The  November update of the website has raised interest amongst former pupils of the school and several have written to members of the Committee.   Their news and comments are reported here.

If you would like to contact any of our contributors, please email your request to a member of the committee.   We will then pass this on to the contributor.

Likewise, if you wish to make contact with a former pupil, please let us know and we will see if we can provide assistance.

John Holdstock (Editor)

JOHN SPARGO

WRITING TO THE EDITOR

Hi John

I was a September 1963 entrant and did a third year in the sixth form to change direction and take Art A level, which enabled me to get into Hornsey College of Art.    

Please feel free to use any of my reflections and to adjust it as you wish.

That reminds me of the time The School entrance signboard was repainted, much to all pupil’s amusement, with the description Ealing Grammer School.

I played Cricket and Rugby for the Ealing Clubs until I moved to Cornwall. A couple of my contemporaries, Richard Melmouth and Mark Pickard, also played cricket and I am still in touch with them.  Rick worked for the London Borough of Ealing until retiring.   He had two older brothers at the school, Andrew and John.   Paul Lowen played cricket and rugby and is still a good friend.  He worked as an Accountant until recently. He now coaches fencing in the Ealing area.    He fenced to a high standard during his career, including captaining England over 50's.

Over the years the Rugby Club included several Old Boys such as Dave Horne, Dave (Syd) Webber, Chris Wilson, John Critchfield, Phil Gyetvai.   I believe Dave Horne, John and Phil all captained the First Team.   Phil was a fireman and still attends most home games along with occasional visits from the others. Several younger Old Boys, Andy Evans, Mick brown, Gareth Cobley, plus Ron and Rick Ward, all played to a high standard at Wasps together.  Dave Gardiner from the year ahead of me played first team on the wing at Wasps for several years, where he joined John Davies who played center.  Dave also played cricket for Brentham Firsts.  That's drained my sporting memory bank.

I did go to a small pub reunion about 33 years ago, arranged by Ian Stone for our year. There were about a dozen of us there including Dave Ellis (BA Cabin Crew?), Hart (Air Traffic Controller), Colin Lindsell (Building Soc Manager), John Jackson ( Pharmaceutical Salesman), Ian Rawlings (S London Brewery Owner) and Steven McGurk (teacher turned Airline Pilot).    Others included bank managers, scrap metal and car dealers etc.    I also bumped into Rob Moorcroft and Carlo Fruzza, whilst studying at Hornsey College of Art.  Dave Webber spent many years working in the Harrods Accounts Dept.

Heavens Knows where they all are now.

One Story I remember was related to us at an Old Boys rugby match by Ian Dorton who played rugby and rowed briefly.

He was out sculling one games day when he capsized. He started to swim to shore but was told via megaphone in no uncertain terms, by Mr Gramault, that he should swim back and secure the boat before he worried about saving himself.   He was the same in the Classroom - no quarter given.

I look forward to reading memories from other Old Ealonians.

Best Wishes

  John Spargo

News from John Spargo

1963 to 69

John would like to hear from any acquaintances from his time at EGS.  If you would like to make contact, please let us know.

John H (Editor)