IRA Bomb hoax in 70s

Remember how we were all 600 of us were lined up by the police to identify the culprits. They were caught and expelled. 

IRA Bomb hoax in 70s

Remember how we were all 600 of us were lined up by the police to identify the culprits. They were caught and expelled. 

Cooksey

Any memories?

Cooksey

Any memories?

David Singer 71-76

Remember me?

David Singer 71-76

Remember me?

Mr. Priestland

I was new to Mr. Priestland's 'O' level lit. class (Pride and prejudice and Pardoners Tale) when I spent Christmas with an uncle, who gave me a signet ring he had fashioned from a half crown - pretty neat. The first time I wore it to school, it caught Mr. Priestlands eye and he looked at it and then at the class with horror and, (with that unusual intonation of his) said "What's this, a form of thugs?". Thenceforth he greeted me with "Hello Knuckleduster Dick", that is is until I yielded and stopped wearing the ring.

 

Peter Churchill

Mr. Priestland

I was new to Mr. Priestland's 'O' level lit. class (Pride and prejudice and Pardoners Tale) when I spent Christmas with an uncle, who gave me a signet ring he had fashioned from a half crown - pretty neat. The first time I wore it to school, it caught Mr. Priestlands eye and he looked at it and then at the class with horror and, (with that unusual intonation of his) said "What's this, a form of thugs?". Thenceforth he greeted me with "Hello Knuckleduster Dick", that is is until I yielded and stopped wearing the ring.

 

Peter Churchill

Sixth form mutiny

Hi everyone

 

In an article entitled "How the sixth form seized an armoury and shut a school", published in "The Times" on Friday 24^th January 1997, Robin Young, "Times" columnist and former Symondian, describes an insurrection which allegedly took place at Peter Symonds School in the early summer of 1957. The so-called "mutiny" centred on the combined cadet force's armoury. Apparently, pupils supplied themselves with Lee Enfield .303 rifles, Bren guns, thunderflashes and blank and live ammunition and managed to bring all classses to a halt.

The upshot of all this was that once and for all the myth that "Corps" was compulsory and not voluntary was finally exploded.

I personally was not aware of any of this – I was in the RAF at the time and wonder if anyone else

a./ Has read the article

b./ Remembers the incident and can add a personal perspective of events.

Regards

 

Peter Churchill

Sixth form mutiny

Hi everyone

 

In an article entitled "How the sixth form seized an armoury and shut a school", published in "The Times" on Friday 24^th January 1997, Robin Young, "Times" columnist and former Symondian, describes an insurrection which allegedly took place at Peter Symonds School in the early summer of 1957. The so-called "mutiny" centred on the combined cadet force's armoury. Apparently, pupils supplied themselves with Lee Enfield .303 rifles, Bren guns, thunderflashes and blank and live ammunition and managed to bring all classses to a halt.

The upshot of all this was that once and for all the myth that "Corps" was compulsory and not voluntary was finally exploded.

I personally was not aware of any of this – I was in the RAF at the time and wonder if anyone else

a./ Has read the article

b./ Remembers the incident and can add a personal perspective of events.

Regards

 

Peter Churchill

Prefects Photo : 1951/52

Hi Jim,

 

John Forder and I when we met recently thought we recognized the following in this photo (from left):

 

Back row: John Sullivan, D? Gilson, Peter Bray, ? Pontin (possibly, Michael Whatmore, Peter Allcock, B? Hilton,(don' t know), Percy Candy, John Forder, Richard Wheatley, Peter Smith.

 

Front row: ? Hewlett, Alan Sanders, 'Barrel' May, Fred Johnson (Head Prefect), [Doc], Don Peckham, Ian Howarth, B? Henley?, Calvin Gaiger.

 

Does anybody know the others; indeed, have John and I correctly identified others than ourselves?   Or is all blurred by the mists of 50 years of time?

 

Regards

 

Peter Smith 

Prefects Photo : 1951/52

Hi Jim,

 

John Forder and I when we met recently thought we recognized the following in this photo (from left):

 

Back row: John Sullivan, D? Gilson, Peter Bray, ? Pontin (possibly, Michael Whatmore, Peter Allcock, B? Hilton,(don' t know), Percy Candy, John Forder, Richard Wheatley, Peter Smith.

 

Front row: ? Hewlett, Alan Sanders, 'Barrel' May, Fred Johnson (Head Prefect), [Doc], Don Peckham, Ian Howarth, B? Henley?, Calvin Gaiger.

 

Does anybody know the others; indeed, have John and I correctly identified others than ourselves?   Or is all blurred by the mists of 50 years of time?

 

Regards

 

Peter Smith 

doc freeman's seat

In the photograph is fifth from the left Tom Pierce?

Chris Haines

doc freeman's seat

In the photograph is fifth from the left Tom Pierce?

Chris Haines

moderation of messages

Hi,

This morning, 12th November, there was an item on the Today programme where the messages posted on a similar site, 'FriendsReunited', were discussed. Complaints were made that some messages posted on that site were abusive to school staff. As that Website is so big it is unmoderated by the managers.

Just to  let you know that I moderate this site. So far there has been no problem and I have not come near deleting any messages but I am sure you would want me to if there was anything libellous, or even unkind, posted.

best regards,

jim wishart, list manager,

moderation of messages

Hi,

This morning, 12th November, there was an item on the Today programme where the messages posted on a similar site, 'FriendsReunited', were discussed. Complaints were made that some messages posted on that site were abusive to school staff. As that Website is so big it is unmoderated by the managers.

Just to  let you know that I moderate this site. So far there has been no problem and I have not come near deleting any messages but I am sure you would want me to if there was anything libellous, or even unkind, posted.

best regards,

jim wishart, list manager,

School Photo 1962

I have managed to scan in and split the 62 school photo into 3 parts (I actually had to colour copy it in three parts and then scan them in and reduce the file size to post them - hence the less than wonderful quality!!). If you want a copy of any part, email me and I can send a better quality image that you can enlarge and study!! In the mean time .....

a) were you there and if so where?

b) name the masters L-R

c) name any friends (or enemies!) and their positions

Happy hunting, Mike Minty

School Photo 1962

I have managed to scan in and split the 62 school photo into 3 parts (I actually had to colour copy it in three parts and then scan them in and reduce the file size to post them - hence the less than wonderful quality!!). If you want a copy of any part, email me and I can send a better quality image that you can enlarge and study!! In the mean time .....

a) were you there and if so where?

b) name the masters L-R

c) name any friends (or enemies!) and their positions

Happy hunting, Mike Minty

1948, 49 , 50 leavers

I left while still in the Lower 6th Form in 1948.   I would liketo make contact with any old class mates or learn of their whereabouts.

 

Rgds  Roy Crosswell

---

Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com

1948, 49 , 50 leavers

I left while still in the Lower 6th Form in 1948.   I would liketo make contact with any old class mates or learn of their whereabouts.

 

Rgds  Roy Crosswell

---

Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com

Cadet Force Band c 1948

I have just seen this photo and can add a few names.   You are correct, the bass drummer behind Doc is Chris. Fulford.   The chap on Doc's right (the drum major with the cane) is Paul Tipple, the chap in his right (in the Naval Cadet uniform) is Derryck Tweedley.   I am on the other end of the front row.   I'll wrack my brains for any other names.

David Cound

Cadet Force Band c 1948

I have just seen this photo and can add a few names.   You are correct, the bass drummer behind Doc is Chris. Fulford.   The chap on Doc's right (the drum major with the cane) is Paul Tipple, the chap in his right (in the Naval Cadet uniform) is Derryck Tweedley.   I am on the other end of the front row.   I'll wrack my brains for any other names.

David Cound

Mr Smith

Does anybody know what happened to Ron Smith and family (Ma, Pa and Sue Biff for those Kelso House and Barton Seagrave boys).

Mr Smith

Does anybody know what happened to Ron Smith and family (Ma, Pa and Sue Biff for those Kelso House and Barton Seagrave boys).

remembering Miss Pugh

posted by jim wishart on behalf of David Ward

 

Miss Pugh.

She was the school’s seductress. That is probably a most unjust observation but she was certainly good-looking, perhaps a bit of a dominatrix and definitely fancied by her pupils. She commanded strict discipline and, without doubt, taught me German. She was haughty, very good looking and had TOTAL control over all in her class. She always wore nylons – a rarity in those days and usually attributed to friendship with an American serviceman. We all fancied her a bit and did anything she demanded of us. Most importantly her lessons really were learnt and I owe much to her for my subsequent use of the language.

