Guestbook

I came across this site on a search of Hemsworth trying to source info on my granddad. I was at HHS anyway and so does anyone have any more photos from years 68/69/70? It wasn't until years later that I realised this had been a such a really good school. To suggest it somehow lost something when it became a comprehensive is just perpetuing class barriers. Shame because education is all about crossing them. I came from a w/class background and gained at BA (Hons) in later life. Comprehensive education is exactly what it means. It's not where you came from it's who you become that really counts. What's sad is that some think that HGS lost something when it became HHS - it didn't it. It gave so much more back.

sharonf1@sky.com

On a Mediterranean Cruise in September 2009 I was talking to an elderly gentleman who asked me where I was from. When I said "a village near Pontefract called Hemsworth" he said "I used to teach there in the 1960s." To cut a long story short I discovered I was having breakfast with Mr Groome, the deputy head who succeeded Mr Collette. He was looking well and remembered a lot of the staff I mentioned. A piece of information that I had no idea of was that Miss Smith's Office was always clouded with cigarette smoke.
Anyway we had rather a long breakfast. After about a hour I stood up and asked if I may be excused. A chance meeting indeed!!

I went to school from1952 to1957. House was Holgate. I have enjoyed browsing through the website, seeing photos. I remember Margaret Duprey & Elaine Banwell. Mr Burnett was my form teacher and my English teacher.

pat.goodrum@talktalk.net

Guest 1949-52
Thank you Sheila for pointing out the site to me. Over the last year I've spent many a happy, nostalgic hour drifting through various parts of it, lost in a world that was. Keep it up.

I have a couple of names to put to photographs. 1950-51 3c back row No. 5 is Joe Bryan. Prefects 1951-52 3rd row No. 6 is Russell Allbrook.

I attended HGS from 1961 to 1965 and was in Holgate. It has been lovely to see all my class mates again, many of whom I had forgotten! I now teach in Welwyn in Hertfordshire. Can you please add my name to 1963-64, 3B front row No. 7, Carol Hardman, as it was then. Also a good friend of mine at the time 1963-64, 3A third row No.2 Christine Gough.

I have very fond memories of my time at Hemsworth along with my brother Peter and sister Jean. We were all three in Price House and my time there was from 1956 to 1963. All three of us went into Primary teaching but are all three now retired. My memories of the school mainly focus on the many friends made and the endless opportunity for participating in many sports....particularly cricket, cross country and rugby....UNION of course as Mr. Hamilton did not recognise the other code !!!

davenutt@ymail.com

My grandfather, Jack McGillivray, was the artist of the cartoons on the site. Any info/anecdotes regarding Jack McGillivray from anyone who remembers him would be very welcome at superbarnsley@hotmail.com

I had never see the cartoons before and would love to get a copy of the yearbook from 1948.

Thanks and congrats on the site!

Form photo 3A 1962- 1963
Front row No 3 is Ann Harley
2nd row No 6 is Caroline Bilton
Still trying to remember names of others.

christinecrossland@hotmail.com

I am now back in the UK following many years abroad in military service with the RAF & NATO. Although semi-retired, I am kept busy working as a Consultant while also trying to restore my farmhouse in Wiltshire. Ex Hemsworth 1968-1971.

derek@burkinshaw.net

Not been on the site for a while. Pleased it keeps getting better and better. Attended HGS '62 to '67. Happy to hear from anyone who remembers me.
Phil Tibble

philiptibble@yahoo.com

Found myself humming the school song today and decided to Google it. Came up with this wonderful website and am enjoying perusing it! Lots of happy memories of fellow pupils and inspiring teachers. I was in Celts/ Price house from 1965. Think I was in the same class as John Atkinson who I suspect was at infant and junior school with me!
Will have to search out my class photo which is not on the site yet!

