This photograph shows Mr Frank Tiesing who taught biology at Grangefield Grammar School during at least 1955-62. Courtesy of David P Williams. 
Picture Stockton Archive
A Pictorial History of Stockton-on-Tees
This photograph shows Mr Frank Tiesing who taught biology at Grangefield Grammar School during at least 1955-62. Courtesy of David P Williams.
I attended G.G.S. from 1960-65 and recall many of the teachers mentioned, including ‘Trog’, Mr Harper (‘Happy Harry Harpic”?) for RE, Jim Scott for History, “Ben” Nichols and “Bull” – both for English. Headmaster R.E. Bradshaw also vigorously taught sentence analysis, “Get” Green Physics, “Jimmy” Durrant Chemistry who viciously clipped my head several times and the white-haired “Dicky” Boyd (most oddball sense of humour…) Other masters, I – now 74 – am now unable to name. “Wally” Walton was our form master in 5A and a very reasonable teacher and human being. My best ‘O’-level score was English (Grade 2). Commencing second-year fifth proved deadly and I was glad to get away to join British Rail’s Civil Engineering Department early in 1966. Incredibly, in 1982 the very kindly Chief Civil Engineer of the BR Western Region granted me extended day-release to resume studies to gain a Degree in Civil Engineering.
I am not connected with this school in any way and I found this page by Googling “Harry Horseman”. I see that he didn’t change. He was at Carlton Grammar School in Bradford around 1960-1965 which I attended 1962-1967. I suffered him as a music teacher in my first year but then I was able to drop music and never be terrorised by his tantrums again in class. The queue waiting to go into his classes would always be asking those coming out “what mood is he in?” – even sixth formers would be frightened by him. Yes he could be very funny but he had a bad temper. He used to have a “branding stick” which was a large T-square made of wood and he would use that to “cane” boys. The end of the stick had “HH” chalked on it which of course would then transfer to the trousers of whoever was being punished.
Grangefield Maths teacher Mr. Willmer referred to this teacher as “Mr Horseman”. Met the Mr Willmer several years later, when attending Teesside “Poly” for HND in Civil Engineering.
Some of the forgotten heroes that were around during the late 60s up to the comprehensive change. Some good, some bad but all of them characters.
Being of an age now where I can reflect a little more it must have been a hard stressful way to earn a crust.
Agar – Games – Doug
Bell – French – Dinger
Bingham – history – Bertie – penguin wrappers made into Christmas streamer episode
Bradshaw – Headmaster – The Gnome or the Boss
Byrne – Maths – Boffer – Lover of the VW Beetle.
Cook – Chemistry – Cookie – glass eye
D’arcy – French – Ducks
Durrant – chemistry – Daddy
Hindson – Maths & Woodwork – er er quiet
Horseman – Music – Harry – good on violin, piano & specialised in anger management.
Howarth – English – Spring (never seen anyone else walk like that – not ever)
Hudson – Games – Rock
Ingham – Physics – Smokey (turned out to be a very unexpected dark horse)
Kitching – Chemistry – Chick – very excitable guy famed for exceedingly high waistline & braces
McArthur (Mrs) English – a breath of fresh air stirring the fantasies of the young men.
Nichol – English – can’t recall him having a nickname.
Rattenbury – French – Rats – always wore the black gowns
Richardson – Physics – Dickie (famed for kicking the front panel of his desk whilst we worked)
Russell – Games & Geography – Johnny – made it with a 1300cc Capri – good form tutor & teacher.
Stout – Latin – Ozzie
Taylor – Woodwork – Tadge – learn’t some good stuff from Tadge.
Thurl – French – Zokko – what little French I have I owe to this guy.
Tiesing – Biology – Trog – good celloist – remember quite a lot of his lessons.
Wakelin – History – believed to have been a converted bus driver but no supporting evidence (good history teacher though)
Whitfield – Geography – Daddy Ken – ‘Paint your bikes orange lads’
Wilkinson – Maths – strange lover of Eastern Bloc 2 stroke motor cars.
Wright – English – Bull
I’m missing at least a, a history teacher and a games/RE teacher.
I was at Grangefield 1959-1966 and I remember an RE teacher called ‘Harry’ Harper and a History teacher by the name of Scott.
You missed a 60th reunion in September maybe a repeat to mark the end of first year this summer?
Is that the same Brian “Spike” Walker who lived almost opposite GGS? Don’t know if you remember me but we attended about the same time in late 50’s /early 60’s . I followed a non academic route into Human Resources ( not taught at GGS) and did ok for myself. Now live in the Peak District with my daughter, my wife of 49 years , having died just before Covid struck.
