Interesting colour postcard of school for sale on EBay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1040665575
Interesting colour postcard of scholl for sale on EBay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1040665575
Really pleased to see this initative. As I get older wondered what happened to old school mates etc.
Photos brought back mwemories.
In the 1951/52 U15 cricket photo supplied by Peter Smith, the umpire (extreme right, back row) is Michael “Dixie” Dean who was, in fact, older that the rest and part of the 1946 intake. He later became a considerable rugby referee (although I have a resentful recollection of him learning the craft in about 1957: it was OGRFC Ex B XV and my first season of rugby ever – I didn’t play at School – and I ran the length of the field to touch the ball down for my first try. Dixie, from 60 yards away, disallowed the try because he thought I might not have grounded it correctly!). The masters are (R – L) Bomford, Stevens and Lane. Stevens’s other love, besides cricket, was bridge and I believe he was a strong player. He restarted the School Chess Club in 1948, not because he was much of a player but because he thought a school of our standing ought to play chess. I was eternally grateful. Sadly, he died in harness and it was not until decades later that I discovered that he took his own life.
YOUR WEBSITE IS A JOY. I was at Harrow County School from 1917 or 1918 until 1925. I am now 92 so my memory is not too sharp. Jack Powell was my great friend and a fellow athlete. He won the Championship and I won the Victor Ludorum in about 1923 or 1924. I was taught by Beeky Fooks, and had the pleasure of visiting him in his home on several occasions. my chief interests at school seem to have been athletics and Rugby with a little cricket thrown in. After school I was sent on a two year apprenticeship course with J.Lyons and Co. a course reseved for the sons of the Managers. I remained with the company....through various mergers...Fropax. Eskimo, Findus, Union International and finally Nestle , until my retirement......apart from 6 years' war service in the Navy. During the War I wa in Russian convoys in HMS Somali and transferred to Combined Operations and Landing Craft. I landed at Le Hamel near Arromanches ,at H Hour on D Day, and was awarded the first DSC of the Normandy invasion. Sadly my wife died in 1970, but quite by chance I was lucky enough to meet the second love of my life in 1973.We were married in 1974 and have lived happily ever after!! We live in Chagford in Devon...and idyllic spot. I have one son and happily inherited two step daughters and one stepson. I have several old photos of rugby teams and will attempt to scan them and send them to you if you would like them.
Early warning of Priestmead reunion.
The following has been copied from the Friendsreunited.com website entry for Priestmead School. I'll post more information as and when it becomes available.
1962 and earlier reunion - 22 May 2002 from 17.30 to 21.00, at the school. Being organized by William Mesley (billm@qmsstep.com ) who refers to himself as Bill Mesley but I will never ever think of as anyone other than Billy Mesley. (Bill went on to Kingsbury not HCS!)
A chance to look around the school, meet long lost friends, and recharge those aging memory banks! Reunion open to all ex-pupils (and their families) who attended Priestmead school in 1962 or before. Small financial contribution will be requested to cover cost of buffet snacks.
Further details will be announced later. Please send email to confirm your interest, and to receive updated information on the reunion: 62reunion@qmsstep.com
John Parker - Priestmead 1952 - 1959
PS to previous note re Jerry Dicker's comments: Jerry, I just re-read your note and realised I had missed the exclamation mark! I read it as "... I don't know why I shall need ..." 0 out of 10 for mis-reading the question! (Why does that sound familiar?)
Geoff
Re Jerry Dicker's comments about the ID cards for 9th Dec: (Hi Jerry) I saw some photos of the 90th reunion in March and there was the illustrious Harry Mees with a paper ticket stuck to his jacket with his name hand written on. Probably did the job well enough, but as I can offer a more professional card for the 9th Dec, I thought I would do so - Harry, at least, deserves something a bit better! Also, to quote your own note re dates at end of names: "I find it helpful when others do this as I recognize so few names". I think we'll have an even harder job recognising faces after 40 years without names attached!
Looking forward to seeing everyone again, and hopefully recognising a few.
Geoff Lambert (1955-62)
OK,I give in. I'm coming to the backstage reunion.
How can I not come if Harry Mees is coming?
By the way, due to a complex timetabling problem, three of us had stagecraft lessons from Harry formally timetabled in as part of our tuition in S6M (me, Eric Weinstein and Tony Phillips). I don't know whether stagecraft has ever been formally taught since. Any thoughts?
I put my dates at HCS after my name. I find it helpful when others do this as I recognize so few names. Slightly dreading the BTS reunion on 9th Dec in case I don't know a soul.
At least there will be Geoff Lambert. I remember you Geoff but I don't know why! I shall need those badges you are doing.
Will also be very glad to meet Ken Waller. He and Don Kincaid are the two who made most beneficial impact on me. I owe them for my love of languages and linguistics.
Johnny Pither also asked if anyone remembers him. I do. We bumped into each other in a pub in Solihull in about 1965.
I just read back a few messages and saw reference to one Turnbull who allegedly grabbed hair and twisted it. He was called "Cheese" because of this but I never understood the conection. He was Irish, taught English but got his notes muddled on the desk in front of him and thought it funny to change people's names. He called me "Flicker", Brian Gowlett was "Growlett", Derek Minor was "Major" etc. Ho ho ho Mr Turnbull. But I liked him. Weird.
jimmy henderson (1944-51) - involved in cricket, rugby, water polo, & dramatics ...
nostalgia is definitely what it used to be! would like to be put in touch with a contemporary barry clifton.
Does anyone know the whereabouts or anything else of Stephen Deeds, 1953 -1958?
Having been out of touch with all things HCS for 40 years, it feels very strange to suddenly come back to it again. Many memories were awakened by reading material on the web site, and it is fascinating to look back on those days from an adult perspective, and realise that other pupils felt the same about many of the aspects of HCS school life in the 50's and 60's that I thought were unique to me.
I look foward to keeping in closer touch now I have my retirement years ahead of me!
Geoff Lambert (1955-1962)
Perhaps I can add to the identifications on the recently posted 2c - 1961 form photo. This was my year, but not my form.
Back row (L-R): 1. Sinfield 2. ?? 3. Seward or Steward 4. John Mahaffey 5. John Purse 6. Malcolm Lewendon 7. Keith Harrison 8. John Stanard 9. ?? 10. "Buzz" Perry 11. ?? 12. ??
Middle Row (L-R):
1. "Yogi" Martinoga 2. Steve Provins 3. (David ?) Berry 4. David O'Brian 5. ?? 6. Leonard Webb 7. Jim Harris 8. Peter Pinfield 9. ?? 10. Hopkinson 11. ?? 12. Edward Lucas
Front Row (L-R):
1. ?? 2. ?? 3. ?? 4. ?? 5. Malcolm Booth 6. ?? 7. Mr John Bodiam 8. Messenger 9. ?? 10. John Kerr (not related to me) 11. (Terry ?) Ross 12. John Allen 13. ??
Anyone know where Nick Creamer is? If not, send donations to .........................!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Simpson's son was called Jimmy. As a prefect, he once famously jumped out of the lower VIth window to defend some boys who were being belaboured by the father of one Dare, who claimed they had been bullying him. I heard Jimmy is no longer with us, but no details.
Yes, I remember Mike Smith well - red hair and freckles. Also his mother whose famous remark as a teacher of chemistry was "I can teach a stone". she certainly helped get me through A levels, Higher Schools as it was then. I had long gone before Simpson's famous woodpecker remark but recall vividly his "Boys respond well to the short, sharp shock of the cane", soon to be followed by his self vindication that just about evey offence, real or imagined, was " A clear case for corporal punishment" - all in the accent of that famous son of Arbroath, Harry Lawder. As I recall, Simpson had a son in the school. I wonder where he is and what he has to say about all these recollections.
Mike Smith, and others of mature vintage, might like to know more of "Nig" Swallow and "Dai" John. Both became doctors and both played rugby for the Old Gayts. Dai became a consultant GU surgeon at Mount Vernon Hospital (among others) and Nig went into general practice, latterly for many years in Olney, Bucks (famous for its annual pancake races), where he starred in the village rugby club. He once had to leave the pitch when a patient had a heart attack on the touch line and accompany him to hospital, muddy as he was, in the ambulance. I played once or twice with Nig and it was from him that I learnt why gin is known as "mothers’ ruin": it used to be distilled into lead vats and lead poisoning brought many pregnancies to a premature conclusion.
Sadly, both are now gone; Nig died of leukaemia and Dai of cancer, both still, I think, in their sixties.
Tech Studies, balloon project. 4 boys to a team, early 70's, design and build a balloon with candle powered basket underneath.
Lesson, slit your oppos' balloon fabric, tread on it during construction etc.
Out of 5 or 6 worked on only one got into the air in the outer quad and burst into flames at about 30ft over the cricket pitch, much to the delight of the opposing teams.
One term's work but the the plane spotters by the flag pole ran for cover.
rgds
Thank you Jeffrey. Interesting site bringing back flashes of memory from the early/mid 60s. I seem to have forgotten more than most – but then "could do better" always was the refrain on my reports. No memorabilia to prompt me I'm afraid – it was all binned in the 70s during a house move. In the 4B photo of 1963 I am indeed the fourth in from the right, front row. The third in from the left is not me - the name Sadler comes to mind. Edward Kerr – do I know you? You obviously have some memory of me, but the surname only style of the school at that time doesn't help. Love and Peace to all who vaguely remember me. My respects, as always, to Harry Mees, Jim Golland, Gerry Lafferty and Bernie Marchant, none of whom will remember me as well as I do them (I hope). From John who is currently enjoying work and life in Ghana.
A CHALLENGE
Can we, by co-operative efforts, pin down the date of Square's famous woodpecker shoes remark. I was at HCS 1959-1966 so that's one date bracket.
More precisely though the remark was made in the run of some School production or other because that night or the following a leading character changed a line to refer to a woodpecker. My memory is a bit dusty but I would hazard a guess that the actor was Michael Armstrong. So would it have been Volpone in 1962?
By the way did the reference to "shortie raincoats" and "third-class Swedish commercial travellers" occur in the same diatribe?
Answers on a postcard to this vistors book please.
Regards,
John Parker
Further to recent pics the 1964 3c pic name are,with a few I cannot remember ( sorry guys know the face etc.... ) as follow: Back row: ?/Rowe/?/?/Constant/Tarrant/Hasleden/Munns/Jones/Morgan/?/Hooley/Leaman Middle row: West/Cove/Bennett/Smith/Starke/Bradley/Wooding/Howell/Loveday/?/Palmer/?/Davies Front row: ?/?/Wallace/Johnson/?/CPOD/Bellman/Cheeseman.S/?/?/Cheeseman Great to see so many old...literally now...faces,hope all are well and doing ok, have had the pleasure of chatting to/meeting several in recent times.
I was at Harrow County from 1966 until 1973. This is a great site and lot's of fun to look at old pictures. Thanks!
With all this talk of metalwork class, I will happily accept anything for the archive, including boot scrapers. Did anyone ever make a device for attaching my coffee cup to my chair so that it is to hand as I wheel myself around the archive room?
It is refreshing to learn from Ralph Jones' query about Stanley Robinson that someone older than me reads this page! Robinson was still at school when I left but I understand he left soon after for a job at a school run by the Anglo-Iranian Oil company in Iran. I heard that he eventually returned to England. It was only after I left school and started travelling around that I began to appreciate what his geography lessons were all about but he was a good teacher. During the war he was very active with the school's Air Training Corp and undertook the thankless job of taking us on week-long camps. He developed eraser and chalk throwing to a high art form!
I see from the BBC website that Harrow High School has the worst record for GCSEs in the educational authority. I'm a little out of touch, is that significantly worse than usual?
Re: Ralph Jones comments 18 Nov.
Stanley Robinson was a family friend of ours. He took a teaching position in Persia before I started at HCS. He had 2 children, I believe his daughter lives in Western Australia.
Peter Morey, Sydney.
The names for the 52/53 Cross Country Team from left to right are:- Back row, A. Wilson, T. Gough, x, x, J.Green, x, front row, M.Humphrey, L. Chapman, T.Youdale, C. Crinson, B. Lord, X, C.Gent. The reason for the "strange" team selection for the Queens Park Harriers Relay was that I picked the teams( with Charlie Crinson's smiling approval) and because of ARS's rule that Rugby came first, some of the team were only part time cross country. I decided that the full time runners would be the "A" team and the part timers(even if they were better runners) would be the "B" team. It seemed the right thing to do and it was a way I( and Charlie Crinson) could have a dig at ARS. Tony Youdale
Isn't it interesting how other people see us? Richard Mogg calls my piece on A.R.Simpson a 'vitriolic diatribe' and Colin Dickins expresses shock at what he perceives as my deep hatred of Simpson (or words to that effect).
As a leading member of Brent Council during its most dysfunctional period (when it was controlled by what Private Eye called 'the only Conservative / Black Power coalition in the world'), I can write vitriolic diatribes and turn on the hatred (synthetic or genuine) without even trying. But it just wasn't so in this case.
I really did try to take out any dislike for Simpson and write a thoughtful piece about him as objectively as I could. I tried to give him credit where credit was dure, recognising that the world in which he operated was a very different place from what it is now. I thought I had. As I said, isn't it interesting how other people see us?
Re: Staff Photo 1966
Michael Schwartz is certainly right wrt Mr Whiteway/Whiteley (will have to check on the right name). He was number 2 to Reg (Foggy) Goff. He taught me economics and predicted I would fail A level. So I got a grade A and went to LSE. Still economics never was an exact science!
3L front is certainly Cyril Atkins.
Regards,
John Parker...from work this time.
Postscript; In reviewing past comments, Pete Lawson may be right, Jack (metalwork) may have left earlier than my memory serves me.
I started in '71 and I didn't think they trusted anyone with any dangerous kit (apart from the staff) that early.
If they did we certainly abused it but my hammer is now 30 years old!
Kids will be more impressed.
rgds
The 'Mr Collins debate' moves on.
I made a lightweight hammer in metalwork (approx 1973).
Only took me a year, would have been cheaper to buy one from Woolies.
Jack took pity on me and stopped me from losing too many fingers in the process. Still have my body parts and hammer which is indestructable, even my kids are almost impressed. Jack grunted that I should go into banking.
It's not always what you are taught that counts!
At least I can hold the quill pen and flick through the ledgers.
rgds to all.
A real blast from the past - fascinating. I'm astonished (and pleased to see) some of my teachers are still going strong!
Peter King (HCS 1970-1977)
I will have a crack at the back row of 1966 teachers. From the left: T J Jones (I hope that Paul Ware and I are the only two still psychologically scarred by this individual's teaching techniques), Mr Hartley (number two to Mr Edwards), Mr King, Mr Wood, Mr Giles, Mr Gibbs, MrBurt, Mr Whiteway/Whiteley (number two to Mr Goff), Mr Hoare, Mr Boucher, Mr Mason, Mr A N Anderson, ?, Mr Walker, Mr Goodchild, Mr Davis, Mr Kincaid, a foreign language assistant.
Mr Bob Tyler and Mr Boggy Marsh are both in the middle row (6th from left and 3rd from right).
Is the third from left in the front row Mr Cyril Atkins, the school secretary?
Re new 1950 HCS Athletic Team, Front Row, take the question mark from Bill Bowley - definitely him and two to the right of Swanny is my old friend Terence Edward Golding (see also cricket 1st Xl same year)
Roy Goldman
Someone asked about Jack in Metalwork. I remember he retired and emigrated to Tasmania in 1970 or 71. In Assembly, Joe persented him with a leaving gift from everyone. The cheers took the roof off.
The only thing I recall making in Metalwork (1957) was an ink-bottle holder. The move to boot scrapers must reflect some subtle shift of priorities from the academic to the athletic.
Re: Photograph - Prefects 1964
Some names:
Top row extreme right - Geoff Haynes-Stiles
Middle row extreme left - Lesley Gilliland third from left - Bruce Varley sixth from left - Steve Graham
Front row third from left - Dick Thwaites
Regards,
John Parker
Mention of Herbie Collins prompts me to ask if any rugby boot scrapers still exist. For those not in the know the first item that everyone made in metalwork was said rugby boot scraper. Now that's an item that ought to be in the archive.
Regards
John Parker
Further to previous message I obtained B in English but failed typing !!!!!!
Interesting to see references to "Herbie" Collins,( metalwork master ) . whever happened to Jack ? (who helped in the metalworkshop and was very generous with ciggies to those who smoked in the days when it was good for you !! ) The one question that has always made me wonder though...what happened to the pavilion fund monies our parents were conned out of term after term with no sign of a new pavilion ever occuring? it must be worth a few bob now so can we have a divi? Answers please or its a Panorama special !! :)
For Paul Ware
Surely Plug its Spell Czech
Dave
Bottom right in staff photo is Mrs Baul and bottom right in 1964 prefects photo is Roger Swinburn. Up the back is Bob Burke.
Does anyone else remember the political discussion group led ably by Messrs Bilson and Lafferty as an alternative to cadets etc on Fridays?
I have a recollection of Jock Lafferty telling us of his days as a Guiness salesman.
Looking back I can only assume that we were considered to beyond help already or we surely wouldn't have been entrusted to the care of sch a pair of radicals!
Probably my fondest memories of the school - although it probably accounted for my later spending far too much time trying unsuccessfully to change the world.
While I didn't join the school until '69, I think I can fill in some of the remaining gaps in the 1966 School staff photo. The unknown between D'Arcy and Marchant in the middle row is Bob Tyler. The teacher on the far left on the front row is Mr Collins (who taught metalwork?). Also, and I may be wrong, I think that the gentleman identified as Dave Burt in the back row is, in fact 'Digger' Pearce. Argue if you dare.
Martin Flack is right of course. Blame Bill Gates' spellchecker (he must have a home in the Hantmans).
Apologies to my old friend Dave Hantman--and to Jeff Maynard for a Texan daring to make New York jokes. -pw
Paul,a freudian slip for Dave Hantman, or do I need glasses?!
The 1966 staff photo is a little low res. for me to be sure (you're being a bit mean with your bytes, Jeff) but I suspect that the staff member on the extreme left at the back is the mad Mr. Jones I mentioned in my letter of 7/18/01.
As for Laurence Lando's comment about no black or Asian faces in the Jubilee photo of the school...if you mean the 1971 photo, Laurence, until Jeff increases the resolution of the jpgs, I would recommend the services of Dave Hampton, ex-HCBS and now a practising optometrist just around the corner in Preston Road.
If anyone's interested, that photograph was taken largely at the instigation of the subsequently very famous and wonderful Clive Anderson. I remember Harry Mees rolling his eyes at the School Council meeting while Clive told Roy that the whole, proud school body would be disappointed if the Diamond Jubilee went by without a photograph being taken. And the funny thing is that--although at the time the two words that immediately came to mind were "brown" and "nose"--I'm now very glad the photo WAS taken!
OK Staff photo guesses...Mr Marsh next to Mr Bunting? Douggie Gray next to Mr Skillen. I'm not sure - but then again, I never was!
And I also think that to Dave Burt's left is Mr Clark and that the lady on the bottom right is Mrs Ball, the Head's secretary. (Common Room photo '66)
Addictive, isn't it? Just when I thought I really would go and do something useful I had to come and see if there was any mention of the Animation Society. Not found any reference yet but there's still a lot of this site to explore.
Do any of Armstrong's films still exist?
While we're on the topic of less official entertaiments, has anybody got any material on the Christmas Ents...Chiarascuro...the variation of the famous advert.."You're never alone with a Strand"
The attic beckons.
John Parker Romsey Hampshire England
parkerjsxx@aol.com
What a find. I didn't know this website existed until this evening. Already found three lost colleagues. Found myself two or three times in photos.
Any ex-members of the CCF Signals Platoon out there? Break and lunch tine in the Signals Hut and, if you were ever so careful, you could skive off games there too.
So where are Dick Thwaites, Steve Grimes, Bruce King, Brian Payne, Puff Bayliss etc etc.
I've found Roland Tebbenham with whom I used to sell tickets for the school plays when I wasn't on stage dropping 14 foot book flats. I used to be a fully qualified member of the 14 foot book flat club. Any one else out there knows what that means?
I've even found someone I was at primary school with and then we both went on to HCS.
There's only one trouble with this site...I meant to do some work this evening but I've been reading the guest book for an hour and spent another hour trawling the photos. Still I retire in 6 years...keep the site going I've got a lot of reading to do, e-mails to write and boxes to search through in the attic.
Thanks to all who contribute and Jeff for setting the thing up and running it.
I'll be back for more stories of Ubi, Sparge, Swannie, Lefty Wright, Square, the prefects strike when Cowan joined the School, CCF camps etc, the time we set the school on fire on the last day of term, potassium permangate in the swimming pool. The list goes on. Its amazing what can stimulate the old grey cells to reconnect!
Regards to all...
John Parker Romsey Hampshire England
parkerjsxx@aol.com
Just seen the Common Room Photo of 1966. I can fill gaps as follows:
Middle row, sixth from left: Mr Tyler (Head Of German)
Bottom row, far left: Mr Collins (Head of Technical Drawing and Metalwork).
I was at HCS from 1934 - 1940. One of my form masters was S J Robinson who had good results from me. Does anyone remember him; and did he go abroad after the Second World War? Does anyone know what happened to Nat Sherman?
Ralph Jones
GAYTON TIMES
I notice various extracts from the Gaytonian.
But there was also the pupil produced "Gayton Times" produced intermittently through the '50s
I think the prime mover was Geoff Spring.
Do any copies survive ?
Just recently found this site - Going through the entries brings back all sorts of memories - mostly I remember enjoying myself at HCSB, though I do recall that I worked through fear of what would happen to me if I didn't!! (Waller's flying board rubber etc.) I remember some of the names but not many faces to go with them. If anyone remembers me from then - I was in 1B,2D,3C,4beta,51 and the scouts - it would be good to hear from you.
Fascinating to find this site - it brought back a lot of old memories
Michael, satisfied users might also include:
'Ah! Smith.I saw that you were the first to write in the original guestbook - you're in detention.'G.H.Cowan esq
'Maynard - you damn rabbit!' (come on - guess who)
To Paul Romney; yeth I agree wis you.
Shouldn't that be photothynthethith, Bunting?
Tomorrow one year will have passed since Jeff Maynard started to count the number of "hits" on his website. At the time of writing they have totalled 40,790. This means an average of roughly 112 hits every day.
Satisfied users include:
"An average of 112 per day. Well, you know, this reminds me of the average scores Walter Hammmmond used to achieve at Bristol and Gloucester" Walter William Lane.
"Indeed, Maynard. You have spurned idleness. You have achieved the successful prosecution of a website. It should, all things notwithstanding, have been rendered in oratio obliqua" Bernard Marchant.
"Make no mistake about this, Harrow County! This is a tremendous and very real achievement in the face of international competition" Joseph Roy Avery.
This is incomparably excellent. Do you see, Maynard? Do you see? By the way, what's the website situation in Polish?" Kenneth Waller
"A cosmopolitan hobbledehoy in a shortee coat and winkle-pickers" ARS (and I didn't even know the guy...)
"That's ma boy!" Gerard Lafferty
"Er, whoy have you thet up an webthite in thkool? What doeth thith have to do with photosynthethith?" J F Bunting
"You can see now that the Hapsburg Empire and the Great Western Railway were in a state of collapse. Or they were until Jeff Maynard set up his website" Harold Mees
"Ah, Flaubert! Ah, Voltaire! Ah, Moliere! Ah, Maynard!" Geoffrey Salter
"Harrow County was a disaster area. I was caned seventeen times a day before Square sent me off to work a twelve-hour shift in a coalmine. In fact, sometimes even today I have to rest my bum in a specially padded chair in the office at Liverpool University where I am experiencing a socially deprived life as a professor" Peter Fowler (got you, you bugger!).
Greetings to ninety years of Gaytonians
Michael Schwartz
I was at HCS in the war years from about 1943 to 1946. I did little to make people remeber me but somebody just might. I was in 4th Harrow Scouts and later in 10th Harrow and as a Cubmaster in 6th Harrow. If anyone is in touch with Roy Hargreaves who is in the ACF photo in 1947 and whom I met again in Canada in 1960 please let me know
Wish Harrow County Girls School had a site as good as yours!! (I was there from 1969 - 1973 and would love to hear from anyone who remembers me. My maiden name was Welford).
Simpson the Cricketer (from Crickinfo site)
Sorry on copy and paste much data was lost.
For those interested the source URL is: http://www.cricket.org/link_to_database/PLAYERS/ICC/SCOT/SIMPSON_AR_30027509/
Simpson the Cricketer (from Crickinfo site)
Alexander Russell Simpson Born: 28 February 1905, Dunfermline, Fife Died: 10 November 1975, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, England Major Teams: Scotland. Known As: Alexander Simpson Batting Style: Right Hand Bat Other: Wicket-Keeper
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Career Statistics: FIRST-CLASS (1924 - 1934) M I NO Runs HS Ave 100 50 Ct St Batting & Fielding 12 22 6 101 19* 6.31 0 0 14 10
O M R W Ave BBI 5 10 SR Econ Bowling - - - - - - - - - -
I must have had more of my fare share of 'violence' from masters at HCS. Whetther it be being caned by Square; had many board rubbers directed at my head by a geography master; slippered by same gent with a chalk cross on my shorts! Col Bingham did come into my frame as I took o and A level Biology; but I did not encounter his 'punishment, even though I did 'retire' from the CCF early:)
As for anti-semitism, this was latent among boys and masters, but so it was within the comminity. Take a look at the Jubillee photograph of the school, no black or asian faces, few lady teachers.
Speaks volumes for our society.
However I did enjoy my schooldays at HCS and regret the demise of the selection system that made it a launch pad for many.
Laurence
Was Square a Soviet agent?
Several contributions to this Guest Book have focused on Square's reactionary elitist views and mentioned his derogatory use of the term "cosmopolitanism" as a code word for Jews.
I am struck by the similarity in Square's terminology and that of Joseph Stalin in the early 1950's, when he launched his campaign of anti-semitism culminating in the Doctor's plot.
Apparently, during the war, some pro-communist elements at HCS daubed the Inner Quad with a large "Open the Second Front" slogan. Would this even have gone un-noticed in the depths of the Lubyanka?
Was Square's arrival in 1946 an accident?
He did a remarkably good job (Portillo aside) as a recruiting agent for the left.
Alas for Square and his controllers, by 1968 the Trots, Anarchists and Peaceniks became the predominant force on the left and Square was "retired".
A few minutes cease-fire, please, from the Simpson-era artillery-barrage polemics. Like some wartime medic or tank recovery engineer, I have some bits and pieces to "patch up".
