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Feel free to add messages relating to the site and the school. The only rules are: real names only, no personal attacks and no unrelated messages (inappropriate messages may be edited/withdrawn without warning).

It would be appreciated if you gave an email address, where you now live and said when you were at the school, but you don't have to.

Plase note that if you click on an email address below you will need to replace ~DOT~ with . and ~AT~ with @ in your email program. The Guestbook presents these this way to avoid email address harvesters collecting your email addresses from the page. I know it's a pain, but it's very much better than the alternative.

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There are 500 messages in the guestbook
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Viewing messages 421 to 430

Neale Backhouse | nealebackh~AT~gmail~DOT~com

Hi Mike
Maybe one more chuckle on this subject,from the Victoria Times Colonist, 05/06/2013, "Apple to grow workforce."

If I may add a bit of Canadiana. I happened to be looking up at the hill behind our place about a week ago, when I spotted, what I first thought was a golden retreiver, sitting on a grassy verge above the gravel emergency road that runs up to the treeline. Grabbing my old binoculars, I spied instead a fully grown cougar, in all his/her tawny glory. He/she sat quietly surveying the scene and then, I suppose, thinking not a good idea to hang around a housing subdivision, slowly retraced his/her steps and disappeared into the woods.
I've lived on Vancouver Island for fifty years and walked miles on forest trails and never a glimpse of a cougar and here was one almost making house calls. I've been looking up at those trees with a new respect. Who was it who said, "Walk softly but carry a big stick."

Thu 6-Jun-2013 03:26 - Victoria BC, Canada

Eric Moyse | eric~DOT~moyse~AT~sky~DOT~com

Regarding Willie Hudson with whom I shared a bed in Burton- on-Trent around 1950 when we were playing for the North of England as schoolboys, Willie's rugby honours were discussed in these hallowed columns in February 2008. Willie went on to play for England U15s then represented Northumberland County and English Universities but I do not think he won a full England cap.

Sat 25-May-2013 08:52 - Reading United Kingdom

Robin Leslie | robinleslie~AT~alumni~DOT~lse~DOT~ac~DOT~uk

I believe there was a rugby player called Hudson in 1954 played rugby for Durham and England and Billy Metcalfe, I think, played for England at rugby in 1954 or 1955. Jack Talbot, who was in my school form before I left for Barnard Castle School in 1954, was an England International football player. I ran for the High School under 15 relay team at the Durham County Championships at Darlington Rolling Mills in 1954 alongside Jack Talbot and Victor Muncaster. There were others whose names I have forgotten who played at representative level in various sports.I
played with West of Scotland in 1960 after leaving Barnard Castle School.

Wed 15-May-2013 22:06 - Buckinghamshire

Eric Moyse | eric~DOT~moyse~AT~sky~DOT~com

Re Graham and first-class athletes, how about Harton alumnus David Wilson, a former member of Westoe RFC who holds 26 caps as a prop for England and who narrowly missed selection for the Lions this year. Now an outstanding player for Bath Rugby, he is going on tour with England in Argentina shortly.
(I would also have liked to include Katy McLean a current England women's team member and captain on many occasions but she evidently went to Mortimer.)

Tue 14-May-2013 09:44 - United Kingdom

Bruce Graham | bsgraham~AT~btinternet~DOT~com

Having just watched the FA Cup Final on TV and being a GOM (Grumpy Old Man) when it comes to footballers (and Bankers) salaries it occurred to me that the percentage of sportsmen reaching the highest level is miniscule.

Our school, in my day at least, promoted sport very actively and we had some reasonable athletes in my year. Yet we had only one boy who went on to play football for the town and a few who had trials for Westoe RFC.

I have seen little correspondence concerning the excellence in the sporting arena of former pupils. Perhaps some of you know of contempoararies who excelled in one sport or another.

Maybe they're worth Ł5million a year - or not!!

Sat 11-May-2013 19:38 - Ruskington, Lincolnshire

From Mike T: There have certainly been a few big sporting names from the school, and I'd be interested in more.

Steve Clothier (1967-73) | stephenclothier~AT~btinternet~DOT~com

Just dipping my toe into this pool, but recall marching down to the Market Square in 1967/68 in my sea scout uniform. We set off from the baptist church next to the Town Hall and duly received an orange on our return.
Hard to believe I left SSGTSfB forty years ago this coming June and after eight years of army service,retired in 2010 after fifteen years as a primary headteacher.
Afraid I've missed all reunions so far but would like a chance to re-visit the old place.

Tue 9-Apr-2013 23:02 - Scarborough, North Yorkshire, England.

Ed, Forster | r2edforster~AT~live~DOT~ca

Re Neale's piece about the old timers game, I watched a game there with Hughie Galacher & Warney Cresswell who who played for the old Shields team & went on to the big league & played seven times for England at full back. I recall playing for the red house team @ school before & during the war oh happy days.

Sat 6-Apr-2013 19:01 - PEI Canada

Alan Whittaker(52-59) | alan~AT~whittaker4000~DOT~fsnet~DOT~co~DOT~uk

Hi Everyone,
Reference the Good Friday March I believe that this year was the 161st event. I remember in the late 40's early 50's as a member of Harton Methodist Church we would form up at the Nook along with the Guides, Scouts,Boy's Brigade etc.we would then get on special buses which took us to Mile End Rd where we formed up and joined the march along King St. For most kids the highlight of the occasion was getting the free orange at the end of Service in the Market Place! I have heard that an additional Service is now being held at 6pm on the Sea Front on Easter Sunday. BRRRRRR!

Thu 4-Apr-2013 14:08 - Somerset

Neale Backhouse '46- '51. | nealebackh~AT~gmail~DOT~com

Hi Mike
Even though this is once again becoming a '46ers party, I'd like to respond to Alex's recollection of Good Friday marches. I had to check with Liz to get her input on this annual ritual. She recalls wearing her new Easter clothes in completely inappropriate weather, white socks and all, marching to the accompanionment of the Boy's Brigade Band, banners held high, along King Street and ending at the Market Place for the Church Service. All the children received a blood orange as reward for their perseverance.
As for the old timers game at Horsley Hill Stadium, I remember a full house watching a team of former pros, including Newcastle Utd pre-war star, Hughie Galacher and Alex James, of Arsenal fame, take on Harton Colliery "All Stars" I apologize to the younger generation to whom these names are meaningless. These games were always a lot of fun, especially on a sunny day, with the old timers showing the young lads from the colliery a few tricks they had never seen before, even though the old boys were, at times, gasping for breath.
Old memories die hard don't they?

Tue 2-Apr-2013 20:51 - Victoria BC, Canada

Eric Moyse | eric~DOT~moyse~AT~sky~DOT~com

How about a UK Chancellor of the Exchequer who refers to a "one pence reduction in income Tax?" Fit for purpose? Hardly!

Mon 1-Apr-2013 10:23 - United Kingdom

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