Welcome to the Official COBA Website

This Site was last updated on 28th October 2024

 

ANNUAL DINNER 2024 click here

 

Colin Hutchinson 1939/43 here

 

Alan William Andrews (d.o.b. 28/8/1934) here

 

Judge David Lynch here

 

John Graham Stephens here

 

John Stephens, Collegiate 1959/63 here

 

Report of latest luncheon at the Artists' Club (24 May 2024) here

 

 

 

Here is a list of previous speakers at the annual dinner but some years are missing.  Can anyone fill in the gaps? If you can, email date(s)/speaker(s) to webmaster@liverpool-collegiate.org.uk

COBA  ANNUAL DINNER SPEAKERS
1973   CR KIRKBRIDE
1974   SIR STANLEY HOLMES
1975    
1976    
1977   C R WOODWARD
1978   REX KISSACK
1979   T CURIG ROBERTS
1980   T L ELLIS
1981   R H Z MONTGOMERY
1982   W R SPENCER
1983   T BOUNDY
1984   DR A SMEARDON
1985   J G MORRISON OBE QPM
1986   LT COL E ASHLEY
1987   J A PRITCHARD
1988   DR G T SMEARDON
1989   CLLR G HARDING Mayor of Brecon
1990   JOHN H LEA
1991   A McMINN
1992   P H MORRIS
1993   M H SMITH
1994   R BENTHAM
1995   J L ROSS
1996   DR E JONES
1997   L HOWELL
1998   E O'HARA   MP
1999   D R EDWARDS
2000   J H E PARRY
2001   PROFESSOR G CLAYTON
2002   L HORRIDGE
2003   PROFESSOR D CANTOR
2004   R WILSON
2005   REV M CARTER
2006   P GOULDEN
2007   J TASKER
2008   J R D JONES
2009   DR R BALDWIN
2010   J STEPHENS
2011   D WINSLAND
2012   BRUCE BEATTIE
2013   J GRAVES
2014   D J EATON
2015   JASON SMITH
2016   G H STOW MBE
2017   PROFESSOR W HUGHES
2018   S DARBY
2019   J M BUTLER
2020   COVID 
2021   C W NEWBY
2022   CAPTAIN T RAVERA
2023   S BRADY
2024    

 

 

COBA Luncheon 10th April 2024 click here

 

George Hutchins (updated) - 21/2/1944 to 4/4/ 2024 click here

 

 

ANNUAL DINNER 2024

 

The highlight of the year for our Association is the AGM and the Annual Dinner. Traditionally this has been hosted by the Athenaeum Club in the city centre starting in the evening. Over the years some members have found it increasingly difficult to arrange travel home at the end of the evening. This has adversely affected the attendance for this event.

This year the cost which has been quoted would entail a ticket cost this year of over £53 as against the £32 which applied in 2023. After careful consideration the Council has explored a number of available options and reached the following conclusion.

Arrange a lunchtime event at Lee Park Golf Club in Childwall offering the same menu as we have enjoyed at the Athenaeum. The caterers at Lee Park enjoy a high reputation for the quality of their meals and their service standards. We have first hand experience of their qualities and are confident that you will not be disappointed by our choice this year. Importantly the cost of a ticket will be £33 pp. which we believe is very reasonable and acceptable in the current climate. The club is situated in Childwall Valley Road and offers secure free parking and has a licensed bar. It is well served by a frequent bus service from the City centre and we will have the benefit of relaxing in the attractive well appointed restaurant reserved exclusively for our party. Journey time is approx 30 minutes from town. We are aware that other groups are taking advantage of venues outside the city and some members will recall the times when our own Association met in other out of town venues including Woolton Golf Club.

Our beloved School closed in1985 and it is remarkable that we still have sufficient support to meet each year. In addition to the formal Dinner we have been able to meet for informal lunchtime reunions which have also been very successful. These events present an outstanding opportunity to reunite with fellow old boys and exchange their experiences and reminisce their encounters with the teachers and fellow pupils.



In addition to the School website there are two sites operating on Facebook. One for the School and the other for the School Old Boys. Not surprisingly these are active sites and many interesting memories are posted with appropriate responses. This activity is commendable but communication is rather remote. One of the advantages that both the Annual Dinner and the informal lunchtime meetings offer is to meet face to face. I can remember when the Dinner event was often over subscribed and attendance limited to 100 with a reserve list. Naturally the attendance in recent years has reduced but over the last few years about 60 old boys have been present. We are anxious to continue these meetings we do emphasise that this all depends on your support and we do hope that you will do your best to join us. 

We have been extremely fortunate to persuade some old boys to make a short address each year and in my experience I have been very impressed by the abilities and achievements of each. This year fellow old boy David Jones has kindly agreed to accept our invitation to speak. He recently served as Mayor of Wakefield and I am sure he will prove to be an excellent choice and another fine example of the standards we all acquired during our sound education at Collegiate.

My request to all old boys is to support these meetings and take the opportunity to meet each other, have a good meal and just enjoy yourselves.

Details will be posted on the three sites I have mentioned in due course together with an application form.

Meanwhile please mark the date in your diary  FRIDAY 25th OCTOBER 2024. Feel free to mention this invitation to other old boys

If you wish to join us please let me know by email and I will reserve your place and you can make payment in due course. I am hoping that we can rely on you to at least match the numbers present last year.

Let’s make sure the change in time and new venue is a success.


Lee Park Golf Club

Childwall Valley Road

Liverpool L27 3 YA

0151 487 3882



MENU

Vegetable Soup

Roast Beef with seasonal vegetables

Apple Crumble

Coffee/Tea

Mints.


KEEP WATCHING FOR UPDATES!

Derekandnin@msn.com

 

 

Taken at the school Remembrance Ceremony 11th November 2023 by Derek Corlett

 

 

 

Patrick Barrau

Dear sir ,I was very happy to found your site. I had the great pleasure to exchange during six years in the late fifties and the early sixties with Steven Beckett who was à pupil in the LCS.I came from the Lycée Saint Charles in Marseille.Those exchanges were a great pleasure which made me love Liverpool. I remember well the Aintree motor Grand Prix of England and the Mersey tunnel. We were also very happy to travel in France with Steven.

Very sincerely yours.

Patrick Barrau 28th October 2023

 

Geoff le Breton Memories and photographs here

 

Fred Kilshaw Letter 19th October 2012 here

 

ANNUAL DINNER 2023 here

 

 

School Second XV 1959 from Geoff Le Breton (1954-1961) here

 

David Ferley 1959 cricket match (Recently updated by Geoff Le Breton (1954-1961)) here

 

Robert Allen (1957-1964) Rugby Photographs here

 

Memories from Ray Tasker (1964-1971) here

 

 

 

Newts with 3A teacher Joe Isaacs - Sent in by Derek Corlett

 

 

Harry Johnson passing here

 

 

   

 

 

Recent photograph of Davis Williams (COBA Secretary) and COBA President Gwyn Thomas

 

 

 

LATEST: 

 

Charles Brimage here

 

Tribute to Arthur Evans here

 

Chas Newby here

 

Mal Howard here

 

Henry Chesters here

 

Doug Eaton here

 

 

The Collegiate Story.