Hi,
I've just sent an email asking you to update my email address when I saw this page. I was at HGS from 1964 - 1971 and was in Holgate House

Linda Redmile

I love this site. I have often thought back to my days at HGS from 1962 - 66. I always remember that in my first month there my mum made me wear one of our neighbours son's blazer. He was 18 and I was 13. I could wrap the coat around me twice. I also had to wear my brother's winklepicker shoes which were two sizes too big. I looked like Coco the clown. Happy days. I remember being bumped on my first day there and ogling at all the girls (I came from an all boys school ). I must admit I was petrified for the first week then it got worse. No not really, it was great. I now regret not keeping up with my old school chums. Lets hope I can make up for it. So anyone who remembers me get in touch.

send2graham@hotmail.com

I was at HGS 1965-1970 Celts and Guest. I vividly remember a couple of the respondents, Linda Rochnia and Kelvin Higginbottom both from my old form. I also remember Graham Hesketh, Tony Dacres, Cynthia Jones, Lynn Jones, Alison Caldwell, Harold Wood, Gloria Elsworth, Linda Barrat from my old form. Linda, Kelvin, look forward to reading more from you. Unfortunately I was not the most academic of pupils (something I have lived to regret) but I learned many more lessons from HGS that were to serve me well in later life so my time at HGS was not all wasted. Like Linda Rochnia I find these writings evocative and as I sit here writing in the grip of the worst snowfall in 18 years my mind drifts back to those snow covered days at HGS when I like so many other sproggs would be dragged off by a lynch mob of Upper Sixth (some of whom had taken an oath to protect the weak, otherwise known as Prefects) to the Fives Court (never saw a game of fives played on that court) to be bombarded with previously prepared and therefore very icy snowballs. By the way not all the Prefects throwing the snowballs were male, now thats what I call equality.

During my first year (1965) I had two sisters at HGS, Liz Atkinson in the Fifth Form, and Pat Atkinson in the Third Form. I would be happy to pass on any regards to them.
My wife Kathryn, nee Holt, was at HGS from 1967-1972. Lastly I had an half cousin in the same year as me Catherine Atkinson from Kinsley. If you are reading these pages get in touch.
Great school, great times. If only I had known that then. Happy Days.
John
atkinson@2bwinternet.com

To anyone on this site that could possibly help.

I was born Christopher Fagge in 1967, and adopted as Stephen Cowdell in the same year. My mother I believe was at that time an art student, and lived with a couple of brothers, and my grandfather who owned a greengrocers/shop in Wakefield somewhere. I was given up for adoption, at a place on Love Lane. My mother came to see me everyday until Fredrick and Ruby Cowdell took me home to my new life.

This is not a scam of any type, I am just trying to trace my family. Does the name Fagge strike any memories?

Best wishes
Steve
stephencowdell@hotmail.co.uk

I arrived at Hemsworth Grammar School in full battle dress - gymslip, thick stockings, suspenders and pigtails to take my designated seat in Normans 1 in 1967. I especially remember gentle Mr Swinbank and those anachronic but delicious tales of Homero in Latin! My mother Audrey Brown also went to HGS in the 1940s does anyone remember her?
acoldanza@yahoo.es

I was at Hemsworth from 1951 to 1959 (Price House) before going to Sheffield University, where I met my wife. I was followed at Hemsworth by my brother David and sister Jean. It was delightful to have so many reminiscences. Keep up the good work, webmasters.
candpnye@onetel.net

I had 7 happy years at Hemsworth between 1964 and 1971. I was in Holgate. My best mate was Donski (aka Iain Donaldson) who I met a couple of years ago at Wembley when Barnsley were playing.
ennisj@parliament.uk

I attended HGS 1961-1966 and was in Holgate House. Looking at this site reminds me how good it was although I'm not sure I thought so at the time. What a great site.
vinster01@blueyonder.co.uk

Great site, but what happened to Celts 1966 - no photos - but then again we were not the best intake of HGS history. The only people I know of are Roost Riley, Chris Hansell, Jeff Eades, and Alison Caldwell.

Talbot house. I took part in the winning house drama competion - was a car called Dot1. Best friends were Chris Lee, Maz Crookes, Jenny Molyneux, Gwyneth Jones and Margaret Nuttall.
diddydee@hotmail.com

I attended HGS from 1953 to 1959 and was in Talbot House. I would love to hear from anyone who remembers me. What a fantastic web site David and Sheila .. well done ! Keep up the good work.

