the almondburian july 2010

Special

TAYLORDYSON

issue

JULY, 2010

JULY TO PRESS ALT COVER 2:Layout 1 05/06/2010 09:41

IN THIS ISSUE

3 Chairman’s Letter4 OAS Calendar5 OAS Membership6 Another issue for ex-Editor7 And what became of…?8 Fifty years of Speech Days10 Keith’s Kryptic Krossword11 Back to school for Reunion 201012 Annual Dinner / Founders’ Day13 Badminton andTennis14 Golf15 Cricket16 And back at the School…18 TheTaylor Dyson Library24 Taylor Dyson Remembered35 Postbag36 Letter from Porthcawl39 Obituaries

2

THE COVER

The cover of this issue of The Almondburian would have been familiar toTaylor Dyson.It was used throughout his long headmastership of King James’s from 1913 to 1945, though

we have taken the liberty of correcting the date of 1609 which for so many years wasthought erroneously to be the year in which the School received its Charter from James I.

This special issue marks the formal transfer of the 550 books that form theTaylor Dyson Library into the safe keeping of the University of Huddersfield, the institution –

in the days when it was ‘HuddersfieldTech’ – in whichTaylor Dyson himselfonce studied as a young man.


The magazine of The Old Almondburians’ Society

The ALMONDBURIAN

W ELCOME to the July issue of The Almondburian. This is our firstChairman’s Letter since being elected in February. The normalprocess would see us in office in January but the inclement weather

(several feet of snow!) meant a quorum could not be established and the JanuaryAGM had to be abandoned.

February therefore saw a combined Annual General Meeting and committeemeeting with pie and peas being provided as usual by our Secretary AndrewHaigh, who as always did an outstanding job.

April saw the running of the Annual Quiz at the Conservative Club inAlmondbury, and a full report appears on page 5 of this issue.President’s Day held jointly with the Old Almondburians’ Society for the first

Editor: Roger Dowling July 2010

3

EMILY COMER / NICKY MURPHY

Betha

nySm

ith

Chairman’s letter


OLD ALMONDBURIANS’ SOCIETY CALENDARDATES OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEEMEETINGS,2010The Executive Committee of the Societymeets upstairs at the ‘Woolpack’ inAlmondbury. Meetings are held on the firstMonday of the month at 7.30 pm, with theexception of August, when there is nomeeting.Any member of the Society whowould like to attend one of these meetingswill be made most welcome on the followingdates: 7th June; 5th July; 6th September; 4thOctober; 1st November; 6th December.

TENNISFromThursday, 10th June toThursday, 26thAugust on the School tennis courts (weatherpermitting) from 7.15 pm until dusk.SeeTennis report on page 14.

GOTHARDCUPGOLFCOMPETITIONThis will take place on Friday, 16th July atWoodsome Hall Golf Club.See Golf report on page 14.

OLD ALMONDBURIANS CRICKET CLUBPRESIDENT’S DAY:Sunday, 29th August, at Arkenley at 10.30 am.See Cricket report on page 15.

OLD ALMONDBURIANS CRICKET CLUBANNUAL DINNER:Saturday, 16th October, at Lockwood Park at6.30 for 7.00 pm.See Cricket report on page 15.

REUNION 2010Saturday, 25th September at the SchoolSee article on page 11.

ANNUAL DINNERSaturday 20th November 2010 at theGalpharm Stadium. Full details, together withan application form for tickets, will appear inthe next issue of The Almondburian and onwww.oas.org.uk. It is always good to seemembers making a special effort to stage areunion of their year at the dinner and suchoccasions are always enjoyable.Those with aspecial anniversary this year – members ofthe classes of 1940, 1950, 1960, 1970, 1980,1985, 1990 or 2000 (or indeed anyone elsewho takes a notion to do so) – shouldconsider starting to organise their classreunion earlier rather than later.

FOUNDERS’ DAYSunday 21st November 2010 atAll HallowsChurch,Almondbury.Detailed arrangementsto be announced.See announcement on page 12.

4

time last year was deemed a success so it will be repeated this year on the 29thAugust when we hope as many Old Almondburians as possible will come alongand enjoy an afternoon of cricket and barbequing.The cricket club will again beproviding the bar in a marquee so rain will be unable to stop play. Further detailsappear on page 15.

This year’s Reunion is for those who were at the school between 1940 and1979. Further details are given on page11 and on the slip enclosed with this issue.

The annual dinner is again booked in at the Galpharm on Saturday 20thNovember; tickets are selling well as the guests of honour will be Patrick O’BrienandWalter Raleigh, two long serving members of staff who will no doubt recountmany tales from the past during their obligatory speeches.We look forward toseeing you there. �


5

OURTOTAL MEMBERSHIP currently stands at 819. Since the last magazinewas published, we have been delighted to welcome the following two newmembers to the Society:Amelia de la Cruz (Kirkheaton) and David Hughes

(Lascelles Hall).Subscriptions are due on 1st September each year so, if you receive a letter with

this newsletter pointing out that your subscription is not up-to-date, please do com-plete the updated standing order mandate that accompanies it and return it in theenvelope provided without delay.Alternatively, you may renew online, using PayPalor a debit or credit card, by visiting www.oas.org.uk and clicking on the‘Join/RenewOnline’ button. �

OAS MembershipANDREW HAIGH

Quiz Evening 2010

ANDREW HAIGH

THE ‘FOOTBALL’ TEAM – also known as Doug Norris, Gerald (‘Jez’)Whitehead, David Sinclair and Ralph Beaumont – were the triumphantwinners of the annual Quiz Night atAlmondbury Conservative Club on 28th

April 2010.Some 30 Almondburians assembled for another enjoyable evening of

questions set by Quizmaster Keith Crawshaw.As usual, there weretwo semi-finals, followed by supper and then the final.

The first semi-final was contested by three teams: ‘The1970s’, who were defending their title,‘Cricket’ and ‘Staff’.The teams were neck-and-neck after the first round, but Cricketestablished a lead in the third round to which they held on despite agood performance from Staff in the final ‘buzzer’ round. Cricket, with62 points, therefore progressed to the final, accompanied byrunners-up Staff.

Four teams contested the second semi-final: ‘Allsorts’,‘Badminton’, ‘Football’ and ‘Epic Failures’. After a slow start,Football gradually built up a lead through their knowledge ofYorkshire dialect words followed by good scoring in the final‘buzzer’ round.Thus Football, with 63 points, progressed tothe final, along with runners-up Badminton on 52 points.


6

Name To UndertakingATKIN Samuel Sainsbury plc Co Training SchemeATKINSON Thomas Leeds Met University Psychology and SocietyCARTWRIGHT Jessica Royal Ag’tural College Rural Land MgementCOLAGIOVANNI Joseph Manchester Met Uni International BusinessDAVIES Charlotte Leeds College of Art Art FoundationDAWSON Harley Showtec Audio Sound EngineerELLIS Rebecca Cambridge University French/SpanishEWART Duncan Leeds University Classical Lit/HistoryHAIGH Fiona Leeds College of Art Art FoundationHARRIES Kirstie Year outHAWKINS Daniel Manchester University Business StudiesHETHERINGTON Lucy Manchester Met Uni Fashion BuyingINGHAM Luke Leeds College of Art Art FoundationIQBAL Sanna Huddersfield University LawJOHNSEY Joe Huddersfield University DramaJOYCE Joseph Year out Higher Education (2010)LEADBEATER Joe Year out Sunderland Uni (2010)LITTLEWOOD Stephanie Nottingham University GeneticsLIU Kit Hung Huddersfield University Information/Comms TechMAYBURY Naomi De Montfort Uni Drama StudiesMcGINTY Michael Lincoln University Architecture

Name To UndertakingMELLOR Andrew Oxford University MathematicsMILNER Georgina Worcester University Mental Health NursingMONKHOUSE Lucy Loughborough Uni Civil EngineeringMORGAN Rebecca Huddersfield University Events ManagementMUNRO Joshua Kirklees MBC Electrical ApprenticeshipMURRAY Thomas Huddersfield University ChemistryPARNABY Thomas Year out Manchester Met Uni (2010)PASHAZADEH Dariush Nottingham Trent Uni Biomedical SciencePEARSON Daniel Manchester Met Uni ChemistryROEDER Ingram Leeds College of Art Art FoundationSADDIQUE Tazmin Manchester Met Uni LawSEARBY Kirsty Sheffield Hallam Uni BiologySMYTH Liam Huddersfield University Human BiologySUNTER Mark Sheffield Hallam Uni CriminologyTODD Cassandra Leeds University PhysicsTOTH Jack Huddersfield University Electronic EngineeringTURNER Stuart Seeking employmentWALLBANKS Luke St John University, York Physical Education/coachingWARD Lucy Gap year Care WorkerWRAY Danielle Leeds University Adult Nursing

And what became of…?LATEST KING JAMES’S / GREENHEAD LEAVERS

The following former King James’s pupils received prizes in the 2009 GreenheadCollege awards ceremony:ANDREWMELLOR The Miss Margaret Owen Prize for MathematicsCHARLOTTE DAVIESA CumminsTurboTechnology Prize for AchievementREBECCA ELLISThe Schoolhouse Books Prize for Spanish.

Information kindly supplied by Gerald Stead

Following a break for supper, Cricket, Badminton, Football and Staff contesteda very competitive final, in which Football swept into an early lead with someexcellent scoring demonstrating an extraordinary knowledge of sweets andchocolates.The team then consolidated their lead through their equally impressiveknowledge ofAmerican States.The final scores were Football: 69 points; Cricket: 58points; Staff: 48 points; and Badminton: 44 points.

