Name: TIM RICHARDS
Email: timrichards3atf2s.com
Years_at_school: 1942-1947
Date: 30 Dec 2007
Time: 10:15:07
Form5A1947 - I am the x in the back row between Davis and Constable. would like to hear from anyone in the Form -particularly john kutchera who I think went to South Africa - any news of him would be great
Name: Paul Ware
Email: paul_wareatoxydotcom
Years_at_school: 1965-72
Date: 29 Dec 2007
Time: 11:52:04
Anybody have any idea what happened to David George Little, once of Kingsbury and the creator of the immortal "Hot Pig" graffito? Happy New Year, y'all.
Name: Callum Kerr
Email: ckerr at a-cap.com
Years_at_school: 1970-77
Date: 28 Dec 2007
Time: 01:44:55
Season greetings to all who are browsing! Lets hope the pace picks up a bit in the New Year, its been a quiet few months in the guestbook. Callum
Name: Alex Bateman
Email: via Jeff
Years_at_school: 1980 - 84
Date: 21 Dec 2007
Time: 10:40:13
May I take this opportunity to wish all visitors to this site, (especially Gayts and members of the Old Gaytonians Association) a very happy Christmas and New Year (or happy holidays if you prefer). Thank you also to all those who have contacted me this year with items for the archives, magazine and generally to keep in touch, it really has been appreciated. Its been an up and down year, and I have certainly appreciated the words of support, but I hope it will be back to business as usual in 2008 with an active archive, and an Association magazine in the spring.
Name: Jeff Maynard
Email: jeffrey at jeffreymaynard.com
Years_at_school: 1962-69
Date: 15 Dec 2007
Time: 18:45:39
We have a large batch of new photographs from the later Gayton High School years now on this site. They have been scanned from the Gaytonian Archives by Alex Bateman, our archivist. If you were at school during the Gayton High years, particularly the late 1980s and early 1990s, please take a look. The problem is that the photographs were not labelled and we need to know years, classes and names!
http://www.jeffreymaynard.com/Harrow_County/unidentifiedGayton4.htm
Name: suneel sood
Email: oktober2363ataol.com
Years_at_school: 1976-1980
Date: 03 Dec 2007
Time: 20:04:08
Hi looking to hear from anybody in Form 1e-4e in the above years. Also any members of the school rugby or cricket teams
Name: Alan Thompson
Email: pushticat at shaw.ca
Years_at_school: 1944-51
Date: 03 Dec 2007
Time: 17:51:00
>>Anyone know where Roy Moodie is?<< Max,I exchanged a few emails relating to the deaths of the Norman twins some years ago.At that time he had retired from his teaching job at Exeter University but was still doing consulting work.Perhaps the closure of the Chemistry Department had something to do with it.I can't tell you more I'm afraid but I know he *did* peruse this website occasionally.
Name: Ian Lindsey
Email: ianpjlindseyatyahoo.co.uk
Years_at_school: 1949 to 1955
Date: 25 Nov 2007
Time: 10:31:23
Brilliant
Name: Robert Birke
Email: rbirkeatkegs.co.uk
Years_at_school: 1958-65
Date: 19 Nov 2007
Time: 10:08:43
This is a great find! I have just been to a sixtieth birthday party of a girl. I was at university with her she & her brothers were members of the rugby fraternity & there were lots of Old Boys there.
Name: Brian Hester
Email: bhester at cogeco.ca
Years_at_school: 1940-47
Date: 17 Nov 2007
Time: 17:38:41
My initial reaction was one of shock when I read that there is in Scotland a Comrie Development group bent on preserving the place. For a time in the formative years of my youth I worked in coal mine of the same name in West Fife. The place displayed no redeeming feature that I would care to see perpetuated so am glad for once to have been confused.
Name: Brian Hester
Email: bhesteratcogeco.ca
Years_at_school: 1940-47
Date: 17 Nov 2007
Time: 17:33:33
My initial reaction was one of shock when I read the news that there is a Comrie Development Trust in Scotland bent on preserving the place. I was simply confused for the moment. In my formative years I spent time working in a coal mine of the name in West Fife. The place had no redeeming features worthy of preservation so am glad to know it is the other Comrie that is being preserved.
Name: Daniel Szechi
Email: szechi at mindspring.com
Years_at_school: 1970-1975
Date: 17 Nov 2007
Time: 12:53:45
Interesting to see how some folks turned out. Wonder what happened to the others?
Name: Trish Withey
Email: trishwitheyatmsn.com
Years_at_school:
Date: 17 Nov 2007
Time: 03:34:03
I am the editor of the Comrie website (www.comrie.org.uk) and a member of the Comrie Development Trust. We have recently purchased Cultybraggan Camp on behalf of the village under the Land Reform Act, and are currently working on a business plan for the development of the site including how to preserve and use several of the Nissan huts for future generations. I enjoyed the information on the CCF Camp at Cultybraggan, 1958.from your website and would like permission to recreate parts of it on the Comrie website. I would also like to ask if any of your members have any further reminiscences and photographs that we can use. We are looking for funding for a researcher to develop a history of the site to help us formulate our plans for its future, and I know that any information from your Old Gaytonians network would be greatly appreciated.
Name: graham leach
Email: alex bateman knows it!
Years_at_school: 1959 - 1967
Date: 10 Nov 2007
Time: 11:03:24
To echo Mick's recent comment - if I can help with a contribution to secure the archive - let me know regards Graham
Name: Rev Andy Kelso
Email: andykelsoatblueyonder.co.uk
Years_at_school: 1975-1983
Date: 09 Nov 2007
Time: 04:42:23
Was thrilled to read that I was an inspiration to some in the Drama field and also because of my Christian faith.Excellent website.
Name: David Wilson
Email: dachwilson at hotmail.com
Years_at_school: '80 - '83
Date: 08 Nov 2007
Time: 00:34:03
Interesting to see the notice about the Rememberence commemoration. Glad that this still happens - but for those of us living too far away to ever return for it, it would be good to hear more about what form it takes these days. If I remember correctly it included the reading out of the names of those old boys who had died in the armed forces, we all then walked past the war memorial with cadets forming an honour guard.(Am I right Alex?) Does this still happen today?
Name: Dennis Orme
Email: dennis_orme at msn.com
Years_at_school: 1967 - 75
Date: 01 Nov 2007
Time: 12:25:48
Article from today's Harrow Observer concerning the old Harrow County Girls site. "Harrow College is putting its two campuses up for sale to raise funds for a new building in the town centre. The sites, in Brookshill (the old Harrow Weald Grammar) and Lowlands Road are now on the market and will be available for developers from the summer of 2011. The college hopes the money raised, combined with a grant from the Learning and Skills Council, will allow it to open its One Harrow campus by Harrow on the Hill station in September 2011. Plans have already been drawn up for the new premises which will be built adjacent to the current campus on part of the recreation ground in Lowlands Road. Plans due to be published on November 11th are expected to show there will be no long term loss of open space." The article goes on to day the most likely use for the old site would be housing which would raise the most money. Elsewhere in the Harrow Observer are plans to completely demolish Whitmore High School (the old Lascelles) and build a new school on the site.
Name: Tony Ansell
Email: progambleratwinonsports.com
Years_at_school: 1958-1965
Date: 30 Oct 2007
Time: 05:17:15
I just came across the only daiary I ever kept - 1963 - the year I became 16. I thought I share some masters' quotes with you: On high heel stiletto shoes " They're doing the equivalent damage of an elephant " - KING "Can I speak please, after all i'm supposed to be the master" - LEFTY WRIGHT On leather jackets: " I think I used to describe these things as mackintoshes worn by third class Swedish travellers" - SQUARE On House Sections: " First I shall give them a fairy tale say Noddy or Big Ears. Its got to have a moral of course, like someone who wore woodpecker shoes. I think the world's gone mad honestly. It'll have a motto - It's grand to be alive - it must be full of inverted snobbery like the school song" - BUTCH I remember one wonderful master, Gerry Lafferty. I can see that numerous other pupils who were lucky enough to be taught English by him felt as I did. He brought the subject alive for me and though my interests were in Maths and Science he made more difference to my appreciation of the written word than any other person before or since. Very best wishes to all the survivors! Tony Ansell
Name: Phil Chesterman
Email: philconnieatshaw.ca
Years_at_school: 1946-1951
Date: 29 Oct 2007
Time: 22:29:01
The proposal to move the archives as referred to by Chris Rickwood and Geoff Spring...does "that room" mean where the school orchestra scratched and wallowed in rehearsal under the auspices of George Thorn? I was the lone cellist and later the lone bassist competing with all those Woolworths violins to be the most discordant. It was also the hide-out for those who refused to join Simpson's army. George was a pleasant but benign chap in those days. It seems he became a bit of a sadist later. "Change-of-Life" perhaps or just male menopause?
Name: Chris Rickwood
Email: Write word 'at' in full to avoid spam,eg 'Square at abc.co.uk'
Years_at_school:
Date: 25 Oct 2007
Time: 16:01:22
We spent the first night of our honeymoon at the Kings Head. When we decided to return years later on an Anniversary it was a Social Services Hostel. As to moving the archives to George Thorn's old office, I'm not sure I'm in favour, considering the number of times I was caned in that office (One term I only missed three days!)
Name: youyoo
Email: Write word 'at' in full to avoid spam,eg 'Square at abc.co.uk'
Years_at_school: none to young
Date: 25 Oct 2007
Time: 08:10:06
great
Name: Geoff Spring
Email: geoff.spring at btinternet.com
Years_at_school: 1952 to 1959
Date: 25 Oct 2007
Time: 04:15:53
To answer concerns being raised re the Archive. The OGA Excutive is working with the School to relocate the Archive. Currently,a suggestion that the room at the top of the staircase above the clock (Study Centre or Deputy Head Masters room) would be suitable, is being investigated by the School. The OGA has offered to fund decoration and racking the room. It is hoped the room would be available by March 2009.Geoff Spring Association Secretary OGA
Name: Geoff Spring
Email: geoff.spring at btinternet.com
Years_at_school: 1952 to 1959
Date: 25 Oct 2007
Time: 04:15:53
To answer concerns being raised re the Archive. The OGA Excutive is working with the School to relocate the Archive. Currently,a suggestion that the room at the top of the staircase above the clock (Study Centre or Deputy Head Masters room) would be suitable, is being investigated by the School. The OGA has offered to fund decoration and racking the room. It is hoped the room would be available by March 2009.Geoff Spring Association Secretary OGA
Name: Alex Maddocks
Email: maddocks at pdq.net
Years_at_school:
Date: 23 Oct 2007
Time: 09:07:20
Hello, I'm looking for any information on a Harrow student. R. E. Austin (was in form Vb in 1928). He won the prize for English on Speech Day, March 9, 1928 and was awarded a prize book by Headmaster Randall Williams which was presented by Ramsay Mcdonald, MP (not yet PM).
Name: Paul Romney
Email: Write word 'at' in full to avoid spam,eg 'Square at abc.co.uk'
Years_at_school: 1956-63
Date: 18 Oct 2007
Time: 11:42:39
Mike Boggis: You can eat a chocolate teapot--not so an inaccessible archive. Tell me more: is it filled or empty? The teapot I mean.
Name: David Jackson
Email: david at jack-son dot co dot uk
Years_at_school: 59-64
Date: 18 Oct 2007
Time: 01:34:53
I second what my old friend and fellow n'er-do-well, Mick, has said so eloquently concerning the importance of the archives. Perhaps we could all contribute half a crown a week, towards any alterations that might be deemed necessary. We could call it The Archive Fund....
Name: Mick Boggis
Email: mickb at gotadsl.co.uk
Years_at_school: 1958-94
Date: 17 Oct 2007
Time: 14:05:52
Like many, I only manage to visit this site every now and then, and read the guestbook "to catch up with the goss". So may I add my regrets to those of others in the matter of Alex Bateman's tribulations and my concern as to he future of the HCS Archive. Alex has put a fantastic amount of work into collecting and organising the Archive, and thoroughly deserves everyone's gratitude. Having seen what has been gathered together, I don't think it's too far-fetched to describe it as a museum of 20th century secondary education, and in particular of post-war State Grammar school education. I won't let this posting degenerate into a diatribe about current H&S legislation (which it quite easily could); suffice to sya, I'm sadly unsurprised - this seems to be sort of nonsense we all to have put with nowadays. I welcome Alex's assurance the Archive is "safe". However, an archive that no one get access is about as much use as a chocolate teapot, so I really do hope the current situation can be resolved. My personal belief is that the Archive should remain in the school buildings if at all possible - it is its rightful and spiritual home. I endorse what has been said elsewhere about trying to see what needs to be done to overcome the current H&S objections, and if this necessitates expenditure, I would certainly write a contributory cheque. If this isn't a good cause, I don't know what is. Alex, make sure you keep us all informed as to events; I will try to check the guestbook out a bit more often! Mick Boggis
Name: Martin Flack
Email: martinflackatblueyonderdotcodotuk
Years_at_school:
Date: 15 Oct 2007
Time: 21:41:33
Yeah! - Happy Birthday for yesterday Colin - there is a celebratory picture of you on the West London Rugby World Cup blog - for 'Le Parisien'. Anyone interested (Yes, it's shameless plug time!) can find your photo among abject (il)literary rubbish here: http: two forward slashes leparisienblogs.typepad.fr forward slash rugby6 forward slash
Name: Alex Bateman
Email: via Jeff
Years_at_school: 1980 - 84
Date: 15 Oct 2007
Time: 12:51:34
Hello Colin, and Happy Birthday! Have just got a new computer but havent yet got all my email addresses in!
Name: Colin Dickins
Email: colin.dickins at blueyonder.co.uk
Years_at_school: 1947-53
Date: 15 Oct 2007
Time: 03:41:11
Time someone said something. Last entry comes up as 26th September - the longest gap I can remember. I noted Deborah Roberts's enquiry at the time and should perhaps have responded. I knew Cardew very well, having played cricket and tennis with him for (with) the Old Gayts. Different generations, but we shared a special affection and regard for our former English master, Beaky Fooks, and drove down to the Cotswolds together to share in his 100th birthday celebrations. I edited the OG magazine for the best bart of 20 years and Eric Sillick emerged to make contact. A lovely man; we met him in 1988 when the OGRFC toured Canada. Correspondence dried up a few years later and I concluded he was ailing or gone - then suddenly the Guestbook entry. I responded to that, but heard nothing back and letters to his Don Mills address have not been replied to or returned. I note that the website hit count has regressed slightly from the striking quarter million+ of the Summer. Can you reconstitute the numbers, Jeff?
