Visitors 20
Years 2013-15
Years 2013-15
Ken J. and Dave M. meet (2003) where the website began.
1. Hello, Sheila.
I do love catching up with the HGS site occasionally. It brings back so many happy memories of what now seems to be a bygone age. I am writing in response to a feature about collecting rosehips. My hazy recollection from the early sixties is that Miss Metcalfe weighed the rosehips and paid 4d per pound, and that the rosehips were sent to Delrosa, manufacturers of rosehip syrup. I must add that I never actually collected any myself but think I may have helped with the weighing.
Kind regards and thank you for your work on the site. It is much appreciated.
Christine Cheetham, formerly Evans, of Brierley
Apr 5, 2013
Hello Christine,
Many thanks for your memory of the autumn collections of rose hips. How rural it all sounds nowadays! I remember the scratched hands and arms involved in collecting those hips from the hedgerows of the Blackety in Shafton! I haven't seen any Delrosa in the shops for ages, though it may still be sold in health food outlets. We left HGS in 1962. I wonder how long the collections continued after that?
Your compliment about the site is much appreciated. There must be many Hilmians like yourself who log on to the site and take pleasure from the memories without necessarily contacting us right away. Still, it's a pleasure to hear from you, and I hope you continue to give comment on what we are doing.
Best Wishes
Sheila
Hi Sheila,
Lovely to hear from you. I think the collection was still going on when I left in 1965 after O Levels. I will continue to check in to the site periodically, and thanks again for keeping things going. I have nothing but the happiest memories of our wonderful school.
Regards,
Christine
2. Hi, Dave.
What a brilliant archive you and Sheila have here. I asked my granddaughter to look up my school when she had finished showing me pictures of her new school. I was pleasantly surprised to find your site with all the information gathered in one place. The change from H.G.S. to Hemsworth High School happened while I was a pupil there. I still say H.G.S. when asked about my education. I think that the best thing that I gained from school was an inquiring mind. Even now, having reached 60, I still need to know Why? When? And How? I located the only school photograph of me in existence 1 Normans 1964-1965. Thank you for that. I wonder what happened to everyone else, occasionally. Looking back I wish I had been a more diligent pupil, especially in languages. I still refer to Latin, French and Esperanto, all learned at Hemsworth. Quite regularly now I hear younger people saying "I cannot remember that! I haven't been in school for x years." and yet I retain much of the principles and facts installed as part of my education. I'm on Facebook with Hemsworth Grammar School listed as my secondary education. No doubt I will be browsing the site again. I'll PDF my school report if you think it would add anything.
Many thanks and regards,
Melvyn Thomas.
Sept 13, 2013
Dear Melvyn,
Thank you for contacting the site and for sharing some of your thoughts about HGS. Thank you also for the "pdf" offer. I will bear that in mind. If you would like to add any memories in text form, just send them in to us.
Best wishes,
Dave
Hi, Dave.
Looking at the school photos it's amazing what names you remember and what you forget. People who you met everyday but cannot now put a name to them. Most lads just called each other by nickname more than anything else, proper names were for registration. Or maybe we remember people because some went on to be more notable in our later lives. What HGS left me with is a broad base of knowledge, a good amount of confidence and a desire to find out how things worked. For this I am grateful. These things alone have made sure that I can solve most of the problems that I have encountered, by returning to the firm foundation provided. I didn't realise it at the time, but I have done for many years. As part of my job I give training courses. One of the power point slides includes my education and the School Motto "Labor Ipse Voluptas" and I can honestly say, most of the time it has.
Melvyn Thomas.
Oct 2, 2013
3. Dear, Sheila.
I have just made one of my periodic visits to the HGS site. The existence and extent of the site as it has grown is in itself testimony to what a hugely important part HGS played in the entire lives of those who won a place there. My heart still fills with pride when I look back to my school and the happy and fulfilling R.A.F. and Meteorological Office career to which HGS opened the door. My parents wanted but one thing for me, as did so many South Yorkshire parents, and that was to equip me with an education which would give me an escape into a world far away from the coal mine. A County Minor Scholarship and HGS gave me that chance and I left home aged 20 never to return. I was never particularly gifted in sports or academic studies but despite that HGS prepared me well for my working life and though woodworking classes failed to engage my enthusiasm, I count cabinet making as a passion which I have indulged all my adult life. Rarely do teachers of artisan skills receive the credit and approbation afforded to teachers of academic and sports skills but they too were a part of the broad spectrum taught at HGS in my time there.
