tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-474378832635022295.post7250196000888135716..comments2024-03-27T13:07:29.488-07:00Comments on Thoughts from upside down: Harold Hill Grammar Schooln5296shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00215232801808820822noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-474378832635022295.post-20050085417669694142023-03-30T13:36:00.866-07:002023-03-30T13:36:00.866-07:00Alison Brown (Now Arnold) says
Hallo - Richard Per...Alison Brown (Now Arnold) says<br />Hallo - Richard Perry and Leslie Johnson- remember you both from Broxhill - I was there from 1961-68. It was a very good Secondary School - I got my O'levels there and then stayed on to do A'levels without needing to go across to the Grammar school and went from Broxhill at 18 to Brighton College of Education -where I trained as a Teacher and taught for several yrs. Got married and had twins - who are both grown up and married - am now a Grandmother of three. I kept in touch with Frank Bonser for several yrs - he had a profound effect on my life and will always remember him with great gratitude. Also Gillian Morgan- who has also passed away in recent yrs. My Sister Elizabeth - who was a yr younger than me is more well known to many old Broxhillians - she was attending all the reunions up until Covid. I was good friends with Jennifer Campion for some yrs - nice to see all the names - wonder what happened to Michael Wade and others. Still have some contact with Aubrey Cardy through my Sister. Shame Broxhill was demolished. fond memories really- It served us well! <br />ALISON BROWNnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-474378832635022295.post-20328752756605473302022-12-20T13:52:45.593-08:002022-12-20T13:52:45.593-08:00Even for a young teacher, Broxhill was a fabulous ...Even for a young teacher, Broxhill was a fabulous learning experience: great students, fascinating colleagues.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-474378832635022295.post-20673146969273447112022-08-19T01:43:41.598-07:002022-08-19T01:43:41.598-07:00Hello Leslie Johnson, I think I
remember you! I&#...Hello Leslie Johnson, I think I <br />remember you! I'm Richard Perry and was at Broxhill from 1961 to 1968.<br />Broxhill was indeed a very good school, I left with 9 'O' Levels. My older sister went to HHGS and got 1 'o' level!<br />Miss Spraggs was my first form teacher, and she could pack a mean slipper or ruler on the hand. Other teachers I remember were Mr Labone, Mr Blake, Mr Van Tromp, Mr Stenton, Mrs Towers and Miss Morgan and like most Mr Bonsers classes were always entertaining.<br />I did an extra year in the sixth form, the first I think at Broxhill. Other students at that time were Alison Brown, Michael Wade, Jennifer Campion.<br />Others not in sixth form I remember and still keep in touch with are Francis Crabb. Brian Wilkins, John Tilley and Allen Fort.<br />I'm now retired and live in west Wales New Quay, but have lived in Kent, Gloucester and Cheshire. Still married two daughters and two grand children.Richard Perrynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-474378832635022295.post-20630194994116033342022-08-17T18:03:40.325-07:002022-08-17T18:03:40.325-07:00Hi Leslie, I think I was in your class at Broxhill...Hi Leslie, I think I was in your class at Broxhill. You May remember me - Francis Crabb. I’m still friends with some of our class - Allen Fort, Alan Swan and Jimmy Blackwell. I believe that Broxhill gave us a good education and as an 11+ failure I didn’t do too bad and obtained 6 ‘O’ levels when I sat them in 1966. My sister, who went to the grammar school got one less than me. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-474378832635022295.post-59891025208343175152022-07-10T11:58:03.536-07:002022-07-10T11:58:03.536-07:00What a superb read. We were in the same year but ...What a superb read. We were in the same year but like Roger Cheese I rather wasted my time there. Can I be pedantic and make a few corrections. Creeping Jesus was Mr Farndell and Miss Mavor was actually Welsh. She was a lovely lady who I fear we were rather cruel to. It is obvious you weren't sporty as we had no rugby pitches. George being a communist hated public school sports but they did play it over the road at Broxhill. I appreciate that Daisy was seen as cold and detached but she was actually kind and caring.