Visitors 21
Years 2015 - 2020
Years 2015 - 2020
Mr Tate (former HGS Staff member, left) meets Kenneth Johnson (former England Schoolboys' Rugby Captain at a reunion in 2003.
1. Greetings,
My name is David Clifford Morgan and on my 77th birthday last week I discovered your truly wonderful web site. My father, Clifford Morgan, the son of a local coal miner, joined the school via a County Scholarship in 1925-26 and left in 1929 aged 16 after gaining entry to RAF Engineering College, Halton. His career in the RAF took him to the rank of Flying Officer in Bomber Command. He was killed in 1943 when I was five years old and, sadly, I have no recollection of him, as he was far from home, fighting in the Pacific. You can imagine my delight when I found two photographs and six mentions of him in your very thorough site. To the best of my knowledge he is in the Sport section for the 1920s First Soccer Team, bottom row third from left. He is also in the Form Groups 1925-26 Miss Hanson's form, third row down far left (the lad with big ears!). He and a chum won the three-legged race in 1926! Obviously a sporting prodigy. Finding all this information about the father I never knew has touched me greatly, so many thanks to the gifted team who have put this remarkable web site together.
Thank you again,
David Morgan
29 Oct 2015
Hello David,
How lovely to hear from you! When we enter onto the site the facts and figures about any individual from long ago, we have no idea whether they will give pleasure to any specific descendants such as yourself. However, time and again we have been contacted to say it has all been worth the time and effort involved, as it has struck a chord in many peoples' lives. We are delighted that you are one of these. You must have certainly browsed for a long time to see so much! Thank you for your compliment on the site. We have been going since 2001, and there is still much to do. Did you see the mention of your father in the Cricket Notes for 1927-28? The comment was on his bowling ability. I also have a mention of him in a 1927-28 School Magazine. The Cricket Match report for a game taking place on 7th July 1928 against Barnsley Grammar School.
School 1st XI reads as follows:
Result: School lost by 22 runs. Barnsley G.S. 78, School 56 Morgan: A keen player who has right ideas.
Should become a really good all-rounder.
I wonder if you have seen your father's name on the Roll of Honour? You can read all about the lectern which contains the names by clicking History, and then from the yellow box select 'The Lectern and one story from it'. If you should happen to have any information about your father's War Service which you would like included, then please let us know.
Thank you so much for getting in touch,
Kind Regards,
Sheila
2. Hi, Dave.
You probably don't remember me at HGS but I remember you well at school. I have only just discovered the Grammar school site. I have a few photos and maybe some answers to queries. The Form photos havebrought back many happy memories of the lads and lasses I had the pleasure of meeting there. I have seen one or two over the past 49 years but not recently. I can only reiterate what has been said by so many others about the teaching staff and how they made life so enjoyable. They helped form and inspire inquisitive minds to go on to adulthood with confidence. After HGS I joined the Hilmians Rugby Club and have included 3 photographs of some of the teams. There are some other photographs which I will also send. I hope they can be of help to someone. They have many happy memories for me.
Keith Oliver (HGS 1954-59)
8 April 2016
Hi, Keith.
Thank you very much for contacting the site. It is great to hear from you. I certainly do remember you from HGS. You were only one year above me at school so I had quite a lot of affinity with your year as a whole. House and School Teams were often comprised of your Year and mine. Great memories. Thanks for the photographs. Our visitors will really enjoy seeing them. Enjoy the site.
Very best wishes,
Dave
3. Hi, Dave.
I was having a quick look at the website and suddenly a name came to me of the cook who was at the school at some time in the 1950's. She was Fiona Towler whose father, Harry Towler, had been a colliery manager and NCB Area Manager and lived at Hodroyd Hall which was between South Hiendley and Shafton. Fiona was actually a trained Cordon Bleu chef and at some point prior to working at HGS she had been chef to the Lillford family who were a wealthy and influential family in South Africa. I thought this may be of interest and if I find out more I will let you know.
Regards,
John Robinson (1956-61)
4 May 2016
Hi, John.
I know it's been some time since your last mail to the site about Fiona Towler, and although Dave acknowledged it, I wanted also to say thank you for it. Our School was linked into a wider scenario than we realised when we were there, wasn't it. Fiona Towler was certainly an interesting person, - just one of the many quality members of the Staff which populated the School. I wonder who appointed her? Would it be the Head, along with the Governors, or maybe the West Riding Education Authority - or perhaps there was a School Meals Department somewhere. I thought those cooks at the School presented us with really good meals, even through the shortages. Do you remember being given a slice of bread when potatoes were unavailable? As we passed along the line of dinner ladies with our plates ready for the puddings, I recall them saying "there's 2 dozen eggs in this custard". Happy Days!
Anyway, it's good to know you are still dipping in to the website and enjoying the read. Thanks again for the input.
Best Wishes,
Sheila
4. Dear HGS folks,
I stumbled upon your site during some family tree research. What a great community you have, and have had. Jack Rhodes the groundsman is mentioned fondly by some of you in the Forum (1.3), especially for cricket. When I was a little boy in the 50s and early 60s he was my Uncle Jack, married to my Auntie Sadie (nee Mahoney). As I recall, everyone had only good things to say about 'Jack and Sadie'. They were kind and gentle. They came to stay and visit at our house in Grantham before and after moving to Guernsey. Uncle Jack gave us all a Guernsey 3d bit, which I found exotic with its frilly milled edge and different metal to the English 3d bit. I also remember us always having two aged but real cricket bats in the shed that I'm pretty sure came from Jack; and most likely surplus from HGS. They eventually disintegrated from years of use on the street wicket. Whilst I am from Grantham, my grandparents Timothy and Rose Mahoney lived in Hemsworth from about 1920-1950. Anyway, there you go. I'll have a drive through Hemsworth and HGS next time I'm back home.
Regards,
Stephen Mahoney
6 May 2016
Hi Steve,
I'm Sheila from the HGS website, and I just wanted to thank you for your recent mail. We have been longing for news of Mr. Rhodes (as we knew him), because he was such an important cog in the Sports life of our School. He was a popular chap who seemed to be an enduring feature of our lives. He and Mr. Wycherley gave us all such pleasant memories of the grounds - pitches, flower beds, trees and shrubs were all tended with such care. I'm sure that few schools in Yorkshire, or for that matter in the country, would have had such beautiful grounds as ours. He left behind some treasured memories. Do you have any photos of him which you would be willing to share with us? I think from memory there is only one image of him on the site - not enough for such an important chap. I wonder why he chose Guernsey for his retirement? Having been in the Hemsworth area for so long, it seems a far distant choice - unless he had family there? Did he and Sadie have any children? I believe they lived on Holly Bank. Questions, questions! I'm not wishing to pester you, but you are the only person who is able to fill us in. We are attempting to capture as many memories as we can before they fade away.
Looking forward to hearing from you again,
Sheila
5. Hi, both.
I have just come across the site for the school. I attended from 1963 to 1970, the last 2 years as the High School. The site looks great and I am still exploring further. It brought back a lot of memories especially seeing the photos of a lot of old friends, and teachers. It would be fantastic to be able to get back in touch with many of them.
Thanks
Dave Burdett (HGS/HHS 1963-70)
16 Sept 2016
Hi David,
How lovely to hear from you - and where have you been for the last 15 years! Dave and I started the site in 2001. At first it was planned just to cover our own years at School (1955-1962), but pretty soon word spread and brothers and sisters from earlier and later years got in touch, and we mushroomed into covering the whole of the existence of the Grammar School - 1921-1967. We try to record in good faith all the people, events and stories, both important and insignificant, before they fade away from memory. A bit like doing a never-ending jig-saw! Anyway, we are so pleased you have discovered us, and hope you join in with your memories too. If you are in touch with any of your School peers, please spread the word about our site - it's for everyone interested in the School, and all the content is positive, as were our own School Days. Again - great to hear from you, and looking forward to your reply.
Sincerely,
Sheila
Hi again, Sheila.
