Photographs and Information of Previous Sexey's Grammar School Reunions.
Past Reunions
Brent House 2006
(All photos contributed by Ann McLaren)
Brent House 2008
This was attended by about 100 Old Sexonians, a record number ? - once again may thanks to Ann and Shirley. A big 'thank you' to all those of you who brought photos and documents for me to copy. Apologies to old schoolmates who I didn't get to speak to properly - with all those photos to sort out I had very little spare time! - MJ
(Photos by Martyn James)
Class of '54 Reunion, Brent House
The class of '54-'61 held an enjoyable reunion at the Brent House on Tuesday, May 26th, 2009. The event was organised by Sally Shephard and Sally sent in the following picture and report of the event -
Seated front row from left to right Frances Hilson (Tyler), Ann Cox (Stevenson), Chris Duckett, Pam Slocombe (Sheppard) Standing from left to right Jeni Skidmore (Grimstead), Arthur Thompson, Cynthia Dean (Ham), Jackie Skidmore (White), Daphne Ireland (Hain), Judy Bell (Morgan), Victor Long, John Packer, Sally Sheppard (Berrington), John Loxton, Doreen Gallop (Starr), David Jones, Sally James (Bird), Gerald Sheppard, Tom Biss. Also present but not in the photograph was Maureen Worrall (June Hutchinson)
Well, we did it! On 26 May 2009 a group of rather excited but apprehensive former class members met for the first time in forty five years in some cases and forty seven in others. We met at the Brent House Restaurant on a bright and sunny day. It was somewhat emotional as we all surreptitiously eyed each other to try to make out what the passage of time had done. Some were instantly recognisable and others so as soon as they spoke and all felt the years roll away as we reminisced.
The routes people had taken to get there varied geographically. Ann Cox (nee Stevenson) had come the furthest - from Anglesey in North Wales. John Packer had travelled from Eye in Suffolk. Sally Sheppard (nee Berrington) came with her husband, Gerald from East Sussex. Tom Biss and Frances Hilson (nee Tyler) had made it from Plymouth and near Exeter respectively. Pam Slocombe (nee Sheppard) had driven from Wiltshire whilst David Jones and Victor Long had come (independently) from Portishead. The others had nearer journeys to travel in terms of mileage but all had long psychological distances.
Many had interesting lives to report. Pam Slocombe is now a published author of eight books and she kindly gave us all signed copies of her 'Mark a Somerset Moorland Village' - a detailed study of Mark from its earliest settlement. John Packer MBE was Chief Executive of Norfolk County Council until his retirement. Arthur Thompson started out as a trainee computer programmer and since then has had an interesting and varied career. Mainly computer industry based, he moved on to management and then ownership of his own companies in far flung places such as Romania and Taiwan prior to retirement. He also owned a kit car company. Chris Duckett is a successful farmer and renowned Somerset cheese maker. Jeni Skidmore (nee Grimstead) started as a florist and then went on to own and run Stone Allerton Post Office. Victor Long owns and runs a pub, The Ship, which he built himself. Daphne Ireland (nee Hain) had been the long serving secretary at Kings of Wessex School. David Jones retired as an inspector in the Bristol Police Force with responsibility for organising the policing of major events such as Glastonbury Festival. Tom Biss, after having a life in management in industry, was a Senior Lecturer in Business Studies at Plymouth Business School which is part of Plymouth University. Sally James (nee Bird) owns and runs a large caravan site at Berrow and Brean.
We had all raised families and contributed in various and unsung ways to local communities. Some have had sadness and emerged stronger, some are undergoing sadness currently but all made it to an event that delighted and gave food for thought.
I have attached a group photo which we took after our lunch. I have added the names to aid identification!
Sally Sheppard, 22 June 2009
Brent House Reunion, 2009
Once again a very enjoyable reunion was attended by around 100 Old Sexonians on July 6th. Sadly,this was the last reunion to be organised by Ann and Shirley and, on behalf of all those who have ever attended one of their well organised events, I would like to say a great big 'Thank You' for all the work they've both put in to making them a big success. Thankfully, Cynthia Dean and Daphne Ireland along with Jeni and Jackie Skidmore have volunteered to organise next year's event - many thanks to all four of you! (Cynthia tells me that next year's event has already been booked for Monday, July 5th.)