Seeing the school cap images reminded me that I still have my old cap! There are some holes worn in the neb made by the many, many times we were required to raise our caps as we passed a member of staff! Bear in mind that I removed this cap for the last time in 1955! Is its survival some kind of record I wonder?
Thanks must go to you and Dave for developing the germ of an idea into this wonderful, so valuable website.
Very Best Wishes,
Geoff Graham
Nov 4, 2013
Dear Geoff,
We are blushing at your compliments! It is so gratifying to hear the appreciation expressed in your mail, and such approbation gives fuel to the fire and helps us to focus on continuing the task. Thank you for all the images you sent. You are certainly gifted with all the skills which were encouraged at HGS. Long may you continue.
Keep in touch.
Sincerely,
Sheila
4. Hi, Sheila.
During the Christmas invasion by our offspring one of them invaded my computer and logged on to the Hemsworth Grammar School site and much to their surprise found that their 'old man' at school was active in sport such as athletics, rugby and tennis.... bearing in mind I only play golf nowadays in the manner of Mark Twain's definition. However what really fascinated them, apart from the great site, were the two photographs I've attached both of which were taken by Mr. Leonard.
1. This one shows me smoking and drinking and was suggested by Mr. Johnston as a photographic preview to Thunder Rock in which I played Streeter. It didn't get published and no I didn't join the group that took their nicotine fix in the cellar under the Chemistry Block or behind the old Fives Court ...I didn't smoke!
2. In this photograph Mr. Leonard is lying supine in the sandpit to take the photo to give the impression I was clearing well over five feet....dream on! Studying the on-lookers in the background it gives the impression I was competing against a Girls Grammar school. No it was definitely the Huddersfield Annual Sports.
Continue the good work, Sheila.
Tony Pickering
p.s. when the site first opened were e-mail addresses of the participants included on file?
Jan 12, 2014
Hi, Tony.
Last question first: Yes, we did have a glossary of names with their contact e-mail addresses, but when the new site came online, many of them had become out of date, and we hesitated to provide wrong ones, if you see what I mean. However, if there is someone in particular you would be looking for, we do our best to give you any help we can. No problem if it is one name or many.
Now, thank you so much for the photos. We are hoping you don't mind them appearing on the site. At first I struggled to imagine where that high jump pit was! The buildings behind looked a bit like the kitchen area of the Dining Hall, but a re-read of your message explained things. It's rare to see the Western Roll nowadays! You look as though you are about to land on Mr Leonard. He took a good photo of me doing the Long Jump at Huddersfield. It's on the Sports Page, with Mr Hassall looking on at the right hand side.
When I opened your mail today, it was really spooky, because I had the attached photos ready to send you. I know it's ages since we had the conversation about Latin books, but when I found the one I had in my mind as mine, it turned out that it had belonged to my husband - his name was inside the front cover. I'm sure our Latin text books were dark blue, but I don't recall the eagle!
Sincerely,
Sheila
Hi Sheila,
Thank you for your reply. I certainly don't mind you putting the photos and accompanying text on the site. Looking at your long jump photo underlined what a good photographer Mr. Leonard was. As P.T. teacher he wasn't a great participator but had good control of the groups. This all changed when Mr.Tate arrived. Like you I don't remember the eagle on front of the Latin book, however, like you I can still recite the present, future and imperfect of " amare"!
Best wishes,
Tony
5. Hi, Dave.
My name is John Wright and I was a pupil at HGS from 1960 to 1967. I have recently been browsing the school website in detail for the first time and noticed that my old school friend Eddie (now Ted) Armstrong has been providing you with names to go with photos. Eddie and I met on the first day of school in Normans and being the two smallest boys in the class soon struck up a close friendship which lasted throughout our junior years. Inspired by his example I have come up with quite a few names for you plus a few corrections which I hope you can add to the site in due course starting with the panorama from 1960/61.
