NEW. The Chemistry Lab -- the domain of Mr John Ball, JB, for over three decades, and where he trained many to have outstanding careers in the sciences. Photo by Graham Oldfield.
NEW. The Physics Lab, where Mr Darbyshire taught, and rolled his r's, for over 30 years. Many distinguished careers passed through here under WD's guidance. Photo by Graham Oldfield.
NEW. The gymnasium used to look large to our young eyes, but here it looks tiny. Graham Oldfield took this photo.
NEW. A view down the corridor that led to the boys' changing room (and in later years to the office of the controversial Mr. Miller.) Photo by Graham Oldfield.
This photo, taken in the 1950's, shows the assembly hall with its rows of chairs. The original was taken by Eddie Bromley who was a pupil at this time.
The school assembly hall after the school's closure. The building was allowed to deteriorate fairly rapidly, based on the photo's evidence. Remember the bell that marked the end of classes? -- the button is still there.
Another view after the school's closure, this time towards the top end of the balcony. The girls' domestic science room was through the door on the left. Along the balcony on the right were the physics and chemistry labs.
The headmaster's morning oration, the school play and choir performances, all took place on this stage. Shadow markings on the wall show where two of the Honours Board once hung.
David Brown snapped this after the building had closed -- the balcony and the roof beams silent testimony to our presence. The corridor at the right led to the physics and chemistry labs.
David also took a close up of those roof beams. We, the unwashed and unconverted, used to look up there during the morning hymns, wondering if religious enlightenment might sometime come our way.
Many among us acted on here, sang on here, but surely set our eyes on this spot every morning ... "This stage, the ship, upon whose deck / The sea-tost Pericles appears to speak." David again took this in 1982, while these actors were plotting the building's demolition.