Saturday 27th December 2008 (UD08/17)
Firstly, profound apologies - I had thought I had given you all seasonal greetings on the first page of the site together with a tune, but owing to a technical hitch - had not - I have now corrected this.
1) Dave Wright was prompted by Mike Taylor's "Memories Trivia" to write this. He also asks "Has anyone any idea of how the school got on with exams on the national scale? Were there exam leagues in those days? Did any one take them? Was that the idea?"
2) Clifford Jones (II) also remembers Mike:
"I remember Taylor (I) very well, we were in Henry IV Part I play together and
he was co lead with me as Prince Hal, in fact he killed me at the end."
Mike Taylor refutes this: "Sorry - I think you have got the wrong Taylor. I do remember helping make the props, but not perform in the play. There were in fact 4 taylors, 2 and 3 were seniors, 4 was a junior. 4 once suffered a terrible beating from Mosey - ended up in sick bay! Amazing what sticks in the grey matter! Mike Taylor 1"
And Brian Winter says:
"Harry Taylor as I remember him, near Bristol, if I have the right person, joined Kings School at the same time as myself and we had John and Robin Assael as our mentors. Our mentors enjoyed reminding us that we were the "cheeky new kids", although John and Robin had only joined the term before."
Laurie Markes says:
I remember Richard (Dick) Taylor well. So will Bob Curtis. We were all
at King's together. Dick had a brother, Anthony, who was Taylor II. They
were in fact twins as I recall, although not identical and very
different in looks and character.
Mike Taylor says:
"Dick Taylor was taylor 3!"
[It seems that there may be some confusion between the various boys called Taylor - this may be due to JHM renumbering those of us who had the same name as and when others came and went. Though I am sure that Mike remembers what number he was designated just as I do. Ed. Roe I.]
3) Added Mike Taylor to the Then and Now page.
4) Mike Taylor also has his own Personal Collection.
5) Added 2 more photos from Chris Marx.
Sunday 21st December 2008 (UD08/16)
1) May I take this opportunity to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I would also like to thank those of you who have sent much welcome anecdotes and pictures etc. or given me feedback. This continues to inspire me to keep the site alive.
2) Added Chris Marx to the Then and Now page.
3) Does anyone remember "Harry Woolworth?" Also known as Michael R W Taylor or Taylor 1 during his years at KS - January 1963 to April 1966.
He recalls his Teachers:
Sid Wynn, Mr Pritchard (Sport), Jimmy Saville, Mr Thompson, Mr Rosser, Mr Thomas.
He asks where are these pupils now?
John Marchant, Chris Attwood, John White, Bob Caws, the Faterechi brothers, Charlie & Kit Tilden (the yanks), Pete Roff, Mark Tocher, Lawrence Swan, Tosswill, the Asseal twins, Marolia, Mustafa Boki, Phil Blakeway, Takahashi, Philip Webb and Paul Laski.
Memories Trivia:
Sunday 30th November 2008 (UD08/15)
1) I am very disappointed to have only received a single response from my request for help with the viewing, selecting and conversion of the KS film to DVD - this person offers financial assistance which is very welcome should we find one of you who will help with the practical side of viewing and sorting the film. If further interest is not forthcoming in the next month I will donate the lot to Gloucestershire County Council Archive, the agreed repository for the film when we no longer have need of it.
2) A new member who attended the Belfry Reunion in 1998, is Keith Lewis who was at school 1953 - 1959. I have added his name to the email list which I will be copying to members shortly.
3) Another new member is Chris Marx (1947-49/50.) Chris says:
"I entered - I think - immediately after its opening at Sherborne 1947, when the sanitary installations and the central heating were still being installed (JHM had a prewar Daimler) until 1949/50. Some years later my brother Dieter was also there for a year or so. Because my father had given me his old 16mm Kodak camera I took a number of films (even in colour), eg of making the swimming pool. As is documented in the KS Magazine 1949, the filming provided me with the excuse for staying away from sports.But looking back I always felt to have visited the best school I ever attended because studies were more or less a byproduct of the practical work we were employed in. Thus JHM's methods gave (at least to me) the authoritative impulse in making life lively & interesting."
I have included 2 photos of Chris from his days at King's. I am hoping he will let me have more.
