Additional Personal Memories

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Personal memories of Teachers, based on recollections from various people circa 1930s -72.

Haslam - French. Much older than the other teachers. Know as Tazzie. Apparently came back out of retirement in War, due to shortage of teachers and again in 1949. ??French himself. His favourite trick was to drag a dim pupil physically to the front of the class and smash his head against the blackboard at the point where he, Tazzie, had written in tiny, illegible script, the answer to the question he had posed.

Pain Pete. A superb maths teacher, allegedly one of the 6 best in the country. Wore very colourful socks! Effortless disciplinarian. Bob Stapleton (1944-49) tells the following: "I seem to recall that our revered Maths Master was our Form master in VA . However during a maths lesson he was asking questions - to make sure that we understood what he was saying. He asked a boy named Ringer if he understood and had no reply. He was obviously irritated that Ringer did not answer and was starting to "have a go" when he stopped and asked if Ringer could hear him, which he couldn't; Pete had discovered that he was a little deaf and asked him to see him after the lesson. Later Ringer was moved to the front of the class and Pete gave him additional lessons after school, once a week, to bring him up to scratch. I think that Ringer got a Credit in the School Cert. Were we not lucky to have experienced such a man?
We were aware, I believe, even at that stage that we were experiencing a great man and at Christmas we bought him a tie as a Christmas present. When he opened it he was almost in tears and said that he had never received such a gift before. He wore it frequently in the new year.
When we were approaching the 1949 School Cert. Exams he was taking us through some revision when he heard someone talking. He stopped and asked who was talking. Not getting a confession he said "well, if you would rather listen to him than to me, I'm going home"; and he went. We all knew who it was, and the boy never did it again."

Hanson - Woodwork. Had a fearsome temper towards anyone who was so bad at woodwork that they wasted their piece of wood. He would smash the offending article to sawdust with a hammer and ditto the luckless boy with his gnarled hand.

Lock - Wally of that ilk. English. Once or twice a term would somehow bring up the subject of his wife's death. "I woke up one morning and there was my wife - dead in bed beside me!" Taught German to the 6th form. Jimmy Hansell remembers Wally Lock's little quizzes, conducted verbally after a bout of King Lear, or Macbeth. Marks were out of ten, we had to hold our hands up for those with ten (naturally no hands were raised), then nine, eight, etc, when we got to 'those under five', he would gleefully exclaim 'ah, a forest of arms' or ' a mighty army'. Another memory of him is that he was invariably late for class, he would stride in and remark 'Don't you open your book, Johnson (or Glading, whoever was sitting at the front) you might learn something'.

Filby - Chemistry. Known as "FAF". People couldn't understand why someone with a PhD would want to teach the likes of us!

Tennant - Painting & Arts. John Parr saw his obituary in one of the "posh" papers - he was apparently a well know amateur War Artist in WW1. During an art lesson a V2 fell close to the school. The glass from the windows along one side fell in and the row of boys nearest to them naturally moved away in some distress. "Sit still boys", said Tennant quietly, "and you boy, sweep up that glass!"

Cutting - Music and PE. Left and went to another East Ham school and was then dismissed for "interfering" with some of the children! Ended up in prison. However, Jimmy Hansell (1944-49) says that "he taught me more about football than any other teacher".

Shannon - History. A tall "sombre" man. School Social Fund treasurer. Much taken to bashing you around the head with Fifteen Plays of Shakespeare. Cyril Arthur Townsend says that he has never really taken to Shakespeare!

Tarran Jimmy - Form master in 1b (1944) and 2a (1945). Beekeeper. Often came into classroom with books piled high in his arms. In spite of this, managed to flick lights on, clap his hands and say "I must say 2b are much better than you!" Known as "Jimmy". John Parr says he was "very important man. In charge of bike permits".

Davies - A welsh man and known as "Taffy". Taught history and Economic History. Claimed to be deaf in one ear. Showed rare sign of amusement when some wit suggested it was his left ear. Strong ideas about many things, including giving votes to under 21s! Perennial cough sweet sucker. Lessons invariably consisted of pupils reading from history books (Clements or Richards & Hunt) or dictating long screeds to be copied into exercise books. Drove in from Kent (?Blackheath) every day with Bill Wallis. Was broken hearted when the law changed around 1945 and he was no longer allowed to cane boys. Made up for it by dragging an offender by the ear to Whiteley's office, kicking the door open and yelling "Cane him, headmaster", which Whiteley always did, without hesitation, much to his credit.

Grove - French. A north country man who sometimes mentioned his time in the services. Went off to be a Lecturer in Education. A great duster thrower. One memory by Bob Stapleton is: "After the "mocks", Grove went around the class offering his opinion on our chances. To me he said "you will probably achieve a distinction but if you do, don't come into my 6th Form"; I did and I didn't!"

Padel - Latin and played the cello. Likened a great cricket batsman to a great cellist. Believed to be the brother of Daphne, of TV's "20 Questions" fame. Left the school and studied medicine. Became a psychoanalyst. Died October 1999, aged 86. Jim B spoke to his widow in June 2000, who gave these last details.

Penny - Very knowledgeable music teacher: conducted school choir and orchestra. He would illustrate the building of chords using Stan Kenton's "The Peanut Vendor" which would resound around the school. It is doubtful that Joe approved. Penney could also play a mean "boogie" piano.

Wallis Bill - also north country man. PE teacher. Fell, fully clothed, into swimming pool on one occasion when giving lessons! Tried to teach us country dancing to his own awful piano playing. Another perennial cough sweet sucker - was in charge of first aid but dealt with each crisis by issuing an aspirin - or a cough sweet! Was, apparently though, a fine footballer in his youth.

Amstell - known as 'Sam' or 'Bill' - why 'Bill' is unclear since his initials were 'SV'; also known as "Gobbo". Chemistry and, with some real embarrassment, Biology . A real cockney. When asked for a new piece of stationery would often reply - "there's none avaylible fer distribooshun". Took over as Head when Joe Whiteley retired in 1971. After comprehensivation became a "Deputy Head" of the new school. It's probably hearsay, but there's one anecdote of when School assembly fell to him and he was heard to say, soto voce, "Right, get yer bleedin' 'ymn books aht". Died c1998.
In February 2006 David Rees, 1959-66, added:
Used to demonstrate chemistry principles by frequent reference to his wartime experience in a nitric acid production plant equipped with a steam powered crane that could raise enough power to
either propel itself or power the crane but not both. Somehow the aluminium nitric acid storage tanks mounted above a concrete holding became contaminated with water and were ruptured by the now diluted acid chewing it's way through the aluminium leaking their contents into a holding lagoon. Leaving SVA the task of dumping enough ?soda into the lagoon before it affected the rest of the plant; using the crane before power ran out; then having to dig the whole lot out with the same crane before it too got permanently entombed - in the solidifying goo.

Forrester Steve. Biology and form master when some of us were in the 6th form. Died in mid 1990s. When Douggie Page's father died he, Steve, with Douggie's mum, bought the house where she had lived. They stayed there sharing things on a platonic basis - could you imagine anything else with Steve?
In February 2006 Paul Carroll, 1966-73, added:
Steve Forrester was my form master when I was in 6A1. At the time I decided to readopt the 'O' in front of Carroll which my grandfather had dropped when he came from Dublin to live in London. He had dropped the 'O' as he felt that it would make him sound less Irish.... Anyway, I ended up twice on the register and Mr Forrester spent the whole year calling my name twice without cottoning on. He was such a nice man. I do remember his propensity for storing rotting cats (road-kill) outside his lab in one of the flower beds for the production of maggots.
Also in February Alan Carcass, 1943-48, wrote:
I remember Steve Forrester starting at EHGS back in 1947. Same time as "Butch" Forrester or thereabouts. Totally opposite types. Butch was a forthright, able, no nonsense teacher, took us for maths, and Steve was a quiet man, good teacher, loved his subject of biology, but hopeless at keeping order. He was my last form teacher in 5c. A select band of just 16 souls, but Steve had difficulty keeping order even in such a relatively small group, and, as I think I have said here before, he tried to do it with the aid of a length of Bunsen burner hose. Almost effective until one day his particular bete noire, a lad called Paice, can't recall his first name, grabbed hold of the hose and almost pulled Steve over. He got six of the best from Joe, of course, but I feel sure Steve was happy to see the back of us. Who said WE were all angels in comparison to our modern contemporaries?

Mills - PE. Called Freddie after the boxer. His bike was stored in the basement loo; some of us took it completely to pieces on one occasion - he was not well pleased! Still alive and living in Wales 2000.

Seidman Maxie - Geography. Form master to 3a in 1947. A German Jew who had escaped the Nazis; allegedly had ripped the upholstery in an SS officers car. Encyclopaedic knowledge of geography and spoke several languages. Could write on the blackboard with both hands simultaneously- starting at the top of his text with his left and at the bottom with his right and make the whole text join up! However, had difficulty in controlling a class of boisterous boys. Walked with pronounced limp. Was very careful with his money - read the Financial Times: ran the Stamp Club. Dead. John Benning (1944-51) says: "I still feel ashamed at the way we aggravated him - we all knew his background, but this didn't seem to matter."

Marsh - Physics. ?Took over from Denny. Bald and known as "Boggy"; real name Freddie. Good teacher. Cliff Jones (1944-49) says - the Physics teacher who had a major influence on my career choice had the nickname "Boggo Marsh" for obvious reasons. He was an ex RAF Wing Commander and used to wear his RAF raincoat to school in the winter (rank insignia removed but you could see the outlines, hence the deduction of his rank; he never mentioned it). His interests included Rugby and when he left EHGS after a couple of years to teach at Westcliffe Grammar, near where he lived, he refereed a game we played there and had the unusual ability to speak to ALL members of both teams by their first names.