Made contact with Dave Paxton recently and did a lot of catching up.
My email address is available through this site should you want to make contact?
Mike
I enjoyed your list of teachers. I was there 1954-59. I noticed two were missing from the list – perhaps they had ‘left.’ 1. Major Collingwood [?English], who with Captain D’arcy [French], ran the Combined Cadet Force [CCF]. The Major was quite a character, although he never taught me. The Captain was my French teacher in some years. Another decent man.
2. Jackson [History].
Hello Garth, Q. Where are you now, mate??? Would be great to resume contact!
Do you still live in Ipswich??? Mr (‘Jim’?) Scott was once I believe the Mayor of Middlesbrough? You DARED NOT EVER talk in his class…
That’s quite a list, they must have been characters for you to remember them all – I don’t think I could list that many from my time at ‘The Grange’. There’s a few on the list who were still there when I was (78-83) – Agar, Durrant, Stout, Whitfield (although our nickname wasn’t quite as nice as yours lol) and Horsman, whose lack of anger management was a huge source of entertainment during our Christmas choir practice sessions and, along with getting us out of a few lessons, was probably our main reason for joining the choir – although he must have done a good job of drumming the Hallelujah Chorus into our heads as I can still along with it today!
Great days at Grangefield 1967-72, pity they demolished it like most of Stockton I remember. I was in the class of the RE teacher called (from memory) Vic Watton. I think you were in the same class Mike. There was another games/RE teacher, Graham Rayner, hung out with Rock and Agar. A small group of us used to go trainspotting together nationally with Dalescroft Railfans Club; and locally down at Norton, south of the junctions. We all cycled to Cohens Scrapyard at Middlesbrough Dock at the end of BR steam when it got a delivery of the last black five steam locomotives. Mike, I recall us playing with all those superb, working, model steam engines you collected at Oakwell Road many years ago, where are they now?
Wow… what a memory… I was there from ’68 to its demise in ’73…. memories of most if not all on the list, some of whom went on to try and teach in the brand new 6th form College opened on the other side of the playing fields in ’74.
Like everyone who came across him, Harry’s antics with the bacon slicer scarred me for life but also gave me a story to tell at every conceivable opportunity since.
To this day I’m still not sure why it was necessary to take my shirt off in the Biology lessons but it seemed to make Trog happy…!
It wasn’t a bad start in life and made me the imperfect, damaged individual I am today… as I say to my kids…. you just don’t know how good you have it today!!
Keep it alive…!
Paul Westgarth
I was at Grangefield, in the same class as you. Looking back at my experiences, there are a couple of teachers that I would take to task. HH put me off classical music for a long time. I’d once been away ill for a week and Daddy Ken gave me the plimsoll for not doing my outline of South America for the homework he’d given whilst I was away.
Some of the pupils weren’t much better… 50 years ago now, thankfully I moved to Germany in 71, where the Forces school I went to was wonderful… it had girls.
I was once severely punished for omitting some homework (about which I knew nothing), as we were holidaying in Devon! I think this punishment was from a Mr Hedds, who – years later – became very friendly to Eric Short (cyclist) and myself. Have lost touch with Eric whose wife could not cope with my bringing to their home a previously married fiancee.
Mr Nichol was known as ‘Plod’
New games teacher was Green – introduced basketball.
Music and Latin teacher before Harry and Ozzie was Derek Shute – much more accomplished pianist. Could improvise the Dambusters March in the style of Mozart or Bach!
Well, how about “Roc” Hudson the senior games master in the early sixties??? He could be a real bully and clearly thought that I was a “no-hoper” regarding games, etc. However, well after leaving Grangefield I was competing on the Claireville (Middlesbrough) bike track and just after completing a “heat”, recognised him in the very sizeable crowd that day. Although unlikely to have won anything that day, l shall never forget the long wave that ‘Roc’ gave me. (Had I – in his eyes – made-it at last???) Bob Johnson was the assistant – a really nice bloke who – having once “bumped” classmate Eric Short and self for seemingly placing hurdles incorrectly – and then recognizing his error – immediately offered his own hand for us to smack!
I remember both of them. Rock Hudson for his cry of ‘come on you cissies’ when we feigned playing rugby in the driving cold rain.
Regardless of the general poverty of opportunity of the times, I went on to sail Hobies at a regional then world championship in the 80’s.
