Soham Grammarians
What was new on our website in 2012?
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December 2012
- Stan Harley reports that Tony Hall, 1945 entry, died aged 78 on 17 December and that his funeral service was at Ely Methodist Church on 21 December, source Ely Standard, 20 December 2012.
- Don Fuller of Reach, 1947 entry, died peacefully on 29th November aged 77. Our condolences go to his son Andrew and the family. The funeral service is at the church of St Etheldreda, High Street, Reach, on Friday 14th December at 10.30am, followed by the interment. Donations may be made payable to the Arthur Rank House Hospice Charity, c/o Southgate of Newmarket Funeral Directors, 25 Duchess Drive, Newmarket, CB8 8AG.
- Making contact
Don Black 47, now in the state of Delaware, USA, after a long career as a research scientist
Richard Formby 68, now in Somerset
November 2012
- Stephen Bishop 51 has informed us of the death of his brother John Bishop, who attended the Grammar School from 1940 to 1946. John died on 19th February 2011.
October 2012
- 7th October 2012 - it is ten years since this
website was launched - over 68,300 visits
later thank you to all who have contributed material
and memories.
To all who visit the site, we hope that it does the job and is fun. Please let the editor know of anything you can add or correct.
- 77 were booked for our Forty Years On Dinner
on Saturday 6th October, 2012, including 9 'new
faces'. The editor thanks who took part in the talk Forty
Years On - and apologises to those who present
who thought that was the length of the talk.
Seriously though, much more material is emerging -
please keep it coming.
A photo report of the evening can now be seen via the Reunions page.
The report of the talk will take, um, a bit longer.
For your diary, our Reunion in 2013 will be on Saturday, 5th October.
Our MC Chris Bent spoke on Saturday about the possibility that - as some had observed that none of us are getting any younger - we might look at changing from an evening event to a lunch, still in Beechurst Hall (the Assembly Hall for SGS). The feasibility of this will be investigated and in due course opinions will be canvassed if we have something practical to look at.
- The School Calendar for the Summer Term of
1972 includes a School Party that was to go
to the Munich Olympics
24/8/72 to 1/9/72. Did this take place (they would
have been back before the terrorist attack on the
Israeli athletes)? Were you on it?
If you recollect any of the other events in that calendar please contact the editor, for of course there was then no Soham Grammarian in which they could be reported - see Scrapbook > 1970s
Richard Waller 67 has responded: "The 1972 school trip to the Munich Olympics did take place. I was on it with class mates from year 5A/Alpha at the time. We lodged for the week with local German families in surrounding Munich suburbs (a group of us were in Unterpfaffenhofen, to the west of Munich)." He has promised some photos. Anyone else who can help?
Thinking about London 2012, what a summer of sporting & Jubilee memories we have had.
Nigel Faben 59, who has long been involved in local athletics, was one of the volunteer Games Makers: “I did 17 nights in total at both Games. I was in the team putting out starting-blocks and lane numbers, so in the thick of the action. The noise was incredible!”
- More from 1972:
- a press report of the occasion has been added to the 1972 Speech Day page - see via History > History2 > Speech Days
- a collection of press reports relating to Comprehensivisation in the Ely-Soham area is now available. It is not complete and any additions you can make will be welcome - see via Scrapbook > Other
- also in Scrapbook, 1970s thanks to Robert Medlock 68, is a letter from Edward Armitage to parents dated 29th July 1972 "Now comes the last letter you will receive from me as Headmaster."
- via Chris Jakes 65, the programme for the Inter House Athletic Sports, 16th May 1972, is added, complete with RAT's introduction which begins Enfin tout est fini. Consummatum est! ... - see via Sport > Sports Days
- Ed Kisby 67 adds extracts from his diary for the last weeks of the Summer Term 1972 - see via Scrapbook, 1970s, Memories
- Alan Dench 67 adds the booklet THE ELY FEDERATION OF VILLAGE COLLEGES issued in Summer 1972 by the Education Committee - see via Scrapbook, 1970s
- Chris Jakes also adds:
- a Prefects' Charter - 1970s
- the programme for the 1970 Sixth Form Revue
- the programme for the 14 July 1970 Fifth Form Open Day
- the programme for the Sixth Form Revue, 1971 - "Walter's Tea Party Needs YOU!": what date? Were the few typos in the programme intended?
