your comments
Malcolm Mursell then Aldford now Chester
I attended the tech from 1956-59. I remember most of the teachers and I was in class 5a. Dave Buckley was in my class, Lewis Carter Jones was one whom I got on very well with and I could name the rest. The worst part: bus journey from Aldford then a very long walk from the then Beast Market.
Wed Feb 25 08:23:54 2009
David Robert Gregg, Australia
I attended Yale from about '67-'71 or 2. I was one of I think two black guys in the school, and was in the same class as Roger Tipton, Phillip Coppack, Big Dai, Lynn Hamner. I was originally from Liverpool.
Fri Nov 14 08:20:23 2008
Jeff Parker
I'm revisiting this site again after 3 years and am enjoying reading about some of the teachers whose names I'd long since forgotten. Anyway, it's prompted me to ask the question: is there any vestige of Yale left now? Does anybody know whether it's possible to get copies of old school reports? Mine have been lost over the years, and I'd like to show my own kids how you can be a lousy student but still get on in life. I was there from about '60-'64 when we emigrated to NZ. Some names of students I recall: Reggie Jones, Ray Large, Robert Parnell, Alan McLaren, Edward Potts, Midge Matthias, Dave Meacock. What a motley bunch we were. But the girls were lovely; Wendy Jones and her pals Rosemary & Jane. I caught up with Wendy in London in '86 but unfortunately have not kept in touch.
Wed Oct 22 10:49:21 2008
Gordon (Rick) Richards, Toronto, Canada
Having joined Friends Reunited I tried to add Wrexham Technical College (and variations on this name) to my profile but the school could not be found. A search on Google revealed this website.I attended 'the Tech' having passed the 13 plus exam at Marchweil school,leaving in 1947 having completed my 2 years. I took City and Guilds exams and continued these courses at the Tech for the next couple of years on day release from my engineering apprenticeship at the Wrexham Trading Estate. During these years I lived in Overton-on-Dee and had to bike to classes. The only names I can recall from this era are Geoff Quick; Jack Capper (he became a pro football player); and there was a boy named Russell.I joined the RAF in 1950 and only returned to the area on odd occasions afterwards. In 1953 I joined the Sussex Constabulary and retired after a successful career in 1984. In 1994 I emigrated to Canada. Does this resume ring any bells?
Mon Jul 28 09:47:17 2008
Anne Jones (nee Simmonds)
I was quite surprised to see my name here. Thanks Vic! I was at Yale from 1960 to 1965. Amongst my classmates were Lynn Reynolds, Lorraine Williams, Josephine Ann Williams, Sheila Watkins, Jackie Hayes, Susan Jones, Janet Williams, John Truman, Pete Williams, Dave Shaw, Ray Large, Jeff Walker (Mushy), Dave Meacock, John and Sue Gallimore to name but a few. Also my cousin Trevor Roberts, also mentioned by Vic.I remember most of the teachers mentioned and I think the lovely art teacher (remembered above somewhere) was a Miss Brown. The Welsh teacher, Mrs Griffiths (deceased) was my favourite. Does anyone remember Mrs Ash, the biology teacher - how the boys could make her blush! I was in Anne Lloyd's netball team as goalkeeper for the last couple of years.My last year was spent in the new school on Crispin Lane - it was pretty wonderful after those old 'huts' behind the Tech!
Thu Mar 27 09:45:08 2008
Leslie Harper, Wrexham
Class 2e2 1947.
Fri Jan 4 14:46:30 2008
Nigel Jones, Wrexham
Just stumbled on this site. Hi, Gary - long time, no see. Living in Coedpoeth now. Remember the teachers well. There was also a Mr Thomas (History). Still see some of the 'old' classmates occasionally.
Thu Nov 8 09:08:42 2007
Gary Hopwood - Shanghai, P R China
Attended Yale High from '69 to '72 then on to Grove Park until '74. I have fond memories of my time at Yale. I can remember some classmates and friends - Nigel Jones, Paul Davies, Barry Dickens, John Edge, Steve Goulding, Phil Davenport, Alun Royce, Gary Crewe to name but a few. Also some teachers that I had great respect for - Ron Pierce, Huw Weaver, "Hawkeye" (Physics), "Plank" (woodwork - still practise what he taught me to this day), Nev Pope. I left the UK in 1980 and have had no contact with anyone since. I often wonder where they all are now.