When working for BR (my very first job) at Darlington (1966-67), I cycled past Mr Darcy whom I recall immediately recognised me…
English teacher Mr Brian(?) Nichols “nickname” was definitely “Ben”. Thus “nota bene” became “nota Ben”!
I was at Grangefield when most of the above teachers were there…. the other games teacher from 1940-75 was Graham Rayner and Vic Wotton was RE.
I went to GGS from 1969 to 1971. Hated every minute. Had a couple of very unpleasant encounters with Tiesing, details of which do not belong on a comments section. Harry Horseman installed a nearly life long hatred of classical music, apart from Bartok. If we did not give enough money whilst singing “Bringing in the Sheaves” he would have tantrums the like of which I have not seen since, apart from Kinski’s. Daddy Ken, the Geog teacher was also an intolerant man. There were also some incredibly nasty bullies. After three years I went to a Forces comprehensive in Germany, which was wonderful as there were loads of girls there, so different to Grangefield. Pas á Pas On Va Bien Loin …..not there!
I could have written that! – although my experiences of Tiesing, Harry and Daddy Ken (how did he make geography an unpleasant trial?) were milder. Bradshaw was a star and Wright (English) and Durrant (Chemistry) were decent. Arrived from a Forces comprehensive in 1969 and went to a comprehensive in southern England in 1970: GGS was a brutal contrast.
Trog ok, Harry an inspirational nightmare, Daddy Ken a *******, Bradshaw good, Wright inspirational, Charles a legend, Ozzie Stout great D’Arcy wore cologne…
Apart from being in the school model railway club, I pretty well detested every minute being there apart from the Latin. VERY much later, I got ONC, HND and a “Civils” Degree from Northeast London Uni via much-extended and generous day-release from a Chief Engineer.
I was there from 1964 to 71, I remember Trog and Mr Bradshaw, good to see ken Coates name I remember him well. Happy days Steve Sexton
I remember Ken “Haggis” Coates well as we shared a room on the 1966 trip to Florenville, along with Stephen Cossavella.
Geoff Beswick I remember you! where are you now?
In lockdown with everyone else.
In lockdown along with everyone else.
Frank Tiesing did make the transition to the new sixth form college, as I went back to see him to say thank you when I qualified in medicine in 1977. He was unhappy to be teaching in such an informal atmosphere. I think he was stressed, sadly, he died prematurely a few years later.
I believe he was a Jewish refugee from WW2. An accomplished cello player. I always thought that he had started a medical course and the war had interrupted his ‘career’. We did botany at A level in about 2 weeks, zoology was his forte.
He spent 3 months of the A level course teaching the classification of plants and animals – a subject that gave me a life long interest in living things. He encouraged reading from the library at the back of the class room. Perhaps the most remarkable thing was the mock A level practical – we had the remains of a frozen mouse to dissect – caught at the back of the class room, there was a nest in the back cupboard!
Hi Selwyn!
I remember you well, with your older brother Rodney and sister Heather.
Geoff Beswick
I remember Trog or Dr Death well.
Sorry, Trog, I was far more taken by Tashy Lee’s approach to physics – firing iron rods into blocks of wood from an ancient electrical coil – and learning maths by rote with Mr Byrne (no nickname?). I went on into the oil business, and great times. Mostly owing to the inspiration of Tashy Lee, and the belief shown in me by a supportive Head Mr Bradshaw.
Heartfelt thanks for that if you, your families, or your successors are out there!
Ken, we called Mr Byrne Edd, after Edd Byrnes, who played Kookie in ’77 Sunset Strip’
Mr Byrne was known as ‘Puffer Byrne’ because of his habit of blowing on the end of his chalk before writing on the blackboard. He was my 5th year form master.
Also bother or boffer byrnes
I was at Grangefield Grammar from 1971 to 1977. First year was a grammar school then it went comprehensive. As a girls grammar school we had to have our uniform skirts measured to the right length by kneeling on the floor so the hem just swept the floor in front. Bottle green knickers, indoor and outdoor shoes required, full sports kit with hockey stick and tennis racket and woe betide any girl caught talking to one of the boys on the premises!! Boys were let out first at the end of the day and girls were let out when the last boy had gone through the gates. Mr Tier was our history teacher, Mr Brooks was our form teacher in the prefab classroom and Mr Neilson, the sports master, was the girl’s eye candy. My hairdresser tells me he’s now teaching at Conyer’s School. I remember being scared witless by Harry Horseman, and I was a tuck shop monitor for “Daddy” Ken. He used to insist we unwrapped all the Mars Bars, Milky Ways, etc, prior to selling them – food hygiene nightmare! lol! Mr Tier passed a comment that all the girls in his history class would be married by the time they were 20. I laughed and he said “yes, including you King”. And you know, you were right Mr Tier! The Queen’s jubilee year was the year I left and all the leavers that year were given a commemorative coin at the end of the exams.