Vennis - Latin. Remembered by some as " Tried to organise school dances and got very upset when we didn't want to co-operate!" Died December 1999.

Elford-Gulley. French & Italian. Always bad tempered - legend had it that he was often in pain due to shrapnel lodged in his body from the War. A virtual chain smoker and frequent drinker, he would often leave the classroom, telling us to get on with some work he had set us, while he went out and topped up with alcohol or nicotine. One strong memory of E-G by one pupil is as follows: "he introduced me to strong drink at the tender age of 13. I was on a school trip to Italy, with Gulley, Maxie Seidman and Max's wife and daughter, when I and a few others got a touch of 'Delhi Belli'. Gulley's remedy was to take us all to the hotel bar and made us drink what seemed like half a pint of Fernet-Branca, on the basis that it would kill or cure. I have very vague recollection as to what happened next but I am not sure that it stayed down too long. Needless to say I have never looked at a glass of Fernet-Branca again". Another memory is " Didn't he look like Lenin? (Although EG was much farther to the left, of course.)" Died towards the end of 1973 aged 51 years. RIP.

Madgett. Maths. Meek and soft-spoken. A bachelor who lived with his mother in Hatherley Gardens. A very good teacher who would be ragged because of his perceived "weakness". Drove a blue Hillman Minx - but never over 25 mph! Mick Knight (1955-60) remembers "We called him 'Jet' in deference to his hair-raising driving skills. A very likeable man. He was our first form master and I remember him placing a bar of chocolate on every boy's desk after the school year". Dead.
In March 2002 Richard Batty (1965-72) offered the following:
Many of us will remember Ken, teacher of mathematics. An immaculately dressed man with never a hair out of place, It always appeared that he was passionate if not obsessive about his subject. As young boys of 11 years of age we innocently reasoned that mathematics was all of his life, a deduction I later learned was so far from the truth. I knew Ken after I left EHGS and spent many a happy hour in his company, and his life was far from obsessed with maths, but was a selfless and charitable life.
I attended St George's Church East Ham for many years, latterly becoming organist there. Ken was a frequent guest for Sunday lunch with my family and shared many happy past times. In my late teens and early twenties I was part of that church's mission to youth in a rock band called Charisma. (Other old boys involved where Ian McGee, Trevor Lee, David Wood, Neil Mason, and Paul Watton). Rock music could not have been further from Ken's personal taste, but it was a mark if the man to recognise that our work was of value to the church and to young people. When we needed transport in the form of our own van, I was staggered to receive through the post a large cheque from Ken, wishing us well in our work and please would we use the money to ensure our vehicle was safe, comfortable and reliable. The only condition (if indeed that is what it could be called) was that I did not publicly thank or acknowledge this gift in any way. A condition I was pleased to agree to.
Ken lived alone in his large house in Hatherley Gardens, and entry to the house was strictly limited to a chosen few. He had 'a lady who does' several times a week to keep some order. After his death it was apparent that he had very few members of family to deal with his estate, and as such the church played a major role in winding up his effects. His house could be described as a bookshop. Every room containing books on many subjects, but a great many about classical music, in particular Elgar, of whom Ken was particularly fond. I believe he was amongst the founders of the Elgar Society, but this is not known for sure. I gladly purchased many books, the proceeds of which were divided amongst many charities whom Ken enthusiastically and financially supported through his life.
Ken was meticulous about keeping records, and produced a book on the history of St George's Church. Entitled 'St George's Jubilee History 1987' it was published, but obviously had a limited appeal. I still have a copy. This little book showed the real Ken, a man who paid attention to the little things, with the most amazing snippets of people's lives and deeds recorded for posterity.
Many will recall his blue and white 'C' registration Hillman Minx car that he used daily to travel to school. During a period of illness and confinement to hospital, Ken expressed concern that the car was left outside and might not start, or that it would seize up through lack of use. I offered to take it for a run and re-commission it for him. For those with an interest in cars this was fascinating for me. This would have been in about 1985, when the car was 20 years old. It barely had 20K miles on the clock and was immaculate! - a real time warp car that had clearly only undertaken the daily journey from Hatherley Gardens to Langdon Crescent. It ran perfectly (if not slowly, being a rare automatic) and was ready for Ken's return. Unfortunately ill health prevented him from further driving.
By 1987 his cancer was becoming seriously intrusive to his life, and finding it impossible to cope on his own Ken moved in with the Vicar of St George's, the Reverend Peter Turner, whom I believe is still the incumbent there. The last time I saw Ken he was still immaculately dressed, although looking frail, he was still more interested in us than Himself, asking how we had settled in to our new home in Cambridgeshire. Sadly, he died in 1988, still living at the vicarage.
EHGS was a better place for Ken's presence, as was my life. A real gentle man's gentleman. Rest in Peace.

Mott Ernie. Latin, Greek and Ancient History. Prefects' Form Master. Large bent nose - nice man. Still alive in May 2000, living in Ilford. Visited by Jimmy Gleadell (1944-50) in May 2000. Left EHGS 1977 and went to work at a girls school in Leytonstone where Joe Whiteley was also working after he left EHGS too - Joe apparently didn't want to work under the comprehensive school system.
Ernie died on 23/11/05. He was 90 years old and still living at home. Jimmy, and other classmates who met monthly at the George, Wanstead, had sent him a 90th birthday card and some book tokens.
The funeral took place at 13.00 on 1/12/05 at St Margaret's Church, Perth Rd, Ilford.

Cooper. English. Known as "Mary". A gentle, stout man who was form master to 1A in 1944. In his final years before he retired was given the odd English lesson. This always consisted of him requesting someone to read a passage from a book and within 5 minutes he was sound asleep. Well at least until the noise of the riot which then ensued woke him up again. You could guarantee at least 3 sleeping intervals in a 40 minute period.

Note by Jim Briggs. I knew him as 'Mary', but later years seem to have called him 'Merry' Cooper. I never understood the 'Mary' and 'Merry' does seem a lot better - after all, he was a bit like an unbearded father Christmas!
However, the following came in from Mick Knight (1955-60) in February 2001: " He got his nickname long before I joined EHGS, but the story I got (probably apocryphal) from our dinner monitor, one Bert Dowling, was that whilst on a school trip to somewhere in the wilds, a lamb happened to attach itself to him. Hence 'Mary'".

Whiteley Joe: Up to November 2000 no-one had offered thoughts about Joe, our headmaster. My (Jim Briggs) memories are that he was a man who advanced the school to such a state that, in the early 1950s, it was second only to Manchester Grammar School as far as University entrances were concerned. He started in 1944, the same year as the 11 year old Briggs did. By 1946 he had organised that entry into the 6th form could be via 4a, as well as the usual 5th year forms. He also established a 3rd year in the 6th form with a hope that pupils would gain State Scholarships, University bursaries, etc - all with great success.
He was also the main Latin teacher. He had written a Latin tutor book which was used as the main one in the school (and apparently for sometime after he left). I was never very good a Latin, but it was compulsory in the "a" streams. However, we were studying 10 subjects and only 9 were allowed to be taken in the Matriculation exam; one had to be dropped. I only managed 8% for Latin in the mock exam and dearly wished to drop the wretched subject. But how? We all were gathered in the school gymnasium and Joe went through our names alphabetically one by one. "Adkin, which subject do you wish to drop?" The replies came, but none said "Latin, sir". My name was called. With great trepidation I was about to say "Latin, sir" when Joe said, "Briggs, you will drop Latin!" 52 years on I remember this as if it were yesterday.
All in all - a great headmaster. He died in 1984, and many OEs attended his funeral.
In February 2006 David Rees, 1959-66, offered the following:
In the days when London phone exchanges had names and local associations grangewood 01472 was supplemented by a new one called clocktower. Named after our own clocktower. When I and a few friends started to develop the private press for the Esthameian in the early 60's, what else could we call it but the Clocktower Press. Joe Whitely (who also had the nickname of Boot) used to demonstrate his particularly specialised sense of humour and wind us up by deliberately
mala-proping the name to Clockwater Press. I remember huge excitement in early 60's when the incomplete steelwork and tarred concrete below the tower was finally turned into classrooms. The boiler house below the tower - strictly out of bounds - was very impressive and controlled by Mr Cannon and Mr Austin who did not appear to like each other much but would, if in a good mood, show you round their domain, which was of Cunard liner engine room proportions. Not that much heat got as far as the classrooms.

Did you know that he became a Marriage Guidance Counsellor? He probably hit them on the head with that large and heavy Latin dictionary which he carried around in class and which he frequently used on me.
Do you remember "Murder In (At?) Larinum" which he co-wrote, a thin book from which we were supposed to learn prose. I recall six murders and a couple of episodes of rape and torture in the first few pages. Joe certainly knew how to grab a young boy's attention!
He was a fine left-handed batsman and played cricket for Wanstead Cricket Club I believe.
He had a collection of about seven or eight canes of various sizes and weights, one of which Alan Smith, I and, I believe John Benning, experienced after we had been caught standing on chairs by Taffy Davies. As I recall this was probably just after, probably the same day, that an announcement had been made in "Assembly" that we were to take more care of the furniture.
The old gymnasium and woodwork room have now gone. You may remember on occasions, for whatever reasons, Joe would instruct us to "walk quickly and quietly, swiftly and smoothly to t'gymnasium".
Apropos Latin. After achieving 96% in the first exam. I then scored 23%. Joe lost interest in the third year and suggested that Latin and I were not compatible. I complied gratefully but I have never regretted the experience. (Note by Jim Briggs. Me too, and I only managed 8%!)