The Foundation of a School. click here

 

 

 

COBA lunch 24th April 2023

 

Yet again this was a most enjoyable luncheon meeting and attended by our best attendance of 33. Sadly some of our group were committed for other reasons as the date not convenient.

Our Chairman thoughtfully managed to take pictures which are attached together with a list of those present.

As usual I am very grateful to the Artists Club for their hospitality and of course the loyal support of our members.

Derek Corlett

 

 

 

TABLE

   

4

Dave

Barraclough

4

Dave

Barrow

2

Steve

Brown

4

Derek

Corlett

1

Bruce

Gamwell

2

Alan

Garner

2

Gordon

Glascott

1

Colin

Greaves

2

George

Griffiths

3

Chris

Hartley

1

Gordon

Howard

3

Les

Howell

3

Harry

Johnston

3

Evan

Jones

4

Norman

Kennett

2

John

Malone

1

Alan

Markham

1

Albert

McMaster

3

John

Morris

3

Edward

Murphy 

3

Vic

North

2

George

Perkins

2

Ronnie

Ramsdale

3

Barry

Smith

2

Phil

Stevenson

4

Bill

Thomas

4

Len

Waltho 

2

Keith

Warburton

1

Bill

Welsh

1

David

Williams

3

Frank 

Williams

1

Bob

Wilson

4

David

Winsland

     
 

Purple = AC members

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some information and images of the School organ here

 

 

Tribute for Arthur Southern click here

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Arthur Evams

The funeral of Arthur took place today (13th March 2023) and was attended by a number of our members.

Arthur was Vice President of our Association and had served on the Council for many years. He died at the age of 93 and when his health started to deteriorate he was unable to actively participate in our affairs. Prior to my involvement in arranging our annual dinners Arthur prepared a very helpful and comprehensive guide for me when I took over. I was greatly impressed with his support and expert guidance.

From the age of 16 until he retired at the age of 60 he was employed by Liverpool Corporation which is of course now Liverpool City Council. He enjoyed a successful career and rose to become Personnel Director there. I can just imagine the complexity of this role especially with all the trials and tribulations of the City which confronted him. Fortunately, he possessed all the qualities required to calmly manage all that came before. Yet another fine product of the School and  which had made him so proud.

The service was very well attended and we were invited to a light lunch held at Woolton Golf Club by his proud family.

 

 

Looking for memories of Billy Wray here

 

Letter: Steve Brady- Article from the Caribbean from a Scouser on the loose!

 

 

Eulogy for former Collegiate master Gwyn Jones here

 

 

COBA Lunch meeting Friday 20th January 2023

24 Old Boys attended our lunch today and thoroughly enjoyed their meal and the warm hospitality of the Artists Club.  Sadly a few of our loyal supporting members were unable to join us for various reasons.  The continuing success of these events is enhanced by the  enthusiasm of our group. In turn the Artists Club are most appreciative of our patronage and keen to welcome us more frequently. I am hopeful that we can have another early meeting and I will notify you of available dates in due course.

For the benefit of those who were unable to attend today I am attaching photos which I hope will be of interest. Please click to view

Our previous and  late Chairman wrote to me observing that he was surprised that only 20 attended at one meeting and coincidentally our current Chairman, David Winsland, expressed exactly the same sentiment today. Hopefully more will bear this in mind and will join us on the next occasion.

I started at Collegiate in 1955 and sadly cannot say that I enjoyed my 5 years there. However, as time has passed I can now see the benefits of my education and accompanying qualities of discipline etc which have proved to have been a real asset and provided a base for a successful and rewarding career in my one and only job. Like most pupils I have so much to be thankful for some 68 years later.

Regards to all,

Phil Williamson (1951-1958) recollections here

 

David Peate photographs from the 1950s here

 

Derek

 

 

 

 

WALKER ART GALLERY

The following is a minor incident from former times involving the Collegiate.   It was early in 1955 when seven or eight scholars from VIα English visited the Liverpool Walker Art Gallery together.  I believe that the group consisted of Gordon Adamson, Gordon Duggan, Ronald Mathison, Peter Myatt, George Hughes and David Peate.  I do not recall the names of the other pupils though one of them may have been Bob Griffiths.  Perhaps members may be able to supply the missing names of the other students.

There was an exhibition of twentieth century paintings.  The gallery was running a competition with the express intention of acquiring the painting that received the most votes from the viewing public.  We were enormously impressed by a colourful but bleak yet vivid painting by John Piper of a blitzed building which might have been a church.  We boys discussed the choices and decided to vote for the Piper image.  We voted multiple times to ensure that the Piper painting was selected.  Between us, we must have cast well over two hundred votes in favour of this painting.  We were informed some time later that the gallery had acquired John Piper’s work though I have not seen it on show during subsequent visits there.  However, our stratagem seems to have paid dividends.  If the painting were obtained, I wonder if it is on display or perhaps in store at the Walker Art Gallery.

David Peate (1947-1955)

 

Liverpool penbroke harriers

I was meandering through the website of Liverpool Pembroke Harriers a few days ago when I came across a photograph that ignited some early memories.  The picture is of the Pembroke relay team of 1953.  On the left is James Arthur Noel (Jan) Railton and second from the right is Geoffrey Brandwood.  Both of these were pupils at the Collegiate.  The late Jan Railton is well-remembered for the number of athletic events he won while at the school and after.  He was later a college coach.  In addition, Jan was a superb pianist.  Geoffrey E. Brandwood was a fine athlete who once appeared on television dancing in the early 1950s.  He was teased with glee about his terpsichoral activities on the following Monday.  Other fine athletes (sprinters) at the school at the same time were Arthur Howarth and Arthur (Arty) Dean.  I do not think that Pembroke Harriers would object to the photograph’s being reproduced on the COBA website.

David Peate (1947-1955)

 

 

Teachers at Liverpool Collegiate Grammar School

from the late 1940s to the Early 1950s

 BY DAVID PEATE (1947-1955)

ASHCROFT, W.E.M.  I do not know what he taught.

BAMBER, H., BA.  He taught history.

BANYARD, Francis Edwin, MA.  He was a history master from Oulton school.  He came to the Collegiate in 1943 when Oulton school was merged with the Collegiate.  Evacuated to Bango.  Fond of throwing chalk and dusters at disinterested and noisy children.  On one occasion he threw a length of metal chain at one objectionable pupil.  He was the only teacher in the school that taught my year who sympathised with me after my having broken my right arm during a cricket match in 1948.  He supervised National Savings on Monday dinner time.  He was fond of saying to a recalcitrant boy that he was a “BF”.