Cheers,
John
Oct 21, 2014
6. I've just been introduced to the HGS web site I attended from 1942-1947. Dare I make a couple of amendments to the information given on the photo supplied by Jacqueline Leonard? On the Sports 1946-47 Boys' Rugby 1st XV I am first left on the back row and referred to as "Stan Turton". This should read "Charlie Turton". No. 6 on this row is Kirkham (sorry can't remember his Christian name). On the 2nd row, first left is Des Miles. On the front row, No. 3 is Nev Garbutt and No. 4 is Trueman (again can't remember his Christian name) Thoroughly enjoyed browsing a very interesting site Well done as they say at school!!
Charlie Turton
Jul 15, 2015
Hello Charlie,
Welcome! We are delighted that you have discovered our website, and thank you for the names you provided. As Dave and I were only two years old in 1946, we have no way of knowing those pupils, and so we depend on Hilmians such as yourself to give us your memories. We will correct your name, (apologies for the 'Stan'). I think the Kirkham you mentioned was Brian, and the Trueman might have been Peter? Have you looked at the Sports photos from the year before - 1945-46? After the Cricket and Rugby teams there is a photo of the first Junior Relay Team with Mr. Leonard. Are you seated 2nd left?
Please keep looking through the Form photos, as well as the Music, Sports, Drama and the Panoramics, and help us with the names from your era. Any corrections will be welcomed, along with your recollections of favourite teachers; the dinners; the games you played, and your friends.
By the way, do you recall the Forms you were in? We have you in 3D in 1944-45; 4B a year later, and 5B the year you left HGS, but we don't have any records for your 1st and 2nd years. Who were your teachers then? Did you enjoy School? Questions, questions! Hope you don't mind my asking all these. You may find that the more you browse the site, the easier the memories come.
We are pleased that someone has passed along the news of our site to you. We have been going since 2001, but there's still lots to do!
Looking forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
Sheila
I have a few recollections of some of the teachers - don't know whether these will be of interest to you.
Miss Leigh: She was our Form Mistress in 5B and for reasons I still do not understand, really disliked me. I remember at the beginning of one term when it was absolute bedlam in the classroom and I was just saying to my mate (Walt Eades) that I wondered if she would still get on to me, when through the door she came and the first word she shouted was "TURTON"! Quite extraordinary.
Dickie "eye-level": Sorry can't remember his proper name (Hamilton) but was the Art Teacher and was forever referring to "the eye level" in drawings - hence his nick-name.
Mr. Crossland: The Senior Master who was feared and yet respected by everyone. Always had his cloak flowing.
Mr. Scourfield: Taught us Latin and was very, very stern.
Miss Bromley: A lovely lady who taught French and was really liked by everyone.
"Tich" Manning: So nick-named because he was a small fellow. I think he returned to School after being demobbed from the RAF. He was very refreshing compared to the rest of the teachers, because he was "one of the lads" and was always up for a laugh.
I often wonder how many of my school friends are still with us - I suspect it will be very few as they would all have to be about my age - 84.
Charles
Thank you so much for your memories. We never would we be bored at your recollections - we cherish them. Those memories are quite precious, and need to be acknowledged and recorded for those who weren't there at that time. We look on them as the 'seasoning' which enriches the plain dish of bare facts and dates. Your comment about your contemporaries' being thin on the ground set me thinking, and I plan to let you know a few names of ones who have been in touch with us once I have done a bit of research. By the way, Dickie 'eye level' was Mr Hamilton - Art teacher, not the Headmaster. You were at School during the War, and I wonder if you have any memories of Air Training Corps, or Air Raid Shelters? What was your first day at HGS like? Who was your first teacher, and where was the classroom? Was there a particular pupil - Prefect, Sports person or Musician, who stands out in your memory? Apart from Walter Eades, who were your other friends at School? Did you get to School on the School bus? Was there a school bus at all?