Rod Martin, EHGS 1959-60 and now in Australia, wrote in November 2000

I only spent two years at EHGS, but they were formative ones, and I remember them vividly.

One correction to the memories on the site. Mr. Ken Madgett lived in Hatherley Gardens, not Henniker. I used to walk past his house frequently when going to and from the Boleyn. I often saw him and the infamous Hillman Minx (green, if I remember rightly) and said hello. Despite the slowness with which he drove (legendary!), he still used to go home for lunch most days. The sight of his car heading back along Langdon Crescent was an indicator to my friends and I to head back into school after slipping out (illegally, of course) to catch the eyes of and chat up the Burgess Manor girls.

Some of my memories are:

Joe Whiteley: a fearsome character, whose tones could be heard the length of the top corridor if he was bawling out a student. Played the organ for the presentation of the Messiah Chorus at the 1959 carol service in St. Bartholomew's. Plenty of gusto, but not much in the way of finesse or technique. Taught me Latin, and I was quite proud to discover in later years that his readers were used in undergraduate courses at the University of Melbourne. I ended up sitting next to him once at a Robert Mayer children's concert at the Royal Festival Hall. For two hours, I dared not move! When I left the school to emigrate to Australia in 1960, he shook my hand and wished me good luck - something a little surprising but, again, something I was proud of. In 1977, while at a university conference in Perth, I came across a chap from Adelaide named Dr. Geoff Partington (another Pom!), who knew Joe very well, and had recently been on an education committee with him in the UK. Said he was still very active at that time.
I wrote to Joe for a few years after leaving, letting him know of my progress. He registered my undergraduate degree in the school's roll of old boys' successes.

"Mary" Cooper: memorable. Ran the library after school. Famous, as you have indicated, for falling asleep in class. I entered my classroom once, needing to retrieve something from my desk. Mary was asleep out the front, and the boys were engaged in various nefarious activities. I shall not elaborate.

"Johnny" Eric Cryer: how to put a student off History in one easy lesson! Knew his stuff, but only knew how to control a class by using fear tactics. Absolutely bawled me out one day because I did not know the name of one particular group fighting for Harold at Hastings. I hadn't even been at the school when this work was done. A basically unapproachable man.
In February 2009 Robin Sharpe added:
I came into contact with Eric Cryer during his second 'stint' at EHGS (from c.1967) and particularly when studying history in the 6th form. He was a warm, amusing and likeable man, with a sharp mind, but with fine northern bluffness and down-to-earth character. I recall that he used to drive back home to Blackpool to see his elderly mother EVERY weekend (and would spend his out of term holidays there too) - in a standard mini saloon. In fact, to ensure that he was not prevented from making his weekly trip due to car problems, he owned two minis (different colours). That's good old northern determination and mulishness for you! During the week I believe he lodged with Hayden Davies in south Ilford.
Eric was celebrated for his quirky phrases and opinions (but all delivered with a twinkle in his eye) - one I recall was "You're big enough and old enough to get full enjoyment out of a bicycle!"

Mr. Hughes: Woodwork teacher. His favourite weapon was a piece of doweling delivered to the rear end. One familiar sight was a boy (who was me on more than one occasion!) hopping around the room in agony after being bent over to receive this punishment.

"Taffy" Davies: PE teacher. Another fearsome character. Could be very nasty indeed when angry. Not a man to mess with.

Fred Mills: infamous! His cross countries through Jenkins Lane will long be remembered. Another familiar sight was Fred standing over the top of the showers, prodding boys through as they reluctantly moved from one freezing cold to another boiling hot spray. Needless to say, the showers were things to be avoided, and we quickly cottoned on to wetting our heads under the tap when we realized that Fred determined our need to go to the showers by rubbing our heads to see if our hair was wet.

Max Seidman: underneath that gruff exterior was a good Geography teacher and a man who was quite friendly. Supposed quote by him in an issue of the Esthameian - "I don't like the way you drew that dot" - summed him up perfectly. I only had junior classes with him, and there were no discipline problems there. Story was that his limp was as a result of Nazi torture. He was famous for walking around the school yard while on duty, raincoat and hat on, and pointer in hand. On one occasion, he had me pinned against the wall in the toilet after I (inadvertently, of course) squirted a tap at him as he entered the door. I survived!

W. Wallis: what WAS that man doing there?

"Gabby" Heyes: nickname enhanced as a result of the fact that he had a limp and a walking stick. Science teacher of considerable quality. Another schoolmate remembers: "Very good with his walking stick, wasn't he? Saw a boy running in the lab one day and, in one movement, Gabby had spun his stick and hooked said boy's foot with the crook end. Get sued if you tried that today".
In February 2006 Paul Carroll, 1966-73, added:
always remember Gabby as being extremely fierce but a fantastic teacher. Being late for one of his periods was not an option. One Thursday 4M was delayed by LHJ in the 'New Block' and had to run en-masse to B52. Unfortunately Mr Hughes the maths teacher (as opposed to the woodwork teacher) was walking along the upper B corridor when the Golden Hoard arrived and literally ran over him. He had shoe marks on the front of his suit. He followed us in and explained the situation to Gabby who promptly put the whole class on detention. I think he and Mr Hughes were very good friends which inflamed the situation even more.
I have a vivid memory of discussing rocket fuels with Gabby. I had my own rocket programme at the time which I conducted with Michael Archard much to his mother's horror and chagrin when we burnt a very large part of her lawn. When seeking to make the (impossible) transition from solid
powered boosters to liquid I questioned Gabby about oxidisers. I think Gabby started to get a bit worried when I asked him where one could obtain Hydrogen Peroxide from. My father was also at EHGS in the '40s and had the same impression of Gabby.
Kevin Thompson, 1966-72, added at he same time:
I believe Gabby Hayes was a polio victim - from the time when it really was still possible to buy FRESH milk. While suffering the usual EHGS master habit of being a 'bit of a bastard'; I think he was fundamentally a good guy who had the best interests of his pupils at heart - like most of them,
really, no really (it would just have killed them to admit it) ... He used to revel in the more dangerous experiments - you know the ones that now require total head protection, eye goggles, a fume cupboard and the presence of a fire marshal. If we only knew then, what we know now, we
would have all entered the legal profession at an early age ...
Also, David Rees, 1959-66, said:
Needed stick to walk but was also a keen and fast indoor tennis player. Very well liked and conveyed chemistry as fun. Produced several chemistry hobbyists among us, in days when 11 year lads could still buy magnesium and potassium permanganate from toy shop on Wakefield Road.

"Jimmy" Riddell: former student who returned as a Maths teacher. Class control was not his strong point. Was easily distracted from the topic if his favourite subject of classic movies was raised.

Dennis Todd: French and Music. Had a slipper secreted in his desk, and used it very effectively.

Charlie Collins: loved his Music! Tricked "fags", including myself, into the choir by "testing voices for faults and extra lessons", and then press-ganged them by saying that anyone who did not attend practices would have to explain themselves to the headmaster. A figure of some fun, but meant well and was very friendly. Created some memorable performances. Left in the summer of 1959.

School dinners: what a bun fight! Lining up and being marched in by the prefects (I still bear a scar on my neck from the administrations of Ian Flack, school captain, as he grabbed my collar to stop me entering the hall - despite the fact that another prefect had said that I could go in). We sat at tables, headed by a prefect, and the food was dished out by the prefect and his "toadies" on either side. Needless to say, they always got the skin on the custard and first chance at seconds! Favourite trick of the "toadies" was to watch when you weren't looking and slide your plate of food down the table quickly so that it went off the edge and into your lap. Multiple food stains on your blazer had the same status as medal for bravery under fire.

Rivalry with Thomas Lethaby boys: this was a constant. I remember one winter that there was an important Rugby fixture coming up, and the field was covered with snow from a recent fall. Joe took the unprecedented step of allowing us on to the sports fields at lunchtime to clear the field, which we promptly did by having a snowball fight. This suddenly turned into a war when some Thomas Lethaby boys appeared and threw a few snowballs at our lads. The result was a rout, the fields and paths of Thomas Lethaby being invaded by masses of blackcoats from next door, hot in pursuit of the retreating secondary modern lads!

Pea-soupers: always good, because there was a very good chance of being sent home early. In the really thick ones, we would go on to the sports fields during lunchtime and run around to our heart's content. Nothing better than doing something that you know is illegal! Some gallant lads came to grief, however, after they ran into Maxie, who had cottoned on to our tricks and was wandering around in the mist, hoping to snare a few.

Rugby: another pet hate. Being in the front row of the scrum could sometimes be a fate worse than death. Fred Mills's interminable wet day lectures on tactics, replete with board and coloured draughts pieces, were the stuff of incredible boredom. Why wouldn't they let us play soccer?

It is surprising how many of the 1955 staff also taught me: Tom Eustace, Mills (PE?), Moss (Latin?), Madgett, Jack Mace, (Gabby) Heyes, Seidman, Sam Amstell, and of the unforgettable "er, hey you boy" Joe Whiteley. As I am now a teacher, I wonder how he managed to make us think he knew exactly who we were at 1000 yards, with our back turned and in the shadows!

Many of these retired shortly after I left, and the school turned into a comprehensive (2000 pupils). The school song is a bit patchy now, but The Old Hundredth is in my bones. The clocktower has been sadly reduced to half its height and I suspect that the labs I enjoyed so many hours in are now modern plastic veneered nonsense (I know, I teach in one!). My younger brother followed me in 1971 and did not fare as well. JW retired and the move to comprehensive changed the whole nature of the school.