BELL, J.E., BA.  A French teacher who was known as Bunny Bell.  He was a returning soldier.  His form room was the CCF range.  The desks were at one end of the room and the rest was just space with sloping boards positioned for firing.  He was involved in the CCF in some capacity.  Seemed to favour wearing a blue tie.

CARTMEL, Harold Reginald, BSc.  I think that he was one of the staff that was recruited from Oulton High School.  Evacuated to Bangor.  He took us for chemistry.  He was as bald as a coot and was known as Curly.  He used to say that he spent more on polishing his head than we did on having a haircut!  An affable man.

CHALK, Sydney Francis, MC, OBE.  Retired army major who ran the CCF.  Evacuated to Bangor.  In the late 1950s, he stood as a Conservative candidate in the local election in Wallasey.  His subject was woodwork and metalwork where he was fond of saying “do it in this fashion, boy”.

CROFTS, Kenneth, MA.  Vice-principal and headmaster often referred to as Creaky.  In my view, not an approachable person and was a poor headmaster.  However, he was an erudite man.  He was both a Quaker and a pacifist which did not deter him from handing out corporal punishment.  It was rumoured that, at one time, he considered banning the CCF but he relented.

DAFFURN, W.R., MA.  I do not know what he taught.         

DARTON, A.J., MA.  Dicky Darton was the best English teacher one could have had in any school.  He was certainly a child of the Reformation.  He was an inspiration for me and many other pupil at the school.  He practised some form of religion in a group which was “controlled” by an American (Big Sam?).  The latter did not agree with pensions so I cannot say what Dicky did without such funds on his retirement if he toed the “religious” line.  Some boys called him Tidy Darton rather than Dicky Darton.  He was always immaculately clothed.

EDWARDS, G.R., BA.  I do not know what he taught.

ELLIS, H.B., BA.  He was kind enough to lend me his rucksack when I went hitchhiking in France with Gordon Adamson.

EVANS, Neil, MA.  A Welshman who went by the nickname of Ben.  A practising Christian who taught Latin, Greek and R.E.  He was a little “scatty” and did not understand the boys’ smutty innuendos during questions in R.E. but he was well loved and respected by all his pupils.  He referred to every boy with the forename of David as Dai and it stuck.  David Cottingham and I were always known as Dai by our school mates throughout our times at the school.  He was the outstanding intellectual amongst his peers.  A rugby fanatic.

FALCONER, R.S., MA.  Latin was his forte.  I believe that he was very artistic.  His wife died suddenly and his hair turned white in a short time afterwards.  Nice easy-going man.  He wore colourful shirts and ties.

GAWLER, John H., MA.  A gentleman who taught Latin.  Johnny Gawler personified languid.  He was a teacher who was deservedly respected by everyone.  A bit thin on top.  Did he have a slight moustache?

GIBBS, William J.R.  Dr. Gibbs was the head between 1943 and 1947.  He came from the closed Oulton school.  Evacuated to Bangor.  I went to the Collegiate the term before he retired.  However, we were told (true or not) that, during his headship, Liverpool Collegiate Grammar School was technically a public school because Dr. Gibbs was a member of the Headmasters’ Conference from his Oulton days.

GILLESPIE, W.B., BA.  I do not know what he taught.

GOLDMAN, J., BA, BSc.  At one stage, he was my form master but I cannot conjure up anything about him.

GRIFFITHS, W.S., MA.  For some unknown reason he was known as Nit.  He was not very tall but he was an extremely good cricketer.  I do not recall his subject.

GROSVENOR, E.H., RCA.  He taught art.

H….., B.  He signed one year as my form master using fancy initials BH but I do not remember him at all!  Who is this man?

HALL, Daniel, BA.  Danny Hall taught geography quite successfully.  I recall that he introduced us to Gondwana which, in those days, was quite daring.  His explanations were consistently first class and comprehensible.  I can still recall learning the facts about escarpments.  He was another colourful and nattily-dressed teacher.

HANLEY, F.F.C.  Called Tommy for obvious reasons.  Repetitive, boring gym activities.  Tried to be funny without much success.  He was smaller than most of the boys and lacked a full head of hair.  Successful competitive gymnast in the 1910s/1920s.

HAYES, S.D., MA, BSc.  I do not know what he taught.

HEYS, H.L., MA.  I do not know what he taught.

HEWITT, Thomas H.  Tommy assisted Mr. Cartmel in chemistry as a laboratory technician.  I cannot remember his ever teaching solo.  He was the scoutmaster of Liverpool Collegiate School (26th Fairfield) Troop.

HILL, Mary H., BSc.  What more can anyone say about “Ma Hill” that has not already been debated?  She tried to teach us physics but her harsh, sarcastic and unforgiving manner always put the mockers on this.  Perhaps she just detested boys!  Her hair colouring was to be seen to be believed.  She would rub each of her arms in turn quite vigorously.  We learnt nothing from her classes except instant attention at all times.

HIRST, Herr.  I recall that he was German and had the form-room opposite that of the Vice-principal. He was quick to send boys to the headmaster for instant punishment.  I had the impression that he was in the school on secondment for a limited period.  See HURST below.

HOWARTH, Mr.  (I think that this was his name.)  He was not a master.  We saw him everyday when he came round with the huge school register. We came across him occasionally in the corridors.  I had to make sure that I was extra polite to him as he attended the Shaw Street Baptist church where my maternal grandmother also worshipped and knew him well.

HOWARTH, John H., MA.  I do not know what he taught.

HURST, R.B.E., MA.  I do not know what he taught.  Am I confusing him with HIRST above?  Was this Butch?

JAMES, E.G., MA.  Egg James taught French with little results.  We had a set book Le Mas Théotime.  He said that he would give us some questions that we were likely to have in the examinations.  This was great news only to be deflated when he went on to propose over twenty-five questions!  Useless!  His son was in the same sixth form French class as I.

JENNINGS, H., BSc.  Biddy Jennings was a chemistry teacher.  I cannot bring to mind anything about him except that he was the careers’ officer.

JONES, A., BSc.  I do not know what he taught.  He was an accomplished chess player and ran the chess club.

JONES, J.F., BA.  An English teacher who married one of the “school’s girls” (Alice?).  I seem to remember that her younger brother was at the Collegiate.  The brother reported that Geoff would pay him to leave the room when he visited their home.  If we were reading, say, Othello in class, he would monopolise the parts of Othello, Iago and Desdemona while the boys would get the scrag end parts.  Quite a pleasant, easy-going and friendly fellow.

JONES, W.E.  Laboratory assistant.

