I know I'm not a boy but I work at Oakbank and have become the unofficial keeper of the archive - ie I saved what remained from rotting in the tank room! As such I have a lot of old school magazines, prefect notes, a cricket cap etc and a vast array of photos which may be of interest.

It is also the centenary year of the House Challenge Sheild and of Kirkcudbright and I'm after any information any one has as to why the Challenge Sheild & kirky were presented to the school in 1911 or if it was just happenstance

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) Still there!

Hi Rachel,

Unless you've already done so, check the 'Photos' tab on the website and click on 'Browse all photos' then select 'School Camp'. Unfortunately they only go back as far as 1930.

You could also try Kevin Howley.

The best source of the information that you're seeking would be Ian Dewhirst an 'old boy' and former Chief Librarian of Keighley Library.

Have you checked the old editions of The Keighley News in the Reference Library?

A good alternative might be the present owners:

http://www.gillespie-leisure.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=77&Itemid=136

who should be able to provide the information that you require from their Deeds, Land Certificate or whatever the equivalent is in Scotland.

Apart from School Camp, I'd be interested in seeing what items you have. Hope this is of some assistance to you in your search.

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1959 - 1966

Current location (optional) Embsay

Hi Rachel (You Godsend)

Rotting in the tank room?

Please forward to this site your archive inventory.

Best of luck with your efforts for commemorating the centenary year and the Kirky Camp - I had 5 campaigns - 2 as forager.

There is a diminishing number of surviving Old Keighlians able to explain the significance of such remnants of the old school that you possess BUT they are dying to rummage through whatever you can forward to be displayed on this site - through Chris, our webmaster.

You could become an Honorary Old Boy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As for the matter of the tank room cricket cap!! I was awarded my school cricket cap for the season 1960, and although I gave in my cap size (BIG) to Miss Reilly, I never received my trophy. If the one in your possession is dated season 1960 - I claim it and donate it in the same breath to your collection
Terry Marston
1952-60

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1952-60

Current location (optional) Lincoln

Good morning Rachel

Thanks for finding us and posting. Most of the regular posters on here will be delighted that you have some old KBGS materials in your archives, and as Terry has said it would be good to have some sort of list so we know whats there, and some of us who are still in the area or visit regularly may like to see it sometime. Our webmaster Chris Firth will be interested too. Chris started the site in memory of his father, but never attended KBGS himself. He does an amazing job, considering he lives in Singapore.

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 58-64

Current location (optional) Wirral

Dear Rachel,

Many thanks for contacting us. As organiser of the KBGS biennial reunion I should like to invite you to our next gathering which will take place on Friday, 2 September of this year, at the Keighley RUFC clubhouse at Utley.

If you are interested then please contact me for further details on a.d.thompson@hull.ac.uk.

Best wishes

Doug Thompson

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1951-58

Thank you for that, I am persuing the Ian Dewhirst route too.

Unfortunately the Cap in my possession is for the 1936-37 season and the name tape says Fred Kid. Although I did note that you came a respectable 3rd in the Triple Jump for Briggs and that you were Deputy Head Boy in 1966. There is also an interesting report on a Baldwin playing the clarinet in the school concert but there might have been other Baldwins at school at the time.

I have not catalogued the archive but there are a massive number of photographs, a fair number of newspaper clipping books, and incomplete but fairy extensive collection of the Keighlians, a log book fron Kirky, teachers log covering some of the WW2 years. Some of which are with history staff and some of which live in my office in Haggas house. Any one is welcome to come and look through if they wish

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) Still here!

The Cap is for the 1936-37 season and has the name Fred Kidd inside but I have noticed that you were Deputy Head Prefect in 1959. as I still have some of the prefect notes I may look you up in them!

Anyone is welcome to root through what we have. recently Dorothy Hind, daughter of Mr Hind an ex headmaster of the school kindly came into see me and donated a raft of pictures. Mr Clarke has also been in and caused a stir amongst some of the old boys and girls that work here - one of whom refered to him by his nickname, which he took in the sprit it was intended

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) Still here!

Thank you and all your fellow Old Boys for the responses. I am happy to share these finds. I am assuming that you are the B. R. Moate who featured as a tenor in the school concert iI think in 1963/4?

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) Still here!

Thank you for that kind invitation and I would be delighted to take you up on the offer. I will email you shortly. If it is appropriate I could bring some of the material I have with me? As yet I haven't tracked you down in my material, I have a bit of a gap between 1943 and 1958 but I shall delve further.

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) Still here!

Mentioned this to Keith Waddington this evening and he said that, in one of his KBGS School Magazines, Gilbert had written an article on the history of 'School Camp' and, from memory, the land was purchased in 1910.

Keith will try to find the article.

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1959 - 66

Current location (optional) Embsay

This is a bit worrying!