Just out of interest we are in touch with Geoffrey Manning, 'Tich' Manning's son, and he told us that during the War his father joined the RAF and taught aircrews to manage the electrical and mechanical systems on aircraft. He instructed crews from all over the world on the management of the four engines and other systems on Lancaster bombers . Geoffrey's dates at School were 1945-52, so I suppose he's one of your 'thin on the ground' contemporaries! Do please keep looking at our site, and filling those missing gaps in the names and events.
Sheila
7. Looking at the website today and I found my form photograph for Danes I 1965-66. However, my name is missing. I am on the front row after K. Atkinson and next to Mr Millican. I am the one with the long hair and hair band. Could you please put my name in?
Many thanks,
Susan Meacham
Hi, Susan.
Many thanks for your mail - we'll put right our omission of your name. Can't think why that happened! Tired eyes and a late night, probably!
I'm delighted you got in touch because it gives me a chance to ask you about the first names of your classmates of that year. You'll see that most are missing from the Danes 1 list under the photo, (there are just initials) and as Dave & I left HGS in 1962, we have no idea of the forenames. Also - would you mind looking at the other 1st Form photos of that year (65-66) and maybe providing whatever names you know? We would be most grateful.
The following year (66-67) we have no School Album, and have to rely on Hilmians sending us scans of their own photos. If you happen to own a class or activity photo from that year, and wouldn't mind sharing it with us, that would be great! If you don't have a scanner, then I can provide an address for you to send them, and of course they would be returned safely to you after we have copied them.
Please forgive all these requests of you, but capturing a true record of our Schooldays is our mission, before the memories are lost.
Lovely to hear from you…
Sincerely,
Sheila
8. Hi, Sheila.
I have just re-visited the HGS site. Every time I look I see or read something which arouses more memories about my short time under the Grammar School banner. What prompted me to get in touch was Sue Meacham's input. I was in the same Danes 1 form, 1965-66. I notice you haven't a form photograph for Danes II the following year. I know my mum had a copy at one time I'll have to ask her if she still has it filed away somewhere.
Were you ever issued with a school 'Highroads' Dictionary? I have a copy still sat by my desk at work, I think I kept it by accident when the changeover happened. I have used used it ever since. It is somewhat battered now and held together with gaffa tape - not very pretty! In the front is a table of the year, previous owner and condition, you may know some of them?
1959-60 David Cooper New
1960 ? Celts 3 Good
1961-62 Margaret Preece 2A Good
1962 Kelly J A 4T Good
1963-64 Margaret Chappell 3A Good but inky
1964 Kent S Good
Keep up the good work and I'll look for that photograph.
David Haigh
19 Oct, 2015
Hi David,
Great to hear from you! Many thanks for your compliments on the site. We're glad that you keep visiting and recalling your youth! There seems no end to the additions we can all make - photos, stories, lists and contacts just keep rolling in, much to our delight. I don't recall the 'Highroads' Dictionary - maybe it was issued to the lower Forms only? I was in 5A in 1959-60 and taking GCE's. However, you have reminded me about those tables at the front of our textbooks indicating ownership and condition. That memory had slipped through the cracks of time! I checked the information given in your copy against my records, and when I reached 1962 Kelly J A 4T Good, I found that in that year (1962-63) Kelly J A was in 3D, not 4T. Did the entry refer to the following year? No, because he was in 4A in 1963-4, and 5B the following year. I suppose we need John Kelly to contact us with the explanation! A possible photo of Danes 2 1966-67 would be most welcome, and can I ask you a favour about this year? Would you please have a look at the other second year Forms for that year and help us with the missing forenames? Dave and I left HGS in 1962, and so we don't know any of the correct names of the pupils thereafter. In fact if you can supply any names from any year, that would be wonderful! If your Mum can find the photo for you, will you scan it to send to us? If you wish to send it snailmail, we can copy it and return it safely to you. Please let us know if you need an address.
Who was your Form Teacher in Danes 2, and which Forms followed afterwards for you? Do you have any specific recollections about the changeover of Head and regime? As Third years you and your peers would be right in the middle of both systems - Grammar and Comprehensive. Changing times for HGS.
