Grangefield Grammar School (Boys)1954. Photograph courtesy of Cliff Thornton. 
Picture Stockton Archive
A Pictorial History of Stockton-on-Tees
Grangefield Grammar School (Boys)1954. Photograph courtesy of Cliff Thornton.
I am in the 1954 photo no. 170. I could supply the first names of quite a few other boys where only the family name is listed. Malcolm Hardy 1951-58.
Any memories of Jim Stockill ….from his daughter. Would love to hear any….good or otherwise!!
Hi Sue, I have looked through the Grangefield School magazine “The Stocktonian” for any mention of your father. He joined the Stocktonian Association in 1951 and maintained his membership until 1956, when I presume that he moved on. The annual year book lists any changes in staff at the school, but there is no record of the arrival or departure of your father. You can look through old copies of The Stocktonian on-line at
https://heritage.stockton.gov.uk/resources/the-stocktonian/
He was my form master and maths teacher in some of the years in the mid 50s. He was a very fair teacher and quite strict but I remember that he commanded respect from my form. For some unknown reason we thought his name sounded vaguely German so we nicknamed him Baron Von Stockill which I am sure he never knew. Ifyou trawl through Grangefied Grammar School posts you will find a picture of him with our form. I am sat on his right.
Hi Sue… I remember your father, absolutely and very fondly. Of all the teachers during the years 1949-1954 he was my favourite and my favourite subject was maths, because of your father, he taught maths in such an understandable way (certainly to me anyway) and he was also influential in determining my future. Maths was the basis of what decided as a career…. Electrical Engineering. I am now well retired but will not forget your fathers influence on my life after Grangefield!
Hi Sue,…I’ve tried sending this message previously, without success, unless it has been delayed whereby it may be repeated!
During my period at Grangefield (and one year at Nelson Terrace)..1949-1954, in my opinion I thought your dad was the best teacher at the school.He was great at teaching me maths to the point I actually loved it.He seemed to explain the subject in such a simple way!…in fact when I was coming to the end of my time at Grangefield when discussing possible future careers, my idea was to go for a career with a high maths content if possible, and I choose Electrical Engineering, influenced I believe by your dad. I have enjoyed that career all my life and I am now happily retired, but would not have wanted to change anything…..thanks to your dad…..Mr Stockill!
He was quite a scary figure when I first met him in 1959, particularly as he told us we were a very lucky form as he was the best maths teacher around and he had regrettably been assigned our year. In the event he was a captivating teacher who guided me eventually towards A level maths and beyond for my degree in Engineering. I could still re-use some of his catch phrases when I eventually taught Operations Management in my 60’s.
The old Grangefield will soon be no more, replaced by the newly built Academy which opens next April. And then the demolition men will move in on the old building. They say that one of the reasons for demolition is the problem of asbestos. But I do not recall any proposals for demolishing the Houses of Parliament because of the asbestos it contains, they just increased the funds available to pay for the repairs!
Some details here of an open day on Wednesday 15 July to have a look a round the school before work begins on preparation for moving into the ‘new school’ and then eventual demolition of the ‘old school’ ;
http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/take-nostalgic-final-look-around-9533262#rlabs=2
To book a place, contact Dawn Ellis on 01642 353637 or email dawn.ellis@thegrangefieldacademy.org mailto:dawn.ellis@thegrangefieldacademy.org
Hi does anyone remember Peter Robert Hingley affectionately known as ‘Hinge’. He lived in a posh detached house on Durham Road, Stockton. He was my first love when I was 16 and he was 17 and I never forgot him. We both attended Grangefield Grammar and got together on 2nd March 1962 at the Hartburn Tennis Club Saturday night dance. Ah those were the days! He was ‘in with the in crowd’ and I was so lucky that night. It’d be great to know how he is.
Does any body know the whereabouts of Malcolm Ozelton he and I were big friends, he went to Grangefield form about 1954
Malcolm Ozelton (Ozzie) was a friend of mine, also. We were in the same year at Grangefield. He went to America, LA I think, and worked in the aerospace industry. He stayed with us for a couple of nights in the mid-nineties. I might have his address. Will look for it if you still would like it.
