2016 Review
Innaugural David Walker Memorial Lecture
The Inaugural David Walker Lecture took place at Derby Grammar School on Thursday 17 November 2016, sponsored jointly by the Society and the School.
It was attended by VIth Form pupils, members of the teaching staff, OD’s and parents. The general consensus was that the occasion was hugely successful and a milestone event in the life of the Society and the School.
We were fortunate to have as our first speaker, The Right Honourable Lord Wilson of Dinton GCB, LL.M who was a former Secretary of the Cabinet and Head of the Civil Service and Ex Master of Emmanuel College, Cambridge. His speech was entitled “Times Present and Times Past – Reflections” and this did indeed live up to its name as it proved highly interesting and inspiring. It was apparent from all of those attending from their attentiveness to Lord Wilson during his speech, and also for the questions which were posed to him afterwards, that everyone found the speech highly informative, and at times very amusing.
We were delighted that the Mayor of Derby Cllr Linda Walker, the High Sheriff of Derbyshire Mrs Elizabeth Fothergill, Mr H Dhindsa Police and Crime Commissioner for Derbyshire, and a representative on behalf of the Vice Chancellor of Derby University, along with Mrs Brenda Walker, wife of David and her guests, were able to attend.
The evening commenced with a speech of welcome by Mr Ralph Holden, current President of the Old Derbeian Society who welcomed all to the event and spoke warmly of the background to the foundation of the Lecture and the life of David Walker.
Lord Wilson spoke for approximately one hour speaking with interest of his various roles over the years, which gave a fascinating insight into the intimate workings of the Government at its very heart. This of course included anecdotes of his time serving under Margaret Thatcher which showed she did indeed have a wry sense of humour.
Following questions from the floor, the Head Boy proposed the vote of thanks to Lord Wilson.
The event concluded with wine and canapés to bring to a close a truly wonderful evening.
The Inaugural David Walker Lecture took place at Derby Grammar School on Thursday 17 November 2016, sponsored jointly by the Society and the School.
It was attended by VIth Form pupils, members of the teaching staff, OD’s and parents. The general consensus was that the occasion was hugely successful and a milestone event in the life of the Society and the School.
We were fortunate to have as our first speaker, The Right Honourable Lord Wilson of Dinton GCB, LL.M who was a former Secretary of the Cabinet and Head of the Civil Service and Ex Master of Emmanuel College, Cambridge. His speech was entitled “Times Present and Times Past – Reflections” and this did indeed live up to its name as it proved highly interesting and inspiring. It was apparent from all of those attending from their attentiveness to Lord Wilson during his speech, and also for the questions which were posed to him afterwards, that everyone found the speech highly informative, and at times very amusing.
We were delighted that the Mayor of Derby Cllr Linda Walker, the High Sheriff of Derbyshire Mrs Elizabeth Fothergill, Mr H Dhindsa Police and Crime Commissioner for Derbyshire, and a representative on behalf of the Vice Chancellor of Derby University, along with Mrs Brenda Walker, wife of David and her guests, were able to attend.
The evening commenced with a speech of welcome by Mr Ralph Holden, current President of the Old Derbeian Society who welcomed all to the event and spoke warmly of the background to the foundation of the Lecture and the life of David Walker.
Lord Wilson spoke for approximately one hour speaking with interest of his various roles over the years, which gave a fascinating insight into the intimate workings of the Government at its very heart. This of course included anecdotes of his time serving under Margaret Thatcher which showed she did indeed have a wry sense of humour.
Following questions from the floor, the Head Boy proposed the vote of thanks to Lord Wilson.
The event concluded with wine and canapés to bring to a close a truly wonderful evening.
|
|
Two Extracts from The Derbeian February 1967
September 2016 was the fiftieth Anniversary of the start of Derby School at the brand new Moorway Lane site in Littleover. It was thought very appropriate to search back into the School Magazine called ‘The Derbeian’ and see what those pupils, who were there, actually thought of this multimillion pound brand new School. As archivist to the Old Derbeian Society I was particularly struck by the following two examples and have taken this opportunity of selecting them to appear within the pages of our own Website. Barrie Sheard (1945-1950) – OD Archivist
This is the Editorial published in The Derbeian for February 1967
Now that the dust is settling, so to speak, after our move to Moorway Lane, it is possible to make some preliminary assessment of our new premises, although it will be many years before they can properly be judged.
After several years of anticipation of the “wonderful new Derby School”, I myself was somewhat disappointed with the new buildings when we finally moved into them. Several minor irritations – the siting of the Prefects’ Rooms in the public eye for example-will doubtless be overcome in the future, but there seem to be, unfortunately, some problems which are here to stay. The lack of corridors on the south side of the School is particularly annoying, since it means the library is being used as a corridor and part of the Sixth-Form Quadrangle also has to be used by the rest of the School. The paths around the buildings are nowhere near wide enough; their siting too, often necessitates long detours.
Perhaps the worst features, however, is the external design. We have buildings of various shapes and sizes jutting out all over the place, and the use of the yellow blocks seems to have offended almost everyone. Maybe we were spoiled by the excess of character that St. Helen’s House possessed, but these buildings seem to be just the opposite; they are so stereotyped that they possess virtually no character of their own.
One cannot, of course, deny that the New School has its advantages. It is far quieter than King Street was and there is sufficient classroom space. The new equipment, most of which has now arrived, has proved to be excellent; the Physics Department seems particularly pleased. The purchase of the new games equipment, too, has enabled the School to offer a comprehensive variety of games options. The mosaic in the foyer is particularly impressive.
Unfortunately, even amongst the new equipment and ideas, there are several “white elephants”. The climbing wall in the Gym, for example, is only of value to absolute beginners, since it does not present sufficient hazards for the experts. One suspects, too, that, even when Summer comes, the Sizth-Form Quadrangle will rarely be used.
Elsewhere in this edition “Progress” states why he is pleased with the New School. I do not propose to criticize his argument but it does seem that he, like several other staunch defenders of Moorway Lane, makes the mistake of comparing the new buildings with King Street.
Only a fool would deny that they are better than King Street, my own view, however, is that they could still have been a lot better than they are and, in view of the expenses involved, should have been. Maybe time will give them the character they are present sadly lack.
I must stress that the views expressed in this Editorial are purely personal, although they are largely shared by the other members of the magazine staff.
We should, however, welcome views from boys, staff, parents, OD’s and others about the New School, and hope to print a representative selection in the September edition.
