Memories

This section has been provided for you to share your favourite memories of your time at Whitcliffe.

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Memories
Please tell us about your memories at Whitcliffe. Do you have any humorous stories to tell about your time with us? Or special stories? Or just something that sticks in your mind about your time here? Please tell us about them!
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Here are some of the entries people have sent us.

I had my photograph taken with others pupils in 1973 in the new uniform. It appeared on the front page of the Spenborough Guardian.
Bruce Deadman made me and Anne Bamford sweep the red gra pitch after scraping our initials onto it!
In the 2nd form we were in Mr Force's class along with Michael Beevers. Mrs Middleton and Mr Noot were my favourite teachers.
Regards

Liz Maguire nee Bailey: 1971 - 1976

I "passed to Grammer School" from R.M Grylls Junior School in 1971 , my maiden name was Diane Dutton. I walked to school from Hightown on the first day in my green gaberdine , green socks, sensible brown lace up shoes and a green beret. Tales of "de-bobbling and the holly bush" made me wary of the older children, especially the Sixth Formers who looke d like grown ups to a four foot nothing little girl. I quickly settled in to form 1B to be moved up to 1A after Christmas. Fond memories are still with me of Mr & Mrs Middleton, Mrs Middleton gave me a lifelong love of cooking, Mr Noot, Chris Force and Mel Davies;science lessons with Jasper Petts, Enoch and Mr Gill. Best of all I met my future husband, Stephen, who I've been married to for 27 years.
I appeared in the Spenbourough Guardian three times. The first time as one of the group of striking pupils who walked out of a freezing cold school to protest on even colder town hall steps. My Mum was none too pleased.
The second time was with Carol Taylor for preparing meal plans, for a family on a budget, with nutritional value and costings.
The third time was when I was in the Lower 6th and won the loacal schools stockpiler competiotion along with Carol Taylor, Jayne Mitchell and Linda Cooper.
I also remember an assemly when my current boyfriend,now my husband was reading the sermon from the lectern on the stage. The whole of the sixth form ,who were on the balcony stood up with scores written on pieces of paper. The Head was not pleased.

Diane Holdroyd nee Dutton
Pupil from 1971 - 1978

Joan Johnson left Whitcliffe Mount as a pupil in 1929.  She has very kindly promised to donate postcards of the houses system:  Wadsworth, Arnold and Vause-Williams (the fourth house - Mowat - hadn't been introduced then!)
towards our memorabilia exhibition.  She has also very kindly offered to show her school Report.

Thank you and Best Wishes Joan from all at Whitcliffe Mount Specialist Business and Enterprise College.

Joan Johnson: left Whitcliffe Mount in 1929

I was in Vause-William house and remember many teachers.  I was very proud to secure the Victor Ludorum Award for Athletics in 1957/58.
My brother Ian also attended the school.  He met Wendy, also a pupil, and they married in 1963.
I played rugby for school and became a professional rugby player, but gave up at the age of 22 after an injury and became an architect.  Via this career route I came into contact with fellow pupil David Lyons.

David Horton:  1951 - 1958

As I joined the lower sixth, the school senior chemistry master, Mr Kennedy, returned after extended service in the armed forces.  He decided to clear various doubtful chemicals from the laboratory store room, in particular a bottle of oily liquid in which was emersed lumps of an unknown solid, believed to be metallic potassium.  The class were marched onto the school field with Mr Kennedy carefully carrying this bottle; on the way he collected a dustbin lid before placing the bottle on a large boulder in the far corner of the field.  Sheltering behind his impromptu shield he poured a glass of water into the open mouth of the bottle and after a second or two of omious inactivity a minature volcano erupted from behind the boulder with flaming lumps of fire (potassium?) flung high into the air.  What a fantastic introduction to the Higher School Certificate in Chemistry! 

Eric Dyson: 1942 - 1950

Eric has very kindly offered to display his school report book and Minute books plus related papers from the now long-defunct Old Scholars Scientific Society.
His association with the school spanned around fifty years and included being a pupil, active member of the Old Scholars Association, Old Scholars Scientific Society, Old Scholars Dramatic Society, parent of two daughters - one of whom was in the last group to enter via the Eleven-Plus system and one who was an entirely comprehensive pupil - Foundation Governor, trustee of the WM Pearson Fund, etc, etc!

