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HOME |
 Harold
Malley School
Use this page to contact old friends from Harold Malley School in Solihull
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1970's |
Interesting to see the impact malley had on people. attended from 1970
to 1975.the only teachers to really have any impact were mrs wickets (english)
trev england, fred price (who turfed some of us out of the choir for
miming) and mr williams. not an inspiring place for me!
Richard Adams
Stumbled across this site looking for the meaning of our Latin Motto,
which was I think Desimus Faciendo??I was in Edinburgh, left in 1973,
the year we all got pissed at the Bluebell and drove round the school
yard in someone's white van at the start of block leave. Remember
Donald Quicke, Andy Petit, Tony Collins, Steve Nichol, Dave Corcoran
(I have no idea where he is) and Paul Catchpole. The only person I am
still in touch with is David Jones from Harlech. Have seen a few in
more recent times such as Roger Weaving and Mark Goodman. Interesting
to hear the teachers names again! August 2009 I've got group photo of
2e taken in summer 1968! Sad?
Steve Law
Response - The meaning of the motto was "learning by doing"
Ron Brown
Hi, i was at HM (maybe it ought to be at HM's discretion) for 7 years
until 73 when i went to uni. I must say my memories are quite mixed.
There was some bullying - i was at the lower middle of the pecking
order. It was the way it was. There were some great teachers, i
remember well my form master Colin Townesend, scary Mr Hobday who I am
sad nevertheless to hear has passed away, the intimidating but
brilliant history teacher Mr England who had an awesome reputation but
i never saw him bite. I remember well, our biology master Mr Tipping
(is he still alive?), the inimitable Mr Price (music - he barred me
from class because i twice blew into my recorder) - Fred of Heaven
refrains in assembly!!!), a Dr jawah [?] who took us for physics -
great fun, an intimidating engineering master, a pretty young lady
teacher we all fantasised about ....
I'm now a prof at Imperial so i guess it must have done a good job.
Pity it wasn't mixed while I was there. Would love to hear more about
that era there.
Donald
Quicke
I just ran across this site and started to remember because I worked
as a Swiss assistant at Harold Malley from 1970 to 1971. A few years
ago I visited the school again but barley recognised it because it had
merged with the girls school. If somebody remembers me, teacher or
pupil, I would be pleased to hear from him. By the way: Today I work
as a journalist, have my own TV-Talkshow in Schaffhausen an do a
weekly radio programme on Radio Munot called 'Magical Mystery Tour'.
Erwin Künzi
I remember German lessons with Frau Valder in the terrapin huts. It
was also the location for the chess club. We would take chess pieces
out of the desks and fire them at one another. She intervened by
saying, "first you must do your verk, zen you can fight". Giles
Padmore and Paul Morris would deliberately get sent out, so they could
have a fag. Glory days!
Paul
McKinley
72-77 here (Harlech - later "Malley" when we merged to form Alderbrook).
Must add my respects to those already here for "Big Bad" Hobday - a
wonderful character the like of which will never be seen again in our
schools. Firm, but (mostly) fair! Andy Harvey - I remember the day
you tried to persuade the class that "Ich rasiere mich" - though I
think that may have been with Miss Duddlestone (later Mrs. Friegard -
remember her?!). Many of the others mentioned here are in my
memories too (Mssrs. England, Blackmore, Ash, Price, Tipping, Able to
name a few). Others who stand out are Mr. Newman for German -
and his famous "Newman knuckle". Mike Townsley - and his trick of
making you fetch your own plimsoll for him to whack you with! Who was
the physics teacher whose famous line was "look it up in Abbott"?
Most memorable has to be "Geordie" MacIntyre, who was our first form
tutor, starting at HM on the same day as us, and was very well liked
indeed, but he moved on when we went comp (as did many of the good
ones, I recall).
Finally what about Miss Pearl - the craft teacher - and how mad she
got with "Jammy" Comerford for cutting into the middle of a 3x2 foot
sheet of card because he needed a 1cm square!
Happy days eh.
