Dover Grammar School for Boys the Year of 74

In September 1974 fresh-faced and eager we climbed the School Hill for the first time.

Since that day the Thatcher years have come and gone, John Major is history and Tony Blair the present. Reg Colman has retired and Neil Slater who was 'just' a Maths teacher has succeeded him and will be retiring imminently.

Phil Harding was the Head Prefect and is now the Deputy Head at Harvey Grammar. All the teachers whose names were on our coloured card calendars in 1974 are retired and many have passed on.

In 1981 the School celebrated 50 years in the current buildings and as we re-unite 22 years later it is looking forward to its centenary celebrations in 2005.

The headmasters notes in our first "Pharos' record the building of the swimming pool (green and cold), Kenneth Best's new music room (not always fully appreciated), Basher Quinn's Advanced Biology lab (whatever that was?), the new language lab (remember Monsieur et Madame Thibaut?) And the highly innovative and conveniently located in Astor School, library and Economics room. 29 years on things have changed and as we tour the school we will marvel at the things we never had.

This reunion has largely occurred because of 'friends reunited' and e-mail, yet in 1974 the school computer was a land link to London University that filled a room and computing was a technical subject taught to the lower streams only!

The information in this document is as accurate as possible. I apologise for omissions and errors to which I plead ignorance and insanity and refer any libel actions to Jeremy Saynor. I hope as we compare our waistlines, greying or receding pates and count ex-wives and progeny our biographical details provide testament to the fact that we did actually get an education all those years ago.

John Allingham July 2003

Park House

Remember Dick Hills rapid registration that many of us can still do today, Paul Burton in 3 Park who sends apologies for absence today, Norman Kauffmann as House Master and for those who stayed on to the 6th Form finally winning the house championship!

Allingham, John; Qualified in Medicine from The London Hospital in 1987. Spent 7 years as an Army Doctor, saw active service in the 91 Gulf War, GP in Bedfordshire for 6 years and Team Doctor in 2001 to Richard Burns World Championship winning Subaru World Rally team which prepared for his current pinnacle as Dover Athletic Team Doctor. Also works as GP in Hythe and is this years Team Doctor for GB Youth Olympic Team.
Married (a nurse) with 3 children (both boys are runners!). Lives in Lympne.

Batchelor, Paul; Recently left Sea France to head off to Chicago (again) to blow his organ (mouth). Has recently passed his LGV test. Look out for the Yorkie munching misfit with gold teeth.

Beverton, Michael; Died of natural causes in his late 20s

Bradley, Phil; Worked in insurance on leaving school before switching to NHS administration in 1982 with SEKA and then to Milton Keynes in 1986. Qualified BEC in Business Studies and Accountancy. Now Finance Director for Bedfordshire Heartlands Primary Care Trust.
Married with son of 16 and daughter of 11. Lives in Newport Pagnell.

Bullock, Kev; Has served 23 years as a Customs Officer. Has been half-way round the world at the Crowns expense but achieved the ultimate coup when he nicked a bootlegger in Chamberlain Road (next to the school). Married with 2 children and retired from sporting endeavour after one break too many.

Cook, Geoff; After a Theology degree at Spurgeons did his PGCE at Christchurch College, Canterbury and taught at St Georges Comprehensive in Gravesend. Became a Baptist Youth Worker and in 1998 moved to Faversham as a Baptist Minister. Retains his faith in Chelsea football club which must be challenging with 3 daughters (10, 8 and 5).

De Silva, Michael 'Ranji'; Left in 1977 on a free transfer to Sri Lanka but they sent him back 2 years later to a 6th Form College in Aldershot. Despite his teachers advice he went to University (Essex) and qualified in Environmental Biology. Then attempted to break the record for the longest time on a grant by taking 5 years to get his PhD from Strathclyde. Now working….

Duncan, Colin; Mr Fancy Box! Has worked his way up from a fitter to the board and is now responsible for 50% of World Wide Sales.
Lives locally with Partner.

Fairfax Jim; After University worked in the computer industry before seeing the light and switching to teaching!! Currently the Senior Teacher at Barton Court School in Canterbury where Yore junior is a pupil!
Married with 2 daughters. Remains as accident prone as ever (ask his wife about his driving) and still lives in fear of Metal Head. Lives in Bridge.