Graham Wells, thank you for finding your copy of the 1971-2 A6A photo. I was looking for mine everywhere. You are right in your identification of Andrew Ritchie and me. Whether Martin Bouskila's name was Bouskila or Bouskilla I can not remember. The impersonation by Alec Hirshfield of Martin was a master-piece considering how much these two loved one another...
Of the remaining individuals it is Keith Miller sitting to the immediate right of Mr Lafferty the throat-sprayer. The second from the right in the middle row is unknown to me as well as to Graham.
However, to the far right of the middle row is Brian Hanney. With his close friend John Roberts on the far left of the middle row the two of them take on the appearance of A6A's guardian angels, or should that be bouncers?
Ceasefire over - hostilities may now recommence.
Michael.
...and in response to Dave Rowe's message (Hi Dave, yes I was Rob then, I guess nicknames are what other people call you, once I started work it just changed to Bob), I had a similar experience to Dave's PE one, in English in the fifth form the master (Golland?) asked me for my 5 weeks (or so) of back homework and I decided the easiest way to avoid the issue was just never to go to another english lesson (ever), I did manage to sit the O-levels and got an A. Felt like a real triumph at the time but I suppose you shouldn't really need a teacher to teach you English.
Aah Worthing... a late night trip to see the girl with auburn hair. I'm sure John Howell remembers it too, as he suffered a couple of broken ribs. I think he has forgiven me.
So far it looks like I've been a bit negative about life at HCS, but there were some good mates there and we had a lot of fun (albeit most of it outside of school).
Various memories: strange plastic balls with holes in used to play football in the inner quad; the inner quad (what was that all about?); green grollies, the tuck shop selling jam doughnuts; Cowan knowing everyone's name within days of arriving (or so it seemed); that huge artilliary gun by the flagpole (did it ever fire?); ARS rules on shortie coaties, suede shoes and bellbottoms.
Oh well, enough reminiscing, I guess I'll just have to email Mr Rowe to find out about Ms Farthing.
Thanks, Colin Dickins: I had forgotten about the 1959 school play. It was Maxwell Anderson's "Winterset." I believe that was the first time I encountered the words "punk" and "puke."
Further to Bob ( Rob ? ) Morgan`s recent recollections I think it was a Mr Lafferty who was perhaps the throat spray user.I also remember the caning of the whole of the year for the awful crime of a bit of noise in the changing rooms one wet games afternoon,Mr Underwood doing the dirty deed as I recall ( and felt !! ), I also remember thinking PE a bit of a waste of time from the second year onwards and "missing" the "lessons" from then until I left several years later, strangly my end of term reports for PE improved in my absence...a moral there perhaps? Bob will also recall a visit to Worthing no doubt !! best left there I think !!
Having read a number of submissions over the past few months, was violence only confined to the sixties? On a personal level, I was part of the mass slippering in the changing rooms of the whole of the first year by yet another sadistic P.E. teacher. I had the brace I wore on my teeth broken by a double handed Bigham slap round the face. I witnessed the use of a bunsen tube by Bodium in Chemistry, and the pulley ropes in the gym round the legs of a fellow pupil in P.E.
In answer to the question of whether other masters were aware, I guess, unless there was a scoreboard kept in the common room, the true extent was unknown.
For all of this there were some funny times as well. The removal of Geoff Lafferty's chair in English, causing him to fall in a heap when he didn't look before sitting down, caused under breath uproar, especially his reaction this.
Nice to see a number of names that I know, I will keep in touch
A couple more Simpson stories acquired from Norman Tyrwhitt and Don Wilkie when we met at the splendid Remembrance Day tribute at the School today: Don tells of an application to join the staff from a Cambridge man called Antrobus. Simpson thought that sounded suspiciously foreign and spoke to the man’s professor at Cambridge – who indignantly told him that it was a common native name around Lancashire. And Norman put on a School play about 1959 (it begins with a “W” but I’ve twice forgotten the title – sorry). He asked the Head what he thought of it a day or two later and Simpson expressed his disapproval of boys uttering the word “bastard”. Norman gently protested that it appeared widely in Shakespeare, to which Simpson replied, “Yes, but that was how they behaved in those days.” (I still stand by my qualified defence of him!)
Wonderful to renew contact after 16 years working in Vienna. The Remembrance Day service was most moving, and organized in a most excellent manner. I was particularly impressed by the service put on by the current School, especially the creative contributions by present students. It is good to know that in its new incarnation the School continues with the traditions of service and commitment to the community that we tried to follow in my day, when the world was somewhat different. BobM (1947-54)
I started at HCS in 1967 but my connection started in 1962 when my brother went there.I was always getting the "school has gone downhill since Simpson left" accusation thrown at me.
Well, it is so refreshing to read what apparently went on in those days pre Avery. Thinking back it seems to me that it was the parents who always complained about the decline of the school whilst I never heard much praise from the students at the time and now it seems we find out why.
Then again , were the headmasters and teachers in general products of their times?
Esmond asked the question... "I wonder why he thought it was OK to behave like that? "
Good question.
Much of the violence that was inflicted would result in immediate termination or a jail sentence today.
The only legal corporal punishment in my day was Square who faithfully recorded the event in the required punishment book, George Thorn, who used the same book borrowed from ARS and Bigham, who kept his own book. He needed it !!!! Bigham was a lousy teacher and, in my view, a psychopath.
No -it wasn't legal for masters to slap boys around the head until they were semi-conscious, to hurl board erasers, pull hair, slipper, beat with twigs or ropes.
Nor was it legal to rub a board eraser across boys mouths or throw non-swimmers into the Swimming Pool.
But all those things happened and not rarely.
I didn't get on with Jim Golland (probably my fault) but I never saw him raise his hand, nor George Yelland or Crinson. Yet they were good teachers.
But the fact is that there were many masters who were plain sadistic and no defence can be made of them.
But where was the intestinal fortitude of the others ?
They knew the offenders. Didn't they care. Or did they simply lack the courage to act.
No defence of ARS can change the fact that he was a thoroughly nasty piece of work. No academic achievements can mitigate his obvious lack of compassion or caring.
Even the prefects were not discouraged from hitting younger boys and ARS's most ludicrous act was to give them gowns !!!!!
Kindness existed with some. Paul Oliver being a case in point. It is easy to think fondly of those masters who taught subjects in which one excelled. But in Oliver's case I possessed absolutely no talent, yet every lesson when he went through our work from the previous lesson, he never once mocked a lack of talent. In fact, in most cases, he would find something positive to say.
HCS had its strengths but they do not and never could compensate for the wanton cruelty.
Bob, The English teacher that used to pull upwards on sideburn hair (yes, it did hurt like hell), and throw chalk and blackboard erasers at students, was Mr. Turnbull. He was otherwise quite a good teacher, as I recollect. I wonder why he thought it was OK to behave like that?
I am the Peter Joslin who helped with set construction in 1955. I also played the part of the Gardener in the production of Richard II. I have photographs of some scenes from the production.
This whole connection with Harrow County has come as somewhat of a shock. I left nearly 40years ago and have not thought about the old place for ages, but have always regretted not keeping in touch with old mates and now suddenly it is possible and happening!! The web site is brilliant and MANY THANKS FOR SETTING IT UP, IT IS GREATLY APPRECIATED!! I will sign off now and get in touch with Pete Fowler, thanks again, Ian Host
I must apologise for my remarks about Fred Bilson who has quite rightly questioned my recollection.
Sorry Fred, it's all a bit dim and distant for me. Actually now I think back, I think you were one of the OK guys.
But... it was an english teacher, he used to grab the hair around the ear and twist... maybe it was Golland? Wasn't he the one constantly spraying something down the back of his throat?
I shall be more careful about what I say in future. But for now... I do remember some other fairly dreadful behaviour, I think it was Bodium in Physics (maybe chemistry) who thrashed, with a metal retort stand, a boy in the first year (Turner?) for some book failure. I myself got caned by Bigham in the first year for not covering an excercise book in the regulation brown paper, he had a whole collection os different diameter canes hanging on the back of his little office door. Also caned (twice I think) by ARS (for what I can't remember). Then there was the time that the entire year got slippered (hard) by some PE sadist.
Bigham started really ranting when I asked to leave the CCF and sent me to ARS who seemed to think that it was people like me that would cause the fall of civilisation. Took a long time to get out but it was the best thing I ever did, spending Friday afternoons in a classroom with the other "miserable worms" and "spineless specimens" who had opted out.
Please insert "allegedly" in all the above where appropriate.
Happy days indeed.
Nick, wasn't me, I lived in Pinner and was previously at Priestmead.
Bob Morgan hit the nail on the head, 'pupils of many types', by the way Bob did you live in North Harrow and go to Longfield?
1962-1969
Aaaah, Jane Farthing. There's a memory for you. If only I had more brain cells left, I'm sure I could remember why. Wasn't that Bayley's girl? Dave Rowe, fill me in (as it were).
FYI, Paul Stark (Hi Paul) mentioned this site to me at Pete Watson's funeral recently, where I met up with Paul (Stark), Steve Tarrent, Mike Galsworthy, John Howell and me (Bob Morgan). There may have been others from HCS but I didn't notice.
I was one of Maynard's contemporaries (Hi Jeff), I've had an email from Roger (Armstrong) recently and lurk occasionally waiting for inspiration to join in.
Well inspiration arrived in the guise of a certain Bilson suggesting that we "Remember the 60s. They were a good time." As I remember, Bilson (if your're who I remember), you used to twist our sideburns (hurt like hell) and throw chalk at us (or was it the whole rubber?). If the 60's were such good times for you, aren't you a little ashamed of how you and the others treated us? No, Oh well.
Anyway, interesting reading the site, it would be good to see a few more of the school reprobates around but I guess that's par for the course. I guess it's inevitable that the (as I saw them then) "smarmy gits" (I'm sure they're very nice people now) who aspired to prefecture would dominate such a site.
Seriously though, HCS pupils were of many types, the aspiring fascist prefecture (as above) who bought into the whole ARS way of life; the stage people who seem to have led some sort of life in a spooky parallel dimension (Hi Gerry, I do remember you); the vast majority of good pupils, of whom I have little memory; and the skivers who could be registered at school and still manage to meet up at Reg's cafe in West Harrow for a cup of tea and a danish while assembly was still underway (not to forget the famous cross country skive).
I seem to remember that, around O level time, we would find oursleves round Paul Hooley (also mentioned recently)'s house for a Findus curry (or some such re-hydrated dried muck, delicious at the time) and listen to folk music!!! (I can't believe I just admitted to that, but we did).
Anyway, there is life after HCS, as long as you didn't (and don't) take it all too seriously. But it's still good to remember...
Best regards,
Bob Morgan 1A, 2B, 3C, 4... (Oh, who can remember but it looks like a series.)
I am an e-mail virgin and have just discovered all of this thanks to Mick Boggis. When I've composed my thoughts I'll give more detailed comments but just a few notes, 1. It's great to be reminded of 'square' 2. I was also a co-owner of the old van!! 3. I was the first drummer in the maddisons but my Dad wouldn't let me have a drum kit and Harvey Shieldkraut's (real name) Dad would!!! Bastard!!!! Could be rich and famous now instead of being poor and insignificant!!!
Yours suicidely
Tig
Hi old friends. I left school in 66. After ten years as a professional musician, playing in most of the seediest night clubs in the West End, I turned on, tuned in and dropped out in a cottage in Suffolk. Several years later I recovered , went to college and became a music teacher for twenty years. And now I've dropped out of that and am opening a new music and arts venuenear Inverness, called Sessions. I would love to hear from old acqaintances. Iut's funny what you remember once someone gives you a bit of a jog.
very interesting i was at the school in thlate sixties will try and find some photos for you nigel
Ross Salmon
I notice EBay has three Ross Salmon Cowboy Books listed.
Having read what various people have said about ARS I feel that Richard Buckley's comments are nearer the reality.
The memory which sands out for me is during an assembly only a few months after I had joined in 1960. The Debating society had debated and passed a motion " This house would rather be red than dead".
This brought the ire of ARS down upon the whole assembly. I never understood why it was better to be dead even then and as an adult I see that he just wanted to impose his ridiculous prejudices on all of us. The success of large number of pupils since leaving HCS who failed at school is testament to the fact that the ARS regime failed a great many.
My feeling about the Colonel are less vtrriolic than some. I would confine them to saying that he put me off Biology for life, he should have nevr been allowed near a classroom and should have ended up in jail.
finally a gayton high web site
Nice to see so many new photographs. but isn't the master on 4D1965 "Farmer" Giles rather than Mr Wood?
Does anyone have/know the whereabouts of the photo of Dean Inge's visit to the School for Speech Day c.1924, which used to hang in the Library?
I would have loved to be able to come back for the Remembrance Day Service this year. It was always powerful for me, and memories of Harrow County are always with me as I conduct such services year by year as part of my clerical duties. I was never in the CCF, but I used to be "conscripted" each year to play the bugle! - the sum total of my military service.
Philip Harratt (1968-75)
I was at the school from 1969 to 1975. It's nice to be able to relive old memories. Having seen the March 2001 photo of Harry Mees I am amazed that the old boy is still with us! He looked that old to me 30 years ago!
I found the link through friendsunited. My wife just returned from a visit to the UK and her brother happened to mention it in passing. It is a great find and the names I see bring back good memories of both happy and unhappy days. It has prompted me to stay in touch and contact my old friends.
Now reachable by e-mail! Delighted to see the reports of the '68 Reunion. Hope to make the next one.
Attended the girls' school from '68, the teacher referred to by jeff golder was called Miss Brydon, P.E teacher. Back inspections were definitely her speciality. She was really wrinkled and scrawny and we wrote a song about her once focusing upon her amazing bust which truly defied gravity! She was quite intimidating and was especially friendly with Miss Buckley,we knew that they holidayed together because Buckley used to show slides of trips in classical studies lessons .Buckley could be terrifying and we definitely locked horns a couple of times but she was a bloody good teacher! She was always bemoaning my behaviour, and laziness.Funny because in my second career these last six years as a teacher i've been recognised as being bloody brilliant with 'naughty' children and underachievers!
Further to Jeff Golder's report on the travails of Harrow County schoolgirls, I find the following in an American biography of one of them, Diane Abbott, MP, whose parents were working-class Jamaicans. "Graduating among the top in her class, she applied and was accepted into Newnham College at Cambridge University, despite a high school teacher's comment that attendance there would give her ambitions that were above her social status."
Attended Harrow County from 1961 until 1965 when I left in the lower 6th as my parents were moving to East Anglia.
Pupil who left in 1929/1930. Remembers Randall Williams !
Well, reading some messages it is clear HCS boys had some problems.
But, if my mempry serves me correctly, I think the Girls' School had their problems too.
I seem to remember one of the girls from HCSG I knew (against Square's instructions which were that we not even to talk to Girls if we were in School Uniform)that they had a teacher who carried out "back inspections" when she required the girls to strip to the waist and bend forward while she ran her hands down their backs to see if their spines were normal !!!!!!
Jeff, I was aware of Alex's article about the school badge. However I was interested to know if Sir Alexander Carlyon or any of his associates on the governing body had any associations with the then Duke of Westminster (the second Duke)or any of his family. Is it not strange to come up with an identical motto?
Regarding the school motto - in my day (68-75) it was alleged that Virtus non Stemma was best translated as 'Virility not Sterility'...
Keep on twisting Bengie Boys!
I am surprised ( and sad) to note how few of your contributors date - as pupils - from the early 50's. Have none of my fellow inmates learnt how to use computers?
Keep up the good work
I was delighted to discover this recently, and I have had one or two happy wallows in nostalgia. I think there is probably still more delights to discover in it too. It has brought back many memories, and I may well let you have some personal reminiscences to add to the collection. Interestingly enough, both my sons also attended the school (in its 'Gayton High' days).
The origin of the School Motto, "Virtus Non Stemma" is covered in Alex Bateman's article on this website on the School Badge at http://www.jeffreymaynard.com/harrow_county/schoolbadge.htm
Chris and Nick have kicked off an interesting debate about the school motto.
My son (Tom aged 14, Harry Enfield's Kevin and then some) put forward an interesting view that a lot of Latin and Greek mottos should be interpreted in 'context' rather than translated literally.
I told him to be quiet, eat his kebab and watch 'Eastenders' but I think he has a point.
I am reliably informed now that 'virtus' can be translated as 'manliness, excellence, mighty works, a class of angels (didn't spot that in the class of '76), army (spotted them), host, worth, courage and character.
Stemma-Stemmatis (n) can be a garland, chaplet (whatever that is) and / or a geneological tree.
I would love to find out who chose the school motto, as I think it distinguished us, in a nice way, from other schools, was appropriate and I think George 'Ploughman plods' Cowan and Bernard 'DOR!' Marchant should step up to plate and deliver their translations of the motto. After all they made us do enough Latin into English and, to be fair, with considerable success!
'Worth not birth' was what I was told. I never aspired to nobility!
rgds to all.
Nobilitatis virtus non stemma
Virtue not pedigree is the mark of nobility
occurrs in a number of church documents from many parts of County Antrimm dating back to 17th Century
I was recently doing some archive work for the Duke of Westminster's Grosvenor Estate when I happened to notice his family motto - Virtis non Stemma. Did our esteemed founders have any contacts with the Westminster family when the school was founded?
Further to Terry Lovedays memories of ciggy breaks in Harrow,,,tut tut Tel, John Howell is alive and living in High Wycombe and Paul Hooley after a brief return to the UK is I believe living in South Africa,incidentally Chris Hooley who was also at the School is now in Australia, will fill you in further Terry in the near future Dave Rowe
Many thanks to all those of you who responded to my last request for help tracing people for the stage reunion-I now have nearly all the Hamlet cast but if anyone out there has any leads on Richard Pearce (Fortinbras and the Ghost), Alan Allard (player queen),Phillip Gill (player King) and Martin Steele (Player and Osric) I would be glad to hear! Some stage crew we're searching for and the names may jog some memories- Johnnie Morrel,Malcolm Gardner, Richie Fowler. Last but not least- if anyone has a collection of the G&S tapes we'd like to hear from you to fill in the bits we are missing. Thanks! Katie.
Class of 1976 paul@billin.co.uk From Harrow County & Lowlands Sixth Form went to UCNW Bangor, left with B.Sc. in Forestry. Worked in forestry in Scotland, Wales, Kent, Warks, Lincs and now based at Desborough, Northants working as forestry consultant. Married to Georgie, music teacher. Three kids, Alice(7), David(6), Monica(4) so life is busy & full but good. It would be good to hear from old friends.
Continuing the Avery v Ars debate, I can categorically say that if "square" had stayed on another couple of years, then I would have not have finished my schooling at HCS. On reaching the heady heights of Fourth or Fifth year(the memory dims), when we allowed out of school at lunchtime, a few of us would go to the park behind Harrow-on-the-Hill station for a fag, which saved smoking out the toilets. At that time scooters were the rage and Wilt (Francis Wiltshire) wanted a car aerial for his Lambretta 175. He decided to help himself from a car parked at the back of the station, and after the removal, we all climbed over the fence into the park and sat in the shelter for a smoke. About 15 mins later we were faced with 2 policemen, called by someone in the station who had seen what was going on. Wilt was dragged off by the police and the rest of us (John Howell, Paul Hooley, and I think Rob Bruce) were left to go back to school to face the music. I am sure that if ARS had still been there wee would not have seen the end of the day in the school, however, the more liberal Avery decided a suitable punishment would be to "gate" us for a week, whilst Wilt, for his heinous crime, was gated for three weeks, in addition to the inevitable naming in assembly.
If anyone out there knows the whereabouts of my compatriots, I would be delighted to hear.
Just stumbled across you. Unnerving looking into the face of 12 yr. old neurotic me. The site recalls all the pleasures and pain of the school in "late-Simpson" mode. Some of the photos of the buildings etc are fascinating. Will drop in from time to time....
All the best from your 'cosmopolitan' friend ('61-'68)
This is a really good way to find some old friends. Thanks!
Laurence - only seen a poster on the train. It was all stations to OldGayt I think.
Have the more observant amongst you noticed that Old Gaytonian Philip Salon is currently plastered all over London Underground advertising a new " Punk " compilation. Looks like a good album too!
Cheers, Lol.
What did we think of Simpson? What do you think we thought? Many of us had O-levels you know. I remember Tony Bevan once sitting on the platform in assembly, coming out with the ARS stock phrases ten seconds before he did "Oxbridge Stakes" muttered Tony; "Oxbridge stakes" said ARS; "Cosmopolitans" said Tony "Cosmopolitans" said ARS. We were corpsing (Harry Mees will explain that to you).
"Cosmopolitans" meant Jews of course. I remember the assemblies on field day when the non-Scouts, non-CCF were reminded they were Cosmopolitans. Not very nice.
Love and peace to all of you. Remember the 60s. They were a good time
Fred
Very pleased to hear the news about Sir Paul Nurse and the Nobel prize. For one shocking moment I thought my ex-second row partner in the Gayts 2nds (or 3rds, if we had a bad day at the office, the previous week) Andy Nurse, had won the prize.
Notwithstanding the fact that Andy kept the medical profession fully occupied at Northwick Park during his tenure in the engine room of most Old Gayt's packs, services to medicine might not have been fully justified to the tune of a million bucks.
rgds to all.
Thought I'd just post a quick note as I haven't visited the guestbook for sometime. Hi to Fran Lazenby and Mark White, good to see that you found the website. I Was recalling just the other day that when I was twelve years of age I went on the 'French Exchange' via the school. I stayed for four weeks in Albertville in the French Alps with a great family whose son, Phillippe became my exchange pen-friend. I am glad to report that we still keep in touch and visit each other every few years despite the fact that I now live in Western Australia and he lives with his wife and 2 children in Paris. Thanks Major Skillen for helping to deliver a really good friend in Phillippe for nearly thirty years!
I mentioned a while ago the April 1974 visit to Romania, costing £38 and superbly led by John Ling and Kenneth Waller, and thought I’d write down a few sundry thoughts to see if this gets balls rolling. I think that for the sake of potential tourism, the country had recently altered its name from Rumania, thinking the new appellation more snappily Latino. Indeed, I remember our surprise when discovering the Romance roots of the language
The TAROM aircraft from Gatwick was frighteningly rudimentary. Bucharest was our first stop. Tourism was not common but aside from an obvious police presence, I don’t recall too oppressive a vibe. Albeit a puppet of Soviet suzerainty, Ceaucescu was most certainly in charge, but there was no hint of the desecration and pillage to be reported later. My memory of the city’s buildings is that many were Stalin towers of aluminium, crumbling fibreglass and gaffer tape. I simply can’t recall buildings of character.
From Bucharest, I remember Lake Snagov whence we toured an Orthodox monastery and a museum of Romanian housing through the centuries. There was also a folk evening where many of us heard for the first time musical instruments that one now readily associates with peasant or gypsy music from Eastern Europe.
Via a provincial capital of Brasov, we were then based at a ski resort called Sinaia (locally monikered “the Jewell of the Carpathians”) for a day or two. I remember the working populousness of the countryside (like a Transylvanian version of Cobbett’s Rural Rides), yet the wildlife was abundant. We saw eagles, wild boar etc roaming. The subsistence rusticity of the region marked me. I remember visits to what I recall as the baroque Peles Castle and the much earlier Bran Castle, the Dracula one.
Next were the balmier vine-clad slopes of a southern village called Curtea de Arges where we stayed a night, after which it was back to Bucharest.
The food was actually outstanding: stuffed cabbage, flavoured dumplings, fresh caraway and the supposedly off-limits cold vodka. We had been led to believe we would be in for lumpy Smash and fatty broth in which would swim all emetic manner of gristly tripe.
Mr Ling and Mr Waller, I recall, found the week as fascinating as did we pupils, even though they were leading us. I was inspired by this visit and have travelled widely in Eastern Europe since. I’d be very interested to read others’ memories about this.
The more I read of Simpson's behaviour, the happier I am that my last year at HCS was his first. He took one look at the sixth form and gave up so that he could concentrate on the more pliable younger types. Both Michael Boggis and Richard Buckley ask what the other masters thought of ARS (what a dreadful childhood he must have had with those unfortunate initials - perhaps that explains his strange behavioural traits). One measure that I would suggest be applied is that under Randall Williams a number of old boys re-appeared at the school as masters but from what I can gather, none arrived to serve under Simpson. Does anybody know of any? Most of the masters asembled by Randall Williams were of the gentlemanly-avuncular types who were capable of a good job of teaching and who could control an unruly mob of small boys with a withering glance and a word. Fooks had complete control all the time and said nothing more than "now settle down". The same went for Randall W. who earned respect by his bearing and example. We all knew the ultimate deterrent lay in waiting in William's study but I doubt it was used more than six times in my seven years at school. A memorable performance by Williams would occur when Amos had us all lined up ready to enter school. Just as Amos was ready to signal the first line of boys to move up would go the sash window of Williams' study and his head would pop out looking a bit like a bespectacled Mussolini "One moment Mr. Amos..." and the harangue would begin. It was all very dramatic. After the warnings and threats cam "thank you Mr. Amos" and the window would slam down. All very dramatic! We are all one or two generations removed from our school days and now have the experience of life that makes us better able to size people up. From this distant view point, I would interpret Simpson's behaviour as indicating a fear of being ridiculed combined with lack of self-confidence, but then I am no trained psycho-analyst. A failing of the school, at least to my mind, was how little effort was made over career guidance. None of the staff seemed to have either interest or knowledge in what is now an important function. It is interesting to read this site to discover what a wide variety of jobs people have ended up in.
Have just found out about the website.
Dissappointed that there are no pictures of my Form.
I started in 1957 in 1B and then went through 2B, 3B,4B,Lower V1 Arts,Advanced V1 Arts,and then Scholarship V1 Arts.
However I have seen myself on one of the pictures of the whole school.
I am sure I will visit the site on many occasions.It has already brought back many memories.
Richard Buckley's excellent article on ARS sums up my recollections perfectly. As someone who was pretty unacademic at the time (kept down an extra year in Vth., then left with 4 O's), my contacts with ARS were largely limited to the numerous occasions I had to bend over the wicker chair in his office to receive the cane, after first receiving a lengthy, and largely incomprehensible lecture on the iniquities of twentieth century society. I always felt I was being personally blamed for what he saw as a remorseless tide of sin and degradation sweeping over the land. I recall on one occasion we (some co-perpetrators and myself) were in there shortly after Pres. Kennedy's death and the subsequent shooting of Oswald, his alleged assassin. 'You're the sort of people who turn into the Lee Harvey Oswalds of this world', he snarled at us. I do not exaggerate. I think our 'crime' was probably sciving off Games, and for this we were told, at the age of 14, that we were to be equated with Kennedy's assassin.
Yes, Richard, he was a very strange man indeed.