Thank you for your offer Eric.

I have many memories from when I attended Whitcliffe Mount. The most distinct memory I have was on my 12th birthday in 1948 when my mother kindly gave me an orange to eat on the way to school. I was approaching the school gates when the Senior Mistress, Miss Walker, drove past in her car. When I arrived at school she was there waiting for me.  She gave me a detention for eating in my school uniform and my form teacher told me off as well!
Although I had one or two bad memories most of them were good, especially the school music competitions and the plays. I was in a play called Noah in 1952.

Quoted from Mary Cummings, written by Samantha Wilson and James Crossly.
Mary Cummings formerly Mary Kent: 1948 - 1953

I am a past pupil of Whitcliffe Mount, which I attended from 1957 - 1964. From 1970-72 I taught History and Geography at the school. A memorable occasion from that time was performing in HMS Pinafore produced by Esme Cook.
I enjoyed my school days and rembember my form tutors as:

1st year (Year 7 equivalent)    Mrs Maclean 
3rd year                                Mr P Smith                            
4th year                                Mr J Patrick
5th year                                Mr D Phelps
6th form                                Ms I Holt

The school made a visit to London. The train left from Cleckheaton station, once in London we enjoyed a bus tour of the major sites, stopping at Battersea gardens for tea.

Every two years I meet up with friends from my form for a weekend or longer.  We have met up in Stratford, Bath, York, the Dales and a few weeks ago at Penrith.
The group that gets together are:

(Left to right on the photograph: 1957 - 1964)

June Reynor nee Billington (lives in London)
Liz Binns nee Asquith (lives in Cheshire)
Chris Kenyon nee Green (lives in Cardiff)
Susan Metcalfe nee Clough (lives in Mirfield)
Gillian Burton nee Abbott (lives in Cantebury)
Margaret Walker nee Harris (lives in Cleckheaton)
Pat Ward nee Taylor (lives in Clifton)
Margaret Ward nee Shaw (lives in Cornwall)

Margaret Walker nee Harris
1957 - 1964

My art teacher was Mr Murphy - he was great!  My English teacher was Mr Brierley - we used to call him haymoss (or Amos, as in Emmerdale Farm!). 
I used to hang around with Mark Drake, Carl Riggly, Steve Malins, Headly Dixon, Stuart Leadbetter, but I haven't seen any of them in years.  They were the good old days!   

Ian Spicer: 1975 - 1978

I was a pupil from 1954 to 1961 and have many enjoyable memories of my time at Whitcliffe Mount.  I left to study physics at Queen Mary College  London - a subject which stood me in good stead in the sense that it gave me a great chance to work in interesting laces across the world while still learning more about the subject.  As my late mother-in-law said, physics really was, for me, a hobby! 
Now living in Norwich and considered by some to be retired, I still continue to explore Europe as Chair of a European Action entitled, 'Physics of Conflict and Competition' which explores applications of physics to social and economic systems.
Why am I looking at this website at this time?  I was searching for old school photos of the school as part of a talk I am preparing, but sadly could not find anything from the really early days so I shall have to use the school photo from Whitcliffe Mount School published 50 years ago which is still on my bookshelf.

Best wishes for the next 100 years.

Peter Richmond: 1954 - 1961 

I remember the school burning down around 1983 and having to come to school part-time - yeah!  Also I remember school trips to Appletreewick.  My group was Wadsworth.  I have many happy memories and some goo teachers.  My favourites were: Mr Mirfin (French), Mrs Berry (Maths), Mr Noot (German) and Miss Lee (PE).

Gillian Jordan (Nee Bradley): 1982 - 1985

Mr Parkes was my section head.  Mrs Smith was one of my teachers.  My nickname was Saff and on the odd occasion it was Chip Butty!

Safia Butt: 1996 - 99

My nickname was Shaz.  I was always getting into trouble!  Great memories!  Mr Howqell was headteacher.

Shazia Qayum: 1985 - 1989

Compared to many of the contributors to this collection of memories, my involvement with Whitcliffe Mount is very much still in its infancy. I have, however, enjoyed a multitude of experiences and gained a bucketful of memories over the last 8 or 9 years as a student and more recently in various roles as a staff member.

