by Ron Baker and Bryan Beames. Ron writes: “I recall that, having made many guesses over the years, the present occupants were surprised to learn that their Common Room was once a large chemistry laboratory, and were impressed by the lecture theatre, still in constant use. However, their imagination had been stimulated most over the… Continue reading A tour of the school
Month: November 2025
“Journey’s End”
by Ron Baker (c.1949) Ron Baker (c.1949) writes: Further to Ted Bown’s reference to “Journey’s End”, the play was produced by George Wright and performed on 2nd to 5th February 1949. The cast: Captain Hardy: Alan StokesLieutenant Osborne John RobinsonPrivate Mason James HigginsL/Cpl Broughton Maurice Croxon2nd Lt Raleigh Howard JonesCaptain Stanhope Paul Groves2nd Lt Trotter… Continue reading “Journey’s End”
A Memory of Mike Winters
by Derek Jeffs (1940s) Derek Jeffs (1940s), at the School during the war, reminisces in the Oxford Mail about a disastrous night when he took part in a gig with the future comedian Mike Winters: Mike Winters, whose real name was Mike Weinstein, was one of many evacuees who had come from London to Oxford.… Continue reading A Memory of Mike Winters
The School in the 40s
by Tony Argyle (1941-46) Tony Argyle (1941-46) writes (again with real ink) from Pearce, near Canberra in Australia.Do you remember putting milk bottles or chalk dusters in the grand piano? I recall many a time when Mr Bielby had to stop in the middle of “For those in peril on the seas” to remove these various… Continue reading The School in the 40s
Schoolyard Cricket
by Colin A Tustin (1951-56) Colin A Tustin (1951-56) writes: “During the break between lessons schoolyard cricket was played, usually by six players (each side had a bowler and two fieldsmen. However, because break wasn’t very long, the game would be spread over a number of lesson breaks before a result was reached! (Ed. You… Continue reading Schoolyard Cricket
The Air Training Corps
by John Bolt (1937-41) John Bolt (1937-41) writes: “In 1941, soon after the Government established the Air Training Corps (ATC), No. 1250 (Oxford Schools) Squadron, ATC, was formed; the schools involved being the three boys’ Grammar Schools in Oxford at that time. They were the High, Southfield and St.Clement Dane’s, the latter being an evacuated… Continue reading The Air Training Corps
Memories of Ronnie Barker
by Tony Phelps (c.1946) Tony Phelps writes: “I met Ronnie on the (non-professional) stage in Oxford in 1946. That was the year when I returned from war service. Having acted a bit during the war, I joined a drama group calling themselves the Theatre Players, somewhere in East Oxford. Ronnie Barker was a member, and… Continue reading Memories of Ronnie Barker
“The Forum Presents”
by Malcolm Williams (left 1960) “The Forum Presents” is mentioned twice on the “News of Old Boys”, once by Malcolm Williams (left 1960) and once by David Green (left 1953). How many versions of the Forum Presents were there? Malcolm Williams has responded very quickly: Thank you for forwarding the note from David Green. The… Continue reading “The Forum Presents”
The Annexe-Morgue-Dispensary
by John Corbey (late 1940s) John Corbey (late 1940s) writes: “The Annexe was adjacent to Gloucester Green, facing Worcester College Gardens. During the war it was designated for use as a mortuary, if there had been deaths in the area around Gloucester Green due to enemy action. It had been a dispensay at some earlier… Continue reading The Annexe-Morgue-Dispensary
P K ‘Eddie’ Swire
Philip K Swire retired in July 1977 after 34 years at the City of Oxford School and Oxford School. He was educated at Glossop Grammar School and Wrexham county School before coming up to Jesus College to read Modern Languages. For three years he was in Launceston, Cornwall before moving to Oxford in 1943. It… Continue reading P K ‘Eddie’ Swire