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Duncan Ascough 1936-40 Whoops, I'm giving away my age! Some names of fellow students of my day come easily to mind; They include:
Raymond Pennock, Cochranes, from South Bank, Head Prefect, scholar and athlete extraordinary. He later became Lord Pennock. His brother, Charlie, also attended Coatham. Ian Bancroft, School, from Coatham, scholar but not quite the athlete Pennock was. Ian later became Lord Bancroft.
John Pearson, from Marske, Ingham's, prefect and fighter pilot who lost his life in WW2. John's younger brother, Vincent, also attended Coatham. John Sarginson from Marske, School, Monitor, also lost his life in WW2. Doug. Grabham, Saltburn, Cochranes, became navigator in Pathfinders, later bank manager. I attended Doug's funeral last December in Acklam. His brother, Geoff, also attended Coatham. Geoff played soccer at a good level (once played with Wilf Mannion at South Bank) and became an outstanding NYSD player. Cuthy Douglass, Storrs, a great all round student lost his life in WW2 as did another outstanding scholar, R.G.H. Anderson of School House.
I've wondered what became of Cecil Golightly and a chap called Shimeld, a prefect and scholar.
I could go on but will simply name names. I lived in Saltburn so travelled with the likes of Raymond Batty, Jack Booth (rescued at Dunkirk) Alan (Titch) Burnett, Tony Rambow, John Blaine and his brother, Cyril (?), Norman Bainbridge, Maurice Bainbridge, John (Jock) Adamson, Cyril Mazzetti.
Redcar pals of mine then and for some years afterwards included Ronnie Harrod who played cricket for Yorkshire 2nds. and Scotland and Harry (Polly) Henderson who for many years gave great service to Redcar C.C. as their Treasurer There were many other students but let's go to masters.
The Head was Rev. H.D. Littler (History and Latin). Housemasters were Messrs Gale (Maths), Golding (Maths?), Williams (Chemistry and Woodwork), and Pearson (Maths and Physics). Yes, "Little Billy" was there then. G.E. Gunner (English and Religious Knowledge) travelled on the train with us from his home in Saltburn. He was my favourite teacher, a lovely man. Boyce taught French, Chapman Latin, Dahl History, "Tommy"Jackson Chemistry, Webster Music, .I think the organist at daily assemblies was Buckley but what else he did I never knew. P.E. was given by the School Secretary one Captain Laister.
In the realm of trivia, perhaps, but of interest when it happened, Mr. Gale's son who had been a student in the school, was appointed to the staff shortly after I left. They were the first father and son to be on staff at the same time.
In my first year on the cricket team David Kidd and Ernie Nicholson were renowned and feared far and wide as extremely fast and very good bowlers. Harold (Toothy) Brown was a talented spin bowler. One of your subscribers mentioned Colin Rose who later became a teacher at Coatham. He played with me in my second year on the first eleven, probably 1939.
Me? I was on the rugby, cricket and athletics teams although I always preferred soccer. House captain (Cochranes) of those things. Those days we had six- day weeks, were required to attend school on Saturday mornings and compulsory games on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons. Many of us would greatly have preferred being at Ayresome Park but that, alas, has gone the way of Coatham School. Left in '40 to join the Forces pretty well immediately, got through that and emigrated to Canada where I've lived most of my life. Enjoyed reading the web and will continue to do so from time to time. Congratulations, and good luck with it.
Steve Thatcher 1962-68
Hello Graham,
What a great job you have done in setting up the web site. It was interesting to read about old friends. I have been in Banking since leaving school at 17 and will have been with the Abbey National 31 years in March. I am Branch Manager of the Northampton Branch and live in a village near to the town.
I have been married for 30 years in August, have 3 children and 2 grandchildren. Eldest daughter lives in Perth, Western Australia, Son runs a Bikers Pub in Northampton and youngest daughter is studying Geography at Brighton Uni. We travel a lot!!
I played Rugby for Teams in the North East - Morpeth, Rockliffe (Whitley Bay), Percy Park (North Shields) and, of course, Redcar. Never made the first teams but enjoyed 2nds. downwards until I retired at 35.
I kept up the Cricket until I was over 40 but eventually gave up and started to play more Golf. Best Wishes and Thanks again, Steve Thatcher
RON VICKERS 1951-55
Hello Graham
I read with trepidation and some considerable awe, K. Croft’s brief but powerful account on Friends Reunited and of his contact with the head, S. G. BARKER. This formidable man certainly scared me, just to edge past him in the dismal corridors. Fortunately I was never at the receiving end of his corrective practices, although I did manage to come into conflict with one other notorious disciplinarian (still alive), outside the woodwork hut. More of that another time perhaps.
We are told how meaningful and influential teachers are for young minds and a glance through other comments on your website Graham, certainly illustrates this; for the good but also alas for the bad. As a schoolteacher myself for 30 years, may I apologise to Mr Croft on behalf of my profession, although I doubt if he would acknowledge it, all his life he has clearly carried this, “permanent scar on his character.” He seems to have got a bad deal, quite unforgivable, even by the standards of those days, and if true, would be criminal today. The fear factor was paramount in those times but more kindly souls like “Tash” INGHAM, McGREGOR, and G. S. HORNER (Maths), still managed to run a tight ship without resorting to excessive violence. And as for “Little Billy” PEARSON, did he really exist, or was he a myth? How could such a small guy imprint on my feeble memory the spelling of Isosceles, and recite Pythagoras theorem etc., half a century later! There are engineers, physicists, and scientists all over the world who owe something to his expertise. Now that’s what I call teaching. And correct me if I’m wrong, although he frequently carried a cane, did he ever seriously use it? Take “Shiny” WILLIAMS for example, I can’t forget my friend Alan Hudson coming out of the small preparation room next to the junior science lab. When Shiny followed him, he wore that characteristic half smirk on his face, and my friend came out rubbing his arse. Alan, who had been sworn to silence, confided in me later, that Mr Williams had instructed him to bend over then he belted hell out of a bench with his cane. We couldn’t see this of course, but the door had been left open deliberately so we could hear the punishment. The class sat shocked in complete silence!
Another terror for me was Mr COLLARD, and I was his star pupil for goodness sake, who took O Level Art and won an Art Scholarship, yet found his teaching skills appalling. One of the worst teachers I ever came across, he advised me against following up my artistic talents to become an artist, so regrettably I didn’t pursue that course.
