The British Newspaper Archive

Harrow Observer - Thursday 01 September 1966

BOY DROWNS ON HOLIDAY ABROAD

While swimming in the River Marne near Paris on Sunday, 17-year-old George Dean, of Alfriston Avenue, North Harrow, got into difficulties and was drowned. With him died his holiday host, who had tried to save him.

His twin brother, Harry, who was on a touring holiday of the Continent, did not know of George's death by Tuesday.

The tragedy happened at Champigny-sur-Marne, near Paris, where George Dean was staying with M. J. Titera and his family.

He had just returned from camping with them in the South of France.

Both were swimming almost opposite the Titera's house which is close to the river.

The dead youth was a student at St. Nicholas's School, Northwood. He has recently successfully completed his "A" level examinations and was planning to continue his studies at a university.

He was due home from holiday today (Thursday). News of the tragedy was given to his family by one of M. Titera's sons who is over here on holiday. The families are old friends.

On Tuesday the boy's father, Mr Arthur H. Dean, flew to France to arrange the funeral, which will take place in Paris.

Harefield Gazette - Wednesday 06 November 1991 

TWENTY YEARS AGO

Six pupils from St Nicholas Grammar School have been picked for Middlesex schools rugby teams to play Surrey: Chris Elias, Chris Szelewski, Philip Murtagh,  Alan McLelland, Julian Szelewski and Tim Barber.

 Harefield Gazette - Wednesday 16 July 1997 

THIRTY YEARS AGO

TWO 17-year-old Northwood boys shattered the public schools monopoly of the London Schools' Golf Championship when they won the title for St Nicholas Grammar School. Neil Marsden and Terry Wooding turned in an aggregate score of 164 at Fullwell GC, near Hampton Court.

 Uxbridge Leader - Thursday 07 August 1986 

Teacher's £18000 pay-out from council

A TEACHER who took Hillingdon Council to the High Court over a pay cut is to get a pay-out of nearly £18000 and a pay rise of £2000 a year. 

Leslie Shearn, 54, of Cornwall Road, Ruislip, was appointed acting head teacher of St Nicholas’ Boys’ Grammar School Northwood Hills in August 1975.

When the school merged with Haydon School Mr Sheam became deputy head at Haydon at a lower salary.

In 1983 Mr Shearn lodged a claim that his acting headship salary was safeguarded under a national agreement, says Hillingdon Council press officer Roy Mills. 

The council refuted this claim and Mr Shearn took High Court action which was contested by the council but last month the council accepted Mr Shearn’s claim and agreed to pay arrears of £17,993 and raise his present salary by £2000.

Mr Shearn was unavailable for comment.

 Harrow Observer - Friday 26 November 1982 

New head for John Lyon

DAVID Dixon a master at John Lyon School since 1977 is to become headmaster next September.

The governors of Harrow School have chosen him to take over from the present headmaster Gordon Surtees who will be retiring.

Mr Dixon, 46, of xxxxx Avenue Harrow was educated at the Royal Grammar School Lancaster. He won an exhibition to Christ's College Cambridge where he took his degree in classics in 1958. 

From 1959 to 1977 he taught at St Nicholas School (now Haydon School) in Northwood where he was head of classics, master in charge of the sixth form and senior housemaster. 

Now he teaches English, Latin and history at John Lyon School. He is also a sixth form master and master in charge of general studies.

Mr. Dixon is author of How To Find Your Way, the pamphlet on higher education issued annually to every sixth former in the country.

He is a lay reader at St Mary's Church Harrow Hill and was elected lay chairman of the Harrow Deanery Synod in 1982.

 Saffron Walden Weekly News - Friday 12 August 1966

Teacher to Study in Russia

Mr. Keith Emmans, an honours graduate of London University, is leaving from London Airport today for a months study in the Soviet Union.

Mr. Emmans, who now lives in St. Albans with his wife Thelma, three year old daughter and year-old son, is senior French Master at St. Nicholas Grammar School, Northwood, Middlesex. During the war years he was evacuated to Willingham and lived in Silver Street with his mother and sister Diana at his grandparents home. His father, whose relatives live in Cottenham, was at this time serving in the police in London. Keith attended the village school at first, then later the Cambridge and County High School for Boys until the end of the war, when the family returned to London.

