Hope all good with you.
Yesterday Peter (Holland) and I played golf in the Cornwall Wooden Spoon Charity Golf Day at Tehidy.
I think it’s great 60 years after leaving BGS we are still playing golf together.
Best wishes,
Allan Vodden
L to R - John ('Jan') Hicks, Pete Holland, Andrew Smeeth, Les Crowell
L to R - Dave Sweet, Allan Vodden, Ivor Ward, Mike Smith, Mike Gregory, Mike Chegwin, Rob Corney
Well done to all who attended the lunch on Thursday 16th April. A further 'well done' if you recognised all your fellow diners without having to be re-introduced.....well, it has been some 60 years!!
At least nobody slacked off the tops of the salt and pepper shakers or unscrewed the table legs - there has been some improvement in behaviour!
Prizes for special effort go to Sue Cutts (Lester) who is usually resident in Australia, closely followed by Mike Chegwin, from Germany.
A couple of pics attached. I'm not in either 'cos I was taking the photos and apologies that Sue is not included, as she had to leave a little earlier than the rest of us.
Next lunch will be Thursday 8th October. Suitable venue to be researched in advance.
Regards to all,
Dave M
I found your webpage after remembering some time ago that I’d posted my father’s Grammar School photo on Bude Nostalgia Facebook, the link was in one of the comments.
Sadly, my dad, Alan Rowland (1956 photo, 4th row, fourth in from the left hand side) passed away on the 20th February & I can see instances like this you generally update the site.
I would also love to reach out to anyone that remembers my dad through his school years & into his early 30s. All I really know is he hated cross country & didn’t see the point in learning Latin! (feel free to pass on my email address)
His Thanksgiving Service will be Weds 18th March, 2pm at Poundstock Church & anyone welcome.
Alison Rowland
First of all, I am sad to tell you that Trevor Squire passed away on Saturday 24th January. (Those in the Bude area may already know).
He came to the last BGS lunch on 9th October and mentioned that he was battling with cancer. Unfortunately, it was a battle that he lost. From what I understand, sometime towards Christmas / New Year, he had been in hospital in Exeter, but was sent home to receive palliative care....and the end came quite quickly.
Those of us fortunate to remain in good health can contemplate the next lunch in April.
Sue Cutts (nee Lester) can potentially make the third Thursday rather than the second, so we are looking at 16th April.
Perhaps you can make a note of that and I will send a further email nearer the time to get an idea of who can make it. Venue will again be the Beach House, Widemouth Bay.
Regards to all .....and keep well.
Dave M
I have set up an email address which forwards to Dave Morgan for anyone who wants to contact him about the Spring reunion lunch. Email Dave Morgan
“Old Boys” ex Bude Grammar School. Chris Leach I fish with, Paddy Frost we hadn’t met in 60 years !
A rather smaller than usual assembly for lunch today - commiserations to those who had ailments or other commitments and could not attend. Apologies were accepted.
Left to right around the table, Yours truly, Allan Vodden, Ivor Ward, Trevor Squire and Mike Gregory.
As usual, a very good catch -up with plenty of reminiscences.
The next lunch will be the second Thursday in April ((9th April) next year. A reminder email will be sent out nearer the time.
I hope that you all keep well and hope to see you in April, if not before maybe.
Regards,
Dave Morgan
Left to right: Tony Harmsworth, Mike Smith, Peggy Whateley, Pete Holland, Wendy Harmsworth, Tony Chalk, Dave Sweet, Allan Vodden, and Dave Morgan.
A good lunch and natter was had by all. Sue Cutts, Ivor Ward, and Brian Kinsman couldn't make it.
Tony
Outside The Olive Tree where we enjoyed morning coffee. Bill Davies, Wendy Harmsworth, Pat Davies (Matthews) and me.
Pat has given me her new email address. If you'd like it, please email updates@budecountygrammar.org and identify yourself. I'll then pass it on.
Tony
Hallo,
I am not sure, if this is the wright adress. I am looking for the addresses of Linda Russel and Jill Butterfield. I found them at the schoolpicture of 1971. My wife, now she has died, was in Bude in this school as a german "Austauschschüler" and they were friends.