It was with some sadness therefore when I read Ann Kember’s (nee Collard) account of her dad’s circumstances. He, being a frustrated artist himself who deplored his time spent teaching at Coatham, later found it difficult to make a living outside of education. It must have hurt him to see artistic talent in a pupil, and at the same time in light of his own situation, steer me away from it. Nevertheless, after working in industry, I have spent many happy and fulfilled years in the classroom. I wonder what John Collard would have thought about that? Finally, to Anne Kember, if she is reading this, thank you for the insight into your dad’s character, it has meant a lot to me, and despite him being a reluctant teacher, I feel sympathy towards Coatham’s fine portrait and landscape painter, so may I wish you every success in finding any of the pictures of Mr John Collard, Art Master of Sir William Turners
Donald J Smith 64-69
Dear Graham,
I am another who came across your site via Friends Reunited. Great job, and it can only get better as you receive more material.
I was at Coatham from 1964 to 1969. Unfortunately I have lost touch with all my old classmates due to having worked overseas since 1978. I have had a variety of jobs and locations in the oil business and am now working for the United Nations in Kosovo.
However through Friends and yourself, I hope to re-establish a few contacts.
Some of the teachers I remember are Ernie “I’ll take you down, boy” Escott, GEPS (but not his strange car everyone else mentions), Louis Moorhouse, Shiny Williams (with whom I luckily had no trouble, though I lived in Dormanstown), Weedy Warne, Doug Gillet, Arty Lee and Col Rose, who I respected very much in the 6th form. He trusted me to produce Storr’s hose play in 1969 and my proudest school moment was accepting the trophy on behalf of the house. I’ll never forget the day I asked Trog if I could bring a necessary prop for our play to school one lunchtime. He agreed, so 4 of us in full uniform carried a real coffin over Black bridge from Lobster Rd.
School mates I remember are Geoff Calvert, Steve Thatcher (we last met at the Ideal Home exhibition in London circa 1979) when he was manning a booth for Abbey Life!), Jim Vickers, John Irving, Col Gibson, Ian Gledhill, Arnold Allum (cellist in our play), Dave Pritchard (callisthenist in the play), Ian Garret, Graham Marsdon, Dave Humphreys, Norm and John Maltby (the Cricketers), Paul Mitchell, Billy Highgate (we were neighbours in Roseberry Road for a couple of years in the late 70’s), Paul Urwin, Nicky Strong, Scaff Holding, John and David Graham, Peter Medd, Colin Diggory and characters like Bill Carter( always popping down to London to buy the latest Mod gear) and Don Wright (Guinness drinking competition in the Clarendon) – and of course, yourself.
Further to Colin Diggory, I’d really appreciate it if you could give me an e:mail address for him. We go back further than SWT. We were friends and neighbours in Grangetown before we moved to Dormanstown. I haven’t seen him or his family for too long and as I’m back in the UK for a week in May, passing through London, it would be great to meet him for a beer.
I’m engaged to an Albanian lady now and we don’t get back to UK much. Anyway, thank you again for setting up the site and I’d love to hear from any of my former school mates who’d like to write.
Have any Old Coathamians heard of or are members of the Hash House Harriers, the International beer drinking club with the running problem? I got in to hashing in Cyprus in 1991 and am now founder and Grand Master of Prishtina hash house harriers. It would be great to hear from any if they are.
Finally, I saw a reference to Corky Hall in someone’s e:mail. My second wife was Corky’s sister. He is still in Australia. Also it would be good to hear from old Old Coathamian legends like Rastus Raine. He’s still in Redcar but I haven’t seen him for ages.
So take care Graham and hope to hear from you. All the best
Don
David Laverick 56-63
Hi, Just came across your site by way of a series of links from Friends reunited.
I was at Coatham from 56 to 63 having previously been at Batty School on Laburnam Road. I did a term in the 3rd year sixth but then pushed off to earn some money before going up to University in London.
David Moore came up to London at the same time as me but sadly committed suicide during his training at the Middlesex Hospital. I kept in touch with Derek Pierson for a few years but lost contact when he went to Africa. Tony Warnock Smith who was my partner in the 61 & 2 Tennis Teams followed me to King's London.
My staff memories are particularly of Colin Rose and 'Seth' Hodgson (who probably did as much to mould my style of writing as he did to teach me history. I certainly remember "GEES" Siddaway and his Messchersmitt bubble car.
My first form master was "Bill" Gibson. I assume he must have taught me but can't remember what his subject was though I do remember seeing him pay cricket for Redcar. I was taught Maths by 'Conk' Golding and "Little Billy" Pearson, English by Phil Hargreaves who was the House Master at Red Barns, French by Louis Moorhouse and Mr Thornton.
John "Jaspar" Gray lived fairly close to me and died when he was still fairly young. Latin was taught by Roy Roebuck who also died when still quite young.
Others in my year were Richard Tallet and Tony Burghall. If anone where they are..... please get in touch.
I live in York but commute down to London with occasional forays around the rest of the UK.
David Laverick
Bob Cromack 1957-62
Anyone remember those happy years!!!! Bob Cromack from scarborough
here, now living in the depths of Wiltshire would like to hear from
anyone at Red Barns in those years and especially any who
remember "Little Billy" who taught maths.
Bob
John Collard Art Teacher
Hello Graham,
Hope it is not intruding on your site as I was neither a pupil or a master at SWT. I am John Collard's daughter and do remember a number of the pupils. I am wondering what happened to and if there is anyone out there remembers and knows "Where are they now" the following.
Mr Piotrowski Polish French teacher
Peter Murgatroyd English
Mr (Shiny Williams) Science I guess he must be deceased now but does anyone know of his family since Redcar
Gerald Coles Pupil I believe, became MP for Stockton
Tim Downes Pupil (Very good at acting)
Harry Atherton Pupil (Very good at the Sciences and Arts)
My fathers nickname I cannot remember only that he found it very amusing. Anyone remember it? My father died, a frustrated artist, in 1969 aged 74. He absolutely loathed his time teaching art. It was the first job he ever had. Rest of his life, he was a freelance painter, which meant until he got a post at SWT, at my mother's insistence, we never knew where the next meal was coming from. I had 12yrs in Redcar and it holds many happy memories. On my father's retirement he went back south but never really managed to make a decent living, painting. That was a shame because he was a very competent painter and had flashes of great works from time to time. Am now on the constant lookout for any of my father's paintings, as he did so much work when in the north and I know a lot of scenes of Marske, Kirkleatham and Redcar sands were painted. So, if by any remote chance anyone knows of the whereabouts of these, I would be so grateful.
Regards
Anne (Collard) Kember
John Gummerson 1960-67
Excellent web site - great to read about contemporaries. Reading Tony Clifford's entry brought back all sorts of memories - mostly happy - of my time at SWT - Also interesting to learn that Pete Chester is still around Redcar. Someone mentioned John Ryan who was a couple of years above me but I remember him from the swimming team - any other swimmers out there? I remember how Storrs House always won the swimming shield. Little Billy Pearson was House Master, and if I remember right also our Form Master in Form 1A, and he taught us Maths - I can still rattle off some of the Geometry theorems we learned by rote.
