Old Wandsworthians 

2005 Guest Book

Message Time: Thursday, December 29, 2005 2:09:59
Name Albert Budden
From: Southfields originally now IOW.
E-mail Address: albert.budden@the-citizen.info
How Found: Just browsing around the Web
Message: So emotional for me to find this site.email me? I was there 1956-63.Ahhh, the past.

Message Time: Wednesday, December 28, 2005 9:39:24
Name Tony Savage
From: St. Albans
E-mail Address: savagetony@ntlworld.com
How Found: Just browsing around the Web
Message: As a past member of the School orchestra in 1951 to 1955 I would hope to hear from any other members at that time. I have contact with Graeme Wrench who took over the bass from Mr. Sutton when he retired.

Message Time: Wednesday, December 28, 2005 9:35:47
Name Tony Savage
From: St. Albans
E-mail Address: savagetony@ntlworld.com
How Found: Just browsing around the Web
Message: Does any one know if Mr. "Chappy Clode" is still alive ? As a Maths teacher he was excellent and helped many of us achieve A levels in 1955. Sorry to hear that Bacchus and Clegg have gone.

Message Time: Wednesday, December 28, 2005 9:29:23
Name Tony Savage
From: St. Albans
E-mail Address: savagetony@ntlworld.com
How Found: Just browsing around the Web
Message: Could someone let me have details of the School Choir reunions. I and Don King were the tenor section of the choir over the period 1953 to 1955. Hope to hear from someone connected with the School Choir.

Message Time: Tuesday, December 27, 2005 12:01:25
Name Chris Holt
From: Clapham
E-mail Address: chris.holt@swalepct.nhs.uk
How Found: Just browsing around the Web looked it up in a moment of inspiration
Message: Hi, I'm Chris Holt (No.634 on your list) I attended Wandsworth Grammar from 1962-67. I shall be in touch since there are many missing from your list.

Message Time: Monday, December 19, 2005 19:44:46
Name lauren
From: selsey
E-mail Address: laurenstott@hotmail.com
How Found: A Friend
Message: hiya i was just wondering if there is a boy call Jamie Newcombe that attends your school please write bak x

Message Time: Sunday, December 11, 2005 11:31:11
Name Martin Walpole
E-mail Address: mwalpole@antac.co.uk
How Found: Referred From Page - enter below
Message: I attended Wandsworth School from 1972-1977.I am still playing for Wandsworthians Rugby club.

Message Time: Monday, November 28, 2005 9:29:40
Name Peter Eastwood
From: Swindon
E-mail Address: peter@eastwood.me.uk
How Found: A Friend
Message: John St Clair Chafen passed away on Friday 12th August 2005 aged 71. John loved good food, good wine and good company and his great sense of humour will be sorely missed by those who knew him.

Message Time: Friday, November 25, 2005 0:23:38
Name Paul Edmunds
From: Putney London
E-mail Address: ado15mini@sbcglobal.net
How Found: Just browsing around the Web
Message: Attended wandsworth school 69 to 73 remembered a few names on the list Paul Davidson for one and the Beasley clan! I now live in the USA

Message Time: Thursday, November 24, 2005 6:12:27
Name Edward Dudley
From: City of London
E-mail Address: dudl@btinternet.com
How Found: From my son now aged 59 who went to Raynes Park County Grammar School
Message: I was at the School from 1930 to 1936. I should like to have confirmation that I'm not the oldest surviving Old Wandsworthian, but for the moment will sign off until I hear from others.

Message Time: Thursday, November 24, 2005 5:59:22
Name Phillip James (Aka Jim James
From: 1960 - 1965
E-mail Address: phillipjames_uk@yahoo.co.uk
How Found: A Friend
Message: Hello, Everyone from my 'era' glad to learn of this site from Terry Gare. Hope you Old Wandsworthians are triving out there. In agreement with Jim Carpenter, I feel that I got the best education and start from the old school. TTYL folks. Jim James

Message Time: Sunday, November 20, 2005 17:07:27
Name Paul Taylor
From: Sydney
E-mail Address: tsipura@unwired.com.au
How Found: Just browsing around the Web
Message: Hi to anyone out there that remembers me from the 60 to 67 era. Fire off an email and say hello. Anyone know whtever happened to 'Old Mozza", Mr Mrozowski and his dreaded slipper?