- Sixth Form Evening, 27th May 1971: who were Pete L, John P, Fuzz etc?
These can all be seen via Scrapbook > 1970s
If you have recollections or photos you can add, please contact the editor.
- Ed Kisby 67 adds a press report of the 1970 Lower School Speech Day - see via History > History2 > Speech Days
- Richard Walker 64 adds his father Frank Walker, (at SGS during the late twenties and early thirties) to our In Memoriam page: Frank died in 1987 aged 73. Sadly, Richard's brother Andrew Walker 61 is also on that page. Richard writes: "I found a picture of my father in the 1929 school photograph!".
September 2012
- Making contact:
Mark Gregory SG54, now in Australia.
Geoff Layer SG'67': Geoff joined in the third form during the 1969-70 school year. He is now Vice Chancellor and Professor of Lifelong Learning in the University of Wolverhampton. His older brother Peter joined in the sixth form - see Pages by/on SGs
Andrew Smith SG60, in Essex
Norman South SG46, in Cambridgeshire
Norman Talbot SG60, West Midlands
- Mr Dick Bozeat has provided press
reports of the following:
- the last Staff v Short-trousered Boys Cricket Match, 1972 - see via Scrapbook
- the Commemoration Service at Soham Parish Church on 28 July 1972 - see the front page of our History section
- A photo/press report has been added to the page on the 1969 Old Boys' Dinner - see via Reunions > Some earlier reunions
- A piece from the Newmarket Journal, Thursday, July 25, 1968 - LOOK AT THIS MAN WITH PRIDE - by Edward Armitage on Mr Ford has been added to Mr Ford's page - see via In Memoriam
- Booking forms for our 2012 Annual Dinner - FORTY YEARS ON - went out by email on 3rd September. For those not on email, letters were posted by 5th September. If you did not receive the booking form by 12 September please let me know. A copy can be printed off from our reunion page.
- News from his widow Anne of the death of Colin Blackwell SG60 at the age of 62 on 20th April 2011. He was cremated at Braintree on 16th May 2011 and there was a memorial service afterwards at Kelvedon United Reform Church. For more information see In Memoriam
August 2012
- from Steve Herod SG57: I regret to advise you that my brother, Peter Herod SG51, died on Monday 6 August 2012 in Weston super Mare Hospital having suffered severe heart problems for a considerable time. He played both cricket and football for the school and even played three games for Cambridge United before taking up his engineering apprenticeship in Bristol in the aircraft industry. He lived in the West Country for the rest of his life moving recently to Nailsea where he was supported through his illness by his daughter who lived close by.
July 2012
- Mr
Norman Sherrington, Latin 1960-68, died
on June 13th 2012 aged 83. "Dearly loved husband
of José, loving father of Wendy, John and Charles, a
proud grandfather of Elizabeth, Helena, Oliver, Jamie
and Tom and good friend to many." The funeral
service took place on Tuesday June 26, in St
Anne’s Church, Turton at 10.45am followed by
private committal. His family has been
contacted.
His death announcement appeared in Wigan Today on 20th June 2012 and was spotted by AJH Warburton, who was taught by Norman at Boteler Grammar School in Warrington, from where Norman came to SGS.
- Richard Stonebridge 69 makes contact: retired from the Constabulary, he is enjoying his retirement in Cambridgeshire.
June 2012
- Photos of the dedication of a seat in Isleham to the memory of Emeritus Professor Leslie Audus (left 1929) have been added to his page. We are grateful to Fred Eden SG44 for attending on our behalf - see via In Memoriam.