As always, many thanks are due to Keith Crawshaw for all his hard work inpreparing the questions, to JackTaylor for acting as scorer, to the Conservative Clubfor allowing us to use their facilities and to all those who competed, contributing toanother very enjoyable OldAlmondburians’ Quiz Evening. �


7

Another issue for ex-Editor

W E PASS ON OUR HEARTY CONGRATULATIONS to former editorof The Almondburian VickyTaylor who has given birth to her first babyFelicity Anne. For those interested in the vital statistics, the new arrival

weighed in at CalderdaleRoyal Hospital on 21stMarch 2010 at 8lb 5oz(3.77 kg).Vicky is picturedhere with the new arrivaland proud dad Danny.� Vicky attended KingJames’s School from 1993to 1998 and continues to bean active and supportivemember of the OldAlmondburians’ Societyexecutive committee. �

VICKY TAYLOR

IF YOU THINK you’ve already read about the engagement of OAS committeemembers Emily and Nicky in the March issue of The Almondburian, you are quitecorrect.But this timewe are not referring to Emily Earnshaw andNicky Briggs; this

particular happy couple is our new‘JointChairmen’EmilyComer andNickyMurphy.They met at an OldAlmondburians’ badminton

session in September 2007, having both attendedKing James’s (Emily from 1997 to 2002 and Nickyfrom 1981 to 1986).

Emily is studying and training in theAccountancyprofession; Nicky was awarded a degree atHuddersfieldUniversity and is an ITConsultant.Wewish themwell. �

Emily and Nicky to wed


8

AS I PREPARED for the last Old Almondburians’ Society Dinner onSaturday, 21st November last year, I recollected that on Tuesday, 10thNovember 2009 I had attended my 50th consecutive Speech Day at the

Town Hall in Huddersfield. This coincided with my 50 years of continuousassociation with King James’s School and the Old Almondburians’ Society, as ateacher, governor and cricketer. The evening was a memorable occasion,highlighted by the announcement by the head teacher, Robert Lamb, of the best setof examination results in the school’s history and the exceptional musical talent ofthe young pianist and singers on stage.

Fifty years ago I can recall sitting on the stage at the Town Hall with teachingcolleagues in academic regalia, when headmaster HarryTaylor presented his schoolreport. On one later memorable occasion in his report he had just posed thequestion,‘as to what the future of King James’s Grammar School might be’, whenan uninvited guest managed to gain entry and shouted out, ‘burn it down!’Fortunately, the person was quickly hustled out, decorum restored and the Headcompleted his report.

An early, most vivid memory of Speech Day rehearsal is of George Beachinstructing the pupils (and by inference staff) in the niceties of standing up, sittingdown, not chewing and how to dress, particularly with regard to presenting anacceptable tie knot. More recently, Dave Bush on assuming this disciplinary role,guaranteed that the singing of the School Song, to conclude the evening, would‘sway the massive chandeliers’. Keith Crawshaw’s verdict on the success of therendition was always eagerly awaited at the next Executive Meeting. Needless to sayKeith’s response was to affirm that ‘it had indeed been a moving occasion!’

In 1962 I was ‘promoted’ from a passive role to an active one, to succeed RegAddy in handing over certificates, prizes and trophies to the guest speaker, who inturn presented them to the recipients. According to Harry Taylor I came to his

Fifty years of Speech DaysJACK TAYLOR

JACK TAYLOR joined King James’s Grammar School in 1959 as Headof Biology. In addition to his role in the Science Department, he wasin turn Head of Sixth Form, Head of Upper School and AssistantHeadteacher. Jack also became Fenay Housemaster. He hasmaintained close links with the School since his retirement and is amember of the OldAlmondburians’ Society executive committee andChairman of the OAS Cricket Club.He is a keen walker and gardener,and an entertaining after-dinner speaker.


9

attention when I alteredmy hairstyle in theprevious summer – froma comb back to sideparting – following thehirsute fashion prevalentat the time ‘for quickbowlers’.

By 1996 there were many more certificates, prizes and trophies to hand over,reflecting the increase in the number of pupils and the increase in the number ofsponsors for these awards.

A permanent feature, however, over the years, was juggling with the huge HouseShield; lifting it from its display position and handing it over to the championship winningHouse Captains.As Fenay House Master over these years it gives me no satisfaction toreport that Jessop House were never the recipients in all this time!

One of the big attractions in attending a functionat Huddersfield Town Hall is the anticipation ofhearing the magnificent organ. ‘Happy’ HarryGledhill always looked forward to his playing of the‘FatherWillis’ organ.Originally installed in Newport,SouthWales, Dave Bush relates with pride that in1861 it was dismantled and dispatched from hisadopted homeland and reassembled in Huddersfield.

There have been many outstanding Speakersdelivering inspiring words to the assembled pupils andparents over the years. I, myself, was honoured toaddress the gathering in my first year of retirement, inNovember 1998, a very proud but quite daunting andsobering experience.

On recollection, the most nervous speaker Iencountered over the years was actually a fellowOldAlmondburian –Gorden Kaye, of ’Allo,’Allo televisionfame. In fact, he confessed that the experience wasmuch worse than appearing in front of the camerasfor the popular television programme.Perhaps it wasbecause I attempted to converse with him in French!

Fifty not out: themagnificent scene inHuddersfieldTown Hall atthe 2009 PresentationEvening

Nervous: ’Allo, ’Allo star GordenKaye (1952-1958) preferred tospend his evenings with the ladies

Jenny Ainger


Present day pupils must be somewhat envious of former pupils in that years ago,after a morning rehearsal, the afternoon was‘free’.More importantly, the Speaker alsoasked for a half day holiday for the school – guaranteed to generate sustained anddeafening applause.

During my years of retirement I have eagerly looked forward to the NovemberSpeech Day and taking my balcony seat in theTown Hall along with former membersof staff and fellow Almondburians. I never cease to be amazed at the academic talentfiling its way across the stage, the quality of musical talent performing, the confidentmanner and demeanour of the Head Boy and Head Girl when addressing the assembledand the general ethos generated by a capacity audience of former students, proudparents, friends andAlmondburians. �� What are YOUR memories of past Speech Days and Presentation Evenings? Drop us aline at the contact address given on the back cover.

ACROSS1. Competitive structures (6)8. Quiet bed for School footballer for

example (6)10. After religious lesson I meet topical

opening in Surrey (7)11. Changing, form and class (5)12. Corn starter for yellow nobleman? (4)13. In place of 17th century head? (5)

17. King of first Jacobean aspirationswe hear (5)

18. Appeal from Jessop leading again! (4)22. Lesson from a chemistry master

returning without head, thus (5)23. Old Boy, I had a change of head,

appointed in 1701 (7)24. King of Poles as a pupil does (6)25. Become proficient as teacher (6)

DOWN1. Caught, she swallows a subject,

the result of Beaumont’s travel (7)2. Youngsters, perhaps join endless

ruse (7)3. Nicholas, a petitioner and

championship contender (5)4. Play a role in Brief Measurement

and command the School! (7)5. Head out of Addy’s only lesson (5)6. Peak emblem (5)9. Provoke weight of Charity (9)14. Only cab goes round to Speech

Day viewing point (7)15. Tell it nothing about brothers

attending in Griffith’s time (7)16. Plump girl’s for our ancestors (7)19. Bend on walk to old room (5)20. State under centre of best

composition (5)21. Long story over river head (5)

KEITHS’SKRYPTICKROSSWORDCompiled byKeith CrawshawEntries to the Editor by 30th August 2010Prize: 12 months free OAS membership

10


11

W EREYOUBORNBEFORE1962? If so,itmeansthat you attended King James’s in its GrammarSchool days.You therefore won’t want to miss

Reunion2010which is specificallyaimedat thosewhoattendedthe School at this time.

No watching your table manners or listening to speeches:this is a night to have a few drinks, soak up the atmosphere andif we all still had asmuch aswe did in the old school photos, letour hair down and reminiscewith oldmates!

There will be a very reasonably priced bar in the dining hall and tables set out in the gymwhere you can join the team quiz with your fellow class mates and listen to music from yourschool days, but quiet enough not to disturb the conversation – that is, unless we have anybudding Frank Sinatras who’d like to get on stage for a bit ofkaraoke.

Old memories willcome flooding backwhen you take awander around theschool and chat withformer teachers andpupils, some ofwhom haven’tbeen in touchsince the day theyleft. Responsehas beenexcellent viawebsites suchas

Friends Reunited and Facebookwhere over 100 have already been reacquainted

and many have joined a KJGS group, discussing topics andcommenting on lots of old photos.

Buy your ticket now before it’s too late (online or using the slip enclosedwith this issue) ascapacity is restricted to 400which unfortunatelymeans there are no places for spouses. �

Back to school for Reunion 2010GARY WOODHOUSE

LOOKING AHEAD…

The Huddersfield Examiner


12

THISYEAR’SANNUALDINNERwill be another special one, since the currentDeputy Headmaster, Patrick O’Brien, has indicated his intention to retire inthe summer after 38 years of loyal service to the school, as hasWalter Raleigh,

another long-serving member of staff. Both will be guests of honour at this year’sdinner and there will undoubtedly be many of their former pupils and colleagues

who will want to attend to wish them well. Acollection is also being made for retirement giftsfrom the Society to Patrick andWalter and you mayinclude your donation with payment for your ticket.

The Dinner will take place once again in the mainBanqueting Suite at the Galpharm Stadium onSaturday, 20th November at 6.30 pm for 7.30 pm,so please put the date in your diary now to make surethat you don’t miss out on a great evening.The ticketprice this year remains at £25.00 and an applicationform is included with this issue of The Almondburian.Early applications are always appreciated.

It is always good to see members making a specialeffort to stage a re-union of their year at the dinnerand such occasions are always enjoyable, so thosewith a special anniversary this year, members of theclasses of 1940, 1950, 1960, 1970, 1980, 1985, 1990or 2000, for example or, indeed, anyone else whotakes a notion to do so, should consider starting toorganise their class re-union earlier rather than later.

The traditional Founders’ Day Service willbe held at All Hallows’ Church, Almondbury, at11.30 am on the day following the Annual Dinner,Sunday, 21st November.Almondburians are invitedto assemble in Big Tree Yard at 11.00 am for thetraditional procession up the hill. The Executive

Committee would urge allAlmondburians to make every effort to attend this event.It would help if you are able to indicate in the space provided on theAnnual Dinnerticket application form whether or not you expect to attend the Founders’ DayService as well, but it is not essential and you are most welcome to turn up on theday if you are able. �

Annual Dinner/Founders’ Day

ANDREW TAYLOR

Retiring: Patrick O’Brien (top)andWalter Raleigh will both beleaving King James’s at the endof the summer term


13

THE BADMINTON SECTION witnessed another ‘first’ recently, when thecurrent Joint Chairmen of the Society, Nicky Murphy and Emily Comer,announced their engagement. Doubtless it is a ‘first’ for the Society that Joint

Chairmen have become engaged, but it was on the badminton court one Thursdayevening that Nicky and Emily first met. Congratulations to them both and our bestwishes for their future together.