4) It is hard to believe that there were no School Photos after 1958. If anyone has a photo to scan or lend I would be very grateful. If on the other hand anyone knows catagorically that there were none in the last 8 years please let me know.
Sunday 12th October 2008 (UD08/14)
1) I note with interest some of the words that are put in the search box on the index page of the site. For your information the search box can only look for words contained on the site. It does not understand grammar or language, so putting in a phrase like 'book with first chapter of Kings School' is unlikely to be worth the time it takes to type it in. Nor can it understand questions like 'When was Kings School Sherborne discontinued.' However I am happy to answer for it! So:
So if anyone has a question about the site navigation - just ask me direct.
2) Clive Perkins - another installment.
3) King's School Films. The late Richard "Will" Watson for a number of years had in his custody a great many reels of film, mostly 16mm films and a few 8mm. Fortunately John Knight rescued them from the family, and last week end I collected them. There are 23 reels of various size which appear to be all of King's School (and a further 15 of family and travel film, which will be returned in due course.} I was fortunate to also receive both 16mm and 8mm projectors and a screen.
I have a lot going on for me right now and do not know when I will be able to run them and decide which to have put on DVD. It was agreed some time back by consensus of opinion that when we no longer require the footage it will be donated to the Gloucester County Council Archive. For now however there is a considerable task awaiting someone who has both patience and time to commit to this new project. They will also need a fair space to keep them in a cool and dry state.
I am aware that a number of you would like to make a contribution towards the inevitable cost of arranging for the film, once indexed in detail, to be transferred to DVD. This will not be an easy task as clearly it would cost far too much to have it all done.
I have copied down the titles written on the reels and list them here:
4) If any of you have sent me an email between 13 July and 10th October and not found your contribution on the site, please let me know because I have lost the last 3 months of emails in a PC fault. Fortunately I had backed them up mid July and needless to say am backing them up regularly now!
18th August 2008 (UD08/13)
1) Clive Perkins provides us with a further 2 installments from his rich collection of memories. I would encourage you all to read them even if he did not attend during your years - I am sure you will find much with which to identify.
21st July 2008 (UD08/12)
1) I have added a sentence to my account of the visit to Sherborne Church last week, which I also record here for your convenience. "Those who had not attended the Memorial Reunion 25th April 2004, and who may have contributed were able to see the Alter Rail Kneelers and plaques inscribed to the memory of past boys and teachers."
2) I have added names and locations to the pictures in my 2008 Reunion account; they are in a linked page at the side of the pictures - when I have more time I may actually put them by the pictures.
3) For those of you who went down to Sherborne at the 2008 Reunion you may be interested to know that I have found the site of the Northleach Towncrier, Chloe Lees, whose dulcet tones are described as “A voice like chocolate melting over a bonfire.” She shares a site called Midnight Storytellers.
4) John Bunting joins the Update Membership - he has been a past contributor to Personal Collections photos and to Reunion Photos 1997; perhaps he will now add a few personal KS stories to Anecdotes on the site.
5) When clearing out my emails from several years ago I found this from Dave Wright:
"I noticed the obit in The Times that Duncan Carse has died. Duncan Carse was the voice of Dick Barton, Special Agent, the radio programme we used to listen to at 6.45 each evening in the 'boot room'. The
room outside which was a full length mirror - which I managed to smash one night. I got a thrashing from Phaff, my formm master and Dad when he got the breakages bill!" (5/2004)
6) Clive Perkins recalls his first impressions of the school on his arrival...
7) At the 60th Anniversary of KS coming into existence in Sherborne, a Reunion was held. At the Reading Room in Sherborne on that day, Malcolm Stacey gave a speach about the Final Days of King's School. Several people have asked if I have a copy of this, but as Malcolm spoke without notes I do not. However I did glean a few sentences (found on the back of an envelope when having a clear out.) Perhaps one day Malcolm or any of his contemporaries from 1967 will fill in the details so that I can put it into the archive.
Wednesday 9th July 2008 (UD08/11)
1) Have added Clifford Jones to the Then and Now page and resized the thumbnail pictures.