“I am glad Derby School moved to a new home” this short article was published having been written by a pupil under the banner “Progress” and appears on page 27 of the “The Derbeian” for February 1967.
We have all grumbled about the new building, of course. The site is remote and many of us have had difficulty in getting to and from school; we then have to stop at school for lunch; and we miss the convenience of the proximity of the shops and the swimming pool. The building was not completely ready for us; we are occasionally interrupted by the arrival of furniture and equipment, and we are waiting for the maturing of the surrounding grass so that we can use our own playing fields; a little work is still being done on the pavements and street lighting. We have had trouble in adapting the traditions and rules of an old building to a new one. And some of us simply do not like the look of the new one.
But nobody can deny that there is a beauty in the new building, even if we see it only in isolated corners such as the main entrance and its stone floor or the sixth-form quadrangle, and nobody must forget that we are a school- and Derby School is incomparably better served now.
There are radios everywhere, facilities for projectors almost everywhere now, magnificent equipment for all the practical subjects (scientific, artistic and musical), a well-appointed gymnasium, a library that will add dignity to our books even though it has ordinary ceiling, and simple aids that are quickly forgotten but of disproportionate value, aids like electric points and electric lights of adequate power.
And above all, we are now quiet. Outside our windows in Moorway Lane there are no lorries changing gear, covering us in dust, oppressing our ears and straining our voices. In fact, in Littleover we can feel civilised, nor urbanised.
I am glad we are in our new home.
Request to all Old Derbeian Society members and also all ex pupils of Derby School who were at Moorway Lane from September 1966 and later until 1989.
As is the wish of Archivists, the world over, we are forever in need of your personal stories so that we can record for posterity and for those who follow in our footsteps (a) what you actually thought; (b) what you remember; and (c) anything of interest about Derby School from September 1966 until Derby City Council Education Committee closed the School down in 1989 with its eight hundred years of history way back to the 12th Century from around 1160. Contact details are shown on the page ‘Contact the Society’ within this Website.
J. Barrie Sheard - OD Society Archivist December 2016
September 2016 was the fiftieth Anniversary of the start of Derby School at the brand new Moorway Lane site in Littleover. It was thought very appropriate to search back into the School Magazine called ‘The Derbeian’ and see what those pupils, who were there, actually thought of this multimillion pound brand new School. As archivist to the Old Derbeian Society I was particularly struck by the following two examples and have taken this opportunity of selecting them to appear within the pages of our own Website. Barrie Sheard (1945-1950) – OD Archivist
This is the Editorial published in The Derbeian for February 1967
Now that the dust is settling, so to speak, after our move to Moorway Lane, it is possible to make some preliminary assessment of our new premises, although it will be many years before they can properly be judged.
After several years of anticipation of the “wonderful new Derby School”, I myself was somewhat disappointed with the new buildings when we finally moved into them. Several minor irritations – the siting of the Prefects’ Rooms in the public eye for example-will doubtless be overcome in the future, but there seem to be, unfortunately, some problems which are here to stay. The lack of corridors on the south side of the School is particularly annoying, since it means the library is being used as a corridor and part of the Sixth-Form Quadrangle also has to be used by the rest of the School. The paths around the buildings are nowhere near wide enough; their siting too, often necessitates long detours.
Perhaps the worst features, however, is the external design. We have buildings of various shapes and sizes jutting out all over the place, and the use of the yellow blocks seems to have offended almost everyone. Maybe we were spoiled by the excess of character that St. Helen’s House possessed, but these buildings seem to be just the opposite; they are so stereotyped that they possess virtually no character of their own.
One cannot, of course, deny that the New School has its advantages. It is far quieter than King Street was and there is sufficient classroom space. The new equipment, most of which has now arrived, has proved to be excellent; the Physics Department seems particularly pleased. The purchase of the new games equipment, too, has enabled the School to offer a comprehensive variety of games options. The mosaic in the foyer is particularly impressive.
Unfortunately, even amongst the new equipment and ideas, there are several “white elephants”. The climbing wall in the Gym, for example, is only of value to absolute beginners, since it does not present sufficient hazards for the experts. One suspects, too, that, even when Summer comes, the Sizth-Form Quadrangle will rarely be used.
Elsewhere in this edition “Progress” states why he is pleased with the New School. I do not propose to criticize his argument but it does seem that he, like several other staunch defenders of Moorway Lane, makes the mistake of comparing the new buildings with King Street.
Only a fool would deny that they are better than King Street, my own view, however, is that they could still have been a lot better than they are and, in view of the expenses involved, should have been. Maybe time will give them the character they are present sadly lack.
I must stress that the views expressed in this Editorial are purely personal, although they are largely shared by the other members of the magazine staff.
We should, however, welcome views from boys, staff, parents, OD’s and others about the New School, and hope to print a representative selection in the September edition.
“I am glad Derby School moved to a new home” this short article was published having been written by a pupil under the banner “Progress” and appears on page 27 of the “The Derbeian” for February 1967.
We have all grumbled about the new building, of course. The site is remote and many of us have had difficulty in getting to and from school; we then have to stop at school for lunch; and we miss the convenience of the proximity of the shops and the swimming pool. The building was not completely ready for us; we are occasionally interrupted by the arrival of furniture and equipment, and we are waiting for the maturing of the surrounding grass so that we can use our own playing fields; a little work is still being done on the pavements and street lighting. We have had trouble in adapting the traditions and rules of an old building to a new one. And some of us simply do not like the look of the new one.
But nobody can deny that there is a beauty in the new building, even if we see it only in isolated corners such as the main entrance and its stone floor or the sixth-form quadrangle, and nobody must forget that we are a school- and Derby School is incomparably better served now.
There are radios everywhere, facilities for projectors almost everywhere now, magnificent equipment for all the practical subjects (scientific, artistic and musical), a well-appointed gymnasium, a library that will add dignity to our books even though it has ordinary ceiling, and simple aids that are quickly forgotten but of disproportionate value, aids like electric points and electric lights of adequate power.
And above all, we are now quiet. Outside our windows in Moorway Lane there are no lorries changing gear, covering us in dust, oppressing our ears and straining our voices. In fact, in Littleover we can feel civilised, nor urbanised.
I am glad we are in our new home.
Request to all Old Derbeian Society members and also all ex pupils of Derby School who were at Moorway Lane from September 1966 and later until 1989.
