Visitors 10
| 1. Malcolm Stewardson 1957-63 | |
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►Looking at the 1960 panoramic, 3/6, immediately behind Mr. Kennedy, is a boy called Dick Roberts and immediately to his right is me, Malcolm Stewardson. Malcolm Stewardson (February 2004) |
| ►Dear Malcolm, Thank you for the information and welcome to the site. I hope you will enjoy your visits. Could you please let me know which House you were in? If you could send in any memories or scanned photos, please do. I imagine we will have some memories in common. Lovely to hear from you. Best wishes, Dave McKenzie | |
| 2. Stephen Batey 1960-67 | |
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►I have all (I think) of my form photos, together with a few group shots, and the large "all school" rolls from my time at HGS (1960-1967). I also have a large number of photos that I took during my time there. I have photos of all the members of staff present in my final year. |
| One of the items on site is the boys' hockey fixtures list for 1966 (or was it 1967?). I have photos taken at most of the games in those seasons. Other photos include school and staff plays (including shots of the cast being made up). Any interest in these, and if so, how should they be delivered? What size etc? Scanning will take some time, but I have been meaning to do it for some time, to send a CD to another old boy. A few corrections to the photo captions need to be made, but it would be best to notify you of these later, after I have reviewed the site. For the record, I was in Guest... Stephen (February 2004) ►Dear Stephen, Thank you for getting in touch with the site and for the most generous offer of material. I am sure it will create a great deal of interest for our audience. Scanning so many photos will be a large job but there is no great rush. Either create a CD and post it to the site or send selections in via email. As to size and quality. I usually scan at 300dpi. which gives enough clarity for individual faces to be selected and used. The files are saved in jpeg format. Reduction will not be necessary if you intend to put them on CDs. Any change in size can be done here in preparation for using them on the site. Sending through large scans will also enable the site's quality archives to build. The panoramic photos are normally scanned in 5 or 6 sections on an A4 scanner - again with quality in mind. Lovely to hear from you, Best wishes, Dave McKenzie | |
| 3. John Harrow 1957-62 | |
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►Hello Sheila, The amazing website evoked memories of long summer lunchtime breaks on the playing fields when nobody bothered to ring the bell! You will not remember me. I knocked around with John Sumnall and Denis Burton. You were in a trio with Pat Stollard and another. I was there 1957-62. In 1961, I bought flowers from your stall in South Elmsall market each Saturday. There are not many people from my year registered on the site. Of the others, so many became teachers. Yours sincerely, John Harrow (February 2004) |
| ►Dear John, Of course I remember you! Funnily enough, you are on my 'to do' list. My role within the set-up of the website is to do the contacting and correspondence wherever possible, and I have already been in touch with John Sumnall. You were to be invited to visit Willowhemhistory very soon - and so you have beaten me to it! Please tell me, how did you learn of the site? I know that some Hilmians have just typed Hems. Gram. Sch. into a search engine (Google, AltaVista etc.) and found us, and others have learned of us by word of mouth. Anyway, it's lovely to hear from you. All in all, it's very flattering that we seem to awaken good memories of happy times, and people tell us so. They were such happy days, weren't they! Fancy your remembering that stall on Elmsall market! Directly across from there was another fruit & veg. stall where Pete Dickens, Kathleen Frost and Marcia Bradley - all HGS -worked. At the end of each Saturday, unwilling to take the stocks of ripe bananas back to the shop, first one side would reduce the price by a penny "one and six a pound bananas" would be shouted, and then the others would shout "one and five a pound...." and so it went on, until we were down to threepence a pound! Great fun. I'm really touched that you have held kind thoughts of me for forty-odd years. You will certainly be able to fill the hours by exploring the site, and I would ask you especially to have a look at your class photos there and try to supply us with any names we have missed. Also on the panoramas there are many gaps. What was your pathway through School? 