The Maltonian Web

23 December 2021 More Head Boy and Girl information for Malton County Modern School, this time from the Malton and Norton Memories Facebook Page. Chris Dodsworth confirmed his tenure (1966-7), named Dorothy Fox as 1965-6, and suggested Faye Johnson for 1964-5. Trish Waller suggested Alwyn Jeffels and Joan Duffy 1962-3. John Jaram said he was 1968. Chris Cundell added Mark Windle and Jayne Wilford for 1976-7. Les Chapman suggests John Thorpe and Ethel Craggs for 1960-1.

21 December 2021 A couple more suggestions for Head Boy and Girl at Malton County Modern from Gillian Perry.
1965/6 Barry Harrison and maybe Dorothy ……….
1966/7 head girl was Denise Perry with Christopher Dodsworth
1967/8 joint head girl was Denise Perry and Margaret Trousdale
1968/9 Carol McSorley was head girl
1969/70 may have been Ann Wood and Geoffrey Sedman .

She tells me about the responsibilities of the post: I remember the prefects room was just on the right hand side through the front doors, next to the secretary’s office and the Head Master’s office ( Mr Hanson). At assembly once all the pupils were in the hall, the Head Master walked into the hall and our job was to close the doors after him and walk up the side of the hall to the front, the prefects sat on chairs behind in a line!

Can anyone confirm, offer alternatives or fill in any more gaps?

20 December 2021 Gillian Perry (Gillian Skaife) emailed in response to the recent article in the Gazette and Herald regarding former Head Boys and Girls. She tells me that she was Head Girl at Malton County Modern in its final year (1970-71), with David Dearing as Head Boy. I have updated the Head Boy and Girl list as a result.

5 December 2021 . A couple of photos from Malton and Norton Memories Facebook page have been added to the collection of other local (primary) school groups. This one is Rillington in the 1960s, and Amotherby in the late 50s has also been added.

5 December 2021 Lots of activity on Malton and Norton Memories Facebook page, in response to a request for any former Head Boys or Girls to contact, or anyone who could remember any names. Those who posted a message included Fiona Sutherland, Bruce Rolls, Sue Leoni Sceti (Sue Preston), Mark Brigham, Karen Stubbings, Sue Thackray, Ian Pearson, Noel Tiernan, Andrea Seagar, Karen Scott, and Alice White. Bruce, Sue, Mark, Sue and Andrea were all head boy or girl at some point. I have updated the Head Boy and Girl list as a result.

26 October 2021 Howard Campion emailed with some photos found in the Woodhams Stone collection files. This is one of Prince George inspecting the Malton Scouts, with Scout Commissioner T A Williams in attendance. Mr Williams was Senior Master at Malton Grammar School at the time, Prince George was the brother of Edward VIII, and George VI - so was Queen Elizabeth's unce. He died in 1942, in an aircraft crash in Scotland whilst serving in the RAF.

Howard also sent an old photo of the Grammar School found in the same file. it may be a picture of the school before it was opened - in 1911. It doesn't have any box hedging round it. Compare other early photos on the Malton Grammar School buildings page.

In the same file, there is a 1934 letter from Mr E L Watt to Mr Heseltine, notable more for an example of Mr Watt's flamboyant handwriting than for its content.

8 September 2021 Alan Coatsworth emailed, wondering if we can put him in touch with anyone who left in 1983. He is thinking about a reunion. Please contact me in the first instance and I will pass any emails on to him.

29 September 2021 Spotted on Malton and Norton Memories Facebook Mary Cowton and Christine Lamb offered names for this form group from a Malton Grammar School 1965 album, with a query from Kevin Wade regarding Brenda Tuer's identification.

8 September 2021 Alan Coatsworth emailed, wondering if we can put him in touch with anyone who left in 1983. He is thinking about a reunion. Please contact me in the first instance and I will pass any emails on to him.

18 August 2021 Christine Smith emailed, alerting me to two significant obituaries in the Gazette today. Former headteacher John Gresswell, and his wife Audrey, both died earlier this month, within a fortnight of each other. Mr Gresswell was appointed as deputy head of the new comprehensive Malton School in 1971, when the Grammar School and County Modern merged. Following the untimely death of headteacher Philip Taylor in the first term, John took over as Head, and remained in charge until retirement in 1989.

GRESSWELL John Much loved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. Died August 3rd 2021. For us the world is now a poorer place.

GRESSWELL Audrey Beloved wife, mother, mother-in-law, nana, great-grandmother and "mum" to many others. Died peacefully August 15th 2021. Rest in eternal peace Aud, your work here is done.

9 August 2021 John White emailed having read the report of David Shaw's death. Sad to hear of David’s death as reported by Howard.  David was at MGS at the same time as me and was one of only three in the science sixth form from 09/1960 to 06/1962; the other two were Kenneth Foxton (who I think went to read physics at Liverpool University) and myself.  Great times!