I have varied memories of my time at Grangefield Grammar for Boys prior to 1969.Alas I cant recall many names of teachers.I wasn’t much of an Academic then and only passed 1 O level in English Language.
I do vividly recall Mr Horseman and his music lessons and day trips in his Jaguar.I can honestly say he was responsible for a lifelong interest in music and classic cars.
My history teacher… I cant recall his name,taught us a lot about WW1 and is responsible for an enduring passion for military history and 12 yrs in the Army!
Mr Bradshaw the Head… quite handy with his cane!
I’m not sure if I have happy memories of Grangefield but it and its Teachers definitely helped shape me into the person I am now.
I would be really interested in hearing from anyone who recalls me from those days.
The history teacher was probably Alan Sedgewick – a brilliant and inspiring teacher. 40 years later I am obsessed with history.
I knew a ginger-haired Beswick: is that you…?
Yes – though the hair is browner now.
Bertie Bingham?
I still have a book on Economic History ‘loaned’ to me by Bertie Bingham. I liked how he taught history. I arrived at Grangefield in April 1967 in the 4th form from colonial boarding school in Kenya so bullies were no problem to me having experienced the real thing… The school was ‘forced’ to accept me.. which I had a cocky demeanor and was not welcomed by the Boss. (Bradshore?) who caned me for something I did not do, which I resented. Other teachers (masters) Boffer Byrns math teacher (ex WW2 bomber navigator) one of the few teachers who took me under wing and got me through O level maths. The ‘Face’ gym teacher (along with Rock) and rugby coach he quite liked me because I was good a rugby player but refused to play on the team.
Yes and I remember you Dave
Geoff Beswick! History teacher could have been Mr “Dickie” Charles who inspired my love of history (he was also a fierce cricketer) – am trying to organise a GGS reunion this summer for the 65-72 group. Let me know Graeme White (now Whitcroft White)
Being at Grangefield Grammar school between 1971 and 1976, I remember one dark winter’s afternoon (during a terrible storm) Harry Horseman played his music class ‘Danse Macabre’ by Saint Saens. I’ll never forget it. His explanation of the skeletons dancing their dance of death and us listening to the music as the rain lashed against those tall windows and the severe thunder and lightning outside was truly magical and spooky! Frank Tiesing taught me Biology both at Grangefield Grammar and Stockton Sixth Form College – I had a lot of respect for him. Would love to find a full listing somewhere of all the teachers around at that time (as both establishments).
I remember that ‘Danse Macabre’ explanation vividly as well and I was probably sitting next to you at the time.
Mr Tiesing taught me Biology at the Sixth Form College 1974-1976. after years of teaching at the boys grammar school I dont think he particularly liked teaching girls, especially not one that would fall asleep during class. I had also endured Mr H Horseman for Music for 1 year 73-74 I will never forget the smell of his cigars ! My other teachers were Ian Ellis ( Chemistry), Mrs Estruch (Physics), the late Arthur Carr (Pure Maths) and Mr Hindson (Applied Maths).
Is that the Lindsay Allen that was in 2G up 4G when we were joined with the boys grammar and put into different forms? I remember you as always being bright and successful at most subjects. I too remember Harry Horseman when he took us for the last year of music O Level. He made Miss Dubbin seem like an angel!
We are trying to arrange a reunion for the Grangefield School Leavers Year 1974 next year in October, to celebrate our 40 years! Lindsay, Liz and anyone else interested, please contact this email address and we’ll send you further details:
grangefield1974leaversreunion@outlook.es
Hello Liz
Yes it is indeed the same Lindsay, your memory is better than mine as I only remember the things that I couldn’t do so well.. I believe that the old building is being replaced this summer and there is an open day on 15th July for ex pupils to visit and remember old days. You do need to book in advance though.
Frank Tiesing’s nickname (during my time anyway) was Trog. I remember getting into trouble with him when I completed my entire biology exam in red pen and he could not mark it.
Not to be outdone we had our very own Dr Death in the 1960’s at Stockton Grammar School as well, Mr Goddard who taught English.
