Visitors 7
| 1. Margaret Barker 1963-70 | |
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►Dear Dave, I have Panoramic photos from 1960 and 1949. Let me know if you would like them. Maggie (May 2003) |
| ►Dear Maggie, Thank you very much for the offer. Panoramic photos are very useful for a web-site such as ours. The 1949 photo is already on the site. The 1960 photo would be very welcome indeed. What I normally do is scan them at a high resolution so that individual pupils can be identified. If you would like to post the photo to the site I will scan it and then post it back to you. Best wishes, Dave McKenzie | |
| 2. Terry Taylor 1953-58 | |
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►Sheila Kelsall told me about this site a couple of days ago and I have been dredging up memories ever since. Names have been surfacing and faces to go with them. Recollections are a little faded but I would love to hear from any of my old classmates. I have often wondered what has happened to Mick Goodliffe, Tom Hicken, Mick Batten, Neil Spruce, Terry Lockett, Bill Bartle, Barry Railton and Bob Lee. I think that my last year was in form 5T. Terry (May 2003) |
| ►Dear Terry, Thank you for getting in touch. I hope you have enjoyed your visits so far. I have added your details to the site. As time goes on perhaps your HGS friends will visit the site and get in touch. If you have any particular memories you would like to have published, just send them in. Photos are also very welcome. Best wishes, Dave McKenzie | |
| 3. Sid Kenningham 1950-59 | |
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►Dear Dave, Absolutely brilliant!....... I was told about your terrific web-site a fortnight ago, by Les Thomas, just before going off to France. I had 2 wonderful afternoons of blissful nostalgia and was determined that, when I returned home, I would contact you as a matter of urgency! The photographs and the reminiscences from former school mates and acquaintances, certainly rekindle memories and voices from the past, leaving warm feelings and appreciation of all that was best at H.G.S. Happy days! |
| I had the great fortune to be a pupil at the school throughout the 50's, commencing in Sept 1950 and finishing in July 1959 .... as the oldest student in the school - sharing, I understand, the dubious honour of being the longest serving 'schoolboy' in the school's history, along with, I believe, Brian Ardron, who was slightly before my time! - or so the legend goes! Moreover, I was also one of that 'selected band', along with people like Les Tate, George Pacy, Dick Whittaker, Peter Wall, Derek Wilkinson, Terry McCroakam, Eileen Tate, Eric Twigg, Wendy Jennings, Frank Morley and Albert Parkin, who were both pupils and teachers at the school. In my case, in the last year of the 'grammar school era', in the academic year 1967/8. I joined Talbot House because my cousin, John Hardy, preceded me. My other cousins, who followed me, Peter Hardy, Tony Kelly, Christine Kelly, John Kelly, David Freeman and Janet Freeman were similarly placed in Talbot. I was one of those 'grey faces', who tend to 'float' through all schools, until I found myself doing a second year in the 'fifth', and met up with the likes of 'Bob' Moore, Dave Toulson, 'Cheb' Vest and Rowland Hawcroft, who showed me how to 'enjoy' school, which meant getting 'involved' in the communal life of the school and partaking of all that it offered. Sport, drama, choirs, history and literary & debating societies, were all there to be had, 'if you'd a mind' to get involved. H.G.S. may not have been the best 'academic institution', but it turned out some great 'characters', who subsequentlly made their respective ways in the world. Many of us had a great deal for which to thank the staff of H.G.S. who helped to shape our values and develop our personalities - and none moreso than the revered R.W. Hamilton, who did his utmost to bring 'pride' and 'standing' to the school. Indeed, the verses of the 'School Song' encapsulated both his personal and educational philosophies; that you get out of life, what you are prepared to put into it. Clearly, your venture is already a 'roaring success', judging from the responses of so many former pupils, and is going to grow and grow as more people become aware of its existence. You can be sure that I will do my best to broadcast it among the 'old pupils' that I come across - and I trust that others will do the same. I will start to gather together appropriate photos for