RIP Jack Markham - Walton High

[MT03ALG]

10 Feb Sacred Heart Church Colne at 11am.

Many thanks Herts Claret

[Longsider]

Just one I can’t remember her name. Opened the chippy in Kelbrook. Messrs Chapman and Grimshaw were missing that day, on the Pennine Way. I’ll write them down later...

What year was it taken? I went on the Pennine Way with chunky and Grimshaw. Could have been then.

[HollandsPies]

Pre-81 Longsider.
Mr Markam finished in '81. Not '86 I think.

[BabylonClaret]

What year was it taken? I went on the Pennine Way with chunky and Grimshaw. Could have been then.

Don't think it's then Longsider - Chunky is on that staff photo

[Prefeot]

That photo brought back memories! I think there’s Mr Bennett (budgie bennet the music teacher) and Mr Crew the geography teacher.

[Chesterthedog]

Yes I’m in the football team. Think we beat Edge end 8-1. Ken in goals.

[Herts Clarets]

Yes I’m in the football team. Think we beat Edge end 8-1. Ken in goals.

Then by process of elimination Hollands was correct and you are Mr Powell.

[nil_desperandum]

That photo brought back memories! I think there’s Mr Bennett (budgie bennet the music teacher) and Mr Crew the geography teacher.

The photos not all that clear, but "budgie" Bennett can't be on, since he left when the school became Walton High, to be replaced by Walverden's Kathleen Bannister, (who I can just about make out on the pic).
Both KB and Stella Kelsall died during lockdown. They were both about 90.
Very sadly Rick Sayle is no longer with us.
For those older ones like me that went to NGS, I noted that Norman Lowe (history) also passed away in the past year or so. He was another top man.

[Chesterthedog]

I’m pretty certain Ray Powell is not a Clarets fan.

[BabylonClaret]

The photos not all that clear, but "budgie" Bennett can't be on, since he left when the school became Walton High, to be replaced by Walverden's Kathleen Bannister, (who I can just about make out on the pic).
Both KB and Stella Kelsall died during lockdown. They were both about 90.
Very sadly Rick Sayle is no longer with us.
For those older ones like me that went to NGS, I noted that Norman Lowe (history) also passed away in the past year or so. He was another top man.

Oh no. I had Norman for A-Level at College. Top top teacher. Really enthusiastic and always reminded me of Johnny Ball

[Herts Clarets]

FB_IMG_1643479603686.jpg

Do you appear in this line up Chesterthedog?

You can't be Bailey, Wilkinson, Sayle or Birchall as they are all sadly no longer with us. Not Chapman as you are in the staff photo and he isn't. Not Taylor as he isn't a Claret and your timescale has you at WHS earlier than him. I think Ivers and Simpson are too old to fit your timescale and you are not Powell. Narrows it down to either Dennett or Dart...

[xxmunkyennuixx]

Ivers was a Wanderers fan.

[nil_desperandum]

You can't be Bailey, Wilkinson, Sayle or Birchall as they are all sadly no longer with us. Not Chapman as you are in the staff photo and he isn't. Not Taylor as he isn't a Claret and your timescale has you at WHS earlier than him. I think Ivers and Simpson are too old to fit your timescale and you are not Powell. Narrows it down to either Dennett or Dart...

If by Wilkinson you're referring to "chunky". He's still with us isn't he?
I think Dennett would be too young to have started on the date mentioned in the original post (1976). He was an NGS / Walton High pupil himself.

[Herts Clarets]

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For some reason I had it in my head that Chunky had passed away. I started in 1979 and Dennett was teaching then so he could well have started 3 years earlier. And for the poster who mentioned Mrs Howarth, she is still well and I believe living in Herefordshire. A pic above I nicked from a FB page

[Longsider]

The photos not all that clear, but "budgie" Bennett can't be on, since he left when the school became Walton High, to be replaced by Walverden's Kathleen Bannister, (who I can just about make out on the pic).
Both KB and Stella Kelsall died during lockdown. They were both about 90.
Very sadly Rick Sayle is no longer with us.
For those older ones like me that went to NGS, I noted that Norman Lowe (history) also passed away in the past year or so. He was another top man.

Really sad news to hear Norman Lowe has passed away. He was my History A Level teacher at Nelson and Colne College. He totally inspired me, and because of him I went on to study History at University and from there a career linked to History.