Just a few recollections on my time at HGS. For the record I was in Romans in 1963, followed by 2A, 3A, 4 Celts and Year 5. Afterwards it was Lower 6th, Upper 6th, leaving in 1970. I played a bit of rugby for the school in the Second, Third and Fourth Years and was in the Third XV in year 5. If I remember correctly we had all the fixtures cancelled for the second part of the season due to "rough play". When I started first year boys were nicknamed "sprogs" and were subject to certain levels of abuse by the older boys. In the winter of 1963 there was a heavy snowfall at one point. The 1st XV rugby team changed into their kit and took on the rest of the school in a snowball battle. Woe betide anyone who was caught as part of this. They had snow packed down inside their trousers. I had a few pals who spent the afternoon in class slowly dripping and steaming as the snow melted.
The Ice Cream Shop used to be open in the last term each year. It was usually run by 4th year pupils. However the shop was closed in our 4th year as most of the ice creams were eaten but not paid for. I have a great fondness for Miss Smith who took us for French in our 5th Year. It is solely thanks to her that I managed to pass my O level French. I'm sure many will remember "Taff" Davies (French) and "Johnny" Swinbank (Latin) who taught songs in the respective languages, and the sounds of raised voices singing various songs echoing around the corridors At the end of Year 5 there was a school camp in Keswick in the Lake District. Not only a good holiday, it provided a great benefit to get to know the teachers on a more personal and friendly basis not only in the pubs but also in the camp, on walks, canoeing etc. We were on a campsite at the junction of 2 large streams leading in to Derwentwater. I distinctly remember having to peel 2 sacks of spuds for dinner one evening. There was great sadness in many pupils and staffs hearts when we sang the school song at the last assembly in 1968, but also great amusement when the Head walked out. This is evident from a lot of the comments on the site. Whilst the new school benefited from many more additional facilities etc., much of the atmosphere and character disappeared over the following couple of years after 1968. I hope that the new school has been able to generate its own character.
Dave Burdett
21 Sep 2016
Hi Dave,
Many thanks for your recollections - so valuable to us! After we left in 1962 our connections with School (well, mine, anyway) were few. I set off one evening with another pal who had come to Manchester from HGS, and our aim was an Old Hilmian reunion in Pontefract. My car was ancient, the fog on the moors became really thick, and we turned back. Apart from my 2004 visits which are reported on the site, that's the sum of my HGS knowledge beyond our leaving date in 1962. Thanks for your Form names and dates. I now have 2 names in my list for your year Celts 4, yours and Valerie Mitchell's who won the Form Prize. Can you recall who was your Form teacher? Any other names from Celts 4 which you can be definite about would be welcome, as I hesitate to take the list wholesale from the previous year's 3A. Also, from somewhere I don't recall, I have had a suggestion that Gorton's name might be Bruce. Does this ring a bell with you? Finally, could I ask you to look at the Sports section and in the Sports Days 1960's, scroll down to the 1967 presentation photo? Marrion Pearson is shaking hands with Dianne Sell across Mrs Hamilton. There are lots of missing names there which you may know, and be able to tell us. Of course, if you happen to pass any of the other photos in that area and can provide names for the numbers, that would be marvellous. I know I must appear to be quizzing you ad infinitum, but actually, yes, I am! Your help is valued as we try to make the record of that great School. I heard last week that Grammar Schools are coming back. Fancy that!
Sincerely,
Sheila
6. Dear Sheila,
I had a happy hour reading the latest from many people who were with me at H.G.S. I saw a piece there from Peter Wall and remembered how powerful his voice was keeping the various choirs going with Miss Carter in charge. As I remember his brother Alex also sang and I have a memory of him winning a Music scholarship to Cambridge, which amazed us in the pit villages. I can't remember whether it was taken up. Perhaps Peter will read this and tell all. As you wrote, our generation were so lucky to have such opportunities with such a wide range of extra curricular activities. Does anyone remember the trip to Stratford-on-Avon. The year I went we were living in caravans and took our food with us. Great fun. I think that was 1953. I also liked the piece about Mr Johnstone (Jock). In the 6th he inspired us to read more widely including novels completely new to a miner's daughter from Fitzwilliam. The Bible reading when I was first made a Prefect was also very daunting and I learnt it by heart in the end so as to read it perfectly.
Regards,
Juliet Parker
22 Feb 2018
Dear Sheila,
I was the only one in my family to go to Grammar School. My son went to High Wycombe Grammar School and then Cambridge. He became a barrister and is now a Q.C. As I watched him take Silk in Westminster Hall that day I couldn’t believe my change in circumstances from the Fitzwilliam Pits where his Grandad worked to this. I hope I don’t sound boastful but there must be others with similar stories to tell of lives changed by the start given by passing the 11+. Before we go we should tell them. We had kind, clever teachers who cared about us and we should be grateful for what we had.
Regards
Juliet
Dear Juliet,
Thank you so much for your mail, and I must apologise for my tardy reply. I have recently been suffering from that awful 'flu, which knocked me out completely, but am now slowly 'on the mend'. I'm so glad you are still occasionally dipping into the HGS website, and that it is evoking those memories of long ago. When your mail appears on the site, I'm sure that the questions you pose about Peter Wall's scholarship and The Stratford trip will receive some responses. Although when we were pupils at the School we seemed to know every member of Staff by name, there were still some occasions when one could progress through the years and still miss having one or more of those teachers for a lesson. Mr. Johnstone was one such teacher as far as I was concerned, and it looks as though I missed out on an inspirational man, as you are not the only person to mention him with praise. I can see that you were constantly in a choir throughout your School days. Not only that, but it looks as though during the years you were singing, the School experienced its 'Golden Years' musically.
Kind regards,
Sheila
7. Dear Sheila,
So pleased to see that the Old Hilmian/HGS web site is still being maintained by the dedication of you and your colleague. Even but a few minutes spent in the site must give you such a buzz as you see the rapturous musings of the old HGS associated visitors. Much pleasure is still clearly given even to those who have only an association with an ex-HGS pupil. I suppose it is inevitable that the site will one day run out of living contributors but until that day may you thrive! Thank you to you and your associate.
Very Best Wishes,
Geoff Graham
20 July 2018
Dear Geoff,
Thank you so much for your kind words about the website. It's amazing to think we have been doing it since 2001! I suppose it is a finite activity, but many of those who get in touch are the sons and daughters of Hilmians, so as long as Dave and I keep enthusiastic and healthy, its existence is guaranteed for a good few years yet.
Sincerely,
Sheila
8. Hope you're well.
Just a quick email to say I'm still keeping an eye on the noticeboard. Sadly nothing to add but nice to know stuff still turning up. You can include me in the house lists if you like. I was in Guest. I could never forget that due to being " asked " to play hooker in the house rugby comp in my last year! I can still feel the pain. I think an old classmate was pictured in the Hemsworth/South Elmsall Express last week. Do you get it? Lynn(e) Guest (as was) in 5R pic from 1966/67. Page 5 had a report on a lady's 100th birthday and I think the lady bottom right of the photo is her. When I moved here in late 60s Lynn was courting Barry Swain (top right) so a good chance they married and it's her looking very well. Right, I'm off. Stopped snowing so out for my weekly 2 pints with my Last of the Summer Wine mates.
Best Wishes,
Bob
30 Jan 2019
Hi Bob,
Good to hear from you. Over the years you have been a Trojan at supporting us with your identifications, and here's hoping there may be even more if you can spare the time away from Compo, Cleggy and Foggy! A special shout out for help on this snowy night....The School Athletics Team 1964-65. I know in the past you could only see the images on your phone, but by now I'm assuming you have a tablet or a device that will expand/enlarge the photo so that faces are clearer. If you could get in your groove with the missing names for this one, that would be great. As I'm based in Greater Manchester, I don't see the Hemsworth/South Elmsall Express, although Dave, who is local to Hemsworth may. Incidentally it's good that ladies are still making news at 100 years of age. When my Mum died in 2017 she was within 12 weeks of being 105 and getting her second birthday card from the Queen.
Best Wishes,
Sheila
9. Hello Dave and Sheila,
I came across your website from the Facebook page “local stuff for local people”. What a wonderful site! My grandfather went to Hemsworth Grammar School graduating in 1933. I was looking at the rugby photos and noticed that a photo that I have of 1932 wasn’t on the website, in fact it would be the earliest of the team available. I have attached a photo. However this is just a photo of a photo. If you would like I can get a proper scan at a later date? It’s about the size of A4 paper. Henry James Turner (my grandfather) is marked with a cross, back row first on left. Interestingly, I am sending it from Australia. Who would have thought that’s where something like this would turn up for the website! Should I also pass the photo on to the local stuff for local people Facebook page? Do you have anything else that references to James Henry Turner? I also have his school certificate. I would guess there would be allot of these available but didn’t see one on the website. It is from 1933.