As I say, I never had any reason to come into direct with him for any more pleasant purposes, like discussing University Entrances. My other recollections were of a man interminably droning on in Assembly on subjects that patently were of relevance to only the smallest possible number of pupils (we weren't students then). We regularly noticed several members of staff nod off during these. (Own up, JG!)
I mentioned in a posting last year that it would be good to know just what staff members thought of his attitudes and approach. Jim G. touches on the subject, though the fact the bulk of his article concerns the more pleasant aspects of his employment such as the drama productions, I suspect that time may have selectively erased the more mundane and less enjoyable. I simply cannot believe that the majority of the staff went along with ARS's bizarre utterances with anything other than embarrassed resignation. It would be very good indeed to hear from other ARS-ear staff members on the subject.
On another matter entirely, I see with interest that several other guestbook contributors have recorded their forced dismissal from the CCF. When Bigham told me 'You're a disgrace to the Queen's uniform, and you can hand it in', he also informed me that I was the first person in the history of the school to be thrown out of the Cadet Force. So now I know that as well as being one of the most sadistic, twisted, totally incompetent and generally nasty men I have ever met, he was also a bloody liar!
Stay Young.
Mick Boggis
This is an invitation to anyone who remembers me. My band FLICKER are playing at THE HORN REBORN in St Albans (Victoria Street) on Wednesday, 17/10. We are on stage around 9pm. I might even buy you a beer!! Cheers
Mike Bergquist
Someone was good enough to point me in the direction of a Kenmore Park web-site a few weeks ago, but due to pc problems I have lost my old e-mail messages and the URL (I forgot to bookmark it!).
Could I ask whoever it was to oblige again?
Still enjoying reading the messages.
I was a student between 1983 - 1987 when Gayton had just come out of its "County Grammar" era and was coming into the "modern" era. I am now 31 yrs old and have come back to settle in Harrow (Sudbury) as I have been living away for a few years.I was amazed to see how much the school had changed especially with regards to its mixed policy. I enjoyed my time at Gayton and feel it shaped my personality in so many ways - most of them good. Please take my email address and let me know if there are any plans for reunions etc as it would be great to see the old guys again and see how we have all developed.
Kind regards Peter Sarwan
School went down hill when they got rid of the C.C.F...I was there from 1967 to 1974. Mixed memories and feelings. havent looked at site yet so will add to this if nec. ttfn
I attended the school from 1967 - 1973 and was in Preston House. Would love to hear from anyone who remembers me! Have been living in Gerrards Cross for the last few years and work in the City Insurance market. Good to see pictures of the old place, somewhat smartened up since I last visited in 1973! Will keep visiting the site to check for the next re-union.
Thoroughly enjoyed my days - best year's of my life, but unfortunately my memory is waning and I can't remember specific stories! Excellent web site; very interesting!
FTAO Spencer Smith!
OK, Spence, I would be delighted to meet up with the 1965 crowd! From this website it is all too clear we were not psychologically scarred (should that be scared?) by Dr Simpson but there is lots to tell.
I have a suspicion that I will be getting a beginner's course in aviation but I look forward to meeting up.
Kindest regards to all, staff and students
Michael.
PS Who put Benjie Bunting on the guest book?
Hi all you Benjie Boys!
On Tuesday 9th October the following ex-HCS people met up for a few beers at The Founders Arms on the South Bank of the Thames. Myself, Keith Green, Bob Stranks, Martin Hale, John Gershon, Dave Hampson, Leon Loberman, John Tygier, John Chernett and Simon Benson. Half of us had not seen the other half since we left the school in 1971-72. It was a fascinating and very special evening. We hope to meet again soon. This gathering took place as a direct result of the existence of this website, which has enabled us and many others to contact long-lost friends and acquaintances. Keith Miller and Graham Gall are also regular 'attendees' of these events but were unable to make it this time. If anybody 'out there' remembers us and wants to get in touch then please feel free to e-mail me.
I object to Jon 'bin' Adams' comments about German o level performance under Gareth Lloyd-Jones. I was a high achiever, gaining a German o level pass at both 'o' and 'a' levels no less! Perhaps I should have read more than the first page of 'Death in Venice' and not relied on the film about the poof with lipstick & make up- 'Durchalten' my arse!!
Being hit with the board rubber by GL-J probably lost me a few crucial marks, lawyers have been instructed as it has clearly affected my ability to pull down £500k a year.
kindest to all
Martin Cutter asked "just who was Ross Salmon" I often wondered myself.
Dug this out from a site dealing with 1950s TV Programmes: Ross Salmon - A real cowboy informing us about what being a cowboy is all about, things like how to recognise different animal footprints, or how to whittle, the art of horse management, how to make and use a lasso ....etc.... Ross Salmon, originally appeared on Shirley Abicair's programmes before launching his own series. He was in fact English and had retired from the Navy. He intended to set up an American Western style ranch on Dartmoor and introduce a breed of hardy cattle. Whether or not any of this came to fruition is not known. There were certainly a series of Ross Salmon books and annuals, printed in the 50's.
Disappointed to see that my name was not included in the Staff who attended the excellent reunion of the class of '68. Agreed with fact that Gareth Lloyd-Jones looked fifteen years younger than the select band hope I also looked the same!!!
Jeff,
A great web site. I have recently been contacted by Ian Mash about the "Year of 68 re-union" , which I unfortunatly missed, having just moved house and did not receive the letter.
Keep up the good work, I shall be visiting again.
Regards
Alan Robson
Hi There
Found this site by searching for Roxbourne school. If any of your members are interested there is a site dedicated to the ex-pupils of this school. It was started on in July of this year and the numbers are growing. We would all love to hear from new members, it has been fun and at times challenging trying to remember the names that appear and then trying to put faces to them.
Embrace the past and have a giggle at its humour, or just say " hello does anyone remember me "
Kind Regards and Good luck to all health and happiness for the future
Vanessa http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/roxbourneschool
Good to note that the GMC has seen sense and stopped persecuting Peter Mansfield.
Also very many congratulations to Sir Paul Nurse: not only a great personal and team achievement, but I recall Square going all misty eyed in the early 60s about an Old Gayt winning a Nobel Prize for, I think physics - something to do with one of the high energy physics projects (UK Torus at Culham would it have been?: so I guess it must be pretty unusual for a school to produce at least two Nobel laureates. Very well done Paul and team.
IAN GAWN
Delighted to see in today's Times that Sir Paul Nurse has been awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine. Paul is Director General of the Imperial Cancer Research Fund and shares the prize with his Head of Cell Cycle Control and An American worker. Essentially, they have established that one basic mechanism, a gene called cdc2 controls growth in all living things.
1981-1985 - just read through Alexs' reminiscies - brings back a few memories , not alot else from my era though - anyone got any photos of this time.????
I took my last 'A' level paper on one sunny Thursday afternoon in July 1974 and started work the following Monday just so relieved to be out there in the real world and yet and yet and yet since I found out about this site I come back regularly to it and then joy of joys there is, at last, a photo of me on here.
Isn't nostalgia a wonderful thing!
If anybody does remember me and wants to get in touch my e mail address is as above.
Cheers and good luck.
Sixth Form 1968-70 - great to hear some familier names.
Excellent site, so good to see some old ( literally now!1 ) faces and names,pleased to hear from anyone who will admit to knowing me, as an incentive I know where Jane Farthing is !!!..particularly liked the photo of staff in January this year, some major influences there especially Jim Golland..I can still remember St Agnes Eve to this day !!
Jon, You forgot the bit about ugly - although whether rugby made any difference to either of us is hard to say... Do not let your figure cramp your style either. Not many can referee in both halves at the same time! xx
Jon Adams reporting (1971-76).....Whilst skimming through the guest book, I came upon the note from Gareth Lloyd-Jones! Yes! he who apparently cried off an Old Gayts rugby game once because his parrot had died! I then thought... what a good German teacher he was, even if I did fail the 'o' level. Then I thought, wait a minute! if it wasn't for him, Paul Rockey, Dave Bright and co coaching me at rugby, I wouldn't have fallen in love with the game, play it for over 20 years, suffer two broken legs, broken nose (3 times) shoulder (2) fractured eye socket, broken hands and numerous stitches and end up as a fat, 18 stone cripple. Cheers Gareth and thanks for the memory.
It was a pleasure to come across this website, because although I have mixed feelings about HCS (1958-65), I realise that in spite of my many inadequacies some of the people who taught me had a profound and positive influence on me. Most of all Harry Mees gave me an interest in history which has stayed with me through the years, given me much pleasure and will lead to my first not-quite-a-history book 'Social work: change and continuity' from Palgrave next year. I shall always remember his hilarious shaggy dog story at the debate in salute to Mr Robertson about the silence of the railyards in Gloucester during the general strike and the guard who got off his train in the Severn Tunnel and never caught up with it again. And he made up my fearsome visage as 'The Mikado' in 1965: I remember someone admiring his skills as I was under his ministrations: 'How did you manage to do that nose?' and his saying: 'Ah no, that is the genuine Payne nose...' He and Mr Haley gave me the beginnings of social self-confidence through engaging me in 'The Mikado' and its successors. And Gerry Lafferty who with unassuming charm actually seemed to understand and like me as my form master in the 5th form (labelled by Dr Simpson as the 'dregs of society' that year for some unmentionable crime of some forgotten miscreant - no educator should ever behave towards young people like that). And Mr Golland (I would never think to call him anything but Mr...) who taught me English against all the odds at A-level and secured an A grade which I still think was someone else's given me by mistake. Still, my stepdaughter, who got an A* GCSE in English, appreciated his and Mr Robertson's teaching on poetry appreciation, because after helping with several bouts of homework using their ill-remembered skills, she rang up to advise me that 'we have got an A for our poetry'. I have them and Gerry Lafferty to thank for my confidence in writing which has led to hundreds of academic articles and ten books with, I'm afraid, more to come, and my disdain for the illiteracy of present-day students (I have now become an old fogey). I look back on myself then through the eyes of a social worker as someone who, if I now dealt with them professionally, I would be quite worried about. I see my lack of confidence and social inadequacy as about class divisions in the mainly middle class HCS which most of the staff (and pupils) there would not have understood and nobody thought to tackle. And I was delighted to hear about the change to comprehensive education and co-education because I think that, while I'm sure there were losses in tradition and in academic achievement for the few, I think it comprehensive co-education provides a more normal social environement ti promote the development of the many, of whom I was one.
For those of you who missed it, the findings of the GMC Board looking into the case concerning Peter Mansfield, concluded that with insufficient evidence, he was free to continue giving the individual vaccine's for Mumps, Measles and Rhubella, instead of the single MMR jab, recommended by the Government.
The hearing took place last Wednesday, September 26th.
Found the web site whilst recouping at home following minor surgery. Wonderful tonic! I have very fond memories of the school during my time there (1964-1971)and its a great joy going back through the photos. My main interests were rugby and the army cadets - unfortunately photos of the latter are few. I do still have a number of copies of the Gaytonian and the Cadet from the period.
Having got to this site via friends reunited, its great to see so much about those faraway years ('62 -'68). I would be glad to hear from anyone who remembers me.
As I daresay you are aware there is a backstage reunion happening on December 9th - I'm trying to get the cast of Hamlet together for this event and most of them are coming. Some are proving hard to find, so any contact ideas anyone has for the following would come in handy-ALAN ALLARD, PHILLIP GILL, KIERAN HEALY, RICHARD PEARCE, DAVID MUNDAY, KEITH WILSON, ANDREW HOWE, DANIEL THOMAS, RICHARD GRIFFITHS, DONALD HULMAN, CLIVE NICHOLLS. I'm also trying to trace a number of the girls who worked backstage- as they change their names they are very hard to find, so if you are in touch with any ex-girl who worked backstage- or know someone who is- let me know! Many Thanks, Katie Finch
Neil Gill put me on to this web site. Good to see the past history of the school remembered. Shame there are no photographs from any of my years. Would like to hear from anybody who can remember back that far, especially Tim Malone or Mike Whittle.
Alan Wright
Paul Romney's note about Square and derision of other than Oxbridge scholarships strikes and old chord. Indeed, I was so put off by the announcements of such achievement to the exclusion of others(I think exhibitions were the only other awards that got a mention)I was well into the 4th Form before I let it slip that I aspired to the RAF College, at which point I found substantial support from unexpected quarters. However, the award of an RAF Scholarship was clearly a non-event, and eventually gaining entry to Cranwell, albeit an "A" Level short, brought only "They will kick you out at the first opportunity" from ARS.I therefore took some juvenile delight 3 years later at turning up at HCS dressed as a Pilot Officer with the thinnest rank braid imaginable, but a very bright set of pilot's wings on the chest. There was very grudging approval. Incidentally Norman Anderson and, I think Doug Wilkey, came to my Graduation Parade - even after all these years I am gratefuul that they made the trip to darkest Lincs. However, the most precise put-down of waht I saw as a measure of succes came from Rosemary Bow of the Haberdashers gang, who told me once at Eastcote Station that she had always seen pilots as ethereal god-like beings, but now that I was one the illusion had been shattered! Incidentally, after some 30 years after I stopped flying in the RAF I have started on a Private Pilots Licence course - so stay away from Old Sarum and the Salisbury area!
Cheers
IAN
Having only just found the site I will use it! This is a 'where are they now!' I have been attempting to find a couple of my old pals without success - Can anyone help? Robert Bruce Paul Durham Peter Kingsbury I know that these guys will lead me to others! If there is anyone out there who remebers me drop me a note Rod Stevens 1961-69
Very sorry to hear of the passing away of Vernon Yates. Although I was several years younger than him he scared the s..t out of me as a first former by running in and out of classrooms, shouting abuse at the teaching staff and legging it off down the corridors.
Vernon though, taught me a lot of techniques for coping, when drunk and skint, in South Harrow curry houses after rugby matches at South Vale.
Rugby anecdote; one evening, Phil Miles (he of the very white kit) encouraged a sodden Gayt's St. George's Day party (including Jack Herman I think) to do a 'runner' AFTER we'd ordered food for 15, drunk some beers but mistakenly BEFORE we'd actually been served and eaten anything, as we were all too p'd, frankly, to know our own names! At the time we thought this plan was going to be 'A very real achievement', until we were sober the next day and realised that we were all rather hungry!
Restaurant evacuation instructions were rigorous, 'Captain' Miles, SAS style, military precision, some out the back, some out the front door, some out of the loo window, confuse the enemy etc (some suffered collateral damage, Steve Rigby couldn't make it out as ordered as he was actually UNDER our table at the time and Alan Yarrow was asleep ON the table).
I think Phil was chased down the road by an Indian chef with an hatchet, which was probably the only tackle he ever evaded, thank God, sorry Phil! I think Al Fisher settled the bar bill when he got caught outside South Harrow nick but lobbed his 'flexible friend' at the batton carrying Indian 400m squad.
At the time I thought Vernon's school behaviour was a bad thing; as a newboy, I'd never seen people act his way.
However, he did teach me that 'timing' was everything and how to bail out 'in time'. I got away from the curry emporium but Al will probably invoice me now for my 20 yr old outstanding lager + interest.
I last saw Vernon, when he had left the school, in North Harrow, opposite Safeways, on a Saturday morning, with a couple of stunning women on his arm, still wearing his old and very small Harrow County blazer. Alternative or what?
Go figure!
rgds to all and congratulations on the site's birthday, it's great fun Jeff.
Old Gayts may be interested to note that this website was one year old on September 24th.
Visiting site for first time. Great to see some old familiar names. "Bear" Taylor and crew, greetings if your still out there.
I am glad that Colin Dickins enjoyed his punishment however, on the occasion to which I referred, the instrument of torture was the pair of thin ropes that were used to raise and lower the climbing ropes. Believe me, it was more than a flick. The same 'nice, kind' gentleman was the one who used to draw blood with a hedge switch slashing the back of one's legs running back from the rugger pitch in Watford Road. I do agree with Colin's second paragraph although I was only kicked out of the CCF once.
Oh dear! apologies to the webmaster for the various abortive attempts to send a message. My patient and patronising son has rescued me yet again. Smartarse. Anyway, a huge thank you to the organisers of the class of 68 bash on Sunday. I had doubts about coming all the way from Bristol, but I had a great time. It was so nice to see the old (wrinkled) faces topped off with the remaining (greying) hair. The best bit was perhaps meeting the unexpected people whom I had otherwise forgotten. The only disappointment was that so few of my 71-78 contemporaries turned up, especially those that had been on the slightly radical wing in those post 60's days, but who were still fine academics and teachers. Where are you now Bob Armstrong? Peter Cole? Sue Pullen? Tony O'Shea? et al. Thanks again. I can't do the Backstage Gang gig in December, but good luck with it. Keep me posted on any other nostalgic events. Best wishes to all, Gareth
I wasn't going to comment on Jim Golland's excellent piece (well, I have now!) but I can't let Robert Bogin's reference to "beating a boy with a rope" pass. It was no more than a flick with a rope on the end of a pointer and Swanny Amos was the "sadist". A nicer, kinder man you couldn't meet, despite a gruff manner. The flick did not hurt even if it stung a little (I write as more than a witness!), and from time to time the rope would fly off the pointer. On a good day it would catch over the beams, which Swanny would then let down without using the centre pillar. Strictly verboten, but rules were made for the guidance of wise men and the obedience of fools.
We all had our psychological baggage at school. Mine led to a tendency to idleness, some rebellion (I got kicked out of the CCF - Twice!) and an over-susceptibility to engaging bad influences. But, although I didn't particularly enjoy school, I believe I did benefit in my own way and there was nothing much I would have changed.
Can anyone tell me what became of Vernon Yates? I see from Steve Mulliner's earlier post that he has passed away but does anyone know the circumstances?
I read Jim Golland's piece with great interest - there is a seductive temptation to mark it which I shall resist. I entered the school in 1959 and was immediately struck by the sense of history and achievement of a great school. There is no doubt that the pressure to succeed was the driving force which ran through all levels of the school. This was healthy in that it pressured all pupils towards attainment however where things went wrong was that not all had the ability to achieve success in terms understood by the school. In my view, success is in the individual fulfilling his or her potential. I was a B stream pupil in terms of ability. I scaled the lofty heights of the A stream for one year and then sank back into the anonymity of the lower streams. That I obtained 3 A levels was surprising to all (not least me) and I accept that the school and its teaching were mainly responsible however I cannot recall any acknowledgment from any master that I had achieved anything of value. My B grade in English was dismissed by the same Jim Golland as 'an adequate result.' As a consequence, I did not go to University as I was convinced that I did not have the ability to do so. Other deficiencies of the HCS system - I enjoyed French, showed some ability and wanted to study German. The rule at the school (at the age of 12!) was that if one's Latin (which I disliked) result was higher than one's French then one had to study Greek to 'O' level rather then German. I have to say that apart from being able to decipher street names in Athens the Greek has not served me well whereas I now speak fairly fluent self taught German through necessity in my profession. It seemed to me that the severe early specialisation left me with huge gaps in my general education. I had no knowledge of science or 'mundane' subjects such as woodwork or metalwork (fit only for C and D streams). A broad education? Not at HCS. The sadism of which Jim Golland was unaware certainly existed. There were a small number of masters who would beat boys for being unable to carry out tasks either physical or intellectual. To beat a boy with a rope for being unable to clear a vaulting horse ( I witnessed that) was indefensible. Most masters who gave corporal punishment were fairer than this and one understood that overstepping the line brought pain. I believe that this was common throughout the education system not just at HCS. If one decided not to obey the system then ingenuity was needed to avoid pain - fair training for life. Going back to Jim Golland (and yes I do remember your love of Here by R.S.Thomas and The Ancient Mariner) I would like to ask you of your opinion concerning the comparison of standards at A level then and now. My two daughters have both passed A level English in the last three years and it seemed to me that their standard of work was lower than mine at 'O' level. I believe that given two months study of their set texts , even I, with my lowly grade B in 1964 ,could have taken their A level English papers and passed. Perhaps age has distorted my memory. Why have I bothered to write this and why do I find the HCS website so fascinating (thanks Jeff)? Are those silent thousands who attended the school the ones who succeeded and do not need to look back? Or were some of them so traumatised that they dare not look back? In my opinion, the ages 11-18 are the most important part of one's life where personality, character and opinions are formed and developed. One cannot understand what one has become without a view of these years. I have achieved some modicum of success in business - was that due more to HCS or to my genetic or cultural background (Hebrew, Dr Simpson!!). Who can say.
this site is impressive, wish we had one for the girls school. does anyone know what became of either Stuart Healy ( i went to priestmead junior with him) or Imre Csoti ? where is john graham (grantham) acting now? i played his wife in the Government Inspector.my daughter studies theatre and recognised his name (she is a WAF in the new Kate Winslett film Enigma.) hope the '68 reunion goes well, i entered HCGS the same year.
I received the following from the standards Section of GMC concerning Dr Mansfield.
It really doesn't answer any questions
11 September 2001
Dear Sir/Madam
Thank you for your email inquiry of 1 September 2001 asking for an explanation of the basis of action being taken against Dr Peter Mansfield.
I take it you were concerned by press reports that we had referred concerns about Dr Mansfield’s action in administering single antigen measles, mumps and rubella vaccines, to our Interim Orders Committee (IOC). When concerns about a doctor are raised through our Fitness-to-Practise procedures, we may ask the IOC to consider whether there is any need to restrict a doctor’s practice, pending the outcome of our proceedings.
We are not able to discuss the details of specific cases referred to us since doing so might pre-empt our fitness-to-practise procedures, and prejudice our ability to consider the issues fairly. You can, however, find out about the standards of professional conduct and care that we take into account when considering any complaint about a doctor, by referring to Good Medical Practice and the other guidance booklets available on our website at www.gmc-uk.org.
In response to your point about the clinical advice you have received, it may help you to know that it is not part of our role to make recommendations on the clinical effectiveness or appropriate use of particular vaccines or other treatments. Advice on these matters is available from bodies such as the Medical Royal Colleges, the National Institute for Clinical Excellence, the Departments of Health, and other authoritative sources. Doctors are expected to take account of such advice when making decisions about clinical treatment, having regard to the needs of a particular patient and the general duties of care set out in GMC guidance.
I hope this information answers your concerns.
Yours faithfully
Sharon Burton Standards Section Tel: 020 7915 3524 Fax: 020 7915 3471 Email: sburton@gmc-uk.org
Hello, Ian Mash and co had told me about the site. This is my first look, we think about sending some info and will try to make Sept 68 intake reunion on 23.9
Martin Hawkes (Sept 68 - June 76)
To the class of 68 reunion - Good luck. I'm sorry I can't be there but I had to travel back to the Sultante of Oman. A shame really, the last reununion was in 1974 for poor Stevie Blackman's funeral. I'm also shocked and saddened to hear about Harjit "Bill" Hanspal and Vernie Yates.
Gareth Lloyd-Jones. Are you the same person who was my form teacher in the 5th form (and also took me for French) but was rather "concerend" about my yellow socks thinking that my feet had turned jaundiced? If you care to see my photo on Friendsreunited.com you may see that my colour sense has not changed after all these years!
It was a treat to read Jim Golland's revealing and provocative memoir of the good old days at HCS. Some have written of the school's elitism in terms of an obsession with Oxbridge admissions. Jim reminds us that there was more to it than that: only scholarships were deemed truly worthy of celebration.
I well remember the day when Square omitted to inform the assembly of my admission to Oxford. We ran into each other in the corridor afterwards. The Headmaster wasn't exactly insulting; indeed he was almost apologetic. He hoped I understood why he had been unable to announce my success, but of course he only did that in the case of scholarship winners. Unlike the poor sap in Jim's story, I didn't give way to emotion. My years at HC had hardened me, and I well knew Dr. Simpson's lack of esteem for me and my kind. The bizarre thing is that, when I went to his study a few weeks later to tell him that I was leaving school in order to earn a bit of money before going to university, he fumed about my disloyalty in not staying on to the end of the year.
Jim makes what I suppose is the best case for Dr. Simpson as a human being and a pedagogue, but his story of the lad who was made to feel inadequate for getting into Oxford speaks volumes. The man was callous, vindictive and desperately lacking in self-knowledge. Not ideal qualifications for a school principal, but thank God he wasn't a judge.
My last encounter with the Headmaster. was civil enough, however. I was working at Harrod's during the vac. and popped across the road for my usual lunch of a crab sandwich and a half of bitter. And there, sitting over his own lunch, was Dr. S. in a pale grey suit. I joined him and we chatted politely until my lunch hour was over. He seemed smaller without his gown.
Well done Jeff. Excellent website. My thoughts and prayers are with all in N.Y. and all families affected. Hope that your problems are soon sorted. I gather my previous efforts at posting a message have been less than successful, here's to this one being O.K. I suppose the least HCGS taught us was not to give up! I would love to hear from anyone who may remember me, I was a scout in the Foresters, PL of Lion Patrol, Pete Hogan was my APL, and finished as Troop Leader before I moved with my parents to the Midlands and got a free transfer to Solihull School where I took my A levels. I decided to attend the 90th reunion Dinner and met up with Bob Garratt after 42yrs and on the Saturday met with Pete Tranter and others from my past at the Rover Crew reunion. So many memories!!!! So, if you can remember being in the group of us who had an unhealthy interest in the destructive aspects of science, please make contact.
Interesting to see Jim Golland's recollections of his time on "the other side of the Common Room door". Some of his memories are, inevitably, at odds with those of many of us who were pupils during his time at HCS, but it is intriguing to see how the other half lived. Or at least how they thought.
Now that one or two other former members of staff are raising their heads above the parapet (Good Evening Mr Waller!) perhaps some of them might be persuaded to put pen to paper, or finger to keyboard and let us have the benefit of their thoughts on their time at the school.
Or are we to assume that nothing has changed and that it is still the (now ex-) pupils who will have to do all the writing? :)
I've just returned from a short visit to England where I had lunch with two other members of the form 2A intake of 1940, Charles Melbourne and John Daymond. Heavy helpings of nostalgia did not interfere with our digestion! It is surprising how many of those of us still alive remain in touch, even if they are not computer literate. As for Peter Lucas' recollection of names of staff on the 1946 photograph of staff, he's ahead of me on some of them. The 'unknown' 3 rd from left on the back row is Blythman, a recent arrival, who taught physics. Mrs. Hackman (nee Gower) was Beatrice, not Beryl - hence her nickname "Trixie". I recall the picture being taken as it was followed by one of the prefects. Does anyone out there have a copy? Other "old boys" amongst the staff beside "Killer" King and Robinson were "Pa" P. A. R.Street and "Easy" E.A.S. Evans. "Easy" was by common assent judged to wear the most shredded gown. He was a great teacher of maths - at least he got through to me!