I never heard mention of "prefect notes" in 8 years. What could they contain? Lists of villains detained in "Pref's Deten" ? - usually on a Tuesday @ 1600 or HM (Harry Milton's) comments on prefes (for your eyes only)

Do you have access to staff detention lists and a cause list? That could blast some local dignitaries' reputations.

And what about 'Saturday mornings' (and I don't mean house matches!)- but impoundings by the headmaster at the HM's pleasure (?).

You could have access to some pretty powerful career-destructive data - if it wasn't retrospective.

But it smacks a bit of WikiLeaks and Assange.

Sod it - Publish and be damned!!!!!!!!!

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1952-60

Current location (optional) Lincoln

Hi Rachel.

The article that Dave Baldwin referred to was written by Gilbert Swift and published in the Summer 1956 edition of The Keighlian. Gilbert only covered the previous 20 years of School Camp so his review begins in 1935. Do you have access to this edition, if not I can scan the article and send it to you?

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1954-1960

Current location (optional) Embsay

Keith - pls scan it and also upload it here!
(use Add photo link from home page)

Thanks
Chris

Thank you Keith. I have some note books/logs from the camp, but there are a number of gaps. The logs books make interesting reading and certainly looking at some of the menus some hearty eating went on or is that just for the purposes of the log book! An interesting element of one of the log books is that it lists heights and chest measurments of the boys who went up and what they were when they came back but there is no information as to why this data was collected. Was it common practice?

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) Still here!

Hello Rachel - any entries for the 1930s when my father (Colin Firth) went there?
Thanks
Chris

Yes Rachel, thats me . I actually left the school at Christmas 1964. I already had done A Levels and had unconditional offers, so I left and got a job (Harrogate I.C.I.) until starting at Uni of Nottm in Sept 1965.

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 58-64

Current location (optional) Wirral

Ok Chris, article scanned and forwarded.
Cheers,
Keith.

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1954-1960

Current location (optional) Embsay

"An interesting element of one of the log books is that it lists heights and chest measurements of the boys who went up and what they were when they came back but there is no information as to why this data was collected. Was it common practice?"
I remember asking my father (KBGS Circa 1933-38)why he never went to Kirky and he said that camp was originally intended for "sickly" boys.

Nice to hear from you again Keith, another Lund Parker, and demon fast bowler for Knowle Park Congs. Hope your sister is also well.

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 58-64

Current location (optional) Wirral

Thanks Brian. Not sure about the "demon" but bowling skills honed on Lund Park bandstand! I'll pass on your regards to Glenis, she is very well thank you.

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1954-1960

Current location (optional) Embsay

Hi Chris, so far the only entry I can find for a C. Firth is in the report for the Keighley Boys' grammar School, July 1955. At the end of the report it lists Old Boys appointments, degrees etc and Firth, C (1934-40) - Final examination, Society of Incorporated Accountants and Auditors. I do have more material to go through which is currently with the history department so I'll let you know if I come accross any other entries.

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) Still here!

Rachel -- Thanks, was thinking more of the his being in one of the lists of "heights and chest measurments of the boys who went up". Anything from the 1930s?

Keith -- nothing received regarding "article scanned and forwarded."

Chris

In the old school, the panorama school photos were displayed on the walls of the corridors. Some copies of these are displayed on this site - but there is not a full set. It would be a wonderful discovery if the missing years are in the collection that Rachel speaks of.

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1952-60

Current location (optional) Lincoln

Terry, I have a copy of the 1964 panorama which my brother gave me to upload onto the site. It must surely have been the very last one at the old school. However, the technological wizadry required to accomplish that feat is beyond the skills of this particular OB. Maybe you can explain how to do it when we meet next week?

Doug

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1951-58

Current location (optional) Cottingham, East Yorkshire

Hi Chris. Yes, I had a problem with my scanner which I could not resolve before I left for a weeks holiday. Dave Baldwin offered to scan the article and send it but he has been scuppered by BT. He has had no internet connection whilst I have been away. Hopefully you will have it fairly soon now.
Cheers

Keih.

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1954-1960

Current location (optional) Embsay

Come back, Rachel, we need you !!!

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1952-60

Current location (optional) Lincoln

We used to have some panarama photos from the KBGS days in reception, they were removed during some building and decorating work so I'm trying to track them down. However in the process I have come across a large collection of sports team photos, school production photos and some of the school camp ranging from 1917 to about 1952/3. I have also discovered some very pristine photos of what I assume are prefects from 1955 - 1958. I think I need to master the art of scanning and let you see some of these. I'm still trying to fill in some of the gaps around the 1957 - 61 era

Glad to hear from you again, Rachel. When I was in school at the old place, there were many panoramic photos on the walls of the corridors. Whenever I was permitted time to stop and stare I would try to find my Dad who was in school around 1922 (he was born 100 years ago this year) to 1927. I hope you can resurrect these missing archives.