[nil_desperandum]

FB_IMG_1643533931116.jpg

For some reason I had it in my head that Chunky had passed away. I started in 1979 and Dennett was teaching then so he could well have started 3 years earlier.

I can't be sure, but I don't think he could. From my recollections of when he was a pupil I don't think he would have been old enough to have returned as a staff member in 1976, - though I can't be 100% sure.

[Chesterthedog]

Staff names on photo as I remember: Back Row L-R: Wilkinson Bell Powell Kilburn Watson
Second: West Birchall Matthews Sayle Sauer Jackson Bannister Dart Venn Wright Roberts Dennett Ivers Simpson P. Crewe
Third: Woffenden Haq Bland Gent Keers ? Hogarth Fielding ( now Grimshaw) Wellock Rampley Kelsall Collins Box Stone
Front: Cryer Ellingham Ratcliffe Markham Crew Connolly Williams Smith Gaught Hartley Clare C.Crewe Riddiough (now Sutcliffe)
NB: Mssrs Chapman Grimshaw abs. Pennine Way, Dobson abs. sabbatical

[Herts Clarets]

Staff names on photo as I remember: Back Row L-R: Wilkinson Bell Powell Kilburn Watson
Second: West Birchall Matthews Sayle Sauer Jackson Bannister Dart Venn Wright Roberts Dennett Ivers Simpson P. Crewe
Third: Woffenden Haq Bland Gent Keers ? Hogarth Fielding ( now Grimshaw) Wellock Rampley Kelsall Collins Box Stone
Front: Cryer Ellingham Ratcliffe Markham Crew Connolly Williams Smith Gaught Hartley Clare C.Crewe Riddiough (now Sutcliffe)
NB: Mssrs Chapman Grimshaw abs. Pennine Way, Dobson abs. sabbatical

Thanks Mr D
Hope you are keeping well.

[HollandsPies]

Cheers, sir.

[BabylonClaret]

I can't be sure, but I don't think he could. From my recollections of when he was a pupil I don't think he would have been old enough to have returned as a staff member in 1976, - though I can't be 100% sure.

He was certainly teaching in 77 as we had him for history as first years.

I think it is Mr D. Who from the Wales trip can forget him abseiling down that rock shouting "way hey hey Chicke George!!)

[Higham_Claret]

I have greatly enjoyed reading the recollections shared on this thread. As others have commented, many of those remembered were good teachers, but more than that they often served as mentors to youngsters about to make their way into adult life. I was one of those to benefit from their wisdom and friendship and I am grateful to a number of them, especially those who became team mates on a Saturday afternoon.

I hope to share a couple of photos from the late 1970s. These might invoke further memories and help pinpoint who Chesterthedog really is, though I suspect that’s already been uncovered.

By the way, the earlier photo of the staff dates from summer 1979.

[Higham_Claret]

If I’ve attached the file correctly, here is a slightly sharper version of what was kindly shared earlier. This is a photo of a photo, hence some glare. The original photo is courtesy of Mr (Derek) Bell, who was my Chemistry teacher and we are in regular contact over 40 years on.

[Higham_Claret]

I’ll revisit the staff photo, but hopefully this one works

[Higham_Claret]

I am sure Chesterthedog will confirm he’s shown on this photo. I hope you’re well Steve!

[ALP]

By the way, the earlier photo of the staff dates from summer 1979.

I was going to say the photo was definitely after 1977. I was in the first batch of poor souls in the nation to be a comprehensive kid and was there from 1972 to 1977. I think it took a while for it to be accepted that any little oik could be in the school intake. Mr Williams wasn't happy at that, he went from a headmaster of a grammar school which included a 6th form to any kid and his dog.

I have some good and not so good memories of the school, however some of those teachers helped me to stay on track and made me the man I became. I have no photos or other school items left, I binned the lot as I couldn't wait to be out of the place, I left on my 16th Birthday 27th May 1977 and didn't step foot in the place until my daughter was going around schools as she approached that time. Chunky still remembered me just by my voice which was remarkable, all I said was 'Chunky, your worst nightmare has come back to haunt you' - 'Pritchard' was his response .