Whilst these reminiscences of teachers has little to do with the war other than to portray the reliance the school had then to make on stop-gap staff, I may perhaps be excused for recalling the odd humour which has lodged in my memory. All the classrooms at Peter Symonds were named. Two of them, which were accessed from the central hall, could be converted into one large room by means of a folding partition. I never saw it thus converted but there was a door in the partitioning which made it possible to go from one room to the other without first going outside. One of the classrooms was named Nicholas and the other Bigg. A school joke concerned Miss Pugh, who in the company of a perversely identified paramour, fancifully ‘went in Nicholas [knickerless] and came out Bigg’ !!! Nuff said, I think.

Before leaving the long-suffering [although I’m sure she loved it] Miss Pugh – and it must by now be obvious she made no small impact on my teenage life - - I have one more anecdote. Our school desks were old, made of heavy wood and carved to the pint where I doubt thee was a surface on which it was possible to write without substantial backing in the whole school. Most of them had sunken inkwells and a deep groove for pens. Every so often somebody would be given the job of mixing fresh ink from the powder supplied. Miss Pugh spoke in German most of the time and moved continuously up and down the corridors between the ranks of desks [w were usually fairly big classes, in excess of forty pupils]. As she passed we would drop our pens immediately behind her and bend low to retrieve them. We would kid ourselves we had seen right up Miss Pugh’s legs but, with her long scholastic gown, I doubt anyone saw much above her ankles. Whatever, there was a constant clatter of pens being dropped in Miss Pugh'’ class and the corridors between the desks were permanently defined blue-black. Miss Pugh herself must have had a reasonably bountiful source of nylons or else she was a glutton for washing them because they were invariably ink splattered. I never saw her give the least indication that she know but she was for ever giving out replacement nibs!!

remembering Miss Pugh

posted by jim wishart on behalf of David Ward

 

Miss Pugh.

She was the school’s seductress. That is probably a most unjust observation but she was certainly good-looking, perhaps a bit of a dominatrix and definitely fancied by her pupils. She commanded strict discipline and, without doubt, taught me German. She was haughty, very good looking and had TOTAL control over all in her class. She always wore nylons – a rarity in those days and usually attributed to friendship with an American serviceman. We all fancied her a bit and did anything she demanded of us. Most importantly her lessons really were learnt and I owe much to her for my subsequent use of the language.

Whilst these reminiscences of teachers has little to do with the war other than to portray the reliance the school had then to make on stop-gap staff, I may perhaps be excused for recalling the odd humour which has lodged in my memory. All the classrooms at Peter Symonds were named. Two of them, which were accessed from the central hall, could be converted into one large room by means of a folding partition. I never saw it thus converted but there was a door in the partitioning which made it possible to go from one room to the other without first going outside. One of the classrooms was named Nicholas and the other Bigg. A school joke concerned Miss Pugh, who in the company of a perversely identified paramour, fancifully ‘went in Nicholas [knickerless] and came out Bigg’ !!! Nuff said, I think.

Before leaving the long-suffering [although I’m sure she loved it] Miss Pugh – and it must by now be obvious she made no small impact on my teenage life - - I have one more anecdote. Our school desks were old, made of heavy wood and carved to the pint where I doubt thee was a surface on which it was possible to write without substantial backing in the whole school. Most of them had sunken inkwells and a deep groove for pens. Every so often somebody would be given the job of mixing fresh ink from the powder supplied. Miss Pugh spoke in German most of the time and moved continuously up and down the corridors between the ranks of desks [w were usually fairly big classes, in excess of forty pupils]. As she passed we would drop our pens immediately behind her and bend low to retrieve them. We would kid ourselves we had seen right up Miss Pugh’s legs but, with her long scholastic gown, I doubt anyone saw much above her ankles. Whatever, there was a constant clatter of pens being dropped in Miss Pugh'’ class and the corridors between the desks were permanently defined blue-black. Miss Pugh herself must have had a reasonably bountiful source of nylons or else she was a glutton for washing them because they were invariably ink splattered. I never saw her give the least indication that she know but she was for ever giving out replacement nibs!!

difficulty uploading photos

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difficulty uploading photos

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Welcome to David J Ward, joined school in 1942

hello listers,

today I received a bundle of memories from David who will soon be joining although he hasn't direct access to a computer. Many thanks to you David.

There are many stories, some of them hilarious,  thumbnail sketches of some of the masters, and mistresses, and a picture of the ATC in '42. I will be posting them in instalments,

 

regards,

jim wishart, list manager,

Welcome to David J Ward, joined school in 1942

hello listers,

today I received a bundle of memories from David who will soon be joining although he hasn't direct access to a computer. Many thanks to you David.

There are many stories, some of them hilarious,  thumbnail sketches of some of the masters, and mistresses, and a picture of the ATC in '42. I will be posting them in instalments,

 

regards,

jim wishart, list manager,

army cadet band

posted by Brian Ward,

Army Cadet Band

I was in the Peter Symonds’ army cadets. Then for some unknown reason as I had no musical ability whatsoever I joined the cadet band as a bugler .I think I must have fancied myself as a bandsman and thought that even I could learn to play a simple instrument like the bugle, how wrong I was.

We were encouraged to take our instruments home ,keep polished and practise. The polishing was no problem my bugle was a rather old & battered thing,some of the boys had brand new ones which I always envied ,but I could certainly get mine to shine. Practising was another thing, I can’t imagine why but the neighbours, all the local dogs and even my mother appeared to strongly dislike it, so very little if any practise was accomplished.

I think realisation that I was never going to master the thing came one day when it was raining & we were practising as a band in what was then called the ‘Fives ‘courts. Due to the confined space and echo effect I thought we sounded great(a bit like singing the bath)and that I was at last playing well, it was only when we stopped for a break that the boy in front of me turned round and said could I play something other than just one note or words to that effect. I was quite deflated for a bit but quickly enjoyed a roll of making up numbers and just going through the motions of playing.

A lot of the boys unlike myself had a lot of talent and in fact do not think we were a bad band, unable to remember any names or even faces which is a shame. I am sure there is a photo somewhere but if I will ever find it is doubtful.

If anyone has any memories of this band would be very interested to hear.

Brian Ward

1945-1949

army cadet band

posted by Brian Ward,

Army Cadet Band

I was in the Peter Symonds’ army cadets. Then for some unknown reason as I had no musical ability whatsoever I joined the cadet band as a bugler .I think I must have fancied myself as a bandsman and thought that even I could learn to play a simple instrument like the bugle, how wrong I was.

We were encouraged to take our instruments home ,keep polished and practise. The polishing was no problem my bugle was a rather old & battered thing,some of the boys had brand new ones which I always envied ,but I could certainly get mine to shine. Practising was another thing, I can’t imagine why but the neighbours, all the local dogs and even my mother appeared to strongly dislike it, so very little if any practise was accomplished.

I think realisation that I was never going to master the thing came one day when it was raining & we were practising as a band in what was then called the ‘Fives ‘courts. Due to the confined space and echo effect I thought we sounded great(a bit like singing the bath)and that I was at last playing well, it was only when we stopped for a break that the boy in front of me turned round and said could I play something other than just one note or words to that effect. I was quite deflated for a bit but quickly enjoyed a roll of making up numbers and just going through the motions of playing.

A lot of the boys unlike myself had a lot of talent and in fact do not think we were a bad band, unable to remember any names or even faces which is a shame. I am sure there is a photo somewhere but if I will ever find it is doubtful.

If anyone has any memories of this band would be very interested to hear.

Brian Ward

1945-1949

Barton Seagrave, Kelso House 1975 - 1981

Anyone there during this period. Remembers 'Bag' Apple, Rabbits teeth Gregory, Biffer, Brick. Get in touch.

Barton Seagrave, Kelso House 1975 - 1981

Anyone there during this period. Remembers 'Bag' Apple, Rabbits teeth Gregory, Biffer, Brick. Get in touch.