Hi my name is Joe Ozelton, Malcom Ozelton is my cousin. He is in America and has a boy & girl the girl is called Ginny and is on the net
Brian Brand – a blast from the past! Yes at one stage you did attempt to teach me maths with limited success I fear. Your collagues Jim (Stirling) Stockhill & Les (Cludes You) Thornton also tried. Hopwever one report from Jim Stockhill read ‘cheerfully mystified’. Have to tell you that although I do remember the Griz sobriquet you were known in my form as Brackets. Good to hear from you and hope that you are in rude health.
Hiya there, don’t know if you’ll ever see this, but Brian Brand was my grandfather and I’ve been trying to find out more about him since he passed when I was 11. Do you remember anything about him?
Met your grandfather and grand mother many times at the Old Stocktonians Dinner. He was a teacher in Darlington at the time.
Brian Brand, my old form master, nice to hear from you. I hope you are well, we haven’t met for a few years now, last time was in the High Street with our wives.
I’ve just read some of the banter between ‘OLD’ Grangefield Grammar School pupils. Just last Friday [Nov 11th] my wife and I attended the Remembrance Day Service in the building pictured. As one who was a pupil when we moved in to the building in June 1951 and who was present at the dedication of the 39-45 Memorial, I now travel from Alnwick to represent the Old Stocktonians’ Association. The Year 9 pupils [13 & 14 year olds] always make it a service which quietly honours our former pupils named on the memorials. Some of you may remember me as ‘Griz’ and I even tried to teach some of you Physics or Maths as well as coaching some of you in the 2nd XV. One of Stockton RFC stalwarts, Terry Wilson, contributed to an article about the club in the Journal today.
I can remember G.L.Smith (Roy) standing in the school elections along with others and managing to stand up to the abuse of the crowd without turning a hair. Something that may have helped later when the ‘Denvers’ were formed. He may remember me, Brian Robinson, Keith Stevens, Carl Hanson, John Wilson (Ben) and others turning up for their debut at the old Middlesborough Empire. A night to remember with the group having to slot in between a very inept conjuror,an act with performing dogs and an MC who made Jimmy Tarbuck sound eloquent! I think that was just after Roy managed to replaced the Burns with a Fender Stratocaster, Keith and I were unconvinced,only a Gibson was good enough for Chuck Berry and back country blues fans.
Others may also remember that they played on a number of occasions at the Hartburn Tennis Club Saturday Dance and had a singer rejoicing in the name of Johnny Rocco. Plenty of girls,a bit of underage drinking and of course no tennis.
I can also remember Brian Humpherson playing piano in an old pub in Stockton on a Saturday night when we were all out together and being impressed with his ability to entertain all the different age groups present.
I,like previous correspondants was sad to read about the death of Charlie Gillett. I was just in the early part of my time at Grangefield when he was about to leave but recalled him as an impressive and generous person and enjoyed seeing his television coverage years later when he was talking to famous delta blues players in New Orleans. 25/06/2011
Well, Mike Crowther and Allen Callender, I can certainly tell you whose foot went through the loft space, because I was with him. His name was Peter (Wog) Atkinson. We would be in the fifth form or possibly lower sixth, so it would be about 1957/8. One or two other reprobates were there, probably Brian Leak and/or Marty Rae. None of us were prefects because of our past record of always being in the forefront of any trouble. We had discovered the entrance to the lofts above the school. It was a trapdoor located in a small storage room adjacent to the upstairs library. With the aid of a flash-light we explored these vast lofts which went the whole length of the school. There was a system of narrow, planked walkways which had to be followed, and the boy in front had the torch, but would occasionally shine it backward for the benefit of those following. Anyway, at one point Peter missed his footing in the dark and his leg went right through the plasterboard ceiling. This was at one of the highest points, above the corridor between the school hall and the art room, about thirty feet up I would say. Luckily for him he fell astride a joist otherwise he would likely have broken his neck. Well, we high-tailed out of there before the authorities had time to close off our escape, and joined the rest of the kids, gawking up at the hole, and excitedly speculating as to what had happened. Exciting times – we were never caught for that particular episode!
Mike, I enjoyed your guitar playing in the art room and remember the foot through the roof incident but not the Bond Mini incident. Memory tells me that the foot was attriubuted to a prefect at the time and that his brother was in our year. Best not to put a name to him as my memory is not totally reliable these days.