Message Time: Saturday, November 19, 2005 19:12:49
Name Fred Thompson
From: originally , Putney Vale
E-mail Address: fredsftrades@btinternet.com
How Found: Just browsing around the Web
Message: I attended the school from 1958 to 1963 and remember names of some of the teachers in the photos.Have had several contacts from old mates via the friends reunited web site.

Message Time: Monday, November 7, 2005 9:46:12
Name BARRY CHURCH
From: ESSEX
E-mail Address: JUSTBAZZA@YAHOO.COM
Message: OTHER : DOES ANYBODY KNOW THE WHEREABOUTS OF STEVE DELIA. HE ATTENDED WANDSWORTH FROM 1964/69

Message Time: Saturday, August 20, 2005 5:07:13
Name Bob Pentland
From: originally Putney
E-mail Address: bobp238golf@aol.com
Message: looking up my old schools : Well i have been reading all the other messages and a lot of names don't ring any bells at all, the school register has lot's i remember,but there lot's missing, i was there from 63-67 kicked out last week of term basically, good friend with kenny symes, we lived opposite each other in Bective road, read earlier message about Brandlehow school, yes i was there to. There were a lot of us from that area Putney. I spent a lot of time bunking off spending time under the passage under the stairs smoking with stephen wooloff and steven raymond,got to be friend of alan lifford after he found out i spent time at Peel house along with some other of our more well educated friends, but i did like my time there. Do these names ring any bells ray parmenter we did a good righteous brothers, pete dyson, the Woodbridge twins steven baines steven bolton, remember baines have big fight with kenny symes on the stairs was a draw. Well going up to Wimbledon in a few weeks will look what they have done to the place then

Message Time: Friday, August 12, 2005 21:53:01
Name john bachelier
From: adelaide, south australia
E-mail Address: jebasher@yahoo.com.au
How Found: Just browsing around the Web
Message: great to take a walk down memory lane

Message Time: Friday, August 12, 2005 6:59:16
Name Barry Smith
From: The Land of Oz
E-mail Address: bakar229@bigpond.com.au
How Found: A Friend
Message: Just visiting as I do now and again. It's great that the school is kept alive by this and other web pages; a great way to hear the latest news or memories. Does any one remember the attendance slips which had to be signed by the lesson teacher, if you were one of those boys who used to play truant now and again? I had a great time whilst there but sadly I don't remember the names of my fellow class mates. I was there from 1958 till 1963. I notice there are some negative comments about the school and masters but one has to remember that a lot of the boys lived in some rough areas and I for one deserved my detentions when they were doled out. From my point of view the school was excellent in many ways, and like life you only get out of it what you put into it! It really was a school before its time, a lot of schools of today do not offer half as much as what 'Wandsworth Comprehensive' had on offer in those days. The word Comprehesive was what it offered in education and after school activities. It would be good if some form of obituary could be put on the web for Mr Bachuss and Mr Cleg and any other masters for that matter. Regards Barry

Message Time: Friday, July 29, 2005 21:41:21
Name Carl Arthur Ambersley
From: Wandsworth
E-mail Address: c94ambersley@yahoo.com
How Found: Just browsing around the Web
Message: What's up old Wandsworth boys from 1970 thru 1975. I am here in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Thinking about old times in Wandsworth School - penny up the wall, black jack, playing in the playground, school dinners, those were great times. Swimming lessons that were no fun right next to the gym, water was so da... cold. Mr. Clegg was our teacher. Trying to make some links with Keith Johnson, Tony Henry, Michael Campbell, just to name a few. Remember how we used to terrorize Mayfield Girls school. and the poor bus driver, we used to give he.... and bombard the bus. If anyone remembers those years don't hesitate to send an e-mail, waiting to hear from you. Sorry about ole Clegg. He was a great teacher, I lift my hat to him.

