Soham GrammariansWHAT'S NEW ON OUR WEBSITE?Please scroll down the page. |
2009 Dinner Report with link to Ann Jarman's
talk on John Ford - see also below
Those we are in
touch with and those we seek | SG tie | Places to stay Ely
Soham (external sites)
September 2010 - please view Helpful Points, make use of the Search this site facility, and also check Messages
6/9/10 News via his stepson of the death on 24 Nov 2009 of Ronald C Audus 42, an Electrical & Mechanical Engineer.
2/9/10 - Emailing and posting of booking information for our Annual Reunion Dinner, in Beechurst Hall (Assembly Hall) on Saturday 2nd October is being completed today. If you have not received anything by 12th September please let the editor know. A booking form can be printed off from the Reunion page.
August 2010
Please make sure you have 6.30pm Saturday 2nd October in your diary and remind your Grammarian friends - it's our Annual Reunion Dinner, in Beechurst Hall (Assembly Hall). Booking information will be going out about 1st September.
Mike Delanoy 48 provides a photo of an athletics display team ca 1951-52, with most faces identified - can you pin down the date/event? John Hill 48 has been quick off the mark with completing some of the names - see via Sport > Sports photos
Fred Eden 44 provides a postcard sent to Mr Riley signed by some of the scouts on summer camp at Shalfleet on Guernsey in the Summer of 1967. Intrigued? see it via History > History2 > Scouts ... 67-68
Rupert Gandy c28-33 via Stephen Martin 62 (Rupert is his father's cousin) corrects his identification on the 1929 School Photo
Paul Hammans '68' corrects his name on the 1972 School Photo: he is church manager for one of the principal churches in Cambridge.
Paul Stevens 66 adds a novel recollection of Mr John Adkins (Physics 1965-67) - see via School Lists > Staff > left before 1972
Richard Brown 60, now in Bedfordshire, is in contact. Retired from teaching he is a busy author and, fittingly for a historian born in Littleport, is an expert on Chartism. He adds to recollections of Mr Bill Rennison (see via School Lists > Staff > left before 1972).
He also provides some intriguing aspects of Edward Armitage (see Scrapbook > 1960s > SGS in the 60s: an oasis of calm and learning - a history enthusiast's recollections).
Richard's History Zone is added to Pages by/on SGsAlan Bray 60 and the late Tom Gray 60 attended a two-week Senior NCOs Leadership Course at Frimley Park in the Summer of 1966. It was addressed by Field Marshal Lord Montgomery of Alamein, who is in the middle of the course photo, which he signed - see via History > History 2 > ACF
July 2010
25 July 2010 - a fresh look for much of the website: where appropriate the rest of the pages will be done as time permits. If a link is not working please let the editor know.
15 July 2010 - 50,000th visit to this website. Thank you all for your support.
Alan (Ray) Yarrow 52, Cambridgeshire, makes contact
Roger Smith 56, in South Africa, provides the U14 Cricket XI 1959 photo - see via Sport > Sports photos
Yvonne Gilbert has spotted her late father Robert Gilbert 37 on the 1937 School Photo. He died aged 69 in 1994 - see via School Lists > 1937 Photo and also via In Memoriam
Ely High School 1905-1972 now have their own website, which we are supporting.
The 1952, 1956, 1959, 1963 and 1971 EHS School photos are on-line. If you have any EHS connections please let them know about the new website and encourage them to make contact with stories, photos and memorabilia. You may no doubt recognise a few faces ... see via Ely High School
June 2010
Edward Armitage wrote to The Times, 19th May 1967, on the subject of Corporal Punishment: "Would those who advocate the total abolition of corporal punishment kindly state what alternative punishment they would advise a busy headmaster to give to these boys, none of whom was a first offender?" Who could he have been talking of?
see History > E Armitage > Some letters to the TimesThe advertisement in The Times on 12 September 1939 for the new head to replace Mr Neill states "a new Headmaster's house is about to be built on the School site." Presumably this was a casualty of the war? - see History > Stubbs 40-45
Phil Mason 66 has provided the School List for the year 1966-67. We are still hoping that those for the latter half of the 1950s will turn up - please keep looking if you might have had one.
