Next OTA Reunion Dinner and AGM Saturday 30th April 2011

The OTA provides a means for past pupils of Thetford Grammar School to remain in touch with each other, current staff and pupils.

Each year the OTA meets at the Thetford Grammar School for their annual dinner. This provides an opportunity for past pupils to meet up with their old school friends, and learn about latest developments at the school. There is also an annual cricket match between old boys and pupils and staff.

Membership of the OTA is open to any past pupil of Thetford Grammar School.  For further details, please email the Honorary Secretary at  honorary.secretary@oldthetfordian.org

If you have any news, old Thetford Grammar School pictures or any comments relating to this site please email contact@oldthetfordian.org

The following email was received from Ben Campbell regarding the 2010 OTA cricket match taking place on the 26th June 2010.

Dear Honorary Secretary,

I have the pleasure of being the Old Thetfordian cricket team captain. 

Please could you post this email on the OTA website? This year the 

game is on Saturday 26th June. I would like to invite any old boys and 

girls with a passion for cricket to join the team. Please be assured 

that whilst cricketing talent is beneficial, it is certainly not 

required! Some of us practice for the game on Thursday evenings in 

Cambridge. Anyone wishing to play should email or telephone Ben 

Campbell.

bencampbell80@hotmail.com

07714375036

Yours sincerely,

Ben Campbell

OTA Cricket Captain 2005-

TGS 1990-1999

The school is planning to buy a new grand piano and also planning to buy new Remembrance Day books and are seeking funds for this. The OTA president will make a donation of £1000 to the head at the (2010) OTA Dinner.

In addition to the £1000 donation OTA members can sponsor the piano for £50 per key. If any members wish to sponsor a key please send a cheque to the OTA treasurer.

Dear Sir,

I thought you might be interested to know that I was a pupil at TGS from 1991-1999. I then left and worked at Elveden Farms for Lord Iveagh before going on to study Music and American Studies at Keele University. On completion of my degree I joined the Army as a musician and am now a clarinettist in Her Majesty's Coldstream Guards stationed in central London.

We have recently released a new CD entitled 'Heroes' which has gone straight to number 1 in the Classic FM album charts. It is a CD of music for Heroes performed by Heroes and is mostly made up of epic film scores.

Part of the proceeds from the recording are going to service charities including the Coldstream Guards welfare trust which supports servicemen and their families.

I would be very honoured and grateful if you felt that this would be something of interest to the Old Thetfordians? I am attaching a copy of the CD cover for you to look at.

Yours,

Sally Watkins

John Chapman contacted me in October 2009 regarding his grandfather CH Chapman who attended Thetford Grammar School around 1889. John is writing up his family history, and is researching his grandfather’s early history. He enclosed some early pictures which he has kindly allowed me to publish on this site.

If you have any information on the school and community from this period, please contact me at contact@oldthetfordian.org and I will pass on any information to John.

Read More...

John (43-45) contacted me in March 2009 enclosing an extract from his book. It details John’s entry to the TGS and his woodworking achievements under the tutorage of the woodwork master Mr Fraser! Read More..

Thanks John for sharing your memories of your days at TGS.

To share any of your memories of TGS, please email to me at contact@oldthetfordian.org .

2009 marks the 200th anniversary of the death of Thomas Paine (1737-1809). Thomas Paine attended the Thetford Grammar School from 1744 until 1749 before becoming apprenticed to his corset-maker father at the age of 13.

To read more about planned events visit the tompaine200 web site at www.tompaine200.org.uk/index.html

OTA Annual Reunion Dinner and AGM

Please note for your diaries that the date for the next Dinner and AGM will be:

Saturday April 30th 2011

Former pupils and staff of the Thetford Grammar School and of course any members of the Old Thetfordians’ Association, may attend the Annual Dinner

OTA Member Peter Bowes Memories of Thetford During WW2

Back in 2006, at the TGS fete, Peter showed some of his prints depicting his memories of Thetford during World War 2. I asked if he would give me permission to scan some of the prints and publish them on this web site. Peter reluctantly agreed, (he is a very modest person!), so here are just a few of them.Read More..

OTA Committee Member Vacancy

A vacancy exists for the OTA committee. The applicant should be a member of the OTA and be prepared to attend four meetings per year held at the Grammar School. The meetings are usually held on Fridays commencing 7.30pm.

If you are interested please email contact@oldthetfordian.org with your details.

News.

120 members attend the 2007 OTA reunion.

The turnout for the 2007 OTA reunion was slightly down on last years record attendance with 120 members in attendance.

Once again the caterers did us proud despite not being able to light the ovens! Unbeknown to the attendees, Chris Garrod was seen running around ten minutes before the first arrivals, asking if anyone had a cigarette lighter as the ovens were proving difficult to light. Jill Beart came to the rescue providing the 'woman's touch' which was all that was required to get the dinner underway. 

More pictures..

TGS Medal Information provided by Dr Dan Waters

Following an appeal for information regarding the TGS medal acquired by Chris Garrod Click Here.... I received an email from Dr Deric Daniel (Dan) Waters 1930-1936.Read More...

Around 150 Old Thetfordians attend the 2006 OTA Reunion Dinner

The 2006 OTA reunion took place on the 22nd April 2006 with a record turnout of around 150.Read More..

Old Thetfordian to run the London Marathon for Save the Rhino International

Kathryn Baskerville will be running the 2006 London Marathon to raise funds for the Save the Rhino International appeal.Read More..

Update

Kathryn completed the London Marathon raising £1,000 for Save the Rhino.

Over 40 turn up for '30th reunion'

The '30th reunion' took place on the 28th May 2005 at the Thomas Paine Hotel in Thetford. Martin Wuest arranged for someone from the Thetford and Brandon Times to attend, resulting in a half page report of the event in the June 1st edition.Read More...

Ex TGS Teachers to walk the length of the Pyrenees!

During the summer of 2005, Sue and Ivan Godfrey (teachers at Thetford Grammar School 1969 - 75 ) will be walking the entire length of the Pyrenees mountain chain along the Grande Randonee 10 trail. Read More...

Update

Sue and Ivan completed their trek raising over £7000 for their charities! Further details of their adventure may be found at www.godfreytreks.co.uk

TGS Memorabilia turns up on eBay

Chris Garrod (69-76) recently spotted a TGS medal for sale on eBay, the Internet auction site. Several bids later, Chris became the proud owner of the medal.Read More...