I have just stumbled onto this site – Grangefield Grammer School – wow! Mostly fond memories. Ken Whitfield got me started playing the guitar – I ended up playing in the Oxford University band ‘The Blue Monks’ in the late 60’s and got sent down for a year for ‘being a professional musician and studying Architecture as a hobby’. I was mates with Peter Wishlaide and John Wainwright. Does anybody remember the search for the poor lad who put his foot through the ceiling on a trip to see his girlfriend via the loft space? The gym teachers Bond Mini car 3 wheeler which ended up on a shed roof?
It ended up jammed in the West entrance double doors to the toilets in the covered walkway from the Gym, and belonged to Mr Banks as I recall. Just caught the rugby team pic from 53/54 with Ridley Scott front left
You probably won’t remember me Mike as I left GGS in 1958 when I was 14 and transferred to another grammar school in Kingston on Thames when my father changed jobs. We lived in Waltham Avenue and seem to think you lived fairly nearby, possibly Chelmsford Ave?
Several connections to your post. I somehow became involved with Ken Whitfield’s country dance band as a drummer. He constructed a green painted wooden platform on legs containing a snare drum with a Chinese box attached. I have fond memories of a trip to the Dales in 1956/7 when we played for local dancers.
I remember John ‘Tubby’ Wainwright too as well as lots of other boys mentioned in other posts especially those who went to Holy Trinity School. Sitting at the back of the class in Physics lessons telling dirty jokes (he mainly) whilst the Physics teacher whom we nicknamed Charlie Fred battled to keep our attention.
Reading other entries on this site prompt the memory of losing the role of Polly Peacham in the School’s production of ‘The Beggars’ Opera when my voice broke some 3 or 4 weeks before opening night. Garth Flack took over and I had the unenviable task of taking him through aspects of the libretto. Gordon Rattenbury produced and I think Basil White was in charge of the music.
Now 76, I am chuffed to have had those early musical experiences. I am a keen amateur jazz saxophonist in retirement as well as a bit of a singer. Got my own back at my regular visit to the Cardiff Jazz Summer School when I sang ‘Mac the Knife’ Bobby Darin style😊
Would be great to hear from any contemporaries out there.
As a result of reading the sad news of Charlie Gillet’s death today, I have just read through all the postings about Grangefield Boys, which I have never looked at before. Although I was a member of the ‘out of bounds’ school next door, a lot of the names are familiar to me, through my brothers, John and David. I was amazed to see (back in 2007) reference to Roy Smith who was a great pal of John’s and also mention of our humble folk group The Windhovers. I no longer have a copy of the record, but David has his.
The BBC reported this morning (18.03.10) the sad passing of Charlie Gillett, he was a former Grangefield boy and has contributed to this article (see above). Charlie was a most well respected broadcaster and music writer. He was popular for his diverse taste in music and is credited for discovering Dire Straits and helping to win them a recording contract. I remember reading his many articles as a young man in publications like Record Mirror and The New Musical Express. At only 68 years of age he will be sadly missed.
This gentleman – (did he just a tad resemble Joe Brown of The Bruvvers(?) – made me stand up in assembly for talking, the first day of the 1960 term???
Thanks Brian. He was our table prefect (with Highland) in our first year at Grangefield. Great bloke & an even greater rugby player.
Nice obituary of Charlie Gillett in today’s Guardian, which can be read online and sent to friends.
Sad news about the passing of Charlie Gillett the BBC radio music presenter who passed away today (17 March 2010). He was an Old Stocktonian and had been a previous contributor to Picture Stockton.
Now working at a school as a Learning mentor I realise how special my days at Grangefield were especially with Pete Hudson who made me the person I am today between 1966 and 1972
I was at the school from 1960 to 1967 and I remember most of the contributors.Charlie Gillet was head boy in my first year I believe and I certainly remember Achie Foulds who might be embarrased to be reminded that he sang Kate alongside my Edith in the “Pirates of Penzance”. GeofF Crossley you were in the year above me I was never much good at rugby when I was at school but I seem to rememeber playing against you at Rosslyn Park when I left University.
I was at GGS from 65 to 70 when Rupert Bradshaw was headmaster. A few of the other teachers I distinctly remember were Peter “Rock” Hudson, John “The Face” Green, “Daddy” Ken Whitfield, “Bull” Wright and “Ducks” D”Arcy. Happy days! my mates were Alan stephenson, Andrew Moore, any help?