I lost contact with most of the year group, there was a reunion a few years ago and it wasn't the best, albeit it was nice to catch up with some former staff and some of the pupils. Great to see the photo and that little trip down memory lane, and looking forward to seeing others that may have people I knew on them.

[Higham_Claret]

This is the earlier staff photo, now slightly cropped, but hopefully a bit sharper than the previously shared copy.

[HollandsPies]

That football team with Mr. Chapman on the right was my brothers year group. He was mates with some of them.
That year group finished in 80/81
There's a Greenwood in there and a Markin.

[HollandsPies]

Correction 78/79.

[Eli&Conroy]

Great thread brought back some good memories. I left in 1981. Nice to see a pic of Mrs Howarth after all these years. She was my form teacher for all 5 years at WHS. At one period she lived a couple of streets away and drove a green Citroen 2CV. Mr Sayle was a regular in the Jimmy Mac Upper for many years and sat close by, sad that hes no longer with us. Quite a few of the other teachers fill me with dread even now. Who remembers Potter shouting ' YOU BOY' down the corridors.

[Higham_Claret]

Yes Hollands, that group left Walton in 1979. I wonder if Chesterthedog can name all the people in that photo?

[ALP]

Third in from the back right (Chapman) is Semple, can't recall his first name.
His Brother Kenny Semple was a good friend of mine.

[HollandsPies]

Left of Ian Geeenwood was called Simmo or summat.
Back row, third in from left.

[Chesterthedog]

Soccer team: Back Row: Dennett( Manager) Fox Sarfraz Sanders Greenwood Roscoe Semple Duffy Chapman (ex Manager)
Front Row: Halliday Markham Bishop Brindle Edmondson.
We went on tour to the Isle of Man in the 5th form I seem to recollect. The team also got through to the semi finals of the Lancashire Cup, beaten away by Darwen Vale 3-2 and some controversial refereeing. Some great footballers in the team. I notice Beechey missing from the photo. Thanks for the trip down memory lane Andrew. I’ve still got those same photos.

[MT03ALG]

Mr. (Bill?) Connolly was the Nelson and Colne Town Team Manager in 1965. Neville Roscoe and others from the football team played for Pendle Schoolboys some years later.....

[Higham_Claret]

Soccer team: Back Row: Dennett( Manager) Fox Sarfraz Sanders Greenwood Roscoe Semple Duffy Chapman (ex Manager)
Front Row: Halliday Markham Bishop Brindle Edmondson.
We went on tour to the Isle of Man in the 5th form I seem to recollect. The team also got through to the semi finals of the Lancashire Cup, beaten away by Darwen Vale 3-2 and some controversial refereeing. Some great footballers in the team. I notice Beechey missing from the photo. Thanks for the trip down memory lane Andrew. I’ve still got those same photos.

One correction to point out, it’s Markin, not Markham.

My abiding memories of the Isle of Man trip are not about the football. First the insufferably long ferry journey from Liverpool which, from memory took 4 hours. Then I remember one evening playing pool against a roadie for Squeeze.

I recall a match held at the former Colne Grammar where the officiating was so biased against us that “Bill’s” dad, a generally placid character in my experience, was raging at the ref from the touch line throughout and made a beeline for him at full time.

At least 5 of that team represented Pendle schoolboys.

[Higham_Claret]

Just to add that the Pendle schoolboys team of that year group included a certain Michael Phelan

[Chesterthedog]

You’re quite right Markin not Markham, sidetracked by the thread title. I remember his weird taste for setting mousetraps when we were camping near Llanberis in N Wales. His brother, Darren was in my first GCE O Level group. Rick Sayle, a Manxman accompanied on our soccer trip. Plied us with his knowledge and Okkels bitter. A great bunch of lads!

[Higham_Claret]

I didn’t know Rick was a Manxman. Was he instrumental in suggesting and/or organising the trip? I can’t recall why we went there.

[Chesterthedog]

A former Nelson Grammar School Science teacher, Phil Smith, worked over there. Kept in touch with Lew. We’d already been out there on “tour” when I was in the lower sixth. So Lew basically arranged it. It was obviously a lot cheaper to sail the second time, because we’d flown from Blackpool the first time. I’m not making any political statement there btw. In fact I remember having to sell most of my Hendrix vinyl on that 6th form trip in order to fund our “entertainment”.