I started as a student in Year 9 in September 2001 and my earliest memory is of Wednesday September 12^th, the day after the terrorist atrocities in New York. Miss Bream was lucky enough to be teaching RE to my form that year and she decided to suspend whatever curriculum we were following for our lesson first thing that day and instead we spent a full lesson discussing the events of the previous day. I don’t recall how the conversation developed but I remember the seriousness of the moment hitting me as we discussed the attack and its consequences and every member of the class was equally shocked and disgusted by what we had seen. That was without a doubt one of the most powerful and relevant lessons I ever took part in.

Other, more pleasant memories of that year include playing such cheesy pieces as ‘Elton Johns Greatest Hits’, ‘Saturday Night Fever’ and ‘Theme from The Simpsons’ in the school band under the direction of Miss Ireland. I also played in the Year 9 cricket team and remember hitting a huge 6 over long-on and almost batting us to victory against Heckmondwike Grammar after practically losing the game for us in the 1^st innings with one of the worst wicket-keeping performances you will ever witness!

Throughout years 10 and 11 I threw myself wholeheartedly in to the role of class joker and in certain subjects used my dubious vocal talents to keep the rest of the class entertained with renditions of classic hits such as ‘Hey Jude’, ‘Wonder of You’ and ‘The Winner takes It All’! I especially remember having a great time leading the rest of the class in a sing-along at the end of our last ever Maths lesson in year 11 with Mrs Berry!

There were a number of classic comedy moments throughout my time in the lower school but Miss Blair beats all others hands down with her albeit accidental, but now infamous, blunder with my English groups work books. Being the devoted and conscientious professional that she is, Miss Blair decided to take our work on holiday to Ireland with her so that she could mark it. Unfortunately however, our books somehow boarded the wrong flight and ended up enjoying an extended stay in Barcelona whilst Miss Blair was in Ireland! When we eventually got our English books back some weeks later the whole class ‘consoled’ and ‘reassured’ the distraught Miss Blair by writing the schools full postal address on the front of all our books – just in case!

After finishing year 11, I had no doubt that I wanted to stay at Whitcliffe Mount for a further two years to study in the Sixth Form. I eventually decided to opt for Music, Media, ICT and Physics at AS level but, on reflection, I was only really interested in Music and this was reflected in my somewhat laid-back (more like horizontal!) attitude to the other subjects.

It was during this first year in the Sixth Form that I ventured in to the exciting new sector of Sports Leadership. Over the past couple of years two girls in the Sixth Form had run a Circuit Training session open to all students after school on a Friday and this was really the extent of Sports Leadership at Whitcliffe Mount. Despite this humble beginning, the PE staff saw the real potential of the Sports Leaders programme for all involved and thanks to Miss Taylor I was able to begin delivering cricket coaching sessions in a number of our feeder schools and ended up gaining the Step Into Sport Gold award for delivering almost 600 hours of voluntary coaching sessions over the next year or so. Today there are over 70 students involved in leadership through sport and dance at Whitcliffe Mount and as a member of staff I was lucky enough to be able to work alongside Miss Taylor to support some of the current sports leaders’ progress through the Leadership, Coaching and Enterprise Academy. Sports Leadership is truly an inspirational concept which certainly put me on the path to working in education!

The other major event of my time in the Sixth Form was the decision taken by Mr Mackay and Miss Ashton to make the annual school production a musical - the first one since I joined Whitcliffe Mount. They chose to do ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ and I was asked to play the drums in the band and help set-up the new sound system. I have to admit to being slightly sceptical at first about the choice of musical but once I got in to it I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of the whole experience. I particularly enjoyed having the seemingly tone-deaf lads on the sound desk singing their own version of ‘Somewhere That’s Green’ over the intercom whilst I was trying to play! I’m lucky to still be able to get involved with the production every year and I’m looking forward to this years production of ‘West Side Story’ with great anticipation.

I eventually found time to take some A Levels in July ’06 and left Whitcliffe Mount later that month with no idea of what I wanted to do with my life. Purely by chance, whilst doing some part-time work for the Music department, Miss Ashton and Mrs Ogilvie told me about a job which was being advertised for a teaching assistant post and suggested I apply. I did so and was successful in being offered the job. I started work the following Monday some time in October and I have never felt as intimidated as when I sat down alone in the staffroom on that first morning, surrounded by all the same teachers who had been teaching me only those few short months before! Thankfully that feeling didn’t last long though and within a few days I felt right at home. Mrs Pearson took me under her wing with her customary caring and motherly nature and the irrepressible Mrs Denham showed me the ropes for the first few days and gave me one hell of an education!