6 August 2021 Howard Campion emailed to report two more Maltonians who have passed on. Good morning Steve. Sadly, another two losses!
David Shaw lived in Norton and attended MGS from 1955-62. He read Chemistry and took up teaching after graduation. When  I eventually went into teaching we often met at subject forums. He was at Norton when I was at Fulford, and we worked on a project together.

David is in the middle of the photo here, with Howard on his left, and David Lowe on the right. (School play, The Critic 1956).

Pearl Milow attended M.G.S. from 1951-6, and lived in Norton but I know little else about her.

6 August 2021 Peter Clowney emailed with a few memories of his days in Malton. I was born in 28 Wentworth Street in June 1940. My schools were Malton Infants in Wentworth Street, Malton County Primary, and Malton County Secondary, which I assume have long gone by now. I started a Carpentry and Joinery apprenticeship in 1956 at Jacksons Builders; in Yorkersgate. My family moved to Liverpool at the same time but I stayed for an extra year and then moved to Liverpool in 1957. My Dad worked as a Drayman at Russells Brewery before moving to Liverpool. I had a paper round at a newsagents opposite the Cross Keys pub. After my family moved to Liverpool I stayed with my Grandparents who lived in Rillington.
They were retired from the railway having worked as Gatekeepers at Broughton Gate House. I just thought it would be interesting to see if any old “fogeys” were still around. If anybody is interested they could contact me via email.

25 June 2021 Clive Burns emailed in response to Francis Turner's email (22 June below). "Thank you so much for passing on the email from Francis Turner - over the years many in my year have said "whatever happened to Francis ...." Now we know!" Clive has managed to speak to Francis on the phone, and is looking forward to a potential re-union.

22 June 2021 David Roberts emailed to pass on an obituary for Philip Mason, (14.04.38 – 05.06.21) written by the Yorkshire Contract Bridge Association, of which Philip was President and formerly chairman. I also spotted another photo of Philip on the website, taken with his form group (3A) back in 1962, shown here. Full details are on the 1962 photo album page.

22 June 2021 Francis Turner emailed, trying to contact Clive Burns, a schoolfriend from his time at the Grammar School 1958 - 1963. After leaving MGS in 1963 we began work together at the NFU Insurance Company in York and worked and socialised together until I left to move to London in 1967. ... I was actually in Malton last week for the first time in 30 years and did take time to pass my old school. The East Wing seemed unchanged from the outside since the old days when I was a member of the MGS Chess Team and I have happy memories of travelling to tournaments with Mr. Lloyd. I still treasure the school Chess Colours I won at that time.
I asked Francis if he knew anything about a mystery chess trophy which is still in school - the Derwent Chess Club.
Unfortunately I don't remember the Derwent Chess Trophy ever being discussed during my time on the Chess Team and maybe it pre-dates that. I do remember some of the team, myself included, sharpening our game every Friday night at meetings of the Malton Chess Club in premises above Saville Street. The competition even included Russian emigres who really knew their game.

Does anyone else have any chess memories, or knowledge of the Derwent Chess Club?

9 June 2021 Gill Harrison (school secretary) emailed to tell me that Philip Mason died last weekend. Phil spent his entire teaching career at Malton (100 terms, as he often told me), retiring in 1993, when I took over from him as Deputy Head. Phil taught maths and Games, rising to become Head of Maths before Deputy Head. He was also a top class football referee - I seem to remember him telling me he was on the touch line at one of the FA Cup finals. And of a course a top class bridge player along with his wife Janet. He remained interested in the school throughout his life, often accepting invitations to events whenever he could.

31 May 2021 Howard Campion emailed to tell me that Ian Masser died earlier this month. Ian lived in Derbyshire. He left MGS in 1955 and read Geography at Liverpool. He began his 11+ career at Archbishop Holgate's Grammar School in York during 1947 but changed to MGS in 1948. His journey to school was thereby shortened by an excessive margin because he lived next door just through the hedge! His parents had 'Masser's' photography shop in Malton.

Helen Shaw emailed on 24 May 2021 to tell me that she found a number of copies of The Maltonian 1942-1947, signed on the cover by many as was the tradition, when clearing out her mother's house. Also a 1940s prospectus. She is going to donate these to the school archive. Her mother was Florence Evelyn Danby - sadly I cannot find her named in any of the 1940s photographs we have.

Phil Gaskell emailed on 2 May 2021 to fill in a couple of missing names on this 1968 Sixth Form photograph. He confirms the identities of Richard (Dick) Gibson, Derek Cadamy, Sue Pearson, Joan Hartley, Michael Sanderson, Liz Thorpe, and Peter Calvert. There is still a little uncertainty about Audrey, right of centre on 2nd row. Skelton or Whitty? And one name still missing. Any offers?

