1 Apr 2008
Hi Kym Taylor, first, please join the Society, it is easy to do over the internet, secondly, my sister and i were both avid Ipswich supporters but i have to admit Aussie rules footy is my life now and i am a one eyed Adelaide Crows fan(hate Port Adelaide with a vengeance)we must have bumped into each other at some time at Hamm,how old are you now? do you remember the Bethel boys. what about Mike Hogg? Matron Frau Kellermann Ralph Snape, Rankine,Gabby Hayes,Tim Akehurst to nam,e a few, i have been in touch with a few, Tevor Allpress responded on these pages, just letting you know, Rev. J Fielding is still Kicking as is Dick Jollife, i hear he may be resident in the States now,i am about to become a grandfather again!!! my son Nathan's wife is being induced tommorrow at Murray Bridge (SA) tommorrow, also have to take number one gtrandson to Royal Adelaide to have a plaser removed, just drove 900 Km and have to go al the way back tommorrow, God Bless Australia and may we flog the POMS at Cricket and Rugby again and again!!! and lookout Beijing, here come the Aussies, lock up you camels, bolt your doors.
Ian Pulford (B64-66)
2 Apr 2008
Message for Alan Savage :- Hello boy!!!! As for the Osmonds tickets, I got it on reliable info (can't say who but she lives in Scotland!!) that you were desperate to go to the concert. Any chance of meeting up for a beer soon in town?
Ian Mynott (M71-74)
2 Apr 2008
I've just heard the very sad news from Terry Bugden that Ken Thompson died in his sleep this morning at his home in Rinteln. I have some great memories of Ken - D of E, Sauerland and Harz camps,soccer and so on. We were lucky enough to meet up with him and Jackie in Hamm last September whilst on our annual trip to the Sauerland. We had a great day together reminiscing and laughing about the old times at Windsor. I'm sure that many will have the same fond memories of him and my sympathy goes out to Jackie, Clare and Laura
Geoff Hern (M60-80)
2 Apr 2008
Names from the ‘60s are coming up thick and fast –really stirring the old memories. Boy, oh boy, do I remember our Latin teacher Miss Dubois!!! I got into real trouble at the leavers dance (but I’ll say no more on that). I live just outside Canberra, in a place called Jerrabomberra. Last year Glyn Johnson, Pam Fielding and I all had a great (mini) reunion in Sydney. We promised to do it again, so let’s organize something down under. Someone mentioned drums – I think they were mine, I played in “Bash St”. Met up with Gordon and Malcolm in the UK a couple of years ago. I was really sad to hear of my housemaster (Haydn Jones) passing a year or so ago. He was a great man and I was honoured to be in his House. I paid my subscription over the internet but I haven’t heard anything in reply and I haven’t received any newsletters for ages. Look forward to contact with anyone from our great times at WBS. Just note my email address has changed – I’m sure Bill can forward it on to anyone who wants it.
Dave Naylor (H64 – 67)
3 Apr 2008
Dave Naylor, good to see the 60's brigade leading the charge into April, Miss Dubers, how could anyone forget her, i remember some boy on the stage during a show in the hall with his back to the audience putting his arms behind him and in an embrace procceed to pretend he was 'snogging' Miss Dubers at the same time aying oooooh Miss Dubois......, 600 pairs of eyes firmly focused on her for a milisecond, she went red, i don't recall any repercussions but i imagine it did not go down to well with Mr Wylie(what was his nickname? flob?)yes, we must organise an Aussie reunion, i have contacted others in the land down under who are keen to do so, if it was planned for say next year by then we could have a crowd,i would love to swill an ale or three and sing a rendition of "ein zwei zuffer"with a few old school chums, maybe billin his extreme wisdom would see fit to send me your contact details seeing how they have not sent me my joining instruxctions yet, how about it Bill???
Trevor Allpress, are you still breathing? i dragged another name from the memory bank, Tommy Lynch, wiry fellow, good at soccer, a northener if i recall correctly, he is now working for ACCOR in New Zealand, found him on 'friends reunited' but cannot contact him, do you remember him? also, do you remember the night some pleb left some sulphur/phosforous he nicked from the science lab on the radiator, smoke everywhere,fire alarms, evacuation,fire brigade wearing WW11 Stahlhems and we stood out side for ages waiting for the all clear,have you heard from the society yet about your joining package? lit my first fire for 2008 tonight, good port drinking weather, which reminds me , i have better things to do, cheers!!