Seeing Kenneth Waller's posting reminded me of the marvellous visit to Romania that he and John Ling led in 1974. I wonder if there's archive material extant. I recall all of us spending an evening at John's place just afterwards and that kind stuff got tabled.
Greetings fellow Gaytonians past and present,
What a treat stumbling onto this site was!I saw a posting from Dave LLoyd Jones.Are you the one that was the form teacher of 1E in 1976?If you are ....How the hell are you ???????
I left The School in 1980 ready to embark onto a military career in the REME.Unfortunatly Athsma stopped that before in treally started and I managed to bullshit my way in the merchant navy.After 4 years of seeing the world and a year of working for the borough of Hillingdon as a gravedigger (bleeding hard work mate!!!)
I emigrated to the USA.I have lived in Oregon for the past 15 years and am in love with it.I am married with two teenage daughters and ( born 7-21-01) eight week old twin boys.I bought my wife and daughters back to blighty last November,but we ran out of time and did not make it to the school.I have showed them thanks to this web page where I spent 4 years of my life.Thank you !!!
I was wondering if Col Venn was still alive.I was happy to see the picture of Mr Mees and could someone tell me if if Harry Hull still smokes 60 a day????
Mr Bunting are you out there?What about Pete Cowburn and the insane Garth Ratcliffe?It would be great to find out what happened to all the dudes from 1976-1980 and also me old school mates.Colin Worsnop, Manoj Bulsara, Mick Brown, Paul Weiss Peter King, (I still speak to Ian Mackintosh)Who else is there? Ames, Bear, Beckwith,Brown, etc.Come on Dave you must remember ? You read it every day for years!!!!!Ahley LIVINGSTONE NOW THERES A NAME NO ONE CAN FORGET!!!( PROBABLY A COLONEL IN THE ISRAELI DEFENCE FORCE BY NOW) or dead. I remember one day Bernie Macadam the geography teacher getting so pissed off with Livingstone he literally kicked him around the class room. Is Mr sherratt( shadrack) in Hell yet???I have never met such a religious nut as he was.Probably chasing Bin Laden around Afghanistan with a bible as we speak!!! Does Mr Morrell still wack kids on the ass with a clothes brush or throw the blackboard rubber at them???Oh this is for you Mike......I have a tree farm and 2 other businesses now.I look at an 11,000 ft mountain everyday from my hot tub and drink pure water and breathe clean air.Not bad for a kid "that wont amount to anything"stick it in your ear mate! I for the most part did enjoy my time @The School and would dearly love to hear from anyone.You can contact me at uk4wd@aol.com or UK4WD.COM or at our other business info@vanveenbulbs.com(attn Peter aka PIG) God be with all of you and especially those of us that live here on the other side of the pond. Enjoy life,Love your wife and Kids,Drink plenty of Beer and Party on! Peter Wilson . The Mighty "E" class 1976-1980
See you on the 23rd. Want to contact Mr Bateman. Should I wear my gown? Will nobody recognise me without it?
Staff photo 1946-47. I think Peter Lucas is probably right about top left being the art master, but surely it as chap called Mungo (or something like that) who was there when I arrived in 1947. It is certainly not Paul Oliver, who did indeed come later (and had an incredibly attractive wife, slim, dark and gamine. They celebrated their golden wedding last year - can that object of schoolboy desire really be in her seventies?). No. 12 top row is P G Heafield (spelt thus; known as "Spud"). Watson, middle row No. 13, was known as "Sammy", a surreptitiously anarchic type who wore suede shoes, sniggered a lot behind Simpson’s back and was unaccountably close to the much more wholesome Spud Heafield. They resembled a pair of fourth formers together. Parkinson’s initials were HS, and WT "Spadger" Heys spelt his name thus.
Yes, I was wondering about Steve Green. Also Andy Jackman. Both were in WTC ar some stage, and I know Roger Swinburn used to visit from Toronto.
Not my first visit to the site, but the first time I have spent time reading the Guest Book.
(Great site - where do you find the time to maintain it?)
Paul Ware - you mentioned in one of your postings that you are in touch with John Tygier. If so, please would you pass on my regards to him and ask him to get in touch?
Anyone know the whereabouts of Steve Green - the last I knew he was working in New York (probably 15+ years ago)?
Andy Nurse.
Jeff,
Just a note to say I am glad to know you and Don are okay after the terrible events. I was trying to phone you at home, but had a call from Jim Golland today to say you had mailed him and are safe.
Condolences to you and your colleagues.
Extra info on Don Farrow from Katie:
"..Exchanged emails with Donald Farrow in NY- he's fine, his office was evacuated and he saw the huge wall of dust come up from the building.........but then he turned the other way and got the hell out of there."
Another HCS person currently working in New York is Don Farrow. I am pleased to say that Katie Finch has heard from him and he is fine, but shaken...Peter Vincent
Jeffrey
Delighted to hear that you are safe ! It was the Tribeca location that had me worried.
There is a service at the American Church In Tottenham Court Road right now. Condolences.
The webmaster of this site, Jeff Maynard, works in Manhattan, just a few minutes from the World Trade Center. I'm emailed Jeff today to check on his well-being and I am pleased to say that he replied promptly and that he is OK. "Shaken but safe" to quote Jeff. He was on the subway on his way to work when the planes struck the WTC, but was able to get off the train at a station rather than being stuck in a tunnel from where it took him 6 hours to get home. While I'm relieved to hear that Jeff is well, I'd like to express my feelings of anger at the inhuman acts perpetrated in America yesterday and my sorrow for those who were lost, hurt or bereaved.
Come back from hols to some real treats.(1) Absolutely delighted to have news of Phillip Harratt with whom I was also at Stanburn (OK Dennis?) Cant imagine what his lifestyle must be like if doing e-mail at 6.30a.m. Remember Phillip as quite brilliant musician and artist - composed single handedly a great production of Tom Sawyer at Stanburn and once drew for me a wonderful caricature of Moshe Dayan circa 1967. Great to have news but what were you doing between 1978-1982. I cant believe that that place you say you're a vicar of really exists. (2) Paul Diner is right in that he was crap at sport bhut then he was very little. (3) Simon Brophy - bloody hell - why dont you get it off your chest - probably right on all counts but you shouldn't take it personally (4) John Dunworth - was it you that thumped me between the eyes with a right upper cut and made the inner quad such a terrifying experience? Anyway I'm glad you've found your more sensitive side.
Within a day or so of the Peter Mansfield thing blowing up in the press, I dropped him a line, and amongst other things wished him all the best in the up coming hearing.
Yesterday I received a note back in the form of a circular, as no doubt he has had a great deal of support, not just from ex HCS.
The main text was as follows;-
"This is my attempt to thank you in some small way for your amazing support and consideration throughout these last few weeks. It will also be my last chance to comment on the MMR issue before the GMC hearing appointed for 26th September. Dr Andrew Wakefield intends to be there.
This remarkable episode did not come out of thin air. I always made health my prime professional focus and have spent over 30 years working out how to do things as if health matters. I believe I know how to create a service for health, abolish the inefficiences of the NHS and halve its cost - which occasionally brings me into conflict with established positions. This has been just the latest and most public instance."
Thanks
Brian Milton duly located. Most impressive!
Does anyone know how to contact Brian Milton? He was at HCS 1959 - 1961, I think. A couple of years ago he made the first round-the-world solo microlite flight.
Bob Garratt
Jeffrey
Thanks agen for the site. Paul Romneys foto makes my machine crash. Cood u put his less detaled scan on?
Kel Fidler
Yes I was a scout. Congrats on yur VC. Wun of my suns was at Uni of Northumbria. Jack Charlton spoke at his graduation.
Ennnywun else
If u ar intrested in changing the spelling of english (or oposing enny change) try www.freespeling.com or www.ritespel.org or emale me.
Jerry Dicker
Well done geoff on maintaining this site!:-) I try and maintain a brass band website, but with life's normal duties as well it always slips behind.
I see you had already found me via the web and got a link for me on the Old gaytonian's pages...I was only at the school from 1965-1967 coming from Lascelles Sec Modern to do my A levels...never got into the culture of harrow County as it seemed if you weren't in the top flight at Sports or going to oxbridge, then you were just in the "also rans"<G>
My brother was more of an Old Gaytonian as he was there from primary school to A levels ... Philip Smith (1962 - 1969 I think)
I'll keep in touch and spread the word!
many thanks for the wealth of info on the site...glad you have concentrated on the data rather than making it one of those annoying "Flash" sites that take ages to dload and usually horrendous to navigate to any thing useful
regards
Excellent Website. I was at HCS 1971-74.CCF Navy section 1972-74. Moved to Sussex summer 74. Last form was 3LJ. Any one who remembers me from HCS or Priestmead please get in touch. Mark White
On Peter Mansfield - he certainly gets my wholehearted support, firstly because it is right that he should exercise his clinical judgement and outrageous that the GMC (no doubt pressured by the government) should try to stop him; secondly because I believe he is right to acknowledge parental choice over whether to give single injections or combined injections; thirdly because his reasoning is sound, that single injections mimic most closely the situation in nature where new infections with more than one virus at the same time are unlikely; fourthly becuase it is well established that measles virus causes immunosuppression, and there is some evidence for viral interference; fifthly because there is an enormous and unexplained rise in the incidence of autism that may or may not be related to MMR.
As parents my partner and I have taken the (very difficult) choice of not allowing our children the combined vaccine, though getting the single vaccines in England and Wales is very difficult (and very expensive). It is a difficult decision for any parent because measles in particular can be extremely nasty.
However, the combined vaccine has become a medical and a government orthodoxy. Informed debate, and more importantly research, has been stifled (nobody wants anyone to rock the boat and brave scientists like Dr Andrew Wakefield of the Royal Free Hospital have come under great pressure). MMR may not be the cause of autism, but, despite some large studies apparently clearing MMR, the situation is still far from clear. So let's give parents a choice.
I am not a doctor, but a medical writer with a degree in biology, and of course a parent. My experience is also partly conditioned by having spent several years working on BSE issues.
Good on Dr Mansfield!
Paul Logan are you the same one from Branker road and Kenmore Park?
Someone further down the scroll was asking about Kenmore Park graduates. well in our year i believe it was me you Peter Scott who all had the same birthday if I remember rightly (19 th March?)Norman Hobbs Martin Whitlum Pat coady
At HCBS i don't have any particular memories of you except you rose to A stream and I sank to D. I Do have memories of you from Kenmore especially your avid charting of Francis Chichester boat trip. If it is you..... hello. I also remember your Brother? and your next door neighbour Andy Forth?
I couldnt find Jon Grunwolds piece but I have a nasty suspicion that i possibly contributed to some of his misery as My way of dealing with stuff then was to be a thug......
Kipper paine well you probably don't remember me but you were in charge of an army camp thing in Gosport one year . Ray Parnell you were there as well I think along with Tony Wright. Of my patchy memories of that time you were the kindest nicest bloke around and one of the only people i ever remember looking out for me. You and Barry Taylor...... thank you
Also what happened to John Garland , Pete Kingsbury and John Lashmar? all prefects of my form at one time or another. and i vaguely rember with some respect/affection
anymore for anymore....
CALLING ALL THESPIANS (ACTORS and ACTRESSES)
You are summoned to attend the "Behind the Scenes" reunion on December 9th - even if you didn't lift a finger to help put the performance on.
Please get in touch if you are interested and I will send the full details and add you to the invitation list. It would be helpful if you can indicate roughly the last production you appeared in, just so we can place you in time.
Peter "Min" Vincent Stage Lighting 1968-1971
I was directed to this site today by another Old Gayt - Wow what memories!
I was amazed to find a picture of myself - in the 1972/73 Hockey Team! I am in the middle of teh back row. On my right is (I think) Neil Barnfather and on my left (I think) Steve Doo. Bottom right, in front of Mr Hayes, is Gary Richards. That's all I can remember for now.
As a contemporary of Jon Grunewald's (Hi Jon!), his account brought back both fond and less fond memories. I remember the lavatorial horrors, but Jon's account left me smiling.
I certainly don't recognise the picture painted by Simon Brophy, although I respect his right to feel taht way about HC. Some of the satff were certainly eclectic in their approach. I was taught geology by Maurice Venn and the first lecture of my subsequent degree course brought home to me how eccentric his teaching had been. However, he must have done something right as I have been a professional geologist for 24 years (as have two of my contemporaries - Paul Nowak and Gordon Taylor).
(Sadly, Paul's mother passed away yesterday and I am sure taht those who know/knew him will join me in extending condolences to him and his family).
As for the rest - as a former 4th Harrow scout, it's good to see that Harry Mees is still going strong. Whatever happened to Tom Payne? As our form-master in the LVI, we made his life hell. Who was who cut his tie in half on the last day of term?
I can see that I'll have to have a look in the attic for old photos - I think I still have a complete set of Enquirer magazines for 67-73.
Be good to hear from any other 67 mob members.
After years watching bands play at Chrisents, and wanting to be a drummer, I did manage it in the end! Even more suprising is the fact that I am still playing in a band, and original material! If anyone would like to witness FLICKER play, we are at The Horn Reborn, Victoria Street, St Albans on Wednesday 17th October. Cheers
Mike Bergquist 69-75
Meester Plow!
Are you ready to rumble?
Does anyone remember which University Will Buckland went to (or is anyone in touch with him)?
I am still around, my email address is as shown, whoever remembers me, feel free to contact me.
On the other hand, does anyone remember me.
Whatever happened to Fred Bilson and Gerry Lafferty?
regards
Gary
I'm sure it is quite possible to have had as miserable a time at HCS as Simon Brophy professes. But that is no excuse for confusing Peter Mansfield the Sussex eye guy with Peter Mansfield the Lincolnshire doc.
I respect Simon Brophy's opinions on his school life.
What amazes me is how many people complain on this web site that they had a miserable time at school. That is very shocking and sad for any child.
Admittedly most complaints seem to be from pre my years(71-76) but under Joe Avery (very real achievement) and George (ploughman plods his weary way home etc) Cowan, I had a great time at school.
Don't get me wrong, I was neither a great scholar nor sportsman and I couldn't afford a handset to listen to the aircraft in the outer quad, but like most of my contemporaries we just got on, fitted in or scrapped it out if and when necessary.
Surely the lesson is to adapt to incompetent people, avoid brutal ones, (or hit them) Chris Bradshaw step up to the plate mate! make things work for yourself, nurture good relationships if you want, or piss off and do something else.
After all we all could have gone to Pinner Grammar and wear a brown blazer!
Forget the poxy o levels, thats what HCGS taught me.
I was lucky it seems or too mediocre or conformist to trouble anyone. (I don't think so)
kindest to all,
any cricket anecdotes anyone?
I utterly refute Simon Brophy's claim that I was a 'neat little full-back'.
Anyone who knows me will tell you I am neither neat nor little. I have glorious memories of spending Wednesday afternoons in either Soper's cafe or the Ks cafe on the bridge.
Someone out there back me up on this - I do not wish to be branded as sporty!
Great to see so many names from 1963 to 1970. I always knew we were the best year.
Isn't this web site a wonderful thing!
Thanks to Simon Brohpy it now appears I have something in common with Colin Dickins!
For those who know Geoff Plow and Paul Diner well the notion of alternative careers as respectively a pugilist and professional athlete challenges one's notion of reality.
The idea of the brothers Diner playing in a back 3 formation might even be beyond Sven's powers of intervention.
Concerning Phillip Harratt - surely monks in the 21st century do not have children? (John G -please fill me in on the buddhist line on this).
I still can't remeber school days at the level others can - probably because I've got on with living and not moaning!
I made some great live long friends at school who have been greatly supportive through thick and thin. Additionally, it has been a pleasure to have seen the likes of Lol Sugar again in the last few months thanks to Jeff Maynard and this wonderful web site!
Keep going Lol!
I can't help wondering whether Mr Brophy would have enjoyed his schooldays anywhere. He seems to be a natural misanthrope (as well as a misfit) - indeed is he any happier now? No, I shan't be e-mailing him direct, so he will be unaware of my views.
Jerry Dicker, Bob Garratt, Ian Gawn
Jerry: Am I right that you were a scout? I see you on one of the early photos. Didn't know that my smile was so memorable!
Bob: Am I right that you are now at Imperial? I just finished a 3 year stint as external examiner in the Electronics Dept there.
Ian - clearly successfully finished your recent sailing activities! Are you on one of the photos - I well remember the name, but can't recall the face..
I'm in my first week as VC of the Uni of Northumbria, hence change of email address. Incidentally I had contact with Derek Minor earlier in the year, but the trail has now gone cold!
Kel
Jerry Dicker, Bob Garratt, Ian Gawn
Jerry: Am I right that you were a scout? I see you on one of the early photos. Didn't know that my smile was so memorable!
Bob: Am I right that you are now at Imperial? I just finished a 3 year stint as external examiner in the Electronics Dept there.
Ian - clearly successfully finished your recent sailing activities! Are you on one of the photos - I well remember the name, but can't recall the face..
I'm in my first week as VC of the Uni of Northumbria, hence change of email address. Incidentally I had contact with Derek Minor earlier in the year, but the trail has now gone cold!
Kel
I received a letter this morning from Laurence Sugar, tracing me after all this time, asking me to come to a reunion of the class of '68. I declined, and sent Sugar a cathartic email describing in detail the four and a half most miserable years of my life. Frankly, his letter has upset me more than I would have thought possible. Sugar replied saying that he had received similar heart-rending responses from other classmates of mine, including people who I once regarded as supremely capable, brilliant and self-assured. In a sense it's nice to know that it wasn't only the small and the weak (as I was then)who suffered so horribly.
Harrow County was a hell on earth. Most of the comments that I would make have been made by Grunewald in his piece. I hold an especial hatred for 'Colonel' Bigham who was the stupidest, most pathological sod I have ever encountered. He died horribly, shortly after retiring, and I was awful glad.
I believe I had friends at that school too. Some of the names that have posted on this site are those people. I do remember John Jeffers - we used to walk home together occasionally. Geoff Plow - we were in 3A and 4A together - you punched me on the jaw once, which was really not all that wise for a little bloke. Hope your temper has improved. 'John Savannah' - whose face actually does appear on the front of one of Squeeze's albums was formerly John Snow who I remember as a rather good keyboard player. (John, I have made a living as a semi-pro bass player if you need one, and, yes, I can sight read.)Phillip Harratt - became a monk. Well, blow me. Well done, Harratt. He and I were always the last two to be picked at games together. Anthony Wilkey became an anaesthetist. I remember his dad - my first form-teacher - a real gentleman. Kevin Maton who once told an english teacher when asked about the meaning of his name that it was "a double-diminuitive of Matthew". Paul Diner - one of the neatest little fullbacks I ever saw. Pity neither of us ever made the team.
What about the staff? Quite honestly I find it hard to summon up a good word for any of them. The best teachers tried to restrict their workload to teaching the sixth formers. The ever-present teacher-shortages of the 60s and 70s meant that the lower school was taught by an endless succession of part-time no-hopers. Physics teachers who could barely speak english. Fresh-out-of-college boys and girlies who wouldn't have been able to keep order in a cage of kittens let alone a bog like HCGS. Worst of all, I was taught French by a string of people who couldn't actually speak the language. Were there any good ones? Jack Gibbs, the chemist, wasn't bad, but came a bit handy with his fists. He also used to torment a boy called Neil Davies, constantly telling him to get his hair cut. Nowadays, you'd just tell him to fuck off. If you're out there Jack - Fuck Off, will you. A biologist called Keith Neal knew a bit about teaching and I enjoyed his classes. Walter Browett was a canny maths teacher. Mick Cook was an agreeable bloke who finally allowed me to enjoy studying english. Art teachers were harmless. An absolutely incompetent geology teacher called Maurice Venn - he took a class of 30 boys and managed to get 27 of them to fail an O-level (including me).It doesn't seem acceptable on this site to say unfavourable things about Mr Golland. Let me redress that balance. In my view, having been a teacher myself, Golland was typical of many of the staff at Harrow County: good with bright pupils who enjoyed his subject and thought in the same way that he did; pretty dreadful with the rest of us.
Phew! Got any toilet paper anybody? If you are desperate to communicate with me, then use the email address. I won't be here again.
For Jerry Dicker
Remembering my face - what a shock! Remember you too: but apart from Bob Garratt, you and Peter Mansfield, our vintage seems noticeable by its absence.
Kind regards
IAN GAWN
Jeffrey, old fruit,
Dicket in the 1955 foto of 1A should be Dicker. My daughter recognised him!
Bob Garratt
Yes, Pete Gold was at Oxford with me and married Julia but I don't know more.
Great to hear that Don Kincaid and Paul Oliver are still on form. I remember being amazed when they combined with some other staff members to play some blues numbers in a school concert. It brought the house down. I'd love to see them again.
Jerry
Hi Bob Garratt, Ben Lenthall and Kel Fidler,
I remember you Kel as a scout who turned into a cadet, with a very wide smile.
Ben - very tall and musical and funny.
Bob - You gave me an example of courage and confidence which has recurred to me several times over the years. It may sound nothing now but it impressed me at the time. We were at a school dance, you were in charge. Some "yobbos" were at large in the school. I reported this to you and you said, "Well we'd better go and tell them to go back to the hall." "But what if they refuse?" I stammered spottily. "Oh they'll go back," you replied. And they did. You just did it - and in the dark too.
Hope you are all three well. Get in touch if you have time.
Jerry
Peter Mansfield is not only known for his views about vaccines. See the Guardian 'Notes and Queries' pages for a short debate he and I had about the value of a piece of humbug called 'Bates Eye Exercises'. HCS threw out a number of peculiar people in its time (self included). I'm not too surprised to learn that Mansfield was a former inmate.
anyone out there also of 1933-1938 vintage ?
Colin Dickins' comments Peter Mansfield stated the situation much more clearly than I did.
I certainly bring no knowledge to the analysis (all I ever learned about immunisation etc was learned at Col Bigham's knee !!)
But as he states the issue is that Peter's actions are based on a rational scientific analysis. His position, right or wrong, is based on defensible analysis.
As Colin indicates not only does he have the right to offer his clinical advice honestly, he has a DUTY to do so.
Equally importantly parents have a right to examine the facts as presented and make their own decisions.
Colin's contribution was very meaningful since his informed opinion differs from Peter's but he recognises both Peter's duty to offer his best clinical judgement and parental rights.
If HCS taught us anything we should be supporting those concepts.
Peter is facing the possibility of suspension or even losing his license to practice.
This site's home page leads to EMail links to the GMC. I'd encourage everybody to Email them in support of Peter.
Colin Dickins' comments Peter Mansfield stated the situation much more clearly than I did.
I certainly bring no knowledge to the analysis (all I ever learned about immunisation etc was learned at Col Bigham's knee !!)
But as he states the issue is that Peter's actions are based on a rational scientific analysis. His position, right or wrong, is based on defensible analysis.
As Colin indicates not only does he have the right to offer his clinical advice honestly, he has a DUTY to do so.
Equally importantly parents have a right to examine the facts as presented and make their own decisions.
Colin's contribution was very meaningful since his informed opinion differs from Peter's but he recognises both Peter's duty to offer his best clinical judgement and parental rights.
If HCS taught us anything we should be supporting those concepts.
Peter is facing the possibility of suspension or even losing his license to practice.
This site's home page leads to EMail links to the GMC. I'd encourage everybody to Email them in support of Peter.
I heard about the site on the way to Scout Camp (no jokes please) at a picnic site on the A303 near Yeovil last week. A couple sharing our table mentioned Harrow County and the 90th Birthday reunion. (Thanks Peter Lucas). I look forward to the 100th. I'm still in touch with a few cronies from 1965-72: Peter Raper, Tom Scharf, John Waters (married Hilary from HCGS), Robert (Trebor) Ward. Any news of Dogsie Reynolds or Michael Mendelblatt from 1P?
Regarding Ron Taylor's contribution (and others), I too support Peter Mansfield, although my informed lay opinion on MMR vaccine does not accord with his. Nor, as it happens, does the professional opinion of the present medical director of Great Ormond Street Hospital, Dr Jane Collins, who wrote a lucid, cogent piece in The Times last week on the subject. However, Peter Mansfield also presents a lucid, reasonable case. There are no certainties in medicine and he is right to practice it as he judges best. The GMC has no right to interfere with his proper clinical judgement and in their intervention I detect the sour smell of a nervous government leaning on an equally nervous professional body which has failed to cover itself with glory in recent years. Peter will continue to do what he thinks best for his patients in all circumstance, no matter what I or Jane Collins think. And so he should.
Dear Anyone,
With just under 3 weeks to go until our Class of '68 Reunion, I have decided to place this message in the guest book in the hope of finding a few more of our year. Our progress to date is that we now have contact details for 72 and have accounted for another 6. We are also currently awaiting feedback on 35 leads in the form of letters, mails shots and e mails, etc.
The following is a list of 27 of our intake who no progress has been made.The numbers after the names represent the number of alternate addresses we currently have for them. As you can see there are 81 Trevor Baker's so to mail to all of them would cost a £21.06p not to mention the time it would take.
What I'd like to ask therefore, is that if anyone has any accurate information about anyone on the list to please pass it on. It could be that you knew the whereabouts of someone up to a couple of years ago. Even just a part of the country would be good as this would help in arranging a targeted mailshot.
The 27 are as follows:- 1. Trevor Baker x 81 2. Martin Ball x 7 3. Andrew Bennett x 14 4. Gareth Bennett x 23 5. Chris Bond x 21 6. John Bowers x 20 7. Philip Carter x 18 8. John Cawley x 68 9. Paul Chisholm x 27 10. Gary Cotton x 18 11. Peter David x 32 12. Alan Day x 9 13. Mick Day 14. David Dickinson 15. Jeff Edwards 16. Kevin Edwards 17. Phillip Kendall x 16 18. David Mason 19. Ian Pratt x 11 20. Andrew Price 21. Anthony Samuel x 15 22. Ian Smith 23. Michael Sterling x 12 24. Pete Tilly x 30 25. Andrew Wright 26. Paul Lance 27. Daniel Szechi
Let me know if you have anything of any use. Look forward to hearing from you.
Thanks, Laurence. Mailto:LSugar@MRPartnership.co.uk
Coppinger says that CCF or Scouts were compulsory in the fifties. True, but it was possible to leave one or other without joining the alternative 'service'. In the Advanced six, I encountered Square as he turned the corner into the (prefect's only) upper corrider. I was taking the short cut to the next period, but as a non conformist I was not eligible for the prefecture. 'Where's your gown, Lenthall' said the affable ( on this occasion) Square. Terrified, I stammered 'I'm not a prefect, sir'. 'Well, we must see to that' he said. I never heard another word. He must have checked the records.
