WOLVERHAMPTON MUNICIPAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL
OLD PUPILS ASSOCIATION
Latest News
..
July 2020 - Geoff Thomas has told me more about some of the school G&S productions which I have added below (November 2019) . As this is now expanding I may move it to the memorabilia page of the site at some time soon. (when I get a round tuit!)
July 2020 - I am saddened to report that my Cousin, Geoff Cook, a pupil at the school from 1955 to 1960 and a member of the OPA, passed away peacefully in his sleep on July 15th 2020.
July 2020- Does anyone know of a Rosemary Faulkner, who was a Piano Teacher and attended the Muni. Let me know if you do, by emailing bob.tame@hotmail.co.uk. Update: I have now found someone in contact with Rosemary and have passed on the message to the person who was asking about her.
July 2020 - The Wolverhampton Family History group on Facebook are trying to help find out more about an ex-pupil killed in WW2. His military record is known so the appeal is to find out more about his family. This is a result of a member of the Facebook group having received an email from Holland seeking additional information on an airman from Wolverhampton killed during the second war.
The name of the airman is Geoffrey Charles Mortimer died 24 June 1943 son of William and Anne Winifred Mortimer. The town near to the cemetery where Geoffrey and 42 other airman are buried have a small ceremony each year to remember them. Ruud Slangen who contacted me is researching all 43 men. Any help would be appreciated.
The name of the airman is Geoffrey Charles Mortimer died 24 June 1943 son of William and Anne Winifred Mortimer. The town near to the cemetery where Geoffrey and 42 other airman are buried have a small ceremony each year to remember them. Ruud Slangen who contacted me is researching all 43 men. Any help would be appreciated.
June 2020 - The monthly coffee mornings have been cancelled until further notice. I will advise you on here when I hear they are to re-start.
June 2020 - An updated membership list has been placed in the members area.
March 2020 - I (Bob Tame - Web site manager) have emailed all members who have their email addresses on web site, at least three have failed due to incorrect email addresses. Please check your Junk mailbox for mail from bob.tame@hotmail.co.uk.
March 2020 - I had some correspondence this month from Brenda Rosa (Brenda Holt when at School, 1947-52) related to the school productions listed below. She said:
"I enjoyed reading the news from the OPA website. I see mention of a performance of "Dr.Faustus" at the
Wulfrun Hall in 1948. If my memory serves me right, I recall going to the performance and my cousin, Paul Whitehouse played Dr. Faustus, again memory? Sadly Paul passed away in January 2020 - I last visited him in 2019 - he had lived in Northumberland for many years. Maybe someone else will recall that performance?"
"I enjoyed reading the news from the OPA website. I see mention of a performance of "Dr.Faustus" at the
Wulfrun Hall in 1948. If my memory serves me right, I recall going to the performance and my cousin, Paul Whitehouse played Dr. Faustus, again memory? Sadly Paul passed away in January 2020 - I last visited him in 2019 - he had lived in Northumberland for many years. Maybe someone else will recall that performance?"
December 2019 - We received a submission through the contact us form on the site, from Roger Palmer, in reply to the enquiry below in January 2018. He is the cousin of Ann Holder, who I was trying to trace, and informed me that sadly Patricia Ann Hall (nee Holder) died (in Canada) some years ago. I have informed the original enquirer from Pittsburg and thanked him for contacting us. He also advised me that she had been Head Girl at one time.
December 2019 - Pictures of the 2019 Xmas meal are now viewable via the gallery page or tab above.
November 2019 - (updated July 2020) - Following up on the recording of HMS Pinafore recently found from the 1964 December show I would like to compile a list of the shows we did and put any pictures or programs from the shows on our memorabilia page. My list at present is:-
1972 - Oliver (Directed by Mr Boulby). a Change from the Normal G&S Opera, as Mr Greenway has now left.
1971 - Trial by Jury.
1970 - HMS Pinafore
1969 - No G&S show, replaced by a Victorian Evening.
1968 - Patience
1967 - Mikado
1966 - Pirates of Penzance
1965 - Iolanthe
1964 - HMS Pinafore
1962 0r 63 Mikado?
1960 - Mikado (at Civic Hall)
1959 - Mikado (Geoff Thomas has found his school report, in which Mr Douell wrote "He was a most impressive guard in the Mikado") Geoff says this was performed for three or four nights in the hall of the technical college.
Geoff goes on to say "By today's norm it was, I suppose, a bit disappointing that many of the main parts were played by staff, Nanki-Poo was an ex-student and Katisha was played, hilariously, by the wife of Howard Stanley (physics). But the standard was quite high. I remember the hustle and bustle of the make-up area, where Miss Outlaw was in firm command."
1950's ? Beggars Opera (in School Hall)
1952/3 - Trial by Jury (in School Hall)
1948 - Dr Faustus - One performance at Wulfrun Hall for Wolverhampton Drama Festival and two performances in the School hall.
And when was the last show that was put on?
