Grimshaw

Schools have changed since Frank Grimshaw first entered Bemrose Grammar School’s Preparatory Form back in 1937. Two years later Frank passed the annual County Minor Scholarship exam, and as war broke out, entered the Bemrose Main School. Inkpots, grey flannel short pants, and ration books were accepted as part of everyday life. Back then, grammar schools were all single sex, and all were fee paying.

Frank has generously allowed us to reproduce part of his book, “It Was Different In My Day”, in which Frank recounts life at Bemrose during World War II.

Meet Frank Grimshaw

Frank Grimshaw, also known as Noel whilst at Bemrose, was born 1928, and lived in Mickleover from the age of two. Entered the Preparatory Forms at Bemrose in 1937, and the main School from 1939 - 45. Having met John Buxton (farmer's son mentioned in my intro to the Preparatory Forms) I became 'hooked' and commenced a career in Farming, gaining work experience for two years before two and a half years National Service in the Sherwood Foresters.

Then to Agricultural College in Devon to gain a National Diploma in Agriculture before an injury whilst playing amateur football put paid to 'practical' farming. I embarked on a 33 year career in the MAFF National Agricultural Advisory Service (NAAS) advising farmers in Sussex, North Yorkshire ('Herriot Country'), and the County Durham Dales

In 1958 I married a Yorkshire lass, Leane, and we have our children Carole, Peter and John, and Carole has provided us with grandchildren Ashlea and Robin! Retired in 1988 to Darlington, amongst other lesser activities, to play golf at Blackwell Grange GC!

Click here to send Frank an email.

Chapter 10, Page 2

"Each day started with Assembly in Hall when autocratic Headmaster W. A. MacFarlane, his be-gowned staff thronged in support behind him on the stage, addressed the assembled multitude sitting before him crossed-legged on the parquet floor in rows by Form, youngest at the front, eldest at the back."

Chapter 10, Page 3

"Remember this was Wartime and to get biscuits ‘off the ration’ was special! But every day they were available... 1d (One ‘old’ penny) for McVitie’s chocolate Digestive, ½d (a ha’penny) for a Nice or a Coconut ring."

Chapter 11, Page 1

"Adrenalin pumping, inexpertly we both aimed a blow at each other’s nose at the same moment – how do you look at your target to hit, and yet at the same time watch out for an approaching blow?"

Excerpts from the book
It was different in my day
By Frank Grimshaw

Introduction

Click the page picture below to view page 1 of Chapter 10

"Having the advantage of 2 years in Bemrose Preparatory School, I was able to pass first go! It cost means-tested Dad £15 a term for my tuition (before other costs) but enabled me to start my Secondary education at Bemrose Main School in September 1939. It coincided with the declaration of War, and many of the younger teachers were being called up to the Forces, to be replaced by previously retired older ones – it was considered boys were best taught by men."

"To perpetuate tradition was most rewarding."
~ Frank Grimshaw

Chapter 11, Page 2

"Every Class had its Swot. We rarely saw him outside school – unless we sought him out. Bound to get the Form Prize each year for outstanding class-work, without fail he’d sweep the board at the annual Hobbies Exhibition."

Chapter 11, Page 3

"On the day we broke up for Christmas, after overnight activity by the hard-working staff, by ten-thirty we assembled in Hall now resplendent with seasonal decorations for the much-awaited Christmas Carol Concert.

Chapter 11, Page 4

"Any further minor misdemeanour resulted, in front of the sympathetic class, in his demand of static outstretched knuckles of the offender’s ‘non-writing’ hand to await painful collision with a rapidly descending whippy little cane previously concealed about his person."