After university (Nottingham - French) I've spent virtually all my working life in the NHS and am currently Head of Information Services at Ashford & St. Peter's Hospitals Trust in Surrey. I live in Portsmouth (Southsea) married with 2 children - Helen who now lives in Croydon and Matt who is in his 2nd year at Portsmouth Uni. Mr Barker (the Trog) retired down to this part of the world (Emsworth) just along the coast but he died a few years ago.
I'm still in touch with Mike Bath who lives in the Lake District so we only get to meet up once a year. His wife's family have a house in Corsica and we met up there three years ago when our holidays coincided. During a very alcoholic dinner on the terrace of the family home Mike and I gave a drunken rendition of Gaudeamus Igitur (God knows why!) - what the locals made of it I don't know.
I am in less than frequent contact with David "D" Robins who is now semi-retired after a successful career in the City.
Does anyone remember my brother Alan who left in c. 1960/61. Unfortunately he died of cancer in November 2001. He had an "interesting" life latterly living and working in Greece where he finally found the happiness and peace of mind he had long been searching for. Dave Horner, a contemporary of his, came to his funeral. Dave mentioned "Corky" Hall who is now living in Australia.
With best wishes John Gummerson
Stuart Haines
I have just had another chance to have a look at your school photograph.I am prety sure that the chap numbered 20 is Alan Jackson. I still see him regulary he was in the same form as me as was Paul Urwin But where Paul Urwin was one of the swatters in the class we were always getting the cane.
Others I remember in the same form apart from what paul has told you are
Graham Walker, John Semple, David Shaw,Alaister Mocket. Graham Nichols,Robert Judson David Keogh, Michael Coulson. Im at a dead end at the moment but will continue to think.
Some of the teachers were Pop Hudson Tony Allison Mr Jacks Geps ,(Mr Sidaway With His Meschersmitt) Weedy Warne Mr Cooke Seth Hogson.Mr Mcgregor,He hurt when you got the cane, Doug Gillet, Mr Ingham. Who was the Lady Teacher with the big knockers?. Can you remember Mr sidaways last day His Bubble car finished on the armoury roof.
Well I think I have taxed my brain enough for now if I think of any thing else I will let you Know.
Dave Pringle another class mate.
Stuart Haines
Dormanstown Community Forum Chairperson
Dormanstown Regeneration News Chairperson
Visit our website at www.dormanstown.com
Graham Thomas
I was at SWT from 68 to 75 before I went to St Catharine's in Cambridge. I have already been in touch with Paul Crowe who was a contemporary of mine and Alasdair Gibbs Barton. Other people I hung out with included Laz Croft, Nick Turner, Glen Dobson, Keith Walton, Ian Thompson and various other drinking pals.. I have been living in London since 1981 and now run my own company providing foreign language translation services based just off Tottenham Court Road. I still keep in touch with George Thomson who taught at SWT for some years and he is now (early) retired and living in France last I heard.
Please add my details to the site - it is great to hear from people and reading through this and the Friends Reunited at least shows me that I have kept some of my memory cells intact. I am glad someone has kept the school memory going - it served us well..
I hope this is in order and look forward to hearing from you ,Best Regards
Graham Thomas
Marketing Director - Smallworld
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7436 4686
Fax:+44 (0) 20 7436 4601
My name is Basil A Gunn. I was at Sir William Turners from 1944 to 1950. I was a member of the school boxing team at the time when John Chicken was the captain of the team. I have a photo which I will scan and send ASAP. Since leaving school I have spent my whole career working in Industrial laboratories. First in the steel works at Warrenby. then at ICI eventually going to work abroad in 1977 since that time I have been lucky enough to work all over the world in a total of 15 different countries as far apart as Nigeria and China.
Steve Green 69 - 74. Just read the pages which brought back a few memories. I`m the same vintage as Graham Denison & Mal Colclough. All I can add to Denos register are Steve Gibson, myself, Paul Hampson, Carl Pearson, the Sanderson twins - Ian & Robert, Colin Stango, Eric "ginna" Johnson and Yates (paul?) Also my friends David Coatham & Philip Buczko, same year but G & X streams respectively. I left in 74 & did an army apprenticeship in electronics followed by 13 years fixing radars, a short spell as a publican at the Somers Arms in Leigh Sinton near Malvern, Worcs. Moved to Buxton in Derbyshire where I have now worked at the town hall for ten years as an environmental health technical assistant. Anyone is welcome to E mail me as I get back to the old stamping ground now & again to visit family in Saltburn Skelton & Guisborough (excuse spelling) Keep up the good work.
Steve Green
Nicky Metcalfe
Back in Manchester Graham for my second stint (been here 9 years now and was
here for 3 between '82 and '85). Work as an accountant in town, with a
couple of days a week in Leeds and Newcastle thrown in for good measure. Do
you watch Norden play cricket at all? - one of my big pals stars for the
first Xl.
Tony Begg
Dear Graham
I left Sir William Turner's in 1967 to go to Churchill College, Cambridge. I had been there since the first form. Remember it as pretty barbaric. My first year I kept getting kneed in the nuts by older boys. By the 5th form, used to slick down my hair with brylcream during the week, wash it out at the weekend. Got persecuted for it - made to pick up milk bottle tops. Usually the gym teachers ("Jasper" was a nickname for one of them - Mr Gray ?). They would witness the corporal punishment for each other, and arrange to do it when Barker and Macgregor weren't there. Macgregor (Chemistry teacher and assistant headmaster) and Tom Pearson (Physics) I remembered as reasonably human masters. Remember "Hardie" Kier, the French master, always marching me down to the headmaster's office (for defiance), and never actually ending up there. Liked Mr Sidaway - first exposure to any kind of philosophy. Remember he would help us spell with MEDI-TERRA-NEAN, and had this joke "Where did the Chaldeans come from ?" "Er.." "That's right". I remember an English teacher (Mr Watson ?) styled himself as "Flash Harry" - bit of a mean streak - had me stand in the corner, crushed me with the door and said "what have we got here - a bit of dirt ?". All because he told a joke and thought my laugh was put on. I also remember the first female teacher (the stuff of fantasies of course). And the 3 sixth form girls from the girl's grammar school that were there for alternate math. One was Pedro (?) Thornton's (Spanish teacher) daughter Helen - nice looking girl, great personality. Those were formative years and I think did me good overall. Fond memories really. My folks and brothers are still in Teeside. Was last there 5 years ago. Am in Trinidad, Colorado right now. Thanks for the page - brought back memories - especially the nicknames we had for the masters.