Memories of 1974

It is all a blurr now, but I remember the whole of Wyke Lodge getting suspended, after spending the night out in town. We came back only to be discovered by the house mistress, as we all tried to dart in any open window.
I seem to remember a chap by the name of Townsend getting blamed for almost anything.
I remember fagging, then moving up hoping that someone was going to do my shoes, but they banned it that year. I remeber when the Housemistress was moving out, and an art collector was upset at the fact that we were storing our dirty soccor boots in a very rare victorian albert closet... ah but it all a wonderful blurr

Memories of 1974

It is all a blurr now, but I remember the whole of Wyke Lodge getting suspended, after spending the night out in town. We came back only to be discovered by the house mistress, as we all tried to dart in any open window.
I seem to remember a chap by the name of Townsend getting blamed for almost anything.
I remember fagging, then moving up hoping that someone was going to do my shoes, but they banned it that year. I remeber when the Housemistress was moving out, and an art collector was upset at the fact that we were storing our dirty soccor boots in a very rare victorian albert closet... ah but it all a wonderful blurr

school "houses"

Hi Jim

 

Nobody has yet mentioned the school "houses" into which we were allocated to provide a kind of sports league table.   I think there were 4 - Symonds (exclusively for boarders; Northbrook; Kirby; and Mackenzie - of which I was a member and which always came bottom, while Symonds always came top).   I think there were inter-house competitions in soccer; cricket and athletics; possibly also in swimming.   The top-house cup was for overall performance in all the relevant sports.   There was also a "Victor Ludorum" cup for the best individual boy's performance at the school athletics meeting held every summer term on the outer field. 

 

Regards

 

Peter Smith

school "houses"

Hi Jim

 

Nobody has yet mentioned the school "houses" into which we were allocated to provide a kind of sports league table.   I think there were 4 - Symonds (exclusively for boarders; Northbrook; Kirby; and Mackenzie - of which I was a member and which always came bottom, while Symonds always came top).   I think there were inter-house competitions in soccer; cricket and athletics; possibly also in swimming.   The top-house cup was for overall performance in all the relevant sports.   There was also a "Victor Ludorum" cup for the best individual boy's performance at the school athletics meeting held every summer term on the outer field. 

 

Regards

 

Peter Smith

1976 Leavers

Are there any leavers from 1976 out there?  I'm Neil Verran and would like to hear from anyone who can remember that far back!

1976 Leavers

Are there any leavers from 1976 out there?  I'm Neil Verran and would like to hear from anyone who can remember that far back!

web page gone awry

hi members of the list,

it is saturday 8th September, and the welcome page seems to be corrupted, I hope that it cures itself, if not I'll have to redo it,

regards,

jim wishart, list manager,

web page gone awry

hi members of the list,

it is saturday 8th September, and the welcome page seems to be corrupted, I hope that it cures itself, if not I'll have to redo it,

regards,

jim wishart, list manager,

english homework with a difference

Hi Jim

 

Do you remember the "alternative" english homework set by Mr Priestland from time to time, in the form of "50 Up", "60 Up or even "100 Up" questions.   Up to 100 general knowledge questions, with instructions to find the answers by asking parents, relatives, friends or looking up in libraries, encyclopaedias etc.  So much better and more interesting than learning lengthy, uninspiring Shakespearean speeches by heart, or analyzing grammatically some rather dry and obscure sentences.   Here were instead some nice, gentle brainteasers,  of relevance to the real world, and although we did not know it then, very good practice for all those yet to come radio and tv quizzes; pub quizzes; Trivial Pursuit-type games etc.   Mr Priestland was perhaps a generation too soon and missed out on a possible career as a game-show host on TV, or at least as a question setter!   Certainly now much more financially rewarding than being a school teacher.

 

Regards

 

Peter 

english homework with a difference

Hi Jim

 

Do you remember the "alternative" english homework set by Mr Priestland from time to time, in the form of "50 Up", "60 Up or even "100 Up" questions.   Up to 100 general knowledge questions, with instructions to find the answers by asking parents, relatives, friends or looking up in libraries, encyclopaedias etc.  So much better and more interesting than learning lengthy, uninspiring Shakespearean speeches by heart, or analyzing grammatically some rather dry and obscure sentences.   Here were instead some nice, gentle brainteasers,  of relevance to the real world, and although we did not know it then, very good practice for all those yet to come radio and tv quizzes; pub quizzes; Trivial Pursuit-type games etc.   Mr Priestland was perhaps a generation too soon and missed out on a possible career as a game-show host on TV, or at least as a question setter!   Certainly now much more financially rewarding than being a school teacher.

 

Regards

 

Peter 

the prison

Winchester Prison stands on the horizon when viewed from the school. Does anyone remember the gruesome significance it seemed to take on when there was to be an execution and how we watched the clock as the time drew near?

 

jim wishart, list manager,

the prison

Winchester Prison stands on the horizon when viewed from the school. Does anyone remember the gruesome significance it seemed to take on when there was to be an execution and how we watched the clock as the time drew near?

 

jim wishart, list manager,

Doc Freeman's car

I can remember the registration DOR 10 - used to haunt me.  It seemed whenever I was up to no good, it would appear out of nowhere, which meant I quickly had to adorn my cap and raise it nonchalantly

 

I beleive it was a Wolsey of sorts ?

 

Regards

 

 

Brian Gates

Doc Freeman's car

I can remember the registration DOR 10 - used to haunt me.  It seemed whenever I was up to no good, it would appear out of nowhere, which meant I quickly had to adorn my cap and raise it nonchalantly

 

I beleive it was a Wolsey of sorts ?

 

Regards

 

 

Brian Gates

Dancing lessons with County High

One of the perks of being in the 6th Form was the occasional get together with the girls of  County High with the idea of learning to dance.  I seem to recall it was very popular, and got everyones hormones doing what they are supposed to do at 16 !  By the way I still can't dance !

 

Regards

 

 

Brian Gates

Dancing lessons with County High

One of the perks of being in the 6th Form was the occasional get together with the girls of  County High with the idea of learning to dance.  I seem to recall it was very popular, and got everyones hormones doing what they are supposed to do at 16 !  By the way I still can't dance !

 

Regards

 

 

Brian Gates

School Report

I have my 1949 School report in front of me -  The Masters just used initials, and some are not that legible, so you can probably help out

 

Eng Language/Lit = RHW - R H Watts ?

History                = RHW

 

Geography          = FHR - F H Robinson ?

 

Latin                   = EOJ - E O Jones he writes 'definitely on the downgrade' !!

 

French - can't decipher, but I don't think it was Cissy Cass

German - again can't decipher

 

Maths                = RS   - R Smith

 

Physics/Chemistry = WmCF = Wm C Ferguson

 

Art                       =  ABR = A Barron-Renton ??

 

I'll have a look at a few other years later on

 

 

Regards

 

 

 

Brian Gates

School Report

I have my 1949 School report in front of me -  The Masters just used initials, and some are not that legible, so you can probably help out

 

Eng Language/Lit = RHW - R H Watts ?

History                = RHW

 

Geography          = FHR - F H Robinson ?

 

Latin                   = EOJ - E O Jones he writes 'definitely on the downgrade' !!

 

French - can't decipher, but I don't think it was Cissy Cass

German - again can't decipher

 

Maths                = RS   - R Smith

 

Physics/Chemistry = WmCF = Wm C Ferguson

 

Art                       =  ABR = A Barron-Renton ??

 

I'll have a look at a few other years later on

 

 

Regards

 

 

 

Brian Gates

welcome to a new member

Hi Brian,

Welcome to the club. I hope that you enjoy your stay. Please contribute if you feel like it. Photographs are particularly welcome.

I have started to try to recruit new members by writing to other clubs such as FriendsReunited and maybe Yahoo etc. You are the first member so recruited so maybe it is going to work.

best regards,

jim wishart, list manager.

welcome to a new member

Hi Brian,

Welcome to the club. I hope that you enjoy your stay. Please contribute if you feel like it. Photographs are particularly welcome.

I have started to try to recruit new members by writing to other clubs such as FriendsReunited and maybe Yahoo etc. You are the first member so recruited so maybe it is going to work.

best regards,

jim wishart, list manager.

morning assembly

Hi,

I don't know whether they still have morning assembly at the College. In the early fifties it was quite an occasion with hymns and prayers.

There was one Collect that stuck in my memory, the one that finishes

"...to give and not to count the cost, to labour and not to ask for any reward save that of knowing that I do Thy will......."

It seemed a bit onerous at the time but at this distance of time I feel a bit warmer to it.

 

In the School History there are poignant stories about the Head reporting the loss of ex-pupils in action in the war.

 

Any other memories of Assembly?

