Our guest book and message board 2001a

Attended Willowgarth from 1972-1975 am now living in Wigan and am employed by a firm in Northants driving a 7.5 tonne truck. Are there any teachers still there from my time? I would love to know. Are you starting a message board for ex pupils to contact each other?
mailto:themapper@aol.com Back to top

Les Gray

Outstanding site. Well done. The amount of content and tasteful use of graphics is fantastic. Really one of the best sites I have seen to date.
Regards
Les Gray
Technical Director ik.com
mailto:les@ik.com Back to top

John Foster

We have put the links from our web site to your web site.
www.syorks.co.uk
Regards
John Foster (Head of Technical Services)
mailto:john.foster@barnsley.net Back to top

Paul Halford

I was a pupil between 1964 and 1972.
After leaving school with a clutch of CSEs, O levels and one lonely A level I worked in a paint R&D lab and Quality Control at Lyons bakery before being made redundant.
That spurred me on to further education and in 1991 graduate from The University of Nottingham and Trent
with a 2:2 in BSc (Hons) Applied Biology.
I am now a Nematologist at the UKs oldest agricultural reasearch station, Rothamsted Experimental Station in Harpenden Herts.
My work is almost exclusively on Potato Cyst Nematodes, tiny worm-like organisms which parasitise potato roots. It sounds very anorak-ish but I enjoy the work which has a mix of field experiments and lab based molecular biology.
Say hello to any of the old staff you may come across.
Update January 2002
As of September 2001 I am "semi-retired" in Norfolk. I had to get away from the "rat race". I still work freelance for the research station and I have a lab tech job at a local opticians, but my wife and I try to spend our days walking and bird watching. However, DIY on the new house seems to have taken over for the time being.
Say hello to any of the old staff you may come across.
mailto:pdh1953@hotmail.com
mailto:pd.halford@btopenworld.com Back to top

Fred Fletcher

Fred was a pupil in the 60s and still lives locally. One son attends the school and one left last year. Fred is a governor of the school. He is well known for his film and TV career. Fred can be contacted through the web site or at the school, where his wife is the school admissions oficer. A provisional email address is shown below. A Fred Fletcher page is on the contents page.

mailto:phunkifletch@hotmail.com Back to top

Toni Hanson Becki Peacock Catherine Chesney

I have looked at other school websites but this beats them all. The 'Links' is the best part as it offers great homework help and fun at the same time as well as access to other great websites. This project has been organised very skillfully and I hope it is a hit with Willowgarth pupils. Thankyou!

Becki Peacock

Hiya guys, as ya know old pupil calling!!. Just getting in touch to say hi, hope you are all alright and to see whats happened since I`ve left. Impressed !!!!. Even thou I know how you all are cos Mrs Lomas fills me in alot of the time. Keep healthy & keep smiling.
See ya. (March 2001)

►Catherine Chesney

I think that the new, improved website was well worth visiting. The information about the subjects and teachers is very interesting. I found that the art gallery displaying the pupils work was colourful and looked extremely professional and I can see at a glance that the children at this school have a lot of talent. I also thoroughly enjoyed visiting the links provided by this web site and I will be observing this page for future changes. (March 2001) Back to top

Kimberley Dooley

Hi people!
I hope you are all doing alright without me.
I'll see you soon.

mailto:kimdooley@fsmail.net Back to top

Andrew Heeley

It's nice to be writing to my old school. I would like to suggest a page for your links page. It is related to young people and education of 13 - 18 year olds, so I see no reason why it shouldn't go on. The website is one I run for my Air Cadet squadron - fly.to/148sqn - it's name 148 (Barnsley) Squadron Air Training Corps.

mailto:a.heeley@btinternet.com Back to top

Holly Carbutt Chris Whittaker

I think that the new website is brill and could be even better! My dad has seen it and he thinks its brill as well!