Perhaps you can help me.
I want to visit Bude next month...
Please put also the name of my late wife up, her name was Gitta Höpfer.
Best regards
Peter Haußmann
Just to be absolutely sure, from Left to Right it is:
Ivor Ward, Allan Vodden, Dave Sweet, Mike Smith, Rob Corney, Pete Holland ......and me!
Les 'Flash' Crowell had to drop out at the last moment, Jan Hicks has a streaming cold, Mike Gregory also a late withdrawal.
Best regards to all,
Dave M
I have set up an email address which forwards to Dave Morgan for anyone who wants to contact him about the Spring reunion lunch. Email Dave Morgan Sorry that the photo is a trifle tardy but my 'mainframe computer' was in dry dock for a few days. For those who were not present / not seen any of us for some time, then Left to Right we have: Brian Kinsman, Dave Sweet, Dave Morgan, Michael 'Chunky' Philp, Pete Holland, Ivor Ward, Mike Gregory, Allan Vodden and Les Crowell. All looking pretty good, I'd say, despite most of us having had some form of surgical procedure, which is not entirely unexpected at our age. Our memories though, are still quite clear. Apologies for not being able to attend this time were received from Mike Smith, Sue Cutts (Lester), Rob Corney, John 'Jan' Hicks, Nick Barnard and Mike Chegwin. The next lunch is of course, the second Thursday in April i.e. 10th April 2025. Put it in your diary! A reminder will be sent nearer the time (assuming that I remember!). Best regards to all, Dave M
I have set up an email address which forwards to Dave Morgan for anyone who wants to contact him about the Spring reunion lunch. Email Dave Morgan Budehaven School has showed no interest in taking over the running of this site. If anyone knows someone at the school who might be interested in setting it up as a project for the pupils, let me know. Perhaps the younger generation doesn't care about their prehistory? I was shocked and saddened to read yesterday of the sad news that Jan Harman (nee Taylor) unexpectedly passed away on May 21st 2024. She was in my year at BCG, the intake year of 1961. For family and friends wishing to attend, a celebration of Jan’s life will be held at Bude Rugby Club from 1.30pm on Monday 17th June following a private funeral. Regards, Janet Prout (nee Martindale) Funeral website link - Joan Dickinson obit Hi Tony I attended the Grammar School from Sept 1967 through to June 1972 just before it closed . There was a reunion held I think in August or September 2002 which would have been 30 years after and included those students from the Grammar School and the secondary school who moved to the new school. I never attended the comprehensive as I left that year and went working in the Lake District and later in Scotland before travelling to Australia in 1975 where I have lived ever since. I did attend the reunion and very much enjoyed catching up with many old friends from school and the local community. I did have a list of names and some addresses but unfortunately it has been mislaid so i thought I would put a call out through this page as I am planning to be in the Bude area and Cornwall generally in October this year and would love to meet up with anyone who is still in the vicinity and able to get together for an informal reunion of students from those years. Further to this my younger brothers Graeme Higson and Rennie M Higson and my cousin Rennie D Higson attended either BGS and/or the comprehensive. My cousin Rennie however passed away some years ago now after a tough battle with cancer. Celebrating the life of
Jacqueline Dredge. August 6th 1951 - November 25th 2023 Funeral service - 1pm December 22nd at South London Crematorium, Rowan Road. London SW16 5JG Live streaming will be available. There will be an exhibition of her art work at her home in Longstone Road, from 14.30 where refreshments are available. Bright clothing requested and no flowers. Donations in her memory to be made directly to the web site of the Royal Trinity Hospice. South London. Funeral website link - https://watch.obitus.com user - gadu0962 password - 572360 Regards Adrian Very sad to hear this. Wendy and I were great friends with her brother Rich who was in our class at school. L-R: Ivor Ward, Mike Smith, Allan Vodden, Rob Corney, Pete Holland, Dave Sweet, Brian Kinsman, Dave Morgan. We hatched a plan to nominate the second Thursday of April and of October for future lunches, so that we could all put it in our diaries well in advance. Between now and April, we may find a few more who would like to join us. Mike Chegwin narrowly missed out this time as he had to return home to Germany. Dave Sweet said that Sue Lester was also around as she now comes back from Australia each year for a long holiday. Like Les, she too. had tested positive for Covid so could not participate. The previous evening, me and brother-in -law had a couple of pints in the Bullers Arms, Marhamchurch and got a take-away meal from a mobile catering van that regularly stations itself outside. No time for a game of darts! Dave M I have set up an email address which forwards to Dave Morgan for anyone who wants to contact him about the Spring reunion lunch. Email Dave Morgan Just seen a query asking about Brian Parish on the website.