Name: Deborah Roberts
Email: deb at Motherofweasels.com
Years_at_school:
Date: 26 Sep 2007
Time: 08:56:31
Hallo, I was trawling through your Old Gaytonian website. I was looking for evidence of my dad "Bert" Roberts and found him! I new that he was friends the actor Cardew Robinson and that they had been in a minor wartime documentary together and that they had been friends at school. They were at the school roughly 29-33. I found a Mr. Eric Sillick was looking for my dad. I presume that Eric may be gone as his e-mail address is no longer valid. These entries were for 2002. At any rate my dad -Bob Roberts as we knew him-died on July 25, 1993 in Vancouver British Columbia. He and my mother whom he married on September 15,1939, emigrated to Canada in August of 1957 with there then seven children and then had me in November of 1958.
Name: Steve Mulliner
Email: Write word 'at' in full to avoid spam,eg 'Square at abc.co.uk'
Years_at_school: 68 - 73
Date: 21 Sep 2007
Time: 00:56:36
I know my memory is failing me, but wasn't it the Castle towards teh top of the hill where we used to frequent end of term lunch times? (A veritable number of blazers in the school cloakrooms, waiting for their owners to stagger back). I seem to remember getting smashed on Fullers ESB - but there again, long time beer abuse may have taken its toll on the grey matter
Name: Clive A Pigram
Email: clive.pigram at tesco.net
Years_at_school: 1950-1957
Date: 17 Sep 2007
Time: 07:33:35
Further to comments about the Kings Head. The beginning of the end came when Truman, Hanbury and Buxton decided to offload the pub. Hitherto it had been known as their flagship pub but falling trade and a shift in their direction of business led to the sale. Some will remember the Men Only Bar inside the main entrance to the right. Traditionally fathers of boys at the Public School would take their sons there when they reached "drinking age" for their first legal drink. About thirty years ago some "women's libbers" took over the bar and refused to leave. Shortly after the bar lost its special raison-d'etre. The original pub also had a dedicated masonic meeting room which was also lost after the sale as was the pub's reputation as the natural venue for wedding receptions after a service in St Mary's. A sad loss.
Name: Dennis Orme
Email: dennis_orme at msn.com
Years_at_school: 1967 - 75
Date: 17 Sep 2007
Time: 06:22:37
Kings Head. From what I recall, this closed because it wasn't being particularly well run which was why is became unpopular end eventually closed. It is one of a number of pubs that have closed in the Harrow area in recent years. The Timber Carriage at the bottom of the hill has recently been demolished to make way for flats. The Railway in Hatch End, a former haunt of the Old Gayts Athletic Club, has been replaced by flats and a small Tesco. The Rayners is now boarded up but planning permission for rebuilding has been refused. These former pub sites are quite large and attractive for redevelopment. Meanwhile, new pubs have opened up in shop units (e.g. Wetherspoons) which are much smaller, easily available and usually don't have their own car parks.
Name: Ray Parnell
Email: parnellATpobox.com
Years_at_school: 67-74
Date: 16 Sep 2007
Time: 03:14:37
I remember being taught Geography in B8 by Phil Clarke in the late 60's, though the most memorable event tended to be watching the passage of probably one of the last steam trains to travel along the line between Northwick Park and Harrow on the Hill. (No, I didn't become a train spotter.) B7, the Tech Room up a short flight of steps at the end of the corridor was the domain of Richard Tufnell in the same era. I seem to recall the room being split in two, with Tech Drawing being taught in the front part, while the back was a workshop area - a smaller version of the one under the archway where Herbie Collins, Jack Warwick, and his dog spent their time. The only two things I can recall making were a small hammer with a plastic coated handle, and a steam turbine made from a cocoa tin with the turbine blades cut from a circle of tin. Surprisingly, the turbine worked better than the hammer. (I didn't become an engineer either though.) Continuing the B-corridor reminiscences, did the small room at the opposite end of the corridor (next to Bigham's B12 haunt have a number? It was the Stationery Store in 1967, but in later years became 'Benjy' Bunting's shop - though why any schoolboy between the ages of 11 and 18 would need to buy a frying pan at lunchtime was something I have yet to work out. And did anyone other than Hugh Skillen ever use B4, the 'Language Laboratory'?
Name: Brian Hester
Email: bhester at cogeco.ca
Years_at_school: 1940-7
Date: 14 Sep 2007
Time: 14:24:40
I was interested to see the photograph taken in what was the prefects room. How it was changed from what I recall when it was the kitchen. Groceries and hot meals were sent up and down to all floors by means of a dumb waiter including to the dining rooms that occupied the two rooms at the top of the stairs opposite the clock. Overflow dining was accommodated at tables set up in the lower corridor (of the basement) next to what we knew as the 'new physics lab'. The ultimate dare devil deed was to climb up and down the shaft when it was not in use. I suppose the entries to the shaft must have been covered over at some time.
Name: Michael Schwartz
Email: greekmultilingualatyahoo.co.uk'
Years_at_school: 1965-1972
Date: 14 Sep 2007
Time: 04:43:26
Nick Cohen - are you the individual who threw a bag of chips over some woman who was arguing with you on the 186 bus? That's what Malcolm Rosenblatt said. Go on, own up! Michael.
Name: Clive A Pigram
Email: clive.pigram at tesco.net
Years_at_school: 1950-1957
Date: 13 Sep 2007
Time: 15:15:26
The Kings Head PH on Harrow Hill ceased to exist long ago. For the last two or three years it has been undergoing a major conversion along with it's neighbours and is now part of a fairly expensive block of apartments.
Name: Peter Fowler
Email: p_fowler at ntlworld.com
Years_at_school: 56/63
Date: 13 Sep 2007
Time: 12:27:05
The Tech room at the end of the corridor was, in my day, Harry Webb's hide-out. Don't know what number it had. The sequence along (there was only one side) started with B8, followed by the Library (probably B9 and B10), followed by B11 (which was an A6Science class in my day - fits with the Lefty Wright thing) and then followed by The Nightmare In the Corner (B12 presumably) where The Colonel did his dastardly things.
Name: Bill Harrison
Email: bill.harrison-at-btinternet.com
Years_at_school: 1961-68
Date: 13 Sep 2007
Time: 12:05:25
Adding to the nostalgia & amnesia about B8 etc. this room was above the archway and occupied by one of the 6th form science classes in the mid 60s. Also on that corridor, not mentioned by others, was an Applied Mathematic room that was the haunt of "Lefty" Wright. I am sure that was B11. I do not recall B9 or B10 so maybe those were the Library. Also I would like to suggest that the "spade with a spiral twist in the handle and an eyelet and ring at the other end" was actually a boot scraper. I still have mine and very useful it is too. Bill Harrison
Name: Type your name here
Email: Write word 'at' in full to avoid spam,eg 'Square at abc.co.uk'
Years_at_school:
Date: 13 Sep 2007
Time: 09:52:47
An on-line search for "'King's Head' Harrow" unearthed an article posted on the Harrow Borough web site, dated about five weeks ago, on buildings-at-risk in Harrow. It speaks of the King's Head as still existing and evidently expects it to continue to exist. It does not indicate that it is still dispensing Old Peculier, though.
Name: Callum Kerr
Email: ckerr at a-cap.co.bw
Years_at_school: 1970-77
Date: 13 Sep 2007
Time: 03:24:53
Thanks for the swift feedback guys!! I think my query on the class room on B corridor was not well worded, but I think has been answered by Stephen Frost. B8 was probably the classroom at the top of the stairs - I just could not (still cannot, actually) recall the "tech" room at the end of the corridor. Obviously it must have been there and is now converted to more conventional classrooms. Puzzle solved. Nice to hear from Martin Kingdon - demon fast bowler I recall (did you ever play "seriously"?)- my son is very keen on the sport that I had no aptitude or interest in. Tom, we only stopped in London for one night on the way out so I didnt get in touch before-hand as our time was very fully occupied - hopefully no offence!! As for the King's Head, I had feared the worst as trawling and googling through assorted web-sites searching for the place as a possible stop-over (why not force down a pint of draft Old Peculiar, strictly for old times sake!), had given no results. Unfortunately I cannot say what has happened exactly, for a number of reasons..1. I was driving a hire car through the narrow street over the Hill on a pretty tight scedule; 2. I would have been hard pushed to tell you where it was supposed to be, so was desperately searching for reminders (my visits had always been nocturnal and approached by a different route on foot) 3. departures were obviously under slightly handicapped powers of observation; 4. there is a huge metal sign saying King's Head Hotel in the middle of the little green, but no sign of the actual hostelry (as far as my rapidly rotating head could take in). I trust, therefore that my conclusion is correct - maybe one of the Harrow residents can confirm its demise. If so can we organise a wake? ALso the 140 bus doesnt even go along its old route - the 114 has taken half the route now. Is nothing sacred? Callum
Name: Peter Fowler
Email: p_fowler at ntlworld.com
Years_at_school: 56/63
Date: 12 Sep 2007
Time: 15:09:02
Let's imagine you walk out of the hall balcony...you turn left, and, after the down stairs, B8 is the first on your right. Or, if you come up the staircase, you turn right and B8 is the first on your right. It's very close to the staircase. In my day (same as Paul, we were in the same year), this was the room for A6Arts. It was in that room, Paul, where we were pilloried by The Doctor for daring to publish 'The Seeker', our small attempt to attack the HCS Establishment; it was in that room where we laughed ourselves silly looking down on the playground where the CCF were marching and saw Michael Armstrong - who became a Film Director - marching as a 16 year old with the 11 year olds, so useless was he in the Cadet Force; and it was in that room where we built a pyramid of LP covers by American blues artists on the teacher's desk to give the 'General Studies' teacher an indicator of what we thought of General Studies. And it was in that room where David Griffiths, a polio victim with only one functional arm, beat anyone at the B8 version of Table Tennis - played, on the teacher's desk, with books for bats.
Name: Martin Kingdon
Email: martin at SheridanConsulting.co.uk
Years_at_school: 1970-75
Date: 12 Sep 2007
Time: 04:32:54
Good to see comments from a few people of my vintage, particularly Tom and Callum who shared the 140 bus ride to school with me. Re having a blackboard duster thrown at me by Mr Haines when in 1W, it wasn't my fault, it was Mitch Malone.
Name: Stephen Frost
Email: sfrost at bia.co.th
Years_at_school: 1963 - 1970
Date: 11 Sep 2007
Time: 23:36:57
Re Callum and Paul's comments: there were two tech rooms, one accessed from the Archway by a short flights of steps, and one directly above it, with its entrance at the end of the B corridor. My 1A of 1963 timetable records that our twice weekly tech periods were both in B7, though from memory these classes were both in the ground floor room (I remember making a metal spade with a spiral twist in the handle and an eyelet and ring at the other end). I don't think I ever had a class in the upper room. The lecture theatre was B6. I think that B9 - B11 were classrooms. B12 was the biology lab and to its right was the stationary storeroom. Was the upper room B8? The Library, did not, I think, have a number. It was directly opposite the two entrances to the Balcony. It was our form room in A6A during 1969-70. regards Stephen Frost (1963-70)
Name: nick cohen
Email: cohennick at mac.com
Years_at_school: 1969 - 1974
Date: 11 Sep 2007
Time: 15:47:53
Would sincerely like to make contact with old classmates from 1W, 2D, 3D, 4D, 5L
Name: Tom Dennington
Email: Dennington at bt internet . com
Years_at_school: 1970 -1977
Date: 11 Sep 2007
Time: 08:21:59
Callum, I thought there was a classroom to the left at the top of the stairs and the library was on the right with the Biology labs next to the library which were B12 and B13. Distant memory says it was something like B14 or B15 but could be wrong. It was where we had Geography in the first year at Harrow County with a guy called Haines, I think. My only memory is of him throwing a blackboard duster at Martin Kingdon during an early lesson there. Tom
Name: Paul Romney
Email: paulromney03 at aim dot eallyefaithful
Years_at_school: 1956-63
Date: 10 Sep 2007
Time: 12:26:01
Yes, Pete: Old Gaytonian it is. But the piano was donated by that plurality - nay, multitude - of Old Gaytonians which comprises the OGS. But what about Callum Kerr's allusion to the classroom over the archway. Wasn't that, or else an adjacent room, our A6Arts form room? Does anyone recall the end-of-term rumpus day when some bad citizen dangled a noose containing a large block of cigarette packets (empty, no doubt) out of the window to be swiftly pounded pinata-style into its elements by the mob below? Truth to tell, I'm struggling to keep a stiff upper lip over the appalling news that the King's Head is no more. I lived just round the corner for several years and still remember my first and last pint of Old Peculier there some time in the 1980s. What on earth did they do to the place, and why? Wasn't it some sort of heritage building? Rambling on in practice for my old age, I recall circa 1980 there was a (post-)graduate student at the University of Toronto who was researching the brewing industry in Victorian England. His research had taken him far afield, and he returned to Canada spouting the virtues of an ale I'd never heard of called Theakston's Old Peculier. Then, a couple of years later, I found myself in Baltimore, where my wife-to-be had moved, and lo! I found bottles of the stuff in our local liquor store. So far had globalization progressed even then.... But it tasted better on tap at the King's Head.
Name: Peter Fowler
Email: p_fowler at ntlworld.com
Years_at_school: 56/63
Date: 10 Sep 2007
Time: 05:53:45
I refuse to concede that one, Paul - isn't the magazine called The Old Gaytonian? (ie singular). If not, I apologise and the joke's a good one.