I spent the next 18 months in the classroom supporting students in a range of subjects before moving temporarily in to pastoral care, looking after one half of year 9 for a few months in the summer of 2008. Finally I moved to my current post in September 2008 and I am now responsible for coordinating vocational and applied learning.

I have found all my various roles to be challenging and rewarding in their own ways and I have many happy memories of my time as a member of staff so far. I am indebted to Whitcliffe Mount for allowing me to make so many strong friendships, for the fond memories of the activities I have taken part in and the trips I have accompanied in this country and beyond. Most importantly, I am privileged to be able to work with the students of Whitcliffe Mount who fill every day with new challenges, every head with new grey hairs and every member of staff with the unmistakeable feeling of pride and satisfaction in their achievements.

Mr M McKirgan: 2001 - 2006
Staff member: 2006 - present

Reading the uniform requirements for new starters in the Summer Newsletter 209 I was reminded of the list tha tnew pupils received when I started at Whitcliffe Mount Grammar School in 1958.  As far as my memorey serves this comprised of:

Green Gaberdine Outdoor Coat (with belt and hood)
School Blazer
Beret
School Scarf
Green Serge Pinafore Dress
Cream School Blouse
Green Wollen Cardigan
School Tie
Green Knickers(!!!)
Green Ankle Socks
1 pair Brown Leather OUtdoor Shoes
1 pair Brown Leather Indoor Shoes
Brown Leather School Satchel
Green G=#Serge Games Shorts
White Airtex Games Shirts
Green Games Sweater
Woollen Hockey Socks
Hockey Boots
Black Sateen Gym Shorts
White Socks
Black Plimsolls

AND ALSO FOR THE SUMMER:

Green Cotton Dresses
White Ankle Socks
White Knickers(!!!)

As regards appearance - hair had to be no longer than collar lengths unless it was tied up in plaits or pony tail, hair ribbons had to be dark green, hair slides bornw and needless to say jewellery, make up and nail polish were striclty forbidden.

All items of uniform had to be worn when travelling to and from school - woe-betide being caught in the street without a beret!

All in all it was a very strict regime, but nonetheless it made you feel pride and respect for your school.

Molly Ball (nee Gilbert)
1958 - 1961 (approx)

Of all the memorable events which I recall fondly from my 5 years at Whitcliffe Mount, one story stands out as the highlight.

Each morning, my twin sister Rachael (now Moss) and I would wak to school withour good friend Sarah Nuttall (now Newsome).  The same walk had been made daily since our time at Whitechapel Middle School.

On arrival at school, we would always congregate in the locker room, just outside the lunch hall, as I recall.  Being a suitable and logical meeting point for friends before the school day began, others decided to congregate there also.  Needless to say, space was at a premium.

On our relatively late arrival (I believe around 8.35am, with class registration due to commence around 8.40am) the room was already full of students and our entry meant we were crammed in like sardines.  Waiting to get to our lockers, we were literally blocking the entrance to the doors.  Rachael and I were safely at the front of the group, but poor Sarah was taking a bit of a battering from the door opening with every next arrival.  Being a mild-mannered girl, Sarah calmly bit her tongue and tried to smile through her obvious annoyance.  However, that calm soon boiled over when one particularly over-zealous individual descended the stairs and flugn the door open without any knowledge or regard for who was on the other side.

In a temporary moment of madness/frustration, Sarah span around on the sport, taking hold of the door and slamming it shut.  Big Mistake because the Geography and Sports teacher, Mr Lunn, had taken a step or two forwards and was exactly half-way through the door.  On the door meeting with his forehead, Rachael and I could see both the rage building within Mr Lunn and also were witness to the horror mounting within Sarah.

A cry of, "You stupid girl," from the usually amiable Mr Lunn should have been met with a rather red face and a gushing apology, but Sarah's bottom lip merely quivvered a little before a slight smirk appeared on her face.  Normal service was resumed, however, when a now enraged Mr Lunn bellowed, "Your STUPID girl", for a second time.  Sarah's slightly quivvering medical treatment on the now visible lump protruding from his forehead.  Meanwhile, Sarah was left sobbing uncontrollably by her locker with a mass of students in fits of laughter.