<br />I am still in touch with Dave Bennett, retired science teacher living in Cornwall, David Million who I go to Chelmsford with to watch Essex play although neither of us have lived in the county for many years. Andy Grainge and I have had many adventures together although he is living in Asia. We're off to Canada next year. Sadly Glyn Davies died 27 years ago<br />Thanks again for these excellent recollections Phil Dunnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-474378832635022295.post-33630418495236071662021-10-22T17:06:09.786-07:002021-10-22T17:06:09.786-07:00Titled as Unknown 8 and 9 October 2021 were writte...Titled as Unknown 8 and 9 October 2021 were written by me so delete 'Unknown' and enter 'Leslie Johnson'Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02731652857320900098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-474378832635022295.post-77967015785554116302021-10-09T04:25:55.279-07:002021-10-09T04:25:55.279-07:00What about the HHGS annual fetes opened by a celeb...What about the HHGS annual fetes opened by a celebrity, most of Harold Hill came to get their autographs. One year - Hattie Jacques, another year Jill Brown (Emergency Ward Ten)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02731652857320900098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-474378832635022295.post-86079118554874464742021-10-08T10:31:09.222-07:002021-10-08T10:31:09.222-07:00Nice blog on hhgs
And nicer to see some reference...Nice blog on hhgs <br />And nicer to see some reference to broxhill - will someone please write an equivalent blog.<br />I went to bosworth infants with Miss Barbara Morgan and head Miss Davis then juniors with Mrs Young in the huts, then Miss Bailey then Mrs Galloway and head Mr Gridley, then broxhill from September 1961. John Horncastle, Christine Jackson, Angela Greenhalf, Micky McGrath and others went to Quarles. Ron Gregory, Deborah Kerr, Diane Brown and others went to HHGS. Me and others including Ray Clark, Terry Wright, John Humphrey went to Broxhill. About half of 4A passed the 11+. Disappointing for the rest the other half. But Broxhill was a good school with some fine teachers. Boot hill was an undeserved nickname given by pupils who would not have been satisfied whichever school they went to, inheriting the 'them and us'mentality from their working class parents. Mr Eric Skelton, who I later delivered letters to at his house in Tees Drive while being a temporary Christmas postman, was a good headmaster but unfortunately did not expell the trouble makers which every year had. Mr Frank Bonser head of social studies was not inspirational, everyone was scared of him so we all did his homework. But in my last year I saw him being pushed by one of the trouble makers, Steven Meyer, who should have been expelled earlier but wasn't even punished!! A change in teaching attitudes from strict 1961 to lax 1967 but still under the same headmaster!! Was it the government! <br />I was form captain for 2 years class 2A and 3A for Mr Melvyn Lillywhite my favourite teacher, geography, who unfortunately left after a disagreement with his head of department - Bonser!! Unfortunately both have died - we should have had a reunion will someone organise one now, perhaps at the Bear before any one else dies. I recently discovered that biology teacher Miss Ruth Thurston who married music teacher Mr Christopher Rabbets are both still alive in Gloucestershire. Miss Joyce Spraggs divinity teacher and my form teacher in 1A died at a Home in Hornchurch. News of any other teachers? I can remember all their names, their subjects, their rooms!! The best pupils in other years Marilyn Muller (academic), and her sister Barbara (sport), Bobby Newman (football), Karen Titmuss (swimming), and the trouble makers but we won't give them any glory, and the names of everyone in my class from 1A to 5x1 to 6th form. Where are you all now? Robin Mann, Peter Cheshire, Marion Cecil, Gillian Curzon, Arthur Partridge, and the rest!! Several Broxhillians I know obtained degrees and one a Masters degree and I have had I.Q. tests with the results of 128 and 125. So perhaps the 11+ was unnecessary!! Replies please!! from Leslie JohnsonAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02731652857320900098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-474378832635022295.post-450131844695153362020-08-13T06:02:42.406-07:002020-08-13T06:02:42.406-07:00Enjoyed my 7 years from 62 to 69.