I have written before in this article of the international flavour of OldAlmondburians’Badminton these days.This is largely due to David Parry who, as well as having a beautifulcompanion called Hazel Pacurib, who hails from the Philippines, also has a number ofhouses which he is in the habit of letting to French students at the University of

Huddersfield. As a result, whilst post-badmintonconversation in the ‘Woolpack’ might once havecentred on the barmaid and football, it now coverssuch erudite topics as fine wines.WhenAurélienGuyomar declared that his family wouldn’tdrink Champagne, but instead would drinkClairette de Die ‘Cuvée Imperiale’, therewas much hasty scrabbling for pens andscraps of paper and a number of membersdeparted in search of cette boisson.Unfortunately, it would appear that the

‘Cuvée Imperiale’ is not available in the UK,although, if anyone knows any differently, we would be pleased to hear.

We are now into our traditional extension to the season,which stretches from Easter

Badminton and TennisANDREW HAIGH


14

THE 2010 GOTHARD CUP GOLF COMPETITION willtake place on Friday, 16th July atWoodsome Hall GolfClub with the traditional presentation dinner in the club

house afterwards. It promises to be the best so far, with over 20entrants already.The tee time is between 4.00 pm and 5.00 pmand anyone – including non-members of the club – is welcometo play or attend the presentation dinner afterwards.Any non-golfers are also welcome to come along to the dinner inWoodsome’s stunning dining hallPlease email me at [email protected] if you would like more

information. �

Golf: Gothard CupSIMON RUSSELL

to May Spring Bank Holiday. Traditionally, attendancesdwindle during this period, although we appear to haveplumbed new depths this season, when only threepeople, albeit different people, have turned up for thepast two weeks. Even Neil Gledhill, one of ourstalwarts, has been unaccountably missing. If anyonefinds him aimlessly wandering the streets on aThursday evening, would they please return him tobadminton, reminding him that we start at 7.30 pm.

In fact, we have only one week of badmintonremaining before we transfer to our summer activity oftennis. FromThursday, 10th June untilThursday, 26thAugust wewill, weather permitting, be playing tennis on the school tennis courts between 7.15pm and dusk, so please join us if you can. During term-time, it is possible to playbadminton in the sports hall if the weather is inclement, although this is not possibleduring the summer holidays, due to maintenance work in the sports hall.The fee, tocover the cost of balls (and showers during term-time), will be £3.00 per person, perevening.

Badminton will resume in the school sports hall onThursday, 3rd September andeach subsequentThursday evening during term-time, from 7.30 pm until 9.30 pm.Thefee for badminton,which covers the hire of the sports hall, changing rooms and showersplus the cost of shuttlecocks, is £5.00 per person, per evening.Again, please come alongand join us if you can. �


15

THE BEGINNING of the new cricket season saw First and Second Elevenswith high aspirations of promotion from their respective sections,A and E,in theArrow Huddersfield Central Cricket League. Skippered by father and

son OldAlmondburians, Steve andTom Slack, the two teams were anxious to followour relative success as runners-up to an OldAlmondburian FootballTeam in the pre-season OAS Quiz Competition.

Against the background of a much colder than usual early May (first excuse!),both teams were still searching for a first victory after three league fixtures. However,team spirit remained high after this initial lack of success and victories ensued forboth teams in their fourth fixtures.

LEAGUE RECORD AT 16 MAYSECTION A

P W L PtsCartworth Moor 4 3 0 19 Current LeadersOldAlmondburians 4 1 3 6 11th position

SECTION EP W L Pts

Silkstone 4 4 0 24 Current LeadersOldAlmondburians 4 1 3 9 6th position

On Sunday, 16 May, both teams began their Cup campaigns in theAllsop andTinker Cup competitions. The First Eleven were athome to Mirfield; their league opponents on the previous day,and duly completed a double to go through to the next round.The Second Eleven were drawn away at Upper Hopton.

Old Almondburians and friends are cordially invited tosample the unique Arkenley environs by joining us anySaturday, or the occasional Sunday, throughout the summer.

PROVISIONAL DATES FOR 2010PRESIDENT’SDAY: Sunday,29thAugust, atArkenley at 10.30 amThe club will host Almondbury Casuals CC in the afternoon.

ANNUAL DINNER: Saturday, 16th October, at Lockwood Park at 6.30 for7.00 pm. �

CricketJACK TAYLOR


Au revoir to NickyNICKY GREEN, clerical officer in Reception, retired at Easter after nearly 20years at King James’s School. She joined the Schoolas a part-time clerical officer and has also been aForeign Languages Assistant and lunchtimesupervisor.Over the past years she has given a warm

welcome to thousands of visitors to the School,including many Old Almondburians returning tothe place of their childhood education. She has hada long association with the Old Almondburians’Society: her late father was aVice-President of theSociety as is her husband Richard. She was a keenmember of the OAS 400 Committee set up to planthe events forming part of the 400th Anniversary celebrations, and she has alwayskept a diligent eye on the School’s historical archives.Nicky was involved in Scouting for over 26 years and she and her husband are both

keen singers. In thanking her for all her work for the Society, we should like to wishher well in her retirement.

Excellent English GCSE resultsYear 11 students took their GCSE examination in English in November – and 124(78%) achieved Grade C or better.This is the best result ever achieved, and with re-sits in June, it could produce a pass rate of 80% or more.

School mathematicians excelEach year, the School enters a group of students for the UK IntermediateMathematical Challenge, open to the best 9, 10 and 11 year-olds in the country.This year’s entrants achieved 2 Golds, 18 Silvers and 24 Bronzes – easily a new recordfor the School.

£1,800 raised for HaitiKing James’s pupils and their families raised £1,800 through a non-uniform day andbucket collections in aid of theHaiti Appeal following the devastating earthquakeon 12th January 2010. �

16

And back at the School …THE LATEST NEWS FROM KING JAMES’S


33

TAYLOR DYSONHeadmaster 1913 - 1945

TheTaylor Dyson Library was formallylodged in the care of the University of

Huddersfield on 22nd February 2010. Inthe following pages, we look again at the‘Gaffer’ through the eyes of those who

remember him well.

17


TheTaylor Dyson Library was formally lodged in the care of the University ofHuddersfield at a reception at the university on 22nd February 2010. Agathering of Old Almondburian’ Committee members, past presidents and

senior members of the university was welcomed by Prof John Lancaster, director ofcomputing and library services.

Taylor Dyson donated his personal library to the School in 1954. OldAlmondburians and friends of the School added other volumes of complementaryinterest, making a total of some 550 books.The collection was first housed in MrAsh’s bookroom next to the‘Small’. It then moved to the former Prefects’ Study until1973 when it was transferred to Greenhead College for the benefit of the school’ssixth from students.There it languished in storage, with the exception of a selectedhandful of volumes on display. The impending 400th Anniversary celebrations,persuaded the Old Almondburians’ Society to seek a more accessible home for thecollection.

18

The Taylor Dyson LibraryGERALD STEAD

TheHud

dersfieldExam

iner

John Broadbent, who led the discussions with the University, with archivist Hilary Haigh


33

Prof Lancaster quoted recent publications extolling the virtues and impact ofgood libraries upon the receptive and impressonable mind and upon society.TheUniversity of Huddersfield Library was, he said, among the best of modernuniversities regarding the quality and accessibility of its archive section, and he wasvery pleased to be adding to its resources.

John Broadbent, on behalf of the OldAlmondburians’ Society, gave a brief outlineofTaylor Dyson himself.Academic, an incomparable teacher, an inspirer of youth anda champion of traditional educational values, he built up the school from just 56 pupilsto five times that number during the 32 years of his Headmastership up to hisretirement in 1945. “The Gaffer’s greatest lesson,” he said “was to show how tocombine the best of the old with the best of the new.”

“The university is now the best place for the collection,” said John Broadbent.“AsTaylor Dyson would have wished, we hope they will be well used.”

In accepting the collection, ProVice Chancellor ProfTimThornton said that heknew that the collection and the works ofTaylor Dyson had a continuing relevance andimportance to what the university does today. “Taylor Dyson was an extremelyinteresting man,” he said. “The university is delighted to have his collection.” �� Taylor Dyson studied at HuddersfieldTechnical College, the forerunner of HuddersfieldUniversity, for three years from 1897 when he was 14 years of age.

The Cranbrook connectionROGER DOWLING

ATTHE END of the summer term in July 1945, just two months after thecountry had celebrated the unconditional surrender of the Germans inWorldWar II, the boys of Almondbury Grammar School assembled for an

informal concert.The occasion was the departure of a headmaster who had served theschool loyally for 33 years and who had transformed it from a struggling village schoolwith an uncertain future into Huddersfield’s finest grammar school.

Taylor Dyson arrived at Almondbury in January 1913. His predecessor, RobertCrump, had done a good job in boosting school numbers from the low twenties ofthe Griffiths era, and they reached a peak of over 100 in 1908. But after this initialsuccess the numbers started to decline again and were down to just 56 whenTaylorDyson took his first assembly in the ‘Big’.

His achievements whilst at King James’s have been chronicled at length in GeraldHinchliffe’s History of King James’s Grammar School in Almondbury and the more recentIllustrated History of King James’s School*. But what do we know ofTaylor Dyson’s early

*Both books are available online at www.oas.org.uk or by post fromThe Old Almondburians’ Society

19


years – the ones that were to mould him into the highly respected and influentialfigure he was to become in his time at Almondbury?

He was born in 1882 in the small, remote Pennine town of Saddleworth, the sonof a factory manager Lister Dyson. After modest education locally, he studied forthree years at HuddersfieldTechnical College, now Huddersfield University, beforeentering Manchester University. He graduated BA Hons in History at the age of 19and pursued a number of other academic qualifications including a degree in ModernLanguages in the years that followed.

Taylor Dyson’s teaching career started in 1901 with a year’s teaching practice atNewbury Grammar School. After a spell at Penarth County School, he then taughtuntil 1912 first at Cranbrook Grammar School in Kent and then at Nottingham HighSchool.These latter appointments were to influence profoundly his future career andindeed his whole approach to teaching.