Kind Regards,
Ryan Bowman
20 Feb 2019
Hi Ryan,
Wow! You can’t imagine how pleased we are to receive a photo that is part of the missing story of our old School! It sent me looking into our records from the 1930’s to find more about your Grandfather, but first – where is the cross on the photo that you mentioned? I can see what looks like a cross on the door between the chap with the cap in the back row and the taller boy on his left as you look at the photo. This position does not seem to tally with your description “back row first left”. Maybe if you could send a scan and mark your Grandfather with a clearer indication that would clear that one up. At the same time, perhaps you wouldn’t mind sending us a copy of the School Certificate you mentioned? That sounds interesting. Do you have any verbal memories from your Grandfather? Sometimes stories passed along the years can stick in the mind. I looked into our copy of the School’s history (on the website) for any mention of your Grandfather, but in the rugby write-ups unfortunately he is not mentioned by name. However, in 1933 part 2, School Certificates, James H. Turner is there in the Matriculations list. I also found him as a member of the Old Hilmians RugbyTeam in 1933, which means he was an ‘old boy’, and had left School by then. Also, from my own records of Form members, I see he was in 5S in 1932. He had chosen the Science route of Physics, Chemistry and Biology for his Matriculation subjects. The teacher standing extreme left is Mr. Manning, who was still at the School when Dave and I were there in the 50’s and 60’s. Information about the 1930’s is extremely difficult to come by, but it is amazing how many artefacts have survived in photo albums and bottom drawers. We are always delighted to receive any information to help piece together the story of the School. We are already looking forward to hearing from you again. It’s so amazing that James Henry’s memory can survive for all those years.
Kind Regards,
Sheila
Hi Sheila,
I’m so pleased that these photos are helpful to you. I have attached a close up of my grandfather in the photo, the cross more visible. I have also attached his school record as previously mentioned. Sadly, my grandfather passed away in the 70’s. I never met him. I will ask my mother if she recalls any stories.
Kind Regards,
Ryan Bowman
Hi Ryan,
Thank you for clearing up the identification of James Henry, and the copies of his School Certificate. It would be interesting to hear about what happened to him after leaving School. In those days conscription into the Services was still in force. Did he follow that path, or to University? Was he the one who emigrated to Australia, or was that his children? I see in the photo that some of the boys are wearing their Rugby colours caps. If you look in the Sport Memorabilia section of our site you will see one such cap from 1928, and when I first received it (or should I say was allowed to borrow it briefly!) I was astounded by the bright colours. Of course it had been carefully preserved over the years, but those caps were bright, and quite something. Do please have a look.
Thank you once again for the scans, and perhaps you could let us know if it’s okay to display them as paper survivors from 86 years ago.
Kind Regards,
Sheila
10. Dear Sheila,
I have discovered 4 sporting photos of Hemsworth Grammar School teams, 2 cricket and 2 rugby, dating 1933-1935. One has the names and playing record on the reverse. All include my father, Eric A Heath. If these would be of interest I will gladly post them on to the school. As a matter of interest to me I would like clarification as to whether or not my Grandmother, Elsie Heath was on the school staff. Somewhere in the distant past I remember reference to her being headmistress.
Regards
Dave Heath
13 May 2019
Hi David,
Thank you so much for the photos - safely received yesterday with much appreciation. The value of the Rugby XV 1934-35 is especially important, as the names on the reverse allow us to identify several other boys who hitherto have been nameless. Both Dave and I left HGS in 1962 - which is far too recent for us to know any of those 1930's boys, most of whom are now no longer with us. Only the family descendants such as yourself can help us in this respect, and we have been so lucky to hear from many families who want the memories of their parents/grandparents to survive. I'm hoping you won't mind if we enter on the site the details of your father's sporting achievements after leaving School. It will serve to remind everyone of the strong sporting tradition of HGS, and how its influence extended beyond Hemsworth.
Sheila
Hiya Sheila,
Please find the photos as promised. Really important to preserve the past and congratulations for what you do. I hope that these small offerings are of interest. Post Hemsworth Grammar School my father became a sportsman of no little note. He played rugby and cricket for the army and the on a semi-professional basis in Yorkshire and Northumberland. I believe he was also a successful athlete winning many accolades as a sprinter. As an administrator, he rose through the Civil Service to attain a senior position in what was then the Department of Health and Social Security as well as becoming a notable Secretary for Ashington CricketClub bringing the West Indian batsman Rohan Khanai to play in the Northumberland League. I think you could say that he did your Grammar School proud!!
Many thanks for taking an interest.
Best regards,
David Heath
Hello, David
It's great to hear from you! How wonderful that you still have sporting photos from so long ago, and better still that you are willing to share them. Your mention of the name Eric A Heath sent me rushing to my records of the School, and I could see that he was a Prefect in 1934-35 and he belonged to Price House. He seemed to be a member of the Cricket and Rugby teams from 1932 onwards until he left the School probably in 1935. I have attached a newspaper clipping in which he is mentioned as one of the outstanding players for the School. In case you didn't know, the Old Hilmians team comprised former members of the School. What a coincidence that you contacted us about your father! Only last February we received a similar mail from the Grandson of a Rugby player at the School in 1932! He too sent photos of Rugby teams and even a School Certificate. These snippets of information seem to filter down the years in order to complete the picture of what life was like at the School during its years of Grammar School existence (1921 - 1967). It's amazing what people have treasured over the years, and we like to preserve the memories on our website for all to share. Dave and I both attended HGS and we established the website in 2001. There have only ever been 2 Headmasters between when the School opened in 1921 and when it ceased to be a Grammar School in 1967. I shall have a further look at my records to see if Elsie Heath is mentioned as a member of Staff at any point. Further to your kind offer of sending the photos and information you mentioned - that would be much appreciated, and we could copy them and return them safely to you if you wish, or they could be added to the archives of the School. On the other hand, you may prefer to scan them and send the images to either Dave or myself for inclusion on the site. Please know we are most grateful you contacted us.
Looking forward to hearing from you,
Kind Regards,
Sheila
Thank you for your good wishes concerning the website. As you did not supply an address, I'm assuming you would like us to place the photos in the 1930's section of our records. Once again we are so grateful.Please do continue to browse the site.
Sincerely,
Sheila
11. Dear Sheila,
I hope these are still valid email addresses for you both, Sheila and Dave. I have just been scrolling through the panoramic and I see that you have very few names for the first year pupils. As we are all now in our late 60s I thought I had better supply the ones that I can remember. Is there a particular format for supplying them in or just list references? This will be quite a lot as I remember most of the girls in the front two rows. I also have a few photos that don't seem to appear on the site, but having moved between UK, Canada and France over the last 40 years their present whereabouts is a mystery. I know they are in the house somewhere.
Looking forward to hearing from you,
Margaret Croucher
20 July 2019
Hi, Margaret,
Delighted to hear from you! Yes, the email addresses for Dave and are I are still valid. Your additions to the Panoramic for 1963-64 would be most welcome, as those First Formers seem to have no names at all! When we are adding the names, each number denotes each child, so in giving them their names we say “No 1 is whoever she is; no 2 is xxxx; no 3 is yyyy” and so on. That way, if there is a number and if you don’t know the name, the number can just be inserted in the line without confusing the sequence. Thank you so much for your offer of help. Dave and I left School in 1962, and so there is no way we could know those names. This would also apply to Form photos and Sports, Music....I don’t want to put you off, but any help with any of the photos would be great! You mentioned some photos which you have yet to discover. That sounds most intriguing, and we hope they surface soon!
We look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Sheila
Thank you for the reply Sheila. I will send the names in a separate email as it will be a very long one. Too hot here in France to do much searching in the attic for the photos but it is at the top of my list of things to do when it is cooler.
Best regards,
Margaret
12. Just to say that I am one of the grandchildren of Mr. Leslie Collette (from his daughter Barbara), former Senior Master at Hemsworth Grammar. The stories on your fabulous website chime well with my fond memories of him. I remember him singing First World War songs to me as a child, feeding me egg and bacon from his seat in a favourite armchair in the kitchen in his Hemsworth home and playing putting golf on lawn of 123 Barnsley Road. The wheel turns but we only return back to where we began; childhood memories.