1A, 2B....etc. Which House did you belong to? Do you have any photos from that time which could augment the records? You must be very busy, I know, but we would be delighted to receive anything you can dig out of your attic/cellar/bottom drawers. With your permission, we usually put your contact email address in our lists, which are growing all the time. Looking forward to hearing from you again, Sincerely, Sheila. ►Dear Sheila, Thank you for replying so fully and promptly. What memories! I suppose we have reached the age when we look back rather than forward. I was in 1, 2, 3, 4, 5A and my house was Price. I found the HGS website from your entry on Friends Reunited several months ago. I wonder why so few of my contemporaries have responded to the website? It would be interesting to know what became of our teachers. We led some of them a merry dance. Mr. Lock and his bubble car; Mr. Swinbank with his lisp; Mr. Hudson and his youth hostelling; Ken Sale; George Pacey; Mr. Boyd trying to teach music against all odds. Mr. Hodgson the geography teacher and Jock Kennedy's Scots/English. All my friends liked you because it was rare for someone from an older year to talk to you unless it was as a Prefect handing out punishment. One used to make us stand in the quad next to and in the same pose as the statue, or pick daisies there and make a daisy chain. You were a nice person and I recall quite a good athlete. I suppose one of the attractions of schoolday nostalgia is that we were all innocents (though we thought otherwise) and had no idea what our lives had in store for us. Sincerely, John | |
| 4. John Micklefield 1962-70 | |
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►Hi Dave: Wonderful job on the site - I have spent several happy hours here. I am writing to identify the photo contributed by Stephen Batey about "The Vigil". It is of Alan Tingle who played the Defence Counsel in the play back in 1967. I was Professor Andronic Thaddeus, a professor of Angelology - somewhat of a foreshadowing of what was to come as I am now a minister!! Keep up the good work. God bless - John Micklefield (1962-70) (February 2004) |
| ►Dear John, Thank you for getting in touch with the site and for the item of information. I am glad that you have enjoyed your visit. More photos from "The Vigil" will soon be appearing on the site. Stephen Batey did a great photographic job back in the Sixties. Since leaving HGS we have spread far and wide. Your Friends Reunited entry indicates that you are in Winnipeg. I note that the weather today is below freezing with light snow in the city. Miss. Ward, HGS Geography Teacher, would call it a "continental climate". I met her last month. She is much the same as she was when teaching at HGS. The photo of you on your Visitors entry is from one of your junior forms where you are stood between Sue Perry and Chris O'Connell. Memories are so precious. If you can find time to send in some personal memories, I am sure that many people would find them to be of interest. The site reflects our collective effort. Lovely to hear from you. Best wishes, Dave McKenzie | |
| 5. Neil Whalley 1955-63 | |
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►Sheila, Of course I remember you! I have indeed thoroughly explored the site and I think it is absolutely fantastic! I will be updating my profile in the near future and hopefully I can dig out some photos etc. Hope you will be there on the 2 July in Brierley. Neil (March 2004) |
| 6. Neil Spruce 1952-56 | |
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►Just heard of your website. I attended HGS from 1952 to 1956. Best friends were Melvyn Snookes and Colin Mortimer plus many other aquaintances. I remember, when I first started, Sale (Headboy - motorbike on forecourt with teachers' cars) also Moore - Victor Ludorum!! How do I contact people who have contacted the website? Thank you for the memories - brilliant! Regards, Neil Spruce (March 2004) |
| ►Dear Neil, Thank you for contacting the web site. It exists to capture those memories which we all hold so dear. I hope you will continue to use the site and perhaps send in some of your own memories for others to enjoy. Contacting other Hilmians is very easy. The Visitors Section has an A-Z index which contains email addresses. To compete the record could you let the site know which House you were in? Lovely to hear from you. Best wishes, Dave McKenzie | |
| 7. Chris Kenningley 1955-61 | |