Once again it was lovely to see Isobel Rendell attending at the ripe, young age of 102! She was presented with a gorgeous bouquet of flowers by Ann McLaren - we all look forward to seeing you next year, Miss Rendell.
Thank you to all those who brought in photos for me to copy and the odd magazine to summarise for the website. I was really quite glad to see fewer offerings this year as I actually had some time to speak to people! - I'm still hoping to see a good number of photos next year, please raid those old photo albums!
Cynthia Dean informed us of School Association money that was still left in bank accounts from the 1970's. At the time of writing efforts are being made to relieve the banks of this 'forgotten' money so it can be put to a good use. There will be an announcement on the Home Page when I hear any news.
Colin Mitchell, a pupil from the 50's turned up all the way from Australia and sent me the following photo, taken at the reunion, of members of the class of 1950. Colin was on a long tour of Europe and didn't intend to return to Oz until September. Colin doesn't seem to think he'll be visiting the UK again.
Back Row L-R Colin Mitchell, Brian Evans, Peter Tippetts
Front Row L-R David How and Ron Frost
Finally, a big thank you to Des Russett's partner, Annette, who very kindly took and forwarded me the following reunion photos.
CLASS OF 1949 - 1954 REUNION
On Friday, 18th June 2010 the class of 1949 to 1954 were reunited to mark the 60th anniversary of their first year at Sexey's Grammar School (1949/50). The reunion was organised by Ann Amesbury (nee Callow) and John Grant, who sent in the following photograph and report of the event.
Left to right
: John Wilson, Hazel Hudson (nee Puddy), Pamela Vigus (nee Redman),Angela Howell (nee Pavey), Arthur Heywood, John Grant, Mary Trimble (nee Sheppard), Brian Lewis, Mary Ellis (nee Hardwidge), Mary Tucker (nee Grimstead), Grace Harvey (nee Vincent),Eileen Tucker (nee Chick), Grace Elliott (nee Kerton), Francis Hobbs, Ann Amesbury (nee Callow), Grace Bond (nee Callow), Joyce Huett (nee Tripp) and Geoffrey Ives.We had successfully traced or accounted for all 31 members of the class and received an overwhelmingly positive response to our Questionnaire. We were delighted that so many wanted to attend, albeit age, health and family commitments did prevent several from attending and three of the class had passed on. Many still lived locally or somewhere in Somerset, but others travelled from the West Midlands, Shropshire, Essex, Surrey, Wiltshire and South Wales. We met at 12 noon in a large bar set aside for us at 'The Sexeys Arms' at Blackford, which had been beautifully decorated in black and amber balloons, bunting and flowers by Ann and Grace Harvey (nee Vincent) and where the landlord had laid on a splendid lunchtime buffet - an impressive sight.
Fair wear and tear and the ravages of time had altered the appearance of some of us, but eyes and voices change very little and the black and amber name badges we all wore were not really needed. Banter and unfinished conversations from the mid-50s were soon in full flow and we exchanged news about what we had all been doing whilst a lot of water had passed under a lot of bridges.
We were privileged to be joined by Martyn James (
www.oldsexonians.com)who was kept busy copying the old photographs and memorabilia which many had kindly brought with them. We were also fortunate that he was there to take a group photograph of everyone who had attended (see above). (Thank you very much for the invitation, John. I was very happy to be there - MJ)After lunch we strolled over to the now Hugh Sexey Middle School, where we were welcomed by the Deputy Head. Mrs Gould, the Office manager, then gave us a guided tour of the school and grounds which I thought had changed out of all recognition, except for the familiar attractive grey stone walls of the original school that we all remember so fondly. The school is now a large well appointed and well equipped Middle School with over 650 pupils, nearly 40 teaching staff and over 50 support staff. We thanked Mrs Gould for finding time to show us around. One of us is still awaiting news of his request for the return of an item that was confiscated in 1953!