Kind regards,
Adrian Wildfire
P.S. He was an absolute stickler for correct and appropriate English grammar. God forfend I should forget a capital letter for a country or use a comma instead of a colon before a list. I have retained this 'idée fix' as an adult and tut-tut at street names missing an apostrophe. Catastrophe.
15 Dec 2019
Dear Adrian,
What a lovely surprise to hear from you! The memories of your Grandfather are sprinkled throughout our website, and Mr. Collette (as we knew him) was 'in post' throughout the schooldays of both Dave and I (1955-1962). It was a time when teachers swept down the corridors wearing gowns, and great respect was afforded to both Mr. Collette and Miss Smith who were senior Staff. Discipline was strict both in academic work and behaviour, and this ethos was established and maintained from the top down. If you haven't already done this, I would urge you to look in the Forum section of our website, especially in 1.8 and 1.9 where Mr. Collette is mentioned. sAs your Grandfather was at HGS during the War, I think he may have been involved in the activities of the Air Training Corps from 1941 onwards. Did he ever speak of this to you? He was also a specialist in Commercial subjects, and taught bookkeeping in the early years of the School. An important side of teaching at HGS was the extra- curricular activities, and Mr Collette was known to do Country dancing, run the Library, and play in the Staff cricket team. He acted in Staff plays, ran the Tuck
shop and constructed the School timetable. An interesting element of our website is that relatives and ex-pupils can look at the Form and Staff photos over the years and see the changing faces as one goes back in time. Hairstyles and demeanour emerge more youthful as the years regress.
I hope you will continue to explore the website, and of course we would be delighted to receive any further memories you may have of your Grandfather. Once again, many thanks for getting in touch.
Sincerely,
Sheila
13. Hi, Dave and Sheila,
My name is now Joan Finch but my maiden name was Joan Hibbert. I attended Hemsworth Grammar School from 1961-1966. I was on the panoramic photo of the school taken in 1963-64. Firstly, I would like to ask if it is possible to get a hard copy. I now live in Australia but I would be happy to pay all costs beforehand. Secondly, I remember the names of some of the people who are currently only numbers. Would the names be updated into the information below the photos?
Thank you and regards,
Joan Finch
27 Feb 2020
Hi Joan,
Lovely to hear from you! You must have been a first former when Dave and I were in the Sixth which was our final year at HGS. In my data base I have you in Normans in 1961-62 when Dave was Head Boy. After that you went to 2B, and then the following year (1963-64) we haven't found you in any of our Form photos for the third years, although you do mention appearing in the panorama. Did you progress to 3B or 3A maybe? In 1964-65 you appear in the 4A Form list but we haven't seen you in the Fifth year's photo. Which Form were you in for that year? (1965-66). Those Report Books we used to have come in handy for all this looking back! How wonderful that you are able to supply some of the missing names on the 1963-64 panorama. Any help in that respect is most valued, and the corrections are made underneath each section on the website. Unfortunately we cannot supply a hard copy of the panorama, but you could print out each section yourself directly from our website (on photographic paper if needed) and then join each part together. It's fiddly and time consuming but it works.Have you just discovered the website, or have you known about it for some time? Exploring everything makes one realise what a varied selection of activities we had to choose from. We try to be as accurate as we can with names but if you spot any mistakes, please let us know and we will correct things. Throughout the Form photos, Sports and Music sections there may be missing names, so we put a number and a 'front row, row 1, row 2...etc' so that any new names can be entered and the numbers deleted. Saving the memories of HGS is a lot like doing a gigantic jig saw, a never-ending one! Thank you so much for offering to help.
Kind regards,
Sheila
14. Dear Sheila,
I wrote to you some years ago, regarding my search for details about my father’s life at Hemsworth Grammar. He must have attended this school around 1921, as he was born in Cudworth in 1911. You very kindly sent me some photos of the library in the old building. I was wondering whether any other records or information might have come to light during the years since I wrote to you in May 2009? My search for information about the early years of my father’s life has sadly revealed nothing in fact, so I am just rechecking my original enquiries to make sure I haven’t missed anything.
Kind regards,
Carol Grubb, (formerly Carol Wright)
11 Mar 2020
Hi Carol,
Hello again and thanks for your mail. I do still have our original correspondence, and since your mail arrived I have trawled the data I have on those early pupils, and I just can’t find any reference to Charles at all. Bearing in mind that the School was named Hemsworth Secondary School and not ‘Grammar’ until the 1930’s and also the fact that in the 1920’s the pupils are fewer in number, it is mystifying that his name hasn’t cropped up, nor
the name Lionel Mosley. I checked for Wilde, Mozley and Morley also. I checked the Sports Day and Drama accounts too. Are you absolutely sure that it was at Hemsworth Secondary, at the High Hall (as was) that he attended? I don’t know whether the Hemsworth local church school was still in existence, but it might have been a possibility?
In 1922 there were only 58 girls and 54 boys on the school roll. All the County Minor Scholarships awarded to Hems. Secondary do not mention anyone from Cudworth as a beneficiary. I do know of one other girl from Cudworth who attended Hems. Sec. – but usually, Barnsley was the destination of the brighter children at that time if they were from Cudworth. The list of Matriculation pupils at Hemsworth Secondary for 1926 and 1927 does not contain any of the names we are seeking. Presumably your father would have Matriculated if he progressed to become an accountant?
Did you manage to find the time to examine those early 1920’s Form photos on the site? If you could spot him there it would at least indicate we are looking in the right place. The only other suggestion I could make would be to visit the Wakefield Local History Library or the Barnsley Archive and Local Studies Department – or try them online. You never know, there may be Pupil Lists for Barnsley High School or even information about other Hemsworth educational establishments at that time. Of course visiting may be difficult if you live far away. Cudworth Primary School Records for the 1920’s (Attendance Registers etc) may give a mention to the pupils’ next school. Perhaps if you know at which University/College your father qualified to be an accountant, you might access their archives and find from which School he was admitted to the course? Did your father do National Service? Maybe the records available to ex-Servicemen would mention his school of origin? Likewise if he belonged to any Political Party or Accountants Membership Organisation? Just grasping at straws here.
Have you tried to access the Newspaper Archives for the Barnsley Chronicle or South Yorkshire Times? During the 1920’s, under local Cudworth News there may be a mention of your father’s name as a Scholarship Boy, or just as a new pupil at his chosen Secondary School. Such things made the newspapers in those days. The primary schools were proud of their ‘achievers’. In Cudworth at the moment there is a thriving Local History Group. I think they meet at Cudworth Library. Perhaps someone from that group could help you? I’m only sorry I can’t do more, but please let me know if you come across any definitive news.
Sincerely,
Sheila
Hello Sheila,
You had mentioned the photos to me before, and I hadn’t looked at them. In the last paragraph of your message last week, you mentioned again it might be worth a look. So on Saturday I had a proper look! My father is in a photo - absolutely, no doubt about it!! He was in Miss Hanson’s class 1925 – 26 second row, sitting on the teacher’s right-hand side, or her left as we’re looking at it! Charles Wright! Instantly, obviously him! My brother said straight away that it shows he loved school and was happy there! It fits with everything we have heard about him, that he brought a lot of joy to many people’s lives and often got into mischief I understand!.
Thank you so much Sheila, without you I would not have found this photo! I hope you and your family keep safe and virus-free during this difficult time,
Kindest regards
Carol
Hi Carol,
That’s wonderful news! After 95 years Charles is identified! When we received that 1925-26 photograph it had no accompanying names, and so your identification is like gold to us. Those very early 1920’s photos were part of the collections made by each of the two Headmasters of every Form/Sport/Drama photo throughout the life of the School. In 2006 I played a very long shot and wrote to the husband of our Headmaster’s daughter via his publisher, as he is quite a famous author. (David Storey). I knew that our Head, Mr Hamilton, had moved down South on his retirement, and that he was aware that when he left the School, all its traditions and ethos would be eliminated. I therefore guessed that he would have taken such mementoes with him, and sure enough, although he had passed away by then, his daughter had kept them. Months later she offered them to our website, and by happy fortune my son was visiting the south coast that very weekend, and bless him, he made a 150 mile detour to collect the huge boxful. The albums, although stretching from 1921 to 1967, do have missing years, but we are so grateful that she was able to share them with everyone.