I can confirm that he died in Jan, '22. He lived in Truro and worked for Cornwall County Council with the husband of a friend of mine. She has only just been notified of his passing by Brian's wife. He was taken ill during lockdown and consequently did not get the treatment needed. Brian and I were in the same class. He was always top of the class and my ambition was to beat him - I did come second but never top!! Regards, Joan Bradshaw L-R: Brian Kinsman, Allan Vodden, MIke Smith, Dave Sweet, Ivor Ward, Pete Holland, Dave Morgan. A fine upstanding collection of replacement hips, knees and assorted medical conditions!
17th October 2024 - Dave Morgan writes: Hi everyone,
14th June 2024 - Janet Prout (nee Martindale) just wrote to me as follows:
26th April 2024 - I regret to report that my sister-in-law, Joan, sister to my wife Wendy and Peter Cockwill died on 9th April. The funeral details are in the link.
9th December 2024 - Helen Rutherford sent me the following. If you wish to contact her, send me your email address updates@budecountygrammar.org and I'll forwerd them
More sad news. 13th December 2023 - Adrian Abbott informs us:
21st October 2023 - Dave Morgan writes: On Thursday, I met up with seven other ex Bude Grammar School pupils for a lunch at the Beach House, Widemouth Bay. It should have been nine of us, but unfortunately, Les Crowell had to withdraw because he'd tested positive for Covid the day before. Pete Holland in particular had been keen to see Les again as it is some 50 plus years since they last crossed paths at college in High Wycombe, where they both studied furniture design.
27th August 2023 - There was a query about the whereabouts of Brian Parish asked on 21st March 2021 (scroll down to see it). I have just received this email from Joan Bradshaw.
24th May 2023 - Dave Morgan writes, here's a pic of our lunch delegates yesterday.
We met at the Beach House, Widemouth Bay. Opposite side of the road to the Bay View Hotel and a little further down the hill. Further up the hill of course it what used to be 'Greenacres', latterly 'Elements'.
Dave M
Herewith photos depicting Allan Vodden, Pete Holland, Brian Kinsman and me having enjoyed lunch earlier today at The Rising Sun, Altarnun... a pub somewhere in the middle of nowhere (certainly not in the middle of Altarnun) but we all managed to find it!
We will arrange another lunch after the dark days of Winter have passed and when Dave Sweet (with his new hip) will be fit to join us.
Seasons Greetings to all,
Dave M
Great pics. Have been to the Rising Sun many years ago (bellringers outing/pub crawl I think). Hope to join you sometime. Mike Gliddon
29th November 2022 - I received a shocking email from a former pupil pointing out the imprisonment of a teacher of both the grammar school and Budehaven school.David Williams was a pillar of the community yet was hiding his paedophile activities from all of us. At other times he would be seen in church. How often the two activities go together.
I was in two minds whether or not to post this, but to not do so would be to somehow condone his behaviour. Read the article on the following link, and weep.
Tony
30th June 2022 - I have received a rather lovely C.S. Lowrie card from Judie Rolston bringing me the sad news that her mother, who is in the 1938 School photo, died.Tony,
Just to let you know that my mother, Barbara Rolston (nee House), who contributed some information to the website, died peacefully in Stratton Hospital on the 23rd May 2022 at the age of 95.
