Wigan Album

Shepherd taught me at Wigan Grammar, I certainly wouldn't classify him as one of the best, far from it.

Yes, Mr. Shepherd taught 'O' level Chemistry at WGS. Did he teach 'A' level as well? I did my 'A' level with Taffy Griffiths. It's more than 50 years ago now. How time flies.

Who classified Bro Hopkins as one of the best - he was a brute!

...Thought it was Ambrose and Gleeson who were the sadists..?

Yes, Bro Hopkins was OK, Bro Gleeson was a thug but what about Bro Bailey and his tickling? There are many tales about him

It was brother Baylor who was the phantom tickler! Ambrose a psycho
And Gleeson took boxing lessons in class! Happy Days! They wouldn't get away with it now.

Seem to remember Mr Lockett teaching me maths about this time.A young teacher who had patience and understanding.He got me from bottom of class to near top in one year. A brilliant teacher and credit to his profession. Thanks for everything.

By the time I started at John Rigby Brother Baylor had gone! Under a bit of a cloud I was led to believe. Some of the stories that the older boys told about him were incredible at the time. Mr Lockett was the best maths teacher I have ever had - and I used to see him at Wigan games at Central Park. Mr Bethel was so laid back he was almost horizontal and how I passed French I will never know.Used to see him at Wigan games too.Bro Gleeson and Mr Sheppard were nutters. Both knew how to wield the corporal punishment. I still have a scar under my skin from Bro Gleeson's strap!But outside of school and especially when he met my parents he was niceness itself; that used to irritate me. And Bro Hopkins was the best English language teacher ever but always gave the lowest mark for homework - the best he ever gave me was 56% and I got grade 3 in "O" level.

I suffered under the so called "Christian" Brothers for years because I also went to the Prep School. They ruined my childhood and I hated the bar stewards and still do. They'd be jailed nowadays for the things they did to the boys. There used to be a garden party every summer at the school and my mother and father told me the headmaster of the Grammar School, Brother Ambrose, was so drunk he had to hold on to the microphone stand as he made a speech to the parents but eventually he fell face first off the stage! My parents were utterly shocked but I wasn't - he was replaced soon afterwards by Brother O'Halloran (who was an academic and not as violent as the rest of them).

Strange how a classification of "one of the best" can be so wide of the mark. From my experience Shepherd was nothing less than a little man and not because he was of short stature. I saw him use his position to belittle and dish out completely uncalled for violent punishment to certain pupils. Today he'd be "moved on" or possibly face legal action - in those far off days he got away with it.

Hated the place with avengeance and especially that poison dwarf Baylor. Not much time for Shepeherd either and his derrogatory comments calling pupils 'born in a field'. Kevin Sharkey, Trevor Ducket and Paul Bagshaw were by far the best of the bunch. My favourite days were when I took the day off and went to Southport for the day to 'escape' that dreadful place.

O’Halloran caned me twice,once for not doing my science homework,once for throwing a snowball. I did poorly at John Rigby. I was just too naive and immature to cope with the rigger of grammar school.
I asked him to consider giving me another chance to repeat my exams in 6th form He said he didn’t want’my type’ (quote) in his school. And I wouldn’t add up to much.This from a so called Christian brother.
I’m sure others appreciated him and I’m prepared to accept that all in all he was probably a good person. To me he was cruel, unfair,unChristian .
I taught mathematics in Wigan schools for the best part of 30 years without caning anyone.

Scarred for life by that wretched place. Brother Delaney used to refer to me as ‘a beautiful boy’ whilst music teacher Dakin referred to me as ‘an urchin’, Brother Bailor, well, the less said......

I hated rigby,got battered for not knowing pythagoras by bro sullivan , a sadist, I failed all my exams but later on got a degree in Law . There must be loads of lads who were failed by these sexually frustrated sadists.They would be jailed today.Lots of sadistic brutality.k Eldest grandaughter also went there.She didnt like it either.

I stumbled across these posts recently after looking up an obituary for Brother O’Halloran. We both joined the school in 1965. Whilst I do not disagree with anything that has been written, most comments relate to the sadistic members of staff. Perhaps not surprising as those memories are the ones that remain at the forefront of peoples minds. However, the bullies and thugs, those not fit to be teachers (during my time there) could be counted on the fingers of one hand from a staff of around thirty (I would estimate). Discipline was always strict, but I regard that as right and proper. I am sure that the regime kept some pupils on the straight and narrow who would go off the rails in the ‘I know my rights’ society that exists today. There were many talented and enthusiastic members of staff at Blessed John Rigby. If you respected them and worked hard you had no need to fear them. The good ones far outnumbered the bad ones and their contributions should be recognised.

