Brockenhurst Grammar School
I spent eight years of my school life at Brockenhurst between 1955 to 1963. Being a somewhat shy individual at that time, my presence at the school was hardly recognized. I was known as 'Twink' until my younger brother David came to the school and he flew off with my nickname. I did not excel academically, or on the sports field but achieved a basic education. Dr Wood was the Head Master, and teachers I remember were Truckle, Merridith, Pierce, Evans, Bromley, Davies, Dibden, Hicks, Lee, Spalding, Hirst, Huggins, Bain, etc. and a custodian Sam Curd. People in my year: Tom Watts, Jill Wigglesworth, Diane Derbyshire, Bob Maddock, Si Newham, Chris Darcel, John Dickenson, Martin Dickens, Roger Foreman, etc
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RE: RE: Brockenhurst Grammar School
I am Dr Wood's daughter and was at the school from 1954 - 1960. I went on to become an educational psychologist specialising in autism and I reired a few months ago.
My fondest memory was of the 4th Form Club, which was created by my father to encourage the sexes to mix socially. It met every Thursday after school and every member of the 4th year attended. The bit I liked best was the ballroom dancing lessons taught by Mr Evans (Physics teacher, a comedian) and Miss Davies (English teacher, a strong personality, enthusiastic and ruled with a rod of iron). The girls sat on one side of the Hall, the boys on the other. Every week the boys had to be prized out of their chairs by Miss Davies to go and ask a girl to dance. However, once the dancing got underway everyone relaxed a party atmosphere developed, with Miss Davies and Mr Evans demonstrating the steps and much hilarity as we got tied up in knots trying to get the steps right.
Comment from Maggie Palmer on Sunday, 14th March 2010.
RE: RE: Brockenhurst Grammar School
My brother David Gower and I moved from Chester to Mudeford and we spent 4 happy years at Brockenhurt. From Hampshire my mother emigrated as a British Migrant Teacher to Australia, and there we have remained ever since. Mum retired from teaching and is still around at 96! David, married for 47 years, has 4 boys and 11 grandchildren. I am divorced (unwillingly) and have 3 girls and 6 grandchildren. Two of my girls are teachers, one, Michaela, a primary school music teacher and Meredith, a Grade 1 and 2 primary school teacher. Once in Australia, David was employed by QANTAS for 27 years and I went back to school, Cremorne Girls' High, on the foreshores of Sydney Harbour. The carriculum was SO different and since my aim was to be a Domestic Science Teacher (thanks Miss Gaynor), I took "Home Economics", nothing about dietetics, just cooking and icing cakes, and I was not permitted to take any of the other sciences. Shame, but I progressed, working in advertising and then the last 21 years of employment as a small systems manager in the Brisbane Fruit and Vegetable Wholesale Market. I remember fondly Dr Wood, and Tad Thomas, particularly since he was Welsh and I have a Welsh heritage. David and family are Sydneysiders and we are north of the border in Brisbane.
Comment from Jennifer Walkington on Saturday, 17th April 2010.
RE: RE: Brockenhurst Grammar School
Hello Jennifer Walkington: It is strange how people's lives intersect and diverge with so many points in common, without knowingly having met! The same theme has been tackled by several film makers. I too have a Welsh heritage from Denbigh (long lapsed), a cousin in Chester, another cousin in Sydney, an education at Brockenhurst with common teachers etc. Friar's Cliff and Mudeford were places our family hung out around. At Brockenhurst, my best friend (Geoff Biggs from Christchurch) emigrated to Australia and sailed out of my life. At Brockenhurst, Mr Lee was the Shop instructor and I took to technical drawing like a fish in water, and it provided me with an engineering insight I never knew I had. I now reside in Ottawa after a career that included Civil Engineering, Hydrographic Surveying both naval and commercial, and many entrepreneural activities suited to my bent in life. Jennifer, it was good to 'nearly' know you!
Comment from Edward Williams on Sunday, 18th April 2010.