Regards,
Judy Rolston
P.S. She is in the back row of the 1938 photo
Roger always kept me advised of various matters involving Bude, the school and its alumni. I'll miss him. Ed
Another very sad case is that Jackie Walter, wife of Andy Walter of Marhamchurch died suddenly at home a couple of weeks ago. She was a PE teacher at Budehaven for many years and well known in the area.
Only in her sixties, fairly recently retired and a very fit and active person. Cause of death being investigated. I'll be going to the funeral wake.
Dave Morgan
9th June 2022 - I received this email from David Taylor. If anyone wishes to contact him, contact me on tony @ harmsworth.net and I'll forward the email.Hello,
I am wondering if you have any information about Benjamin Jones, who was a science master at Bude County School when the 1921 census was taken.
Benjamin was my great uncle and was born in the parish of Mawr in Glamorganshire in 1886. He was a science master and Swedish Drill Instructor at Mirfield Grammar School in 1915.
Benjamin served in the Royal Field Artillery in WW1. He joined as a gunner on 10 December 1915, was promoted to Acting Bombardier on 21 January 1916, and to Second Lieutenant on 14 October 1917. He suffered shell gas poisoning at Passchendaele on 7 Mar 1918, and was admitted to Acheson Hospital in London. Following his demobilisation on 21 January 1919 he was appointed Lieutenant Royal Garrison Artillery, Special Reserve. He relinquished his commission on 1 April 1920.
I think Benjamin must have joined Bude County School soon after he left the Royal Artillery. He married Maria Iles in Bristol on 2 August 1920. Sometime in 1921 he was appointed Senior Science Master at Kingswood Grammar School in Bristol where he stayed until his death on 9 August 1936 while on holiday in Montreux, Switzerland.
If you are interested I have some photographs of Benjamin and his obituary.
It would be great if you can add to this account of his life.
With best wishes,
David Taylor
A piece of artwork produced by Andy Dempster at school in the sixtiesMy name is Roger Pascoe and I attended Bude Grammar School from 64 to 68. Joined the RAF as a Halton Apprentice and now live in California.
Finding this website started with me looking for Alan Sargent after watching a recent Wolves game. It's great what can be done with the internet these days.
Roger wanted this message to be posted on the site: Looking for Alan Sargent. Haven't seen or heard from him since 1970 or thereabouts.In fact, after looking at the school photograph of 1967, it would be nice to contact anyone that might be interested.
Anyone wishing to respond to this message should write to Updates@BudeCountyGrammar.org and I'll forward the message.
26th January 2022 Richard, or Rick ShepherdNews came from Roger Hunter that Rick Shepherd died, but I have no other information.
If you look at the left index, you will see that the School Magazine section now has many more entries, the older ones mainly with the help of David Meadows.
I still have some examination papers to put on the site and there are one or two other items I have been sent which need to be posted.
You'll have seen the note that the Budehaven school has not responded to my hope that their pupils might take on the site and maintain it in the future. I thought that would be a good solution. The only other idea I've had is that a local history or heritage group might take it on. After all, there is the history of twentieth century Bude education within its pages. Unfortunately I have no contacts of that type.
At the rate that former pupils seem to be dying, it won't be long before none of us are left. When I've gone, the hosting of the site will end and everything herein will be lost to Bude residents, and that seems very sad. Please put your thinking caps on. In the meantime keeo buying my books because that is where the funds are currently generated.
You can click the ad at the top to try one free or go to www.Harmsworth.net to browse them all - three stand-alone novels, a trilogy and a five book series - all realistic, near-future, hard science fiction stories without fantasy, galactic wars or superheroes! My writing tends to explore environmental issues plus xenophobia, racial injustice and inequality. As well as paperbacks, they are also available for Kindle, other ebook readers and some are on Audible.
Have a happy and healthy new year,
Tony
3rd January 2022 - A desperately sad announcement from Stuart Adcock. His wife, Gaye (nee Russell) had a huge heart attack on 27th December and died after a two day struggle.Gaye fell ill on the 27th Dec and suffered a heart attack.
