An incredible event was planned for October 14th 2006.
It was the Kingsholm School reunion!
Some of you might say "What's so incredible about that?"
Well, it is incredible as Kingsholm (Secondary Boys) School closed in 1973! Reunions are ten a penny for schools that still exist, but where does that leave people like myself and countless other ex-student whose school does not exist anymore? Well thanks to Kate Maisey and the Gloucestershire Archives Office the idea of a school reunion was conceived. To organise a reunion for a school that was closed 33 years ago is no mean feat! Luckily this event was backed by the CITIZEN gave this even an enormous amount of publicity leading up to the venue. Countless article and old photos were published in order to make known to all in the area of this oncoming event. Here are a few things that I have collected, snagged and scanned that led up to this event.
WE REMEMBER OLD SCHOOL WELL
The
CITIZEN
- 18th October 2006
Hundreds of people flocked to the Gloucester Archives for a reunion of Kingsholm School which used to be on the
site. More than 200 former pupils poured into the building last weekend to exchange smiles, memories and catch up on more than 30 years of gossip.
Many who attended had not kept in touch with any of their former school friends and said it was wonderful to discover what their old chums had been doing over the years.
Alan Tenner, 53, who now lives in Frenchay, Bristol, and attended the school from 1966 to 1970, took along his first piece of woodwork made there.
He said: "I have seen a few contemporaries I hadn't seen since leaving. It is nice to see them now. It is also nice to see the old school - although it's changed quite a lot."
Wayne Bell, 54, also left in 1970, joining Hayes Metals and going on to become a welder.He said: "I remember having to walk with timber to Nick's Timber Yard at Bristol Road."I was only scrawny and the timber was huge. Sometimes I would stop off in the Cathedral to warm my hands by the radiator."Seeing all the old faces is really nice. There were lot of things I had forgotten and people today have triggered my memory.
"I remember sitting on the roof - which used to be tin - after I got sent out of class for being naughty. I would have been expelled if they'd known."
Mario Mager, 52, who now lives in Wales, attended the school from 1966-70. He said: "At first it is difficult to recognise people if you haven't seen them for years. But once they start talking, you recognise their mannerisms and characters and it's easy."
Also present was former teacher John Stangroom, 81, who now lives in
Painswick. He taught geography at Kingsholm. "I am enjoying being back today," he said. "We used to have lots of fun. It was a very happy school - we all knew each other."I felt a bit apprehensive about coming today but it's lovely to see all these people. And standing here surrounded by all these people I can remember standing at the front saying 'Shush! Be
quiet!"
But the memories weren't all good. Martin Blakeley, 62, from Hucclecote, who attended from 1955-59, recalled being punished by being put down the coal hole.
And Colin Turner, also 62, said: "It was a good school, but it was rough and tough."
Event organiser Kate Maisey said she was delighted with the attendance." I couldn't believe it - people were practically queuing down the street," she said.
Now here is a few things I have collected and put together
As well as articles in the CITZEN local businesses also gave the event some publicity. Here are a few shots of OTTAKARS shop window in Eastgate Street
Do you recognise any of this rough bunch that were hanging around by the bike sheds?
Phil Hunt, Ash Powell, Mike Hughes, Richard (Dickie) Durston and Mario Mager
I remember clearly one day, as we were coming out of Jock Ross' class, when Phil Hunt (Horace) said to Andy Vanes "What are you going to do when you leave school then Andy?" Andy replied "I am going to join the RAF, learn to fly, THEN switch to flying Jumbo jets!" "Why leave the RAF?" asked Phil. "Because the pay is better flying Jumbo jets!" Replied Andy.
Well for one schoolboy a dream came true, as Andy has clocked up an incredible 7000 hours flying time! Well done mate! (See hyperlink below)
At the reunion, I met many interesting people. Whilst it was a bit disappointing that only half a dozen turned up from our old class, I did meet many others who were at Kingsholm at a similar time period to myself. I met a chap named Roy Morris. Roy was at Kingsholm and left in it's final year 1973. I just hope that I can persuade Roy to get the special leaving pack he was presented with on his leaving day, as I am sure there must be something interesting in it I could use in this part of my web-site!
Here is the School logo. Where did I get it from? I hear you ask.
I did search on the Internet, and found mention of Kingsholm Secondary Boys School logo in an archive of the Rover & Victor!
http://www.britishcomics.20m.com/home.htm
The archivist (Vic Whittle v.whittle2@ntlworld.com ) kindly sent me a scan of the logo which was printed in an issue of the Rover in late 50's. The school motto which I must confess I never remembered or understood what it meant, as we never did Latin in Kingsholm!
WORK CONQUERS ALL
I don't know about you, but I deeply regret not having many photos of those days. In this photo I think I am 11 years of age. So hopefully, it is the Mario that YOU remember and not the balding bag of blubber that turned up at the reunion! If you have any pictures, I will gladly post them in this website.
Before you go, can you cast your eyes on these three ties. WHICH one was our old school tie? Get it right, and win a dripping cake!
Well that's about it for this and the other sections. I will be doing my best to see if I can get hold of any other images or material to add to my KINGSHOLM section of my website. If you have any ideas, material or photos I would be most truly grateful. Cheers Mario