Phil has also added names and suggested corrections to the 1970 and 1972 School Photos.The indefatigable Rev Gwyn Murfet 56 provides 20 photos including the Cloisters a few days before they were demolished, but mostly of the new assembly hall and laboratories. He includes the Horse Fen Crossing and Soham Station - see Scrapbook > 1960s > Gwyn Murfet's Album and Scrapbook > 1950s > Memoires of a Moggy Rat
He has also provided the cast lists for The Word and Fat King Melon and Princess Caraway, Christmas productions on 12 Dec 1958 - some very illustrious names, updated with a photo of The Word ... - see History > History2 >ProductionsMaking contact:
Paul Lomatschinsky '64', Leicestershire: Paul (Taras) joined in the third form in the school year 1966-67 so his peer entry group is the 64ers - see also Pages on/by SGs
Phil Mason 66, Cambridgeshire
May 2010
Rev Gwyn Murfet 56 has been busy again - this time with a seating plan for Form 1T, 1956 - if you should be on it please check it for us - see School Lists > Entry Year guide > Sep56
Did your other half or a member of your family attend Ely High School? They had their 2010 Annual Dinner on 15th May - see EHS
Simon Thornhill 65 adds some photos:
- 1967 Scout camp at Shalford on Guernsey - see via History > History 2 > Scouts > 1960s > 67-68
- Boarding House - see via History > History 2 > Boarding House
April 2010
Making contact:
John Perkins 53, now in Western Australia - John made contact back in 2008 but slipped the editor's net (if anyone else feels they have been ignored please let the editor know) - John updates the Messrs Phelps & Hobbs page with a memory of formaldehyde spraying - see Scrapbook > 1950s
Charles Bill Tassell 46, now in Leicestershire: his brothers Richard 50 and Ashley 56 are in Italy and Cambridgeshire respectively
Mark Wynn 69, in Nottinghamshire
Simon Wynn '65', in OxfordshireRev Gwyn Murfet 56 writes extensively of his time at SGS, in particular taking a detailed look at 'My First Day at School' - see Scrapbook > 1950s > Memoires of a Moggy Rat
Vernon Grooms 42, known as Bill, died at Addenbookes' on March 10 2010, aged 78. His funeral took place at St Peter's Church, Fordham, on March 19th. For more detail see In Memoriam
Kate Bavester has provided photos and a story about the 100th birthday of her grandfather Joshua Martin 21 last November: if you have any Josh stories please contact the editor - see Pages on/by SGs
Richard Pledger has provided a photo and some family background for his late father Peter Pledger (left 1938) who is mentioned in the report of the 1937 Summer Scout Camp at Croscombe Barton. Peter's brother John Pledger 34 died in 2006. Richard adds: "There was a clearout of a cupboard at Walton House (now the offices of Allen Newport Ltd) last year and one of my father’s school exercise books was discovered. Most of his school books survive and are in a box in the loft at my Mother’s home - fascinating reading nowadays - I certainly couldn’t do half the things they were taught! They might make an interesting display sometime". History > History 2 > Scouts > 1920s/30s > 37-38
Fred Eden 44 has identified his brother Jack in the late 1920s School Photo. He since then liaised with Mrs Anita Brown who has the same photo annotated by Fred's brother Jack: the photo was taken in October 1929 and has now been substantially updated, mainly with names from Jack's list, some from Fred and some identified by Mrs Brown (her husband is Reg Brown, a Grammarian) - see via School Lists > School Photos
David Camps 60 adds a couple of names to the 1962 School Scout Troop photo - see via History > History 2 > Scouts > 1960s > 61-62
Peter Roe 46 has provided some photos of the following Scout camps - many of which need names putting to faces ...
1947 Edale - see via History > History 2 > Scouts > 1940s > 47-48
1948 East Runton - see via History > History 2 > Scouts > 1940s > 48-49
1949 Edale - see via History > History 2 > Scouts > 1940s > 49-50
1950 Gillingham, on the River Waveney, near Beccles - see via History > History 2 > Scouts > 1950s > 50-51
Fred Eden 44 has provided one of the 1940s School Lists - that for the school year 1948-49 - see via School Lists > Index > 1940s
Robert Powell 56 has provided one of the missing School Lists - for the school year 1960-61 .. that leaves us still looking for those for the school years from 1955 to 1959 and 1966/7 - see via School Lists > Index > 1960s
On 25 Nov 2008 Peter Hobbs 61 reported the death of his cousin Richard Simpson 66. Richard lived on Anglesey with his wife, son and two daughters. He had been a reporter on a motorcycle magazine, on various newspapers and had run his own business as well as project managing large projects for blue chip companies. He died of a heart attack on October 10th 2008 aged 53. The editor apologises for the delay in reporting this sad news.