As is the wish of Archivists, the world over, we are forever in need of your personal stories so that we can record for posterity and for those who follow in our footsteps (a) what you actually thought; (b) what you remember; and (c) anything of interest about Derby School from September 1966 until Derby City Council Education Committee closed the School down in 1989 with its eight hundred years of history way back to the 12th Century from around 1160. Contact details are shown on the page ‘Contact the Society’ within this Website.
J. Barrie Sheard - OD Society Archivist December 2016
Remembrance Sunday
Following close-on the success of the Annual Dinner, on Sunday just over forty OD’s and their respective family members met to partake in this year’s special service of Remembrance in front of the War Memorial in the grounds of St. Helen’s House on King Street in Derby.
Made particularly poignant by having the “Last Post” played by Alex Dickinson (a current Derby Grammar School pupil) at the start of the two minute silence and then followed by the “Reveille”. The service very ably conducted by Canon Michael W. Walters (1951-1958) who lives in Knutsford, Cheshire. This was immediately followed by the laying of poppy wreaths – first the new President, Ralph Holden (1944-1952), then the Headmaster of DGS, Richard Paine, followed by the Head Boy and Head Girl.
As 2016 was the centenary of the “Battles of the Somme” which commenced at 7.30 a.m. on 1st July and lasted until 18th November 1916, the Society’s Archivist, Barrie Sheard (1945-1950) spoke for a few minutes on a “Refection of the Battles of the Somme” making a particular point that of the seventy names on the War Memorial for WWI fifteen of them had been killed during that particular event which lasted for 141 days in total.
This was quickly followed by four OD’s reading The Roll of Honour of all those that had fallen during both WWI (70 men) and WWII (49 men). Made all the more poignant this year because each man’s first name was also included with his surname, a break from the previous years’ tradition. Many participants made their approval verbally known to the organisers’ following the ceremony where we all met for refreshing and warming hot drinks at the nearby Flower Pot Inn in King Street.
Following close-on the success of the Annual Dinner, on Sunday just over forty OD’s and their respective family members met to partake in this year’s special service of Remembrance in front of the War Memorial in the grounds of St. Helen’s House on King Street in Derby.
Made particularly poignant by having the “Last Post” played by Alex Dickinson (a current Derby Grammar School pupil) at the start of the two minute silence and then followed by the “Reveille”. The service very ably conducted by Canon Michael W. Walters (1951-1958) who lives in Knutsford, Cheshire. This was immediately followed by the laying of poppy wreaths – first the new President, Ralph Holden (1944-1952), then the Headmaster of DGS, Richard Paine, followed by the Head Boy and Head Girl.
As 2016 was the centenary of the “Battles of the Somme” which commenced at 7.30 a.m. on 1st July and lasted until 18th November 1916, the Society’s Archivist, Barrie Sheard (1945-1950) spoke for a few minutes on a “Refection of the Battles of the Somme” making a particular point that of the seventy names on the War Memorial for WWI fifteen of them had been killed during that particular event which lasted for 141 days in total.
This was quickly followed by four OD’s reading The Roll of Honour of all those that had fallen during both WWI (70 men) and WWII (49 men). Made all the more poignant this year because each man’s first name was also included with his surname, a break from the previous years’ tradition. Many participants made their approval verbally known to the organisers’ following the ceremony where we all met for refreshing and warming hot drinks at the nearby Flower Pot Inn in King Street.
|
|
Successful Annual Dinner
This year’s 2016 Annual Dinner held on Saturday 12th November at the Engine Shed Restaurant on Pride Park was a resounding and most successful event with 79 OD’s and their guests partaking of a most mouthwatering menu supported by great tasting beers and wines. The very fact this was our second event at this lovely venue ensured each table enjoyed the opportunity of reminiscing with their fellow ex pupils.
For one group in particular “The Class of 1946” enjoyed a particular anniversary at their own special table as they all started at St. Helen’s House in September 1946 – seventy years after the event – meaning of course each of them had recently started their 81st year! Importantly from the Society’s angle the fact we again also had two tables set aside for 16 NEW OD’s and their guests who had started their education at Derby Grammar School on Rykneld Road in Littleover was a special and important event.
This year’s new President Ralph Holden proposed the toast to “Our Guests” reminding many of the reunion events that had taken place during the year – Amber Valley Camp reunion, Class of 1947’ers, Class of 1950, the first reunion of the “Class of 1966” at the then brand new Moorway Lane site of Derby School and reminded OD’s and their guests that Andrew Polkey had just published the 2nd edition of his most readable “History of the Derby School Cadet Corps – 1862 to 1973”. A must for everyone’s bookcase.
In response the Head master of Derby Grammar School Richard Paine spoke most positively about the school’s successes during 2016 – having reached its 20 years of existence since its inauguration in September 1995.
This year’s 2016 Annual Dinner held on Saturday 12th November at the Engine Shed Restaurant on Pride Park was a resounding and most successful event with 79 OD’s and their guests partaking of a most mouthwatering menu supported by great tasting beers and wines. The very fact this was our second event at this lovely venue ensured each table enjoyed the opportunity of reminiscing with their fellow ex pupils.
For one group in particular “The Class of 1946” enjoyed a particular anniversary at their own special table as they all started at St. Helen’s House in September 1946 – seventy years after the event – meaning of course each of them had recently started their 81st year! Importantly from the Society’s angle the fact we again also had two tables set aside for 16 NEW OD’s and their guests who had started their education at Derby Grammar School on Rykneld Road in Littleover was a special and important event.
This year’s new President Ralph Holden proposed the toast to “Our Guests” reminding many of the reunion events that had taken place during the year – Amber Valley Camp reunion, Class of 1947’ers, Class of 1950, the first reunion of the “Class of 1966” at the then brand new Moorway Lane site of Derby School and reminded OD’s and their guests that Andrew Polkey had just published the 2nd edition of his most readable “History of the Derby School Cadet Corps – 1862 to 1973”. A must for everyone’s bookcase.
In response the Head master of Derby Grammar School Richard Paine spoke most positively about the school’s successes during 2016 – having reached its 20 years of existence since its inauguration in September 1995.
|
|
Battle of the Somme
The following is a copy of the handout produced by ODs Archivist, Barrie Sheard, to accompany his short address to ODs who gathered at St Helen's House to mark Remembrance Sunday.
The following is a copy of the handout produced by ODs Archivist, Barrie Sheard, to accompany his short address to ODs who gathered at St Helen's House to mark Remembrance Sunday.