Jerry Dicker
I remember you both from the scouts and from 1964 at St John's when I came up with some of the Architectural Association folk to do some research and we drove ourselves nuts for weeks trying to do early CAD/CAM on a steam-driven Elliott digital plotter. We had to hand load each co-ordinate into the memory - and remember where we had parked it. For an Arts person this was agony. However, looking at the design scene today it obviously worked eventually.
I saw Don Kincaid last year at Paul Oliver's 50th wedding anniversary thrash. Paul also went to the AA School so we have kept in touch ever since. Don is still living in Ealing and still playing guitar in various dodgy pubs and clubs. He was on fine form.
Wasn't Peter Gold living in Oxford at the same time as you - possiblly up in Summertown. What happened to him?
Bob Garratt
I certainly support Peter Mansfield.
Some years ago I had a child being treated at Great Ormond Street.
The Drs there expressed a very strong view against the Rubella shot. They were very clear in their view that the risks outweighed the benefits.
It seems to that he is "guilty" only of offering parents a choice - a choice which is, in the view of many, supported by the underlying science.
Great web site jeff. you wont remember from scouts,but it was good to see harry is alive and well. shame about eddies dodgy haircut! when is the next reunioun. let me know
Ian Gawn: I just remembered your face.
Jerry
Thank you for this site which was mentioned to me by Pete Fowler. I was at HCSB 1956-63. PPE at St John's Oxford. EFL teacher, then Primary Head Teacher in Bristol area. Retired from that circus in 1997. Retrained as aged tree surgeon.
Ian Gawn, I remember your name but not your face.
Colin Nodder you were in my patrol in the Pathfinders.
Pete Mansfield was also there and,
David Wilson, I think your dad, Chris was my first patrol leader.
Paul Romney, you were a pathfinder too, a sort of professor.
Anyone know where John Weekes is or Graham Dimmock or Peter Savage? These were my contemps.
What about Ken Waller and Don Kincaid? These two gave me a love of languages that is still with me. I was a Lightning at school but nothing else worthy of mention.
Would be pleased to hear from anyone who remembers me. Jerry Dicker
TO PHILIP HARRATT
Philip - look down the guestbook for announcements for the "Behind the Scenes" reunion scheduled for Sunday December 9th. As one of the people who provided accompaniment for "HMS Pinafore" in 1973, you are invitied. Fellow musician Carl Jackson at this event is already planning to attend. Please leave a message on the guestbook if you are interested, and get in touch when your email is in business...PV
Correction to my telehone number: 01938 561218. Number previously quoted in error is the pub, where I am sometimes to be found.
Belatedly catching up with matters Gaytonian! I am wearing my old school cap as I type. After Magdalen, Oxford (1975-8) and theological training at Ripon College, Cuddesdon (1982-5), I became Assistant Curate in the Ewyas Harold Team Ministry (Hereford Diocese) until 1988, and since then have been Vicar of Chirbury and Marton-in-Chirbury and Trelystan with Leighton (same Diocese). Since May 2001 I have also been Rural Dean of Pontesbury. I married Elizabeth Windsor in 1990, and we have two boys, Oswin (b. Christmas Day 1997) and Edmund (b. 4 May 2000). I'm still making music, not least playing the horn, which I began at Harrow County. Best wishes for the Class of '68 Reunion on 23 September. I can be contacted at Chirbury Vicarage, Montgomery SY15 6BN (01938 561216, also Fax). Philip Harratt.
Sorry to hear, albeit belatedly, of Gordon Underwood's death. A good chap, slipper notwithstanding!
IAN GAWN
A most agreeable and extremely lengthy lunch was had yesterday at The Bull, Watton-at-Stone, Herts. The attendees were Mick Boggis (intake of '58), John Sewell, John Allen & Pete Robinson (intake of '59), Trevor Moore, John Clayton & Jim Harris (intake of '60). Brian Attkins sent his apologies for absence.
It was decided that this event would be repeated in November sometime, possibly at the same pub, possibly somewhere else in the same very general area.
We would like to extend an invitation to anyone else who thinks they can remember some - even one! - of us from that golden Simpson era to join us next time. We all enjoyed it immensely.
I'm not sure that this sort of thing should clog up the guestbook, so if you're out there, do me Email privately before November.
Ref. Gareth Lloyd-Jones' 1972 Rhine visit. Regretfully, I didn't go on that. (My mum had signed me up for a Major Skillen French Exchange.) Anyway, never mind the soup; it was the spam sandwiches that became a legend in their own fatty lunchtime back in B16. The glistening, pink marbled cuts of mechanically recovered Mosel swine were a leitmotif for ages. Were they kosher?
People do presumably know that Gordon Underwood died in March 1997 - he had latterly been running Sports Psychology at Christ Church College Canterbury:
http://www.cant.ac.uk/college/pr20.htm
Someone put a post on asking about Gordon Underwood- Swanny Amos' underling and then successor as Head of PE. I met him later under slightly bizaar circumstances. In 1981 or 82, I went with a then girlfriend to spend Easter weekend with her parents - Dad was Principal of the then Nonington (Teacher Training) College near Canterbury. Saturday evening there was a supper party, and I had been told something of the others to be present, but "my Deputy Principal" had not prepared me to share the supper table with a man who had slippered my backside for being slow changing for Rugby. (And I avoided Rugby like the plague, because although I hated x-country even more, one did at least get finished in time to crack Lowlands Road before the Girls County School came out.) (incidentally my Dad always claimed the credit for the "Swanny" as in Amos, being a pupil in his first gym class in the School, and encouraging boys to "tuck your head in", Dad allegedly hissed "swanny", and it stuck. Perhaps many others will claim the same distinction.
For those who left '62/63 time, I am in touch with Mike Jiggens, now retired from the Army and living near Salisbury.
Cheers
IAN GAWN
Could have guessed you would remember the names Mr Lloyd Jones but I was counting on Geoff Plow knowing the missing names. Can I cheat and say the photo was taken in Luxembourg city near the railway station - we had lunch at a hotel there - horrible soup I remember. Have good memeories of both that trip and the later one to Boppard. Have even been back there but the main road by passes the town centre which is pedestrianised. Ah memeories If this has come through what about my photo of 5C from 1973. By the way I remember playing for the Second XI against the staff when the great Lloyd jones was playing - and took great delight in running the rabbit - me - out first ball.
Steve Hilsden
1970-75 Very good to read all the history on the web-site pages. I can't help but think that I was fortunate to attend a school which offered so much diversity of activity albeit within a system that was dying out. I had a great time at HCS, being good at sport did help, academically I peaked in the first year which I believe is not how it is supposed to be. Having had 5 years at HCS I deserted and went to Lowlands 6th Form College (HC Girls School)where the good times continued. Regards to all the old faces and keep up the good work on the web-site
Marvellous web site. I was a pupil from 1958 to 1965 and reading some of the items brought back many memories. I even found myself in a photo!
Have been reading this site for some months after my husband - Peter Barker found it. Seeing some HCGS names I recognised I thought I ought to 'come out of the closet' so to speak and acknowledge my enjoyment of the memories (or some of them) it has brought back.
Keep up the good work.
Re Stephen Hilsden's photo of the German Trip 1972 -the missing names are: Back Row: Paul Diner, Quentin Fox, Mike Dibben, Dave Vine, Dave Selwyn (Robert was TOMSKI.) I can't remember the Green brothers' names, but I think the one in the front was Stephen. Trivia Q1. Where was the photo taken? Answer on a £20 note, please. Trivia Q2. What is the connection between the jumper my wife is wearing and Dave Zeitlin's breakfast of chocolate, Coca Cola, crisps, fizzy sweets etc. Answer on a laundry bill, please.
Has Tom Dennington stumbled upon a very dark and chilling secret (his email of July re 70's cricket)......that Andy Hayes and Nick Sloan may be one and the same person???
No.
Granted, Andy could 'score' more runs than me but that was because he preferred an HB pencil and deck chair to the bat. But at least he was a scorer with attitude.
Anecdote; Andy, in his capacity as scorer, having called out from a very long boundary to a teacher / umpire his request for the new bowler's name twice, responded to the the just audible third reply of 'Rankin' by shouting back, 'bowlers name, not what he's doing' !
It made me smile ..but then again, Tom, I might not have been present.....oooooooooh...scary.
Nice to see your comments, by the way,I shared a bit of my hols this year with Clinton Matthews-Stroud and his family, he was your year I think?
kindest rgds
You can read about the Peter Mansfield case at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,532487,00.html
The GMC contact page is at: http://www.gmc-uk.org/global_sections/contact_frameset.htm
A photograph of Peter Mansfield in Scholarship Sixth Science in 1961 is at: http://www.jeffreymaynard.com/harrow_county/FormSVISc1961.htm
Hi
Having seen the bit about Pete Mansfield in today's paper, I cam home intending to write in support, not necessarily of his line, but of his right to take it on what he sees as good medical grounds ( and it seems it is not "bad" medicine, just different from the view of the bureaucrats in the Department of Delayed Operations, or whatever it is now called. I last saw Peter in Boots in Louth about 1981 or1082 when I was serving at Binbrook and he was GP at Grimoldby.
Messages to the GMC web site seem the order of the day.
Good luck to you, Peter, if you are reading this web site
IAN GAWN
Re Peter Mansfield and Bob's question ('do we support him?'). I think we support him because he sounds absolutely right to me....which doesn't mean we simply support him because he's an OG but because he's taking a principled stand on an issue in which he believes - and will very obviously have the backing of many parents of little kids worried by the 'evidence' on the triple vaccine.
It would be nice to think he knows his old school is behind him; but, if he's anything like the GPs I know, he probably wont be online.
Yes, it is our Peter Mansfield: see the photos at <http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/health/newsid_1475000/1475441.stm>.
Pete was one of the good ones -- mature, decisive, reasonable, good-natured. Probably still is, though I haven't seen him for 40 years.
I assume that the Dr Peter Mansfield who is to be arraigned by the General Medical Council for giving single shots to patients rather than the triple MMR vaccine is the same as joined 1A in 1954 and was Head Boy in 1961?
He alsways was an independent thinker and doer. Do we support him?
What a fascinating site. Well done to all. I was put on to this by Roland Tebbenham and perhaps I can contribute slightly. The 1961 intake class 1A photo brought back some memories and I can fill in a few names using Martin Tomsett's list as a starter: Back row, L to R: Nigel Rogers; Green; Lineton; David Pearce; David Offer; Frank Chambers; Stuart Kenner; John Pomeroy; Kevin (Bugs) Newson; Michael Alinek Middle row: John Hall; Peter Newman; David Lloyd; Stephen Gallico; John Taylor; David Bugden; Andrew Carruthers; Richard (Dick) Hayden; Roger French; Graham Mason; Martin Tomsett; Richard Tanguay Front row: Geoff Roberts; Eric Sabine; Stuart Ingram; Jon Holman; David Pirie; Ken Waller; David Hughes; William (Bill) Harrison; Simon Rundle; Gary Michaels; Gerald Gold
Best of both worlds Colin - an Oval ball game! Here's to 124 becoming 224, then after lunch...
CONGRATULATIONS to MARK RAMPRAKASH on his maiden home test century in the final test against Australia at the Oval. 124 not out. Only the second English century of the series.
HCBS 1966-1974.I found out about this website via 'Min' Vincent contacting me for the Behind The Scenes reunion. I'm very interested in any other reunions that may take place (rather than reading about them afterwards in the Harrow Observer!) and I can still be contacted via the same old phone number and address, or my e-mail address. As a hoarder, I've got quite a bit of old school stuff which I'll dig out when I get a chance. Meanwhile, does anyone know where my old mate Dave Darby is - went to Liverpool University, studied German, used to live around Cannon Lane in Pinner? Still making my living playing music - with some acting - and look back at Harrow County as an experience!?! (I'm not going to let myself say a 'Very Real' experience). Love to you all.XXX
For some unknown reason I typed in Harrow County into the search engine this morning and brought back many many memories. I was at the school from 56 to 64. Spent all my time with the CCF, as you say it was compulsory, and left with 3 o levels. Really weird to see my photo in the 1964 WO photo. Memories flood back. WW Eagers the French teacher totally unable to control a class. Amos always threatening to give you a crack with a slipper.I was in the CCF when WE Bigham was at his prime and he had just been awarded a OBE(?). Spent a lot of time with his daughters ...cant remember their names. I went past the school last week. No field for Annual Parades. Brought tears to my eyes.Would love to make contact with anyone Barrie Ingall Roger Mercer etc.
I would be very interested to hear from anyone with photos of gliding at Hendon, Bovingdon, or White Waltham.
Thank you for those kind words Colin. I HATED rugby at school and did my best to 'forget' the key to my desk or plead with my Mum for a note. Luckily I was able to participate with vigour after the age of fourteen (not so scared of my schoolmates who had been shaving since the age of ten!). Regarding cricket, Deryck Pepperell used to 'hover' during the U141/2 games at school and whisk me down the club to play for the 2nd XI. John Bartholomew was Captain, with an assortment of the King family, Graham Clingbine, Ollie Burrows, Graham Dunning, Graham Cutts, Paul Latham, and Pep of course (who would always buy you the top half of a pint!). But I digress. Rugby has put in place many life-long friendships, not the least those with our sister club in France, Plessis Meudon. It just so happens that I have been in the South of France ( French wife - parents house - free - no choice! )and met with two of the French players I have made friends with via OG activities...We had the inaugural meeting of a new club: R.C.Lunas! There's only three of us at the mo' but... to cut a long story short, it was another special moment in the history of my life as an Old Gaytonian 'at sport'. ( And yes Colin, I was completely mesomorphed too! )
Do you remember the bizare fashions of the mid seventies? The long hair, wide flairs, platform shoes and the big round shirt collars? What about the highly destructive fashion for hammering "Blakeys" into the heels of shoes. The clattering noise these made in the corridor was deafening. Better still, by taking a run-up you could slide for some distance on the varnished wooden floor making a crackling sort of sound as the varnish splintered leaving streaks of bare wood. I remember one time we returned to school after the holidays to find the top corridor had been freshly varnished and looked like a newly frozen ice rink. Needless to say it didn't look like that for long!
I was pleased to see this site. It brought back a lot of memories. I left Harrow County in 1976 and am really only in contact wth Mike Townsend, Richard Grunewald and Huw Dorkins from my year. I live i Israel and am head of a department of Internal Medicine, married with 3 kids. I would be happy to hear from other members of y year.
Gayton High 1980-1984
Great to see a website for our school. I'm a second generation Gaytonite ( my father Chris Wilson was at HCS in the late 50s & early 60's ). My memory does extend to remembering part of the form register for 1c in 1980 ...
....Bacon, Cole, cole dibble, dobbin , finn, fordham,foster,fraser, gehra, ghadia , James, law, lloyd, mackintosh, mcswiggan, Prior, ...quereshi, Steinberg,...wilson (me)
Anyone else recognise any of these names ? There must be more - class sizes wern't that small !!!
Memories include 'Sweeny todd'; the ill fated attempt to produce Zigger Zagger' during the teachers strike; the infamous 'closed' swimming pool. Alastair Fraser hitting consecutive sixes from the cricket square into the swimming pool. George Geear producing a hand grenade during a form period(dud of course).
Steven Prior's 'lines' that he never completed & rose by 100 for each day he failed to deliver.
The Library break-in that resulted in the thief mising the gents toilet by about 50 yards - I think you get my drift !!!
I have a copy of a Gaytonion produced during our stay there - was it the last one ? The Dramathon program is a classic !
Having left in 1984 & never been back its good to see that interest in our school still exists.
If you knew me at school please feel free to contact me.
David
My OG father never forgave the School for switching to rugby (he was there in the soccer days and played for OGFC until the war) and took much delight in writing letters excusing me from rugby at School. (I did have bad eyesight.) Being a natural rebel I rejoiced in this.
However, I joined the OGCC (he approved of this) and inevitably enjoyed the company of many mesomorphic mates who also played rugby. So after a year or two I joined them in the winter and realisedwhat I'd missed at School.
The OGRFC has now merged with two other clubs to form West London RFC. It still plays at Sudbury.
Go to www.westlondonrfc.com to find out about it. And if you are one of those who never did get round to rugby, don't let it stand in the way of sampling a brilliantly conceived website. It puts many commercial websites to shame - and it was designed and is maintained by 15 year old Rob Flack - son of mesomorphic artist and cartoonist Martin. Try it.
As a trivial addition to Alex Bateman's piece on the School Organ some of you might remember that it formed an important part of the court in the game played by the lower 6th of 74/75 known as "Toolball". Some of us weedier types could avoid the dreaded rugby by playing less physical games such as Tenpin Bowling (well not exactly bowling - more like wrecking the ABC Bowl in North Harrow) and Table Tennis. The trouble with Table Tennis was that there weren't many tables so we improvised a court out of chairs aranged in a square around the organ and hit balls up into the organ using books as bats. Mostly the balls came back out but some got stuck in the innards. The teacher in charge was Tom Payne but he did not attend the class until the end of the period when he would arrive, look around and exclaim loudly "What the hell do you think you're doing" or "Mess on the floor after Ping-Pong" or some such quote that would be immitated endlessly by us juveniles during the following week.
Just been looking through the wonderful picture archive and can supply the following info:
http://www.jeffreymaynard.com/harrow_county/Form4C1971.htm - P. Kopplemen should be B(Barry) Koppleman. Standing next to him is Paul Jeffreys (a very good friend of mine) who won the lottery a few years back and now lives in a very nice house in Bournemouth.
http://www.jeffreymaynard.com/harrow_county/AVI21975.htm - The ? standing between D Higgins and R Symonds is Simon "Mouth" Palmer, the ? top left is Cooper and the ? standing next to D Zeitlin is "Pillar Box" Cox. I hope this helps. It is a pity there isn't a photo of AVI3 of 1975.
David Taylor
Regarding the differences between the education received by the A/B and C/D streams. They were quite different. Freed of Latin, Greek and German the C/Ds had much more fun.
I started in 1969 after a surprise 11+ pass and then found myself out of my depth in 2B (Latin 27% German 31% and unable to write fast enough to keep up with Bigham biology dictation). The next year I descended into the most hilarious of C streams, forms 3C/4C/5A whose HQ was the Art room (B10?). I acquired several nicknames including "Tonka" and "Elf" and shared the experience with "Chig" Stimpson, "Rave" Steventon, "Jock" Wiseman, "Take 25" Evans, "Hez" Ilett, "Keef" Wilson, "Luggs" Gough, "Come on Colin" Greatrex, "Cat" Carling, "Turk" Bergquist, "Bowling Arm" McCarthy, "Pig" Palmer, "Mouth" Palmer, "Brick" Hickley, "Hope ya fail your exams" Brown, "Little Rodney" Wynde, "Creep" Thomas and many other characters. Even The C stream teachers added to the Bash St. flavour with form master Norm "Carpet Slippers" Anderson, "Big Malc" Poynter, Sue "Pullem" Pullen, "Benge" Bunting, Dick "Who pinged?" Tuffnell, "Benny" Cave, Dave "The Gun" Burt, "SuperMac" McEwan (Newton's laws of motion indelibly stamped on my brain), Jim "Now lock you perishing morhens" Maddison, "Uncle" Tom "Did I mention the gold leaf electroscope?" Payne, Dave "er um" Bright, Jim "Move out 3C" Crozier, "Mees" Chisholm, "Gimpy" Ellenden (who took an inhumane amount of abuse and snowball punishment), some teachers who's names I can't recall like the utterly ineffective French mistress with the impossibly short skirts and the Geography teacher in room B8 who was drawn into all sorts of humour related to fodder and animal feedstuffs, Colonel "ahem" Venn and Reg "Strip off, get out of the boat and push" Goff (for those of us in the CCF) and of course Joe "Very Real" Avery, Mr Cowan (who would mutter your name as he passed you in the corridor) and the all time star teacher of 3C for one year only, the one and only Dr. "Porka" Lodge who spawned a whole industry of replica Porka clay models and humourous quotes "I know you call me Porka and it ain't funny any more so stop yer monkey business", "Who's been drawing swasteeeekas on t'black board. You know I don't like swasteeeekas", "Stop acting t'goat", "Evans, take 25 and hand it in to the common room at 12:35", "Fifteen years in industry, ee by gum". And many more.
Regarding the pocket ripping in Technical Drawing mentioned by Ray Symons. I was in that class and I think I can date it to the Easter term of 1974 when we were in 5A (not a promotion - "A" as in Anderson) because my pockets and both my arms were ripped off by Bob Stimpson. My mum would not buy me a green blazer so close to the 6th form so I had to wear a (highly conspicuous and against the rules) black one for the remainder of the year. Worse still, 5th formers wore blue arm bands on a green blazer but I could not wear a black blazer with a blue arm band because that would identify me as belonging to form 5/1 (the "O" level re-take form). I could not display a yellow arm band until the following September because by doing so I would be impersonating a lower sixth former. The catch 22 was that I could not wear a black blazer with no arm band because that privilage was allowed only to the upper sixth. So it was head down for a term and half until - relief at last - a yellow arm band. I also had to endure numerous T square knackerings and spring clip pingings in Technical Drawing - I got an "A" grade though :-) thanks to "Dick" and "Benny".
Best regards to all you 69 to 76ers,
David Taylor
Just a quick hello.
Good to see our year so well represented!
Great site !! I didn't realise how much better looking I was compared to the other guys in my class back in 1963 !!
Friends Reunited
Actually this site did get some recent publicity.
Following is from BBC Web Site. I assume it is a summary of a news item on TV or Radio
Women reconnect online
By BBC News Online's Alfred Hermida A website that allows old school friends to get in touch with one another is proving a huge hit with young women in the UK.
More than half of the visitors to Friendsreunited.co.uk are women, according to new figures from research firm Nielsen//NetRatings.
"Its audience sets if apart from other websites," said John Purcell, Nielsen//NetRatings sales and marketing director.
Friends are much more important to women than men
Psychologist Michael Argyle, Oxford University "This type of site is much more appealing to females than males," he said.
Experts say the make-up of the site's users reflects one of the key differences between men and women
"Friends are much more important to women than men, and they talk about highly personal topics," said Dr Michael Argyle, psychology professor at Oxford University.
"Men don't have friends like that."
UK's third fastest-growing site
Friendsreunited has enjoyed phenomenal growth since it launched nine months ago. Now the number of visitors has more than doubled in a month.
It has become the UK's third fastest-growing site ever, behind Napster and the Big Brother website.
Everybody has been to school, everyone has lost touched with school friends. So rather than make 50 phone calls, you can use the internet and get in touch in 20 minutes
John Purcell, Nielsen//NetRatings In July, it attracted 395,000 visitors, up from 150,000 in June and under 50,000 in May, according to the Nielsen/NetRatings figures.
Most of the visitors are young people. Around 40% are aged between 25-34, spending on average about 22 minutes searching for lost friends.
Classmates.com, a similar American site, is one of the hottest net properties in the US, ranking 16th in the league of most-visited websites.
'Intense friendships'
Sites like Friendsreunited and Classmates.com make it easy to find and contact old friends
"Everybody has been to school, everyone has lost touch with school friends. So rather than make 50 phone calls, you can use the internet and get in touch in 20 minutes," said Mr Purcell.
"Friendships developed at school age are often very intense," explained Dr Argyle.
"This is a further source of finding close women friends."
The brains behind Friendsreunited are Steve and Julie Parkhurst, who run it out of their home in London.
They set up the site last October to find their own friends. It has now become so popular that they have given up their day jobs to work on it full time.
Huge database
The site is a huge database of more than 30,000 schools, colleges and universities in Britain.
People can log on for free, register under their school or search for friends by name. For an annual fee of £5, the site lets members e-mail classmates to find out where they are now.
Use of the internet in the UK is dominated by men. They account for 60% of the number of people online.
But experts say this is slowly changing, as more and more people venture onto the internet.
In the US, women have already overtaken men online, accounting for 51% of web users.
I think a lot of us have arrived at this site via Friends Reunited. It's a pity they do not advertise more widely than the little they do already.
Maybe someone would like to take out an ad in the Harrow Observer (if it is still going) ?
Friends Reunited does have a lot of entries for HCS, including many names that I don't recall being mentioned on this site.
They are at:
http://www.friendsreunited.co.uk/FriendsReunited.asp?wci=MemberList&school_key=7178
has anyone tried the friendsreunited web site? can we get lots more names on the list?
I was delighted to discover this website and read about some very familiar names from over 40 years back. I would be pleased to hear from any of my old classmates from 1952-1959 or fellow ex-scouts from 4th Harrow Foresters. Just retired after 36 very interesting years in the process engineering contracting industry. Now living in mid-Sussex.
what a well maintained site! really enjoyed the visit, especially the review of 'the government inspector' which brought back some good memories.
continuing with oldest Old Gayts, I recently spoke on the phone with one Stan Pittman, who also expressed a wish to join the Association, at the ripe old age of 96, having been at school in 1918. I will have to contact Doug Brown to find out exactly who is the oldest of the two!!
At the end of April I wrote to professor John Joseph (JJ) Vincent, one of several brothers at the school. JJ himself was another contemporary of Doug and stan, having joined in 1918. sadly he passed away a week before my letter arrived.
Re "Oldest OGs", my Dad Reginald Horace Gawn attended the School I guess about 1920-24 or 5 (he was born in 1909, but died several years ago. I am not aware of anyone finding a record of him, but if anyone does have a Gaytonian or other publication that mentions him, I should be grateful for a photocopy. His Dad Edwin was a master saddler (last in Harrow was the family story) and they lived in Greenhill Road.
Ian Gawn
Of course, Sociology never was the strong point of the school.
Bernard Hamilton might like to know that there are older Old Gayts than him around, the oldest probably being Doug Brown who's about 95. If Bernard played soccer for the Old Gayts he might have met my dad, Graham, along with Alec Kiener, Freddy Smith, Frank Allott, the Harts and others - all of Doug's vintage but all, sadly, no longer around. He might also know Cyril Ellement, slightly younger and still very much around. No doubt Bob Silsby (Membership Secretary) or Alex Bateman can pull some more exact - and extant - contemporaries out of their hats.
To Sara Clifford
I don't believe there is a HCGS Site as such.
But Friends Reunited has some HCGS entries.