KNEEN, Arthur L. (Pat), BA.  Vice-principal and down to earth teacher of history who lived for and was the heart of the school.  Fond of saying this or that response was “airy fairy Lilian”.  He created the Kneen Prize for History in 1955 of which I was the first recipient.  He taught us to sing “St. Patrick was an Irishman and came of decent people”.  He told us about a boy in the 1920s who wrote a crime play for the school to produce.  It had so many “dead bodies” that there were insufficient boys to perform it and it lapsed into obscurity.

LANGTON, W.A., BSc.  I do not know what he taught.

LANGFORD, G.E., DLC.  I think that he was an assistant to Major Chalk.

MANSELL, E.D., MA.  He was in charge of the school’s library and the tuck shop.  Delicious ice buns and cream buns from the shop in Moss Street.

MATHISON, Ronald J.  I do not know Ronnie as a teacher at the Collegiate.  However, he was a classmate of mine at this school.  He was a reasonably good footballer and cricketer.  He had a fine singing voice and he really should have made his name in this genre.  I believe that he married his long-time girl friend, Jean, in 1961.

MORGAN, C.L., MA.  I remember the name but I cannot recall much about the man or anything about his subject.  He was a well-built individual.  He was intricately involved with the school football teams.  There was friction between him and Mr. Woodward in the early fifties.  They fell out over something to do with the first eleven and the first fifteen.

PENNYCUICK, Mrs. M.H., MSc.  She was at the school but I was never taught by her and cannot bring to mind her subject.  However, the boys in her classes seemed to have liked her.

POBJOY, William Edward (Bill), MA.  Stern but very fair and an extremely good teacher of French.  He married one of the “school’s girls” (Dorothy Evans?) whom the boys called Chloe. Was involved with running the “chicks” football team.  Left to become head of Quarry Bank school.  He edited the Esmeduna.  His father had a substantial jewellers’ shop in Kirkdale Vale.  He introduced us to the Foyer Français.

PRITCHARD, John A., BA.  No prizes for guessing that his nickname was Jap.  He taught English and was a well-liked, gentle and unassuming person.

QUAYLE, M., MSc, Med.  I do not know what he taught.

SCALE, Edward Thomas, MA.  He was known as Buck and had an excruciatingly lugubrious and boring voice.  He was always pleasant to parents on their annual visits but not so to his pupils.  Spent his time opening the bottom drawer of his desk, putting each foot in turn on it and polishing his shoes.  To draw attention, he would rap a long, heavy ruler on the desk.  Nobody could possibly have learnt any mathematics in his class.  Evacuated to Bangor.

SILVERWOOD, John, BA.  I do not know what he taught.  Evacuated to Bangor.

STAMPER, J.S., BA.  I do not know what he taught.

TAYLOR(?), Miss.  I cannot say that this was her surname.  She was a lovely and kind woman who took us for art in the 1940s.  Gentle, even-handed and patient.  She was particularly patient with me as I was the worst at drawing in my class.  She used to pair boys and “mark” their added scores.  She paired me with John Davies who was an excellent exponent of both drawing and painting.  I remember her being caring when one of my teeth decided to fall out during her lesson.

TRUBRIDGE, R.W., MA.  At least once during his history lessons, he would disappear for ten minutes to go out for a smoke.  We used to sing to the tune of Miss Annabel Lee, “Who’s wonderful, whose marvellous, R.W.T.”  His nickname was Tubby.  While we scousers said thrippence, he tried to correct us unsuccessfully to say thruppence.  His classes were always happy experiences.  Once he caught a student reading a Hank Janson book in class.  He observed that there is more sex in the life of Charles II than in such books and then just got on with his history lesson.

TYRRELL, George Arthur, MA.  Gat was a well-liked and easy-going English teacher.  He was at the forefront in producing the school play.  He encouraged pupils to write the prologues to the annual plays many of which were performed.  I remember that Peter Myatt wrote one of these.  Why Mr. Woodward was preferred to Gat for the post of headmaster is quite inconceivable.  Evacuated to Bangor.

WALSH, P.G., MA.  He was chairman of the school Gild.  There were some dozen interesting lectures and debates annually.

WHITE, G.S., BA, LRAM.  Known quite naturally as Chalky.  He was a practising Presbyterian.  Pleasant and enthusiastic music teacher who tried to involve the boys.  He played the organ at assembly.  He allowed J.A.N. Railton to play during lessons.  Jan was an exceptionally fine pianist.  One day, he permitted one of the boys to play the organ at assembly.  The young lad concluded the proceedings by playing the can-can.  Chalky was hauled over the coals by Creaky Crofts for allowing the boy such a liberty.  He organised the school’s performance of The Messiah.  The eldest of the three “school’s girls” took the soprano role.  We were surprised at her competence in the role.

WHITE, W,G., MA.  I do not know what he taught

WHINCUP, H.H., BA.  I do not know what he taught

WILDE, James.  I think that French may have his subject.  A mild mannered man.  I remember a story that he told us.  I think that it occurred in Marseilles during the war.  A man he knew came up to him and said, “What are you doing here Jimmy?”  He replied, “Shut your face and speak France, you bl**dy fool!”  I gather that Jimmy must have been something of a spy.

WOODWARD, Cyril R., MA.  He specialised in English.  Quite a severe taskmaster who controlled his class with an iron hand.  Like marmite, you either liked him or hated him!  He took us for football which he despised as he was an out-and-out rugby man.  One day during football practice, he shouted to Stan Hughes, “Come over here, Hughes!”  All the boys around rushed to him and enquired what he wanted.  He was not amused when the boys said that they thought that he had said, “Come over here, yous!”

YERBURY, Edwin, MA.  His nickname was Pimp.  He taught biology.  He was a small man with scars on his face and neck.  It was alleged that he had received these during the war.  He looked much older than he was.

 

 

Below is a little piece of ephemera from 10 February 1955 which I have just found.  It is an exeat which permitted boys to leave the school early for a good reason.  It is initialled by Pat Kneen.  It was supposed to be handed in at the office but obviously I did not do so.  Why I had to leave a little earlier on this Thursday is lost in the mist of time. 

David Peate (1947-1955)

 

 

Festival of Britain on 19th July 1951 David Peate (1947-1954)

The Liverpool Collegiate organised a coach trip to London to see the Festival of Britain on 19th July 1951.  This included lunch in the very cramped Lyons’ Corner House where the soup was quite atrocious.  The artistic John Davies took a number of photographs at the Festival particularly during the trip on the River Thames.  Unfortunately, I did not get any of John’s pictures.  I recall that one of these was of the Skylon as if I were holding it in my hand.  The attached photograph shows a group of school friends on that trip.  It was taken by Kenneth Milne at the Tower of London.  From left to right, the boys are: Peter Neville Hughes, Brian Edward Whittington, Brian Wilkinson, Allan Farron, James McCracken and David Peate.