Chris Whittaker

Hi,
I still think this site is marvelous for school, home and leisure - so I think that it should deserve 10 out of 10!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. (Jan 2001) Back to top

Adam Waterson

Hi Everyone,
If you can't remember me then wakeup!...what a great site I must call in one day and see you all again....I am currently finishing my HND and will start my Degree soon in no other than software Engineering. But I will probably work in website development so I'll come and pinch some ideas!!!...I'd love to keep in contact with the staff so anyone staff who remembers me feel free to email me.... Bye for now and you get my full support for such a great effort from yourselves, if you need any help then I'm always available and would love to make a contribution / get involved in some way. Take Care Everyone and I'll write again soon.
Thank you for a great 5 years - 1991-1996,
Adam

mailto:adam.waterson@btinternet.com Back to top

Laura Parton Holly Whittaker Ashley Jones

Laura Parton

I think there has been a vast improvement on the website. It is fun to look at and has a lot of information to offer about the school and the people in it......Well done!

Holly Whittaker

I was highly impressed with the school website. The only request is that it has more colour on it and that it has a guest book (Done! Web Master). So the visiters who come on the website can view what other visitors have thought about the site. A good site all round though.

Ashley Jones

Hello,
Good to see the web site going so well!!! Very Nice. I am sending you this message to let you know of a good link I have found to a website for homework...
http://www.thinkquest.org/library/search.html
It has a library of information for all your subjects...Very useful.
Have a go...
Ashley Back to top

Debra Willis

I am trying to find an e-mail address or website for The Elmhirst Secondary School in Barnsley. My sister-in-law who attended it when it was called Whitecross, and who does not have computer access, has asked me to research the history of the school for purposes of a reunion of people in her class. We both live in Canada. I wondered if you could provide me with the information for either the school or Headteacher Mr. Needham. Thank you very much for your assistance. (Jan 2001)

mailto:willis@connected.bc.ca Back to top

Andrew Austin

Why don't you do a section on past pupils at Willowgarth and what they are doing now? (Feb 2001)

mailto:austin.fam@talk21.com Back to top

Paul Schofield

Currently working in Portsmouth as a Senior Environmental Test Support Engineer. Still active in many sports and enjoying life to the full. It would be great to hear from anyone who remembers me - that includes ex teachers as I don't hold any grudges. Don will hold me to that. (Feb 2001)

mailto:paul.schofield2@baesystems.com Back to top

Laura Guy

I am an ex pupil from Willowgarth who left last year with quite good exam grades. I thought that the school did every thing it could to support its students and has helped me to build a strong base for a decent career in the future. I just wanted to say thanks and it will always be appreciated! (Feb 2001)

mailto:1108749@student.barnsley.ac.uk Back to top

Adele Halpin (Peckett)

I was a pupil at Willowgarth from 1976 to 1981 in the days of Terry Mullen and the Wilbys (happy days!). Then I was Adele Peckett - now I'm a podiatrist, married with 2 kids living in beautiful California. Would love to hear from anyone who remembers me from that time. Still carry fond memories of WHS and Mr Mullen will be pleased to hear that I read math textbooks for fun. (Feb 2001)

mailto:adelehalpin@hotmail.com Back to top

Jayne Marshall (Austin)

I was a pupil of Willowgarth, leaving in 1983 after doing A levels. I went to the College of Ripon and York St.John, and did a BA(Hons). I currently work for County Care North Yorkshire (social services) as a Locality Manager, looking after all the services in the town. I am the sister, of Ray, Andrew and Ruth and Auntie to Rachel, Katie, Ian and Claire all "Austins" (You could tell by the tie, as Mr McMahon used to say!) Both Rachel and Katie are studying for degrees and Claire is still in school. Ian is studying for an ONC in electrical engineering. I am still in contact with Carol Close, who was the same year as me. I would love to hear from anyone who was at school with me. Like your website a lot! If you would like any more info for your web page about former pupils I will try and help out! Please give my best wishes to the school, it has given a good start to so many people. Good luck with your website, and I will be in touch if I get any more info!