Ford, Jonny; Disappeared at end of 2nd year. Family rumoured to have done moonlight flit. Whereabouts unknown.

Golding, Martin; Very big in the Canadian Chemical Industry. Owns a vast tract of land in Canada. Married and first born a recent arrival.

Gerrard, Gavin; Graduate of Loughborough - one of 4 in our year. Whereabouts unknown

Grant, Dave; Has undertaken an extensive tour of the Pubs of Dover as a professional beer taster. A career which began somewhere around the 3rd form and was harshly not recognized by the examination boards. Dave now lives in River and is a Harbour Board policeman.

Hadman, Christian; Independent Financial Adviser living in Deal

Harrop, Andy; Lives in the West Country and works for a company who make medical equipment.

Hayes, Nicholas; Worked for Barclays Bank for many years. Now does something which involves a lot of travelling to France (tobacco trafficking perhaps??) and still lives locally.

Hetherington, Paul; Has served for 23 years as a Customs Officer, narrowly avoided marriage twice (bunny boilers apparently) and remains a stalwart of the Dover Athletic terraces where he eagerly awaits the arrival of Sheffield Wednesday. They should pass each other in the Conference in 2 years time!

Jasper, Terry; Still lives in Deal

Knott, Andy; Completed his 22 years in the Navy retiring as a Chief Petty Officer stores specialist. Organised Navy days and now works in logistics for a boatyard and is a Divisional Superintendent with Cornwall St John Ambulance Brigade. Married with 4 children.

Little, Dave; Still in the Dover area.

MacIntyre, Michael; Worked on a farm for 2 years then on a BTEC and to the Health Authority, in Folkestone, working in the Finance department. It turned out that he took over from Phil Bradley! Stayed for a couple of years, back to education to do Accountancy. Job in Accountancy, but decided to give up and start an Estate Agency - just as the arse fell out of the housing market - back to accountancy.
After all that Mike has been working for the same Truck dealership in Ashford since 1988!
Now living in Eythorne with a wife, dog and a horse - waiting to die!

MacKay, Andy; Customs Officer in Dover and has a son at DGSB.

Newman, Mark; Accountant in Northern Ireland.

0'Brien, Dennis 'Dob'; Graduate of the University of East Anglia. Lives and works as a self-employed technical writer and translator in Stockholm. Has 2 sons of 4 and 2.

Partridge, Kev; Still in Dover area playing in local bands.

Proctor, Graham; Transferred in from Zimbabwe for O levels and Mugabe refuses to have him back. Has worked for Midland/HSBC since school and is now Financial Planning Manager for Dover, Deal and Sandwich. Played for Dover First XV until about 5 years ago having never had a fracture he quit whilst ahead. Into skiing, golf, gardening and France. Married with a 3 year old son.

Rifat, Jason; From the meaningless drivel he has entered on FRU it is clear 25 years of Psychiatry have failed to help. Living proof that care in the community is a flawed policy and the lunatics were always better in the asylum.

Saynor, Jeremy; Despite studying law in Leeds persists in supporting Charlton and now has a season ticket. Solicits for Frederic Hall and Co where he is a partner. Married. Lives in Eythorne. After years of running has now discovered it is quicker by bike and is a successful time trialist with Deal Velo and Deal Tri.

Smithard, Mark; Did something geological at University of London and works in the oil industry in Angola. Has a small holding in Horsham and is married with 3 daughters.

Somerville, Tristan; Something important in the Halifax Building Society.

Townend, Dave; Married with 2 sons. Still lives in Deal. Service Manager with 'Motorway Sports Cars' where he gets to drive other peoples Lotus's - allegedly has a point free licence!

Thompson, Steve; I am Steve Thompson who read the 'where are they now' section with much excitement until I realised that I had been missed out. I was in Park and started school life sitting next to Tristan Somerville. There were actually 2 Steve Thompson's in the year, myself and the one who runs the pet shop. Can you get me listed please. (Information supplied by Steve Thompson 16/Mar/2004).

Vaughan, Barry; After 3 years as a Nat West banker and time in Educational TV set out with 3 other old boys to travel the world in an old van which got as far as Greece! He then spent 7 yrs with SAGA holidays (don't laugh-Chris Williams!) and another 6 as Head of Market analysis and PR with SAGA finance before a 2 year trip to Eastern Oregon in the US Forestry Service. Now works for Hoverspeed, plays in local bands and owns various cars and the old motorbike he had in the 6th Form - which still goes!