I just came across this from my old friend Stephen.Sadly he passed away a few years ago.I believe Andrew Moore is still knocking about Fairfield somewhere.I live in Northern Ireland and havent seen any school mates from those days for years.If anybody remembers me please feel free to drop me a line.
It was Form 1X not 1A. Ken Whitfield”s class at Grangefield 1959-60. I was in the same form as Geoffrey Crossley. As I recall the class register read out every morning when everybody had to reply went something like this: Appleby, Bell, Calvert, Clark, Crossley, Dick, Dinsdale, Downes etc. ….
Of course you”re quite right Brian – I guess we each get out of any situation what we want and are capable of. At this time in my life I am enjoying all the above contributors to the musical and academic side of Grangefield life, and with great interest. This caused by my own new girlfriend, a professional singer who just happens to be from Tatarstan, and has introduced me to the delights of world music. Thanks for your kind comments about my dad, who died in April 1990, and was such a great influence and mentor for me.
The memories of Geoff Crossley (almost a contemporary of mine) coincide with what I felt was the experience of the more academically and sportingly gifted pupils. Being neither, I hold rather different memories of the school. Games lessons, for example, seemed to consist of ritual humiliation. But I do share Geoff”s regard for Ken Whitfield and some other “masters”. Geoff”s mention of his dad, however, gives me the opportunity to say how encouraging he was when I attended the tech and it was he who set me on the road to an academic career.
I thought I”d “Google” the old school. That was about 3 hours ago, and I”m still on the first entry on the list! So the old place still looks the same, eh? So many names in this thread. So comforting (at almost 61) to be reminded of them. Charlie Gillett and his rugby team were my heroes in 1959 when I first discovered the game that gave me so much enjoyment and life skills. I have made recent contact with you Charlie, and it”d still be nice to get together if possible. Archie Foulds – a direct contemporary – and due an apology from me. Sorry Archie. get in touch, if you wish, and we can get together. Nigel Mackinnon – my old cricketing buddy from Hartburn, whose bowling action (you bowled off the wrong foot), always “stumped” (forgive the pun) so many batsmen, both for the school and the cricket club across the road. I”m not the “big opening bowler partner from Billingham, but am so pleased you seemed to have enjoyed so many more enjoyable times on the cricket field, and to hear of you for the first time in 40+ yeras. And yes, I think I might just have had a soft spot for Susan Henderson too! And my dad was a mate of her dad! Ah, Grangefield Girls. Marilyn Sowler, daughter of another of my dad”s pals, and with whom I was at East Hartburn primary school, Elizabeth Hunter, excellent at absolutely everything, and Carol (lived on the corner of Norton Green) Rogers, to name but three. All fine, and very pretty examples from that production line “on the other side of that line”. And finally those masters. Ken Whitfield, another pal of my dad”s, and my form master in 1A, who taught me how to write a column of letters/numbers that wasn”t a “rat”s tail” – so important!. And funny how we all have our recollections and perceptions of “em, but Pete (Rock) Hudson, although he whacked me once for “being too big for my boots”, had such an influence on my sporting life and has, even to this day, the time to meet with me and reminisce. Thanks for the above contributions and memories to one and all. Happy Days!
Brian Boddy did indeed have a Unitarian connection he used to more or less run the youth club in Wellington St Unitarian Church wich I attended, he actually taught me to dance. Harold Code also used to go there brings back memories and makes me a bit homesick, I never see any input from the females I used to know so come on girls get your memory caps on and get typing.
Brian Boddy”s memories of Grangefield, his brother and and his pals include a strong Unitarian connection.
My brother, Keith Boddy (1949-1956) went on to become Professor of Medical Physics at Newcastle, was awarded an OBE & CBE, is listed in “Who”s Who” and now lives in Hetton-le-Hole with his wife, Sylvia (nee Goodier) who is also ex-Grangefield. I, personally, was an Accountant, in the Public & Private Sectors before becoming a Lecturer in Business Studies at Stockton & Billingham Technical College. I transferred to Bournemouth & Poole College and eventually became Business Studies Division Manager. I am now very happily retired and living in Bournemouth. I,recently, had a brief reunion with Harold Code and Joe Evis (both ex-Grangefield). Joe lives in Heathfield, Sussex, and Harold lives in Dymchurch, Kent.