I attended from mid 1966 to end 1966. Does anyone remember the company that messed up the school blazer badges that year? Instead of Labor Ipse Voluptas many of the new intake that year had Labor Irse Voluptas on their badges. I was an Irse like many others were. We must have shopped at the wrong shop. But it was funny at the time.

What memories! Not all of them good - but there's no doubt they have shaped the person that I've become.

I was a pupil 1959 - 64 in Talbot. I made the link from the very addictive Brierley Village site and now have another site to steal my time. I came across so many familiar names and faces which brought lots of happy memories flooding back. Good friends were Denise Spaxman, Janice Hanwell, Margaret Beaumont, Diane Sell. I will be a regular visitor in future.
c.cheetham@talktalk.net

Is anyone still in contact with Bob Lunn, John Bowskill or Alan Tingle? I would love to hear from them again.

Many thanks
Colin Bower
cbower50@yahoo.co.uk

Is there anybody that remembers my father Bertrand Earl who went to HGS from 1929 I think. He lived in Brierley. At the outbreak of WW2 he was in the KOYLI's and fought in Norway and then ended up in Somerset.
Regards
Frank Earl
frankearl@tiscali.co.uk

Have recently stumbled on to this site, fantastic. Will fill in names later from years 1952-56. Talbot House.
Mel. Kendall
mel_kendall@hotmail.com.au

I attended HGS from 1963-68, I was first of all in Celts and in Holgate house. Happy days!
Does anyone remember Geoff Ennis who later became MP for Barnsley?
lizcrompton@talktalk.net

Change of e mail address. See the Visitors' Contacts list. Now retired from mental health nursing but very active. Any contacts welcome. Live in Bridlington. Teach karate and tai chi.
kijugogary@yahoo.com

Sadly our Father passed away suddenly on July 2nd 2008, aged 74. He loved HGS and often spoke of his days there with great clarity, admiration for his teachers and humour. Miss Dorothy Thomas was one Mistress who influenced him greatly, 'Labor ipse voluptas' lives on!

Just found your website. Absolutely fascinating. Please add my details. Attended 1961-66. Surname now Finch.
joanfinch@thebatch.net.au

Regarding a missing name on the 1955 Athletics photo, I'm on the middle row, third from the left.
Regards,
Rose

My daughter discovered your site and I have just spent hours looking through the photos. I saw myself in Romans 1960/61 third row No 4. Must look for my form photos, sure I have them all from 1960 - 65.

Attended 1972 to 1974. Can't remember my House - I was in the Sixth form.

I attended from 1956 to 1959 and was in Holgate House
les.keough@cytanet.com.cy

Just spent a great 2 hours searching through the site. It's true what they say, 'Your days at school are the best of your life! You just don't know it at the time. Fabulous site. I loved seeing old friends and teachers. Keep it up.
peterdavies52@btinternet.com

What a lovely surprise to find this site. Thanks for the memories every one. Special thanks to Sheila and Dave from Rosemary Scarrott nee Burton, former House Captain of Price.
rose.scarrott@yahoo.co.uk

1944-1949
What a wonderful site this is. Many thanks to Sheila Kelsall for informing me about it. What an experience to have been a pupil at such a school! Many, many memories.

1965-69 Celts. Talbot house. What wonderful memories these pages evoked! I sang along with gusto to the School Song but broke down at the chorus. I remember the last time the school sang it, in the Sports Hall at the end of the school year (1968). We had been told we were not singing it but word went round that some older pupils were going to start it off and we were all to join in. I always enjoyed the School Song but never as much as I did on that last day.