Never again did Sarah cross the path of Mr Lunn.  Nor did she swing out in frustration before checking who was behind her.

Richard McIntosh - 1992 - 1997

During my time at WMGS the school hall was in the centre of the building and later became the library; outside the entrance there were two large red fire extinguishers mounted on the wall, one either side of the doors. One day Mr. Gingell said to a group of sixth-formers, 'Do you think that these things work?' Not needing any further encouragement we took one outside and gave the large chrome knob on top a hefty bang- there was an immediate fountain of water from the nozzle plus mini jets from everyone of the many rivets holding the body together; for a couple of minutes or so we had a display which would not have been out of place in any city-centre water feature. We certainly didn't need any encouragement to 'test' the other extinguisher!

Eric Dyson: 1942-1950

I attended Whitcliffe from 1970 to 1977 as Helen Neal. My elder brother was David and went there from 1966 to 1973, we were both in Wadsworth House. I remember my first day, in full uniform with a huge satchel and my beret being "de bobbled". I was in class 1b and then moved up to 1a. My best friends were Michelle Cameron Nikki Alam and Kathryn Harrop. Teachers I remember are Dickie Phelps, Miss Lumb, Mr Bradman, Mr Brown, Mr Force, Mr Hill, Miss Middleton and Frog.

I remember the days of having to play hockey in freezing temperatures, of having to do latin, those long parquet floors on the ground floor,of the whole school photo being taken when we went from a grammar school to comprehensive, of having to do the cross country run to get a point for the house and the end of year concerts. Happy days!

Helen Jaggar
1970-77

Julie Taylor remembers that in 2nd form the girls only had to make nighties in Domestic Science.  Apparently to boys had to do woodwork or metalwork.  The garements were hideous.  Julie made pink babydoll pyjamas! 

Her friend, 'Little' Linda Firth remembers using 5 yards of brushed nylon to make her nightie and comments that hers looked like 'something the cat dragged in' when she had finished and assembled it.  She had to cut it out across the sink as all the flat tables were occupied.  She asks, 'Didn't someone's mum write a note to say that a yard and a half would have been plenty?'!!

Julie Taylor and 'Little' Linda Firth!
1963-1970 

I was a pupil at Whitcliffe Mount Grammar School.  I absolutely loved it!  I put most of my energy into playing sport and making music; becoming athletics champion from 1963-1969 and winning the music prize in 1968. I left with some 'O' and 'A' levels and became a teacher, which I still am. I was house captain of Vause-Williams and still have the badge! I was friends with Jean Temperton, Janet Law, Stephen Elliott and Pelham Wolfenden.  We had a folk group and used to sing at school events. I am still in touch with them all. I visited school a few years ago and the memories overwhelmed me as I walked around. Everyone was friendly and helpful and it reminded me of how happy I was there.

My great uncle, William Ewart Brooke, was an old boy in about 1910, I think. He was killed in WW1 and I recently found out where his memorial is at Pozieres and went and laid some flowers by his name. I know that no-one had ever done it before and it seemed sad; he was very young, gave a false age to join up. My family had scrimped and saved to send him to WMGS as he was very bright.

We are visiting the Somme again on our way to the UK in July. I understand Mr Vause and Mr Williams were ex-members of staff who were killed in WW1. Do you know if this is true and what their first names were? If so I will lay some flowers down there too, it seems a nice gesture to two young men who were special to the school, especially in the centenary year and I can find out from the internet where they are buried if I have their full names. You can also get a free print out of their memorials from the War Graves Commission. They might be nice included in your memorabilia.

Janet Holroyd: 1962-1969 

I remeber well the number of friends I made at Whitcliffe Mount and indeed still have contact with a few.  These include Carol Jacobs, Sarah Marsden, Louise Naylor, Lyndsey Thomas, Brendan Dennis, David Hall, to name but a few.  My form teacher was Mr Butterworth who always said I would make a good politician as I had very strong opinions and arguments on certain issues of the day!  My french teacher was Mr Mirfin and to this day I remember an entry from him on my school report saying "Mary has a tendancy to work spasmodically".  How right he was - I still have a tendancy to get bored quickly!
I also remember the discos attached to the school at the sports centre; my best friend at the time Louise Naylor and myself would pour ourselves into our skinny jeans and best sparkly top and dance the night away!  The corner shop at the top of South Parade was a great meeting place for catching up on gossip whilst sharing a bag of Kola cubes and a slice of pizza.  Although I couldn't wait to leave school I enjoyed every minute of being there and, in fact, can say they were the best days of my life - although at the time I probably wasn't saying that!