 

 

Annual Dinner. 21st October 2022

Some 58 old boys attended the dinner this year which was as usual held at the Athenaeum Club in Liverpool. We are most grateful to the Club for hosting our dinners and for the use of their impressive facilities. (Photographs below)

Each year a number of old boys travel some distance to reunite with their colleagues but none travel as far as Steve Brady. Steve lives in the Cayman Islands and has been intending to join us for a number of years. In fact he had reserved a ticket 2/3 years ago but tragically his car broke down in the UK whilst travelling to Liverpool. Although he had confirmed his attendance in the morning at the last minute he was unable to join us on this occasion. The numbers this year roughly equate to last year’s attendance and I am amazed that bearing in mind that the School closed in 1985 we are still able to hold our meetings. This is a real tribute to the passion, loyalty and respect we hold for our days in Shaw Street. Long may this continue and what a great advertisement for our School.

Our Guest Speaker this year was Captain Tony Ravera MBE who was at School from 1968 to 1975. During his time there he was an active member of the CCF. His involvement was the perfect foundation for embarking on his outstanding Military Career. I learned that he had received his MBE from our new King - previously the Prince of Wales.

After his introduction to the School CCF he pursued a career in the armed forces. His qualities were soon recognized and promotion after promotion followed leading to his appointment as Captain. During his army service he had traveled widely to many areas including a number of war zones. A very varied and dare I say there must have been many worrying times for him and his army colleagues. In spite of his success he addressed us with due modesty but was obviously so proud of his old school and his later career. Like many previous speakers he was so privileged to be appointed as or Guest Speaker and emphasize his passion and respect for the Collegiate. I am sure that former teacher and leader of the CCF, John Butler, must have been so proud to be with us.

This year was yet another hugely successful and enjoyable event and on behalf of the Association may I thank all who those who attended. For various reasons some old boys have been unable to be with us but some photographs of the evening have been taken and will be posted on our website and Facebook pages.

In the meantime a provisional booking for Friday 20th October 2023 has been made and I do hope that as many as possible can support the Association then.

In the early part of 2023 it is intended to hold a lunchtime get together over lunch at the Artists Club in Liverpool. Once a date has been confirmed details will be posted on our website and Facebook pages. All will be most welcome!

 

Derek Corlett

 

PS:

 

Since drafting this report I had been watching Liverpool playing against Nottingham Forest when a car parked on the pavement outside our house. During the course of the morning my wife had been listening to recordings of Church Meetings led by Steve Brady. To our surprise Steve alighted from the car and spent a few minutes with us but was unable to stay for a longer chat and share a cup of tea.

He told us that he again encountered problems on the motorway traveling en route from Christchurch in Dorset. He did phone the Athenaeum but they failed to pass on his message.

Steve is so disappointed to have been absent this year and has apologized profusely. This visit was such a surprise and my wife and I were both honored to have seen him for this limited time. His preaching is of the highest order and he would be a first class candidate to address a future meeting. Yet another outstanding product of our School.

 DC

 

                   

AGM

 

Top Table (Table 1)

 

Table 2

 

Table 3

 

Table 4

 

Table 5

 

Table 6

Seating plan

1

Hans

Broekman

College Principal

1

Steve

Darby

66-73

1

Ron

James

58-63

1

Tony

Ravera MBE

68-75

1

David

Williams

68-75

1

David

Winsland

57-65

2

John

Hogg

76-81

2

Ian

Johnson

76-83

2

Gary

Mc Intosh

71-78

2

Paul

McIntosh

75-82

2

George

Perkins

76-83

2

Jim

Rimmer

48-52

2

Les

Roche

76-83

2

Andrew

Rooke

76-83

2

David

Rooke

74-80

2

Paul

Shacklady

76-83

2

Don

Woan

71-78

3

Roy

Clinton

53-58

3

Keith

Davis

68-75

3

Gordon

Howard

43-48

3

Ray

Krausse

53-60

3

Albert

McMaster

51-57

3

Gerry

Mulcahey

51-55

3

Lionel

Ross

53-61

3

Bill

Welsh

68-72

3

Bob

Wilson

52-57

4

Phil

Brown

69-74

4

Steve

Brown

66-72

4

John

Butler

66-85

4

Alan

Garner

66-73

4

George

Griffiths

66-73

4

David

Hughes

65-70

4

Ronnie

Ramsdale

65-72

4

Philip

Stevenson

66/73

4

Eddie

Wainwright

65-71

4

Keith

Warburton

67-73

5

Dave

Barraclough

55-61

5

Derek

Corlett

55-60

5

Harry

Johnson

46-52

5

Evan

Jones

55-61

5

Edward

Murphy

55-61

5

Trevor 

Owens

57-63

5

Barry

Smith

55-62

5

Richard

Tarleton

57-64

5

Bill

Thomas

54-60

5

Martin

Voller

59-62

6

David

Barrow

59-66

6

Steve

Brady

62-67

6

Paul

Croft

75-80

6

Stephen 

Croft

67-72

6

Bill

Gall

68-75

6

Chris

Hartley

60-64

6

John

McLaren

60-65

6

Vic

North

60-65

6

Mike

Richard

50-55

6

Steve

Robinson

68-73

 

 

Latest News:

Death of William Gerald here

Death of Ken Tollet here

Death of Alan Turnbull here

 

 

Letter from ex Teacher John Butler:

 

Dear Derek
You know that I don't do Facebook however I do look from time to time. I am sometimes surprised at the misinformation purveyed. Today for example I read of a non existent oxbow lake at Farndon where the outdoor pursuits centre was erected. Checking today the road is still there and a thriving fish farm next door.

The history of the centre might put some unknown information to the fore.
Head directed GAJ and JMB to try to locate a suitable site.
Looked at three sites close to Chester.
Denamere Villa for sale for £5000. In Farndon
Condemmed by Liverpool City Council because of Dry Rot
Bought for £2500 subject to Charity Commissioners approval.
Knocked down by mistake!!. Commissioners were not happy.
Site hut - 60 x 20 ft purchased in Manley.
Owner wanted it removed speedily.
Demolished in a gale by about 12 staff
24ft low loader sourced and loaded.
Chester Waterworks stored it for 2 years.
8 x 20 ft concrete footings laid by local builder
Found a retired site manager to help staff (14) to bricklay in Flemish bond.from 3 bricks high to 20 bricks high. He seemed to want to help female staff more.
Site hut recovered by low loader from waterworks. Building constructed and fitted out.
Hundreds of bulbs planted thanks to the manager of Bees of Chester (Collegiate O.B.)
School closing so building sold to Birkenhead Scout Group.
Money raised from sale provided a minibus for Breckfield C. S.