Message Time: Friday, July 29, 2005 21:40:57
Name Carl Arthur Ambersley
From: Wandsworth
E-mail Address: c94ambersley@yahoo.com
How Found: Just browsing around the Web
Message: What's up old Wandsworth boys from 1970 thru 1975. I am here in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Thinking about old times in Wandsworth School - penny up the wall, black jack, playing in the playground, school dinners, those were great times. Swimming lessons that were no fun right next to the gym, water was so da... cold. Mr. Clegg was our teacher. Trying to make some links with Keith Johnson, Tony Henry, Michael Campbell, just to name a few. Remember how we used to terrorize Mayfield Girls school. and the poor bus driver, we used to give he.... and bombard the bus. If anyone remembers those years don't hesitate to send an e-mail, waiting to hear from you. Sorry about ole Clegg. He was a great teacher, I lift my hat to him.

Message Time: Friday, July 29, 2005 21:40:33
Name Carl Arthur Ambersley
From: Wandsworth
E-mail Address: c94ambersley@yahoo.com
How Found: Just browsing around the Web
Message: What's up old Wandsworth boys from 1970 thru 1975. I am here in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Thinking about old times in Wandsworth School - penny up the wall, black jack, playing in the playground, school dinners, those were great times. Swimming lessons that were no fun right next to the gym, water was so da... cold. Mr. Clegg was our teacher. Trying to make some links with Keith Johnson, Tony Henry, Michael Campbell, just to name a few. Remember how we used to terrorize Mayfield Girls school. and the poor bus driver, we used to give he.... and bombard the bus. If anyone remembers those years don't hesitate to send an e-mail, waiting to hear from you. Sorry about ole Clegg. He was a great teacher, I lift my hat to him.

Message Time: Tuesday, July 19, 2005 7:25:06
Name Mark Lucy
From: Surbiton, Surrey
E-mail Address: mark@mlucy.freeserve.co.uk
How Found: Just browsing around the Web
Message: For those who may find it of interest, the Old Wandsworthians rugby club continues in the Surrey leagues. Although the school is no more, we still count amongst our 'Old Lags' members many previous students of the school. If you would like to track our progress or re-establish ties with the club please logon to www.rfu.com/clubs/wandsworthians If you would like any more information on the club please let me know.

Message Time: Monday, July 11, 2005 6:47:51
Name Alan Richards
From: Kingston upom Hull
E-mail Address: alanrichards_90@hotmail.com
How Found: Just browsing around the Web
Message: Hi, Visited the old school for the first time last Friday (8 July) since I moved to Yorkshire some 30+ years ago, and left the school some 50+ years Having followed the additions to this site for some time I was a little concerned that I would find a delapidated, derelict building, but I was pleasantly surprised. The west rugby field, school-keepers house, and that party of the east rugby school not directly in front of the old school, is now the grounds of the new St Celias School, but it is the area from Sutherland Grove back to, and immediately in front, of the old school which interested me most. A number of new houses have been built on the Sutherland Grove frontage, but in the general old style of the houses in that area. There is a driveway between them that is in direct line with the gates leading to the quadrangle, which during the time I was at the school I never saw anyone use. On either side of the driveway there are 2 new apartment blocks, built in the same style of design, bricks, windows etc., as the old school, and in line with the east and west wings. From the outside the school has been renovated, albeit into apartments, just as I remember it all those years ago. In the east wing, the picture windows for the Art Room and the 'out of alignment' windows for the Chemistry and Phsics Labs, have been retained. Inside, although as I say it has been converted into apartments, the general layout can still been easily identified, including the flight of stairs from outside the Prefects Room down the the Hall corridor (the only difference the new stairs don't creak). Whilst it would have been far more acceptable as a functioning school, when you consider some of the uses to which it may have been put, the present use is reasonable. My only disappointment. As far as I could see, nothing on the building in the way of a plaque, etc., to acknowledge the great history of the building.

