Grangefield Grammar School fourth year photograph, c1960.
Photograph courtesy of Geoff Daniel.
Picture Stockton Archive
A Pictorial History of Stockton-on-Tees
Grangefield Grammar School fourth year photograph, c1960.
Photograph courtesy of Geoff Daniel.
I only recently came across this web site. It’s great to see all the ‘old’ faces & recall most of the names. I’m 2nd from the left, 2nd row up, next to Dave McLeod. If anyone has any news about Dave, Trevor Foxton or Ralph Barton, or if they are actually reading this, it would be good to hear their comments. It’s interesting to hear the comments from Tom Bowbeer, Brian Humpherson and Geoff Daniel.
I have lived, on & off, in South Africa since the 70s. The time spent in UK was in Durham. I’d love to hear how any of the guys I’ve mentioned are keeping.
Hi Neville,
I’m still in touch with Dave Mcleod and Tom Bowbeer. For more info you can get my email address from Picture Stockton.
Second top row, second from the left is Peter Robert Hingley (better known as ‘Hinge’).
I left Grangefield in 1957 and wore uniform at all times, but when I went to be presented with my GCE certificate I wore my semi drape lurex flecked black and white jacket and black jeans!
Well done Dave, I’ll bet Rupert almost had a coronary!
That’s me 7th from the left on the third row down from he top. I am still smiling but now am bald and fatter but still feel like an old rock and roller. No-one has mentioned the fact that Godfrey Leroy Smith, Trevor Foxton, and Keith Nesbitt have a hand tucked into their armpits. Do none of you old guys remember that certain things were deemed to be ‘under the arm’. School photographs being well up onthe list. Not to mention ‘CLANG’ and ‘SLIIIDE’. There you go. When I showed my wife this old photo and asked her to pick me out, her first choice was ‘Duncs’. No way! The last time we were together Brian Duncan, Dave McLeod and Mally Dunn were at Mally’s parents place in Patchway, Bristol and had a great time. Later in 1967/8 when I was in Gloucester I can remember the test flights of Concorde over the same areas, what a sight. I visited Mally at the same time, more excessiveness! Now at home in the wild, remote areas of Northumberland and the Scottish Borders it seems that old age has reduced me to doing the garden, splitting logs, feeding the birds and animals, planning the next holiday in warmer climes and posting dreary comments on sites like this. Never the less I am enjoying it, hope you are to.
You must be the same Tom Bowbeer I was friends with more than 50 years ago in Billingham. I now live in Blaydon near Newcastle and would love to hear from you
Roy Smith who is on the front row 5th from the left, formed the Denvers Group while at Grangefield with his schoolmates. Roy was the lead guitarist & as the group progressed new members were brought into the group, which finally had two female vocalist along with four guys. The band toured Europe, it was during this period when in France that Roy was solicited from the Shadows Organization to replace Jet Harris on the Harris/Tony Meehan British Tour. As the Denvers own record deal was then in the works, Roy declined.
Funny to find Neville Bradshaw stating that my father had made the comment “…..and you the son of a headmaster too…”. I remember those same words being used by my Headmaster – Mr Bradshaw, when I fell from grace.
Ahhh what you didn’t know was that Mr Bradshaw was fighting a battle on two fronts, one in school but also one at home. I was his second son and pushing all boundaries possible and the catalyst of the second wave. I discovered long hair, rock music, girls and staying out far too late. I was at Richard Hind School and was constantly jibed by staff and particularly Mr Rosser, the head, with the comment “….and you the son of a headmaster too…..” with reference to hair – tight trousers – incorrect uniform and anything else that youth was criticised for in the 60’s. His crumbling standards were directly related to my actions in my school as my best mate was Graham Evans a pupil at his school who would relate everything I did back to Grangefield pupils some of whom would directly challenge him with “ …but your son…” if criticised.
You won’t remember me but we lived near The Mile House and went to Grangefield grammar school for girls.
I think it was Colin,Graham (?) and you on guitar playing at the local folk club. Stewball was a racehorse and 4 Strong Winds come to mind. I remember you and your girlfriend Pamela ? giving me a lift to Manchester to see my sister at uni. I can hear Procul Harem’s Whiter Shade of Pale playing at the 16+ club we attended after church.
Happy Days
Sandra BEVAN nee Samuel
This photo was taken in June 1961. With reference to Janice Swannell, yes there was a revolution it was called rock”n”roll which is why these grammar school pupils look like extras for the movie “Grease”. It started in “56/”57 and June 1961 was the tail-end of the first wave. Bradshaw, the headmaster, fought a losing battle with school uniform and rock”n”roll. The second wave was eighteen months away, the Mersey sound and The Beatles.
Congratulations to Brian Humpherson who was awarded an MBE for “services to music” in the 2008 New Year Honours. Some of us think that this award is for his endurance in playing with The Cyclones for over 40 years. Others point to the many and varied good works that Brian does in the music scene down in Leicester where he lives; everything from choral societies, to school orchestras to R&B. Well done Brian.