Best Wishes Tony Begg
Kevin Wilkinson
I was an inmate at Red Barns from 69-73 so guess our paths crossed.My memories include, the Saturday morning run and if lucky you got to run again on the beach on a Sunday and then come in and fill yourself on a bananna, a bun, marjorine and cheap jam!Other memories include the lady with the limp who rang the bell to wake you in the morning,having only 2 baths a week,the long walk to church on a Sunday,Hargreaves bursting into the dorm with such force the door nearly came off its hinges,silent hour on a Sunday - time to write home to say what a great time you were having!!The painting at the end of the hall of the lady whose eyes followed you. Re Matron - since I left I have never had a sick day and when ever I hear the music for the Archers it takes me straight back to the time I managed to wangle a few days in sick bay - the old trick of keeping warm tea tucked away in your mouth just before she took your temperature. People I remember, Jock Dawson, Bonzo, BOL, John Trevorow and my 2 mates Wiff and Wes who along with me made up the 3 "W's".I will stop now as the memories are causing me to shake!! My niece and nephew attend a baording school and having just been with them for a week and listened to their life it just doesn't compare - they think I'm making it all up. Some must have left RB permanently damaged - I hope they have found peace later in life.
Regards Kevin
Peter Dachowski
Many congratulations to you on your initiative. I had tremendous fun, having stumbled across this site while "surfing" in Pennsylvania,
reading all the comments of others and particularly about the teachers. I ran into Simon Davey by chance when his firm succeeded in landing a
consulting assignment with mine. He did great service and continues to work and live in Cambridge
I was Head Boy and Captain of the 1st XV in 1965-66. The really good team on which I had the privilege of playing was, however, the 64-65
one, captained by Richard Yorke, in which I played No 7. Mike Davies (who was No 8) came to my wedding reception in the States in 1977. He was living in Canada at the time. French is a working language for me in my current responsibilities ;Messieurs Moorhouse and Thornton would have been proud.....
Peter Dachowski (58-66)
Andrew Liddle
Hello Graham Jimmy Dinsdale via Paul urwin put me in touch with this site, I think you've hit on something here. Its amazing how many people I've come across who were at Coatham who still have fond memories of it. To bring you up to date I live in Castleton N. Yorks and work for DuPont Teijin Films.
I Keep in touch with
Nicky Burgess who has a office furniture supply company and lives in Abbots Langley Hertsfordshire
Haggis (Graham Marsden) works for ACAS and lives in Cambridge
Jimmy Dinsdale lives in Tooting and works with Mike Taylor
Louis Davies who went up to Cambridge with me, was killed in a climbing accident a few years later
John Graham who is Neighbour and David Graham lives in Danby (next village)
Pete Medd is solicitor in Redcar and lives in Saltburn
Gareth Fawcett (few years older than us, played cricket for school & also lives in Castleton
N.o 36 is Simon Davey, he went to Churchill a year before me
I've still got some 'Yellow Books' which I will look for which might help you track down the missing players
Andrew Liddle
e-mail address is andy.liddle@dupont.co.uk
Jim Dinsdale
Hi Graham, Jim Dinsdale here.Well done on the site!
That Wright vs.Burgess drinking contest actually took place in a scout room on Station Rd.The chosen weapon was a pint of the very "best"cooking sherry purchased from an exclusive supplier namely the offi next to West Dyke school,where it had been lain down next to the radiator for at least a couple of weeks in its cask of carefully seasoned polythene.The contest itself,watched by several if not more yes not more was not the best spectator sport .They poured the driink equally and then....they drank it!...nothing!We decided to go to St Peters youth club.
By the time we arrived Don was getting how shall we say..raucous?and we thought it best to secret him under the stage.Nick Burgess still standing and apparently alive was declared winner and disappeared into the night!
As the minutes passed gradually so did Don's transformation into Calban.His performance, relegated from"on stage"to"neath stage",involved the smashing of much of the furniture stored there(a tendancy he embraced well into the sixth form!)with an accompaniment of much blaspheming and yes vomiting...nice.
The commotion ,inspite of us turning the music up untypically high,had become noticeable as we could'nt fully shut the understage sliding door.A gap wasleft just big enough for a tabletennis ball to pass through and lo it did!and it would just have to be the youth club leader's would'nt it!He retreived it inspite of our desperate and nonsensical protests and was awarded a vision of sickening self & timber-related destruction.Don was subsequently dragged cadaver-like from his lair managing to compose himself momentarily when confronted with a dog-collared figure only to blurt out a plaintive"Sorry vicar",a phrase that would haunt him for many a day to come!You see..it was only a curate! Oh how we laughed!(I don't know.How did we laugh?)Well we laughed almost as much as we did when,carrying Don home,we stumbled upon the prostrate and completely out of it form of "The Winner"down alley next to the youth club.
Happy days .Those Blue remembered Pills..Hills I mean!
Anyway Sivs whats with this Irish Celtic Folksy whatnot?I thought you were Redcars answer to Donald(Duck)Dunn (Booker T & MGs)!
Nick Burgess..looked like Ginger Baker....played like Hilda..Sorry Nick in truth I only saw him play once .
Anyway this is my first email on my new set top internet box so I hope it's successful and that it's added to the overall picture of the early days.
Regards and well done again.
Jim Dinsdale.
Davy Cornick 1973 - 1975
Dear Graham,
Enjoyed your site very much and would like to add my own contribution. Sadly I came to SWT at the end of its life - entering the school in 1973 and only enjoying two years before the comprehensive metamorphosis into Saltscar School. But those two years were well worth it! Obviously, being of a later generation, a lot of the names on the site are alien to me, though some are recognised. I did know Brian Flett, as he taught me at West Dyke School in the early 70s. Altough still a young man at the time, he was a gifted and articulate teacher who left a lasting impression upon those of us fortunate to be in his classes.
Dave Power I remember through Sunday morning football, when he ran one of the local teams. Chris Ellis gets a mention by one of your contributors, he was Head Boy in my first year.
Billy Highgate is, of course, known to many, and only this week his photo' was in the Evening Gazette in one of their "Remember When" features. Of my own contemporaries, I remember them all, but come across few. I am still in touch with Nigel "Harry" Harrison (Now living in Cardiff) and Paul "Arthur" Reason, with whom I work. Always the underachievers, we now work for a well known steel company. I occasionally see my old friend Colin Lewis.
Some of your older visitors may remember my brother Billy Cornick (1963-68) or my brother-in law Robert Nightingale (1960-67ish?). The more antiquated may remember my uncle, Stanley Upton (Early 1950s). My cousin, Gary Blackmore was in the year above me, entering in 1972.