These little triumphs make the creation and upkeep of the website such a joy. We have had friends reconnect, reunions take place and more memories emerge of a well-loved School.
Sincerely,
Sheila
My name is David Clifford Morgan and on my 77th birthday last week I discovered your truly wonderful web site. My father, Clifford Morgan, the son of a local coal miner, joined the school via a County Scholarship in 1925-26 and left in 1929 aged 16 after gaining entry to RAF Engineering College, Halton. His career in the RAF took him to the rank of Flying Officer in Bomber Command. He was killed in 1943 when I was five years old and, sadly, I have no recollection of him, as he was far from home, fighting in the Pacific. You can imagine my delight when I found two photographs and six mentions of him in your very thorough site. To the best of my knowledge he is in the Sport section for the 1920s First Soccer Team, bottom row third from left. He is also in the Form Groups 1925-26 Miss Hanson's form, third row down far left (the lad with big ears!). He and a chum won the three-legged race in 1926! Obviously a sporting prodigy. Finding all this information about the father I never knew has touched me greatly, so many thanks to the gifted team who have put this remarkable web site together.
Thank you again,
David Morgan
29 Oct 2015
Hello David,
How lovely to hear from you! When we enter onto the site the facts and figures about any individual from long ago, we have no idea whether they will give pleasure to any specific descendants such as yourself. However, time and again we have been contacted to say it has all been worth the time and effort involved, as it has struck a chord in many peoples' lives. We are delighted that you are one of these. You must have certainly browsed for a long time to see so much! Thank you for your compliment on the site. We have been going since 2001, and there is still much to do. Did you see the mention of your father in the Cricket Notes for 1927-28? The comment was on his bowling ability. I also have a mention of him in a 1927-28 School Magazine. The Cricket Match report for a game taking place on 7th July 1928 against Barnsley Grammar School.
School 1st XI reads as follows:
Result: School lost by 22 runs. Barnsley G.S. 78, School 56 Morgan: A keen player who has right ideas.
Should become a really good all-rounder.
I wonder if you have seen your father's name on the Roll of Honour? You can read all about the lectern which contains the names by clicking History, and then from the yellow box select 'The Lectern and one story from it'. If you should happen to have any information about your father's War Service which you would like included, then please let us know.
Thank you so much for getting in touch,
Kind Regards,
Sheila
2. Hi, Dave.
You probably don't remember me at HGS but I remember you well at school. I have only just discovered the Grammar school site. I have a few photos and maybe some answers to queries. The Form photos havebrought back many happy memories of the lads and lasses I had the pleasure of meeting there. I have seen one or two over the past 49 years but not recently. I can only reiterate what has been said by so many others about the teaching staff and how they made life so enjoyable. They helped form and inspire inquisitive minds to go on to adulthood with confidence. After HGS I joined the Hilmians Rugby Club and have included 3 photographs of some of the teams. There are some other photographs which I will also send. I hope they can be of help to someone. They have many happy memories for me.
Keith Oliver (HGS 1954-59)
8 April 2016
Hi, Keith.
Thank you very much for contacting the site. It is great to hear from you. I certainly do remember you from HGS. You were only one year above me at school so I had quite a lot of affinity with your year as a whole. House and School Teams were often comprised of your Year and mine. Great memories. Thanks for the photographs. Our visitors will really enjoy seeing them. Enjoy the site.
Very best wishes,
Dave
3. Hi, Dave.
I was having a quick look at the website and suddenly a name came to me of the cook who was at the school at some time in the 1950's. She was Fiona Towler whose father, Harry Towler, had been a colliery manager and NCB Area Manager and lived at Hodroyd Hall which was between South Hiendley and Shafton. Fiona was actually a trained Cordon Bleu chef and at some point prior to working at HGS she had been chef to the Lillford family who were a wealthy and influential family in South Africa. I thought this may be of interest and if I find out more I will let you know.
Regards,
John Robinson (1956-61)
4 May 2016
Hi, John.
I know it's been some time since your last mail to the site about Fiona Towler, and although Dave acknowledged it, I wanted also to say thank you for it. Our School was linked into a wider scenario than we realised when we were there, wasn't it. Fiona Towler was certainly an interesting person, - just one of the many quality members of the Staff which populated the School. I wonder who appointed her? Would it be the Head, along with the Governors, or maybe the West Riding Education Authority - or perhaps there was a School Meals Department somewhere. I thought those cooks at the School presented us with really good meals, even through the shortages. Do you remember being given a slice of bread when potatoes were unavailable? As we passed along the line of dinner ladies with our plates ready for the puddings, I recall them saying "there's 2 dozen eggs in this custard". Happy Days!
Anyway, it's good to know you are still dipping in to the website and enjoying the read. Thanks again for the input.
Best Wishes,
Sheila
4. Dear HGS folks,
I stumbled upon your site during some family tree research. What a great community you have, and have had. Jack Rhodes the groundsman is mentioned fondly by some of you in the Forum (1.3), especially for cricket. When I was a little boy in the 50s and early 60s he was my Uncle Jack, married to my Auntie Sadie (nee Mahoney). As I recall, everyone had only good things to say about 'Jack and Sadie'. They were kind and gentle. They came to stay and visit at our house in Grantham before and after moving to Guernsey. Uncle Jack gave us all a Guernsey 3d bit, which I found exotic with its frilly milled edge and different metal to the English 3d bit. I also remember us always having two aged but real cricket bats in the shed that I'm pretty sure came from Jack; and most likely surplus from HGS. They eventually disintegrated from years of use on the street wicket. Whilst I am from Grantham, my grandparents Timothy and Rose Mahoney lived in Hemsworth from about 1920-1950. Anyway, there you go. I'll have a drive through Hemsworth and HGS next time I'm back home.
Regards,
Stephen Mahoney
6 May 2016
Hi Steve,
I'm Sheila from the HGS website, and I just wanted to thank you for your recent mail. We have been longing for news of Mr. Rhodes (as we knew him), because he was such an important cog in the Sports life of our School. He was a popular chap who seemed to be an enduring feature of our lives. He and Mr. Wycherley gave us all such pleasant memories of the grounds - pitches, flower beds, trees and shrubs were all tended with such care. I'm sure that few schools in Yorkshire, or for that matter in the country, would have had such beautiful grounds as ours. He left behind some treasured memories. Do you have any photos of him which you would be willing to share with us? I think from memory there is only one image of him on the site - not enough for such an important chap. I wonder why he chose Guernsey for his retirement? Having been in the Hemsworth area for so long, it seems a far distant choice - unless he had family there? Did he and Sadie have any children? I believe they lived on Holly Bank. Questions, questions! I'm not wishing to pester you, but you are the only person who is able to fill us in. We are attempting to capture as many memories as we can before they fade away.
Looking forward to hearing from you again,
Sheila
5. Hi, both.
I have just come across the site for the school. I attended from 1963 to 1970, the last 2 years as the High School. The site looks great and I am still exploring further. It brought back a lot of memories especially seeing the photos of a lot of old friends, and teachers. It would be fantastic to be able to get back in touch with many of them.
Thanks
Dave Burdett (HGS/HHS 1963-70)
16 Sept 2016
Hi David,
How lovely to hear from you - and where have you been for the last 15 years! Dave and I started the site in 2001. At first it was planned just to cover our own years at School (1955-1962), but pretty soon word spread and brothers and sisters from earlier and later years got in touch, and we mushroomed into covering the whole of the existence of the Grammar School - 1921-1967. We try to record in good faith all the people, events and stories, both important and insignificant, before they fade away from memory. A bit like doing a never-ending jig-saw! Anyway, we are so pleased you have discovered us, and hope you join in with your memories too. If you are in touch with any of your School peers, please spread the word about our site - it's for everyone interested in the School, and all the content is positive, as were our own School Days. Again - great to hear from you, and looking forward to your reply.
Sincerely,
Sheila
Hi again, Sheila.
Just a few recollections on my time at HGS. For the record I was in Romans in 1963, followed by 2A, 3A, 4 Celts and Year 5. Afterwards it was Lower 6th, Upper 6th, leaving in 1970. I played a bit of rugby for the school in the Second, Third and Fourth Years and was in the Third XV in year 5. If I remember correctly we had all the fixtures cancelled for the second part of the season due to "rough play". When I started first year boys were nicknamed "sprogs" and were subject to certain levels of abuse by the older boys. In the winter of 1963 there was a heavy snowfall at one point. The 1st XV rugby team changed into their kit and took on the rest of the school in a snowball battle. Woe betide anyone who was caught as part of this. They had snow packed down inside their trousers. I had a few pals who spent the afternoon in class slowly dripping and steaming as the snow melted.