Martin
Taylor
Hi everyone I'm writing on behalf of my Dad, I'm guessing he would
have attended HM from mid 60's to early 70's.... Would like to know if
anyone has any thoughts / memories?? Would mean a lot. Many Thanks
Kellie Griffiths c/o Paul Griffiths
This is a quote from my last school report for German. "Rarely does
class or homework, prefers to say he cannot do the work rather than
find the courage to alter the situation". I'd love to speak to that
teacher now. I've been living in Germany now for over 20 years & could
probably correct a few of those German teachers now. (Harlech Rules)
1970-75
Les Essex
Surfing and came across this page - what a surprise. i remember my purple blazer with fondness however memories of the late roland collins are not so good. amongst most of the boys, he will be remembered as being a power crazed
megalomaniac who probably hated those in his care. the times i had detention either for my hair being too long or my socks being the wrong colour. teachers that stick in my mind are gill cleeton, yes the quisners, john bramley, trev
England, cliff poyner, a geography teacher, Harry tipping we called "alf" and "stan" our PE teacher. sean newman was our class teacher in 3H - harlech rules ! having been told that i would achieve very little
academically due to my poor learning (now diagnosed as dyslexia) i take great comfort with my PhD. poor old roland , never was good with those prediction. good to see contributions from malc smart and ray monk. have spent years working in
life's exotic locations--Nigeria, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, etc etc, now resident in
Scotland. andy
Andy Pettitt
The rock climbing German teacher was Ken Corfield. A legend who
unfortunately inspired me more about climbing than German but never
mind.
Mark
Emeny
Just found this site by chance. It is really great to read some of the
old stories; I must be getting old. Does anyone remember Mr. Golighty
(Chemistry) "Uncle Goey". Or the time he got a hold of "Gobby Graham"
and was ramming his head into the panelling on the front of his desk.
We had to intervene, as it appeared that he blew a gasket that day.
Could someone verify the story that Fred Price gave, regarding the
scar under his chin? I tell the version that I remember, but would
like to hear the version that you remember. Windsor ruled - once upon
a time!
Paul
McKinley
Those were the days with those wonderful purple uniforms. Sorry to
hear about "Big Bads" passing, characters like that aren't allowed to
exist in schools these days. Any one in the same year of "Windsor"
between 66-71 would like to here from you, even Tony Collins.
Chris
Taylor
My claim to fame was
building and lighting the fire under the stage. If you were trying to
eat lunch that day as the hall slowly filled with smoke, I'm very
sorry. I was only trying to dispose of some swag and illuminate our
den at the same time. I won't mention the other people involved,
because they would be embarrassed. I'd love to hear from anyone else
who discovered that secret place underneath the stairs though..
Surprisingly enough, I turned out to be a reasonably well adjusted
member of society in the end! I remember Mr Ash, he paid me fifteen
quid to fix his calculator, Mr Blackmore, he sold me my first
motorbike, and the unfortunately named Mr Condon a french teacher
who's name could entertain a class of twelve year olds for nearly a
full year.. I also believe I hold the all-time school record for a low
result in a mathematics "O"level mock
exam. (I'm so proud, Mr Houston I couldn't have done it without you..)
Steve Clarke
Happy Days, wouldn't have swapped it for the world. Taught me all I needed
to know to get this far (about three miles down the road!).
Tony Collins
I am looking for anyone who went to Harold Malley Grammar now Alderbrook
between 1970 and 1976 or lived in Hobs Moat at that time.
Ron Brown
I attended Knowle Junior School through to 1971 and subsequently Harold
Malley School (1971-76) and Sixth Form college (1976-78). I stumbled across this site and
am curious to see if there is any one out there who I might have known.
David Jackson
If Ray Monk was there from 68 to 73, then so was I.
(Hello, Ray.) Does anyone know how to reach Paul Blick? I'd love to
re-connect with him. Thanks. And can anyone remember the German
teacher who was the avid rock-climber. Trips with him to various
climbs are among my favourite memories of a not-particularly pleasant
school experience.
Malcolm Smart
I was there from 1968 to 1973. I remember Collins, Big Bad, Trev
England, and also the English teacher, John Bramley, who changed my life by encouraging me
to read Plato (I am now a Professor of Philosophy).
I also remember a psychotic rugby teacher, who used to clip me round the ears every time
he saw me, but I can't remember his name.