Kevin Cook 70 is identifies himself on the 1972 School photo, with thanks also to his brother Paul
Roger Smith 56 updates one of the 2004 Dinner photos showing Robin Armitage - can you fill in the other blanks?With the Newmarket Open Air Swimming pool site again in the local news a note from Charlie Phelps 50: When I heard in December 2008 that the open air swimming pool at Newmarket had closed permanently, I remembered very well going to the pool once a week with SGS during the months of May, June & July. It used to be pretty cold most of the time as we had early morning sessions. After swimming we used to shower and then put a penny in the Brylcreem machine and get a large dollop which we put on our hair. We all left looking like typical 1950s teenagers with our greasy hair combed back. I should imagine other SGS pupils have more vivid memories of the pool? The editor looks forward to hearing from you.
March 2010
Charles Smith 49 reports that Peter Tweed 50 has died on 22 March 2010 in Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford, after a series of strokes.
Norman Long 56 adds some images to our School Productions collection - see via History > History2 > Productions:
- Amahl 1961
- Bartered Bride 1959, and two more press reviews of it
- he also adds some names to a Pirates 1957 photo, a press review for the 1958 GondoliersNew Performing Arts building - from the SVC prospectus - Work is under way to build a state of the art, high quality and eco-friendly performing arts building for use from September 2010. This will have teaching and practice rooms for Music and Drama, a dance studio and a large central theatre for performances. Displays of student art work will adorn the corridors. The building has been designed to sit sensitively in our beautiful grounds – including its outdoor amphitheatre - and will be something of which our students and the local community can be really proud. This facility will also be available to the community and our feeder primary schools. We believe it will become a centre of excellence in East Cambridgeshire.
Dr Carin Taylor, Principal of SVC, told us at the 2009 Dinner "This time next year, we should have a new performing arts facility to seat 180 – a far cry from this grammar school hall and the Conservatory!" and later added "I am pleased to say there is no impact on Beechurst at all."
Norman Long 56 adds some of his SGS memories including having to write out psalms as punishments from prefects, until the Bishop of Ely put a stop to it saying "it should be a pleasure to write a psalm, not a punishment!" - see via Scrapbook 1950s
Richard Walker 64 identifies his father Frank Walker on the late 1920s School Photo - possibly 1929 - see via School Lists > School Photos
Thanks to Chris Jakes 65, for a report of the 1975 Dinner at which Edward Armitage reportedly revealed that he was a punter on the football pools, and doing rather well .. see via Reunions > earlier Reunions > 1975
Mid 1920s teams: Alan Diver 40's brother Joe Diver was a good sportsman and was in many school teams - can you add names - see - see via Sport > Sports photos
Making contact:
Norman Long 56, now retired in West Sussex
Mervyn Pamment 53, now in Surrey, retired in 2008 after a career in newspapers
February 2010
13 Feb via Brian & Beth Lane: Ken Cole 48 died 10th February at Addenbrooke's Hospital after a long illness. His funeral will be in the West Chapel of the Cambridge Crematorium at 11.15am on Friday 19 February. Our condolences to Sue and the family.
15 Feb via Donald Monk: Grahame Stevens 49 has died on 12th Feb in his 72nd year. He had worked for a steel company in Sheffield - Davy United, Hull City Council and then Leeds Permanent Building Society, which was taken over by the Halifax. Grahame leaves a widow, Jean and a son and daughter. They retired to Settle in Yorkshire. The funeral was on Monday 22nd, in Settle, Donald thinks. Donations may be made in aid of Oxfam.
Alan Diver 40 adds a long recollection of his schooldays which may trigger memories for many others, not least for his recollections of some of the long-stay senior masters who taught many of us - see via Scrapbook 1940s
Hon SG Mike Rouse has provided a late 1920s school photo - will everyone who had a member of their family at the school in the 1920s or1930s please look at this and the 1935 & 1937 photos to add to our identifications - see via School Lists > School Photos [see April - it was taken in October 1929]
via Google: in 2009 the death of Keith Hopkin 45, aged 75, who for some time had lived in the Mansfield area - see In Memoriam
Making contact:
Jon Evans '61', Cambridgeshire; Jon arrived in Form 3 in 1963
January 2010
A Happy, Healthy and Peaceful New Year to you all from Chris Bent, John Dimmock and Frank Haslam - and best wishes from Dr Carin Taylor, the Principal of Soham Village College.
