Sinjuns Guestbook - January 2005 ~ December 2005
26 years! seems like yesterday, sadly don't see many of
the others but I have bumped into Steve Price ( no green t- shirt, darryl (in a
pub!), victor and more recently Steve Begley. Had a drink with Gary Watkins at
the Chelsea
pitch owners lunch before christmas. I am in contact with Lloyd and recently
went to his daughters 18th. The good old days eh? Frans references did make me
smile, Terry: the stories have dried up mate how about searching the archive
for a couple more??
Jon Rushworth <floisgod@hotmail.com>
- Friday, January 07, 2005 at 04:22:12 (PST)
I Started in 1966 and left after GSE/CSE in 1970 ( I
think). If there is anybody left around who remember the good/bad old days. I
use to live near Battersea Rise, remeber people like Ian Mckenzie, Nigel
clark,John Clarke,people in my little group. Then there was the gang of
Renolds, and names I can't quite recall.Most of my year joined the GPO, I ended
with an airline living in Windsor.
Hope to hear from someone.
Vincent Callue <callue@hotmail.com>
- Sunday, January 09, 2005 at 11:47:31 (PST)
Want to find out what my LT classmates are upto and
anyone else who knows me, in case you forgotten who I am or in the worst case
think I'm a wanker your names are Bale, Cossey, Dixon, Eastland, Flannagan,
Geeves, Griffiths, Hanson, hatton, Holden, Jannaway, Jefferies, Kingman, Malik
Mckee, o'dwyer O'neil, Perry, Pocaterra, Ringrose Shackelton, Sone, smith,
Sweet, Thompson, Vincent, Watson, Weatherall.
Andrew 'Bambi' Banfield <starboy064@hotmail.com>
London, England - Monday, January 17, 2005
at 09:33:14 (PST)
Inmate for two years between 72 - 74. I've seen a few
familiar names on the site. Graeme Crump, Ian crump - heres a few more (but
does it stretch the old memory) Dave Muir, Pete Smout, Viv gregory, Neil
George, jamie Glass. I've bumped into a few old sinjuns over the years (Ian and
Greame Crump recently. Nice to know there are a few others out there that have
survived Hope all the others are OK and doing well.
Frank Micallef <fmicallef@slingshot.co.nz>
Auckland , New Zealand - Monday, January 24,
2005 at 16:19:03 (PST)
Any Sinjuns going to Barca or Cardiff. DET is in Cardiff and is contactable. I'm going Barca
as is Benny Humphrey. To any Fulham fans why don't you come along as well.
You'll never know what it is like otherwise!
<arthur.ch@ntlworld.com>
- Wednesday, February 09, 2005 at 00:49:04 (PST)
I am searching for a Will Parham. I haven't seen him in
several years but heard he was stationed in Germany somewhere. If anyone has
any information, please e-mail me asap. Thanks! salebron@hotmail.com
S. LeBron <salebron@hotmail.com>
Lake City, Florida USA
- Wednesday, March 30, 2005 at 18:40:23 (PST)
I note that the list of nicknames is still very
incomplete. During my stay at Sinjuns (1935-43) The following nicknames were
used Headmaster Jet Taylor 'Chips' Smallwood
Don Joseph <mc-dj@trytel.com>
Ottawa, Ontario Canada - Tuesday, April 05, 2005 at 17:57:07 (PDT)
Sorry, earlier email sent before being finished Futher to
the list of Nicknames of the staff during my stay at Sinjuns (1935-43)
Headmaster 'Jet' Taylor "Chips" Smallwood "Ernie" Cozens
"Fanny" Ward "Dynamite Dan" Edlin "Bill" Ashton
"Waddy" Wordsworth "Fishy" Billingshurst "Ozzy"
Osborne "Aunty" Needham (it was rumoured that it was initially
"Arty") If there are any people in their late seventies who were at
school with me, drop an email to me
Don Joseph <mc-dj#trytel.com>
Ottawa, Ontario Canada - Tuesday, April 05, 2005 at 18:09:02 (PDT)
A few days ago, I entered “Sir Walter St. John” on the
Google search engine and, much to my surprise and delight, I found the
excellent Sinjuns website. I wish I had searched earlier.
On reading a guest book entry by Charlie Foulsham dated 30/12/02, the names of
the first two teachers that he mentioned (“Algie” and “Stripp”) brought back
memories of my first term at Sinjuns in Form 2B in the autumn of 1942. I was
only caned twice at school and both punishments occurred in that first term;
the offence on both occasions being my failure to hand in homework on time.