Ray Monk
An 'old boy' from 1966 - 1973. Memories of Roland Collins, 'Big Bad
'Hobday' (combing your sideboards behind your ears for him to flick out on your way to
assembly), Fred Price the music teacher who promised that if you joined the band you would
see the world (Shirley Community Centre was as far as I got!), Mr Warren, (Geography),
Mike Townsley (Maths)Mr 'Kaiser' Williams (German - Don't forget your Deutches Leben boy,
accompanied by a whack around the head), Mr Curtis (Biology & Chem), Paul K. Oliver,
Woodwork and Engineering WT &P, owned a lovely red TR3A,'The Rev' Williams, Mr Green
(PE),to name but a few. Our register (Windsor) went as follows, Attwood (Ivor), Bates
(Rodney), Butts (Andrew) Bywater (Frank), Clark (Paul), Cooke (Nigel) Docker (Michael),
Edwards (???), Fruhauf (Julian), Gregory (David), Gorton (Trevor), Haley (Keith),
Holland (Ian), Hunter (Tony), Jackson (Richard), Jones (Martin) Luckett (Andrew) Morris
(Phillip), Moseley (Chris), Mudd (Alan), Nichol (Stephen), Norrie (Alan), Parker (Robert),
Pickering (Keith), Randall (Steve), Smith (Mike 3'fff's), Smith (Nigel) Spiers (Alan)
,Street (Roger) and Vickers (Alan).
Memories of others in Kinsale, Edinburgh & Harlech, not to mention the jaunts up to
the Mountain Centre!!
Steve Nichol
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Big bad Hobday was (I say was because he died in Mar 1990) my father.
It
is interesting to see how he was regarded by ex-pupils. You may be
interested to know that he was a rather intimidating figure at home - up
until he retired from teaching, when he became a humorous and somewhat
irreverent man who enjoyed poking fun at people whose opinion of themselves
clearly exceeded their abilities.
My regards to anybody who remembers him
with (rueful ?) affection.
I certainly miss him.
Mike Hobday
Thank you for your email Mike. I am very sorry to hear of the death of
your father. After reading the comments posted on the Harold Malley page
it is clear that he was well respected, a great and perhaps lacking
quality in current times. It must be nice to know that your dad will be
remembered by so many who passed through the school over the years.
Quote "And not to leave out Mr Hobday - I have met few men with such
natural presence." Glyn Dymond
Ian Sill - Editor of Solihull Online
I was sorry to hear of the death of Mr. Hobday, even if it was 12 years
ago. I attended Malley right till the end and beyond when it became
Alderbrook. Mr. Hobday was a rather imposing figure, but as I had a
flair for German, I became his favourite and known as 'Der König'.
Nowadays my German is inadequate, but I retained the flair for Germanic
languages and lived in Sweden for a while. Maybe Mr. Hobday was partly
responsible. Anyway, R.I.P.
Andy Harvey |
Burnt my blazer, cap and tie on the last day of school at the flag pole.
That purple was bad. Had the pleasure of 5 years, split between Harlich and
Windsor from '65-'70. Does anyone remember an English teacher and his beautiful
blonde wife that taught there for a year or two and then disappeared very quickly.
The Quizners I think...?? He always dressed in amazing styled jackets and kipper
ties always with a handkerchief in the top pocket. Had long hair and for Harold Malley
that was definitely a no-no! He really made us think. And his wife! wow! I used to
go home and dream about her! A very hip and unusual couple.
I had my sideboards tucked behind my ears like many of us on my way into assembly, hoping
and praying Hobday wouldn't pull us out of line.
Anyone remember the 6th form "A" level exam in the gym that had Collins at the
door with a shaving bowl and razor, telling everyone with sideboards that they would not
be let into the gym to take the exam unless he shaved off their sideboards first!?
Some refused and the story hit the Solihull News. He was pretty crazy. I Would love
to here from anyone in W,H or E. I have been gone from Solihull for 30 years now,
the last 25 in Los Angeles. Anyone around?
David Borst-Smith
65 to '70, Edinburgh. Great education at a time of great music, great events
like the lunar landing and in retrospect considerable social change, which
our Head seemed to always be resisting. A pity that his forward thinking
curricular ideas were overshadowed by his enthusiasm for prison haircuts and
baggy trousers.
It appears that much of our playground has disappeared under additional
buildings as have the bike sheds , and the school is not as new looking as
we remember it . What would the consequences have been had we been caught
damaging anything?