submission. Never fear, I will be back in touch! All my good wishes for the project. Kind Regards, Sid (May 2003) ►Dear Sid, Thank you very much for your positive comments about the site. HGS certainly was a much loved place. I look back on my own seven years with great fondness. We cannot bring it back but we can pay it the respect it deserved. I do hope the site will continue to be visited by more and more Hilmians. We have not met since we played for the Hilmians Rugby XV in the late Sixties. I think you were the scrum half. I have been sent a photo which shows you and Isabell Snowden on the staff at Willowgarth (Brierley Grimethorpe Secondary). Perhaps you have it. If not I will send you a copy. Stan Horton, Malcolm Jenks and June Owen worked with me for many years. I think Fred Tipping retired in 1971. I look forward to hearing from you again. My very best wishes, Dave | |
| 4. Dave Biggs 1958-65 | |
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►What a fantastic site. Congratulations to those who conceived it and continue to develop it. The class photos are amazing for the way they bring back so many happy memories. A couple of names to add to the 1963-4 class photos: U6A Front Row 6 Christine Kenyon L6S Front Row 2 Liz Jones Would be delighted to hear from any of my old classmates. Let me know if you are planning to visit Barbados in the next year or so. Dave Biggs 1958-66 (Holgate) Celts 58-59, 2A 3A 4B 5B L6A U6A (64-65 and 65-66) (May 2003) |
| ►It was fascinating to read the correspondence about the pigsties. I'm sure I speak for all my fellow pupils in the Celts class of 1958-59 when I say that the smells coming from the direction of the pigsties were very real! I seem to remember that our classroom was even nearer than the Dog 'Ole! Dave Biggs ►Dear Dave, Lovely to hear from you and thank you for the comment. I have added it to the site. If you have any other memories, please send them in. Best wishes, Dave McKenzie | |
| 5. Peter Wall 1947-54 | |
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►I have just discovered your marvellous site, thanks to Terry O'Marr. I was at HGS from 1947 to 1954 and was in Price House. I married Betty Allen also 1947 - 1954 who was in Guest House. We are both retired and living in Letchworth Garden City. I should like to comment on specific items in the Forums (I am sure Miss. Whitworth would have preferred me to write Fora), but I am not quite sure how to do it. Could you advise? I hope to make a fuller contribution when I have sorted out my old photographs. Peter (June 2003) |
| ►Dear Peter, Welcome to the HGS site and thank you for your positive remarks. Simply send things to the site using the email address which appears at the bottom of each page. I look forward to hearing from you again. Best wishes, Dave McKenzie | |
| 6. Pat Snookes 1957-64 | |
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►I followed in the footsteps of my sister Jean and brother Med. The rendition of the school song at the end of term assembly, especially the resounding last line of "Labor Ipse Voluptas" , heartily sung by all, is an unforgettable memory. At a family get-together in recent years, a stroll down memory lane lead us to singing as much of it as we could remember!! It's good to see all the words again, on your site! Pat (June 2003) |
| ►Dear Pat Thank you for contacting the site. You appear to have enjoyed your visit. Many Hilmians still think of HGS with great fondness. I remember both Jean and Med at School. They took part fully in many aspects of life at HGS. Our School deserves a place on the cyber map of Yorkshire. It served our communities for nearly half a century. Best wishes, Dave McKenzie | |
| 7. Wendy Harrow 1959-64 | |
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►I attended Hemsworth Grammar School from 1959 to 1964 and would love to hear from anyone who knows of the whereabouts of Anne Poskett. She attended the School at the same time and lived in Upton. I would love to hear from her. I last saw her after we left school when she lived in Harrogate. Wendy Bambrough (nee Harrow) (June 2003) |