That site is at:
http://www.friendsreunited.co.uk
It has entries from (the year is the year of leaving)
1946 Diane Blackwell (Di) 1947 Doreen Barnett 1948 Rita McLaren 1952 Betty Dell 1955 Suzanne Hawes 1956 Marjorie Bracey 1957 Sylvia Jones 1957 Janet Ridgway 1957 Sharon Stanton 1958 Celia Berry 1958 Maureen Childs (mac) 1958 Lynne Jenkins 1959 Susan Trudgian 1959 Susan West (Tipsy) 1960 Sylvia Barratt 1960 Susan Giddons 1960 Rosalind Lederman 1960 Susan Shield 1962 Lorraine Bartlett 1962 Pamela Carter 1962 Barbara Cohen 1962 Gaynor Lines 1962 Christine Shaw 1962 Marilyn Springer 1963 Linda Smith 1964 Ilse Adler 1964 Vivian Beharier 1964 Jean Broadribb 1964 Linda Mead (Meady) 1964 Lesley Payne 1964 Pamela Thompson 1965 Christine Bachelor (Batty) 1965 Linda Elson 1965 Barbara George 1965 Janice Howe 1965 Nicola Revolta 1965 Janet Smith 1965 Susan Stokes 1965 Margaret Woodhead (Mags) 1966 Gillian Cole 1966 Kate Maguire 1966 Desney White 1967 Ann Cooper 1967 Denise Marshall 1967 Pamela Reppen 1967 Rosalind Wolfsthal 1968 Rachelle Goldberg 1968 Margaret Wilde 1969 Lindsey Hunt 1969 Alison Maynard (AJ) 1969 Madeleine Pratt 1969 Susan Smith 1970 Catherine Finch 1970 Gillian Hughes 1970 Jacky Moore 1970 Mary Pitcher (Tubbs) 1971 Marilyn Eedy 1971 Jennifer Reid 1971 Anne Turner 1972 Caroline Heaton 1972 Carole Holmes 1972 Marilyn Lamb 1972 June Medany - (Contact through Carole Holmes) 1972 Maxine Rhodes 1973 Jackie Ayton 1973 Claire Barnden 1973 Janice Curzon 1973 Julia Mortimer 1973 Ettie Neale 1973 Sarah Runacres 1973 Kathleen Young 1974 Janet Barr 1974 Fox Fox 1974 Theresa Garnham 1974 Coralie Green 1974 Heather McGowan 1974 Jackie Mitchell 1974 Jean Richardson 1974 Alison Welford 1975 Lois Cook 1975 Nicola Green 1975 Wendy Green 1975 Ruth Hartley 1975 Shirley Hatherton 1975 Deborah Heaton 1975 Dora Lawson 1975 Carolyne Runacres 1975 Val Smith 1975 Ann Styles 1975 Debbie Tobias 1976 Jacqueline Blunt 1976 Marianna Cumming 1976 Sarah Jennings 1976 Sarah Jennings 1976 Betsy-Jane Kolsky 1976 Rachel Kolsky (Rae) 1976 Rachel Kolsky (Rae) 1976 Susan Murray 1976 Jo Power 1977 Sarah Bamford 1977 Yvette Boxer 1977 Catherine Brazier 1977 Sara Clifford 1977 Debbie Donnelly 1977 Jillian Guttridge 1977 Lesley Parker 1977 Jackie Shorey 1977 Pauline Tidball 1978 Sue Cohen 1978 Caroline Duffy 1978 Sandra Head 1978 Linda Sanderson 1978 Claire Topiol 1978 Jackie Wood 1979 Hazel Walker 1980 Mrs Ryan - (Contact through Heather McGowan 1988 Katie Withers
Good to see this website..will be in touch!
Great site. Guys - those haircuts! Those sunglasses! (class of 75, you know who you are) Does anyone know if there is an HCGS site?
My Son Peter found this web site and I have asked him to write this email message for me on my behalf
My name is Bernard Hamilton and I went to School from 1924 to 1928. I was opening bowler the 1st XI and also played soccer for the 1st XI until rugby took over in 1927. The Head master at the Time was Randall Williams and the sports master was something ? Amos. I was a memeber of the OG for several years and went to my last re union in 1958. I am now 88 years old and remember Randall William who was a very strick Head Master. i WOULD BE PLEASE TO hear of any OG's still living from my era. My cousin Arthur Hamilton was shot down and Killed in July 1940 at the start of the Battle of Britain and crashed in Dover Harbour. We both joined the school at the Same Time. My other Cousin Joined the school in 1914 when it opened and severed in the royal navy in second World War.
Regards to all Gaytonians
Bernard Hamilton 1924 -1928
superb site, Well done. Gary Russell, 1976 - 1980.
So why all this fuss about the stage techies? What about a reunion for the thespians? We know where Malcolm Ingram is. I threatened to show the RAF College staff (in 1983) a phot of a then squadron leader playing Cleopatra in the school play (then I got posted before Ian Henley. Wedge Thorpe (with whom I flew in the late 60s from Watton, he in dark blue and me in light blue on the same squadron) has been in touch with old programmes as we also acted together at RAF Watton. I am a bit far away from Harrow (Lymington)to do the organising but would be keen to help. Did anyone other than Malcolm go on to the professional stage (other than Cardew R, that is?)
Regards to all IAN GAWN
Stuart
Sorry, forgot!
OK So we now have a drummer. Mike, your band sounds interesting and I'd like to try and catch you play sometime. As far as John Neighbour goes, yes, he is still playing, or at least he was still in my garden with his guitar when my Bar B Q came to an end last weekend.... We are playing cricket together at Hatch End these days so will pass on your comments this weekend. Of course, if you had filled in your eMail address we could both contact you direct on the above matters. Typical drummer....
STUART
In response to Stuart Taff. I'll volunteer to play drums. I still play with a band called "Flicker" who perform at venues mainly in Southend and St Albans(that's where we live). We write all our own material and are a bit XTC/REMish. The ownly problem I've got is that we've got an Old Lyonian in the band! I would be interested to hear if John Neighbour is still playing?
Mike Bergquist 69-75
Wow, this site has grown since I looked last. It's strange to think that MY school existed before and after the five short years that I spent there. Five years, as I started in 1971 after my 11+, and ended in '76 when we were not allowed to go in to the sixth form, but had to go to one of the new sixth form colleges instead.
I guess what the site needs now is an index or map to help us all find the times and people that we know and what our school memories are really all about.
In response to a John Dunworths query of last week:
I think David Munns had left EMI by the time I joined in 1990 and he progressed to Head of International for Polygram. He left after the takeover by Universal a couple of years ago. I recall he went on to become business manager for Bon Jovi. So, if we need to hold a "Gaytonianaid" to save those nasty Lyonians from developing South Vale for their own use, we have a manager. Roger Glover on bass. We need other suggestions for a former pupils supergroup? John Neighbour played a few times with a band called Petrol at the Rock Garden last year, but no disrespect, we can do better than that. Colin Dickins - (no, not in the band) don't we have somebody who used to be in Squeeze ? South Vale is a natural amphitheatre and the band can stay at my house round the corner. Flacky can be on car park duty - it could get busy.... My career in the music world will mean I can count the gate money - so no need to think I'm somebody of any note and bombard me with demo's - I only tape over them. Stuart Taffs 1980-84
fyi I don't have any pictures of the 78-81 cricket side, but I was talking to Angus in the Moon in Hatch End (some of the finest local cricketers drink there you know)last night, so I can ask him if he has next time he's in there. His little brother Alistair was in my year and Angus came along to our cricket trial to "make sure" his brother got in as captain. I was a wicket keeper and Angus nearly cut me in half with his loosener. I stopped it with my ribs and some would say I haven't stopped much since. Whilst we're at it then, we could put out a side with the greatest cricketers from all generations too ! I could count the money, but who would do the car park ?
Well seeing myself in the photo of 2C from 1963 is a shock. Evidence to my two daughters aged 16 and 18 that I was actually there in the '60's! Hello to anyone who remembers me between 1961 and 1969. I keep contact with Richard Salter, Steve Wigzell and Steve Richards, and through my parents and local history, Jim Golland, but that's about it. Was a member of the Pioneer Troop 4th Harrow, member of the Stage Crew, Cross country team and studied geography, geology and chemistry at A level. Read Geography at Southampton Uni. taught in Lincolnshire and Shropshire and worked for Shropshire LEA with C. Woodhead as my boss. Have been the Senior Adviser for Geography, Cheshire LEA since 1989. I am the President of the Geographical Association 2001-2. Join me at UMIST on 4th April 2002 for my Presidential Address - HCSB could just get a mention. Coincidentally Phil Clarke who taught me A level Geography is a Deputy Head at a School in Cheshire for which I'm the Phase Adviser. Would like to get in touch with Stephen Games - I would like someone from Transport 2000 to speak at the Conference - maybe Michael Palin can be persuaded. I would also like to know what happened to Dave Amos, Chris McManus, Andy Davidson and Neil Harris who left, as I did, in 1969. And Maurie Venn who taught geology in a very imaginative and engaging way whilst every now and then nipping into the corridor outside C2 to savage small rather pathetic younger pupils - good sport!!
Best wishes Jeremy
I have just come across Peter Fowler's interesting article. Interesting becaiuse the debate of the past just lives on, and at least that serves to make this web site rather more than reminiscence. However, as somebody who was the archetypal 1A type, went through the whole system successfully (and in fact rather more so than many teaching me suspected OI would, but never mind),but who also suffered monstrous injustice at the hands of the Bighams of this world, (it did not help being among the first to rebel against CCF, etc),it seems a little hard to condemn the whole thing as he does. At least as a matter of principle the idea of getting the best out of people seems fair enough to me, and my objection to the opposite argument is I am afraid based on concern over dumbing down because of fear of this approach. Whatever the faults of Simpson, it seems to me that many of the staff had problems with him as well - imagine working for somebody like that - and to condemn the leaders of the staff (among whom Jim Golland, together with Messrs Waller Mees and D'Arcy rank high with many of us) is a little unfair. Mind you, Peter Fowler obviously did poretty well jiudged by the trenachant way he puts his points, so perhaps HCS was not quite so bad for him either! he is right to say that an ethos which condemned many to neglect was wrong, but he is wrong to condemn the whole place. (Apologies if this is the second version of this note, the first seemed to diappear incomplete!).
Behind the Scenes Reunion - SUNDAY DECEMBER 9th 2001
If you ever helped with any theatrical production at the school (1911 to the present) - APART FROM JUST WALKING THE BOARDS - then you are invited to this reunion.
If you should be on the list, which can be checked at http://www.vinntec.co.uk/hcs/btsreunion.htm, please get in touch!
We would also be grateful if you can provide any clues to help locate those on our "missing" list. Adding someone's second initial, or the industry they are working in, or for the girls - and actors - their current name, can narrow the search considerably!
Peter "Mini"/"Min" Vincent
Message to Tony Arkey regarding the trophies.
can you contact me on this address? I have tried to mail you in answer to your query but the address is not recognised.
Cheers
Alex Bateman (School and OGA Archivist)
just found this web site. At HCS 1958-65 Brings back memories just to see familiar names from my youth. I am a specialist in orthodontics, part time practice and part time senior clinical lecturer at Guy's. Until recently I served as Secretary of the British Orthodontic Society.
Stuck here in LA on a lovely summers day, it was good to see the old school still standing. How about some pics of the 77-81 cricket team. we won the cup four straight years and I was better than Angus.
All the best
BRICKS APPEAL – Yes, I’ll have a brick.
If we get the fundraising started it won’t be difficult to attract grants and corporate sponsorship on the back of it. Once £50,000 has been raised, the School can get a £100,000 capital grant plus £120,000 extra revenue for four years from the government. Can’t be bad for £25!
Website addicts might like to know that a mail shot to registered members of the OGA produced the first £1,000 within ten days of posting. (For those who haven’t yet responded this will remind you to dig out the letter and complete it. Or maybe you’ll prefer the easier route by clicking on Harrow High-Bricks Appeal link here.)
Christine Lenihan’s drive both to advance the School and to embrace its traditions and history, fill me with optimism for the School’s future. The enormous success of this website suggests that a lot of Old Gaytonians will share that optimism.
And I think I’ll also buy a brick for my late dad, who was at the School 1918-22.
Fascinating stuff! just logged on through the friends reunited Website and there's you lot like ghosts stalking the recesses of memory lane!
I was there between 1967-1971 left with no qualifications and had been a skinhead (It was fashionable) although by the time of leaving hair was growing and the delights of Free/ Led Zeppelin et al were permeating the consciousness . ( thanks to Paul Frost/Paul Lilley and Malcolm Gardner who showed me the error of my ways)But have still remained a Fan of James Brown
There are references to The Thomas bros David and Danny, but I was good friends with older brother Paul in fact we went off travelling to Canada together in 1973 (we were both deported but thats another story) I'm not sure where he is now but I did meet up with Tony Wright and met Gareth Rees about 10 years ago. Pat coady now living in Australia and by coincidence I also got a e-mail message out of the blue from Andy Desmond just about a month ago (is this the modern way of expressing a mid life crisis I ask)
Portillo/ Anderson done to death but didnt Dave Munns go on to become some head of EMI records?
CI Anderson went on to teach at Kingsbury County now Kingsbury High
I can also add a picture of V2 1971 to the collection when i get some more time. Facinated to read stuff from Gareth Rees , Peter Thorne ( yes Peter i was in 1K on that register) Paul Frost and others. Spencer Smith was also at my primary school Kenmore Park (but 2 years older) with my brother Mick and my sister Helen who went to the girls school. I also remember Barry Taylor Keith and Steven Green and a host of others In fact Jeffrey Maynard (well done for the site) weren't you there as well? or was that geoff perkins?.
Quite overwhelmed by it all.
My own recollections are of an incredibly Intense time and being propelled into this Bizarre and strange world of boys and men. By 2nd year had sank to 2D and remained there until the 5th form.
joined the RAF cadets but apart from a great flying trip to white waltham and an army Camp at Gosporth pretty risible experience.
Left with no qualifications but much later went on to do a degree and qualified as a social worker and came out as gay (no that wasn't obligatory).Now happily sorted living in Islington and Ireland.
Had an interesting and varied career, travelled a lot and am now working in the Home office. I remember Mees (a gruff but good guy) Armstrong and Batchelor as significant influences and some poor woman called Galeb whose life we made an absolute misery.
There is also a darker side.
Being caned ferociously by Avery and Cowan and mercilessly ridiculed by others (GIBBS?) for being less well off, living on a council estate, and being written off for not achieving, left its mark. The D forms always had the worst classrooms.
but hey lots of people suffered more for less....
interested to find out where you all are.
would have liked the reunion but just a few months too late..
During my last visit to the school website I discovered something which has caused me great angst. It would appear that in 1961 / 1962 my name was not registered as being the winner of the school senior sports cup in the year before Mr Broadbent. I cannot believe this has happened, especially since the cup sat on my home mantel piece for the year in question. I do recall Mr Underwood coming to collect the cup from my mother and remarking we had not engraved it. Remembering it as an austere period and coming from what was then considered an unusual situation of a single parent family (although I found this out to be quite a common occurrence amongst my peers at a later stage!) it would appear that my name was not engraved on the cup and for some reason has been entered as “not being awarded for that year”. Understandably I get the feeling this has been overlooked and for obvious reasons I would like to set the records straight. If that means having to pay for the engraving to be done now, I would be happy to do it and ensure that the Arkey name remains firmly entrenched in school history.
Whilst writing can anyone let me know whether Mr Underwood or indeed any of those teachers from my era are still alive and well, and whether they can still be contacted? Since I last wrote to the bulletin board several names have also sprung to mind. It would be nice to think I could make contact with some or all of these chaps at some stage in the future. The school had an excellent heavy weight in Andy Kerr who I believe represented the County at Shot Putting and perhaps the Discus?. As mentioned in a previous bulletin board notice from me, Dave Hawkins was someone I used to play Rugby with along with Roger Swinburn and Doug Simpson. I recall from a conversation I had with Dave Hawkins in 98 / 99 (I understand Dave is very senior in an Estate Agency Practice at the top of Harrow-On-the-Hill) Doug Simpson was not too well. It would also be great to touch base with Peter Ward who from memory formed a good striking duo with me on the Soccer pitch. A couple of other good pals were John Reeves who I last saw up in the Sheffield area and he was working with Digital I think. In addition, another electronic wiz kid who did his own thing was Tony Hughes who may have got his Degree from Brunel College back in the 60s. Where are they now and are they all OK?
Tony Arkey
Peter - Didn't Will Buckland go off to darkest Africa with VSO (Voluntary Service Overseas) after leaving school? I seem to remember getting regular updates from Roy Avery in assembly, and if memory serves it also made the pages of "That Magazine" (ie NOT Gaytonian). You might want to try and contact him through: http://www.vso.org.uk/
Ray Parnell 1967-1974
Can anyone help with tracking down Will Buckland who left in about 1970, and Johnnie Morrell who left in about 1971?
Any clues appreciated - area in which they were last heard, university they went to, places they might work, correct spelling, middle initial even!
Thanks -- Peter Vincent HCS 1966-1972
Hi boys I was at HC from Sept 68 - Feb 69, when we moved to Melton Mowbray. I remember Clive Anderson - the teacher not the pupil - and would be amused to know where he is now! Among my classmates were Ye Min and T O'Brien (TOB). Michael Woods was in an adjacent class, and is now big in Railtrack or similar, I think. M Portillo was a year or so below me. I do have a 1968 Gaytonian mag, if the Webmaster needs any scans, but no photos of my own at the school - not even a class pic. I hope this is of some interest to you all - I must come to a reunion one day. Very best wishes
Thanks to Norm Gilliland for finding the photo of Oedipus Rex. Now all can see what I meant in my "Memoires" about being an Oxfam poster. I'm far left of the middle row of the chorus. I've already reminisced with Norm about the comedy (?) act we did on the Educational Cruise in 1967. Well we thought it was funny. Bernie Marchant was the master in charge for the cruise and at the recent reunion at HCS he confessed to me to being hauled over the coals by the Local Education Authority for not having the necessary approvals to take such a number of boys on a trip. If I remember rightly he was the only master. In this day and age I guess the pupil teacher ratio must be higher.
I was at HCGS from 1958-64 and remember the ford van well.Whilst it was in running condition it collided with the canteen wall leaving a 2ft hole.The cafetaker at the time charged us £2 for repairing the damage. Thanks for the web site it brought back memories
A couple of items of general interest - thanks to anyone who supplied suggestions:
1. "...Can't for the life of me remember the English Teacher who taught us how to apply the make up. Long blond hair and quietly spoken, are you able to tell me?" It turns out this was a Mrs.Shave, but now it's not clear if she was an HCS or Heriot's Wood member of staff!
2. Coll Michaels now admits that it WAS him that ran the Box Office!
Peter Vincent HCS 1966-1972
Yes, indeed, Neil Gill. Mark Leigh and Mike Lepine are two and the same. Their first major public offering was "The Complete Revenge Kit", a set of letters to send to persecutors, or to others who would drop the persecutors in it. Mark has written many entertaining pieces for the Old Gaytonian magazine over the years, as well as many celebrated anarchic books jointly with Mike. More of them another time, perhaps.
As to experiments with sand trays, back around 1950 a Mike Butler heated up picric acid in a sand tray on a tripod over a bunsen burner "just to see what would happen." It was in the "old chemy lab" and the bang reverberated around the School. I believe total redecoration was necessary, but no one got hurt, surprisingly.
I agree with Ray Symons views that there are some pretty serious conversations going on about the merits of Grammar schools etc. This is a site however for everyone to put there views and memories. Personally I prefer to recall some of the happier or more fun aspects of my time there. Ray mentions the pocket ripping incident. I think we took this one step further in the Tech lab. Does anyone recall making enamelled badges? After heating these up with the gas torch they could either be dropped into an unsuspecting parties pocket or even better their trouser turn-up. Nearly created as much excitement as putting some water into the bottom of a sand casting mould just before pouring the molten metal. I am amazed no-one got seriously injured. I also recall a rather dozy Navy cadet (may have been Chris Cox) trying to set off a 303 blank he had found by hitting it with a piece of wood with a nail in the end. Luckily he didn’t succeed. Does anyone know if the Mark Leigh and Mike Lepine who wrote “How to be a superhero” and other amusing reads were the same guys who went to HCS?
ghs 75/79.great to find you,will submit stories&pics1975 1B form master mr garwell soon.
Mothers did not sew the pockets back with a ripping yarn then.
Is anyone in contact with the Colin Michaels who ran the Box Office for Noah in 1966?
Before anyone says it, the Coll Michaels you has contributed to this guestbook says it isn't him!
Thanks -- Peter Vincent
As an avid reader of this message board I am becoming concerned that it is becoming far to academic for my liking. Whist I appreciate that pupils of the 50’s and 60’s and even possibly the A & B streams of the 70’s may be concerned about the demise of the grammar school, speaking as a C stream pupil of the early 70’s, I find such discussion irrelevant and frankly boring. In deed, too many of my memories of the school are of many periods of extreme boredom with a few amusing experiences sandwiched in between.
So lets have more messages like Ian Killingback’s of 3rd March. Whilst Ian offended some gay old boys (I make no comment on the rights or wrongs here for fear of generating further comment on this subject) his other memories at least were funny and eminently worth reading. Lets have more of the same.
One fond memory I have is of “pocket ripping”. This craze which eventually spread to many other schools was started in a technical drawing lesson. A highly amusing diversion during many TD lessons was to place a T square, from behind, between the legs of a friend and give it a sharp tug. The resulting abject pain caused much merriment (although possibly not to the recipient of the tug). Having tired of this, someone had the idea of putting the T square in someone else’s pocket and giving that a tug thus tearing the blazer a bit. The aggrieved party then completely ripped one of the pockets off of the blazer of the other guy and a craze was born.
This craze spread like wild fire and pockets were ripped off of anyone and everyone’s blazers. Pens and other bits from the pockets were scattered to the winds. Mothered sowed back pockets with industrial strength cotton, only to find that on the next attempt the entire blazer would rip instead of just the pocket coming off. No one was safe and many boys took to locking their blazers away for weeks on end. If all pockets were gone, boys tried ripping of collars, shirts or anything else they could.
Oh what happy days! Much more fun than worry about Oxbridge!
Ray
Michael Schwartz’s contribution has one vital piece of information missing. Harrow County took the very top tranche of those who had done the 11+ : with this selection process, it couldn’t fail to deliver its list of alumni. It wouldn’t have mattered, actually, if donkeys had taught these boys – they would have had the self motivation to pile up the A Grades.
In those days, it could be argued that it didn’t matter if 80% of any given school year were educationally disposable, allowing all the effort to go into teaching that very set of boys who would have performed whatever the system. It didn’t matter because 80% of the jobs out there required no brain power whatsoever.
Unfortunately that is the opposite of what is now needed. More, the subject boundaries of HCS were even more out of date than the DfEE’s National Curriculum. More and more jobs require a visual literacy; more and more jobs require team working, project approaches and a real understanding of how people relate to each other, and how they communicate; and more and more jobs require creativity and lateral thinking and not the ability to memorise some half understood texts that are then regurgitated in examination conditions that bear no relationship to anything at all in the world outside.
Reviving Harrow County across the country would have horrifying results: it would produce yet more Tony Blairs,Gordon Browns and William Hagues, superb technocrats and first class academics who don’t actually understand that everything is in meltdown; it would exacerbate beyond belief the absolute alienation already felt by so many in our country; and it wouldn’t help produce the much-needed wider stream of creative talent that would be so much aided by bringing subjects like Music and Art centre-stage.
I think that Michael’s derogatory reference to Led Zeppelin says it all. Michael’s heroes seem to be locked into those very areas in which this country always fails; whereas Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, unfortunately for him, played a leading role in a musical period that was one of the greatest economic success stories of the UK in the second half of the 20th Century.
Having read with interest 'mini' Vincents backstage memories. Can I just let him know that things were no less dangerous in the late Seventies. Amongst many other incidences, I can remember that during one production there were three of us boys perched on the beams. Our job was to drop various objects on (Mr) Terry Andrews during a play. It would not of surprised anyone (backstage/lights/sound) if a boy had came tumbling down, arms and legs akimbo, along with the rest of objects that we were to drop. Paul Hymas
Peter, Was it Mr Winter?
Here's one for the youngsters! One of the Heriot's Wood girls who helped with Make-Up in 1975 (after the GS closed) is trying to remember....
"...Can't for the life of me remember the English Teacher who taught us how to apply the make up. Long blond hair and quietly spoken, are you able to tell me?"
Anybody from that era got any ideas?
Peter Vincent HCS 1966-1972
What a goldmine of nostalgia! (My thanks for the recent letter from Lol Sugar or I'd be none the wiser about the site and planned reunions).
I've only had a chance for a brief look but it's triggered a mixture of memories ....
Peter Lawson's comments reminded me of the 4th Harrow Scouting experiences (also a Merrymen). Football for Diabolo, Vaughan Road Scout hut and collecting newspaper to raise funds. Stuck up Mt. Blanc on the Switzerland trip with Philip Levi et al, Isle of Man and being chased by a gang from a disco with Paul Hardy and Steve Maughan. Other Scouting names I recollect Eddie Kerr, Rick Lee, Richard Crouch, Paul Santon and Steve Ringrose, Steve Jones, Chris O'Donoghue, Brian and John Wheeler.
Other initial thoughts are Red Rover trips with Mick (Kink) Day, Mick (Paddy) Hopkins, and Jim Black (68 intake?).
Basketball team - struggling to remember names - Steve Maughan, Dave Blagden ...?
Bridge club - Phil Carter (where are you partner?)
Will dig out any photos and other goodies for Jeff and well done on putting the site together.
Peter Lawson (PL) has been looking at the last days of Harrow County and has ended his note with the request: “answers anyone?” Your humble servant (MS) would like to attempt a reply, answering Peter’s note step-by-step.
Any reference to any pupil or teacher, living or dead (from the neck upwards in some cases) is purely malicious…
PL: I started at HCBS in 1969.
Despite all those Oxbridge places in 1971, there was an undercurrent of parent-driven rumour at that time, I felt, that the School was losing ground as an academic powerhouse from the position it had occupied under Simpson (I never knew about the "Square" sobriquet)
MS: Parents are whingers (they certainly were when I was a councillor on the borough’s education committee. You’d think we were shooting children). Harrow County was consistent in its academic achievement. Why attribute everything to Simpson? Weren’t there other headmasters before him? Didn’t they produce scholars?
Anyway, why was it always Oxbridge? Didn’t other universities feature? Like me wot done Greek and I’ve only gone to Brum, cos they didn’t do no ancient and modern Greek togever at Oxbridge, guv...
The intake of 1963 included “Boris Senior” Robinson, Michael Woods, and Richard Salter – impressive enough by my book and only under the influence of Simpson for two years. 1964 saw (altogther now) Michael Portillo, Clive Anderson and Geoffrey Perkins (head of BBC comedy). One year only of Simpson. 1965 saw Thomas Carne (100 per cent in maths exams and he used to show the teachers how to solve the problems!), Michael Mendelblatt (linguist par excellence), and Charles Aylmer (Chinese scholar – self-taught and not short of the brain cells). And Simpson had gone.