Mon Aug 6 10:53:51 2007
Pete Roberts Wrexham
I attended Yale Grammar School from 1968-1972. Just as a matter of interest our class register read, Wendy Peters, Lynn Redman, Susan Roberts, Denise Salisbury, Janet Salisbury, Vera Simmons, Susan Small, Gill Westcott, Jackie Westcott, Gaynor Williams. Colin Price, Barry Pruett, Peter Roberts, Tony Ross, Ross Sankey, Keith Stephen, Keith Vaughn, Carl Venables, Jeff Walker, Barry William, Glyn Williams, Robert Williams, Stephen Williams, Stephen Whelan. Teachers included Ron Pierce, Nev Pope, Ann Lloyd, Menna Owen (God, how we all fancied her), Huw Weaver (still my hero) and the head Bruce Brown. Fab memories that will live forever.
Wed Jan 24 08:19:06 2007
Ray Jones, Penycae (ex Garth)
I attended the Denbighshire Technical College in the 1940s, at the junction of Bradley and Regent streets, after passing an exam at Acrefair Central School as the first Junior Technical Building course, we had the loan of 3 classrooms at Grove Park School due to overcrowding with evacuees.
Mon Jan 15 16:06:14 2007
Vic from Wrecsam
Just surfing the web I came across this page that has brought back a number of memories and answered some questions which my memory has failed. I was a pupil of the secondary tech which became the third year of the newly formed Yale Grammar School. Fond memories of teachers, Johnny Jones Physics, Mr Gilpin on the piano and science. Carter Jones M.P. in touch with him up to the last 10 years, who can remember his punishment Transmagnificanbanjanuality 500 times. He remained approachable as always. Ron Pearce was last seen mowing his lawn when he screamed out my name in Chirk. But Jim Morgan was my favourite English master full marks if we had a good rugby result no matter what essay I wrote. Mr Bond may have been a nice person but I never had an aptitude for metal work so I did all I could to avoid his lessons, usually in the loos. Mr Bevan was head teacher or was it Bruce Brown? Senior Prefect Mr Buckley, Reg ?a nd the sadly departed Phil Capper. On the rugby field we always got a wolloping by Grove Park either on the 5 acre or the field where Asda stands but we were proud of our blue and white hoops. I wonder what happened to M.V. Williams in the centre or scrum half Terry Forward. On the football field Jon Smith, Dave Ellison, Durkin and Roy Pemberton. My class mates Graham Rogers, Ashley Davies, Trevor Roberts. We still remember first year girls Barbara and was it Jayne Lawson and Anne Simmons. What year was Yale Grammar Tech founded?
Wed Dec 13 14:01:51 2006
Stuart Arthur Davies AKA SAD!!
Yale Grammar Technical School, the best thing that happened to me, the portable cabins classrooms, Mr Bond metalwork, I believe is still going strong, Percival french ace at throwing board dusters, Prescott woodwork, Pope, Ron Pierce, saw Stan Moore a few years ago in Llangollen, still see Albert Marrubbi, Margaret Kent, Sandra Bellingham, David Jones (Prof) now business reporter on the Daily Post.
Memories flooding back, went to the William Aston Hall the other week to meet the First Minister, we used to use it for school assembly, got talking to a lecturer, the last time I was there was 1963, he looked at me as if I was ancient! Are we? Last time I talked to Mr Bond (his son was a mate of mine) I told the story of how he used to teach us how to use a hacksaw properly, long strokes so you don't wear the centre out first, and how I taught people in the middle east and Africa the same thing, how his teachings, through me, had spread throughout the world.
Mon Nov 20 09:58:02 2006
Barry Lloyd, Crewe
I have fond memories of Yale High School. Being the first intake into the new building, we helped move from the mobile units across the field. Mr Bond and Mr Preston were great influences in my life and the gorgeous art teacher whose name escapes me. I cannot remember one teacher who was disliked. Seeing Barbara Morris' name brought back memories of old schoolmates. Whatever happened to John Preston, Stan Moore etc.