 

regards,

jim wishart, list manager,

 

morning assembly

Hi,

I don't know whether they still have morning assembly at the College. In the early fifties it was quite an occasion with hymns and prayers.

There was one Collect that stuck in my memory, the one that finishes

"...to give and not to count the cost, to labour and not to ask for any reward save that of knowing that I do Thy will......."

It seemed a bit onerous at the time but at this distance of time I feel a bit warmer to it.

 

In the School History there are poignant stories about the Head reporting the loss of ex-pupils in action in the war.

 

Any other memories of Assembly?

 

regards,

jim wishart, list manager,

 

England's footballing humiliation

Hi,

Another one for the older ex-pupils. This one is appropriate for the start of the football season and the hopes of the England side.

I remember the awful humiliation expressed by various masters when we lost to Hungary at Wembley. It was the first time that our national side had lost at our home ground. In those days we did not participate in the World Cup, presumably because we didn't approve of Johnny Foreigner messing around with our game.

regards,

jim wishart, list manager

England's footballing humiliation

Hi,

Another one for the older ex-pupils. This one is appropriate for the start of the football season and the hopes of the England side.

I remember the awful humiliation expressed by various masters when we lost to Hungary at Wembley. It was the first time that our national side had lost at our home ground. In those days we did not participate in the World Cup, presumably because we didn't approve of Johnny Foreigner messing around with our game.

regards,

jim wishart, list manager

'Winter Sport'

Hello to all the older exx-pupils

 

Can anyone remember the winter of 1947, with the snow slide near the old squash court?

Many hours of sliding the width of the field on pieces of card board ( all we could find).

 

John

'Winter Sport'

Hello to all the older exx-pupils

 

Can anyone remember the winter of 1947, with the snow slide near the old squash court?

Many hours of sliding the width of the field on pieces of card board ( all we could find).

 

John

more 'flying' memories

correspondence between jim wishart and john groves

 

John had said that he thought that he could recognize himself in the group photo in front of the Meteor.

 

Hi John,
thanks for that, I have just replied to your messsage on the site.
I will try to improve on the picture.
I was there when the tiger moth crashed!!!
The photo could have been Hullavington, I think it must have been.
I was very keen on flying and dreamed of being a pilot, yet when up in an Anson, sitting next to the pilot and offered a 'go' at taking controls I chickened out.
regards
jim

Hi Jim,
Many thanks for your swift reply and enlarged photo, now printed for posterity!
Brings back many memories, some good and some not so good, my mother had died in the April before that photo, and I had to leave PSSW after the return from Hulavington.
I also had dreams of flying but came to nothing, but I DID handle the controls of the Anson, it wobbled a bit and the pilot soon took over again, I must have flown it for at least 15 seconds!! Someone in the rear of the plane released his parachute which filled the plane with yards of nylon. Perhaps he saw who was flying it!
The little glider was an experience that would never be allowed today, still it was great fun for us.
I visited Middle Wallop last year and saw the old Austers now in the museum.
Thanks again for your interest. Please keep the site running as it is of great interest to many old pupils.
John

 

 

hi again John,
thanks for the mail and the kind comments,
I think it ought to be put on the message board, do you mind if I do that?
regards,
jim wishart, northampton

Hi Jim
Of course you may post my e-mail. I am still 'in shock' with memories now flooding back, those were good times even with the post war rationing and shortages, I remember the Lincoln crash,( I thought it was a lanc.) I think part of one wing came off as it came down.
 
Looking at the photo didn`t we look odd in those little school caps? I can`t see modern 15/16 year olds wearing them.
John

 

thanks for that John,
I'll attend to it.
I am almost certain it was a Lincoln but when we first saw it, it was directly overhead as it started to dive. The only significant difference between the lincoln and the lancaster was that the former had 'thin' fin and rudders as against the wider ones of the Lancaster and it would have been difficult to made the identification from that position.  It may be that I remember reading it in the newspaper report.
 
I have been trying to add a picture of the school to the introductory page but so far without any luck, the web is very slow at the moment.
 
Did you get into bomb disposal in your national service or did you sign up? I was in the RE's as a Topo draughtsman, got to Cyprus which was good fun.
 
I am at present trying to find out about my fathers war service, he was in the Artillery in a light anti-aircraft battery.
 
regards,
jim

 

 

more 'flying' memories

correspondence between jim wishart and john groves

 

John had said that he thought that he could recognize himself in the group photo in front of the Meteor.

 

Hi John,
thanks for that, I have just replied to your messsage on the site.
I will try to improve on the picture.
I was there when the tiger moth crashed!!!
The photo could have been Hullavington, I think it must have been.
I was very keen on flying and dreamed of being a pilot, yet when up in an Anson, sitting next to the pilot and offered a 'go' at taking controls I chickened out.
regards
jim

Hi Jim,
Many thanks for your swift reply and enlarged photo, now printed for posterity!
Brings back many memories, some good and some not so good, my mother had died in the April before that photo, and I had to leave PSSW after the return from Hulavington.
I also had dreams of flying but came to nothing, but I DID handle the controls of the Anson, it wobbled a bit and the pilot soon took over again, I must have flown it for at least 15 seconds!! Someone in the rear of the plane released his parachute which filled the plane with yards of nylon. Perhaps he saw who was flying it!
The little glider was an experience that would never be allowed today, still it was great fun for us.
I visited Middle Wallop last year and saw the old Austers now in the museum.
Thanks again for your interest. Please keep the site running as it is of great interest to many old pupils.
John

 

 

hi again John,
thanks for the mail and the kind comments,
I think it ought to be put on the message board, do you mind if I do that?
regards,
jim wishart, northampton

Hi Jim
Of course you may post my e-mail. I am still 'in shock' with memories now flooding back, those were good times even with the post war rationing and shortages, I remember the Lincoln crash,( I thought it was a lanc.) I think part of one wing came off as it came down.
 
Looking at the photo didn`t we look odd in those little school caps? I can`t see modern 15/16 year olds wearing them.
John

 

thanks for that John,
I'll attend to it.
I am almost certain it was a Lincoln but when we first saw it, it was directly overhead as it started to dive. The only significant difference between the lincoln and the lancaster was that the former had 'thin' fin and rudders as against the wider ones of the Lancaster and it would have been difficult to made the identification from that position.  It may be that I remember reading it in the newspaper report.
 
I have been trying to add a picture of the school to the introductory page but so far without any luck, the web is very slow at the moment.
 
Did you get into bomb disposal in your national service or did you sign up? I was in the RE's as a Topo draughtsman, got to Cyprus which was good fun.
 
I am at present trying to find out about my fathers war service, he was in the Artillery in a light anti-aircraft battery.
 
regards,
jim

 

 

new photographs posted

hi Steve,

great new photos that you have posted. Just what we need. For some reason the thumbnails aren't showing yet but I expect the will in time.

I'd be interested to see names and descriptions if you could add them.

I don't know why but the view from the School House made me tingle, I know that area so well but hadn't seen it since about 1952,

regards,

jim wishart, list manager,

new photographs posted

hi Steve,

great new photos that you have posted. Just what we need. For some reason the thumbnails aren't showing yet but I expect the will in time.

I'd be interested to see names and descriptions if you could add them.

I don't know why but the view from the School House made me tingle, I know that area so well but hadn't seen it since about 1952,

regards,

jim wishart, list manager,

Early 80's veteran

Hi!

Great to see there are still so many Symonds veterans out there!. I was at PSC from 1980 - 82, studied English Lit, Chemistry and Biology. I remember some great times, students like Sarah Pearce, Giles Croker, Kirsty Young and the like - any of you late-thirty-somethings still out there? What happened to Dr Salter, Prof Pankhurst, Bo Priestley, Mrs Baldry etc,etc.I remember wearing some dodgy gear to the renowned Biology Dept parties at the then Weeke Hotel, but thats life!Hope to hear from you soon - you may remember me as Tracy Horne; I'm now Tracy May, married with a son, living in Kings Worthy and working at the hospital as a Biomedical Scientist.

Early 80's veteran

Hi!

Great to see there are still so many Symonds veterans out there!. I was at PSC from 1980 - 82, studied English Lit, Chemistry and Biology. I remember some great times, students like Sarah Pearce, Giles Croker, Kirsty Young and the like - any of you late-thirty-somethings still out there? What happened to Dr Salter, Prof Pankhurst, Bo Priestley, Mrs Baldry etc,etc.I remember wearing some dodgy gear to the renowned Biology Dept parties at the then Weeke Hotel, but thats life!Hope to hear from you soon - you may remember me as Tracy Horne; I'm now Tracy May, married with a son, living in Kings Worthy and working at the hospital as a Biomedical Scientist.

