Aylesburian Magazine - From The Archives

AYLESBURIAN MAGAZINE FROM THE ARCHIVES (1927-1985)

AYLESBURIAN MAGAZINE FROM THE ARCHIVES

AGS site - aerial photograph 1967

AGS site - aerial photograph 2018

AYLESBURIAN MAGAZINE FROM THE ARCHIVES

1920s

Introduction: The Aylesburian magazine, compiled and published annually, has arguably been the most important and direct written and pictorial record of Aylesbury Grammar School for many decades. As the current custodian of this wonderful publication I often have need to look things up in the many previous issues safely stored away in the school archives. And as I have read through a multitude articles and reports, written by past and present staff and students, some aspects of AGS life have progressed beyond all recognition, but some have, through our commitment to the great traditions of this historic institution, stayed remarkably similar.

This document is an attempt to showcase some of these long-forgotten or misplaced facts and historical events, from the plain interesting all the way to the downright quirky and definitely ‘of their time.’ It is definitely not an exhaustive record of everything by any means, but I have tried to collect together some of the articles and accounts which jumped out to me upon reading and which hopefully you will find interesting and in many cases fun too.

Mr G Dallas

The Revival: The Aylesburian magazine disappeared from the life of the school at some point in the distant past, most likely for financial reasons, but was revived in 1927. Interestingly this was also the year of the first ‘talkie’ (Movie with sound – The Jazz Singer), the first Broadway musical (Showboat) and even the first solo non-stop flight across the Atlantic by Chris Lindbergh (1902-1974), so clearly there was something creative and magical in the air that year…..and not just Mr Lindbergh!

1927 – I particularly like the idea of ‘lantern lectures’. Never underestimate the power of blackout curtains!

Did You Know?....

The AGS as we know it, on our Walton Road site, opened at Easter 1907 and as a condition of a generous donation of precisely £3,538 from the County Council to help pay for the construction and commission of the initial new buildings, both boys and girls were admitted to the new incarnation of the school…We remained a co-educational institution until 1959 and the formulation of Aylesbury High School next door…more on that later…

AYLESBURIAN MAGAZINE FROM THE ARCHIVES

1920s

Sport remains an important part of the life of our current 21st Century students, and it’s pleasing to read in the archives that largely this has always been the case, both for the boys and girls. And as this lovely little article from the 1927/28 football season shows, as we continue promote to this day, it really is not all about the winning…..

1927/28 – “A season of ‘interesting’ football”

1930s

AYLESBURIAN MAGAZINE FROM THE ARCHIVES

Sadly, the girls of AGS were not allowed to play the rough sport of ‘Association Football’, but they were definitely at home on the tennis court as this report from 1930 shows and despite losing to the teachers this season, they made up for it with a complete demolishing of the Mothers!

1930 – Sorry Mum, better luck next year…

Did you know?…

The original AGS uniform was navy blue and grey. I am yet to discover the exact date the boys started wearing all black, most likely in 1959, with the girls retaining the original colours as AHS continue to wear to this day.

This is a great advert from the 1930 edition of the Aylesburian….sturdy shoes to cope with the rigours of Grammar School life, and definitely much easier phone numbers to remember back in those days!

AYLESBURIAN MAGAZINE FROM THE ARCHIVES

1930s

The lantern lectures continued to be popular in 1931, but I sincerely hope the ‘apparently ugly’ in Mr C. S. Clarke’s offering referred to objects and not people…

1931 – The ‘modern’ motor lorry starts to clog up roads everywhere Just as the current 2020 Eco-Team are putting into action, it was great to read about the similar creation of an AGS garden, way back in 1931. Miss Taffs and her helpers have been replaced in the modern era by Mrs Levitt, Mrs Giles and their helpers and we look forward to seeing the results of their work in due course.

AYLESBURIAN MAGAZINE FROM THE ARCHIVES

1930s

These short news items were a very popular addition to the magazine in the early part of its revival. Some come across as unintentionally hilarious at times as they are very ‘of their time’.