Name: Callum Kerr
Email: ckerr at a-cap.co.bw
Years_at_school: 1970-77
Date: 10 Sep 2007
Time: 05:06:17
Just a little note on a recent visit to the old school - my first in over 20 years I think. I took my wife and kids {12 and 6} to show them around, and was very cordially treated by the staff preparing for the beginning of this term the following day. I came away with mixed feelings - a number of corridors and classrooms no longer exist, but so much is recognisable. The number of fire doors I suppose must be commended, but I would hate to see the congestion at ends of lessons! It was sad to see the organ gone and scholarship boards gone, and the cadet huts replaced by a smart new block very well merged into the old school - it confused me for a fair bit! Where do the kids go to skive-off now - no old toilet block, no cadet huts.... and the "Big Brother" security cards that can track movements through doors....no fun! One aspect that springs to mind as I write this is what do the students do at break? In my day it was football in the inner quad or between the field - dining room and the main school. Today the inner quad seems to be a "quiet zone" and the outer area a car park! The field is almost totally gone - but are the all-weather surfaces used informally? Youngsters with no-where to run off all that energy will surely be a bit more "difficult" in class {and less fit!}. From comments made {by the almost appallingly young staff - I am getting old} it appears that the school is indeed doing very well academically now. Things have changed so much, and I am far removed from the UK system these days, so who can tell. Seem to be successful youngsters coming out of the "education system" so it can't all be bad. Anyway I was impressed over-all, and am glad to hear the local council are continuing to provide significant funding to improve further.The blue colour scheme is I think an improvement on the grey-green we had. Seems like the Head has got a keen and proficient team, and that is all that we could ask for, I think. One puzzle I did come away with, was what used to be above the old metalwork -woodwork rooms - over the archway on old B corridor. I remember one classroom there, but cannot for the life of me remember any more. B6 was the old lecture theatre, so I suppose B7, B8, B9 and B10 had to be somewhere past the New Hall balcony! Now it goes through to the old janitor's flat which is now a relaxed "resource" room - with outside balcony no less! {and cocktails at 4:30 perhaps?} One major moan is not school related, but horrified to find the King's Head pub on the Hill has gone - Old Peculiar in the basement real-ale bar was a weekly ritual {when it hadn't been closed by Health people}. Anyway we are back in Africa, preparing to send our oldest to boarding school in South Africa, that will be an interesting experience for me to compare and contrast. I suspect I shall feel somewhat familiar with the standards and values experienced {or at least expected} at HCS. Is there any value in thinking about a "virtual tour" of the school for distant Old Boys to see the place now? Well done Alex for all your hard work and efforts over the years - highly appreciated by many. Any news of Colonel Venn these days? Callum
Name: Laurence Lando
Email: Write word 'at' in full to avoid spam,eg 'Square at abc.co.uk'
Years_at_school: 1957-64
Date: 07 Sep 2007
Time: 10:10:21
Jeff, may I also add my congratulations to the success of this website. Indeed in one way, it is the true repository of archive material. One that is readily accesible by so many pupils of HCS and all its following guises. Laurence
Name: Jeff Maynard
Email: jeffrey at jeffreymaynard.com
Years_at_school: 1962-69
Date: 07 Sep 2007
Time: 07:38:20
About two weeks after starting this website, in September 2000, I was startled to receive an email from the late Jim Golland, my one-time A-level English teacher, with suggested English corrections. It was very polite - he made suggestions and did not say "this is wrong". I imagine that he is up there somewhere noting the grammatical and other errors! Thanks to Michael for his kind remarks. However, the hits were made by you all, not by me. This website started seven years ago with three pages and a photograph and it has grown thanks to hundreds of participants who have written their recollections, sent in over a thousand photographs and scans of school memorabilia, sent in identifications of the the faces in the photographs and contributed to this guest book.
Name: Michael Schwartz
Email: greekmultilingualatyahoo.co.uk
Years_at_school: 1965-1972
Date: 07 Sep 2007
Time: 07:27:06
I, Dr A R Simpson, commonly known as ARS, do hereby declare that the number of hits cast on the Harrow County website were as follows: Maynard, Jeffrey (Webmaster Par Excellence) A quarter of a million Schwartz, Michael (Total Reactionary, Bring Back Harrow County Now) 1911 (geddit?) Fowler, Pete (Red Revolution) 1917 (geddit!!!?) Lando, Laurence (I Hate Everyone After 1975) nul points. And I declare the said Jeffery Maynard the recipient of one enormous debt of gratitude from all of us.
Name: Colin Dickins
Email: colin.dickins at blueyonder.co.uk
Years_at_school: 1947-53
Date: 07 Sep 2007
Time: 02:48:22
How is it possible, Paul Romney, that you could call an error in punctuation a grammatical error? (But well spotted, I concede.)
Name: Paul Romney
Email: Write word 'at' in full to avoid spam,eg 'Square at abc.co.uk'
Years_at_school:
Date: 06 Sep 2007
Time: 13:22:22
How is it possible, Pete Fowler, that your comment on the plaque contains a grammatical error?
Name: Brenda Crowcroft
Email: b.crowcroftattalk21.com
Years_at_school: none
Date: 06 Sep 2007
Time: 11:44:23
I am the daughter of Harry Gannicott wh0 entered the school in 1925 at the age of 12. He always spoke very fondly of his time there although not in great detail. The one thing that I do remember is that before his voice broke, he used to sing 'Oh for the wings of a dove' with the choir Wish I could have heard it.
Name: Alex Bateman
Email: via Jeff
Years_at_school: 1980 - 84
Date: 06 Sep 2007
Time: 09:06:56
I have been in touch with the people who supplied the plaque and a replacement will be supplied, with correct spelling! It just goes to show, when I have so much OGA work on my shoulders something has to give! So does anyone feel like helping to lighten the load? Peter?
Name: Alex Bateman
Email: via Jeff
Years_at_school: 1980 - 84
Date: 05 Sep 2007
Time: 11:24:10
To Peter Fowler - I cant believe I didnt spot that, either at the time or in the resulting photos! You will note however that in the next of the newsletter it is spelt correctly! My only excuse is that it was collected in a tearing hurry and delivered in the same manner! I shall get on to it!
Name: Steve Fogden
Email: foggyindoorsatbtinternet.com
Years_at_school: 1976-80
Date: 05 Sep 2007
Time: 11:05:22
Hi everyone, i would like to join in with the Margaret Zammit fan club if i may? She was one of the best teachers i have been lucky enough to be taught by. Yes, i will admit she was strict and easily controlled the class, (something a lot of teachers find very difficult these days) but always gave you all the help you needed, especially if you showed promise or a flair for the language. She is up there with the likes of Peter Cowburn, Garth Ratcliffe and Angela Doublet as teachers who made their lessons something above the normal, and kept us all interested. I have seen many Google hits for the name Margaret Zammit, most of these being on Maltese websites, but who knows if any of them are her? I have recently come back from a family holiday in Spain, and thought of her every time i tried to converse with the natives in my poor attempt at ' Spanglish'. John i wish you luck in finding her, and hope you are well, and Debby (Green) says hello. Best wishes. Steve.
Name: Ian Gawn
Email: ianashgroaveat dsl.pipex.com
Years_at_school: 1955-62
Date: 05 Sep 2007
Time: 06:09:22
Many thanks to Bob Garratt for organising the "Year of 62" dinner at the Reform Club last night. It was a most enjoyable evening spoiled for me only by Southwest Trains substituting a bus for the train between Southampton and Brockenhurst. I must be geting old, because I used not to have a problem with doing a days work after getting to bed at 0130! Regards to all Ian Gawn
Name: Peter Fowler
Email: p_fowler at ntlworld.com
Years_at_school: 56/63
Date: 05 Sep 2007
Time: 04:20:44
How is it possible, given our collective experience and history...how is it even conceivable that the Plaque installed in the present school to denote the Old Gaytonian's donation of a piano contains an elementary spelling mistake? ('to aid the developement of music...')?
Name: David Wilson
Email: dachwilson at hotmail.com
Years_at_school: '80 - '83
Date: 04 Sep 2007
Time: 06:34:47
Alex, even though not many people liked her - you have to admit she could keep control of a class! She was one of the few teachers of our vintage who could (in my experience) command the instant respect of a class - & my class needed some controlling! As opposed to a teacher like Lesley Duke who was reduced to tears on a number of occasions by the class' total lack of obedience - requiring John Cavanagh to come down from his art room cupboard to read us the riot act!
Name: Alex Bateman
Email: via Jeff
Years_at_school: 1980 - 84
Date: 03 Sep 2007
Time: 01:57:45
John, you mean you actually liked her?! I dont think the staff even felt that way! I'll ask a couple of the staff who were there at the time but I think she returned to Spain and has not kept contact. I couldn't stand her myself, 5ft 1" of self importance! Got me the cane for play fighting with my mate!
Name: John Woodage
Email: jawoodageatyahoo.co.uk
Years_at_school: 1976 to 1980
Date: 02 Sep 2007
Time: 03:30:22
Hello everyone - please help if you can ! I am desperately trying to make contact with an ex teacher of mine at the school - her name is (or was) Miss Zammit. She was my form tutor and Spanish teacher and she had a huge influence on my life. If anyone out there can help i would appreciate it immensely , i have been trying to cotact her for years but without success. I look forward to hearing from you , thank you John Woodage
Name: Richard Buckley
Email: rbuckleyatspaceplanner.co.uk
Years_at_school: 1959-64
Date: 31 Aug 2007
Time: 04:25:21
I am sorry to have to report that Harry Mees is in hospital. I went to see him this morning but I'm afraid he was somewhat confused and not entirely with it. If anyone wants to send him a note or a card, the address is Windrush Ward, Cirencester Hospital, Tetbury Road, Cirencester GL7 1UY.
Name: Robert Easting
Email: Robert.Eastingatvuw.ac.nz
Years_at_school: 1963-65
Date: 26 Aug 2007
Time: 21:18:44
Photo Prefects September 1964, identifications: back row 5th from left (as looking at the photo) Easting; 6th from left Kraushaar (very sad to hear news of his death--I enjoyed running with him and listening to the music of Gustav Holst); 5th from right Whitcher
Name: Dennis Orme
Email: dennis_orme at msn dot com
Years_at_school: 1967-75
Date: 25 Aug 2007
Time: 12:46:09
Archives: Just caught up with the debate having been away. A good deal of the material is printed or written so surely it can be copied digitally if only for the sake of having a backup. Some items especially class and team photos are already on this web site. How much is there not digitised and what effort would it take to copy it? Also, I guess there may be more than one copy of some items (e.g. Gaytonian, Enquiry, Cadet magazines) which perhaps should be in a secondary archive at some other location.
Name: Peter Fowler
Email: p_fowler at ntlworld.com
Years_at_school: 56/63
Date: 24 Aug 2007
Time: 16:02:11
Yes, sorry, Paul - 'twas me. I've got fed up with this 'comments' box turning down anything I've done because I've left a 'white space' or something that I simply assumed that it wouldn't be accepted
Name: Max Parish
Email: parish870.btinternet.com
Years_at_school: 1945-1949
Date: 24 Aug 2007
Time: 08:22:57
Anyone know where Roy Moodie is?
Name: Type your name here
Email: Write word 'at' in full to avoid spam,eg 'Square at abc.co.uk'
Years_at_school:
Date: 24 Aug 2007
Time: 03:41:37
Colonel Vic Senior's obituary appeared in today's (24th August) Daily Telegraph. Michael.
Name: Paul Romney
Email: paulromney03 at aim dot eintothegardenmaud
Years_at_school: 1956-63
Date: 23 Aug 2007
Time: 16:43:47
Shocked! shocked!! to hear about Winnie and Elvis. Of course, we didn't learn about Churchill in my day, but he wasn't dead then. Interesting to think that Elvis only survived him by twelve years (according to Wikipedia, anyway: I realize that for some he lives still). I hope the curriculum notices Presley's efforts to have our own dear Beatles (John, at least) thrown out of the US. As to Anon's (I suspect Prof. Fowler's) exam question, it is university level and as such inappropriate to this forum. It is good to hear from Alex Bateman that the Archive is in expert custody and reasonably healthy storage. I was an archivist myself once, and one of the things I did was rescue records from leaky basements and damp garages. Do our resources extend to acid-free boxes? Definitely a worthwhile investment, if funds are available.
Name: Chris Rickwood
Email:
Years_at_school:
Date: 23 Aug 2007
Time: 10:49:49
Just looked at GCSE results on BBC website (I'm in Canada so a little out of touch with UK education) 98% pass rate! Please, someone tell me that is a misprint.
Name: Michael Schwartz
Email: greekmultilingualatyahoo.co.uk
Years_at_school:
Date: 23 Aug 2007
Time: 09:20:42
Paul - my step-daughter's excuse is that Elvis died eight years before she was born. As for A15, I seem to remember that this was the small room allocated to Bernard. It would have been the one with the magnificent map of the Roman Empire on it. I don't know how detailed the course on Elvis actually was, but his private life involved voyeurism, to the extent that he - "CUT!" I hear the webmaster cry. Let it pass. Michael.
Name: Type your name here
Email: Write word 'at' in full to avoid spam,eg 'Square at abc.co.uk'
Years_at_school:
Date: 23 Aug 2007
Time: 06:37:40
Laurence and Michael: looking at the world we live in, and the way it has evolved, was Winston Churchill or Elvis Presley the more important figure? You may laugh, but I believe it's a close call.
Name: paul Phillips
Email: paulatbrianpaul.co.uk
Years_at_school: 1971-75
Date: 23 Aug 2007
Time: 05:24:43
Michael - Standards slipping somewhat. Churchill might not be on the curriculum but your step daugher DID Elvis Presley? Is this an admission of guilt or will you be required to attend A15 for some additional English lessons. best wishes to you PAUL
Name: Dave Buckley (53-61)
Email: davdi dot jasma at tiscali dot co dot uk
Years_at_school:
Date: 21 Aug 2007
Time: 11:41:57
I have been following the various messages concerning the archives. A little while after the archive was set-up, I assisted Alex with regard to the sound and video tapes he came across - the sound tapes now being available either as clips on this website, or as CDs. (And after the last reunion, I arranged for him to view the films shot by the late Hugh Skillen).