Panoramic school and staff photos were taken every four years. 1968. 1972. 1976.1980. & 1984. (not panoramic)

Regards
John

 

 

Mike Loyley Images

 

Collegiate old boy, Mike Loyley has some photographic plate negatives preserved by the late Tommy Hewitt, Senior Laboratory Steward in Room 12, the Physics Workshop and the Tea Room. Mike became Senior Tech upon Tommy’s retirement in 1977, The ones below were found printed off.

 

 

J A Pritchard (English teacher)

Sorry to have to inform you that JAP sadly died this morning. He was 95 years old. He has been in hospital recently for about seven weeks and died in a Care Home near to his family.
A gentleman and popular English Teacher. Probably the last of the "old school"

 

 

Past Pupil - Charles Briscoe, 1930s

We have had a request to establish if Charles J. Briscoe attended the school in the 1930s. Below is a copy of the email sent in. If anyone has any old documents that show that attended the school. please email my at webmaster@liverpool-collegiate.org.uk

I believe that my husband’s grandfather, Charles J. Briscoe, may have been a past pupil at Liverpool Collegiate School in the early 1930s
.
As I understand the school is no longer operating, my request may be difficult to fulfil as as archives are no doubt difficult to access. Would you be able to advise if he indeed was a past student and any information relating to his enrolment or time there? He went on to be a scholarship student studying natural sciences at Magdalen College at Oxford around 1934.

Many thanks in anticipation.

Jennifer Briscoe

 

 

 

We are attempting to compile a list of speakers at the Annual Dinner. Below is the liast so far. If you can fill in any of the gaps, please sent the name(s) and year(s) to webmaster@liverpool-collegiate.org.uk

 

Collegiate Old Boys Association   Guest Speakers
 

1974           Sir Stanley Holmes

1975

1976

1977

1978

1979.           T Curig Roberts

1980.           T L Ellis

1981.           R H Z Montgomery

1982.           W R Spencer

1983.           T Boundy

1984.           Dr A Smeardon

1985.           J G Morrison OBE, QPM

1986.           Lt Col E Ashley

1987.           J A Pritchard

1988.           Dr G T Smeardon

1989.           Cllr G Harding Mayor of Brecon

1990.           John H Lea

1991.           A McMinn

1992.           P H Morris

1993.        

1995

1996

1997

1998.           E O’Hara MP

1999.           D R Edwards

2000.           John Parry

2001.           Prof George Clayton

2002.           Len Horridge

2003.           Prof David Canter

2004.           Bob Wilson

2005.           Rev Malcolm Carter

2006.           Paul Goulden

2007.           John Tasker

2008.           John R D Jones (Taffy)

2009.           Rodney Baldwin

2010.           John Stephens

2011.           David Winsland

2012.           Bruce Beatty

 

2013.            Jim Graves

2014.            Doug Eaton

2015.            Jason Smith               

2016.            Graham Stow

2017.            Prof William Hughes

2018             Steve Darby

2019             John Butler (Teacher)

2020.            No meeting- Covid pandemic

2021             Chas Newby

2022.            Tony Ravera MBE           

       

       

 

 

The Old Boys Annual Dinner is customarily held at the  prestigious Athenaeum Club in Liverpool on a Friday evening close to the anniversary of Founders Day each year.

The dinner is preceded by the AGM when the finances and programmes are discussed.

There then follows an address by a former scholar lasting for 20-30 minutes. Not surprisingly many Old Boys have enjoyed highly successful and varied careers since leaving school and volunteered to act as our Speaker. The speaker this year has already been appointed but we are now inviting former pupils to offer their services for future years and I would welcome indications from any Old Boys who would like to be considered for this role.

Our School has now been closed for some 37 years and we are so proud to have produced many star pupils who have achieved so much since leaving. I hope that we can persuade you to put your name forward if you feel that you could volunteer for this important part of the evening.

In spite of the long time since closure we are still able to hold our dinners and attract a healthy number of attendees. Many travel long distances and thoroughly enjoy the opportunity to revive their memories and experiences in Shaw Street.

The next dinner will take place on Friday 21st October 2022 and details will be incorporated in the next newsletter and our Website. Please do your best to support this event which will ensure an enjoyable and successful evening.

 

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Ian Alexander (1971-1976) Obituary can be found by clicking here.

 

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School Play & Football Team Photographs

 

Dave Barrow kindly sent the following via email:

 

Tidying up and found a suitcase unopened for at least the last 32 years !
The attached photos were therein...the School Play speaks for itself  and i reckon the football photo is between 1971 and 1973

 

    

   

 

 

 

Annual Dinner 2022

 

The dinner arrangements have been confirmed for Friday 21st October 2022, The speaker will be Tony Ravera who enjoyed a distinguished career in the Army.

If you are interested in attending, please contact me by email:

derekandnin@msn.com

 

 

 

Latest: To read Stephen Murphy (1968 - 75) obituary click here

 

 

School Organ Photograph

 

John West posted a photograph on Facebook and has kindly agreed for us to use it on our website. John said "Came across this pic I took of the school hall, I think in the mid seventies when I visited the school on a trip from Australia".

 

 

 

COBA Lunch Meeting 25th January 2022

 

We were able to resume the popular lunchtime meetings today at the Artists Club after the enforced delays due to Covid.18 Old Boys were warmly welcomed by the Club and enjoyed a fine three course meal. The meeting was again a huge success and I am grateful for the support of our members which is so vital to ensure the viability of these events. Photos of those present together with a list of those present are below.

I envisage that a further meeting will be arranged before Easter and I will circulate details once arrangements are confirmed. I would welcome everyone to support these events and you are assured of a warm welcome with a fine three course meal in pleasant surroundings.

Meanwhile best wishes to all and grateful thanks to those fellow old boys who were able to join us today.

 Derek Corlett

 

 

ANNUAL DINNER 2021

This year the Annual Dinner took place on Friday 29th October. The Dinner was preceded by the AGM. Here are some photographs from the evening, the table lists follow as well as a summary of events by Derek Corlett.