Trog was still in charge, being so until the old school passed on in 73. Tony Allison was a passionate promoter of the cricketing and rugby arts. Someone mentioned Baz Land, every time I see Brian Blessed I think of him! Tufty Brown taught us "Craft" - the use of clay and such. Although my tenure at Swt was sadly short, I remember it with a smile. Power to your site!
Andy Dodds 1967-1972
Found this site thru friends united - recognise most of the masters - AGBO / SETH to name two but do not recognise any of the pupils - perhaps no-one from my era has joined - although I'm sure John Lister was in my year. I left 5F in 72 - and I remember 'Rocker' Rowett was the form master at the time - Some of the classmates I remember and would like to contact are Gary Griffiths / Col Smith / Richard Mackay - I keep
in touch with one former Coathamian - Dave Powell (and indirectly his younger brother Geoff). If anyone recognises them or keeps in touch please let me know.
Thanks, Andy Dodds
Tony Clifford 1960-1967
My name is Anthony Clifford, now known as Tony. I attended SWT 1960-67, travelling by train from Saltburn with Bruce Hamilton and several others. I now live in Romford, Essex. I'd love to hear more about some of the terrific athletes around at that time, in particular the runners Tony Moore and John Myatt. Inghams House seemed to be particularly strong at cross country, if we weren't much good at anything else! I was a 1st XV rugby player but also developed a taste for running which stayed with me until my mid-40s, when a medical condition meant I had to stop pounding the streets, very reluctantly.
I'm also interested in any news about Lorraine Barker, who was at Cleveland Girls School around this time, and lived in Lune Street, Saltburn. Her brother David was at SWT. For the benefit of anyone who remembers me, I have had successful careers in librarianship and computing, and can be contacted at tonydclifford@hotmail.com and tclifford@barking-dagenham.gov.uk .
Graham Sivills 1962-69
Well, since this is my page, I thought I'd just put in a few of my own quirky reminiscences about the School.
Being one of School electricians we got to put the music on at the start of assembly and also to keep score of who came in and who didn't (masters) and who forgot their gowns. Kept score on the blackout blind. Being told off by Trog for putting rubbish record on... It was one of Gustaf Holst's Planets. Trog also stopping assembly in the middle of the Lord's prayer and demanding that we sing it again ...... "With Gusto!"..... sorry that was "with Gasto!" whoever he was. Little Billie Pearson telling us how to do Highest comon Factors in Maths... "Do what I do with my grandchildren at bathtime "Splash down the longest line and multiply by what you haven't got" . Popeye Hudson getting distracted every lesson by bringing up the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway. The joint debates with Cleveland Girls and taping them on this huge wooden tape recorder that was Phil Hargreaves prized possession and had to be carried back to Red Barns afterwards. Letting Bill Carter come to my house for lunch so I could get a ride on his Scooter. Boys being threatened with the Cane if they were caught without their caps on in the town or if they were caught eating apples in the street. Trog referring to thieves as 'Light Fingered Gentry' and troublemakers as "Bolshie Tickos" And where did the school get the bright idea of labelling 12 and 13 plus lads as the "X" forms? (Not quite us you know).
And what can we say about Shiny Williams? Seemed as mad as a hatter when he threw out kids from the classroom because they came from Dormanstown (Remember the Dormanstown snowball fights he described? with Razor blades stuck in potatoes?). Apparently it was all due to the sad death of Bainbridge an Olympic Swimmer that Shiny used to coach but I don't know the truth of that. Actually having met Keith Griffith last weekend I now know the truth of it and he tells a wonderful story of how Shiny inspired him to cultivate a love of learning and get the highest score in A level zoology ever! I do know he described how to make a tape recorder out of magnets and Iron wire and a Yorkshiremans nightlight out of Phosphorus and how to open a Yale Lock from the outside through the letterbox with some tape and a starting handle.
Then there were the barricades made of haversacks to prevent Ernie Escott walking round the classroom in Latin and him ignoring them and striding over them with his great long legs no matter how high they were built. Godfrey Hall was School Captain when I started. He seemed like a man rather than a schoolboy..... dammit he was a man I think he'd done 6th form a couple of times and was about 20. School concerts ... and once we had pop music with Billy Highgate (see below) singing King of the Road. Squadron Leader George Edward Pallant Sidaway with his famous Messerschmitt (car). Seth Hodgson's (History) prediction that the Queen would abdicate when Charles got to be 40 to let him be king. Murder in the Cathedral when one of the boys playing a priest had to say "Do you like Roast Pork?" and found 27 ways to emphasise each of the words. Travelling back from University in the summer to build sets for the plays for the Coathamians Dramatic Society. Donald Wright the Lyke Wake Walk king in a drinking competition with Nicky Burgess under the stage at the Anglican Youth Club and carrying them both home unconscious....... No No that must have been after we left school. Going to the Red Lion Disco and changing my birthday every month as I got closer to 18. My claim to fame coming in 19th in the house in the School Cross Country... Playing Sedbergh on a Rugby tour and thinking th y were a load of softies because they wore short pants.... before they stuffed us.... I could go on but you're probably asleep by now........And that Rugby tour was something else..... Who was it that fell asleep in the bath? A few unsavoury memories but lots of fun and history as well. Thanks for the memories.
Phil Johnson 1959-66
What a fascinating discovery your site was. I have attended tha last two reunions at Redcar Rugby Club and still keep in contact with Ronnie Fletcher who still lives in Redcar. I can confirm that no 52 on your big site photo is in fact a Jones by name Alan. I was at Coatham with his brother T.W. - Tom Jones (oh no not that one.) I was at Coatham with Tom from 59 to 66.
Colin Diggory 1965 - 1972
Dear Graham
Just come across your excellent Sir Willam Turner's page on a routine Google search! Well done.
I was there from 1965-72 (I recall Paul McKenna, Rusty Oldham of Red Barns, Stig Graham, Geoff Flett, Fred Pickering, Fleur Fowler, AGBO, Herbie Elliot, the Waghorne triplets, and many others come to think of it)
After reading Maths at Durham (72-75) followed by a PGCE there with Geoff Flett I taught at Manchester Grammar School, St Paul's, Head of Maths at Merchant Taylor's School Northwood and am currently Headmaster at Latymer Upper in London W6, moving to be Head of Alleyn's, Dulwich from Sept 2002.
It would be fun to hear from anyone of my era or better still meet up for a drink if anyone passes through London. Does anyone remember climbing out the window during Latin with Ernie Escott or skiving on cross country over Majuba sand dunes to be caught by Ronnie Roebuck? And does anyone know what happened to Jock Dawson (Red Barns)?