Cranbrook School was then, as now, an historic boarding school. It dates back toTudor times, and its Royal Charter, received from Elizabeth I in 1573, is still in theschool’s proud possession. Compared with life in Saddleworth, Cranbrook Schoolmust have seemed a different world to Taylor Dyson, still a young man in his earlytwenties. He himself received board and lodging (valued at £50) while at Cranbrookand had a role looking after the young fellow-boarders. For the first time he sawschooling as a round-the-clock activity in which high quality lessons weresupplemented by sports events, school trips, house activities, competitions, schoolfairs and the rest. It appealed to him greatly.

Taylor Dyson took up his appointment at Nottingham High School in 1908, living

20

Cranbrook School,Kent today


29

in Ayr Street, within easy walking distance of the school. Around this time, he metEthel Matilda Langley, the attractive daughter of a Northampton commercial travellerFrank Langley.The couple married, on 28th July 1910, at St Matthew’s Parish Church,Northampton. It was in 1912 that Taylor Dyson learned of an almost unbelievableopportunity back in his native county: the headmastership of a small school inAlmondbury, only 15 miles from his roots back inYorkshire.What was more, it wasan ancient school, like Cranbrook, and even had its own boarders! His imaginationran riot. Perhaps he could transform this struggling school into a major Public School,attracting boarders from all overYorkshire?

As he popped his application form into the pillar box, evenTaylor Dyson cannothave rated his chances of success very highly.True, he was well qualified; but he wasstill very young and had only a few years’ teaching experience under his belt. He hadno supervisory experience whatsoever. Perhaps it was his new wife, Ethel Matilda –always known affectionately as‘Poppy’ – who reminded him of the old adage,‘Nothingventured, nothing gained.’

In fact, luck was on his side. His vision for the future of King James’s wasfortunately shared by others at the school, notably the Repton-educated PresidentGovernor and benefactor John Arthur Brooke of Fenay Hall and his brother andfellow-GovernorWilliam.As they interviewedTaylor Dyson, they clearly saw a youngman with a vision, who could steer the school towards an exciting future.

As we know,Taylor Dyson made an excellent start in these early years and soonthe school had over 200 boys on the roll, of whom over 30 were boarders.Then, overthe space of just three years, three untimely deaths occurred that were to have aprofound effect on the future of the school. In 1919, JohnArthur Brooke – withoutwhose financial support the school would already have long-since closed –and hisbrotherWilliam, a governor since 1881, both died. So, three years later, did anotherstalwart supporter of the school: the only lady governor Emily Siddon.

The timing was unfortunate.The school was becoming increasingly popular underTaylor Dyson’s headmastership but there was a desperate need for more buildingsand better teaching facilities for the ten full or part time teachers and theirheadmaster. By 1922,Taylor Dyson had to bow to the inevitable, and the school wasformally transferred to the Huddersfield Corporation and the days of AlmondburyGrammar School as a boarding school were over.

ForTaylor Dyson, it must also have been the end of a dream.A lesser man – likeRobert Crump before him – might well have called it a day and looked for pasturesnew: perhaps a teaching position at one of the boarding schools he so admired aroundthe country. But it is to his great credit that he decided to stay, not just to accept thenew situation stoically but to turn it into a wonderful opportunity to move the schoolforward in a brand new direction.The rest, as they say, is history.

Taylor Dyson’s honoured place in the history of King James’s is assured.However,I have been surprised by the number of OldAlmondburians who – whilst recognisingTaylor Dyson’s major contribution to the school – have added the observation that he

21


22

was something of a ‘snob,’ and that this even influenced school appointments fromtime to time.There are even those that suggest that some of this may have rubbed offon Poppy,who later in life liked to style herself as‘MrsTaylor-Dyson’ (“Dyson is sucha common name,” she is reputed to have said).Of course, it must be remembered thatschoolboys can be ready to make harsh judgements about their teachers, and this isnot surprising in view of the unequal relationship between the teaching and the taught;but the accusation has perhaps been made often enough to warrant brief examinationhere.

If the definition of a snob were someone who has excessive admiration for hissocial superiors, I suspect there may be more than a grain of truth in the allegation;and it may well be thatTaylor Dyson’s early experience at Cranbrook fuelled this. Forthe first time, his eyes had been opened to a different type of life: one which – thanksto the financial resources of their parents – gave advantaged pupils a life beyond afew hours in the classroom each day, with the opportunity to see and experience aricher variety of activities and learning.

But in fairness toTaylor Dyson, if he regretted never having been able to enjoy thislifestyle himself, he sought it with enthusiasm for others. He certainly sought it forhis son Marcus,whom in 1934 he sent to Giggleswick, the famousYorkshire boardingschool, after two years atAlmondbury.He also sought it for his pupils atAlmondbury:there can surely be no other explanation for his early ambition to make King James’s

This photograph, taken in 1916 during the FirstWorldWar, shows a group of pupils - some incadet uniform - from Fenay House.The School Cadet Corps was formed in 1915, with theheadmaster in the role of Captain Dyson.The school yard was, at times,more of a miniaturebarrack square.


23

into a major public boarding school. In lateryears, after this hope had been shattered, hewould give his pupils an annual opportunityto taste the boarding lifestyle by organisingsummer holidays at various public schoolsup and down the country. These wereimmensely popular; he reported in 1933 inThe Almondburian (with a splendid degree ofpolitical incorrectness that would notescape the blue pencil today):

Our 11th Annual School Holiday Partythis year was held at Netherhall School,Bournemouth, where we spent a most delightful month in a beautifully fitted up schoolsituated in lovely grounds.The boys all declared that they had had a fine time with nevera dull moment,and returned home as brown as gypsies.We were very pleased to see our usualmuster of Old Boys,some of whom came for the tenth time…During our stay we had severalfine picnics when we hired a private charabanc and toured the surrounding country.

As for Poppy’s remark, it has to be said that Dyson is indeed a common name in theHuddersfield area, so she may well have been using the word in an adjectival rather thana pejorative sense.And in any case, was she not entitled to honour in full the name ofher illustrious late husband?

It is now nearly 100 years sinceTaylor Dyson became headmaster of AlmondburyGrammar School. If there are those who doubt if his influence is still evident, let themonly look at the school’s House system, introduced byTaylor Dyson two years after hisarrival and based closely on the system he had encountered for the first time back atCranbrook.As an historian himself, it must have given him particular pleasure to namehis four Houses after the school’s great benefactors and friends: the Dartmouth family;the Brookes of Fenay Hall; Captain Jessop of Honley; and Jessop’s half-sister EmilySiddon.

The Old Almondburians’ Society too has good reason to rememberTaylor Dysonwith affection and respect.Although the Society dates back to 1888, it had fallen by thewayside by the early 1900s, a matter of some concern to three former pupils, HarryAston, George Garton and Harry Sykes.When the trio knocked on Taylor Dyson’sdoor on his second day in 1913 to seek his support in reviving the Society, they couldnot have been more warmly received. He became its President when it was at lastrevived after the war in 1920, and the tradition whereby the headmaster is Presidentof the OldAlmondburians’ Society continues to the present day. �

MrsTaylor Dyson,always known as‘Poppy’,was amuch-loved figure who shared her husband’s deepaffection for the School


24

Taylor Dyson remembered

I OWEA GREAT DEBT toTaylor Dyson. Until the late 1930s the only subjectstaught at Almondbury Grammar School at Higher School Certificate level were

Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry. Eventually, and grudgingly, English and Frenchwere added to this list.The choice in those days was either three Sciences or two‘principal subjects’ and three ‘one year’ subsidiary subjects’. I opted to take Historyand Geography as principal subjects and French, Latin and English Literature (forwhich there were only ‘passes’ or ‘failures’) as subsidiary subjects. I got a Distinctionin History and an Excellent in Scholarship History. My periods for English Historywere 1783-1914 and for European History 1648-1914.

The Gaffer must have written me down (not off) as a pupil of promise.After onlyfour terms in the 6th Form he made me go to Cambridge to sit a scholarshipexamination. In due course, the Gaffer reported back to me that I had been placed inthe Exhibition class - but without being awarded an Exhibition.

So, in my 5th term, he sent me to Manchester (travelling on the workmen’s trainevery morning for five days) to sit their examination. I was awarded a scholarship inCommerce, and a Geography grant to Hulme Hall. I spent an academic year (1942-

Bob Goldsmith CMG (1935-1942)

BOB GOLDSMITH was awarded a First Class Honours Degree inPhilosophy, Politics and Economics at Oxford University in 1947.He entered the Civil Service (Board ofTrade) and spent four yearsin the US on secondment to theTreasury Delegation. and In duecourse he became head of the first UK Delegation to the thenEconomic Economic Community. He was awarded a CMG in1974. On leaving the Civil Service he became Delegate of theEuropean Commission in Madagascar (where he was elevated toCommandeur de l’Ordre National de Madagascar) and later inPapua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Kiribati.

While at Almondbury Grammar School,Bob received one-to-one tuition fromTaylor Dyson, leading to a Distinction in HigherSchool Certificate History and Excellent inScholarship History. He was centre forward inthe football First XI from 1939 to 1942 and wasschool cricket captain in 1942.

The top photograph shows Bob from theend of July 1940.He is ringed in the earlier 1940photograph (Form 5L) on the right.


25

43) at Manchester University in the Hons School of Economics, Politics and ModernHistory, and I also played in the University 1st XI at cricket.

I was then called up for wartime service. My mother told me that she received acomforting and sensible letter fromTaylor Dyson when I was ‘reported missing’ inAugust 1944 at the age of 19. A month or so later, thanks to a man in HighlandsAvenue who listened regularly to the broadcasts of ‘Lord Haw Haw’, she receivedthe welcome news that my name was amongst those listed as Prisoners ofWar in theNormandy Campaign.

Later, when I wrote to the Gaffer to tell him that I had joined the Civil Service, hewrote back to say that “in course of time you might get an Honour.” I found thiscomment rather odd but then I remembered that in the pre-war years the HuddersfieldCollege headmaster had been appointedOBE. I suspect that this might well have rankledwith our dear Gaffer.Anyhow he was proved right: I was appointed a CMG in the 1974NewYear Honours list.

