Issue 33 – Summer 2008

KOSA NEWS NUMBER 33 - SUMMER 2008 The Magazine of the Old Scholars of Kingswood Grammar School Editor: Mike Bendrey, 26 Overndale Road, Downend, Bristol, BS16 2RT Tel/Fax: 0117 956 5689 E-mail address: [email protected] EDITORIAL... My appeal in the last edition for someone (younger?) from the Bristol Area to help put together an edition with a view to succeeding in the editor’s chair largely fell on deaf ears (or blind eyes!). Save a very complimentary letter from JOHN COLE (49-56), which modesty prohibits me from publishing, in which he suggested that one advantage of my stepping down is that the new editor would surely not model that cap. How it has escaped ceremonial burning only DEREK BAILEY (49-53) can explain (it’s his). Being upset by such sentiments I have reverted to childhood and gone back some 57 years to my first photo taken at KGS, complete with school tie - but no cap. We are sorry that BOB GRAY (49-56) and his wife Sherry have now retired from catering. They have served us well (geddit?) over many years, for which we would like to express our grateful thanks. We hope to see them both, seated, at future lunches. As ever, many thanks for all your contributions. I’ve had to hold some over for next time and I still have many photos yet unpublished, so watch this space and please keep your contributions coming. DIARY DATES... ANNUAL AUTUMN LUNCH: Booked for SATURDAY, 11 OCTOBER 2008 at Lincombe Barn, Downend at 12 to 12.30, lunch at 1.00pm. DAVE KERSHAW (48-56) has suggested (see last edition) that we make this a special reunion for the 48ers as it’s their 60th anniversary of commencing at KGS, so we’ll set some tables aside for their party. Fill in the enclosed form now and send it to our Treasurer, MARTIN HARRYMAN, 5 Brecon View, Bleadon Hill, Weston Super Mare, BS24 9NF Tel: 01934 812315. All cheques payable to ‘KOSA’. 54ers REUNION: This is planned for an FRIDAY, 10 OCTOBER 2008. For details, see page 27. More information and booking forms from PAUL DAVIES (956 2692), CHRIS BRYANT (975 4656) or ROGER FOWLER (960 2999), all code 0117. ANNUAL BUFFET LUNCH and AGM: Already booked for for SATURDAY 18 APRIL 2009 at Lincombe Barn, Downend. Please book the date in your diary now. OBITUARIES... a hockey ball. As she walked past Dad TERRY MILLWARD (46-51) passed with a bloody lip, he offered to kiss it away in early January 2008, only four better. The rest is history – their rela- months after his wife PADDY tionship prevailed through separation YEOMAN(45-54) died. Terry’s tribute to when Dad did his national service in the Paddy was published in the last edition. RAF and Mum attended the Sorbonne in Paris. They were married in 1960 and Terry’s funeral and Celebration of his had three children, Joe, Lisa and myself, Life was held at Memorial Woodlands, and leave behind three young grand- Alveston on 15 January and tributes sons. were given by his daughter Lisa and his son Joe and others. Terry and Paddy’s ‘Dad was the youngest Millward in his other daughter, Terri, was also present family of four and his elder brother by and she has written to KOSA NEWS on two years, COLIN (44-49?), also at- her father’s death: tended KGS. ‘It is with deep sadness that I write with ‘A particular friend was JOHN MARCH- the news that my dearest Dad died on 3 ANT (44-49), who went on to marry January 2008 after a very short and Mum’s sister, YVONNE YEOMAN (47- unexpected illness, aged 72. This was 54). Other classmates in the fifth form a dreadful shock after losing my mother, at KGS that Dad would talk about – I am Paddy (nee Yeoman) nearly five months sure I have missed some! - included previously. Michael ‘Sticky’ Brittain, Diane Mallard, Dai Davis, Margaret Smith, Pete Dud- ‘Although those of you who knew Dad bridge, Kathleen Vann, David King, will have your own memories of him, I Barry Ratcliffe, Roy Smith and Jimmy thought I would relay to you my impres- Williams. I believe some of those young sion of Dad’s time at school that I have men were also alongside Dad in the gleaned from many tales over the years. 