old boys
 

I found this photo on the website Historic-Images - Accrington

It is titled Accrington Grammar School old boys but it looks like schoolboys to me, though of different ages, not all of one school year.

Can't suggest a date and it looks as though it might have been taken just outside the school. There is a teacher on there some of you might recogise.

Hope it's of interest to some Accywebbers...

Re: old boys
 

Our member, Bob Dobson, organises the Accy Grammar old boy reunions, so I am sure he will post when he sees it.

It find it strange that they are not in uniform - rules were strict - the cap was the most loathed item.

I recall Bob wore his so far back on his head that it looked ready to drop off at any moment (maybe it was glued there with Brylcreem) :D

Re: old boys
 

Think its about 60/61? if the tall lad back row right end is B.W.? Can't remember if he went G.S.?:confused:

Re: old boys
 

I'm sure it's AGS 'playground'(all tarmac), I have a school photo taken in the same place with those houses behind.Tremellon Street?
Puzzled why they're dressed like that- we didn't have 'wear anything days',death was the only option if you went dressed like that!
Wearing your hat as far back as you could was the only form of rebellion we dare try-it met the rules but cocked a snoot at the same time.

Re: old boys
 

Actually, they are in uniform.Think at one time they were allowed grey or black jackets. That 'photo is on here somewhere, with that explanation.

Think also, is earlier than the 60's.

Who is B.W., Cashy ?

Re: old boys
 

I'm sure that shot was on the AGSOB site at one time and it was described as late 1940's. Can't find it now though. Think it's Lister Street in the background, Gordon. Certainly, the uniform regulations seem to have been abandoned - maybe they had special dispensation because of rationing etc.

During my time at the school, Ben enforced uniform rules with an iron hand...except towards the end of his regime, when he seemed to get a bit demob happy. There's one full school picture from April 1967, just before he retired, where I'm proud to say I'm not wearing one single item of school uniform! ;)

Re: old boys
 

I left in 59 and you certainly couldn't dress like that then-grey jackets, no tie!!
Sam Wignall would have worn a cane out on that sloppy lot.

Re: old boys
 

The person who really laid down the law on uniform regulations was Ben's successor - Ralph Bailey who inspected every last detail of your appearance and dealt with offenders in a brisk fashion! The number of arguments I had with him about the length of my sideburns!

Re: old boys
 

Third from end back right, looks like R.M.? Both the 2 i think were in me class at St Johns, Yet another the late Brian Bishop aint on the photo?:confused:

Re: old boys
 

Looks like a young". Big Jim Hanrahan" at the back . Before my time at Accy Grammar

Re: old boys
 

cashman, who were RM and BW? That might help us place the year-Bob Dobson will probably know.

Re: old boys
 

Must be pre-1954-ish. Can't be 60's, as the uniforms/non-uniforms and hair are all wrong, can't be mid late-50's, as there are no Elvis quiffs. I'll take a guess at 1948!

Re: old boys
 

That's before the era of me and Bob - we need members here to identify their fathers!

Re: old boys
 

Definitely Big Jim Hanrahan.

Re: old boys
 

Definitely after my time 1941-1945 !!!!!!