Incidentally you may be wondering why the larger pictures are getting smaller or of lower resolution; the reason is that I am only allowed 250MB of Webspace with my ISP and am down to the last 5MB. So I am economising wherever I can. [And for the technically minded: at some point I will probably have to reduce some of the other larger images too. As I have no plans to upgrade to a Business account, if anyone has free space on a server I could well be interested.]
2) David Wright corrects me:
"Yes, I remember the Dick Barton etc., but I recall it being in the 'boot room' not the locker room. The lockers were in the changing rooms which were up a few stone steps aback the kitchen and the windows of the changing rooms overlooked the rear courtyard which had that circular building and the back door to the corridor which ran past the kitchen door. The boot room had a full length mirror outside, in the corridor which I managed to smash. Well I didn't smash it but the boy I punched went backwards into it. I got the blame!"
3) Clive Sinclaire (formerly Wheeler) has sent me a fascinating introduction to a book yet to be published - I have put this into Anecdotes. He has also sent some pictures relating to the article, which are in both Personal Collections and linked from the article.
4) I have found a couple of (.tif) photo files dated 2002 but cannot recall who sent them to me. I have included them in Various. They are Leslie Spitz and John Morley. If anyone recalls sending them to me, please get in touch.
5) Colin Fry has given me a picture of Andre Mourtauvarnis & Anastasiades - Winter 1953. He says, "I think they were staying at Hotel Russell, Russell Square, London during the Christmas holidays(in the background.) Both appear to be still in business in Cyprus (see Google.)" (I could not find them - please send a link - Ed)
6) Clive Perkins had changed his email address and now rejoins the Update membership.
7) Amongst other things, Mike Abbott wrote: "Bob Wellings took myself, John Reader and I think it was Adrian Sainsbury for a beer one evening to The Fox, must have been a Sunday I guess. From the photograph's you posted, it looks much more upmarket than it was in the 'Old Days'.
Your mention of Al Read brings back the memory of him and his wife arriving at school to collect Howard in a pink (American convertible) with a metal pennant on the front of the bonnet with the words 'Right Monkey'."
Monday 7th July 2008 (UD08/10)
1) I have included my account of the 2008 Reunion held at Sherborne House (King's School when we knew it), The Fox at Barrington and at Lea Marston on the weekend of 5th and 6th of July 2008. I have also included pictures that I took and will add those taken by others whenever I receive them. Should anyone requuire any of the photographs I would be happy to email them in their original sizes. (I reduced the 900kb plus files to less than 200kb for ease of loading and webspace.)
2) For those of you eager to book for the next Reunion, George has declared that the next one will be again held at the Lea Marston Hotel in September 2009, date to follow. I believe that the month of September has been chosen in an attempt to encourage more people to attend and less than the usual 2 years becuase of the deaths of several Old Boys and a master within the last 2 years. We are a dwindling community.
3) A little more information on the discussion about the Houses of KS following a chat I had with Colin Fry:
The names of the Houses were not derived from any former pupils but because they related to people who would inspire. There is a suggestion that the number of Houses were reduced because there were not enough teachers who were willing to be responsible for a House. As we know Grenefell-Lister and Eddington-Ross's colours were blue and red respectively. The original colours were Grenfell - Green, Lister - Blue, Eddington - golden yellow and Ross - red.
4) Sadly, for those who may remember him Paavo Brotherus died on 31 May 2008.
5) Added a picture given to me by Laurie Markes who attended the Reunion for the first time.
6) I have added Laurie, and Clive Sinclaire to the Members list.
Friday 4th July 2008 (UD08/09)
1) Do any of you OBs from the 50s recall perhaps sitting in the Boot Room in the evening listening to Journey Into Space (1953-) and The Goon Show and Dick Barton - Special Agent (1946-51) - from here click on the nostalgic 'signature tune' or The Al Read Show - his sons were at KS and Al's catch phrase was "Right monkey!"
Archive Org has many free files including audio files of many shows. Whilst Whirlygig-tv has a great deal of background of both radio and tv shows.
2) I have added PDF files to the School Photo names alongside the existing links - so now you can do advanced searches from your Adobe Reader if you wish. Link to School Photos.
Thursday 12th June 2008 (UD08/08)
1) George Cooper has asked me to put his contact numbers on my site, so that people who are coming to the Reunion, can confirm with him.
