"Thank you so much for passing on your conversation with Sheila Coventon and the news of Alec Pearson and Michael Robinson. It's hard to imagine that those young people who taught us with such enthusiasm 50 years ago have actually grown old like the rest of us.

I recall Jack Coventon's parting speech when he moved on - I guess not long before I left KEGSA - in which he commented that he had fallen in love with Sheila Stoddard and how that had changed his life. Since the whole School was in love with Sheila, we could only envy his good fortune!

I am sure that Jack C. found a rewarding role in local government after retiring. He was, in my recollection, an essentially enthusiastic champion of the rights of individuals in an increasingly constrained environment. I have no doubt that he made a real contribution.

Looking back, I am really grateful for the inspiration I received from Alec Pearson and Michael Robinson. Alec was hugely supportive when I decided, in the 6th Form, that rugby football was not my thing, and wanted to learn to draw. I still carry basic materials when I travel - somehow capturing an image on paper fixes the moment in the mind which the camera can't.

Michael Robinson's history is very sad. The guy was really passionate about his Biology and this really made an impact on us all. I can well imagine how this enthusiasm carried forward into political involvement. But suicide is a terrible outcome. I lost a close colleague this way about six years ago, when I was still Dean, and constantly revisit the circumstances, knowing that I should have done more to help him. If you are in touch with Sheila C and the AP's and MR's widows, please pass on my warmest regards.

I wonder if you have heard from any others of our era. Do you remember Tony Cooke who took over as head of music after the wild Mick Mace took off for Hong Kong? Tony migrated to H of M at Leeds Grammar School and ended up teaching my son Ben. Ben was quite an accomplished cellist, but decided against a career in music, graduated to bass guitar and financed himself through university (Birmingham) doing gigs in fancy red gear. Now based in Dubai as business development manager for Motorola....

Any news of Eric Pedley (Maths) or Fred Fenton (Physics)? I recall hearing that Bill Chivers had suffered another heart attack and died just a few years after we left KEGSA, but have no word otherwise.

I recall with special fondness our language teachers - "Ernie" Entwhistle, "Jimmy" Edwards and "Ernie " Pickering. I think we were very fortunate to have such talent to help us. But there is a gap in your list - what happened to "Lucy" Luckman? Perhaps he taught me while you were in your year at Longdon. I saw him only once after KEGSA, when I went to a degree congregation in 1964, and he was collecting an MA (or perhaps an MEd). I guess my memories are now somewhat rose-tinted, but I remember both Edwards and Pickering with much affection. Sure Jimmy Edwards was pretty severe and not exactly user-friendly, but he knew his stuff and taught me a lot. Similarly, Ernie Pickering - no, Gardiner, not jeden Tag - alle Tage!!! ... Thanks, you guys, you gave me so much.

Of course, looking down the list of names in your web-site, I am sure I share many memories with all my contemporaries - if you ever feel moved to write a book about those years, you can be sure I will have anecdotes to contribute. Just last week I have heard from Lewis (Lew) Ford. What a surprise and pleasure! ... Needless to say, none of this relates to the great times I had with Bill Chivers and Fred Fenton. But more of that later. Meantime, best regards to you and any others from the KEGSA days you are in touch with." (John Gardiner, Yorkshire)