Thank you to those sending messages on the death of Frank Haslam senior, who died aged almost 86 on Dec 6 2009. His Committal at West Suffolk Crematorium and his Service of Thanksgiving at St Mary the Virgin Burwell took place on 16 Dec 2009. A number of SGs who knew him or his son, the editor, were among over 100 who attended. The updating of the SG website is in hand. If anything has been missed, please contact the editor.
Added
- Easter 1965 trip to Europe with EHS - see via History > History2 > School visitsPhotos
Martin Kyte '69' IDs himself on the 1972 School PhotoMaking contact:
Martin Kyte '69', Cambridgeshire; Martin arrived in Form 2 late in the school year 1970-71
David Pollard '58', Canada: David joined the 3rd form in September 1960
Keith Woodroff 53, Cambridgeshire
December 2009
- 21/12/09 David Hobbs 49 provides an appreciation of Mr AE Lawrance - see via In Memoriam
- 2/12/09 Grahame Count 65 sadly passed away on 1st December at Addenbrookes Hospital after a long battle with cancer. Michael Count 67 adds that his brother Grahame leaves his wife and two children. Grahame was a keen sportsman for all of his life and worked latterly for Marshalls, Cambridge - see also In Memoriam
- Making contact:
Michael Count 67, now in Warwickshire "for some strange reason only close family and old friends call me Michael now - I'm known as Matthew to most people".
November 2009
Making contact:
Rod Else 56, Professor of Diagnostic Veterinary Pathology in the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies at the University of Edinburgh - traced by Richard Doe 55
Paul Markwell 58, Norfolk23 Nov: David Hobbs 49 adds some anecdotes about Mr Freddie Hobbs, the Caretaker - see via Scrapbook > 1950s > Mr Freddie Hobbs & Mr George Phelps
David also recalls that the secret of Mr Ford's first name was revealed in 1953 in Bish Johnson's farewell speech - see via In Memoriam > Ford
and adds some names to a 1988 reunion photo - see via Reunions > earlier
Dannie Nicholas 59 updates some names on the 1962 SGS Scout Troop photo - see via History > History2 > Scouts > 1961-62
Eric Simper 51 helps again with names on the 1955 Football U15 X1, 1954 Cricket U14 X1 and 1956 Cricket 2nd X1 photos - see via Sport > Sports photos10 Nov: Arthur Yardy 52 adds names to the 1956 Cricket 2nd XI and 1955 Football U15 XI photos: Eric Simper 51 adds names to the latter - see via Sport > Sports photos
[Joshua Martin 21 celebrated his 100th birthday on 6 Nov - see the article in the Newmarket Journal via Pages by/onSGs]
October 2009
- 28 Oct Mr Leon Kitchen updates Mr George Phythian's page - see via In Memoriam
- 23/24 Oct: Further items received at the Dinner will
be added when time permits. Recent additions are as
follows:
An appreciation of Taffy Thomas by Edward Armitage in the local press is added - see Taffy via In Memoriam
Punch's Form 1 Algebra exam, Summer 1957, provided by Gwyn Murfet 56 - like much of the material currently being added - see via Scrapbook > 1950s [Check your answers carefully!]
It is just a few weeks over 20 years since Mr Albert Punch Lawrance died.
I would be grateful for more anecdotes, recollections, photos etc to add to his page on the website.
- Alan Frost 54 leads off the new contributions and reminds some of us taught by Punch of his interest in the magazine Mathematical Pie - see via AEL in In Memoriam
Mr CJ Ford's In Memoriam page has been updated with funeral reports for him and Mrs Ford and there is a new photo of his retirement presentation - see via In Memoriam
A new page on postcards of the school - so far we have two - see via Scrapbook
1957 Old Boys' production of Busman's Honeymoon added
1957 Pirates of Penzance - programme cover added
1959 The Bartered Bride - programme now complete
1959 A Midsummer Night's Dream - text of programme added
1960 Twelfth Night - text of programme added
All can be seen via History > History2 > Productions
Edward Armitage's pages have been updated with new articles from the Ely Standard about his intention to retire and the event in Newmarket with over 70 past and present colleagues at which presentations were made to him and Mrs Armitage - see via History > E Armitage
- 16 Oct Mrs Christine Bonnett confirms information received via Terry Newman/Brian Knott that her husband Sid Bonnett '45' died aged 75 on 1 November 2008 - see In Memoriam
- 12 Oct The photo report of the 2009 Reunion Dinner can now be viewed via the link above or via the Reunions page: from the photo report page you can go to a list of who was booked and more importantly Ann Jarman's talk on her father Mr John Ford, the longest serving master at Soham Grammar School, better known to thousands of Grammarians as Chas or Charlie.