For the past year he has been seconded to the Holborn College of Law, Languages and Commerce, London, where he has just completed a year's intensive course in Russian. In September he will be introducing Russian into the school curriculum. He has been selected by the Department of Education and Science as one of 25 teachers of Russian from universities and schools in the United Kingdom for a months course in Moscow and Leningrad sponsored by the Soviet authorities.

 Uxbridge & W. Drayton Gazette - Thursday 18 February 1960 

SUNBLINDS

Provision of sunblinds at St Nicholas School Northwood is to cost £708. When the school was built in 1955 the county council did not provide sun-blinds but experience has shown that they are essential in certain teaching rooms facing south and east

   Uxbridge & W. Drayton Gazette - Friday 22 June 1956  

LIBRARY COSTS
Middlesex Education Committee is to spend £500 on stocking the reference library at the new St. Nicholas Grammar School, Northwood. 

 Harrow Observer - Tuesday 10 December 1968 

ORGANIST TO CONDUCT CONCERTS

Mr. lan Hooker. organist at St. Edmund's, Northwood Hills, is to conduct three concerts of Christmas carols in aid of the Malcolm Sargent Cancer Fund for Children. The concerts, which will take place on Thursday, Friday and December 20, at the Church of St. Martin in the Fields, St. James, Piccadilly, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, will be given by the Promenaders, who include a section of the St. Nicholas Grammar School choir, trained by their music master, Mr. Anthony Smith, organist at St. Mary's, Harrow Hill. 

 Harefield Gazette - Wednesday 09 July 1997 

THIRTY YEARS AGO

EIGHT records were broken in the seventh annual inter-school athletics meeting for the St Nicholas Grammar School Shield at Kings College Playing Fields, in Ruislip. St Nicholas' Dave 'Dusty' Miller clipped half a second off the 220 yards meeting record when he clocked 22.8 secs.

  Uxbridge & W. Drayton Gazette - Friday 12 July 1957  

Middlesex County Council

Education Committee

COOK required at St. Nicholas Grammar School for Boys, Northwood, in September. Hours at present 35 weekly. Wages 3s  2-1/2d per hour. Free meals on duty. Experience in large scale catering essential. Prescribed conditions. Application, forms (stamped, addressed envelope) from Divisional Education Officer. Local County Offices. High Street, Uxbridge, Middlesex. returnable by 27th July. (Quote V. 587 M.A.)

   Uxbridge & W. Drayton Gazette - Friday 19 August 1955  

Middlesex County Council

Education Committee

ASSISTANT SCHOOLKEEPER required at St. Nicholas Grammar School, Northwood. Wages 148s x 2s 6d to 153s per 44 hour week. Established subject to probation, medical assessment and prescribed conditions. Application forms (stamped addressed envelope) from Divisional Education Officer. Local County Buildings. High Street. Uxbridge. (Quote RAN M.A.).

 Harrow Observer - Thursday 19 June 1958 

NEW GRAMMAR SCHOOL PLAYING FIELDS 

A scheme, costing £6,873 for the laying-out of gardens and the provision of sports facilities at St. Nicholas' and St. Mary's Grammar Schools, Northwood, has been recommended to the Middlesex County Council by its education committee. 

  Harrow Observer - Thursday 06 April 1967 

GAYTONIAN SEVENS 

Sevens played with a bar of soap was an apt description of the Old Gaytonian tournament at Sudbury on Sunday.

But if the conditions, which included persistent rain, were not always appreciated by the players they provided exciting entertainment for spectators before St. Nicholas Old Boys beat Barclays Bank 18-5 in the final.

The Old Boys reserved their best form for the final. Earlier they had had a shaky passage being lucky to beat Old Bancroftians 5-3 thanks to a harshly awarded penalty try in the dying seconds and again when they only beat Old Gaytonians in the last minute.

Barclays scored first after a fine movement which started on their own line and went close to adding to this lead before St. Nicholas made the half-time score 5-5.

The bank twice went near in what proved their last efforts soon after the re-start but first the ball went dead, but only just, and then they were thwarted by a great tackle.