Ron Carver 1938-43 wrote in February 2001

Your list of masters who were there in my 1938-43 period brought back many happy and a few not so happy memories. Dear old Tazzie Haslam. I came back to London in April 1940 but I'm told that on the day France surrendered, he burst into tears and had the boys march around the quadrangle of the Commonweal School singing the Marseillaise. He had one joke in his repertoire which he recounted to the first year 'to get it over with'! "Why does a Frenchman only have one egg for breakfast? Because one egg is un oeuf."

One teacher of whom you appear to have no information is Mr Denny. We had no physics teacher at the Emergency Grammar School so in 1944, virtually stone deaf, he was drafted in when the boys' school reassembled to drum four years physics into us in one year. Perhaps his deafness was an asset. He did not hear the ribald remarks some of the pupils were throwing at him. Being of a totally non-scientific and playful nature, I failed physics in the School Cert: in the words of Wally Lock, "ignominiously."

The worthy Wally holds a special place in my affection. In spite of the many times I was dragged in front of him while he was head of the Emergency School for such offences as smoking a pipe on my way to and from school or trying to be the class comedian, a strange affinity grew between us. Maybe he saw something of himself as a boy in me? I think a lot of my unjustified prejudice against Dr. Whiteley stems from the fact that Wally, having steered the Emergency School through the worst years of the war was overlooked for the headmastership after the retirement of Mr. E.T. Andrews. Messrs. Lock and Pain were close friends and there was a story, probably apocryphal , that Wally was Mr. Pain's bat man in World War One.

The two of whom I have less happy memories are W.E. Hanson who hit me on the spine with the edge of a steel ruler and L.S. Witter, himself an old boy of the school who died very young. Early in 1940 while I was still in Swindon, he misinterpreted a remark I made (hand on my heart, it was totally innocent) and flew into a rage and literally beat me up to an extent which would certainly have earned him a prison sentence today. Indeed, had it not been for the intervention of her friend, with whom he was billeted, my foster mother would have gone to the police then. However, in retrospect, I can appreciate the strain some of the teachers were under especially if they were fathers of young families as Witter was.

One teacher from the earlier days whom I am surprised your informants failed to mention is Mr. H.S. 'Old Bill' Barton. A maths teacher with a perpetually shaking hand and a need for a steadying Guinness every lunchtime at the Denmark pub. He was a tragic case of shell shock from World War One who would react visibly to a slammed door or desk. To their and our credit, very few boys took advantage of him.

It is said in the EHGS history that no pupil or parent had been killed in the Blitz. That was only just right, as within six months of my friend George Lydon and myself leaving EHGS in 1944, George's mother and sister-in-law were killed by the last V2 to fall in our area. He lived I think, in number 2, Boundary Road, East Ham. He called me at work in Stoke Newington and I hurried down to see what I could do and saw his mother or sister-in-law being stretchered out of the rubble. George was somewhat lucky as he had been home with a cold for a few days that week and had decided to go to work that Friday and had scarcely got to work before the V2 struck.

Ray Martin, 1968-73, now in Aukland, NZ offered in July 2001 "A few fond memories..."

John Moughton and I were the only 1st form members of the 6th form smokers club.

A particular boy, who shall remain nameless (Paul Ingham) had annoyed everyone with his pretensions, arrogance and penchant for saying things like "please, Sir, he's cheating". Several of us sneaked into class early and removed every single nut from every single screw in Ingham's desk. The desk was held together by virtue of friction alone on the very ends of the screws. We made our escape. Pete Webster (Geography) was already in the room as we all filed back in after lunch. Ingham (a quite 'heavy' boy) sat and the desk simply disintegrated into its many components, leaving Ingham floundering around on so much kindling, like a large flightless bird building a nest. Pete Webster, true to form and without cracking a smile, simply said "stop mucking about, boy and settle down". Priceless !

Getting the cane from Joe Whiteley. I make no excuses, John Moughton and myself had behaved particularly badly to a student teacher and we were sent to Joe's office for the inevitable and much deserved caning. The funny part of this (and John will no doubt vouch for this) is that after my "three of the best" I was roundly told to "now clear off and send the next boy in", so I turned and marched out. As I exited, my buttocks screaming in protest, I mustered my bravado enough to grin at Johnny as we passed each other. John, who was facing Joe, rather foolishly grinned back and was, alas, seen. "Oh, so you think it's funny, do you Sunshine ?" bellowed Joe, who proceeded to give John not three but SIX of the best, for his cheek. (or for his cheeks, if you prefer)

The school plays and Paul Beech - surely one of the finest teachers ever to draw breath. Those plays and the passion with which Paul Beech produced them, set me up for my lifelong love of theatre. I do not wish to blow my own theatrical trumpet, suffice it to say that in my theatrical career I have 'done quite nicely thank you' and I owe Paul Beech a great deal. Thank you wherever you are.

Being roped into cleaning some biology specimens by Mr Forrester. Much to my horror, my specimen was a human skull, still with some red hair and desiccated flesh attached. I will not say that the acquisition of these specimens was "dodgy" - suffice it to say that this was very shortly after he had campaigned (and won) for St Mary's churchyard, an overgrown and dilapidated cemetery, to be designated a nature reserve. Mr Forrester had been appointed caretaker or suchlike. There had also been an article in the local newspaper about collapsed tombs in the churchyard and exposed bones. Make of this what you will !

Vince Neale 1958-65, now in California, offered his recollections on 26 Oct 2001

Memories of EHGS & a Tribute to Joe & the Staff

I enjoyed reading the memories from the earlier times and I hope these recollections will bring back some good memories for my contemporaries. I should state for the record that I feel very privileged to have had the good fortune to attend the school when I did. My teaching experience (short though it was) only strengthened my feelings that the Staff at EHGS led by Joe were generally an outstanding group and I only wish I had been able to tell them how much their efforts were appreciated.

Smogs, running cross country and doubling back through C corridor and ducking under the portholes and hoping to avoid Joe 'on the prowl'.

Jobbins and his 'atmosphere of study' which had to be written on the board and felt by him as he walked past the classroom to the point where he felt compelled to enter!!

Fred Mills and his relish at making the announcement 'pitches are water-logged so it's cross-country today lads - to groans all round.

Fred (again) as the hapless MC at the school dances trying to get boys dance with the visiting EHGS girls.

Fred and his famous lost property line 'we have a book here belonging to William Shakespeare'.

The free (unrefrigerated) milk on those rare hot days especially if it had been delivered early.

The daddy long leg season when desks would be stuffed with the creatures and opened at the most inopportune time for the unsuspecting teacher.

The risks of second hand lung cancer just by walking in the vicinity of the Staff room.

His popularity was always highest when he finally made the announcement that the summer had arrived and ties could be removed.

Joe was able to clear the playground (or at least a large area of it) just by emerging from the end of his corridor.

Joe always had a knack for being in the right place at the wrong time (for pupils) and would always drive past you when you weren't wearing the dreaded cap. He always seemed to be 'on the prowl' around the corridors to catch boys who had been 'thrown out'. (Unlike some Heads I worked with he would not enter into a nice discussion about whether the offending pupil had actually done anything wrong but would back his teachers up).

Joe and his sock inspection (at the height of the orange, pink and green sock craze) in assemblies.

Joe who by his sheer personality (aided by the prefects) could bring back the entire school at 3:40 for failing to sing the morning assembly hymn with sufficient gusto.

Joe recording latecomers by the time on the face of the school clock facing his study, which was invariably different from the time on the clock facing the Sussex Road entrance.

I am grateful to Joe for making the school what it was. He selected and inspired the staff and created an educational force to be reckoned with and encouraged the teachers to be active in a wide range of extra-curricular activities from sports to scouts to stamp clubs.

Laurence Becker, 1952-59, now in Jerusalem, Israel, offered the following in late December 2001

I must say I was delighted and had a whale of a time reading some of the old memorabilia in the web site on East Ham Grammar School.

I was there from 1952-1959, in arts, languages (French, German, Latin, Italian and Hebrew, and of course English Lang. and Lit. After GCE's I went to University College London and studied Law, became a lawyer in London and then, in 1969, emigrated to Israel, where I have been in private practice in Jerusalem ever since.

I have some vivid memories of some of the teachers:-

It occurs to me that no-one has commented on Mr Spencer, the art teacher. It took some of us till the 3rd form to learn that his name was not "Mad Bert". The story goes that in one lesson in English in the 1st form, a boy was caught doodling on the paper. The Teacher picked it up and "admired the art" and then asked the boy who his art teacher was. The boy innocently replied "Mr Madbert, Sir". He was not caned by Joe Whiteley, as he pleaded total innocence. No-one ever used Mr Spencer's real name.

Elford-Gulley. I thoroughly enjoyed his French lessons. His bark (and boy did he bark!) was much worse than his bite. After a questions session he would always say "any more for any more before I screw my leg off". I never knew why, though I am sure he was not using the modern-day connotation of those words.

Mr Eustace (maths) was a pathetic man who could not control a class of any size. We gave him hell and I would privately feel so bad.

Mr Mott (Latin) We called him chinless Charley, since the shape of his face made a straight line from his bottom lip to the nape of his neck

"Mary" Cooper was, as all have recalled, mostly asleep. One day, while I was daydreaming in class, he came up behind me and delivered an almighty blow to my unsuspecting head. I remembered that blow for literally years.

Joe Whiteley. Never took a day off school for illness....until he put a garden fork through his foot while gardening one Sunday afternoon.

Maxy Seidman. A tiny slim limping pleasant man with a strong German accent. He had a wealth of information. He used to conduct Jewish Assembly while the general assembly was taking place and even succeeded in making that interesting.

Steve Forrester (biology). I only had his lessons once or twice. My brother Adrian Becker (now Professor Becker of the Haddassa Medical School in Jerusalem) told me that the boys used to take the p... out of his naivety. When he asked the boys the name of a part of a plant properly called "conceptical", one boy answered "contraceptical", much to his consternation.