The ambulance although very good, took 1.5hrs to arrive, after several 999 calls trying to hasten the response.
Gaye passed away peacefully at 18.10 on New Years eve in Hospital surrounded by all the family. She did have a chance to say good-bye to everyone in turn, but it was very upsetting for us all.
After her fight with M.E for the last 30 years, at least she is now at rest.
Stuart
I'll post any more information as it becomes available.
Putting up obituares on this website is sad at the best of times, but when it is someone from your own class it is particularly distressing.
I met Gaye on my first day at Bude school. I was in lodgings in Ocean View Road. Gaye's parents owned Bude Haven Hotel. She was on her way to school and saw me passing the now-closed steps up to the golf course and shouted that there was a shortcut to school that way.
That became a life-long friendship. I am so sorry for Stuart. This is obviously a great blow for him.
Tony
Hello Tony,
I usually read the items you put up but wondered whether you had been notified of this - In the Cornish and Devon Post of Thursday April 18th this year there was rather a large article regarding a Miss Ashbery, very interesting as she was our girls gym mistress.
As you know I am Year '48 and I'm not sure if she was there then or joined a bit later. I have had a few copies photo-copied and distributed but wondered whether you would like me to send you one or you may already have been notified of this. Anyhow thought it should be brought to your notice.
Another 'sad' item, wasn't sure if you had been notified of the death of Terry Rickard (an excellent footballer) he would have been year 45/46 and I can fill you in with some details if you do not have any or put you in touch with someone. I read the item re Peter Ashworth and thought it was very touching.
In haste, hope you are all well,
Kind regards
Jackie Adams
I've asked Jackie if she can scan the article and send more details on Terry Rickard.
I can confirm that Raza's search was successful. See 29th October entry
If you can help Raza, please write to updates@budecountygrammar.org, and I'll pass on your email.
A formal request for please helping me get in touch with Loveday Miller. A brief introduction about myself. I am a Consultant and Archivist with the Ashoka Archives of Contemporary India, Ashoka University, Sonipat, Haryana (India). However, along with this another hat that I don is that of a conservationist, author, researcher, and wildlife historian writing on these issues in newspapers (Indian Express, The Hindu), online media houses (The Wire, RoundGlass Sustain) as well as wildlife magazines and journals (Journal of Bombay Natural History Society, Seminar, Sanctuary Asia, etc.) and have been contributing author in a couple of books (Conservation from the Margins, Orient Blackswan, 2018 and Wild Chhattisgarh, 2017). I am also a New India Foundation Fellow for 2020 under which I am working on writing my book tentatively titled "The First of Nine: The Story of Palamau Tiger Reserve".
Sir, I am looking to find (Mr./ Ms.?) Loveday Miller (born 1958), the child of Herbert Lawrence Miller and Juliette Dunbar. Mr. Lawrence Miller lived at South Lynstone, Bude, Cornwall. I found Loveday Miller in a photo on the Bude County Grammar School Photo 1971 image (second row third from right). I am assuming that probably this would be the child of Lawrence miller. I am looking to get in touch with Loveday Miller so as I have been researching oni the Dunbar Brander family (i.e. the family of Loveday Miller's mother Mrs. Juliette Dunbar) and their contribution to wildlife conservation in India. I would be very grateful for any help in locating Loveday Miller and providing me with their contact details.
Thanks and Regards
Raza Kazmi
Dear Tony,
You may well have seen or be familiar with the above magazine but in case not we have five magazines dating between 1930-1934 which were discovered in the possessions of my wife's (Sue Medland) late Aunt.
I attach scans of one of the magazines at random (all 5 approx 35-40 pages) and must admit I found it quite interesting with regards to the news and contributions of ex pupils and even recognised a few names.
Just wondered if it would be of interest and maybe help people putting names to faces on some of the early school photos you have for this period, if I just scanned an early double page in each of the magazines which includes the names of all pupils joining or leaving the school in that particular year?
May have to send several e-mails to include all attachments but hope it is of interest.
Best wishes
Dave Meadows.