| ►Dear Wendy, Thank you for contacting the site. I hope you have enjoyed your visit. I will put your query on the site. Hopefully someone will be able to help. Best wishes, Dave McKenzie ►My brother (John Harrow) has referred me to a class photo in 1962-63 Form 4R on which I appear and I can add a few more names to some of the faces. On the front row on the left hand side girl number 2 is Christine Evans. At the other side of Mr. Burnell are Anne Poskett, Margaret Kelsey and Avril Bond. On the left hand side of me (Wendy Harrow) is Diane Sell. Hope this helps fill in a few gaps. I have spent many happy hours recalling my days at HGS and so too has my brother. It is good to keep up with the news too! With best wishes Wendy Bambrough (Nee Harrow) (March 2004) ►Dear Wendy, Thank you very much for the details. I will add them to the site. I am glad that you have enjoyed visiting the site. Those days were some of the happiest times - not always! Those annual exams, homework, GCEs &c were quite stressful. John and I were in the same athletics team and are even stood next to each other on one of the photos. My memories still give me a very positive image of Mr. Hamilton's school. Best wishes, Dave ►Dear Dave, Thank you for your email. Yes, I agree they were mostly happy days at HGS and I don't think the strict regime did any of us any harm. I feel very lucky to have spent 5 of my school years there. I will keep visiting the site for news!! Thanks again Wendy | |
| 8. Janet Noble 1953-60 | |
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► I just found out about your Web page. I attended HGS from 1953 to 1960. I was in Holgate and in forms 1b, 2b, 3a, 4a, 5a, Lower 6a and Upper 6a (I think). I emigrated to Australia in 1966. I have 2 photos, one of the Assistant Prefects in 1960 and one of my mother's class in 1922. I will try to send copies later. Janet Noble (now Unwin) (June 2003) |
| ►Dear Janet, Thank you for contacting the site and for your comprehensive details. The site has been around for about 15 months and the response from Hilmians has been very encouraging. Your offer of photos is very much appreciated. We actually appear on the site together! Go to the 1957 Whole School Photo Section 4/7. We are on the back row. On your right is Julia Street and on your left is yours truly. 46 years have flown by very quickly indeed. Please continue to visit the site. If you feel you could send in any text memories, please do. Lovely to hear from you, Dave McKenzie | |
| 9. Leo White 1945-48 | |
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►I will be in touch with you. At present I am just just registering my details. Leo White. (July 2003) |
| ►Dear Leo, Thank you for contacting the site. I hope you have enjoyed your visit. One of your contemporaries, Eric Jones, visited the site's base on Tuesday 1st July. He was hoping that more pupils from his time at HGS would contact the site. Please consider the site to be your own. Add to it as you wish. We have a lot of interested readers. Best wishes, Dave McKenzie | |
| 10. Joseph Farmery 1947-49 | |
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►Hi Sheila & hello to anyone else. Just to say that the Farmery in class 1c (1947/48) & class 2d (1948/49) is indeed me. The names of other classmates were mostly familiar but age dims the memory and names don't come easily. One however was, I am 99% certain, Sheila Holdcroft. I will endeavour to try and find some past info. and pass it on. I remember my first year Form Mistress was a French teacher who I think was a Miss Jackson. My grandfather, Henry Watkins, was a head Councillor. You can see his name on the plaque commemorating the opening of Hemsworth Vale Head Park. He had some say in the education program in relation to HGS at that time. As stated I will forward any other bits and pieces I find. Keep up the good work. Its surprising how memories start to flood back. Best regards, Joseph Farmery (July 2003) |
| ►Dear Joseph, Thank you for contacting the site. I hope you have enjoyed your visits so far. To complete the record could you please let me know which House you were in? I have added your email address to the site. If you have any objections to this just let me know. Best wishes, Dave McKenzie ►Ref. Sheila Kelsall`s enquiry to me dated 28th inst. Sorry I can't help with the memorial lecturn photo. I would like to add my name to the School photo "Panoramic 1949 5/5". Front Row L-R reads...Don Maltby then No2 is me. I will try to find some photos and any other usefull items. Great site! Thanks Joseph Farmery (May 2004) | |
| 11. Colin Garbett 1950-58 | |
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►Hi Dave, Visiting my friend of 57 years, Tony Pickering, who introduced me to your excellent web site. It is really nostalgic to see the old photographs and read the anecdotes of people we knew so long ago. It only seems like yesterday. I would like to loan you my collection of photos to insert. I'm sure you can scan them much better than me. Best wishes from Colin Garbett, Guest House from 1950 to 1958. Thanks. Colin (July 2003) |