Special Memories request from your Archivist
In my mission to develop our archives to be bigger and better than ever in its 850 year history we are planning to extend our “School boys’ Memory Folder”. To this end we are appealing to any ex Derby School pupil to prepare a short or even medium sized article (400 – 800 words long) to tell of their memories which can be copied and placed into a special folder within our ever growing data base – they can be of good times, bad times, exciting or routine times, about their athletic ability, memories of masters or fellow pupils, memories of lunch time school clubs, the OTC/JTC/CCF cadet involvement or camps they attended, Rowing Club activities, times at Amber Valley Camp or Overton Hall, St. Helen’s House, Moorway Lane, Littleover days – there is just no end to the road we travelled upon whilst a pupil at Derby School.
Already we have brought together eighteen such interesting articles, that started with an appeal a few years ago when our archivist wrote a Bygones article to go in the Derby Telegraph Bygones’ pages when we commemorated in 2010 the “Seventy Years On” reunion we held that June on the start of moving into Amber Valley Camp in June 1940.
Let us create a folder that future generations of Derby School pupils will be proud of!
Request from your Archivist – John Barrie Sheard (1945-1950) OD Society Committee.
In my mission to develop our archives to be bigger and better than ever in its 850 year history we are planning to extend our “School boys’ Memory Folder”. To this end we are appealing to any ex Derby School pupil to prepare a short or even medium sized article (400 – 800 words long) to tell of their memories which can be copied and placed into a special folder within our ever growing data base – they can be of good times, bad times, exciting or routine times, about their athletic ability, memories of masters or fellow pupils, memories of lunch time school clubs, the OTC/JTC/CCF cadet involvement or camps they attended, Rowing Club activities, times at Amber Valley Camp or Overton Hall, St. Helen’s House, Moorway Lane, Littleover days – there is just no end to the road we travelled upon whilst a pupil at Derby School.
Already we have brought together eighteen such interesting articles, that started with an appeal a few years ago when our archivist wrote a Bygones article to go in the Derby Telegraph Bygones’ pages when we commemorated in 2010 the “Seventy Years On” reunion we held that June on the start of moving into Amber Valley Camp in June 1940.
Let us create a folder that future generations of Derby School pupils will be proud of!
Request from your Archivist – John Barrie Sheard (1945-1950) OD Society Committee.
Left to right: Malcolm Howie, Geoff Bowley and Ian Frankland.
Mini Reunion: Class of 1951
We are delighted to announce that three OD’s who all started at School in September 1951 have after a gap of 65 years met recently using the hostelry known as the ‘Great Northern’ in Mickleover where a great three hours around lunchtime happened where stories, memories and general banter took place. All three OD’s were accompanied by their respective wives and it is reported they also had a convivial time. The very fact that one of them, Malcolm Howie was over from Tasmania for the first time for forty years made it all the more enjoyable. Plans are afoot for a further reunion to take place in 2017, possibly to the north of Derbyshire and thus allowing more old boys to also be there. As they say “Watch this Space”!
We are delighted to announce that three OD’s who all started at School in September 1951 have after a gap of 65 years met recently using the hostelry known as the ‘Great Northern’ in Mickleover where a great three hours around lunchtime happened where stories, memories and general banter took place. All three OD’s were accompanied by their respective wives and it is reported they also had a convivial time. The very fact that one of them, Malcolm Howie was over from Tasmania for the first time for forty years made it all the more enjoyable. Plans are afoot for a further reunion to take place in 2017, possibly to the north of Derbyshire and thus allowing more old boys to also be there. As they say “Watch this Space”!
Second Derby School Cadet Corps Reunion a Resounding Success
On Tuesday 6 September 2016 former cadets from Derby School CCF met at the Georgian House Hotel on Ashbourne Road in Derby for a reunion. Following the success achieved at the Inaugural Reunion back in 2015 and the discovery of more archives and memorabilia, a second reunion recently took place.
Two Old Derbeians (OD’s) Barrie Sheard, who is the Society’s archivist and Andrew Polkey, one of the two assistant archivists, organised the event which attracted eighteen (18) ex cadets the majority from Derbyshire but also several who had travelled from both north and south. Meeting at 12 noon it wasn’t long before many old stories and old events were being swapped, bearing in mind the ages of the former cadets today range from men over 80 down to men in their late 50’s.
The roll call covered both boys who had been at St. Helen’s House on King Street and also a few who had been from 1966 at the brand new school on Moorway Lane in Littleover. The highlight event being the attendance of three former Commanding Officers (CO’s) who had themselves once been masters at Derby School, Messrs Pettigrew, Towers and Foulke.
During the initial introductions (remembering in many cases there was a thirty year gap of when last at school, some in the 1940’s and others in the 1970’s) slides were shown covering the many decades of the Cadet Corps, from way back in the 1900’s and right up to 1973 when sadly the Corps was closed down. These B&W photographs were all taken out of the huge archives now in existence and within the Old Derbeian Society collection.
A buffet lunch was kindly provided by the hotel and then came the main event of the reunion - the first time showing of a colour movie film made in 1962 of the Derby School Cadet Corps Centenary Parade on Parker’s Piece off City Road, Derby. The story behind this old film is quite fascinating in that late in 2015 when the OD’s archivists were researching the records at the new Derby Moor Community Sports College (formerly Derby School until 1989) they uncovered a 8mm aluminium round film tin containing the original coloured movie film. Realising that few people or places have a 8mm movie projector, it was decided by the OD Society to have it professionally converted into both DVD and also ‘memory stick’ format, thus allowing everyone to able to see the film using a Personal Computer, Digital Projector or a television set. To say the audience was spell bound into silence by the result would be no exaggeration.
Such was the interest shown that after a drinks break and additional refreshments a second showing took place. Sadly there was one downside to the event in that in 1962 the persons making the movie didn’t have sound recording equipment. The organisers have agreed to see if is practical to have a suitable sound track added as much of the film shows both Army Cadets, RAF Cadets and the Derby School Band marching, some of it at normal marching pace, but one short section at the ‘slow march’.
Those attending were made aware that Andrew Polkey who in 2015 had published “A History of Derby School Cadet Corps” (ISBN 978-1-85818-700-6) was busy completing a second edition and that it would hopefully be published in time for the OD’s Annual Dinner held each year in November. The main reason for requiring a second edition, was due to the discovery of more additional facts which had since come to light, thanks to the help and great assistance given by the Derby Moor Community Sports College, at Moorway Lane, Littleover in allowing the archivists access to their records, which had been brought to the school when it moved in September 1966 from St. Helen’s House under the supervision of the then Headmaster, Mr Norman Elliott.