A few credits to some of the teachers whose names I remember immediately -
Rev. Williams (remember his vestry where he'd have a quick smoke between
classes?), Mr Schofield (who helped me with electronics), Mike Townsley
(excellent shot with piece of chalk to ear of pupil at back of class), Fred
Price (for his Vitesse), Gil Cleeton (for showing me a hobby and career), Mr
Martin (for using turquoise ink when marking French work), the Quysners (for
daring to be hip among the squares), Trev England (inspired my interest in
archaeology but once sent me to sleep teaching British monarchy), Mr Malpass
(artist), 'Kaiser' Williams (once our form teacher though we were never
taught German), and not to leave out Mr Hobday - I have met few men with
such natural presence.
There should be several hundred 'old boys' out there so in time we may
collect some amusing stories....
Glyn Dymond
1966-71 Is anybody in touch with Jim Crofts or Nick Hulse? I'm in touch with
Geoff Blythe, in fact he's my brother-in-law now (it's a long and bizarre
story)! What happened to Dave Corcoran? Best regards to old pals and
teachers. Was Big Bad really 'bad'?
Paul Catchpole
Happy Days, wouldn't have swapped it for the world. Taught me all I needed
to know to get this far (about three miles down the road!). I was at Harold
Malley from 66-71.
Tony Collins
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1960's |
I have one memory of Hobday which may be of interest. It was first
year german and our introduction to the phrase "Der Varter". I seem to
remember this threw us all into fits of laughter, but particularly
Cameron Paterson who was unable to stop. Hobday sent him out of the
room to calm down. Somehow I think that Hobday had been through it all
before and there seemed to be a weary resignation about his
disciplining of Paterson.
Tim Bywell
Started in September 1968. New to the area and knew nobody. That first
day was terrifying. What did I learn? Well, I can still recite the
form register and....probably not much else! I recall being arrested
in Oswestry on a geography field trip in the lower 6th form (along
with everyone else on the coach) for knicking beer mats from a pub.
Roland was not impressed when we got back to school!! Stayed in touch
with Ken Corfield and climbed with him in the Alps and the Verdon.
Bilston, Blick, Brightley, Brotherton, Brown, Burns, Counter, Dent,
Donald, Doyle, Holtom, Hornsby, Jones, Kimberley, Kirby, Lees,
MacKauley, Monk, Morgan, Newman (x2), Nicholas, Norris, Pettitt,
Radburn, Ramsey, Scott, Stott and Turnbull. There you go! Happy
Harlech days!
Pete Stott
I attended Harold Malley from 1964 to 1968. I think there was a short
period in the Cartwright building before we got moved over to the new
Malley school. Of course there are loads of memories, especially after
being reminded by previous contributions. I especially remember the
grim Midlands Mathematical experiment (MME) with which headmaster
Roland Collins was obsessed - I think it was an ego trip for him, but
a disaster for me because when I got to college I knew virtually no
calculus (which I really needed) because with MME all we did was fart
about with vectors and Venn diagrams. I think remember a maths teacher
called Stokes (?). I think we nicknamed him The Fox. Then was another
who was a Geordie folk singer but I can't remember his name. Biology
was taught by a completely sadistic teacher called Dietch. He really
loved humilating people and was obsessed with making sure you wrote on
the top line of every page in your exercise book. Something wrong with
him! I particularly remember Mr Schofield who taught metalwork. Funny
how we like the teachers who taught the subjects we liked. He used to
drive an "Auntie" Rover and lent us the amplifiers for the school
play, which was the reason I failed my A's - I was too busy doing the
sound effects for the school play, which was "Chips with Everything".
Anyone remember that? Who else do I remember? (me being very bad with
names). Hobday of course - I had very little to do with him so can't
comment on the negative remarks other people have made about him. With
the benefit of hindsight I somehow get the sneaking suspicion he was
having a huge joke at our expense. Fred Price for music (how on earth
did they get that baby grand piano onto the top floor?). Gil and
Jahwah for physics (and chemistry?) and there was also an Australian
(?) called Lieschie who taught Physics.