| ►Dear Colin, Thank you for getting in touch and for your kind comments about the web site. Your photos are most welcome. We have a very interested audience. Nostalgia is very important to many people. HGS is still well thought of today. A special place. If you get the photos in the post during the next day or two I can process them and get them safely back to you. Lovely to hear from you, Dave McKenzie | |
| 12. Fred Johnson 1961-68 | |
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►I received the URL for this site in an e-mail from Sheila Kelsall and have had a happy hour looking through it all. I was in the Danes form 1961/62 and left in summer 1968 (we were the last ones to sing the school song). My sister Ann came here in 1958 (I think) and left in 1965. Both of us became teachers. Sadly she died four years ago this August. We often reminisced about our schooldays at HGS and I'm sure she would have loved to have visited this site and been in contact with her old friends. Fred Johnson (July 2003) |
| ►Dear Fred, Thank you for contacting the HGS site and for your positive comments. You left HGS in 1968 and Sheila and I left in 1962. Our years were obviously fully in the Grammar School era but you must have seen the transition to the High School. You mention Mr Burnell. He was very involved in Art and Dramatic Productions for many years and has provided lots of photographs for the site. Please send in those text memories. Our audience would love to read them. Best wishes, Dave McKenzie ►Dear Dave, Keep up the good work on a great site and if there's anything else you want to know from my era that you think I can help with, please feel free to e-mail. By the way, along with the School Song have you ever thought about putting the Prefect and Assistant Prefect oaths in any section or did I miss them? Can you remember them? Did you have to say them? I didn't, I was just given a badge. See what I mean, the slow erosion of tradition. Regards Fred Johnson | |
| 13. Steve Farmery 1942-49 | |
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►Dear Sheila, Thanks for the e-mail. I was pleased to hear from you and am delighted to say I can help. I was indeed the Farmery in U6s 1948/49. You mention Mark Abbott and Jack Robinson and wonder if they have been in touch. I'd be interested to hear from them. I've been looking for some photo's that show more people from my year but can't lay my hands on them at present. If I find them I'll contact you again. There have been a couple of reunions in the last 2 or 3 years organised by Mick Cleaver. Contact me again if I can be of any help. Kind regards, Steve (July 2003) |
| 14. Wesley Kenworthy 1935-40 | |
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►Dear Sheila, Many thanks for your e-mail regarding the H.G. school site, which I have accessed since hearing from you. Unfortunately I have not yet found any connection with my years but I suppose my time is now in the dim and distant past. If I can help at all in any way, however, please let me know. I remembered the school song without referring to your text of it! I always thought the School Motto was an excellent one and my work over the years has always given me satisfaction. |
| I began at Hemsworth in the last year of A.G. Jenkinson's reign, so was, of course, there when R.W. Hamilton arrived. I had not realised that he stayed for 30 years. I recollect the names of most of the teaching staff and many of those of my contemporaries. I possess a school photograph of 1940. I have tried in several ways to contact my contemporaries but without success until one of them, Stuart Walker, contacted me out of the blue a few months ago. He admitted swinging his pick too hard when we were digging air raid shelters, with the result that I received a tear in my trousers which had to be dealt with by the Home Economics Department! We were both keen on Latin and I have always been grateful for those studies, not just for their own sakes but for the mental approach they provide and which I have found has lasted a lifetime. Ivor Scourfield was our excellent teacher. Percy Crossland, another of our teachers gave me an interest in History which I have never lost. I wish you well in your endeavours. All good wishes. Wesley Kenworthy (Reverend) (July 2003) | |