He was Dr Death, occasionally Trog. I was at GGS from 65-72, some great teachers, fondly remembered even if they were a bit handy with the cane on occasions. Anyone recall Mr Charles who taught history with a passion bordering on obsession? He also coached cricket and if you survived catching practice with him you were doing well. Likened to a Mr Geoffrey Boycott by many.
Could that be the Graeme White I knew who liked Captain Beefheart and anyone else John Peel recommended?
Dick Charles taught Economics.
yes …. sorry for late reply (4 years)
Mr Charles went on to leave the class room and become the Chief Educational Officer for some county. My brother (Rod – then a head teacher of a residential special needs school) met him at an educational meeting. Rod told him his lessons were boring. Dick Charles agreed, ” Yes they were”. I remember him emphasising his history facts by having his hands out in front as if he were making mud bricks – the whole of our class sat there at our desks… mimicking him making ‘mud bricks’!
I remember sex education with Trog – A slideshow. Slide 24 – Penetration and Trog’s comment ‘I am told it is pleasurable’ with his normal deadpan delivery. BTW Martin (Davies) the Head was Bradshaw and Sedgewick taught english didn’t he? I was there from 64-71.
“Haggis” Coates? We shared a room in Florenville in the summer of ’66? We did not find out England had won the World Cup for about 5 days after the final as we spoke no French or German
I do not think we have met since your 1st year at Manchester University. Trog scared me but he was certainly a character. I am not sure I got beyond how plants reproduce though rabbits may have featured briefly! I preferred the personality John the Face (Green) for biology and everything else he taught. Sedgewick taught History and English but had left by the time we were both in the 6th Form . I think he got a better job at the Tech (more money). He was always very open in his discussions and influenced me a lot in my choice of A levels in those subjects. I remember the Boss Bradshaw for trying to teach us some psychology; little in size but he certainly had our respect.
Hi Chris,
Are you any relation to Julie Hugill from Norton?
Paul Kennedy
Hi Chris were you at Manchester too?
“There’s NOTHING FUNNY about it (= the sex-act) Thompson!” Self and Dave Seddon were by then almost falling-off our stools with laughter…
Alan Sedgwick taught History.
I also remember some less than pleasant encounters with Messers Tiesing and Horseman during the early 70s.
Trog was ok. Fat Harry had his moments…
I was taught Biology by Trog from 1956. Being the class clown we soon fell out and I sat at the back of the class taking the mickey and getting very friendly with Trogs slipper. I wasted my time at Grangefield, apart from the sport. This was due to every teacher comparing me to my eldest broher, Tony, who was always getting glowing reports from staff. He now lives in New Zealand, a retired professor and faculty head of science and a well known Geologist due to Les Thornton.
Does anybody remember Carole Dee or Carole Boddy from early 1960,s… ???. :o)
I remember Trog vividly as he collared me for not having my tie on on the way home, late after doing basketball, gymnastics or whatever. He ‘Trog’ marched me into his Biology classroom and proceeded to give me 10 of the best! That was the one and only time I had any verbal or physical communication with him for the whole time I was there [70-75]. If I remember rightly, Harry Horseman used to dish out the same sort of punishment for similar trivial infringements. Both fondly remembered? I think not!
It was a DREADFUL realisation to discover that your tie was missing…
I can still recall that “sinking” feeling when walking up the drive… and realising that your tie was missing!
I remember the machine shop in Church Row, I was there for a year during my 1st year as an apprentice. It had a line shaft for driving the lathes. First time I used it I set the tool too low & the whole lot went up in the air. I think you may have the name right Norman, I believe he had a glass eye. This is taking my memory back, I believe he was an old marine engineer, lost his eye in an accident at sea. He would tell us many weird & wonderful stories. One such story was about the family who used to live in that building before it became a machine shop, apparently a large family and very poor, where the strongest lived & the weakest died. He was a great advocate of Doxford diesels (I might have the name wrong) which I think were built in Stockton. In my 2nd or 3rd year we transferred to Oxbridge Ave. He only taught 1 year there, his Nephew took over the teaching of practical. A very interesting gentleman.
Ah! a proper teacher, one who could command respect by presence alone. How refreshing. People of this type are rare and it is a gift which in the old days would have been called ‘a vocation’, something again getting very rare in this life today. Reading this article and correspondence it has been a joy to receive this insight into Grangefield Grammer School. Is that the one started to be built about 1939, and then abandoned until the end of the war when materials and costs could be met? If so the wait was well worth it. As my dear old Mum would say, there is a moral to this, don’t undertake what you can not afford!