Sheila
I do love catching up with the HGS site occasionally. It brings back so many happy memories of what now seems to be a bygone age. I am writing in response to a feature about collecting rosehips. My hazy recollection from the early sixties is that Miss Metcalfe weighed the rosehips and paid 4d per pound, and that the rosehips were sent to Delrosa, manufacturers of rosehip syrup. I must add that I never actually collected any myself but think I may have helped with the weighing.
Kind regards and thank you for your work on the site. It is much appreciated.
Christine Cheetham, formerly Evans, of Brierley
Apr 5, 2013
Hello Christine,
Many thanks for your memory of the autumn collections of rose hips. How rural it all sounds nowadays! I remember the scratched hands and arms involved in collecting those hips from the hedgerows of the Blackety in Shafton! I haven't seen any Delrosa in the shops for ages, though it may still be sold in health food outlets. We left HGS in 1962. I wonder how long the collections continued after that?
Your compliment about the site is much appreciated. There must be many Hilmians like yourself who log on to the site and take pleasure from the memories without necessarily contacting us right away. Still, it's a pleasure to hear from you, and I hope you continue to give comment on what we are doing.
Best Wishes
Sheila
Hi Sheila,
Lovely to hear from you. I think the collection was still going on when I left in 1965 after O Levels. I will continue to check in to the site periodically, and thanks again for keeping things going. I have nothing but the happiest memories of our wonderful school.
Regards,
Christine
2. Hi, Dave.
What a brilliant archive you and Sheila have here. I asked my granddaughter to look up my school when she had finished showing me pictures of her new school. I was pleasantly surprised to find your site with all the information gathered in one place. The change from H.G.S. to Hemsworth High School happened while I was a pupil there. I still say H.G.S. when asked about my education. I think that the best thing that I gained from school was an inquiring mind. Even now, having reached 60, I still need to know Why? When? And How? I located the only school photograph of me in existence 1 Normans 1964-1965. Thank you for that. I wonder what happened to everyone else, occasionally. Looking back I wish I had been a more diligent pupil, especially in languages. I still refer to Latin, French and Esperanto, all learned at Hemsworth. Quite regularly now I hear younger people saying "I cannot remember that! I haven't been in school for x years." and yet I retain much of the principles and facts installed as part of my education. I'm on Facebook with Hemsworth Grammar School listed as my secondary education. No doubt I will be browsing the site again. I'll PDF my school report if you think it would add anything.
Many thanks and regards,
Melvyn Thomas.
Sept 13, 2013
Dear Melvyn,
Thank you for contacting the site and for sharing some of your thoughts about HGS. Thank you also for the "pdf" offer. I will bear that in mind. If you would like to add any memories in text form, just send them in to us.
Best wishes,
Dave
Hi, Dave.
Looking at the school photos it's amazing what names you remember and what you forget. People who you met everyday but cannot now put a name to them. Most lads just called each other by nickname more than anything else, proper names were for registration. Or maybe we remember people because some went on to be more notable in our later lives. What HGS left me with is a broad base of knowledge, a good amount of confidence and a desire to find out how things worked. For this I am grateful. These things alone have made sure that I can solve most of the problems that I have encountered, by returning to the firm foundation provided. I didn't realise it at the time, but I have done for many years. As part of my job I give training courses. One of the power point slides includes my education and the School Motto "Labor Ipse Voluptas" and I can honestly say, most of the time it has.
Melvyn Thomas.
Oct 2, 2013
3. Dear, Sheila.
I have just made one of my periodic visits to the HGS site. The existence and extent of the site as it has grown is in itself testimony to what a hugely important part HGS played in the entire lives of those who won a place there. My heart still fills with pride when I look back to my school and the happy and fulfilling R.A.F. and Meteorological Office career to which HGS opened the door. My parents wanted but one thing for me, as did so many South Yorkshire parents, and that was to equip me with an education which would give me an escape into a world far away from the coal mine. A County Minor Scholarship and HGS gave me that chance and I left home aged 20 never to return. I was never particularly gifted in sports or academic studies but despite that HGS prepared me well for my working life and though woodworking classes failed to engage my enthusiasm, I count cabinet making as a passion which I have indulged all my adult life. Rarely do teachers of artisan skills receive the credit and approbation afforded to teachers of academic and sports skills but they too were a part of the broad spectrum taught at HGS in my time there.