Just out of interest John Ryan is now on my staff as a Physics teacher - I think he was at Coatham about 60-67.
Brilliant web-site, good luck with it.
Paul Parsons 1943 - 1948
Graham, I was at the school from 1943-48. I've been trying to contact old friends for a long time, not easy from this distance. Ben Marshall (of 6 Tees Rd) who joined the Army Education Corps, Ken Agar (of Corporation Rd) who I believe became a teacher and possibly now lives in Marske, he was a great pianist. Dennis Neasham of West Dyke Rd who had the 'first' record of 'In the Mood'. I'd be pleased to hear of any of them. The school? I wasn't happy, I never got peace from the maths teacher, Billy Pearson, because I had come from the South West, 'Conq' and others were OK. Rex Hunt, later governor of the Falklands, left about six months after I joined. I wrote to him and received a nice reply about four to five years ago. Years ago I met 'Funf', an ex sixth former and rugby 1st 15 in Newcastle. He was quite happy digging road ditches and gardening. Keep up with the good work, Paul.
David Fretter 1965 - 1970
Graham, I was fascinated to stumble across the SWT site. I was an inmate at Red Barns from 1965 to 1970 and recognised a number of the faces and having lived alongside several of them for five years have many memories of that time. I was a gloriously under-achieving schoolboy and can recall one of my last conversations with the Trogg prior to my departure when he assured me that my five years had been a complete waste of his time and mine and he was certain that I'd amount to nothing! Perhaps he was right because after spending the last 25 years working all over the country for a number of banks I've now washed up in Stockton as the Head of Call Centre for Churchill Insurance. Living in Yarm I've not heard from anyone since leaving and have often wondered what became of them all..Of the faces in your photograph I particularly remember Ian Walkington, David Bradley( who must have earned his England under 15 Rugby cap around this time), Dave Smith ( BOL being short for Barrel on Legs ) Howard Targett who was seven foot tall even then. I also think that I can identify number 60 as Peter Flood. Seeing Doug Gillet brought back happy memories of blackboard rubbers being thrown across the classroom. He would spend a lot of time at Red barns with his mate Keith Dobson our Geography teacher and an enthustic rugby player himself. I can recall Gerry Riches our PE teacher enthusiastically beating me across the backside with a gym shoe for reasons that were never made clear. Likewise I spent many a happy hour stood outside the door of the classroom after being slung out for talking by Tony Allison. I remember Seth Johnson and Ernie Escott and of course Phil Hargreaves who was house master at Red Barns and another regular adversary of mine!! Happy days? Not at the time but I do have to say I look back now and have happy memories of those days. I still have a photograph of all of the boarders taken on the lawn at Rewd Barns in 1966/67 and looking at Trogg Barker still brings me out in a cold sweat!!!!
Regards , Dave Fretter
Paul Crowe 1968 - 1975
Contact: Tel: 2333 - Customer Service Team, 5th Floor West, Queens Walk
Hi Graham, You can add me to your list - I was at Willys from 68 - 75, 1N originally then 2J onwards to the sultry 6th! Compatriots would be GC Booth, Steve Chance, 'Flash' Carr, the Forrest twins, Grande-Tete, Dixon [Dicko], Glenn Dobson, Pete Sproxton, Keg ,Gibbs_Barton [on your list I see] - I have photos of a few people around the school taken in 75, before we left, plus a couple of old Yellow Books in the attic, and my fading signed programme from 1975's production of 'Midsummer Nights Dream' performed with the 'gurls' of Cleveland Grammar. I well remember the snowball rule - I was caned for it for chucking a slushy ball in full view of Trog - he was paranoid about it - no paper planes either! Please feel free to post my details and I'll dig around the memory banks to see what else I can recall. Haven't lived in the NE since leaving in 75, most of the time in London and out to Carshalton in Surrey, and now live in Brighton.
Great site, Cheers , Paul
Craig Molloy 1968 - 1975 (Ninnim)
Graham, Please add me to your site list. I was at SWT from 1968-1975. Lived in Saltburn, now in Sidcup in Kent. I'm a Publisher of IT business magazines.
People may remember me as Craig Ninnim,I changed my surname to Molloy for family reasons when I was in my early twenties.
I remember Martin Barber(Fly-half), Frazer Neasham, Norman Hunter (2nd Row), Steve Carter(centre), Clive Burgess, Steve Harker, Metcalfe(centre), Steve Smith (good scrum half)
Would be good to hear from any of my contemporaries.
Cheers, Craig
Peter McGuigan 1966 - 1973
Hello everyone. I was at SWT from 1966-73, so I left before it all went to the dogs. I had a great time at the school and went to University. Eventually I joined the Army which has taken me all over Europe (and a few other places as well). I'm now living in Wiltshire and I work as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Royal Logistic Corps. I moved to Middlesbrough about 6 months before finishing school (commuting daily) and in consequnce I lost touch with people pretty quickly - any one out there of my vintage?
Mike Marshall 1957 - 1964
Graham, Found your Sir Wm. Turner's web site - well done! I was at the school from '57 to '64 and still live in Redcar - I am in touch with a number of old boys including Roger Fall, Gerry Brennan, Paul (and Peter) Jones, Geoff Harper, Craig Harrison, Keith Murray. I attended both of the re-unions held so far, but was disappointed to find few attendees from my era at the last. I would love to contact anyone who remembers me, particularly some good friends who I have totally lost contact with - Chris Baker, John Peasey,
Colin Phillips, Peter Dachowski, Alan Anderson, Charlie Sharp are a few names which spring to mind. Anybody who remembers me, or who knows of the whereabouts of any of the above, or others, or in fact just want to reminisce about old school days, feel free to contact me. My private e-mail (at home) is mike.marshall1@ntlworld.com
Mike Marshall
IT Section Head
West's Engineering Design Limited
Telephone: +44 1325 267430
Fax: +44 1325 262627
Email: mike.marshall@wests-eng.co.uk
Paul Sanderson 1963 - 1970
Saltburn Infants, Saltburn Juniors, SWT, Teesside College of Art. Now lives in Beckenham, Kent. Thanks for the other names in the picture Paul.
Please note that Paul has a page of his own reminiscences on Saltburn 1951-70 here http://www.sandy.dircon.co.uk/saltburn
Graham P Denison 1969 - 1974
Scary photo on your web site... did we really look like that... maybe I didn't I started at Wm Turners in 1969. I remember wearing a cap, I was in Storrs house, in G classes. I'd gone to Coatham CofE before 'big school' and by was it big ! Funny how you remember the role call, at least some of it, ring any bells ? Armitage Bishop Campbell Colclough Crane Denison Dobey Easton Forbes Forrest Hampson Hawkey Heathcock ----- McKenzie Mather ----- Then I loose it ! I've had contact with a few Old Coatamians, I found a few via Web White Pages. Remember Bazza Land ? I recall a prefect Chris Ellis, and there was a Fleetwood Mac Tarcus album cover on the wall in the prefects room. Were you there when we did HMS Coatum ? Funny thing memories !