Ex-PSC directory upgrade

Hi,

Chris Boulter who manages the ex-PSC directory has revamped his site. Here is his message to our site. I shall contact him to see if we can get more members here :-

 

Hi Jim,
I've been working hard on the ex-PSC directory, and I've added some new
features - notably, hiding people's email addresses to prevent "spam", and
adding the ability to sort by name as well as by year of leaving Peter
Symonds. It now has a new home,

http://list.psc.ac.uk/

and I'd be very grateful if you could update the link on your "Unofficial
Nostalgia Corner".

It'd be great if you could post a message in the "corner" about the changes
too: I'm hoping to get more people adding their addresses to the list, so
the publicity would be much appreciated!

I'll be mailing everyone on the list some time soon, so if you'd like me to
mention your "nostalgia corner" I'd be more than happy.

Best wishes,

Chris

--
Chris Boulter                           Admin, PSC email directory
list@psc.ac.uk                          http://list.psc.ac.uk/

Ex-PSC directory upgrade

Hi,

Chris Boulter who manages the ex-PSC directory has revamped his site. Here is his message to our site. I shall contact him to see if we can get more members here :-

 

Hi Jim,
I've been working hard on the ex-PSC directory, and I've added some new
features - notably, hiding people's email addresses to prevent "spam", and
adding the ability to sort by name as well as by year of leaving Peter
Symonds. It now has a new home,

http://list.psc.ac.uk/

and I'd be very grateful if you could update the link on your "Unofficial
Nostalgia Corner".

It'd be great if you could post a message in the "corner" about the changes
too: I'm hoping to get more people adding their addresses to the list, so
the publicity would be much appreciated!

I'll be mailing everyone on the list some time soon, so if you'd like me to
mention your "nostalgia corner" I'd be more than happy.

Best wishes,

Chris

--
Chris Boulter                           Admin, PSC email directory
list@psc.ac.uk                          http://list.psc.ac.uk/

Mike Conlan's news-letter

Hi,

Today I was pleased to receive my OSS newsletter from Mike Conlan.

Included are reports on the Bournemouth dinner in May, the Triangular Golf Tournament between OS, O Edwardians and O Tauntonians at Hockley Club in June, the Society Golf Tournament in July and OSS annual cricket fixture in Winchester.

There is a college tour and presentation at the college on 6^th October from noon to 2pm, looks interesting, I might go. The AGM is the same day, at 5.15 at the college, room N201.

The Winchester dinner is at the Moat House that night.

Contact the Secretary, Mike Conlan on 01793 512728 or

casamelara@aol.com

Mike also included a news-sheet of happenings since January this year. One name I recognised was Clive Harrison, left 1954, who has just joined the OSS. He is in the photograph I posted of the air cadets.

I will post full details of any of the above if anyone asks.

Regards,

jim wishart, list manager,

Mike Conlan's news-letter

Hi,

Today I was pleased to receive my OSS newsletter from Mike Conlan.

Included are reports on the Bournemouth dinner in May, the Triangular Golf Tournament between OS, O Edwardians and O Tauntonians at Hockley Club in June, the Society Golf Tournament in July and OSS annual cricket fixture in Winchester.

There is a college tour and presentation at the college on 6^th October from noon to 2pm, looks interesting, I might go. The AGM is the same day, at 5.15 at the college, room N201.

The Winchester dinner is at the Moat House that night.

Contact the Secretary, Mike Conlan on 01793 512728 or

casamelara@aol.com

Mike also included a news-sheet of happenings since January this year. One name I recognised was Clive Harrison, left 1954, who has just joined the OSS. He is in the photograph I posted of the air cadets.

I will post full details of any of the above if anyone asks.

Regards,

jim wishart, list manager,

Glad to find this site

Hello All

Just about to visit Winchester for the first time in nearly 10 years, which prompted my search of the 'net to see if Peter Symonds had a web presence. (Last time I checked it did not).  Like many of the posters I can't seem to remember many names, or even when I left for sure, but I believe it was 1965.   If anyone remembers me I'd love to hear from you, and we can try and remember the good old days together.  I was thgere during the John Shields/John Ashurst era, and the opening of the new building (How well I seem to remember the gym in the original building becoming the cafeteria at lunch time).

I remember teachers like Woodhouse, and Colonel Hammond, and some one mentioned "Fluebrush"  Like them all I can remember is that nick-name!

My email address is nnich@openix.com   Any classmates who would like to get in touch are welcome. I now live with my wife and 13 yr old son in New Jersey USA I'd particularly like to get back in contact with my two good friends David Willins and Michael Trott.

Best wishes to all

Norm Nicholson

 

Glad to find this site

Hello All

Just about to visit Winchester for the first time in nearly 10 years, which prompted my search of the 'net to see if Peter Symonds had a web presence. (Last time I checked it did not).  Like many of the posters I can't seem to remember many names, or even when I left for sure, but I believe it was 1965.   If anyone remembers me I'd love to hear from you, and we can try and remember the good old days together.  I was thgere during the John Shields/John Ashurst era, and the opening of the new building (How well I seem to remember the gym in the original building becoming the cafeteria at lunch time).

I remember teachers like Woodhouse, and Colonel Hammond, and some one mentioned "Fluebrush"  Like them all I can remember is that nick-name!

My email address is nnich@openix.com   Any classmates who would like to get in touch are welcome. I now live with my wife and 13 yr old son in New Jersey USA I'd particularly like to get back in contact with my two good friends David Willins and Michael Trott.

Best wishes to all

Norm Nicholson

 

Keeping in touch

There is a website at www.friendsreunited.co.uk which you can register and list your schools from primary to university and it is very popular. I suggest eveyone who wishes to register to do so. You can find out what people are up to nowadays by reading the notes attached to their name.

 

 

Keeping in touch

There is a website at www.friendsreunited.co.uk which you can register and list your schools from primary to university and it is very popular. I suggest eveyone who wishes to register to do so. You can find out what people are up to nowadays by reading the notes attached to their name.

 

 

any volunteers?

Hi old Symondians,

My doctor tells me that I will have to be out of circulation for a month or so while he sorts out my heart, so in the meantime I need volunteers to act as 'assistant list managers'. There is no pay but on the other hand there are virtually no duties, so what do you think?

List members seem to enjoy the club so it is probably worth preserving even if it is often very quiet.

regards,

jim wishart, list manager,  

any volunteers?

Hi old Symondians,

My doctor tells me that I will have to be out of circulation for a month or so while he sorts out my heart, so in the meantime I need volunteers to act as 'assistant list managers'. There is no pay but on the other hand there are virtually no duties, so what do you think?

List members seem to enjoy the club so it is probably worth preserving even if it is often very quiet.

regards,

jim wishart, list manager,  

remembering Mr Perkins

I was at school when Mr Perkins started at Peter Symonds, [didn't he have a nickname?]. He took over from Cissy Cass as I remember. He seemed rather revolutionary and modern. Up till that time there was music, which was classical, and there was the rest, which was not worthy of consideration, or so the masters used to tell us. I think that it must have been about 1948, just after the war, and he introduced us to swing music in the form of Glenn Miller and  Kathleen Ferrier's work. My enjoyment of her singing was passed on to my own children.

Our only album photo is of his last day! Has anyone got a younger one?

regards

jim wishart, list manager 

 

remembering Mr Perkins

I was at school when Mr Perkins started at Peter Symonds, [didn't he have a nickname?]. He took over from Cissy Cass as I remember. He seemed rather revolutionary and modern. Up till that time there was music, which was classical, and there was the rest, which was not worthy of consideration, or so the masters used to tell us. I think that it must have been about 1948, just after the war, and he introduced us to swing music in the form of Glenn Miller and  Kathleen Ferrier's work. My enjoyment of her singing was passed on to my own children.

Our only album photo is of his last day! Has anyone got a younger one?

regards

jim wishart, list manager 

 

Memory's not what it used to be!