- 10 Oct Peter Smith 59 reports the death of Trevor Blake 63 in December 2006 at the age of 54 - see In Memoriam
- 5 Oct: back from the 2009 Reunion Dinner
97 booked: 3 were unable to make it on the day, there were 16 new faces since 2002. Chris Bent, John Dimmock and Frank Haslam hope all had an enjoyable time. The catering and service provided by the Village College were highly praised. We had an entertaining and nostalgic illustrated talk on Mr CJ Ford by his younger daughter, Mrs Ann Jarman. A photo report of the event is in preparation, to be followed in due course by the illustrated text of Ann's talk ... including what Charlie's first name really was.
Many said they looked forward to returning for next year's Dinner which will be on October 2nd 2010.
- As promised below the page celebrating the late Roger Lane 49's life, in particular his contribution to the success of the Annual Dinners which he organised for many years until 2002 when increasing ill health obliged him to retire, is now available. This was previewed at the 2009 Dinner and we applauded his memory - see via In Memoriam, or Reunions > earlier reunions
- Making contact:
Philip Bobby 44, in Oxfordshire - mentioned by Ann Jarman in her talk
Richard J Butler 60, in Suffolk: his father in law Albert George, born 1904, was also at SGS
Arthur Docherty 46, in Canada, via his young brother Howie Docherty 56, who has also put us in touch with another brother Graham Docherty 47 in Australia
George Reynolds 44, in Cambridgeshire, via his brother Gordon 46
- Photos
School photo 1960 - Gwyn Murfet 56, assisted by Ivan Whymer 56 and Robert Powell 56, has added Barry Bowles, David Baumber, Robert Powell, Michael Simpson and John Ellis as well as correcting some IDs.
Form 5T July 1965 - more photos from Alan Bray 60, including one with Lionel Hart and smoking (not in the same shot) - see via Scrapbook > 1960s
Scout Troop 1962, via Lees Donaldson '59' - many names still sought - see via History > History 2 > Scouts > 61-62
Team photos via Ken Thompson 50: more names needed please - see via Sport > Sports photos
1955 Football U15 XI
1956 Cricket 2nd XI
Other photos were received at the 2009 Dinner and they will be added as time permits.
- John Gothard 53 adds to the recollections of Mr Freddie Hobbs and Mr George Phelps - see via Scrapbook >1950s
September 2009
A page is in preparation with the help of the Lane family to celebrate the life of the late Roger Lane 49, who for many years organised our Dinners.
Among the items provided by Mrs Anne Lane have been press cuttings about some OB Dinners in the last 40 years. If you can add cuttings or photos for the missing years, or any recollections of earlier dinners, please contact the editor - see Reunions > some earlier reunionsMaterial from Anne has also enabled :
- updating of the page on the 1959 OB production of Ten Little Niggers and the 1954 production of HMS Pinafore - see via History > History2 > Productions
- addition of form photos for entry year Form IIA 1949 and when they were in the 4th year 1952-53: can you add names? - see via School Lists > Entry Year Guide > Sep 49Making contact:
Reg Brown 47, Cambridgeshire
Peter Cockerton 42, Cambridgeshire
Colin Fuller 51, Cambridgeshire
Philip Lane 70, Cambridgeshire
Peter Nicholls 39, Cambridgeshire (contact regained)Jack Symmons, History 44-48 died in April of this year. Our condolences have been sent to his widow Nancy. A Thanksgiving Service was held at Ashville College in May - see via School Lists > Staff > left pre 72
Richard Dean 56 reports the death of Bob Durrant 56 on 26th July 2009, aged 63 - see In Memoriam
Brian Knott reports the death of Robin Ivor McLaren, (entry year late 1920s) of Sutton, aged 93. The service of thanksgiving was at St Andrew's Church, Sutton on 4th September - see In Memoriam
Frank Haslam has completed the transcription of the following from the SG Archive for this website - see via School Lists
- Soham Moor School Admission Register, 25th April 1881 to 29th April 1914
- Index to Soham Grammar School Admission Register 20th September 1922 to 12th January 1926
- Index to Soham Grammar School Admission Register, entries 716-938 (10/01/1933-06/03/1939).
