We start this section with an application for membership from Mr. Kenneth Allcock (1932-38), the father of Mr. John Allcock (member of Staff), who decided that �1.00 was still good value for life. Ken lives at 5, Rivelin Cresent, Scunthorpe, North Lincs.DN16 2AL.
Another Briggensian in the same era( 1932-38) is George Gurnell (169,Whirlowdale Road, Sheffield.S7 2NG) who wrote to say' "Thank you" for an enjoyable evening at the Annual Dinner last year. Unfortunately, the proceedings dragged on somewhat last year with it being a special occasion and George was unable to have a chat with the one or two other 30's pupils present as he had transport waiting. Hopefully they will meet again this year. During the summer of 2000, he had the pleasure of calling on John Gray and Laurie Collins and giving them prints of the 1938 Remove Form photograph. They were all pupils in the same class through the School from 1932 to 1938.
One Briggensian, David Booth, had been giving the matter of joining the Association due consideration for 28 years! At last he decided that the time had come to remedy his omission and so he sent his cheque for �1.00 stating that this must be a rare if not the only example of static prices over such a period. He felt that this small contribution would if nothing else go towards the costs of maintaining our excellent website updates! For a brief career update he stated that he now runs a management consultancy business, 'IXQ", specialising in marketing, communications and organisational strategy. David lives at "Wold View", Park Lane, Bishop Wilton, York. Y042 ISS. (Tel: 01759 368 146 or e-mail: dmbooth@dial .pipex.com ).
Mrs. Margery Atkinson, who lives at "Matadon", 13,Woodland Drive, Broughton, North Lincs. DN20 OEQ, wrote to say that she has contacted several old school friends who were at BGHS from 1942-1947. Some of them hope to be able to attend the Annual Dinner in 2002 and if possible would like to enter the 2002 Briggensians' Open Golf Championship. One of her friends who is helping with the organisation of the 40's ladies group is Mrs. Jean Edwards Robertson.
Mrs. Jean Edwards Robertson who resides at 7, Stoke Close, Seaford, E.Sussex BN25 3RN, e-mail: [email protected] found the Newsletter very interesting and it certainly took her back to the war years when she was a pupil at BGHS gathering at "the fence"...very happy days! ! She hopes to be at the Dinner this year.
Another of the 40's ladies is Mrs. Jean Wynne who lives at 93, Manor Road, Bottesford, North Lincs.DN16 3PT.
Now to the male 40's group.
Peter Wade ("Wollaton", 18, Mallard Walk, Mickleover, Derby DE3 5TF) wrote to say that he was unable to come to the Dinner last year but intends to be there on March 23rd. Last May, whilst up in Edinburgh, he had lunch with Charlie Windass (10,Bonaly Terrace, Edinburgh. EH13 OEL), David Rhodes and their wives. He had not realised that David's wife, Barbara, is'"Timber" Watts' daughter. This was the first time they had met for about 48 years! What reminiscing as you can imagine!
Best wishes are sent to Dave Brittain from Peter for his retirement. Thanks are expressed to Derek Sumpter for organising the 40's group and maybe they can taIk again to the ladies without a fence in the way this year. We shall have to wait and see.
Keith Lacy (27, Abbey Road, Ulceby, North Lincs.DN39 6TJ te1.01469 588532) is another one from the 40's era and along with his membership fee, sent news for our Newsletter. Keith attended BGS from 1944-1949 and sjnce then has had a very varied career starting with 3 years as an N.C.O. in the R.A.F. and then several years as an accountant - Roy O'Neill is an ex employer. For the last 12 years before retirement, Keith was the Safety Officer/Secretary of Chelsea Football Club. He travelled to many European Football Stadiums during this period. Keith would love to contact some of his old buddies such as Ernest Smith, Peter Spittlehouse, Peter Hall, Geoff Hogg and anyone from the 44-49 era.
P. D. J. Campbell ("South Winds", High Street, East Markham, Newark, Notts.NG22 ORE) was one of many to send a tribute to Dave Brittain on his retirement. Peter had read the Head's Report and went on to say that although he had never met him he was sure Dave had done a tremendous amount of good for the School. Peter wondered if he had read his account "of life in the Boarding House" (answer - he had) and the Staff there during his time at BGS. One of Peter's contemporaries was Bishop Eric Kemp whose retirement was noted in last year's Newsletter with an account of his career. Peter and Eric were both there from 1924, Eric leaving in 1933 and Peter leaving a year later. When the Boarding House closed we gave Peter's account in the Newsletter which so many of our readers found of great interest and amusement.
Mr. H.B.Williams was pleased to see the use made of the old Boarding House and an old Home as we reported last year. However it was "the icing on the cake" when Dave Brittain officially opened the final stage of the refurbishment before retiring last summer. It is something well worth seeing and a tremendous asset to the School.