Malcolm Colclough 1969 - 1974
Graham, The last meeting of the Old boys was on 24th June at the Rugby Club. It was my first time, but well worth it. They meet every 5 years, so you'll have time to save up for the next one! The guy who organises them is called Stewart Fawcett on 01642 477201. Give him a ring and he'll put you on his database. I didn't join Willi Turners until 1969, so we won't have met. Just buy me a beer in 5 years time!!
John Lee 1964 - 1970?
Being a couple of years younger than yourself & those in the photo of The Big Team,I am not much use in the way of putting names to the faces but no5 Ithink could be H.H.Bernard(a prefect giving lines during my early years & 47 who could be Tony Coyne who as I remember was another prefect striking fear into the hearts of us 1st & 2nd formers.I`m new to this new technology & a P.C.novice but have somewhere a couple of old cricket team photo`s which ,if i can get someone with a scanner & the required skill to send them to you.I think I should be able to name most if not all of those captured including a rounder,balder Doug Gillett.I can still quote all the surnames of my class `morning regester style` but alas am not in contact with any of them.There was a recent old boys gathering organised by Stuart Fawcett who is the legal exec at Goodswen`s Solicitors on Redcar High Street,which alas I did not attend.The last one I attended was Boss Barkers leaving dinner.I was not a star pupil & still live in Redcar working for Corus(British Steel),well with the redundancy situation as it is,for this week anyway!
Alisdair Gibbs-Barton 1968 - 1975
I was at SWTs from 1968 to 1975. I flunked Poly, joined Customs & Excise and have moved about the country a bit before settling down here in Blyth, Northumberland. If anyone ever sets up a list of what people made of themselves, I'm a local councillor (on Blyth Valley
District Council (WWW.blythvalley.gov.uk if you want to see the piccy) and a magistrate. I think I have become the establishment that I spent so many years rebelling against!! Aaargh!
I joined C&E with Graham Cummings, but he left and joined the Police. Last I heard he was a Superintendant with the Cleveland force.
Seriously, if anyone remembers me and wants to get in touch, then I'd welcome e-mails. I occasionally see Mhairi Charlton (nee Lister, sister of Johnny Lister (1967 to 1975????) so could arrange to pass messages on.
Regards to all.....
Alisdair Gibbs-Barton
Paul Urwin 1962 - 1969
Dear Graham, Just read, by accident, your webpage on Nowhere Guides. You might remember me- Paul Urwin - Dormo. You did all the electrical things for the house plays and the old Coathamians and lived in Eston? It would be great to hear from you and anyone who remembers me and anyone in my second life as a teacher in Westfields School where I taught P.E. and was affectionately known as 'Bert'. I can fill you in on some of the names on the 1968 photograph and some old friends. Best Wishes, Paul Urwin Where they are now: (Nicky Strong- Solicitor Marske) Ian Garrett (Detective Middlesbrough) Bill Carter (Last heard of in USA following his pop star dream) Dave Budding (Solicitors Clerk Redcar) Andrew 'Pop' Liddle (ICI Top scientist - NY Moors ) Jimmy Dinsdale ( Clerk - London) Still in contact Jimmy Vickers (House husband -Redcar) Dave Power (Retired dentist) Phil Burns (Sadly died 2 years ago) Neil Davison (Top Solicitor St Albans) Ian Howden (Teacher) Graeme Marsden (Cambridge) Dave Goodswen (Self made millionaire - Redcar) Chris Howard ( Teacher Billingham ) Mike Pearson ( Chemical Engineer - Redcar) Alan Jones (Teacher - Marske)
George Clemo 1966 - 1969
I stumbled upon your Willy Turner page today and it brought a wave of nostalgia on, but unfortunately no reliable memories of names or faces. I attended first form at the school for the '68-69 school year, after which my family emigrated to the USA, where I have lived ever since. My older brother Richard Clemo attended a few years longer than me, say from '66 to 69 when we emigrated. I believe he played rugby for the school. We lived in Saltburn, in a house ("Fairmount") on Marine Parade, overlooking the sea, and rode the train each day to school in Redcar. I vaguely remember Pritchard (No. 55 in your photo) being a prefect and star athlete during my brief tenure at Willy Turners. Alan Old (aka AGBO) was my first form home room teacher, and was absolutely the best teacher I ever had before or after. Other peers at Coatham from Saltburn included Peter Taylor, Peter Kirby, Douglas Robertson, someone I remember only as Gnasher (Frazier?) due to noteworthy dental features. I was in Coatham house (???-the one that had purple colours), and still have the colours tie I won for cross-country (cross-country being one event where sheer stubbornness can make up for the lack of athletic ability) hanging in my closet, although it is far too small to wear now. Other largely useless memories of teachers during that time: "Mandy" someone (probably Davies); a female teacher who was pregnant during the '68-69 year, exciting a great deal of sophomoric jokes and comments. S.E.T. Hodgson (Seth)- history teacher Ted Heath-French teacher Tufty ??? Brown??? -art teacher Chris Old (AGBO's brother; bowled for UK) phys. ed. teacher (?) "Trogg" Barker-headmaster; once lectured us at an assembly following some minor outbreak of disobedience accusing us of being "Bolshies." I now live in Roanoke, Virginia, where I masquerade as a lawyer, with wife and 2 boys, ages 10 and 13. Well, good luck with your website. Best regards. G.J.A. Clemo
Peter Chester 1960 - 1967
Dear Graham,
Let me introduce myself. My name is Peter Chester. I was a pupil at SWT 1960-1967 and was interested to come across your website. I am afraid I was not particularly sporty in upper school and therefore cannot at present add much by the way of information regarding the picture.
I am in fact Head of Humanities Redcar & Cleveland College, which is where the remnants of SWT now reside. In 1983, I succeeded Colin Rose as Head of History at the sixth form College, and as such I inherited odds and ends of historical material to do with the school over the past century or so. No doubt after me it will all go to an archive.
That said, we have a project in College at present which is intended to at least put the memory of SWT and his schools on the map. A wing of the College is being appropriately decorated and there will be a semi-permanent display of various items. Foundation Governors, one of whom is Tony Allison, are overseeing the project, and I am the nearest we have to a resident historian.
That brings me to your picture of the big side of 1968-9. We have a number of older pictures, but that is the most recent large group picture that I have seen, and I was wondering therefore if I could borrow it with a view to having a professional copy made. Even if we did not display it immediately, it would be a useful addition to the
little archive we have.