Ian Pulford (B64-66)
3 Apr 2008
Hi Kim Taylor small world isn't it didn't know their were so many 'Windsorites' in this part of the world. When my brother Ian Pulford and I left WGS and WBS we moved to Claydon which is just down the road from Ipswich used to spend a lot of time shopping there. Ian might be a 'mad' crow's fan but I am a devout Port Adelaide fan we go to every home game in Adelaide and are also club members, we went to the 2004 and 2007 grand finals (last one we would like to forget). When in the UK used to go to as many games as I could of Ipswich Town and often travelled on a train to see them can't remember the name of the train though!!
Maureen Press (B64-67)
3 Apr 2008
Hi Dave Naylor as my brother Ian Pulford say's in a previous message I also would love to go to any reuinion that is organsied in Oz. You organise the reunion and we will travel. I live in Port Augusta and Ian lives in Naracoorte South Oz. We both have joined 'the society' waiting in anticipation for our packages to arrive!!
Maureen Press (B64-67)
4 Apr 2008
Hi Ian Pullford, still breathing, looking back at names i think it was Peter Lynch which was in our dorm also a lad then, Simms i think supported Liverpool, Clark supported Chelsea, Douglas Presant from Canada. Bogbrush due to his hair cut, my brother met him at raf St Athens south wales about thirty years past- time has flown.bits and bobs from windsor days , i still have my school tie ,shoe polishing brush,scout shirt and D of E log book. A bit of history about myself, still working for a living as a heat and vent engineer, married with three sons and two grandsons living in N Wales
Trevor Allpress (B64-68)
4 Apr 2008
I've just heard the sad news about the death of Ken Thompson. For five years (1970 - 1975)I was Deputy Housemaster under KT in Edinburgh House and lived in Block 5A.At the same time, KT worked with me as the form master of 1KT (as did Jackie with 1JT) when I was 1st.Year Co-ordinator. It meant working together quite closely and I have many happy memories of those days. Ken was certainly my mentor in the House and, of course, I have lots of stories to tell - all positive, many funny - I'm still telling some as after dinner entertainment! Like the time I found Ken asleep on a couch up in his attic classroom during a free period - "I'm just pacing myself" he said smiling broadly as I disturbed him or when I took photographs for the 21st Century Phox Christmas party slide show in the Day Room and, every year, he provided an hilarious commentary.Or there was the time we found A..... in bed with ...... ---!And so on. Great times with an outstanding character. I'm so glad that I spent a day with Ken & Jackie in Newcastle two or three years ago. He'd shaved off the beard but, as my train pulled in, I instantly recognised the pair of them waiting on the platform. Condolences to the family,to Jackie, to Laura (Ingalls Wilder of "Little House on the Prairie" fame) and Clare. Fond and meaningful memories,
Tony Fox. (E67-81)
4 Apr 2008
In addition to Geoff Hern’s thoughtful words on Ken Thompson, I would like to add a few thoughts from a student’s perspective: Mr. Thompson (“Thomo”) was, will always be, a “Handelsklasse I” Housemaster, Schoolmaster, Games master, Music Teacher, Piano Teacher, Mentor and Friend. To me, Windsor would not have been Windsor without Thomo. Deepest sympathy to Jackie, Clare and Laura.
Bobby Hoffman (E69-75)
5 Apr 2008
My son Nathan and his wife Melanie had a daughter, Kyla 02/04/08 6Lb, sister to Brodie,Lachlan and Harrison,cousin to Lilyan, harriet and Ruby, beautiful girl and i am over the moon, first Pulford girl born since my Daugher lydia in 1987, grandchildren are the best, the only problem is when Christmas comes around i will be broke for three months, but who cares,life is good, concordia to all you windsorites out there.
Ian Pulford (B64-66)
5 Apr 2008
Just a quick message to say hi, and to apologise to anyone who has tried to contact me by phone. I have changed my mobile number and can't remember who I passed my new number on to and with Kev and I packing to move home I lost my old sim card before transfering all the details to the new sim card. I have given my new email and mobile phone number to Bill Craswell so if anyone wants it he has it. I hope everyone who remembers me is well, I have'nt seen any messages on the board from many of the late 70's members, where are you all? Kelly Roberts, hope your enjoying being a granny, it's great until they start walking then you have to re-arrange your house or take out extra home insurance but despite all that it's still great. Well sorry its short but the house is on the market and I've still loads of stuff to do. Hope to see you all at the next reunion in 2010, take care.