                      

Table 1

 

Table 2

 

Table 3

 

Table 4

 

Table 4

 

Table 5

 

Table 6

 

After missing the Annual Dinner in 2020 due to Covid restrictions we were able to resume our normal event on Friday 29th October 2021. During the last year a number of our regular members have sadly passed away and others have not been able to join us for various reasons. Some have reached the age when night time travel has become a problem. In spite of this we were able to attract a creditable number of 52 which is commendable bearing in mind School closed in 1985.
As ever we are grateful for the cooperation and hospitality of the Athenaeum who provided the delightful facilities at their impressive building. We are indeed privileged to hold our meetings there.
Our dinners are welcomed by fellow colleagues who treasure their education at Collegiate. Many members still travel from far and wide to attend our meetings.
Our speaker this year was Chas Newby, (1952-1958) who addressed the audience with a review of his musical career. Chas recalled his close connection with the Beatles and mentioned occasions when he played in their group early in his career. Much of his involvement with well known names was covered in the press and he demonstrated this by bringing relevant articles with him. It soon became obvious that he enjoyed his life in music and is now able to proudly reminisce.
Personally I can recall being a member of the School Scouts, 26th Fairfield. At that time Chas was a leader in our group and respected by junior members such as myself. Our meetings were held in the old wooden building at Holly Lodge each Friday evening. An eerie area in the darker days with no outside lighting on the long path to the Scout hut.
After his interesting and engaging address all present identified themselves for the customary roll call. This was following by the proud enthusiastic singing of the School Song and the followed the School Chant.
This year neither our President, Gwyn Thomas or our Vice President Arthur Evans were able attend, Both have now reached the age of 90 and their absence is understandable. However they still retain a keen interest in the affairs of COBA. Unfortunately our Treasurer, Ron James was expecting to join us but sadly his wife suffered a fall at home and Ron was providing care for her.
For the benefit of all our members photographs of those present will be posted on the COBA website and Facebook pages. Council member, Phil Brown kindly brought his equipment for this purpose. We thank Phil and also my old schoolmate, Doug Eaton. Doug lives in Sussex and travelled from his home to be with us. Doug is a man of many talents and a keen musician. I had asked him if he would kindly lead the singing of the School Song on the keyboard. Initially, in jest, he told me he was taught by the late Les Dawson playing all the right notes in the wrong order! In the event he provided expert accompaniment for our rendition. Our regular MC, Lionel Ross, has been suffering from a serious eye condition and regrettably could not attend on this occasion. Previous speaker Steve Darby kindly volunteered to step up and expertly filled the role. We are fortunate in having such a capable member to deputise. Well done and thanks to Steve.
These events need a degree of organisation and on your behalf I thank everyone involved including of course the Athenaeum staff.
This Dinner was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone present and without the support of our members would not be as successful. I thank all who managed to attend and encourage all former pupils to join future Dinners. Certainly all present could walk tall after a fine meal and a great atmosphere. Long may it continue and all Members are encouraged to support these events. You will all be most welcome with the opportunity to re-unite with former pupils.
Our next Dinner has been booked for Friday 21st October 2022.
We are also proposing to resume our informal lunches at the Artists Club in the new year. Previous meetings have been a resounding success and we are awaiting confirmation from the Club when dates become available. Presently they are not able to accommodate groups.
As and when we resume details will be posted on COBA website and Facebook pages. If you prefer to be notified by email please contact me with your email address.
All in all a thoroughly enjoyable evening where I could not fail to sense the level of camaraderie within our group which was higher than ever. A lot for us to be proud of!


Derek Corlett

Ps: Since writing this report may I acknowledge an unprecedented number of complimentary emails from our members which are greatly appreciated. The success of these events depends on the support and enthusiasm of our members especially at a time when the membership is inevitably reducing. Hopefully we can continue to rely on your support and also we would welcome other Old Boys to attend future events. You can be assured of a great evening and a fine four course meal. Please note Friday 21st October 2022 in your diary."

Derek
 

RECENT :

Redevelopment of former prep school for Collegiate here

John Benson correction to the School song here

Trevor Delves memories of Peter Galvin here

Death of Peter Galvin here

Death of Derek Long (45/53) 1935/2021 here
                      

Malcolm Carter here

Charles Gains  here

Tom Farrell  here

John Butler (Collegiate Teacher) here

John Benson  here

 Bob Brown  here

 

Remembrance Day 2020

Due to the extraordinary events of this year and the restrictions imposed by the latest locakdown rules, our Remembrance Service at the school could not go ahead. To mark the day, our Chairman David Winsland attended the school with his wife. David laid wreaths and recited 'For The Fallen" (Laurence Binyon) which was followed by a two minute silence and the Khima epitaph. By doing this David has tried to give our former pupils the respect they deserve.

 

 


 

This Association was formed in 1909, following the transfer of the Shaw Street Schools to the Liverpool City Council, and it maintained a strong connection with the "Liverpool College School" up to the time of the School's closure in 1985. Since then the Association has kept a watching brief on the future use of the Shaw Street building, which is Grade II listed. The building has been converted now for residential use, containing some 90 very tasteful apartments. We hold a service on Remembrance Day, the 11th November each year, in the Entrance Hall of the Building. (Click on"Memories", for details).

Here is a set of LINKS to recent changes to the Site -

To view the associated item, just click on a link :-

 The Fire or Evacuation or Facebook or Farrell (Olympics)  or Gallery(Lunch)

or Staff Memories or Dinner or T I E S

TO CONTACT US, PLEASE CLICK ON ONE OF THE LINKS BELOW:-

Webmaster - Chairman - Vice Chairman - Secretary - Treasurer - Lunches

President - Vice President - Newsletter - Membership - COBA Ties


If your computer does not accept the above links then, to contact members of the Council, please click on EMAILS.

N.B.  We have been getting reports that some of our members have not had any luck, when using the above (email) links.  We are aware that the successful members seem to be the ones who use "Outlook".  It is possible, that the unsuccessful ones may be using "Gmail" or "Thunderbird"  etc.  If some problems do seem evident, you might try using your usual email procedure and an address of :-

<webmaster@liverpool-collegiate.org.uk>


Stop Press


This is the first of the many messages that we receive, in appreciastion of the "Collegiate Times". Emails are perfectly welcome and we would like to see the writers add in that little extra, such as a memory that "brings it all back to them" - AND INCLUDE THEIR YEAR'S OF SCHOOL ATTENDANCE, AFTER THEIR NAMES - THANK YOU


A COBA Lunch

Due to THE VIRUS, our most recent lunch was held on Thursday 27th February 2021 and 20 Old Boys attended. The venue was (as usual) The Artists Club, Eberle Street, off Dale Street, Liverpool at, 1pm.

Dress Code was Jacket and Tie - but (of course) No Jeans.

Once again, we were indebted to Norman Kennett (email " normankennett@tiscali.co.uk") for masterminding this operation. As usual, this lunch proved most successful and presented a great opportunity to meet fellow old boys and chat over times in Shaw Street. You are free to invite other former pupils .

Frankly, we can't wait for the next one and are already looking forward to it.

One point, that is worth consideration is, that we were so busy enjoying ourselves, that we did not get around to taking more photos for our viewers to spot old pals from the fifties or sixties. I suppose that it would be wishful thinking to envisage (say Frank Galvin) bringing in an old photo from (say form '3-beta-1' from the early forties) with rather a long-gone-memory. You never know - 'maybe next time' !

Derek Corlett



 

HELP A MEMBER ?

