The Maltonian Web

Howard Campion emailed on 1 December 2020 to pass on news of two more former Malton School students who have passed away.

Malcolm 'Johnno' Johnson went to MGS from 1950-5. Ann Fletcher is a little nearer home as she was in my form right into the sixth form (1952-9). She died in York hospital over a week ago. Her parents were butchers on Commercisl St. and the shop still bears their name. She was living in Heslington and regularly attended reunions.

Howard Campion emailed on 23 November 2020 to pass on news of two former Malton School students who have passed away.

Tony Hodgson was at school from 1957-62. He was a prominent figure in Slingsby, running the village shop. He was the youngest of six, three of whom were also pupils. Leslie (1948-53), Enid (1951-7) and Freddie (1954-9). Also, I heard this morning that Jessie Pearson (1945-9, married name Pickett) had died at Scarborough, apparently a Covid-19 victim. Sorry to be the bringer of bad news again

Tony Kirby emailed on 4 November 2020 in response to my request for nicknames:

First of all, I hope that you have kept well through these trying times, and will continue to do so. I enjoyed your list of staff nicknames: here are one or two more:

Mr Arvescough: Eke (or Eek): no idea of derivation
Mr Fayers: Pharaoh: obvious
Miss Goldberg: Grannie. Again, no idea. Had a flat in what later became the Mount Hotel. Formidably intellectual maths teacher: reputed to do the Times crossword in ten minutes over breakfast. Many reputed sayings, e.g ‘Watch the board while I go through it…’ when explaining difficult equations. I suspect an interesting background (refugee from Nazi Germany?)
Mr Greaves: Grivas: after military leader of EOKA (Cyprus independence movement) in the late 1950s
Mr Lloyd: Yogi: sometimes used c.1958-59; after TV cartoon character, to whom he bore a resemblance
Mr Martindale: Vince: second Christian name, and seemed to replace ‘Radio’ c.1960
Miss Simpson/Mrs Kay: Rita: Christian name
Mrs Taylor: Connie: Christian name
Very best wishes: keep up the good work! Tony

Susie Bytheway emailed on 25 October 2020 to tell me that her mother, Pamela Ginger (Pamela Bennett) has passed away.

So sadly after the joy of Mother’s 100th birthday in February, we are now mourning her. About 11 weeks ago she had a bad fall, fracturing her collar bone and pelvis. After some time in hospital, where I managed to get in to work with the physios, she had to go into a nursing home, and despite everyone’s efforts, she lost her mobility. Finally she suffered a stroke and went rapidly downhill, dying on October 11th at the great age of 100 years and 7 months. I can honestly tell you, that with her dementia, her last memories were of her home in Middlecave Rd next to the grammar school, and her happy childhood there. In her last few days she lost the ability to speak, and the last thing I remember her saying, when my sister Elizabeth asked her how she felt, was “Fine!” Down to earth and tough, right to the end. It was so fantastic to have that celebration In February, and to be in contact with you. Her funeral is on Nov 5th in Sutton Coldfield.

Nelson Hicks emailed on 22 September 2020 to add the last name to the MGS 1955 Form II photograph - Mr Fayers form - and explain why he didn't have his shool shirt and tie on. He says: "Unknown person is (Mallor) Wilson
He came from Norton and spent his first form time at Archbishop Holgate's in York before joining us. Must have been taken on a Friday as I had my Scout shirt on
Scouts Troop met on Fridays after school. Brutus Brat was scoutmaster with Radio Martindale as assistant."
I wonder whether this prompts anyone else to remember nicknames?

Jon Steel emailed on 10 September with sad news that Andrew Dean, a student at Malton School 1999 - 2006, died recently. Andrew had been working as a science teacher at Leeds West Academy. Andrew's funeral is on Wednesday 16th September at 1pm, and whilst numbers are strictly limited due to coronavirus restrictions, his mum who lives on Castle Howard Drive has asked the cortege to drive past the school on the way to St Michaels, as this was a place where he was happy.

Anne Doggett (Anne Glendinning) emailed again on 10 August 2020 with more names, this time for a MGS 1958 Form V photograph - Mr Bratt's form. She filled all the gaps. She also identified David Thomas on the 1958 Football photo.

Anne Doggett (Anne Glendinning) emailed on 9 August 2020 to add some names to a MGS 1955 Form II photograph - Mr Fayers form. She fills in most gaps, but there is still one name missing - can anyone help?

Howard Campion emailed on 20 July 2020 having spotted an obituary for a former MGS pupil, Robina Banks (Carter). He says: "Robina was a 13+ entrant from Norton Girls' School and she was an M.G.S. pupil from 1953-7. She was a member of a very musically talented Norton family of which her elder brother, Edwin, was probably the best known." She is listed in the 1957 Speech Day programme as having received her GCE O levels.

Keith Sunderland emailed on 7 July 2020 with a photo of Mr Bratt's form 4B in 1969 - his form. He also provided a large number of names for photos from the 1965 MGS album, 1969 MGS album and 1971 MGS album.

Howard Campion emailed on 8 July 2020 to let me know of Gerald Wray's passing last week. Gerald lived in the Tollerton area and had been to some recent reunions. Howard is unsure of what his career was after school: whilst a pupil, he lived in the Peasey Hills/Old Malton area. He was at MGS in 1950-55 - this photo is taken from a
1954 cricket XI team with Mr Martindale.