Chris Duxbury (B78-80)
6 Apr 2008
Trevor Allpress, the Simms you spoke of was Micheal Simms,nickname LEGS on account of him being skinny, another name comes to mind, Salter,Stephen? i rather tubby kid, his mum was German, he was not to popular, i am sure it was Tommy Lynch in our dorm, also there was a kid who used to wet the bed all the time, i have been in contact with a former Balmoral boy Eric Paterson, he was a senior student to us, and a prefect, he has sent me a heap of old photos from Balmoral house, there is a couple of group phot's of 1963 and 1966, when i get your email address i wll forward them on to you, do you recall Nigel Brown?
Ian Pulford (B64-66)
6 Apr 2008
come on guys ..roll call. all lads from edinburgh house,late 70,s
Mark Baldwin (E77-80)
6 Apr 2008
In response to Ian Pulford's request for more 60's pupils and Aussies, here we go. I was at Sandringham House from 62 to 64 along with my brother Peter, a very enjoyable three years. I have'nt seen any names I know in any postings that I have read so far. A couple of names I can remember are Howard Morrison and Albert Hill. By the way Ian the only thing better than a Coonawarra Cab Sauv is a Hunter Shiraz.All the best
Patrick Impey (S62-64)
6 Apr 2008
Bobby Hoffman, thanks for posting the photo of 'Thomo'. It looks vaguely familiar, was it ever in the Concordia magazine? Geoff Hearn, thanks for letting us know the sad news about Mr Thompson. I remember it was always a pleasure to attend his music lessons, he was so funny but a superb teacher. Always had my attention. My condolences to the family. RIP
Nigel Hoar (S71-74)
7 Apr 2008
Sorry to here about Ken Thompson.
Mr Hern, at last I've found a use for maths...I'm stuck doing VAT ! Still, a few more months and its into the New UKBADennis Reeves (E78-81)
7 Apr 2008
Thanks Bobby for posting that photograph of KT in his nightshirt, holding a candle and telling one of the lads to "Nang off!" It was just one of the funny photos we made for the House Christmas 'do' in the Day Room ... date, in this case, 1970.It does sum up the Housemaster aspect of Ken - the fun we had yet always within fair but firm, disciplined bounds. I took the original colour slide one evening in December (on my old 35mm camera which still used film!). Tommo put on the old fashioned night attire, turned out all the lights in his flat and posed at the door with whom I can't remember - if you know who it was then please do tell me - (KT would have known as he had a phenomenal name recall) Ken kept all the House slides. I know this because I borrowed them on one occasion not all that long ago.A selection should be published! I think, BH, you must have cut this one out of "Concordia". I was editor of this great publication at the time and know that we couldn't afford to use colour! Kind regards and every good wish Bobby - from time to time Simon fills me in on your doings!
Tony Fox. (1967 - 1981)
8 Apr 2008
Not too sure if everyone is aware but if you type your name into google you will be able to see all your messages that you have left on this site. You could end up divulging too much information about yourself
Lesley Annable (B60-63)
10 Apr 2008
My condolences to Mr Thompsons family.
He gave me a deal of support and confidence as a young man that I probably didnt deserve, he gave it never the less. A good ManTony Reilly (M73-76)
10 Apr 2008
Patrick Impey, thanks for the buzz, my list of downunder winsorites is growing by the day!!i have contacted several former pupils and most are keen to organise an Aussie reunion, if you are not a member of the society i urge you to join, it costs only a few shekels and can be done electronicaly, as for the wine, yes Hunter Valley is good but we stil lhave the Baroosa Valley and Clare Valley in South Aus. more great wine regions than yo ucan poke a stick at, i live between Padthaway wine region and the Coonawarra so which ever way i go i can fuel up!!
Ian Pulford (B64-66)
11 Apr 2008
I managed to get to Ken Thompson's funeral in Rinteln on Tuesday and was very glad to have made it. A very sad day but it was good also to celebrate the life of a brilliant teacher, housemaster and friend as others have said and to spend a few hours with the Thompson family, including Johannes, Clare and Steffen's son and Ken's grandson (aged 15 months) who, with ginger hair and a fringe reminiscent of Tommo circa 1971, is definitely a Thompson!