Even though I now live North of the Border rather than just round the corner in Harrow, I was aware early on of the problems that were being encountered with access to the archives. And as soon as I heard that the two gnomes 'elf and safety were being given as reasons, then my blood pressure really took off! I am fed up with organisations 'hiding' behind such legislation particularly considering the uses the room has had over the years. What's the difference now as against then?
Anyway, one suggestion I did make to Alex is to approach the local museum at Headstone Manor, as I know they have some extra storage space just along the road into the museum complex. However, here's another possibility - what about approaching THE Harrow School? It is well known that they have a successful archive section and possibly they may be willing to take the OGA archives as well. Just a thought.
Name: Michael Schwartz
Email: greekmultilingualatyahoo.co.uk
Years_at_school: 1965-1972
Date: 21 Aug 2007
Time: 08:47:59
Laurence (Lando) - you wrote: "I am told they don't even learn about Churchill in history, but there I go back to my old stamping ground." As part of her history GCSE, my step-daughter did Elvis Presley. Is that alright? Michael.
Name: Laurene Lando
Email: Write word 'at' in full to avoid spam,eg 'Square at abc.co.uk'
Years_at_school: 1957-64
Date: 21 Aug 2007
Time: 07:36:26
I am delighted that the subject of the archive has generated so much positive thought. May I respectfully suggest that the present site is NOT the correct place to house the collection. If for no other reason that it infringes the DDA for anyone wanting to view or study the items, who is disabled. The site of storage of the archive is happenstance and cannot have been selected by logic.
Laurence
Name: Philip Levi
Email: pjlevi at andorra.ad
Years_at_school: 1959-1961
Date: 21 Aug 2007
Time: 04:55:36
I
share the concerns of recent contributors regarding the future storage and,
equally important, access to the archives. However, I agree with Alex that
the present location in the former prefects' common room is one of the most
secure and appropriate places for them to be located, having regard to the main
risks to any museum or to archival material, namely fire, vandalism and theft.
I also believe that, for so long as we are fortunate enough to have a Head
Teacher at the school who is supportive of encouraging the preservation of the
20th century history of education at Harrow County School, Gayton High School
and the Harrow High School in the premises of the present school then we have a
strong basis for supporting the retention of the archives on the school premises
and, preferably, where they are presently located.
The sole problem therefore seems to be one of access and the obvious need to
comply with current Health and Safety legislation. It is my understanding
that this is all to do with access and, more importantly, emergency exits in the
event of a fire or the room becoming filled with smoke. I do not believe
it is to do with the construction materials, nor the condition of the walls,
floor or ceiling which are all sound and, as far as I am aware, not in need of
repair.
Apart from the windows at the front of the building, there are 3 exits.
The spiral staircase - similar to many emergency exits and loft extension access
facilities in many other buildings - is solidly constructed in what I assume is
fire resistant if not fireproof metal but admittedly narrow and it would only
allow a few people to exit by that means in a hurry. I assume this is the main
health and safety objection - the speed of evacuation. However, there is
also an exit via a window onto the school flat roof and another exit via a wall
panel near the floor which goes down into what used to be the staff toilets
which in turn give access I assume to what was the staff room and then to the
main corridor although I do not know of the present use of these rooms.
I do not understand the health and safety objections to a room with three exits
available for use in an emergency, however, I am sure there is one or the
problem would not have arisen in the first place.
What I wish to ask is could we not ask precisely what enhancements would be
required to enable the room to comply with current legislation? For
example, would we need to build an external emergency ladder or staircase down
from the flat roof to the ground or would we need to build a staircase into the
staff room toilets? Surely a Health and Safety Officer could be called in
- at the OGA's expense if necessary - to give constructive advice, rather than
merely to say that it does not comply with current legislation in its present
condition?
If it is necessary to restrict the number of people using the room at any one
time to two, three or four people then I think that would be an acceptable
condition for its continued use.
However, I believe we need to research the cost of complying with the
legislation and, with the full support and encouragement which I believe would
be forthcoming from the present Head Teacher, I believe the OGA could then,
within reason, raise whatever funds are needed (with or without lottery funding
as has already been suggested) to make such structural alterations as are needed
to comply with fire regulations and health and safety regulations. These
costs could then be compared with the inconvenience and risk of damage and
probable loss of future security if the collection was moved to another location
elsewhere which would be inappropriate and severely restrict the convenience of
access by the present School's pupils and staff and also old boys and historians
in general.
As a final point, if the above action does not produce a positive result then I
would like to think that there is at least one lawyer or barrister amongst the
OGA membership with the necessary expertise in Health and Safety matters, to
give us legal advice, hopefully at least initially on a voluntary basis, to
launch an appeal or an Application for Judicial Review against any adverse
decision if he is of the opinion that there are legal grounds for so doing.
The National importance of the preservation of these archives cannot be
understated and preservation alone is not enough, there must be a legal right
for secure and safe access to the archives, to enable the archivist to add to
and to maintain them, for visitors by appointment to take copies of or to
electronically scan printed material, in situ, obviously controlled in such a
way as to prevent unreasonable interference with the work of the school.
Alex has done a huge job over all these years. Please now, those of you
with professional legal knowledge and experience in this area of Health and
Safety I beg of you, please step forward and do something to help ensure that
all of Alex's efforts are not wasted. It is of course of some comfort to
know that his work is secure, but it is access which he and all of us need, if
only to maintain the flow of material that is sent electronically across the
pond to Jeff Maynard and eventually is made available on this web site for the
world to see without even setting foot in the archive room itself.
Name: Alex Bateman
Email: via Jeff
Years_at_school: 1980 - 84
Date: 20 Aug 2007
Time: 15:06:14
Re the archives. May I stress to all that the archives are safe in their current home. The room is fireproofed, and of course the school itself is locked and alarmed, so from the security aspect, it is a good place to keep it. There is also no charge to us. The question arose from the H&S issue, and the access in and out, especially in an emergency. Regardless of what we all think, H&S, and indeed the school have rules which we must abide by, and I am happy to do so. I say the future of the archive is uncertain, and by this I mean that I have had no word as to the long term future, not that it is being disposed of. The OGA decision to effectively close the archive was temporary and more to do with the fact that certain aspects, such as my access had yet to be confirmed.
There are two main reasons for keeping the archive, the first is naturally to maintain the history of the school, and in turn the OGA not least as it is really the only tangible part). The second and more important, is to use it. There is no point in collecting material only to have it boxed up, unseen. I do put on displays in the school, and as Jeff mentions, the current pupils are very interested. I am also a member of the nationwide School Archivists Group, and have had some training in conservation and archive management, something unknown to most. So I can assure you, there is a lot more to it than just finding spaces for some boxes! There is no great reason to panic at the moment. But I reiterate the call from Jeff to consider joining the OGA. Your subs help to fund the archive, and to purchase new items, and material from it often makes up a fair proportion of the magazine (which is fantastic by the way, I know the Editor and he wont mind my saying!).
Name: Jeff Maynard
Email: jeffrey at jeffreymaynard.com
Years_at_school: 1962-69
Date: 20 Aug 2007
Time: 10:53:05
The late Jim Golland told me that the Pavilion Fund money was eventually used (by Roy Avery, I think) to buy other things for the school. So it presumably was spent. Perhaps there is an ex-member of staff who can verify this.
Name: Chris Rickwood
Email:
Years_at_school:
Date: 20 Aug 2007
Time: 10:01:00
There have been a lot jokes about the Pavilion Fund. But it really is a serious question. That money was, presumably, in an account somewhere. There don't seem to be any recollections about disposal of those funds when the project died.
Is there a dormant account somewhere? Would we be able to access those funds in relation to the archives? Don't the major banks maintain databases of dormant accounts and isn't there a way of searching?
Name: Jeff Maynard
Email: jeffrey at jeffreymaynard.com
Years_at_school: 1962-69
Date: 20 Aug 2007
Time: 09:29:07
Lawrence and others - please bear in mind that the current and recent past students of the school seem to be as interested as we are. I get constant emails asking if we have photographs of class X 1996 or of recent sports teams. I get emails asking me "did the school have a swimming pool and where is it?". The Gaytonian facebook group has also started to grow - if you have a facebook account please join. So while I agree that we have to solve the problem of a good safe home for the archives, and I agree with Lawrence that we may have to raise some money to do so, I also think that we need the school to support it.
Name: Laurence Lando
Email: Write word 'at' in full to avoid spam,eg 'Square at abc.co.uk'
Years_at_school: 1957-64
Date: 20 Aug 2007
Time: 09:11:03
Archives: - As many of you have told me, bluntly at times, the present school
bears no resemblance to the HCS of beloved memory. I will not rehearse my
opinion of the present school, as this is not pertinent to the issue in
question.
The archives need a physical home, that is safe and drier than most garages or
my summer house! It also needs a 'keeper', and if Alex is willing to take the
job, then we have a resident expert.
Now comes the hard bit - finance. The music funds are locked-up, but what of
other dormant funds, eg the pavillion fund. Perhaps the V&A may have an idea
of where funds may be acquired, or can we put a bid in for lottery money?
The one place the archives should NOT be is where they are actually are
situated. They mean nothing to most of the present staff and pupils. I am told
they don't even learn about Churchill in history, but there I go back to my old
stamping ground.
So, we need ideas and funds. The latter must support a site and the ongoing
maintenance & running expenses, and yes I will put my cheque book where my
mouth is! Will you?
Laurence
Name: David Wilson
Email: dachwilson at hotmail.com
Years_at_school: '80-'83
Date: 20 Aug 2007
Time: 00:10:38
Although not a member of the OGA - but a regular reader here - I was horrified to read Alex's note regarding the OGA decision to 'Close the archive'.
Now I realise that there will be more to it than Alex's one liner - but it reads as a very high handed way to treat someone who has put an exceptional amount of effort into creating this historical gem.
Alex - was it the H&S decision that prompted the committee decision - or was there more to it?
Name: Jeff Maynard
Email: jeffrey at jeffreymaynard.com
Years_at_school: 1969-72
Date: 19 Aug 2007
Time: 21:10:42
In discussing a home for the archives, we should bear two things in mind:
One - the amount of material. The archive has become a major and valuable historical collection, and the amount of material is considerable, ranging from books and papers, photographs, framed items to complete school uniforms, cadet and scout uniforms etc., covering a period of almost 100 years - from 1911. It is probably one of the best collections of records of an English school, and will become more important to historians in the future. It currently completely fills the old prefects common room (the room over the clock).
Two - it's obvious, very real and spiritual home is in the school. The problem is to get the school to look after it and allow access to it. This is all bound up with the Old Gaytonians and the School supporting each other. I should also mention that we need every Gaytonian we can get. If you are not yet a member, please fill in the form on this website and join. For ten pounds a year you get a magazine, reunions, and you support the archive.
Name: Stephen Frost
Email:
Years_at_school: 1963-70
Date: 19 Aug 2007
Time: 20:14:26
Re: the archive, perhaps there is someone with a spare room or garage who could offer to store the archive.
Regards
Stephen Frost (1963-70)
Name: Alex Bateman
Email: via Jeff
Years_at_school: 1980 - 84
Date: 19 Aug 2007
Time: 13:05:57
Hi Peter, The archives belong to the OGA. For one reason, the school decided to dispose of the original archive in the 1990s, what stands now has been created by myself.
On the subject of the Piano, for those who don't know, the OGA recently bought a grand piano as a gift to the school, costing some eleven thousand pounds. Further details will be in the newsletter (which will be sent to members of the OGA in the next week), but basically it was paid for out of the Kitch Fund, a fund left in trust to the OGA for the specific intention of (I think originally) music scholarships. As these are no longer made, we have been able to alter the terms slightly (as we have to answer to Barclays Bank) to include musical instruments. As such, the use of the fund is very limited.
Name: Peter Fowler
Email: p_fowler at ntlworld.com
Years_at_school: 56/63
Date: 19 Aug 2007
Time: 08:48:54
Alex (or anyone): who owns the archives? Do they belong to the school or the OG's?
The Health and Safety diktat made my blood boil.... And, as for the funding issue raised by Laurence - if the OGs can pay for a piano for the school, why can't they pay for the relocation of the archive? I'm with Laurence on this one - get the stuff out of a building in which they are not appreciated. A whip round?
Name: Alex Bateman
Email: via Jeff
Years_at_school: 1980 - 84
Date: 17 Aug 2007
Time: 07:56:40
Peter Bob Sturtivant joined the Royal Artillery, and became a member of their parachute display team. Never met him myself but I was big on CCF and the name (and he of course) was known to the seniors when I joined. That might be a start point.
Were you CCf yourself? I started at the school because of the CCF, and it was the reason I started the archives too, as I wanted to write up the history of the cadets at the school. I have no info between 1970 (when the 'Cadet' magazine ceased to be) and 1980 when I joined. I would like to hear from anyone who can fill in gaps for that time. Anything will help, although i do have specific questions.
Name: Peter Wilson
Email: Wilson_pj at msn.com
Years_at_school: too many
Date: 16 Aug 2007
Time: 21:11:41
just read about Joe Irwin.Brecon Beacons has wicked weather,like the Brent olifield with an 80 mph wind is blowing in January... Sorry to hear of his passing. Speaking of the Paras anyone know about Bob Sturtivant? Wherabouts? Pete.
Name: Pete Wilson
Email: wilson_pj at msn .com
Years_at_school: 1976-1980
Date: 16 Aug 2007
Time: 20:46:37
Hey everyone! After living in the USA for 22 years I finally became a citizen of America this year.I was sick of .......wait for it Harry Mees....."Taxation without Representation!" See I did learn something!! Now I can vote here in elections and maybe make a difference.Last time I voted Mrs T was in power.... I returned to Harrow this summer and saw the old school.....That was quite a surprise.My brother and I had a few pints at pubs in Harrow .I was happy to be there for a few hours but in reality I doubt if I'll ever be back.Its not the same place I grew up in all those years ago.Those who have been gone will know what I mean. Best wishes to you all Pete 4E 1980.
