Loftus County Modern School Speech Day presentations by Alderman J. T. Fletcher; chairman of North Riding Education Committee. Mr Norminton commented that: ”as it was easier for children to find jobs, parents were willing to leave them at school for an extra year.” This in a period when jobs outnumbered school leavers. How times have changed! Back row: Hazel Johnson, Mary Hall, David Hampton, Steven Partlett. Front: Mr Harold Norminton (Headmaster), Annette Steyert, Alderman Fletcher, Colin Grout, Keith Fowle, Talbert Jackson.
Chris Colbeck commented: “Regarding the comment of the Headmaster. 1964 to 1965 was the first year when pupils could remain at school a further year and had an opportunity to sit exams for the Certificate of Secondary Education [CSE] which was a set little below the academic level of the GCE. Steve Partlett added: “Despite being in the photograph, I cannot remember why we were chosen! However, I suspect that the photograph was taken in the foyer at the bottom of the stairs to the 1st and 2nd floors. Almost opposite were some stairs to the basement; in the basement was the Prefect’s room, I suspect that this was emptied for the photograph! All those in the photograph were Prefects, with the exception of Hazel, who was Head Girl. At a guess the date is after Summer 1964 because in Summer 1965 some of those in the photograph left to attend Redcar Technical College for their fifth year.”
Image courtesy of Jean Carass; also many thanks to Chris Colbeck, Steven Partlett, Eileen Found and Ann Jackson for the updates.
A copy of a newspaper cutting reporting on the retirement of Mr and Mrs Gornall from Loftus County Modern in 1965. Ann Jackson remembers: I remember this saying goodbye to Mr and Mrs Gornall. I recognise Christopher stood near Mr Normington, Mrs Best is there too. I am in the right hand side at the top of the picture. Steve Partlett commented: “The girl in front Ann Jackson is Alison Harker. Over on the other side, behind Mrs Best is Margaret Ford.” Ann Jackson confirmed with: “Margaret Ford (now Russell) now lives down south.” Image courtesy of Christopher Colbeck, thanks to Ann Jackson and Steve Partlett for the updates.
Mrs Archer loaned us this photograph of a class at Rosecroft school but no dates and apart from identifying the teacher as Mr Keith Staines, no names were given. Can you date and name this photograph? Ian Atkinson believes: “The girl on the left hand end of the middle row was called Julie Easton.”
Image courtesy of Lee Archer, thanks to Ian Atkinson for the update.
Christopher Colbeck kindly sent us this image relating to Loftus County Modern School, of the band in 1964. Chris has named most of the members, perhaps you can supply the rest?
Back row: Leslie Jackson (Bass),Michael Preston (Flugel horn), Howard Jackson (Cornet), Keith Morrison (Cornet), Geoff Todd (Cornet), Richard Shippey (Cornet), David Dixon (Cornet), Michael McMaster (Cornet), Gibson Brignall (Tenor Horn).
Front Row: John Hicks (Horn), David Smithies (Cornet), Jimmy? Smithies (Cornet), David Partlett (Cornet), Christopher Colbeck (Baritone), Mr Varney (Music Teacher), Alan Barker (Trombone), Mick Morrison (Trombone), George Smith (Trombone), Neville Rogerson (Bass), standing Trevor Mead (Bass), Peter Collinson (Euphonium). Chris says David and Jimmy Smithies were twins and hence the question marks!
Chris also tells us regarding Geoff Collinson: ”His Dad was the school care-taker and the family lived in the bungalow in the grounds of the school.” Ray Brown tells us: ”I didn’t know this picture existed as I had left school and the Band at this time, of course most of the lads are part of the Old School Band, so I recognise some of them. I also believe the nickname for Mr. Varney was “Mantovani” – nowt so queer as kids!! – this picture pre dates the formation of the Loftus Town Band that most of these scoundrels joined.” Barbara McBurney confirms Chris’s thoughts regarding Peter Collinson with: ” Peter is Geoff’s younger brother, their father Harry was indeed caretaker of Rosecroft School, living in the bungalow on the Rosecroft site. Prior to this they lived on Rosedale Crescent close to where I lived on Queens Road.”
Image courtesy of Christopher Colbeck and many thanks for information, also Ray Brown and Barbara McBurney for additional names and comments.
Loftus County Modern Hockey team, 1961 is the date and I can see Alison Belnkinsop, next to Vera Shaw on the front row. Now ladies name yourselves please!
Back row: Dorothy Collins, ??, Josephine Golding, Christine Ebbs, Mrs Elsie Clark (Teacher).
Front row: ??, ??, Hillary Templeman, Vera Shaw, Allison Blenkinsop, Eileen Chadwick, Jeannette McMaster, ??.
Chris Shaw confirmed with: “I can confirm that second from right on the front row is indeed Jeanette McMaster, who became Jeanette Shaw. I know because she was my Mum and sadly passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2001, aged 55.”
Image courtesy of Pat Bennison; also thanks to Eileen Bateman (nee Chadwick), Norman Patton, Helen Cook (nee Fowle) and Chris Shaw for the the updates.
I know some of the pupils here and I’m hoping you will fill in the missing names, please. Back row: ??, Michael Hodgeson, John Bennett, Michael Pearson, John Jefferson, Doug Breckon, Neil Dale, Mr Ward. Front row: Barry Foster, Jean Nelson, Joyce Green, William Tindall, Sheila Emmerson, Christine Norminton, ??.
Image and names courtesy of Eric Johnson, thanks to Maurice Dower for the update.
Loftus County Modern School – Teaching Staff, pictured in the main hall at the pre 1963 County Modern building (later Loftus Junior School). Back row : Eddie Burnside, ??, ?? , Norman Lee, Maurice Stephenson, ??, Miss Allanson, Rita Ward (Mrs Unthank), Seated: Mrs Nellist, Mrs E. Weatherhead (nee Clarke), Malcolm Grattan, Bert Davey, Harold Norminton (Headmaster), Mrs Best, Mrs Gornall, Mr Gornall, Mrs Norminton. Can anyone help fill in the missing names please.
Image courtesy of Rita Unthank, thanks to Ray Brown and Barbara McBurney for the updates.
Prince Charles visiting Rosecroft School March 1994, The green Bentley to the right of the image was used to transport around East Cleveland after arriving on the school field in a helicopter, he later visited Skinningrove and the then Tom Leonard Mining Museum. David Myers tells us: ” I remember shaking his hand and pictures being in the Whitby Gazette. I think someone also asked if we could have the rest of the day off. He was visiting I believe because of the Princes Trust student support centre which had been set up.”
Image courtesy of Celia Parrish and thanks to David Myers for the update.
No! It’s the helicopter bringing Prince Charles to Rosecroft School in 1994. The third B could be the Bentley in the centre which was the road transport for Prince Charles! Later that day he also travelled to and viewed the Tom Leonard Mining Museum ( now more better known as Cleveland Ironstone Mining Museum), in Skinningrove. Image courtesy of Celia Parrish.
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