Dunstable Grammar School

Click here to sign the guestbook

January 26, 2010 - 03:05 PM
John Nice - 1955-1962

Enjoyed my time hugely - probably too much, who knows? Shell B in '55 under Ken Davies, 3A with Badger . . . Gosh I could go on for ever! Glad to hear from anyone, especially CCF Naval Section: anyone remember a field day aboard a submarine (H.M.S/M Artemis) which turned into an overnight trip?

November 02, 2009 - 01:03 PM
Mick Ellins - 1955-1959

Currently reside in Chattanooga USA. I was not a good student, but a good runner. Left under a dark cloud and joined the Army. I would like to find two or three old friends:- Bryn Wickens, Trevor Godfrey, Mick Ford. Anyone know their whereabouts?

October 04, 2009 - 05:11 AM
shani carrick - 1931-?

hi there i am ronald logans granddaughter and am interested in my grandads time at dunstable grammer school . based on the information i have he was really into sports and i would like to ask ken baldwin if you remember him. i have a sports style hat with the dunstable grammer logo on and i am not sure what sports or event it was given for . i beleive he was really into rugby , and my son has shown the same keen interest for it , unfortnatley my grandad has passed away and i,m missing some answers so if anyone can help ?? i would really appreicate it thank you shani carrick

September 19, 2009 - 08:44 AM
Carl Diggines - 1955-1963

Best years of my life

July 28th, 2009 - 10:17 PM
Rex Smith - 1954 - 1959

Great to see the site developing. My name is Rex Smith and I enjoyed the old school from 54 to 59 when I graduated to the sales department of a local firm and Luton College Of Knowledge. Unlike the majority of my contemporaries I did not spend my days lusting after the Head's Secretary and Dolly Taylor but found my wife-to-be at Priory School. 45 years married with one of each and three grandchildren we live in one of the most beautiful counties in England-unfortunately we do not live in a picturesque part of it.
However I enjoyed my schooldays-the maths Moose Milne beat into me and the sports field with Ken Davies and Jack Brennan were a great influence on my life.
Pete Turner, although a year my senior, also kept an eye on me and even convinced my parents that I would be safe going to Butlins with him and Dicky Mucklestone in 1958.
Happy days.

March 18th, 2009 - 08:37 AM
Ken Edwards -

Dear Webmaster,
As a friend of one of your old boys Ken' Baldwin's I would like to inform you that he died on the morning of Friday March 9th. 2009 at the age of 87. He had recently entered a comment on your guest book.
Ken became a bomber pilot during World War II and after the war took up teaching and taught for many years in England, Uganda and the Middle East. Latterly, after retiring to Grassington in the Yorkshire Dales, he became well known locally as a performance poet. His poems mixed memory, an acute awareness of the mysteery of exisatence, with a sharp sensual appreciation of the present. Ken married three times. I met him teaching at Masaka in Uganda in 1968 where he taught English, played golf and travelled. Since that time our families have met on many occasions. Ken was very active up to a couple of years ago travelling the country ro recite his poems in his warm voice with wit and a wry humour and taking part in archeological digs. During these last quiet days he confined himself to a downstairs room working on his poems and encouraging others to write poetry. Finally and gently he passed away in his sleep. his immediate present family, wife Dorrie, daughter Emma and sons Sam and Joe will say farewell at his funeral to be held in Skipton on Monday March 23rd. 2009. His first daughter Isobelle may be able to be present. We hope his four other children from his middle marriage will know of his passing.
hould you feel more communication is appropriate. you have my email address. In these days os so much communication across the internet I am not sure of awhat is appropriate but given Ken was in touch with you recently and that he mentions characters from school in his poems I thought it reasonable to contact you with the above details.You may be in touch with past pupils of a similar age who might still be in a position to remember Ken.
If you chose to place any of this on your website please make sure it is only the outine details of his time at the school birth and date of death.
Thank you
Ken Edwards
Huish's Grammar School Taunton 1953-61

March 03, 2009 - 04:11 PM
David Sidley - 1965-1970

Several memories of various punishment devices spring to mind eg. "Maxie's" steel ruler, "Broadie's" size 12 plimsole bouncing of buttocks at 20 paces, "Johnny Gut's" hairpulling and "Jack Brennan's" incredible accuracy with a flying board rubber or piece of chalk ,to mention a few. Kids don't know they're born now but it never did me any harm really :).
I got married very young and now have 2 boys aged 37 and 39 and 3 grandchildren, the oldest now 11. Screwed up various career jobs over the yrs and now a musician living in Scotland in a second marriage. I also manage a fairly large independent music website www.nessmp3.com .
I recently managed to get in contact with a couple of old classmates and hope to make it to a reunion in near future. Well done for creating this site Dave, although there seems to be some security issues, as it appears I could delete posts from this guestbook, not that I would!
I may have been a bit of a "bad egg" at times at DGS but not that bad. I feel pretty guilty about the hard times we gave poor Mr Symes (Slip) though. I am proud to have been at the school but not sure being segregated from opposite sex thoughout puberty is particularly healthy.
lol.