Congratulation on your Centenary and long may it continue.

Mary France: 1981 - 1985 

I remember seeing the science block when I started there, I thought that was brilliant, I wasn't good at any science but my career was certainly science based as a state registered dietitian. Mr Lee took us for physics and one of the few other girls to do any scientific subjects was Susan Hodgson. Other people in my form were Richard Womersley , Joan Clegg, JohnTemperton, Elaine Dewhurst and Gillian Womersley who was very good at hockey. Mr Garside and Mr Hinchcliffe took us for french/german and we made costumes for the perfomance of the Mikado in home economics. I really enjoyed all the music. I left after the 5th year and my parents moved to Leeds. One of the places lived in after I was married was Wootton Bassett in Wiltshire where I found Mr Gingell (deputy head) living across the road. He had moved to the house on retirement when I was in the 3rd year. He could name most of the pupils in the 4th year. He presented me with a signed copy of the history of Wootton Bassett which he had written! He thought Mr Lee lived in the next road but I never met him.

Christine Hepworth:  1959 - 1964

The most educational and enjoyable time in my school years where held at Whitcliffe Mount. I remember teachers such as Miss Bream, Mr Delaney and Mr Thomas who were teachers that influenced my earlier years. Since leaving I have been in the army for 9 years and have obtained a BTEC advanced in teaching at the army. I currently work as a collections officer as well as teacher. I thank all the teachers at Whitcliffe Mount for the years I attended and the effort that was put into the school and pupils.

Nicola Clarkson:  1997 - 2000

One of my abiding memories of Whticliffe Mount Grammar School is Miss Lumb, who would stand at the door at the end of each school day, and check that our berets were in place and our skirts were not too short before we were allowed out of school!

Gillian Swallow (nee Parker): 1962 - 1969

Surely it can't be the same Mr Buckley that leads the history department? Mr Buckley was my form teacher and history teacher. I would like to thank Mr Buckley as well as Mr Noble and Mr Perrin for their inspirational teaching at WMS. It encouraged and developed my own love of history. I am also a teacher of history. I am currently working in a secondary school in Sal ford.

James Stephenson:  1979 - 1984

I found your contact through the Whitcliffian on your school website.  I was a pupil from 1951 to 1958 (ex 1A, 2L, etc) and as such was absolutely delighted to find that my old French teacher Iris Holt is hoping to attend the Centenary Celebrations.

We are hoping to secure George's old school report signed by Iris in 1951 for our memorabilia exhibition.

George Ian Langstaff: 1951 - 1958

I was in the L form from Years 1 to 3 during Albert Morton's reign. The L identified you as a student who took Latin. Esme Cook was our teacher and we didn't warm to each other. I used to play the Owzat cricket game out of Esme's sight with John Sewell. We preferred that to declining verbs in saucy sentences such as, 'Puella in herbum sunt', or for the uninitiated, 'the girl is in the grass'! and 'Vipera in herbum sunt' translated as 'the snake is in the grass' (What on earth was that all about?!!!).

Anyway I managed to scrape 5 O levels and progressed to the 6th Form where I started to grow up in response to the responsibilities given to me, especially in the Upper 6th when I became a prefect (I had definitely become an establishment figure by then) and Vause-Williams house boys' vice-captain to Peter Huscroft's captain. I was also one of a select and experimental first group to study A level geology. We had great field trips to Malham Tarn Centre, Wenlock Edge and the school's own Dales residential centre in Starbotton. My old Series E Morris 8, complete with spoked wheels and honeycomb radiator came into its own. John Cooper (of Cooper's garage near the bus station), David Thornton and myself were among the first students to drive to school in their own cars.

I was disappointed to attend WMGS originally because my ambition was to go to Heckmondwike Grammar School (they played soccer and WMGS did not) but Froggie (Mr Peter Smith) gave me my chance in the Second XV and I warmed to the oval ball game, progressing to the First XV in the Upper 6th. Thank you Mr Smith. However, I continued to play soccer for Cleckheaton Rangers in the Spen Valley League on Saturday afternoon after a hard game of rugby in the morning. How my first real girlfriend, one Cathy Asquith (I wonder where she is now?), put up with my addiction to sport - reading the Sporting Pink in the cinema in Dewsbury at the interval for example, I will never know.