‘No more picnicking in the Physics lab’ and the excitement of a school visit to the local Gas Works are my particular favourites here…

AYLESBURIAN MAGAZINE FROM THE ARCHIVES

1930s

When reading these magazines with 21st Century eyes and the hindsight that history provides, some articles stick out in terms of their poignancy. Here in 1932 one student writes on the subject of Armistice Day, reflecting upon those lost in the Great War, with no real idea that the same if not worse is to come again in just a few years time.

I haven’t touched on the AGS Houses yet but rest assured they will figure appropriately as we look through the decades. There were just four Houses at this point in the school’s journey; Denson, Hampden, Phillips and Ridley. Here the Ridley House Captains bemoan the slight stature of their new recruits, fearing the end of Ridley as a force - a daily worry I’m sure for Mr Barrie too.

AYLESBURIAN MAGAZINE FROM THE ARCHIVES

1930s

One aspect of school life that is unlikely to ever change is that of dreaded Homework. Here a student in 1934 puts her own light-hearted spin on the subject. Most likely this poetry exercise was set for homework too…

Debating and public speaking were just as popular in 1934 as they are today, but perhaps the subject matter has changed just a little – How many of these debating motions would sit well in 2020?

AYLESBURIAN MAGAZINE FROM THE ARCHIVES

1930s

An aerial shot of the school (bottom, centre) in 1934, somewhat dwarfed by the Hazell, Watson & Viney Printing works (centre) and a lovely looking football pitch at Victoria Park (top, left)

AYLESBURIAN MAGAZINE FROM THE ARCHIVES

1930s

One of my favourite pieces of student writing full stop is this one, predicting what the future will be like in sixty-six years time…

It’s 2020 and we still haven’t got the weather control sorted out.

AYLESBURIAN MAGAZINE FROM THE ARCHIVES

1930s

Here’s some more hot topics from the 1935 debating arena to enjoy…

I’m not sure whether it was ever agreed to change places with the Prince of Wales, who of course became Edward VIII, albeit briefly in 1936. Clearly this was also perhaps the signalling of the beginning of the end for Woolworth’s as a High Street force.

AYLESBURIAN MAGAZINE FROM THE ARCHIVES

1930s

Back in the world of school sport, it’s pleasing to see that the staff led by example…

AYLESBURIAN MAGAZINE FROM THE ARCHIVES

1930s

It was a momentous occasion in 1935, when AGS first introduced ‘Rugby Football’ to the students, alongside the already established Association Football. Well over eighty years later and we continue to offer both ‘codes’ to all students, both at House and school team level.

AYLESBURIAN MAGAZINE FROM THE ARCHIVES

1930s

In 1937 we see the introduction of House Swimming to the programme of sporting events, with Ridley taking the honours by just two points from Hampden. The least said about Denson, the better! A very different competition than we are currently used to, and I’m sure our 21st Century swimmers would prefer our indoor heated pool than that which was on offer back then.

I wonder what the points tallies would look like if we introduced this original scoring system to our current swimmers?

AYLESBURIAN MAGAZINE FROM THE ARCHIVES

1930s

Article continued…

Another strength of the school is our commitment to educating the whole student and developing their character during the seven years they spend with us. As a result, the programme of extra-curricular clubs and societies on offer is always diverse and often very imaginative and sometimes quirky in outlook. It’s pleasing to see that AGS life in the late 1930s was no different.

AYLESBURIAN MAGAZINE FROM THE ARCHIVES

1930s

Clearly, I am treading a well-worn path in terms of those before me who have had an interest in the history of AGS. These two articles from 1937 deal with both the original founding of the school in 1598 and then the move to our current site on Walton Road in 1907 and of course the arrival of the girls.

Not sure those early starts to the school day would go down well these days!

AYLESBURIAN MAGAZINE FROM THE ARCHIVES

1930s

Everyone loves a good theme tune, and in 1938 AGS got theirs gifted to the school by OAs Rutland Boughton (Music) and A.W. Hurst (Lyrics). I’m not sure for how long it was in regular use for in school or how many copies were ‘downloaded’ (on paper) for just 2d.