I agree with Mike Bamber. There were of course some sadistic members of staff there - Brother Gleeson was probably the most infamous - but there were also decent Christian Brothers as well, such as Brother Thornhill, who possessed that rare quality among the brotherhood: a sense of humour! Other members of staff I remember with fondness were Mr Clayton (Bomber!), Mr Mcmahon (Black Dan), Mr Curran, Mr Bagshaw, Harry Lockett, Frank Balmer. Yes, they were strict but I regard that as a desirable quality in a teacher. I accept that some posters on this thread had a dreadful time at John Rigby; people's memories are inevitably darkened by thuggery, and some of the staff - not just the Brothers - could dish it out with relish. All I can say is that I loved my time at the school and was fortunate enough to receive some quality teaching. I had my fair share of detentions, too - I still shudder when I think of the long trek down Gathurst hill to catch the train in winter after being confined to class and missing the school bus. It was a long way to Hindley in the dark and the snow!

I wasted 4 and a half years at that school after passing my 11+ age 10 I was always in a year older than I should have been , funnily enough the brothers who nobody liked Gleason and Hopkins I got on with I had not time for Bagshaw, Balmer was a bully until he seen Sam Shepard try to take liberties with me after fighting in the dinner hall ,I ended up pasting him with the whole school cheering on Mr Balmer who was watching from a distance kept well away, I spent a short while in a detention centre in 1966 and when I came out I’d only three months to go I was fit as a fiddle strong and the so called bully teachers thought it wise to keep their distance . I met some good lads there who helped make life easier , But I did well for myself had my own business Security for over 35 years employed over 100 men but I would have done that anyway without John Rigbywhere if your face didn’t fit and you didn’t have money they looked n you as second class.
Keep Safe and kind Regards to all the lads I met there
Mick Lyons

It took me less than an hour to realise that I din't belong there. That first morning in 1964 shifted my focus from learning loads of interesting stuff to getting out the other side. It changed my life. I later realised that there was a differantial regime with those kids who had gone to prep school getting more personal attention. Brother Gleeson complimented me twice, once for swimming well and once for the longest, loudest fart he had ever heard. Brother Thornhill liked me as a cricketer and promised to develop me as such. He never saw me play again as he eloped with the mother of another student. I later worked in the High Security Prison Estate for over a quarter of a century and I never encountered the gratuitous violence against children as I did in that place

Whilst I wholeheartedly agree with Mike Bamber regarding strictness and discipline being a sound grounding for a good education I cannot however agree that sexual abuse (however mild) which I encountered from a certain Brother was an ideal prerequisite for happy school memories.

I thought it quite apt for a former Grammar school pupil to quote the great bard himself ……The evil that men do lives after them, The good is oft interred with their bones………

Never mind the brothers what about Joe Wallace who went about his evil work unchecked for years

Oh yes - Joe Wallace - is he still alive - he needs to face justice

Believe it or not I was told that Wallace went on to be a social worker - a very bad individual who preyed on young boys

How did Joe Wallace of the VI Form manage to get away with his abuse of young first years right under the nose of Head Master Brother O'Halloran - another seedy chapter in the catholic church's history!

I'd just like five minutes alone with Brother Delaney

Hi Andy fancy a coffee some time?

When I posted these photos quite a few years ago, I did not anticipate the extent of the disturbing memories that have been aroused. I have been trying to remember how the photos were produced and I am guessing that they were taken by me(?) and processed in the Dark Room at the back of the Physics Laboratory.
Which reminds me of my time in the Sixth Form, when I had some great laughs with Frank Wardak
(formerly of St Marie’s, Standish) and Jeff Croston (of Wrightington). I would be delighted if they are still enjoying life and, if anyone out there knows what happened to them, please let me know. If at all possible, I would be very pleased to communicate with them and, if possible, meet up for old time’s sake. Frank

Jeff Croston is alive and well living in Ilkley, West Yorkshire. I had a career in the construction industry ending up as CEO at a national housebuilder.
Now just retired and living the dream. I will be leaving soon for Grand Canaria to spend the winter there returning May 2024. Make contact FRank soon.