If you have any info please fill in and submit the form below:-
November 2019 - Update on HMS Pinafore recordings. (see below). Dr Igloi has sent me the records, It would now appear that the recording is of the 1964 version of HMS Pinafore, which we deduce as the recording company numbered their records. Someone on the internet has documented when all John Hassall records were made.
I now have the records and am making a copy before passing them to our archivist.
Thomas Igloi's brother, who has found these recordings says his brother had apparently kept in touch with Ken Greenway after moving to Croydon and I surmise that Ken Greenway sent him these recordings.
I will be creating a CD from the copy for anyone that might be interested. I will also create MP3 files for those who prefer them. The program listing the Cast, Orchestra and others who were involved in the show is in our 'members only' memorabila area. There is a small sample below.
I now have the records and am making a copy before passing them to our archivist.
Thomas Igloi's brother, who has found these recordings says his brother had apparently kept in touch with Ken Greenway after moving to Croydon and I surmise that Ken Greenway sent him these recordings.
I will be creating a CD from the copy for anyone that might be interested. I will also create MP3 files for those who prefer them. The program listing the Cast, Orchestra and others who were involved in the show is in our 'members only' memorabila area. There is a small sample below.
November 2019 - I had an interesting email this week from a Dr Gabor Igloi, who has an address in Germany. He has discovered in his collection a record which appears to be an undated recording of a WMGS performance of the Gilbert and Sullivan Opera HMS Pinafore. This is his letter:
Hello,
Sorry for jumping unannounced out of the ether. I have recently been sorting through a box of LPs that have been gathering dust for decades and I came across two LPs that are recordings of the HMS Pinafore production at the school (see attached). A glance at the internet led me to your page. They are undated but presumably this was not performed all that often. My only connection with the school was my brother Thomas who was briefly there from 1958 to 1959 when we moved to Croydon. The records appear not have been played at all but have no proper sleeves. I have no connection with the records but before they end up as land fill, I thought I would offer to send them to you, should you be interested or for the school archive, if one exists.
Regards
Gabor
I have assumed the performance may be from 1958-59 when his brother was at the school and have replied to say we would like the record for our archives. He has agreed to send it to me (free of charge) and I will digitise it and create a CD version and .MP3 files for anyone that wants a copy, before I pass the originals to our archivist.
If anyone can confirm when the school did HMS Pinafore I would be grateful. I think we did it more than once.
Gabor's brother, Thomas, had a musical talent and played the Cello, so he may well be in the orchestra on this recording. There is an article about him on wikipedia which you can find by clicking on the link below.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Igloi
Hello,
Sorry for jumping unannounced out of the ether. I have recently been sorting through a box of LPs that have been gathering dust for decades and I came across two LPs that are recordings of the HMS Pinafore production at the school (see attached). A glance at the internet led me to your page. They are undated but presumably this was not performed all that often. My only connection with the school was my brother Thomas who was briefly there from 1958 to 1959 when we moved to Croydon. The records appear not have been played at all but have no proper sleeves. I have no connection with the records but before they end up as land fill, I thought I would offer to send them to you, should you be interested or for the school archive, if one exists.
Regards
Gabor
I have assumed the performance may be from 1958-59 when his brother was at the school and have replied to say we would like the record for our archives. He has agreed to send it to me (free of charge) and I will digitise it and create a CD version and .MP3 files for anyone that wants a copy, before I pass the originals to our archivist.
If anyone can confirm when the school did HMS Pinafore I would be grateful. I think we did it more than once.
Gabor's brother, Thomas, had a musical talent and played the Cello, so he may well be in the orchestra on this recording. There is an article about him on wikipedia which you can find by clicking on the link below.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Igloi
November 2019 - Peter Evans sent me the complete list of names for one of the rugby teams in our picture gallery.
Peter tells us this about himself.
I was a pupil at WMGS from 1966 until 1972.
I was captain of Peel House in my final year, and captained the various cricket sides, including the 1st XI, which defeated Wrekin College in 1972. The only occasion in school history where this was achieved. (Credit is due to John Collinge, with both bat and ball, and bizarre weather conditions)
In 1971, l was elected student headmaster following a debate at the Senior Debating Society, in which l made fun of everything and everybody and won soley because l made those present laugh, much to the disgust of the history master Glanville Davies, who had been hoping for a more serious and reasoned debate.
I also appeared in a minor role in the school production of The Crucible which starred a young Frances Barber (then Brookes) and about which l doubt she'll wish to be reminded.
Peter tells us this about himself.
I was a pupil at WMGS from 1966 until 1972.
I was captain of Peel House in my final year, and captained the various cricket sides, including the 1st XI, which defeated Wrekin College in 1972. The only occasion in school history where this was achieved. (Credit is due to John Collinge, with both bat and ball, and bizarre weather conditions)
In 1971, l was elected student headmaster following a debate at the Senior Debating Society, in which l made fun of everything and everybody and won soley because l made those present laugh, much to the disgust of the history master Glanville Davies, who had been hoping for a more serious and reasoned debate.
I also appeared in a minor role in the school production of The Crucible which starred a young Frances Barber (then Brookes) and about which l doubt she'll wish to be reminded.