Message Time: Wednesday, July 6, 2005 14:30:34
Name Dave Roberts
From: Caterham Surrey
E-mail Address: ballground@ntlworld.com
How Found: Just browsing around the Web
Message: Shame about 'ol Cleggy passing away. He tried to teach us music when I was there in the 70's unfortunately we were such a useless bunch musically that he just spent the entire lesson swearing at us.

Message Time: Friday, July 1, 2005 8:50:01
Name Geoffrey Paul Beaven
From: Goehrenstrasse 24, D-76199 Karlsruhe
E-mail Address: beaven@bbv-karlsruhe.de
How Found: Just browsing around the Web
Message: After reading this website and that of Ulrich Grotz my memory is beginning to recover and i have recognized former pupils with the aid of Ulrich`s photos (1956-1962). It is a crying shame that, the pioneering post-war progress made by such wonderful men such as Sir Richard Ackland and H. Raymond King should have ended in Demolition of the "New School".

Message Time: Thursday, June 30, 2005 15:44:09
Name John Alp
From: Wokingham, Berkshire
E-mail Address: johnalpuk@yahoo.co.uk
How Found: Just browsing around the Web
Message: Sad to hear about Ted Bacchus and John Clegg passing away. On a couple of occassions I saw John Clegg in the Hole in the Wall pub at Waterloo, when I occasionaly used to pop in for a beer whilst waiting for my train. As for Ted Bacchus, well he used to chalk a great big 'O', for organisation, on anyone's desk who had forgotton to either do their homework or bring in some book or other. Does anyone know if Prof Simmons is still around?

Message Time: Thursday, June 30, 2005 7:55:06
Name John McCallum
E-mail Address: makaranna@ntlworld.com
How Found: Just browsing around the Web : Mr Bacchus dies at 90+? He must have been about 80 when I was there in the 60s! I'll remember him for speaking French without a trace of an accent - French accent that is.

Message Time: Tuesday, June 28, 2005 12:41:54
Name David Hyde
From: Huntingdon, CAMbs
E-mail Address: david@mbcs.freeserve.co.uk
Message: Found it a number of years ago through the Old Wandsworthians Assoc. : 2005 Has been a bad year for attrition amoungst the Old members of Staff. The death of Ted Bacchus at 90 + Years and recently that of John Clegg. Only Martin Lince survives from the members of staff who were at Wandsworth when I joined the School in 1952

Message Time: Monday, June 27, 2005 7:10:12
Name Steve Francombe
From: South Croydon, Surrey, UK
E-mail Address: spfrancombe@yahoo.co.uk
How Found: Just browsing around the Web
Message: Good to see the site is still here. I last visited a year ago and realise that I wrongly named Prof Simmons as the hooligan who pulled me by the ear, it was Doc Solomon, apologies. I was quite stunned to receive an e-mail from Nelson Roberts (French Teacher)apologising for helping make my life at Wandsworth a misery. Thanks to this site I am in touch with a dear friend, Barry Church. He was one of the big boys who lived in the block next to mine in Greenfield House, Tilford Gardens, SW19 and attended and left the school long before I started there in September 1964. I am also in regular contact with Bill Plummer and have occasional e-mail contact with Chris Christou. What ever happened to Steve Delia!?

Message Time: Saturday, May 14, 2005 8:35:21
Name christopher quincey
From: farnbrough
E-mail Address: christopherquincey9@hotamil.co.uk
How Found: Just browsing around the Web
Message: hi i was browsing and saw this i just want to know if ther ei sany one who was at school at the time between 1971 and 1976 if there is i would really like to hear from you so please could you eamail me my email is chris_quincey9@hotmail.co.uk thankyou and i hope to hear from someone soon!!!!bye!!

Message Time: Saturday, May 7, 2005 5:42:29
Name Roy Prangell
From: SW18
E-mail Address: royprangellyahoo.com
Message: google.com : Less crazy after all these years. Brother John died 6.12.98.

Message Time: Saturday, April 30, 2005 1:57:33
Name George Stollery
From: Bexleyheath, Kent
E-mail Address: gcstollery@ntlworld.com
How Found: Just browsing around the Web
Message: Old Boy 1974-1981 Can tell you that John & Hugh Potter were 1973-1980. Haven't seen them or anyone else since I left!