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1952-1960

Current location (optional) Lincoln

Hello Rachel,
In association with the Keighley & District Local History Society we are trying to collect together Keighley's educational history and would love to help preserve the Boys' Grammar archives. We have a website www.keighleyschools.co.uk
Regards, David

Current location (optional) Keighley

"I'm still trying to fill in some of the gaps around the 1957 - 61 era"

Hi Rachel. I rang you a few weeks ago hoping to call at the school and see photos, magazines etc. You said then that you would try to trace 57-60 stuff. I see you are still trying. Could you let us know on this site when you have any success so I can ring again and arrange to see it.
Thanks

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1954-59

Current location (optional) Denholme garethwhittaker99@hotmail.com

Dave Boddy and I would also be interested in calling-in to see what Rachel has found and, so as not to waste her time, wonder if a single co-ordinated visit could be arranged rather than individuals arranging to visit at different times?

Would it be possible to provide a time and date via this post?

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1959-1966

Current location (optional) Embsay

I have panoramas for 1936 (quite damaged), 1946, 1954, 1958 and 1964 at Oakbank. I scan these in four or five sections and 'stitch' them together so they are quite big files but at least preserved. Have started putting the few copies of Keighlian into pdf booklets. I am on kirkwoodale@yahoo.co.uk

Current location (optional) Keighley

Sorry i haven't been in touch for a while - exam season and all that!

Any of you are welcome to comie in and have a root through the Archive. If you give me a ring at the school I will be happy to arrange a time with you. As someone did mention they some of the Keighlians are very wordy and can take some getting through.

Don't suppose there is any chance of borrowing a handful of items at a time so I can digitise them and hopefully preserve them for posterity? If not if you could find a room for me fore a couple of hours each time. We did this with the KGGS archive and now have over 1,000 photos plus school magazine, prize giving, scrapbooks etc.

Current location (optional) Keighley

I had no idea that IW's father was ex-KBGS. Ex Craig en Darroch yes. Of course.

Rachel
I think the cap belonged to Dr. Fred Kidd who,as well as playing cricket also played rugby for the school, Keighley, and Yorkshire. Upon retirement from teaching, and returning to Keighley, Fred became very involved with local history, he pinched our blackleading brush and took it to Cliffe Castle,there was talk at one time of renaming the Central Hall after Fred.
Fred was a nephew of my Grandmother and the Kidd family was based round the Exley Head area.

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1952-1957

Current location (optional) keighley

I suppose his interest in your blackleading brush stemmed from the days that he was Director of Research, British Brush Manufacturers Research Association. In 1957, after 10 years in post, he wrote a book "Brush making materials".
This may sound to be an uninspiring subject for research but when we came to live in the Alconburys in 1975 we met a lady who had been one of Fred's assistants. She was so proud to be a scientist and to have been associated with Fred. She never stopped talking about him.

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1937-1944

Current location (optional) Huntingdon

Dull brushes are still fascinating animal fibers to a scientist. In 1962 my father Fred Kidd moved into the application of animal fibers as fine woolen textiles on the banks of the famous River Tweed in Scotland. There he taught the organic chemistry of fibers and dyeing at the prestigious Scottish College of Textiles. He became Vice-Principal and in 1980, as Acting Principal of the College, established it as a University faculty. He retired 1982 and moved back to the Keighley area. He passed away in 2000.

Rachel Panteli who for many years has looked after what old KBGS archives she could save from rotting in the tank room at Oakbank, retires tomorrow. She has made these archives available in her office to any of us who could call at the School, but unsure of what might happen to them when she has gone, she and the Head agreed that they might be better housed with other material of the same kind in Local Studies at Keighley Public Library. The Library said they “would be very pleased to accept this collection from Oakbank School for the Keighley Archives where it will be kept safely for future researchers.” A list giving a rough idea of what can be found in the collection will be posted under “Archives” as soon as I can figure out how to do it and the material will be deposited with the Library tomorrow.

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1954-59

Current location (optional) United Kingdom

I would like to add my thanks and appreciation to Rachel for her persistence in maintaining the saving of these archives and for her role in passing on their safe-keeping to what we know will be a safe pair of hands.

May I wish her a happy retirement?

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1952-60

Current location (optional) Nirvana

List now available courtesy of Chris as pdf at
http://kbgscom0000.web702.discountasp.net/kbgs/KBGSArchives.pdf or as photo by going to Browse All Photos/select History category/page 2, 2014.

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1954-59

Current location (optional) United Kingdom

Many thanks to Rachel, of course, for protecting the remaining KBGS archive over a good number of years, but also to Gareth for his persistence in ensuring that the material, fully catalogued, has been transferred to Keighley Public Library. Let us hope that its somewhat precarious existence up to now will soon be replaced by something more robust, and accessible, in its new home.

Doug

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1951-58

Current location (optional) Keswick, Cumbria

Let's hope that they treat our historical documents better than they did theirs, which were dumped in a skip during the refurbishment.

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1959-66

Current location (optional) Shoreham-by-Sea