The reunion ended with a short speech by the OD’s archivist, Barrie Sheard, thanking everyone for attending, for all the many, many extra photographs that have now been collected for posterity and in particularly to the family that had donated an original Derby School Cadet Corps Battledress Blouse dating from the 1950s– certainly now one of the stars in the OD’s memorabilia collection.
On Tuesday 6 September 2016 former cadets from Derby School CCF met at the Georgian House Hotel on Ashbourne Road in Derby for a reunion. Following the success achieved at the Inaugural Reunion back in 2015 and the discovery of more archives and memorabilia, a second reunion recently took place.
Two Old Derbeians (OD’s) Barrie Sheard, who is the Society’s archivist and Andrew Polkey, one of the two assistant archivists, organised the event which attracted eighteen (18) ex cadets the majority from Derbyshire but also several who had travelled from both north and south. Meeting at 12 noon it wasn’t long before many old stories and old events were being swapped, bearing in mind the ages of the former cadets today range from men over 80 down to men in their late 50’s.
The roll call covered both boys who had been at St. Helen’s House on King Street and also a few who had been from 1966 at the brand new school on Moorway Lane in Littleover. The highlight event being the attendance of three former Commanding Officers (CO’s) who had themselves once been masters at Derby School, Messrs Pettigrew, Towers and Foulke.
During the initial introductions (remembering in many cases there was a thirty year gap of when last at school, some in the 1940’s and others in the 1970’s) slides were shown covering the many decades of the Cadet Corps, from way back in the 1900’s and right up to 1973 when sadly the Corps was closed down. These B&W photographs were all taken out of the huge archives now in existence and within the Old Derbeian Society collection.
A buffet lunch was kindly provided by the hotel and then came the main event of the reunion - the first time showing of a colour movie film made in 1962 of the Derby School Cadet Corps Centenary Parade on Parker’s Piece off City Road, Derby. The story behind this old film is quite fascinating in that late in 2015 when the OD’s archivists were researching the records at the new Derby Moor Community Sports College (formerly Derby School until 1989) they uncovered a 8mm aluminium round film tin containing the original coloured movie film. Realising that few people or places have a 8mm movie projector, it was decided by the OD Society to have it professionally converted into both DVD and also ‘memory stick’ format, thus allowing everyone to able to see the film using a Personal Computer, Digital Projector or a television set. To say the audience was spell bound into silence by the result would be no exaggeration.
Such was the interest shown that after a drinks break and additional refreshments a second showing took place. Sadly there was one downside to the event in that in 1962 the persons making the movie didn’t have sound recording equipment. The organisers have agreed to see if is practical to have a suitable sound track added as much of the film shows both Army Cadets, RAF Cadets and the Derby School Band marching, some of it at normal marching pace, but one short section at the ‘slow march’.
Those attending were made aware that Andrew Polkey who in 2015 had published “A History of Derby School Cadet Corps” (ISBN 978-1-85818-700-6) was busy completing a second edition and that it would hopefully be published in time for the OD’s Annual Dinner held each year in November. The main reason for requiring a second edition, was due to the discovery of more additional facts which had since come to light, thanks to the help and great assistance given by the Derby Moor Community Sports College, at Moorway Lane, Littleover in allowing the archivists access to their records, which had been brought to the school when it moved in September 1966 from St. Helen’s House under the supervision of the then Headmaster, Mr Norman Elliott.
The reunion ended with a short speech by the OD’s archivist, Barrie Sheard, thanking everyone for attending, for all the many, many extra photographs that have now been collected for posterity and in particularly to the family that had donated an original Derby School Cadet Corps Battledress Blouse dating from the 1950s– certainly now one of the stars in the OD’s memorabilia collection.
Please welcome the newest Old Derbeians...
The 2016 edition of the ODs Newsletter is now available to read:
Oxfam Charity Shop Find – 1 August 2016
Top half of article:
Top half of article:
Bottom half of article:
1947ers Reunion, The Georgian Hotel, 30th June 2016
Against an unsettled background of political tumult and sporting disaster the 1947ers met for their annual reunion at the Georgian Hotel, Friargate on 30th June 2016. Sixty-nine years have passed since their second forms of 2L and 2R met for the first time in Big School. With a history of many shared years and a lifetime of friendship behind them the reunion once again showed how bonds established at school can transcend most extraneous events.
A delightful few hours were spent reacquainting with each others lives and recalling personal and shared experience of school years. This was of course assisted by the excellent range of craft ales available at The Georgian and a buffet lunch. We were fortunate too in having as our guest Barrie Sheard who gave an interesting account of the ODs past year and future plans.
Our reunion next year marking 70 years together is especially notable. We will therefore be attempting to contact as many of our contempories as possible about that event. Details will be made available once arrangements have been made.
Russ Jones (1947 – 1955)
Against an unsettled background of political tumult and sporting disaster the 1947ers met for their annual reunion at the Georgian Hotel, Friargate on 30th June 2016. Sixty-nine years have passed since their second forms of 2L and 2R met for the first time in Big School. With a history of many shared years and a lifetime of friendship behind them the reunion once again showed how bonds established at school can transcend most extraneous events.
A delightful few hours were spent reacquainting with each others lives and recalling personal and shared experience of school years. This was of course assisted by the excellent range of craft ales available at The Georgian and a buffet lunch. We were fortunate too in having as our guest Barrie Sheard who gave an interesting account of the ODs past year and future plans.
Our reunion next year marking 70 years together is especially notable. We will therefore be attempting to contact as many of our contempories as possible about that event. Details will be made available once arrangements have been made.
Russ Jones (1947 – 1955)
Barrie Sheard (OD Soc.), Russ Jones, Lee Everett, Brian Moult, Viv Andrew, Tony Moore, John Hyde, Peter Smedley, Dave White, Eddie Hunt and Godfrey Webster.
Amber Valley Camp 2016 reunion
This years (2016) Amber Valley Camp reunion took place as organized on Sunday 19 June with us meeting at Ogston Sailing Camp near Woolley Moor. We met at 11 a.m. on a ‘dry’ day for a change is this very wet year so far!
This year was the first time the OD Society itself had taken on the reins of organising the event and from everyone’s opinion who attended it went off well. Our new President, Ralph Holden (1944-1952) attended his first official function and it has to be said his welcome speech was full of anecdotes, and was enjoyed by all. His message this year, particularly was based upon the fact such a time in the life of Derby School during WWII must be recorded in writing for posterity as it was a rather unique time from 1939-1945 for everyone here in the United Kingdom.