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►Dear Dave, Just logged on to your splendid HGS website, as I often do. I was devastated to learn of the death of Dennis Burnell. He had a tremendous influence on my life and career. Kind regards, Chris Kenningley (March 2004) |
| ►Dear Chris, I think lots of Hilmians will have fond memories of Mr. Burnell. Tony Senior should be able to give you more details about him. Mr. Burnell will by missed by many, many ex-pupils. Best wishes, Dave. | |
| 8. Geoff Vodden 1954-60 | |
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►Dear Sheila, Thanks for telling me about the website. I have viewed the photo's and seen old mates I had forgotten. Remembered a lot of good days. I can see the French teacher, Mr. Lock, lifting his Messerschmitt bubble car into position in the car park. Remember getting whacked by Mr. Hamilton several times!!!! I was always innocent. Best wishes, Geoff Vodden (March 2004) |
| ►Dear Geoff, I'm really pleased you enjoyed your visit to the site, and have the chance to delve deeper into it as time allows. It's amazing how on first visit to the site, it's difficult to remember people's names, but they pop into the mind the more you look. Did you have Michael Kemp as a mate? Those panoramas on the site are especially good for seeking out old friends, and if you can supply us with any of the missing names, we would be most grateful. Have you kept in touch with anyone from your School days? Did you stay local, or like me, end up leaving God's own county? Look forward to hearing from you again. Sincerely, Sheila. ►Dear Sheila, Mick Kemp was a mate, I last saw him in December 1965. I was in Barnsley Hospital recovering from a motorcycle accident and he came to see me. I haven't seen him since. It was my final year at college. My mates at college brought me lecture notes, after missing 8 weeks I managed a pass. Weren't you into hockey and sports? I won the 100 yards in the school sports one year beating the all conquering David Hawcroft. I was in the reds, did they call it Guest House? The guy in the picture of 1C 1954/55 next to me is Chris Horner he had a twin called Roger, they came from Shafton. Two nice lads as far as I remember, I don't know what happened to them. Thanks for replying. Geoff Vodden | |
| 9. Emlyn Williams 1964-71 | |
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►Just discovered the site - very interesting and brought back lots of memories. Especially enjoyed the staff photo from 1966! I have some photos and things which I'll submit later. Thanks for your hard work! Emlyn Williams (March 2004) |
| ►Dear Emlyn, Thank you for contacting the site. I am glad that you have enjoyed your visit. Thank you for the offer of material for the site. Memories are so precious. I see that you were at HGS when Mr. Hamilton retired and Mr. Ablett took over. Your thoughts on the transition from HGS to HHS would be interesting to many. I normally scan photos for the site at 300dpi so that individual faces are clear. If you could let me know which House you were in, I will add your name to the House list. Best wishes, Dave McKenzie HGS 1955-62, Holgate House ►Dear Dave, Thanks for replying. For the record I was in Price house. I will get back to you with some pictures and memories/thoughts, particularly on the HGS/HHS transition. I think I may have a different view to some of those on the site. My years at HHS were very positive, as were those at HGS. I was very sad to read of Dennis Burnell's death. He was a lovely man and I remember him fondly. Thanks for a fascinating site, and rekindling many memories. Emlyn | |
| 10. George Upson 1964-67 | |
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►Dear Dave, With reference to the 5A photo of 1965, to the best of my memory I believe that these are the missing names for that year (names provided). Please let me know if you need any further information. I will look for the date of the next reunion and try to get there. Keep up the good work. George (March 2004) |
| ►Dear George, Thank you very much for the information. I will get it on the site as soon as possible. There was a great reunion of Hilmians on Wednesday (24/03/04) evening. I took Miss. Ward to the reunion. There were so many pleasant people there who are still united by HGS. Best wishes, Dave | |
| 11. Derek Burkinshaw 1968-71 | |
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►Dear Dave, Your excellent web site suddenly appeared in my browser as I was doing some research. The strains of the school song are now drifting out through my open office window and to the buildings beyond. You might ask why this is worth a mention - well one of the buildings happens to be the Colosseo; another is the Forum and in the distance is the Vaticano. |