After a moving ceremony at the Friedhofskapelle in which the pastor said it was music that was at the heart of Ken's life (and football got a suitable mention), we went to a nearby hotel for a reception including a speech by Brian Birkby who praised Ken as an outstanding teacher and a man of great intellect.
The funeral was well attended by about 100 German and English friends including a few from Hamm days and larger numbers from Rinteln (current and ex PRS).Simon Brindley (E69-75)
11 Apr 2008
Mr Fox: You are correct, I cut the photo of Tommo out of a 'Concordia' - it is a photo I always remembered. I think the student is the notorious Andrew Card.
I plan to be in London in early May and will try to have a brief visit with Simon Brindley.Bobby Hoffman (E69-75)
13 Apr 2008
Janice is preparing the next newsletter so would like some articles for it. If you have any tales that you think might interest the members please send them in, you can use the visitors book form or just email them to me billc@btinternet.com - Do try and send something in, get your name in lights !!
Bill Craswell (C62-64)
15 Apr 2008
My condolences to Mr Thompsons family. There are two things that stand out in my memory of Tommo, 1) when Newcastle played Liverpool in the FA Cup final in the early seventies, he was always mumbling where he was going to watch it on Dutch TV. Very few saw him on the Monday as Newcastle lost. The second is having to sing "Jesus Christ Superstar!" and songs from the "jungle book" up in the attic of the teaching block. There was no escape
Ian Mynott (M71-74)
16 Apr 2008
Patrick Impey, where abouts in Australia do you live? obviously in the Eastern States given your appreciation of the Hunter Valley Wine Region, i am very keen to have an Aussie reuion as are many others.
Ian Pulford (B64-66)
17 Apr 2008
Yes it's me again, have just raked up some more names from the past, does anyone from WBS or WGS or RAF Geilenkirchen remember Mark or Jane Lewis, they are the children of Johnny and Connie Lewis, great friends of ours in Germany, also the Bennetts, can't remember first names and Rosemary/Roxanne? Smith, had a Brother, also the Wilsons, Marie Pickles, (my sweetheart at the time and a WGS pupil),Gwyeneth Reeves(also a sweet heart) not sure of which house though. most of these names came from my Mother, 82 years old and a memory like a tape recorder, i would love to hear from any one from that era, great days indeed.
Ian Pulford (B64-66)
19 Apr 2008
just wondering if there are any fellow pupils/army brats from osnabruck who are as nostalgic as me about those wonderful school days.
Judith Ralph (C72-73)
20 Apr 2008
Just heard about the recent death of Ken Thomson, my old housemaster, purely by chance, as I was surfing the net (started out with a vanity search of my own name).
Very sad news. Great character.Malc McGookin (E73-74)
22 Apr 2008
Hoping to make contact with Carol Taylor (Hillsborough House 1972-1974) we were close friends enjoyed Crufts dog show together on one occasion and had lots of great times out on privs. Met up post Hamm in Sandhurst for 18th Birthday party of my now husband Bob (Robert Gates who was in Sandringham at WBS). Lots of fond memories of A Level Chemistry classes with Mr Flannigan. If this rings a bell would like to catch up for old times sake !!
Mandy Gates (Brown) (H72-74)
24 Apr 2008
Very sad to hear of the passing of Ken Thomas. After returning from the summer hols and studiying the new timetable in 1967 I discovered that if you opted for Music you could not take German as the two lessons always clashed. What started off as a skive for me turned out to be on of the best things I did as Ken soon took up the challenge and quickley converted my guitar playing from pop to classical and had me sight reading music with ease. When it came to the CSE exams in 68, music was my highest grade(2). Guitar playing fell by the wayside over the years unil I briefly met Ken at the 2000 reunion, his presence being enough to inspire me to purchase a new guitar. I have just about got back to playing as I did back then. If only we could put the clock back and put in more effort. Ken was a great teacher, my condolences to his family.
John Fisher (H65-68)
30 Apr 2008
Well May is here and it's getting cold here in Oz, a reunion down under is looking better by the day,i have tracked down a few ex Windsorites in Australia, some of whom are already members of the Society, more memories of the old school days keep comimg back to me, it is funnuy how the brain retains all that trivia, does any one remember Super Balls, those very bouncy things, they were a novelty in the sixties, also Silly Putty, what about Throw Downs, they were little cracker things that went off with a bang when thrown on to the ground, and my favourite German drink,Kinder Bier, i thought it was cool to swagger around with an "ale" in my fist, i would love to hear from more Balmoral people from the sixties, come on! get writing.
