Stockton Church of England Grammar School May 1970. Photograph courtesy of Eric Collins 
Picture Stockton Archive
A Pictorial History of Stockton-on-Tees
Stockton Church of England Grammar School May 1970. Photograph courtesy of Eric Collins
I attended the old Stockton Grammar School from 1957 until it shut down in 1962 and was a member of the famous 5b class which had characters such as Pedro Thompson who played for the Blue Caps, Tudda Davies, Spadge Fellows, Ginger Smithy. When we left in 62 we hung our caps and blazes on the iron gates and set them alight. Not one of the better classes but well liked by most of the teachers especially Bubbles Thompson and Max Underhill who taught my two daughters at the new school. Great days!! If anybody is still around we are hoping to organise a 50 years reunion this Christmas.
I was contacted through the Stockton Grammar website about an SGS old boy called John Lonsdale who will be commemorated on a new memorial at former RAF Hunsdon in Hertfordshire on June 23rd 2012. John was killed on a practice flight from Hunsdon after his Hurricane collided with another 3 Squadron machine on November 26th 1942. The Herts Airfields Memorial Society are trying to trace family members; he had a daughter named Joanna born shortly after his death and I believe she had a son, Nicholas L J Brown. If you come in to contact with any relations I would be grateful if you could let me know, you can contact me through the Picture Stockton team.
Dear John (Adnitt) You may remember me: we started out together as young teachers in our first post, at Sir Wm. Turner”s G.S., Redcar. I left teaching after a number of years in Teesside to devote myself to preaching/teaching, which I”m still doing on an international level. Very interested to see your involvement in the Gambia. Best wishes. Bob Keir.
I”m delighted to hear that Max is still with us. He was my favourite teacher after Frank “Blossom” Cain.
Would “K. Appleton” be Keith? Went on to work at White Young?
Hi John Adnitt I do remember you from my school days! I popped round to see Max Underhill a couple of weeks ago – still thriving in Oxbridge having retired from Stockton Grammar many years ago. Perhaps you would like to have a look at the SGS website and leave a message for your old pupils.
Just in case anyone is interested I left Stockton in 1971, was Head of English at Middlesbrough High until 1978, vice principla of Alton College Hants for 3 years, and then Principal of East Norfolk Sixth Form College before becoming an inspector of sixth form and FE colleges. I am now retired and spend a lot of time in The Gambia where my wife, daughter and I set up a nursery school 10 years ago. I live on the North Norfolk Coast at Stiffkey.
I can confirm that the Latin teacher was Mike Teague and not myself. I am puzzled about the sea fret as I experienced plenty of it in my 16 years on Teesside. I am shocked to see myself with hair again in photo. My chief memory of Stockton GS was of the dense pipe and cigarette smoke which permanently filled the staff room, while boys stood outside the door awaiting punishment for being caught smoking. Happy days!
Anthony Thompson – I remember Mr Adnitt teaching English not Latin – wasn”t Mr Teague in firm command of that ancient language? He certainly attempted to teach it to me, failing with spectacular success. As far as I was concerned it should have lived up to its epithet and remained a dead language.
Antony Thompson is my Brother in Law, he”s married to my sister Catherine ( she attended Queen Vic approx 1960 – 1974 ).I recognised a few faces and names on the photograph.
I am sitting next to Mr Adnitt in the photograph, ie not “J” B Thompson. He was succesful, against the odds, in getting us interested in Latin; to the extent that we created our own mini language using Stockton English with Latin endings- such as playing footy-us.
I remember one classroom moment with Mr. Adnitt – I”d mentioned the words “sea fret” in an english essay – “what”s the meaning of that?” he asked – obviously a southener!
Stockton C of E Grammar School May 1970. Headmaster – Mr F W C Cain Bsc. Teacher – Mr J M A Adnitt M.A, – Front row L to R – S Carter, J Garbutt, E Collins, J L Fulton, Mr J M Adnitt, J B Thompson, P Watson, B Harris, J Edwards. Second row L to R – D Clarke, R Greig, S Kitching, M Trotter, J Cairns, G Pearson, J Macmann, K Appleton, R Marsh, R Buckley, J Hayes. Third row L to R – H Haughton, P Wright, B L Tibbles, N Palfreman, P Marshall, M Shaw, N F Watson, N Bill, J Henderson.