Andree MacMahon emailed on behalf of John Nickols, on 4 July 2020. She reports that she was able to buy the History of Malton School book for John, her neighbour, for his 88th birthday (on the same day as the email). John left MGS in 1949. "Thank you once again for the time you took corresponding with me via email. I am sure John will enjoy looking at the book and strolling along memory lane."

Keith Sunderland emailed on 30 June 2020. I was a pupil at MGS from 1965 to 1971, and then a prefect from 1971 to 1972 during the very 1st year of the current school. Due to social distancing, and having way too much time on my hands I decided to look through the old photos. I note that there are not too many names against them which is a shame given that the 50th anniversary is coming up next year. Consequently I have set about trying to recall people, and surprisingly have come up with nearly 300 names so far. I have gone through the 1965, 1969 and the 1st page of the 1971 albums, and also found an extra photo from my form in 1969. Results to follow shortly.

Jack Hare (Jack Davies) emailed on 28 June 2020. I hope you remember me - I was Jack Davies when I left Malton Sixth Form in 2007, having had a great time in your Further Maths class. After that, I went to Cambridge to study Physics, spent a couple of years in the US doing a masters in plasma physics, and then I returned to the UK for a PhD in plasma physics at Imperial College.  In a few months I'll be moving to the US again, as I'll be starting as a professor at MIT.  For now, I'm living just down the road from Malton School with my parents, working remotely as a post doc at Imperial College and waiting for the pandemic to pass. This period of enforced isolation has given me a lot of time to think back on my time at Malton school, and to be thankful for the excellent teachers I had there. I fondly remember our small and very motivated further maths class, and as the maths I use in day to day research is scarcely more advanced than that (I'm much more involved in experiment that theory), I remain very grateful for all of your support and enthusiasm.

Andree MacMahon emailed me on 19 June 2020. She has been talking to her neighbour, John Nickols, who was a pupil at MGS in the 1940s, having moved across to the Fridaythorpe / Thixendale area from Leeds. She wonders if anyone remembers him? I cannot find any photos or references on the site.

Kitty Grove-Stephensen emailed on 23 June 2020. "I'm preparing my autobiography for publication and I'm happy to say that things are proceeding at quite a pace. I am hopeful of having it in print some time in August. The title will be 'Living Adventurously: a life of challenge and travel'. It will be a cloth-bound hardback with lots of colour photographs. It will not be in the bookshops as I shall print only as many as I have
pre-orders for, plus a small margin. Regardless of a high cost of production, I shall only charge £10 per copy (plus p & p where applicable). I am asking you please to order now if you would like a copy. I am also proposing to make it available electronically and will probably use Kindle for that - it will be relatively cheap and profits from that will go to charity. Not having published before, this is very exciting for me and I'm quite sure it is going to be very rewarding."
Read more about Kitty Thackray.

Chris Rogers emailed on 21 May 2020. Chris provided some names for the boys on this 1975 Malton County Modern Sports Day photo, of which he is one. As a result I have tidied up the 1970s gallery a little.

Howard Campion emailed on 7 May 2020. Howard passed on a programme cover from Geoff Myers' memorial service last year. He was a MGS pupil
1953-8. Geoff undertook Police training on leaving school and reached a very high rank (Superintendent I think) with the Cleveland force. He married Doreen Horsley/Johnson (she was known by both names) but she died some years ago. She also attended M.G.S. from 1955-60. In 2002 Geoff sent in six photos of 1950s MGS with him featured.

Mike Crawshaw emailed on 3 May 2020. Mike had been browsing pictures of John Gresswell's retirement. He identifies this is a photo of Rita Kay, deputy headmistress. Can anyone confirm?

John White emailed on 6 May to confirm that this is Rita Kay. He remembers her as Rita Simpson, maths teacher and senior mistress, during his time at MGS.

March 2020. Facebook activity from Danny and Hannah Pardoe, Mark Campbell, Joanne Monkman, Em Watson, Michael Place and Angela Heselwood. All discussing this photo from a 1977 Malham field trip, with Mark in it. More details.

Ann Petch emailed on 6 March 2020. Ann (nee Grice) sent me 3 Massers photos from 1947, with her aunt, Margaret Grice, in them. Form V, tennis team, and Sports Day. More details in the 1940s gallery

Howard Campion emailed in Feb 2020. A photo of a Speech Day, probably 1958. It is in the new hall built as part of the Grammar School extension. More news clippings.

Susie Byetheway emailed on 6 February 2020.

Susie sent some more photos of her mum, Pamela (Bennett) Ginger. I have put them in appropriate categories on the website - 1920s photo gallery, 1930s photo gallery, Reunions, In Later Days, and Visitors.

Susie Byetheway emailed on 2 February 2020.

Susie sent a photo of her mum, Pamela Ginger, who was Pamela Bennett when at school in the 1930s. She used to live next door to the school She is 99, with her 100th birthday coming up on 20th February 2020. She is pictured above in 1929, with brothers Doug and Jim and her parents. On the left is as she is today.

Howard Campion emailed on 26 January 2020

Howard sent two photos of 5th year leavers in 1957, probably passed on by a girl in the photos. More 1950s photos.