Name: Bill Peter
Email: bncpeteratgmail.com
Years_at_school: 1960-'67
Date: 16 Aug 2007
Time: 19:47:12
After reading the comment about Dr ARS referring to HCS as a "rotten little school like this", plus Dubya Bush's recent reference to George Brown as a "dour Scot", but having a sense of humour, I have a conspiracy theory about ARS and Col Bigham: There is a story told in Dundee about their infamous poet William Topaz Mcgonagall. He was invited to dinner by a group of students from the local St Andrews' University. He was presented with a ham, as that's what the students thought of him. However, Mcgonagall took this as a great honour. Could Col BIG HAM have been Dr ARS's joke present to the "rotten little school"?
Name: Laurence Lando
Email: Write word 'at' in full to avoid spam,eg 'Square at abc.co.uk'
Years_at_school: 1957-64
Date: 16 Aug 2007
Time: 12:15:14
Re: Archive This is much too valuable an asset to be left to one person to maintain and research. Is there a dormant fund that can be activated to house the items and allow access? Alex has single-handed been the guardian and custodian, and for that deserves praise. The present school building is NOT the place for the items to be stored,incarcerated. Is there an educational establishment that would be more appropriate? Out of interest what is the size by volume of the archive? At worst it could be put up for sale, the purchaser would at least value the items and maintain them for posterity! Devil's advocate?
Name: Geoffrey Plow
Email: gaplowathotmail.com
Years_at_school: 1968-1974
Date: 15 Aug 2007
Time: 14:50:04
I think we should all offer Alex a vote of thanks, even if this is for the moment only in cyberspace. He has brought to our attention a massive amount of material which is now more accessible than we could ever have imagined. We owe it to him and, I suppose, to ourselves not to allow the process of preserving the archive to stall.
Name: Alex Bateman (School and Assn Archivist)
Email: via Jeff
Years_at_school: 1980 - 84
Date: 15 Aug 2007
Time: 10:17:00
Apologies to all of you for my silence over the last few months, and in reply to questions on the site regarding the archives. I have meant to 'put the record straight' as it were, but seeing two recent notes while looking at the guestbook today prompted me to write.
Basically, my contract (as a member of staff) at the school ended in December. Just prior to that, I received a letter from the head informing me that due to Health and Safety concerns entry to the archives was to be restricted, and that if I wanted to go in there I would have to make an appointment, whereby a risk assessment would have to be drawn up each time. Previously, having an ID pass I was able to enter as and when, having signed in at the desk. Just after this, at an OG Committee meeting it was decided the archives were effectively closed. This was done with no consultation or discussion with me.
Having started it, and been the only person involved with the archive over the last 9 years it left me feeling very disappointed, not least as I had not been informed by those members of the OGA who were made aware of this before me. For this and a few other reasons, I decided to step down from the OGA jobs I was then doing which amounted to seven, either full or part-time, including the archive, magazine and dinner committee.
To cut a long story short, access to the archives is now restricted to me on an appointment basis, and totally off limits to any visitors. I met with the head in March and have written since, but received no reply to the latter so am unsure of its long term future within the school. However, the archive material is safe, and contributions still very welcome.
On the subject of it moving to another location such as the local library, the original archive, kept since 1911 was in fact moved there in the mid 1990s after the school decided to dispose of it. Some irreplaceable material was lost before this happened but the rest was boxed up and moved there for safe keeping. It remained in the basement, gathering much dust, and by the time I found it many picture frames were damaged and glass broken.
The archives now contain the remnants of the original, which now makes up about a sixth of the total current archive. The rest I have located, bought, begged for (but not yet stolen!) over the last 9 years. When it was retrieved, the local historian expressed relief that he and the Library did not have to take care of it any longer! The archive received perhaps the biggest pat on the back when it and myself were noted in the Ofsted inspection of 2004. I think I was the only person so mentioned aside from the then Headteacher.
My apologies too, to any OG members who have been expecting an Association magazine. I have agreed to take back the Editors chair from 2008, but this has left me no time to prepare a magazine for 2007. However, I have completed a newsletter which is rather more lavish than normal, and am sitting here awaiting its delivery from the printers. It is hoped that it will be with members in the next 10 days or so.
I do have material in the archives, and at home for the site, but with my access now severely restricted please forgive my not being able to scan and send it to Jeff as often as I used to.
Name: Dennis Hearn
Email: dennishearnataol.com
Years_at_school: 1940 - 1945
Date: 14 Aug 2007
Time: 08:03:09
It is delightful to find there is a website for Harrow County, to see Virtus non
Name: Ahmet Tolga Bayam
Email: a_tolga_b hotmail.com
Years_at_school: 1994-1996
Date: 11 Aug 2007
Time: 02:39:25
I think Jeff has done a wonderful job with the website and I hope people send in loads of photos especially one of our last year in 1996, I cant seem to find any photos of my class and others in my year. Can anyone help me?
Name: John Rigby
Email: jrigby1053ataol.com
Years_at_school: Just a passer by
Date: 03 Aug 2007
Time: 09:46:17
I too was saddened to learn of the death of Vic Senior. Vic was a long time member of the Old Gaytonians Rugby Club but not only that he continued to be a country member of West London RFC after the amalgamation. He received his newsletters by post in 'monthly bundles'. His 'subs' arrived with a newsy letter from Hospital. On visits to England he would if possible visit South Vale. I don't think he ever managed a visit to Birkbeck (now London Marathon Playing Fields). I say carefully I believe Vic was our oldest member.
Name: Colin Dickins
Email: colin.dickins at blueyonder.co.uk
Years_at_school: 1947-53
Date: 31 Jul 2007
Time: 17:04:53
I am greatly saddened to report the death of Colonel Vic Senior, MC & bar (our only double MC), after a short illness at his home in Hospital, Co Limerick, Ireland aged 91. He served with great distinction during WW2 in the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment, first in North Africa with the 8th Army (where he won his first MC) and latterly in Greece, where he won his second MC in Athens fighting the communist guerrilla army. He subsequently served in various posts abroad with the diplomatic service and retired to work for some years with the service charity SSAFA. He is survived by his wife Maureen, whom he met and married when both were serving in Greece, and son Bill and daughter Suzie. He eventually retired to Maureen's Ireland home and became much involved in local history (Hospital took its name from a hospital set up by the Knights Hospitaller of St John). He was the author of many articles about his war experiences and local history. Immensely proud of his Harrow County heritage, he was a member of the first School rugby XV to play against the Old Gaytonians. A kind, caring and loyal man of unremitting energy and distinction. I am proud to have known him.
Name: Alan Bunting
Email: a.bunting at btclick.com
Years_at_school: 1948-53
Date: 30 Jul 2007
Time: 07:57:37
I don't normally pride myself in having a photographic memory. But for some reason I can recall many of the names on the register of Form 2D, where I spent my first year at HCS, from September 1948. We were in the hut furthest from the main school buildings, ie nearest to Watford Road Bridge. I suppose the names stick in the brain because they were called out in alphabetical order by way of a roll-call every morning. Here we go: ANNAN, BARNETT, BLEANEY, BUNTING, CAMPBELL, CLEMENTS, CRIPPS, EASEY, FICE, FLEET, GALBRAITH, GREENWOOD, HAYLLAR, HIBBERDINE ...then I get a bit shaky, but others included: LEONHARDT, MAYNARD, SHAW, SPURR, STEWART, WILSON. 59 years on I am in touch with Bob Campbell and Ken Wilson. But I'd welcome any response from any of those others from the '48 intake brigade. Our form master, by the way, was W.W.Eagers, who was also new to the school. He was notable for arriving to take a class with all his books tied up neatly with string.
Name: ross sindell@hotmail.com
Email: rosssindell
Years_at_school: father Ken 1947
Date: 29 Jul 2007
Time: 22:26:40
Hello to anyone that knew my father. i have been a memeber of Gaytonians for a year and decided to find out more about my dad who passed away 18 years ago. If anyone could give me details of what he did and when and why! ross sindell eldest son born 1969
Name: ross sindell
Email: rosssindell
Years_at_school: father Ken 1947
Date: 29 Jul 2007
Time: 22:25:32
Hello to anyone that knew my father. i have been a memeber of Gaytonians for a year and decided to find out more about my dad who passed away 18 years ago. If anyone could give me details of what he did and when and why! ross sindell eldest son born 1969
Name: Keith Palmer
Email: Keith.Palmer13atntlworld.com
Years_at_school: 1968-1975
Date: 29 Jul 2007
Time: 07:14:32
Just a memory or Ken Waller. A great teacher who had no chance with someone like me. Who whacked me around the head when he was late for a Greek lesson, I was standing outside the classroom, we were all jabbering away, and I shouted "Waller's coming"as he turned the corner. He took exception to the fact I'd not called him MR. Waller. But his contribution to G & S will never be forgotten by me. Cheers Mr. Waller!!
Name: Chris Rickwood
Email:
Years_at_school:
Date: 27 Jul 2007
Time: 11:03:14
The County Archive (the London Metropolitan Archives) would only be interested in "factual" material (Admission Registers etc) A better location would be the Local Studies Branch of Harrow Library, however, their interest would still be confined to documentary material and photographs. It is difficult to think of a home for any physical artifacts. BTW, any news on Harry Mees' health?
Name: Andrew Essex
Email: essexandeaol.com
Years_at_school: 1978-82
Date: 27 Jul 2007
Time: 01:52:01
it was a moemorable time and some of the teachers were brilliant
Name: Andrew Carruthers
Email: ajcarruthersatbtinternet.com
Years_at_school: 1961-8
Date: 26 Jul 2007
Time: 04:00:59
Re the archive if the propsect is that none can look after it it should be donated to the local county archive or an institution which would wish or be interested in arranging for it to be preserved. Has anyone thought about this? It would be a great shame if the good work were put at risk and noone can take it on, which may well be the realistic position.
Name: Nicholas de Lange
Email: nicholas.delangeATgooglemail.com
Years_at_school: 1955--62
Date: 22 Jul 2007
Time: 10:53:12
Well, I was taught by Kenneth Waller, and I was sorry not to have been able to attend the dinner for him. He was a very fine teacher, and I owe him a great deal. (Sad that he didn't manage to resist the temptation to beat boys occasionally, though he was also good at thinking up alternative tortures: 'Touch your toes, and when you've had enough, wiggle your ears'.) NdeL
Name: Diane Haswell (Mrs Bruce)
Email: Write word 'at' in full to avoid spam,eg 'Square at abc.co.uk'
Years_at_school:
Date: 18 Jul 2007
Time: 14:22:59
I believe that the Assistant Master, Gordon Haswell who died 1916 age 24 was my father's cousin. Grateful to be able to view the list of war dead.
Name: Karl Everitt
Email: karlholland at hotmail.co.uk
Years_at_school: 1980 - 1984
Date: 16 Jul 2007
Time: 05:30:36
This is a message for Alex Bateman, could you contact me on the above address? Thanks Karl
Name: Pete Lawson
Email: plawson.collinson at btinternet.com
Years_at_school: 1969 to 74
Date: 08 Jul 2007
Time: 17:29:45
I was never taught by Kenneth Waller but I have fine memories of his company and that of John Ling; both men led a School visit to Romania in 1974. I don't think this trip has been documented on the site but we had an excellent programme comprising stays in Bucharest, Brasov, Sinaia, brochured now as the Jewel of the Carpathians, and Curtea de Arges. The grip of Ceaucescu's policemen was evident, although they maybe had not quite started cracking the whip, and there was an innocence, a beauty and an unsullied, Gypsy-tinged cultural authenticity about the place that Kenneth and John helped us to grasp. This was a catalyst to my own fascination with and travels around Eastern Europe; Mr Ling and Mr Waller had a fine, empathetic ability to see the black and the white of the country, while always appreciating the grey. I doubt that he remembers me, but cheers, Kenneth.
Name: Laurence Lando
Email: Write word 'at' in full to avoid spam,eg 'Square at abc.co.uk'
Years_at_school: 1957 - 64
Date: 07 Jul 2007
Time: 06:42:04
I heartily concur with Michael's comments, whose speech in honour of Kenneth Waller, in RUSSIAN, was a tour de force! The evening will last long in my memory and as the sole represntative of the 'C' stream medics, I was able to add my two-penny worth of memories. Whilst the 'school' has gone, the inheritors of its ethos will always be grateful for the chance it gave many of us from modest backgrounds. Photographs of the evnt would indeed be welcomed. Laurence
Name: Michael Schwartz
Email: greekmultilingualyahoo.co.uk
Years_at_school:
Date: 07 Jul 2007
Time: 05:03:53
I have at least come down to earth after attending the dinner for Kenneth Waller. Thanks are certainly due to Andrew Carruthers and Richard Salter adn several others. I look forward to seeing photographs of the event on the website - photographers you know who you are! Is there anyway we can persuade Kenneth to publish his speech here? Michael.
Name: Laurie Benjamin Flanders
Email: lfla at smcaus.com.au
Years_at_school: 76-78
Date: 05 Jul 2007
Time: 23:59:49
Emigrated to Australia in '79 & your site brought back many memories especially the photos of Mr.Waller who was a big influence on me...thank you
Name: Peter Arnold
Email: Spitfire at dial.pipex.com
Years_at_school: 1953-59
Date: 23 Jun 2007
Time: 10:39:37
Sadly I report the passing of Barry Hortin this past Tuesday - 19th June. Barry would have been about three or four years ahead of me at HCS. His family were close friends of my wife's parents and we had always stayed in touch. The service will be at West Herts Crematorium, Garston, on Thursday 28th June.
Name: Jeffrey Maynard
Email: jeffrey at jeffreymaynard.com
Years_at_school: 1962-69
Date: 16 Jun 2007
Time: 22:48:33
We have a new Knight. Congratulations to Leigh Lewis, Permanent Secretary, Department of Work and Pensions, who became a Knight Commander of the Bath (KCB) in the Queen's Birthday Honours.