Lasting the pace much better, St. Nicholas then piled on three tries, two of which were goaled. Having come from behind in three matches they finished worthy winners though by a flattering margin.

Gaytonians II, a substitute entry, provided the surprise of the tournament, beating three first sevens before going out to the winners. Their inspiration was Naylor, who galloped in for five of their tries.

 Harefield Gazette - Wednesday 15 February 1995 

THIRTY YEARS AGO

St Nicholas Grammar School, Northwood, pupil Graham Curd, aged 15, of Dawes Road, Uxbridge, was picked for the all England Schools rugby final trial. Graham plays at centre.

 Harrow Observer - Thursday 25 January 1962 

Road Relay 

St. Nicholas win well 

The Lower School of John Lyon's school road relay held over a 1-1/4 miles course on Saturday was won by St. Nicholas G.S., Northwood. They had a time of 56 min 25 secs as against 57.10 Harrow Boys' County School and 58.14 by John Lyon. Six scored and there were nine entries from schools.

 Harrow Observer - Thursday 14 December 1961 

AWARDS TO BOYS WHO SAVED TWO

 Two 16-year-old schoolboys, John Buckley Wood, of Herga Court, Harrow-on-the-Hill, a pupil at St. Nicholas Grammar School, Northwood Hills and Eric Seymour Goss,  Bigbury. Devon, who formerly attended Wembley County School, have been awarded testimonials on parchment by the Royal Humane Society. The awards are for their rescue of a man and girl from the sea at Bigbury, Devon, last August.

UNDERCURRENT

The citation states the Mr. Emyr Edwards, aged 40, was with his son and daughter  on a wooden float,  drifting out to sea. The father fell off, and his daughter, Margaret,  like him a strong swimmer, went after him.  Both got  into  difficulties with an undercurrent,  and the two boys went in after them.

John Wood brought the girl ashore, while Eric Goss took the father to the son's float and stood by until the float was pulled ashore.

 Harrow Observer - Thursday 07 June 1962 

SCHOOLBOYS SAVED TWO LIVES

RECOGNITION of a brave sea rescue which took place at Bigbury-on-Sea, Devon, on the afternoon of August 30 last year, took place at Assembly at St. Nicholas Grammar School for Boys, Northwood, on Monday morning when, on behalf of the National Humane Society, Supt W. Poole, of Harrow Police, presented a certificate to John Buckley Wood, aged 17, of Herga Court, Sudbury-hill, Harrow Hill. 

Dr. R. F. E. Watson, headmaster, told the assembly of boys that he knew Wood was the last boy to desire publicity, but he felt it was only right that his courage should be brought to the notice of the school.

"This award and the event leading up to it underlines the necessity to make sure we can swim and swim jolly well." said Dr. Watson.

BRAVERY 

Before presenting the certificate, Supt. W. J. Poole told the boys how John Wood and a local friend went to the rescue of a man and his 12-year-old daughter who had got into difficulties about 50 yards from the shore in water about ten feet deep, battling with strong off-shore waves. 

Supt. Poole said this bravery and foresight saved two lives and he was pleased and proud to present John with the certificate and glad to think that we had boys who could swim and were prepared to do such deeds.

Harrow Observer - Tuesday 13 February 1973 

The subject: "A United Europe will lead to a United World" is to be debated at a meeting of the Pinner Branch of the United Nations Association at Pinner Parish Church Hall on Thursday. The motion will be proposed by Philip Dumville, of St. Nicholas Grammar School, Northwood, with Miss Astrid Arnold, of St. Mary's Grammar School, Northwood, as the seconder. The opposer will be M. P. Kleinman, of Merchant Taylors' School, and the seconder Donald Lambdie, of Pinner Grammar School. Mr. G. W. Scotney, headmaster of West Lodge Junior School, will preside.

 Harrow Observer - Thursday 05 December 1957 

Harrow Methodist Church concert

EXPERIENCE AND YOUTH BLENDED 

OLD and new friends of the Methodist Church in Welldon-crescent, Harrow, gave a programme of music and drama in the church on Saturday, when artistes of extreme youth combined effectively with experienced performers to make for an evening of distinction. 