“Algie” Haythorne gave me two on the backside, but I was bent over near a desk
and the tip of the cane hit the desk momentarily before the cane struck me. It
sounded loud and I made the obligatory cry of pain although I hardly felt a
thing. I think “Algie” knew what had happened, but he was a kindly man and let
it pass. On the other hand, Mr Stripp was not so kind. He caned me twice on the
hand – the left, of course, so that I had no uccess - and, either in that year
or the following year when I was in Form 3A, he was also our form teacher.
After the school moved back to Battersea in 1945, I joined the school cadet
corps and, if my memory serves me right, he was the Commanding Officer.
Mr Stripp was our Maths Teacher (and a damned good one at that). As far as I
can remember, he did not have a nickname: His surname “Stripp” rolled off the
tongue so readily that just dropping the title Mr. was irreverent enough. After
the caning incident, I think he regarded me as an idler and it was pleasing to
see the stunned look on his face when I achieved 100% in an algebra test set, I
think, at the end of that first term. He had a more pleasing attitude towards
me after that.
Although I hated history as a subject, I enjoyed the lessons of Dr. “Nick” or
“Old Nick” Nicholls. He had a habit of veering away from the subject and
entertaining the class with stories quite unrelated to the matter in hand. It
was rumoured that he could direct you anywhere in the country using pub names
only. (e.g.Turn left at “The Swan”, in 200 yards, you will pass The Prince of
Wales and 400yards further, turn right just before you reach The King’s Head,
etc. etc.) I am sure this was grossly exaggerated but I have a suspicion that “Nick”
was, himself, the original source of the rumour.
Dr. Hunt, music teacher and choirmaster was responsible for expanding my taste
in music. Up until then, my musical education was confined to listening to Vera
Lynn, Bing Crosby, Flannagan and Allen, Henry Hall etc. on the wireless or
radio. Dr. Hunt introduced us to Verdi, Rossini, Beethoven and many other
composers. I joined the school choir and remember the choir giving carol
concerts in the local church just before Christmas. One year (1943, I think) we
sang excerpts from Handel’s Messiah. It was a very good choir and about 1944 we
were invited to a recording studio in London
so that a reord could be made and played to the troops over a forces network.
While we were there, we rehearsed a few pieces and finally a song was selected
for recording. It was a song for just trebles and altos so the basses and
tenors in the choir did not achieve their moment of fame.
The song was “Alleluia”. (Not The Hallelujah Chorus from the Messiah!) To this
day, I could still sing it if only my voice did not resemble the sound of a
ruptured frog (too much smoking). The words were easy enough to remember
comprising merely of the word “alleluia” repeated over and over again with a
few a-a-a-allelu-uia and other variants thrown in for good measure. The
composer? I’m not sure but it may have been Mozart. Who wrote the words? Who
cares? Anyone could have done it, even me - except that I hadn’t even been born
yet!
The above are the four masters who most clearly stick in my memory. I also
remember the Headmaster Mr. ”Jet” Taylor
but I can’t say much about him since I did my best to steer well clear. Mr.
“Chips” Smallwood I remember by name but I don’t think I was ever in his class.
I vaguely remember being in the class of a teacher called “Sis” but what he
taught or what his name was escapes me.
Its not only the names of teachers that I can’t recall. The only name of my
classmates that comes to mind is Peter Sydney “Shunter” Courtney. “Shunter”
joined the school at the same time as me and we immediately became good
friends. We both sang together as altos in the choir and remained good friends
until he left the school about a year before the end of the war. Peter, if you
are out there somewhere, contact me either through this site or by E.mail.
bob.burkmar@btinternet.com
My memory has never been one of my strong attributes (if, indeed, I have any)
and, like so many things, it has deteriorated with age.
I am fine with numbers but names are too easily forgotten. So I would sincerely
apologise to the fans of Dr. Whatshisname (Physics) or Mr. Thingy (Latin) that
they have not had a mention in the above paragraphs.
I originally intended to write only a couple of paragraphs. I realise that I
have rambled on a bit but ask that you put it down to old age.
Aubrey (don’t you dare call me that) Robert (I prefer Bob) Burkmar.
Bob Burkmar <bob.burkmar@btinternet.com>
Basildon, Essex England
- Thursday, April 14, 2005 at 15:26:43 (PDT)
I am searching for classmates from 1977 to 1982 completed
course in Building construction Riversdale college of thechnology in Liverpool
Agburth Road, If any one remember me please contact by email
teamsadri@yahoo.co.uk Remember the Construction teacher Mr Old > Students
were as following:- David Jones, The two twins brother Lawrance, Philip Algavi,
Davar Vahdati, Naser Ghorbani, Hamid Zarrabi, Farhad ? and many more don't
remember the names
Majid Sadri-Shirani <teamsadri@yahoo.co.uk>
England
- Saturday, June 04, 2005 at 12:54:22 (PDT)
I was at sinjuns from 1957 to 1962.On the whole enjoyed
my stay there although some one or two teachers did not bring out my full
potential. Am living now in Northampton
with my wife of 37 years and enjoying every minute. Was in local government for
almost 40 years and obtained a professional qualification in Rating and
Valuation. If anyone remembers me I would be glad to hear from them.