Here is a letterfrom a member, with regards to his Father, who appears to be someone of whom we should all be proud. If any of our members have any data that you feel he might be able to use

You may note that we are not publishing his email address, IN PUBLIC and YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS would only be forwarded to him confidentially.

LETTER

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Hi, I read with interest a letter from Mr Benson on your site from 2016 and wonder if he is still alive and whether you could somehow connect us. My father Samuel (Julius) Goldstein was a classical scholar at the school at the same period and I feel certain they must have known each other.

He died last month at the ripe old age of 95 and I am piecing together the story of his life much of which he kept secret even form his own family.

My Dad owed so much to the Collegiate and shared a few memories including being beaten by a teacher and also throwing a bully's book's out of the window .... above all the school got him into Oxford with a full scholarship and he carried on on in academia very successfully.

You are welcome to forward A REPLY to Mr Benson and he is welcome to contact me at AT OUR SITE'S email address.

Kind regards and thanks

David Gould


Honour for Army Captain

A Territorial Army Captain in Bootle, recognised in the Queen’s honours

Captain Tony Ravera, was based at the Territorial Army centre in Strand Road, Bootle. In June 2007 he was awarded an MBE (Military Division) in the Queens Birthday Honours List and in November of that year Tony, accompanied by his wife and two children, attended an Investiture at Buckingham Palace, where he was decorated by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen.

This photograph of Tony and his family was taken at Buckingham Palace in November 2007.

Captain Ravera was awarded the MBE is for his dedication to the TA and the community. He took it upon himself to set up a welfare support facility at the centre for families and soldiers who have been deployed on military operations such as Iraq and Afghanistan. A lot of his spare time was also spent as a National Trust volunteer and with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. He was also involved in the renovation of Ellison House where the 'HomeStart' charity is based.

He joined the Army straight from school and enjoyed a military career spanning 40 years: 20 years as a regular soldier/officer and 20 years on the permanent staff of the Reserves, where he ran the TA Centre in Bootle. Much to his disappointment, he was eventually discharged on medical grounds in January 2015 at the age of 58, just 22 months short of his due retirement date.

Described by colleagues as an “unparalleled example to all”, he dedicates most of his waking hours to the Army and the community. A former regular Army soldier for 20 years, the 50-year-old married father of two, has been a Permanent Staff Administration Officer with the 238 Transport Squadron Royal Logistics Corps since 1996.He lives in Wallasey with his wife Linda and has two children, Dean and Carla.

Tony fully acknowledges the steadfast support that he received throughout his career by the many fellow officers, soldiers and civilian staff that, he says, it was a privilege to have served with: he also recognises the unselfish backing, loyalty and sacrifices made by his family over the years. He therefore considers that this accolade could not have been achieved without the priceless support of so many others and, that it is very much in recognition of them as well as himself.

During his time at the Liverpool Collegiate Tony was a member of the CCF and became the contingent Company Sergeant Major before leaving to join the Army in December 1975. Tony says that he had a most successful and enjoyable Army career and attributes much of this to the education he received at the Liverpool Collegiate, and the training and experience that he acquired in the CCF.

 

BTW - Can any of our members recollect some CCF YARNS to regale us with?

Tony is, of course, one who we are hoping to have as a speaker at our Annual Dinner, in the future.

If anyone knows of any other Old Boys who have received honours or awards please let us know, as we would like to formulate a list for COBA records.


(COBA Ties)

As you can guess, from our title, we have finally got COBA Ties in stock. You'll be pleased to know that we managed to beat down their price to only £12 each (Including Postage). Of course, this means that you can all FLAUNT your nice new tie and be the envy of ALL your friends.

All it takes is an email to <ron@liverpool-collegiate.org.uk> and 'all will be revealed', including the fact that you can pay by Pay Pal.


Replacement Officers

Here at COBA, we are still looking for a reserve team of members who would be capable of taking over the duties of certain present Officers of the Council, when the time comes for them to pass on their duties.

We have identified two of the offices that could suffer most, from an hiatus due to a retirement. These are Secretary and Treasurer. With this in mind, we are trying to prepare for all eventualities, by:-

(a) Keeping a set of (up-to-date) Backup Data for each of the jobs.

(b) Inviting volunteers from the membership who would be prepared (at this time) to acclimatise themselves as to how the duties of a retiring officer are performed and how the data is organised. This, of course, is with a view to taking over the duties when a retirement occurs.  Thus, we are inviting interested members to contact our Chairman, by clicking on Chairman for further details. 


COBA on Facebook


The Collegiate Old Boys Association now have an official Group on the social media site Facebook. You can visit the Group page by clicking this link:-

http://www.facebook.com/groups/684953314981564

We hope to generate more interest by posting regular articles and news about the school and the activities of COBA. It is also meant as a platform for discussion.  Feel free to either contribute or just browse.

N.B. - When you use the above link, you will be requested to sign in, using your Facebook Password or to join Facebook - This is a requisite, in order to access the entries.

If you want to join the Facebook Group you need to have a Facebook account. You can get a Facebook account (at no cost) by clicking on:-

http://www.facebook.com/

We look forward to meeting you there.

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For an opportunity to spot old CCFschoolmates, and tell us about them, click on "STAFF TALES" and look under "S"


To see a report on another School Play, please click on HERE


For an interesting snippet from an early Esmeduna, click on Here


A Cri de Coeur.

It has been pointed out to us, that what we need (on our site) are some definitive articles about periods in our history, that are often referred to,  but exact details are not commonly known.   Accordingly, we would like to put together a page covering exactly what did happen, at any one of these times

What we need, is data, from our readers including, of course, photographs (Preferably scanned at 300 ppi and be in JPEG form with accompanying text).  Any of our readers, who have memories of such incidents can contact us by clicking on HERE

Such topics, might include :--

Bangor - The school was evacuated to Bangor - Where? (exactly) - When? (exactly) - For how long? - Did ALL the school go? - Which members of the staff went? - Did "The Prep" go? - Was the Shaw St. building closed down? - What Sport was available?

The Fire - What we need, is a definitive article about the disastrous fire that caused closure of the school.  We do have quite a few photos of the damage that was done - but no description of the events. We don't expect - "I was sitting there reciting some Latin, when I felt a blast of hot air rising up the back of my chair ......." - What were people doing when it occurred? - What did people say, to each other? - Did anyone rush down to see the flames? - Or next day to see the ruins? - Did you go inside? - Did you see any souvenir hunters, picking through debris?

Colomendy - (Sometimes referred to as 'Colomenditz') - Many Liverpool schools used this 'Outdoor Centre' - Contributions from Non-COBs would be considered (to stimulate memories )

School Camps (and CCF Camps) Where? - When? - How long? - Who went? - Which staff went? ETC.    ETC.    ETC.    ETC.    ETC.    ETC.    ETC.    ETC.    ETC.    ETC.    ETC.    ETC. 

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