He sought the co-operation of everyone present to consider writing these memories down and passing them onto our archivist for permanent recording and storage.
Those OD’s present this year were:
John Newns (1941-1947)
Dick Fricker (1942-1949)
John Booth (1942-1949)
David Collard (1943-1948)
Ralph Holden (1944-1952)
Ron Large (1944- 1949)
Russell Thomas (1945-1954)
Barrie Sheard (1945-1950)
Also in attendance were Elisabeth Bowden, her son Nick and also her two grandchildren Emily and Jessica Bowden. Several OD’s were accompanied by their wives.
After light refreshments, much swapping of stories, passing around the photograph albums kindly brought by the Bowden family the majority present drove over to a new meal venue, namely The Old Poet’s Corner in Ashover village where the management very kindly put a private room at our disposal to partake of an excellent mouthwatering carvery meal and because having one large table made conversation so easy the reminiscences continued the whole of the lunch time period.
This years (2016) Amber Valley Camp reunion took place as organized on Sunday 19 June with us meeting at Ogston Sailing Camp near Woolley Moor. We met at 11 a.m. on a ‘dry’ day for a change is this very wet year so far!
This year was the first time the OD Society itself had taken on the reins of organising the event and from everyone’s opinion who attended it went off well. Our new President, Ralph Holden (1944-1952) attended his first official function and it has to be said his welcome speech was full of anecdotes, and was enjoyed by all. His message this year, particularly was based upon the fact such a time in the life of Derby School during WWII must be recorded in writing for posterity as it was a rather unique time from 1939-1945 for everyone here in the United Kingdom.
He sought the co-operation of everyone present to consider writing these memories down and passing them onto our archivist for permanent recording and storage.
Those OD’s present this year were:
John Newns (1941-1947)
Dick Fricker (1942-1949)
John Booth (1942-1949)
David Collard (1943-1948)
Ralph Holden (1944-1952)
Ron Large (1944- 1949)
Russell Thomas (1945-1954)
Barrie Sheard (1945-1950)
Also in attendance were Elisabeth Bowden, her son Nick and also her two grandchildren Emily and Jessica Bowden. Several OD’s were accompanied by their wives.
After light refreshments, much swapping of stories, passing around the photograph albums kindly brought by the Bowden family the majority present drove over to a new meal venue, namely The Old Poet’s Corner in Ashover village where the management very kindly put a private room at our disposal to partake of an excellent mouthwatering carvery meal and because having one large table made conversation so easy the reminiscences continued the whole of the lunch time period.
Reminiscing ahead of a fiftieth anniversary
September 2016 is the fiftieth Anniversary of the start of Derby School at the brand new Moorway Lane site in Littleover. It was thought very appropriate to search back into the School Magazine called ‘The Derbeian’ and see what those pupils...Read more
September 2016 is the fiftieth Anniversary of the start of Derby School at the brand new Moorway Lane site in Littleover. It was thought very appropriate to search back into the School Magazine called ‘The Derbeian’ and see what those pupils...Read more
Bygones Articles
Above: Published 1 April 2016 – all about the forthcoming 1966 reunion (they were the first 2nd form to go the brand new purpose built Derby School in Moorway Lane at Littleover).
Below: Published 18 April 2016
Below: Published 18 April 2016
Update from archivist – Relating to Bygones article about official visit by Prince George (Duke of Kent) in June 1931 to open Darley Park in Derby.
The Derby Telegraph recently (27 January 2016) carried the result of much research undertaken by our archivist and shows just how one historical finding can have a bearing on another finding.
This is best shown on our website by showing a copy of the full press cutting below:
A Derby resident brought into Derby Grammar School two very old 1930 cricket caps awarded to their 1st team cricket players and which had been worn by A. J.Hurst. These in December 2015 formed the background to an article about the two school caps and asked the question did anyone know anything more about the caps. This resulted in Andrew Bussell of Etwall getting in touch with our archivist and he brought to Barrie’s home 15 old school photographs, press cuttings and post cards that had belonged to a Jack Bussell, a family member who had been a pupil at Derby School in the early 1930’s. In amongst the collection of archives was a very fragile press cutting dated 1 July 1931 (85years old and very brown) of a royal event where the then Prince George (Duke of Kent) came to open the new Darley Park.
We thought fellow OD’s and fellow ex pupils of Derby School may find just what a nice story emanated from these archives being handed in. So much so we received a letter from Andrew Bussell which we wish to share with you all.
“Dear Barrie,
I am amazed how you have been able to take a fragile newspaper cutting covering an event from over eighty years ago that had become forgotten by the passage of time and turn it into an article covering so many different themes. You must have done a considerable amount of research to have been able to make all those connections. I offer you my congratulations. It also proves that those items are better off with your archives than at the back of a draw in my sideboard.
Yours Andrew”
In concluding this report for the website may I ask all OD’s, their family and relations and also all ex pupils of Derby School who may themselves have old photographs, press cuttings or other pieces of Derby School history remember this story and remember the doors of the archivist are always open.
The Derby Telegraph recently (27 January 2016) carried the result of much research undertaken by our archivist and shows just how one historical finding can have a bearing on another finding.
This is best shown on our website by showing a copy of the full press cutting below:
A Derby resident brought into Derby Grammar School two very old 1930 cricket caps awarded to their 1st team cricket players and which had been worn by A. J.Hurst. These in December 2015 formed the background to an article about the two school caps and asked the question did anyone know anything more about the caps. This resulted in Andrew Bussell of Etwall getting in touch with our archivist and he brought to Barrie’s home 15 old school photographs, press cuttings and post cards that had belonged to a Jack Bussell, a family member who had been a pupil at Derby School in the early 1930’s. In amongst the collection of archives was a very fragile press cutting dated 1 July 1931 (85years old and very brown) of a royal event where the then Prince George (Duke of Kent) came to open the new Darley Park.
We thought fellow OD’s and fellow ex pupils of Derby School may find just what a nice story emanated from these archives being handed in. So much so we received a letter from Andrew Bussell which we wish to share with you all.
“Dear Barrie,
I am amazed how you have been able to take a fragile newspaper cutting covering an event from over eighty years ago that had become forgotten by the passage of time and turn it into an article covering so many different themes. You must have done a considerable amount of research to have been able to make all those connections. I offer you my congratulations. It also proves that those items are better off with your archives than at the back of a draw in my sideboard.
Yours Andrew”
In concluding this report for the website may I ask all OD’s, their family and relations and also all ex pupils of Derby School who may themselves have old photographs, press cuttings or other pieces of Derby School history remember this story and remember the doors of the archivist are always open.
