1. From Bill Eaton (Brigg Grammar School 1973 - 1978)
I was very saddened to learn of the passing of Mr Longden. He was an excellent Chemistry teacher, games master and Boarding House Master.
I have great memories of Gerry; mostly from the playing field but I believe there may still be the odd board rubber mark on both of my old school ties !!! He was a man who earned the respect of the students and his deep voice penetrated the noisiest of classrooms quickly and with authority.For my part I will always be indebted to Gerry for the patience shown in my cricket coaching and the experience he had gained from playing for Gloucester, he went beyond the call of teaching in loaning me the very best school equipment so I could have trials for county cricket with both Lincolnshire Schools and South Humberside Schools, I did look after it Gerry and returned it in pristine condition, but alas was never selected.
I learnt from all of my teachers at Brigg Grammar / Sir John Nelthorpe, from Gerry Longden I learnt that the quickest way to get anywhere is practice, practice and practice - bowling at one stump paid rich dividends later in my life.
To Mrs Longden and family ( Andrew and Sarah ) I can send but deepest sympathy for the loss of a husband and a father.
2. From Simon Church (BGS 1975 - 82)
I was extremely saddened to hear of the recent passing of Gerry (Jock) Longden.
By pure chance, I was in Brigg in January of this year (on a 10 day visit from Perth, Western Australia) and had the pleasure to run into Gerry and his wife on the streets of Brigg.
We chatted for a good ten to fifteen minutes, reliving old times and reminiscing as you do...!
On returning to Perth, I ran into Chris Jacklin (ex BGS) who commented how he had also bumped into Gerry on recent return visit.We may now live 12,000 or so miles away, but it is surprising how many times that Brigg Grammar School and the characters that made it what it was, come up in our conversations.
I was never very good at chemistry, far from the greatest golfer, and my cricket fielding needed some serious work, I know Mr Longden would have agreed with that!
However, despite the fact that at times I was quite 'threatened' and 'scared' of Mr Longden's presence, I admired the man, I respected the man and I learned from the man.
I now have a ten year old boy of my own and wish that he too will hold his teachers in the same regard as I do Gerry.
To Mrs Longden, Andrew, Sarah and Kate I would like to pass on my deepest sympathy.
My thoughts are with you all, I’m sorry that I cannot be there to pay my respects in person.
To Gerry, thank you for your patience and your teaching.
May you rest in peace.