January 25, 2009 - 02:13 AM
Ray Toombs - 1967 - 1974

Hi there,
Was very glad to leave - manshead- in 1974, haven't really thought too much about those years since, until recently - apparently it's a sign of the ageing process! I now live in France and am a professional watercolour artist, an official artist for the Le Mans 24 Hours, a quick spot of publicity, my site is www.raytoombs.com I was recently asked where my interest originated, and I guess it was the art master when we moved to Manshead in '71(?) I have it in mind his name was Gibson, is there anyone out there who can confirm or otherwise? I tried the school, records don't go back that far, nor is there anyone left with sufficient memory! It's not important, it's just nagging me, you all know the feeling. If anyone wants to get in touch all info is on my site.
Well done for the site, the photos are good memory joggers, I'm on the one for '68 and my brother on '54 and '56 unidentified.
Kind regards to all,
Ray Toombs.

January 24, 2009 - 12:24 PM
Terry Downes - 1962-1966

I found that my years at DGS were tarnished with the fact that I was a good proposition for a punchbag for allcomers. Nowadays I think to myself how childish these people were. I have been in situations where these people would have a very hard time controlling their sphincter muscles, so where are thevhardmen of yesteryear and can they show me the evidence of their prowess, ie the Gulf ,the Falklands, etc

August 24, 2008 - 04:45 AM
David Conquest - 1950 - 1955 (seemed like a lifetime!)

What a great facility. I've now just communicated with two chums from the past and would like to find more. A few years ago, one age group organised a reunion and were successful in getting the entire year together. They were a bit younger than we of the 1950-1955 (or 1958 for the bright and determined fellows) intake.
Let's see what we can manage!
David Conquest

August 19, 2008 - 06:46 PM
JOHN STRANGE - 1954-1959

Fond memories,Milne and his Woodbines,Brock and his string bags also his carved gym shoes.Coles and his bunsen burners tampered with by....
Best of all was the Army Cadets with trips to Catterick,Isle of Wight [c/o Royal Navy]NorthWales and of course,Sewell!Almost forgot the Railway Society and trip to,I believe Nine Elms which started a life long love of trains both in U.K. and for the past 43 years here in Canada.
DGS had a big impact on my life. I will never {I hope] forget it and my class mates.
Regards and Thanks to this site.
John Strange

August 19, 2008 - 03:04 AM
Allan Friswell -

Nice to see pix of my old hockey playing mates Pellis and Dickie Bell, and of my colleagues at Manshead Jack Brennan and Grahm "Gruppenfuhrer" Jenner.

August 09, 2008 - 11:54 AM
Terry Sell - 1949-1955

Would like to make contact with any others in the same class.
Terry Sell

July 22nd, 2008 - 8:56 AM
Geoff Cherry - 1957- 1963

Just had a look at the excellent site. Just a correction please: In the identifier for school photo of 1958 I am no. 137 not 138. I can't think of the name of that pupil at 138 although I remember the face well. I suppose that goes with old age!!

Sadly, I have been asked to contact the ODs regarding the passing of Michael Pakes who was an OD. I am not aware of the dates he was at the school at present. He was an Past Captain and President of the South Beds Golf Club and had been suffering from Parkinsons Disease for several years. Hopefully you can post this info on the website for those who knew him. Thank you Geoff Cherry OD from 1957-63

July 17th, 2008 - 2:54 PM
Brian Mendes - 1941-1949

Hi Dave Nice to see that you have a guestbook up and running.First,I must point out to Ken Baldwin that Freddie Cadle did not die during WW II and returned to teach at DGS after his RAF service. It certainly was not his ghost that "played" Chopin on the piano in his study that was next to the senior boarders dorm !! I also noted with interest the contribution by Malcolm Hart,a contemporary of mine who I would like to hear from. All the best from Ontario,Camada. B.M.