Rutland Boughton (1878-1960)

AYLESBURIAN MAGAZINE FROM THE ARCHIVES

1930s

As we reach the end of the 1930s it is impossible to read the pieces contributed by both staff and students, often full of such joy and youthful optimism, without the immense sadness in the knowledge of what was about to befall them and indeed most of the world. Clearly at the time, whilst the political situation deteriorated steadily, school life carried on, happily looking to the future.

Despite the onset of WWII, the school did publish a 1939 edition of the Aylesburian magazine in December. Due to the evacuation of London AGS welcomed students from Ealing County School for Boys. A split shift system was employed with AGS students attending school in the morning, and Ealing students attending in the afternoons. Aside from this announcement in the Headmaster’s notes, there is little mention of the conflict at all in the publication’s pages.

AYLESBURIAN MAGAZINE FROM THE ARCHIVES

1930s

In 1939 we see the formulation of the Brodie Trophy, a ‘Challenge Cup’ for the then four Houses to compete against each other. The Cup was donated to the school by the family of Mr Palmer Brodie, a member of staff who sadly died unexpectedly in 1938. Previously the Houses had competed in individual events, but this was the first time the idea of an overall season winner was introduced.

The inaugural winners of the Brodie Trophy were Ridley House, who as the article reports, are thereby named ‘Cock House of the School’.

That particular title seems to have died out for some reason…

At the other end of the table, Phillips House had, what can only be described in any era as “a complete shocker”…

We are still some years off the creation of the Watson Trophy, so please note the inclusion of Chess in the sporting pursuits programme here.

AYLESBURIAN MAGAZINE FROM THE ARCHIVES

1940s

The Aylesburian Magazine took an enforced hiatus for obvious reasons during the early 1940s, and we do not see its revival until December 1946. When you read that first post-war issue there is little mention of the preceding six years aside from the editorial and in the Headmaster’s notes, both presented for you here.

AYLESBURIAN MAGAZINE FROM THE ARCHIVES

1940s

The post-war rebuilding process gathers pace with the re-opening of the school canteen in September 1947, but as the article reports, initially only for ‘those whose journeys were long and tedious’ and then to those ‘whose mothers are out at work during the day’…

AYLESBURIAN MAGAZINE FROM THE ARCHIVES

1940s

Sadly, there are no mentions of the actual menus from these times. It would be interesting to see what foodstuffs fuelled the students of 1947 compared to those of the 2020s…

This student piece from 1947 (continued on the next page) looks at places of historical significance in Bucks. Some free advertising for the King’s Head public house at least.

AYLESBURIAN MAGAZINE FROM THE ARCHIVES

1940s

As we move towards the very end of the 1940s it is clear that the rebuilding and healing process following conflict is gathering pace and many of the student articles are on subjects such as holidaying abroad and outdoor pursuits.

AYLESBURIAN MAGAZINE FROM THE ARCHIVES

1940s

Continued...

And we must spare a thought for this young lady in 1949, who clearly did not see as much of her Father as she would’ve liked due to his horrendous addiction! Her amusing, but heartfelt rant is continued on the next page too!

AYLESBURIAN MAGAZINE FROM THE ARCHIVES

1940/50s

Into the 1950s and here is a comical piece about how some students viewed older students in positions of authority. Those Prefects are so mean, but I can’t wait to be one in order to continue the cycle!...I wonder how much has actually changed?

AYLESBURIAN MAGAZINE FROM THE ARCHIVES

1950s

1952 – Watch out for those sponsored Television programmes, they may catch on In 1953 the school suffered disaster as a result of a devastating fire, later attributed to faulty electrical wiring, which gutted the main block which faces Walton Road.

AYLESBURIAN MAGAZINE FROM THE ARCHIVES

The fire ripped through the entire roof of the main block, but thankfully the majority of the building’s structure survived and following s huge clean up operation and a new roof the school opened for business once again a few months later.

If you ignore the five 1950s firemen assessing the roof damage, this view down the main corridor has not changed a great deal!