Mr. James Stevenson, the Shakespearean actor, who appeared at Stratford-upon-Avon very recently and who has also been in television programmes in this country and in the United States, contributed excerpts from "Hamlet" and "Romeo and Juliet," while the musical side of the programme was given largely by tbe masters and pupils of the St. Nicholas Grammar School for Boys, Northwood. Outstanding were the performances of the headmaster, Mr. R. F. E. Watson, who, accompanied by Mr. Michael Rose, played in masterly style the Sonata in D Major for Violin by Handel and two movements from the Sonata in A Major by Cesar Franck. 

TALENTED BOYS 

Three of the boys of the school revealed the value of their headmaster's guidance. For 12-year-old Christopher Van Kampen ('cello) the evening was a triumph. In the Suite II in B by Louis de Caix de Hervelois, which opened the programme, he showed that he possesses a technique which would do credit to an instrumentalist of much wider experience. He played in the Quartet in F. Major, Op. 3, No. 5, by Haydn, in which he was joined by Mr. Watson, Mr. H. W. Winter (viola), and Terence O'Brien (violin), who, at the age of 15, was quite equal to his task. For Sullivan's "The Last Chord." as in the case of the opening suite, Christopher was accompanied by Mr. Walter Smith (organ), and for his final item he was joined by his mother, Mrs. Dorothy Van Kampen, in the 'cello duet. Op. 38. No. 1 by Sebastian Lee.

The third of the three pupils. all of whom, incidentally, are Royal Academy junior exhibitionists, was Anthony Hymas (piano), who played the difficult "Jardins Sous la Pluie." by Debussy with the ease and assurance of an advanced performer. Anthony is 14. 

SONGS

The school's contribution to the programme also included delightful tenor solos by Mr. W. J. Thomas, who, accompanied by Mr. L. W. Baker sang "Art Thou Troubled?" from Handel's "Rodelinda." and Alan Murray's ever-popular "I'll Walk Beside You. Mrs. Lois Ellis (contralto), whose voice has often been heard in the church, was accompanied by Mrs. G. W. Theobald in songs by Handel, Massenet, Grieg and Elgar, and Mr. Walter Smith also played two organ solos, Orb and Sceptre, Coronation March, 1953, by William Walton, and Widor's Toccata in F. Mr. Smith arranged the concert and the undoubted success of his initial effort may, one hopes, encourage him to plan further evenings of music and drama at Welldon-crescent. 

Mr. Thomas led the singing of Parry's "Jerusalem" to end the programme. which was introduced by Mr. F. Marsden.

 Harrow Observer - Thursday 19 January 1961

MR. R. F. BURNHAM

CREMATION took place in Ruislip, on January 5, of Mr. Rodney Francis Burnham. of Whittington Way, Pinner whose death as a result of a collision  between his motor scooter and a petrol tanker was reported in the Observer. Mr. Burnham, who was 17, had lived locally all his life. He belonged to an old Harrow family, for his parents, grandparents and great-grandparents have all lived locally. He was a playing member of the Wasps Rugby Club. An ex-pupil of St. Nicholas Grammar School, Northwood, was one of the first pupils of the school and was middle school champion in athletics. He represented Middlesex in the grammar school sports at the White City, and also represented his school many times at rugger. He was trainee buyer for Russells Electric Supplies, Watford. 

The Rev. P. E. Brassell, Vicar of St. Alban's, North Harrow, officiated at the funeral service. Mourners included: Mr. and Mrs. R. F. Burnham, parents; Mr. W. G. Hilton, grandfather: Mrs. J. Parker. aunt: Mr. J. Burnham and Mr. D. Rendle. uncles: Mr. and Mrs. Abbott and Mr. Aitchison. great uncles and great aunt: Dr. R. F. E. Watson, headmaster of St. Nicholas Grammar School: Mr. B Ridge. a master and Mr. Lee, sports master, at the school; Mr. S. Watson of Wasps Rugby Club: a representative of Russells Electric Supplies, and Peter Cullis, Anthony Burnham, Peter Shoebridge, Peter Burnham, Derek Shoebridge, Michael Ducasse, Roy Kemp and many of his friends from St. Nicholas.