Seeing the school cap images reminded me that I still have my old cap! There are some holes worn in the neb made by the many, many times we were required to raise our caps as we passed a member of staff! Bear in mind that I removed this cap for the last time in 1955! Is its survival some kind of record I wonder?
Thanks must go to you and Dave for developing the germ of an idea into this wonderful, so valuable website.
Very Best Wishes,
Geoff Graham
Nov 4, 2013
Dear Geoff,
We are blushing at your compliments! It is so gratifying to hear the appreciation expressed in your mail, and such approbation gives fuel to the fire and helps us to focus on continuing the task. Thank you for all the images you sent. You are certainly gifted with all the skills which were encouraged at HGS. Long may you continue.
Keep in touch.
Sincerely,
Sheila
4. Hi, Sheila.
During the Christmas invasion by our offspring one of them invaded my computer and logged on to the Hemsworth Grammar School site and much to their surprise found that their 'old man' at school was active in sport such as athletics, rugby and tennis.... bearing in mind I only play golf nowadays in the manner of Mark Twain's definition. However what really fascinated them, apart from the great site, were the two photographs I've attached both of which were taken by Mr. Leonard.
1. This one shows me smoking and drinking and was suggested by Mr. Johnston as a photographic preview to Thunder Rock in which I played Streeter. It didn't get published and no I didn't join the group that took their nicotine fix in the cellar under the Chemistry Block or behind the old Fives Court ...I didn't smoke!
2. In this photograph Mr. Leonard is lying supine in the sandpit to take the photo to give the impression I was clearing well over five feet....dream on! Studying the on-lookers in the background it gives the impression I was competing against a Girls Grammar school. No it was definitely the Huddersfield Annual Sports.
Continue the good work, Sheila.
Tony Pickering
p.s. when the site first opened were e-mail addresses of the participants included on file?
Jan 12, 2014
Hi, Tony.
Last question first: Yes, we did have a glossary of names with their contact e-mail addresses, but when the new site came online, many of them had become out of date, and we hesitated to provide wrong ones, if you see what I mean. However, if there is someone in particular you would be looking for, we do our best to give you any help we can. No problem if it is one name or many.
Now, thank you so much for the photos. We are hoping you don't mind them appearing on the site. At first I struggled to imagine where that high jump pit was! The buildings behind looked a bit like the kitchen area of the Dining Hall, but a re-read of your message explained things. It's rare to see the Western Roll nowadays! You look as though you are about to land on Mr Leonard. He took a good photo of me doing the Long Jump at Huddersfield. It's on the Sports Page, with Mr Hassall looking on at the right hand side.
When I opened your mail today, it was really spooky, because I had the attached photos ready to send you. I know it's ages since we had the conversation about Latin books, but when I found the one I had in my mind as mine, it turned out that it had belonged to my husband - his name was inside the front cover. I'm sure our Latin text books were dark blue, but I don't recall the eagle!
Sincerely,
Sheila
Hi Sheila,
Thank you for your reply. I certainly don't mind you putting the photos and accompanying text on the site. Looking at your long jump photo underlined what a good photographer Mr. Leonard was. As P.T. teacher he wasn't a great participator but had good control of the groups. This all changed when Mr.Tate arrived. Like you I don't remember the eagle on front of the Latin book, however, like you I can still recite the present, future and imperfect of " amare"!
Best wishes,
Tony
5. Hi, Dave.
My name is John Wright and I was a pupil at HGS from 1960 to 1967. I have recently been browsing the school website in detail for the first time and noticed that my old school friend Eddie (now Ted) Armstrong has been providing you with names to go with photos. Eddie and I met on the first day of school in Normans and being the two smallest boys in the class soon struck up a close friendship which lasted throughout our junior years. Inspired by his example I have come up with quite a few names for you plus a few corrections which I hope you can add to the site in due course starting with the panorama from 1960/61.