We returned to 'The Sexeys Arms' for a welcome cup of tea and my, perhaps not so welcome, address - which is summarised hereunder.
JOHN GRANT'S ADDRESS AND TOAST
"Have you given any thought as to why so many of us are here today?
We all left Sexey's in the mid-50s to pursue further education, to start work, to shape a career or to get married and start a family; and most of us have had little or nothing to do with the school since. For over 50 years I'd had no contact at all with either Sexey's or any of my former classmates until two year ago when I was contacted out of the blue by Martyn, who told me about the Old Sexonians website and requested me to contribute my personal memories of life at Sexey's, which I was pleased to do. Having been prompted to look back I've since thought about it a great deal. Now, having spoken to all of you, I have no doubt at all that we are all here today because we wanted to be. Despite the austerity of the post war period, I was very happy at Sexey's and suspect that most of you were too. Having now been involved in research for the website for two years, I've traced and spoken to many Old Sexonians (over a hundred), most of whom are older than us, and it came across loud and clear from the vast majority of them that they too had been happy at Sexey's.
"So why was Sexey's such a happy school?
Was it the school's beautiful rural setting? - I certainly never thought that at the time. Was it the buildings and grounds? - Very doubtful, I would think.Was it because Sexey's was the smallest Grammar School in Somerset at that time? - Possibly. If you believe that small is beautiful then there were obvious advantages. Was it because Sexey's was a mixed school? - That definitely helped.Was it because the school had a very large catchment area? - Maybe. Some of us were local, others travelled long distances on the school brakes, and most of the boarders came from further afield, so perhaps we all brought more to the school than just 11+ or 13+ certificates - not least a variety of different family backgrounds, experiences and talents. Or could it have been due to the teaching staff at Sexey's during our senior school days? - I've thought about that a lot and am quite sure they were an important factor. I've realised that they collectively gave Sexey's one huge advantage over other schools - continuity. With just one exception (Mr Potter, our unforgettable French Master), all of the staff who were at Sexey's when we started in 1949 were still there when we all left. Moreover, you may not be aware that, without exception (I think), this dedicated group of teachers all continued at Sexey's until they reached retirement age. I was even more surprised to find that Mr Tomlinson was Headmaster at Sexey's for an incredible 25 years.
"So why should staff continuity matter to you and I?
You could say that they did their job and got paid - but I don't think any of them were in it for the money. Teaching was their vocation in life. Most of them were probably not at the top of their professional ladder - but they were all very committed. They knew us all individually, they helped us all and they influenced most of us for the better - in relation to our behaviour, the way we interacted with others, the way we spoke to others, encouraging us to think and to always try to do the right thing, and the many other important aspects of growing into caring responsible adults. Continuity greatly helped make all of that possible. You might say that their continuity and dedication put the 'X' Factor into Sexey's and contributed greatly into making our school such a happy school. We were the beneficiaries.
So, I would now like to pay my personal tribute to each of those members of staff - in verse. I do hope that all or most of you will echo my thoughts.
PERSONAL TRIBUTE TO HEADMASTER AND TEACHING STAFF AT SEXEY'S GRAMMAR SCHOOL 1949 - 1954
Mrs Irons
No matter which part of the globe - Mrs Irons lessons might feature,
she was always awe-inspiring - and a very effective teacher.
She was often fired-up and loud, - but forever I'll be in her debt,
as her everyday passion for Geography - was something I'll never forget.
Miss Merriman
I hardly knew Miss Merriman - as she didn't teach the boys
She and the girls seemed to play all day - with Domestic Science toys.
Plain wholesome cooking was achieved by many - but I was seldom offered a bite,
unless, of course, the dish of the day - had turned out not quite right.
Miss Rendell & Miss Padfield
Miss Rendell taught English and R.I. - and the joys of English Lit.
And I wish I'd paid more attention - and had learned a bit more about it.
Miss Padfield also taught English - and the mysteries of Latin as well.
I didn't do well in either - as you now can probably tell.
But they both spoke exceptionally good English - and some of that rubbed off on me,
And I now cope quite well with my wife's maiden Aunt - and entertaining the Vicar for tea.
