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Southern Grammar School For Boys
Portsmouth 1888-1975

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Welcome

This website, which has been developed by former pupils of the Southern Grammar School for Boys, Portsmouth (Old Secundrians), records the history of the school from its inception in 1888 until 1975 when, under UK government reforms, it became a comprehensive school.

Our aim is to develop the site using contributions from many former pupils and staff - not just one or two individuals - and we seek your active involvement in this respect; there is more about that in the Old Secundrians and Contributors sections. Having found your way to the site we very much hope that you will now take the next step by getting involved and let us have your contribution.

Latest News

Annual Dinner 2024 - Friday 10th May

Invitations to the 2024 Dinner have been posted to all registered members. If you have not received an invitation, please contact us so that we can check we have the correct address for youIf you would like to attend and are not a member, please send us your name, contact details and Year of Entry to the School and we will happily add you. There's no cost for membership and no obligations. We can than send you a dinner invitation and booking form. If you are planning to attend and are yet to book, please do this ASAP!

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News Updates

Latest news appears here...

In Memoriam

Peter Bromly (46) and Roger Watts (42)

It is with great sadness that we have learned of the deaths of Peter Bromly (YoE 1946) and Roger Watts (YoE 1942).

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Death of Geoffrey Cook (YoE 1947)

We have received the sad news that Geoffrey Cook, D.O.B 18:08:1935 passed away on 17th September 2023. He was known for his contribution to the Montgomery of Alamein School in Winchester, St. John's School in Marlborough and The John Bentley School in Calne. He is survived by his 3 boys. In his later lives he could be seen cycling around the Wiltshire Downs enjoying the freedom that cycling brought to him. Our condolences to his sons, especially Martin who just gave us this news.

Paul Hibberd (1956)

We have discovered that Paul Hibberd died back in early 2022. His wife prepared an obituary for the LNWR George the Fifth Steam Locomotive Trust of which Paul was the Chairman. Paul Hibberd – an Obituary – LNWR George the Fifth Steam Locomotive Trust (newprincegeorgesteam.org.uk)

Death of Dave Coppard (YOE 1956)

We have heard from Jim Allen with the sad news that Dave Coppard (YOE 1956) passed away in St Richards Hospital, Chichester on 1st January 2024. He had been unwell for some time. Sincere condolences are offered to Dave’s wife Joan, daughter Elaine and son Geoffrey. Jim was a good friend of Dave’s for 66 years having met at the School.

In Memoriam

This section reports news of any recent deaths of Old Secundrians.

Messages & Notices

Urgent Notice - All Members

Please can all members inform us if there has been any change to their email or postal address has changed.

We are getting nearly 30 email bounces on the latest newsletter distribution.

Thank you

Bob Hawthorne
Secretary

E-Book by John Burden (YoE 1958)

I have just finished reading a book written and published by one of our contemporaries. Published in eBook and paperback form, “The Time of Our Lives: Growing Up With the Well-Hard Babies 1945-1960” by John Burden (year of entry 1958) is an absolute must for all Old Secundrians.

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New Archive Material

Thanks to Stephen Gregson (YoE 1962), we have some new Music & Drama archive material which is now visible in the relevant pages - Music / Drama 5

Donations

The Association continues to receive generous donations from members. These are very welcome and help to pay for the administration and postage running costs we have. If you would like to make a donation

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Content Please

The Association is always pleased to receive any news, messages or other interesting information from members. Please send to us using this contact form

Archived News & Messages

Latest News items are automatically removed from the Home Page after after a time to keep things tidy. This will be after an event has passed or after a reasonable period. You can still view archived material by clicking here.