He also asks them to let him know if they intend to join our trip to Sherborne on Saturday 5th July at 10:00am, so he can book a suitable sized coach. I understand that he is arranging a meal - we expect to get the Sherborne at about 11:30am. Please liaise with him if you are going direct.
George Cooper:
Mobile 07966 189 748
Landline 01675 470 075
2) The Sunday Times have given permission to insert a short extract from an article by Philip Norman in 1977 entitled Cold years since Albatross - it places the co-founder, Mick Fleetwood as having attended the school.
3) Nick Sweet says, 'I spoke to my brother brother recently (John Sweet, Kingsholme School,1932 -- 1943) and he gave me the following information. To his knowledge the school was founded in the 1890's but he did not know under what name. He cannot recall it ever being Weston Grammar School, but would not be certain of this.
When he went there in 1932 the owners and joint headmasters were a Mr Bateman and Mr Bucknell. In 1938 they sold it to Mr Miller who in 1940 sold it to JHM. My brother cannot remember there being any houses so perhaps this was something that JHM introduced at a later date when the school became larger.
My brother became a bit of a star pupil at Kingsholme, getting colours in various sports and finishing up as Head Boy. JHM reminded me of this on a few occasions, usually when I was being admonished for something or other, and would say how he expected me to emulate John.
The last time was at the final assembly at the end of the spring term 1960 when I was demoted from being a Prefect and a Stalwart with the comment that he trusted I would earn both back very quickly in the summer term. On reflection quite a double, although I did not think so at the time! However, I was soon to learn, in my last term, that I still had many of the privileges of prefecture without the extra duties and hassle. Needless to say I did not strive to regain my previous positions.
John Sweet as a boy can be seen on the Kingshome photograph of 1938. He is the first on the left in the middle row with his hair parted in the middle. The photograph was given to him two years ago, on his eightyeth birthday, by a life long friend by the name of Clive Gribble. He is also on the photo in the back row but I don't know which one.'
11th May 2008 (UD08/07)
1) Chris King adds, "The house names I remember were: Edington, Ross & Grenfell, Lister. I learnt from JHM that in fact they were not "Old Boys" of Kingsholme but were old boys of what the school used to be, namely, what was Weston-Super-Mare Grammar School. JHM bought Kingsholme I imagine just post war.
This might be borne out by the other old boys - even older than me."
2) Some people have asked me where the Lea Marston Hotel complex is (venue of the July 2008 Reunion) - well here is a map.
3) Patrick Delaney says "The four school houses were reduced to two because Mr M thought that there weren't enough boys in each house to justify four. I think it was at the start of term Jan. '50. I'll see what I can find in my records."
"I loved the anecdotes of Clifford Jones. I'm glad that there were some independent minded boys still there, and hope they remain so!"
4) I was fortunate to be able to meet up with both Patrick Delaney and Bertie Isseyegh on my vist to London over the weekend. If there are any other OBs who would like to meet if I am in their town, let me know and I will bear it in mind if I am in the area.
11th April 2008 (UD08/06)
1) Brian Bolton comments thus: The 'Albert 'Bertie' Isseyegh' article makes reference to the school captaincy of John Crook: The records held by successive School Captains' showed John Crook as having been demoted from School Captain - clearly in JHM's handwriting. I was interested at the time I saw this entry and was told that in fact John Crook's parents were concerned about the impact of the position on his academic studies - This is in no way a criticism of Isseyegh's tenure as School Captain, which I understand was greatly admired.
2) Clifford Jones comments: I was amazed to see Bill's report about Peter Hampson. Here’s a short story involving Peter Hampson, I could and can remember it all for a longer story? Does anyone know where Peter is now?
3) Another entry from Patrick Delaney - this time about school films in 1949-51.
4) Patrick Delaney, prompted by Bill StAubyn's article has managed to unearth a newspaper cutting about Mick Fleetwood, which I think are well worth a look. I have had permission from The Sunday Times to post a paragraph from an article written by Phillip Norman in 1977 which places Mick as having schooled at King's School.
Patrick also mentions "my bro told me that Mr M. announced at Assembly (about 1953, or so?) that an OB had been shortlisted for the Monument to the Unknown Political Prisoner sculpture competition - an international competition organised by the Institute of Contemporary Arts and backed by the CIA. I don't know who the OB was - perhaps someone may remember. Reg Butler won, and there were some very eminent sculptors on the shortlist."