I believe this is Form IVa, 1960/1. The names I have are (left to right): Back row – John Wilson, Tony Guthrie, Dave Turvey, Geoff Daniel. Middle Upper – Len Partridge, ? , Peter Rickaby, Brian Robinson, Jeff Carr, David Glew, Raymond Harker. Middle Lower – Dave Mcleod, Neville Gray, ?, ?, Brian Duncan, ?, Tom Bowbeer, David Clasper, Dave Macadie, Trevor Foxton,Steve Hart, Myself. Front Row – David Atkinson, ? Warner, Ralph Barton, Geoff Barker, Roy Smith, Mr Morley, Dino Otterburn, Brian Humpherson, Keith Nesbit, Nigel Ormandy, Charlie Banks.
Thanks Mally for using my nickname Dino. Still mention it occasionally myself in discussion with friends. Robert Hingley is between Len Partridge and Peter Rickaby. Rob and Jean his wife are still good friends of Carole (nee Edwards) and me. Had afternoon tea with them last week on visit to Eaglescliffe. We now live in Lincolnshire between Newark and Grantham in small village of Brandon. Proud grandparents of six now and happily early retired since 2001. Charlie Banks is still in South Africa and keeps in touch with Rob.
Where are you living now? Get in touch any of you guys reading this.
Eric (Dino) Otterburn
Hi Dino, it’s good to hear from you again. It’s a long time since we were at Grangefield together. I still can’t believe they knocked the old place down as it seemed so well built and, in our day, considered state of the art. After the 6th form I headed for Bristol where my parents had relocated with ICI. There I spent the next thirty odd years with Rolls Royce (aero engines) until early retirement in 2002 and since have been a man of leisure and still living in Bristol. We are also fortunate to have grandchildren and doubly fortunate to have great grandchildren. I have had recent contact with Dave Mcleod, Tom Bowbeer and Neville Gray. Dave was my Best Man and we met several times in recent years, the last being in 2014 at a celebration of his 40 years of marriage. Sadly Dave passed away in November last year. Tom is also retired and now lives in Cumbria. I met up with him during a flying visit earlier this year. Neville is living and working in South Africa and I am in contact with him via email.
Yes Mally, amazing to think what has transpired since our teenage years. Whole careers passed and new generations created. After University I spent 31 years with ICI in Billingham/Wilton/London/New Orleans and then 1 year consulting before moving from North Yorkshire to our current house in Lincolnshire for early retirement. I am on Facebook if you want to catch up or email.
I think the lad next to Geoff on the back row is Dave Turvey. In response to Janice Swannell”s comment there was a relaxation of dress code in the fourth form whereby you could wear jackets & slacks, as long as you still wore the school tie. Clearly the last rule has been “forgotten” by some of the lads here !
Thanks for your information David, but saddened to hear the news of Steve Hart. We were very friendly during our early years at Grangefield. I knew his younger brother too – Kenny Hart – who was a member of the Ist Stockton Company of the Boys Brigade – Steve was a member too. I seem to remember Ken was very good at chess as a youngster! Interested to hear about the Malleable Works – my father was a template maker there for many years before moving to Swan Hunters at Haverton Shipyard, where he supervised construction of oil rigs. He played with and sometimes conducted the Malleable Brass Band. Do you know whether the band still exists?
To Brian Humpherson, I read your comments and the name Steve Hart rang a bell. I looked at the photo and its definately him. I worked with Steve at the Malleable Works (British Steel)down Portrack Lane for many years. Steve was head of the Cost Department and an avid Boro supporter. He met his wife in Sheffield and married there. I went to his wedding. Steve and his wife moved to Yarm, but he had heart trouble and sadly died some years ago. Steve and several of the British Steel gang of old meet in Yarm once a year around christmas time for a reunion. There are three of us from Stockton Grammar me, Stuart Thompson and Ian Walker, also Phil Appleby, Bas Eden, Big Al and a couple of others.
Gosh you”ve got a good memory Geoff! Think I can offer you a couple more names – Front row – either side of myself – Eric Otterburn and Keith Nesbitt. Second Row – Dave Clasper(5th from right)and Steve Hart(2nd from right) Third Row – Len Partridge on the left and – was it Dave Harker or Ray Harker? I”m not sure – just Ray sounds right to me! I think there is a Turvey on the back row but can”t remember his first name. You did a brilliant job with the Newtown photo!
Hi Brian – only just found this archive of Stockton etc. We are now living in Brandon, Lincolnshire and I gather you are Leicester way so not a million miles away. I am on Facebook and email if you want to catch up.
Cheers Eric
I”ve no doubt that you are right about the dates etc but I have a question. What on earth happened to the uniforms? I left Grangefield Girls in 1957 and there was no way then that either the boys or the girls could have turned up for the school photo in a motley collection of jackets, shirts and ties/no ties! Was there a revolution in the three years between?
Grangefield Grammar fourth year photograph, circa 1960 … Mr Morley”s class. I can”t recall all the names but I”ve done my best …Back Row LtoR: John Wilson; ??; ??; Geoffrey Daniel. 2nd top: ??; ??; Peter Rickaby; Brian Robinson; Jeffrey Carr; David Glew; David Harker. 3rd top: Dave McLeod; Neville Gray; ??; ??; ??; ??; ??; ??; ??; Trevor Foxton; ??; Malcolm Dunn. Front Row: David Atkinson; ??; Ralph Barton; Geoffrey Barker; Roy Smith; Mr Morley; ??; Brian Humpherson; ??; ??; Eric Banks