May 2012
- Fiona Pushman, daughter of the late Emeritus
Professor Leslie Audus writes: Time
passes, and it is now over a year since my
father’s death. It has felt a long year and it
is amazing how long things take to organize. This is
to let you know what we have arranged.
Isleham was not only where Leslie was born and raised, but it remained a place that mattered to him throughout his long life. So the family wanted to have something permanent to commemorate this lasting link.
On one visit when Leslie walked around the village with us, we rested for a while on a memorial bench. This seemed so suitable, in keeping with the village and we were pleased that the Parish Council have approved our request for a similar bench in his memory.
Therefore, on Saturday 9 June 2012, Leslie’s ashes will return to Isleham. At 11:15 am a bench will be dedicated to his memory at the top of Pound Lane (opposite the Griffin) and at 11:45 his ashes will be interred in the Isleham Cemetery.
There is also an area (just under an acre) of Priory Wood at Burwell dedicated to his memory, but the Woodland Trust site does not allow for any actual dedication plaque so is only known to those who know!
If you would wish to come, please contact the editor who will pass your request to the family, as this is a small scale event.
- from the Newmarket Journal 10 May 2012: Students from Soham Village College branched out of the classroom to plant a new tree in the school grounds. The sapling, planted by Year 10 pupils Sophie Feilden, Christopher Chapman and Sophie Ford, was the final donation of two bequests. Money given to the school by former Soham methodist minister the Rev Stephen Mow[f]orth and James Platt and his wife provided support and prizes to students at Soham Village College and previously the Soham Grammar School from 1946. College principal Dr Carin Taylor said: “The village college and grammar school have an important place in the history of our community and I am delighted that this new tree provides another lasting reminder of our rich local heritage.”
image source: SVC
April 2012
- Norman Rains 48 makes contact, he's in Cambridgeshire
- Stephen Melton 62 makes contact. Now retired and living in Lincolnshire, judging by some extracts from his diary kept during his three years in the Sixth Form 1968-70, he promises to be an interesting source. The first is his account of the 1969 Old Boys' Dinner to which he as an 'Elder Statesman' was invited - see via Reunion Dinners > Earlier
March 2012
- An obituary for John Humphreys '50', who died aged 72 on 7th February 2012, appeared on the Daily Telegraph website, today, 19 March. Formerly Deputy Warden at Bottisham Village College he wrote for country publications and authored several books on life in the Fens. It is understood that his funeral took place last week.
- Peter Cockerton 42 adds some names to the 1946 School Photo - see via School Lists & Photos
- Dick
Housden 42's research on the history of
the Housden family was the subject of an article Tough
times in the black fens by another
Grammarian, Mike Petty 57 in the Cambridge News,
March 5th 2012. Dick returned as a member of staff,
as did his near contemporary Lionel Fleet 43. If you
think you have any information about the history of
the Housden family, please contact
the editor.
On Friday March 30 Dick gave a talk Researching the Housdens, at Ely Library, 6 The Cloisters, Ely, CB7 4ZH. This was one of the Fenland History talks for anybody who cares to come along and meet fellow fenland enthusiasts.
Via Lorna Delanoy here is a photo of some of the SGs at that talk:
L-R: Mike Delanoy 48, Roger Logan 57, Richard Housden 42 (and staff 55-60), Mike Petty 57
John Fuller 45, John Trinder 55
- If anyone in your family or you know was at Ely High School, they may like to know that their Annual Luncheon is at the Beet Sugar Sports and Social Club Club in Ely on Saturday 12th May. For more information including a booking form please visit the EHS 1905-1972 website.
February 2012
- Peter Devonish 61 made contact on 14
Feb 2012 to inform us his friend Graham J
Chambers (1961 entry) passed away at the
week-end. "Graham had a varied career including
several years running his own business in the
Canaries. At the time of his death he was living in
Littleport." More information has been provided
by Chris Jakes 65: Ely Standard
16 Feb:
CHAMBERS, Graham John passed away on Saturday 11th February 2012, aged 61 years. Loving son of Lily and the late Cec and a father, grandfather, brother and uncle. Funeral service at Cambridge City Crematorium, West Chapel on Friday 24th February at 3.45pm ... donations if desired to C E Fuller & Co, 23 Hall Street, Soham, Cambs, CB7 5BN.