Another little silly snippet is that I was the first boy in my year 55/56 to take the plunge and wear long trousers. Everyone else was in short trousers and I was mortified when my mother made me wear long ones. This though, opened the floodgates, Stuart West followed and then the rest.

Anyway - thank you Whitcliffe Mount. At times we had an uneasy relationship and despite the abject level of career advice, I ended up as poacher turned game keeper as a teacher and headteacher myself and now I even inspect the blooming things. I have the old school a lot to be thankful for - many good friends, lots of laughs and a sound education. What more could I ask for? As a result I have been very happy in my career and in my life and WMGS had a big part to play in that.

When I was at the school there was a young lad in the same year as me, although he left in either 1959 or 1960 to work at Yorkshire Tar Distillers on Bradford Road, called Ray Walsh. Ray went on to be a singer with various local bands before being spotted as Jamie Lee and the Atlantics in about 1962 by the infamous record producer Joe Meek (of Telstar fame). Ray and his band recorded 'In the Night' and 'Little Girl in Blue' for Joe Meek at his Islington recording studio. These tracks are still available on a CD called RGM Rarities Vol 1 The RnR Era, which is currently available on Amazon but at a silly price of £22. Little Girl in Blue was played on Brian Matthews' Radio 2 programme, Sounds of the Sixties, some time last year.

Richard was at WMGS during the 50th anniversary celebrations and meets up with several Old Whitcliffians from time to time in London.  One of the ex-students he meets with is John Longley, who achieved some degree of fame as a television producer before he retired.  During his career he became executive producer of 'This is your life' among many other programmes for television. 

Richard Perkins:  1955 - 1962

I went to the school in 1957, and at that time lived in South Parade, some 200 yards away. Stuart Metcalfe and Susan Booth lived even nearer!!. I never had a school dinner throughout all those years, did I miss anything.
When I arrived I was amazed to find other pupils from far flung places like Lightcliffe and Hipperholme. I had never visited those places, having had a sheltered life in Cleckheaton, but they semed to be quite normal kids who lived in bigger houses.
At the end of the first year, I won a form prize, a prize for religious instruction, and the Barry Spencer cup. The staff must have thought that I was genius material. Sadly not, because it all went downhill from there, a few O levels, including 5 or 6 attepts at French. Iris Holt must have despaired of me, but I persevered, and passed it in time.

I have just been speaking to Anthony Browne, who has a mention on here, and he reminded me of this, as his brother Mick, also won the same cup. Mine was presented at the old Savoy cinema in Cleckheaton, by the Princess Royal. No doubt she was impressed. With the cinema that is!!

At that time all text books had to covered in brown paper. This took ages, and my father did mine. At least you could draw and doodle on them having done it. I think that is where Browne got his training.

I also played rugby with Tony Browne, and recently talked to Peter Smith about it. He could only describe me as a plodder at rugby, he was probably right, but enjoyable just the same.

I remember WMGS winning the Ilkley sevens, quite a feat in those days, Elliot, Acroyd, Walker, Pickering, Skelton and Griffin. I bet Peter had a few beers that night.

As time went by I came to visit Lightcliffe and Hipperholme and other places, maybe something to do with the girls!! Very enjoyable.

I was also in the school scouts, and this allowed us many enjoyable trips to the Dales, Lake District, Scotland, and one memorable trip to the Isle of Man. The scout leader was a man called Harry Pomfret and a teacher, Keith Conder, who taught geography.

I scraped through to the 6th Form, but found A level life difficult and had poor results. Nothing to do with furthering our education in the Lightcliffe and Hipperholme areas at local hosteleries, out of the way, but dont miss the last bus home at 1020pm!!

They say that everyone recalls where they were when John F Kennedy was killed. I think I was with Iain Sutcliffe, at the home of a teacher called David Kirby, sampling various wines and port. We were very late home, but that was education for you.

The downsides to school were cross country running and latin, in either order. How my mother managed to wash the all white running gear after a run in the mud through Scholes, I will never know. But I know that both my parents were proud that I had a life at Whitcliffe, even though I never achieved university status.