One distinguished Briggensian returned to Brigg to present the prizes to the Year 11 pupils at their Prize Evening. The Briggensian in question was The Very Rev. David Leaning, Dean of Southwell, in Nottinghamshire, who was a pupil at BGS from 1947-1955. Before the Prize Evening David took time to be shown the changes in the Boarding House and he, like Peter Campbell, had memories to recall. His memories include the wearing of short trousers and a cap, even when out of school, and living in draughty wooden floored dormitories without carpets or central heating. There were just three fires to heat the huge building and one of those was in the sick room. The windows were wide open during summer and winter for the pupils' own health and welfare. Meals were the same week in and week out with bread and jam for tea. A Saturday visit to the Grand Cinema was a rare treat, although the boarders were always segregated from the "local boys". The calibre and quality of teaching, from masters like History Specialist Dr. Frank Henthorn, was very high and the boys received a fine educatlon, preparing them well for later life. It is very pleasing to report that in June 2001 David was awarded a Lambeth Degree of Master of Arts by the Archbishop of Canterbury for services to Spirituality and Pastoral Care in the Church of England especially within the Diocese of Southwell. Congratulations from us all! Having mentioned H. B.Williams earlier, it was good to have a note from him saying that both he and Margaret are in "fair fettle" for their years! Brian had appreciated reading the news of the School and its successes. Brian and Margaret have a new address which is 5, Stewton Terrace, Stewton Lane, Louth, Lincolnshire.LN11 8RZ.
A note from Don Sykes arrived to say that old age was catching up with him but he had managed to contact Peter Campbell (above) during the last year and had a chat with him. Another 40's member, Brian Thornalley (1945-52) wrote from 38, Main Street, Willoughby on the Wolds, Loughborough.LE12 6SZ to say that after all his persistence in locating Ken Stothard (1949-53) in Yarrawonga, Australia, he was delighted to receive a brief visit from Ken and his wife Jean (a Wrawby lass) in November 2000 - closing a gap of 48 years! Ken and Jean were visiting their families in the Brigg area and had to cope with the shock of Ken's brother's death only hours before their arrival. Ken has another long-term, ex-Lincolnshire friend living in Brian's village - a bizarre fact unrecognised until 1999.
Sally Browlow (nee Whittham) rang into school to let us know that her name and address had changed and would we let everyone know. Sally now lives at 20, Sewells Walk, Lincoln.LN5 7TF. Another member who rang to keep in touch and make sure he was not missed off the mailing list was Dave Bradbury of "Beechwood House", 29, Normanby Road, Burton-on-Stather, North Lincs.DN15 9EZ.
To make sure vou get your Newsletter everv year just return your confirmation slip with a SA.E. bearing the stated postage stamps. As many of you know it is that simple but, as we also know it is very easy to forget.
Sara Cammack (nee Vincent) who attended BGHS from 1969-1973 wrote to say that she had found out about the Briggensians after contacting her best friend at School, Gaynor Bray through "Friends Reunited" on the Intemet. Whilst in Brigg, Sara lived at the White Horse Inn (comer of Grammar School Road). She has been married for 23 years and has a son Mark (aged 21 years) and daughter Kim (aged 20 years). She used to have her own business for 21 years until earlier last year but keeps very busy working part time for the British Red Cross as Manager of the Disabled Living Centre in Boston. The rest of her time is spent as a volunteer with the Red Cross being Ambulance Trained, Medical Loans Co-ordinator, Transport and Escort and Skin Camouflage Service. Sara loves every minute of it meeting and helping people and making some good friends. She also finds time to be involved as L.I.V.E.S. First Responder being co-ordinator for Stickney. In her spare time Sara enjoys music and computers. Sara's address is 16, Holmes Road, Stickney, Boston, Lincs.PE22 8AZ.
J. E. Moore (Jack) sent us a note to say he had met a former pupil at a wedding reception and that young man was Philip Stow from 8, Maltby Lane, Barton, North Lincs.DN18 5PY who he felt sure would be pleased to become a member of the Association.
Brian Clark contacted us From 17,Ermine Street, Broughton to say he had been back to the BGS site of the SJNS to celebrate 50 years since he first waIked up that famous driveway leading off Grammar School Road. He was also very keen to have a copy of the 1954 School photograph and if you have not get got one I can tell you all the information needed to get hold of the same.
AIan Turner ("Rosedale", Mansgate Hill, Nettleton, Caistor, Lincolnshire.LN7 6NT) who is a fairly regular attendee of the Annual Dinner wrote to say that his son, Jeremy Charles Turner, has been awarded a PhD. and is a lecturer at Leeds University (Bretton Campus). He and his wife Marion, who is Head of the Art Department at a Sheffield school, live at Denby Dale.
At last year's Dinner a number of members arrived early to have a good chat and found two smartly dressed former pupils seated waiting quietly. Nobody could put a name to them so we had to go and ask. To our surprise and delight they were the Pearson Brothers, Michael and Brian. Some of us had not seen them for nearly 35 years so it was not too surprising that we had some trouble in recognizing them! We look forward to seeing them again. Michael now lives in Wales and Brian lives in Hemel Hemstead while their mother lives in West Street, Hibaldstow.