I am pleased to report that I do now have the magazine images and will put them up in the new year. Sorry to take so long, but I've had other priorities.
Thanks so much, David
I should also mention that I have had no response from the Budehaven School about taking over this website. Disappointed to say the least. Maybe there is no intetrest in the heritage of schooling in Bude.
Tony
18th June 2021 more late news. John TysonI actually wrote to John to query something only a few days ago, so it was a shock to hear from Adrian Abbot that he had died. Adrian sent me this:
“JohnTYSON
Passed peacefully away on Monday 19th April 2021 at NDDH, Barnstaple.
Dearest Son of Brenda. Much loved Husband of Lynda. Dad of Melanie, Kean and Father-in-law to Shaz. Will be much missed by his Grandchildren Sammy, Charlie, Tom, Georgie, Izzy, Summer, and his Great Granddaughter Willow.
Private Funeral due to Covid restrictions. Family flowers only please, donations may be given in John's memory for 'Motor Neurone Disease' and 'Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust' c/o The Arthur W Bryant Funeral Service. Morwenna Court. Princes Street, Bude. EX23 8AT Tel: 01288 352282 Or online via their website www.awbryant.co.uk
17th June 2021 Old news, from October 2019, I'm afraid. Ray BoydI lifted most of this from Bude and Beyond:
“Ray Boyd was a lovely chap. He came across as ‘Old School” on the Bude People site. He added some wonderfully-received collections of old photos of Bude. It took quite a search to uncover who ‘Old School’ was, as Ray as never a one for publicity. He also provided a lot of old images for the Nostalgic Bude website and will be sadly missed.
Although as a job he worked in IT for Premier Foods in Lifton, Bude boy, Ray, who attended Bude Grammar School, was at heart a true lover of Bude’s area local history.
Ray passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on 26th October 2019.
I have today written to the Budehaven School in the hope that they will take over the management of this website. I'll report back.
Tony
I wondered if anyone might know what became of Brian Parish? He would have left school 1960 or so.
Thanks,
Tessa Adams
Email updates@budecountygrammar.org if you can answer this and I'll pass it on.Thanks. Tony.
28th February 2021 - Margaret Freeman (Sillifant)Peter CorneyMore sad news, this time from Joan Bradshaw (Fry):
“More sad news Tony - Margaret Freeman (nee Sillifant) passed away on March 23rd 2019, a fortnight short of her 72nd. birthday. She was in the 1959 photo. Taken ill with pancreatitis on the Wed. and died on the Sat.
"I was also sorry to hear of David Freeman's demise. I was aged 16 when he came to the Grammar School and I much admired him- was delighted to sit next to him at the school reunion.
"Kind regards,
"Joan Bradshaw (nee Fry)"
20th February 2021 - Peter CorneySome time ago I received this email from Peter Corney:
“Many thanks for the updates and all your efforts with the website over the years.
"Apropos cross country. I remember Mark Wharpshire and Jonny Ireland well. I enclose an attachment of a certificate from Cornwall Cross Country championships 1968. The certificate implies I won the race but I did not! Bude Grammar School won the team race. Other members of the team were Alan Hayward, Brian Burrows and Hugh Beswetherick. We won the youth team event.
"Both my brother and myself continued to run after leaving BGS. Rob ran in a very strong university team at Cardiff where one of his team mates was Ian Thompson who still holds the Commonwealth Games marathon record. Whilst at Cardiff Rob represented the University Athletic Union. After leaving Cardiff Rob joined Swindon Athletic Club where one of his team mates was Steve Jones who until very recently held the British marathon record.
"I was fortunate enough to join Portsmouth Athletic Club and ran in about 20 international cross country and road races as well as many national road relays. Rob and I ran for Cornwall schools and were regulars in the Cornwall team in the Inter Counties Cross Country Championships. Both of us won the Cornwall AAA 1500 metres and 5000 metres Championships during the 1970s.
"Regards,
"Peter Corney.
16th January 2021 - Roma has managed to locate a copy of the 1964 School Magazine which is now linked to from the index in the left margin. John Tyson also found one - they're like buses.