Denis Hamilton <brenden.hamilton@virgin.net>
Northampton, Northants England - Wednesday, June 08, 2005
at 08:43:36 (PDT)
At 'Sinjuns' from 1951 to 1955, if any of you were in the
same years as me, and remember me, I would be pleased to hear from you. Dave.
David Hedger <hedgerdave@yahoo.co.uk>
Welwyn Garden C, Herts UK
- Monday, July 04, 2005 at 12:04:22 (PDT)
keep sinjuns real
REAL SINJUNS FC <realsinjunsfc@realsinjuns.com>
london,
wandsworth - Thursday, August 11, 2005 at 07:49:05 (PDT)
For those who can remember it, here is a midi file of the
music of the school song. I must apologize for the limitations of my
transcribing program, causing some timing errors in the chorus. Best Wishes,
Don Joseph - 1935-43
Click HERE to Listen
- Saturday, August 13, 2005 at 21:32:43 (PDT)
I regret to inform the death of Alan Thurgood (1952-57).
The funeral service will take place at 4pm on Friday 2nd September 2005 at
North East Surrey Crematorium. For further
information please call Alan
Towers on 0208 394 2446.
Alan Towers <cullen_melissa@hotmail.com>
UK
- Tuesday, August 30, 2005 at 02:39:12 (PDT)
I spent 4 happy years (1961-65) as a teacher of
Handicraft, as the subject was at that time described, alongside my late
colleague, Ron Battie. I was also OC of the school Cadet Corps and I wonder
where they all are now! I have often wondered what became of the school in the
reorganisation of education, and now I know. For myself, in 1965, recently
married, I left with my wife for a new life and career in Devon
and I am still here!
Malcolm J. Hogg <mjh@tr4.eclipse.co.uk>
Crediton, Devon UK
- Tuesday, September 13, 2005 at 09:26:09 (PDT)
Sinjuns Grammarians F.C first game of the season at home
3 k.o, so come on down and watch the sinjuns also the club house will be open
and d.j after the game.
sinjuns grammarians fc <sinjuns@hotmail.com>
london, wandsworth england - Wednesday, September 14,
2005 at 08:33:48 (PDT)
What a site! Found it quite by chance. First thing I read
is that an old school mate of mine, Alan Thurgood died this year. Are we really
getting old?
My name is Mick Parker. I was at Sinjuns 1952 -1955. Had to leave (no, I wasn't
expelled) because we moved down to Pompey. Seems to me that there aren't many
Sinjuns old boys from the early fifties; most seem to be from the seventies
onward.
Anyway, see if this pricks anybody's memory. Some of the names I remember, with
great difficulty I might add are: Joshua Reynolds, Brian Clark, Willy Wall,
Alan Thurgood, Shackleton (or was it Shackleford), Cullip, Germaine,
Gathercole, Abadi... is this ringing any bells amongst you lot?
The teachers I remember were: Smallwood (Chips), Algie, Taylor (of Class 2T),
Stripp (an amazingly gifted teacher). Connie Brighton, the Latin teacher who
was disappointed when I scored 16% in my end of term exam. An American Latin
Teacher who punched his weight and clipped me round the ear bursting my ear
drum, Mr Stacey. About seven feet tall as I recall! Mr. Melbourne who, I seem
to remember, gave the whole school a lecture from the balcony above the main
entrance facing the playground on the dangers and downright insolence of
throwing snowballs etc. etc., and don't let it happen again otherwise a
suitable punishment will be administered; whereupon he was instantly pelted
with hundreds of snowballs from the young scallywags he was lecturing. He beat
a hasty retreat from the balcony and nothing more was heard of the incident
again.
I remember the 'Fives' court where some of the teachers strengthened their
caning hands with a good workout; often against lads from the Sixth form.
And the Tuck Shop! What a joy. How civilised! All those cream cakes and buns;
enough to delight even the most ardent of Billy Bunters.
I will always have fond memories of my time at Sinjuns. A wonderful school with
a fine tradition. Sinjuns past and Sinjuns present, what a song! Such a pity it
had to close and become a memorial to Left Wing dogma. I drove past the school
with my wife in the eighties, unware that it had changed its name. It was so
disappointing to see a treasure from the past wiped out. Ah well, c'est la vie!