July 10th, 2008 - 2:31 PM
KenBaldwin - 1932 - 1938

Hi Dave, Just to say thanks. I am already a member as from last year. Best wishes, Ken Baldwin . Incidentally in my years (1932-38) the teachers Lack, Bancroft, Boskett, Badger Brock, Humphrey Butters, Freddie Cadle and Speke were on the staff. Brock taught us English, not French which was taught by Channel Islander Poirier, Freddie Cadle died in the RAF in WW2, and he and Butters accompanied us on the Hockey tour of Germany in 1938(?)Bancroft carried on for years after that and coached the Rugby for a long time. The chemistry master was a Mr Cole. Evans was Headmaster and his classic remark was 'You say you did this homework last night. Though the ink is still wet, I believe you.' Fudger Lack came from Northamptonshire and always managed to forecast the Physics School Cert Exam questions which is why I got a Credit Pass. He became Mayor of Dunstable and was the chief mover in all Swimming bath projects which before had to be cleaned out every month by hand by all the bad boys. The War took its toll of most of my year, particularly in aircrew-------Ken Blowes, Ken Bird, Mickey Day, Abel bros, Porky Irons, Sharpe and others. I was lucky--Warrant Officer Pilot in N.Africa then another tour in UK towing gliders and supply dropping. Pip Orme was taken prisoner by Japanese but survived. Don't want to bore you too much. Regards, Ken Baldwin.

July 9th, 2008 - 11:05 PM
KenBaldwin - 1932 - 1938

Sorry, don't know user name or password, if I ever had them. Joined last year. At School 1932 to 1938 . Want to get in touch Blake bros. and John Plowman of same dates .Sorry for being an idiot . Ken Baldwin

July 3rd, 2008 - 03:12 PM
Richard Lee - 1966 - 1971

David, I received your email about the 1970 panoramic DGS photograph and will have it available for upload shortly. Where can I do this or should I email it to you? I notice that some of the photos have number superimposed on them with the name htm file associated. Is this something that you intend to do for all the photographs with a method of viewers posting names? The 1970 version is the only one that I have so it was very interesting to see that I am also in the 1968 and 1966 versions. Great fun trying to find myself and even more difficult to find my brother in them so I thank you for that. I even blew up the photos on the screen and had some of my work colleagues try to find me. Only one person spotted me without pointing to others first. The main problem, of course, is that the hairline and length has somewhat shrunk since those days! Thanks Rich.

July 1st, 2008 - 7:48 PM
Neil Coffey - 1962 to 1969

Good evening, When will you be sending out notification of September’s Annual Luncheon, and is it possible to make an advanced booking? As I live (and work) in Spain, sometimes mail takes a bit longer to reach me. As I have not been to a previous Annual Luncheon, but have already purchased my ticket for the weekend, I would like to be sure of finding a place at table. Thanks in advance. Regards, Neil Coffey.

June 12th, 2008 - 10:08 PM
Don Barber - 1958-1963

Hi, Just found the website. What a shock! Don't think I know you, but I was at DGS from '58 - '63, so it was quite entertaining to see how I, and my colleagues, had changed over those years from your photos (think I'm no. 131 in '58). I've got a school photo somewhere - don't know which year - I'll try and find it, also a school mag. It wasn't a time that I wholly enjoyed, to be honest, but I found myself smiling while I explored the site. Perhaps we can reminisce sometime. Don Barber (Shell A - 3b twice - 4b - 5b) I think!

May 17, 2008 - 03:16 AM
John Murphy - 1969 - 1972

Hello, It was enormously entertaining to look through your web site. I was a pupil at D.G.S. from 1969 through 1974. Of course, it had become Manshead by the end of my time, but I still recall many of the traditions associated with my first few years at the old school. I have vivid recollections of being a 'shell', and enjoying only what remained in the lunch trays after every other year had taken their fill. Getting 'lines' from a prefect was a constant threat, but it was never as terrifying as the ever frozen swimming pool. The assembly hall was inspirational, with wooden panels and the golden names of the fallen in each war.... There was also an organ if my memory serves me correctly. Ashton lodge was the home of our music lessons. A cacophony of recorders playing similar, but not necessarily identical tunes. Slip taught maths, Maxi taught English, Long Playing Banfield was still the headmaster. Taffy Duncan was his Himmler if I recall correctly. Dolly still taught art, although that was a contradiction in terms for most of us. Many thanks for putting this web site together. Regards John Murphy.

