THE HISTORY OF SOHAM GRAMMAR SCHOOL (1972)by J. B. BROWNING, M.A. formerly
Senior History Master; Headmaster of Heartsease
School, Norwich, with an additional chapter by R. J.
Abbott, B.A., Senior History Master. |
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His departure for another post in 1951 made subsequent publication difficult, but the impending merger of Soham Grammar School with Soham Village College seemed to present the last opportunity, though a very apt one, of publishing the work. Mr. Browning's story has ended with the Second World War, so it has been necessary now to complete it from 1939 to 1972: this has been my major contribution and represents "The Final Chapter" of this book. One or two slight emendations have also become necessary elsewhere mainly relating to the personal history of former members of staff. These have been made with Mr. Browning's cooperation. For any mistakes that remain I apologise and plead pressure of time.
My personal thanks are due especially to Mr. C. J. Ford and Mr. T. L. Riley some of whose reminiscences have been added to the penultimate chapter.
R. J. Abbott, Soham, Easter 1972
The School Magazine - The Soham Grammarian
HORIZONS I June 1965The non-appearance of the Spring Grammarian has not occasioned too audible an out-cry; perhaps our readers decided that it had fallen victim to the Credit Squeeze, or was simply later than usual - like the weather. In fact, it has been suffering "a sea-change, into something rich and strange," eventually emerging in the shape of the first number of Horizons, glossily elegant in Mr. Askem's new cover-design. Henceforth, it is intended that the Grammarian shall be an annual publication, recording the events of the school year, and appearing probably at the beginning of the Autumn Term; while the original work, which shared somewhat uneasily the pages of the Grammarian, forms the basis of this new venture, which we have sub-titled The Literary Magazine of Soham Grammar School. How has the material for Horizons been collected? Some of the pieces - perhaps half - are products of the normal English teaching of the school, written in class or for homework or even under the stress of examination. |
 Editorial Committee Mr GE Hemmings, Mr J R O'Toole: ND Brown, FW Haslam, GC Holbrow, DJ Nicholas: Art Editor Mr PJ Askem |
We make no apology for this: teachers
of English increasingly recognise that good writing must be
linked with enjoyment - for writer and reader - and the best
of such work cries out for a far wider audience than the
covers of an exercise-book provide.
The rest of the poems and prose-pieces - and they came in
sufficient quantity to involve real selection and the
doubtful joy of rejection - are voluntary contributions. They
come from an encouraging range of writers: from Form One
through the Sixth Form to the Staff. We are especially
pleased to include in our first number three poems sent with
characteristic generosity by Mr. L. G. Johnson, who taught
English at Soham from 1922 to 1953, and whose School Song
suggested our title. To him, to all our writers and artists
(selected and rejected), to our patient printers, and to the
Headmaster (whose financial wizardry has backed this
project), our warmest thanks are due.
(Mr Hemmings notes "I was proud of this but it begot
no successors!" )
| List of written
contributed items: Geoffery Johnson - St Audrey's Fair, Trance, Degrees of Importance GC Griggs 5 Alpha - Abblesfield TJ Sandham LVIA - The File ND Brown UVIA - Pets, The Car JD Fellows 1 Alpha - Conkering Hero I Cox 1A - Prickwillow Playground SF Ayres 1A - Snow P Coxhead LVIS - The Cabinet of Life CA Royal-Dawson - We Pass Each Day JR Harding 3A - The Night It Rained, A Christmas Dinner P Leslie LVIA - Unnecessary Death? S Parkinson LVIA - Passing Time CH Shaw UVIA - The Writing's On The Wall JR O'Toole - The Newspaper |
MF Wilkins LVIA -
Archaic Criticism P Jefferson 1 Alpha - The Lizard D Morgan 1 Alpha - Snake GD Audus 4 Alpha - Hue and Cry PM Ellis 4 - A Short Poham S Quicke 5A - A Landscape of Memories Form 1 Alpha - Tree-Mare J Harper UVIA - Noir, Noir FW Haslam LVIS - Psychology by NL Munn, book review GD Audus 4 Alpha - review of Lord of The Flies, by William Golding GE Hemmings - review of the Peter Brooks' film Lord of The Flies GA - UVIS - view on North London Sunday, painting by Alfred Daniels ANB 2A - view on Vltava, tone poem by Smetana |
| This
was the last issue, Summer 1972, of the Magazine of Soham Grammar School. "The Editor, representing in his
person all his predecessors, records his thanks to
contributors, past and present. And, representing
those contributors, he wished the very best of
fortune to the enlarged Soham Village College and to
the Magazine which will, in future, be the voice of
all." Some of the text from this issue is provided via the History pages. |
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THE WAY WE LIVED THEN - Recollections from four centuries of British Life, by Edward Armitage (Robson Books, 2001: hardback ISBN 1 861053894) £16.95. Drawings by Peter Askem. "The Way We Lived Then is a fascinating anthology of memoirs chronicling British life in the seventeenth, eighteenth, nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The wealth of material from people of all classes provides an enthralling and detailed portrait. All aspects of existence are covered, including life at home, at work and at school, in towns and villages, and within all social groups. These captivating first-hand accounts of life in Britain have been gathered together to create a unique and wide-ranging compilation of historical sources. Subjects include the following: harsh discipline in seventeenth century schools, city slums in the 1880's and the treatment of suffragettes in prison during 1910. An entertaining anthology, essential for those interested in British social history." this book is available via good booksellers or Amazon |
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