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With the ever-increasing interest in local history, schooldays memories are increasingly being recorded for posterity. Here PETER SEDDON, a former pupil of Derby School, recalls his time there in the late sixties and early seventies, and ponders why all his old classmates have kept so quiet for so long!

The original DERBY GRAMMAR SCHOOL - established in the twelfth century and closed in 1989 - has been almost routinely labelled 'the most venerable educational establishment in Derby's history'. I would not disagree with that, for when I attended the school from 1967 to 1974, I was aware, even at a tender age, that here was an institution with a long and interesting past.

Yet in a sense I had started at a new school altogether, barely a year old, for after its long-standing home at St. Helen's House was declared 'unfit for habitation' in 1966, brand new premises were built on Moorway Lane, Littleover, and that is where my own Derby School years began.

Although its state-of-the-art contemporary buildings bore scant resemblance to its former home, the ethos of the school continued little changed, with teachers and traditions decamping from town to 'country' more or less intact. That state of affairs continued until 1974, when the school became both co-educational and comprehensive at a stroke. While the new look school retained both its name and many good qualities after that date, it would be difficult to deny that an era had come to a close, and in effect the 'original' Derby Grammar School for Boys ceased to exist in 1974.

And that's where the 'lost generation' of this article's title comes in, for those who attended the school between 1966 and 1974 experienced a brief but unique mini-era in the school's long history, its 'last hurrah' before it was irreversibly changed.

I use the term 'lost generation' for the simple reason that virtually nothing has been written of that period, despite the boys from that time sharing a mutual experience which clearly defines a significant era in the school's life-cycle. And each year, when the steadily ageing band of Old Derbeians convene for their annual dinner, barely a single pupil from the Moorway Lane years has put in an appearance. As a consequence, there is a real possibility that the 'Old Derbeian Society' may ultimately suffer its own sad demise. But those 'boys' must be out there somewhere!

As I write this in November 2007, a history of the school is being prepared. What a great shame it would be if Derby School's Moorway Lane years were to be glossed over in a cursory paragraph or two. Yet that could well be the case, for few memories or photographs from that time have been widely aired.

So I shall set the ball rolling with one of those stiffly-posed form photographs in which we all looked so angelic. The one below is of form 3A taken in May 1969, when most of us were aged 13. For the sake of nostalgia - and with affectionate apologies - I have included a few nicknames.

Left to right Back Row: Steven Smedley ('Smeddles' or 'Beaky'), Andrew Waterfield, William Stokes ('Bill'), Clive Potter ('Potts' or 'Pansy'), Kevin Toon ('Toony'), Michael Rudd ('Pud' or 'Steam'), John Whewell ('Chunky'), Peter Seddon ('Beetroot' or 'Squire'), Michael Rawson ('Rawse' or 'Reuben'), Martin Rasdall ('Raz'), John Rutland ('Rutty'). Middle Row: Mark Welling, Peter Rhodes ('Toofy'), Barry Shillitoe ('Shill'), Barry Wagg ('Baz' or 'Lardy'), Roy Varney, Robert Rodgers ('Mr. Wodgers' or '59-76'), Graham Scotton ('Scratcher' or 'Scrotum'), James Walker ('Wack'), Steven Swanwick ('Swon'), Richard Sanders ('Meaty'). Front Row: Adrian Sheraton ('Shez' or 'Barrel'), Mark Welch ('Squelch'), Jonathan Prime ('Primo' or 'Primrose'), Eric Poxon ('Pox' or 'Bones'), Mr. Chris Daly Atkinson ('Daly'), Martin Yates ('Yatesy' or 'Plates'), Stuart Rayner ('Chub' or 'Bobble'), Martin Skeldon ('Skelly'), Andrew Pickering ('Pixie')

So can anybody add anything? Did you attend Derby School between 1966 and 1974? Or perhaps you were in the crossover years, and experienced both St. Helen's House and Moorway Lane, and could write about the differences. Maybe you were a teacher at the school. And are there any more photographs out there?

To add a written contribution, simply click on the 'edit' link at the top of this page. Or to add a photograph, go to the 'upload image' feature.

The Moorway Lane boys always seemed to have plenty to say from what I can recall, so laying down a few memories for posterity wouldn't go amiss. Let's not allow the 'Lost Generation' to be lost forever!

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County:  Derbyshire

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