May 9th, 2008 - 6:69 AM
Nicholas H Morris - Guest

Dear Friend. You may not be aware that my father Norman Morris who was at Dunstable Grammar School just before the war died at the end of February. He was incredibly proud of your school and he told me that the education and support he received at the school set him up for life. He became the headboy and won a scholarship to study medicine at St Mary's Hospital Medical School. He had a very successful medical career, and his obituaries which have appeared in the National Newspapers have written very fine accounts of his professional acheivements. He had planned on attending the lunch later this year, the school was such a soft spot for him. I do not know if any of his classmates are still alive, my father died at the age of 88. Medicine has lost a fine and courageous doctor, and my family has lost our wonderful father. I thought that your old boys should know about his life, which all began at your school. Best wishes, Nicholas H Morris

Feb 03, 2008 - 3:54 PM
Brian Mendes - 1941-1949

Ref my post on the subject of Gary Cooper OD. Thanks to some excellent sleuthing by Colin Bourne, I now have a scanned image of the pen and ink sketch I was seeking. I was quite possibly mistaken in recalling that a framed copy once hang in the Memorial Library. Colin located the identical sketch on page 17 of the DGS 50th Anniversary Book published in 1938. Colin also forwarded a one page summary of the Dunstable connection with Gary Cooper and his family.

Dec 05, 2007 - 1:54 AM
Brian Mendes - 1941-1949

Does anyone know the whereabouts of the pen and ink sketch of Gary Cooper that used to hang in the Memorial Library.certainly during my time at DGS 1941-1949. ? Failing that,perhaps someone has a copy of the school magazine in which this sketch was reproduced. I would like to receive a scanned image via e-mail. Sincerely Brian Mendes

Jul 07, 2007 - 8:05 PM
Ken Baldwin - 1932-1938

Hi from Ken Baldwin ex-pupil DGS 1932-1938. Have been trying with no success to join O.B's for codeword to access site but with no success. Either I'm getting past it or signing procedure is at fault on site. Can you help? Also please is A.I. Stewart on Committee the Alec who beat me in the Fives Final about 1937? Would really like to contact him and the few that remain of my generation. Thanks. Ken Baldwin..

May 28, 2007 - 3:16 PM
Terry Downes - 1962-1966

Hi I,m Terry Downes. I bet you never thought you would ever see or hear from me again. I never expected to get in touch with fellow pupils again until my wife encouraged me to register with friends reunited. I have been married for 38 years and have two sons aged 38 and 35. I work in the freight logistics side of the system. I am a fanatic Saracens Rugby Club fan and follow them all over Europe,(you might even think I am a Fez Boy; my wife does). I would like to hear from fellow pupils from DGS.Please send me your news.

Feb 07, 2007 - 3:55 PM
Ross Tomkins - 1961-1966

This was my first Class of 61 Reunion and I thought it could well be a disaster (sad old farts, 'who the hell are you', compulsive oneupmanship, etc etc) but I experienced a very warm welcome indeed and I am sure anyone would who turns up. The venue was good, the food great and everything went very smoothly, with a form of musical chairs in force to ensure everyone got to chat to everyone else. After the excellent meal we adjourned to the bar area and all too soon it was closing time (I was amazed to see it was long past midnight). I came away completely buzzed by the warmth and friendliness of everyone and have every intention of returning next year (unless I have already been banned.

Oct 05, 2006 - 4:56 AM
Thomas (Tony) Loader - 1947 to 1951

My name is Thomas Loader although I was always called Tony and was nicknamed "Goliath" by Mr Butters. I was at D.G.S 1947 to 1951 and lived in Liscombe Rd, Dunsable until 1968. I moved to Cogenhoe in Northampton and I'm still there, enjoying retirement. If anyone remembers my wife Daphne, She died in 1990 and I remarried and have an extended family of 23 granchildren.

Sep 20, 2006 - 9:21 PM
Robin Marriott - 1961 to 1966

I was at the School from 1961 to 1966, a bit of a duffer I'm afraid. Out of curiosity I attended the 1988 Centenary Celebration Dinner and in 2 hours had more fun than I'd had in 5 years at the School! A year later about eight of us from the Class of '61 got together and had a great time. Myself, Den O'Donoghue, Steve Matthews and John Bryant regularly attended the Annual Lunch held at he School each Autumn. We were a lonely band of "youngsters" in our 40s, amidst about 80 others, most of whom were at least 20 years our seniors. These days, thanks to a load of hard work, between 25 and 30 of us represent the 60's years with 15 to 20 of us attending the Luncheon each year. The Class of '61 has also gotten into the habit of meeting up every February in Toddington. We drink a little, BS a lot (or should that be the other way round?) and always have great time. We usually manage to dig up an ex Master or Prefect to come along under the pretence of giving an interesting and informative insight into the mysteries of the school but it also gives us the opportunity to resume the practice of throwing insults and hard objects at the person standing in front of us delivering a lecture! Seriously, it's very satisfying to reconnect once or twice a year with people from so many different walks of life and I would urge you all to participate in, and encourage reunions. Anyone who is interested to join the DSOBA please contanct me through this site...

