Author: Tony Rigby

Alan Parker – images

The Photographic Collection of Alan Parker

After attending the 2007 reunion event, shortly before the closure of Bretton Hall as an educational institution, Alan Parker decided that he would take positive steps to ensure that alumni’s memories of their days of study at Bretton be preserved.

 

The outcome of  Alan’s deliberations was his  foundation of this website, dedicated to the promotion of alumni’s recollections of their experiences.

 

Alan Parker has an extensive collection of photographs, some of which he shares in this small group and elsewhere in the ‘Archive’ section.  Those  included in this group were all taken in 2007.

Click on images to enlarge.

​


Alan Parker

1971

1971

Alan Parker

1968-1971  Music

Founder an an editer of this website

"... Sang solos in Carmina Burana, and at the Leeds institute recital of the Faure Requiem in York Minster.    Member of Jim Wild's  A Cappella Choir, Wind Band, and Orchestra. ..."

I came to Bretton from a boys secondary modern school in Doncaster with my then friend Allan Morris. Both were instrumental players of a good standard. I played Clarinet andSax and Allan the Euphonium. I came from a 'straight up and background' andfound it quite difficult to get on with some of the more 'sophisticated' characters that came from coed schools and colleges. I immediately took a shine to Wendy Fletcher, Janet Evington, Bob Cook and Ann, the Women's main rep. Stayed in contact with all except for Bob Cook. Lostcontact with Wendy and Janet after their weddings in 1970's (big shame). Back in contact again with wonderful Ann and her husband Richard after the reunion 2007.

Read More

Click here to view my  image Collection

Link to Facebook page

c. 2010

c. 2010

King's Head Hostel

King's Head Hostel

David Newland, Alan Parker and Andrew Talbot


Anthony Osborne – images

The Photographic Collection of Antony Osborne - 1982-85

Click on images for enlargements and detail


Janet Dawson images

The Photographic Collection of Janet Deakin (née Dawson)

Janet Dawson - c. 1962

Janet Dawson c. 1962

Click on images for enlargement and detail


1960-63 – Peter Bear images

The Photographic collection of Peter Bear - 1960-63

 

 

 

 

Peter Bear was the President of the Student Union at Bretton from 1961 to 1963.

The photographs on this page, which were all provided by Peter, had been included with a collection from Janet Deakin.   

Click on images for enlargements and details


Uncategorised

Leslie Burtenshaw

Leslie  Burtenshaw

1949-51  Music

 "Once  a  fortnight  all  students  attended  a  lecture  on ‘Art in Education’  and were privileged to meet some of the great minds of the post-war period:  Herbert Read;  Carl Dolmetsch;   Bernard Shore;  Sir Gordon Russell  and Hans Feibusch, who visited Bretton to renovate the murals and became a profound influence on some of the art students." 

Click on images to enlarge

 Leslie Burtenshaw's  'Reminiscence'  is a fond recollection of the early days at Bretton when there were only 56 students and six foundation tutors.  He refers to the educational idealism of the early 1950s and highlights the strengths of the Principal and each of the tutors.  


Prof. J. L. Taylor

Professor John L. Taylor

 

Principal

 

1981-93

" ... a deliberate attempt was made throughout the 80s and early 90s to raise the profile of Bretton Hall both nationally and internationally.  Part of this charm offensive involved getting the ‘great and the good’ onto the Campus. " 

Professor John L Taylor's Reminiscence informs the reader of the major developments that took place at Bretton Hall during the 1980s, following "nearly two decades of building inactivity as a consequence of post-war under-funding".

To read Professor Taylor's Reminiscence, click on the link below

Professor Taylor's Reminiscence


Paul Gandy

Paul Gandy

1951-1953  Art

" ... it was the permeating vibrancy of the arts as epitomized at Bretton – fulfilling, expanding and enlarging the human potential and understanding – that gripped us and fitted so neatly into where, as young students, we happened to be. ..."

Click on images for enlargements

Paul Gandy became a student at Bretton Hall merely two years after its opening as a College for the training of teachers of Music, Art and Drama.    His Reminiscence evokes the atmosphere of a small,   close-knit community.   He recalls the suspension of lectures on the day of the death of King George VI in February, 1952 and the planting of trees to commemorate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in the following year.

To read Paul Gandy's Reminiscence, click on the link below.

Paul Gandy Reminiscence


Jean Holmes

 
The Photographic Collection of Jean Edwards (née Holmes)

Leslie Burtenshaw – images

The Photographic Collection of Leslie Burtenshaw

On 25th September, 1949, Leslie Burtenshaw was one of the first group of 56 students to be admitted to Bretton Hall to train to become a teacher;  his main subject was Music.

Born in 1928, Leslie was too young to join the armed forces during World War ll.  After the war, his National Service was deferred as he opted to work in one of the essential industries, serving his country by working as a coal miner for two years.

Leslie Burtenshaw’s collection of photographs  contains images of Bretton during the early years from 1949 to 1951.

 
 
 
Click on images for enlargements