Message Time: Tuesday, April 19, 2005 23:01:19
Name Turhan Wishart
From: London (England)
E-mail Address: twishart54@hotmail.com
How Found: Just browsing around the Web
Message: How time flies!

Message Time: Thursday, April 14, 2005 18:20:41
Name Carlos Lovera
From: Georgia United States
E-mail Address: clovera@bellsouth.net
Message: Looking for a long lost friend/Coach : I used to train under Prof A. T. L. Simmons and knew he attended Wondsworth. I found his name on the list. I have been trying to communicate with the Prof for a long time and would like to update him on what I have done so far. I also wanted to let him know that my two boys, ages 15 and 13 are fencing with me. If anyone can forward this message to him I would be extremely grateful. Thank you. Hope to hear from him soon. Carlos Lovera

Message Time: Friday, April 1, 2005 5:53:40
Name christopher quincey
From: farnbrough hants
E-mail Address: x_booty_licious_donna_x@hotmail.com
How Found: Just browsing around the Web
Message: if there are any old school freinds from 1971 to 1976.

Message Time: Monday, March 14, 2005 16:09:02
Name Michael Kelly
From: Fredericksburg, Virginia
E-mail Address: notrealaddress@present.com
How Found: A Friend
Message: My name is Michael Kelly and I have just heard about your site (from Brian Tyson) and am pleased to let you know something about me. I was at Wandsworth from 1945 till 1953 - I spent three years in the sixth form! Apart from giving me a reasonable education - though a little short on career planning - the school gave me many pleasurable moments via its after-school activities. I remember astronomy, theatre and rocket-building in particular. From Wandsworth, I and two classmates, David White and Tony Bennett (not the crooner!), went to Imperial College to read Maths. I then joined the English Electric Co in their nuclear power (peaceful - power generation) division and got heavily involved in computers. From there I went to IBM in Hursley (Hampshire) and, in 1966, transferred to one of their locations in New York State. I am now long retired and live in Fredericksburg, Virginia which is 50 miles south of Washington, DC. Here there is much of historical interest concerning the Revolutionary and Civil Wars - topics which were only briefly covered in my History classes at Wandsworth. I attended the school in the "Good Old Days" before Comprehensive. In fact I was there through July 1953 when they started building. I don't have them right at hand but I have a couple of photos that other Old Wandsworthians may enjoy and I shall send them when I locate them. Perhaps the crowning glory of my time there was at the end. Four of us prefects, including William Stanley (the head-prefect), David White, a Polish boy with a name like Gryzimski and myself (the no2 prefect), read a book about prewar escapades at Cambridge University involving climbing the buildings. We concocted and executed a plan whereby, one late (but not stormy) night we climbed over the fence (even then they had security!) and climbed the rain-pipe outside the headmaster's (H Raymond King) office to gain access to the roof. There is a flat portion of the roof for some reason, obviously not to facilitate this kind of activity. We then went to the end of the roof - the building was/is a square U shape - and fixed a strong wire to the S hook that serves to catch tiles that might slide off the corner. We then walked around to the other end of the U, pulled the wire tight and affixed the other end of the wire similarly. Before actually fixing it we slid onto the wire a large, pre-prepared banner made of old bed sheets. On the banner we had painted the LCC's (London County Council, in case you don't remember) favourite slogan which was to be seen on every single sheet of toilet paper in the school: "Now Wash Your Hands, Please". By coincidence I had my camera with me the next day and was able to get a photo of it before the Deputy Head Master (Mr, Flynn) had the "Lavatorial Legend" torn down. There was much speculation about who did it but they never found out (more likely the authorities knew but decided not to escalate an embarrassing episode). Well, I've enjoyed writing this - it's not of interest to anyone over here.