The best teaching for me occured at Frederick Nattrass and Norton Open Air Schools and Stockton Technical College enginering workshop in Church Row, who at the time were busy teaching females how to become engineers for war work. That is where I was taught the basic use of the file and scrappers and to make a set square by hand. We had a good teacher there with a wonky eye, but a good chap!(I think his name was Mr Williamson) Such things taught me respect for people who matter in life and who formed a pattern on which to build and how interesting that has been. Believe it or not I am still learning each day at 82.
To all my friends of Norton and Stockton I send my Best Wishes to you all, with great respect.
J. Norman Kidd prior to attending Grangefield in 1958 I had been educated at Tilery Rd school, the old school right at the top of Tilery Rd, not at St Anns. The majority of the male teachers were ex forces personnel who had undergone the ‘conversion’ courses to teach in primary schools. They were with out doubt in the class of teachers you describe, i.e., those who had a vocation & I consider myself lucky to have been taught in that environment.
As for Grangefield some stand out. The science teachers were excellent especially Messrs Boyd (Dickie Bird). & Lee (Tashy), chemistry, & physics respectively.
Trog moved to Stockton VI Form College when it opened in 1973. He was a strict disciplinarian and a stickler for scientific detail and correct spelling, however he was one of the most capable and highly respected teachers of that era and I will always be grateful for having him as biology master through O and A level. We had a little rhyme at the time which alluded to one of his catch phrases: ‘My name is Frank N Tiesing, And I find this very pleasing’.
Ken I think I recognise your name I too remember Troy and have memories of his accuracy. I only had him for O level at Grangefield moving to other groups at the sixth form college. The other teachers I remember were Ray Chick Kitching and Dave Allison who introduced me to computers in 1968!
Dr Death taught me biology from 1965 – 1970. He scared me. He made us touch that skeleton – I managed with the tip of one finger to touch one bone. The blinds were always down. The narrow door at the end of the corner of the cloakroom in darkness. Because of him, I decided to give up biology and opted for math at A level. He always wore a long white lab coat. He looks younger in this pic than I remember him.
I also remember Trog heating his reddish soup, or drinks water, in a lab beaker with tripod, gauze and bunsen burner, often slowly stirring it with a glass rod whilst reading. Blue flame with bit of yellow at the top, just as Mr Durrant (Chemistry) taught at Grangefield. Given Trog’s aura pupils were not especially keen to look through the upper windows into his lab from the cloakrooms. Unlike most Grangefield teachers of my era, I do not recall Trog being a form-master, which only added to his reputation as different. He was one of a dwindling number of teachers who often wore a black masters gown, which always looked different and demanded respect, others being Bradshaw (Headmaster), Rattenbury (Deputy Headmaster), Daddy Ken Whitfield, the unforgettable Harry Horseman, sometimes Bull Wright and Ducks D’arcy, generally the older generation.
Mr Tiesing was still teaching biology at Grangefield when I left in 1969. He was one of those teachers you never forget. He had many idiosyncrasies which make recollection of him very vivid. He always wore a white lab coat, and his classroom (the biology lab) was set apart from the other classrooms, situated next to the cloakroom and beside the back (cycle) driveway. He seemed to spend most of his spare time in that lab – at lunchtime (much to the amusement of pupils looking through windows from the cloakroom) he would often have a can of soup, which he emptied into a 500 ml beaker heated on a tripod and gauze by a bunsen burner. He would then slurp the warmed soup direct from the beaker. He would freqently practice his cello playing at lunchtime, accompanied by very deep brething which he appeared to use to mark time. As others have mentioned, his nickname was ‘Trog’ or ‘Dr. Death’ – he would not have looked out of place in a Dracula movie or, as I thought, as Sherlock Holmes. He had a great ‘presence’ – some other teachers would struggle to maintain order at times, but Trog’s arrival in the room was sufficient to immediately induce a respectful hush. He had a keen sense of humour which was usually well concealed. I liked and respected him, and I think most of us in the 6th form did.
Trogs sex education lessons – legendary. I remember a slide of a rabbit and a slide of a bike propped up against a lamp-post. Trog asked us what were the differences. Yes – a rabbit can reproduce! As far as I remember that was it!
‘Trog’ Tiesing was a great teacher with a very dry sense of humour. He loved playing up to his Gothic/vampire image, warming his lunchtime tomato soup in a glass lab flask over a Bunsen burner. The 1st Years were convinced it was blood.
