Chris and Doug hope you and your families all had a wonderful Covid Free Christmas and we would like to wish you all everything you wish for yourselves throughout 2023 ... stay safe, stay cool, stay well and keep smiling ...

 

My personal appologies for the late posting of this sad event.

John Ashurst played an important role in the lives of so many students at the College, both male and female, many of whom possibly would not be where they are today, but for John's influence.

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It is with deep regret that we advise the passing of John Ashurst, former headmaster of Eggars Grammar School, Alton (1958-63), Peter Symonds’ School, Winchester (1963-71) and Hymers College, Hull (1971-83).

John died peacefully on 13th October 2022 aged 99. The funeral was held at St Giles Church, Ashtead, Surrey.

John was Headmaster from April 1963 to August 1971 when Peter Symonds’ was still a grammar school for boys. John’s legacy of improved teaching standards leading to enhanced A and O Level grades and a far higher number of students progressing to university, is one which Peter Symonds’ College is proud to have continued.

Image: John Ashurst at PSC for the official opening of the Ashurst building in 2007.

 

 Hi all ! ... I have had a request from RIC CHEADLE (School House 1962-68) asking if there is anyone who can put him in touch with his best man, KEVIN FROST (Wyke Lodge), as Ric has lost touch over the years and would like Kevin to be at his 50th. Wedding Anniversary ... please e-mail me with any contact details and I will pass them on to Ric ... Thank you ... Doug Clews

 I received today an e-mail from Nigel Parkes (1976 -1979) reading as below: 

(The attached photo appears in the photos section under OTC, JTC, CCF)

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Hello,

You might be interested in the attached photo of the CCF RAF section summer camp at RAF St Athan 1977. I was in the section from 1976 until about 1979.

St Athan had a collection of historic aircraft at the time. Three of us managed to get assigned to the 'museum’ (thus avoiding square bashing etc) and spent the week polishing the inside of various aircraft canopies - which of course involved sitting in the cockpit! Watched over by a kindly old hand of a sergeant who served us chicory coffee, I guess he was glad of the company as no one visited the museum. 

We acquired a sheet of self adhesive orange day-glo plastic and made Penguin stickers (copied from the chocolate bar) in honour of Flt Lt (Pengy) Fletcher - these stickers turned up everywhere. 

Chris and Doug wish everyone a Happy, Safe 2022

 I have received a request from a potential member, Smith B (Bev) 1957 - 1964, for the FULL text of the Founder's Day prayer ... can anyone out there help please ?

Stay safe ... Cheers ... Doug

 A big 'Thank you' to Bernard Webber for sending in a fantastic photo of John Ashurst at the ripe young age of 98 ... 

Mr. Ashurst was Head Master from 1964 to 1971 and will be well remembered by those students under his care.

The photo is posted in the 'Teachers' section in Photos

I am posting a copy of a message I received personally, albeit last december, in the hope that someone might be able to help John ... Hi Doug I'm afraid I'm a total stranger and this is a very long shot. An old friend of mine, Howard Kidd, who is not very PC savvy has asked me if I could try to find a contact for a childhood friend of his, Simon Barrow, who went to Peter Symonds. I see you seem to be still very involved with Peter Symonds and I just wondered is you might be able to help me. All I know is that Simon was in the Upper 6th at Peter Symonds in 1971. If you can help, I'd be most grateful. My name is John Graham-Hart and my email address is johngrahamhart@gmail.com Many thanks John G-H

Mike Conlan

 I have taken the liberty of posting a copy of a letter to the Symondians Association from Mike Conlan's Widow ... perhaps some of us can help ...

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Dear All,

 

Hard to believe, but yes, it's ten years on June 4th since Mike sadly died. As a means of marking the occasion myself and the girls are doing a hike up various mountains between the 4th and 6th June to raise some money for The Royal Marsden Hospital who specialise in research for the rare type of cancer that Mike had. The link below will explain in greater detail.

 

As ten years seems like a poignant point in time,  I thought some of you might like to visit the Justgiving website and support the cause. Also please feel free to pass the link on to anyone who you think would be interested.

 

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/michaelconlan

 

I trust everyone is well and survived the last fifteen months of Covid restrictions! 

 

Very best wishes .

 

Vron X

1976 Leavers

As some of you might be interested, I post 2 responses to a post relating to 1976 leavers, which dates back to 15 September 2001.

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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!

 The original post dates back to 05 May 2001 as follows:

'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.'

 

Today we have:

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. 

 A SOMEWHAT BELATED 

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL 

from Chris and Doug

Wherever you may be,

 we sincerely hope COVID 

has not caught up with you, 

and that you remain safe

throughout 2021

Further to the very interesting article by Alan Ives about his experiences as a boarder, I have today posted in the Students Photos section, a photo of Alan and his brother John with their respective sports trophies.

I apologise to Alan, as the photo has been in my possession since 29th. October 2019, but somehow the posting to the site got overlooked (Put it down to 'Old Age')

Doug Clews

REMINDER

Recent e-mails received have prompted me to remind EVERYONE who was a member of this site PRIOR TO 2013 that they need to REJOIN or they will be unable to post comments to the site.
This is a regrettable situation, caused by the fact that members at the time of the change to blogger.com could not be automatically transferred. 
Please be good enough to e-mail me as soon as possible, with your name and e-mail address (preferably a G-mail account or it might not work), and I will arrange for a membership request to be sent to you, to which you MUST respond to activate your membership to the site.

Thank you for your assistance and continued interest in our site.

Doug Clews
Joint Manager
Sydney Australia

I have been informed this week by Nigel, brother of Brian Sacree, that Brian unfortunately passed away on 7th. February 2019.

It is thought that Brian must have been at Peter Symonds' from 1941 to 1946, but a little uncertainty as to actual dates exists within the family.

Brian was a member of the 1942 Athletics Group, and also a member of the JTC Band, playing the Bugle.

Brian signed on for military service in 1947 at the age of 17. He had wanted to join the Glider Pilot Regiment (shades of Operation Market Garden!!), but as that had recently been disbanded, fell back on his second choice, the Royal Corps of Signals, following his Dad who had served in the Signals during the war.

Upon reaching 18 he was called up and in February 1948 went to the 37 Primary Training Centre at Peninsula Barracks, Winchester. 

The reason I mention this is that having gained his ‘red badge’ for basic skills, when in Peter Symonds’ Training Corps, his training was shortened by 2 weeks, which was a significant bonus as far as Brian was concerned at the time.

His experience in the Signals was the foundation of his later working career in aircraft/defence technology.

Note: Photos have been posted under 'Students' and 'JTC'  

A belated Season's Greetings to all from Chris and Doug ... it is hoped that everyone had an enjoyable and safe Christmas and that we can all look forward to a great 2020 ... Keep Smiling All !

James Wishart – PSSW 1947 to 1952

It is with great regret and sorrow, that I must report the passing on Friday 11^th. January 2019 of Jim, finally losing his battle with cancer.

He was known to a lot of us as the creator of this PSSW Nostalgia Site …

Jim, or ‘Jimmie’ as he was also known, was a Civil Engineer during his working years, working for local governments in Winchester, Southampton, Leicester and Northampton.

Jim’s private life was actively involved in many things, including volunteer work, and Mainstream Party Politics, whereas his spare time was taken up with sailing, motor caravanning and frequent visits to Greece, a Country, and its people, he loved.

His Facebook page indicates he had friends in many parts of the world, and he will be greatly missed by us all.

Our thoughts are with his wife Anne, daughters Helen and Jane, and son John.