Hi All,

Have just stumbled on your community and had so many memories resurrected.  Sad that my memory is not what it used to be.  I was at Peter Symonds from 1953 to 1959 and seeing so many reminders about my old teachers, their nicknames, habits and dubious characteristics has been great fun.  I noted one discussion trying to remember the name of a German/French teacher during that period.  Surely that was 'Hetty' Hammond.  He made a vain attempt to teach me German but it was fairly easy to turn the German period into a discussion of his war exploits.  How good it was to hear of old 'WhyNot' Wodehouse.  I remember his fondness for pointing out of the classroom window in the direction of Winchester Prison and reminding each of us of the likelihood in his opinion of us all eventually going there.  But he was quite a loveable character.  He once caught me and another 'scrumping' apples which nearly got me in front of Doc Freeman, but I got let off.  Remember that quite a few would regularly smoke behind the fives courts.  He always seemed to know what was going on when he passed by but seemed to turn many a 'blind' eye.  Haven't heard mention of some of the other notable characters,  "Fluebrush" (can't remember his surname), 'Canny' Yates, and dear old Jack Northeast, my orginal formmaster who frequently disappeared during each art lesson into the store room where I think he kept a bottle of something which I don't believe would be classified as art material.  Well remember old 'Fergie' Ferguson.  Yes, it was he who used to get the Tate and Lyle can from the canteen and fill it with gas from the bunsen burner having punctured a small hole on the top which was ignited awaiting the correct explosive combination of air and gas.  When he did that to us, we all cowered behind the benches.  He ridiculed us all, insisting there would not be a big bang.  But he misjudged it and caused everyone on the ground floor to rush up to the first floor chemistry lab to find out if a bomb had gone off.  We were all highly amused.

Well, I could go on.  However, I would be delighted to make contact with anyone from that period for a bit of reminiscing.  Keep the memories flowing.

Regards

Dave Smart

Memory's not what it used to be!

Hi All,

Have just stumbled on your community and had so many memories resurrected.  Sad that my memory is not what it used to be.  I was at Peter Symonds from 1953 to 1959 and seeing so many reminders about my old teachers, their nicknames, habits and dubious characteristics has been great fun.  I noted one discussion trying to remember the name of a German/French teacher during that period.  Surely that was 'Hetty' Hammond.  He made a vain attempt to teach me German but it was fairly easy to turn the German period into a discussion of his war exploits.  How good it was to hear of old 'WhyNot' Wodehouse.  I remember his fondness for pointing out of the classroom window in the direction of Winchester Prison and reminding each of us of the likelihood in his opinion of us all eventually going there.  But he was quite a loveable character.  He once caught me and another 'scrumping' apples which nearly got me in front of Doc Freeman, but I got let off.  Remember that quite a few would regularly smoke behind the fives courts.  He always seemed to know what was going on when he passed by but seemed to turn many a 'blind' eye.  Haven't heard mention of some of the other notable characters,  "Fluebrush" (can't remember his surname), 'Canny' Yates, and dear old Jack Northeast, my orginal formmaster who frequently disappeared during each art lesson into the store room where I think he kept a bottle of something which I don't believe would be classified as art material.  Well remember old 'Fergie' Ferguson.  Yes, it was he who used to get the Tate and Lyle can from the canteen and fill it with gas from the bunsen burner having punctured a small hole on the top which was ignited awaiting the correct explosive combination of air and gas.  When he did that to us, we all cowered behind the benches.  He ridiculed us all, insisting there would not be a big bang.  But he misjudged it and caused everyone on the ground floor to rush up to the first floor chemistry lab to find out if a bomb had gone off.  We were all highly amused.

Well, I could go on.  However, I would be delighted to make contact with anyone from that period for a bit of reminiscing.  Keep the memories flowing.

Regards

Dave Smart

Class of 65 - Reunion

Hi, new member Ron Martin here (PSS '58 - '65).  I live and work as a civil engineer in Chicago these days.  Last November I was back in Winchester and had dinner with Tim Jobling, Dave Bramley and Dick Tanner.  The first time we had seen each other since A-levels in 1965!!  At the end of the evening we voluntered Dave to organize a Reunion of our class for Summer 2002.  If anyone is interested please let me know and I will pass the information on to Dave.

 

Ron 

Class of 65 - Reunion

Hi, new member Ron Martin here (PSS '58 - '65).  I live and work as a civil engineer in Chicago these days.  Last November I was back in Winchester and had dinner with Tim Jobling, Dave Bramley and Dick Tanner.  The first time we had seen each other since A-levels in 1965!!  At the end of the evening we voluntered Dave to organize a Reunion of our class for Summer 2002.  If anyone is interested please let me know and I will pass the information on to Dave.

 

Ron 

searching for old friends

Hi,

John Menhinick on jjmenhinick@hotmail.com is trying to find an old school friend, a

Robert Good, who left in 1970/71

He is the son of Dr Good who was the Medical Officer of Health for the city. The family lived on the property of Victoria Hospital on the Alresford Road, next to St Swithuns.

Robert left for Oxford or Cambridge.

Any information to John on the address above,

 

regards,

jim wishart, list master, 

 

perhaps we could reserve this thread for such searches

searching for old friends

Hi,

John Menhinick on jjmenhinick@hotmail.com is trying to find an old school friend, a

Robert Good, who left in 1970/71

He is the son of Dr Good who was the Medical Officer of Health for the city. The family lived on the property of Victoria Hospital on the Alresford Road, next to St Swithuns.

Robert left for Oxford or Cambridge.

Any information to John on the address above,

 

regards,

jim wishart, list master, 

 

perhaps we could reserve this thread for such searches

PSC 89-91 any takers?

Hi there!

Found this site via the yahoo club.

I was a symonds from 89-91 dont seem to see many people from my day on the board but i shall write a little about me!

Used to drive Gordon a red 2CV , play in the Netball 1st team etc etc studied Business Studies, Communications and Social Biology, and as I did with GCSE's tried to use the minimal work idea! God knows how i passed but i did and after a year out went on to Surrey Uni to study Bsc in Nursing Studies. Unfortunatly it was a course that required work! so it came to an end in year two! I was told i did have a good bedside manner though!

Got on the radio while at university something I am doing now, trials for a new FM radio station are happening as we speak so I am involved!

I am in Sales now much better suited to my personality and sarcastic streak! Account Manager for Telecommunications compnay.

Had Andy Roles as form tutor for short while then Chris Cooper who had to cope with me! Many an exhausted look i seem to remember, perhaps I am am less infuriating now (still cant spell though!) and i certainly have more direction now! Is that you on the board?

I am currently 20 weeks pregnant with my first child due at the beginning of October. After getting married in 1995 and separating in 2000 , i hope perhaps the route i am now taking is the right one!!

Anyway enough rambling thats me, anyone want to email please do or i look forward to reading any messages!

Fran     

PSC 89-91 any takers?

Hi there!

Found this site via the yahoo club.

I was a symonds from 89-91 dont seem to see many people from my day on the board but i shall write a little about me!

Used to drive Gordon a red 2CV , play in the Netball 1st team etc etc studied Business Studies, Communications and Social Biology, and as I did with GCSE's tried to use the minimal work idea! God knows how i passed but i did and after a year out went on to Surrey Uni to study Bsc in Nursing Studies. Unfortunatly it was a course that required work! so it came to an end in year two! I was told i did have a good bedside manner though!

Got on the radio while at university something I am doing now, trials for a new FM radio station are happening as we speak so I am involved!

I am in Sales now much better suited to my personality and sarcastic streak! Account Manager for Telecommunications compnay.

Had Andy Roles as form tutor for short while then Chris Cooper who had to cope with me! Many an exhausted look i seem to remember, perhaps I am am less infuriating now (still cant spell though!) and i certainly have more direction now! Is that you on the board?

I am currently 20 weeks pregnant with my first child due at the beginning of October. After getting married in 1995 and separating in 2000 , i hope perhaps the route i am now taking is the right one!!

Anyway enough rambling thats me, anyone want to email please do or i look forward to reading any messages!

Fran     

good photo posted

Good photo of the 'new' building Bernard. I have a only a very faint memory of it.

 

I see that we have complaints about our reminiscing, well, I feel our individuality  to a great extent comprises our memories. Swapping shared exeriences is an important and enjoyable part of friendship, doncha think?

 

regards,

jim wishart, list manager  

 

 

good photo posted

Good photo of the 'new' building Bernard. I have a only a very faint memory of it.

 

I see that we have complaints about our reminiscing, well, I feel our individuality  to a great extent comprises our memories. Swapping shared exeriences is an important and enjoyable part of friendship, doncha think?