I joined the school in the 4th form from Kenya in April 1967 until June 1971. I arrived at GGS way behind but teachers like Trog got me through Biology O levels, Boffer Burns through O level Math and Berty Bingham, History – these were great teachers. I also went on a school trip, a “Toads Wild Ride” bus tour thru Holland and Belguim, under the leadership of Harry the Horse. Other teachers I recall were Rock and the Face (our 5th form home room master) both Gym teachers, then there was Spring Heeled Jack… and of course the hobbit-like diminutive headmaster, Bradshore I think? Known affectionately as ‘The Boss’, who had occasion to beat me.
Martin,
I think I recall you asking a good question in A level economics with Dick Charles along the lines of: “What do you think the economic effect of an oil tanker disaster would be?” Dick answered laconically : ” A drop in the ocean”. It is odd what sticks in the mind after all these years!
I do remember Bertie Bingham well as a fascinating teacher with a very different teaching style but Dick Charles was superb in both economics and history. He inspired by his organisation and because he really cared that we did well.
A story I still tell of great teaching was when we started English with Bull Wright in the 6th Form and Hamlet was on the syllabus. Instead of launching into Shakespearean tragedy he had us reading Greek tragedy Antigone and he encouraged us all to go as a group to see the play at Billingham Tech. He felt we could not understand the genre until we had seen how the Greeks did it! I just cannot imagine any teacher having the time to do that now.
Bull read us John Donne’s “On his mistress going to bed” (again off syllabus) before we started studying his more “suitable” poems in the official school version but that was another technique for getting us motivated!
I was at Grangefield from 1964 to 1971 and my 6th Form was easily the most enjoyable time I had in education. It was the first time we were treated as (almost) adults and there were no important exams to get in the way in the Lower Sixth (unlike AS levels). I have never been back to the school and the memories have just started to return on reading that the buildings are to be demolished. I will look round nostalgically on the open day on 15th.
Andrew Clark – if you were at Grangefield 69 to 74 you must be the Andrew Clark that I met in the mid 70’s. The Picture Stockton Team has my email address if you want to get in touch.
Mr Tiesing was my biology teacher at Stockton 6th form college, I left there in 1977 so he would have been there 75-77 certainly.
Trog was teaching at Grangefield Grammar in 69 -73. I don’t remember him making the transition to The Grange in 73. I don’t believe he was at the 6th form College from 74-76.
Andy Clark, You were right that Trog did not stay on at The Grange. As you will see from Ken McDonald’s note above, he went to Stockton Sixth Form in Autumn 1973, where he stayed until he died in – I believe – 1978. The story goes that he was discovered in his biology lab one morning, having been working late the evening before. A heart attack, I believe. I remember, when I heard the news, two or three days later, that I had walked past SSFC that night having been for a drink in Fairfield with some friends. A strange feeling. He was an unforgettable teacher and person, and seemingly one mainly seen by the pupils he came into contact with in a positive light. Not for everything and by everyone, of course, and some of the tales above allude to that – and it was a different era….
And Andy you beat me into third place in the cross country each year bar one. Marty Street won five out of five between 1969 and 1973. The time I was second, in 1972, you missed the final turn, and but for that would have – narrowly – beaten me again. It was a moral victory to you. I, however, had no morals: I should have shouted to you to ‘Turn left Andy, Turn left!’ I did not. Here is my public apology 42 years later. Fancy going for a run?
My hazy memories of ‘Isaiah’ were of a practial session when a cows eye was dissected. I beieve Tim Brown a farmers son from the Bishopton area provided ‘a bag of eyes’ for the session.
Howard Spence’s mention of Mr Jackson, history teacher at Grangefield, brings to mind his preferred method of dealing with inattentive pupils: namely his deadly throwing accuracy with anything that came to hand, usually chalk or a board rubber. I believe he took cricket after school!
It was said in our class around 1959 that Isiah was his name on the basis that one eye was higher than the other – many believed this. Does anyone recall the history master called Jackson around that time?
I still remember his sex education class where he explained the physical aspect of the process by showing how a 3 pin plug fitted into a wall socket. It worked for me because I managed to create 2 kids.
The skeleton was called Fred – allegedly Indian – owing to beetle juice stains on the teeth. Trog also taught cello. One particularly hot afternoon, several students arrived in the biology laboratory without a tie, which led Trog to remark – “How dare you turn up to my class in a state of semi-nudity?”
