The Main Index
I've spent many a happy, nostalgic hour drifting through various parts of the site. Lost in a world that was. Edward Flower HGS 1949-52
The School motto, "Labor ipse voluptas" means "Find pleasure in work." The old monogram of the School "H.S.S." had a significance of its own: "Haec Schola stet," - "Long stand this school".
When it was first opened on the morning of November 8th 1921 there were 98 pupils, with accommodation for 181. There were 73 who paid fees, 23 who held County Minor Scholarships and 2 Intending Teachers. The Staff comprised the Headmaster, Senior Mistress, Science master and two assistant mistresses.
►"This vast new access to the past is an incredible experience. Having made contact with many ex-pupils from various stages of life, I think we are designed to 'grow old' slowly, readjusting to 'age' gradually and gently. Just quickly glancing at our reflection. This is all a bit of a sudden shock. What we were. Things that could have been. Opportunities taken and missed."
Peter Kaye (1955-62, Talbot)
►"I was given the URL this morning and I duly logged on. Three hours later I had to be dragged, kicking and screaming, from my computer."
Keith Twigg (1955-62, Holgate)
►"That school was the single most important feature in shaping what I became in so many ways. What is more, my regard for it and its place in an educational era have been enhanced by time not diminished."
Geoff Graham (1949-55, Talbot)
►"I really cannot believe it is 40 years since I left. Looking at all this for the last 3 hours it just seems like yesterday. Happy days though we probably didn't appreciate just how happy at the time. In those days our whole lives revolved around school even for sport and leisure. I guess we were lucky to be so well provided for."
Peter Cooper (1956-63, Guest)
►"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."
Colin Garbett (1950-58, Guest)
►"Universal themes in all the comments on the site are the fond memories and gratitude to Hemsworth Grammar School; in this regard I am no exception."
Tony Pickering (1952-58, Price)
►"Thanks for reviving all those memories of long ago."
Peter Ackley (1944-49)
►"What wonderful memories these pages evoked!"
Linda Rochnia (1965-69)
►"Thanks for the website - its the only one I look at!"
Dilys Hughes (1954-61)
►"Many thanks to you and Sheila for the maintenance of such a nostalgic and wonderful website, there couldn't be a better memorial to the name of Hemsworth Grammar School."
Roy Walker (1961-66)
►Please note that all drawings on this site from the book Hemsworth High Hall are reproduced with the permission of the artist Mr. G. Holdsworth.
►"What a remarkable place HGS was, and what wonderful experiences the staff provided for us."
Peter Wall (1947 to 1954, Price)
►"The HGS web site has brought much pleasure to many old students who are now scattered throughout many distant corners of the world. That these former students have succeeded in many fields of endeavour is to the great credit of the two headmasters and their many staff. "
Leighton Smith (1945-50, Holgate)
►"This is just fabulous to find this site ... for seven years I loved going to that place, HGS ... and as I've been exploring the site, I am amazed at how much comes flooding in, generalities and very detailed memories."
Jean Snookes (1950-57, Price)
►"I have read many contributions within your site relating to the platform that HGS provided for later life - Labor ipse voluptas - has indeed served us all well. One of the Sons of Yorkshire."
John Basford (1964-71, Price)
►"I remember my old school with the greatest affection - I wish I had appreciated it more at the time."
Bill Hewitt (1950-55, Price)
►"The many Hilmians I have recently met or have spoken to on the phone have a common view that the School was generally a very positive experience. It is part of our history and deserves to be captured for all time. I wonder what Mr. Hamilton, Miss. Smith and Mr. Collette would have made of the fact that their School is still held in such high regard after all this time?"
Dave McKenzie (1955-62, Holgate)
►"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."
Wendy Harrow (1959-64, Price)
►"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."
Gordon Clarke (1943-50, Guest)
►"The site continues to grow and remains of great interest with a lot of thought provoking memories."
Tony White (1957-64, Talbot)