Miss Barnes
Whenever Miss Barnes lost control - she usually lost her tether.
Certain boys would wind her up - I ask you, "Would I ever?"
She'd inflate her rosy-red cheeks - and noisily slam down her book,
Then focus hard on the culprit - with a desperate withering look.
History was distorted forever - by the misdeeds of some of our class,
So it's hard to believe, that at the exam, - some of us actually passed!
Peter Lee
Mr Lee moved down here from Yorkshire - on the day that we all began,
A scholar and an athlete - and a fine mathematics man.
He starred as 'The Pirate King' on stage - coached cricket, football and more
and was the Judge in 'Trial by Jury' - and the Captain of 'Pinafore'.
I also learned a valuable lesson, - which wasn't taught as such,
you can always tell a Yorkshireman - but you cannot tell him much!
Les Pavey
Mr Pavey taught us woodwork - according to the 'Gospel of Les',
where you watch everything he shows show you - and listen to what he says.
T'was all very new to me - and I didn't do well for a while,
but I gradually picked up the hang of it - and improved by a country mile.
Les loved wood grain and wood joints - and loved telling his woodworking jewels,
and I know that I'll always be grateful to him - for teaching me how to use tools.
Alroy {'Alan'} Tonkin
Mr Tonkin taught art and music - and joined the boys for the occasional game,
but promoting Gilbert & Sullivan - was Alan's main claim to fame.
I still love 'Pirates' and 'Pinafore', - 'Trial by Jury' just never ends,
so Gilbert & Sullivan, thanks to Alan - will always be treasured friends.
Norman Potter & Ray Packer
Our French Master 'Pansy Potter' - was ever so slightly deranged,
so it wasn't really surprising - when he was ever so slightly changed.
A flying black rubber dagger - with a four inch rubber blade,
would always be slightly disturbing - never mind with what it was made.
He was replaced by Raymondo Packer - a sane and sensible man,
who against all the odds, nevertheless, - got most of us through the exam.
Arthur {'Joe'} Swallow
Double Science in the lab with Joe Swallow - sometimes highlight of the week,
but if things went wrong and t'was YOU not on song - things could get decidedly bleak.
Joe didn't suffer fools gladly - and YOU'd be the first to know,
but for all his sarcasm and bluster - he was still a pretty good Joe.
Every aspect of school was Joe's oyster - for he was also Deputy Head,
so you always took particular notice - of whatever wise words that he said.
Now EVERYONE knows that ONE SWALLOW - doesn't a summer make,
but it's not down to Joe, that it isn't so - I just think he deserves a break.
and so,
in recognition of just one swallow's
unwavering service at Sexey's over many summers,
it gives me great pleasure to announce,
that after much campaigning - it has been agreed nationally -
that when the first swallow is sighted in 2011, that year will be declared
'A ONE SWALLOW SUMMER'.
Henry ('Harry') Tomlinson
Harry the Head was MY hero - a genial and gentle man,
who fought long and tirelessly for Sexey's - over a quarter century span.
Through the war years and into the sixties - Harry weathered stormy seas,
but still found time for his family - his garden and his bees.
He was much more than just a leader - for he cared about the school,
and he cared about the staff - and all the children too.
Enthusiasm and good nature - and, perhaps, just being Mr 'T',
were qualities that I respected - I hope some of it rubbed off on me?
What was Harry's secret? - Did he follow a 'Golden Rule'?
It surely wasn't luck that we all enjoyed - a very happy school?
For me, Sexey's was a privilege - and I was fortunate that I came -
............. and I also had the best of classmates ................ I do hope you feel the same.
Ladies and Gentlemen. We, and many other Old Sexonians, owe our gratitude to this small group of professionals who taught us, influenced us all for the better and greatly assisted in making Sexey's such a happy school. The toast is:
'HARRY TOMLINSON AND HIS TEAM'.
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I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who attended our class reunion today and for helping to make this such an enjoyable, memorable and happy event.
John K. Grant
30th June 2010
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Brent House Reunion, 2010
Here, Gwen Jepps can be seen leaving Brent House with Miss Rendell (Thanks to Ann Amesbury (Callow) for the picture).