Mr Dyson was in the habit, in the late 1930s, of giving us details of the progress ofhis son Marcus at his public school in NorthYorkshire. I can well imagine his extremesadness when Marcus,who had enrolled at Pembroke College,Oxford, returned fromwartime service in India only to die in hospital in Scotland

Nothing seemed to go well for the Gaffer on the home front.When his daughterBeryl married inAlmondbury Church there was a great get-together of local worthiesplus the school choir. Sadly, the marriage ended in divorce*.

Taylor Dyson’s wife Poppy was a most popular and industrious lady: everybody likedher. She was an excellent tennis player, and she had an unmistakeable cockney accent,pronouncingTaylor as ‘Toiler’. Many people wondered where the Gaffer had met her.He chose well, and she was a great support for him.

Taylor Dyson was passionate on the subject of live-in boarding schools. During allthe years I was at AGS he would organise holidays in boarding schools on the southcoast. It never seemed to occur to him that pupils like me, whose fathers had modestjobs with wages to match, would never have got to AGS ifTaylor Dyson had achievedhis ambition of making it‘a famous public school.’As to fortnight holidays on the southcoast - not a hope! By the age of 17, I had only had two seaside holidays: one to LythamStAnnes and the other to Scarborough.

There was an element of class distinction on the luncheon arrangements at AGS.Afavoured and elite group of boys (a dozen or so) had their meals cooked by Poppy andher maidAnnie in the Old Dining Hall, for which they paid one shilling [5p] a day; myclass-mate K H Livesey (whose father was a schoolmaster in Milnsbridge) was one ofthese.

A second andmuch larger group paid 10d [4p] a day for meals in the wooden diningroom.The supervisors were Mrs Lily Shields and Mrs HannahWilde.The latter (awidow) used to live next door to us in Farfield Road.Walter Haigh was in the habit of

*Beryl had married W Alexander Law, a pioneer of hip replacement surgery


26

chatting Lily up in the hope of getting an extra helping of pudding. HannahWilde (notthe sort of lady that menwould normally chat up) used to describe him as a‘greedy sod.’

The third group used to frequent Mrs Garner’s cottage at the bottom of St Helen’sGate. She would heat up and serve their modest offerings and was adored by all hercustomers. She lived to be over 90 and could remember all the headmasters back to the1870s.

The last group, of which I was a member, lived near enough to the school to beable to go home for lunch and get back in time for afternoon periods. In seven years,I never lunched at school even once.

Taylor Dyson did not care much for soccer. I was the school centre forward forthree seasons, plus one in the Second XI while in the 4th Form. I never saw the Gafferat any of these games.We had an exceptionally good side over that period;TaylorDyson would announce in a tone of fictitious regret the score by which we haddefeated the College (if it were a heavy defeat) at Monday’s assembly. On the otherhand, he was happy with cricket and even attended a Sykes Cup match atAlmondburyCricket Club in which I was playing.

Going back to my 6th Form experience atAGS (1940-42), I learned one valuablelesson from the Gaffer who would castigate some of my essays as ‘verbal diarrhoea.He taught me to give five minutes’ thought to every exam question before setting

pen to paper; to decide how the firstparagraph and the last one should bephrased; and to make the interveningparagraphs flow harmoniously from theopening to the close. This techniqueserved me admirably both at OxfordUniversity (1946-48) and in workinglife in various Government depart-ments. I took the full course inPhilosophy, Politics and Economics atOxford in only six terms and gained afirst class honours degree in theDecember 1947 examinations.

Funny fellow, theGaff.Although it washe who decided who should be Captainand Vice-Captain of the school, HouseCaptains were elected by fellow house-mates.The Gaffer sent Mr Addy and MrHaigh to see me at the beginning of the1941-42 academic year to try to persuademe to renounce the possibility ofbecoming House Captain of Fenay so that

Published for the first time,this photograph showsTaylor Dyson’s sonMarcus in his army uniform.Sadly,he died in a military hospital in Scotland inFebruary,1946 after returning from wartimeservice in India.

Bruce Law


27

P W Bean could be nominated without any election.I refused.Why all this fuss?Bean had been awarded a Kitchener Scholarship*. I never found out what this wasbut it impressed the Gaffer. Bean was no great shakes academically; he played nogames; and he was excused all PT sessions throughout his school life. Nevertheless,he became a naval officer and returned to school in 1944, as a midshipman, to givean account of his experience on HMS Norfolk of the sinking of the Germanbattleship Scharnhorst. . �

The soccer First XI of 1941/2 poses with RegAddy (at this time in command of the School Flight of theAirTraining Corps) andWalter Haigh on the tennis court,with Fenay Quad behind. It was a successfulyear for the team:they won almost every match,butTaylor Dyson did not seem to take much interest.(Back row):RegAddy;Bob Goldsmith;Pickering;Smallwood;PatsyMullen;Walter Haigh(Middle row):Darby;Hall;Oxley;Harvey;Smith (Front row):Ron Edwards;Fleming

Ron Edwards

*Kitchener Scholarships, still presented today, were awarded after interview to the children of formermembers of the armed services.

Hotel waiter receives his just desertsEVERY SUMMER in the 1930s Taylor Dyson rented a boarding school at some

southern seaside resort.He thought it a good idea for boys to have someexperience of boarding school life.The boys paid a modest sum for a fortnight’s holidayandTaylor Dyson made a modest profit.

I went on a few of those.They were interesting and enjoyable with plenty of scope

Gerald Hinchliffe (1933-1940)


28

for sport, activities and outings; altogether a new and interesting experience. I recallone such holiday in Torquay. On a lovely summer’s day there was a cricket matchbetween a boys’ team (includingTaylor Dyson) and the staff of the Palm Court Hotel.The latter batted first and scored about 100. In reply we lost five wickets for around30. I went in. I was no great batsman and when I’d scored 6 I found myself facing awaiter who was reputed to be a demon fast bowler. He pitched the first ball short andit hit me on the chest. “How’s that?” he roared.The umpire – none other than themanager of the Palm Court Hotel – raised his finger. “Out!” he declared.

Taylor Dyson was the batsman at the other end.He turned to the manager: “Out?How could he be out? It hit him on the chest.”

The manager retorted, “He’s out.The ball could have dropped on the wicket!”Taylor Dyson was irate.Usually his disapproval was one of icy incredulity but this

time it was red-hot livid.“Are you giving him out chest before wicket?What if the ball had hit him on the

head?”The manager was adamant. I retreated to the pavilion.High drama followed. Taylor Dyson, no mean cricketer, simply thrashed the

bowling.Anything short he hooked, anything outside the off stump he cut mercilessly;in particular he made mincemeat of the aforesaid waiter. It was a bespectacled,sparkling performance. Inevitably he was eventually out, but he had changed the gamewhich we duly won.At the evening meal, one boy raised his glass of lemonade.“Here’sto the Gaffer!” Taylor Dyson beamed.

Lumb scores a major victoryWhilstTaylor Dyson invariably had an air of aristocratic detachment from ordinary

mortals, he had a strong affection for his School and everyone in it. Every academicachievement, every sporting triumph gave him pleasure, and he was generous in hispraise.

One particular Friday morning in assembly, he read out – as was his wont – thenames of the next day’s Cricket XI. Each boy was expected to acknowledge hisavailability, and all of them answered in the affirmative.Then he came to the Scorer.

“Lumb!”Geoffrey Lumb was

standing next to me. Heresponded,“No, sir.”A deathlyhush followed.

Taylor Dyson drew breathand then regaled Lumb with areminder that the Schoolalways came first, and what anhonour it was to be the team’sScorer. He paused, expecting

GERALD HINCHLIFFE iswell known to every OldAlmondburian as theSchool’s official historian.He graduated in 1943 withan Honours degree inEnglish from the Universityof Leeds He was formerlySenior Lecturer in Educationat the University ofNottingham.


29

Lumb to change his mind; but instead, Lumb produced a classic ‘put-down.’“I did not realise this job was compulsory, Sir. For the last two seasons I have been

a volunteer.”The silence was overwhelming.To his credit,Taylor Dyson did not pursue the

matter. He merely said quietly, “Perhaps you would see me after assembly, Lumb.”Lumb duly did so, and explained that his family were celebrating a birthday and

were all going to Morecambe for the day. He said to me afterwards, “Gaffer was notcontrite – just graciously apologetic!”

The Dizzy heights of one-to-one History tutorialsWhen I was in the Sixth Form (1938-1940) the Arts side was very small.There

were only three of us doing English, and I was the only one doing History.That meantone-to-one tutorials with Taylor Dyson. Often they were extraordinary academicoccasions; always they were challenging.

It was a new experience for Taylor Dyson. In the main school, his lessons werenotable for their rambling style. He loved to digress and was vulnerable to any smartlad who would lure him away from the CrimeanWar to talk about the GreatWar.Taylor Dyson could not resist the opportunity to talk about it – how it affected theSchool and the boys who had lost their lives in it. However, he never shirked hisresponsibilities.He expected us to read, and we were subjected to short tests if you hadfewer than half marks he put you in detention!

And now,Taylor Dyson just had me.At our first meeting in the ODH, he put infront of me a hefty tome by a top historian of the day, R C K Ensor: England 1870-1914.With a wry smile, he said “I do not expect you read all of it by our next meeting,but I would like you to jot down a few questions which we might discuss. Remember,knowing the significant questions is more important than knowing all the answers.”Generally, that is what our tutorials were all about.

He was a natural tutor and it must have given him great pleasure to realise that. Ithink we were trying to impress each other, but I matured under his guidance frombeing shy and reticent to being confident and not afraid to express my ownviews.Without doubt he was the best tutor I ever had.

He did not neglect the syllabus. He expected regular essays, and was meticulousin his response to them.He taught me to question second-hand, superficial opinion andI became quite adept at evaluating events and people.

One day we were talking about Disraeli. I said – rather pompously – that I had justread his novel Sybil. He said he had read a number of Disraeli’s novels and asked mewhether I thought he was a better novelist than a politician. I burbled something aboutit being much better to be a novelist than a politician, and that in any case I thoughtGladstone had more imagination and conviction.Taylor Dyson sternly took me to task!