11th Company of the Bristol Boys Bri- gade, which met at Wesleyan Methodist ‘He said he started at KGS a year earlier Chapel in Kingswood, along with KGS than he should have done, at the age of scholars Bill Edmunds, Dave Jefferies 10, as he was considered by his primary and Dave Pine. school to be bright enough to face a greater challenge. This did not translate ‘These memories of my dad would not into academic achievement as, in his be complete without a mention of his own words, he spent his time at KGS considerable sporting prowess, espe- “messing about”! He would always cially in football. Although he repre- laugh when he told me he never both- sented KGS at both rugby and cricket, ered at school and had to go to ‘night football was his greatest love. He repre- school’ after he left, to get the required sented the Bristol Battalion of the Boys O-levels for getting a job. This did not Brigade on a number of occasions and hamper his career, though, as he retired had a promising spell of youth football at in 2003 from running his own successful Bristol City, prior to his RAF service. For finance company for more than 30 many years he was a stalwart for the years. Cadbury Heath Football Club and was well known in local football circles. In- ‘Dad started courting Mum when they deed, as a child I personally remember were both 15. Infamously, the romance him acting as a referee in local Saturday began when she was hit in the mouth by games, in his later life. I always had the 2 feeling that although he accepted he Through his students and his published was too old to play on the team, he loved work Peter leaves an enduring legacy to at least be on the pitch! and a tangible memorial to a full life cut short early. This is just a snapshot of the man Terry Millward was. He was a fantastic per- son, husband, father and friend – solid MARGARET STAPLES (49-54) (later gold.’ Churchus) passed away on 30 Decem- ber 2007. DR PETER TAYLOR (60-67) passed A scan of Kingswood Chronicles reveals away at the early age of 58 on 27 March that Margaret obtained the 4G form 2008. In a mov- prize in 1953 and, with her cousin JILL ing service at Ab- STAPLES, they played attendants to son Parish Hero and Beatrice in the production of Church, close to Much Ado About Nothing. Peter’s home, his friend, James Her husband Alan told KOSA that, after Short, gave a leaving KGS, Margaret had a long and comprehensive successful career in nursing, which was summary and the one and only career she wanted. tribute to Peter’s After her final retirement she spent time achievements. enjoying her family and holidaying. Peter was a born When Margaret was at Bristol Eye Hos- academic. After pital she was awarded the prize for leaving KGS, Peter studied at Lanches- Practical Nursing and later won the cov- ter Polytechnic, now Coventry Universi- eted Silver Medal there. She also spent ty, to obtain his first degree. He was then many years at Cossham Hospital, where awarded a postgraduate certificate in she was Senior Ward Sister. She re- Quantitative Social Studies at the Uni- garded this as the highlight of her career. versity of Kent in 1972, an MSc in Eco- nomics by Cardiff University in 1976 and In about 2001 she was diagnosed with a Doctorate from the University of the motor neuron disease. This steadily pro- West of England in 1996 where he was gressed and the three years leading up on the academic staff, which he joined in to her death became unbearable. Mar- 1973. He ultimately joined Bristol Busi- garet leaves a husband Alan, a son and ness School where he held a number of daughter and their families. senior appointments. A tribute to Peter’s excellent relationship with his students Stepson John Cole has informed KOSA was made at the service by one of his of the passing of HEATHER JOY TILL- overseas doctoral students. MAN (32-39) later Cole, who lived in Kent. As well as his success in academia, Peter found time to run a farm in Abson ‘Heather excelled academically attaining with his brother, Paul. He enjoyed cy- her ‘A’ Levels and becoming Head Pre- cling, walking and the English country- fect. Her achievements were particularly side generally. Peter leaves his wife, notable as she was raised through a Mary, whom he met whilst at Coventry, series of foster families following the and sons Tom and Charlie. death of her mother when she was four. 3 ‘Heather retained fond memories of itics and social justice issues. During KGS throughout her life and spoke their retirement they collected antiques highly of MAJOR EATON, who was and operated a market stall making sev- eral lasting friendships. At the time of her retirement at 58 she was working as a Senior Psychiatric Social worker as- sisting children from troubled families. ‘Just before Christmas 2007 Heather suffered a severe stroke and died on 6 January 2008.

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