I think I was there from 1963-70 and did get a few cuffs on the head but I never felt really abused but then I was always the runt of the litter so I kept a low profile. I knocked about with David Gibbons who lived near me and Len Cegielka, David Lowe and Paul Hartley who ended up doing out A Levels early. I did not do so well so went back for another year. I distinctly remember Starting a gardening club and growing tomatoes commercially for some kid who had a stall on Chorley market. Almost got myself beaten by O'Halloran. I auditioned three times for every Gilbert and Sullivan opera and got chucked out for messing about with David Pryle (who ended up having red hair all down his back) Loads of other memories especially Jimmy Baines being escorted from the premises and some guy called Gibson being expelled for doing something in Talbots class.

Joe Wallace appeared at St Marys College, Twickenham in 1970. (Teacher Training) Not sure how long he lasted because he seemed to spend most of his time at the local Bookies. He was very rarely seen on the college campus.

Yes, I remember going to school on the bus from outside the Casino ballroom every day. One day it was foggy which was exciting for a 12 year old as we would be late for school. Shepherd rocked up and said we would be very late. I shouted Yipeee and got a good beating from him. he left me on the floor and told me to stay there. I did until all the buses had gone then found my own way to school. He was a monster. I also remember learning Latin vocab on the bus because the first lesson that day was Latin with Gleeson and we were terrified. I was only thinking last week that it was a horrible experience to be frightened to death of going to school . I did ok in life but John Rigby was a nightmare. When I got the strap and went home all I got was " you must have deserved it" Some of those guys would be in prison now. I read over the weekend that four former pupils from St Mary's Crosby are taking a class action against the college for systematic abuse whilst they were pupils.
Ah well , all water under the bridge now and best forgotten.

Nick Hanleys comments certainly strike a chord. I remember being in the first form and terrified of going to school on Mondays and Fridays because of a certain music teacher. Years later I met a civilised ex member of staff who had heard that the teacher in question had had left the order, got married and opened a boarding house in Blackpool. Regarding the strap, I can also remember being told “you must have deserved it” - subject closed. Of course kids didn’t get strapped by the thugs, they were just beaten up.

If action is being taken against St Marys Crosby because of the abuse suffered at the hands of the brothers, then presumably it should also be taken against every other school they ran. Over the years I have spoken to people from some of the others and all tell similar stories. The thugs were in a minority and not confined to the brothers. As Nick says “All water under the bridge now and best forgotten”.

I attended John Rigby Grammar in the 70's - some may remember me as "TIMCO". If you played rugby to a certain level you were left alone if you didn't you were fair game. I witnessed some of the cruelty metred out by staff which would today if charged would result in a custodial sentence. That said my best mate at school Cookie (now retired) who was a victim went on to great things as Director of Education in Nuneaton. I remember him commenting that his experiences were the bedrock of how he endeavoured to do things right.

I remember you Timco - you were a reasonable stand off - I recall the hat trick of tries that you scored in the local derby against Upholland Grammar. Are you the same Collins that played rugby league for Workington?

Don't recall you Chris but yes I did play for Workington for a short while in the early 80's. The game then was much different to that of today - I remember getting the man of the match in a cup tie that we played at Batley. We lost that day I got £18 losing pay and £10 voucher from the man of the match sponsor.

John Rigby produced a few professional rugby league players. I recall Dave Regan, Dennis Ramsdale & Malcolm Swann. I think Shaun Edwards & Phil Clarke attended there when it became a VI Form College.

I remember Timco & Cookie - I used to get the bus with you guys from Station Road to school. I never got bothered at John Rigby - must be luck as I won a significant sum on the lottery back in 1997. Good to hear from those names of the past

I went to the prep to 1966 then grammar and 6th form to 1975. Prep was a daily beating, just about. Not for indiscipline but for getting things wrong. In the prep it was a mixture of the strap (tause), ruler and being punched to the shoulder. I used to pray for snow so I didn’t have to go to the prep. It largely stopped when the parents of Mick Cave went in to complain. Somehow I got through but some of the lads I suspect did not get through unscathed. I remember a lad with issues being beaten frequently who could not have avoided it. Saying all that Rigby got me through the 11 plus when my first school wrote me off at the grand old age of six! I was a barrister and called brother Kelly (headmaster of prep) as a character witness. As for the grammar, does anyone know of Sam Collis who taught latin and greek?

There is an ongoing prosecution going on at present It was on the news this morning regarding the CHRISTIAN BROTHERS at St Mary's College Crosby. I have a friend who went to the John Rigby School. and from what he tells me. The majority of the teachers there, these days, would be in jail..