Lots of great me...Enjoyed my 7 years from 62 to 69.<br />Lots of great memories, but what stands out is that not only did I get the cane from George on a regular basis, but other teachers seemed to reach for the nearest available implement to inflict punishment.<br />Colin Pryke used the Bunsen burner tube on one occasion, the woodwork teacher Mr Taylor a piece of 2” by 1” and dear old Jack Wilsmore the leather covering on the climbing rope.<br />When I tell my kids that, they say “what sort of school did you go to Dad?”Was it an approved school like Borstal”<br />I suppose it must of all done me the world of good because I exited with 3 A levels and enjoyed a good career in the City.<br />Happy days, but perhaps my rear end didn’t appreciate it!<br />Dick the Diver<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-474378832635022295.post-28965074768834458962020-04-27T12:17:30.156-07:002020-04-27T12:17:30.156-07:00Very interesting read - I was there 65 to 71 and f...Very interesting read - I was there 65 to 71 and frankly never made the most of it - in the main being a general pain in the backside - remember David Mitchell, David Spurgeon, Alan Stansfield, Mickey Duggan, Rob Morris, Joe Carter and of course my first girlfriend Pat O'Neil<br />Must have picked up something from the school (apart from bruised backside obtained from frequent visits to George) because started my own logistics company and sold it 2 years ago<br />Started playing music again with my time and in fact there is a reunion on 3rd October this year at Ashwells organised by Don Martin and Norma Jennings<br />I have agreed to take my band along and play some time relevant sounds for the last hour<br />Alan KempAlan Kempnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-474378832635022295.post-82249535296637543552020-02-22T15:57:02.513-08:002020-02-22T15:57:02.513-08:00I went to Broxhill. I remember Frank Bonser well a...I went to Broxhill. I remember Frank Bonser well and agree that he was a truly inspirational teacher. I can see him now, pushing back wild, black curly hair as it spilled over his forehead as he demanded his pupils engage with him. He might have been strict but if there was one teacher you wanted to impress, it was Frank Bonser. RIP, Frank, you are remembered with great respect and affection.<br />I remember morning assembly, singing our hearts out as giant pages were turned on stage. Jerusalem springs readily to mind. On stage productions of Ahmal and the Night Visitors and other works (I could have got the name wrong, it's bee a long time). The sports days, cross country running. The accent on classical authors and poetry. Mr. Skelton, the headmaster. So many fantastic personalities. And so sad that these times are but memories, but I am glad that I have them still. <br />BarbaraAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-474378832635022295.post-70770773721268865112020-02-04T13:14:11.382-08:002020-02-04T13:14:11.382-08:00Pupil from 64 to 69, left to go to Ardleigh green ...Pupil from 64 to 69, left to go to Ardleigh green College.<br /><br />Only realised after I had left what a good education I had received.<br /><br />I was particularly badly behaved, and consequently wasted a lot of my time at the <br /><br />school.<br /><br />This is a terrific blog, containing lots of memories for me.<br /><br />Roger Cheesenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-474378832635022295.post-78204392231350388302020-01-25T06:57:21.234-08:002020-01-25T06:57:21.234-08:00Great blog, it brought back so many memories. I w...Great blog, it brought back so many memories. I was there from 1966 to 1971 and had Miss Stennett (History), Mr Moore (Russian), Mr Vanner (Woodwork), Mr Pryke (Chemistry - as mentioned above) and Miss Tyrer (Domestic Science) as form teachers. Frank Wilcox was an iconic and inspirational French teacher, with certain ‘interesting’ ways of keeping your attention during lessons, like setting off alarm clocks! I remember Ralph Withers as the first Head Boy and Andy Boxer who made our First Year Christmas Party a lot of fun! Happy days.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-474378832635022295.post-40666681281533551282019-01-18T04:30:42.644-08:002019-01-18T04:30:42.644-08:00Really good blog, brought back so much. I was ther...Really good blog, brought back so much. I was there from (1st form) Sept 1963 until (3rd form) April 1966 when my parents moved to West Byfleet in surrey. My 1st year form teacher was Miss Westwood I think, long time ago now! One memory I have slightly differently was that 6th form boys wore Trilby hats. George could never get my name right and I was once caned for correcting him!<br />Michael Franklin(NOT Procter!)<br />Michael Franklinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-474378832635022295.post-1188641624243874892018-08-14T07:27:02.938-07:002018-08-14T07:27:02.938-07:00Excellent Blog of memories…now so long ago I think...Excellent Blog of memories…now so long ago I think I left in 1968. I remember being the first "elected" Head Boy for my Upper Sixth year. George absolutely hated the idea of a democratic student body and consequently only ever spoke with me once in the whole school year. Has door was always closed. I was also the person responsible for getting the PTA to fund the sixth form porta- cabin mentioned above. My father, who worked for Fords, sponsored the installation of desks, chairs and angle poise lamps around the perimeter of the building. Andy Boxer will remember well Mrs Cockings, for ever after a school mag humorous doodle to be known as "Violently Coughing" who was despite the attempt at satire was a great mover and shaker on the PTA.