Cheers,
John
Oct 21, 2014
6. I've just been introduced to the HGS web site I attended from 1942-1947. Dare I make a couple of amendments to the information given on the photo supplied by Jacqueline Leonard? On the Sports 1946-47 Boys' Rugby 1st XV I am first left on the back row and referred to as "Stan Turton". This should read "Charlie Turton". No. 6 on this row is Kirkham (sorry can't remember his Christian name). On the 2nd row, first left is Des Miles. On the front row, No. 3 is Nev Garbutt and No. 4 is Trueman (again can't remember his Christian name) Thoroughly enjoyed browsing a very interesting site Well done as they say at school!!
Charlie Turton
Jul 15, 2015
Hello Charlie,
Welcome! We are delighted that you have discovered our website, and thank you for the names you provided. As Dave and I were only two years old in 1946, we have no way of knowing those pupils, and so we depend on Hilmians such as yourself to give us your memories. We will correct your name, (apologies for the 'Stan'). I think the Kirkham you mentioned was Brian, and the Trueman might have been Peter? Have you looked at the Sports photos from the year before - 1945-46? After the Cricket and Rugby teams there is a photo of the first Junior Relay Team with Mr. Leonard. Are you seated 2nd left?
Please keep looking through the Form photos, as well as the Music, Sports, Drama and the Panoramics, and help us with the names from your era. Any corrections will be welcomed, along with your recollections of favourite teachers; the dinners; the games you played, and your friends.
By the way, do you recall the Forms you were in? We have you in 3D in 1944-45; 4B a year later, and 5B the year you left HGS, but we don't have any records for your 1st and 2nd years. Who were your teachers then? Did you enjoy School? Questions, questions! Hope you don't mind my asking all these. You may find that the more you browse the site, the easier the memories come.
We are pleased that someone has passed along the news of our site to you. We have been going since 2001, but there's still lots to do!
Looking forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
Sheila
I have a few recollections of some of the teachers - don't know whether these will be of interest to you.
Miss Leigh: She was our Form Mistress in 5B and for reasons I still do not understand, really disliked me. I remember at the beginning of one term when it was absolute bedlam in the classroom and I was just saying to my mate (Walt Eades) that I wondered if she would still get on to me, when through the door she came and the first word she shouted was "TURTON"! Quite extraordinary.
Dickie "eye-level": Sorry can't remember his proper name (Hamilton) but was the Art Teacher and was forever referring to "the eye level" in drawings - hence his nick-name.
Mr. Crossland: The Senior Master who was feared and yet respected by everyone. Always had his cloak flowing.
Mr. Scourfield: Taught us Latin and was very, very stern.
Miss Bromley: A lovely lady who taught French and was really liked by everyone.
"Tich" Manning: So nick-named because he was a small fellow. I think he returned to School after being demobbed from the RAF. He was very refreshing compared to the rest of the teachers, because he was "one of the lads" and was always up for a laugh.
I often wonder how many of my school friends are still with us - I suspect it will be very few as they would all have to be about my age - 84.
Charles
Thank you so much for your memories. We never would we be bored at your recollections - we cherish them. Those memories are quite precious, and need to be acknowledged and recorded for those who weren't there at that time. We look on them as the 'seasoning' which enriches the plain dish of bare facts and dates. Your comment about your contemporaries' being thin on the ground set me thinking, and I plan to let you know a few names of ones who have been in touch with us once I have done a bit of research. By the way, Dickie 'eye level' was Mr Hamilton - Art teacher, not the Headmaster. You were at School during the War, and I wonder if you have any memories of Air Training Corps, or Air Raid Shelters? What was your first day at HGS like? Who was your first teacher, and where was the classroom? Was there a particular pupil - Prefect, Sports person or Musician, who stands out in your memory? Apart from Walter Eades, who were your other friends at School? Did you get to School on the School bus? Was there a school bus at all?