| After a number of years working in Europe, I am now the Assistant Dean of the NATO Defence College here in Roma. Hemsworth (and the UK) are a distant memory and I often think back to my old school days. Very coincidentally, I return to the UK (tomorrow 3 Apr 04) for the first time in many years and will certainly try to retrieve some memorabilia, from my storage, for your site. Although I arrived late in the school's history (some would say early!) 1968-1971 - it would be great to hear from anyone who remembers me - and cares to email! Well done on the site! Derek Burkinshaw (April 2004) ►Dear Derek, Thank you for getting in touch about our old school. I am glad that you have enjoyed your visit to the site. You are part of an interesting group - the first new intake of the High School. Over the years that school seems to have gone from strength to strength and now has specialist status. Terry McCroakam and Frank Morley, both Maths teachers from about your time at HHS, are frequent contributors to the site. Thank you very much for your offer of material for the site. So many of us have kept items of memorabilia from those far off days in Hemsworth. Last week at the 24th March Reunion, Leighton Smith (HGS 1945-50) wore his original school scarf! Enjoy your visit to the UK. Best wishes, Dave | |
| 12. Gordon Clarke 1943-50 | |
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►Hello Dave, I had an e-mail some time ago from Sheila introducing the site; I'm afraid it's taken me equally as long to get round to contacting you all. My years at HGS are remembered with great nostalgia and happiness. I was there from 1943 to 1950 and I can honestly say they were some of the best years of my life. Memories come flooding back when I read the entries on the site and I am pleased to say that my wife and I have attended a number of the reunions arranged by Mick Cleaver. |
| My wife attended HGS 1943 to 1949. In 1949 she became RWH's Junior Secretary moving up to Senior Secretary in 1950. Her name then was Marie Johnson. We started our courtship at HGS in 1949 and married in 1954. This year sees our 50th wedding anniversary. I wonder how many more romances started like that and are still going? During my time at HGS I was more interested in the sporting side of the curriculum, my forte being Athletics. In the earlier years I was eclipsed by those giants Les Tate and Derek Wilkinson. However, I did manage to achieve the Victor Ludorum in 1950 and also captain the victorious HGS Athletics team which won the Inter Schools Shield and the Senior Boys plaque at Huddersfield. I think it's wonderful to find such an informative site dedicated to a school and staff who nurtured us in our formative years. I have many memories and I promise I will pass them on as I gather my thoughts; I have also a number of photographs covering those years both of myself and my wife Marie and I will scan them and pass them on to you. Many thanks to you and to Sheila for providing us with such an excellent site. Best Wishes Gordon Clarke (April 2004) ►Dear Gordon, Thank you for getting in touch with the site. Your fond memories of HGS are echoed by many. I have identified you on some of the site's photos. In particular your Athletics team which won the Huddersfield Sports. Here we have a link as a dozen years later I held that same shield on behalf of the School. There are other links. On the 5C photo I can see Leighton Smith and Irene Wright. My wife and I met Leighton quite recently in Walton and last August we met Irene. Les Tate was my PE teacher at HGS and after college I worked with him at Dinnington High School. He was a keen competitor and sportsman even then. It was good to meet him again at the Mick Cleaver Reunion of the 24th March. Please think of the site as your own. I look forward to receiving your photos and memories. Best wishes, Dave McKenzie HGS 1955-62, Holgate. | |
| 13. Mark Hall 1964-71 | |
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►I went to HGS in 1964-65, after passing my 11 plus. I think I was in Normans 1, and the four classes, Normans, Romans, Celts and Danes, were in a rectangular block just across from the Dining Rooms? It seemed strange at the time, as we were taught English by a Scot (who was also my form teacher) and whose name escapes me, and French by a Welshman, Mr Davies, who was indeed a gentleman. Does anyone remember the name of the form teacher at the time? |