Name: Mohamed Kassam
Email: mkassam _3000 at hotmail.com
Years_at_school: 1994-1998
Date: 15 Jun 2007
Time: 13:14:34
Wow what a fantastic site. Unfortunately the photos stop at 1992. Would it be possb to get the archive photographs after 1994? If so this would be much appreciated. Thanks
Name: Laurence Lando
Email: 'Square at abc.co.uk'
Years_at_school: 1957 - 1964
Date: 14 Jun 2007
Time: 09:47:59
The anticipation of meeting fellows from HCS, at the forthcoming Dinner to honour Kenneth Waller at Inner Temple, is indeed great. It will be 50 years since some of us also joined the school. My class, 1B in 1957, was KWs first form, and I am sad to say that my Latin was never up to the mark! I wonder if the extreme selection process carried out by the school, could ever again be replicated? The advantage it gave to all boys, regardless of background, was truly impressive. I do not avoid the issue of the violence used by some masters, nor the attitude of 'Square' to some pupils. I do laud the quality of the teaching and the overall ethos of HCS. May the memory live long. Laurence
Name: callum Kerr
Email: ckerr at a-cap.co.bw
Years_at_school: 1970 -77
Date: 14 Jun 2007
Time: 03:13:45
Many thanks to Alex for the update re Michael Irwin and his sad demise in the Para's. Many thanks again for the feedback - although I cannot say I was a friend, he was an older student that I looked up to and respected in my time at the school cadets - very responsible and not up to the horseplay that so often flared up. I am not surprised he did well in the para's - however, a sad loss. My sympathy to his sister and his friends. I dont know where the nick-name Turd came from - in the naval section at the time we had a few nicknames that were fairly obvious - Jock Wiseman's accent was serious; Sid stephens, Cat Carlin not sure about Bike" Keller -when I got the same style glases I got mini-bike for a time. Callum
Name: Type your name here
Email: Write word 'at' in full to avoid spam,eg 'Square at abc.co.uk'
Years_at_school: lorazepam dose
Date: 13 Jun 2007
Time: 19:57:24
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Name: Peter Fowler
Email: p_fowler at ntlworld.com
Years_at_school: 56/63
Date: 13 Jun 2007
Time: 07:12:25
I notice that no one answered a plea earlier for news of Alex Bateman - not that I can help. But what I do know is that the essential oxygen of this site, pictures from yesteryear, has been extinguished; and that I for one know that stacks of material sits in those archives that Alex so lovingly looked after. There must be someone reading this who knows something: could someone please give an explanation? Presumably if things are being given to the school (the piano), one of the quid pro quos that I always took as read (the availability of the archives) is still in place. Or has some intervention taken place?
Name: Bernard Gillespie
Email: bernardgillespieatrogers.com
Years_at_school: 1939-1944
Date: 11 Jun 2007
Time: 07:37:11
thanks Colin for the info ....... from being rather scorned as a maker of pianos in the early days Yamaha is now regarded as among the very best world-wide ....... I can see how the trustees have had difficulty in making grants as music was always a rather minor part of the curriculum as shown by the rapid departure of the school organ .... the philistines were not just at the gate, they were in the corridors of power ..... although not a musician I have a great fondness for keyboard instruments ( I don't mean computers) and we have 8 in the house including 3 harpsichords and a splendid 7 foot grand piano built in 1891 ..... which is the only one I keep in tune and sort of play.
Name: Colin Dickins
Email: colin.dickins at blueyonder.co.uk
Years_at_school: 1947-53
Date: 11 Jun 2007
Time: 03:41:29
Oops! Sorry, Bernard - got the name wrong.
Name: Colin Dickins
Email: colin.dickins at blueyonder.co.uk
Years_at_school: 1947-53
Date: 11 Jun 2007
Time: 03:39:15
Good question, Brian. I went to the "Piano and Pimms" afternoon on Saturday (9th June) for a delightful afternoon of what Viven (Swaida - Head Teacher) introduced as "cafe music". Four different pianists, including Vivien, playing everything from classics to jazz in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere of chatting to old and new friends. The piano is a Yamaha and probably what you term a "semi-concert grand", about 7'. It has a beautiful tone and is well worthy of the School and our involvement. Lots of photos were taken and no doubt Jeff will include one or two of the best on this site when he has received them. Incidentally, the piano was paid for out of the Kitch Fund, a bequest by Arthur Kitch who starte at the School before WW1 "for the development of music in the School." As OGA Chairman Denis Barker said, making the formal presentation, the Fund is administered under the terms of the Trust by the OGA and, as a trust, it has rather constrained us in making grants. This opportunity met the terms and it was a pleasure to share in it.
Name: Bernard Gillespie
Email: bernardgillespieatrogers.com
Years_at_school: 1939-1944
Date: 10 Jun 2007
Time: 08:47:33
very glad to see that the OGA has given the school a piano ........ but ....... what sort of piano ? if this was a car you wouldn't just say "car" you'd say "Mercedes" or "Ford " or whatever ...... so what is it ? a Steinway, a Grotrian-Steinweg, a Kawai, a Yamaha ? and how big a grand "? a full-blown 9 foot concert grand,? and 5 foot baby or a 7 foot semi-concert ? what use is a sports college going to make of a piano ? or is it's recent poor scholastic showing leading to an increase in liberal arts education and reduction of jock-games ? I hope that these questions have not already been answered and not that I have just missed the info on the guest book .
Name: Bernard Gillespie
Email: bernardgillespieatrogers.com
Years_at_school: 1939-1944
Date: 10 Jun 2007
Time: 08:37:27
nice to hear from you Brian ......trust that you and Barbara are still jogging along OK .... I 've had several messages from Roy Goldman in Brisbane, Oz who has offered suggestions about the way we were allocated to our respective streams ....... between the three of us we ought to have a handle on it but the reality is that it rtemains (probably as it always was) a more or less total mystery ....... maybe there was no system but just the luck of the draw except where a parent expressed a wish for a particular language. regards Bernard
Name: Brian Hester
Email: bhester at cogeco.ca
Years_at_school: 1940-7
Date: 09 Jun 2007
Time: 11:00:37
To respond to Bernard Gillespie's question, I also could never understand the basis on which we were selected for the forms we were assigned to. In my case, four of use came from the same primary school at Ruislip. One of us was dumped into each form. We might have shone at primary school but at HCS there were always many 'shiners' ahead of us in whatever form we were in. In the sixth form, there seemed to no particular relation between performance and original form.
Name: David Wilson
Email: dachwilsonathotmail.com
Years_at_school: '80-'83
Date: 06 Jun 2007
Time: 01:39:03
Alex, are you back? I thought I read that you were no longer involved in the archives. Its certainly been much quieter in the guest book over the last year or so.
Name: Alex Bateman
Email: via Jeff
Years_at_school: 1980 - 84
Date: 05 Jun 2007
Time: 15:03:16
Callum Its been quite a while since I was on the site, but I can provide details of Michael Irwins death for you. I run the archive for the school, and was a cadet in the Army section of the CCF between 1980 and 1984, ending as senior cadet. At the time our parent unit was 10th (Volunteer) Battalion, the Parachute Regiment (TA). Michael, or 'Joe' as he was known to most, was Commissioned in the Parachute Regiment in 1981, and rose to the rank of Major, before leaving to spend time running his own cleaning business. He returned two years later with the rank of Captain. He was an active member of the New Life Church, which met at the school, and also the Harrow Soup Run to aid homeless people in London. As cadets we often encountered Joe on some of the numerous joint exercises he helped to organise. He became a familiar and well liked figure to all of us. On November 24th 1996 he was leading a six-man team across the Brecon Beacons, when appalling weather conditions set in. One of his men began to show signs of hypothermia, so Joe set off to get help. It is believed that he fell victim to the conditions. Initially helicopters could not find his body, but after they did he was pronounced dead on arrival at hospital in Cardiff. A few years ago, at a 90th birthday anniversary reunion for the school in 2001, I met his sister Anita, and she has become a firm friend, attending the November Remembrance Day services since.
Name: Bernard Gillespie
Email: bernardgillespieatrogers.com
Years_at_school: 1939-1944
Date: 04 Jun 2007
Time: 11:45:03
on one of my infrequent visits to the website I was interested to read Ron Cornish's reminiscences of his time at school ( on the site as of April 2006)....... other than the fact that I never made it to the 6th form Ron and I were present and correct over the same period .... and I remember the name but not the face ........ I was particularly interested to read his comment that the A stream was Arts-oriented ..... which is a new idea to me .... for the past 65+ years I have believed that the A stream was for the clever fellows who studied Latin as well as French, while the B stream was for those who opted to learn German ..... the C & D streams was for the more or less duffers who had to make do with French seulement ........ other than languages we (the C stream) all believed ( I feel sure) that our education was the same as A, B & D ....... music with Sammy Watson and Art with Georgie Neal ....... was there something else that we missed ? have I been wrong all these years ? with best wishes to anyone else still alive who was in the 1939 entry for form 2c .
Name: Type your name here
Email: Write word 'at' in full to avoid spam,eg 'Square at abc.co.uk'
Years_at_school: capacity
Date: 03 Jun 2007
Time: 06:16:45
<Text>
Name: Andrew Carruthers
Email: ajcarruthers at btinternet.com
Years_at_school: 1961-8
Date: 02 Jun 2007
Time: 13:11:10
The dinner for Ken Waller is well supported but we need final numbers soon so if anybody is interested and has not let me know please do so as soon as possible. It will be at the Inner Temple in London on Monday 25th June.
Name: Callum Kerr
Email: ckerr at a-cap.co.bw
Years_at_school: 1970 - 1977
Date: 29 May 2007
Time: 03:38:37
I was deeply saddened to see the name of Michael Irwin on the list of War Dead on this site - deceased in 1995. Mike (Turd) was a year or so ahead of me, and also in the Naval Section CCF. He was a really nice guy and took great pride in his uniform which was always immaculate. Can anyone supply any information on this?
Name: Type your name here
Email: Write word 'at' in full to avoid spam,eg 'Square at abc.co.uk'
Years_at_school: fellers
Date: 20 May 2007
Time: 00:52:20
<Text>
Name: Bob Theis
Email: martintheis at hotmail.com
Years_at_school: 1953 -1958
Date: 18 May 2007
Time: 10:47:47
Just to let those you who have had correspondence with Bob Theis (pupil 1953 -'58)that he died yesterday from myeloma (a bone cancer). He used to talk a lot about his school days at Harrow County. Funeral arrangements are as follows: Tuesday, 29 May Westerleigh Crematorium, Westerleigh Road, Westerleigh, Bristol, BS37 8QP Informal dress Martin Theis(son)
Name: Jim Broadribb
Email: Jim at broadribb.fsnet.co.uk
Years_at_school: 1955 - 63
Date: 12 May 2007
Time: 10:31:34
Now resident in Florida for the winter months, (I married an american lady), we took the opportunity to watch a pre-season game of baseball where the Boston red Sox were playing as my wife comes from New England. The game was held in Lakeland, Florida in an absolutely lovely stadium which holds just under 10,000. The reason for recounting this is the name of the stadium which is called the JOKER MARCHANT Stadium. Obviously Bernie's fame has spread far and wide although I am not sure where they picked up the "joker" bit from unless it was the glorious red he turned whenever he made an attempt at a joke or was embarrassed !!! What he would have made of baseball I am not so sure or whether he would have appreciated the casual dress of the crowd (although the temperature ws about 30 C at the time -which was mid March. If you want to find the stadium and why was really named that way an internet enquiry will enlighten you.
Name: Richard Bunt
Email: Jeff has it
Years_at_school: 1966-1973
Date: 10 May 2007
Time: 07:23:13
Sad to hear of the death of Roger Gershon. His younger brother Jonathan was in my year, we learned to drive together, and both boys were, I recall, in 11th Kenton Scouts. I wish all the Gershon family a long life. Richard Bunt
Name: Jeff Maynard
Email: jeffrey at jeffreymaynard.com
Years_at_school:
Date: 08 May 2007
Time: 19:57:25
The Dinner in Honour of Mr. Kenneth Waller to mark the 50th anniversary of his joining Harrow County, will be on Monday 25th June, 2007 at the Inner Temple. If you would like to come, please contact Andrew Carruthers. ajcarruthers at btinternet dot com
Name: Jeff Maynard
Email: jeffrey at jeffreymaynard.com
Years_at_school: 1962-69
Date: 08 May 2007
Time: 19:54:27
Forthcoming Reunion Event: The Old Gaytonians Association has donated a new grand piano to the School. The Headteacher of Harrow High School, Vivien Swaida has invited all Gaytonians to a "Piano, Pimm's and Strawberries" afternoon at Harrow High School on Saturday 9th June, 2007 from 2.30pm-4.00pm.
Name: Dave Buckley
Email: david dot jasma at tiscali dot co dot uk
Years_at_school:
Date: 05 May 2007
Time: 04:37:56
I am always sad to read about the death of OGs. I didn't know Roger Gershon as he joined just after I left. However, I thought I would see if I could find anything about his death in the Orkney newspapers, and came up with the following..... www.orcadian.co.uk\archive\2007\archive16.htm.
Name: ian mash
Email: Write word 'at' in full to avoid spam,eg 'Square at abc.co.uk'
Years_at_school: 1968-76
Date: 04 May 2007
Time: 08:54:18
Sorry to hear about Roger Gershon, he was my Flt. Sgt. when I joined the RAF cadets, and always treated us with respect, humour and as friends. I remember him doubled up as he tried to teach us all to march. A sad loss.
Name: Dave Rowe
Email: moodar at hotmail.com
Years_at_school: 1962 to 1969
Date: 03 May 2007
Time: 13:10:50
Very sad to report the death of Roger Gershon, c1962 to 1969, in an accident in the Shetlands where he was in retirement. All those that knew him will remember a great sense of humour and a friendly guy, at only 56 years old a very sad loss. His funeral was 2nd May at Golders Green. Terry Loveday will have more detail for those who would wish to be further informed. Dar
Name: Brister. John R.W.