The Ice Cream Shop used to be open in the last term each year. It was usually run by 4th year pupils. However the shop was closed in our 4th year as most of the ice creams were eaten but not paid for. I have a great fondness for Miss Smith who took us for French in our 5th Year. It is solely thanks to her that I managed to pass my O level French. I'm sure many will remember "Taff" Davies (French) and "Johnny" Swinbank (Latin) who taught songs in the respective languages, and the sounds of raised voices singing various songs echoing around the corridors At the end of Year 5 there was a school camp in Keswick in the Lake District. Not only a good holiday, it provided a great benefit to get to know the teachers on a more personal and friendly basis not only in the pubs but also in the camp, on walks, canoeing etc. We were on a campsite at the junction of 2 large streams leading in to Derwentwater. I distinctly remember having to peel 2 sacks of spuds for dinner one evening. There was great sadness in many pupils and staffs hearts when we sang the school song at the last assembly in 1968, but also great amusement when the Head walked out. This is evident from a lot of the comments on the site. Whilst the new school benefited from many more additional facilities etc., much of the atmosphere and character disappeared over the following couple of years after 1968. I hope that the new school has been able to generate its own character.
Dave Burdett
21 Sep 2016
Hi Dave,
Many thanks for your recollections - so valuable to us! After we left in 1962 our connections with School (well, mine, anyway) were few. I set off one evening with another pal who had come to Manchester from HGS, and our aim was an Old Hilmian reunion in Pontefract. My car was ancient, the fog on the moors became really thick, and we turned back. Apart from my 2004 visits which are reported on the site, that's the sum of my HGS knowledge beyond our leaving date in 1962. Thanks for your Form names and dates. I now have 2 names in my list for your year Celts 4, yours and Valerie Mitchell's who won the Form Prize. Can you recall who was your Form teacher? Any other names from Celts 4 which you can be definite about would be welcome, as I hesitate to take the list wholesale from the previous year's 3A. Also, from somewhere I don't recall, I have had a suggestion that Gorton's name might be Bruce. Does this ring a bell with you? Finally, could I ask you to look at the Sports section and in the Sports Days 1960's, scroll down to the 1967 presentation photo? Marrion Pearson is shaking hands with Dianne Sell across Mrs Hamilton. There are lots of missing names there which you may know, and be able to tell us. Of course, if you happen to pass any of the other photos in that area and can provide names for the numbers, that would be marvellous. I know I must appear to be quizzing you ad infinitum, but actually, yes, I am! Your help is valued as we try to make the record of that great School. I heard last week that Grammar Schools are coming back. Fancy that!
Sincerely,
Sheila
6. Dear Sheila,
I had a happy hour reading the latest from many people who were with me at H.G.S. I saw a piece there from Peter Wall and remembered how powerful his voice was keeping the various choirs going with Miss Carter in charge. As I remember his brother Alex also sang and I have a memory of him winning a Music scholarship to Cambridge, which amazed us in the pit villages. I can't remember whether it was taken up. Perhaps Peter will read this and tell all. As you wrote, our generation were so lucky to have such opportunities with such a wide range of extra curricular activities. Does anyone remember the trip to Stratford-on-Avon. The year I went we were living in caravans and took our food with us. Great fun. I think that was 1953. I also liked the piece about Mr Johnstone (Jock). In the 6th he inspired us to read more widely including novels completely new to a miner's daughter from Fitzwilliam. The Bible reading when I was first made a Prefect was also very daunting and I learnt it by heart in the end so as to read it perfectly.
Regards,
Juliet Parker
22 Feb 2018
Dear Sheila,
I was the only one in my family to go to Grammar School. My son went to High Wycombe Grammar School and then Cambridge. He became a barrister and is now a Q.C. As I watched him take Silk in Westminster Hall that day I couldn’t believe my change in circumstances from the Fitzwilliam Pits where his Grandad worked to this. I hope I don’t sound boastful but there must be others with similar stories to tell of lives changed by the start given by passing the 11+. Before we go we should tell them. We had kind, clever teachers who cared about us and we should be grateful for what we had.
Regards
Juliet
Dear Juliet,
Thank you so much for your mail, and I must apologise for my tardy reply. I have recently been suffering from that awful 'flu, which knocked me out completely, but am now slowly 'on the mend'. I'm so glad you are still occasionally dipping into the HGS website, and that it is evoking those memories of long ago. When your mail appears on the site, I'm sure that the questions you pose about Peter Wall's scholarship and The Stratford trip will receive some responses. Although when we were pupils at the School we seemed to know every member of Staff by name, there were still some occasions when one could progress through the years and still miss having one or more of those teachers for a lesson. Mr. Johnstone was one such teacher as far as I was concerned, and it looks as though I missed out on an inspirational man, as you are not the only person to mention him with praise. I can see that you were constantly in a choir throughout your School days. Not only that, but it looks as though during the years you were singing, the School experienced its 'Golden Years' musically.
Kind regards,
Sheila
7. Dear Sheila,
So pleased to see that the Old Hilmian/HGS web site is still being maintained by the dedication of you and your colleague. Even but a few minutes spent in the site must give you such a buzz as you see the rapturous musings of the old HGS associated visitors. Much pleasure is still clearly given even to those who have only an association with an ex-HGS pupil. I suppose it is inevitable that the site will one day run out of living contributors but until that day may you thrive! Thank you to you and your associate.
Very Best Wishes,
Geoff Graham
20 July 2018
Dear Geoff,
Thank you so much for your kind words about the website. It's amazing to think we have been doing it since 2001! I suppose it is a finite activity, but many of those who get in touch are the sons and daughters of Hilmians, so as long as Dave and I keep enthusiastic and healthy, its existence is guaranteed for a good few years yet.
Sincerely,
Sheila
8. Hope you're well.
Just a quick email to say I'm still keeping an eye on the noticeboard. Sadly nothing to add but nice to know stuff still turning up. You can include me in the house lists if you like. I was in Guest. I could never forget that due to being " asked " to play hooker in the house rugby comp in my last year! I can still feel the pain. I think an old classmate was pictured in the Hemsworth/South Elmsall Express last week. Do you get it? Lynn(e) Guest (as was) in 5R pic from 1966/67. Page 5 had a report on a lady's 100th birthday and I think the lady bottom right of the photo is her. When I moved here in late 60s Lynn was courting Barry Swain (top right) so a good chance they married and it's her looking very well. Right, I'm off. Stopped snowing so out for my weekly 2 pints with my Last of the Summer Wine mates.
Best Wishes,
Bob
30 Jan 2019
Hi Bob,
Good to hear from you. Over the years you have been a Trojan at supporting us with your identifications, and here's hoping there may be even more if you can spare the time away from Compo, Cleggy and Foggy! A special shout out for help on this snowy night....The School Athletics Team 1964-65. I know in the past you could only see the images on your phone, but by now I'm assuming you have a tablet or a device that will expand/enlarge the photo so that faces are clearer. If you could get in your groove with the missing names for this one, that would be great. As I'm based in Greater Manchester, I don't see the Hemsworth/South Elmsall Express, although Dave, who is local to Hemsworth may. Incidentally it's good that ladies are still making news at 100 years of age. When my Mum died in 2017 she was within 12 weeks of being 105 and getting her second birthday card from the Queen.
Best Wishes,
Sheila
9. Hello Dave and Sheila,
I came across your website from the Facebook page “local stuff for local people”. What a wonderful site! My grandfather went to Hemsworth Grammar School graduating in 1933. I was looking at the rugby photos and noticed that a photo that I have of 1932 wasn’t on the website, in fact it would be the earliest of the team available. I have attached a photo. However this is just a photo of a photo. If you would like I can get a proper scan at a later date? It’s about the size of A4 paper. Henry James Turner (my grandfather) is marked with a cross, back row first on left. Interestingly, I am sending it from Australia. Who would have thought that’s where something like this would turn up for the website! Should I also pass the photo on to the local stuff for local people Facebook page? Do you have anything else that references to James Henry Turner? I also have his school certificate. I would guess there would be allot of these available but didn’t see one on the website. It is from 1933.