Martyn Sandbrook
Hi everybody my dad went to harold malley wen it was a grammer tech
wen it first open id like anyone to get in touch who remembers him his
name is robert saunders his best mate was michael mike sturge please
get in touch i think hed like to here from anyone
Helen
Saunders
Windsor - hence I was taught German by Mr Hobday. I was so sorry to
hear about his passing. 'Big Bad' was nevrs so in my experince ; he
was one of the finest and most inspirational teachers I 've ever
known. Same goes for Trevor England. I got a degree in German at
University later and I 'd like to think it was his tutelage that got
me there. RIP.
John Gardner
Was at Harold Malley between 67 and 72, with Harold Cartwright across
the road
Tony Mackie
I attended (unenthusiastically) Harold Malley from its beginnings in
1961 up to 5th remove in 67. I remember Geoff Barrott (maths) with
affection - for his model aeroplanes and red MG and Healey 3000 and
blonde girlfriends. Dietch (biology) was a sadist. I quite liked Big
Bad in a way - could never tell if there was a sense of humour there.
I tend to think there was - and that's confirmed by his son somewhere
above. Collins and his MME was a complete disaster, and as for taking
13 O levels, say no more. And now to something completely different...
I'm an internationally qualified mountain guide and have lived in the
French alps for 20 years. Strangely enough it was Harold Malley and
Brian Green's obligatory rugby (or rather, my aversion to it) that led
me to take the option of climbing which started me on the road to my
addiction to climbing, and that eventually got me here. And for that I
have to thank Keith Rice-Jones (woodwork) who took us climbing in
Derbyshire and Staffordshire at weekends. Above all others it was
Keith who influenced my life and unknowingly steered it in an
interesting direction. And for that I'll be eternally grateful.
Jonathan de Montjoye
Hi, anyone know the whereabouts of Mike Fleetwood who attended HM in
the 60's. Would like to invite him to a 60th birthday party! Thanks!
Bridget Cutler
The register that I remember for 1964 (1BZ) was a s follows Biddle,
Burbidge, Carter, Colgan, Cregan, Ellis, Fellows, Fletcher, Herbert,
Hinton, Ireland, Jones, Koker, May Moore, Phillips, Simpson, Tonks,
Vaughan, Viney, Williams, Lewis (Never sure why he was last).
Apologies to anyone forgotten.
I also remember a variety of teachers who were great characters. I was
never taught by him but regularly had my sideboards tugged by Mr
Hobday. He could control the whole school with a point and curl of his
finger. Does anybody remember the 6th form spoof of the hairy finger
that shot Fred price who when frothed at the mouth whilst making a
dreadful racket on that organ. Mr Shakespeare who taught English of
course, Trevor England was hilarious, Kaiser Williams who I have to
thank for getting me through my English O level after a wasted year
with the dreadful Rev Williams who kept disappearing during lessons. I
also remember a dreadful geography year with a teacher that taught us
the wrong syllabus but was way ahead of us in the double meaning that
15 year old lads read into her dictation.
I also remember Gill Cleeton who we got involved with our interest in
Amateur radio.
Worst of all however was that megalomaniac Roland Collins whose
Midland Mathematical Experiment failed most of us.
We did learn discipline however and over the years I along with
everyone else was hit for little or no reason with plimsolls, metre
rules, 4 x 2" wood, 12" rulers and T squares and in the case of
Collins his hand across my face. How times have changed.
John Viney
I too have stumbled on this site. 67-70 for me left while in 3W and
came to where they can play cricket. Many memories but cant remember
where the Mountain Centre was???? What happened to "The Rev"? Does
anyone know a Ray White from the same time?
Steve Scott
I remember well 1965 to 1969,thanks Steve Nichol for the class listing
I remember Mrs Quisner well short skirts many happy hours at the
bottom of the stairs. Kaiser Williams with his book over the head
teaching method. The Jaw and Mr Adams who both suffered badly from
abuse from me and others including Andy Luckett. Rodney 'grasser'
Bates whose text books went fluttering past the staff room one sunny
day, Edwards was Richard or Dick as he was always known. Dr Jahwah
with his SG bottles and Fred Price leading us with his 'ping pang
pong, in the xmas concert at the Civic Hall.