Email: brister.jd at tiscali.co.uk
Years_at_school: Did not attend
Date: 28 Apr 2007
Time: 12:19:10
As the son of a previous Master at the school I would just like to add my thanks for all the information I have found in connection with the many years that my father was a master at the school.As a family we are greatly amused that our father was known as " Joe"."Hot Water Bottle" yes but never Joe. Quite an eye opener.Thanks again for the excellent web site. John Brister
Name: Mick Boggis
Email: mickb at gotadsl.co.uk
Years_at_school: 1958-64
Date: 23 Apr 2007
Time: 14:11:04
Don't get to to catch up the guestbook as often as I ought. But I have now done so, and some six months-odd late, I have to say Hi to Tony Bareham who posted re about Mick Duvall's demise. Sad as it was to hear about Mick, it's great to hear from you, Tony. I remember the Madisons very well indeed, and it was probably your influence as much as anyone's that persuaded me to perservere with the guitar that my report book still evidences to be at the root of my academic downfall. I do hope you are still playing. I stopped doing so publicly c1971, but have mucked around on the fringes of the music industry most of my life, such was the calling. I am due to play in public for the first time in 35-odd years in about a month's time in a reformed incarnation of a spectactularly unsuccessful post-HCS band. Wish me well! Good to hear that you are still in touch with Roger and Harvey. I exchanged emails just-the-once with Graham Dimmock a few years back but never heard from him again. Do drop a line if you have a mo. Mick Boggis (a fully paid-up member of The Destructive Minority, and probably a hobbledehoy to boot, 1958-64)
Name: Phil Chesterman
Email: philconnieat shaw.ca
Years_at_school: 1946-1951
Date: 21 Apr 2007
Time: 01:54:06
Trying to describe Bob Silsby is a little like describing a gentleman in a hunter's clothing. As a person he was a charmer; as a rugby-player he was the all-time competitor, someone who always wanted to win...but with fairness and abidance of the laws of the game. A hard act to follow; a journalistic phrase, but all too true. I was one of the young "Old Gayts", joining the group before my 17th birthday. However Bob did give me one piece of advice, "Don't run at 'em when you've got the ball; just run around them..they get confused". Something which seems to apply to life in general.
Name: Michael Schwartz
Email: greekmultilingualatyahoo.co.uk
Years_at_school: 1965-1972
Date: 05 Apr 2007
Time: 11:03:55
Colin - I was sorry to hear that Bob Silsby has passed away. As you say, Bob was an exceptionally nice man. He was always interested in what I was getting up to, and I always seemed to address my letters to the OGA via him, as if he was an automatic point of contact.
Michael.
Name: Colin Dickins
Email: colin.dickins at blueyonder.co.uk
Years_at_school: 1947-53
Date: 05 Apr 2007
Time: 03:04:28
I'm very sorry to report the death of Bob Silsby on 1st April aged 77. He was a keen and loyal member of the rugby and cricket clubs and for many years Membership Secretary of the OGA. As in everything he did, he was diligent and efficient, and many Old Gayts will have joined the Association on his watch and they and many more will have bought their OG ties from him. An exceptionally nice man. His funeral will be at Breakspear Crematorium, Ruislip, on Thursday 12th April at 3.30 pm.
Name: Richard Bunt
Email: On File
Years_at_school: 1966-1973
Date: 05 Apr 2007
Time: 00:45:25
Well Harrow County boys continue to serve.
My Daily Telegraph this morning has an article about one Sir Nigel Sheinwald who seems to have be the one responsible for behind the scenes negotiations in Tehran.
Article mentions his school days and class colleagues a la Portillo & Anderson Richard
Name: Steve Hilsden
Email:
Years_at_school: 1969 - 1976
Date: 04 Apr 2007
Time: 13:31:18
As a contemporary of Mike Townsend - hi mate - I can understand some of his comments. Interestingly enough Bigham left after our first year - so maybe he left an indelible impression on a young man. I think at that age a lot of senior masetrs were rather awesome - to me at least - rather than frightening - but VBE was not always the most sympathetic of PE teachers. I was not great at sport - but just got on with things. heresy it may be but i found Jim Golland quite frightening and belittling to me as a sixth fomer - but I had Gerry Lafferty for much of my schooldays - and frightening he really wasn't.
Name: Mike Smith
Email: mickannsmithat btinternet.com
Years_at_school: 1958--1965
Date: 03 Apr 2007
Time: 14:38:26
I have only just stumbled across this site.
A question about Dennis McQuillan was raised in January. He is not the Canada connection. He was my best man when I married in 1968 having known him since age 9, and I am still in touch with him, at a distance, I living in Cardiff. (for the rugby of course!!)and he in the South--East still.
Pleased to hear from anyone who remembers me. Few I imagine, being one of Simpsons failures.
Name: Mike Townsend
Email: michael.townsend1athomecall.co.uk
Years_at_school: 1969-1976
Date: 03 Apr 2007
Time: 04:05:16
One
of the abiding sensations that resonates across the decades from my years at
Harrow County is apprehension. I risk generalisation (and possibly
ridicule), but I think that if you were a 'sensitive' type (or perhaps even if
you were more robust) - then it was not a relaxed environment to learn in.
The fear came from several directions. Some teachers were either naturally
fierce or used it as a class management device. Whichever, the impact on a
young boy's nerves was the same.
Here's some examples.
I remember the relief I used to experience on Wednesday (cruel fate had made his
lesson the last period, ruining the whole day) when rumours of a Colonel Bigham
no-show, fuelled by absence of the MGB, proved to be true. My surname
initial put me to the back of the room but poor eyesight put me to the front -
in range of the back of his hand when he saw an onion cell drawn too regularly.
"You're not in geometry now, laddie", he said, cuffing me hard around
the back of my head. Allegedly he used to read from a textbook (McLeans?) while
we took dictation in our rough books. Homework was to write it out as fair
copy. Top marks were for the best handwriting. I know my excuse of
being in the Boys Brigade (!) didn't impress too much when being encouraged to
join the CCF.
Harry Mees had a fierce reputation and I recall my pen cartridge, which I had
pressed against its spring, pinging across his room and landing at his feet.
He quietly picked it up and put it on my desk - but it was among the longest ten
second periods of my life. He used to work himself up into quite a fervour
as he tried to impress us that he wanted 'analysis' from us rather than dates
and events. Like so many things at Harrow County, you understand it well
enough later in life but not when you needed to.
Bernard Marchant was worrying rather than frightening. I did respect him
and always felt I let him down. "You have just inadequately translated
three lines already done by Higgins", was my not unreasonable reward for a
few moments reverie. I never saw him use physical punishment but he was an
imposing figure. He did not rate our year, revealed in his use of
christian names for a younger year while maintaining our surnames. I
remember him asking a friend, caught yawning, whether he had spent the previous
evening at a discotheque - our amusement heightened as he sounded the 'h'.
Overhearing some strong language once he blasted into the classroom at speed -
gown almost at right angles to his body - "Guttersnip!", he yelled at
the offender. He was strangely casual about briefcases on desks and surely
could not have been ignorant, as we approached O-level Ancient Greek, of our
affecting a stuttering translation of the Greek text as we read our cribs.
Wally Browett was my maths teacher in my first year. In the very first
lesson he said that misbehaviour would result in the miscreant's ears being used
as brakes to slow the arrival of a textbook on either side of his head. I
had to admit to whistling in his class once as everyone was threatened with
detention if I did not own up. Punishment was Wally's knuckles applied to the
forehead.
PE was made unpleasant by teachers who liked to mock or punish but singularly
failed to encourage. For the less natural or instinctive sportsman it was
basically cold days in expensive kit standing around on Harrow School playing
fields. The lack of effort put into providing a healthy context for
exercise or matching the exercise to ability or aptitude or encouraging
self-motivation was poor to say the least.
Examinations were a great source of fear. Why didn't someone take us to
one side early on - and spend a morning talking about examination strategies?
Those from non-academic families or perhaps no older brother to learn from may
have been slow on the uptake, but persistent encouragement to stay on top of
work, get homework done promptly and thoroughly, keep good records, obtain
previous exam papers and concentrate on what was likely to come up ... that
would have been helpful. Instead it was all about those worrying exam
timetables posted outside the main hall and the setting out of rows of desks.
I still have dreams about it!
Best wishes to those I knew or knew me.
Name: Paul Romney
Email: paulromney03 aT aim.com
Years_at_school: 1956-63
Date: 31 Mar 2007
Time: 05:09:41
Stroof, Pete - talk about the base injun what froo a pearl away richer than all 'is flipping tribe! -- Sorry, I don't usually talk like that, but I'm still reeling from watching "To Sir, With Love" yesterday evening, with its condescending parody of working-class speech and attitudes. And its "delinquent" yoof -- pardon me, youth -- that were positively angelic next to any HCS form of my experience (perhaps owing to the civilizing influence of the ladies). I certainly owe my modest success as an academic in part to the spectacle of the 5th form chewing up and spitting out one particular short-lived teacher.
*The film's attitude is epitomised in the Sidney Poitier character's remark to his class that if you try hard enough you can even alter the way you speak. It reminded me of when Jim Golland told us of his overhearing some boys on a bus talking sarcastically about their teacher's efforts to get them to talk proper, and when one of them sneeringly parodied the teacher's diction he actually sounded half-decent.
*My own great regret is somehow managing to lose or destroy three complete sets of cigarette cards: one of the 1936 coronation, one of the Ashes teams of (I think) 1938, and one illustrating A.R.P. But that was my parents' fault for giving them to me. Still got my report book, though.
Name: Peter Fowler
Email: p_fowler at ntlworld.com
Years_at_school: 56/63
Date: 29 Mar 2007
Time: 08:26:29
I, of course, do now know The Daft Bugger: but I certainly know about the disposing of Report Books. My mother, deciding that the bedroom I had shared with my brother (he left HCS the year I started) was 'full of clutter', went on one of her legendary Spring Cleaning sprees and rid the room of his complete and pristine first five years of Eagle, my slightly tattier - but nevertheless complete - first year of Private Eye, and our collective collection of Hornby Clockwork Train sets. The Report Books were amongst the 'other' things that were handed over to the Northwick Park Hospital where, presumably, the TrainSet went to the Children's Ward and the Eagles and Private Eyes were scattered across various Waiting Rooms. I doubt that the Report Books even made their sift. If I ever re-meet my mother on The Other Side I do believe I will find it difficult, even there, not quite to mention this.
Name: Clare Greenall
Email: clare.greenallatdevon.gov.uk
Years_at_school:
Date: 28 Mar 2007
Time: 06:24:26
I am currently transcribing letters to and from My Father and Uncle, Gilbert and Edward Greenall. My uncle Edward (Ted to his friends) started at the school in 1935 and was killed during the second war after a brief time at Cambridge studying modern languages. I have been using your site to find out what became of the friends whose names they mention and I have found that one, if he is still living, is in a neighbouring town. Fascinating stuff!
Name: Colin Dickins
Email: colin.dickins at blueyonder.co.uk
Years_at_school: 1947-53
Date: 28 Mar 2007
Time: 03:07:56
I can't believe the Daft Bugger Down Under really has burnt his Report Book. He keeps EVERYTHING. His now less prolific letters still arrive typed (on a dreadful old machine) on headed paper from his business in Canada - and he left there 20-odd years ago. (Was it really worth carting all that paper round the world?) And about 10 years ago he phoned me one Saturday afternoon to discuss a rugby international while I was watching another live on TV. To get him off the line, I said this call must be costing a fortune. I mentioned this to him perhaps five years later and some months after that he wrote quoting the cost of the call having dug out the phone bill detals from his shed. (It was negligible, he said.) A daft bugger, but what a character. My Report Book, by the way, is lost to posterity; I suspect my mother threw it away when I left home. She denied it, but was a great discarder of unonsidered trifles - i.e. she never really considered what was a trifle (or perhaps it was her distaste at the calumnies contained in it).
Name: Phil Chesterman
Email: philconnie at shaw.ca
Years_at_school: 1946-51
Date: 27 Mar 2007
Time: 19:41:27
I just had a conversation on the dog 'n bone with the "Daft Bugger from Down-Under", Roy Hargreaves. Got him out of bed at about 11:30 South Australia Time which is one half-hour apart from the rest of the world, except Newfoundland, and they can't read clocks there anyway. The Adelaide area is not such a dumb place to be, he gets good wine for $2.00 per litre. The occasion had a lot of meaning, 50 Years ago today, Old Gayt Roy met Old Gayt Phil at Toronto's airport, and treated him like royalty until I got a meaningful job, lied my way into a bilingual job, something which would have given teachers from Hugh Skillen to Sammy Watson fits of laughter. But never Dr ARS, I think I'd already convinced him that I was perfectly bilingual or one hell of a con-man. Roy sounds OK, far fewer letters emit fom him these days; however, he confesses to be 76 years young as of 18 March this year. He was at HCS from 1942-48 and claims to have burnt his Report Book. I keep mine for the sole purpose of showing my grandkids that one can excel in life after being rudely insulted at school.
Name: Dave Buckley
Email: david dot jasma at tiscali dot co dot uk
Years_at_school: 53 - 61
Date: 19 Mar 2007
Time: 12:48:32
Reference - what happened to Arthur Purton. Sadly he died in the early 1980's. For many years he was the leading light in the (Old) Gaytonians Dramatic Club, and was its President when he died. I joined the Club when I left in 1961 and worked with Arthur on many of the clubs productions. The club closed during the 1990s due to falling membership, a situation which also affected a number of other amdram clubs in the Harrow area. The last production was 'The Master Builder' which was performed in the Travellers Studio at Harrow Arts Centre in Hatch End.
Name: david roberts
Email:
Years_at_school:
Date: 19 Mar 2007
Time: 11:18:16
Whatever happened to Arthur Purton who was head boy in 1911?
Name: Type your name here
Email: Write word 'at' in full to avoid spam,eg 'Square at abc.co.uk'
Years_at_school:
Date: 14 Mar 2007
Time: 22:34:01
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Name: <a href="http://www.flowerbangkok.com">Thailand Flower</A>
Email:
Years_at_school: <a href="http://www.flowerbangkok.com">Thailand Flower</A>
Date: 14 Mar 2007
Time: 22:33:47
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Name: Andrew Caruthers
Email: ajcaruthers at btinternet dot com
Years_at_school:
Date: 13 Mar 2007
Time: 20:12:18
Kenneth Waller Dinner.