Best Wishes
Peter Chester
Thomas Morton Birtwhistle 1921 - 1927
My name is Peter Birtwhistle, I live near Newbury in West Berkshire and I've come across your web page on Sir William Turner's School.
My father, Thomas Morton Birtwhistle (b 1910, d 1974) went to Sir William Turner's School and I have a photograph of him in a school football team from 1926. I know this is rather earlier than any of the details you've currently got but I thought you might be interested.
Unfortunately I don't have any other details of him at that time, or any of the other boys in the photo. He was in the RAF during the war and went on to become a history teacher, working up to his death in 1974.
I've attached a jpg of the photo, my father is the boy in the middle row, 2nd from left.
Regards,Peter
Mike Blackett
Graham, Stumbled across the site - seems a good idea, There was a school reunion at Redcar Rugby Club last summer organised by Stuart Fawcett who I think runs the Old Coathamians. You will find at Goodswen Solicitors on 01642 482424, or I can pass on a messages he is a technophobe with no access to the web. I know he has a considerable quantity of memorabilia and would probably be interested in having some input. Regards Mike Blackett.
Malcolm Veitch 1965 - 1970
Anybody remember Charlie Thomson, Col Bennet, Rob Vasey, Paul Lucas?
Johnny Astle 1970 - 1975
Brother of Pete Astle
Ken Speakman 1949 - 1954
Sadly I lost the details Ken sent to me. I woul dbe happy to update these if he can send me them.
Gary Johnson 1969 - 1975
Just found your website. Can you add me to your list? Details: 1969-75 Corporation Road 1975-76 Sixth Form College Regards Gary Johnson
David A deWolf 1946 - 1948
Interesting! I attended the school 1946 - 1948, and I believe I ended up
as top dog of the lower school just before returning to the Netherlands.
Since that 1948 day I have never been back to that part of the U.K. I
was in Storr's House...does that still exist? I often wonder if any of
my erstwhile classmates are still around the area.
Greetings! --David A. de Wolf
Terry (Tug) Wilson 1946 - 1953
Hi Graham
Terry 'Tug' Wilson from 1946-1953. I'm sorry I can't help with any of the names on your photograph - a long time after me! I was in Storrs House. Billy 'Little Bill' Pearson was the Housemaster. Inghams had Harry Elliot, School had 'Conk' Goulding and Cochranes had Shiney Williams. The forms I was in were 2B, 3C, Remove C, 4S, 5S, L6S, U6S. Never did make it to Prefect status.
The Boss was The Reverend Robert William Gaspard Willis; his Deputy was Gilbert Edward Gunner, who became Head of Rotherham Grammar School and later, 'The Wee Mac' McGregor. In the Science Sixth, Chemistry was the province of Mac, Botany and Zoology were taught by Shiney and Physics by Bob Nichols. Throughout the climb to the Sixth my English teachers were Harry Elliot and Phil Hargreaves, for Maths I had Conk (whose passion was Astronomy), Geography was taught by 'Tashy' Ingham (an illustrious philatelist) and GEPS (George Edward Pallant-Sidaway), History by Harry Hodgson, French by M. Piotrowski (a French-Pole whom we called 'Danny' because he bore a passing resemblance to Danny Kaye), Latin by Ernie Escott ("Wake up lad, 'nemo' is singular!"), Art by John Collard, Music by Joe Buckley and PE by 'Captain' Call. Living in Saltburn, I shuttled backwards and forwards by train four times a day (went home for lunch, couldn't stand that Red Barns stuff!) with contemporaries Dick Snowdon, John Wilkinson, Colin Musgrave, Harry Atterton, 'Pud' Lorraine, John Egan, Maurice Healey, Stewart Robson, Roy Broadbent and Ian Atkinson. After leaving Coatham I went into the Royal Air Force and was involved with Air Traffic Control, later becoming a Science Teacher and Deputy Head (Admin) in one of Barnsley's largest schools.
Billy Highgate 1962 - 1965
Dear Graham,
It was terrific to receive your E-mail and apologies for the tardiness of this reply. I have recognised one unidentified face in your big side photograph! Number 45, I am 99% certain is Ian Garrett. He was the only person in our year who
lived in Warrenby!! He was in the same class as myself and Brian Flett and played on the wing in our junior colts year. A kid called Steve Thatcher played on the other. The only real school photograph I have is the one of our junior colts team. I remember vividly that we only lost one game that year and that was against Grangefield. We beat them on the return! It's funny how things stick in your mind for years and years and some things you forget almost the instant they happened.
You ask what has happened over the last 30 years!! I'll try and be brief!!
I left school in 1965 and made a very decent living working as a cabaret entertainer in the night clubs, workmens clubs etc etc plus tours of the American service bases in Europe, hotels and nights clubs in Norway, night clubs in Australia and cruise ships.
In 1983, I agreed to work for Princess Cruises in the States for what was intended to be a year only. I never came back. It was good quality work, well paid and the thought of returning to workmens clubs in England, patronised by those who were rapidly becoming more and more absorbed with bingo and less and less interested in entertainment, was just too much to handle. So I stayed!!
My Dad passed away in 1987 and I remarried in 1988. I seem to have done a complete about turn as I am very happy with two small sons, 8 and 5. Of course, having them late in life may well preclude me from being as active as I would like to be when they reach their teens.
I now work as a Cruise Director for the company and spend about 8 months of the year at sea. My family get to travel with me during school holidays which the boys love. It's no big deal to my wife because we met whilst she was working as the lead dancer on the same ship.
We live in Los Angeles which is an "interesting"place to live.
As I mentioned before, the only person I really kept in touch with was Brain Flett, or "Tonk" as we used to call him at school. He married and they adopted a boy who is now himself married with a family. Tonk was diagnosed with cancer and the doctors pretty much told him that his chances were fairly slim. He fought it to the end though. I still keep in touch with his wife at Christmas etc.
I often think about the guys who were in our year and wonder what happened to them. I saw Scaf once when he was selling cars at the garage at the top of the Trunk Road and saw Paul Mitchell when I was working at a night club in Nottingham and he was at university. I think I bumped into Norman Maltby a couple of times too. What happened to people like David Humphfrey, Nicky Burgess, David Pritchard, Kevin Hipkins, Eric Harrison.....I could go on and on!!
Living here,I doubt that I would ever get to a reunion but would like to know when one is happening. I get back to Redcar infrequently. The only reason I have to go is to see my Mam. I would like her to move out here, but in practical terms, at 82, I think the culture change would require too much adjustment.
Roger Clarke 1957 - 1964
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