[Higham_Claret]

Interesting, thanks. I have no recollection of any of the football we played on that tour. Mind, that’s probably consistent with your recall of your previous trip based on you selling your prized records to fund your “entertainment”!

[Herts Clarets]

Soccer team: Back Row: Dennett( Manager) Fox Sarfraz Sanders Greenwood Roscoe Semple Duffy Chapman (ex Manager)
Front Row: Halliday Markham Bishop Brindle Edmondson.
We went on tour to the Isle of Man in the 5th form I seem to recollect. The team also got through to the semi finals of the Lancashire Cup, beaten away by Darwen Vale 3-2 and some controversial refereeing. Some great footballers in the team. I notice Beechey missing from the photo. Thanks for the trip down memory lane Andrew. I’ve still got those same photos.

Is that Andrew Beechey? He is my best mate's brother if so.

Interesting seeing photos of Mr Chapman - I remember him playing in a cup final at Seedhill for St Pauls (pale blue and white stripe shirts, similar to the Argentina kit) against my step father's team (YCW I think it was) alongside a Mr Toothil who taught me at Walverden and i have a feeling Mr Powell played in the same side. Mr Chapman taught Religious Education and i noted there was some very un Christian like language from him during the course of the game. There will be profanity filters on this site if I were to type his response to me when i mentioned it to him at school!

[Higham_Claret]

Yes, Herts, it is Andrew Beechey that was missing from the team photo.

I remember that Amos Nelson Cup Final well as I played it in for St Pauls, a club that at that time routinely featured teachers then at Walton High alongside some past and current pupils. It was held at Surrey Road on Friday 18 April 1980. YCW won 2-1 and Tony Hartley scored at least one for YCW, I think.

Dave Chapman, the son of a vicar and, as you say, then an RE teacher, certainly knew how to express himself on a football pitch! He was a fine teacher and a fantastic team mate. Ray Powell and Steve Dennett probably played in that cup final team too. Alan Toothill certainly played for St Pauls around that time before moving over to Embsay, I think.

[Chesterthedog]

Yes you’re quite right. Dave still knows how to express himself (pardon the expression). Lives in N Yorks. Not too far from Leyburn and Bedale. Ray went on to play for Grassington in the Craven League. I left soon after and played for the Traf with many of the lads I’d grown up with as a young un up Cloverhill.

[Herts Clarets]

Yes, Herts, it is Andrew Beechey that was missing from the team photo.

I remember that Amos Nelson Cup Final well as I played it in for St Pauls, a club that at that time routinely featured teachers then at Walton High alongside some past and current pupils. It was held at Surrey Road on Friday 18 April 1980. YCW won 2-1 and Tony Hartley scored at least one for YCW, I think.

Dave Chapman, the son of a vicar and, as you say, then an RE teacher, certainly knew how to express himself on a football pitch! He was a fine teacher and a fantastic team mate. Ray Powell and Steve Dennett probably played in that cup final team too. Alan Toothill certainly played for St Pauls around that time before moving over to Embsay, I think.

My step father, Terry Spedding, played in goal for YCW in that final...

[Herts Clarets]

I do believe this is the victorious YCW team..

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[Herts Clarets]

And a group of WHS students at the wedding of Mr Taylor

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[Herts Clarets]

L-R ? Mike Ashforth, Paul Sutcliffe (RIP), me, Steven Slater, Simon Bailey, Andrew Booth, Asif Hamid, ?, Mr Ashley (I think)

[Higham_Claret]

I remember Terry. I played against him many times. I was also at college with Martin Spedding. In 1984 I was seated next to Martin on a supporters coach from Old Trafford travelling to Lord’s for the B&H Cup Final. Lancs beat Warwicks.

I was deeply disappointed to lose that cup final. So thanks for sharing a photo of the winning team with the trophy!

[Chesterthedog]

Gosh Sutty... I remember his death. He was in another of my football teams. We lost Clarkey from that team also. Motor bike accident. The member of staff is Dave Foster.

[Chesterthedog]

That later team was captained by Neil Reeves. Stuart Routledge, Darren Bradshaw, Laurie Farrar, Chris Pickles, Miichael Lumb were also in the team. Paul Sutcliffe, Tony Clarke..I’ll see if I can dig out a photo later.