Mr Ingram deputy headmaster (French) He was a very gentle soft spoken man, a gentleman. He allowed me and two others (Andy Carpenter and another boy) to study Italian in B6 taking 6 weeks to "O" level - which we all passed. When it came to the GCE "O" level in Hebrew (which I studied externally) he was the invigilator and he handed me the paper upside down, saying, "I hope you know what this is all about"

Fred Mills - the inimitable. We were the first year in the new modern school - 1952. There was a roundabout just outside the back entrance to the school (I can't remember the name of the road). When I was in the sixth form and old enough to drive, I bought an old 1939 Morris 8 and drove it to school. There was no "keep left" sign on the roundabout, so, being who I then was (and still am) I went round it the wrong way. I screeched to a halt just inches from the front bumper of Fred's car. I fled.

One more memory which always brings a grin to my face: It was Speech Day 1958 and we were in the Town Hall. I had given a public rendition of a poem in German in front of about 2000 people, and then it was the turn of the whole school to sing Psalm Number 103, which contained the phrase "Praise Him with the loud sounding cymbals". Dear Mr Orchard, the music teacher had, in his naïveté, trained the whole school in two sections, lower school, singing the melody, and upper school singing the descant. The upper school, with our low voices, hated to sing, but this was an exception. The descant was low until it reached the last syllable of "cymbals", which had to be sung high. Imagine 400 male voices in unison singing "bals" at the tops of their voices. It was an absolute riot !!

To answer your questions I was at EHGS from 1948 - 1951. I live in Waterloo, Ontario, approx. 70 miles west of Toronto.
If there had been a prize awarded to, "The boy most likely to be forgotten five minutes after he leaves school" I would have won it hands down. I was one of those kids who did not pass the 11+ the first time and was transferred from Sandringham Road School in the fall of 1948. I can't say that I have very many happy memories of my time at EHGS. I loathed Whiteley, who in my opinion, was an arrogant, bullying snob, and I was really anxious to leave so that I could work on a dairy farm!! I don't know where the hell I got that idea from but I was soon disabused of that ambition when I actually did so. I really admired and respected Wally Lock, who controlled the class without resorting to threats of or actual physical punishment, and I learned a lot from him. Had you asked me six months ago what my marks were like I would have told you that they were terrible. However my sister recently sent me my report cards which show, that apart from Math. and Science, I did very well. I only had Pete Paine for one term but believe that if I had been able to study under him longer, my math skills wouldn't be so lacking. I well remember my first meeting with Wally. I chose a seat in the back row, as was my wont, but he told me to "come down here," pointing to a desk in the front row, "where I can keep my eye on you." I thought that he treated me very harshly, often centring me out and making me the laughing stock of the class. Imagine my surprise when my parents received a letter from him asking if I, and my young brother, Gary, could visit him for tea. On the appointed day, in fear and trembling, we made our way to his house where we found another boy from EHGS, (I can't remember his name) and Pete Paine. I can't recall what we talked about but I do remember that we played cards and every time Pete won a trick he would say, very gravely, "Into the mitt Walter, into the mitt." The visit was never referred to by Wally and once back in class it was as though it had never happened.
I must thank you for devising this web site. I've enjoyed browsing through it and reading stories about the teachers which confirm, in many cases, my recollections of them, e.g. Mary Cooper falling asleep at his desk. One of the kids in my class actually took a photo of him in that somnolent position. I don't know if it turned out. AND I have already found an old buddy that I haven't seen or heard from since at least 1963 when I and my family came to Canada. Thank you very much.

During April 2002 the Smartgroups EHGS site sparked a discussion which prompted more memories of teachers. Here are some:

I wonder if others can pinpoint the most useful teaching for the disciplines chosen.

Mine is an odd mix........Mr Hanson, the woodwork and metalwork teacher taught us elementary drawing practice, though it wasn't called that, plus a bit of practical training in the use of hand tools - and a very good job he made of it.

Pete Pain's mathematics, terrible pupil that I was, has been extraordinarily useful, and has remained with me and even been extended appropriately. I often wish I'd told him this, but alas, I left it too late.

Wally Lock, who allegedly taught the science 6th Technical German actually taught German Lieder, and has left me with an abiding passion for Schubert, Schumann and Wolf.
Not vocational, do I hear you say? Well, you have to some relaxation.

I would like to suggest the master with the most influence would have to have been "Pop" Payton. A great influence on newcomers each year with a fund of experience not to be equalled. Apparently "no-qualified" as he did not seem to have a university degree and yet he would tell tales of his experiences in wars where soldiers still took horses as commonplace.
I have seen him reduce some malefactors to tears just by talking to them. Also he seemed to be older than Methusela as my late father seemed to remember him teaching at Monega Road School when he was a student there in the nineteen twenties.

Mr Hanson, who, together with my father, steered my fumbling hands into some semblance of competence with things practical.

Pete Pain, clearly a miracle worker and one of nature's gentlemen, who not only enabled us to pass exams, but also embedded some fundamental understanding of the world of numbers.

Wally Lock, who tried and failed to convince me of the value of clause analysis; who almost snuffed out a blossoming interest in poetry - but failed; and who could not understand that it is possible to compose reasonable prose without an understanding of classical grammar.

Sam Amstell, to whom I owe my life's career in chemistry, who steered me in the right direction at the crucial time.

Steve Forrester, whose thorough teaching of biology only really broke through into my muddy consciousness a few years after leaving school, when the complex simplicity of evolutionary theory struck me with the force of an epiphany.

Taffy Davis, whose history sessions were soporific to the nth degree, failing to inspire any interest whatever. This saddens me, for I only discovered the fascination of the past very late in life, and know how much more I could have explored while still resident in the UK.

John Spencer, who taught me that art is a living thing, and that even if my work with brush and pencil were less than inspired, my photographic vision was worth pursuing.

There were others, of course. But above all there was Joe Whiteley, who seemed determined to make polymaths of us all, giving us a breadth of educational experience which would serve us well whatever path in life we might follow.

John Benning's experiences clearly echo my own, and he has reminded me of some names I'd quite forgotten.

Taffy Davis.............At the disclosure of the year-end examination results, he asked me to stand and congratulated me on the 3% mark I'd achieved. That mark was for spelling my name correctly! He also offered five shillings for anyone who could pronounce Llanfairpwllgwyn....etc. I've since learned to do it, but I doubt if the offer is still available.

Yes, Pete Pain was indeed an incredible gentleman in the true sense of the word.

One significant omission on my part was the influence of AWJ Denny, whose nickname escapes me. Somehow he managed to inculcate an understanding of basic Physics which has remained and served me in good stead in life. The walls outside the Physics lecture room were covered in amusing graffiti, tolerated until the new broom, Joe Whiteley arrived. Joe Whiteley and I never saw eye to eye, but I guess the fault was on my side.

My memory of Keith Marder was that he was a member of the ILP which was a small socialist party. I remember him telling my class at the start of our History O Level course that he looked at history from a Socialist perspective but that he would at all times try to be as objective as possible.

I would like to contribute to the discussion about teachers who had most influence on our lives. For me that teacher was Norman Hill who taught French during my period at EHGS 1950 - 1956. Tall and striking with a terrifying stare for the wayward student, I think I was fascinated most by his facial contortions and became convinced that to speak French well required this ability to stretch ones' mouth to its extremities in order to produce what I assumed to be authentic French. Although he did not know it, because I may have appeared to be one of his more reluctant students, Norman inspired in me an ambition to become fluent in French. Interest in things French was further encouraged at dress rehearsals for French Plays that Norman Hill presented in alternate years to the Shakespearian production which were normally attended by his stunning French wife.
I met Norman on a train in the early seventies and told him enthusiastically that, in spite of the prognoses we received at school that there were few prospects for modern language students in jobland beyond teaching and interpreters, I was using my French to good advantage in Exports. Some years later I was sent to work and live in France and became fluent. I owe it all to Norman and a Grammar School education. On reflection there was something a bit special about EHGS.

Those of you who weren't involved in the music scene with LHJ (Lliffon Hughes-Jones) may wonder why he appeared to have different qualifications every time his name appeared in the EHGS diary.
Some of us questioned him about this and it emerged that because he had 8 degrees - including a Doctorate of Music; he felt it unfair to 'show off ' in front of other staff and just put forward a few at a time!
But there is another side to this story. When asked about being an academic, he said that he just sailed through any exam set and the only thing he didn't pass 1st time was his driving test!
This becomes much more bizarre when you learn that he flew Mosquito fighters after the war and was actually an ace pilot. He rose to the rank of Squadron Leader.

This site has opened up a veritable Pandora's Box of memories. On "Those who taught us" I have a few comments:
Miss Langman,1930-1932. My wife of 60yrs, Joyce (Jackie) Ackroyd,1934-39, tells me that she was still teaching when she was there. Also as far as I remember, E.G.Green (Eggie) was still there when I left in 1936.
Re Mr. Franklin. I am surprised to see no reference to his "rotundity". He was known as "Fattie Franklin". He was also a constant gum chewer and spoke with a nasal accent which, as rumour had it, was acquired after a visit to the USA. A terrific Geography master.

In September 2002 an entry about David Leach on the Smartgroups EHGS site prompted the following:

John Mason 1963-1970
I remember Mr Leach very well. One occasion that sticks in my mind was an open day. I was involved with the Langdon Library and a lady came into the Library then in L12 and was particularly interested in the books on religion.
I showed her what we had and mentioned that there were other books in the Religious Knowledge (R.K.) Dept. room. At this point Mr Leach came in and I introduced him to her as the head of the R.K. Dept. I was somewhat astounded at his response when he said: " Will you come home with me tonight, darling." It transpired that I had just introduced Mrs Leach to her husband.
He must have been relatively young when he died. Was it as a result of an accident?