Williams, Chris; Lives in Uttoxeter where heworks too hard as SERCOs commercial director for the Derby to St Pancras line. He is married with 15 and 13 year olds and admits to a descending into middle age gardening!

Woods, Steve; No details available.

'Take me to your leader'

Astor House

Reg Payne-Astor Form-master

Astor house totally dominated the House Championship in our early years at DGSB. For lesser mortals we could only aspire to drawing with them! It must have been Reg Paynes inspirational leadership and the fact that having the library as a form room drove them from academia to the sports field!

Arnold, Tony; Customs Officer

Beckett, Graham; No details available.

Beer, Alan; Worked for the Nat West Bank on leaving school.

Bennett, David; Another transfer in. Graduated from the New University of Ulster and works in Calafornia installing Mass Spectrometers.

Cartmel, Chuck; Started at the Dover Education TV centre run by the famous Ian Kilberry before studying Film, Photography and TV in London. After working in 'finishing houses' is now a freelance video editor working on magazine or infotainment type films. Current project is for Channel 5 and is about stars taking their clothes off entitled "Naked Ambition". Awaits realization of his true calling in the British Porn industry.

Cooke, Mervyn; Who can forget what Mervyn did with his Organ in assembly. Retains a passing interest in crotchets and quavers as Professor of Music at Nottingham.

Condon, Stuart; Recently retired from the Army after 22 years to join the Customs and Excise.

Critchett, Simon; No details available.

Dawes, Martin; No details available.

Deal, Michael; Graduated from Reading in Modern History and International Relations. Claim to fame is graduating with Suzanne Charlton (former weather forecaster) whose dad Bobby was in attendance but unfortunately not seeking a goalkeeper! Spent several summers working for Kent Cricket Club. Took a temporary job in NHS finance in 1985 and is now Corporate Finance Manager with East Kent Finance Consortium. The NHS has reorganized 17 times in the last 20 years- 'Dilly' does well to remember his job title each week! Married. lives in Folkestone and has 2 grown up children.

Ensor, Glenn 'Errol'; After Warwick University Errol worked for Reed Information service in advertising and now Manages International Exhibitions for Pennwell Corporation based in Epping. Biggest claim to fame is following the a similar career path as Mark Janaway. Lives in Sandgate, married with 8 and 5 year olds.

Fletcher, Rex; Transferred in around O level time. Lives in Pennsylvania USA with 2 children.

Finnis, David 'Fred'; Still trying to escape the nickname bestowed on him as a small child. In advertising or marketing somewhere in the Metropolis.

Hammonds, Mark; No details available

Hopkinson, Richard 'Hoppy'; No details available.

Horne, Stephen; No details available.

Janaway, Mark; Started higher education with the ultimate sandwich course- a year at Newcastle Poly between 2 years as a ski-bum. Got his degree at the second start from Leeds Poly in German and Spanish. At 26 got a real job with Reed Business Information.Travelled the world selling ad space. Now essentially freelance in contract sales to publishers, events organizers and exhibition stands. Lives in Godstone with wife and his 3 and 1 year olds. Ran the 2003 London Marathon which only goes to show he could have given Saynor and Allingham a run for their money in the Powell Cup if he had wanted to!

Kremer, Andrew; Died in a swimming accident aged 19

Latham, Derek; No details available.

Lindsey, Andrew 'Crusher'; Joined in the 6th form only. Very big! Went to college in Ashford to gain T.E.C. B.Tech with Paul Skelton (Webmaster) last heard of living near Chalky Lane, Dover.
 
Miller, Gary; Runs his own heating/plumbing business and is still playing semi-professional for Hythe Town.

Penn, Chris; Played for Kent from 81-95 competing in 350 matches which has left him 10" shorter! Career as a County Cricketer was cut short by a shoulder injury. Coached in South Africa and Western Australia during winters. His 96 Testimonial year was run by Mr D.Little! Claims to have proved to the cricket world that he can't bat (check his e-mail address) but those of us foolish enough to bowl to him in house matches know different. Recently awarded a numbered county cap allegedly recording his career best bowling figures of 1-68! Worked in Sports Development for the England and Wales Cricket Board. Bowling coach to KCC and the National junior squads and head of PE at St Edmunds School in Canterbury. Married for 17yrs with 3 sons.