At the end of the 1940 summer, the examiners were of the opinion that we hadboth done well! At our last meeting,Taylor Dyson gave me a battered old copy ofDisraeli’s Coningsby, which he kindly inscribed. I still have it. �


33

Allan Dobson (1947-1953)

AS I HAVENOTYETATTAINEDMY 75YEARS, I cannot claim to be a part of thisexclusive group of OldAlmondburians who were at school duringTaylor Dyson’s

time; however, I do have personal memories ofTaylor Dyson which, I think, make meand my brother John unique amongst OldAlmondburians.The roots of this lie withinmy family history and my father’s connection with the school.

My father Gerald was born illegitimately in Nottingham in 1908, the son of astockbroker,member of a prominent City family, and an actress, described on his birthcertificate as‘of independent means’.As she was the daughter of a working class militaryfamily we can only guess the source of the independent means. However, they musthave been substantial, because in 1916 my grandmother died and neither family optedto takemy father into their care.His guardians therefore had to find a suitable institutionto care for him financed by his father’s fortune,which was substantial. (My grandfatherdied in 1922 leaving more than £50,000, none of which passed to my father).

In their considerations the guardians recalled that three years earlier, a master fromNottingham Boys High School had taken the headship of a school somewhere inYorkshireand that the establishment took boarders. So it was that my father came toAlmondburyGrammar School in 1916, placed in the care of Mr andMrs Dyson.This was to becomehis home for the next fifteen years for the guardians made arrangements for him toremain at the school throughout the year, even through the school holidays. He spentmany lonely periods and claimed to be the only boarder who had ever spent the nightin the unoccupied school. It was a Spartan life and he and other boys would raid theadjoining turnip fields for their midnight feasts back in the dormitory.

Taylor Dyson was a stern disciplinarian but my father never forgot the kindnessand considerationshown to him by theDysons.This extendedbeyond his schoolingwhen they gave him hisown privateaccommodation in atiny room above thehead’s house, which isGerald Dobson (left) at theOASDinner in 1967,with(left to right):RW Johnson(Head Boy);HarryTaylor(Headmaster);ROHarrison(Editor,The HuddersfieldExaminer);L Bleasdale(Chairman,OAS)

30


33

now the bursar’s office.Here he lived until hisjob in the bank tookhim to Stoke on Trentin 1930. He had spentalmost 15 years at theschool which hadbecome his home,which explains his lovefor the place and histireless efforts andwork with the OldAlmondburian’s Soci-

ety.When I was born in 1936my parents invitedTaylor Dyson andMrs Dyson to be mygodparents which they accepted, hencemy personal connection with them even thoughI was never taught by (or received six of the best from) the ‘Gaffer’.Among my booksI have a copy ofTaylor Dyson’sHistory of Almondbury and its Ancient School inscribed by theauthor to my father offering his “…best wishes for the future on leaving Almondburyafter a stay of 15 years.”

I have no recollection of meeting my godparents whilst they were atAlmondbury,but subsequently we met in Christchurch after their retirement and also during theiroccasional return visits toYorkshire. I particularly remember spending a summer holidayin Christchurch when I was in the fourth form at the school and, being at that age whenrelationships with adults could sometimes be fraught, wondered how I would get onwith the man of whom I had heard so much. I need not have worried – he was a warmand gentle man, able to connect immediately with a teenage boy as we walked aroundChristchurch Priory and he quietly and vividly explained its history. He was very fond

ALLAN DOBSON was a business development manager with anumber of large construction companies including Wimpey andBalfour Beatty before retiring in 2001.

Allan's father, Gerald Dobson, played a prominent role in thestruggle to preserve the School’s grammar school status in the late1940s.Allan himself earned his place in the history of the School asa member of a small group of pupils who rediscovered the SchoolCharter at aYorkshire Archaeological Society exhibition in 1952.

31

In deckchairs on the beachat Christchurch around1950 (Left to right): JohnDobson;Taylor Dyson;Poppy Dyson;GeraldDobson;Mrs Dobson

Allan Dobson


33

of the area and wrote a history of Christchurch, of which I have a copy which he gave tomy father inscribed “To Gerald from the‘Gaffer’”. I also have a photograph taken duringthat holiday on the beach withTaylor Dyson and Poppy wearing an extravagant floppy hatalong with my parents and brother.

On the occasions ImetTaylorDyson he showed the same gentleness andwarmth andinstinctive rapport with young people. My godmother was a much more formidablecharacter and I was able to see how she had been able to play such an influential role in themany years at the school alongside her husband. I recall her visiting my parents with herdaughter Beryl afterTaylor Dyson’s death when I was in my mid twenties and marriedwith children and saying to my mother, “Don’t you really think that Allan should get hishair cut?” The name Taylor Dyson had become so well known in Huddersfield andChristchurch that, after his death Mrs Dyson changed her surname toTaylor-Dyson intribute to him.

The Dyson’s son Marcus died in 1944 of complications arising from malaria caughtduring active service, and I do not remember meeting him.Their daughter Beryl becamea close friend of my parents, being close in age to them both, and my brother and I alsocame to know her well. She was a flamboyant character with a wicked sense of humourand political leanings far to the right of MargaretThatcher for whom she was a stalwartpartyworker in the Finchley constituency.My father alwaysmaintained that the Iron Lady’schange of heart over the school status in 1974 was influenced by a few emphatic wordsfrom Beryl.After MargaretThatcher became Prime Minister, Beryl invited my wife andme to a small gathering of the party faithful at which she was present.After we wereintroduced to the PM it was clear that she knew Beryl well and appreciated the work shedid in the constituency.Maybe my father was right!

Taylor Dyson, although passionately interested in history,was, I think, a progressivethinker and onewho had great faith in the younger generation. I believe hewould be proudof the way the school has developed through the recent years of change and especiallypleased that today’s headmaster is leading King James’s to increasing success. �

John Senior (1934-1939)

Perhaps fortunately, my only face-to-facemeeting with the Gaffer was on my first

day in schoolwhich– for reasons still unknown– was in the middle of the Summer Term1934.Whoever was taking Form 1B at thattime simply said “Senior! Mr Dyson wants tosee you in his study at once. Don’t forget toknock.” So a timid new boy set out down thecorridor,whilst the rest of the class no doubtwonderedwhat I’d been up to.

32

JOHN SENIORwas formerlyAssistant GeneralManager atRibbleTransport.In 1963, hebecame a priestin the Church ofEngland.


33

“Come in.”There at his desk was the man himself. “John Senior, you are now a pupilat Huddersfield’s oldest and finest school.Hold your head up.Address 100 FleminghouseLane.”

“Excuse me, Sir.The number is 106.”“Thank you for telling me.Now run along and join your class.”I did so, not a little relieved. I had met the Headmaster, come to know something of

that ‘presence’ and his striving for what was really important; but also, what I needed atthatmoment, a caring fatherlike figurewilling to listen. In later years, at the first assemblyof each autumn term, he would tell us how many boys were on roll (294 by 1938).Thetone of his voicewould betray his wish that it might top the 300mark,but not inmy time.

He taught me History from the second form upwards. Perhaps from that beginning(or now I think more likelywhen we were in the fifthform preparing for SchoolCertificate) he gave us each athickish unruled exercisebook. “You must put downwhat you think is important– on the right-hand page.Youmust learn tomake your ownnotes before you go touniversity.”

That was a challenge,even to 14 to 15-year-olds.But so was his manner ofteaching, making us thinkfor ourselves, helping todiscover that every action has consequences, and that behind everydecision lay a reason.That was the essence of history. It also led todigressions – material for that left-hand page, usually relating somecurrent practice to its origins in earlier centuries. Incidentally, during my last schoolyear, we were each given a new copy of Rayner’s Concise History of Britain 1714-1934.I was delighted to discover a book which set out – in different words – what we weretrying to learn at school.

I must mention ‘Poppy’ (Mrs Dyson) if only because of that nickname, as we allknew it to be (perhaps because of her roundish face and fresh complexion). I neverknew her proper name until a few days ago when turning over thepages of TheAlmondburian for December 1937 I came across an appeal from Mrs Dyson forcontributions to a retirement present for caretaker ‘Jim.’ It was signed E M Dyson.

Taylor Dyson – ever striving to make ‘The Free Gramar Schole of Kinge Jamesin Almonbury’ a living, useful and distinctive community in the 20th century – andsucceeding. �

33


34

William Braide (1936-1939)

IWAS INTERVIEWED by Taylor Dyson in 1936 for the post of English Master;there was only one other candidate. The interview was very official, in

Huddersfield Town Hall, and I was very impressed by the whole conduct of theinterview and the manner and demeanour ofTaylor Dyson himself. It lasted about 20minutes and he asked me about myself and my qualifications in a very professionalmanner but in a kindly one as well.Walter Haigh had his interview on the sameoccasion, when he was given his full-time post as PE master.

I was offered the job immediately after the interview andTaylor Dyson took mein his car to meet the staff at the school, going along the main road up toAlmondbury.Quite suddenly we veered to the right down St Helen’s Gate, which took me bysurprise, and that was the first time I saw the school. I think I actually started thefollowing Monday. I was very favourably impressed by the buildings and the attitudeof the staff. I liked the old buildings, like Dorm 1 and Dorm 2.

Fred Hudson was partly responsible for getting me into his digs in LowerhousesLane.The teacher who impressed me most was Ralph Hum, the chemistry master –both his physical presence and his cheerful, pleasant attitude.

Taylor Dyson was still living in the Schoolhouse at that time. I remember his wifePoppy very well, and I remember having a very tough game of tennis with his daughterBeryl’s fiancé. Poppy was very pleasant but she used to embarrass me: in those daysI used to have a full head of ginger hair and she used to come into the staff room atcoffee break and run her hands through it!

I got to know Poppy and Taylor Dyson better through the holiday parties theyorganised each summer to schools in the south of England. I remember the staffmeeting when Taylor Dyson told us about the holiday parties and appealed for anymember of staff to help. Immediately, Walter Haigh and I went to his room tovolunteer. Some of the older staff in the staffroom weren’t really very interested atall.On theTorquay trip I was very popular with the boys because I managed to find areally good chip shop and we ended up there most days. �� William Braide was talking to Roger Dowling. The full interview can be heard onhttp://tinyurl.com/22qclg9.