Ian Pulford (B64-66)
30 Apr 2008
Greetins to all that attended the best school in the world - Fact!! It was just by chance that I was lookin for my old pal & b.f Cosmo aka Tracey Walker and just happened to literally stumble across this site. Wow! I'm completely blown away, and have to commend you all for putting it together... Well done! Having spent the last few hours reading the comments, I can't believe how many peeps I still remember. I don't know if anyone remembers me tho (apart from Ruby "Charlie" Adams), but I was one of the very few black chiks that attended WGS in 75-79, I was in Marlboro House (best athletes, musicians & singers). You may have remembered me for bringin, alongside Cosmo, our very own brand of comedy entertainment for the Girls School at that time. Cosmo & I were known as the Cookie Sisters, and our signature tune was "We happen to be The Cookie Sisters (oh yeah), We happen to be Groovy & Coo, We happen to be the only one of the kind, so come along and sing with us too"... All 70's Afro, ShooWapBeDoWap makeup and multicolored tights... I was in the school production of Dracula Spectacular as well as Grease, playing Frenchie in a pink wig - Martin Greedy was the lead guy Danny Zuko. I still have my Concordia book (albeit fallin apart but still in good condition) and loads of pix of the gals from most of the Houses, as well as some of the lads. Funny - it was just the other day I was lookin thru them and still priding myself on some grainy black & white pix, snapped and developed myself (in the school's dark room - Thanx Phil Martin - art dept) consistin of "BonnieBeanBoy" aka Jimmy Alger with Vernon Johnson, Bry Rafferty, Andy King, John Palmer and Jimmy McMenemy... Those were the days of the dangerous collared shirts, fat knotted stumpy ties and the funky flared out (poly"ee"estah) trousers... If they had a 3-button waistband and side pockets you were truly "kikin it", oh and not to forget those clompy ankle breakin shoes, which for the gals have made a serious comeback today in the form of wedges!! I'm going! to set aside some time and try and get all these pix scanned up so I can send them on to you ok. And hopefully too, get a membership sorted out in the very near future. Big love to ALL OF YOU, especially the Johnson Twins - we lived in the same block of flats at home in Lubbecke and later bumped into at York, but sadly lost touch. Also all the Fletchers - Carol, Jeannie, Pauline, Denise, Kim (D's bro),Ruby 'Charlie' Adams, Julie Tibbs, Jools Rycroft, Kelly Roberts, James McIlwee & his sis Winnie, Jackie & Sheryl Blackmore, Angie & Maz Barnard, Claire and Julie Morgan, Carolyn Amos (hope you got urself a record deal with your guitar & songwritin), Nicky & his sis Jackie Briscoe (my ma berated me for givin up my baby pic), Dawn & Mark Shrives, Mich Hall, Shaun(1st love)Owens & his sis Donna, Maria Hawkins, Linda Bell, Karen & her sis Jackie Smith, Julie & her sis Sue Wilson (serious athlete), Rachel (Judge John Deed - circa 2005)O'Meara & her sis Elise (our head gal), Paul "Tiny" McDermott, Adie Cummings, Ms Cleverley, Mr Fillery Sue Penney, Ms Blackman, Ma P.J Brown & her terrier(head mistress - who presented me with a special award for my contribution to the school at final assembly when I was leaving WGS, with my wobbly bottom lip and the longest walk of my life going up to the stage to receive it - thank you), Ms Waldron my housemistress (oh boy!), Mr Sarney & his lads, Scottie (BadAssTrumpetPlayer) and his bro Tom, Kev Jardine, Jane & Martin Greedy, Michelle Wilkinson, Lynne Ferry, Suzanne Fuller (the original Voice of an Angel), Virginia Kitchen (anotha great athlete an so very sorry for your recent loss)... The list goes on (an on) and I don't want to get too carried away!! It's been a wonderful trip down memory lane and once again thank you all for putting together such a fantastic site and stayin in touch with each other.
Will Catchup soon
Peace Love an Blessings
Sam(my) C. Xx
P.s bruffs, privs, prep, twos up, sick bay, tuck shop, peg leg, social, chuggy, jungle juice & lights out!!Sam Cleland (M75-79)