Howard Campion emailed on 23 April 2021 to let me know that Dorothy "Dolly" Hickes passed away on 1 April at the age of 91. Dolly was a strong supporter of the school throughout her life, having been a pupil (as Dolly Hickes) in the 1940s (winning the Sports Day Victrix Ludorem 4 years in a row, 1945-1948!), then a teacher in the 1950s, then as a parent and grandparent. She was very supportive when this Maltonians project started in the 1990s, attending events and reunions, helping with memories and facts about the school. Always positive, always cheerful.

20 April 2021 Some Malton and Norton Memories Facebook page conversation on the MCM photos below. Richard Jarvis: Sure I'm on the photo walking on the beach, they were great adventures, I did it twice. Along with walking up Teesdale staying at Barnard Castle, Langdon Beck and knock y/ hostels. We were guided by Robin Coulthard , Brian Durno and his girlfriend/ wife? ? Brian was our games teacher for a couple of years ( ex Malton Grammar school , I believe from Easthorpe. ) Also did the Lyke Wake Walk. Great times. Steve Hollings: all good memories Richard 💙. Didn't realise how lucky we were at the time with Robin Coulthard and Brian Durno. Keith Strangeway: don't forget auntie Vera! Susan Blades: I loved this school.

15 April 2021 Robin Coulthard sent three photos I have not previously seen, which I have added to the other MCM photos taken by Robin Coulthard.
Malton County Modern in 1967,

the beach between Saltburn and Redcar - on a summer term Youth hostelling trip along the coast, staying at Saltburn, Whitby, Boggle Hole and Scarborough YHAs,

and the teaching orchard as seen from "June Appleyard's art room", which was directly above the Rural Studies room. Espaliers and cordons of different varieties on different rootstocks to demonstrate growth patterns

13 April 2021 I was delighted to receive an email from Robin Coulthard, who taught at Malton County Modern from 1966 to 1971. Robin donated a number of photos from MCM days. I hope he doesn't mind my including his email in the Maltonians Memories pages.

Dear Mr Fearnley, I offer you my sincere thanks and appreciation for your continuing work with the Maltonians website, which I access regularly. July will mark the fiftieth anniversary of my departure from the County Mod School (and by the same maths the fiftieth anniversary of the birth of its successor) and believe me it now seems so distant there are times when I wonder if my memories are the product of a dream!...so your website offers a therapeutic and happy reminder that whilst parts of my mind are most certainly fragmenting, the Malton memories are real! More...

10 March 2021 I spotted a tribute to John Dunstan in the Gazette and Herald this week. Mainly written by David Ewing, who worked with John very closely in the geography department and in the sixth form tutor team, and also from Janet Patten, who knew John through church and choral activities. "A true gentleman″is a phrase used in the newspaper. That seems a fitting description to me.

9 March 2021

Kitty Grove-Stephensen (Kitty Thackray) has not been well recently, but continues to be as active as she can be. She emailed in February to say she had been in hospital having ″endless tests″, and is now in Kirkley Lodge, Coulby Newham. ″They decided there was nothin treatable so thr shortness of breath must be lived with. i am pretty helpless and need much care so no chance of going home. eyesight now parlous so please forgive errors″

Despite all this, she has now brought out a paperback version of her autobiography, the hard back versions having sold out. With Kitty's permission, I have put the chapter about her time at Malton Grammar School on this website. The book is an interesting read, charting a long and active life with remarkable recall of events, described in a forthright, honest and frank Yorkshire manner. I have added a brief review on a page all about Kitty in the biography section of this site. I will be placing my copy of the book in Malton School's Maltonian archive. If you would like to read it but cannot get hold of a copy, it may be that the School will allow loans.

Howard Fox emailed on 1 March 2021 to clarify the name of one of the students in this 1961 photo. The girl on the right is Elizabeth Hanson, not Elizabeth Crowther as suggested by John White below (10 January). Tony Kirby also confirms this.

21 February 2021 Stephen Flaherty spotted himself on Facebook in this 1971 Sports Day picture. He is being presented with the Victor Ludorem trophy.

21 February 2021 Facebook activity recently between Andy Leadill and Richard Chandler suggests the boys in this photo are Phil Wilford, Malc Dunning, Jimmy James Harrison, Adrian Thackray and Stu Nendick. The teachers are definitely Robin Coulthard and Sally Train, and the location is Catrake Force, 1968. Can anyone confirm the names? Robin Coulthard donated a large number of photos and slides of Malton County Modern in the 1960s.

Rob Williams emailed on 17 February 2021 to let me know that John Dunstan has passed away. John started work at Malton School in 1971, when the new comprehensive version of the school came into being. He retired in 2001, having been Head of Geography for some years. Back in 2003 John wrote some memories of the early days of Malton School

John ″ Chalky″ White emailed on 10 January 2021 to identify the four students in the library in a photo from the 1961 Malton Grammar School prospectus of that year. They are Joan Lindeman, Derek Stearman, Elizabeth Crowther and Brian Durno.