Now 96 years of age, BILL BRAIDE was born in Warrington.He took a degree in English Language and Literature atLiverpool University before taking up an initial appointment atBallymena Academy in Northern Ireland. Bill left AlmondburyGrammar School in 1939 to take up a position at Hanson Boys'High School, Bradford. He subsequently moved into FurtherEducation and spent the major part of his career with theInner London Education Authority where he held many seniorpositions.


PostbagYOU WRITE …

ANY FAIR ASSESSMENT of Harry Gledhill’s work at King James’s must takeinto account the curricular framework within which music was taught in the

1950s, and the constraints on the deputy head constructing the timetable which ledto Harry being given classes such as RE and geography to teach.

The Secondary School Regulations of the time did not require that music be taughtat all, although it was normal for there to be one music lesson a week in the lowerclasses of secondary schools, as there was at King James’s. Harry had Forms 1 to 5 forone lesson a week, in a room with wooden benches, no tables and no blackboard.Hehad little more than his piano, a few song books and a record player with some 78’s.It is little wonder that David Hirst (The AlmondburianMarch 2010)‘learned less fromhim than from any other teacher’, although I think it most unkind of David to expressit in that manner. Harry was not given purpose built and equipped labs or a specialistgeography room as were other teachers who taught David. I suspect, too, that he hadlittle to spend on textbooks or music.This is not the situation today, and no one cansay what Harry would have done for music in the school if he had had today’s facilitiesin which to work, and with a school management committed to supporting musicteaching, which he did not.

David is dismissive, too, of Harry’s RE lessons, as is another of your correspondentsof his geography. Again, to be fair to Harry, this must be placed in context. OnceHarry had been timetabled for his music lessons – two forms to each year making tenlessons – Fred Hudson had the problem of what to do with a music specialist for theremaining twenty five periods of the week, less Harry’s non contact periods. Fredwould have had to resort to slotting Harry into gaps in the timetable for which therewas no other available teacher. Harry would have had little choice in the matter,whether or not he knew much about the subjects the school was asking him to teach.

I remember Harry Gledhill as an approachable, kind and friendly man. I remembersinging in as fine an unaccompanied male four part choir as you could wish to hear,at Christmas and on Founders’ Day in a packed Almondbury Parish Church. Iremember a fullTown Hall on speech days, a faultless performance by a meticulouslyrehearsed choir, accurate in pitch, clear in diction, pure in tone and full with feeling.I remember that family and friends could not be persuaded to leave at the end, asHarry produced another virtuoso performance on Huddersfield’s mighty organ. Ican work my way through the solos and choruses of ‘HMS Pinafore’ as well today asI could in 1952,when I was rehearsed by Harry Gledhill.My introduction to Gilbert

From John Eastwood (1950-1958)

35

In defence of Harry


36

and Sullivan led directly in later years to meatier choral works by Handel and Haydn,Beethoven and Bach.

So while I do not ask that we pretend that Harry Gledhill was other than he was,at least acknowledge the 36 years he gave to the school, the enthusiasm with whichhe worked, and the dedication he had to the production of first rate choralperformances from often unpromising material.And David Hirst, you were obviouslynot in the choir.

Sowerby Bridge,WestYorkshire

Letter from PorthcawlDAVE BUSH

ACLOUDLESS DAY IN PORTHCAWL but still a chilly wind and a morningfrost sent me scurrying down to my allotment this morning to check myearly potatoes had not been affected.Yet I noted in New Delhi yesterday the

temperature reached 44 degrees. Rather a convoluted way to introduce the fact thatI spent sixteen days in India in March. I mention this as I like to delude myself intobelieving that readers who remember me – I realise that gradually their numbers aredeclining – retain an interest in my activities and welfare.That trip was undoubtedlythe most impressive I have ever made.We – that is four members ofThe GlamorganBird Club – travelled exten-sively in Northern Indiaincluding some days in theHimalayan foothills.

Having gone preparedwith heavy boots, woolly hatand thick fleece, we saw nota trace of snow even on thedistant peaks.The sites andsights, however, proved awe-inspiring. It was as if wewere centre stage whilemoving through a pro-longed travel film. Thegeneral impression was of acountry heaving with traffic and people but no road rageand a courteous welcome everywhere. I believe we should reassess The Black Holeof Calcutta; it seems normal practice to cram as many souls as possible into everyspace. In, on and around one of the little green taxis, which here would be restrictedto four passengers, we once counted fourteen. In another the four at the rear had a


37

live sheep across their knees while a motorbike carried two riders, various canisters,a crate of chickens and a goat.And birds? 371 different species recorded, a staggeringtotal.And as usual, always being fascinated by avian nomenclature, I selected my topthree.Third place to the Changeable Hawk Eagle (I wonder what it changes into?);second to the Aberrant BushWarbler (did I really skip practice for the Barber Shopsessions organised by former teaching colleague Bernard Redfern?); and first to theYellow- legged Green Pigeon (simply because that is just what it was).

My daughter keepsme in touch with theeducational scenealthough much of whatshe relates makes meseethe. For example,she was planning totake a party toBarcelona next year inher own time. How-ever, the red tape is sothick, the regulationsso demanding, it isunlikely to take place.

This led me once more toreflect on our Scout camps in the 60’s and 70’s.Thirty+ youngsters travelled in theback of a furniture van with all the equipment. On site we had hand and felling axes,a six foot cross cut saw with shark- like teeth, dixies of boiling water on open fires,aerial runways across the River Ure, night hikes -the list seems endless. Riskassessment had not been invented.Were there accidents? Minor ones no doubt butFirstAid was an essential part of training. Many the ex-scout who has said those dayswere the highlight of the school year and are still remembered with gratitude.

Back to India for a moment. If ‘Health & Safety’ were introduced there, thecountry would shut down immediately. I have an abiding impression of a bus comingtowards us , bright yellow and ‘School Bus’ prominently displayed above thewindscreen, if it had one.On the open, seatless top at least twenty cheerfully wavingpupils. Daughter’s Spanish students are to be denied a real educational opportunity.It may be a blessing as for her every holiday is so indispensable. She is usually soexhausted by trying to implement a new directive (‘deep thinking’ is the latest!) andadmits to being so worn out by form-filling, reporting and devising new schemes ofwork that she is often too tired to teach. ‘Let the teachers teach’ was my cry in myfinal years. Obviously unheard.

I usually try to find an OAS or KJS connection when reporting my overseasadventures. India provided none but time spent on Lake Como inApril provided two.


38

Firstly did you know that Pliny’s uncle and nephew,were born in Como? No, nor didI. There are statues to the pair outside the duomo in Como. Latin students willremember how we read the graphic account provided byTheYounger ofThe Elder’sdeath during the eruption ofVesuvius in 79AD.

The second occurred on the last day when, during a conversation with a couplewith whom we had spent much time, Huddersfield and then Almondbury werementioned. Sorry, younger members;we are travelling back to the early sixties whenDick (Reg) Addy was Head of French.This lady,Teresa Derrick (nee Byrne) was anursing colleague of Dick’s daughter, Judy and had attended her wedding inAlmondbury. She visited his house in Sharp Lane and remembers his garden. I believethis house was eventually inhabited by OldAlmondburian Austen Smith. In a recent‘phone conversation with JimToomey he recalled howDick passed on many gardeningtips. Each year there was a trip to The GreatYorkshire Show and Jack Taylor and Iused to joke that Dick sharpened his fingernails prior to the visit for , equipped witha plastic bag , he nipped off fuchsia cuttings for potting up in his greenhouse . Someonewill remind me of the details of his bringing back of tobacco on school trips to France.In my first year I played him at tennis on the lawn in front of the library and was wellbeaten. Sadly, before he could retire,Dick died suddenly near his home in Sharp Laneand PC Geoff Hilton (OldAlmondburian) was one of the first on the scene.

Almost up to the editor’s word limit so must be brief. Read recently of the OA’sAFC’s Funds being transferred into the main society’s. How sad. Will nobodyresurrect our team? Heard that the school is having a clear out of some of its longserving staff. Let’s hope there’s a great gathering in November to celebrate and showappreciation.Nicky Green has retired from the school office.What a treasure she hasbeen in her dedication to the OAS.Who will replace her?

Footnote to 2008. Received recently viaAndrewTaylor a copy of John Simpson’sbook Unreliable Sources. It contained a flattering dedication… but I would still declareit a superb read.

And finally. My Greatest Ever Understatement? Back to India. DB: ‘When weleft the Gangetic Plain, what was the name of the last town before we began to climbthe hill?’ Fellow GBCmember: “Dave, that‘hill’ is called‘The Himalayas’”. �

A word from your Editor

MANY THANKS to everyone who contributed articles and letters to this issue of TheAlmondburian.Articles on topics relating to the School and its present or former staffare always welcome and may be emailed or posted to the editorial address shown on

the back cover.Photographs (preferably in colour) are always of interest and will be returnedpromptly after use. If submitting photographs by email, they should be in jpeg format at aminimum resolution of 300 dpi.The next issue of TheAlmondburian will be published on 1st November 2010 and the deadline for

contributions is 17th September 2010.


39

ObituariesGONE BUT NOT FORGOTTENCARL GOLDSMITH(1947–1955)

‘Fearsome’fast bowler who became a successful commercial lawyerCarl Goldsmith died on 3rd March 2010 at the age of 73. He was Cricket Captain in

1954 and deputy Head Boy in 1955; his passing has brought back many memorablerecollections of his splendid school career covering so many areas where his talentshone through.Thoughts turn to cricket.

School Dinner,Monday, first sitting and Happy Harry andWalter Haigh were notgetting started.We had work to do and sooner rather than later. Eventually Dinnerhaving been finished, Carl led half a dozen of us to the cricket field complete with fullwatering can.There was no running water in what passed for a pavilion – the Shed –where we collected mower, brush and a supply of Derbyshire marl.Two of us wentout of the top gate, across the road and over the wall with a big tub and spades for thecow dung and there was always plenty of it. Having selected a pitch for Saturday andtop mowed it, two ends were covered and brushed in an exquisite mixture of dung,water and marl. On Friday lunchtime we close mowed the grass, marked out thewicket and heavy rolled it for we needed a shirtfront. Carl masterminded the wholeprocess for two seasons.This priceless knowledge had been acquired atAlmondburyCricket Club and allowed him to demonstrate leadership of a very high order.