I went to John Rigby in the 60's/70's - the good teachers were Mr Clayton (aka Bomber) got me through my English O level in the IV year, Alec Hurst (Turd) - great rugby coach, Mrs Petrie (Haggis) feisty but fair, Stephanie Palin (Deep voice for a woman), Brian Lewis - little guy who taught Art, Jemmy Littler (Chemistry man, Orrell RUFC centre and use to struggle articulating chemistry words) and Mr Larkin (Principal) who ran off with some tart & pupil from Pemberton. And the bad ones - Frank Balmer (like someone out the Sweeney), Brother O'Halloran (Neville Nurk) & Joe Wallace (3rd year VI Prefect). I survived - all character building. I wasn't the sharpest tool in the box but ended up MD of a manufacturing company and grew turnover from £3m to £45m in 5 years.

Am quite stunned to read these comments but equally pleased. It wasn’t just me ! I was there up-to 1974 and suffered brutality at times. There were some great teachers though…. The best being Brian Lewis, Harry Lockett, Geogyharry Finch, Bagshaw, Haggis, Balmer ( brutal but fair ), Click Miller, Black Dan, Stix Hilton. I was lucky in that I was reasonable at rugby and was then left alone ! The St Mary’s Crosby case awakened some crap !

The Brothers were evil, except Thornhill, who left and got married. We considered entering my son to St Anselms Birkenhead , where sadly, there was a retirement home for the Brothers, and who was walking across the lawn but O’Halloran. I went up to him and introduced myself asking if he remembered me. He looked at me like a piece of dog crap had gone through his sandals and said no ! We immediately decided St Ansems wasn’t the place ! Bro Ring sticking his needles in your buttocks ! Well that was fun, not . Shame most of the poor sods aren’t around to have a frank chat with !

Just reading John Taylor's comments and I can relate to it all. John I think that you were in a year above me - was your nickname Horse?

Bro Kelly from the Prep School. He has been mentioned in the litigation at St Mary's Crosby. Anyone remember him?e0wjf

Dave, yes I was occasionally called Horse….no idea why !!! Were you in Frank Turner’s year ?
JM…Bro Kelly was a complete psychopath and should be in jail. It was mention of him on the TV news that made me listen. He ruined a good friend of mines life. Good luck to the former Crosby pupils.

John - Frank Turner was in year above me. I was friends with Steve Finn & Steve Brown who might have been in your year.

HARRY LOCKETT WAS A LOVELY MAN. I WAS A BIT OF AN ATHLETE AND IN THE EARLY SIXTIES HE WOULD FERRY ME, TOGETHER WITH HIS WIFE, UP AND DOWN THE EAST LANCS ROAD TO VARIOUS EVENTS. I HAVE A LOT TO THANK HIM FOR

Hey TIMCO how's it going - it's your old mate Boxer - we had some good times at the Town. Cumbrian Rugby League at its best. For info the old boys from Workington still meet up every year at the Gateway to the Lakes at Penrith. It's a great night with guest speakers - we've had Jim Mills, Brian Carney, Henderson Gill, the king Ellery Hanley & Sky Sports Eddie Hemmings - get in touch love to catch up

I had the misfortune of being educated by the Christian Brothers of Ireland in both the North East of England and at John Rigby due to my father's job moving us around. I'd completed the first two years of grammar school before John Rigby and found that the change in education system set me back on my arrival there in 1963. I remember the Crooks twins, but I was then made to repeat my third year, and remember John Norris as one of the few classmates in my new class with whom I got on. One of the clever lads in the class was a large-ish well set feller called Dewhurst. My accent made me a target for the big lads in the playground and I got hammered a few times. I hated games lessons because I didn't understand rugby and was then made to do cross country. I think the games teacher was Frank Balmer and he thumped me big time for cheating, which I had not done. The only teacher I remember with any fondness at all was Bomber Clayton, who rated me, when all the other teachers said I would be useless to anyone. However, I joined the British Merchant Navy and became a ship captain, and then brought my skills to the USA in 2002 and was reasonably successful before retirement in 2016. Overall, I hated school, especially being at John Rigby, and the so-called "Christian" Brothers put me off religion for ever, the bunch of thugs! I'm pleased to have found this website and glad to know I'm not alone in my thoughts. Happy New Year and great 2025 to everyone.