Kind Regards,
Ryan Bowman
20 Feb 2019
Hi Ryan,
Wow! You can’t imagine how pleased we are to receive a photo that is part of the missing story of our old School! It sent me looking into our records from the 1930’s to find more about your Grandfather, but first – where is the cross on the photo that you mentioned? I can see what looks like a cross on the door between the chap with the cap in the back row and the taller boy on his left as you look at the photo. This position does not seem to tally with your description “back row first left”. Maybe if you could send a scan and mark your Grandfather with a clearer indication that would clear that one up. At the same time, perhaps you wouldn’t mind sending us a copy of the School Certificate you mentioned? That sounds interesting. Do you have any verbal memories from your Grandfather? Sometimes stories passed along the years can stick in the mind. I looked into our copy of the School’s history (on the website) for any mention of your Grandfather, but in the rugby write-ups unfortunately he is not mentioned by name. However, in 1933 part 2, School Certificates, James H. Turner is there in the Matriculations list. I also found him as a member of the Old Hilmians RugbyTeam in 1933, which means he was an ‘old boy’, and had left School by then. Also, from my own records of Form members, I see he was in 5S in 1932. He had chosen the Science route of Physics, Chemistry and Biology for his Matriculation subjects. The teacher standing extreme left is Mr. Manning, who was still at the School when Dave and I were there in the 50’s and 60’s. Information about the 1930’s is extremely difficult to come by, but it is amazing how many artefacts have survived in photo albums and bottom drawers. We are always delighted to receive any information to help piece together the story of the School. We are already looking forward to hearing from you again. It’s so amazing that James Henry’s memory can survive for all those years.
Kind Regards,
Sheila
Hi Sheila,
I’m so pleased that these photos are helpful to you. I have attached a close up of my grandfather in the photo, the cross more visible. I have also attached his school record as previously mentioned. Sadly, my grandfather passed away in the 70’s. I never met him. I will ask my mother if she recalls any stories.
Kind Regards,
Ryan Bowman
Hi Ryan,
Thank you for clearing up the identification of James Henry, and the copies of his School Certificate. It would be interesting to hear about what happened to him after leaving School. In those days conscription into the Services was still in force. Did he follow that path, or to University? Was he the one who emigrated to Australia, or was that his children? I see in the photo that some of the boys are wearing their Rugby colours caps. If you look in the Sport Memorabilia section of our site you will see one such cap from 1928, and when I first received it (or should I say was allowed to borrow it briefly!) I was astounded by the bright colours. Of course it had been carefully preserved over the years, but those caps were bright, and quite something. Do please have a look.
Thank you once again for the scans, and perhaps you could let us know if it’s okay to display them as paper survivors from 86 years ago.
Kind Regards,
Sheila
10. Dear Sheila,
I have discovered 4 sporting photos of Hemsworth Grammar School teams, 2 cricket and 2 rugby, dating 1933-1935. One has the names and playing record on the reverse. All include my father, Eric A Heath. If these would be of interest I will gladly post them on to the school. As a matter of interest to me I would like clarification as to whether or not my Grandmother, Elsie Heath was on the school staff. Somewhere in the distant past I remember reference to her being headmistress.
Regards
Dave Heath
13 May 2019
Hi David,
Thank you so much for the photos - safely received yesterday with much appreciation. The value of the Rugby XV 1934-35 is especially important, as the names on the reverse allow us to identify several other boys who hitherto have been nameless. Both Dave and I left HGS in 1962 - which is far too recent for us to know any of those 1930's boys, most of whom are now no longer with us. Only the family descendants such as yourself can help us in this respect, and we have been so lucky to hear from many families who want the memories of their parents/grandparents to survive. I'm hoping you won't mind if we enter on the site the details of your father's sporting achievements after leaving School. It will serve to remind everyone of the strong sporting tradition of HGS, and how its influence extended beyond Hemsworth.
Sheila
Hiya Sheila,
Please find the photos as promised. Really important to preserve the past and congratulations for what you do. I hope that these small offerings are of interest. Post Hemsworth Grammar School my father became a sportsman of no little note. He played rugby and cricket for the army and the on a semi-professional basis in Yorkshire and Northumberland. I believe he was also a successful athlete winning many accolades as a sprinter. As an administrator, he rose through the Civil Service to attain a senior position in what was then the Department of Health and Social Security as well as becoming a notable Secretary for Ashington CricketClub bringing the West Indian batsman Rohan Khanai to play in the Northumberland League. I think you could say that he did your Grammar School proud!!
Many thanks for taking an interest.
Best regards,
David Heath
Hello, David
It's great to hear from you! How wonderful that you still have sporting photos from so long ago, and better still that you are willing to share them. Your mention of the name Eric A Heath sent me rushing to my records of the School, and I could see that he was a Prefect in 1934-35 and he belonged to Price House. He seemed to be a member of the Cricket and Rugby teams from 1932 onwards until he left the School probably in 1935. I have attached a newspaper clipping in which he is mentioned as one of the outstanding players for the School. In case you didn't know, the Old Hilmians team comprised former members of the School. What a coincidence that you contacted us about your father! Only last February we received a similar mail from the Grandson of a Rugby player at the School in 1932! He too sent photos of Rugby teams and even a School Certificate. These snippets of information seem to filter down the years in order to complete the picture of what life was like at the School during its years of Grammar School existence (1921 - 1967). It's amazing what people have treasured over the years, and we like to preserve the memories on our website for all to share. Dave and I both attended HGS and we established the website in 2001. There have only ever been 2 Headmasters between when the School opened in 1921 and when it ceased to be a Grammar School in 1967. I shall have a further look at my records to see if Elsie Heath is mentioned as a member of Staff at any point. Further to your kind offer of sending the photos and information you mentioned - that would be much appreciated, and we could copy them and return them safely to you if you wish, or they could be added to the archives of the School. On the other hand, you may prefer to scan them and send the images to either Dave or myself for inclusion on the site. Please know we are most grateful you contacted us.
Looking forward to hearing from you,
Kind Regards,
Sheila
Thank you for your good wishes concerning the website. As you did not supply an address, I'm assuming you would like us to place the photos in the 1930's section of our records. Once again we are so grateful.Please do continue to browse the site.
Sincerely,
Sheila
11. Dear Sheila,
I hope these are still valid email addresses for you both, Sheila and Dave. I have just been scrolling through the panoramic and I see that you have very few names for the first year pupils. As we are all now in our late 60s I thought I had better supply the ones that I can remember. Is there a particular format for supplying them in or just list references? This will be quite a lot as I remember most of the girls in the front two rows. I also have a few photos that don't seem to appear on the site, but having moved between UK, Canada and France over the last 40 years their present whereabouts is a mystery. I know they are in the house somewhere.
Looking forward to hearing from you,
Margaret Croucher
20 July 2019
Hi, Margaret,
Delighted to hear from you! Yes, the email addresses for Dave and are I are still valid. Your additions to the Panoramic for 1963-64 would be most welcome, as those First Formers seem to have no names at all! When we are adding the names, each number denotes each child, so in giving them their names we say “No 1 is whoever she is; no 2 is xxxx; no 3 is yyyy” and so on. That way, if there is a number and if you don’t know the name, the number can just be inserted in the line without confusing the sequence. Thank you so much for your offer of help. Dave and I left School in 1962, and so there is no way we could know those names. This would also apply to Form photos and Sports, Music....I don’t want to put you off, but any help with any of the photos would be great! You mentioned some photos which you have yet to discover. That sounds most intriguing, and we hope they surface soon!
We look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Sheila
Thank you for the reply Sheila. I will send the names in a separate email as it will be a very long one. Too hot here in France to do much searching in the attic for the photos but it is at the top of my list of things to do when it is cooler.
Best regards,
Margaret
12. Just to say that I am one of the grandchildren of Mr. Leslie Collette (from his daughter Barbara), former Senior Master at Hemsworth Grammar. The stories on your fabulous website chime well with my fond memories of him. I remember him singing First World War songs to me as a child, feeding me egg and bacon from his seat in a favourite armchair in the kitchen in his Hemsworth home and playing putting golf on lawn of 123 Barnsley Road. The wheel turns but we only return back to where we began; childhood memories.