Phillips, Simon; Management Accountant with Whitbreads in Luton. Married with a daughter and second child pending.

Peter Potts; Customs Officer

Sellars, Mark 'Spike'; After serving President and Country in the US Marines is now working harder than a one legged man in an arse Kicking contest!

Skelton, Charlie; Former civil servant who has graduated from standing on old books trying to look taller to selling them and looking small. Runs old book shop in Leigh-on Sea. Still plays on the Folk circuit (check out www.famouspotatoes.co.uk) and exhibits his photographs (www.leighartrail.co.uk). (Sorry, leighartrail now offline)

Smale; Andrew; After 10 years in France and 5 years in Oz has found his way to Singapore working for VW. Married with daughters of 12 and 9.

Stone, Peter; Music producer with Capital Radio

Sullivan, Dave; No details available

Toole, Tim; Died in a light aircraft accident.

Underwood, Martin; No details available

Williams, David; Qualified in Accounting and Financial Analysis at Warwick. Now lives in Bucks and is an M40 commuter running a European Finance Team for EDS. Puts his accounting skills to good use counting his sons- currently 3 (all 5 and under- wife Amanda is the tired looking one with a handbag full of action men).

Woodcock, Nicholas; Has worked in the motortrade since leaving school. For Renault, Honda, Nissan and Mercedes. For the last 6 years has been at the Luton Head Office of Vauxhall where he is responsible for the Network Q branded used vehicle sales. Would you buy a used car from this man? Has a 12 year old and lives in St Albans.

Wooldridge, Jim; Planning Officer in Manchester.

Wright, Andreas; Police Officer. His job is so secret even he doesn't know what he does. Nothing new there.

Priory House

Obviously a different breed. They did German in the first year!

Aitcheson, Jeremy; No details available

Ayers, Graham; No details available.

Bean, Ken; Did a PGCE at Christchurch but joined the Civil Service instead of teaching. In 1987 moved to the Department of Transport in London and is now in the Planning Division of the Government Office for London. Acquired an MA in Town Planning in 2000. Married with a 5 year old and a baby.

Bonny, Ian; e-mail is for aquarius consultants. I suspect this has nothing to do with horoscopes.

Bowden, Dave; No details available.

Cobb, Steve; Works for Jaguar a stones throw from Tony Hoy! Would they have employed him if they had seen the car he used to drive to school!

Conroy, Paul; Customs Officer.

Devereux, Clive; No details available.

Gedge, Chris; Works in NHS management.

Goddard, Malcolm; Works in the Nuclear Industry and lives in Bolton. Claims to have won the lottery- though why he still lives in Bolton is a mystery!

Boswell, Guy; Last known to be a journalist in Hull.

Griffiths, Jon; No details available.

Hanagan, Steve; In Import/Export locally.

Harcourt, Dave; No details available

Herbert, Chris; Teacher in Newcastle.

Howson, Duncan; Left the area- whereabouts unknown.

Hoy, Tony; Studied Mech Eng at Loughborough. Works for Jaguar with engine management computer systems having found transmission design too easy. Through this reunion has discovered he is but a stones throw from Steve Cobb. Still runs and cycles at club level. Has a partner and a 2 year old daughter.

Ives, Matthew; No details available.

King, Paul; Worked as a pit deputy in the Kent Coalfield. Now lives and works in Nottingham area.

Kilmartin, Tim; After training as a chiropodist has now progressed to be a podiatric surgeon.

Kirkham, Nigel; Works in Insurance. Has a 5 year old daughter.

Kissock, Kevin; Customs Officer

Manser, Tim; No details available.

Perriam, Andy; No details available.

Robinson, Clive; Family left the Dover area, whereabouts unknown.

Saunders, Brian; No details available.

Standing, John; Still in the Dover area.

Stoker, Dave; No details available

Tomlin, Dave; No details available.

Wishart; No details available

Weymouth, Martin; Works on the cross-channel ferries. Still local.

Young, Andy; Went to Brighton FC for a while before several seasons semi-pro with Dover Athletic.