The next step will be to make a digital photographic record of the documents.
August 2009
Contact made with:
Rev Gwyn Murfet 56, now in Cumbria and two of his friends Robert Powell 56, Cambridgeshire and Ivan Whymer 56, West Suffolk. Gwyn has corrected his and Ivan's names on the 1960 school photo. They all hope to be at our Dinner.
Gwyn says his last church choir sang Geoffrey Johnson's School Song Land of Great Skies and Measureless Horizons as an anthem at Evensong the night before he retired.Brian Callan, now in Norfolk. Brian came to SGS as Technical Assistant in 1963. As an ATC officer he was involved in arranging for ATC cadets to retain their uniforms on ACF afternoons. After he left in 1967 he went on to gain a Masters degree and is the author of several books.
July 2009
20 July: Michele Stern writes on behalf of her father Herman Kon:
"My father asked if I would look up some information for him on the internet as he went to Soham Grammar during the war years, around 1940-45. His name is Herman Kon and he came to the school as an evacuee from London. His father, Rabbi Abraham Kon ran a hostel for boys in Ely. My father was captain of the rugby team and other sports teams and was hoping to see if there were any records or photos that he might be in from this time. Although my father remembers Mr Stubbs and Mr Crouch, he does not remember any of the boys and unfortunately has no photos or school memorabilia. I note that it seems that no school photos were taken during the war years or of the sports teams. If you do know of any that might exist I would be much obliged to see them."
If you can help Michele please contact the editor18 July 2009 Beth Lane writes to infom us of the death of Bryan Denley 47:
DENLEY, Bryan of Caldecote, Cambs. Passed suddenly to rest in the early hours of Tuesday, July 7th 2009 at Papworth Hospital, aged 72 years. Loving and generous father to Sarah and Paul and Mark and Christine and adored grandad to JP, Wills, Chloe and Hamish. Funeral service at Cambridge City Crematorium, West Chapel, on Wednesday July 22nd, at 12 noon. Bryan's ashes will be interred at Ely Cemetery at a later date. If desired, please send flowers or donations to the Ocean Youth Club via Dennis Easton Funeral Service, The Lodge, 1 Cemetery Lodge, Broad Leas, St. Ives, Cambs. PE27 5PU. Tel;01480 463019.
June 2009
5 June 2009 Barry Lowe 55 writes: I am sad to have to report the death of Chris Southgate (55-60) at his home in Bury St Edmunds on April 13th. At school Chris was a keen cross country runner and chess player. He became a partner in an accountancy practice, and enjoyed bowls (where he reached National finals), bird-watching, Scouting and angling. His life-long sense of fun will be missed, and this was reflected in the huge turnout at his funeral (people were standing outside).
4 June 2009 Beth Lane writes: Roger Lane's service was taken and the eulogy spoken by Reg Brown, the funeral director. As you can see there were several Old Grammarians present and many other people too. Very pleasing when you consider that the service was not in the local church and just shows the high regard that Roger was held in.
The memorial cards from the Soham Grammarians were given to the family and we asked the Grammarians to sign one of them. Brian tells me that Roger's son Philip who is in the photo helping to hold the memorial card is in fact the last Lane who attended Soham Grammar School.
L-R: Bill Hawes - John Driver - Clive Bray - Tom Crawford - Tim Dickinson - Reg Brown, holding our Memorial Card - Brian Thorby - Philip Lane - Brian Lane - Donald Monk - Owen Barber.
Photo via Donald Monk.
May 2009
27 May: Geoff Griggs 60 reports that Roger Lane 49 passed away on Sunday 24 May. Roger worked tirelessly and effectively for the Old Boys Association for many years before ill health obliged him to hand over in 2002. Since then his family and friends have bravely borne the sad effects of a degenerative brain condition on someone who was so full of enthusiasm, sociability and care for others. Our condolences and thoughts are with them.
Brian and Beth Lane have since added that the funeral will be at the West Suffolk Crematorium, near Bury St Edmunds, at 11.15am on Thursday, 4 June.
Donations in memory of Roger may be sent to the Behavioural Neurology Research Fund via the funeral directors CE Fuller & Co Ltd, 23 Hall Street, Soham, Ely, Cambridgeshire CB7 5BN.21 May: Don Knights 39 died last year, reports Alan Barber 59, who knew him through bell-ringing and is in touch with his son Richard - see In memoriam.