Geoff Hutton (fabulous pianist)played in many clubs around the area. He married my cousin, Judith Betteridge, who also was at Grangefield from around 1954 to 1959, and they now live in Yarm.
Found the site today and pleased to comment as my two years 1963-65 were amongst my happiest. I joined at 16 from Richard Hind school after getting O Levels(just!!)and eventually got my A Levels and Economics degree. As an opening bowler at cricket the facilities were great and I quickly opened the bowling in all matches and built up a fine partnership with the other opening bowler whose name escapes me but who was big and came from Billingham. An incident regarding beer bottles in the locker at a school play comes to mind.We had a great cricket team and I remember a match against the teachers where we were warned for bowling too fast!! I remember many Saturdays playing for the school in the morning and crossing the road to play for Stockton in the afternoon. Bliss!!I am sure it helped me to play for University and some top Kent and Surrey sides later on. As an aside I remember walking to school each day from Hartburn with friends each morning with us all in love with Susan Henderson who was at the girls school and also lived in Hartburn.The school was split at that time and only mixed for school plays and hockey matches.I can still feel the bruises!.Thanks to all the teachers for getting me through particularly the Economics teacher who was brilliant(sorry forgotten the name)and helped me love the subject which led to a career in banking and insurance.Failing the 11Plus was not the end of the world after all. Pleased to comment on a great school.
I was at GGS 1956 to 1963 in the class which began “Atkinson (of Tempests fame), Bailey, Baston…etc etc. Tot Munday was revered and feared in equal measure. If you were late for his lesson you found him at the door administering his cane or whatever with the words “Be a little Stoic”. Who also remembers his “Ablative Absolute meaning ..something having been somethinged” and his “Synthetic Caesar” which started “Caesar cum cognovisset quae in hostium castris gererentur, tribunis militum convocati quid fieri velle ostendit”…or something like that. Why can I not clear this stuff from my brain 50 years down the line ?
I attended Grangefield School between 1995-2000 and yes it looks the same as that picture ( aside from the Tennis Courts now built on the grass in front of those windows) My mum also attended Grangefield for a short period, I think you guys putting stories on here are a little old to remember Mr Parling! Anyone who attended Grangefield in the 80″s, 90″s & 00″S will remember him very well(although my younger sister did inform me he is retiring this year?)! and Mr Ramsey the history teacher. I love looking at old photo”s of school. Memories of the parents saying “Enjoy school they are the best years of your life!!” …oh how I didnt listen and hardly turned up, if I did I wasnt paying attention. Now as I sit at my desk in the office aged 24 thinking ” I wish I could go back…damn I hate it when the parents are right!!!!” Hand on heart I honestly think if it wasnt for Grangefield School I wouldnt be the person I am today…lets just say I ALWAYS tuck my shirt in and NEVER wear HUGE earrings! 🙂
Hi I wonder if anyone can help. I was at Uni with a Geoff Parling from Stockton way back in pre-history and am wondering if he is the same one. I am trying to contact a few of the people from those days for a reunion. Do you know where he can be contacted?
Recollections of T K Whitfield, fond and otherwise, would not be complete without reference to his famous ‘slipper test’. This was usually a one word answer to 10 or maybe it was 20 questions based on recent work. There were two reasons it was known as a slipper test. First it was written on a slip of paper; and second, those not reaching the required standard were beaten with the sole of an old slipper. Dear Ken didn’t hold back either! After school Ken held extra curricular music. Now, to put it mildly, I had almost zero musical ability but he somehow discovered that I was the proud owner of a very small 8 base piano accordion which, at that date, must have been at least 40 years old. He persuaded me to bring it along to one of his sessions in the hope, no doubt, that a boy owning his own piano accordion must have some potential for the school. I don’t know who was the more disappointed when he discovered that I was in the habit of playing the instrument, not only very badly, but also upside down! Me being left handed this seemed entirely natural! After one very stressful session we came to the unsurprising conclusion that his ability to teach upside down accordion and my capacity to learn would not be a successful undertaking.
