Whitchurch Grammar Boarding School

A Memory of Whitchurch.

I was a boarder from 1956 to 1960. It was a boys only school at the time , and there were around 28 boarders from first to sixth form. I belief there were around 240 boys total at the school. I remember the walks to church every Sunday morning, letter writing for one hour after lunch every Sunday. Had great fields for sport and just exploring. There was a gate keepers cottage at the far end on Whitchurch Rd., and the janitor lived there with his family. I remember he and his wife took care of the school after everyone had gone home each day. They had a daughter same age as me who had lovely red hair.

E. A. Youatt was the head, we called him Tate. He had a daughter and son, of similar age to Jim Crackmell and Ian jolly. Jolly went out with the French teachers daughter I remember.

Every Christmas there was a dance put on by the boarders and we were able to invite one guest, usually a girl. One year 3 of the boarders formed a skittle band and performed at the Christmas dance.

Rugby was always the best sport, and the two Houses, Peak and Croft, played each other at least once if not twice a year. The rugby teams were Colts for younger re boys. One year we had this boy name Marlon (Rodgers) a doctor's son who joined the school in 5 th form, who was a great center, in-part I believe because he could not see too well without his glasses when playing, so he got the ball and just ran, very fast as it
happened. Great to watch.