East Cleveland Image Archive

The Towers School, Saltburn 1925, for which the Archive is asking for assistance regarding this photograph. The image came to the Archive following comments to an image of the school dating c.1928. Peter Owen told the Archive: “Going through family archives, my mother (Marjorie Appleton) was at The Towers in 1925 at the age of 15 – this is the whole school photograph of that year. I would like to believe that her two sisters might also be in this photograph, Doris Appleton and Audrey Appleton. I put an arrow in the scan who I believe is my mother. Roger Byron-Collins has told the Archive: “My late mother in law, Svanhild Hojem was born in 1914 and was the daughter of a Norwegian business school owner in Stavanger and Arendal, attending Towers School in the 1920s.  There were a significant number of fellow students at the school from Norway and her best friend was the daughter of Christian Salvesen of the well-known transport company.” The Archive , as well as Peter and Roger would welcome any assistance in naming pupils or staff.

Image courtesy of Peter Owen, thanks to Peter Owen and Roger Byron-Collins for additional information.

Glenhow private school for boys, opened about 1884 and was previously two houses; it was briefly again used as a private residence between 1893 and 1901. The exact date it became Glenhow School is uncertain, it was visited by HRH Princess Anne 21st February 1986 and finally closing in 1992. By the time of closure in 1992 girls were also pupils at the school. Today it still stands and has been converted back to private housing. Mike Wilson writes: ”I attended Glenhow as a border in 1949-1950. The headmaster then was a Mr Percy Sykes. The school continued in operation into the 1970s under the jurisdiction of Mr John Amos (I think)and his wife Barbara. Sadly Mr Amos passed away just before my son, Miles Wilson, started there as an infant in 1978 under the headmastership of Mr Anthony Petgrave-Johnston. We migrated to Australia in 1982 and so lost touch with the school. We now understand that Glen Howe has closed down. If there are any ex-pupils that remember me or my son Miles I would be glad to hear from them.” Whilst Richard Gowing tells us: ”I attended Glenhow from 1944, when it was evacuated to the house in Helmsley which was the Bishop of Whitby’s country residence and now the HQ of the national park. We were rather crowded there but it was great fun, in a lovely location. After the war we returned to Saltburn where I remained until 1948 when I moved on to Oundle. Percy Sykes was a great headmaster and formative influence; among other things he gave me a love of music which I enjoy to this day. My other great teacher was Miss Margaret Grinyer; a schoolmate whom I particularly remember was Bruce Tulloh who later achieved fame as a barefoot runner. Happy memories! It was sad to learn from the web that the school later closed, but good to see that the building survives, as I saw when I visited Saltburn recently.” Andrew Scott reports: “Bruce’s passing was reported in the Telegraph Obituaries”. Chris Holmes also tells us: ”I went to Glenhow school as a boarder, in 1972 the headmaster was Mr Amos; I owe that man everything as he was fantastic. What a school, great days!” Sarah Sumner (Williams) tells: “I went to Glenhow school in the 1980s. I have so many happy memories, and meet friends for life. I have moved back near Saltburn-by-the-Sea and plan on going back to visit”. Ruth Smith advises: ”Just read that Robert Shaw the actor was a teacher at this school. (See Wikipedia)”. Stephen JB James advises: “I was at Glenhow 1954-58, and my brother David James was there 1957-62. Percy Sykes was head when I arrived, but in 1955 or 56 John Rayson took over as head. After early homesickness I settled down and I have many happy memories of my time there. I went on to Rossall School in Lancashire, followed by Oxford University and then a career in marine insurance in London. I am married to a South African, and we divide our time between Wimbledon and Cape Town. If anyone out there remembers me I would be delighted to hear from them!” Peter Gee assists with: I remember you: If I’m right you came with me to my parents place in Norton on one of the visiting days when your people couldn’t come. I was there 1954-57; remember Mr. Sykes and Mr Rayson, and Ms Grunyere (I think that’s right spelling) who taught Maths and French, also the Rutherford’s who were head boys, and a returned head boy who came back as a teacher. A few other names are floating around in the back of my head, if I pin them down I’ll repost.” Neil Anderson adds: “I went to Glenhow School when it came back to Saltburn in 1946/47 until I then went to Worksop College. My grandson also went to Glenhow he was there when it closed and at the time Princess Ann visited he went on to Yarm school who’s Headmaster was Neville Tate also educated at Glenhow the same time as me. A lot of the boys went on to St Peters in York. I still live in the area and come across a few old boys of my time . I remember the Rutherford’s, Mrs Musgrave was the cook for many years and her husband Frank was handyman. As you say very many Happy Memories. I am now 88.” Chris Bean adds: “I was an inmate from 1960 to 1966. From thence to Oundle. As a young lad Saltburn was an adventure playground with the beach, cliffs, and garlic woods being a favourite haunt. More memories than I can shake a stick at, and it is easy to remember the good stuff. However I have to be honest and say I did not want to be there, but we did as we were told right? My parents lived and worked abroad (father a Geologist) which is why my brother and I went to Glenhow Preparatory School. The only teachers I can remember the name of were Rayson (Head) and Dunbar.” Victoria Sladen also remembers: “My grandfather was Percy Sykes. He sadly died when I was very small so I don’t remember him at all. However, his Wife, Gladys, my grandmother figured very prominently in my life and I am lucky to have lots of photos of her and of Glenhow School. Their son, Robin, was my father. He died in 2019 and some music, composed by my grandfather, was played at his funeral at Bristol Cathedral. John Rayson was, I believe, Godfather to my sister. Miss Margaret Grinyer used to send us Christmas presents for many years. I remember her spidery writing very clearly and she lived in Hawthorn Gardens, Worthing. Time marches on for all of us and I doubt if there are many former Glenhow pupils who will remember the Sykes family now but please leave a comment, if you do!” Clair Hodgson updates with: “Hi Victoria, I don’t remember your grand father, however when I attended Glenhow the children were split in to two teams called houses. One was Sykes and one was Amos. I was in Sykes. Very find memories of my time there.”

Many thanks to Mike Wilson, Richard Gowing, Andrew Scott, Sarah Sumner (Williams), Chris Holmes, Ruth Smith, Stephen James, Peter Gee, Neil Anderson, Chris Bean, Victoria Sladen and Clair Hodgson for the updates.

Pupils bedrooms at the Towers obviously included dolls cots for the younger pupils; carefully lined up beside the fireplace and on the ends of the beds.

Image courtesy of a promotional brochure for Towers School at the turn of the 19th century.

Towers School pupils enjoying bathing in the swimming pool in Saltburn baths. The sea water for the pool was changed once a week and the water was officially described as ‘tepid but we suspect that would mean cold! These sessions would be non-public and for the sole and exclusive use of the pupils of Towers school.

Image courtesy of a promotional brochure for Towers School at the turn of the 19th century, information courtesy of ‘Saltburn-By-The-Sea Revisited’.

We presume this was a quiet session for the younger pupils of Towers School. Was this an obligatory afternoon nap or they did not want to look at the wallpaper which resembles spiders?

Image courtesy of a promotional brochure for Towers School at the turn of the 19th century.