 

regards,

jim wishart, list manager  

 

 

Name those rooms!

Can anyone name each of the classrooms that ran from the centre of the school towards the squash courts?

 

I think the first was Oswald Simpkins, then came Parker Smith, then Morys. The next two I can't remember. I think the last one on the block was Bowker. Then there were the two Art rooms - I think the first was Gater - can't remember the other, but it was the one that Renton used.

 

IS THIS A RECORD ?

It has taken 19 years and 10 months to get a positive full answer, but hey, we got there, thank you to Dave Turner for your post today ...

The rooms are, from east to west, as follows:

Oswald-Simpkin, Parker Smith, Morys, Kenyon, Chelmsford, Bowker, Selborne

 

All of the above have been mentioned in other posts over the years, but not with great certainty. 

 

 

Name those rooms!

Can anyone name each of the classrooms that ran from the centre of the school towards the squash courts?

 

I think the first was Oswald Simpkins, then came Parker Smith, then Morys. The next two I can't remember. I think the last one on the block was Bowker. Then there were the two Art rooms - I think the first was Gater - can't remember the other, but it was the one that Renton used.

 

 

 

 

 

 

so many clubs!

Hi listers,

I have done a survey of Peter Symonds reunion clubs and found the following. I think that what it shows is that the Search Engines of the service providers are very inefficient.

 

MSN clubs

"Peter Symonds former students"

http://communities.msn.co.uk/PeterSymondsFormerStudents

an MSN community

with two members, founded 22nd february 2001

"Peter Symonds nostalgia corner" [this club]

http://communities.msn.co.uk/petersymondswinchesterunofficialnostalgiacorner

an MSN community

with fifteen members, founded 26th november 2000

Friends Reunited clubs

It costs a subscription of 짙5 a year to use Friends Reunited

There are two clubs with exactly the same name but with different ‘key’ numbers within the Friends Reunited system:-

"Peter Symond's, Winchester"

a Friends Reunited Club with 23 members

http://www.friendsreunited.co.uk/FriendsReunited.asp?wci=memberlist&school_key=3298

"Peter Symond's, Winchester"

a Friends Reunited Club with 9 members

http://www.friendsreunited.co.uk/FriendsReunited.asp?wci=memberlist&school_key=6162

Yahoo clubs

"Peter Symonds school and college"

a Yahoo club with 123 members founded 20th April 2001

http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/petersymondsschoolandcollege

"Ex Symonds contact"

a Yahoo club with 34 members, founded June 13 1999

http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/exsymondscontact

 

list compiled by jim wishart, james@wishart100.freeserve.co.uk

list manager,

29th April 2001

so many clubs!

Hi listers,

I have done a survey of Peter Symonds reunion clubs and found the following. I think that what it shows is that the Search Engines of the service providers are very inefficient.

 

MSN clubs

"Peter Symonds former students"

http://communities.msn.co.uk/PeterSymondsFormerStudents

an MSN community

with two members, founded 22nd february 2001

"Peter Symonds nostalgia corner" [this club]

http://communities.msn.co.uk/petersymondswinchesterunofficialnostalgiacorner

an MSN community

with fifteen members, founded 26th november 2000

Friends Reunited clubs

It costs a subscription of 짙5 a year to use Friends Reunited

There are two clubs with exactly the same name but with different ‘key’ numbers within the Friends Reunited system:-

"Peter Symond's, Winchester"

a Friends Reunited Club with 23 members

http://www.friendsreunited.co.uk/FriendsReunited.asp?wci=memberlist&school_key=3298

"Peter Symond's, Winchester"

a Friends Reunited Club with 9 members

http://www.friendsreunited.co.uk/FriendsReunited.asp?wci=memberlist&school_key=6162

Yahoo clubs

"Peter Symonds school and college"

a Yahoo club with 123 members founded 20th April 2001

http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/petersymondsschoolandcollege

"Ex Symonds contact"

a Yahoo club with 34 members, founded June 13 1999

http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/exsymondscontact

 

list compiled by jim wishart, james@wishart100.freeserve.co.uk

list manager,

29th April 2001

remembering Mr Robinson

Nobody has mentioned Robbo so far,

so here are two small anecdotes,

 

I don't remember anything specific that he taught me about geography but I do remember he advised us that if we wanted to invest in the stock market we should buy when the market falls and sell when it rose. It sounded silly at the time but I suppose he was right.

 

I remember catching him just after a class had finished and observing that I thought that it was odd that the west coast of Africa seemed to be the same shape as the east coast of South America. Was it significant? No he said, it was just a coincidence. This was admittedly in about 1950 before continental drift had achieved much credibility

 

regards,

jim wishart, list manager, .

 

remembering Mr Robinson

Nobody has mentioned Robbo so far,

so here are two small anecdotes,

 

I don't remember anything specific that he taught me about geography but I do remember he advised us that if we wanted to invest in the stock market we should buy when the market falls and sell when it rose. It sounded silly at the time but I suppose he was right.

 

I remember catching him just after a class had finished and observing that I thought that it was odd that the west coast of Africa seemed to be the same shape as the east coast of South America. Was it significant? No he said, it was just a coincidence. This was admittedly in about 1950 before continental drift had achieved much credibility

 

regards,

jim wishart, list manager, .

 

Pleased to find this site!

I was at Peter Symonds for a fairly short time (1968-71) for my O and A levels only, but I have very pleasant memories of (most of!) my time there. Names I remember from that time - Keith Kirby, Richard Trussler, Colin(?) Bath; Simon Barrow; Matt Corker to name but a few. Amongst the masters - Mr Ashurst (of course!) that person Cooksey; Mr Taverner; Pa Watts and loads more.

I'd moved to PSS from Rutlish School when my family moved from Surrey to Hampshire (we lived in Cheriton) and you lot seemed rather an intelligent bunch ! So I've always been very grateful to the school for making me pull my socks up and get some O and A levels and eventually a degree.

I'd love to hear from anyone who remembers me or the names I've mentioned.

Regards to all
Rob Compton

Pleased to find this site!

I was at Peter Symonds for a fairly short time (1968-71) for my O and A levels only, but I have very pleasant memories of (most of!) my time there. Names I remember from that time - Keith Kirby, Richard Trussler, Colin(?) Bath; Simon Barrow; Matt Corker to name but a few. Amongst the masters - Mr Ashurst (of course!) that person Cooksey; Mr Taverner; Pa Watts and loads more.

I'd moved to PSS from Rutlish School when my family moved from Surrey to Hampshire (we lived in Cheriton) and you lot seemed rather an intelligent bunch ! So I've always been very grateful to the school for making me pull my socks up and get some O and A levels and eventually a degree.

I'd love to hear from anyone who remembers me or the names I've mentioned.

Regards to all
Rob Compton

two more photos

hi listers,

I have posted two more photos, one of a 'mystery' master and another of an aerial view of the school in about 1946, both courtesy of Neil Jenkinson,

regards,

jim wishart, list manager,

New Member

Jim

I'm delighted to have joined your nostalgia corner and to also have you as a new member of the Peter Symonds School and College Club at Yahoo.

Kind Regards

 

Dave Stuart

(1966 - 1973)

 

New Member

Jim

I'm delighted to have joined your nostalgia corner and to also have you as a new member of the Peter Symonds School and College Club at Yahoo.

Kind Regards

 

Dave Stuart

(1966 - 1973)

 

photo of Mr Hawkins

Hi jim, it's "Harry Hawkins" who as well as being a maths teacher, ran the twice weekly "Harry's Army" - the pre-CCF square bashers.   Not as brilliant as "Cozy" for maths but he got people to A-level in the end.   Aka  "Harra" because of his accent!

 

peter smith

photo of Mr Hawkins

Hi jim, it's "Harry Hawkins" who as well as being a maths teacher, ran the twice weekly "Harry's Army" - the pre-CCF square bashers.   Not as brilliant as "Cozy" for maths but he got people to A-level in the end.   Aka  "Harra" because of his accent!

 

peter smith

Memory test for the 1964-1971 generation

Which teacher professed to have 'coom from Scoonthorpe'? Which teacher lost his cool and announced that he was 'fed and sick up with you all'? Which language teacher,on hearing a place name in the country concerned, had usually 'bin there'and went on to say when, why, etc etc....ad nauseam?

