Tower and Town, September 2017 (view the full edition)Marlborough Grammar School, 1946-1953INTRODUCTION We, as students here, were proud of our building which was built in 1904 with its coeducational status, along with two front entrances, headed 'BOYS' and 'GIRLS'. 
In 1816 the present school bell was recast in the Aldbourne Foundry, now long closed. The inscription on the bell reads:- LAWES A.M. 1816 BY J. WELLS ALDBOURNE The MGS building today stands on the site of the 1214 Medieval Hospital of St. John. No teaching took place here although it did in many Medieval Hospitals. By 1572 it was called 'The School'. The first Master of the school was Mr Gyll, according to the records he received an annual salary of £13.6 shillings and 8d (£13.33 in new money). In 1577 the old hospital building was demolished and the next school was built for £112. In 1791, due to the popularity of this Marlborough Free School, the corporation replaced this building with a new red brick building at a cost of £1,428. This was replaced in 1904 by the building which still stands here today, and has become a well-loved land mark in the town. This building and its equipment cost approximately £6,000. The County Council contributed £1,500, Marlborough Rural District Council £500, Pewsey, Ramsbury and Hungerford Rural District Councils gave £250 each. The further £2,500 was paid by the Governors. The foundation stone was laid on August 1st 1904 by the Marquis of Aylesbury. I, helped by Elizabeth Edge and my sister Alison, unveiled a second stone to mark the school's 450th anniversary in 2000. This was arranged by the old Student Association Committee under Mr Dennis Lavis. Extensions were added in the 1930's. A.R. STEDMAN MA, HEADMASTER 1932 - 1963Mr Stedman was appointed Headmaster in 1932 at the age of 29. He was the youngest Headmaster of the Grammar School to be appointed. 
He had graduated at King's College, London and he was awarded an AKC (Associate of King's College). After this he taught History at St. John's Exeter and King Edward V1th School in Melton Mowbray where the organist and choirmaster was Malcolm Sergeant. Mr Stedman, my father, developed a strong attachment to Marlborough and its surrounding villages. He lectured extensively for the Workers' Education Association (the WEA) in the area one evening weekly, and eventually put these lectures together in the form of a book called 'Marlborough and the Upper Kennet Country'. He also wrote several books on religion. He felt strongly that in those days there was a need for a book which introduced VIth formers to religions of the world. It was called 'Living Religions' published in 1959. In 1946, there were 343 pupils together with 20 teachers. My Dad knew all the pupils' names, and the nick-names of most of the staff. He was very proud of his school and took great delight in his pupils' achievements. He always had time for anyone having problems at school or at home. Music was important to my father. Many of us joined the choir or learnt to play an instrument. Some of us attended the Wiltshire Rural Music School, held at Grittleton once a year. The Governors gave us all a small grant to enable us to go. It was here, unknown to the 'old man', I met my future husband 66 years ago this July. The first schools I attended were St. Mary's Church of England Infant School followed by the Junior School on Herd Street. Following the 1944 Butler Education Act, the post-war Grammar School was formed in 1946, I started school in this building. MY MEMORIES
Mr Stevens along with Mr & Mrs Civil taught mathematics. Mr Yelland English, Mr Lyons Geography, Mr Banks and Mrs Burt Art, Miss Blackett-Jones taught Domestic Science - using rationed ingredients - we would hide our ration of dried fruit under the flour, hoping she would give us more! Mr Williams taught Woodwork, Miss Stevens (Greba) taught Latin, Dr Berger German. Our first French Assistant was appointed for 6th form French Conversation. French exchanges with a Bergerac School started. (My friend Bernadette and myself still talk fortnightly by phone). In later years my younger sister benefited from ex pupil David Jones returning to teach Russian. The school choir conducted by Miss Johnston The School Orchestra encouraged by Maurice Brown the Physics teacher, also a wonderful pianist and viola player who became the World's Authority on Schubert and had several books published. THE SCHOOL ORCHESTRAMr Scott our Music teacher started the school orchestra. I personally remember acquiring instruments at an auction - asking the Mayor, Mr Free, who ran the Town's music shop to renovate them which he kindly did for us, so that the orchestra could get started in the 1950's. Rosemary Skittrall played piano, Mr Brown and Mrs Scott the viola, Mr and Mrs Civil violins, Janet Hunt and myself 2nd violins. Mrs Kallager joined us from Marlborough College to help out the 1st violin section. Sports Day usually wet on Elcot Lane playing fields. Our hockey pitch was dug up to plant spuds - our post war effort. My Dad supervised the building of the small brick built pavilion for changing rooms on games days. The water tap in the hedge, useful on hot days. A sandpit for long jump, tennis courts. The cricket pitch and a hockey pitch alongside the Italian Prisoner of War Camp. We had attractive and appreciative supporters their side of the hedge! Our uniforms came from Mr Calvert's shop near St. Mary's Church. John Calvert was in my year. The beautiful Mulberry tree which Dad loved. I fed my silk worms on the leaves. Is it still there? The morning during a geography lesson a pupil opened the door to announce "The School is on Fire, Sir", to which Mr Lyons ordered us to exit via the outside fire escape - in line!! There had been a "bad egg" explosion in the Science Lab, which was quickly extinguished! 1946 was the year David McLean made his famous film and I am sure we all had Great Expectations. The Second World War had just ended, we had discarded our Gas Masks but Ration Books were still with us. "Bless you for being an Angel" was the hit tune of the day. In the summer of 1953 the whole school participated in the local Pageant 'Marlborough through the Ages', devised by Mr Stedman, to celebrate the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth the Second. My group left in 1953 and went our separate ways. We may not have realised all those expectations but at least we have Great Memories to look back on. Pamela Horril (neé Stedman) |