Just out of interest we are in touch with Geoffrey Manning, 'Tich' Manning's son, and he told us that during the War his father joined the RAF and taught aircrews to manage the electrical and mechanical systems on aircraft. He instructed crews from all over the world on the management of the four engines and other systems on Lancaster bombers . Geoffrey's dates at School were 1945-52, so I suppose he's one of your 'thin on the ground' contemporaries! Do please keep looking at our site, and filling those missing gaps in the names and events.
Sheila
7. Looking at the website today and I found my form photograph for Danes I 1965-66. However, my name is missing. I am on the front row after K. Atkinson and next to Mr Millican. I am the one with the long hair and hair band. Could you please put my name in?
Many thanks,
Susan Meacham
Hi, Susan.
Many thanks for your mail - we'll put right our omission of your name. Can't think why that happened! Tired eyes and a late night, probably!
I'm delighted you got in touch because it gives me a chance to ask you about the first names of your classmates of that year. You'll see that most are missing from the Danes 1 list under the photo, (there are just initials) and as Dave & I left HGS in 1962, we have no idea of the forenames. Also - would you mind looking at the other 1st Form photos of that year (65-66) and maybe providing whatever names you know? We would be most grateful.
The following year (66-67) we have no School Album, and have to rely on Hilmians sending us scans of their own photos. If you happen to own a class or activity photo from that year, and wouldn't mind sharing it with us, that would be great! If you don't have a scanner, then I can provide an address for you to send them, and of course they would be returned safely to you after we have copied them.
Please forgive all these requests of you, but capturing a true record of our Schooldays is our mission, before the memories are lost.
Lovely to hear from you…
Sincerely,
Sheila
8. Hi, Sheila.
I have just re-visited the HGS site. Every time I look I see or read something which arouses more memories about my short time under the Grammar School banner. What prompted me to get in touch was Sue Meacham's input. I was in the same Danes 1 form, 1965-66. I notice you haven't a form photograph for Danes II the following year. I know my mum had a copy at one time I'll have to ask her if she still has it filed away somewhere.
Were you ever issued with a school 'Highroads' Dictionary? I have a copy still sat by my desk at work, I think I kept it by accident when the changeover happened. I have used used it ever since. It is somewhat battered now and held together with gaffa tape - not very pretty! In the front is a table of the year, previous owner and condition, you may know some of them?
1959-60 David Cooper New
1960 ? Celts 3 Good
1961-62 Margaret Preece 2A Good
1962 Kelly J A 4T Good
1963-64 Margaret Chappell 3A Good but inky
1964 Kent S Good
Keep up the good work and I'll look for that photograph.
David Haigh
19 Oct, 2015
Hi David,
Great to hear from you! Many thanks for your compliments on the site. We're glad that you keep visiting and recalling your youth! There seems no end to the additions we can all make - photos, stories, lists and contacts just keep rolling in, much to our delight. I don't recall the 'Highroads' Dictionary - maybe it was issued to the lower Forms only? I was in 5A in 1959-60 and taking GCE's. However, you have reminded me about those tables at the front of our textbooks indicating ownership and condition. That memory had slipped through the cracks of time! I checked the information given in your copy against my records, and when I reached 1962 Kelly J A 4T Good, I found that in that year (1962-63) Kelly J A was in 3D, not 4T. Did the entry refer to the following year? No, because he was in 4A in 1963-4, and 5B the following year. I suppose we need John Kelly to contact us with the explanation! A possible photo of Danes 2 1966-67 would be most welcome, and can I ask you a favour about this year? Would you please have a look at the other second year Forms for that year and help us with the missing forenames? Dave and I left HGS in 1962, and so we don't know any of the correct names of the pupils thereafter. In fact if you can supply any names from any year, that would be wonderful! If your Mum can find the photo for you, will you scan it to send to us? If you wish to send it snailmail, we can copy it and return it safely to you. Please let us know if you need an address.
Who was your Form Teacher in Danes 2, and which Forms followed afterwards for you? Do you have any specific recollections about the changeover of Head and regime? As Third years you and your peers would be right in the middle of both systems - Grammar and Comprehensive. Changing times for HGS.
Sheila