I still see many former pupils at Cleckheaton rugby club, and have many wonderful memories of school years.

I married Pat Taylor, who was also at school with me, how about that!!! And still married.

P.S. Whatever happened to Johnnie Humphries, a legend before his time. He was a year older than me, and even Peter Smith doesnt know.

I know that Peter is in poor health, nothing to do with the Woodbines or whatever, but his memories of school are also legendary. Well worth an hour on the telephone with him.
All the best Peter.

Graham Ward: 1957 - 1964

I write this on behalf of my mother (Miriam Sanderson - nee Parkin) who is now in a Nursing Home. She attended Whitcliffe Mount around 1932, always talking fondly of her days at the school, and was very proud of having won a scholarship to the Grammar School. I believe she was a good hockey player and swimmer, representing the School. Mum spent her time in Malta from 1938 through to 1953 when she spent time in Pakistan finally settling in Australia in 1974. We would love to here from any old school friends.
She wishes everyone a wonderful centenary.
Regards

Patricia McLoughlin (nee Sanderson)
Deception Bay, Queensland, Australia

Hello School!
Just a quick email to say that I hope to attend the Centenary celebrations next Saturday with a couple of friends.
I was a pupil from 1952 to 1960.
I remember the Queen's Coronation in 1953 when the school hired a special train and took us all to London for the day - I was in the First Form. Memorable!  I also have very clear memories of a book which was produced for the 50th anniversary - a big green book.

We are aiming to meet up in the Sports Hall carpark just after 11am on Saturday.
Look forward very much to seeing the old place again!

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Jean Ann Naylor: 1952 - 1960

I remember fondly having a lesson in one of the upstairs classrooms in the science block. I was asked to open one of the high windows with a pole, not a good idea as the pole slipped and went straight through the window! Oooops.....

Sarah Christopher (nee) Coomber:  1986 - 1960

I would have liked to come to the celebratory open days.  I attended the school from 1961 to 1968 and my father was there in the late 20's.
If you have an "Apologies" notice on the day or a visitors book, I would be very pleased if you added my name to it, with a greeting to my classmates and those with whom I played sports.
I hope the school and everyone who attends the celebrations have  a couple of great days.

Tony (Anthony) Wragg:  1961 - 1968

WMGS changed my life and gave me so many fantastic opportunities. Coming from a fairly poor council estate background, without the great teachers at school I would never have taken A levels and gone to Leicester University, gaining a BSc and a PGCE but going into business and having a successful 30 years to date.

Discovering Rugby has taken me as far afield as Hong Kong and much of Europe, but I loved playing for Mowat just as much, beating our great rivals Arnold! Our school year team were, I think, unbeaten from 1966 to 1969.

I well remember the support shown by deputy Head Mr Phelps to the honours winners from the 1st XV on the final prize giving day as a Grammar school in 1973.

Great memories of a great school!!

Mike Goldsmith: 1966 - 1973

I attended WMGS from 1957 through 1962 under my maiden name of Maureen Daisey. My older brothers also attended, Brian leaving the year I started there, and Melvyn a couple of years ahead of me. Both are still living in Yorkshire.
I enjoyed my time at Whitcliffe, with my favourite subjects being languages and history, which helped me when I changed careers when I moved to the States in 1973. I am now the Branch Librarian in the town of Moorcroft ,Wyoming. I have ended up quite a long way from Whitcliffe!.
My oldest brother attended the open house last weekend and sent me a copy of the Centennial brochure, which was really intesting, especially the pictures. It has been fun to read the memories, and to try to put names to some of the faces, especially the teachers. Because my older brothers attended , I seem to remember people from grades ahead of me as welll as my own grade. Some things I remembered, such as the dress code, which at the time was really strict, for example always been seen with your beret while in uniform. The first thing I did when I got off the bus at home was take my beret off and put it in my pocket. I am sure that was the same for all the girls. The one thing I remember really well is after we had the new Library built and it burned down. It was such a terrible thing as we had waited so long to have a library, we used to have library in a tiny room on the ground floor which seemed like a glorified closet. As I am unable to plan a visit home at this time I would love to hear from any of my class friends.

Maureen Farrier nee Daisey: 1957 - 1962
(maureenfarrier@ymail.com)