South Shields Grammar-Technical School for Boys   
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There are 500 messages in the guestbook
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Viewing messages 411 to 420

Bryan Cooper | bryglen~AT~bryancooper~DOT~wanadoo~DOT~co~DOT~uk
My computer did something strange.... s/be

http://straightfromtheragmanshorse.blog
spot.co.uk/
Wed 26-Jun-2013 21:10 - Old Colwyn
Bryan Cooper | bryglen~AT~bryancooper~DOT~wanadoo~DOT~co~DOT~uk
Check this Blog. Must be Ashgrove Ave. http://straightfromtheragmanshorse.blogspot.co.uk/n
ue!
Wed 26-Jun-2013 21:08 - Old Colwyn
Bruce Graham | bsgaraham~AT~btinternet~DOT~com
What exactly is an "Executive Head" and how can one person be in that role at more than one school? I think I can hear "Pop" Lucas harrumphing!!

Whatever, heartiest congratulations are due.
Sun 16-Jun-2013 12:20 - Ruskington, Lincolnshire
Mike Todd
I hope all here-gathered have seen the news that the current "Executive Head" of our old school, Ken Gibson, has been awarded the honour of Knight Bachelor in the Queen's birthday honours.

On a selfish note, I'm particularly pleased as I had written to the nominations office three years ago, and they sent me the necessary forms. Unfortunately I didn't have the right contacts to raise the necessary supporters. I tried again early this year, but got no responses from those I contacted to be supporters.

Sat 15-Jun-2013 21:52
Alex Patterson, VUA, 1946-1951 | alexpatterson~AT~videotron~DOT~ca
Hello Mike,
I am dismayed that Neale would even contemplate I would attempt to correct anyone's spelling or grammar.
Notwithstanding his comment, it was Theodore Roosevelt who said, "Speak softly and carry a big stick." The derivation of which he attributed to an African proverb.
Neale's story of the cougar, reminded me of the Iguana that appeared on our back deck. Marjorie said, "There's a log moving around on the deck." So I grabbed my binoculars, (all ex-pat Brits have binoculars at the ready, something to do with the pioneering
instinct) and sure enough it was an Iguana. Now as most of you know, Iguanas are not indigenous to Beaconsfield, Quebec, Canada; so after diving on it with an upturned laundry basket and securing the basket with a 2ft square paving stone, I called Public Security and Animal Control and told them I'd captured a wild Iguana. Well, it wasn't too happy being in the basket. He told me that it had been reported missing ten days earlier by people in the neighboring street. I went to see them only to discover that they were on vacation and their neighbours' ten year old son was baby-sitting it. He forgot to close its cage and as soon as the front door to the house was opened, it scarpered. The boy's father was delighted that we'd found it and said they'd come right away to repatriate it. I said, "Bring its cage." 'No need, it's very docile." said the father.
They came, the boy lifted the basket, the beast went ballistic, attacked the boy's arm then jumped in to our garbage can. I put the lid on the can and trapped this wild thing inside. I should say it was about four feet long...most of it being its tail. Anyhow they took it off home, we went out for the day and when we returned there was a food hamper and a couple of bottles of wine on our back deck from the baby sitters. We only found out afterwards it cost about $2000....the Iguana...not the food hamper.
On the subject of 'sporting old boys' I should tell you that I played for Smith's (Upholsters) United in the South Shields Sunday League...thought it was worth a mention.
Looking at the new aerial photos of the school, I note that the fish pond has gone and the old building has been swallowed up by the newer buildings. Has its charm disappeared? I loved my school and will always remember it as it was in 1946 when I first saw it and the happy memories it has brought over the years, largely thanks to you, Mike, and all the contributors who keep the memories alive.
Regards from a blustery but warm Grand Prix weekend in Montreal
Fri 7-Jun-2013 01:59 - Montreal
Neale
Alex will get me on i before e except after c.
Thu 6-Jun-2013 03:32 - Victoria BC, Canada
Neale Backhouse | nealebackh~AT~gmail~DOT~com
Hi Mike
Maybe one more chuckle on this subject,from the Victoria Times Colonist, 05/06/2013, "Apple to grow workforce."

If I may add a bit of Canadiana. I happened to be looking up at the hill behind our place about a week ago, when I spotted, what I first thought was a golden retreiver, sitting on a grassy verge above the gravel emergency road that runs up to the treeline. Grabbing my old binoculars, I spied instead a fully grown cougar, in all his/her tawny glory. He/she sat quietly surveying the scene and then, I suppose, thinking not a good idea to hang around a housing subdivision, slowly retraced his/her steps and disappeared into the woods.
I've lived on Vancouver Island for fifty years and walked miles on forest trails and never a glimpse of a cougar and here was one almost making house calls. I've been looking up at those trees with a new respect. Who was it who said, "Walk softly but carry a big stick."
Thu 6-Jun-2013 03:26 - Victoria BC, Canada
Eric Moyse | eric~DOT~moyse~AT~sky~DOT~com
Regarding Willie Hudson with whom I shared a bed in Burton- on-Trent around 1950 when we were playing for the North of England as schoolboys, Willie's rugby honours were discussed in these hallowed columns in February 2008. Willie went on to play for England U15s then represented Northumberland County and English Universities but I do not think he won a full England cap.
Sat 25-May-2013 08:52 - Reading United Kingdom
Robin Leslie | robinleslie~AT~alumni~DOT~lse~DOT~ac~DOT~uk
I believe there was a rugby player called Hudson in 1954 played rugby for Durham and England and Billy Metcalfe, I think, played for England at rugby in 1954 or 1955. Jack Talbot, who was in my school form before I left for Barnard Castle School in 1954, was an England International football player. I ran for the High School under 15 relay team at the Durham County Championships at Darlington Rolling Mills in 1954 alongside Jack Talbot and Victor Muncaster. There were others whose names I have forgotten who played at representative level in various sports.I
played with West of Scotland in 1960 after leaving Barnard Castle School.
Wed 15-May-2013 22:06 - Buckinghamshire
Eric Moyse | eric~DOT~moyse~AT~sky~DOT~com
Re Graham and first-class athletes, how about Harton alumnus David Wilson, a former member of Westoe RFC who holds 26 caps as a prop for England and who narrowly missed selection for the Lions this year. Now an outstanding player for Bath Rugby, he is going on tour with England in Argentina shortly.
(I would also have liked to include Katy McLean a current England women's team member and captain on many occasions but she evidently went to Mortimer.)
Tue 14-May-2013 09:44 - United Kingdom

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