Oh yes, I remember the boxing club of which I was a member, and I remember
getting a severe beating off messrs. Germaine and Gathercole (one at a time of
course). The latter went on to become London ABA champion (so I heard
from a most unlikely source years later).
So, keep up the good work on the website. A wonderful treasure trove of memories
to dip into from time to time.
Best Wishes, Mick Parker
Mick Parker
- Thursday, September 29, 2005 at 00:25:56 (PDT)
Ainsworth, Barnes, Bransgrove, Brocking, Burton,
Downer, Francis, Gay, Grant, Hardy, Hearn, Hendricks, Hickman, Hudson, Lonergan,
Masterson, McGrory.. I thought I could remember all of 1c from 1968, seems I
can't. Just to say that my time at Sinjuns resulted in my going into teaching
for revenge and the echo of 'make a space' and 'wide load' now thunder down my
corridors of power. Got cancer in the head but luckily getting better and lets
face it, you have to be a looney to teach. Best wishes to all. Bob Ainsworth
Bob Ainsworth <ainsworthbob@yahoo.com>
Walkford, Dorset UK
- Saturday, October 29, 2005 at 08:39:20 (PDT)
At Sinjuns 79-82. Names fondly remembered; Mr Meaden, Mr Dixon, Mr Duckett -- The Fords, Rightmyer, Flanagan, Wakefield. Not so fond
of; Mark Bedborough, Goodan, Ackers, Steven Burrel [Twat], Goodwin [Should of
kicked your arse!] Many miserable memories of being picked on for being far
more stylish than any of you morons. Went on to be a successful and critically
acclaimed Musician/Producer. Left with no qualifications!!
Karl William Hussey <karl.hussey@btinternet.com>
- Sunday, October 30, 2005 at 02:16:19 (PST)
I was at the school from 1959 to 1966.Amongst my mates
were Stan Giles, Dave Wood, Barry Sullivan, John Elias, Graham Welch, Les
Dearlove, Ken Ashby (with whom I used to run). It would be great to hear from
any of these guys, or from anyone who knows of them.
Steve Wooldridge <s.wooldridge@ntlworld.com>
- Saturday, November 12, 2005 at 13:20:10 (PST)
Would Bob Ainsworth ('67 to '74) please contact me. Both
of the email addresses that I have for you seem to be out of date. Please send
me your email, address and phone details. Anyone else from our year group
please do the same as I'm compiling a contact list for Reunion
purposes. Cheers, Keith
Keith Roodenburgh <keithroodenburgh@hotmail.com>
London, England - Wednesday, December 07,
2005 at 16:06:07 (PST)
Was at Sinjuns 57 to 62 (last century). Nobody will
remember me as I was a quiet boy, still am actually. Whatever happened to Mr
Banks english teacher?
David Harris <harris@sisco.fsnet.co.uk>
- Tuesday, December 13, 2005 at 03:58:03 (PST)
Me, Darryl, Dean, Steve, Tony o'c, are still 'AT SCHOOL'.
Mates a drinking and a, well! Just the same `gang, we always were, more or
less.Terry, the Johns, Juan Montez, Martin Whale, GB types etc????. Rushworth,
surely not more terminal Insecurity, coupled with a girlie like temper, red
face. People were embarrassed & sorry for you, not scared. Terry, where
were you? You really weren't part of any of the capers WE got up to. You still
managed mediocrity. Me, Rushworth, Turner etc, could even put the odd lucid bit
of work in in when the subject grabbed us. I seem to remember you always
tagging around 6/7/10, whilst being reasonably aggreable in a non noticeable
sort of way. I must say you nearly Lazerused up on the toilet reminiscence.
However, none, particularly Fritz let you off whether you where there or not
Victor Garrick <garrick497@aol.com>
The Tooting, The London ` - Sunday, December 18, 2005 at 21:46:26 (PST)
Real Sinjuns Football Club
A.F.C Sinjuns <sinjuns@hotmail.com>
London, Battersea - Tuesday, December 20, 2005 at 02:00:30 (PST)
Sorry, I was very, very drunk. Merry Xmas & a Happy
New Year to you. One & all.
victor garrick <garrick497@aol.com>
London, England - Friday, December 23, 2005
at 03:16:26 (PST)
re: Bob Burkma's entry -"Sis" Charman taught Maths; I guess he
missed the delights of Latin "taught" by Bandy since he did not
mention him
Alan (Peter) Walker <pandp1@optusnet.com.au>
Marryatville, South Australia Australia - Tuesday, December 27, 2005 at
04:42:06 (PST)
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