Harry Horseman…roll up stuck to his bottom lip, playing the piano and talking, the roll up never fell off. Lol. The dreaded ‘bacon slicer’ was his punishment tool of choice
I never learnt to type or spell at Grangefield either- tongues not tounges. Its true Trog resided in his lab. I never saw him in the staff room. Full scale riots occurred in the cloak rooms most mornings before school in the 1960″s with dozens of old rugby boots and sports shoes being thrown between the first form and the fifth form with other years engaging both sides. The various forms were only protected from this onslaught by wire mesh partitions for hanging coats, thus direct hits and injuries were common. If Trog came out of his nearby lab the riot instantly stopped, such was the force of his personality. Around the corner parents hard earned dinner money or pocket money for their sons was traded daily for old british and foreign stamps, records, football programmes, railway magazines, and old army cap badges.
When I was at Grangefield my form started to dip the covers of Grangefield labelled exercise books in acid solution, dry them out until they disintegrated, and then put the bits of paper on their tounges where they tingled like acid drops. The treated bits were named Trog Drops also Tingletite since the process was perfected in Trogs biology lessons. Happy days, but a silly story that illustrates why we have Health and Safety now.
Indeed… I latterly worked as a supernumerary “elfansafety” manager/lecturer for a number of years on British Rail. I discovered one manager(?) stating only: “Mind ‘ow yer go!”, as his ‘pre-work safety briefing’… Discovery of this shortcoming alone I believe immediately provided me with MONTHS of upfront training. (N.B. I had returned to the rail industry for a few weeks following the Hatfield disaster [2000], this “three days a week” assignment actually lasting several years.) My “Driving Cab” pass was wonderful… (In my view, easily the most competent train-driver I observed at work in those days was a young female…)
Even spookier than “Boris” was “Dr Death”. Although he was a very nice bloke.
He also got the knickname Boris (after Karloff)partly because of the eerie atmosphere of his lab which he seemed to frequent at all hours. I recall him actually being a good teacher (O level Biology option in mid 60s)and very dry in his humour. He also was the make-up artist for Shakespearean stage productions and lead up Gilbert and Sullivan operattas (not that I was involved) with Harry Horsman. A strange combination. I did have the pleasure of going on a school trip to Belgium with that pair and a history teacher called Sedgewick, I think.
I recall that ‘Trog’ set-up a short-lived (one week) film-club. I believe it cost 7/6d. Films screened in his lab included “The Lavender Hill Mob”, “Whisky Galore!” (On TV last week) and “The Man in the White Suit”.
Between 1976 and 1979 I was taught by “Trog” when I was at sixth form college – he was alive and well in 1979 – however I heard via my brother that Trog had been found dead at home quite unexpectedly in the early 1980″s.
Frank N Tiesing is recorded as having died in 1981 registered in middlesbrough
Mr Tiesing borrowed a book off me about 1970. Several years later when I phoned the school to go and see him and retrieve my book I was told that he had died suddenly whilst at his parents in London. Having said that, I have just checked the on-line index of registered deaths and can find no entry for him!
Are you sure it was Tiesing that died then, Cliff, and not Harry Horseman? I know Harry died but thought it was more likely early 80s.
I remember that in the biology lab Trog had a rather magnificent cello – not sure whether it was his or not. Assuming it was, he was obviously a multi – talented musician.
I believe that Frank Tiesing died suddenly in the mid-1970s. I remember him playing the timpani in the orchestra during school plays.
Similarly, physics and chemistry was not taught at Grangefield Girls Grammar up to about the same time. I went to the boys school for lessons but after a term, I found it convenient to have a career change! Too embarrassing!
Trog was still there in 73 when the school went Comprehensive and mixed gender but really can”t remember if he retired at that time, as some did, or continued on.
Trog was also at Grangefield in the late 1960″s. He pricked his finger for blood for some biology demonstration and most of the front row of my form fainted. I remember his skeleton too, you got introduced to it on your first lesson.
Up to 1954 biology was not taught in the boy”s section of Grangefield Grammar School. I order to get the A-level in biology for entry into Medical School I had special permission to attend classes in the girl”s school. This was considered quite extraordinary at that time (I only wish I had been able to attend typing classes too) Things were run on very rigid lines in those days – for example the girls did domestic science and the boys woodwork and metalwork.
Frank Tiesing taught biology throughout my time at the school (1955-62). I”d be interested to hear more of him. I have seen references on the Picture Stockton website about a biology teacher at GGS who was known to the boys as “Isiah” but this name is not familiar to me. In my day, Mr. Tiesing was known to one and all as “Trog”. I know nothing of his career after 1962.