"Another eminent OB was Sir Arthur Eddington. I expect everyone knew that." Says Patrick. I note that in the KS Magazine of 1949 there were still 4 houses and when I started in September 1951 they had been reduced to 2 combined houses. Does anyone know when the 4 houses became 2 - 1950 or 1951? - Ed.
21st March 2008 (UD08/05)
1) I have added an anecdote sent to me by Albert Isseyegh back in 2004, I cannot think why I never got round to it until now. You will see there a link for Joe Rahbe - it seems he has turned out to be quite an eminent fellow.
I often wonder where the boys' careers took them - perhaps we should have links to more of them.
2) A message from George Cooper: Please return your Reunion Slip, I need to know who will/ or will not attend so my arrangements fit the numbers. Some of you may have booked at the hotel - I still need to know.
22nd February 2008 (UD08/04)
1) Chris King has asked me to encourage the 'older' Old Boys to come to the Reunion in July as George is hoping to arrange a coach down to Sherborne on the Saturday morning. It would provide an opportunity for those who have not seen what a splendid job has been done to Sherborne House, to rescue it from crumbling into obscurity, to do so.
Patrick Delaney 1951, Alwyn Hawkes 1954, Jorma Kuntsi 1957, John Coville 1957, have expressed the wish to attend the Reunion this year. I have also had emails from Trevor Richards, Richard Hole and Colin Fry who have not been contacted by George.
2) William "Bill" StAubyn has sent me an interesting cutting from the newspaper of 1968. 'Peter Hampson is an old boy from King's and was a year or two "behind me." Think he was in the same class as Peter Gupwell.'
Sunday 3rd February 2008 (UD08/03)
1) You should all have had an invitation from George Cooper to attend the 2008 Reunion - if for some reason you have been missed off the list email me and I will send you a Booking Form. The following information has just become known to me:- the Reunion Dinner is £22.95 and the Friday night buffet £15.
2)
3)
Tuesday 15th January 2008 (UD08/02)
1) I have now linked the names of the 2007 Reunion photo alongside the photo - previously the link led to the Guest List which I had used before obtaining the names for the photo.
2) Jim Knight sadly reports the death of
3) I am happy to announce that George Cooper has his KS Reunion site up again. It can be found at www.kingsschoolsherborne.co.uk He has on site all his contact details, plus pictures and names of past Belfry Reunions. The page you will want to see has details of the July 2008 Reunion.
George will be sending out details by mail and email including application forms for hotel bookings. If you are telephoning the hotel mention that accommodation is for the King's School event. People requiring accommodation who are coming long distances should consider booking from Friday night as activities are planned to start at 10 am on the Saturday, culminating in a dinner in the evening.
Tuesday 15th January 2008 (UD08/02)
1) I have now linked the names of the 2007 Reunion photo alongside the photo - previously the link led to the Guest List which I had used before obtaining the names for the photo.
2) Jim Knight sadly reports the death of
3) I am happy to announce that George Cooper has his KS Reunion site up again. It can be found at www.kingsschoolsherborne.co.uk He has on site all his contact details, plus pictures and names of past Belfry Reunions. The page you will want to see has details of the July 2008 Reunion.
George will be sending out details by mail and email including application forms for hotel bookings. If you are telephoning the hotel mention that accommodation is for the King's School event. People requiring accommodation who are coming long distances should consider booking from Friday night as activities are planned to start at 10 am on the Saturday, culminating in a dinner in the evening.
Tuesday 1st January 2008 (UD08/01)
1) As we start into the 7th year of the KS Photo Archive site, may I wish you all a very happy and prosperous New Year. I have added a control bar to switch off the Christmas jingle if you wish!
2) You will now find last year's updates moved to their own page, by clicking the link below. Where necessary I have updated the links but please let me know should you find one that does not work.
3) Brian Bolton has delved a little deeper into the IDB linked page and reveals "Jonathan Burn's birth name as Henry Jonas Jonathan Burn-Forti." He goes on to say that he was possibly of Czech or Polish origin - and that there are references in those languages. If anyone can read Czech or Polish maybe they could help us out.
4) Mike Abbott has helped with names to the
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