow Old Hilmian (two years my senior Barrie Longden) in Durban, South Africa reminiscing about pupils that we both knew and members of staff. It was amazing just how much we had both remembered - one name sparked off another. I often wondered what happened to Gordon Knox - the Science teacher. If you organise another re-union then please let me know.
Sorry if this seems to be rambling ... it could be the shock factor!
Best Wishes to all,
Pat Cockburn
(January 2003)
Peter Kaye
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Sheila Kelsall
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Janet Marston
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David McKenzie
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Margaret Birkin
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Mr G. Knox
Dave's Biology teacher for "O" and "A" Level G.C.E. 1958 to 1962.
Dave's Biology teacher for "O" and "A" Level G.C.E. 1958 to 1962.
Dear Pat,
Thank you for your email. The thing that still amazes me is that we went our separate ways in July 1962 and here we are 40 years later and I do not feel that gap. It’s the same for the others who have contacted the site. So many memories, so many lessons, so many things in common. The site is yours to use as you wish. In particular, those memories as text would be of great interest to many people. Sheila has done a great job so far. Please add material as you wish.
Lovely to hear from you again.
As ever,
Dave McKenzie
Thank you for your email. The thing that still amazes me is that we went our separate ways in July 1962 and here we are 40 years later and I do not feel that gap. It’s the same for the others who have contacted the site. So many memories, so many lessons, so many things in common. The site is yours to use as you wish. In particular, those memories as text would be of great interest to many people. Sheila has done a great job so far. Please add material as you wish.
Lovely to hear from you again.
As ever,
Dave McKenzie
5S 1959-60 (May 1960)
Photo from Dave McKenzie.
Back Row L-R: David Hartley, Dave McKenzie, Peter Kaye, Tony Hince, John Colley, Mick Harrison, Mr. B.K. Booth.
Middle Row L-R: Donald Brett, Nev Mozley, Godfrey Wass, David Thorpe, Mick Willson, Wray Vamplew, Alan Barker.
Front Row L-R: Brian May, Albert Parkin, Len Linsey, Brian Lees, Eddie Pickles, Ian Townsend, Keith Gainey.
Missing: Michael Dixon, Ronnie Holland, A. Robert Taylor, John E. Turner
Form Prize awarded to Godfrey Wass.
Back Row L-R: David Hartley, Dave McKenzie, Peter Kaye, Tony Hince, John Colley, Mick Harrison, Mr. B.K. Booth.
Middle Row L-R: Donald Brett, Nev Mozley, Godfrey Wass, David Thorpe, Mick Willson, Wray Vamplew, Alan Barker.
Front Row L-R: Brian May, Albert Parkin, Len Linsey, Brian Lees, Eddie Pickles, Ian Townsend, Keith Gainey.
Missing: Michael Dixon, Ronnie Holland, A. Robert Taylor, John E. Turner
Form Prize awarded to Godfrey Wass.
A contact from 2002
Peter Kaye, HGS 1955-62
Your web pages urge action .... but why rush! We've waited 40 years! A super site Dave. I'm full of admiration! It is a strange situation to step back so far .. so fully ... so suddenly. How about a virtual reality bit!! Some fine memories have been stirred by the photos on the Willowgarth site. From the school you can see the house on Brierley Common where I spent all my childhood. I knew every inch of all the fields between Ringstone Hill and The Dell - a kind of Billy Casper but I had an Alsatian dog rather than a hawk. I almost taught at Willowgarth. Christmas 1966 I arrived home after 18 months VSO teaching in Borneo. I was frozen - but heavily tanned! I rang Wakefield (the good old West Riding Education Department) for a temporary job ... just for a few weeks. They offered me Willowgarth or Cudworth Secondary Modern! The flick of a coin took me to Cudworth - where I stayed for four years! My entire life coloured by that decision! I will post off to you in the morning a selection of material for the great HGS site. I thought there could be a danger that sport may be given too prominent a place (always an HGS tendency!) - so have sent you all the drama material I could find. I've added a few comments. I've created files which seem very large to send off by email - and I am relatively new to this technology stuff! I await your further instructions!! One last one to add if I can find it. Kath Ward and Mary Metcalfe taken at Monte Carlo. They were on the lookout for any old millionaire! Even the offer of the ice-cream didn't work! Let me know if the photos are any use to the site. Perhaps I should enclose a present day one of myself - just in case you want to create a further one of your opening page??? Well I have still got the hair - although the silver is a more recent addition!
Lovely to catch up with you again.
Best wishes to everyone!
Pete
(March 2002)
Lovely to catch up with you again.
Best wishes to everyone!
Pete
(March 2002)
5T 1959-60
Back Row L-R: Peter Weston, Marley F., David Nye, Neville Edwards, Kenneth Kidd.
Third Row L-R: Lewis Taylor, Frank Poskett, Malcolm Wilson, John Brailsford, Frank Pickin.
Second Row L-R: Pamela Rushworth, Enid Ford, Helen Slater, Glenys Oades, Ann Johnson, Anne Bilton, Elaine Lodge.
Front Row L-R: Linda Taylor, Pat Lockett, Christine Commons, Sandra Charlton, Mr. E. Lock, Brian Stead, Geoffrey Abell, Tony Clay, Chris Kenningley
Third Row L-R: Lewis Taylor, Frank Poskett, Malcolm Wilson, John Brailsford, Frank Pickin.
Second Row L-R: Pamela Rushworth, Enid Ford, Helen Slater, Glenys Oades, Ann Johnson, Anne Bilton, Elaine Lodge.
Front Row L-R: Linda Taylor, Pat Lockett, Christine Commons, Sandra Charlton, Mr. E. Lock, Brian Stead, Geoffrey Abell, Tony Clay, Chris Kenningley
A quiet moment in the 1967 Staff Cricket Match.
Staff L-R: Mr. Glenn, Mr. Parkinson, Mr. Plummer and Mr Pacy.
Photo: Batey
Staff L-R: Mr. Glenn, Mr. Parkinson, Mr. Plummer and Mr Pacy.
Photo: Batey
15.10.2025
The HGS Noticeboard (2) has been updated.
The HGS Noticeboard (2) has been updated.
The Chemistry Prep Room on a warm day in 1967.
Photo: Batey
Mr Owen in the Chemistry Laboratory in 1967
The New Gym can be seen through the windows.
The New Gym can be seen through the windows.
Photo: Batey