Frith House

Did Frith ever win anything?

Barnet, Colin; Educated on the knicker counter of the University of St Michael from 1981-88. Now head of sales for the Bernard Group living in Gerrards Cross with his 3 and 1 year olds. Would still like his copy of Hemispheres back from whoever borrowed it sometime around 1981.

Care, Neil; Sergeant in Port of Dover Police Force. Specialist in Football Intelligence.

Carter, Ian; Commissioned into the Navy in 1984 and rose to become the most junior Commanding Officer in the Navy when he commanded the aptly named HMS Manly. Has risen to the rank of Commander and commands the First Patrol Boat Squadron consisting of 18 20metre boats and 850 people. Has never worked for Five Live sports reporter. Lives in Dorset with teenage 2 sons and wife who grooms long haired cats professionally.
Dad is still local and teaching evening classes for Adults..

Chatburn, Byron; From GDSB to Loughborough Uni where Tony Hoy introduced him to his future wife. They have lived in Leicestershire almost ever since. 2 kids - both sporty unlike Byron. MD of Sea-Band Ltd (those wristbands for Travel Sickness - do they work?) Still active in Scouting in Leicestershire and at National level.

Coe, Jonathan; No details available.

Collier, Simon; No details available.

Cripps, Andrew; Lives in Canada. Started working life with Acorn computers before studying at Reading.

Donald, David; Has worked in the Insurance industry since leaving school. Initially with Victory Re and latterly as a Commercial Insurance Broker. Sufficiently important to have recently finished his term as President of the local Insurance Guild! Is a church warden at St Johns in Folkestone and has the faith to resolutely follow Kent Cricket Club despite their disastrous start to the season. Married with an 11 year old son and an 8 year old daughter and lives in Folkestone.

Falconer, Tim; Works for a local council ? somewhere in Cheshire. Into running and pops up at some of the Dover/Folkestone events. Married with teenage sons.

Fitzgerald, Michael; No details available.

Gill, Tiny; No details available.

Goodman, Chris; Believed to have joined the police after leaving.

Grilli, Kevin; Died in an accident involving a train in Australia shortly after leaving school.

Groom, Steven; Educated at the University of Essex which lead to employment with BT in Ipswich. He worked in Holland for 5 years and sine 1992 has worked in computing in Switzerland.

Hadley, George; Based in Oz but now travels the world as mate on the Rainbow Warrior. Reluctantly single.

Harris, Andy; No details available.

Hogg, Adrian 'Butch'; No details available.

Hursey, Chris; No details available.

Hunisett, Dan; Was a merchant seaman. John Allingham bumped into him at a ball in Hong Kong in 1986. Now settled in Oz.

Jarvis; Studied languages and politics at Sheffield City Poly. Not content with that he gained an MBA in Manchester in 1993 and now has his own financial practice in the Old Trafford area of Manchester specializing mortgages. Plays local league cricket badly and does overseas charity bike rides. Has a son of 8.

Leggett, Vince; Followed Southampton University with 13 years assorted Telecom experience before becoming a Technical Consultant with Siemens which he promises is not boring. Despite being an Arsenal supporter has a season ticket to Charlton so he can't be that interesting! Lives in Sidcup and has 3 children aged 10,8 and 6.

Murphy, Michael; Believed to be landlord of The Eagle!

Newman, Michael; Teaches at the radical Summerfield School.

Payne, Chris; No details available.

Preece, Andy; In Kent Special Branch. Lives in Broadstairs and runs his own courier company specializing in expensive consignments to the continent. Has a 3 year old daughter.

Richards, Keith; No details available.

Saxby, Michael; No details available.

Skingle, Andy; Still seen out and about in the Dover area.

Thompson, Steve; Took over the family pet shop in Dover which he still runs.

Vine, Adrian; After various jobs including Boots and a restaurant Adrian joined the RAF. Eventually got a commission and is now a Squadron Leader (look out for the chocks away handlebar moustache!) Is a training manager in The RAF Central Air Traffic Control School having served nearly 20 years in uniform. Married and lives in Shropshire with boys of 5 and 3.

Williams, Pete; Driving Instructor.

Wright, Geoff (Giblet); No details available.

Yore, John; Station Officer at Deal Fire Station.