August 2019 - I have noticed a few items than might be of interest to members of the OPA that have been recently posted in the WMGS Facebook group, re pupils from the 1940's and early 50's. For the benefit of those who do not use Facebook, and with the owners permission, I have copied them into 'Memorabilia' in the members only section of this site.
June 2019 - I received an email this weekend from Rosemarie Hewitt (Nee Hawkes). Some of our more senior members may remember the Hawkes Brothers who seem to have been involved in the sports teams at the school. The email is summarised below.
Hi, 3 of my 5 brothers went to this school! Don, Geoff & Les. Don would have been 87 this June, Geoff who won a few cups for running is 82 & Les who was in the rugby team is now 77. Leslie asked me to look something up for him. While looking I came across a few photos he is in, also in the sports teams section I saw someone I vaguely recognise as his friend Pete Miller. I'm almost 100% sure that it is Pete Miller in the cricket photo but I will try to get Les ( who lives in Heidelberg & no internet!) to confirm it somehow. The photo is: 'Cricket team-1958. Pete, I think, is on back row, 5th from Left (dark hair). My brother Les was in the Rugby team then but I haven't come across a photo of him yet except the whole school photos from 56 &59.
Regards, Rosemarie Hewitt (Nee Hawkes)
Hi, 3 of my 5 brothers went to this school! Don, Geoff & Les. Don would have been 87 this June, Geoff who won a few cups for running is 82 & Les who was in the rugby team is now 77. Leslie asked me to look something up for him. While looking I came across a few photos he is in, also in the sports teams section I saw someone I vaguely recognise as his friend Pete Miller. I'm almost 100% sure that it is Pete Miller in the cricket photo but I will try to get Les ( who lives in Heidelberg & no internet!) to confirm it somehow. The photo is: 'Cricket team-1958. Pete, I think, is on back row, 5th from Left (dark hair). My brother Les was in the Rugby team then but I haven't come across a photo of him yet except the whole school photos from 56 &59.
Regards, Rosemarie Hewitt (Nee Hawkes)
May 2019 - I was on a bowls tour this week and we were playing at Swanage, Dorset on May 23rd. I spoke to a spectator at the side of the green and noted his midlands accent so I questioned where he was from. He was on holiday from Coventry but further questioning led him to tell me he once lived in Newhampton Road East and he was a pupil at WMGS from 1951 to 1953, but left when his parents moved to Coventry that year. His name was Robert Bannister. (not to be confused with a four minute miler called Roger Bannister). They always say it is a small world.
Although we are a South Devon Club there were six people from Wolverhampton in our team, including myself (Bob Tame) and the tour was organised by a seventh Wulfrunian who sadly died a month before the tour.
January 6th 2018.
Today I received the email below from Pittsburg USA. Can anyone help find Ann Holder (Patricia Anne Holder born in 1932, I think) or any of her descendants. I have replied, thanking the sender and have said I would see if I could help.
Update: October 15th 2018 - Unfortunately I have had no luck trying to trace Anne Holder or a descendant. She would have been at School c 1943-1950, and was head girl in her last year. She may have gone on to Leeds University to do French and English until 1954 when I believe she returned to Wolverhampton and got married to someone named 'Hall'
Final Update, Decemer 2019 - I have had a reply from a Roger Palmer, who was her cousin, but sadly he informs me that Ann died some years ago in Canada, where she had lived for many years. What part of Canada I am not sure yet, but it might explain how the book found it's way to Pittsburg, USA.
He is still in contact with her sister Rosemary Holder who lives in the south of England.
I sent this information to Tejas, and thanked him for contacting us.
Today I received the email below from Pittsburg USA. Can anyone help find Ann Holder (Patricia Anne Holder born in 1932, I think) or any of her descendants. I have replied, thanking the sender and have said I would see if I could help.
Update: October 15th 2018 - Unfortunately I have had no luck trying to trace Anne Holder or a descendant. She would have been at School c 1943-1950, and was head girl in her last year. She may have gone on to Leeds University to do French and English until 1954 when I believe she returned to Wolverhampton and got married to someone named 'Hall'
Final Update, Decemer 2019 - I have had a reply from a Roger Palmer, who was her cousin, but sadly he informs me that Ann died some years ago in Canada, where she had lived for many years. What part of Canada I am not sure yet, but it might explain how the book found it's way to Pittsburg, USA.
He is still in contact with her sister Rosemary Holder who lives in the south of England.
I sent this information to Tejas, and thanked him for contacting us.
Dear Mr Tame,
Yesterday I bought a book from a local bookstore here in Pittsburgh. I was intrigued by the sticker on the first page (image attached). Awarded to Anne Holder and signed by Headmaster R.R. Stephens. I googled the name of the school and it led me to your website.
It would be wonderful if you could help me locate Ms Anne Holder! I would love to know how the book landed here in the United States, and if possible would love to gift it to Anne or her descendants. I'm sure they would treasure it.
Thanks!
Tejas Gokhale
Update: The name of the book is "English Social History" by G.M. Trevelyan.