Memory test for the 1964-1971 generation

Which teacher professed to have 'coom from Scoonthorpe'? Which teacher lost his cool and announced that he was 'fed and sick up with you all'? Which language teacher,on hearing a place name in the country concerned, had usually 'bin there'and went on to say when, why, etc etc....ad nauseam?

'The History of Peter Symonds'

This week I  received my copy of this book through the post and it made a fascinating read. It is a slim hard backed volume of 140 pages. Very comprehensive in that it does cover the whole history back to the Will of Peter Symonds in 1586. Although the parts that covered my own time at school were naturally of the most immediate interest to me there is much to enjoy from other eras. I like the photos and I hope to be able to get authority to post some of them on the site. There are good ones of Cozey and Mr Hawkins and Doc Freeman, together with aerial photos of the school and two good maps.

It cost 짙12 [including postage] from

Stuart Mariner c/o Martin & Company, 

25 St. Thomas Street, Winchester, SO23 9DD     

payable to   the Old Symondians Society

 

regards,

Jim Wishart, site manager 

'The History of Peter Symonds'

This week I  received my copy of this book through the post and it made a fascinating read. It is a slim hard backed volume of 140 pages. Very comprehensive in that it does cover the whole history back to the Will of Peter Symonds in 1586. Although the parts that covered my own time at school were naturally of the most immediate interest to me there is much to enjoy from other eras. I like the photos and I hope to be able to get authority to post some of them on the site. There are good ones of Cozey and Mr Hawkins and Doc Freeman, together with aerial photos of the school and two good maps.

It cost 짙12 [including postage] from

Stuart Mariner c/o Martin & Company, 

25 St. Thomas Street, Winchester, SO23 9DD     

payable to   the Old Symondians Society

 

regards,

Jim Wishart, site manager 

Let's get more participants in here!

May I make a suggestion to the moderator? Send a message to every e-mail address in the members list, telling them that this message board exists and inviting them all to drop in and take part. There are potentially thousands of Old Symondians who should be joining in with these discussions! Thanks!

Let's get more participants in here!

May I make a suggestion to the moderator? Send a message to every e-mail address in the members list, telling them that this message board exists and inviting them all to drop in and take part. There are potentially thousands of Old Symondians who should be joining in with these discussions! Thanks!

photo of masters

Hi,

That is a great photo you have just posted Bernard!

I recognize Messrs Laing and Watts but although I knew Mr Perkins, I must confess his photo doesn't 'bring him back'.

Anyone else got similar photos?

 

regards,

jim, list manager

photo of masters

Hi,

That is a great photo you have just posted Bernard!

I recognize Messrs Laing and Watts but although I knew Mr Perkins, I must confess his photo doesn't 'bring him back'.

Anyone else got similar photos?

 

regards,

jim, list manager

slightly off topic war memory

hi,

I was evacuated to Winchester from Southampton in the summer of 1940, it being very unhealthy there at that time. There was me and my brother Peter and my mother. We were taken in by a very kind family called the Townends who lived in Ripponden on Bereweeke Road, between the PS's outer playing field and that of the girls' school. One night in September of that year the sirens went and we went out into the middle of the girls school field and sat on a rug and watched Southampton being bombed. My father was with us, being home on leave before being posted overseas for the duration.

Christopher Townend is an old Symondian who I plan to look up soon, it's more than fifty years since I last saw him!

 

regards,

jim, site manager,  

slightly off topic war memory

hi,

I was evacuated to Winchester from Southampton in the summer of 1940, it being very unhealthy there at that time. There was me and my brother Peter and my mother. We were taken in by a very kind family called the Townends who lived in Ripponden on Bereweeke Road, between the PS's outer playing field and that of the girls' school. One night in September of that year the sirens went and we went out into the middle of the girls school field and sat on a rug and watched Southampton being bombed. My father was with us, being home on leave before being posted overseas for the duration.

Christopher Townend is an old Symondian who I plan to look up soon, it's more than fifty years since I last saw him!

 

regards,

jim, site manager,  

classroom memories

whose lessons went with a bang?

classroom memories

whose lessons went with a bang?

remembering Paul Wodehouse

Mr Wodehouse was the careers master and I remember visiting him at his home in 1957. I had just finished my National Service and realised that I didn't want to continue in the same job for the rest of my life. He sat me down and after I had explained the situation he said, "What would you like to do"? I probably mumbled something about not being sure. He asked me if I was good at mathematics, so I lied through my teeth. He he picked the phone up and spoke to the City Engineer and asked if he had an opening for a bright young man. I started work at the Guildhall the next Monday and started an enjoyable life in Civil Engineering.

Times have changed?

 

jim wishart, list manager

 

remembering Paul Wodehouse

Mr Wodehouse was the careers master and I remember visiting him at his home in 1957. I had just finished my National Service and realised that I didn't want to continue in the same job for the rest of my life. He sat me down and after I had explained the situation he said, "What would you like to do"? I probably mumbled something about not being sure. He asked me if I was good at mathematics, so I lied through my teeth. He he picked the phone up and spoke to the City Engineer and asked if he had an opening for a bright young man. I started work at the Guildhall the next Monday and started an enjoyable life in Civil Engineering.

Times have changed?

 

jim wishart, list manager

 

doc freeman's sayings number 1

hi,

does anyone remember one of Doc Freeman's favourite sayings that he tended to use when the class got particularly stroppy?

Four words, first word started with 'G'

 

regards,

jim wishart, list manager

doc freeman's sayings number 1

hi,

does anyone remember one of Doc Freeman's favourite sayings that he tended to use when the class got particularly stroppy?

Four words, first word started with 'G'

 

regards,

jim wishart, list manager

Founder's day

I remember the parade in front of the Cathedral next to the war memorial with doc Freeman's strictures to stand perfectly still.

Does the school still observe a remembrance parade?

 

jim wishart

Founder's day

I remember the parade in front of the Cathedral next to the war memorial with doc Freeman's strictures to stand perfectly still.

Does the school still observe a remembrance parade?

 

jim wishart

which teacher had a flashy american car?

Which teacher in the late 1940s had a flashy American car, and an unflattering nickname?

which teacher had a flashy american car?

Which teacher in the late 1940s had a flashy American car, and an unflattering nickname?

photo of the air force cadets

hi,

I have added the names that I can remember, very sketchy I am afraid. If anyone can add to the list please let me know,

regards

jim wishart, manager

photo of the air force cadets

hi,

I have added the names that I can remember, very sketchy I am afraid. If anyone can add to the list please let me know,

regards

jim wishart, manager

lincoln bomber crash

hi,

In about 1950 I was playing football on the school playing field when a Lincoln bomber flew directly overhead and then it banked and dived steeply into the ground about two miles away, there were no survivors. I cycled up to the site of the crash. The wreckage was spread over an area about 300 yds square, no part of it seemed larger than about one foot across. Does anyone remember that?

 

regards,

jim wishart, site manager,

lincoln bomber crash

hi,

In about 1950 I was playing football on the school playing field when a Lincoln bomber flew directly overhead and then it banked and dived steeply into the ground about two miles away, there were no survivors. I cycled up to the site of the crash. The wreckage was spread over an area about 300 yds square, no part of it seemed larger than about one foot across. Does anyone remember that?

 

regards,

jim wishart, site manager,

remembering Mr Cozens, MC

do you remember Mr Cozens?

I remember him as a very good maths teacher who was very well respected.

when i was about thirteen years old and at the start of a new school year my form moved up into his class while he was away on extended leave, I think it was for medical reasons. He had set maths problems which were written up on the board each lesson. We worked away without a break and his spirit seemed to hover in the room keeping a watchful eye on us. After what must have been several weeks he returned and we met him for the first time as our teacher. Expecting that our work would be checked carefully I remember being quite nervous but there was no reference to the work at all. He just started on something new. We were impressed.

jim wishart, left 1952

 

does anyone know how he was awarded the MC?

remembering Mr Cozens, MC

do you remember Mr Cozens?

I remember him as a very good maths teacher who was very well respected.

when i was about thirteen years old and at the start of a new school year my form moved up into his class while he was away on extended leave, I think it was for medical reasons. He had set maths problems which were written up on the board each lesson. We worked away without a break and his spirit seemed to hover in the room keeping a watchful eye on us. After what must have been several weeks he returned and we met him for the first time as our teacher. Expecting that our work would be checked carefully I remember being quite nervous but there was no reference to the work at all. He just started on something new. We were impressed.

jim wishart, left 1952

 

does anyone know how he was awarded the MC?