<br />I had transferred over from Broxhill after O levels into the Sixth Form so am particularly sad to know both these schools no longer exist. On a sadder note, for those who know and remember him, Frank Bonser died last December (2017) in Warrington. I kept up an irregular correspondence with him, a truly inspirational teacher whose classroom lessons bore no relation to the wonderful education he gave so many of us.<br />Thanks for the blog.<br />Ralph WithersAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-474378832635022295.post-5965193979014234132018-05-29T13:43:32.641-07:002018-05-29T13:43:32.641-07:00Have just read this having also read the book refe...Have just read this having also read the book referred to in the second post above . We must have been in the same class but I left in 1969 after O levels . I well remember the split between the Arts and Sciences with our class having six girls and the Arts stream having the same number of boys. One other point I remember Miss Mavor taking us when we were in the fifth year . I think the English Teacher that you are referring to is Mr Bailey in retrospect and at a distance of over fifty years I feel bad about what happened to him. DPMnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-474378832635022295.post-24615884528562842122017-07-31T17:07:18.606-07:002017-07-31T17:07:18.606-07:00I was at HHGS from 1965 to 1972. I left the area i...I was at HHGS from 1965 to 1972. I left the area in 1972 and was most sad to hear it had been demolished. I enjoyed my time there and appreciated the education it gave me, or tried to. Happy days.Sylvia Burdon (nee Adams)noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-474378832635022295.post-82260293000169117552017-02-22T12:15:13.171-08:002017-02-22T12:15:13.171-08:00Well written and really interesting .....I thoroug...Well written and really interesting .....I thoroughly enjoyed reading your blogg. I was at HHGS from 65 to 72 and remember almost all the staff members you mentioned. Only one error in the piece ...there was another teacher from Scotland called Mr Poole, better known as Jock Poole. Black hair, large nose and permanently tanned skin....he looked like a Roman!<br /><br />Excellent Stuff<br /><br />Al JonesAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-474378832635022295.post-33532539141237734202016-12-23T16:11:31.587-08:002016-12-23T16:11:31.587-08:00- really interesting account which brought back ma...- really interesting account which brought back many memories. I was at HHGS from 1960-67 and remember many of the teachers mentioned. I got to know the redoubtable Miss Davis several years after I left the school. She lived next door to family friends, in Shenfield and was actually quite human away from the school! I was the recipient of a caning from George more than once (smoking!); his office was long enough to give himself a run-up and add the force of additional momentum to the whacking! Mr Willcocks taught French, Miss Nicholson, English; Mr White, Biology - when I trained as a teacher subsequently, I realised how poor a teacher he had been: all his lessons consisted of having to copy copious notes from the blackboard. So much of what we were taught consisted of 'the what' rather than 'the why'. So, for instance, I spent five years of Maths lessons using log tables mechanically in the way we had been shown, but no-one ever explained the concept behind them. Similarly, I could perform calculations using sin, cosine, tan etc., but I still couldn't tell you what each of these phenomena actually were. Oh well, I can't say that ignorance of these has blighted my life! <br />Andy Boxernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-474378832635022295.post-16177616304695390662016-11-30T17:00:17.428-08:002016-11-30T17:00:17.428-08:00Thanks for that blog - very interesting and accura...Thanks for that blog - very interesting and accurate I believe. I left in Fifth Form in 1969. Barbara "Gritton" - NSW, Australia<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-474378832635022295.post-63092231005971329322016-10-31T05:53:34.908-07:002016-10-31T05:53:34.908-07:00I was there from 1969 as Head of Classics and neve...I was there from 1969 as Head of Classics and never knew George Armstrong, though my fellow author of "Remembering Harold Hill Grammar school" which has just been released (October 2016) namely Norma Pearce (as was) remembers him well as she was one of his pupils. We are setting up a website where other memories of the school might be aired - perhaps some further thoughts from this writer might be included?<br />I appreciate the detail that has gone into blog. Well done!Classics@HHGShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05660894468029874932noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-474378832635022295.post-50017528653363341512016-10-09T08:42:02.505-07:002016-10-09T08:42:02.505-07:00A very interesting read which I enjoyed immensely....A very interesting read which I enjoyed immensely. I taught there between 1957 and 1965. Ray Hallidayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06159851812414349051noreply@blogger.com