Geoffrey Salter of the French department expressed a view around 1970 that the lower forms were less clever than their predecessors. This is a debate in its own right, but can it be wholly or mainly attributed to Mr Avery?
PL: and that this was due to the soft-underbellied, US of A-imbued, civically wired, Roy Avery. Demos happy.
MS: Once again, it is easy to blame Mr Avery (people only seemed to call him Roy if they definitely liked him; otherwise it was Joe).
Soft-underbellied? Outside the A stream, there was almost another country called the rest of the school. B streamers straddled the border, but C and D were regarded as inferior or were ignored. I was that rare breed that combined linguistic skill (normally A stream) with set 4 in maths, a real eye-opener. Certain individuals in that set had no academic ability in any subject, and you wondered why they were still at Harrow County – late developers at the secondary modern schools could have replaced them. There was little bullying, but there was vandalism, some drug-smoking and low-level stealing.
Joe Avery lost control of these pupils and this lack of discipline/control made itself more and more apparent between the late 1960s and early 1970s. Pupils in lower forms became more arrogant and aggressive.
The answer was not for Joe to waffle on in assembly with some obscure text every day. There must have been parts of the school which never saw his presence.
Regarding “US of A-imbued”, Joe did have an academic interest in US history. Where grammar schoools are concerned, there is the irony that the USA was a key source of the comprehensive. The king of capitalism, the US, has been the source of many pink-establishment educational ideas over the years.
I do not understand the terms “civically wired” or “Demos happy”.
PL: Peter Fowler's, in particular, and other postings, also, have got me wondering about my assumptions and the dichotomy as handed down to me. In our time, there were still one or two masters who were, for Zeppelin wannabes, buffoonedly and old-fashionedly draconian, and as I think about them now, well against the grain of what I was told, I don't remember them as being at all effective.
MS: All names have been deleted to protect the inept.
Er, Peter, was Led Zeppelin really the yardstick for your aspirations? Mind you, this was still the 1960s/1970s. Of course, driving in Formula One, and playing for Middlesex at Lord’s or Watford at Vicarage Road, now that was a role model!
PL: Was the Simpson paradigm responsible for the School's academic eminence?
MS: As above. Were the headmasters before Simpson inferior? Regarding individual teachers, for example, did Mr Crinson’s geography lessons suddenly become academic when Simpson took over?
PL: If so, was it worth it?
MS: Yes – the content of this website is a testimony to a great school.
PL: Did Avery preside over a descent into mediocrity?
MS: Not intellectually but his discipline was ineffectual
PL: Could he have stopped County Hall in 1975
MS: On a technical point County Hall was the centre for the old GLC – Harrow Borough had control of its own education policies and practices.
The context of the early 1970s is extremely important to bear in mind.
A few years previously the then Education Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister, Edward Short, had declared his ambition to destroy every f*****g grammar school. His boss, Harold Wilson, suppressed his misgivings by deciding that comprehensives were grammar schools for everybody. Local council officers were under pressure from Downing Street to submit their plans for going comprehensive, whether they wanted to or not.
Within Harrow County, some teachers fervently favoured going comprehensive. The English Department’s Steve Edwards read out an article about the changes in Harrow and talked of “a scheme as good as this”. Mr Edwards left soon after – whether he qualified as one of the “rats deserting a singing ship” is a moot point: he did not stay behind to experience what he supported. Further up the line was his English Department colleague Jock Lafferty, who decided “anything has to be better than what there is at the moment”. Harrow Council went Labour in 1971 so there was one more obstacle.
Then, there were the trades union, sympathetic to the change. Were they not lobbying against the grammar schools? There were two groups of pupils, the Jago clique and the economics students in my year, both of them in favour of change - and ready to bite, or should that be sever, the hand that fed them. Did they not in their own way, influence teachers and politicians? See, too, the gospel according to Paul Danon on the website (1966-1973)
Why confine the debate to the Socialists? Edward Heath’s supposedly Conservative governement had Margaret Thatcher as Education Secretary. She approved 90% (ninety per cent) of all plans for going comprehensive submitted to her. This included the Borough of Barnet which included her parliamentary seat, Finchley. In fact, the Iron Lady destroyed more grammar schools than any other Education Secretary (even Shirley Williams). There was a wave of madness in the Conservative Government of 1970-1974 and this was one more example. Edward Heath talked tough and created Selsdon Man; “Labour was right” was a more accurate slogan. Some Conservative councillors supported comprehensives in Harrow. There was the lady who sent her daughter to North London Collegiate School and was therefore subject to no risk at all.
To hold off against comprehensive education, you needed the resolve shown by Buckinghamshire, which kept its grammar schools. Harrow certainly did not have that kind of resolve. These days, you can hang on to your grammar schools even if you are under Labour control because New Labour is more worried about losing control and votes than it is about Labour’s political ideals. The pressure has been relieved.
In the period in question, one could either accept one’s fate and go along to one’s doom wth dignity (as with one of the other Scottish regiments) or one could fight.
There were a few masters on the side of Harrow County. Kenneth Waller comes to mind. There was a major petition, there were rank-and-file Conservative Party members, and there was a core of councillors opposed to change.
One final factor. Joe Avery ended up as headmaster of Bristol Grammar School. His bacon was saved, he was alright Jack, and there was one more lack of incentive for him to put up a fight.
The factors working against Harrow County greatly overshadowed Harrow County’s defenders. It had little chance, but that does not excuse anyone in a position of power who did nothing.
PL: and would we have wanted him to do so?
MS: Yes. If he did actually do anything, he should have done more. If he did not do anything at all, he should have got his arse in gear.
PL: I am looking at these questions ingenuously for the first time since I left. Any answers?
MS: Hope this is a start, Peter.
With reference to the Victorian evening there were four plays called "Set a Thief to Catch a Thief", "Hiss the Villain" "Wages of Sin" and "Temptation Sordid or Virtue Rewarded". No I don't have a superb memory but oddly I do still have a copy of the Harrow Observer review with the headline "Standards Slip". Jack Rowley really did not like our Victorian evening. Maybe that is why I was only involved in one more amateur production (just after leaving school) until three years ago when once again I was tempted by the roar of the greasepaint and the smell of the crowd. Perhaps I am still an adolescent at heart but the main thing I remember about Jack Rowley's review, apart from the headline, was that he criticised one of our plays for having some very questionable innuendos and then went on to describe one of the actresses (who I had better not mention by name) as "a comely Fanny". Ah well, that is what going to an all boys school does to you.
Whilst trawling through everything and nothing on this computer I came across this site. I must say that it brings back funny (and painful!) memories. Unfortunatly most of it pre-dates me (I was there from '77-'81) but I will now keep up a regular check to see if I stumble across any old names. Richard Kemp, Colin Williams, Andrew Webb and many others...where are they all??? Keep up the great work with the site..
What a pleasant surprise to discover this site! A chance to reminisce and test one's memory, too. I was a 66-73 pupil and so there has been plenty here for me to enjoy. At school I wasn't particularly academic, preferring athletics, rugby and chess to German or French, but I've ended up teaching languages. THANKS to those responsible for the site.
To Jo, Our school home page is designed to be viewed through multichromophonic spectacles which were designed and made by ourselves in metalwork and physics lessons. All boys were required to make these specs and consequently your view of the home page may be affected when viewed 'au naturelle'. I suggest that there is plenty of 'colourful' text contained within this guestbook which will not have an adverse physiological effect upon your senses - all the damage having been inflicted upon the writers some time ago!!
I would sure like to read this home page but honestly the color and print hurts my eyes. Could you repost your home page in an easier to read format.
Behind the Scenes Reunion
I have made the list of names we are searching for available on the Internet - http://www.vinntec.co.uk/hcs/btsreunion.htm. Any help with improving the list would be appreciated.
Peter Vincent
Behind the Scenes Reunion
I have made the <A HREF="http://www.vinntec.co.uk/hcs/btsreunion.htm">list of names</A> we are searching for available on the Internet. Any help with improving the list would be appreciated.
Peter Vincent
“Dr Simpson! Dr Simpson!” “Eeh, what is it Mr Atkins?” “Dr Simpson! Mrs Chase has some chap on the telephone, he says he’s from ‘Ofsted’ or something like that!” “Eeh” “He says this is the most appalling ‘failing school’ he has ever come across. He says it is brutal, bigoted and elitist.” “Eeh, Ofsted, with their woodpecker shoes and shortie raincoats. Hobbledehoys, a destructive minority” “But Dr Simpson, he says that the school’s obsession with scholarships and Oxbridge has lead to lower educational benefits for the majority and has alienated significant numbers of creative, talented pupils! He says that he is filing his report recommending immediate closure of the school!” “Eeh, these young Ofsted upstarts, we have no place for people like them here” “Dr Simpson, I really do think the situation is serious this time” “Eeh. Very well, Mr Atkins, then it’s time for the ‘Far Pavilions’ option. Tell Mrs Chase to order the airline tickets right away. Make sure all the funds are transferred as arranged and be ready to leave on the first flight” “Yes, Dr Simpson” “And tell Mr Duke to carry on as usual in my absence. A few more tales about Sam and his musket should keep things quiet whilst we make good our departure”
I just thought I would share that little fantasy with you...
Rugby photo 3rd xv 1972-3. Missing names. In the middle is Malcolm Gilkes. It is Graham Knight (youngest of three Knight brothers) and front right is Howard Moss.
In reply to Steve Hilsden, Maria Marten was before the Victorian Melodramas that I appeared in - summer 1974, in fact. I know because my missus was in it. Ask your sister if she remembers Heather Garrett who played Maria.It was the last production staged by the original Convergence and was put together in 10 days.There will be more pictures for Jeffrey to post (of Animal Farm amongst others) when I get my act together on the scanning front.
I note the (?) next to my name on the Under 13 XV Rugby 1972/3 picture. It can be removed... that is, in fact, a picture of me.
Steve.
In Picture 3 of Peter Barker's Victorian Melodramas collection the 'unnamed teacher in the background' is Don McEwen, Head of Physics, whose two sons attended the school in the 60's/70's.
Re Peter Barker's Victorian melodramas - wasn't one Murder in the Red Barn or Maria Marten. My sister Marion acted in that and that was staged at teh school. I remember her famous line was I want my ninepence!
Steve Hilsden
Tim Rutter and I are trying to contact, and possibly organise a reunion of the the 1st XV and the Germany and Italy touring side in 1963/4. I am working from a copy of an old photograph of the team from the Harrow Observer. I have tried to find The Old Gaytonians RFC without success. Can you suggest any sources? Tim and I both live in the USA so our access is a little limited. Geoff Willson (sometimes known as Sam at school)
Melbourne, Australia.
It took a great deal of diligence on my part to find this website. Ah! Had I but applied myself with half the tenacity and ingenuity during the years 1934 to 1939 what scholastic distinction might I have achieved?
Probably not much. I understand that it also takes a modicuim of talent.
But after 62 years, it's good to find the old school presenting such a bold face to the world. Congratuations to the webmaster.
Re: Under 13 72/73 rugby photo - Hello Tom Dennington - the missing names are: Steve Hextall next to Fran L. - a clever centre, unobtrusive among the superstars Rob Mainprize - the blond destroyer, a lunatic in the tackle Mike Grinsted - who broke BOTH legs on the school skitrip Huw Davis - who never missed training and was the proudest man in Middx when he made the team. And I haven't changed a bit (I wish!)If I grew sidies like that now they'd be snow white and full of birds' nests. This was a wonderful team to work with, skill, dedication and a fierce sense of togetherness. I have never forgotten them. Gareth
The other person missing from the U14 team and my previous message is Paul Maton.
Tom
To complete the under 15 team of 72/73,I believe that between Colin Greatrex and Dave Owen is Adrian Springsguth.
I agree with Steve Hilsden that there seems to be several players missing from each of the U13 to U15 teams. In the U13 there is no Chris Berge or Mark Lewis and in the U14 no Roger Evans or Martin Rees. John Neighbour is missing from the Under 15 photo as well.
It is also ironic that in the Under 13 team photo there is no Nick Sloan but Andy Hayes is there for all to see!!!!
In the under 13 picture the back row consists of Jez Newell, Jon Adams and Neil Messider. The next row has the recently retired Gareth Lloyd Jones, Ian Tomalin, Arwel Huhes,Steve Banks(?), Dave Frankel,?, Fran Lazenby. In the 3 rd row is Andy Hayes,?,Simon Young, ?,?. The Front row is Keith Greatbatch,Ian Abbott,Beb Thomas, Phil Green and Steve Butcher(?).
Tom Dennington
I have just spoken with Tony Arkey, who lives in Hong Kong. He has drawn my attention to this wonderful site. Hello to all 1956-64.
Steve
To Slim Owen's left, rugby 72/73 U15 is Baldi, Kevin Peter
Good to see some of the old rugby photos. I can put a few names to the faces in the U15XV of 72/73 - in fact i ran the line for them that year. I am surprised that some of the guys aren't in the picture. Back left to right - Colin Greaterex, ?, Dave Owen, ?, Chas Harman Middle - Mr Stewart, Ronnie Hulman, Dennis Higgins, Rick Griffiths, Steve Freedman, Nigel Davies? Front - Simon Rosenburg, Keith Wilson, Andy Howe, Danny Thomas, Steve Bonnick
Steve
i remember making the statue used for oedipus rex in 1964. I was a pupil at HCS from 1961-1966.I well remember days of Square and the changes made by Mr Avery.
Richard Miller's memory IS a little hazy. Roy Avery and I (and many of your correpondents) started at the same time, 1965.
Regarding the question of whether Roy "could" have stopped County Hall, my diary reminds me of a "Religious Studies" class for the Scholarship Sixth over which Avery presided in 1971, soon after the plans to go comprehensive were announced. We, his beloved Sixth Form (all those brilliant baby-boomer boys whose websites now boast of global accomplishment) rounded in on the poor guy with comments along the lines of "well, the education authorities will have to do something about the poor facilities here"/"it's surprising that they would be prepared to admit this school"/etc. From brilliant Marxist minds like Charles Aylmer's to far right nationalists like Sean Keating, nobody could come up with a word in favor of retaining Harrow County. Roy was nearly in tears.
Were those genuine sentiments? I suspect most of us just enjoyed winding him up. By contrast, I think he was genuinely affected by what we said. So, "could" he have done something?--if I were him and I was faced with a pack of University-bound sixth-formers clamoring to bite the hand that fed them, I know I wouldn't have bothered trying!
I was happy to see a sculpture at the back of the photograph of the Oedipus Rex production in 1964. This was one of my early works! The paper and plaster figure had a passing similarity in profile to Mr Avery. I was well aware of this and produced the said sculpture with dual intent. After the production the sculpture was hoisted by wire across the quad and burnt. My memory of this is hazy, any clues?
I started at HCBS in 1969. Despite all those Oxbridge places in 1971, there was an undercurrent of parent-driven rumour at that time, I felt, that the School was losing ground as an academic powerhouse from the position it had occupied under Simpson (I never knew about the "Square" sobriquet) and that this was due to the soft-underbellied, US of A-imbued, civically wired, Roy Avery. Demos happy.
Peter Fowler's, in particular, and other postings, also, have got me wondering about my assumptions and the dichotomy as handed down to me. In our time, there were still one or two masters who were, for Zeppelin wannabes, buffoonedly and old-fashionedly draconian, and as I think about them now, well against the grain of what I was told, I don't remember them as being at all effective.
Was the Simpson paradigm responsible for the School's academic eminence? If so, was it worth it? Did Avery preside over a descent into mediocrity? Could he have stopped County Hall in 1975 and would we have wanted him to do so? I am looking at these questions ingenuously for the first time since I left. Any answers?
I have to agree with Peter Fowler on easy acceptance of violence and sadism as a means of control.
In fact many of the physical punishments inflicted were not only brutal but were illegal even by the standards of those days.
Twice I saw people knocked semi-conscious. I was once hit so hard around the head three times that I went home that evening to a house we had left two years previously and had no idea how to get home to our current house.
There was also, in my view, a sexual overtone to some of the sadism. We were just too naive to realise that.
As well as the negatives there was an almost complete lack of postives. By this I mean no realisation that adolescent boys may have had problems that needed support and counselling.
I well remember being berated for taking a day off when my Grandmother died. It would have been OK to take the day off for the funeral but it was unacceptable to need a day just to deal with grief.
I know the culture had two major paradoxical effects on me. I have absolutely no fear of violence (because it became a part of daily existence for 7 years), but, at the same time, I have total antipathy to any form of violence whether it be verbal or physical.
By the time I was 14 I had an ulcer and I attribute that almost entirely to the tension that each new schoolday brought.
I say, Paul Ware and I do seem to have upset Mr Romney. On one point, Simpson/Square's politics and hang-ups, there is agreement. Simpson did, in fact, seem to have had problems with those frightful people of the Semitic persuasion. Jock Lafferty mentioned once that the Head in question had declared in assembly that if there were any problems in the school there were usually a couple of Jewish names behind it. Jock then said he felt like getting up and hitting the man.
(Jock - if it's any consolation I have fond memories of your teaching me the poem Tam O'Shanter by Burns, and I have compered numerous Burns Night suppers reciting the Ode to the Haggis!)
Re getting rid of teachers, school governors and petitions may well have been another method of applying pressure. Note to Paul Ware - you live in the States, while Mr Romney, from his email address, appears to live in Canada. Nip over the border and sort him out, will you, Paul!
Finally, as for Mr Romney's comment on my lavatorial humour, I thought it more appropriate than going through Peter Fowler's essay line-by-line. I am always ready to discuss education, not least as my daily train journey (St Albans - Sutton) takes me through eight local authorities. In half of these, everyone is still waiting for the great social and intellectual transformation which the ending of grammar schools was supposed to produce.
Im my own reminiscences on this site, I do state that Harrow just about manages to get away with the changes of the 1970s. Grudging but at least an acknowledgement that something went right. The original risk was not worth it.
Michael.
A quick couple of points: the thing I wrote was flawed in one very real sense - the 'then' I was describing was very clearly not the same 'then' as those OG's experienced in the Age of Avery. In a way, therefore, I'm hoisted on my own petard, not having realised the obvious point that nothing stands still and HCS was clearly modified by the cultural changes of the period just after I left in 1963.
Second, of course there were good things at the school - some of the teaching I had (D'Arcy, Mees, Golland) was absolutely first rate and I have paid my tributes to these elsewhere; and some of the friends I made at school have proved lifelong and life enhancing.
What I objected to was the framework within which these good things happened - the militarism, the narrowness of the curriculum, the neo-fascism of the Head and his immediate acolytes and the easy acceptance of violence and sadism as a means of control.
Such things are still seen, in some quarters, as acceptable ways of educating the young. I am simply saying that I don't believe that; and that I would not want any of my children or my children's children to go through some of the experiences those of my age endured at HCS.
Complaining to "Roy" may have solved the problem of a psycho temp. teacher, but I had to laugh at Paul Ware's suggestion that complaining to Square would have solved the problem of Bigham. Haven't you been listening, Ware? Come up to the front, boy! Bend over. Square was close to being a fascist. (Thwack!) Bigham was his right-hand man in militarizing the school. (Thwack!) Square complained that masters weren't using the cane enough. (Thwack!) Bigham did. (Thwack!) Now go back to your place and sit on what I've told you.
Re Michael Schwartz's contribution: maybe Reger's critic was right, and Reger resorted to bathroom humour because he had no better argument. And maybe Mr. Schwartz recycles Reger's bathroom humour because he can think of no better argument.
Dave Bridle
Are you the Dave Bridle that went onto Radio Northwick Park as part of that famous duo "Chas & Dave" (no relation to 2 bearded cockneys" Assuming you are, do you still speak to anyone from RNP
Dave
I just thought I'd comment that Michael Portillo's defeat was a darn shame. He might have helped the Tory party become a less homophobic, racist, sexist, bigoted shambles.... and a former Harrow County boy doing that would have been a credit to man's ability to change.
When I spoke briefly to Mr Portillo on the Open Day, I asked him how well he remembered his schooldays. "Like they were yesterday", he replied with engaging honesty.
Perhaps the attitudes which I encountered at school - often homophobic, racist, sexist and deeply bigoted against anyone who was different - which Portillo himself might have remembered/taken part in, needed a man as big as him to have the courage and sense to try and put right for the young gay, black, asian, disabled vulnerable kids of the future (some of whom are no doubt walking round that building on Gayton Road today).
And on a brighter note... does anyone else from 1972 - 1977 want to get together some night with me, maybe Si Harris, and a few others who have "come out" the woodwork in recent years.
Be nice to hear from other gay Harrow County guys.... Michael P is welcome, of course!
"Bi..."
Sorry... "Bye"
I just got back from a weeks business trip (Chicago) to find 200 e-mails from Gaytonians plus dozens of new photos. It will take a while to digest this lot. So if you sent items in, please be patient!
Jeff
Enjoyed Paul Ware's contribution. In the late '40's/early '50's we had a Welsh Maths/Latin teacher called Morgan. When he left to return to Wales in - I suppose - summer of 1952, Simpson referred to him in Assembley as "of the old school." He also used to hit us, but was far from mad. His chosen weapon was a brass bound ruler and it would be wielded for inattention or to drive home Latin conjugations and declensions. It worked well for me and, not a notable academic, I came a surprising second in the School in O Level Latin. I have to say it bloody hurt, but I bore him no grudge because it was simply his method and he was a dedicated teacher who really cared that we learn.
Funny, this violence thing. There were few sadists among such masters - rather such violence as was used was an expression of incompetence or inadequacy. Does anyone remember a useless History teacher called Dixon? We baited him unmercifully and he was all swinging arms and flailing rulers - but I think we all felt we deserved what we got. he didn't last long; went to be a unuversity lecturer where his academic talents may have been put to better use.
It always seemed to me that a quick clip round the side of the head without malice was preferrable to the deferred and irrelevant process of lines and detentions - or even the occasional clunk on top of the head by Campbell's tin fist (another History teacher - he lost an arm in the war) although that really did hurt, probably more than he knew. It was over and done with and forgotten - none of the psychological bullying which a few teachers enjoyed and which, presumably, still exists - perhaps more now that striking pupils is legally prohibited.
And there were those, probably the majority, who never used any form of punishment. They simply commanded respect and attention by their own confidence, competence and ability ot retain interest. And if one erred the brief, or even unspoken, reproach was enough to bring one back into line. One thinks of Fooks, the Kings (both Whiffey and Killer), Crinson, Lane, Heafield, Heys - many others (including Simpson himself who was actually a superb teacher). These were all good teachers, but so were Morgan, Cob Webb and others.
No, there was unwarranted violence occasionally and it was reprehensible, but the routine, quick, mostly good-humoured, attention-getting cuff was just part of robust, ordinary teaching. No harm in that.
I read what Peter Fowler wrote on changes in education and society with some interest. However, due to what Roy Avery would doubtless have attributed to a very real lack of teamwork and school spirit, there was precious little mutual masturbation going on in the classrooms I frequented during 1965-72. In fact--no offense intended to my illustrious teachers--I don't frankly remember lessons as being exciting enough to occasion such behavior. Nevertheless, I think Peter does make some interesting points. But the teachers were not all bad, and neither was Avery. As a twelve year-old first-former, I went with a group of boys from 1K (Simon Benson, Dave Little and John Tygier amongst them) and complained to Roy about one of our teachers--a mad temporary Latin teacher called Mr. Jones--who was hitting us during classes. Jones disappeared that week. I venture to suggest that if enough boys had complained about Bigham he might have followed him.
Anyone interested in the subject might want to read an excellent book called "Changing Classes" by Professor Martin Packer of Duquesne University, which is written from firsthand observation and from--perhaps--a less polemical viewpoint. Martin, as some of you may know, was a contemporary of mine at Harrow County.
And for those of you who prefer something lighter, there's always MY book: go on, go and buy it! -pw
I would love to hear from any former colleagues who attended Harrow County between Sept 1970 and July 1975.
Regards
Simon
Thanks for posting the basketball photo Andy I couldn't remember what Chas McCarthey looked like with hair!
I have read and started to digest the thought-provoking article by Peter Fowler. My apoplexy and blood-pressure have now returned to normal. His professorship at Sussex suggests a debt to Harrow County perhaps greater than his lament would indicate.
I ran the article off in paper format. Immediately I was reminded of the retort given by the German composer Reger (1893-1916) to a hostile critic. "Sir", declared Reger, "I am sitting in the smallest room of the house with your criticisms in front of me. I shall soon put them behind me".
And then I thought index-linking would be a more suitable solution. So my response is index-linked to the mental frame-work of a standard Harrow County boy: I can't be bloody bothered to reply.
Yours in apathy
Michael.
I take it that Dennis Barker has been consulted on the "unknowns" in the photo of Scholarship VI, 1960-1, and has come up blank. The one in the front row reminds me of a youth called Leese, who was related to Lt.-Gen. Sir Oliver Leese, but I can't say for sure that it is he.
In the photo of CCF warrant officers, 1961-2, the third from the left, back row, is not identified. He is Roger Mercer, who so stoutly defended the US position in the Senior Debating Society's emergency debate on the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Tripped over this site entirely by accident about a month ago. I am now an obsessive reader of the guestbook. So many names from my dark and nasty past. Great to see Harry Mees is still with us.And Bernie Marchant - he fired my interest in languages back in the antideluvian days in A10.
I vote for Portillo!!
Further to Pete's reminiscences I remember that assembly well. The whole basketball squad were going up to be congratulated by J R Avery, who looked to greet them with his outstretched arm and plastic smile. As they turned the stairs each extended the arm and put on the smile as they walked across teh stage towards him. One of the last was Patel, and nobody was sure what he would do - but as he turned the corner, out came his arm - and the whole of year just fell about and clapped harder. brilliant moment. If I remember rightly Chas was known as Bowling Arm because he represented England at ten pin bowling. I remember him in the Maths set with Jim Now Lock Maddison - you were in that set and kept scawling garffiti on my book, Pete. Hi to you Andy, you used to play outside half with Ronnie Hulman at scrum half in the rugby team - but our year weren't all that good.
Steve
Peter, The master is Ken Stewart, demon bowler and batsman, played cricket for Ickenham and Middlesex 2nd XI ( I think ) Martin Flack PS Well done Andy!
Re. Andy Howe's names on the basketball photo, isn't the teacher a bloke called Stewart? First name Dave, I think, though that may be the guy out of the Eurythmics I'm thinking of.
Dwelling on the bowling arm for a moment, I'm sure I remember an Assembly when the Headmaster was handing out some medals fora local bowling tournament. Chas McCarthy and all the chaps in the team extended their arms for their handshake fully 20 metres before said congratulation actually occurred. I think it's the funniest thing I've ever seen.