Alan
Vickers
WOW JUST SEEN THIS. I went from 62-67, remember only Hobday who
ordered me to shave my bung fluff off in the first year at Malley. My
2nd year the first was spent with the girls at Cartwright.. I kept
getting into trouble and was slippered many times, I remember being
ordered to take those books out oif my trousers.. Hobday even lifted
me off the ground by holding my sideburns wow was that painful, liked
Art and was allowed to stay in at break. Remember buddy hollys death,
collins a forgetful head, and virtually nothing else. I couldn't stay
on Hobday ad told me he wasn't going to allow it. Class well I can
only remember Nick Adams, from Hockley Heath, Jolly. Crawley, Crawshaw,
Hill, Broadbent or something. Sorry to those at the end....
Richard Crawshaw
Hiya, I'm writing on behalf of my dad and I was wondering if anyone
remembers a hymn that used to be sung at HM starting "sun moon and
stars by day and night; at God's commandment gave us light". I'm
trying to track down the tune it was sung to, and any help would be
great!
Laura
Harlech 1966-71. Fond recollection of 3 days jankers for 'persistently
smoking on the school bus' (together with Andy Withers and Adrian
Mason). Also remember first metal work lesson was to file a 6
inch square mid steel plate to 2 inches square. Took about 3 weeks.
Ken Williams
I remember Mr Price and playing blues on the school organ to his
dismay! His teachings led me to ignore the written note and
concentrate on my instinctive style which brought me eventual success
in the early 80s. I still perform today. Thanks Fred (you shilly
flopit). Does anyone remember the day he fell off the stage at Harold
Cartwright. I nearly pissed myself laughing! Roland 'make a name for
himself' Collins didn't do me any favours either. I failed all 13 O
levels having been completely overwhelmed by the whole exercise! I
loved the mountain centre in the Berwyns. Rock climbing and gym
displays under the guidance of Brian Green? are my favourite
memories. Did Malpuss inspire Bagpuss to paint cos he never did it for
me!! Does anyone recall myself and Mac MacDonald (both 5th removed)
playing the piano and singing 'Dead End Street' in the common room?
Much to the annoyance of one 'Hobday' 'I will be rough son' Not now
you won't sadistic b.....d!! It's the things we weren't taught that
matter now Mr H' Wow! Sorry Chaps.
Bob Harder
Logged in for the first time. Pupil up to 1968.
David Bennett
I came across this page by accident. It was not a good time at HM. The best day for me was when I left. I am now in the NE and am a practising solicitor with my own firm. Specialising in human rights and commercial law. I, at the time of writing, am awaiting ordination into the Cof E and will remain a solicitor as a working priest at the request of the church.
Bryn Higgott
Harold Malley from '64 to '70 in Harlech,and Jeff Winters, it was Jock Emmony (me).Here goes - Ashford, Barnfield, Biggs, Brotherton, Charlton, Davies, Douglas, Duncan, Emmony, Hammet, Hands, Horsby, James, Jay, Jones - Walters, Manger, Nicholls, Parker, Paul, Schofield, Smith, Tearle, Underwood, Wall, Winters. Twenty five. Apologies to the ones that I have forgotten. Has anyone heard from Chris Charlton? My one day of glory at the school was our being accused of smoking by Collins, the head master, with Chris and refusing to confess despite being knocked around the library by him. Got six stripes across the arse for that one and a letter threatening expulsion. Happy days. Who remembers the 'O' level exam in the gym when he was there at the door with the razor, checking out those side boards? It doesnt get any better than that. Jeremy Ashford, where are you? Do you remember us wetting ourselves with laughter in French with the Jaw? Still makes me laugh thinking about it. It may be rose tinted glasses but I only have good memories of the school. I remember going up to Sheldon ice rink with John Douglas once and the somg that was being played was Strawberry fields forever. Then there was going round to Dave Paul's house at lunch time for a cigarette. Come to think of it I think that was where Chris and I had been coming back from. So. Just turned 53. Arthritis is a bit of a pain. I Stopped smoking 13 years ago Chris. I've been in construction for the last 28 years after a stint as an estate agent. Havent a clue what I'm going to do when I grow up. When is the re-union?
Nick Emmony
My time served was 1969 to 1974 in Kinsale. Didn't always enjoy it but I have many fond memories. On the (rare) occasions I get back to Solihull (living in Cheshire last 20+ yrs), I always try to drive past to have a look at where its up to now. Did me OK in the end - been working in medical sciences (14 yr) and now sales/marketing (16yr) after a stuttered start. If any of our old teachers are still around, hope you are well. And thanks!. very sorry to hear about Hobday - always had a soft spot for him - there was always a dry humour lurking under that bugsy malone exterior. Any reunions going, please email me
Tim Harwood
I was at Harold Cartwright from '62 to '64 then at Harold Malley till '67 and hated every minute, except for the odd moment. I got into Hobday's bad books in the first year and never looked back. He was a sadist of the first water and should never have been put in charge of children. On my last day at school we had a verbal set to and I'm sure he would have done for me but for the hundreds of witnesses.