Alan also reports that "a special peal was rung by Soham Grammarians to mark the closure of the school as such in July 1972". More information on this is being sought.
April 2009
20 Apr: Colin Thornhill 40 identifies his brother Derek on the 1937 School Photo
10 Apr: Richard Clarke has emailed me with the following identification on the 1937 School Photo:
"3rd Row, picture 6/10 the boy in the blazer with the crest on display was my father, Herbert Dick Clarke. He left Soham after his School Cert, for which he got some kind of award, in Summer 1940 and joined the GPO."
Previously that face was identified as 'Boss' Pettit but the editor is finding it difficult to trace who made it. If it is not Pettit, where is he on the 37 photo?9 Apr: The In Memoriam pages are extended with a page dedicated to those Soham Grammarians among the 16,000 who have died in the service of the Forces of the Crown since WWII. So far there are three - Rusty Bridgeman, Colin Capes and Donald Touch.
Rusty's date on the post war section of Burwell War Memorial differs from official records.
Donald's death seems to have been misreported in the school magazine.
If you know of more, or can add information or recollections about them, please contact the editor - see In Memoriam > Post WWII2 Apr: Kate Bavester: I thought I should let you know my Grandad, Joshua Martin, from Soham is still with us at the grand old age of 99 - there was a report in the paper about the death of Mr Lockwood at the age of 94 who was thought to be the oldest Grammarian but unfortunately for him, my Grandad has the claim to that title still (I think).
He is in his 100th year and still has all of his faculties and it still fiercely independent insisting on living in his own home and despite having nearly lost his sight due to macular degeneration he manages well with the help of carers and my mum and her sister. He attended the old Grammar School sometime in the early 1920s and I had hoped to get Grandad to attend one of the reunion dinners but he really isn't up to a night out - he tires easily but at his advanced years it is to be expected really. He does love to talk and has a memory that I'd be proud of, so having something to tell him about is excellent for conversation and will get those very old grey cells ticking over with more memories and tales.Making contact:
Lees Donaldson '59', Suffolk
March 2009
23 Mar: Frank Haslam: Documents from the Resource Centre which extend our reach on who attended the school are being added to this website. This is 'work in progress' and can be seen as follows:
- Soham Moor School Admission Register, 25th April 1881 to 29th April 1914 (in progress)
- Index to Soham Grammar School Admission Register 20th September 1922 to 12th January 1926
- Index to Soham Grammar School Admission Register, entries 716-938 (10/01/1933-06/03/1939).
The indexed entries will eventually be databased and it is hoped to make digital photographic records of the documents. Offers of help will be appreciated.
see via School Lists > Index20 Mar: Robert Palmby (see Dec 2008) has been located in the Admission Register for 1909 - see Scrapbook 1910-19 > Cricket & Tennis Players c1911
19 Mar: The 1939-1945 Book of Remembrance is added - see History > WWII Roll > Book of Remembrance link on that page
18 Mar: Paul Stevens 66 brings us up to date on Tony Russ (Staff 71-72) who is now heading Bristol's Academy - see Pages by/on SGs
18 Mar: Roger Wright 48 writes: Sadly I have to inform you of the death of John William Christopher 46 who has died aged 74. He came from Witchford where his father kept the local village shop. After National Service in the RAF, he worked at Ely Railway Station for a while until he joined The Huntingdonshire Constabulary. He worked his way up through the ranks until his retirement with the rank of Chief Superintendent in charge of administration at Police Headquarters, Huntingdon. His funeral took place on 18th March 2009 at Colney Woodland Burial Park Norwich, where he was laid to rest beside his wife Margaret who died in 2005. For several years he and Margaret lived in Wymondham where they had moved to be near his family.
18 Mar: Alastair Fordham writes: Alan Fordham 52, shown in your 1952 school photo [and 1956] was my father. He tragically died in a car accident on the night of 14th February 2003 near Upware (two villages away from Soham). He is buried in the graveyard opposite the place he grew up - the Crown pub in Fordham. He was the father of four, myself being the only male to carry on the name. Our family grew up in Wicken and he later lived in Chatteris. His grandfather, Harry Fordham, is named on Soham war memorial from the Great War.