Just found HGS website after spending a few hours on the Brierley Village website - link given. I started at HGS in 1959 in Romans and was in Talbot House. I have already seen a message from a very dear friend, Janice Hanwell who I hope will get in touch with me. (Email address is on the Visitors A-Z)

I attended HGS from 1964-68. Anyone who wants to get in touch, please do. I'd love to hear from you.
Best Wishes,
Mike

I attended HGS from 1962 to 1965. I was in Celts and Talbot House. My parents then moved away from the area. My next grammar school was all girls. I always regretted leaving Hemsworth, especially as my dad (Barry) had gone through the same school. Funny to have had the same Headmaster and the same English master, Mr. Colette. Am I the only pupil to also have her dad pictured exactly 20 years previously in 1942 and both of us named in our respective form photos? I can't wait to tell him.
Great site. Memories are vivid again after all those years. Do you remember Speech Day at the Hippodrome? I will revisit the site to see if anyone remembers me.
Julia

Holgate House Captain 1945 call up served in the army

Lovely to see the school and some of the staff. Not many photos of students from my era, though. I attended from 1960 to 1967 and was in Talbot House. The site is great - look forward to seeing it develop.

I attended HGS from 1959 until 1966. I was in Holgate House and Danes then 2A, 3A, 4A etc. Had a few laughs looking at the panoramic photographs - it is a shame there are not more photos of my year as I lost all my school photos in a house fire in 1964. Keep up the good work - this site brings back some happy school memories!
Janice

What a lovely site initiating fond memories. I attended from 1964 to 1969 (Danes 1, 2, 3 and Romans lV and V) and was in Holgate house.

1947-1954 (Guest)

I have just found the HGS website and find it really interesting. I was there from 1945-1950. At that time my name was Joan Hardwick.

I would like to get in touch with Pat Ward (HGS 1954-60) and Joyce Horn (HGS 1954-59).
(Contact Kathleen through the site.)

Not looked for a year. It just gets better and better.
Peter
1963-68

I was a pupil at HGS from 1949 to 1955. What memories this site has brought back: the Green Gate, the spring flowers, the wonderful grounds and so many excellent teachers. I remember so well performing in Toad of Toad Hall in the "Dell" in about 1950-51 and I shall have a look for that photograph that I know I have somewhere!!
Anne

I attended HGS from Sept. 43 to June 48. After much travelling I returned to Yorkshire on my retirement. I have re-visited HGS and was saddened to see that the gardens in front were now covered with unsympathetic buildings but then it is progress. I always remembered in Spring when we entered the bottom gate and girls went left and boys right. In the Spring it was a mass of daffodils. If there are any re-unions from that time I would love to attend.
Jeff

This is a fantastic site. I have always told my wife I couldn't remember anyone except Patrick Thwaites, Terry Boyce and Johnny Willoughby from my school days. Seeing all those photos brought many names back including Dorothy Poole who used sit next to me in the fourth form. Memories keep jumping into my head since I first started looking. Great.
Phil Skelding, HGS 1962-66 Guest House

Just entered the site thanks to Sheila Kelsall and I think its wonderful. It brings back so many memories, not all of them good but what the heck! Keep up the good work!

The site brings back a lot of memories. I found myself on the site in class 5T 1966/67. I attended 1962-67. My First Form master was 'Taffy' Davies. I also resided in the 'Dog ole' 1963/64. My House was Guest. The best teacher for me was Mr. Burnell. Great Website.

I attended the school from 1957-1962, my House Guest. I was pleased to see a picture of 5S in 1961-62 and the faces brought back many memories. I will study the picture and try to fill in the gaps.
Best wishes on a splendid site.
Ronald

Marvellous site. A lot of names are missing from the 1949-54 era. I was in Holgate House.
George

How marvellous to see all those faces on the panoramic photos after all these years. When I've had time to study them in more detail I will try to name a few more for the record. I was in Price and left in 1966 (L6).
Janet

Listening to BBC radio on my PC I did some web searches and found this wonderful site. So many happy memories. This school was instrumental in my going to college (the first in the family). I am forever grateful. I am now living and working in the US but please keep in touch. Unfortunately when I left (1968) we had just become a Comprehensive school.
Colin

Hi,
I have just discovered your website and am amazed to find my old school photo. My name isn't listed so could you add it please? I'm in the Normans class 1961-62, sitting between Linda Archer and Joan Hibbert. As I look back they were the best days!!! Thank you and congratulations on the site.
Marjorie Fife - nee Bowcock