It needed to be a shirtfront wicket, for Carl was fast and dangerous.Tony Copley,Ian Shaw andWillieWoodward faced no quicker bowlers in our local clubs’ league(U17) on aWednesday night and none in school fixtures either.He may have appeared

even quicker for he pounded in, leftarm flailing high across in delivery andbowled off the wrong foot (like Proc-tor and Cairns whom he came later toadmire).The ball was on you beforeyou knew it. He was superbly accu-rate, not much swing or movementoff the pitch, wonderful yorkers. Hewas a fearsome sight, especially whenbowling downhill with the wind. (Stu-art Affleck bowled at the other end).His second serve at tennis was equallyferocious.

Carl Goldsmith (centre) with James Clayton and JeffBrook at the‘Class of 1947’reunion in 1997

James

Clayton


40

Our years coincided with Harry Taylor’s nudgings toward a newpavilion and improved fixtures on a Saturday afternoon – DoncasterGrammar School, Craven Gentlemen. So Carl’s sweet smellingwickets were essential. Saturday afternoon was not always straight-forward for Carl was a highly successful bowler for AlmondburyCC on Saturday afternoon. He always made the correct decisionfor whom to play.

He was a very confident batsman. In 1953 not only was he anoutstanding bowler but he scored the most runs. A taste of hisprowess:

Saturday, 6th June v BelleVue, Bradford: 72 runs followed by 2 for 10Saturday,20th June v Huddersfield College:56 runs followed by 8 for 10Carl had a fine, keen mind which manifested itself in his A-level

results (and at University College, London); the Jacobean Society (thatcradle of lawyers and public speakers); George Beech’s flourishing notablechess world (where he had a fine victory in a simultaneous against GLB’sbrother); and an infinite capacity for taking advantage of all the opportunities whichthe school offered including 1st XI soccer, tennis and athletics. He was a confident,effective prefect, companiable and joined at the hip with his fellow 1947 entrants,TonyCopley and Graham Gelder (of whom he wrote in the March 2010 issue of TheAlmondburian).With the latter he played countless games of chess in the Prefects Study.Rebellion manifested itself in knockout whist in the Shed and swift halves in oneunnamed social club in the village whilst on geographical research for Fred Hudsonat lunchtimes. His ability to obtain bar service remained all his life, particularlyillustrated at the very end of the 1953 cricket season following the match at BainesGrammar School in Blackpool .

Carl led the trio to the Bible Class of Moldgreen Congregational Church and asecond game of soccer on Saturday in the afternoon along with the usualYouth Clubsocial activities. In later years bridge, golf and table tennis took over. He bowled fastfor Pinner CC until he was 50. Sports took up much of his time, especially at theweekend.His wife,Margaret, once posted the notice:‘Bed and Breakfast served here,Dinner Optional’.

The trio in 1955, were of course, on the way to becoming pillars of theestablishment. After many years as a successful commercial solicitor in London in1981, during his three years in Hong Kong,Carl enquired of Derry Irvine the chancesof a 54 year old acquiring a seat for Labour.

Let us hope he will be as appreciated and enjoyed in the Elysian Fields as he wasat King James’s Grammar School where we shared a value system of a past age.

Tony Copley and Ian Shaw(Thanks also to D H Anderson;Tony Colbeck;TrevorWood;RWWoodward)

40


41

WILLIAMH BOOTH(1943–1949)

Sports enthusiast who emigrated to Canada and became a top civil engineerBill Booth died on 30th January 2010 at the age of 78. It followed a tragic accident

in his home in Canada. Born in 1932, Bill left King James’s to study Engineering atHuddersfieldTechnical College.He emigrated to Canada in 1953 and further pursuedhis studies at McGill University, Montreal where he graduated in Civil Engineeringin 1958.

As a successful civil engineer, he travelled all over the world, building schools inSt Lucia, grain silos in Lebanon, wind tunnels inYugoslavia, a University in Rwandaand many other notable buildings. He was a man of many talents who loved his work

and the various teams he worked within places such as Montreal, Ottawa,Zug in Switzerland and finally in theUK. He loved his new retired life inDuncan where he moved in 2006from England. In his earlier life, Billplayed rugby and tennis, skied, sailedas well as a variety of other activities.He enjoyed having neighbours drop inespecially ones who came with hisown drink when Bill would ask him ifhe brought his ‘ice tea’. This always

ARTHUR PILLING(1928–1931)

Farmer’s son who became a dairy farmer himself within sight of the SchoolArthur Pilling died on 27thApril 2010 at the age of 93.His family were local farmers and Arthur soon decided that he also wanted to

become a dairy farmer,much to the concern of MrTaylor Dyson at the time. However,Taylor Dysonoften visited the farm inArkenley Lane, only a fewhundred yards from the School, and Arthurobserved that was he was ‘particularly fascinated’by the milking machines.

Arthur remained a keen gardener all his life andused to grow all his own vegetables in his backgarden, which he still regarded as his ‘farm’.� In 2007,Arthur Pilling recorded an interview aboutthe School in the 1920s which can be heard on the OASwebsite at http://tinyurl.com/37uompy.


42

C J PERRATON(1954-1958)

Biologymaster who flew the flag as he drove down StHelen’s Gate to schoolWe record with sadness the death of former biology teacher Chris Perraton who

taught at the School for four years from 1954. He subsequently taught at MarlingSchool, Stroud before moving into educational administration.

When Chris took over from James (‘Nipper’) Newton, biology had only recentlybecome a serious A-level subject at Almondbury Grammar School. He inheritedprimitive laboratory premises in the oldest part of the School above the headmaster’sstudy but played a major role in designing the new biology laboratory facilities that

formed part of the major extensions of1955.

A likeable teacher, he was also anAssistant Scoutmaster along with JimToomey and Bill Rennison.He had a numberof eccentricities, one of which was to fly aunion flag on the bonnet of his car as it spedup Somerset Road and down St Helen’sGate: a possible relic of a period spent as aDistrict Officer in Jamaica after leavingCambridge University.

Chris Perraton pictured with Edward Kilnerin 1955

JOHNALBERT FRUDD(1971–1977)

The Almondburian is also sorry to learn of the recent death of John Albert ‘Albie’Frudd.

made every one smile. Bill loved life and lived it to its fullest. He will be missed byall. TB

Andrew Killick adds:Better known to all his friends in Huddersfield as ‘Willum’,Bill Boothleft school at the age of 16 to become a trainee constructional engineer at ABC Fabrications inLeeds Road.At the age of 23,he emigrated to Canada and graduated in Enginering from McGillUniversity,Calgary.He remained in Canada until 1985 when he brought his second wife,Terri,and their son Jean Paul, to Switzerland.After a period there, they moved to England untildeciding to return to Duncan, British Columbia in Canada in 2006.

As a young man, Bill played football at HuddersfieldYMCA and as a colt and junior teamplayer as a fast winger at Huddersfield Rugby Club.His interests at that time were those of mostteenage boys in the town,and he is fondly remembered by those of us who called him our friend.


HISTORY

HISTORY

An Illustrated Historyof King James’s School:£12.50 inc pp (UK)

A Historyof King James’s School:£12.50 inc pp (UK)

The Royal Charter returnsto its home at King James’sROGER DOWLING tells the strange story of the Charter’s ‘disappearance’ and itseventual chance rediscovery in 1952 by members of the School’s Surveying Society‘THE ORIGINAL LETTERS PATENT do notexist’, recorded Taylor Dyson in his classic Almondburyand its Ancient School of 1926, echoing the words ofCanon Hulbert’s earlier Annals of the Church and Parish ofAlmondbury But they were both wrong: the LettersPatent (‘the Charter’) in fact lay, undisturbed over manyyears, in a strong box at the unlikely location of DenbyGrange Colliery just a few miles away on the road to

Wakefield So how did the School come to be partedfrom its own Charter? And why did it require theservices of the School’s Surveying Society to reunite itwith the School on 6th April 1954?It all started with a planned visit by members of theSociety, led by Geography master Fred Hudson, to alocal history exhibition being organised by theYorkshireArchaeological Society in Leeds Hudson was

KING JAMES’S SCHOOL

IN ALMONDBURY

AN ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

1608 - 2008

THE OLD ALMONDBURIANS’ SOCIETY

Floreat Schola! DVD£15.00 inc pp (UK)

AnniversaryWeekendDVD:

£15.00 inc pp (UK)

China Mug:£10.00 inc pp (UK)

HISTORY

ANNIVERSARY PRINT

Anniversary Print:£25.00 inc pp HISTORY

OAS SHOP

All items available online at www.oas.org.uk or by post fromAndrew Haigh, Floresco House, Oak Hill Road, Brighouse HD6 1SN.Please make cheques payable to ‘The Old Almondburians’ Society’

CHINA MUG

TEDDY BEAR

Teddy Bear:£13.75 inc pp (UK)

PAPERWEIGHT

HISTORY VIDEOS

ANNIVERSARY TIE

AnniversaryTie:£12.50 inc pp (UK)

KEY FOB

Key Fob:£8.50 inc pp (UK)

Paperweight:£31.50 inc pp (UK)


Joint ChairmenEMILY COMER and NICKY MURPHY

4Arkenley LaneAlmondbury, Huddersfield HD4 6SQ

Mobile: 07855 264043Email: [email protected]@conscious.com

SecretaryANDREW HAIGH

2Arkenley Lane,Almondbury HD4 6SQTel: 01484 432105

Email: [email protected]

TreasurerKEITH CRAWSHAW

5 Benomley Drive,Almondbury HD5 8LXTel: 01484 533658


Media EditorROGER DOWLING

Orchard House, Oughtrington Lane, Lymm,CheshireWA13 0RDTel: 01925 756390


Website: www.oas.org.uk

The Almondburian is distributed to OAS members free of charge.Price to non-members: £3.00


the almondburian july 2010

Documents

cricket report

golf report

alt cover

seetennis report

special issue

annual quiz

annual dinnersaturday

whichtaylor dyson himselfonce