2016 PTA Food Fayre at Derby Grammar School
Saturday, 12 March 2016 saw another most successful Food Fayre held by the PTA at Derby Grammar School in both the Michael Bishop Hall and outside in the quadrangle. The weather was perfect sunshine for the whole occasion and unlike 2015 only a very little breeze.
This year saw several new stall holders as well as old ones and the event was supported by hundreds of parents, families of pupils and people living in the area, many hundreds of visitors and pupils of all ages. In conjunction with the Fayre the School had an open day showing potential parents what the school had to offer.
The Old Derbeian Society made their presence felt with their stand showing multiple photos as a slide show of times past on a lap-top plus several Society ties, cuff-links, centenary painting of St. Helen’s House, a DVD of past School History up to the end of the 19th Century plus many examples of recent Bygones publications. Also available was Andrew Polkey’s 2015 “History of Derby School Cadet Corps” from 1862 to 1973. This year the stand was looked after by Mr Ralph Holden, their new President and by Mr Barrie Sheard Archivist to the OD Society.
Saturday, 12 March 2016 saw another most successful Food Fayre held by the PTA at Derby Grammar School in both the Michael Bishop Hall and outside in the quadrangle. The weather was perfect sunshine for the whole occasion and unlike 2015 only a very little breeze.
This year saw several new stall holders as well as old ones and the event was supported by hundreds of parents, families of pupils and people living in the area, many hundreds of visitors and pupils of all ages. In conjunction with the Fayre the School had an open day showing potential parents what the school had to offer.
The Old Derbeian Society made their presence felt with their stand showing multiple photos as a slide show of times past on a lap-top plus several Society ties, cuff-links, centenary painting of St. Helen’s House, a DVD of past School History up to the end of the 19th Century plus many examples of recent Bygones publications. Also available was Andrew Polkey’s 2015 “History of Derby School Cadet Corps” from 1862 to 1973. This year the stand was looked after by Mr Ralph Holden, their new President and by Mr Barrie Sheard Archivist to the OD Society.
DGS acquire new sports facilities
I am delighted to be able to inform you that the School has reached an agreement in principle to buy the sports facilities at Prince Charles Avenue, Mackworth from Derby College. This will provide us with the space and the facilities to significantly develop our sporting provision and will mean that we are no longer dependent on using Moorways. As many of you will know we have been using this site this year and now we will be able to customise the facilities to best suit our needs.
The purchase will mean that we have a Sports Hall which can offer badminton, tennis, basketball and indoor cricket coaching facilities and will allow us to house all of our timetabled PE lessons. We will have floodlit Astroturf pitch which we will be able to use for our hockey training and fixtures. The site will also provide space for three rugby pitches and two cricket squares.
The outline agreement with Derby College allows us to begin to actively plan the refurbishment and development of the facilities for when we have completed the purchase of the site.
The School has received generous support from benefactors in developing this project and I would like to place on public record my personal thanks to the late Chairman of Governors, David Walker, the current Chairman of Governors, Tim Wilson and Governor Ian Beardmore for the countless hours spent bringing this project to fruition.
There is much development work to do in the coming months and as we finalise the purchase process. I look forward to sharing our plans and visions for the new facilities with you.
Yours sincerely,
Richard Paine
Headmaster
March 2016
I am delighted to be able to inform you that the School has reached an agreement in principle to buy the sports facilities at Prince Charles Avenue, Mackworth from Derby College. This will provide us with the space and the facilities to significantly develop our sporting provision and will mean that we are no longer dependent on using Moorways. As many of you will know we have been using this site this year and now we will be able to customise the facilities to best suit our needs.
The purchase will mean that we have a Sports Hall which can offer badminton, tennis, basketball and indoor cricket coaching facilities and will allow us to house all of our timetabled PE lessons. We will have floodlit Astroturf pitch which we will be able to use for our hockey training and fixtures. The site will also provide space for three rugby pitches and two cricket squares.
The outline agreement with Derby College allows us to begin to actively plan the refurbishment and development of the facilities for when we have completed the purchase of the site.
The School has received generous support from benefactors in developing this project and I would like to place on public record my personal thanks to the late Chairman of Governors, David Walker, the current Chairman of Governors, Tim Wilson and Governor Ian Beardmore for the countless hours spent bringing this project to fruition.
There is much development work to do in the coming months and as we finalise the purchase process. I look forward to sharing our plans and visions for the new facilities with you.
Yours sincerely,
Richard Paine
Headmaster
March 2016
Research into the whys and wherefores of Amber Valley Camp as used by Derby School during most of WWII has revealed a leaflet created by Mr Clifford Morris FRPS and which can now be found on the archives section of this website. I shall leave the leaflet to speak for itself but to me it is great to think way back in the late 1930’s the “powers that be” were thinking of creating such camps so that young girls and boys might experience the joys of the countryside away from the awful Smogs, Pollution and overcrowded living conditions that existed in most cities in those far away days.
If any reader of this report has a personal story of an experience of staying in Amber Valley Camp during WWII or even as a city girl or boy that spent time after WWII with a month’s stay there please let our archivist Barrie Sheard at jbhygiene@supanet.com know. It can then be placed within our archives.
If any reader of this report has a personal story of an experience of staying in Amber Valley Camp during WWII or even as a city girl or boy that spent time after WWII with a month’s stay there please let our archivist Barrie Sheard at jbhygiene@supanet.com know. It can then be placed within our archives.
Special Memories request from your Archivist
In my mission to develop our archives to be bigger and better than ever in its 850 year history we are planning to extend our “School boys’ Memory Folder”. To this end we are appealing to any ex Derby School pupil to prepare a short or even medium sized article (400 – 800 words long) to tell of their memories which can be copied and placed into a special folder within our ever growing data base – they can be of good times, bad times, exciting or routine times, about their athletic ability, memories of masters or fellow pupils, memories of lunch time school clubs, the OTC/JTC/CCF cadet involvement or camps they attended, Rowing Club activities, times at Amber Valley Camp or Overton Hall, St. Helen’s House, Moorway Lane, Littleover days – there is just no end to the road we travelled upon whilst a pupil at Derby School.
Already we have brought together fourteen such interesting articles, that started with an appeal a few years ago when our archivist wrote a Bygones article to go in the Derby Telegraph Bygones’ pages when we commemorated in 2010 the “Seventy Years On” reunion we held that June on the start of moving into Amber Valley Camp in June 1940.