Names of 1972/72 Basketball team (in new additions)are:
Front Row L-R: Danny Thomas, Dennis Higgins, Max Anglis, Keith Wilson, Chas (Bowling Arm)McCarthy.
Back Row L-R: Andy Howe, Carey Alleyne, John Young, Rick Griffiths.
Since posting my address for first time last week, great to hear from so many old boys. Busy composing a short version of my life to date, if only I could remember it all!! Will get back to all asap. ANDY
Paul, I was also at that Moral Rearmament evening -- though how or why, I have no idea. The young red-haired teacher that you remember was Keith Neil, who taught Biology. I thought at the time, and still do, that the whole thing was bizarre -- but Neil was a good Biology teacher (well, after Bigham I suppose anything would have looked good... but, no, he was good). It was in a large Victorian house in Wilton Crescent in the West End, and I remember the Nigerian Chief you mentioned -- I have no recollection of who else was there, however -- and generally the whole thing is a mystery to me! Thanks for dredging it out of my memory!
Pete Fowler: great essay ... (20 out of 25)!
It's Gregory Leary!
Further to Mike Schwartz's note of 13 july I can confirm the chap next to Tom Carne on the prefects pic is Leary junior. Can't remember his christian name but his elder brother, Steven, was in the same school year bracket as me 1963-1970. We were in the RAF cadets together and I can remember he and I scoring with the local talent at RAF Gaydon (I think it was) during one summer camp. Steven's particular mates at that time were Steven King and Gary Vergine. They were all at the same primary school as my wife (Jackie Moore) No not Priestmead this time but Cannon Lane.
What does Michael Portillo have in common with the late Bunny Austin? Not much, perhaps, although that would change if MP, having become Leader of the Opposition, should fail to make it into Number Ten. But the current Gaytonian Portillomania reminds me of a more prominent teen Thespian of the 1960s, Michael Armstrong, whose triumphs in The Critic and Volpone are recorded on this web site. And between Bunny Austin and Michael Armstrong there is a curious connection, which this web site has led me to discover.
Dr. A.R. Simpson was always keen to promote true religion. Sometimes he would invite a representative of the Gideon Society to address the school. One such visit coincided with my proposing the non-existence of God at the Senior Debating Society, and shortly afterwards I found myself assuring the headmaster that, No, I had not timed the debate to coincide with his guest's visit, of which I had been quite unaware. Other guests came from Moral Rearmament, and one of them was the former Wimbledon finalist.
About that time (ca. 1961) a new teacher had arrived who was a member of MRA. I can't remember his name, and I have only the faintest, and possibly inaccurate, recollection of his appearance: young, slender, pale, reddish-haired. I think he taught on the science side - perhaps Mathematics. One evening, a few of us accompanied him to the West End for an MRA function. Exactly who made up the group I can't remember. I'm pretty sure it included Michael Fulton and Clive Smith, and if so, can Geoff Woolf and Pete Fowler have been missing? I've no idea how the expedition came about, since none of us to my knowledge was in search of revelation - certainly not I, for, although long disenchanted with my native Judaism, I felt no need to replace it with any other system.
I remember little of that evening, except that one of our hosts was introduced to us as a Nigerian Chief (he later visited Harrow County too). Bunny Austin was not there, but after dinner we saw three moral playlets at the Westminster Theatre, then an MRA operation in which he and his actress wife, Phyllis Konstam, were closely involved. I think Ms. Konstam may have performed in them.
What does this have to do with Michael Armstrong, who I'm pretty sure was not with us on that occasion? Well, Mike crowned his teenage Thespian triumphs by winning a place at RADA, and from there his career seems to have taken him into the field of genre films. A Web search suggests that his chief claim to fame is as director of the torture classic Mark of the Devil (1970), a drama so gory (it is still banned in Britain) that barf bags were handed out to the audience. Perhaps it drew on his experiences at HCS. He also starred in a bawdy romp called Eskimo Nell (1975), currently available on DVD, and wrote the screenplay for The House of Long Shadows (1983), starring Peter Cushing. Now managing director of Armstrong Arts Ltd., he is currently producer of a distinctly pornographic version of Strindberg's Miss Julie in a "new translation" by Michael himself, which has lately been touring southern England.
And herein lies the connection between Michael Armstrong and Bunny Austin, for Mike's porno-Julie is about to open in London at that very Westminster Theatre where, 40 years ago, MRA exposed some of his school friends to improving drama.
Just seen the site for the first time and read Graham Leach. Enclosed initial response prrobably too long he the guestbook, but here goes ................
Education is the process of casting false pearls before real swine Irwin Edman (1896-1954)
I realised Harrow County had a web site when Jess Campbell, whom I hadn't seen since 1967, rang me and mentioned it. He rang because Clive (Sup) Upton has recently died of cancer, not long many years after Bruce Lidington had a fatal heart attack. I had thought, until then, I was the last of the Mohicans, but what do I find? Graham Leach, publishing his remiscences and including me in the honourable company of those "yobbo wearers of long hair, winklepicker shoes and tapered trousers", kindly attaching my name to a list I had always considered among the elite of the misfit brigade. It cheered me considerably, as Hut C is a mental condition from which I still proudly suffer.
But he also made a number of valid points about the nature of education in those days, and he made them far too gently. A brief personal history will support his argument, and show why my gratitude to HCS is profound but slightly ironic.
My first year of grammar school was in Spring Grove, in Hounslow. It was a mixed school (with real girls) who didn't stream until year two. After a long line of labourers and illiterate peasants, a Eustice was in a decent school and doing well. Very well. During that year my father left the army and had trouble adjusting to civilian life. A family of ten ended up in one room in a hostel in Ruislip and I travelled from there to school by tube every day. Despite this inconvenience, completing homework among the straphangers every morning because it was relatively quiet, I ended the year with a glowing report - a form captain who was also taking violin lessons and looking forward to learning Latin in year two, in the SA stream where he had been placed. Had I stayed, I could have turned into one of those tedious swots who rise from the swamps to a decent scholarship. But I was saved by moving to a council house in Harrow, and starting year two in HCS.
Here, of course, they had started Latin in year one. In this one aspect I was a year behind, and therefore a nuisance. The only logical place to go was the C stream, which housed those wicked souls who were so unpromising they had already given up Latin. One individual could not spoil the neat workings of an august institution so, at a single stroke, my ascent was interrupted and my attitude to education rendered rather more complex. I suppose my parents should have complained more loudly, but in those days the workers knew their place and were easily intimidated by the arguments of a be-gowned Dr. Simpson. So HCS was not inconvenienced.
I had already learned at primary school that teachers were not always right. Now knew they could be cynical, arrogant and downright bad for you. So I started to look more closely at their feet of clay and, of course, discovered sufficient faults to justify not taking most of them too seriously. Jock Lafferty and Jim Golland seemed civilised. The art department was harmless enough, and worth turning up to. But when other mugs were out getting muddy on rugby fields I preferred to hide in Hut C with a packet of Weights, a pack of cards and a sceptical enquiry as to the value of what we were being asked to believe in.
A few pleasant little pranks passed the time - smoking a pipe under the desk to see how long before the new teacher had to stop pretending he couldn't notice, wrapping a new deputy head's car in bows of toilet paper whilst he was escorting the mayor from our school play. Well worth a caning. But by the time I started repeating the fifth year, it seemed fairly pointless. So one idle day I wandered along Fleet Street, took an alley on the left, got a job in advertising and didn't go back. They didn't chase me.
Dropping out to hitch about Europe - initially with Bruce and Sup - I drifted for seven years through building sites, commercial art, garage forecourts, fashion industry - the usual sixties stuff. Then, a bored postman, went to evening classes for one year, straight into Sussex University and suddenly I was a graduate being vivaed for a first. So Further Education seemed to work where HCS didn't bother to try. Which is why, a masters and various professional certificates later, I am still working in it. Until last year, oddly enough, running a department of media and performing arts, which included the organisation of events for Brighton Festival -drama, dance, live music from around the world and our own record label. Using the talents Graham described as unappreciated by the dinasours. Now - more ironic still - as Executive Director of Student Support it is my job to make sure all lecturers in the college make due allowance for the backgrounds and learning styles of the individual students, and that those with talent are fairly treated by the system.
It was whilst I was bury redrafting the tutorial system and the charter of students' rights, expounding the principles of "inclusive learning", that I came across Graham's article and realised that, one way and another, HCS had determined my trajectory over four decades. I am writing this now to support Graham's comments, and to encourage him with the notion that, as a fellow socialist so rightly said - we are the master now. And Hut C rules, OK?
I hope HCS has learned many lessons since then. If it hasn't, then the yobbos will be back to ask questions. And this time they mean business.
Paul (Bernie) Eustice.
That was fascinating - glad to see Harry Mees still hale and hearty. I was at school from 1957 - 64 - lots of bad memories as well as good but I still talk about it (much to the annoyance of my wife and benigh amusement of children). Does anyone know what happened to the Pavillion Fund - the 6d a week job which had to collect £25,000 because Square did not want a standard council building. The money would be worth a million or so by now. I'm glad to see some of the more decent masters still alive - I remember the joy I felt when I read years ago in the Harrow Observer of trhe death of Bigham (always the most overtly anti-semetic sadist) and of Square (a man who could never come to terms with his myopia).
Information on the fund very welcome. I still keep in touch with some boys from the 1957 intake such as Peter Shearlock (now a share tipster) and Colin Wilson, I also saw John Humphreys a few years ago - he's in insurance. I work for the Guardian.
Nice to find the site, very interesting. I was at HCSfrom 1945 t0 1949.
There's more regarding Mr Loberman's pix.
The Szymakowski note was a suggestion for front row first left in form 1N.
The hockey team masquerading as basketball has Mr Hayes as teacher in residence (he introduced hockey to the school in 1971-2). First left back row is Andrew Smith (wonder if he is still a fellow Watford supporter).
Prefect pic. Third row next to Mash is Mark Blazek. Between Glazebrook and Reid is John Braude (heard him on the radio, once. I think he freelanced with the Times). Immediately left of Carne may be Leary. The pic of Strauch looks authentic he took over from Richard Salter as the most popular pupil at HCS - kept getting death threats from the Samaritans). Between Anderson and Sheinwald is Simon Gardner, a Latinist from Plymouth.
Leon Loberman's 1N photo. The boy to the left of Leon may be Rockall. The boy to the right of Mr Davis may be McKee. There was a boy called Szymakowski, who is renowned for obtaining zero in English Lit/Lang before disappearing. The other chap who disappeared was Jackson - but he escaped to Harrow School!
I actually played in the Bartered Bride known as the Battered Bride. I think I led it too. This was shortly after I had been appointed to the Staff. i remember there was a spectacular cut in the overture with some amazing key change Rachelle Goldberg
"BEHIND THE SCENES" REUNION (Clarification of earlier announcement)
As part of the celebrations of Harrow County's 90th Birthday, it is proposed
to hold a reunion of people who worked "BEHIND THE SCENES" on theatrical
productions at the school - FROM 1911 TO THE PRESENT.
This year also marks the special anniversaries of some memorable
productions:
- 40th Anniversary of The Critic in 1961, in which Harry Mees sank the
entire Spanish Armada with fire ships.
- 30th Anniversary of Hamlet in 1971, with its large set and accompanying
complex lighting.
- 30th Anniversary of The Bartered Bride in 1971, with a full orchestra
which included both Alistair Muir and Jim Maddison from backstage.
The invitation is extended not only to the obvious stage, lights, sound, props, and
costumes people - but also to those who performed many of the "less glamorous"
roles of Front-of-House, Ticketing, Marketing and any other role I haven't thought of.
Masters are very welcome - as are all the girls of course - who meet the above criteria.
It doesn't matter if your involvement was before the New Hall was built either - or if you
are doing it today, provided you can put up with a 'chin-wag' about back stage
reminiscences.
To allow time for the word to get around, it is proposed to hold the event one weekend in early December (or possibly late November) - to be confirmed once the school has agreed a few dates acceptable to them. These dates will be announced as soon as possible to enable a choice to be made by those who have expressed an interest (but there will be only one event).
If you are interested in attending, please drop me an email as soon as possible. If you have any bright ideas for a theme for the event, then please include this also. Current plan is to have a fairly relaxed affair on or around the stage area, with some sort of buffet, and tours of the school for those interested - and include partners (if they can be dragged in screaming!)
Please pass on to anyone you think might be interested, as it is better that they hear about it more than once than not at all. If you are in touch with any of the masters who looked after the stage over the years - Harry Mees, Norman Tyrwhitt, Jim Maddison to name but three - can you please make a special effort to let them know (or let me know how to contact them)?
Peter "Mini" Vincent
my cadet role number was 983......having a stammer,answering on parade to 'whats your number boy'.......was difficult nnnnnnnnnnnine eeeeeeeeeeeeeight ththththreeeee ssssssrrrr, actually it was all difficult french orals and speaking in class a nightmare...some sympathetic teachers Don Kincaid and Mr Burt. Ironically after Art college went into teaching,a mistake but not a trace of a stammer
Great site, I got the address from John Neighbour and Rick Griffiths. Intake of 1969.
I've got some old rugby team photos and probably some Chrisents stuff. I'll have to go round my parents house and rifle through the loft. I will pass on anything I find.
Would be great to hear from any of the reprobates from around that time. 1969-1976
Johnny Chernett....seem to remember(in 1969-70)it was you, Dick Philps and Neil Phipps inspiring me to learn to play table tennis. I think the masters were Deakin & O'Donaghue? I carried on playing in leagues until about 5 years ago!
Mike Bergquist 69-75
Johnny Chernett - we certainly did spend some time together - how about the charity walk from Amersham to Northwood - and Dave Hantman and Johnny Gershon were on that too I think....
As for getting arrested at Alconbury, I wasn't there but I seem to recall it was John Gershon as well - and maybe Howie Weisbaum
I also remember the table tennis team - I was secretary for a while (not good enough to play for the school!!!) - playing in the Old Hall and also travelling to away games like Salvatorian.
Drop me line, John!!!!
You can spot me in 1965 1K form photo
Like a bolt from the blue I was contacted by John Tygier a memory from the past. He passed on this web address and I have just spent 2 hours down memory lane. Shocked to hear that Phil Saktregar had died and excited to see names of friends like Dave Little and Johny Gershon. Dave Phil and I had many an excursion to Harrow on the Hill. Richard (Dick) Philps and I played table tennis English Schools. Leon Loberman ...didn't we spend some days together. Funny how I remember faces but not sure what relationship took place... Dave Blann and i kept contact for awhile last seen married with two children living in Brighton, graphic design I think. Thank you John for putting me in touch. I remember Dave Hantmann -Preston road youth club. Ginger into plane spotting did we do the spotting together? who was with me at Alconbury when we got arrested for crossing a line?
Hope these rantings trigger some more memories.
Really is quite strange how memories comeback. Seeing the photographs of the pupil officers of the cadet corps in 1964 sent a shiver of horror and revulsion down my spine...note the peaked caps at jaunty rather threatening angle....note how by Mr Averys time that a softer more sympathetic officer figure had emerged.......i hated the cadets....was one of the first to object and leave...preceded by Edward Lucas i think.. This was organised bullying Those who took part should be ashamed. Generations of pupils who blotted Harrow County from their minds. Odd how the web site is compelling and addictive. I am searching for answers.
"BEHIND THE SCENES" REUNION - 30th ANNIVERSARY OF HAMLET
Not only is it the 90th Birthday of Harrow County, but also the 30th Anniversary of the production of Hamlet - which is more than enough to justify a special celebration!
It is therefore proposed to hold a reunion of people who worked "BEHIND THE SCENES" on theatrical productions at the school - 1911 TO THE PRESENT.
The invitation is extended not only to the obvious stage, lights, sound, props, and costumes people - but also to those who performed many of the "less glamorous" roles of Front-of-House, Ticketing, Marketing and any other role I haven't thought of. Masters are very welcome - as are all the girls of course - who meet the above criteria. It doesn't matter if your involvement was before the New Hall was built either - or if you are doing it today, provided you can put up with a 'chin-wag' about back stage reminiscences.
To allow time for the word to get around, it is proposed to hold the event one weekend in early December (or possibly late November) - to be confirmed once the school has agreed a few dates acceptable to them. These dates will be announced as soon as possible to enable a choice to be made by those who have expressed an interest (but there will be only one event).
If you are interested in attending, please drop me an email as soon as possible. If you have any bright ideas for a theme for the event, then please include this also. Current plan is to have a fairly relaxed affair on or around the stage area, with some sort of buffet, and tours of the school for those interested - and include partners (if they can be dragged in screaming!)
Please pass on to anyone you think might be interested, as it is better that they hear about it more than once than not at all. If you are in touch with any of the masters who looked after the stage over the years - Harry Mees, Norman Tyrwhitt, Jim Maddison to name but three - can you please make a special effort to let them know (or let me know how to contact them)?
Peter "Mini" Vincent
To follow on from my previous mail,iv,e read some of the site since,and it seems that Phil Saktreger has died ,can this be?Ilast saw him at a mutual friend,s birthday a couple of years back and he seemed as full on as usual,if any one has further information please e mail me as i am pretty shocked by this news.Phil was one of the best things i remember at school ,always good for a laugh ,never any thing else but,as he remained every time i bumped into him.The secret of his and Dave Little,s Art A level exam will be an abiding memory of my personal history of the school. As to the photo of 2b in 1965,the names that i can add are as follows,back row 2nd from right,Ken Weaver ,complete header comedian disruptive expert spitmeister and spent a lot of time slashing blazers with a razor.5th from right John?Hopkins(Hoppy),lived in N.Harrow,Ithink his dad was in the police. Middle row,4th from right,Michael Rigby,he and i were the only two entrants from Greenhill Primary in 1964 .I dont think he ever spoke to me after a few weeks at H.C.I believe that the boy 1st on the left in this row is called Dave Tomsett but i could be mistaken Bottom row,surely that is Geoff Perkins 3rd from right? As for the photo of 2c the same year i believe that it is Pete Gladdy not Dave,and it is Steve Bloom who was not hard just totally pissed off Steve where are you?? I,ll write again with good,bad,funny,and not so funny memories as well as various thoughts another time. a
hello,thanks for the jumbo reminder,thankfully i probably weigh less now than i did when Don Kincaid gave me the nickname in my first ever French lesson.I certainly remember a few more names from the photo of 2B 1964.I,ll sort through the memories and e mail again.I,m still in fairly regular contact with "Podge" Peter Farr,Neil Mckillop,Steve Bellis, Simon Gorgin,Phil Saktreger.I quite often see Clive A Anderson and Dave Burt in Harrow.Strangely when i lived in Bristol in the late eighties I bumped into Joe Avery in a bookshop ,he affected an air of ignorance and ignored me ,however I also met Mike Chadwick who at that time was running a succesful record distribution business.Sadly,I met my first desk companion from 1k Tony Todd as well in Bristol at about the same time . Tony had at that time been unwell for some time and through our re-newed friendship he came to rely heavily on me. Unfortunately he was admitted to hospital which I'm afraid is the last time that I saw him. Excellent to see old photographs and remember a few old friends I will e-mail with information about names to faces soon.
I've now set up a message book on the Harrow County Scouts site. All 4th-related reminiscences gratefully received. Follow the link on Jeffrey's site. JG
I fear I shall not be able to attend the meeting of the aircraft-spotters (past and present judging by the aeronautical pattern of their careers) in Whitehall next week.
For all this, the gun barrels of my model tank collection and the standards of my Byzantine wargames army will dip in tribute.
Of the two model-shops in Harrow, Seymours is no more, as the site has relatively recently been demolished, while the main model shop moved from St Ann's Road to the corner of Bonnersfield Lane/Station Road some years ago. When I last went there, the same gentleman, Mr Arthur Cross, was still in charge! Whatever you wanted, it was always going to be in on Friday.
Enjoy the reunion and chocks away!
Memories of a School Euphonium
My recollection of a school concert in 1967 (on my reminiscences page) provoked an interesting response:
[Jeffrey Maynard] About the euphonium (which is, incidentally, a SMALL tuba, not a big one). I was the school's Euphonium player. Sometime in the mid 60s I discovered a bent, mangled and blackened euphonium on the top shelf in the room at the back of the music room. Mr. Haley said that it was broken and useless - all the valves were stuck. I took it home, cleaned it and (with help from my father's cousins who had a plating and instrument repair business) got it working again. I played it in various groups for the Xmas Ents, occasionally in the school orchestra, and developed a personal attachment to the thing until I had to give it back on leaving school in 1969. It resided for most of this time in my bedroom at home and would be transported to school on the bus (it had no case) and occasionally carried to class, to the amusement of everyone. I remember that Mr. O'Donoghue was interested in it and had a go at playing it. I saw Arthur Haley in January and he told me that he remembered how badly I played it, but that at the time he did not have the heart to stop me as I had got it repaired. Therefore I am wondering what Ventura was doing playing MY Euphonium in 1967? Or is my memory playing tricks on me?
[Peter Vincent] My recollection is of David in short trousers when we did this, so I assumed was end of 1st year. However, I also have a feeling that it was later on - as I remember being in the laughing audience for several such events before Arthur talked me into appearing in this one! Further thought is that at end of 1st year the cackling audience would have included my brother Nick - which I would definitely have avoided - and he didn't leave school until exam time 1970. So it is quite possible my memory of timing is muddled - but there WAS definitely a concert with David on the euphonium (it seemed big!) and me on the piano. And yes, I do recall that it was a rather beaten affair and I am pretty sure it belonged to the school. Maybe it was 3-4 form, in which case would have been 69 or 70. Where is David to clarify things when you need him? I wonder - David and I didn't see much of each other academically after the 1st form as we were in different streams - but we DID join up in the lights staff together at the start of 1969, and I used to entertain the others in the evenings before performances on the piano (including "Vincent's Unfinished Concerto" consisting of every closing excerpt I could think up which I had forgotten about until just now). So maybe this gave David the idea to rope me in and provide moral support... so it might have been the Christmas concert of that year or end of term 1970? I will check if my brother remembers it or not, which might give a clue...
[Jeffrey Maynard] I'll change the date on the page to 1969/70. (And where is MY Euphonium now?)
[Peter Vincent] - Thinks... "yes here it is" says a current teacher and hands over a bent, mangled and blackened euphonium from the top shelf in the room at the back of the music room!
Reading through Min Vincent's stage staff memories I seem to recall that the virtuoso rendering of the William Tell Overture arranged for cheeks was performed by Bruce Boyd- it was his party piece and the volume was quite remarkable...
Tony - the Gaytonian 1956 (see elsewhere on the site) has the following quote, which suggests the channel swimmer wasn't Col. Bigham as you recollect? However I stand corrected and impressed if you are right after all!
"Mr. R. Millard, the School Swimming Instructor, was defeated by the weather in his attempt to swim the Channel. The worst conditions for many years, prolonged over several weeks, made it a hopeless venture. Mr. Millard intends to make a later attempt."
Peter Vincent
Dear Jeff, What a great surprise to see my name on the little screen! I was a pupil @ H.C.G.S. from 1956-1963. Ido clearly remember Mike Harrison as a Leicester supporter.Never mind Mike! Perhaps you should have followed Arsenal like me. I can also recall the tragic loss of Graham since I and a few lads were following. Some other names I recall were Peter Ward who formed a twin strike force with me on the soccer field. Several pupils used to play Rugby and Soccer on Weekends.I also achieved Senior School Sports Champion in 1961/2? I am now refereeing Rugby in H.K. where I've lived since 1990. I left U.K. in 1980 and have yet to decide where to retire!!! I digress-other pupils who I recall are 2 good pals - John Reeves/Tony Hughes/Dave Hawkins/Roger Swinburn /Fred(he didn,t like that so he changed it!) Morgan/Pete Nichols etc. If I think of any more I,ll send them. I was recently priviledged to meet Roger Glover -base guitarist of Deep Purple who did aone night gig touring Asia Pacific /Australia. I last met Roger in 1963 so it was nice to exchange some memories of old Masters and Pupils! Teachers~ Messrs. Underwood,Venner ,Waller (Latin) Major Bingham who swam the English Channel I recall! "Sparky" Rawlinson-who got teased rotten by some pupils. As a result of my schooling there I am proud to be where I am today. Those were good times and I would love to hear from any /all of the aforementioned or other lads from that era. Kindly advise if/when a reunion is planned.Time and circumstances permitting I would try to attend.Thanks to a colleague here ,I feel a piece of life's jigsaw has been put in place. I am most grateful for your efforts.Well Done. P.S. If anyone is passing through HK please ask them to contact me prior to arrival. With Best Regards. Tony Arkey MORE ANON!!
Quite a shock to the system. Finding the site, more or less by chance, I couldn't believe my eyes, at first. For me it was both the best and the worst of times. But in some ways I have fond memories of the school and the 4th Harrow rover crew.
Hi Glad to see the site I was at HCS from 1974 to 1978 Good to see something put together to keep the history of the school alive. Shame I didn't know there was a 90th birthday celebration.
I was referred to this site by Chris Bradshaw, and facinating reading it makes. I haven't had opportunity to trawl through all of the anecdotes but two of my favourites are the times we played football with those silly perforated plastic balls, and one of our players managed to smash the window of Morry Venn's classroom.
Moments later he was standing in the middle of outer quad, shouting those immortal words'YOU BOY-IN THE GREEN BLAZER!' 50 boys called back innocently 'what-me sir!?'
The other was the April Fool when every form was advised that assembly was to be held in the tiny History Room(A10) I think, instead of the Hall. It was great watching 900 boys all trying to get into the smallest room in the school.
Best wishes for a brilliant site
got your address from Brian Hester whom I met today. will put something together for the reminiscences (?) slot. great web-site, thanks.
Memories of Reggie Goff
I can't remember where I saw the description of Reggie's expertise with throwing a blackboard rubber at you, but I remember the time when he had an even better idea....
We were in the old Lecture "Theatre", B17 was it?, in Circa 1970 and he gave the culprit his blackboard rubber and told him to throw it up and down the corridor until told to stop. Several minutes of suitable noises coming from outside, as our lesson continued... Finished by the sound of a door opening and the voice of a furious master "THAT BOY!" - WHACK! Does Anyone else remember this subtle form of punishment?
Peter Vincent
In response to Keith Alexandre's note about teachers caning, I recently spoke to a former HCS Master who lives not far from me (and who shall remain namesless!), and he recounted a meeting with 'Square', where the latter told him, "There's not enough caning Mr ******". "Well some of us feel we don't have to cane the boys Sir" was the reply, "we usually speak to them, or their parents".
Clearly not all staff shared the same view, even in my day. I got the cane three times, the first (three strokes) for throwing a paper dart across the room. And that was 1982!