Kind regards,
Adrian Wildfire
P.S. He was an absolute stickler for correct and appropriate English grammar. God forfend I should forget a capital letter for a country or use a comma instead of a colon before a list. I have retained this 'idée fix' as an adult and tut-tut at street names missing an apostrophe. Catastrophe.
15 Dec 2019
Dear Adrian,
What a lovely surprise to hear from you! The memories of your Grandfather are sprinkled throughout our website, and Mr. Collette (as we knew him) was 'in post' throughout the schooldays of both Dave and I (1955-1962). It was a time when teachers swept down the corridors wearing gowns, and great respect was afforded to both Mr. Collette and Miss Smith who were senior Staff. Discipline was strict both in academic work and behaviour, and this ethos was established and maintained from the top down. If you haven't already done this, I would urge you to look in the Forum section of our website, especially in 1.8 and 1.9 where Mr. Collette is mentioned. sAs your Grandfather was at HGS during the War, I think he may have been involved in the activities of the Air Training Corps from 1941 onwards. Did he ever speak of this to you? He was also a specialist in Commercial subjects, and taught bookkeeping in the early years of the School. An important side of teaching at HGS was the extra- curricular activities, and Mr Collette was known to do Country dancing, run the Library, and play in the Staff cricket team. He acted in Staff plays, ran the Tuck
shop and constructed the School timetable. An interesting element of our website is that relatives and ex-pupils can look at the Form and Staff photos over the years and see the changing faces as one goes back in time. Hairstyles and demeanour emerge more youthful as the years regress.
I hope you will continue to explore the website, and of course we would be delighted to receive any further memories you may have of your Grandfather. Once again, many thanks for getting in touch.
Sincerely,
Sheila
13. Hi, Dave and Sheila,
My name is now Joan Finch but my maiden name was Joan Hibbert. I attended Hemsworth Grammar School from 1961-1966. I was on the panoramic photo of the school taken in 1963-64. Firstly, I would like to ask if it is possible to get a hard copy. I now live in Australia but I would be happy to pay all costs beforehand. Secondly, I remember the names of some of the people who are currently only numbers. Would the names be updated into the information below the photos?
Thank you and regards,
Joan Finch
27 Feb 2020
Hi Joan,
Lovely to hear from you! You must have been a first former when Dave and I were in the Sixth which was our final year at HGS. In my data base I have you in Normans in 1961-62 when Dave was Head Boy. After that you went to 2B, and then the following year (1963-64) we haven't found you in any of our Form photos for the third years, although you do mention appearing in the panorama. Did you progress to 3B or 3A maybe? In 1964-65 you appear in the 4A Form list but we haven't seen you in the Fifth year's photo. Which Form were you in for that year? (1965-66). Those Report Books we used to have come in handy for all this looking back! How wonderful that you are able to supply some of the missing names on the 1963-64 panorama. Any help in that respect is most valued, and the corrections are made underneath each section on the website. Unfortunately we cannot supply a hard copy of the panorama, but you could print out each section yourself directly from our website (on photographic paper if needed) and then join each part together. It's fiddly and time consuming but it works.Have you just discovered the website, or have you known about it for some time? Exploring everything makes one realise what a varied selection of activities we had to choose from. We try to be as accurate as we can with names but if you spot any mistakes, please let us know and we will correct things. Throughout the Form photos, Sports and Music sections there may be missing names, so we put a number and a 'front row, row 1, row 2...etc' so that any new names can be entered and the numbers deleted. Saving the memories of HGS is a lot like doing a gigantic jig saw, a never-ending one! Thank you so much for offering to help.
Kind regards,
Sheila
14. Dear Sheila,
I wrote to you some years ago, regarding my search for details about my father’s life at Hemsworth Grammar. He must have attended this school around 1921, as he was born in Cudworth in 1911. You very kindly sent me some photos of the library in the old building. I was wondering whether any other records or information might have come to light during the years since I wrote to you in May 2009? My search for information about the early years of my father’s life has sadly revealed nothing in fact, so I am just rechecking my original enquiries to make sure I haven’t missed anything.
Kind regards,
Carol Grubb, (formerly Carol Wright)
11 Mar 2020
Hi Carol,
Hello again and thanks for your mail. I do still have our original correspondence, and since your mail arrived I have trawled the data I have on those early pupils, and I just can’t find any reference to Charles at all. Bearing in mind that the School was named Hemsworth Secondary School and not ‘Grammar’ until the 1930’s and also the fact that in the 1920’s the pupils are fewer in number, it is mystifying that his name hasn’t cropped up, nor
the name Lionel Mosley. I checked for Wilde, Mozley and Morley also. I checked the Sports Day and Drama accounts too. Are you absolutely sure that it was at Hemsworth Secondary, at the High Hall (as was) that he attended? I don’t know whether the Hemsworth local church school was still in existence, but it might have been a possibility?
In 1922 there were only 58 girls and 54 boys on the school roll. All the County Minor Scholarships awarded to Hems. Secondary do not mention anyone from Cudworth as a beneficiary. I do know of one other girl from Cudworth who attended Hems. Sec. – but usually, Barnsley was the destination of the brighter children at that time if they were from Cudworth. The list of Matriculation pupils at Hemsworth Secondary for 1926 and 1927 does not contain any of the names we are seeking. Presumably your father would have Matriculated if he progressed to become an accountant?
Did you manage to find the time to examine those early 1920’s Form photos on the site? If you could spot him there it would at least indicate we are looking in the right place. The only other suggestion I could make would be to visit the Wakefield Local History Library or the Barnsley Archive and Local Studies Department – or try them online. You never know, there may be Pupil Lists for Barnsley High School or even information about other Hemsworth educational establishments at that time. Of course visiting may be difficult if you live far away. Cudworth Primary School Records for the 1920’s (Attendance Registers etc) may give a mention to the pupils’ next school. Perhaps if you know at which University/College your father qualified to be an accountant, you might access their archives and find from which School he was admitted to the course? Did your father do National Service? Maybe the records available to ex-Servicemen would mention his school of origin? Likewise if he belonged to any Political Party or Accountants Membership Organisation? Just grasping at straws here.
Have you tried to access the Newspaper Archives for the Barnsley Chronicle or South Yorkshire Times? During the 1920’s, under local Cudworth News there may be a mention of your father’s name as a Scholarship Boy, or just as a new pupil at his chosen Secondary School. Such things made the newspapers in those days. The primary schools were proud of their ‘achievers’. In Cudworth at the moment there is a thriving Local History Group. I think they meet at Cudworth Library. Perhaps someone from that group could help you? I’m only sorry I can’t do more, but please let me know if you come across any definitive news.
Sincerely,
Sheila
Hello Sheila,
You had mentioned the photos to me before, and I hadn’t looked at them. In the last paragraph of your message last week, you mentioned again it might be worth a look. So on Saturday I had a proper look! My father is in a photo - absolutely, no doubt about it!! He was in Miss Hanson’s class 1925 – 26 second row, sitting on the teacher’s right-hand side, or her left as we’re looking at it! Charles Wright! Instantly, obviously him! My brother said straight away that it shows he loved school and was happy there! It fits with everything we have heard about him, that he brought a lot of joy to many people’s lives and often got into mischief I understand!.
Thank you so much Sheila, without you I would not have found this photo! I hope you and your family keep safe and virus-free during this difficult time,
Kindest regards
Carol
Hi Carol,
That’s wonderful news! After 95 years Charles is identified! When we received that 1925-26 photograph it had no accompanying names, and so your identification is like gold to us. Those very early 1920’s photos were part of the collections made by each of the two Headmasters of every Form/Sport/Drama photo throughout the life of the School. In 2006 I played a very long shot and wrote to the husband of our Headmaster’s daughter via his publisher, as he is quite a famous author. (David Storey). I knew that our Head, Mr Hamilton, had moved down South on his retirement, and that he was aware that when he left the School, all its traditions and ethos would be eliminated. I therefore guessed that he would have taken such mementoes with him, and sure enough, although he had passed away by then, his daughter had kept them. Months later she offered them to our website, and by happy fortune my son was visiting the south coast that very weekend, and bless him, he made a 150 mile detour to collect the huge boxful. The albums, although stretching from 1921 to 1967, do have missing years, but we are so grateful that she was able to share them with everyone.
These little triumphs make the creation and upkeep of the website such a joy. We have had friends reconnect, reunions take place and more memories emerge of a well-loved School.
Sincerely,
Sheila