- John Peters 44 shares some memories:
I remember Micky Lavender in the same class at SGS -
he was a survivor of the City of Benares
which was sunk en route to Canada at the beginning of
the war.
Another wartime thing, a Liberator had crashed near the cross country course and the run was cancelled, we were all in the assembly hall that afternoon when there was a terrific explosion as it blew up.
I think my real regret is that owing to family problems I left SGS at an early age, a life-long regret. Two of the best things that happened to me ....
One was to marry Florence Howard of Ely High School who was born in the same village. At a police reunion many years later the man who had been the village policeman in my youth, (Lord rest his soul, one of the old school who I tried to emulate) said "John, you were a young b----r, but you married a wonderful girl."
The second was being called up for National Service in the RAF. I was posted to Lytham (what an experience, parades overlooking the Ribble, brasses tarnished in minutes and the worst catering officer ever, invariably baked beans, about 20, and two slices of streaky bacon for breakfast and macaroni cheese for dinner - have disliked the stuff ever since, ever hungry and broke!) When I went into the hut I had been allocated to, the corporal in charge was 'Dopey' Allen from Ely, I know from memory he obtained a BSc quite early.
In the late 70s I was prosecuting at Newmarket Magistrates Court and on the bench was the ex-headmaster, Mr. Armitage, who saw me after the Court and said he was pleased I had done well and presented the cases properly, then bless him added the rider, "I would expect nothing less from a SGS boy of course."
- HM The Queen came to the throne on 6 February
1952 and her Coronation took place on 2 June
1953. She celebrated her Silver Jubilee in 1977 and
her Golden Jubilee in 2002. This year sees the Queen's
Diamond Jubilee .
What are your memories of the historic events of 1952, at school and where you lived then? The Summer 1952 Soham Grammarian makes no mention of the death of King George VI or the accession of Elizabeth II.
- 2012 sees the 40th anniversary of the end of Soham Grammar School with the change in the structure of education in the area. If you were at SGS at the time please let us have your memories of how this affected you.
- In 1952 the Summer Olympic Games were held in Helsinki. When the Games were held on London in 1948 did SGS do any trips? Has any SGS or member of your family been involved in any of the post-war Olympic Games and in particular the 2012 Olympic Games ?
January 2012
- Best Wishes for a Happy New Year.
- Dr Keith Fuller 40 died on 18th January 2012 at the Sobell House Hospice in Oxford, aged 82. A regular attender of our reunions, he like the late David Kerridge in his year went on to gain a PhD in Biochemistry at Cambridge. Former graduate of Peterhouse, Cambridge and Fellow of Hertford, Oxford. His funeral at Oxford Crematorium was at 11.15am on Monday 30th January. No flowers, by request. Donations for Sobell House Hospice c/o S & R Childs, Botley 01865 245464. Our condolences have been sent to his widow Sue and children David, Clare and Lyn. We are grateful to Philip Bobby 44 for attending Keith's funeral on behalf of the Grammarians.
- John Marven 44 is back in contact. Known these days by his middle name Frederick he was at one time Principal of the first Village College, at Sawston.
- Roy Daisley 44 fills a gap in our
sports photos - the 1950-51 Football 1st XI.
Curiously it is headed Soham Grammar School AFC
1st XI - see via School Lists & Photos >
Sports Photos or via Sport > Football
> 50-51 to also see the match reports.
Still missing from our Football 1st XI photos are 1965-66 and 1969-70. Please let the editor know if you can help.
- Colin Hills 68 confirms one of the uncertain names on the 4th Year 1972 Cricket Team photo - see via Sport > Cricket > 1970s >71-72