John Hawkins 1959-67
David Leach was my form master and taught me RK for both O and A-level. He really was a great teacher and a very nice man. I remember the article in, I think, the 'Stratford Express' reporting his death from cancer.

Geoff Haines - Teacher at EHGS
David died in July? 1978 - liver cancer. I visited David and his wife Lynne and son Andrew in their home at Westcliffe on Sea. David used to travel by train with Keith Marder. Lynn died a few years later.
David left East Ham to become Head of a Comprehensive in Billericay (Belfairs?). We were both pupils at Forest School, Snaresbrook.
A year or so ago I met up with his son Andrew who is Director of Music in Ipswich. I happened to be in Woodbridge, Suffolk where Andrew was conducting the local choral society.

In December 2006 I had the following email:

"Dear James Briggs,
I just discovered your website on East Ham Grammar School for Boys yesterday and found it very interesting. My father was Max Seidman - the geography teacher at the school from about 1947 until 1973. It was very great to read all the comments by various pupils over the years. He died very young (at age 55 from a massive heart attack - I was 17 at the time) and I am trying to write my family history, so will add some of the comments for colour. It's funny to read the comments about him being tortured by the Nazis and ripping up an SS officer's car - he actually left Germany in the early 1930s probably just at the time Hitler came to power and so escaped the atrocities. But I loved the illustrations of him writing with both hands on the blackboard at the same time. I remember him being ambidextrous.
I just wondered if you have any further memories of him which you could share. I didn't know that he was know as Maxie - that's quite sweet.
I live in Calgary, Alberta but visit the UK frequently as my sister still lives in Saffron Walden.
Looking forward to hearing from you,
Sincerely,
Jacqueline Price (nee Seidman)"
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I posted her message on the EHGS message board and had the following replies.
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Mr Seidman taught me some Geography for 1 year somewhere between 1948 and 1953. He also ran the Stamp Club which I attended now and again. Sometimes he would let pupils ask him questions to test out his knowledge of the subject. I was told that in one class he was answering very well until someone asked him for the location of Glen Ford.

Reg Dennis
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I remember his ability to write a sentence on the blackboard with a piece of chalk in each hand one writing forwards and the other backwards joining virtually perfectly in the middle. He must have had a very special brain to be able to do that. Unfortunately he couldn't really keep order and, because we had to drop one subject when we went into IVA, I dropped geography in favour of history. However I always understood that he was a good teacher for the VIth form classes he taught, presumably because by that stage there was less horseplay.

Ron Dadd
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I remember Max Seidman for his incredibly neat, very "European" handwriting and amazing speed on the blackboard. Back then I started writing "a" and "r" just as he did and still do to this day, at least on the rare occasions I actually write something by hand now instead of using this keyboard (its Christmas card time so the fountain pen gets its annual outing). Amusing to hear the truth about the "Nazi" rumours.

Alan Sanders
Melbourne
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Maxie was a lot more than ambidextrous.
I can write with either hand but he wrote with both at the same time! Don’t know if there’s a word for that – possibly genidextrous or schizodextrous.
He drew his maps in a similar way, 2 chalks meeting at the top, drawing simultaneously the different outlines and then meeting again at the bottom.
He was something else but never seemed to think he was doing anything out of the ordinary.

Ted Jarrold
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I had Max Seidman for geography in my early years at EHGS (later I had a Mr. Philpott - scout leader?)
I still remember Max's lessons as we learnt "proper" geography in those days ie where countries in the world were on the map, the shape of the country, what they produced, and why they were important.
For UK geography we had to learn all the major rivers, and one thing that still sticks in my mind is learning about the SYND - ie South Yorks, Notts and Derbyshire coalfields - nearly all of which are gone today. I also learnt that Dundee was a port important for the import of jute. Funny how these things remain in your memory when everything else has long since flown away. My parents moved to Fair Cross, Barking, near the bus garage, and after I had left EHGS I used to see Max at the small parade of shops there and we would exchange a few brief words but I don't think he remembered who I was though.
I was amazed to learn that all the rumours about Max being tortured were untrue - what a shame the myth has been broken - but Max did have a pronounced speech impediment.
So far nobody has mentioned Max's "den" ie the small narrow ante-room off his classroom. If ever you went in there you would have to fight to see through the fog of tobacco smoke, and often Max would either nip out during the lesson to have a quick drag or would come into the lesson still puffing away on the last of his ciggy. He was also quite a dab hand at the stocks and shares, and after setting us our work for the lesson he would then get out the pink
Financial Times and study the (his?) share prices for the day.
Characters like Max Seidman were the stuff of schools like ours. I was amazed to learn that he died so young - he looked older than that when he taught me in the 60's !!

Barry Bryant
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I'm not surprised to here about some of the discipline problems as I know he came home once after smacking on of his students (I guess in those days teachers could do that) and had broken a blood vessel in his hand! But I think he really enjoyed teaching the 6th formers and having a very high percentage of them going on to University. He would spend most of his evenings in his smoke-filled study (a converted bedroom resulting in me and my sister having to share a bedroom) either marking exams, papers, etc. or preparing lessons, or doing the stocks, or stamp collecting. I would often sneak in and hide under his desk. Other times I would "help" him with the marking, in my childish way saying that he should give some extra marks for neat handwriting or because I liked the sound of someone's name! I don't think he did though. I remember him often writing the word "waffle" in the margins!

Also, I don't know if any of you were aware of the circumstances with which he left EHGS. He had always been a strong supporter of the grammar school system, and opposed the comprehensive system. He was interviewed (can't remember by whom) just before EHGS was turning comprehensive, and told them his views. However, he was not given his notice, nor had he decided to quit. So he turned up to teach in September (can't remember now if that was 1972 or 1973) to teach only to find that another teacher had taken his place. He was devastated as he had been at the school 26 years! That day was the first time I saw him drunk! He never drank apart from the odd glass of wine with dinner when he had company. He came home, downed some wine (I think) and then sat in the garden on a deck chair singing old German songs. It was quite scary (I must have been about 15 then). After that he took the issue up with the teacher's union. But he could not work as if he asked for his "cards" back (employment card) then that might look like he was retiring from the school voluntarily. I think he went into quite a deep depression as a result. We lived on savings. He died before the issue was settled, and then the Borough of Newham offered my mother 200 pounds. She wrote back saying that was an insult. They then offered 500 pounds as a posthumous settlement. Still not much considering he had spent so much time there, plus could not apply for other positions. I still wonder if that contributed to his untimely death. Maybe he literally died of a broken heart.

Jacky
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I went on from EHGS to get a geography degree at Cambridge so I guess I am one of Max’s successes. He advised me to apply to St John’s College because someone else from EHGS had successfully applied there to read geography and he was now a professor or something in Canada. It was good advice. He certainly did nothing to dampen my interest in the subject and I was in awe of his knowledge. I ended up in Part 2 of the Tripos focusing upon urban geography and historical geography (= English social history from a Marxist perspective!) so I don’t know that Max would have approved of that! I recall that undergraduate geography was quite different from Sixth Form geography. I read geography purely for the sake of interest and had no intention of using it professionally. I followed it up with a theology degree and a PhD in New Testament studies. Not sure what Max would have made of that either.
My particular memory of Max is that he was extremely stingy in doling out notepaper. Every time a student trooped up to his desk to renew supplies (which was a frequent occurrence given the amount of information imparted in a lesson) Max would say ‘Take two’ in his German accent. Just as well my handwriting was on the small side.
I also recall asking Max when he was going to retire. He had the grace to chuckle at this impertinent question. I had no idea he was so young. What an injustice that he was treated so shabbily by the Education Authority.

Terry Griffith1965-71

Pete Jolly

In Feb 2009 Kevin B Thompson wrote.
Pete Jolly. He was my form teacher for almost my entire school career until the sixth form. He taught maths – and was one of the people responsible for introducing ‘modern maths’ to the school curriculum. (OK, in the end they also made us do the traditional A levels too, as it was not clear the qualifications would be accepted for university entrance – but that wasn’t the school’s fault! – vide current proliferation of ‘new qualifications’).
Pete always rode a bicycle, he didn’t seem to have a personal life, as he ran the chess club (evening matches), chaperoned some of us when we played chess for Essex, and ran the Clocktower press with its ‘original Heidelberg’. He also organised first day covers for us – many of which I still have.
He stayed on after the comprehensive started, but began playing chess with me in the staff room – until I couldn’t stand the fug any more and retreated to my lab. So, I would guess many of the extra-curriculum activities stopped after ‘comprehensivation.’. He was an engaging teacher, and an inspiration.

1945 - Mr Padell
Added by Ronald Dadd
I hope the spelling is correct. Taught the rudiments of Latin grammar extremely well. I remember a boy doing unseen translation came across the verb "rapuit" and when he translated it as "raped" Padell said, "Not exactly it means 'carried off' but that amounted to much the same thing in those days."

1946 - French Master
Added by Ronald Dadd
Cannot remember his name [Groves: Jim Briggs], he left to lecture at Leeds University. Always carried a broken chair leg around. On entering a room would say, Voici unbaton, je demonstrai." and strike the nearest boy with it. Never mind, we learned some French.