Absolutely right-Mr Byrne was an inspirational maths teacher, although Mike/Dave? Allison and Don Hindson were good as well. Don got the biggest cheer when he walked through the door on the first day of the new Sixth Form College. I still have a full set of my geography notebooks from T.K.”Daddy Ken” Whitfield lessons from the 1960s which cover the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, no European nonsense in those days!!!! French teacher Ducks D”Arcy always got street cred from the boys since he had a good quality British sports car always numbered THN 204 and used to arrange trips to loco depots and Doncaster Loco Works in my day. “Tadge”Taylor the wood/metalwork master could draw straight lines and perfect circles on any substrate without the aid of an instrument.
It”s really amazing to come across this site and read comments and reminiscences of school chums from half a century ago. I attended Grangefield Grammar School from 1952 to 1959. Here are a few of my recollections, adding to, or clarifying, some recent postings. Corporal punishment was rife. Always on the buttocks. Each teacher had his preferred weapon, canes, butter-pats, leather straps, gym-shoes, chair-leg spacers, rulers. The thinner ones hurt the most. Ken Whitfield (geography master) had a boxwood ruler with a thin brass edge on it. Now that was painful! Old Tot Monday would often wack the whole class if he thought we”d been too noisy while he was out of the room. To us it was all a bit of a game. Our form master and French teacher Mr. d”Arcey would have the offender bend over his desk, then theatrically (all masters wore black robes in those days) raise his gymshoe high in the air while we all made a long, drawn-out “Ooooooogh”, before bringing it down hard as we sang out “Aagh”. The offender would go back to his seat grinning and rubbing his backside. Other teachers, not mentioned as yet, were “Tashy” Lee (physics) and “Dicky” Boyde chemistry). Yes, Ken Whitfield, Tees House Master, made the whole house, about 100 pupils, participate in the music festival. We all had to go on stage and sing as he played “The Happy Wanderer” (Val-de-ri, val-de ra) on his accordion. Apart from making us all back our exercise and text books with brown paper, he would frquently inspect the hands of the whole class. If your nails were too long, you had to go to the front and cut them into the waste paper basket. Colouring of maps with crayons could only be done with perfectly horizontal shading. Many of these maps had to first be traced into our exercise books. Ken would walk up and down the rows snapping off sheets of toilet paper for each boy. (It was that old, shiny, semi-transparent toilet paper which we used for tracing.) “Tot” Monday taught latin, a lot of it by rote and chanting. As he breezed into the classroom he would cry out “Salve, o pueri”. To which we would all respond “Salve, o magistere optime” (Good morning boys. Good morning great master). Another one was “He said that He”. When Tot said that, we would all have to point our fingers at our chests, and sing ou “He said that He, Dixit se”, then point to someone else and sing out “He said that He, Dixit eum”. There were literally dozens like this. I well remember the school cross-country race. By the time we”d reached the 6th form, some of us had had enough of that 5-mile torture. We would dress for it, then watch it via telescope from the physics lab window (Upstairs, between the main part of the school and the dining hall.) As the race wound down, we would slip out of the back and surreptitiously infiltrate into the last returning stragglers, before turning into the main driveway, huffing and puffing to the finish line as the masters cheered encouragement. Yes, Geoff Hutton certainly had a talent for the piano. What has not been mentioned as yet, though, is that he organised a small band which played for the sixth form dances. (These were for the older students from both the Boys and Girls schools.)He was a fine musician and a great MC. As to recent correspondence in postings from Ian Aufflick and Brian Leak, I do admit to slipping into the pub at lunchtime with Brian a few times for a quick pint (and cigarette). Another reprobate in this lifestyle was Peter Atkinson. His house was just across the railway line and we would often go there at lunchtime to play some billiards and sip his father”s whisky (topping the bottle up with water afterwards so it wouldn”t show.) So many memories. Such wonderful days… Several postings on this site also go on to talk about Holy Trinity Boys” School. I have entered some of my own recollections in another posting, at the site location for that school.
It was nice to hear of David Robson who was in my year at school and to recall tot mundays suit – funny I should remember, David was in Cleveland house and wore a blue cap and was a good rugby forward – I am in touch with Geoff Nattrass, David Rayner and John Wainwright (not recently) – I always thought one of the best teachers at Grangefield was maths teacher Mr. Byrne who was I understand the only one without a degree and also a good soccer player in masters v pupils. The cleverest lad in our year was Brian Shaw who also loved Buddy Holly -maybe cos he wore glasses.