I was in the first ever form when John Rigby opened. I remember Frankie Balmer (firm but good), Paul Bagshaw (excellent art teacher, young and fun and had a fag in the store cupboard during lessons and lectured us on the evils of smoking), Mr Lewis (art, who was a good teacher), Bro Gleeson (young and handsome and apparently sexually frustrated and bad-tempered), Shepherd (chemistry - which end of the retort stand do you want? The thick end or the thin end? Ambrose (head teacher, looked rather holy and I never saw him angry), Bro Sullivan (maths, and I thought him OK), 'Cedric' (English lit - did his best but was not good at holding respect).
Anf there must have been others who I have forgotten.

It is funny no one has mentioned the profound effect on Rigby lads when the first girls - 6, I think - arrived from Wigan Convent for A Levels in the 6th Form. It would have been around 1971 or 2. I was 14 or so. All I could do was watch and marvel!

I remember the delayed switch to VI Form. There were six girls in the first intake, not one of them were lookers but when you haven't shared educational space with a female for ten years they all looked "blewmin gorgeous!

I began dating one of those girls, Susan Hill, in the summer of 1971 we got married in 1978 and have been together ever since - thank you John Rigby.

Congratulations Matthew. I met my wife, Christine Gaskell (Milton Grove near Marylebone Park by the Cherry Gardens) when I was in upper 6th Form and she was in lower 6th in 1975. Adrian must be hard to please! I thought that all 6 were very good looking and I don’t think that is just nostalgia

Paul if "Specsavers" had been on Church Street in Orrell in those days you ought to have paid a visit. Not that I am an Adonis but one has one's standards albeit mine are hardly average!

Adrian your comments don't reflect the values that "John Rigby" cultivated - reign it in and show a little more respect for former pupils. Remember Brother O'Halloran's mantra - in the land of the blind the one eyed man is king - Paul Taylor is king!!

Adrian Clarke made my school life a misery - hope he can reflect on his misdeeds.

I played centre and wing for John Rigby between 1968 and 1973 or 4. Steve Finn played in the same team. He was a very good athletic forward and a fine 440 yard runner. Terry Blackburn, Dave McCarthy, Tony Pegg, a lad called Southern also played. I would love to be reminded of the names of other lads who played for the same team. I think John Taylor and Frank Turner were stand out players for the year above me. I met a John Taylor some years ago and it was great to see him again

I remember Steve Finn didn't he go on to play for Sale and Rosslyn Park. I read that Terry Blackburn passed on a few years back - I remember him coaching at Orrell RUFC and I think Tony Pegg was Chairman of Orrell for a while. I played for Wigan Rugby Union and then got signed by Rochdale Hornets Rugby League Club. I made my debut against Leeds in 1981 and we got beat 46-2. I received the princely sum of £60 losing pay!

Reading these comments brings it all back to me. I was in the same year as Paul Bamber & John Taylor from '67 thru '72, then VI Form College to '74. As John mentioned, the staff all had very descriptive nicknames. Mr Sharkey was known as Walrus as I recall and I dare anyone to post the nickname given to the lady who took Drama & English (was it a Mrs Smith?).

I remember Mrs Smith wasn't she known as "Tit Lil" ?

Yes you’re correct Paul. Who remembers the French teacher Mr Vercombe who used to spend most of the lesson kicking the waste paper bin around the classroom shouting “Are you insane boy?”
Also Mr Haunch who was something of an oddball to say the least and who could forget the adorable Carol Taylor the art teacher with her mini skirts!

Carol Taylor - was & still is the girl of my dreams - oh to know where she is now..............ooops have to sign off the wife's just brought my horlicks in !!

Five girls I think originally entered into Lower 6th from the Convent in September 1971. Catherine, Christine Angela and two Susans. They were given a little room for their exclusive use near the Library, which in the sexist terminology of the time was referred to as the birdcage.
Mr Vercambre resigned from his post on a matter of principle after a dispute with senior management. Astonishingly, when we went on study leave for O levels he gave us his home phone number to ring if we had any problems during revision. Taking a chance there with lots of scope for practical jokes!
Mr Haunch, who taught Russian, replacing the reedy voiced Mr Wakeford, went on to have a very sordid history which can be read about online.

I attended St John Rigby VI Form College in the early 70's and must admit that I cannot relate the catalogue of derogatory comments that precede my contribution to the fine educational institution that provided me with a passport to subsequent success & prosperity. Shame on you who denigrate this bastion of propriety!

Paul and Paul, Carol the art teacher must have scrambled your heads a lot, as her surname was Brown, not Taylor!!

Whether you call her Brown, Taylor or Kay Burley it's immaterial, still dreaming !!