1946 - "Jimmy" Tarrant
Added by James Barr
Had a habit of speaking in accidental rhymes, as in "boys, boys, not so much noise"

1946 - "Wally" Lock
Added by James Barr
Famous for unannounced quizzes on "one worders", such as "appertaining to a barber" (tonsorial). If you dared to ask "Can you have .." he'd snap "No. Might as well say SAUSAGE"

1950 - "Butch" Forrester
Added by Ronald Dadd
Taught mathematics, ran the boxing club (he had his half purple colours for boxing from London University). Made applied maths for Higher Schools Cert lucidly clear (excuse the tautology). Retired to run a pub I believe, anybody know where? He left after my time.

1951 - Peter Pain
Added by Peter Nel
The greatest maths teacher ever! He was our form 5A master for the autumn term of 1950.Left at Christmas 1950 to be a solicitor. He had the presence to install discipline just by looking silently at you, and taught maths with precision and clarity. When he left in 1950, 5A bought him a briefcase as a leaving present. He came round to every boy at his desk and shook their hand. It was the most moving moment of my school life.

1953 - Mr Holmes (Hitler)
Added by Terence Seaman
His nickname was not justified, even if he did have a funny haircut and a Charlie Chaplin moustache. He was the form master of the A-stream for four years (except for a period of infirmity). The schoolboy French that I learned from him was sound, but I wish he had taught me how to ask for a beer and directions to the WC.

1953 - Pop Payton
Added by Terence Seaman
Pop ended his teaching career in 1953, having been at the school almost continuously since standing in the yard as a pupil. That had been on the day EHGS opened its doors for the very first time (under its former name of the Tech). There was hardly a dry eye when he left. I've no idea what he taught, but he was the quintessential Mr Chips. The only master teaching without a degree, he still commanded the respect of his peers because he was human.

1953 - Mr Wallis
Added by Terence Seaman
Funny bloke, he taught PE, in between chats on personal hygiene and farting. When someone lowered a beam onto his bald head he did not see the funny side. Well he wouldn't, would he, for he was knocked out.

1953 - Dr Joseph Whiteley (Joe)
Added by Terence Seaman
One could only admire the craftsmanship that Joe applied to defining a mid-twentieth century Grammar School, and perhaps feel sorry for him when times changed and the world moved on. He was at least fair, although his ability to invent a new school rule to suite the occasion, did not make for consistency. He could however be knocked off course. In a tirade one evening concerning the row the class was making on its way home he pronounced that he was keeping the whole class back as punishment. A weedy little fellow (me) piped up that since he had only just that minute entered the room he felt he should be excused the detention. (He was excused the detention). On another occasion during a purge on wearing gold rings I told him it had been my father's (true, but my father was very much alive whilst perhaps I was implying otherwise). He allowed me to go on wearing it. Thank you Joe.

1953 - Freddie Mills
Added by Terence Seaman
If one shared a name with that of a famous boxer (and even vaguely resembled him) I suppose you might become a PE teacher. You were very professional I have to say, almost intellectual, but (when in mid-life I discovered that I had a heart condition) I realised your antics could have killed me. Why were we expected to do PE? One boy did actually collapse unconscious at cross country running. We all stepped over him and carried on I remember - too scared to protest.

1953 - Bill Spavin
Added by Terence Seaman
The A stream were only allowed to do metalwork (or woodwork) in their first year, something I always regretted. Bill was a bluff Yorkshire man who metaphorically called a spade a bl**dy shovel. The tool I made still strips wallpaper, but the toasting fork lost its prongs years ago. The most important thing that he taught me however was discipline in the workshop and the application of safety above all other things.

1953 - Mr Eustace
Added by Debbie Lee
Great maths teacher held in high regard; saw him some years later in the local betting shop - really surprised - great guy

1954 - Mr Moss
Added by Terence Seaman
He taught English and was my form master for a year. I now understand debating, English Grammar, and Hamlet. Pity about the inexorably downbeat choice of O-level reading. Great Expectations, Macbeth, and the Ancient Mariner could not be more depressing without let up. The class enjoyed a country walk with him at Ongar one weekend that introduced us to rambling.

1955 - Herbert A Sandford (Harry Nosh)
Added by Terence Seaman
Known as Harry out of ignorance of his true name or Nosher out of a presumed fondness for food, Mr Sandford taught Geography and Geology rather well, for he was a true motivator of learning. A large man, he would stride down the corridors like a galleon in full sail, gown flapping, and trampling underfoot any small boy who got in his way. Larger boys found themselves impaled on the pointed stick that he invariably carried, lance-like in his right hand. For several years he took the annual field course, with great enthusiasm, but his hopeless sense of direction one year at Malham Tarn caused his pupils an exhausting twelve mile detour down the wrong side of Fountains Fell. On the following day on Black Hill we passed the same dead sheep three times.

1958 - Frank Canning
Added by Ken Stearn
Undoubtedly the best teacher I came across in all my schools. A thorough gent. He took 1E to Lords for the test against the Aussies. It rained all day!!

1958 - Max Seidman
Added by Terence Seaman
Max Seidman's encyclopaedic knowledge of Geography and his ability to write backwards are the stuff of legends. A lesser known skill of his was the ability to hand draw One Inch Ordnance Survey Maps and to hand letter them without error, an expertise that he had acquired whilst employed as a cartographer at the O.S. soon after coming to England.

1958 - Gabby Heyes
Added by Terence Seaman
A beard, a limp, and the surname Hayes earned him the obvious nickname. His infectious teaching of General Science ensured an unending supply of candidates for a large Sixth form in sciences. His safe, if dramatic performance of chemical experiments before the class, held us riveted to our seats. We all secretly hoped that he would fluff an experiment, like the time when he dropped too much sugar in the sulphuric acid and blew the glassware to pieces.

1958 - Mr MacDonald (Mac)
Added by Terence Seaman
Mac was a technician in the Chemistry department. His little stock room was treasure trove of glass equipment where we were obliged to go and pay our pennies for replacement parts. He was said to have had a lucky escape from accidental hydrogen sulphide inhalation, on one occasion, when he was found collapsed on the floor.

1958 - Mr. Jobbins (Joe Binns)
Added by Roger Martin
First class English master with loads of personality. He appointed a "duty animal" who had to write NB Atmosphere Of Study on the board before his arrival. Mad about rugby so you could waste half a lesson by asking a question such as: "What does the blind side mean?". He was then off and running! A strong disciplinarian but with a sense of humour. One first of April, a red match head was placed in the hollowed-out tip of his stick of chalk and went off with the desired result! He took it like a man - Lord knows what would happen if you did it today!

1958 - Elford Gulley
Added by Jack Miller
Taught me French for five years but I still obtained an O - Level.
He was a dead shot with a piece of chalk. If he caught you chewing your finger nail he would make you stay behind after lessons and chew that one finger for half an hour.

1959 - Frank Canning
Added by Mick Raybould
The best Maths Master. I wouldn't have had a chance of passing without him. He had a great sense of humour and was able to teach without effort.
His favourite saying: "Read the Question Lad".

1959 - The Duke
Added by Mick Raybould
Took a school trip with Max Seidmann to Austria and Italy every year, we had a great time.

1959 - Samuel V Amstell (Sam or Bill)
Added by Terence Seaman
Where did he get that broad Cockney accent? He took the Sixth form in Chemistry, usually with much academic success. But why did he push me to do Medicine when all my A level results pointed towards the career that I wanted in Palaeozoology? He told me afterwards that he had forgotten what A levels I had taken! No, I have not forgiven you.

1960 - Mr.Watkins
Added by Barry Gregory
History teacher also ran the school scout troop(41st East Ham)

1960 - Elford Gulley (The Duke)
Added by Terence Seaman
He never actually taught me, but his reputation as a disciplinarian was well known. He apparently shared my dislike of athletics and, in particular of School Sports Day. One hot summer's afternoon saw Elford Gulley and myself sloping off home early from different directions towards the back entrance, whilst cheers could still be heard from the sports field. He "What are you doing". Me pointing to prefect's stripe "Stopping boys sloping off home sir". He grumbled his way across the field to watch the presentation of cups, whilst I stood bemused by the gate for fear that he might return.

1961 - Dr Joseph Whiteley (Head)
Added by Ken Stearn
The most intimidating person I have ever come across. He gave me 4 on the arse once for smoking in the bogs!

1961 - Mr Zeldin (Max I think)
Added by Ken Stearn
He was a maths teacher with a very dubious command of the English language. Not sure where he was from, I think it might have been Poland.

1962 - Haydn Davies
Added by Lawrence Bell
Maths teacher - Winter months only so as not to interfere with cricket matches! Tireless support to all those who played Football and Cricket.

1964 - Mr Ken 'The CONE' Madget
Added by Jim Partridge
I never had to look at the clock to see what time it was. All you had to do was look out of the window to see Ken drive past on his way to school. Same time every day for 5 YEARS!!!!

1964 - Mel Robinson (Art)
Added by Jim Partridge
Who knew that Mel used to play trombone in the Temperance Seven? Who knew that Mel was married?
Who played E flat cornet in the school band. I did! Did it do me any good? Not a bleeding thing, AND I cant even draw!!!!

1964 - Hayden Davies
Added by Jim Partridge
The only thing that I can say about dear old Hayden is what an absolute diamond bloke! And incidentally, 'Hows FEEOWNA'?

1964 - Haydon Davies
Added by Robin Hopker
He told us he was from SWANSEA. We thought what a funny old place with a crap football team (we had West Ham! In 1971 I moved to Swansea and have lived there ever since. By the way, their football team is still crap.

1965 - Ian Flack
Added by Tony Brooks
Science teacher famed for never having an experiment work. Left after a couple of years. I think I remember him, Paul Beech and someone else playing jazz in the hall one wet games afternoon -seeing the entry for Mel Robinson above, I think I do!