Mon Oct 2 11:35:26 2006
Barbara Morris from Lymm
I was a pupil at 'the Grammar tech' from 1959 to 1966. It became Yale High School in 1964. I was in the first year of the school and we joined up with boys from 'the tech' who had passed 'the 13' exam and formed the technical school. I remember David Bulkley and Mickey Roberts who were in the 5th form when I started. I remember Albert Jones, Huw Weaver, Ron Pearce, Nev Pope, Mary Jones, Bruce Brown, Dan Bevan, John Percival - all teachers at the school.
Mon Jan 9 10:52:27 2006
Tony in Flint
I attended the Denbighshire Technical College as it was then known, in the late forties. It was then in the old infirmary (hospital) on the corner of Regent St and Bradley Rd.
Thu Sep 29 15:05:31 2005
Ron fron Deeside
The concept of education in the 1940/50s following the 1944 Education Act was a three tier structure: Grammar, Secondary Modern and Technical Schools. These of course were later replaced by the Comprehensive School
Fri Sep 23 12:34:59 2005
Dennis Gears, Las Vegas, USA
I went to Yale Technical Grammar from '60 to '64. It was housed in portacabins at the back of the big tech college.
Tue Jun 28 11:54:49 2005
Jeff Parker from Auckland, New Zealand
I was a student there from '61 to '64 when the classes were held in prefabs. I left for New Zealand just prior to completion of the new college building. My lasting memories are of teachers with somewhat sadistic tendencies (by today's standards but quite acceptable in those days), and of deserving everything I copped. I could have done without the caustic comments on my report card though. Quite demotivating and unconstructive. Fortunately for me, teaching standards in NZ were much more enlightened in the '60s. Notwithstanding all of the above I have quite pleasant memories of my time at Yale. I wonder whatever happened to Messrs Percival (German), Pope (Sports), Weaver (chemistry) among others.
Fri Jun 10 09:40:40 2005
Mike Davies from Wrexham
I am also a former pupil of the Wrexham and East Denbighshire Technical College, from 1955 to 1958. Alan from Shrewsbury must have been amongst the first pupils of the 'tec as we called it. The building was not completely opened until 1953. The 3 years were housed upstairs, above the chemistry section, near to the clock tower. Some wonderful teachers taught there. Mr Lewis Carter-Jones was very much admired by all pupils of my aquaintance. James Morgan, Mr Bevan and Ron Pearce were all great influences on my life and our music teacher who taught in a room in the Gymnasium, now the student's union, introduced me to jazz and I still love it today. Good memories of a good school.
Mon Jan 17 16:26:36 2005
Nigel Scott, Wood Green, London
The school was called the Yale Grammar Technical School and was initially housed in portable cabins behind Denbighshire Technical College(now NEWI) and used some college facilities. A new purpose-built suite of buildings was erected facing the railway in Crispin Lane and this was completed in 1964, I think. The school was 3-form entry and was offered as an alternative grammar school option to pupils in the Wrexham area who passed the 11-plus exam. The name was changed to Yale High School at around 1964 and a bias towards technical subjects gradually faded. The school had a small 6th form. The uniform was initially royal blue and silver/white but blazers were changed to black with a blue/silver badge and tie. I was a pupil between 1961 and 1968.
Tue Jan 4 11:53:58 2005
Stefan from Wrexham
The place you mention has a long history. Originally it was Wrexham's Infirmary (ie chemist!). From people I know who attended it, it was basically where you went to start your apprenticeship (engineering, mechanical etc). When it closed it did become the Yale art and craft whatever. I was offered a place there in 1976, but decided to work in Brymbo Steelworks (25 quid a week! marvellous). Should you wish to see photos etc of the site, visit the Wrexham Museum.
Mon Sep 20 14:24:15 2004
Hilary from Wrexham
I think it became the Yale Technical School - a mixed school as an alternative to Grove Park Grammar School for those who passed the 11 . The uniform was a rather bright mid/royal blue!
Mon Sep 20 14:24:04 2004