Message Time: Thursday, March 3, 2005 2:26:58
Name Dean Cobb
From: Crawley
E-mail Address: dinoru1u12@tele.uk
How Found: Just browsing around the Web
Message: Some of you may be wondering what ever happened to l'le ol' Dean Cobb. Well, after several operations and some powerful magic, I have at last become the woman that deep down inside I knew I always had to be. My happiness has increased with my femininity. Waking up from the anaesthetic one day to find a fully functional vagina was the happiest moment of my life so far. I can hardly beleive how convincing I am naked. If I were still a guy I'd want to f*** me! Due to my position I have had some difficulty finding a career but at present work as a receptionit for a company providing semen to childless lesbian couples. I am also seeing a man for whom my past HERSTORY is less of an issue than my adventurousness in the bedroom. It strange, but having hated rugby so much at school, I have fallen for a man with odd-shaped balls! Oh well I must sign off now as it time for my voice couching lesson. TTFN.

Message Time: Tuesday, February 15, 2005 9:56:40
Name Martin White
From: Wandsworth
E-mail Address: js@js.com
How Found: Just browsing around the Web
Message: Hi to everyone who at Wandsworth between sept 74 & June 79, especially classmates in 1 & 2 Epsilon 2 & 3 Delta (Moved up in second year)and 4 & 5x. Great memories including a famous incident when a mouse was chase up sutherland grove, eventually escaping through a hole in a residents front wall, which then collasped when twenty or so pupils chasing the mouse all tried to climb over it.

Message Time: Tuesday, February 15, 2005 9:56:20
Name Martin White
From: Wandsworth
E-mail Address: js@js.com
How Found: Just browsing around the Web
Message: Hi to everyone who at Wandsworth between sept 74 & June 79, especially classmates in 1 & 2 Epsilon 2 & 3 Delta (Moved up in second year)and 4 & 5x. Great memories including a famous incident when a mouse was chase up sutherland grove, eventually escaping through a hole in a residents front wall, which then collasped when twenty or so pupils chasing the mouse all tried to climb over it.

Message Time: Monday, February 14, 2005 13:58:36
Name martin peake
From: lincolnshire
E-mail Address: martin@peake.fsbusiness.co.uk
How Found: A Friend
Message: anyone from 75-81 in classes 1/2 sigma 3omega 4z or 5z

Message Time: Friday, February 4, 2005 11:21:57
Name kevin eadon
From: crystal palace
E-mail Address: eadonkev@msn.com
How Found: Referred From google
Message: I dont have many great memories from 1976/1981 except games which was sailing @ wimbledon park. Living @ 72,sutherland grove wasn't a great help i was always late for school. If you remember me get in touch i was in class alpha.

Message Time: Tuesday, February 1, 2005 6:20:46
Name Dave Kite
From: Surbiton
E-mail Address: dvd_kt@yahoo.com
How Found: Just browsing around the Web
Message: Come on lads we all know some of you made it and are now celebs, no reason not to say hi.Strange really when you consider that the grounds were origanlly donated by the duke of sutherland to provide an educational facility for the local work force, as its now a housing estate i'm suprised Di's brother hasn't tried to get it back. is Mr.Price(*action man) still alive

Message Time: Sunday, January 30, 2005 22:05:50
Name Alan Mckeever
From: Ramsgate
E-mail Address: Alan.Mckeever@btinternet.com
How Found: Search engine
Message: Was at Wandsworth from 70-75 in 1 Nu, 2 Nu, 3 Eta, 4P + 5P, Morley house set J. Always remember my first day, it was pouring with rain and I arrived at school with my white shirt now maroon, we were herded into the lower school hall and called out and sent to our respective classes all excited, my form teacher was a P.E. teacher (whose name I forget), I was chatting to a friend from primary school called Paul Lishmond, when this teacher turned and hurled a piece of chalk at us with such venom that it tore the front cover of Paul's rough book, a great initiation, and one I still have nightmares about. But all the same a great school.

Message Time: Thursday, January 27, 2005 18:50:11
Name andrew peake
From: holbeach
E-mail Address: princecoolcat7@aol .com
How Found: Just browsing around the Web
Message: hi to all from class of 75 -81