More info--
Interestingly.....My son Scott attends Harrogate Granby High School where Mrs.Dolata is Head of History. When I saw her at Open evening, I remembered her as Miss Cameron! A few years ago I saw Mr.Dry in Harrogate town centre. I would be interested to know if Mr. Ladley is still in the school, and of course if he is still peforming the 12 days of Xmas? Carol Close is teaching in Woking, she did her degree at Ilkley. Maybe David Guest would get in touch. I understand he is a lawyer now. I am not sure but I think he went to Durham. Perhaps a "reunion" would be a good idea. My niece Rachel has just returned from a year in Brussels, and her sister Katie is doing mechanical engineering at Newcastle. Claire tells me you (Webmaster) now teach IT, but I remember you as a geography teacher. The "cool temperate maritime" still sticks in my mind! I do recall Mr.Trotman...The welsh wizard! Please give my best wishes to the school,it has given a good start to so many people. Good luck with your website, and I will be in touch if I get any more info! (Feb 2001)

mailto:marshall.jayne@virgin.net Back to top

Stephanie Brightmore

Hi there everyone! This is Stephanie Brightmore, one of your ex-pupils! I was asked by one of my friends to have a look at your new website - which I have to say isn't bad. The school's changed a bit from what I've seen in the pictures - for the better I must say! Ok so now I'm going to tell you guys something about me. I attended Willowgarth from around 1993 - 1997. I then left and went to Barnsley College to study Information Technology - I now have a GNVQ at 'A' level and I left with a Distinction. I am currently looking for a job in IT - so if you have some, give me a ring! I do believe that's about it! So hopefully I will see some of you soon! (Feb 2001)

mailto:s-k-brightmore@supanet.com Back to top

Kevin Bates

G'day All,
I was a student at Willowgarth in the 60s along with Paul Halford (elsewhere in the guest book). I made contact with him through the www after losing touch for 30+ years, we now keep in touch and reflect on old times via scanned photos & email. What about a school photo album section for past students and teachers etc. (Already started - Webmaster) I still remember the headmaster Mr. Tipping and some teachers:- Snowdon, White, Lawson, Elles, Kirby, Armitage, Wilby, Noble, Shirt, Kenyon.
Personal Site:-
http://members.ozemail.com.au/~kevinbates1/index.htm
(Australia March 2001)

mailto:kevinbates1@ozemail.com.au
mailto:kevinbates1@yahoo.com.au Back to top

Geoff Speight

I was a pupil from 1967-72. After leaving with 3 'o' levels, I trained as a mental health nurse. I am now a lecturer in mental health nursing at the University of Central Lancashire. Anyone organising a 30 year leavers do? (March 2001)

mailto:geoff@speightgk.freeserve.co.uk Back to top

Paul Vodden

Hi all at Willowgarth. I left in May 1981 (I still remember the day vividly), to pursue a career as a mechanical engineering apprentice in the mining industry, leaving to operate a transport business, and then to spend a number of years living in sunny Florida, returning in 1997 to take up where I left off in mining, currently working at the Prince of Wales Colliery Pontefract, one of the few Barnsley Mineworkers left I think!
I still have a pint and talk over old times with Stan Horton in the Three Horse Shoes at Brierley. Is Julie Geddes still at Willowgarth? I still have the memorabilia she gave me from UK SUBS.
I have some good memories of my time at Willowgarth and would be interested to know what old friends are up to. (March 2001)

mailto:Pvodden@aol.com Back to top

Roy Thomas

Hi. I was wondering if there was any way of getting a list of teachers and pupils who where there from 1976 to 1980. I would love a list of pupils in my final class of 1980. I was in Alpha 7 and our registration tutor was Mr McKenzie. I would love to organise a School Reunion. Any information would be very welcome. Thanks for all your efforts. (April 2001)

mailto:roy.theodore@virgin.net Back to top

Robert James

I am trying to find out information on your home town of Brierley. I live in the USA. My father moved to the United States around 1921 and has since passed away. I never got to speak with him about his childhood life, but now I'm interested in his early life in England. Please email me information about old records and schools that he may have attended. I am also looking for relatives that may still live there. My father's name was Redvers James. His father was John James and his mother's maiden name was Mills.

Thank you very much,
Robert James (April 2001)

mailto:robert001@hotmail.com Back to top

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