HBGS 1960s

I darkened the Hutchie portals for 8 years, 1956/57 - 63/64, one of the last Primary intake to the old school in Crown St. and among the first to attend the new one at Crossmyloof a year later.These classroom photos were taken guerrilla-style with a Halina 35X, during the slack dies caniculares between the Highers and a keenly anticipated leaving-day. The first 6 are from R. F. Eadie's Greek class (we would have passed the οἱ αἱ τὰ stage some years previously though). Bob Eadie wore a mantle of crustiness and severity, but from time to time it would slip aside and display his essential kindliness. I will attempt to identify my class-mates where possible, and apologise if I get any names wrong - it was a very long time ago.Jack Silverstone, Ken Sigrist

Alan Gibson, Ken Sigrist, Jack Silverstone

Peter Sillito, Robin Cuthbertson, Michael Avery, James Nelson

Jack Kernohan, Robin Cuthbertson, Brian Williams, Peter Sillito, Michael Williamson, Michael Avery, John Pate, James Nelson, Ken Sigrist

(same personnel as the last)

Now 3 from John McNee's Latin class.Anthony P. Brown (at the desk)

Must have been a Maths class, but don't recognise it.

An English class, with a temporary supply teacher who may have been a Mrs Davidson. Female teachers were almost, and attractive young female teachers entirely, unknown at HBGS in those pre-co-ed days, so this was a great and valued treat for us.Jack Kernohan, Michael Williamson

Gordon Thomson, Jack Silverstone

A lunchtime chess match. (clockwise from L) James Nelson, Douglas Henderson, Gordon Thomson, Robert Dickson

Preparing for a cross-country run in the Pollok Estate, from the Haggs Rd / Titwood Rd entrance. I have no idea how I managed to wangle a role as photographer rather than participant.Gordon Erskine (nearest the camera)

The Mini belonged to one of these Sixth Formers, the horizontal one I think. Not my year, and if I ever knew any of the names, I've forgotten them.

Douglas Howie (son of a Science master) on the left, Ken Sigrist in the tracksuit.

Ken Sigrist

In the big coat is Mr Begg, a gym master. Alan Gibson immediately right of the spectating junior, Geoffrey Pearson 3rd right from him.

Gordon Erskine 2nd from the left.

Sports Day at Auldhouse. These were scanned from prints of varying quality, as the negatives seem to be lost.

Alan Gibson, Hamish Robertson, Geoffrey Pearson (lanes 3,4 and 6).

Ken Sigrist, Hamish Robertson, Alan GibsonHamish was by some margin the best athlete of our year at least. On the advice of Roy Smith (senior gym master, 'Wee Roy') he specialised in the Triple Jump, and went on to hold the Scottish National record for a number of years.

Ken Sigrist, Alan Gibson.Mr Begg officiating. I seem to recall that the smiling man behind him was a visiting teacher from Germany.

Mr Howie has just shot an insubordinate pupil and is making his escape.

Google Earth reveals this as a playground no more, with such space as was left after some new building given over to car parking. This was a sort of 1 or 2-a-side football game which we called Headie-kicks. I've forgotten the finer points, but the server would propel the ball with his head, the receiver returning it by foot.

Ken Sigrist was an aspiring Orson Welles, and for an item in a school concert he conceived, produced and played the title role in a dramatisation of Robert Service's The Shooting of Dan McGrew. I took some photos at a dress rehearsal, and here the Malamute Saloon is being whooped up.James Nelson, Philip Kerr, Ian Walters ('the lady that’s known as Lou'), Michael Williamson, Robin Cuthbertson, Leslie Verth, John Pate

Dangerous Dan Sigrist stumbles in out of the night.

Jazz band for the same concert. Hamish Whyte on drums, can't name the others.

Mr Collins conducts the school choir.