A sombre view of the original main school hall following the fire. Most of this structure was too far gone and was soon demolished to make way for new buildings.

AYLESBURIAN MAGAZINE FROM THE ARCHIVES

In 1954 the newly rebuilt school hall and Science facilities were opened, mentioned too on the memorial plaque in the hall to this day. Now known as the Headmaster’s quad with his office looking out over it, the area was installed to commemorate the new selection of buildings and five new trees were planted. Two of those original trees remain, one of the silver birches and of course the quince…

AYLESBURIAN MAGAZINE FROM THE ARCHIVES

A view of the new Assembly Hall c.1954. As the above article suggests five new trees were planted in one ceremony I’m not sure whether this is the Quince tree in shot or not…

…But the quince and the silver birch behind have certainly flourished in their near 70 year existence so far.

AYLESBURIAN MAGAZINE FROM THE ARCHIVES

It’s lovely to see that we teachers caused just as much consternation for students in 1954 as we do now.

Following the quadrangle ceremony of 1954, the new school buildings were officially opened on 3 May 1955.

1955 – The main school entrance will be moved and reconfigured in 2021

AYLESBURIAN MAGAZINE FROM THE ARCHIVES

AYLESBURIAN MAGAZINE FROM THE ARCHIVES

The view across the quad has not changed a great deal, but the old Science laboratories have since been replaced by the impressive Professor William Mead Library…

AYLESBURIAN MAGAZINE FROM THE ARCHIVES

Clearly the joy of new school buildings and facilities would pail into insignificance in 1955 when the school dentist was in town.

AYLESBURIAN MAGAZINE FROM THE ARCHIVES

As we reach the end of the 1950s another significant moment in the history of Aylesbury Grammar School occurs. Due to a combination of the rising population of Aylesbury and the physical constraints of the Walton Road site, the County council took the decision to build a new school just across the road and with it came the end of the co-educational period in AGS’s history.

Here is the editorial, from the 1959 edition of the Aylesburian, written by Mr C.G.S. Furley:

AYLESBURIAN MAGAZINE FROM THE ARCHIVES

AYLESBURIAN MAGAZINE FROM THE ARCHIVES

It must have been a momentous upheaval for the Aylesbury Grammar School girls and some were not happy at all with the changes being brought upon them as shown by these two short Aylesburian articles, also from the 1959 edition…

But alas, change did occur and Aylesbury High School was born, just across the road and close ties have remained between the two schools ever since…

AYLESBURIAN MAGAZINE FROM THE ARCHIVES

Secondary to the opening of Aylesbury High School in 1959 was perhaps the visit of Dwight D. Eisenhower to the village of Ellesborough. Prime Minister Harold MacMillan was with him too, but sadly barely gets a mention…

Article continued…

AYLESBURIAN MAGAZINE FROM THE ARCHIVES

1960s

Into 1960 and it’s the 25th Anniversary of the code of Rugby Football being introduced to the students of AGS. I suppose, as this hilarious article shows, not every student was an ardent fan…

AYLESBURIAN MAGAZINE FROM THE ARCHIVES

1960s

1960 – I’m not sure whether Master F.J. O’Sullivan was ever heard from again following the publishing of his article

I’m sure the reintroduction of a Tuck Shop at AGS would please some students, but sadly a sign of very different times back in the early 1960s…

AYLESBURIAN MAGAZINE FROM THE ARCHIVES

1960s

1963 and the builders are back on site in earnest, providing the school with a new gym (now called the old gym of course) and the Tower Block, current home to Modern Foreign Languages, Classics/Latin and Religious Studies…

AYLESBURIAN MAGAZINE FROM THE ARCHIVES

1960s

And in 1966 we see the arrival of a brand-new swimming pool, with two words which must have been music to every young swimmer’s ears……INDOOR and HEATED!

No expense spared on design for this Aylesburian advertisement from 1967 and another long phone number to remember when you need a taxi late at night...

Forget hybrid or electric cars….Aylesbury’s taxis were *radio controlled in 1967!...Wow!