Jun 04, 2006 - 11:23 AM
Frank Cheevers - 1961-1966

Hello there, I was at DGS from 1961 to 1966 (I think – it seems such a long time ago now!) and remember the school with great affection. I am now a widower living a quiet life on the Hampshire/ Berkshire borders and contemplating retirement after a long and happy career on the railway. I suppose one day that I will always remember was when I was standing on Platform 2 at Crewe about 1980, ‘all peaked cap and arrogance, master of all I surveyed’, when I was approached by an elderly chap and his wife who asked about a train to Bangor. “Platform 1 at twenty past one, Mr Banfield”, I replied. Not sure who was more surprised by the encounter….. I’m glad to learn that I wasn’t the only one with a juvenile fascination for the doings, real or imaginary, of Pat Tabernacle. I can even remember what sort of car she drove (a Wolseley 1500) and a group of us peering into its interior and our unmitigated delight at seeing an envelope marked ‘lover note’, which turned to disinterest when someone realised that it actually read ‘cover note’! Sat for a few minutes this morning on the train to work listing names of some masters in our time: Wally Allen, Dan Hendra, Len Muggeridge, Josh Broadfoot, ? Gibbs, John Wood, ? Harrington, ? Remington, Pete Lawman, ? Adlam Hill, ? Hateley . No real connections with Dunstable now, all I hear about the town is that the traffic can be dire. If you are the chap I’m thinking of, you told me one of your relatives went down with the Titanic, a member of crew? Finally, and to prove I was alive until fairly recently, here is a pic of me (http://www.dunstableschool.co.uk/photos/individuals/Frank%20Cheevers/cheevers.html [on the left]) entertaining the troops in Norwich. Yours, Frank Cheevers.

Aug 08, 2005 - 00:05 AM
Dr Bruce Durie - Guest

Hi. I'm writing a biography of Victorian novelist J E P Muddock. His three sons, were at Ashton Grammar School, Dunstable around 1901, and I wondered iof your archives had any information on them. Their names are: Horace Lionel Preston Muddock and Jasper Milton Preston Muddock (twins, aged 12 in 1901) and Edward Reginald Preston Muddock (14 in 1901). I attach the census forms from the school for that year, as a help, and just because they might be of interest. I am also confused - exactly what was the progression from Francis Ashton School to Ashton Grammar, Dunstable Grammar , Ashton Church of England Middle School, Manshead Upper School etc?. I'd appreciate any help you can give. Thanks. Dr Bruce Durie. PS You may want to look at my site www.dickdonovan.com for more detail on the man himself. (And I'm sure you knew that an ex-pupil was Gary Cooper, the American actor famous for Westerns! Cooper's father, Charles Henry, left his native England at 19, became a lawyer and eventually State Supreme Court judge in Montana. In 1906, when Gary was five, his father bought the Seven-Bar-Nine, ranch, originally a 600-acre land grant to the railroad builders in that part of Montana. In 1910, Gary's mother was advised to take a sea voyage for her health. She went to England, taking Gary and his older brother Arthur, and the boys attended the school for seven years, until the United States entered World War I) .

Mar 18th, 2005 - 10:56 AM
Steve Matthews (Tank) - 1961 - 1966

Dave, When Robin Marriott writes to you as warmly and encouragingly as this, I find it really hard to resist! Seriously, I think the website's a good thing and you've made great strides with it. However, I'm really not sure I'm the one to write anything about DGS, since I completely hated the place, with a passion, from start to finish. I thought the building was a complete dump 50 years ago and, more importantly, found 90 per cent of its teaching staff to be war-damaged, incompetent, lazy, aggressive, narrow-minded and vision-limited from another era. My personal impressions and reminiscences are probably not what you want! But if I can help in some other, specific, way, do shout. I'll also have a think about what else might go onto the site, and sources of information. Regards, Steve.

Jan 22nd 2004 - 00:15 AM
Peter Martin - 1950 to 1956

Hi, I was a pupil during the years 1950-1956. Am looking to contact old school mates. Peter Martin.

Page #1 of 1