Once again I start this section with news that was sent to me by your return slips in the post. We start with news from Derek Sumpter who wrote in to say that he had been looking forward to the Spring Golf Meeting but was busy helping his daughter to move house in Cornwall. He had been looking forward to the event very much but was amazed how hard it is to meet so many commitments in retirement! Derek enjoyed the Briggensians Dinner last March, which was certainly an evening to remember particularly for the 1940's pupils who just did not have enough time for all the gossip! Another one of the same group was Brian Thornalley, who has now been retired from teaching for 10 years and has taken on a job as Parish Clerk. He says that this may well be as much a sign of approaching senility as madness, as opposed to the desire for a new career or the ambition to change the face of local government in England! Peter Wade who had helped to organize the 40's reunion group also wrote to say how much he and his wife had enjoyed the Annual Dinner. He went on to say that the new extension at the Golf Club really makes the venue much more attractive. He had enjoyed meeting former school contemporaries that he had not seen for 50 years! A very nostalgic evening! Hopefully this year will see others attending who were unable to make it last time.
George Gurnell appeared to be the only pre-World War II Old Boy present, but was made to feel very welcome and had a thoroughly enjoyable day as on the same afternoon he had the pleasure of meeting an old form colleague (1932-38), John Gray and his wife, from Burton on Stather. George says that there is still a lot of reminiscing to do and he hopes to be able to repeat the process this year. He sends his thanks to everyone involved in the organization - keep up the good work. P.D.J.Campbell said he had no news to report but enjoys reading the odd snippets about his contemporaries especially anyone who was in the Boarding House in the 20's and 30's. Talking about the Boarding House Rev.H.B.Williams was very pleased to see the use made of the building and an old home, The Very Rev. David Leaning had been pleased to receive his newsletter and is very keen to discover the addresses of some of his contemporaries from the late 40's and 50's. He has a photograph of the 1st Cricket XI from 195S, (when he was umpire). Can anyone help him get in touch with James Scarborough, John F, Ward, Patrick B. West, Robert Clark, RA.Berry and John McLaughlan? If you are able to help David please address the information to The Residence, Southwell, Nottingham, NG25 0HP...Many thanks!
E.D. Sykes sends news of his successful hip operation last year. He goes on to say that his walking pace is about 30% and he gets easily stressed when walking any distance. Don enjoys reading the news and remembered a few of the names. He wishes to be remembered to the Chairman of the School Governors, Mr Roy O'Neill. R.C.E.Thompson was very pleased to receive the first Newsletter of the Millennium, which was as enjoyable a read as ever. Geoff Parratt enjoyed a lengthy chat with 'Bob' Waller (albeit by telephone) who stiil resides in Keelby. They both left school at about the same time - 1954 - and although they were in touch for a time they had not met since Geoff joined the forces in 1954. Many familiar names came into the conversation and Bob informed Geoff that he is a regular hiker with a few people, one of whom is Alan Wheatley who was in the same class as Geoff Ted Cox wrote to say that I had used the wrong e-mail address last year so please send all your information to [email protected] in the future.
Peter Schultz received his newsletter safely and was going to visit the School Website. Peter was one of a group of the 60's people who attended the Briggensians Dinner, some of whom had not met since they had walked out of our last G.C.E.exam in June 1966. The others in the group were Michael Sparling, John Schofield, Brian Wesley, Ben DaCosta, David Arbuckle and John Hastings. As with the 40's group the 60's group hope to swell their ranks this year with those who were unable to attend last year. A group of late 50's and early 60's returned again to meet up with Prof. Seaward, the group being Howard Paynter, Mike Beardmore, Dave Brewer and Jeremy Richards who all enjoyed their colour photographs of the occasion. They were hoping to meet up with Jack Moore and Gerry Longden but both have promised to be there this year to make up for the disappointment.
Tim Phipps (72-79) studied Law and having qualified retumed home to be managing partner in a local law firm specialising in personal injury compensation. Tim is married with two boys, Henry 7 and Hugh 5, and keeps in regular contact with Ian Foster (best men for each other) despite the fact that Ian is in Virginia. Tim also keeps in touch with Mark Boast (a G.P.) and Jon Bain (working for H.S.B.C. with a spell in India). Keith Cawkwell (a committee member) is also in the Banking business and at present is the manager at the Scunthorpe Branch of the Nat.West. Jeremy Bartle was surcharged for the delivery of the Newsletter showing a sign of its success he thinks. With the growth of news we are having to ask for an increase in the postage cost so that this does not happen again, as I know that Jeremy was not the only one having to pay the postman an extra charge. However he was very thankful for having his e-mail address put on the website and he has already been in touch with Simon Church now living in Perth.
Somebody who wanted to be added to the mailing list last year was Julie Stewart (nee Bowers 71-78). Julie sent us an e-mail last year but for some reason it did not make the 2000 edition so apologies for that and here goes with your news. Julie now lives in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire having moved around the U.K. - Wales, Co.Durham and central London over the years. Julie now works in London for the HQ of the Dept. of Social Security where she advises Ministers on policy and takes legislation through Parliament. Her current post at the time of writing was to manage a project to establish The Appeals Service executive agency in April 2000 - the final step in implementing the 1998 Social Security Act. Julie has had a varied civil service career from a local office in Bishop Auckland, to a brilliant time in No.1O Downing Street 1994-1997 when Mrs Thatcher was PM. She has spent 2 years in HM Treasury and worked on 3 Acts of Parliament. This is a world removed from Julie's BA in Archaeology, but she never knows what's around the corner! Those who remember Julie from the High School will remember she was always Scouting in her spare time and that has continued - from Cub Scouts to the Herts. County training team and currently an Assistant District Commissioner for Adult Training. She even met her husband Greg through the Scouts - he works full time for the Scout Association based at Gilwell Park, Chingford. They have four boys - her stepsons Justin 18 and Roland 16, plus their own sons George 5 and Daniel 3. Needless to say Julie is a committee member of George's primary school Parent Teacher Association and enjoys seeing education from the 'other side'. Julie looks forward to reading more news of other former High School fellow pupils. Those fellow pupils who wish to contact Julie should e-mail her at [email protected] .
Keith Barnes sent us an e mail to ask us about playing at Forest Pines last Spring and then went out and won the event, but it was very nice to meet up again after a long time. However, he did not win at Elsham in the Autumn as I think he had his mind on finishing quickly to catch a plane across the pond. We look forward to seeing him again this year. Keith can be reached at k.barnes(@btinternet.com
Mr.E.D.Brittain (retiring Head Teacher) had a letter from Mrs.L.Christianse-Baudert who lives in Holland thanking him for his help in sending her information about her brother, OIiver Baudert O.B.E. which was reproduced in a special book and presented to him on his 70th Birthday. Oliver was a pupil at B.G.S. in the 1940's and articles pertaining to him were used from the July 1942, April 1947 and December 1947 copies. Oliver is very involved in activities in the School of Arts in Burrawang N.S.W. where he is secretary.
Another 70th birthday was celebrated at Briggate Lodge last August when many Briggensians quietly assembled to spring one of the biggest surprises of the new Millennium when Gerry Longden walked into a packed Beech Tree Restaurant and was for once well and truly speechless. Anne, Andrew, Sara and Claire worked wonders to organize the event and one that everyone will remember for a long while .... never mind Gerry! It was very nice to see a number of Briggensians at the memorial brass band concert held at the Vale of Ancholme School for Vincent East (senior) who died last April. Vincent junior took up the baton to conduct the Market Rasen Rhodes Saddlery Brass Band during a very enjoyable evening.