1965 - Paul Beech
Added by Tony Brooks
English teacher, prematurely balding but a smashing bloke. Always wore a cape. Left to pursue an acting career. Has appeared in rep and on TV about 6 months ago

1965 - Dr Joseph Whiteley
Added by Robin Hopker
He was the guy you never crossed except once in 1965. It was spring 1965 and the morning after West ham won the European Cup winners cup final at Wembley against Munich 1860. All of the six form had been to the match and at the start of the first hymn of morning we all broke into singing "bubbles". He went ballistic!
Great guy, great school, great mates, great times and the best football team in the world. Well, we did go on to win the world cup!

1966 - Fred mills PT teacher
Added by Edward Young
Famous for catching boys with their underpants on under PT shorts.
Usual cry "see me at 3:40" or "right lad, round the pitches twice, then you can play on" (the origins of the sin bin?)

1967 - Dr Whiteley
Added by Tony Brooks
Could anyone forget the after assembly hymn practices? Remember "If there's not an improvement tomorrow, I'll keep you back tonight", how about the slow balcony stamp?

1967 - Joe Whiteley (The Old Boot)
Added by Ken Bennett
Joe drove the classiest car that I remember on the roads in those days - on original Vauxhall Victor I think. I would watch him sweep up the drive most days, concentrating on my studies as usual! and be in awe of a man who could own a car like that when almost nobody else I knew had ever owned more than two wheels at any one time.

1967 - Mr (W?) Bloomfield
Added by John Walton
Mad German teacher based in the 'new' annex as I recall. Wandered around during exams pointing to errors on your paper and shaking his head!! Still managed to get a bad grade though.

1967 - Baker
Added by Simon Clark
Chemistry - remember him demonstrating the effects of sodium and phosphorus ? in water - blew up the glass trough and flooded the lab - can still see the bits of flaming chemical zipping around the puddles on the floor

1969 - Joe Whiteley
Added by Rhoderick Blackwell
The toughest headmaster ever with his common phrase "eh fathead "

1969 - Maths Teacher
Added by Richard MacDonald
Had pathological inability to say the number 14. Came out as " four'een " !

1969 - "Bummer Finch"
Added by Raymond Stevens
Short, dumpy, red faced Maths teacher at the slightest murmur of "Bummer" would turn from the blackboard & propel a board duster in the general vicinity. May have been a good maths teacher but had a lousy aim 'cos he never hit me.

1969 - Dr Whiteley
Added by Pat Farey
Nicknamed 'The Boot' after a Boris Karlof character in an Abbott and Costello film, but Whiteley was much more sinister.
Does anybody remember a kid called Twaites or Thwaites who could imitate him - 'Er, hey, BOY!' and freeze everybody in their tracks.

1970 - Mr Hughes
Added by Jeff Tann
Woodwork teacher. Running joke -
Q. Did you know Mr Hughes was on Take Your Pick?
A. No.
Bong!
Cut someone's thumb off whilst showing him how to use a saw!

1970 - Eric Cryer
Added by Lawrence Bell
Best History teacher I ever had. Bet he wouldn't fancy commuting from Blackpool down the M6 now!

1971 - Mr Hughes
Added by Steve Hicks
Slightly eccentric old chap. Apparently did 3 years as a guest of Hirohito during the war! Knocked Dicky Price clean over a woodwork bench with one swipe. It wasn't even Price's fault. It was me! Laughed so much I got a clout with a saw! Nice bloke though.

1971 - Tom Eustace.
Added by Steve Hicks
Science teacher and form master to the great 3S! Zebidee to his pupils. His head bounced around independent of his body! Always going on about Harry and Charlie Worth. One of the best.

1971 - Pete Webster
Added by Steve Hicks
Geography teacher and Rugby coach. Best teacher in the school. Took 3S to the Good Friends Chinese restaurant one night. Ten bob it was(50p). Diamond geezer.

1971 - Mr Cryer
Added by Steve Hicks
History teacher famous for his catch phrase "I'll crucify you boy!". One of the best. Used to cheat like hell in his weekly tests. Fancy letting us swap papers with other pupils to get them marked! Thoroughly nice bloke.

1971 - Mr Leach
Added by Steve Hicks
Religious Knowledge teacher. He said to one non attentive pupil "I bet you don't even know what R.K. stands for". The guy said "Religious Krap!" Laughed so much I got sent to see Joe! Wasn't laughing after that.

1971 - Wayne Stephenson
Added by Steve Hicks
Art teacher. Got caught in the stock room playing tonsil tennis with Miss Wheeler-Early. Lucky sod!

1971 - Dr S.V. Amstel
Added by Steve Hicks
Deputy head in 1971. Referred to by Joe as Mr Dr Amstel during assembly. Whenever he took a class we just asked him about moon rock and he would go on for 40 minutes while we all had a kip! Rumoured to have actually been sent moon rock by NASA for analysis.

1971 - Paul Butcher
Added by Tony Brooks
Spanish, Italian, Russian, French and goodness knows how many other languages he spoke and taught. Took over from Elford Gulley in 1970 during 6A2's attempt on the Italian A level

1971 - Bobby Baker
Added by Steve Hicks
"Bungling" Bobby, science master. Did an experiment with a gallon can trying to implode it. Damn thing EXploded! Scared us all to death. Confiscated all my dirty mags. Never did get them back.

1971 - Ivan Marks
Added by Steve Hicks
English teacher. Walked into class for the first time ever and said "My names is Marks. Good marks or bad marks. I made that joke and nobody else will". Brought the house down. Always making us have Balloon debates.

1971 - Gabby Heyes
Added by Steve Hicks
I knocked on the staff room door for a good five minutes. An angry Gabby opened it and demanded "Who's dead?". "Nobody sir!" I replied. "Then go away boy!" he said, slamming the door. The guy I was with had broken his wrist! Thanks Sir!

1971 - Mr Seidmann
Added by Steve Hicks
Geography teacher. Used to give us something to do (like draw a detailed political map of the USSR) while he studied stocks and shares in the Financial Times. Anyone remember the pink paper he always had on his desk?

1971 - Mr Forrester
Added by Steve Hicks
Biology teacher. Nice old boy. He wanted to dissect a rabbit so he took this little bunny out the back and gassed it. He came back and nailed it to a wooden board. Then it started to come round! "How tiresome" he said. He took it back out and gassed it again. Nailed it back down and dissected it. Myself and several others were as sick as dogs.

1972 - Jones
Added by Ronald Suffield
Mad welsh music teacher. Played tennis so had a strong well timed forehand very handy for using the little bit of wood that had broken off of the music desk when you were late for his lesson. Chain smoked all the way through my music exam.

1972 - Mr Hughes
Added by Victor Knight
For a test / project he asked us all to make something. I was, and remain, totally useless with my hands. So, got my dad (a carpenter) to make me something. He went way over the top and made me a big heavy wooden football rattle - a real work of art.
Come day of reckoning, Mr Hughes picked it up with much admiration. Then he tried to whirl it around in his right hand. Trouble was, Dad was left handed and the bloody thing only worked the other way! Mr Hughes nearly broke his wrist, cried out in pain, put the rattle down and moved on without ever saying another word!

1972 - Ivan Marks
Added by Ronald Suffield
English teacher (allegedly) Would try to teach whilst Spike and others in the "s" form would cry "s-a-d-i-s-t"

1972 - Mr Eustace
Added by Ronald Suffield
Loved the sound of metal combs being struck on the edge of the desk then moved up "BOING" they'd go.

1972 - Mr Pilkington
Added by Ronald Suffield
Came to us from Thomas Lethaby, big mistake. Used to stand in the same place at the back of the class so we drew a big pair of feet on the floor, he hit the mark like a pro boy did we laugh

1972 - Mr Fronsdorff
Added by Ronald Suffield
English teacher, made awful error of coming into the legendary 3S class with the opening remark "I will call you all by your first names" not for long did he!

1972 - Bummer Finch
Added by Kevin Thompson
I remember Mr Finch and can't believe Steve Hicks doesn't know where the nickname came from - it was because he habitually 'bummed' cigarettes from the pupils.
I believe he moved on to a school in Peterborough.

1972 - Pete Jolly
Added by Kevin Thompson - not the Kevin B quoted above!
The best Maths teacher I was taught by, and a great form master for 4A. A real good guy and the most incredible 4 o'clock shadow I have ever seen. He was still there many years after I left.

1972 - Bummer Finch
Added by Steve Hicks
Cheers Kevin, now I remember! Could only afford Number 6 in those days and he used to hate them. Still nicked the odd couple though!

1973 - Pete Round
Added by Simon Clark. Games master - vicious bugger
Remember Pete Webster tackling him by the goolies in a rugby training session - if memory serves they never got on very well!

1973 - Pete Webster
Added by Bill (William) Tully
Geography questions in class. When answered correctly, you could nominate a class- mate to get the slipper. This was administered by Mr. Webster to his rendition of 'Puff the magic dragon'
Great bloke and helped me so much with my athletic training.

1973 - Mr Smith
Added by Bill (William) Tully
English teacher. Used to bring in and play Janis Joplin and Led Zeppelin. Now that's what I call a great English lesson!

1976 - Mr Hughes
Added by Martin Piper
Wood work teacher...mad as a hatter...tied up windows with wire so no escape as he threw chisels...cut the rope that held the canoes above the work bench...boat came down almost killed us ...one ended up in hospital...oh for the good olde days.

1976 - Mr Pilkington
Added by Martin Piper
French teacher. Pupils tore pages from French dictionary.....sucked on them, then fired at the ceiling above when they stuck we used to wait for them to fall on to his head.

1976 - Mr Walker
Added by Martin Piper
Maths...school strike...we locked him out of class for most of the afternoon...opened the door when final bell came.