It may be of interest to you that my father and I shared the same maths teacher - Mr Lawrence: my father called him Punch and we called him Beaky - he had rather a prominent feature on his face. I went to Soham Village College during the 80s. One of my English teachers was Mr Mike Rouse who would remember my father well, they shared an interest in local postcards.9 Mar: Chris Bent writes: As far as we know Jack Lockwood, who was awarded a Minor Scholarship to SGS in the mid 1920s, was the oldest surviving Soham Grammarian when he died on 18th February 2009 in Norfolk and Norwich Hospital aged 94. I am a close friend of the family and a while ago Jack donated his colours and medals for the archive. He had been in failing health for several months. A keen sportsman, he was invited for a trial with Arsenal and was well known as a player for Ely City Football Club where he still holds the record for the most goals scored in a season - see In Memoriam for an obituary. [but see also 2 Apr on Joshua Martin]
February 2009
10 Feb: Mr Leon Kitchen adds his tribute to his colleague Rex Waller's page - see via In Memoriam or School Lists > Staff who left before 1972
4 Feb: Desmond Nunn's (44) family are in touch: Desmond, one of the original boarders, died in 1951 - see In Memoriam
3 Feb: News from David Camps that Tom Gray 60 died on 13 January 2009 and his funeral took place on 30th January. Tom was a retired police officer. If you have additional information, please contact us.
Photos/updates
9/10 Feb: Malcolm Watson 47 adds his Rex tribute and provides a couple of Scouting photos featuring Rex Waller, one showing Mr Riley in shorts (with pipe): see Rex's page via In Memoriam or School Lists > Staff who left before 1972
4 Feb: Dannie Nicholas 59 has been delving among his photos. Please see:
Bouillon, Belgium trip 1961, with day trips to places in France, Luxemburg - via History 1 > History 2 > Visits
Toy Symphony, 1960s - via Scrapbook, 1960s
Walesby Forest Scout Camp 1963 - via History 1 > History 2 > Scouts
Work continues on the rest of his photos
3 Feb: Eddie Hopkin, nephew of Desmond Nunn 44 writes on behalf of his mother Alma, Desmond's sister, to identify Desmond on the 1946 School photo. Desmond died in 1951, he was a boarder with Mr & Mrs Armitage -see In Memoriam and School Lists > 1946 School photo.
January 2009
The year begins with the sad news received from Richard Waller on 12 January of the death of his father Mr Rex Waller on November 23rd 2008, aged 83.
A Thanksgiving Service took place at St Mary's Bruton on 5th December. Our condolences have been given to the family of this popular teacher of Latin (1949-60). Rex was a dedicated attender of our Dinners. He had us in his hand when he gave the talk in 2006.
The text of what Chris Waller and Richard said at Rex's service can be seen on Rex's page via In Memoriam
If you have more memories of Rex and any photos, please contact the editor.In responding to the news of Rex's passing Len Norman 49 reports [14 Jan] that Mr George Phythian died on Christmas Day 2008. The funeral service was on 6 January in Lancaster. George taught General and Rural Science 1952-55. He followed George Hunt at SGS, his first teaching post, leaving for Worthing High School and then deputy head in Pershore. He then moved onto a headship in Lancaster which he held till he retired. He continued to live in Lancaster.
Mrs Yvonne Phythian has kindly provided [22 Jan] an extract from her husband's autobiography which has been added to his page.
If you have memories of Mr Phythian and any photos, please contact the editor. See In MemoriamRichard Crofts 63 noticed an item in an Oct 2008 Cambridge Evening News, 'From the News of 1933' relating the death in a flying accident of Flying Officer Norman Styche who was one of two men who perished when their bomber crashed at Bamburgh. It goes on to say that having attended Soham Grammar School he had got books out of the library on flying and learnt all he could. [Editor: Fg Off Norman Charles Meyrick Styche, killed 26 Sep 1933. P/O NCM Styche was posted to No. 40 Sqdn., Upper Heyford 23.6.31. Promoted to F/O 27 Jan 1932.]. Can anyone shed more light on Norman Styche? - please contact the editor.
Photos updates
24 Jan: Martyn Davies 66 identifies Johnny Carter 65 in back row of choir photo see History pages, foot of home page > Order of ServiceContact made
David Woodroffe 60, Bedfordshire - he is a cousin of Charles Peacock. His brother Roger Woodroffe left in 1960.
Ken Vail 50 now in Suffolk, is back in touch,
Tony Payton 53, Cambridgeshire, is back in touch