Green was OK. My sporting prowess was nil so he just ignored me.
Collins only ever said 'Bend over, Willis' to me prior to a whacking, so I kept out of his way.
Dietch was another sadist who certainly knew the value of bunsen tubing.
Stokes was brilliant. He changed my attitude to Maths purely because he was very good at teaching.
G-Raff was just a beanpole toad. No guts, no fibre and no impression.
O-levels were particularly ridiculous. I had to take 13 subjects. The load was too much and I scraped through 4.
I got sent to HM because mom and dad thought a brand new school would have the best of everything and I believe the infrastructure was quite good, but the staff seemed only to be there because they couldn't get accepted anywhere else and took out the bitterness on their chrages. All in all the happiest days of my life, weren't.
Stuart Willis
In the 1960's, I too was one of the first entries to Harold Malley , having spent the first year at Lode Heath while the new grammar technical schools as they were known were built. Trevor England was a great teacher and even Mr Hobday had his moments particularly when he found out that I had a railway set. Ron U( for Unwin) Russell was my best mate and I would love to know where he is. Other students around were Alan Brown, Keith Best,Stuart Ridley, the other two Richards; Richard Wright, Richard Wardle who did A level Biology with me and Stuart Twigg who was banned from metal work as everything he touched turned to rust! We all looked great in Purple!!
As for me I have ended up as Mayor of Chichester but that's a long story...
Richard Plowman
I went to Harold Malley after St.Alphege around 1960 - when it was built,- was housed at Load Heath for 12 months first then Harold Cartwright. Trevor England - the time he took us down a coal mine in his best sports jacket I remember well. Derek Williams taught us German and rugby. Mr. Beeton was woodwork master, Mr. Metters taught metalwork, Mr. Shakespeare taught English - wonder what happened to them. John Baratt - maths, games and building model aeroplanes. The Mountain Centre - Pedro and I cycled there for the opening ceremony only to find we'd gone to the wrong Llanrhaeadr!!! 20 miles too far north- as did the Mayor and most of the governors!! Many memories - I'm grey with a granddaughter now. I left in 1965. Anybody out there??
Michael Fletcher
I was at HM from 1966 to 1970. I was in the same class as Glyn Dymond
who I've subsequently contacted. My first form master was G-raff, a
nice man but in thrall to the Head, the strange and alien-like Mr
Collins. I remember Big Bad Hobday with anything but fondness. I found
him a Dickensian bully who delighted in tormenting those he disliked
(myself amongst them). I remember one boy in my class wet himself at
his desk when threatened by this terrifying man. I hated Harold Malley
and can recall few happy times. One of those was editing the
underground school magazine with Simon Mead. We sold it in the
corridors for 3d a copy and did quite well. It was rude, irreverent
and short-lived. Big Bad carpeted us and threatened to cane me. I
refused and amazingly nothing more came of it. I did make some good
friends though, who I would like to contact again: Keith Allbutt (who
sold me his sister's Elvis collection); Nicholas Dear (a caring human
being as much out of place at HM as I was to start with); Bryn Higgott;
David Isaacs & Peter Marshall (my two bestest friends); Simon Mead
(strange but compelling...a true rebel whom I admired enormously);
Roger Moseley (ever-cheerful)and a couple of others whose names,
sadly, I can't remember. I left school rather suddenly a few weeks
before the end of term to join the Army. It was when I was issued with
a rifle in Cyprus in 1974, told to dig a fox-hole on the beach and
shoot the first invading Turk I saw, that I decided the Army wasn't
quite what I was cut out for. Didn't join to fight! Saw the world
though. Now live in the North East with my current squeeze. Have 1 son
(31) and three step-children. Have never worked for anybody, always
myself. Have had dozens of businesses, some worked, some didn't
including car hire company, chain of furniture shops, cafes, car sales
business, finance company, restaurant, leaflet distribution company,
taxi firm etc. Currently own an Internet advertising company
(non-trading due to lack of funds) and make a living dealing in
antiques. Just turned 51 and hate that more than I hated Harold Malley!