| There also do not appear to be many photographs posted on the website from this period. It would be good to have a few and see if one could pick out old colleagues, as others have done. The form teacher of the class, Romans 1, was at the time Mrs. Tromans I believe? An appropriate name. Mark (April 2004) ►Dear Mark, Thank you for contacting the site. I do agree that the site needs more photographs from the Sixties. Hopefully that will be corrected as more ex-pupils find the site. You were able to observe the School as it existed under the leadership of both Mr. Hamilton and Mr. Ablett. I wonder what changes you noticed? Please feel free to send in any memories of your time at the School. I am sure they will be of interest to many of our visitors. Do you still have a school photograph of yourself? If so, it could be used to personalise your site entry. Which House were you in at School - Guest, Holgate, Price or Talbot? Best wishes, Dave McKenzie (1955-62, Holgate House) ►Dear Dave, I remember fondly Miss Smith, as one of my French teachers. Although as stated she was in appearance a frail lady, she was a true lady in the sense of the word. I once remember a small incident, when, as she was coming up behind me, I held the door open for her. She smiled and said thank you as she walked through the doorway. She then asked my name, to which I told her, using my surname first, as all boys at the school did. I thought nothing of this until my parents went to a teachers meeting on an evening, to discuss our progress. On asking my mother whose offspring they were to discuss, when my mother mentioned my name, she smiled and said "Oh Hall, what a Polite boy." It certainly surprised my mother, and me also!!! I failed my French O level, (as I could not remember what the word "Demain" meant, in the paragraph we had to translate. To this day I now remember it means -Tomorrow!!. Of all the teachers I had, I felt that I had let Miss Smith down, so, on leaving school, I went out and bought French books and tapes, and taught myself to speak French. It must be some testimony to her, that French people now say that I speak French like a frenchman!! (Not bad for a Yorkshire Lad!) I will always remember Miss Smith with a fondness and affection. She was, as previously stated, a true lady. Mark | |
| 14. Eric Hall 1944-48 | |
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►Hello, I hope these two photographs will help you boost your Web Site. Form 4D - 1947 (Names provided) Form 5D - 1948 (Names provided) Best wishes, Eric Hall 1944 to 1948 (Price House) (April 2004) |
| ►Dear Eric, Thank you for getting in touch with the HGS site. Thank you also for the photos and names. I will add them to the site as soon as possible. Best wishes, Dave McKenzie | |
| 15. Jeff Worgan 1944-48 | |
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►Any news of Eddie Parker, Ado Howell, Sam Flavell, Betty and Audrey Ashwell? In Form 4D 46-47 2nd row 7 is Adrian Howell; 3rd row 8 is Jeff Worgan. An excellent site! Jeff HGS 1944-48, Talbot House (April 2004) |
| ►Dear Jeff, Thank you for getting in touch with the web site and for supplying the information. HGS closed many years ago but its influence is still remembered. I hope you will enjoy lots more visits. If you have any particular memories, please send them in. Best wishes, Dave McKenzie HGS 1955-62, Holgate House | |
| 16. Ron Wilkinson 1946-51 | |
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►Hi, I can help with 1948-1949 colts rugby missing name front row no.1 is Ron Wilkinson. Thats me. I am the brother of Derek Wilkinson who was at one time Captain of the First Team Rugby and also Head Boy. He returned to HGS as a teacher in about 1965 with his lifelong friend George Pacy. Unfortunately my brother has now passed away. I have thoroughly enjoyed 'reliving' my days at HGS as I browsed through its and my family history. Thank you all for your efforts in providing this info. R. G. Wilkinson PS. I was also lucky enough to win the Junior Victor Ludorum in 1950. (April 2004) |
| ►Dear Ron, Thank you for getting in touch with the site and for the information. Thank you also for the compliment about the HGS site. If you have any particular memories of HGS, please let us have them. I met Derek briefly in the mid-Sixties when I went back to HGS one Wednesday Games Afternoon. He kindly gave me permission to play with the Senior Rugby players. Eileen Tate was at the recent Mick Cleaver reunion in Brierley. Irene Wright tells me that Miss. Whitworth passed away last year. She was a resident of Cornwall and maintained her HGS links for many years. She used to meet with Miss. Smith and Mr. Hamilton at Bridge in Cornwall. Lovely to hear from you, Dave McKenzie HGS 1955-62, Holgate House | |