*Yes, I know, I’m purposely misinterpreting the definition of radio-controlled for comedic effect!

AYLESBURIAN MAGAZINE FROM THE ARCHIVES

1960s

Back to the Houses and in 1968, the nearly 30 year-old Brodie Trophy for sporting pursuits is joined by the Watson Trophy for artistic and academic competition. Chess makes the move to the new trophy programme and is joined by Music, Oratory (Public Speaking) and Merit Marks.

And just like the inaugural Brodie competition, it was Ridley House who scooped the first (and very keenly contested in terms of the top three) Watson trophy, leaving Hampden to enjoy the most wooden of spoons a full eleven trophy points off the pace…..dear oh dear!

AYLESBURIAN MAGAZINE FROM THE ARCHIVES

1960s

Now a permanent and much needed fixture on the school calendar, it’s amazing to learn that the very first AGS Open Day only took place as recently as July 1968. Quite a scathing assessment of the prefects’ abilities to stick to time on the tours too! They’re much better at it these days, honest.

AYLESBURIAN MAGAZINE FROM THE ARCHIVES

1970s

AYLESBURIAN MAGAZINE FROM THE ARCHIVES

1970s

In 1974 due to the ongoing expansion of the school it was necessary to introduce a brand new House to the school and thus Lee House was born. Strangely, in terms of the Aylesburian there was no significant mention of this new addition aside from one student article in the 1975 edition of the magazine.

AYLESBURIAN MAGAZINE FROM THE ARCHIVES

1970s

AYLESBURIAN MAGAZINE FROM THE ARCHIVES

1970s

To cope with the ever-expanding student numbers in the school, some more major building work was commissioned and then completed in 1977. The Sixth Form block and the Lecture Theatre rose spectacularly into view during this phase.

AYLESBURIAN MAGAZINE FROM THE ARCHIVES

1970s

AYLESBURIAN MAGAZINE FROM THE ARCHIVES

1970s

Sixth Form students preparing their scientific demonstrations and equally impressive haircuts for the 1977 Open Day.

An interesting take on the future of sustainable energy from the 1977 Sixth Form conference.

AYLESBURIAN MAGAZINE FROM THE ARCHIVES

1980s

As another decade dawned and with yet further expansion of student numbers in the school Paterson was added as the sixth House in the school, completing the set we retain to this day. In 1980 we lost Mrs Olive Paterson, School Governor for a full fifty-five years. As then Headmaster, K.D.Smith wrote in his Aylesburian report in the 1981 edition…

“Mrs Paterson was a School Governor for fifty-five years and for no less than thirtythree of these she held the office of Chairman of the Foundation Governors, and for twenty years the Chairmanship of the main Governing Body. She embodied for me all that is best in the spirit of the school and indeed in the spirit of Aylesbury. She was, of course the Mayor of Aylesbury for five difficult years during the war and had outstanding qualities of courage and determination. But what is more important, she took the keenest personal interest in everyone she knew”….

With such long and dedicated service to the school, nothing was more fitting than continuing that impressive legacy by naming the newest school House after Mrs Paterson.

Of course, as was the case with the induction of Lee House less than ten years previously a new House needs a little time to bed in and gain enough students to compete fully in the Brodie and Watson trophy competitions. Here is their first, and understandably brief House report from the 1983 edition of the magazine.

It is also apparent from reading the report below that we need to update Mr Digby’s current role profile in school too – Resources Director, Inters House Basketball runner-up (1982) and ‘spectacular’ batsman!

AYLESBURIAN MAGAZINE FROM THE ARCHIVES

1980s

The 1980s was most definitely the decade of the computer and plans for a designated Computer Block were first discussed in 1982 and by 1985 it had arrived…

AYLESBURIAN MAGAZINE FROM THE ARCHIVES

1980s

And so, this concludes (for now) this look back at the Aylesburian magazine archives. I hope you have enjoyed this journey through these particular decades of the school’s history, highlighting some of the interesting events and moments which have continued to shape Aylesbury Grammar School.

Until next time…

G. Dallas