Let us create a folder that future generations of Derby School pupils will be proud of!
Request from your Archivist – John Barrie Sheard (1945-1950) OD Society Committee.
Update:
In association with my recent request for more archive articles for our “School boys Memory Folder” may I now include for your own memory a colour photo of times past when trolley buses ruled the Derby streets.
As an reminder do you have your own memories of travelling to School on the number 41 from Harvey Road and Alvaston or the number 30, or even the number 40 motor bus from Coronation Avenue?
In my mission to develop our archives to be bigger and better than ever in its 850 year history we are planning to extend our “School boys’ Memory Folder”. To this end we are appealing to any ex Derby School pupil to prepare a short or even medium sized article (400 – 800 words long) to tell of their memories which can be copied and placed into a special folder within our ever growing data base – they can be of good times, bad times, exciting or routine times, about their athletic ability, memories of masters or fellow pupils, memories of lunch time school clubs, the OTC/JTC/CCF cadet involvement or camps they attended, Rowing Club activities, times at Amber Valley Camp or Overton Hall, St. Helen’s House, Moorway Lane, Littleover days – there is just no end to the road we travelled upon whilst a pupil at Derby School.
Already we have brought together fourteen such interesting articles, that started with an appeal a few years ago when our archivist wrote a Bygones article to go in the Derby Telegraph Bygones’ pages when we commemorated in 2010 the “Seventy Years On” reunion we held that June on the start of moving into Amber Valley Camp in June 1940.
Let us create a folder that future generations of Derby School pupils will be proud of!
Request from your Archivist – John Barrie Sheard (1945-1950) OD Society Committee.
Update:
In association with my recent request for more archive articles for our “School boys Memory Folder” may I now include for your own memory a colour photo of times past when trolley buses ruled the Derby streets.
As an reminder do you have your own memories of travelling to School on the number 41 from Harvey Road and Alvaston or the number 30, or even the number 40 motor bus from Coronation Avenue?
Bygones article from December 2015
Archive Donation
William Alfred and Arthur Thompson Vale, two brothers who were at Derby School in the very early 1930’s are now remembered on our website and in our electronic archives, through the very kind action of their son and nephew respectively John Vale of Post Bridge in Devon.
His action through sending a message to the Secretary of the OD Society finished with an envelope containing 13 postcard photographs of the boys being received. Details are:
William Alfred and Arthur Thompson Vale, two brothers who were at Derby School in the very early 1930’s are now remembered on our website and in our electronic archives, through the very kind action of their son and nephew respectively John Vale of Post Bridge in Devon.
His action through sending a message to the Secretary of the OD Society finished with an envelope containing 13 postcard photographs of the boys being received. Details are:
- Derby School 2nd XI Cricket Team 1934
- Cruikshank’s House Cricket Team July 1931
- Cruikshank’s House Football XI Dec 1934
- Cruikshank’s House Cricket Team July 1934
- Cruikshank’s House Football XI Champions Dec 1930
- Cruikshank’s House 1935 in front of ‘B’ Block
- OTC Camp Summer 1930’s on parade with ‘Bell’ tents
- OTC Camp Summer 1930’s marching past with ‘Bell’ tents
- Derby School OTC Band July 1933 in front of ‘B’ Block
- Derby School 1st XI Cricket Team 1931
- Derby School 2nd XI Football Team 1934
- Derby School 2nd XI Football Team 1933
- Derby School 2nd XI Cricket Team 1935
Collecting our Archives
Everyone will recall all the research we, the OD Society undertook in the run-up to the year 2014 when this country remembered all the sacrifices given by millions of men because of the year 1914 when World War One was declared.
At the very end of 2015 it was announced by a Website entitled “www.Derby and Derbyshire War Memorials Project” of the amazing number of over a million ‘hits’ made by people into their site. Chris Preston and his friend and colleague Rich Clarke have collected together thousands of photographs that record all the War Memorials, Rolls of Honour, specially built Parish Halls, special Signs, Cenotaphs and Obelisks that exist in every corner of Derby and Derbyshire.
Immediately this new Project was started we the OD’s provided everything that they had found out about and created of the 70 men of WWI and 49 men of WWII which we had taken from our Derby School Obelisk that stands in front of St. Helen’s Street in King Street in Derby.
The report we are referring to states the following. - During last year 2015 there were a grand total of 1,136,440 hits
- The most popular and first was at Belper and had 3,418 ‘hits’;
- The second most popular was at Ripley and a total of 2,295 hits;
- The third most popular was that of our Derby School Obelisk site on King Street in Derby and had a total of 1,529 ‘hits’.
We considered people who are OD’s themselves, or have family connected over the Centuries with Derby School or are people who call themselves Old Derbeians would be interested in these statistics and appreciate how much we all owe Chris Preston and Rich Clarke. May we recommend you too have a look into this most interesting site at https://derbyshirewarmemorials.wikispaces.com/
Prepared by Barrie Sheard – Archivist to the Old Derbeian Society
Everyone will recall all the research we, the OD Society undertook in the run-up to the year 2014 when this country remembered all the sacrifices given by millions of men because of the year 1914 when World War One was declared.
At the very end of 2015 it was announced by a Website entitled “www.Derby and Derbyshire War Memorials Project” of the amazing number of over a million ‘hits’ made by people into their site. Chris Preston and his friend and colleague Rich Clarke have collected together thousands of photographs that record all the War Memorials, Rolls of Honour, specially built Parish Halls, special Signs, Cenotaphs and Obelisks that exist in every corner of Derby and Derbyshire.
Immediately this new Project was started we the OD’s provided everything that they had found out about and created of the 70 men of WWI and 49 men of WWII which we had taken from our Derby School Obelisk that stands in front of St. Helen’s Street in King Street in Derby.
The report we are referring to states the following. - During last year 2015 there were a grand total of 1,136,440 hits
- The most popular and first was at Belper and had 3,418 ‘hits’;
- The second most popular was at Ripley and a total of 2,295 hits;
- The third most popular was that of our Derby School Obelisk site on King Street in Derby and had a total of 1,529 ‘hits’.
We considered people who are OD’s themselves, or have family connected over the Centuries with Derby School or are people who call themselves Old Derbeians would be interested in these statistics and appreciate how much we all owe Chris Preston and Rich Clarke. May we recommend you too have a look into this most interesting site at https://derbyshirewarmemorials.wikispaces.com/
Prepared by Barrie Sheard – Archivist to the Old Derbeian Society