Nick and I saw him for lunch today. He is in good form although he walks with a stick and complains that his memory is not so hot, but I thought he was looking OK generally. His idea of memory loss is not being able to remember the principal parts of Latin verbs, so you know the test when its your turn!
He would clearly love a dinner to celebrate the 50th anniversary of joining HCS and we tentatively suggested the end of June in Oxford. I am checking out possible times at my college and also accommodation. It is likely to be a mid week event. Many have already said that they are interested band I will come back to you with a definite date asap.
Please contact me or post to this site as I could do with an idea of numbers.
Andrew
Name: owen lloyd
Email: oalloyd at hotmail.com
Years_at_school:
Date: 06 Mar 2007
Time: 06:43:38
Hi My name is Owen lloyd, I live in Darwin Australia I am trying to contact a cousin or two that possibly went to your school. There names are Alan T Young (b 1954) and Steven G Young (b 1956) thanks in advance Owen
Name: Graham Harris
Email: grahamharrisatlibertychambers.com
Years_at_school: 1969 to 1970
Date: 06 Mar 2007
Time: 00:24:15
Great Work! Delighted to see a site for Harrow County
Name: D es Smith
Email: gonedes AT aol.com
Years_at_school: 1937-1942
Date: 04 Mar 2007
Time: 07:09:16
I agree. Alex has done a sterling job. He even came to see me . What a pity the word "no" was left out of the info. What did they teach at School after I left? Smith's rule O.K.?
Name: Len Smith
Email: lensmith5 at btinternet.com
Years_at_school: 1958-65
Date: 01 Mar 2007
Time: 13:39:13
Great to discover this web-site. I cannot help thinking about those woodpecker shoes. Len Smith
Name: David Wilson
Email: dachwilson at hotmail.com
Years_at_school: '80-'83
Date: 19 Feb 2007
Time: 05:28:57
Howard, if that is the case then its a real loss. Alex - hopefully you'll still be checking in occasionally to this guestbook - so best wishes to you in whatever you are doing now. Is anyone else aware of what the fate of the archives is, if Alex has left?
Name: Howard Lamb
Email: Write word 'at' in full to avoid spam,eg 'Square at abc.co.uk'
Years_at_school:
Date: 19 Feb 2007
Time: 04:41:04
David, It appears that Alex is longer doing the archives. Its a real shame as he done so much tremendous work on them. Regards Howard
Name: David Wilson
Email: dachwilson at hotmail.com
Years_at_school: '80 - '83
Date: 18 Feb 2007
Time: 07:04:23
Alex, have you run out of things to post on here from the archives? I've noticed over the last 6 months or so, the dramatic decrease in the number of new items posted - and also how quiet the guestbook has gone!
Name: Colin Dickins
Email: colin.dickins at blueyonder.co.uk
Years_at_school: 1947-53
Date: 13 Feb 2007
Time: 17:04:39
For those who remember affectionately the Old Gaytonians Dramatic Club (the first OG sub-section, formed in 1912), Denis Kimbley died from cancer last November, aged 80+. He was never at the School, but was such a loyal and long serving member, holding various offices and a notable actor and director, that he will be known to many OG's. He was at one time the strong and effective chairman of the Harrow Arts Council Drama sub-comitte. When the OGDS finally folded in the eary nineties, he joined Pinner Players, already richly endowed with Old Gaytonian talent, and worked as hard and loyally for them until last year.
Name: Laurence Lando
Email: Write word 'at' in full to avoid spam,eg 'Square at abc.co.uk'
Years_at_school: Many years ago!
Date: 29 Jan 2007
Time: 09:56:08
Geoff & Vivien. Many thanks for this comprehensive information. It really does appear that HHS is on the right track. Well done to all concerned. Dr Laurence Lando
Name: Geoff Spring: Association Secretary OGA
Email: geoff.spring at btinternet,com
Years_at_school:
Date: 28 Jan 2007
Time: 10:07:16
Vivien Swaida Our President and the Headteacher: Harrow High School has asked me to make this information available to all Old Gaytonians. Dear Old Gaytonian I know that you will be very interested to hear of Harrow High School's results for 2006 in the context of the local and national league tables. Firstly, I would like to remind members that this year for the first time, the DFES decided that from 2006 the %5 A*-C measure would have to include as part of the 5 subjects English and Maths. As you know, we have been steadily improving from a low base since 2004: 2005: 48% 5 A*-C and 31% 5 A*-C INCLUDING English and Maths 2006: 57% 5 A*- C and 34% 5 A*-C INCLUDING English and Maths Therefore, as you can see, not only has HHS improved the overall number of learners leaving with 5 A*-C GCSEs made up of any subject, it has also demonstrated an upward rise in the 5 A*-C INCLUDING English and Maths. May I also take this opportunity to inform members of my delight at seeing on the BBC Website that in comparison to all other Harrow High Schools, HHS has come 4th highest in its contextual value added - this puts us in the top 10% of schools in similar contexts nationally! Contextual Value Added is worked out to reflect the actual backgrounds of the learners in each school and takes into account their socio-economic deprivation. Given the fact that we achieved HIGHER than the national average contextual value added for our learners we have achieved brilliantly, far exceeding the value added to other learners in some of the boroughs perceived 'top performing' schools. As the school in Harrow with the HIGHEST numbers of young people learning English as an additional language, you will be delighted, as we are to see the hard work out staff have consistently put in reflected in these excellent outcomes for the learners. However, we are not complacent. We have set ourselves some challenging targets to increase the numbers of learners achieving BOTH English and Maths - and just a note on that - over 50% last year achieved A*-C in maths! So we recognise that there is a lot of work to be done with our youngsters, particularly those for whom English is not a first language to bring the improvement in both core areas. I am feeling very optimistic that when I report back to you at the OGA Dinner on 30 March, I will have good news in this regard! Yours sincerely, Vivien Swaida Headteacher Harrow High School
Name: Colin Dickins
Email: colin.dickins at blueyonder.co.uk
Years_at_school: 1947-51
Date: 25 Jan 2007
Time: 02:57:14
Many thanks, Dennis. With such an unusual name they had to be related.
Name: Dennis Orme
Email: dennis_orme at msn.com
Years_at_school: 1967-1975
Date: 24 Jan 2007
Time: 01:49:39
In reply to Colin Dickens question below, Peter Kraushaar is Roger Kraushaar's nephew. However, Roger's brother did not go to Harrow County.
Name: Jeff Maynard
Email: jeffrey at jeffreymaynard dot com
Years_at_school: 1962-69
Date: 21 Jan 2007
Time: 21:03:13
Those who have a Facebook account should search fo the group "Old Gaytonians".
Name: Laurence Lando
Email: Write word 'at' in full to avoid spam,eg 'Square at abc.co.uk'
Years_at_school: 1957 - 64
Date: 19 Jan 2007
Time: 09:56:11
Alex, thanks for the info about recent examination passes by students at HHS. I will not reprise my previous comments. Is it the pupils or the staff? How did they compare with local schools having a similar demographic spread of pupils? When does the local authority or dept of education give 'help'?
Name: Alex Bateman
Email: via Jeff
Years_at_school: 1980 - 84
Date: 18 Jan 2007
Time: 14:04:55
The Harrow school league tables were published in the Harrow Observer today. Harrow High School dropped 14% on the 2005 results, slipping from 48% to 34% for pupils gaining 5 or more GCSE grades of A* to C. The national average for 5 GCSE passes A* to C is 44% so HHS falls some way below that. According to the Observer this means that 60% of pupils do not meet the required national standard in Maths and English. The 2005 result was a 15% increase on 2004, from 33% to 48%.
Name: Paul Romney
Email: Write word 'at' in full to avoid spam,eg 'Square at abc.co.uk'
Years_at_school:
Date: 17 Jan 2007
Time: 16:10:52
Thanks to respondents. I was a bit lazy, I'm afraid, but I've looked closer and ascertained that the Toronto McQuillan is not ours.
Name: Steve Grimes
Email:
Years_at_school: 1958-64
Date: 17 Jan 2007
Time: 11:10:50
For Paul Romney - I was in form 1A with said D A McQuillan in 1958. I think his first name was Dennis.
Name: Chris Rickwood
Email:
Years_at_school:
Date: 17 Jan 2007
Time: 07:16:12
D. AIDAN MCQUILLAN Seems possible. His underfraduate work was the UK side of the pond: Associate Professor Ph.D. University of Wisconsin-Madison (1975) M.A. University of Alberta (1968) Dip. Ed. Queen's University Belfast (1964) B.A. (Hons.) Queen's University Belfast (1963) His first name is David: Adaptation of three immigrant groups to farming in Central Kansas 1875-1925 By David Aidan Mcquillan. (1975)
Name: Paul Romney
Email: paulromney03 at aim.com
Years_at_school: 1956-63
Date: 17 Jan 2007
Time: 03:25:53
Does anyone know if the D. A. McQuillan who was at school in the 1960s is the D. Aidan McQuillan who has taught in the Geography Department of the University of Toronto for many years?
Name: Dennis Orme
Email: dennis_ormeatmsn.com
Years_at_school: 1967-75
Date: 17 Jan 2007
Time: 02:21:21
Roger Kraushaar never married but had an elder brother. He has children but I don't know their names. I'll let you know if I find out if there is a connection.
Name: Howard Lamb
Email: Howard Lamb
Years_at_school: 81-85
Date: 17 Jan 2007
Time: 02:20:43
How very sad to hear of Roger's passing. As an old Gaytonian, I competed for many year's for OGAC, and I remember Roger well. He was part of the management team that helped Tony Bush (the team manager then) take OGAC from the National Division 5, up to and into Division 1 of the British Athletics league (the equal of Football's premiership today). My thoughts go to his family for their sad loss.
Name: Colin Dickins
Email: colin.dickins at blueyonder.co.uk
Years_at_school: 1947-1953
Date: 16 Jan 2007
Time: 15:59:00
I was sorry to read of Roger Kraushaar's passing. His work on behalf of the OGAC brought us into contact when I was editing the Old Gaytonian and he was very helpful and supportive. I e-mailed Dennis Orme's note to my elder son, Mark, who was at Haydon and remembers Roger well and warmly. By coincidence, I have just received the Spring 2007 issue of The National Trust Magazine and I see that the Product Manager is Peter Kraushaar. Is he Roger's son?
Name: Dennis Orme
Email: dennis_ormeatmsn.com
Years_at_school: 1967-75
Date: 13 Jan 2007
Time: 13:04:15
I'm sorry to have to inform you of the passing of former Old Gaytonians Athletic Club Chairman Roger Kraushaar who left HCS in 1965. He had been ill for a number of years. After graduating from Jesus College Cambridge, a year at teacher training college then a short spell at Ilford Grammar, he settled at St. Nicholas Grammar (later to become Haydon) School in Northwood where he taught French and Spanish. He was there for nearly 25 years and organised many inter schools cross country events in Hillingdon borough and the surrounding area. He was an unfailing servant of the athletics club and will be remembered for organising the post match social evenings.
Name: Jeff Maynard
Email: jeffrey at jeffreymaynard.com
Years_at_school: 1962-69
Date: 12 Jan 2007
Time: 07:02:19
Those who are interested in Harrow County Girls School can get a postcard on www.ebay.com - search for item 130067487329.
Name: David Lloyd-Jones
Email: davelj at ntlworld dot com
Years_at_school: 1968-74
Date: 12 Jan 2007
Time: 04:00:05
While sorry to hear of the impending demise of the former Harrow County girls' school, I am even sorrier to hear that the park next door is to be built on. I have many memories of lunchtimes and free periods spent there. Apart from attempts to take the 'American' Swing into orbit, and many Frisbee sessions, I recall that I achieved my first bra undoing in a public place while sitting on a bench beside the (dry) pond on a summer afternoon in 1971. At the time, the bra in question contained a young lady from HC Girls' School.
Name: Katie Finch
Email: poussinpaintsatyahoo.co.uk
Years_at_school:
Date: 11 Jan 2007
Time: 12:38:54
Sad to hear the Girls' School may be demolished - the chief joys of attending the school were, for me, the many beautiful trees in the grounds and the solid early 20th century interiors of the school-polished parquet floors,two-tone gloss walls, bookcorners for secluded study,the polished clock and table ( with bunch of flowers) in the main entrance hall and of course, the 'White House'. At the last reunion I attended about 18 years ago the tapestry from the main hall exhorting us to 'think upon these things' was long gone but astonishingly the temporary wooden music room put up in (I think) the 20s was still there. Most of the trees were gone, the floors and paintwork were dusty and worn and Miss Robinson's terrifying Study was a tatty and untidy staff office- the fireplace had survived, but under some very unsympathetic paint.It would be far from ideal for modern educational use, even in the 60s it struggled to keep up, but it was a wonderful period piece- the iron stair railings had a slight touch of Art Nouveau sinuousness,some rooms had the original metal framed all-in-one desk and chairs-time had moved more slowly in that building, not just on Friday afternoons during double French. I didn't miss school when I left, but I still miss the atmosphere of the building.
Name: Dennis Orme
Email: dennis_orme at msn.com
Years_at_school: 1967-75
Date: 05 Jan 2007
Time: 07:03:05
Article in this week's Harrow Observer about the former Harrow County Girls site which may be of interest. The school is currently one campus of Harrow College, the other being the former Harrow Weald Grammar. Harrow College is to relocate after an 80m pound planning application was approved in December. The decision means that the two existing campuses ... will close and move to a new site on part of Lowlands Road Recreation Ground next to Harrow on the Hill station which is expected to open at the start of the 2010 academic year. Part of the land which makes up the current campus in Lowlands Road will be returned to residents as parkland to make up for the lost recreation ground. I would guess that this means that most of the former girls school will be demolished. There are some quite new buildings on the site which may be retained as part of a new campus.
Name: Steve Grimes
Email:
Years_at_school: 1958 to 1964
Date: 01 Jan 2007
Time: 16:02:16
How would ARS have regarded Strictly Come Dancing? In his usual conservative style, I imagine he would probably have wagged his finger and accused it of being ultra-modern, non-conformist and revolutionary.