Andy
Gyseman
I was at here from the outset at Harold Cartwright and transferred to
Malley. I certainly recall Mr Hobday (get those sideboards cut by
Monday!) Mr .Green for games (taught me to play Rugby) Mr Stokes
Algebra, Barry downes, John Mountford, Torchie, (I was aka KaTy -
initials K.T.). I also remember Collins as an inadequate Head who
wanted to replicate Solihull School in the shortest possible time with
scant regard for the pupils. I also recall having to partake in a
farce at 'O' level of up to 12 subjects. Regrettably , as with Roger
Brown , I wish my parents had elected for Tudor Grange (a far superior
school). Sadly, my achievements in life started after I left in 1966
through self determination. Wonder what happened to Steve Southern
(did he go on to work in the music industry?). Other teachers - Fred
(large ears and scar )??? Music - Mr Barratt - geometry - Geography -
for a while we had a scots lady who bought in and cooked a Haggis
during lessons. Amway it was good to read some of the comments.
Kelvyn Cooper
Anyone remember the school mountain centre? Getting soaked jumping in
and out of the river, the long walk to the village pub (under age of
course) appalling food cooked by us!. Is the centre still there?
Cheers
Alan
Mawman 1964-1971
Attn:David Jackson. I went to Knowle before you .I left in 69? to go
to Cedarhurst under the renowned Miss Hinks ! My best friend Giles
Padmore went to HM. I'm out of contact with him but my mother still
corresponds with his. I have been back in Australia since 1971. (I
posted on the Knowle site also). Rgds
Max Foley
Saw my name on webpage. I taught Physics at HMS from 1961 to 72, then
went to Lyndon!
Have emailed Glyn Diamond. Anybody heard from Andrew Armstrong?
Still trying to teach, now in Buffalo New York!!
Gil Cleeton
I attended Harold Malley from 1965-70. The register went something like
this: Allbutt, Armstrong, Bailey Bennett, Boswell, Colgan, Collins, Day, Dear, Diamond,
Harvey, Higgott, Iliffe, Isaacs, Lichfield, Miller, Moseley, Musgrove, Parkinson,
Pumphrey, Sterenberg, Sedjikowski, Watkins and Vaughan-Jones.
The head's name was Collins and the rugby coach was a Mr. Mirrelees ? Anyone around still
?????
Mick Jones
Attended HM from 64 to 69. Started off in 1E named after
Trevor England then was in 2W to 5W I think the W was Windsor. I have some
great memories of the old school including the sideburns behind the ears
tricks and trying to avoid (big bad) Mr Hobday and (Kaiser) Mr Williams. I
am coming over to the UK for a trip in October and would like to catch up
with a few old mates. If anyone knows the whereabouts of Alan Morris,
Michael Sykes, Nigel Reece, Dave Paul, Michael Branford could you please
contact me in the near future as it would be good to catch up with them.
Jeffery Wood
Went to Harold Malley from '64-69, Harlech - Class teacher Jock Allen.
Many memories, most of them good - Trev England changed my life !!!. Look forward to
hearing from classmates including Dave Paul, Nicky North, Dougie' Douglas, Kevin Hands,
Pete Jay, Robert Wall, Colin Underwood, Robert Phipps, young Newton, Charlton,
Jones-Walters, Brian Johnson, Derek Biggs, Andrew Duncan, Jock Emerson, Master James, Paul
Schofield and anyone else who remembers me. Go for it !!!!!
Jeff Winters
I went to Harold Malley Grammar School in Solihull from the day it
opened (in the Harold Cartwright Building) until 1967 when I left the 'Remove' to go to
Birmingham College of Food and Domestic Arts. Some names that spring to mind are Richard
Pumphrey (old boy) and of course Roland Collins (the Head) and Hobday (Am I hurting you
boy...I should be I'm standing on your hair) (the Deputy Head). Trev England was the best
teacher they ever had (Geography and History) Anyone out there remember the
dreadful, educationally inadequate place they called Harold Malley Grammar in the 60's.
I'm now a Company Director and I owe nothing to my old school except that it toughened me
up!
Roger Brown
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